Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

After receiving Chen Fuguo's reply, Zhang Ze asked, "How does the director want me to cooperate?"

"Issue a statement," Chen Fuguo said succinctly. "You can clarify this in your personal capacity or through your studio."

"The key is to define this as a normal professional exchange and positive discussion between actors. Exclude yourself and Wang Zhiwen, and also the entire production team."

He looked at Zhang Ze and said, "You've caused such a stir and gained fame, you have to pay a price. It's better for you and the production team to take the initiative to reduce the hype."

Zhang Ze didn't answer immediately; he was considering the pros and cons.

While official intervention to de-escalate the situation may temporarily prevent Huayi Brothers from finding an excuse to retaliate, it will also lose some of the sustained attention generated by the conflict.

"It's not convincing enough for just me to speak out."

Zhang Ze proposed his idea: "Why don't the official account of the production team take the lead, and my studio and Mr. Wang Zhiwen's studio jointly repost it? The content can say that in order to pursue the most realistic performance effect, the actors put in 100% of their emotions during the rehearsal stage, and there were occasional intense artistic clashes. Package this conflict as positive publicity for the passion of actors."

Chen Fuguo looked at him, somewhat surprised.

This solution was far more comprehensive than his original proposal; it not only resolved the crisis but also enhanced the film's reputation.

"Can."

Chen Fuguo nodded after a short while and said, "I'll make the arrangements now."

After the director finished speaking, he turned around and went to find the publicity team.

Zhang Ze then dialed Sister Sun's number.

"Sister Sun, get ready, we're going to issue a joint statement with the 'The Message' production team and Mr. Wang Zhiwen." He briefly recounted the plan he had just discussed with Chen Fuguo.

After listening to the phone call, Sister Sun breathed a sigh of relief. "That's a great idea! This way, you not only show your magnanimity but also get rid of the 'hype' label and promote the movie. Even if Huayi Brothers wants to smear you, they won't find a way to do it."

"Have someone write the copy and be ready to release it at any time," Zhang Ze instructed before hanging up the phone.

The production crew was very efficient.

Less than an hour later, the official Weibo account of the movie "The Message" posted a long article.

The article was written in a sincere tone. It first apologized for the trouble caused to the public by the leak of the internal video, and then changed the subject to highly praise the professionalism of the entire cast and crew.

The article specifically mentions that Wang Zhiwen, as a senior actor, carefully guided the younger generation during script readings, using motivational techniques to inspire the actors' potential; while Zhang Ze, as a newcomer, fully immersed himself in the role, resulting in the highly impactful performance in the video.

The article concludes that this was a beautiful collision of ideas for the sake of art, and calls on everyone to pay more attention to the film itself.

After the statement was issued, Zhang Ze and Wang Zhiwen's studios reposted it almost at the same time.

Public opinion quickly shifted.

"I knew it! How could it be bullying? It turns out it was a veteran actor giving guidance to a newcomer!"

"Zhang Ze's attitude is great. He didn't fight or make a scene, and he even took the initiative to explain. I've become a fan."

"For artistic collision? I like that idea! I'm already looking forward to 'The Message'. What an amazing production team it must be to create this kind of atmosphere."

Looking at the feedback online, Zhang Ze knew in his heart that this crisis was over.

Zhang Ze has no scenes in the afternoon.

Instead of returning to the hotel to rest, he moved a chair and sat behind Chen Fuguo's monitor.

Chen Fuguo glanced at him but didn't say anything, which was considered tacit approval of his behavior.

That afternoon, Zhang Ze didn't say a word. He just quietly watched the monitor, watching how Chen Fuguo directed the scene, how he gave instructions to the cameraman through the walkie-talkie, and how he communicated with the actors, adjusting their positions and emotions.

"What did you understand?" After filming a scene, Chen Fuguo took a sip of tea and suddenly asked.

"Director, you just moved the camera forward another thirty centimeters to better capture the subtle reactions on Li Bingbing's face, using close-ups to amplify her inner unease," Zhang Ze replied.

Chen Fuguo raised an eyebrow slightly and continued, "Then why did I have the lighting technician dim the light above her head, instead enhancing the rim light on her side?"

"Because changes in light and shadow can alter a character's demeanor. Overly bright top lighting can make a character appear too straightforward, while side contour lighting can outline lines, making her image appear more mysterious and unfathomable in the shadows, which aligns with her character's current state."

A hint of approval finally appeared on Chen Fuguo's face.

He originally thought Zhang Ze was only talented in acting, but he didn't expect him to have such a keen understanding of camera language as well.

"You are very talented."

Chen Fuguo put down his teacup. "An actor's performance is the flesh and blood, while a director's camera is the skeleton. If you can only act but don't understand the camera, you'll always just be a tool. If you want to learn, I'll teach you."

Zhang Ze smiled; just now, his panel had undergone a new change.

Name: Zhang Ze

Age: 20

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining to Spirit Transformation (1/1000)]

[Acting Skills: Excellent (3/400)]

[Director: Beginner (1/100)]

[Reputation: 62]

When Zhang Ze saw the director's proficiency level displayed on the panel, he immediately felt reassured.

He had suspected before that this panel might have new skills besides acting skills, but no matter how Zhang Ze tried, they never appeared. But now the appearance of the director skill undoubtedly confirmed Zhang Ze's idea.

How to acquire new skills requires further exploration.

But no matter what, once you get the basics down, you can build up your reputation points.

With his directing skills, Zhang Ze's future path will undoubtedly be much broader.

Even if he were truly blacklisted, Zhang Ze could still stage his own drama.

The best way to avoid being manipulated by capital within the industry is to become capital yourself.

Being a director is undoubtedly a shortcut.

So what if film and television companies have a lot of power? Can they control China Film Group and television stations?

During his lunch break, Zhang Ze hid in the nanny van and dialed Sister Sun's number.

"Sister Sun, there's something I need you to do right away."

"What's the rush?" There was some noise on Sister Sun's end.

"Please keep an eye out for good movie or TV series scripts on the market, original and innovative ones."

"A movie script? What are you planning to do with it?" Sister Sun was stunned.

Zhang Ze's gaze fell on the Director skill on the panel.

"To be a director."

"To...direct?"

Ms. Sun on the other end of the phone was completely stunned; she wondered if she had misheard.

A newcomer who just became famous for acting is about to become a director?

What a wildly imaginative idea!

"Zhang Ze, are you out of your mind? Do you know what being a director means? It means coordinating the entire crew, securing investment, and so on..."

"I know."

Zhang Ze interrupted her, his tone calm but authoritative, "Sister Sun, just trust me. Keep an eye on the script for me."

"Also, help me buy the film and television adaptation rights to a few more online novels."