Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 88, Section 87: Filming Begins and Ends

Wang Sheng was not present at the Beijing Film Studio auditorium, naturally because he was filming "Family Harmony Brings Prosperity".

Go back to a few days ago.

September 12, 1996, Thursday, the ninth day of the eighth lunar month.

Suitable activities: opening a market, trading, signing contracts, receiving money, starting construction; Unsuitable activities: marriage, digging a well, burial, building a stove, moving into a new house.

It was just past six in the morning.

The Lijing Garden villa area on the outskirts of Beijing was still shrouded in a thin layer of morning light, and the air was crisp and clear, typical of early autumn.

However, in front of a carefully selected detached villa located deep within the community, a large crowd had gathered and the lights were on.

This is the main filming location chosen by the crew of "Family Harmony Brings Prosperity"—the mansion of Mr. Zhang, the "son-in-law" in the drama.

In the open space in front of the villa, a long table covered with a red cloth was set up, on which were placed a camera covered with a red cloth, an incense burner, and various fruits and pastries.

In front of the table, a stainless steel basin was burning brightly, which was for the "roast pig" to be made later. Although only a symbolic suckling pig model was used for the sake of convenience and "environmental protection", the sense of ritual had to be done well.

Wang Sheng wore a navy blue director's vest with the "Shengying Media" logo printed on it, over a simple white T-shirt, khaki cargo pants, and sneakers, looking capable and energetic.

He stood in front of the table, watching assistant director Huo Jianqi, executive producer, director of photography, lighting director and others busily confirming the final preparations.

The main actors, including Zhao Benshan, Guo Da, Fan Wei, Lei Kesheng, and Song Dandan, have all arrived and are gathered together for makeup artists to do their makeup before filming begins.

Zhao Benshan wore a slightly rustic but clean old Zhongshan suit, which is his usual attire and was also to match his image on the Spring Festival Gala.

Wang Sheng treated this drama like a skit.

Guo Da and Lei Kesheng were dressed in old-man shirts and loose pants, looking like typical retired old men; Fan Wei simply wore a suit and glasses, and the air of "Boss Zhang" was immediately apparent; Song Dandan wore light makeup to conceal her age, and a casual sweater and coat, with a hint of weariness from the hardships of life between her brows, which was exactly the state of her daughter "Juanjuan" in the drama.

Li Xiaoran also arrived. She didn't have many scenes today; her main role was to make an appearance. She was dressed in a slightly glamorous secretary's business suit and sat quietly to the side reading the script.

"Brother Sheng, the auspicious time is almost here," Monkey, the on-site producer, whispered as he approached.

Wang Sheng nodded, raised his hand to look at his watch, 6:28.

He took a deep breath, walked to the table, and picked up three incense sticks.

Huo Jianqi, the main actors, and heads of various departments also gathered around.

The scene gradually quieted down, and everyone's eyes were focused on Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng lit the incense, bowed in all directions, and silently prayed, "May all the gods bless us, may the filming go smoothly, and may the ratings soar."

Then, solemnly insert the incense sticks into the incense burner.

Then, he lifted the red cloth covering the camera and announced loudly, "May the filming of 'Harmony Brings Prosperity' begin!"

"Good luck with the boot!"

The crowd echoed in unison, their loud voices startling several early-rising sparrows in the nearby trees.

Wang Sheng took a red envelope from the executive producer and slipped it under the camera, symbolizing "good fortune coming his way".

This ritual was introduced to the mainland by Hong Kong filmmakers.

Wang Sheng thought it went very well, and the filming went smoothly.

If you believe it, there will be nothing.

Afterwards, the staff began distributing opening red envelopes to each cast and crew member on set. The money wasn't much, just a lucky charm, but the atmosphere instantly became even more lively.

After the symbolic "roast pig" ceremony, Wang Sheng picked up the clapperboard and walked into the main hall of the villa, which was decorated as the "Zhang Family Living Room".

The first scene depicts the moment when "Grandpa" Zhao Benshan, disguised as "Grandma Yu," nervously steps into his "former son-in-law's" house for the first time.

