Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 288 The film crew is full of hidden talents
After submitting his essay to People's Literature and Art, Liu Yimin returned to his courtyard house and contacted Huang Chunyu of the Commercial Press to inform him of the essay's publication.

Upon receiving the news, Huang Chunyu immediately rushed over from the Commercial Press. He had been feeling rather down lately because he hadn't secured the publishing rights to "Triumph at Midnight."

Although the leader didn't say anything to Huang Chunyu, he felt embarrassed and was also clearly a little resentful.

Why did People's Literature take away the publishing rights to "Triumph at Midnight"? I've tried to take them away several times already, so what's wrong with taking them away one more time?
Upon hearing this, Liu Yimin had to admit, "That makes sense!"

When Huang Chunyu was taken to the courtyard, he did not bring up the publication of his essays first, but instead asked curiously how many copies of "Triumphant at Midnight" had been printed in the first printing.

“Eight hundred thousand copies!” Liu Yimin replied.

Huang Chunyu gasped upon hearing the number, but then continued, "Based on the performance of 'Triumph at Midnight' in the magazine, this number is not unreasonable. This time it's a relief for People's Literature. When will the essays be published?"

"It's already June 1st, so the May issue is obviously too late!" Liu Yimin said.

“Then we can print it first. In addition, the essays need to be properly organized. I was thinking about it on the way here. I felt that we can’t just publish the essays. ‘Chinese Girl’ should also be included. Also, I saw your previous materials. After your college entrance examination results came out, you gave a report once.”

I think the full text of this report should also be included. We need to organize more of it to make the whole book more comprehensive.

Huang Chunyu came over because he wanted to share his thoughts with Liu Yimin.

He hoped to increase the sales of the collected volumes through this method.

“Great! I fully support you!” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

The Commercial Press was willing to compile Liu Yimin's past reports and speeches, and of course he was happy to do so, since these were all royalties!

In the study, Huang Chunyu carefully listed out the contents to be included to Liu Yimin. After listing everything, Huang Chunyu breathed a sigh of relief.

Even if essays don't sell as well as novels, the sales won't be too dismal.

Huang Chunyu said with a smile, "Yimin, after you finish writing your next novel, you must remember me, otherwise, I'll pack my bedding and move into your courtyard house and wait for you!"

"Don't worry, Lao Huang!" Liu Yimin patted Huang Chunyu on the shoulder, indicating that he could rest assured.

After enjoying tea in the study for a while, Huang Chunyu left the courtyard house.

Although Huang Chunyu is young, Liu Yimin found that his editing ideas change faster than those of the older editors!
By early May, the courtyard trees had turned completely green, and a bird's nest had appeared on a branch of the ginkgo tree, appearing and disappearing amidst the swaying leaves.

Liu Yimin tidied up the vegetable garden and flower garden in the yard and watered them.

Aunt Liang knocked on Liu Yimin's door and warmly gave him two bunches of toon leaves: "This is a real treasure. In my hometown, everyone treats it like a precious gem. When there was no food, we had to fight over toon leaves!"

"Thank you, Aunt Liang. Where did you pick these?" Liu Yimin asked politely.

Aunt Liang enthusiastically pointed to a few Chinese toon trees at the alley entrance, saying, "Hey, there are a few Chinese toon trees when you turn left. We've picked them several times already, and they'll be gone soon."

"Alright, Aunt Liang, when the green beans in the yard grow, I'll send you some to try too!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Haha, no need, no need, you guys eat it yourselves!"

"We can just plant a few green beans and we'll have more than we can eat, no problem!"

Aunt Liang happily said that she would consider buying it if they couldn't finish it: "We people from Shandong Province love to eat soybeans in the summer. You know, soybeans are delicious stir-fried or used in noodles. We can eat them three times a day and never get tired of them!"

After seeing Aunt Liang off, Liu Yimin thought to himself, "Aren't you tired of eating this? Or maybe you're not eating enough beans!"

At noon, Zhu Lin finished get off work at the Beijing People's Art Theatre and said to Liu Yimin with a smile, "This afternoon, Teacher Wan wants you to come to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. It's about the American script!"

"Okay, let's eat first. Try my stir-fried eggs with toon leaves!"

Where did the toon leaves come from?

"It was given to me by Aunt Liang!"

"This stuff makes a delicious toon sauce. I'll bring some over when my mom makes it!" Zhu Lin said with a smile.

The two sat down at the table. Zhu Lin took a bite of the scrambled eggs with toon leaves and said with a smile, "It's alright, but it's still slightly inferior to what Comrade Zhu Lin makes!"

