Huayu: Starting with Hijacking from "The Story of a Noble Family"

Xu Heng previously snatched the male lead role from Chen Kun in "The Story of a Noble Family," and after filming, his acting skills successfully improved from Lv.1 to Lv.2.

So if this hijacking can improve his directing skills, that would be even better.

But the system obviously won't give him that kind of opportunity to exploit loopholes and then rise to the top in one step.

The three options presented this time all seem to be "directors," but in reality, none of them may actually have professional directing skills.

These three films were the directorial debuts of these three "directors," and none of them subsequently transitioned into professional directors.

Therefore, based on common sense, it is highly likely that these three films were not directed by these three "directors" themselves, but rather that they hired an assistant director to help them film them.

They were just nominally directors; in reality, they were more like producers, and they even had to assemble their own crew to make the film.

However, compared to the author Giddens Ko and the actress Xiao Yanzi, Chen Yushan, the "director" of "Our Times," was a well-known producer in Taiwan before making this film. She produced many hit TV series, such as "Lavender" and "The Prince Who Turns into a Frog."

In other words, Chen Yushan's directing abilities are likely higher than those of Giddens Ko and Little Swallow, especially in terms of overall planning and coordination.

Xu Heng's directing skills could not be improved and remained at Lv.1. He guessed that it was because he could only talk about the scene and did not have other abilities related to directing.

So if he can learn from Chen Yushan's abilities as a famous producer, he might be able to level up his directing skills to Lv.2.

He could learn far more from Chen Yushan than from Giddens Ko and Little Swallow, which is why he ultimately decided to snatch the role in "Our Times"!

After snatching the job, he discovered that, just as he had guessed, Chen Yushan's directing skills were not very high, and her rating in the system was only Lv.1, just like his.

However, Chen Yushan clearly possesses some abilities that he does not have, so they are still displayed in the system panel, causing his director skill level to change from Lv.1 to Lv.1.

Unlike Lin Zhiying's previous acting skills, which were completely overshadowed by his own talent and not even displayed.

He then spent a few more days writing the movie script.

Since the director was the one who hijacked the film, the original version can be viewed directly in the system, although some plot points will definitely need to be changed.

For example, remove motorcycle MRT and private high schools, and replace them with bicycle and regular high schools.

Add some elements unique to Chinese campuses; in this regard, you can refer to "Goodbye Mr. Loser".

The male protagonist's delinquent character should also be changed to a smart but mischievous student who is somewhat unbalanced in his studies and whose academic performance is not particularly outstanding, but whose nature is definitely not bad.

The female lead's favorite celebrity is no longer Andy Lau, but the future world superstar Xu Heng—yes, it's him!

In short, many details need to be changed, but as long as there is 800 million in box office revenue, he doesn't have too many concerns.

In addition to his photographic memory, he directly achieved a Level 2 screenwriting ability.

Of course, just like Lv.2's music arrangement ability, it can only be used for "borrowing"; creating original storylines would be quite difficult...

By this time, Huo Xuan had already skimmed through the script and realized it was just an ordinary campus youth film.

The filming and acting in this type of movie are not particularly difficult, and the cost is not high.

If you add the school's sponsorship of equipment and venues, the cost will be even lower, and you can even use students from the school as actors!

So how could he not know that Xu Heng had come to see him today for his true purpose!

"So, tell me, do you want the school's support?"

Huo Xuan didn't beat around the bush.

Xu Heng is still his student, but he can no longer be regarded as a student in the same way.

"Professor Huo is indeed wise!"

Xu Heng said with a smile.

This wasn't because he was asking for favors, but because a few words could resolve many problems, so why not?

He's not the kind of person who'd suffer for the sake of saving face, and besides, doing this isn't exactly losing face.

Even without the school's support, he was still able to make this film; it would just be a little more troublesome.

Huo Xuan hummed softly twice.

Only then did he realize that he had indeed misjudged this student.

Xu Heng wasn't unaware of how to scheme; he just had a clearer purpose!

"So how do you want the school to support you?"

Huo Xuan asked again.

The Beijing Film Academy already has various policies to support its students, not to mention that Xu Heng is a performance major, but now he wants to direct a movie himself, which seems very feasible. As his class teacher, he should support him even more!

"The more support the better!"

Xu Heng joked, then said seriously, "I need the school to support all the filming and post-production equipment, and I hope the campus scenes can be filmed directly on campus. In exchange, this film will be affiliated with the school's Youth Film Studio, and all actors and crew members will be given priority to current students!"

Xu Heng paused for a moment, then continued with a smile, "Of course, we'll also need some teachers from the school to fill in as instructors..."

Huo Xuan let out another soft hum.

"You have to pay a fee for using our services!"

Filming movies in the country requires a license, which is only available to state-owned film production companies.

Although there are rumors that license applications will be relaxed, this has not happened yet.

Therefore, if Xu Heng wanted to make movies, he could only choose to be affiliated with a qualified organization, such as the Youth Film Studio under the Beijing Film Studio.

The affiliation fee is definitely not low either, at least 20 yuan according to market prices!

If Xu Heng is making movies just to practice or to complete school assignments, then he doesn't need to pay the affiliation fee, but he still needs to be affiliated.

Xu Heng clearly wants to make a commercial film, so we can only pay the affiliation fee according to regulations, at most simplifying the procedures.

However, the fact that all actors and crew members are currently enrolled students is very appealing, especially to school leaders.

In that case, he might actually be able to find a way to waive or at least reduce Xu Heng's affiliation fee!

Before he could even speak, Xu Heng interjected, "The affiliation fee is a minor matter, and the teachers' fees will be based on market rates. However, the approval process will require the school's assistance!"

The entire film production can be completed with the help of Beijing Film Studio, but the power of censorship rests with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

A typical campus romance film shouldn't have any issues with passing censorship, but what if it does? After all, it might involve puppy love!

So it's better to let the school handle the application. It's definitely easier than him submitting the application himself, and he doesn't mind spending a little more money.

The system only has requirements for box office revenue; it does not have requirements for costs, profits, or profit margins.

He kept the cost to two or three million, simply to avoid being too high-profile, and that was enough; it wasn't that he was really afraid of spending money.

(There will be another chapter at 11 o'clock, please read on!)