The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

Chapter 168 Confidence

Although Gu Ning's words were meant to appease the reporters, they were also from the bottom of her heart.

Although he didn't like Feng Xiaogang's character, many of the movies he directed were indeed quite good.

If you were to ask the average viewer about the names of movies, the number of people who could name Feng Xiaogang's movies would definitely exceed those of Zhang Yimou and Chen Shiren.

In terms of depth, "1942" was very well made, and "Aftershock" was also quite good.

From a directing perspective alone, he deserves the Best Director award.

Gu Ning answered a few more questions and then ended the interview.

"Everyone!"

Gu Ning pointed to the cameraman carrying a video camera next to her and said, "I had the entire interview recorded. I hope everyone can report fairly!"

The reporters, who had been focused on their interviews, only then realized that someone had been filming them with a camera all along.

Seeing Gu Ning's smiling face, they secretly cursed him as a real scoundrel.

Throughout the interview, Gu Ning completely denied the rumors circulating online, praising the Golden Horse Awards and lauding Feng Xiaogang.

No matter how they tried to provoke her, Gu Ning wouldn't take the bait, but how could that stump the reporters?

They can make up all sorts of stories based on just one picture. Gu Ning said so much, and if they just twisted it or took it out of context, it would become a decent news story.

Si Guting recorded the whole thing; if Yan Zhen really did that, it would be a huge problem.

That's right, the media often tells blatant lies for sensationalism.

It's something that many ordinary people know, hence its poor reputation.

But so what?

The public loves watching it too.

People who don't know the truth are more likely to believe the media.

But some people know that doing it openly and honestly is a completely different thing.

Even if everyone knows it, as long as there is no evidence, it can be denied.

If you have evidence and still do it, you're really asking for trouble.

Ignoring them, Gu Ning and Fan Chunxi left the classroom.

"Director Gu, should we give him some public relations funds?" Fan Chunxi suggested.

"No need, Huayi will handle the public relations."

Gu Ning shook his head and said, "Huayi will be listed in about ten days, so they are more anxious than I am at this time."

Fan Chunxi didn't say much after hearing this, and waited nervously by the side while Gu Ning watched the footage he had shot.

"Not bad, your use of lighting is even better than mine," Gu Ning said.

"How can I compare to Director Gu?"

Fan Chunxi carefully examined Gu Ning and, seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, breathed a sigh of relief.

"real."

Gu Ning said, "I spent some time learning from my teacher this time, and only then did I realize that my understanding of lighting was too superficial."

In his past life, he directed web dramas and short dramas, and the most commonly used tool for both was Hikaru Ohira.

Hikaru Ohira is one of the most commonly used characters in idol dramas and short dramas.

This way of taking photos will look very beautiful, giving people a flawless and high-end feel.

However, this flat lighting has very poor three-dimensionality and can also weaken the actors' acting skills.

Many people complain that the male and female leads in idol dramas and historical dramas lack acting skills.

In reality, they are young and their acting skills are not as good as those of veteran actors. They also use flat lighting, which weakens the display of their acting skills.

But those kinds of dramas don't really require acting skills; as long as the men are handsome and the women are beautiful, that's enough.

The main focus is on being good-looking; acting skills are irrelevant.

But over time, the actors got used to filming under bright, flat lighting, and their acting skills deteriorated.

When they act in movies or more demanding TV dramas, their acting is simply appalling when they are not in the presence of Hikaru Ohira.

Although Gu Ning knew that this wasn't how you film a movie, he was used to using flat lighting when filming web series and short dramas in his previous life, so he didn't put much thought into the lighting.

Anyway, he always uses flat lighting for everything he shoots. He wasn't a professionally trained director, so he wouldn't bother studying lighting.

Therefore, the use of lighting in filming was quite rough.

His first film was made by a small, unorganized crew, and nobody said anything about it.

By the time he made his second film, he was already famous, and no one dared to contradict him.

Although there are always related news reports in the media mentioning this, he didn't pay any attention to it.

At that time, Gu Ning asked Tian Zhuangzhuang why she hadn't mentioned it before.

Tian Zhuangzhuang said that he was not his student when he made his first film, but his second film greatly increased his fame.

At that time, he was riding high on his success, and even if you tried to reason with him, he wouldn't listen.

Gu Ning didn't think that he would be unable to listen to advice after living two lives, but he had to admit that it wasn't a problem that Tian Zhuangzhuang would think that way.

Anyone would be unwilling to listen to criticism when they are at their most successful.

"I started out working on film sets, doing all sorts of jobs."

Fan Chunxi, worried that Gu Ning might overthink things, explained, "Director Gu, although my lighting is slightly different from yours, the difference is minor and can be adjusted in post-production."

"I know!"

Gu Ning didn't know if Fan Chunxi was trying to use this opportunity to showcase himself, but even if he was, his methods weren't unpleasant.

The lighting during filming was not significantly different, and it could be adjusted in post-production without revealing any noticeable difference.

However, if the difference is too large, even if it can be adjusted later, professionals can easily spot the obvious problem.

"Old Fan, if you have any good suggestions in the future, don't worry about whether they're useful or not, just give them. I'm not the kind of person who can't listen to advice," Gu Ning said.

He believed that Fan Chunxi must have noticed his poor use of lighting beforehand, but hadn't pointed it out.

The reason is not hard to understand. If you, an assistant director, go and point out that the director's lighting is wrong, which director can tolerate that?

"it is good."

Fan Chunxi nodded, somewhat nervously asking, "Director Gu, can I use the footage I shot?"

"That's fantastic! The filming is excellent!"

Gu Ning said, "I've decided that you'll be the director from now on. I won't interfere; just focus on being a good actor. When the credits roll, it will say we co-directed!"

No—no, that won't do.

Fan Chun was initially delighted upon hearing this, but quickly shook his head upon hearing Gu Ning's subsequent words.

"Old Fan, we agreed on this when we signed the contract."

Gu Ning patted him on the shoulder and said, "If you join my company, I'll let you mentor me. This is just a trial run. I was even planning to give you a script later so you could direct it yourself, but you don't seem to have the confidence."

"I--"

Fan Chunxi wanted to agree, but he was also worried that his film would not receive a good response.

Although Gu Ning is willing to give him a chance, if he doesn't live up to expectations, Gu Ning may not give him a second chance.

"Old Fan, do you know what the difference is between you and those directors?" Gu Ning asked.

"One more film is needed?" Fan Chunxi asked uncertainly.

"No, it's a lack of confidence!"

Gu Ning said, "In the film and television industry, of all positions, the director is the most difficult to succeed in."

Aside from directors with connections, other people who want to study directing either have to work odd jobs on film sets, working their way up step by step and waiting for their chance.

The only option is to raise funds for filming yourself, but no one will invest in a director who has no previous works.

Many directors stake their entire fortune on their first film.