Huayu: Everyone's been reborn, who's still going to be an actor?

Cheng Yuan approached Jiang Wen with the storyboard to discuss the film.

Jiang Wen did not refuse.

However, once the discussion started, this guy wanted to change not only the script, but also the colors, composition, and so on.

There are countless other ideas I want to cram into it all at once.

This is like cramming all the thoughts that have been bottled up for years due to the ban on directing into a project.

Cheng Yuan has worked as a director; he's not completely clueless.

Moreover, he conducted in-depth research on the original version and read many related professional film reviews and analyses.

He knows the movie well and has his own ideas, so naturally he won't let Jiang Wen have his way.

Discussions inevitably turn into arguments, and when the arguments get heated, people start banging on the table and shouting.

The content of "mother" in them is not low.

Cheng Yuan showed no sign of backing down.

However, Cheng Yuan was not someone who couldn't listen to advice.

However, we must stick to what we should stick to. If we listen to everything Jiang Wen says, then the final product will probably be full of Jiang flavor.

Of course, some things you can't listen to, but some things you have to listen to.

As Jiang Wen said, why would a Chinese person speak Chinese when talking to an American company or government department?

Cheng Yuan did not set the background of "Buried Alive" in China.

This movie satirizes government inaction and bureaucratic indifference; it would be a miracle if it were released in China.

So, the main character has simply been changed to a Chinese American.

Then speaking in Chinese is indeed somewhat inappropriate.

Cheng Yuan really didn't mind changing the script dialogue to English.

Of course, the domestic version could have dubbing.

Who knows, if it's changed to English, the overseas copyright could sell for a higher price.

They discussed it for several days, or even argued about it for several days.

The people that Tuotianzhuangzhuang had found also contacted him. To Cheng Yuan's surprise, the photographer was Du Jie.

Did he not go with Ning Hao to film "Green Grassland"?

It's probably not turned on yet.

Du Jie served as the cinematographer for many of Ning Hao's films, and also worked as a cinematographer for films by Cheng Er, Gao Qunshu, and others.

He has won many awards.

In his previous life, he was the photographer for "Green Grassland," which marked the beginning of his photography career.

And now, the film that launched his photography career is "Buried"!

"In the first few minutes of the film, I wanted to use darkness and close-up shots to immerse the audience in the protagonist's confined predicament, creating a strong sense of oppression and a repressive atmosphere."

"I needed a unique visual approach... an eerie perspective and a voyeuristic view from outside the coffin, for example, when the protagonist is talking to the kidnapper, the camera is shot from a voyeuristic view from outside the coffin, which adds to the kidnapper's mystery."

......

Once the photographer was chosen, he naturally needed to communicate his ideas about the shots with the photographer.

Du Jie won so many awards later on, even though she is still a newcomer now, her talent and ability are definitely not weak.

He could naturally understand what Cheng Yuan wanted.

Everything is ready, so let's turn it on.

There was no grand opening ceremony; it was very low-key.

"You actually prepared several coffins for me. However, these coffins are rather simple."

When Jiang Wen arrived at the filming location and saw the several coffins on display, he couldn't help but laugh.

To be precise, those weren't coffins; they were just a few wooden boxes.

"Iraq probably wouldn't import coffins from our country. Besides, if kidnappers are burying you alive, why would they choose a nice coffin for you?" Cheng Yuan said. "Why don't you lie down in it and try it out first?"

Does Jiang Wen not understand these things?

I'm sure I understand.

This old guy is testing him.

"We'll have to give it a try," Jiang Wen nodded and said, "We don't know how long we'll have to stay inside."

Everything was ready; the lights were off and the curtains were drawn.

Due to the limitations of the setting, the film's lighting design is extremely simple: the screen is composed only of light from a mobile phone screen, the faint light from a lighter, and a small number of external light sources.

This low-brightness, high-contrast lighting effect not only matches the realism of the enclosed environment, but also symbolizes the darkness in the protagonist's heart and the slim hope, while highlighting the importance of the mobile phone as "external contact" - its screen light becomes the only visual focus and narrative fulcrum.

The film's cinematography is not only characterized by extreme focus on a single space, but also by subjective perspectives and first-person experiences.

Photography also involves handheld shooting and shaky camera work.

This was also to simulate the protagonist's struggle and unease inside the coffin.

The style of the camera work has already been discussed before.

The photos will be fine once they're taken.

But during the very first scene, Cheng Yuan felt something was off.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Wen asked. "Was there a problem with my acting?"

The lighting and composition should be fine, meeting the expectations discussed earlier. So the problem naturally lies with the actors.

"right!"

Cheng Yuan threw the cigarette on the ground and immediately stood up. He knew why he felt something was wrong.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Wen, however, was somewhat unconvinced, feeling that his performance in that scene was flawless.

I wouldn't say the acting was phenomenal, but there's absolutely no problem with it.

The other crew members also looked at Cheng Yuan with confusion.

Are we going to start fighting again?

They knew that this junior director had argued with Director Jiang Wen countless times, slamming his fist on the table and cursing more than once.

It has to be said that he was incredibly brave.

He met Du Jie the most, especially.

Who is Jiang Wen? Is he someone a new director who can question acting skills?

"What is the identity of the character you are playing?"

Cheng Yuan looked at Jiang Wen and asked.

"Truck driver!"

Jiang Wen frowned and spoke.

"That's right," Cheng Yuan said. "You portrayed the character's fear and anxiety, but not the truck driver's fear and anxiety, but yours. The one being buried alive is a truck driver, not the famous director Jiang Wen."

Jiang Wen fell silent. Whether as an actor or a director, he had a very strong personal style.

He was naturally aware of this as well.

But you can't say that I'm playing Jiang Wen.

"Are you trying to make me change my performance style?"

Jiang Wen looked at Cheng Yuan with a sharp gaze.

He has worked with many renowned directors, but this is the first time someone has questioned his acting style.

The key point is that this guy is still a greenhorn.

How could he not understand the meaning behind Cheng Yuan's words?

"It's not a question of whether your acting style should change or not, but rather that you can't play every role like Jiang Wen," Cheng Yuan said. "Your acting style is raw and powerful, bearing a distinct personal mark. But Director Jiang, you're also a director. Do you think this acting style is suitable for this role?"

Is Jiang Wen's acting good?

Needless to say.

He is able to handle different types of roles, showcasing his "thousand faces" acting skills. He can not only switch freely between positive and negative roles, but also show completely different sides of himself in different roles.

However, his acting style has also been controversial, with some arguing that his success relies more on the charm of the characters themselves.

Jiang Wen fell silent, not arguing with Cheng Yuan, but instead picked up a cigarette and lit it, seemingly lost in thought.

One cigarette, two cigarettes...

"Again!"

Jiang Wen threw away the cigarette butt and said something.

Continue filming!

This time, Jiang Wen gave Cheng Yuan a big surprise.

He toned down his style considerably.

Cheng Yuan was puzzled: when did Jiang Wen become so easy to talk to?

This is so unlike Jiang Wen!

Have you been annoyed by your own constant nagging lately?

Or was he scared of himself?

During this period, I argued with Jiang Wen every day, and after the argument I would go drinking, and nine times out of ten I would get him drunk.