How did I become famous?

"Then why didn't you show me the final cut or sample footage?"

"I've asked you several times, but you always say you won't look at it..."

"Um... then why did you hide your true skill level?"

"We didn't hide anything, and you didn't ask us."

"Um... then why...?"

Fang clicked his tongue. He realized that it seemed like the whole problem was his own.

Was I too confident in my control over the script?

"There's one last question," Fang Bie said seriously, "What exactly do you guys do?"

He looked at Zhao Qiumei, Luo Wei, Pan Xiao, and their group, pointing at each of them: "Working as a door-to-door promoter handing out flyers, a beauty blogger, a stage set designer at a kindergarten, working in a wedding studio doing filming, editing, post-production, and lighting—is this really your job? Or are you just messing with me, Fatty Liu?"

Liu Mang nodded: "It's all true."

"Are you kidding me?!" Fang Bie retorted angrily. "Who makes wedding photography like a Hollywood blockbuster?! And the ground promotion staff handing out flyers, managing hundreds of people without a single mistake! And the set design, makeup, lighting, and so on—you're telling me you're all laymen? Do you think I, Fang Bie, am an idiot?"

This made Liu Mang feel strange.

"I didn't say they were all laymen."

He began introducing the contestant: "Zhao Qiumei, a former top production assistant, could manage a crew of several thousand people perfectly on her own."

"Li Bo from the props team was once a top prop master. He was in charge of the props for several epic historical films produced by CCTV."

"Not to mention Luo Wei and the others. They are all top students who graduated from top universities in China and abroad, and they have all worked with top film crews. There is even a top special effects artist who has worked in the United States."

Fang Bie's brows furrowed deeply: "Why didn't you tell me this?"

I told you to find laymen, and you actually found me a bunch of "laymen"!

This is worse than hiring someone from the industry! At least there aren't that many experts out there!

Liu Mang said helplessly, "You didn't even ask."

How would I know if you didn't tell me?

"You didn't ask me how to say it? Saying it would feel like showing off, and I was worried you'd feel uncomfortable."

I not only felt uncomfortable, but I also felt extremely regretful... Fang Bie asked, puzzled, "Then why do you only accept such a low salary?"

Although he was once an outsider, he's pretty much the same now.

But since he watches movies every day, he also has some understanding of the industry.

If Liu Mang is right, then these big shots only ask for such a small salary.

If the money were distributed according to actual levels, then the rumored investment costs of tens of millions of yuan might not even be covered.

It's a shame they initially said all the boxed lunches would be expensive, and they'd even offer to pick you up and drop you off at get off work...

I'm afraid they saw me as a joke back then...

Liu Mang sighed, his expression forlorn: "Old Fang, I'm coming clean with you. Actually, I'm afraid you won't want them."

Fang Bie said calmly, "Give me a reason."

If he had known earlier, he definitely wouldn't have wanted it!

Putting aside the price issue, hiring so many big names to make the movie completely goes against his original intention!

Don't forget your heart, you have to always.

It turns out that they took the wrong path from the very beginning, no wonder the result was such a failure.

This is all to be expected.

While Fang was already regretting his actions, Liu Mang spoke sincerely: "To be honest, we were all suppressed and squeezed out of the industry. We were all labeled as 'troublemakers' because we couldn't stand the stagnant state of the Chinese film industry, which forced us to leave the film and television industry and find another way to make a living. In a way, it was you, Lao Fang, who saved us."

This actually has a hint of flattery.

Even if they are truly "troublemakers," even if they are truly suppressed, is it really possible that they can't find a job in the industry?

no.

They were simply completely disillusioned with this industry.

It wasn't until Fang Bie appeared that their hope for Chinese-language films was rekindled.

As it turned out, their choice was correct.

Fang Bie is indeed the man who can change Chinese-language cinema.

He's a true genius!

Fang Bie sighed and sat back down: "You're all incredibly skilled, and my place is too small to accommodate you all. It just so happens that Speed ​​Film is short-staffed right now; they're the largest film and television company in the country. Go there, you can not only utilize your talents, but you also won't be suppressed anymore. Take my advice, go, don't waste your time. There's no future following me."

No one spoke.

Everyone responded with silence.

After a long silence, Liu Mang broke the heavy atmosphere: "Old Fang, we've already discussed this before, we're not going anywhere."

Luo Wei and the others nodded.

They shared the same idea.

Fang Bie is not only the "beacon of Chinese-language cinema" they recognize, but also the man who pulled them out of the darkness.

And this person is a true genius!

Logically and emotionally, none of them would leave.

Fang Bie sighed again and lit a cigarette.

A bright red light suddenly appeared, followed by a wisp of green smoke rising into the air.

"Yes, you can all stay."

But before Liu Mang and the others could respond, Fang Bie spoke up again: "But let me make this clear from the start, if anyone tries to hide anything from me again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Liu Mang thumped his chest loudly: "Of course."

"Okay, let's start talking about the next movie now." Fang Bie flicked his cigarette ash.

Upon hearing that it was Fang Bie's new movie, everyone present perked up and focused intently.