"Then you'll be in charge from now on!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

After lunch break, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin arrived at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. The play "The Visit," which Lan Tianye and Zhu Lin were rehearsing together, was in its final stages.

Zhu Lin has focused his main energy on developing the actors for "Triumph at Midnight," and often takes time to work on the script during his breaks.

Liu Yimin came to Cao Yu's office, and Cao Yu asked Liu Yimin what he thought of these American screenplays.

Xia Chun also sat at the tea table, listening carefully to Liu Yimin's opinion.

"I think 'Death of a Salesman' and 'Mahjong' are two books that would be suitable to be introduced to our country!"

As soon as Liu Yimin finished talking about "Death of a Salesman," Xia Chun excitedly slapped his thigh: "Yimin, I completely agree with you. These two plays are classics, and I think they will be a huge success if imported."

"What about the rest?" Cao Yu asked.

“I don’t think the rest are suitable for import right now, especially this one, which enthusiastically promotes American society!” Liu Yimin flipped up the script that was at the bottom and handed it to Cao Yu.

After reading it, Cao Yu discussed it with Xia Chun and decided to first import the two books, "Death of a Salesman" and "Mahjong".

Xia Chun happily took the notebook and went outside, intending to find someone to translate it.

Cao Yu chatted with Liu Yimin for a few minutes, asking Liu Yimin if he had written anything new recently.

"Teacher, I just finished writing the essays 'Leaving Rucheng'!"

"Great, you didn't even let me see it first!"

Cao Yu made a few jokes with a smile and then let Liu Yimin leave.

At the August First Film Studio, the casting for the film "Triumph at Midnight" is nearing its end, and the entire crew has gathered in the studio.

Wang Yan glanced at his watch, wondering why Liu Yimin hadn't arrived yet. They had already received instructions from their superiors that Liu Yimin would also be involved in the filming to ensure the movie's success.

Both Wang Yan and Li Jun had worked with Liu Yimin on his scripts, but this was their first time interacting with him on set. They came specifically today to let Liu Yimin meet the actors.

Apart from the scenes depicting the battlefield and the educated youth reclaiming wasteland, the other scenes will be filmed in Yanjing, and they plan to start filming on May 10th.

Liu Yimin rode his bicycle and greeted the gatekeeper of the August First Film Studio. The gatekeeper waved him over and let him in.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the photography studio, Liu Yimin saw a person squatting on the ground, drawing lines on the ground with a tree branch in his hand.

Seeing someone riding a bicycle, he immediately looked up, took out a newspaper from his pocket to compare, hurriedly got up, walked over to Liu Yimin with a big smile, and helped him hold the bicycle.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, right?"

Liu Yimin smiled and looked at the person next to him: "It's me, and who are you?"

"My name is Chen Peisi!"

"You're in it too? Who are you playing? You're not the male lead, are you?" Liu Yimin looked at the slightly immature Chen Peisi. If he really was the male lead, Liu Yimin would have to set things right.

"Hey, Comrade Liu Yimin, you also think I'm suitable for the lead role, right? Look at me standing here, I'm definitely the lead! It's a pity the director gave me a role that's not even the third male lead. Lin Dalin's younger brother, Lin Xiaolin!"

After Chen Peisi fixed Liu Yimin's bicycle, he showed off his physique, puffing out his chest and trying to reveal his chest muscles.

This scene is absolutely outrageous.

Liu Yimin quickly waved his hand and said, "No need to demonstrate, no need to demonstrate. I think the role of Lin Xiaolin is quite suitable for you, Comrade Pace. The size of the role is not important. The most important thing is whether you can perform it well!"

I thought to myself, "I'm already being kind by not letting you play the ungrateful wretch."

"Sigh!" Chen Peisi sighed, feeling that Liu Yimin couldn't understand him either. However, he still said warmly, "The director asked me to wait for you at the door; I'll take you in now!"

"Who are the actors?" Liu Yimin asked casually.

“There’s Xiangzi, also known as Zhang Fengyi, and another one named Zhu Shimao, and…” Chen Peisi emphasized the word “Zhu Shimao” when he spoke of him.

After Chen Peisi rattled off several names, Liu Yimin realized there was a reason why he wasn't cast as an ingrate. There was someone more suitable for the role: Feng Xiaogang from the Yanjing Military Region.

Just standing there, no acting required, that's it!
Upon arriving at the film studio where the crew was located, all the actors in the crew applauded, led by Wang Yan and Li Jun.

