1991: The Era of Hong Kong Dramas

Ning Wan pushed the door open directly.

Inside, many staff members were busy, some organizing equipment, some counting props, and others coordinating work, all in an orderly manner.

At the far end of the cubicles, there was a small meeting room, the door ajar, and you could vaguely see people talking.

Huo Sheng raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

There were already three people waiting inside, and they all stood up when they heard the noise.

Wei Jiahui stood among them and said with a smile, "Ah Sheng, you're here. Let me introduce you."

These two are directors Yuan Yingming and Lin Yufen, who serve as our executive director and assistant director, respectively, and are responsible for the filming of "The Great Era".

"Director Yuan, Director Lin, this is Huo Sheng, the sole creative writer for the crew. He wrote the story we're going to film."

"Hello, Editor-in-Chief Huo."

Yuan Yingming and Lin Yufen were very polite and took the initiative to shake hands with him.

Huo Sheng gripped his hand firmly and said politely, "Just call me A-Sheng."

Huo Sheng was familiar with both of these names.

Yuen Ying-ming is a very experienced director at TVB, having participated in the filming of Felix Wong's version of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and Louis Koo's version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," and has extremely rich filming experience.

Standing to the side, Lin Yufen, who appears unassuming, is by no means an unknown person.

Even though she has only served as assistant director on "The Unyielding Spirit" and is not as famous as Yuan Yingming, Lin Yufen plans to expand into mainland China in the future, directing a series of hit dramas such as "The Journey of Flower," "Scarlet Heart," and "Eternal Love."

This lineup—

Even someone as meticulous and deliberate as Huo Sheng couldn't help but sigh, "This is a sure thing!"

"One of the co-editors is still absent today, named Zeng Jinchang. We'll see him again in a while."

Wei Jiahui explained the situation to Huo Sheng before smiling and saying, "Alright, you three, sit down and let's talk!"

While the others were talking, Ning Wan had already made coffee. After handing a cup to each person, she quietly left.

A long table, four chairs, and the core members of the production team sat together.

Wai Ka-fai, holding a cup of coffee, said unhurriedly, "Everyone should have read the script thoroughly these past few days. If you have any opinions or suggestions, let's have an open and frank discussion today."

After he finished speaking, there was a two-second silence.

"cough."

Yuan Yingming coughed lightly and spoke first: "Since Producer Wei has spoken, then I'd like to offer some thoughts."

Yuan Yingming had been wholeheartedly working for Wei Jiahui for several years and had always supported Wei Jiahui's decisions, but that didn't mean he could tolerate his partner being an unreliable person.

I heard that the original screenwriter is a self-taught individual and is quite young, so he's been feeling uncertain about his work these past few days.

He turned to Huo Sheng and politely asked, "I heard from Producer Wei that you, Editor-in-Chief Huo, are planning to write the script all by yourself?"

"Yes, that's the request I made."

Huo Sheng took a leisurely sip of coffee; it was instant and so sweet that he couldn't help but grin.

"Excuse my bluntness, but Editor-in-Chief Huo probably hasn't worked at any television station before, has he?"

"TVB was the first television station I ever worked for."

"Has Editor-in-Chief Huo ever written scene scripts before?"

Yuan Yingming paused, as if considering his words, "Don't misunderstand, I highly approve of your novel 'The Great Era.' The story is good, and the characters are solid. I can see that."

However, being a lead screenwriter is not as simple as just writing a story.

He phrased it tactfully, but he was already adopting the air of a senior figure, clearly indicating that he wanted to interfere with the script's creative direction.

Huo Sheng put down his coffee cup and smiled, "Director Yuan, are you worried that I lack experience?"

Yuan Yingming was taken aback by his directness and paused for a moment before nodding frankly, "I'm sorry, but you are indeed young and haven't systematically studied screenwriting. I'm worried you won't be able to complete the task on time."

He paused, then added, "If possible, I would like to add another lead screenwriter to assist you in presenting the story as a scene script, which would be more reliable."

"I'm afraid that won't work."