Miss Su, who had been content to remain in the background, also raised her head, her eyes fixed intently on Fang Bie.

Fang Bie pondered for a moment, then said, "For my next film, I want to make an art film. Who agrees, who disagrees?"

"I object!" Liu Mang was the first to jump out. "I think Lao Fang, you should first stabilize your position in commercial films and hurry up and shoot another superhero movie. Only in this way can you completely solidify your status."

"Yes, that's what I think too."

"Fatty Liu is right. I don't think you, Director Fang, can't make art films. I just feel that now is not the right time."

"That's right, we're good at commercial films. As for art films... we're not artsy types, and we don't understand them."

The rest of the room was filled with discontent, with people protesting that the other side shouldn't even think about making art films.

Fang laughed.

That's right!

He then realized that these people had only made commercial films in the past, and they didn't have screenwriters. What was their strength?

Editing, pacing, visuals, special effects.

Are these things important for art films?

It's important, but not the most important.

The story and its meaning.

This is the key point of art films.

Does a movie have to have profound meaning?

Not necessarily, but most art films do.

There's also a small portion, which consists of garbage disguised as art films.

However, Fang Bie couldn't tell that when he accompanied his friends to the cinema to watch art films, he was actually there to catch up on sleep.

Anyway, his friend, who's a huge fan of art films, will buy him the tickets...

We've gone off on a tangent.

These people may not understand how art films are made, but they'll still appreciate them. After all, they're insiders, and former experts at that.

That makes things simple.

All I have to do is convince the young lady to make a big investment, and then let these guys make an "art film" using the methods of making commercial films.

It might not flop at the box office, but it's unlikely to gain recognition from industry professionals—as long as the producers don't label it an art film.

When the young lady discovers that she has run out of talent, she will likely be disheartened and return home to inherit her vast fortune, while Liu Mang and the others can give up on themselves and go to Speed ​​Shadow to pursue their dreams.

He could simply leave quietly and go back to being a landlord.

They won't suffer any losses; they'll be the ones getting scolded.

The question now is, how do we convince the young lady to make a large investment?

"I support Fang Bie."

Fang suddenly turned his head.

Su Mulin, the company boss who had been cosplaying as a secretary, stood up: "I support Fang Bie. I will invest all the money I earn this time into this movie. Anyone who thinks there's no chance can withdraw. You can join Speed ​​Film, which is my father's company. They will give you the best treatment. But from now on, you will lose the opportunity to work with Fang Bie."

Although Fang Bie is the nominal head of the household, Miss Su, the real head of the household, is willing to listen to Fang Bie's opinions.

But after all, she is the real person in charge of "Fang Mu", so everyone still has to listen to her.

Liu Mang took off his glasses, wiped them, and then sighed, "I have no objection."

Luo Wei and the others exchanged glances and said one after another, "We have no objections either."

Fang opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to say anything more: "How about we reconsider? I've never made an art film before, and my art film might be different from those real art films. Those experts won't approve of it."

He unconsciously turned into someone offering advice.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten that snowy New Year's Eve, nor had he forgotten his heart-to-heart talk with Su Mulin.

But... those are really unrealistic.

Does he know how to make movies?

Do not understand.

He didn't have a system, nor did he have the ability to remember everything he saw.

How much of the original world's movies does he still remember?

Actually, there are many.

But what about the details of each film? How were the shots filmed? How was the pacing edited? Does he remember?

He doesn't remember.

He can only remember the general plot of some classic movies and some memorable scenes.

That's all.

Unless he sees familiar people or things.

For example, when he saw Yan Shuangying, he remembered some of the plots and scenes from those TV series featuring Yan Shuangying.

Seeing Chen Yongren brings back memories of the plot and some classic scenes from "Infernal Affairs".

And so on.

So rather than disappointing everyone later, it's better to cut off their expectations now before they get too high.

Su Mulin simply looked at him, a slight smile playing on her lips.

She only said one sentence:

"I believe in you. I told you before, I hope you can trust me as much as I trust you. I said I would create good conditions for you so you could make the movie you want to make. Even if you fail... at worst you can just give up your dream and go home to inherit the family fortune, it's not so bad."

The young lady wrinkled her nose.

Fang Bie suddenly wanted to make a proper movie.

Let's take out all the classic movies we can still remember and film them.

Then he noticed the Patek Philippe on the young lady's wrist, her office lady outfit that cost at least five figures, and her non-prescription glasses that also cost at least five figures.

So Fang Bie's thought only lasted for a moment before he quickly suppressed it.

He wants to make art films.

"Oh, right, we'll talk about the movie later." The young lady pushed up her glasses. "Come with me to get our passports tomorrow, we're going to the Oscars."

P.S.: I'm already depressed enough in real life, and I just want to bring joy to everyone in my novel.

I won't write about artsy types or stomach medicine; that's my bottom line.

But I still like the pure love story.

This chapter is the same as above; I'm posting it now and will revise it after I get up. (Posting the main text isn't to reach a word count; it allows for interaction in the chapter comments. It will be posted in the author's comments section after the book is published.)