The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

In the evening, at a fairly upscale seafood restaurant in Wushi.

Gu Ning picked up his wine cup, his expression somewhat excited, and said, "I originally estimated that it would take at least a month and a half to film, but I didn't expect it to only take 27 days. All of this is inseparable from everyone's hard work and support. I toast to everyone with this glass."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass.

"Director Gu, we should be thanking you. You gave us the opportunity, and we learned a lot from this filming experience."

"That's right, let's pay tribute to Director Gu!"

Initially, they didn't have high expectations for the film's quality, believing that Gu Ning had made the decision to make the film on a whim.

They were more interested in gaining experience by actually participating in the filming of a movie, rather than learning as a errand boy.

But during the nearly one month of filming, their initial doubts about Gu Ning turned into trust, and finally into respect.

Although Gu Ning is a new director, he is very knowledgeable about everything on set and doesn't seem like a newcomer at all.

Many times, Gu Ning made some requests that were difficult for them to understand, so Gu Ning would personally demonstrate them.

They had worked on some film crews, but few of the directors they came into contact with were as comprehensive as Gu Ning.

Most directors only make demands, saying what kind of effect they want, and then they start scolding if it's not done well.

They also know that this is normal, after all, professional matters should be left to professionals.

But Gu Ning's knowledge of these things, and his ability to teach them, naturally earned their respect.

Gu Ning used her abilities to make them let go of their contempt because of her youth and newcomer status.

He truly acknowledged Gu Ning.

Gu Ning smiled upon hearing this, noting that many directors would assemble their own team.

But a new director can only start with a makeshift team, just like when he made his first movie and his first web series in his previous life.

The difference is that although the crew was also assembled temporarily back then, they all had enough experience.

Even so, it will still take a considerable amount of time to get used to each other.

He didn't want these abilities; he was forced to develop them.

However, compared to those with experience, these newcomers each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Experienced people have developed their own style of doing things, and it is often difficult for them to break out of their own fixed mindset.

Even if he's the director, if he goes up and gives orders, it will still upset the other party.

Although the newcomers lack experience, they are obedient.

However, this makeshift team can only be used at the beginning; later, a proper team will need to be built.

Gu Ning didn't sit idle during filming; she kept an eye on the people in each group who performed well.

Once he returns to school, he will have Liu Sanxi contact each of them individually and get them to sign up.

Gu Ning went to several tables, drank a few glasses, chatted with the guests for a while, and then returned to the main table.

The only people at the table were him, Liu Sanxi, Fan Chunxi (the executive director), and the two lead actors.

"Director Fan, what are the plans next?" Gu Ning asked.

"I haven't received any invitations yet."

Fan Chunxi said with a wry smile, "Someone like me, who doesn't have formal training, can only work as an executive director. Big companies don't need me."

"Director Fan, how about you consider signing with my company?" Gu Ning said with a smile.

He also highly recognized Fan Chunxi's abilities during this collaboration.

Fan Chunxi, the executive director, is very organized and meticulous in his work.

But it saved Gu Ning a lot of trouble.

When he makes movies in the future, he will need someone to do the pre-production work for him and someone who can help him complete the filming process.

"I…"

Fan Chun hesitated upon hearing this. He naturally wanted to join a company, but Gu Ning had only filmed one movie, and its box office performance was still unknown.

As someone in the industry, he knew very well that famous directors, even if they had several flops, still had no shortage of investors.

But for a new director, the first film can actually be a matter of life and death.

If a film flops, it can be years before you have another chance to direct, or you might never have that chance again.

"Director Fan can consider it first."

Before he could speak, Gu Ning smiled and stopped him, saying, "If Director Fan hasn't received any work after the New Year, we might still have a chance to collaborate then."

Fan Chunxi was taken aback upon hearing this, and exclaimed in surprise, "Director Gu is already preparing to shoot a second film?"

Which other director doesn't take a break after finishing one film before preparing for the next?

It's perfectly normal to prepare for one or two years.

Someone like Gu Ning, who prepares for his next film as soon as filming wraps up, is hard to describe as either confident or arrogant.

"I have some ideas, but we'll definitely have to wait until this movie is released before we start working on them," Gu Ning said.

"I also enjoy working with Director Gu. If I don't have any work to do, I'll definitely come over as soon as Director Gu calls!" Fan Chunxi said.

Anyway, he's paid to do things, and if Gu Ning can get the job done, he certainly won't refuse. He doesn't need to worry about anything else.

"I wonder if Director Gu has any suitable roles for me in his next film?"

Xu Zheng waited until the two finished talking before speaking up.

In comparison, Wang Baoqiang was much more shy. He seemed to want to speak, but was a little embarrassed.

"It's not finalized yet. If a suitable role comes along, I'll definitely contact you and Baoqiang," Gu Ning said.

"Then thank you, Director Gu, for the meal. I'd like to toast you, Director Gu." Xu Zheng smiled and raised his glass.

Gu Ning and Xu Zheng had a drink together. It has to be said that Xu Zheng's way of dealing with people at this time was very pleasant.

If Gu Ning didn't know his true character, it would be hard for her to dislike him.

…………

The following morning, Gu Ning, Liu Sanxi, and two other lead actors returned to Beijing on the same flight.

The rest of the crew had to take the train, since airfares aren't cheap these days.

After leaving the airport, Gu Ning and Liu Sanxi parted ways with Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang, and took a taxi straight to the school.

"Are you sure you don't need to meet those two investors?" Gu Ning asked.

After Liu Sanxi's two friends invested the money, they didn't care about anything else.

Normally, investors will send someone to supervise the production, which means monitoring how the funds are used.

But those two were different; not only did they not send anyone, they didn't even come once during the entire filming process.

"They've all been entrusted to me, and they're not in the capital right now. Just do what you need to do and don't worry about them," Liu Sanxi said nonchalantly.

"All right."

Gu Ning finally understood why, after the coal mine owners withdrew from the film and television industry, some directors publicly criticized those who had cheated the coal mine owners.

It turns out that coal mine owners are so generous when they invest; they give money but don't interfere. Such investors are practically angels.

Later, coal mine owners were so afraid of being scammed that when internet tycoons got involved, they realized how good the coal mine owners were.

Back at school, Gu Ning took the gifts and went straight to Xu Bing's office.

"Hello, Teacher Xu."

Gu Ning greeted him with a smile: "I brought some tea from Hubei Province for Teacher Xu. It's called Enshi Jade Dew. The name is quite nice."

They even said it was made using a steaming technique from the Tang Dynasty. I don't know anything about that, so please try it, Teacher Xu.

"Hehe, our great director Gu is finally back."

Xu Bing smiled and said, "I heard the movie has wrapped up filming?"

"Teacher Xu is really well-informed. Filming only wrapped up yesterday, and you already knew about it," Gu Ning said with a smile.

Stop flattering me.

Xu Bing asked, "Speak, what do you need my help with this time?"

"I'd like to borrow our school's editing room," Gu Ning stated her purpose.

"Wait, I'll make a call."

Xu Bing made a phone call, chatted for a few minutes, and then hung up, saying, "You can use it, but there's a condition."

"Teacher Xu, please speak."

"The film is edited, and the school wants to organize a small-scale screening," Xu Bing said.

"This..." Gu Ning hesitated upon hearing this.