The camera position is set up, and the lighting technician is making final adjustments.

"All departments, prepare!" Wang Sheng's voice came through a simple megaphone.

“Photography OK!”

“The lighting is OK!”

Recording complete!

"The actors are in place!"

Zhao Benshan took a deep breath and instantly got into the zone.

He was slightly hunched over, his face bearing a complex expression that mixed tension, anticipation, and feigned composure. He carried an old cloth bag in his hand and stepped hesitantly across the threshold.

Wang Sheng stared at the monitor. In the picture, a close-up of "Grandma Yu's" weathered yet trying-to-appear "kind" eyes was full of dramatic tension.

"The first episode of 'Harmony Brings Prosperity,' scene one, shot one, action!" Wang Sheng personally struck the clapperboard.

The clapperboard snapped shut.

The camera slowly zooms in, capturing "Grandma Yu's" first step into this unfamiliar yet luxurious environment.

Zhao Benshan's performance was delicate and accurate, vividly portraying the unease of an old man from the lower class when he first entered a wealthy family, as well as his psychological activities of pretending to be calm for the sake of his grandson.

"Good! Passed!" Wang Sheng nodded in satisfaction as he watched the playback on the monitor.

A burst of light applause and soft cheers rang out from the audience.

A good start always puts people in a good mood.

Wang Sheng picked up the walkie-talkie: "Prepare for the next shot, Teacher Fan and Teacher Song, get ready."

The filming proceeded smoothly.

Although Wang Sheng is young, thanks to his experience from his previous life and the intensive study he has done recently, he has become very quick to get the hang of directing.

He sat behind the monitor, his eyes sharp, his thoughts clear, and his instructions precise. Regarding the performances, he primarily gave the actors trust and room to improvise, offering guidance and adjustments only at crucial moments.

“Teacher Fan, you, ‘Boss Zhang,’ when faced with the sudden appearance of ‘Grandma Yu,’ besides being surprised, you also need to have that little bit of scheming about ‘a cheap housekeeper coming to your house.’ Yes, and your eyes should be a little more shifty…”

"Teacher Song, when Juanjuan sees her father dressed as 'Grandma Yu,' how conflicted is she about wanting to recognize him yet not daring to? Try to express that conflicted emotion more subtly, using subtle facial expressions and body language..."

“Teacher Zhao, if your interaction with Batu were a little more natural, it would be like you’re grandfather and granddaughter…”

Zhao Benshan truly deserves his reputation as a comedy master. Not only did he perform his role exceptionally well, but he also frequently improvised, throwing out unexpected "punchlines" that made the staff on set burst into laughter.

This is both an advantage and a disadvantage; Lao Zhao loves to improvise too much, and many actors who have worked with him don't like this.

His performances alongside veteran actors Guo Da and Lei Kesheng were particularly captivating, often producing more exciting moments than the script itself.

Under Zhao Benshan's guidance, Fan Wei quickly found the same kind of endearing yet hateful charm as "Boss Zhang".

Song Dandan's acting skills are solid, and she portrays the daughter's resilience and helplessness very vividly.

With Wang Sheng's patient guidance and Zhao Benshan's sweet talk, young actress Batu gradually got into character, and the interaction between the grandparents and grandchildren was sincere and touching.

Li Xiaoran's role is relatively simple, mainly showcasing the secretary's allure and a touch of cunning.

Wang Sheng's requirements for her were "beauty" and "just the right amount of affectation," which she accomplished quite well.

The filming process was not without its challenges.

Sometimes the weather would suddenly change and the sun would disappear, forcing a pause and a wait; sometimes props would be flawed, requiring reshoots; sometimes actors wouldn't be in good form, requiring multiple takes for a single shot. But under the direction of Wang Sheng and Huo Jianqi, the entire crew was extremely efficient.

The technical team at Beijing Film Studio is highly professional, with lighting, photography, and sound recording each performing their respective duties and working together seamlessly.