Huo Sheng flatly refused, "Unless there is no way to deliver the script on time, we cannot add any more main creative writers or screenwriters. This is something that I agreed upon with Producer Wei."

His expression was sincere, but his attitude was firm, making it clear that he would not back down.

"..."

Yuan Yingming remained silent for a while.

He had initially thought this would be a negotiation, at least involving some back and forth and discussion, but he hadn't expected the other party to have no intention of bargaining at all, which dampened his spirits.

Yuan Yingming glanced at Wei Jiahui again, and found that he remained silent and did not seem to want to lend a hand.

He hesitated for a while, then tentatively asked, "According to the schedule, could the scene scripts for the first and second episodes be written in the next few days?"

"It's already written."

Seeing that he was no longer pestering him like an old woman at the market, Huo Sheng readily took out the script from his pocket, handed it over, and said politely, "Please give me your guidance."

"So fast?"

Yuan Yingming asked in a trembling voice.

He didn't actually have any bad intentions. His original intention was just to urge Huo Sheng to produce some results in the next few days so he could see them. If the quality wasn't good, they could go back to the negotiating table. His goal was simply to make the drama better.

It turned out that the other party was clearly prepared, and had prepared quite a lot; the item was heavy when I received it.

Since he had it, Yuan Yingming didn't stand on ceremony and immediately started flipping through it.

Wei Jiahui was also eager to see Huo Sheng's "homework," but Yuan Yingming had it all in his hands. Helpless, he turned around and said, "Sheng, let me tell you about the current situation of the crew."

"Okay, Producer Wei."

"Just call me Jia Hui or Xiao Bao."

Wai Ka-fai chuckled and said, "Mr. Shao has agreed to my plan, and now our production team is officially established. The props and filming crew have been arriving in batches over the past few days, and the studio has been cleaned up."

Your office is the second one to the left of the conference room. You can write here or in your dorm if you want. I'll contact you if I need anything.

Huo Sheng nodded, indicating that he understood.

Wai Ka-fai continued, "I plan to finish filming this movie by August next year, so I intend to start filming in twenty days, which is the 10th of next month. I wonder if you have any objections?"

Time is very tight, and Wai Ka-fai's suggestion to Huo Sheng was probably a reminder not to dawdle, to speed up the script writing, and not to delay filming.

Huo Sheng, understanding the implied meaning, replied, "No problem, I will do my best to complete it."

Wei Jiahui was not yet clear about Huo Sheng's professional competence, but he was very satisfied with his attitude - in the past, none of the main creative screenwriters he had worked with had submitted their manuscripts without being asked and urged three or four times.

The two chatted casually, while Yuan Yingming finally finished flipping through the stack of manuscripts.

He let out a long sigh: "I'm sorry, Asheng."

"My previous judgment was biased. Your professional skills are flawless, even perfect; I can't find any problems."

Huo Sheng smiled and said, "Director Yuan, you flatter me."

Wei Minghui picked up one of the manuscript papers from the side and glanced at it a few times. He also breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, he was also uneasy.

Now that I've seen what Huo Sheng handed over, my heart that was hanging in suspense has finally settled down.

"It seems there are no problems."

He put down his manuscript, picked up his coffee cup, and smiled, "Wishing us a pleasant collaboration in advance."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The four of them clinked coffees together in place of alcohol, signifying that the cooperation was complete, and the atmosphere instantly improved considerably.

Wai Ka-fai was very satisfied with the harmonious atmosphere of the team and continued, "Then it's settled. Filming will officially begin in January next year. There are still twenty-odd days left. Everyone should do their job."

He looked at Yuan Yingming: "Director Yuan, go back and organize the scripts for the first five episodes that Asheng wrote into a storyboard."

Yuan Yingming nodded.

Wai Ka-fai then turned to Huo Sheng: "Sheng, don't stop, keep writing. Time is tight, so let's use a paper-flying method, writing and taking pictures as we go. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me."

Huo Sheng responded.

"That's settled then. Filming will officially begin next January. Everyone, get ready."

Wai Ka-fai put the cup on the table and glanced at everyone present.

"Next, let's talk about casting."