Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

Chapter 40 Passports and Visas

Fang Yuan actually had quite a few things to do in April.

After the audition results were announced, Fang Yuan handed the reins over to Wang Jinghua.

Fang Yuan no longer had to worry about things like signing actors, arranging schedules, contracts, and payments.

The budget for this film is 300 million yuan, with Yuanchuang Culture accounting for 30%.

The main reason is that the production crew and main actors are very cheap.

Fang Yuan invested 50 yuan in cash.

Assistant Xiaomei was overseeing the serialization and publication of several novels, as well as the copyright registration of scripts and song lyrics.

Fang Yuan began to study the newly opened computer internet access and email registration.

Now it will be easier to contact Ellie.

International calls are too expensive.

He's currently reading an email that Ellie forwarded to him.

"The Man from Earth" has been selected for the main competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Ellie's team started casting for "Buried".

The email provided three candidates and asked for Fang Yuan's opinion.

Edward Norton

In 1996, he stunned audiences with his performance in "Primal Fear" and in 1998, he proved his ability to act alone in "American History X". His salary was about 100-200 million. He was newly famous, cheap, and his acting skills were legendary.

John Cusack

With a temperament that fits the theme of "ordinary people struggling in desperate situations," and a salary of about 100 million, he is a regular in independent films and offers excellent value for money.

Guy Pearce

A supporting role in "L.A. Confidential" – an Australian actor who is cheap and reliable, earning around $50 per film, unknown but talented.

How is Fang Yuan supposed to choose? He's never even met these three people before.

Reply: Within the cost range, choose the best option.

Seeing this, Fang Yuan remembered that he still needed to apply for a passport and visa.

It would be best to ask the school for help with this.

Upon further inquiry, Fang Yuan discovered that the situation was far more complex than he had initially thought.

In this day and age, it is incredibly difficult for a freshman to obtain a passport and travel abroad.

I carefully studied all the regulations and discussed them with Director Shen for a long time.

Director Shen suggested that Fang Yuan prepare the necessary documents, and he would report to the school leaders to see if they could help process the passport on behalf of the school. As for the visa, Fang Yuan would have to handle it himself.

If Fang Yuan really wants to go to the US as a freshman, the safest path is:

Find short-term exchange programs between Chinese and American universities through the school's Office of International Exchange, and the school will issue exchange certificates and handle passports and visas together.

The passport application process alone requires a foreign invitation letter, financial guarantee, approval certificate from the employer (school), personal identity and family background verification, and the total amount of materials can be dozens of pages or even "as thick as a book".

The school can assist in issuing proof of enrollment and proof of student status, and stamp the document during the approval process.

If all the materials are complete, the entire process takes about 1-2 months, or even longer.

In 1998, a 19-year-old "freshman" applying for a visa would most likely be rejected.

The visa officer may deem their family background inconsistent with their immigration status, or suspect that they are attempting to work illegally in the United States.

Unless he can provide highly convincing documents (such as a formal invitation from a major Hollywood studio, proof of hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings, and reasons for returning home soon), the success rate is extremely low.

Having no other choice, Fang Yuan could only contact Ellie and send her some relevant materials as quickly as possible.

Ten days later, all the information I could think of was ready.

Includes: Certification of the North American studio (Fangyuan Studio of Culture and Art)

Fangyuan's equity certificate

Invitation letter and application form for full membership of the Writers Guild of North America

Invitation to negotiate screenplay rights with Warner Bros. Pictures

Several screenplays registered and copyrighted by the Writers Guild of North America.

The publishing and distribution contract between "Flying Colors" and Random House, etc.

Award Certificate from the Berlin Film Festival for "The Moment the Comet Came"

Fang Yuan's domestic bank account just received over one million US dollars and a tax payment certificate.

Project supporting documents for "On the Road" and "Eighteen-Year-Old Sky", etc.

And school certificates

Household registration book

ID card, etc.

Looking at the stack of documents in front of me.

Fang Yuan was helpless; what secrets could there be?

It seems like many people can go abroad and transfer funds as easily as drinking water.

You have to expose everything about yourself just to get a passport and go abroad.

Fortunately, there are so many qualifications and conditions; without them, going abroad would be a pipe dream.

Director Shen flipped through the documents, clicking his tongue repeatedly.

"I didn't expect that, Fang Yuan, you've been hiding it well!"

"I wasn't trying to hide it, but there's no need for the whole world to know, is there?"

"Alright, leave the rest to the school. You just wait for your visa interview."

"Okay, Teacher Shen, it'll be a secret!"

"Know."

After handing the materials over to Teacher Shen, Fang Yuan resumed his normal student life.

I attend classes during the day and write novels and screenplays at night.

The novels I had given to my assistant, Xiaomei, were published one after another.

In his spare time, he would ponder the task that Teacher Chang had given him.

Although it was still early, he wanted to prepare in advance so that he would have time to make changes if necessary.

I asked Teacher Chang what kind of material he needed.

"You decide what to do. The time limit is no more than half an hour, and it has to be outstanding!"

Okay, it seems like there are no requirements, but it's actually more difficult.

Fang Yuan pondered for several days, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

Have it.

Title of the play: The Red-Clad Lady

Time: 1937

Location: A theater in Anyuan County

Characters: Pei Yanzhi (female role), the old troupe leader, a Japanese colonel, his adjutant, members of the opera troupe, and several Japanese soldiers.

Plot summary:

First paragraph - Daily life

The performance began with the sound of gongs and drums. Pei Yanzhi was rehearsing "The Peach Blossom Fan" on stage, while the rest of the opera troupe busied themselves in the audience.

The old troupe leader sighed as he looked at the empty audience seats—war was approaching, and fewer and fewer people were watching the show.

When Pei Yanzhi removed his makeup, he spoke with the troupe leader, expressing his sentiment that "though I am of humble status, I dare not forget my duty to the country."

Second paragraph: Coercion

Japanese troops stormed in. The colonel, speaking broken Chinese, ordered Pei Yanzhi to perform a "comfort performance" for the Japanese troops, threatening to burn down the theater and massacre the county if he refused. Pei Yanzhi remained silent for a moment, then agreed.

The troupe leader and the rest of the troupe privately advised him to run away, but Pei Yanzhi said, "I can't leave, and I won't leave either," and secretly ordered someone to buy oil.

Third Section - On Stage

The stage was brightly lit. Japanese soldiers sat below, drinking and eating meat.

As the gongs and drums sounded, Pei Yan went on stage and sang "The Peach Blossom Fan".

He sang with increasing passion, and the Japanese soldiers below the stage gradually realized something was wrong.

Suddenly, Pei Yanzhi raised his voice and sang "Light the fire!"—fire broke out all around the opera house, and the doors were blocked.

Fourth paragraph - Building collapse

The Japanese soldiers fled in panic, only to find themselves with nowhere to go. Pei Yanzhi stood on the stage, his water sleeves fluttering, singing the lines from "The Peach Blossom Fan": "I watched him build his magnificent mansion, I watched him entertain his guests, I watched his mansion collapse."

The fire spread, and the roof beams collapsed.

Those on stage and those off stage disappeared together in the sea of fire.

end

In the firelight, the song "Red-Clad Ladies" began to play.

The lights gradually dimmed.

Ended.

In the realm of drama, a play of about half an hour falls into the category of a one-act play.

The script is approximately 5000-8000 words long.

The number of scenes will be limited to 2-3 (stage, backstage, and possibly a Japanese military garrison), with 5-8 actors.

Looking at the script and the lyrics of "Red-Haired Girl" in my hand.

Fang Yuan was a little dazed.

Is it a bit too early for it to appear now?