The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

Gu Ning gave a rambling explanation, mainly claiming that she wrote it herself after reading books and researching.

Don't ask how someone can write such a detailed account of the local situation without having been there; that's just talent.

One lie requires countless lies to cover it up, but talent does not.

Tian Zhuangzhuang was in a great mood after getting a good script, and even invited Gu Ning to stay for lunch, cooking for her herself.

Men, after being single for a long time, often develop skills without being taught.

The taste wasn't particularly good, but it wasn't bad either.

After dinner, Tian Zhuangzhuang, full of energy, pulled Gu Ning aside to discuss the script.

Gu Ning simply wrote the script based on her memory; the main framework remained the same, but other aspects were somewhat different.

He said he had done some research, and he really had.

I managed to squeeze out some time while I was busy with post-production, and I also managed to write the script during my free time while running promotions.

Because of the rush, there are bound to be some problems with the script.

The two discussed refining the script, and Tian Zhuangzhuang then talked about which actors to cast.

Tian Zhuangzhuang wants to invite her cousin-in-law, Li Xuejian, to play the male lead.

Gu Ning didn't say anything about this. Li Xuejian's acting skills are beyond question, and her age is also suitable.

Incidentally, the male lead in the original version was related to the director; he was the director's uncle.

He wasn't formally trained; he was just a genuine farmer.

Before filming "Hidden in the Dust", he had only acted in a few movies.

However, he did act very well, but now it's been ten years ahead of schedule, and we don't even know if he's ever acted before.

Moreover, the age is not suitable.

Although Li Xuejian is now over fifty, she looks much younger than her peers. The original male lead was also over fifty when he played the role.

Gu Ning always felt that Li Xuejian looked bitter during this period, which made her very suitable for this type of role.

The female lead, Lao Tian, ​​mentioned several women, including the wife of the great poet Chen.

Old Tian hesitated, and Gu Ning didn't offer any advice.

These older generation directors all have their own ideas about casting. Even if they seem to be consulting with him, if Gu Ning really wants to promote someone, he might not listen.

As evening approached, Gu Ning declined Lao Tian's offer to stay for dinner and left.

After Gu Ning left, he read the script and liked it more and more. He took out his phone, found a number, and dialed it.

…………

Zhangye Danxia

After the crew finished work and returned to their lodgings, Zhang Yimou reviewed the scenes filmed that day once again.

Logically speaking, a renowned director like him, who has directed many films, should have already reviewed the footage on the monitor during filming and had a clear understanding of it, so there would be no need to check it again afterward.

But Zhang Yimou was really dissatisfied with the content he filmed; the more he watched it, the worse he felt.

"Ugh!"

Looking at Xiao Shenyang's scenes, Zhang Yimou sighed and frowned.

He and Zhang Weiping are known as a golden duo in the industry. Zhang Weiping is good at operations and marketing, which allows him to focus more on filming.

As the most famous director of the Fifth Generation, Zhang Yimou had high artistic aspirations in his early years.

Zhang Yimou once stated explicitly, "Making movies isn't about making money; I just want to express my views on life."

Although the audience strongly disagreed, generally believing that Zhang Yimou's cinematography was excellent, his storytelling was very chaotic.

But Zhang Yimou did not give up his pursuit.

Zhang Weiping, however, holds a different view, believing that movies are commodities that should not only cater to the audience but also generate buzz.

Therefore, when filming "Curse of the Golden Flower", they insisted on casting Jay Chou, who had become a sensation after appearing on the Spring Festival Gala.

In the end, Zhang Yimou compromised.

For the filming of "A Simple Noodle Story," Zhang Weiping is once again casting Xiao Shenyang, who became a sensation on this year's Spring Festival Gala.

This time, Zhang Yimou firmly disagreed. He said that Zhou Jielun just lacked acting skills, and with some training and lowering the requirements, he could be used, albeit barely.

But according to his idea, "A Simple Noodle Story" was supposed to be a serious suspense film. If you bring in a Scottish comedian who does braised dishes, how can the film still be watchable?

But Zhang Weiping kept persuading him, even mentioning that he had promised to let Zhang Yimou run for the position of chief director of the Olympic Games.

When Zhang Yimou wanted to run for office, Zhang Weiping disagreed.

Because he is the chief director of the Olympics, he won't be able to make any movies for several years.

Zhang Yimou gains fame, but he gains no benefit whatsoever.

And that's exactly what happened. After being confirmed as the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in 2006, Zhang Yimou didn't start making a film until June of this year.

In Zhang Weiping's view, Zhang Yimou wasted three years of his time, while he himself achieved great success.

But he won't benefit from it at all; he'll definitely have to make it back through this movie.

Given the current domestic box office and Zhang Yimou's star power, the film's final box office can actually be estimated.

This was clearly not what he expected, so he had to find a solution elsewhere.

Xiao Shenyang became an overnight sensation after appearing on this year's Spring Festival Gala. Later, a saying even circulated in the industry: "No one can be as popular as Xiao Shenyang in 09."

In a way, Zhang Weiping was born in the wrong era; he's mastered the art of manipulating online traffic.

Jay Chou is invited to participate in the event, and Xiao Shenyang is also invited; the main idea is to invite whoever is currently popular.

Zhang Yimou felt guilty and ultimately had no choice but to compromise and agree.

The result was truly appalling!

Even Zhang Yimou was afraid that the release of this movie would tarnish his reputation in his later years.

When filming began, Zhang Yimou did consider giving Shen Yang some pointers on his acting skills.

Everyone praises Zhang Yimou for his skill in training actors. Many of the actresses who have starred in his films are newcomers, but after his guidance, their acting skills have become quite good.

But Zhang Yimou said that he really couldn't train men.

If he were to be truly strict, he felt that without changing the actors, the film would never be finished in his lifetime.

Zhang Weiping said, "Since the serious suspense genre doesn't work, let's make a comedic suspense genre instead."

In his view, with the name Zhang Yimou and the currently most popular Xiao Shenyang, even if he made a piece of crap, it would still be guaranteed to gross 300 million yuan at the box office.

Zhang Yimou ultimately had to compromise, but the style of the script had to be changed, and the lines also had to be altered.

After all, the script wasn't originally intended to be comedic.

Zhao Benshan said, "I'm very familiar with this thing."

So they added a lot of sketch comedy elements, which made Zhang Yimou look worried, while Zhao Benshan and his apprentices performed with great enthusiasm.

"Sigh~"

Zhang Yimou sighed deeply. Zhang Weiping's interference in casting had greatly annoyed him, and recently he had even considered parting ways with him.

But the thought of having to handle all the messy things himself after parting ways made him hesitate.

Zhang Yimou lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

Just then, the phone rang. Seeing that it was Tian Zhuangzhuang's number, I answered it and put it to my ear.

"Zhuangzhuang, what's up calling me so late?"

"Haha, I got two good scripts today and I'd like you to give me your advice," Tian Zhuangzhuang said with a smile.

"Congratulations!"

Zhang Yimou was very happy for his old friend and laughed, "Tell me, what script made you call me so late to brag... no, I mean, to offer your advice!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang didn't mind his teasing; he was there to show off anyway.

As the old saying goes, "To return home in glory and wealth is like wearing fine clothes at night."

In layman's terms, not showing off is equivalent to living a wasted life.