Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 120 A Little Goodbye Is Better than a New Marriage

Cao Zhong called Shen Ao and asked Shen Ao to bring the footage to the hotel next to the film crew in Nanjing.
Cao Zhong needs to go through all the materials and plot. If there are any parts that Cao Zhong is not particularly satisfied with, he will ask Shen Ao to reshoot them.

There was no objection to bidding for the Olympics.

The rights of supervisors are different; some supervisors are only responsible for project management and resource coordination.

Some will be responsible for all supervision, guidance, and even the editing process.

Although Shen Ao was nominally the director of this film, everyone invested in it because of Cao Zhong, who had full control over the production team, so Shen Ao naturally had no objections.

Being able to direct independently is already a testament to Cao Zhong's support.

How could he possibly say no?
So, along with Jing Tian this time, Shen Ao also came to assist Cao Zhong and also to go through all the materials.

Xu Zheng, having a decent relationship with Guo Tao and having a general understanding of the promises Guo Tao had received, also came along.
He wanted to sign Cao Zhong to Chengying as soon as possible, and also mentioned Guo Tao's new movie and whether he could direct it.

Although that movie can't be rushed, Guo Tao needs to take the B2 driving test.

But Xu Zheng needs to try and see if he can be allowed to direct this movie in the future.

However, before filming, Xu Zheng always had to take the initiative to do something.

While filming the movie "Disqualified Daughter" with Shen Ao, Xu Zheng thought a lot.

He felt that comedy films were the easiest for him to work with.
Just recently, when I was communicating with the Hong Kong director, Liu Yiwei came up with an idea, and that sparked a creative idea in him.

Wanting to be a director but waiting idly will definitely not bring you an opportunity.

After much deliberation, he decided to ask Cao Zhong for his opinion.
If Director Cao has any new comedy scripts, Xu Zheng knows very well that Cao Zhong will probably choose to apply for the Oscars before him, since he didn't study directing.

Then we have no choice but to take the initiative.

Anyway, there are no new film crews coming to film here right now, so whether it's learning something from Director Cao or building a good relationship, Xu Zheng feels it's more meaningful than staying at home.

Cao Zhong only stayed on the film set for a few days before promising Guo Tao a leading role.

Xu Zheng still felt somewhat threatened.

Upon entering the film crew, Shen Ao and others saw many big-name actors.

These people are all filming seriously.

After watching for a short while, Shen Ao and Xu Zheng were both dumbfounded.

They knew why Director Cao was so strict about set visits, even forbidding them from revealing a single word.

"Is this still the Nanjing we filmed?" Xu Zheng stared wide-eyed, speechless.

“Zheng-ge,” Shen Ao said, his voice trembling slightly, “we shouldn’t have come in here.”

“I shouldn’t have come in.” Xu Zheng was speechless.

Looking at Cao Zhong, who was busy at work, he was deeply shaken.

He wondered how Cao Zhong's brain was structured.

In the past few days, Xu Zheng has been trying to adapt and localize the script from the Americans, hoping to create a purely Chinese story.

I'm so worried I feel like my hair is growing out of shape. My scalp is constantly itchy, and I just can't seem to get rid of it.

As it turns out, Cao Zhong's play, titled "Nanjing," is completely different from the previous one!
"I can keep my mouth shut, and I can stay with Director Cao and do odd jobs on set. Zheng Ge, you have to be careful. Don't talk in your sleep and reveal the general plot of the movie to your wife."

Shen Ao jokingly teased Xu Zheng.

"It's okay, I can stay on set too." Xu Zheng said smugly, "Your sister-in-law has her own way."

Shen Ao's gaze towards Xu Zheng instantly changed. "Is this something I can hear?"
And why does Xu Zheng seem so indifferent?

Chen Daomin finished filming a short while later, came over, nodded and smiled at Shen Ao and Xu Zheng, shook hands and addressed them as Director Shen and Director Xu.

These two are in such a state that it's hard to tell whether they're standing or sitting.

"You're too kind, Teacher Chen."

Although directors and actors are born with different statuses, there are still different niches between big actors and small directors.

Chen Daomin is still one of the most popular actors in mainland China.

Whether or not Chen Daomin wants him to act is up to him to choose. Both of them are well aware that this is also because of the face Cao Zhong gives them.

After Cao Zhong finished filming, Jing Tian excitedly ran to Cao Zhong's side and pounced on him to give him a hug.

Remembering how Jing Tian had embarrassed himself last time, Cao Zhong didn't stop her this time and let her hug him.

But Jing Tian quickly let go.

