Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, October 13th.

Yang Che, who had shaved his beard, arrived at the Beijing Film Academy early in the morning. He first went to Hou Keming's office and chatted for a while. He learned that the short film "Not One Less" would be broadcast on CCTV on the 1st of next month and would be broadcast continuously for a month.

Yang Che also shared his thoughts on filming "Saw" in Hong Kong.

Hou Keming countered, "When you're creating a character, do you mimic their expressions, mannerisms, and movements, even if they're a woman?"

Yang Che nodded: "Yes, I do this when I'm not sure what to say. I try to find the right words through my own performance in order to describe things accurately and appropriately."

This is not nonsense. Even if he rewrites the plot into words based on his clear memory, he will still consider and act out the process.

Hou Keming nodded: "That's why you think he acted very well, but you can't immerse yourself in the role. He's not the person you were imitating. There are also cultural and racial differences involved."

"Racial differences?"

"To be precise, it's a language difference. Different languages ​​and expressions require different facial muscle groups to be used."

Yang Che suddenly realized: "English-speaking Chinese Americans, English-speaking Singaporean Chinese, and Spanish-speaking Chinese Americans all look different..."

Hou Keming smiled and said, "That's right, I'm glad you're thinking about this. No matter what race you are or what kind of acting method you use, if you want to be a director, an internationally renowned director, you must first have a comprehensive understanding of it before you can apply it flexibly."

Yang Che neither confirmed nor denied it, but that didn't stop him from nodding earnestly, looking like he was learning something.

He didn't think that Hou Keming was unqualified to say these things because of the works he had made. Theory is also very important. Besides, they weren't just working behind closed doors. In terms of the amount of films they had seen and their research on films from various countries, who could compare to the teachers in the directing department of Beijing Film Academy?

Afterwards, Yang Che filled out an application form and work resume in Hou Keming's office. It was brought by a man named Li Chen, who shared the same name as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, but was actually a girl. She had short hair, a round face, almond-shaped eyes, and was very cute, but... extremely flat-chested.

This girl is Cheng Er's classmate, and of course, she will be Yang Che's classmate in the future.

After saying goodbye to Hou Keming, I went to the office next door to register.

While helping Yang Che make copies of his graduation certificate and bachelor's degree certificate, Li Chen said, "You really studied fine arts."

"Art Education"

"Same here, your hair needs to be tied up, and your ID photo needs to show your ears. Let me help you."

As Li Chen spoke, he pulled out a black rubber band.

"Uh... thank you, I can do it myself."

Yang Che was quite resistant; at that moment, he wanted to get a haircut. Despite his thoughts, he still grabbed a hair tie and expertly braided it into a small braid.

Not to mention the simplest braids, he's even braided dirty braids, since he's raised daughters.

Afterwards, Li Chen took another photo of Yang Che against a blue background.

Yang Che felt that this girl was after his body, so he took several pictures of her, gave her 80 yuan for the registration fee, and then left the graduate student building.

You need to come and pick up your admission ticket on January 15, 2000. The exam is a week before the exam. The preliminary exam starts on January 22. On that day, you will take the English and Politics exams. The following two days will be dedicated to your major, including literature and film theory, directing theory, screenwriting, and general knowledge.

Downstairs, Yang Che saw fifty or sixty people queuing at the entrance. He glanced at them and, well, there weren't any familiar faces.

Well, it's 8:50 now, and registration hasn't officially started yet.

Yang Che's situation is hardly a privilege. It's said that two Korean girls also wanted to apply for the Beijing Film Academy's directing graduate program, but they didn't even come.

Afterwards, Yang Che drove off in his Grand Cherokee, raising a cloud of dust amidst the admiring stares of the crowd.

After driving for 5 minutes, we arrived at Tazhai Village—oops, I mean Tayuan Village.

The area around the West Second Ring Road is still rural, even worse than a rural area. At least rural areas have fresh air and natural dirt roads.

The Grand Cherokee handled the bumpy concrete road quite well.

Yang Che bought a courtyard house located at the northernmost part of the main street of Tacun, on the western edge of the courtyard.

Looking at the taller red walls and the brand-new, pitch-black iron gate, Yang Che couldn't help but grin. At least he had bought a house.

At this moment, the door opened wide, and Yang Che was somewhat surprised to see that it was Ma Shu, who was smiling.

The Grand Cherokee roared to life and drove into the yard.

Yang Che looked at the transformed courtyard and was even more satisfied.

The ground is covered with clean blue bricks, and there is a wooden frame on the west side. That is a frame reserved for transplanting grapes next year. Hmm, they will be moved from Qingxu. When they are in full bloom, they will provide a cool and shady spot. How wonderful it would be to have barbecue skewers and beer!

Looking around at the houses, they were all clean and bright, with all the glass, window frames, and door frames replaced. Yang Che could smell paint, probably because the color was too bright red.

This is clearly a psychological effect; the paint was already completely dry.

"Brother Che"

Ma Shu greeted Yang Che as he got out of the car, then laughed so hard she bent over: "Haha, why are you wearing a little braid? So cute!"

Yang Che blushed, not because of the braid, but because of the word "cute".

"I was taking pictures just now."

At this moment, the door to the main room opened, and seven or eight people came out. Apart from Liu Chang, they were college students who were working part-time.

Liu Chang grinned: "They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, why are you here so early?"

"Stop talking nonsense, I've already taken a stroll around the Beijing Film Academy."

Ma Shu asked, "Is Sister Yuanyuan home?"

"She's at her house."

At this moment, two people came out of the south room: Li Xiangdong and Lao Sun. Lao Sun was Li Xiangdong's fellow villager, fifty years old, and worked here as a boiler operator and house watcher.

"Hello, Mr. Yang."

Yang Che smiled kindly: "Are you getting used to it?"

"Habit, habit."

Yang Che nodded and looked at the group of part-time male students with varying expressions: "Don't leave at noon today. I'll cook hot pot for you all, we'll eat here. Old Li, go to Niujie, get a copper pot, mutton, charcoal, vegetables, etc. The mahjong tiles have to be pure sesame, not 28. Guys, how about some Moutai?"

The more outgoing ones started howling like wolves.

"Brother Yang, you're amazing!"

"Thank you, boss."

"..."

Ma Shu then said, "Brother Che, let Brother Li and I go."

Yang Che looked at Liu Chang.

Liu Chang felt incredibly proud: "Go ahead, don't try to save money for our Che-ge. Che-ge is a multi-millionaire now, he'll be a billionaire soon..."

"Get the hell out of here."

The courtyard was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Afterwards, Yang Che chatted with a group of male college students, which could be considered a brainstorming session to unify their thoughts.

Yang Che asked them what their impressions were after working for two days.

Cai Xuping, a sophomore at Beijing Normal University, said, "Brother Yang, I think it's quite scary. Logically speaking, people who go online are all highly educated, but in just a few hours, they were guided by a few of us."

Yang Che countered, "Was it enjoyable?"