So what if I work with celebrities?

Zhang Sen is a small-time director who has only made some Taiwanese films. He was just invited here to be a supporting actor.

However, in order to leave a good impression on China Film Group, he made thorough preparations and spent money to have a script written.

He handed his manuscript to his secretary, who distributed it to each of the judging officials. Once everything was ready, he went backstage and began to improvise.

However, since Zhang Sen has never directed a war film and has only seen patriotic films in theaters, his descriptions of how to film them are rather limited.

Things often only have results, not processes; his explanations were rather dry.

At that moment, only his voice could be heard in the conference room. Everyone else's eyes were almost fixed on the ceiling, and most of the actors who had been invited to ensure impartiality were whispering among themselves.

The director, who was sitting in the middle of the conference table, was a rather responsible person. He carefully read the script for a while and finally shook his head.

The contestants took turns giving their speeches on stage. Wu Ma was particularly interesting, bowing to the judges, celebrity reporters, and other contestants in turn.

Then, standing on the stage, he vividly described director Zhang Che's understanding of "Eight Hundred Heroes".

Xu Zan could tell that this wasn't Zhang Che's understanding at all, but Wu Ma's. Zhang Che, on the other hand, was a former secretary of the Cadre and Cultural Affairs Committee, and had genuinely worked within the system.

He even knew Ilizarov, who started his film career in Taiwan.

After speaking for a while, Wu Ma changed the subject and began to talk about the contributions of Chang Gong Film Company to the film industry in Taiwan over the years, how many blockbuster movies it has produced, how many jobs it has created, and how many post-production companies it has established.

It had become a performance review meeting, showcasing Chang Gong's strength. After all, with the Shao family backing them, it would be difficult for them not to succeed.

It was only then that Xu Zan realized that Zhang Che and his group had their eyes on the big stars present. Those invited by China Film Group were all top actors in Taiwan today.

Formal meetings are very structured and require maintaining one's proper status, so no one stepped forward to interrupt this guy who was going off-topic, unless the chairman spoke first.

After Wu Ma stepped down, Mei Changling said, "Chang Gong has accomplished a lot over the years, and Director Zhang's level represents the benchmark of the Chinese film industry."

This was the only sentence he had uttered since the meeting began, and the other officials echoed his sentiments.

It felt like I was agreeing with him.

"Next, please welcome Director Xu to the stage to give a speech," Ming Ji said.

At this moment, the people in the "audience" seats began to buzz with discussion, watching Mei Changling's expression, trying to discern the inside story.

"Director Xu is very skilled, we can handle it, right?"

"I doubt it. Director Ding's influence is considerable, isn't it? He's very experienced and has directed many blockbusters."

Unfortunately, Mei Changling remained silent, sitting there like a deaf man, waiting for Xu Zan's demonstration.

The renowned director Li Xing scanned the officials but found nothing amiss. However, he was quite curious as to how a young man who had only directed two films dared to directly choose a blockbuster with an investment of tens of millions.

If this movie flops, it's no joke.

A film failing to sell doesn't mean it did poorly at the box office; it simply means it didn't receive approval from higher-ups.

Bai Jingrui kicked Li Xing under the table and handed him a notebook containing the script and storyboard for "Eight Hundred Heroes".

Li Xing could tell at a glance that this was the work of an expert. Just looking at the storyboard made him want to watch the show. But could it actually be filmed?

Which director can't make empty promises?

Xu Zan imitated Wu Ma, bowing to the people present, then stood behind the lectern and adjusted the microphone.

"Thank you to China Film Group for giving me this opportunity to interact with top figures in the film industry on such a grand stage..."

When giving speeches to officials, it's essential to resonate with their hearts. Xu Zan put in a lot of effort to achieve this, as he couldn't just talk about how to film the movie or how much box office revenue it would generate.

Instead, we should explain why we filmed it this way and how the filming met the requirements mentioned above.

Xu Zan opened the slides and introduced them one by one. There were not only storyboards, but also many photos of the Sihang Warehouse, photos of the battle, and even some photos taken by the Japanese at that time, which he had asked people from Toei to help him find.

By reconstructing history, we can acknowledge the military's contributions and recognize that the solution at the time was the best possible one.

In other words, Xu Zan made no negative statements whatsoever, and instead sought to put Ilizarov's ideas into practice through film.

That must also be Sun's philosophy.

Xu Zan's words caused some officials from the Central Motion Picture Corporation to start taking notes, while the actors in the "audience" seats were dumbfounded.

There are cultured actors in Taiwan's Chinese-speaking entertainment industry, but they are few and far between. Many are high school or junior college graduates and have never had the opportunity to speak to highly educated individuals.

Xu Zan's approach of combining film lectures with political propaganda has exceeded their expectations.

He rewrote the script based on his experience watching excellent war films from around the world in his previous life, combined with the plot of "The Eight Hundred" and "Eight Hundred Heroes".

It's not that a commander can win a war simply by pacing back and forth in his office with a map and coughing a few times while holding a kerosene lamp.

Instead, it starts with ordinary people, adhering to the principles of factual events, fictional characters, and values ​​that align with mainstream values.

Why did movies like "Saving Private Ryan" and "Forrest Gump" become global hits? Because the background stories are true, but they tell human stories.

"Thank you for listening. I believe that under the direction of Chairman Mei of China Film Group and with the assistance of all the officers, I will definitely be able to make a wonderful film, 'The Eight Hundred Heroes'! Thank you!"

When Xu Zan bowed, Mei Changling led the applause.

He said, "Young people are energetic, have ideas, and dare to put them into practice. He managed to find so much valuable information."

"Chairman Mei is right. I thought he was just good at getting scripts and being eloquent, but I didn't expect him to be so well-prepared," Ming Ji said with a smile.

The meeting continued, with the final speaker, Ding Shanxi, taking the stage to deliver a speech.

Director Ding strode up to the podium and nodded in all directions.

"At this moment, I express my feelings with a poem: 'How I wish I could ride the long wind of Zong Que, break through ten thousand miles of waves, and slay the dragon.' You can absolutely handle this film, thank you!"

After saying that, he returned to his seat.

For a moment, everyone was stunned, even the very shrewd Mei Changling couldn't help but give him a deep look.

Ming Ji coughed lightly. "Um, Director Ding, don't you have anything to add?"

"No!"

"Uh..." Mingji was somewhat displeased. Even if they were old friends, it shouldn't be like this, right?

"Okay, now that all the shortlisted contestants have finished speaking, the judges will score them. We'll then hold a board meeting in the small conference room to decide on the final results."

After the judges finished scoring, the secretaries collected the completed slips of paper and then left with several officials.

The moment they stepped out the door, the meeting room became lively.

"Oh, congratulations, Director Ding!" Qin Han was the first to stand up and say.

Ding Shanxi nodded confidently, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Maybe we'll have a chance to collaborate!" She then glanced at Xu Zan, adding, "Director Xu, the future belongs to you!"

The implication is that it's mine now.

The other actors also felt that Ding Shanxi had definitely won the job. They thought that she dared to be so arrogant and recite a bad poem, so she must have used connections.

"Director Xu, it's alright. If we don't get this chance this time, there will be another one!" Wu Ma comforted him with a smile.

"Maybe." Xu Zan shrugged. "Hey bro, have you ever thought about acting? I think you'd be great at comedy films."

Lin Qingxia followed Qin Han to Director Ding's side and said some flattering words. When no one was paying attention, she slipped a note to Xu Zan.

"Do you have time? Shall we go climb Mount Baxian?"