Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

During this time, Yang Che continued, "There's nothing wrong with playing with art and making what you want to make. How could there be anything wrong with that? Too many excellent films have been made this way."

In the future, I will definitely shoot a lot of things that I really want to shoot, without considering commercial returns, without considering evaluation, and I won't even go to the State Administration of Radio and Television.

But before that, the investors have to make money, or at least the investors themselves have to make money; otherwise, it's just empty talk. Of course, if you're a first or second generation, then I'll disregard what I'm saying.

By the way, buddy, I'm going to be making movies in the future. I'm going to take classes at the Beijing Film Academy after the National Day holiday, so I won't be starting any new projects before "My Sassy Girl" is released.

At this point, some people in the banquet hall sighed inwardly. Cao Yu, for example, had to go back to the Beijing Film Studio warehouse tomorrow to clean the equipment...

Yang Che said irritably, "Stop targeting me. The film industry is in a slump right now, but TV dramas are booming. Don't hold back your airs as disciples of prestigious sects. You really need to learn from those Hong Kong and Taiwan behind-the-scenes workers in Hengdian who come north to find work. They make our money with such lousy skills and pick up our girls..."

Everyone burst into laughter, and Fan Bingbing grinned broadly.

The film and television industry in China is in a very awkward situation right now. Every province's film studios are supporting a large number of idle people, and every year many art students are assigned to these studios to continue being idle. The problem is that the studios have no money and no work.

TV stations are short of dramas, and major film and television bases are also facing a severe shortage of talent. Do they really think that domestic film and television production teams want to use those people from Hong Kong and Taiwan? They're all down on their luck and still look down on people. And what about those shady "unspoken rules" involving money...? What can be done?

Cheng Er then asked, "You mean you want to resign and train independently?"

Wow, everyone instinctively turned their attention back to Yang Che.

Yang Che shrugged: "Anyway, I didn't obey the assignment to become a teacher. Alright, the day after tomorrow is National Day. May the country be prosperous and the people at peace. Let's all have a drink."

"........."

After that, they all paired up and chatted, with Fan Bingbing pulling Jin Xiaoman aside to talk about makeup.

Yang Che, on the other hand, dragged Wu Shixian outside the restaurant for a private chat.

"Old Wu, you're an American citizen, right?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"Do you want to earn back the production budget for 'Waiting Alone'?"

Wu Shixian rubbed his face: "Brother Che, you tell me."

After a moment's thought, Yang Che said, "Like you said, we need to earn US dollars. I have a suspense story that I want to make into an American-style film, 95% of which is indoors, but I can't film it in the US because the cost is unacceptable. Of course, I can't film it in mainland China either, because there will be a lot of bloody close-ups. So what I'm thinking of is finding a few Hollywood child actors to film in Hong Kong, after all, Hong Kong's B-movie industry chain is even more complete than Hollywood's."

This idea came to Yang Che when he heard Wu Shixian say he wanted to go back to the United States to make money.

"No, uh... wait a minute."

The amount of information was quite large, and the topics covered a wide range, leaving Wu Shixian somewhat overwhelmed.

"Brother Che, why are you looking for me? Oh, right, I'm an American citizen."

Yang Che's eyes gleamed with admiration: "Just tell me, do you want to work for me?"

"Do it! That's it...that's it..."

"That's bullshit. As long as this film is made, even if it doesn't sell and flops, I'll still invest in your 'Waiting Alone,' but you'll have to wait a year for me."

"Brother Che, that's not what I meant. I'm fine with it, I'll do whatever you say."

"That's right. You should also subtly inquire whether what I just mentioned will work. Anyway, we'll discuss the details at the studio tomorrow."

"become."

Yang Che was very excited. He wanted to go back to his study to put the ideas and creativity that kept popping into his head into writing, otherwise he would feel restless.

So the wrap party at this moment obviously could no longer attract his attention, but he still returned to the banquet hall and greeted the people.

"Brothers, even after the show, we're still friends. The studio's right there, come anytime."

After another round of laughter, Yang Che led Fan Bingbing, who looked like a timid young wife, to the entrance of the banquet hall. Looking at the group of people who were about to see them off, Yang Che waved his hand and said, "You guys go about your business. Li Xiangdong, come on, let's chat for a bit."

Li Xiangdong responded and quickly followed.

Many people looked at Li Xiangdong with envy.

Outside the restaurant.

Yang Che didn't beat around the bush: "Old Li, I have a lot of chores to do here, and I also have to go to school, so do you want to help me with some things?"

Li Xiangdong smiled and said, "As long as you think I won't hold you back, that's fine."

"Haha, come to the studio tomorrow."

"Okay, I got it."

Fan Bingbing, who was holding Yang Che's arm, waved his hand with a silly grin. Clearly, the little fat boy was also a bit carried away, and indeed, he was practically leaning on Yang Che.

Just as he was about to open the car door, Li Xiangdong's voice came from behind him.

"Brother Che, you've had quite a bit to drink. How about I drive?"

Yang Che looked speechless: "Why didn't you say you could drive sooner?"

Actually, he didn't drink that much; his steps weren't unsteady at all. Ever since he got drunk that day, he's been very aware of this.

From then on, the pleasure of drinking diminished.

But there's nothing he can do; he's different from everyone else in the world.

Li Xiangdong smiled but didn't say anything. He simply took the car keys and only said after getting into the car, "Uh... it's not appropriate to say it first."

"Hey, Lao Li, you're not going to make a name for yourself like this. You need to show some promise."

Fan Bingbing, standing to the side, chuckled and said, "How could there be no future following you?"

Li Xiangdong smiled and asked, "Brother Che, are we going back to Courtyard No. 8?"

Fan Bingbing pouted and squeezed his hand.

Yang Che paused for a moment, then realized what he meant and coughed lightly: "Go to the Ministry of Railways dormitory, near Fuxingmen."

"Oh, I know that place."

They walked in silence. Fan Bingbing leaned against him, pretending to doze off, while he pondered the matter he had discussed with Wu Shixian.

After arriving at Fan Bingbing's rented apartment building, Li Xiangdong helped Yang Che carry Fan Bingbing's luggage upstairs. He then refused the "taxi fare" that Fan Bingbing took out of her bag and left.

"Slap!"

Fan Bingbing threw down her bag and jumped onto Yang Che.

Yang Che quickly supported her buttocks.

Fan Bingbing cupped his face in her hands, rubbed it a couple of times, kissed him, and hummed with hazy eyes, "Tell me. Have you forgotten?"

"Smack."

"You go wash up first, I need to write something."

"No, together, we have to do everything together."

"Okay, then we'll have to install two toilets in our bathroom from now on, so we can hold hands and poop together."

"Alas"

Fan Bingbing's face turned green and she felt a little nauseous as she listened to her partner's serious words. She then jumped off her and lay on the sofa, whimpering softly.

"And you say you want to be a good wife? Go boil water and make tea for your husband."

"No, I've had too much to drink."

"Then go to sleep."

"No, we agreed to make love on the day filming wraps up."

"......"