In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 71 Nanjing Photo Studio

Qin Xuan's previous three scripts did not involve any sensitive issues or ideologies; all that was needed was to submit a script outline, and they were approved.

No complete script is needed; it's very simple.

At that time, "Lust, Caution" had not yet been released, and the censorship was relatively lenient. The censorship became stricter after the film was released.

However, the review process for making films on such important themes is completely different. Not only do you need to provide a complete and detailed script, but you also need to provide specific historical materials to prove that you have not distorted history.

One mistake is that the application is returned or rejected.

And this is only the initial review, checking for compliance. After that, experts will be organized to conduct a final review.

Experts in history, academia, creation, and society will give you pointers, which is why "Nanjing Nanjing" was revised so many times.

Even "The Flowers of War" was revised 56 times, from 06 to the final draft in 10. You have no idea what opinions those experts will come up with to make you revise it.

And that's not all. There's still an administrative review process. After that, you can start filming, but that's not the end of the process. There's still ongoing monitoring.

This is also why Qin Xuan doesn't want to get involved. If he had to revise the script dozens of times over several years, he might as well go crazy and do nothing else but this one thing.

Of course, it's true that there are many benefits to being filmed, at least you'll have a halo effect.

Just like Ryutaro, after this film, he directly became an international heavyweight director and was even shortlisted for the Cannes main competition.

Even if he gets criticized to death, there are still people willing to invest in him to make big projects, such as "The Last Supper" and "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe," which are top-tier resources.

Various seminars and discussions can still be held.

Everyone present watched Qin Xuan silently, head bowed, waiting for his decision.

“You’re right. As an artist, I should make a film about such a major event so that people can remember that period of history.” Qin Xuan decided to do it.

We shouldn't give up just because there are difficulties.

We can't let films like those by Ryutaro become popular; we can't let those films, in order to cater to the international market and cater to the feelings of international friends, smuggle in their own agendas.

If that's the case, then he himself would feel guilty, that he hadn't done anything meaningful during his rebirth, and that he still needed to set the record straight regarding the responsibilities on his shoulders.

Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately showed joy.

"Don't get too excited yet. We don't know if it will pass the review. This isn't something I can do alone; we need everyone's cooperation. I'll provide the script, but you'll need to help me find and organize the specific historical materials," Qin Xuan said.

“No problem, as long as we have the script, we’ll go through the files and make sure everything is in detail.” The Olympic bid was very enthusiastic.

Everyone else was also very interested. Such an opportunity is not something that comes easily; there needs to be a detailed script and support from higher-ups before filming can begin.

The current mainstream narrative hasn't been overdone yet; who can film it and who can't is all decided by those above.

Even later on, it wasn't something just anyone could make. Look at the "Volunteer Army" series, and films like "The Battle at Lake Changjin" and "The Sacrifice," all directed by renowned directors.

And one big director isn't enough; it takes multiple big directors working together to create a truly high-class film.

It's questionable whether Qin Xuan will still be able to lead the filming after this script is submitted.

Then Wang Chaowen asked, "But President Xuan, what's the name of the script you mentioned?"

“Nanjing Photo Studio,” Qin Xuan said.

"A photo studio in Nanjing?"

They pondered those words for a moment.

"Also, let me make this clear first: once you've started, there's no turning back. During the preparation process, you must approach it with a sense of awe, with reverence for history and for the martyrs. Don't treat it like a task to be completed; maintain your enthusiasm." Qin Xuan set the tone for them.

Once a "just getting the job done" mentality takes hold, the tone of the film changes. Creativity is sometimes closely related to the creator's mindset and ideology. If the ideology is flawed, the film will try to glorify or whitewash someone.

Just like some biased directors, they always try to whitewash Japanese and Americans.

He wasn't sure if there were any disloyal individuals in his team, but since he was in charge, he had to ensure that his stance remained absolutely firm.

"Yes!" Everyone present nodded solemnly.

Qin Xuan opened his jacket pocket and took out a briefcase from under his arm. The briefcase was crumpled.

He unzipped his briefcase, took out a number of bound notebooks, and then began searching.

This is the result of his doing nothing at home during the Spring Festival. He copied everything he could, without needing any inspiration, just recalling it.

He's in this line of work, so he's very familiar with it.

Those present couldn't help but crane their necks to peek, and when they saw the titles on the covers of the scripts, they couldn't help but look at each other in surprise. How many scripts has President Xuan written?

"This." Qin Xuan pulled out the script for "Nanjing Photo Studio," which was quite thick.

He handed it to Shen Ao and said, "This is the complete script. I've also drawn some storyboards. You can use them to find information for the correct prescription, which will be faster."

He only remembered the movie plot and scenes; he didn't have time to find the specific historical evidence.

Making this kind of film means respecting history. Dramatic adaptations are acceptable, but it cannot be nihilistic. Nihilistic films may not pass censorship.

If someone wants to refute you, you really have no way to argue back.

After all, they have no connections or background, and no experts or professors to speak for them; they can only rely on evidence to get through the process.

“Okay.” Shen Ao said seriously.

He accepted it like a peerless secret manual, after all, it wasn't just for him to see, but also to be handed over to many important figures above him after it was done.

Just as he was about to open it, Qin Xuan stopped him: "Don't look at it here. You can look at it and study it slowly when you get back."

"Okay." Shen Ao nodded, knowing that he had other things to do, and not just this one.

“This movie might have a high investment, and the approval and preparation time will be quite long, so I plan to make another movie.” Qin Xuan looked at everyone.

Even though "Nanjing Photo Studio" passed the censorship, it is still a historical film and therefore requires much more rigor. The costumes, props, guns, and ammunition in the film are all based on historical research.

The previous ones didn't have many requirements for costumes and props; as long as you dressed appropriately, that was enough. "Fame and Fortune" only had a setting that resembled the Republic of China era, but the clothes were actually very modern.

So we can't film it right away. We need to film another movie during this gap period to make the best use of our talent.

"So, Mr. Xuan, what kind of movie are you planning to make?" Li Miao asked.

"It's a modern, down-to-earth story called 'The Nameless'." Qin Xuan pointed to the script in his hand; the cover happened to be titled "The Nameless".

This was something he had planned to film from the very beginning.

"If that's the case, we won't have enough manpower, will we?" Li Miao looked at the people on site.

Actually, some people left. People want to move up in the ranks; if they can go to a big company, they won't come to this makeshift team.

This time is different from the last time. Last time, they filmed three movies in one place without having to move between locations, and there were basically no changes in the crew and actors. But now they are preparing different movies at the same time.

The scenes and types are completely different.

(End of this chapter)