“This is a film crew. What kind of relationship do we have? You need to be mindful of your behavior,” Cao Zhong said solemnly. “We are a very proper film crew. Everything we do is for the sake of filming. You mustn’t do this again next time.”

"Oh! Senior brother, thanks to my hard work and learning in the last film crew, I can now find the camera spot with ease."

Jing Tian put his hands on his hips, extremely excited, and tilted his head back, begging for praise.

Fan Bingbing saw Jing Tian, ​​narrowed her eyes slightly, and felt that all men were the same, only liking young people. No wonder the female lead wasn't her.

This time, Fan Bingbing finally understood why Cao Zhong said she was too old.

Compared to himself, this female lead is so young and fresh, you could practically squeeze water out of her.

"Why does it feel like a reunion after a short separation? They even pounced on each other and hugged?" Fan Bingbing was somewhat shocked.

Cao Zhong, this isn't loyal either!

Cao Zhong coughed twice, seemingly unsure what Jing Tian was so proud of.
He quickly called over Dante Lam: "Director Lam, you should already have a very clear understanding of the content of Group B. While the set construction is still in progress, let's be stricter with her."

"Especially in terms of action scenes, I need more guidance from Director Lin."

"Director Cao, what are you saying? Action scenes are my forte. I've studied your storyboards very thoroughly, and I'm absolutely confident that I can get her to film the scenes exactly as depicted in the storyboards!"

“I have absolute faith in Director Lin’s abilities,” Cao Zhong said hesitantly, “but sometimes a director’s efforts are not enough.”

Jing Tian was furious, clenching his little fists and threatening Cao Zhong.
"Senior brother, if you insist on provoking me, you've only kicked a hornet's nest... Humph, I'll go study the script now." She fumed and turned to Cao Zhong to complain, "Senior brother, men are all big liars. When we first met, you didn't say that at all. Now, not only do you not praise me, you're even more so."

Xu Zheng also took some time to come and communicate with Cao Zhong.

"Director Cao, I have an idea recently."

"Speak directly."

"When I was filming 'Love Transfer,' I collaborated with Liu Yiwei, right? During our initial discussions, he gave me an idea: to adapt an American film called 'Plane, Train, and Car.'"
Director Cao had previously highly praised Zhao Benshan's film "Getting Home," and during the filming of "My Disqualified Daughter," I carefully considered it.
I think it would be very interesting to blend this kind of comedy, which explores the predicaments of travel, with a human story like "Getting Home."

Cao Zhong glanced at Xu Zheng and said approvingly, "I think your idea is good."

He didn't expect that because he gave Xu Zheng the hint a little too early, Xu Zheng would actually take the initiative to come up with the idea for "Lost in Thailand".

In his previous life, many people knew about the copyright dispute between Xu Zheng and Huaqi regarding the "囧" series.

What many don't know is that the original idea for this show actually came from Liu Yiwei and Xu Zheng. In fact, the show as a whole is a continuation of "Love Transfer." Only later were the director and investor Huaqi chosen.

Huaqi invested very little in promotion and distribution. When it was released during the summer of 2010, it only grossed 40 million yuan. It wasn't until the Spring Festival that the movie truly became a hit.

Huaqi gained fame through this film, but almost none of the main creators benefited from it.

"Does Director Cao really think my idea is good?"

“I think it’s good because China needs all kinds of commercial experiments right now. I’ve also analyzed the films you mentioned, as well as road movies like ‘Getting Home.’ I hope there can be more of those, so let’s try them boldly.”

Cao Zhong tapped on the crew's table. "I'll have Chengying buy the copyright later. If Liu Yiwei wants to be involved in the adaptation, you can bring him in, and Chengying will give you plenty of help. I even have no objection if you want to be the director, but the prerequisite is that the script is ready and I need to review it."

Xu Zheng was surprised that things went so smoothly, and his face showed an impulse to die for a friend.

"Director Cao, I really don't know what to say." Xu Zheng almost knelt down. "I've been in the entertainment industry for so many years, and this is the first time I've met someone who's closer to me than a father. This kind of trust, sigh..."

Xu Zheng almost burst into tears.

Cao Zhong patted Xu Zheng on the shoulder, "Don't say that. I'm young. If people say that, they'll think I'm bullying you in the workplace because of my position as a director."

Xu Zheng grasped Cao Zhong's hand and licked it until he was completely oblivious to the world around him.

"A father doesn't necessarily have to be older than his child."

Cao Zhong pursed his lips, utterly astonished.

(End of this chapter)