Shengying Media's own logistics support team was also very capable, providing timely and delicious boxed meals and prompt vehicle dispatch, ensuring the filming schedule.

……

Time flew by during the intense and fulfilling filming.

September 29th arrived in the blink of an eye, and filming entered its final stage.

That afternoon, the scene to be filmed was one of the climaxes of the entire series—the important scene where "Grandma Yu's" identity is revealed, the family conflicts erupt, and they reconcile under the catalyst of family affection.

The scene is still in the villa's living room, but the atmosphere is completely different from when the film was started.

The lighting was adjusted to be soft and warm, and the cameras were set up at multiple angles to capture the subtle expressions of each actor.

"All departments, get ready. This is the main event, everyone stay alert!" Wang Sheng said calmly, holding a walkie-talkie.

Zhao Benshan (maternal grandfather), Song Dandan (daughter Juanjuan), Fan Wei (son-in-law Mr. Zhang), Guo Da (in-law's father Zhang), and Lei Kesheng (neighboring old man) were all present.

After nearly twenty days of working together, the actors have already developed a deep understanding of each other.

"Action!"

The play has begun.

Zhao Benshan shed his "Grandma Yu" disguise, wearing his old Zhongshan suit, and stood in the center of the luxurious living room, facing his daughter, son-in-law, in-laws, and neighbors. His eyes showed shame, stubbornness, but even more so, a longing for family affection.

His lines are simple yet incredibly powerful, expressing an old man's deep and clumsy love in a way that brings tears to the eyes.

Song Dandan burst into tears and rushed over to hug her father tightly. All her grievances, understanding, and guilt erupted at this moment.

Fan Wei's portrayal of the son-in-law shows a clear and nuanced emotional shift, from initial anger and confusion to later realization and guilt.

Veteran actors Guo Da and Lei Kesheng provided just the right amount of atmosphere, sometimes cracking jokes, sometimes expressing deep emotion.

Wang Sheng, behind the monitor, stared intently at the screen, afraid of missing any exciting moment.

He could sense that the play had succeeded!

The actors' performances were sincere and full of emotion, creating a powerful dramatic effect.

When Zhao Benshan, speaking in a tearful Northeastern accent, uttered the impromptu line, "Dad has no ambition in this life, all I ever thought about was being able to see my eldest grandson a few more times..." many staff members on set couldn't help but tear up.

"Card!"

Wang Sheng's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of excitement: "Perfect! This take is a hit!"

The room was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in enthusiastic applause!

This applause is for all the actors, and also for the team that has worked together for nearly twenty days.

Wang Sheng stood up, walked to the middle of the actors, and said sincerely, "Teacher Zhao, Teacher Song, Teacher Fan, Teacher Guo, Teacher Lei, and our little Batu, thank you for your hard work! This scene was fantastic!"

Zhao Benshan wiped his eyes and laughed, "Director Wang, your script is excellent, the characters are believable, and we had a great time acting in it!"

Song Dandan nodded in agreement: "Yes, Director Wang, I feel at ease working with you."

That evening, the film crew held a simple yet lively wrap party at a restaurant in Beijing.

Wang Sheng raised his glass to toast all the cast and crew members who had worked hard for "Harmony Brings Prosperity":

"Thank you all for your hard work these past eighteen days! From the initial nervousness at the start of filming to today's successful conclusion, it wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of everyone here! Thank you to Teacher Zhao, Teacher Guo, Teacher Fan, Teacher Lei, Teacher Song, and our little Batu for your wonderful performances! Thank you to Director Huo, and thank you to all the brother departments of Beijing Film Studio and Shengying Media for their strong support! 'Family Harmony Brings Prosperity' is just the beginning. In the future, we will have many more and better works! I salute you all!"

"cheers!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses, there was a sense of relaxation after exhaustion and the joy of success.

Zhao Benshan performed a duet in Errenzhuan (a traditional Chinese folk art form) and Guo Dayong in Qinqiang (another traditional Chinese opera form), bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

"it is good!"

The crowd applauded in delight.

(End of this chapter)