Looking at his warmly welcoming comrades, Chen Peisi unconsciously straightened his chest again. As he walked, he unexpectedly found himself ahead of Liu Yimin.

Li Jun glared at Chen Peisi, then walked over with a smile and shook hands with Liu Yimin: "Yimin, all the main actors in the crew, except for Comrade Zhu Lin, are basically here!"

"This is the list!" Wang Yan handed the list to Liu Yimin.

The female lead is Jiang Man (Zhu Lin), the male lead is Tong Chuan (Zhu Shimao), the female lead is Lin Dalin (Zhang Fengyi), the male lead is Lin Xiaolin (Chen Peisi), and the frontline troop leader is Yang Yongxia (Zhai Wanchen).
Surprisingly, Sha Ruijin and his subordinate Tian Guofu were both present.

Zhu Shimao and his partner Chen Peisi also successfully joined forces.

With Feng Xiaogang added to the mix, it really is a place where hidden talents abound!

Zhang Fengyi had already acted in "Rickshaw Boy" by this time, and had just graduated from Beijing Film Academy, where he was assigned to Emei Film Studio. Before he even left, he was selected by the crew of "Triumph at Midnight".

Wang Yan and Li Jun asked each actor to stand up and introduce themselves, so that Liu Yimin could see if they fit the image.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, my name is Zhu Shimao!" Zhu Shimao stood up and said excitedly. Starting with the movie "The Herdsman", Zhu Shimao became known to the Chinese people.

This is why he was able to beat Tang Guoqiang, the leading man of the August First Film Studio, to win the male lead role.

Li Jun believes that Zhu Shimao is handsome, but also has a wild side. Tang Guoqiang, on the other hand, has a more aristocratic air but lacks that wildness, making him unsuitable for the role of Tong Chuan.

"Don't get excited, I don't have a wife to give you!" Liu Yimin joked with a smile.

The entire studio erupted in laughter. Zhu Shimao blushed and sat down, but he was secretly pleased, knowing that Comrade Liu Yimin had known him for a long time.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, my name is Zhang Fengyi!"

"Sit down, Xiangzi!"

"Comrade Liu Yimin, my name is Feng Xiaogang. We are very touched that you came to the film studio to see us on such a hot day. Comrade Liu Yimin, you have worked hard. If you need anything on set, just let me know!"

Feng Xiaogang stood up, leaned forward slightly, looking very moved. He used gestures as he spoke, and after he finished, he glanced at the others as if to ask, "Am I right?"

The others smiled and nodded, then clapped for Liu Yimin, though inwardly they were all cursing him.

I never expected that people from the military propaganda department would be so good at flattery.

"Comrade Feng Xiaogang not only plays an enemy officer, but he is also the art director of our production team!" Wang Yan introduced.

"You've worked hard, please sit down!"

Feng Xiaogang sat down with a wide grin, revealing several large teeth, looking quite festive.

After greeting the actors, Wang Yan asked Liu Yimin to say a few words.

Liu Yimin stood on the stage and talked about his understanding of the play.

"Comrades, when you are performing, you must have one concept in mind: this is not a tearjerker. Remember, this is not a tearjerker. You must not treat it as a tearjerker. The characters are vivid, the story is tragic, and the spirit is indomitable!"
If it turns into a melodrama, then the movie will be a failure. If it's a failure, we might as well not make it at all!

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, Feng Xiaogang was the first to shout "Bravo!" and enthusiastically applauded. Not to be outdone, Chen Peisi quickly followed suit, shouting, "Well done!"

Feng Xiaogang glanced at Chen Peisi and thought to himself, "That bastard, he's doing this on purpose, isn't he!"
After Liu Yimin finished speaking, several directors also spoke. When the meeting ended and they came out of the studio, Chen Peisi and Feng Xiaogang clung to him like two pairs of pants.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, I grew up in the Yenching University compound. If you need anything in Yenching, just let me know. We're all about brotherhood and loyalty!"

Wang Yan and Li Jun pushed the two apart and pulled Liu Yimin toward the office. Li Jun said, "With these two clowns on the set, things are going to get really lively."

The three arrived at the office of Deputy Factory Director Liu Peiran. Liu Peiran smiled and said, "The three of you must work together to make this script a success. The higher-ups are waiting for us to put on a good show. Yimin's script is excellent, the stage has been set, and now we must put on a good show."

"The filming budget is one million; if that's not enough, we'll add more. We've already contacted the troops at the front lines, and once we arrive, all branches of the military will provide full assistance for our filming."

(End of this chapter)