Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

They persuaded Lao Wang to take on the title of producer and asked him to submit the script so that the school could help with the review process.

The three brothers from 404 returned to their office, where the three heroes from the vocational college class were playing cards. When they saw Zhuang Huai'an arrive, Zhang Songwen, who had a bad hand, took the opportunity to throw his cards away.

This office was lent to Zhuang Huai'an by the school when they were filming "Hunting." Although the movie was finished, no one has come to take it back.

Looking back on the school's attitude towards him over the past six months, Zhuang Huai'an was deeply moved. They really treated him like a personal disciple.

"Brothers, the new project is ready to launch."

Zhuang Huai'an glanced at his "loyal ministers" and said, "Same as always. Zhiyong, you will be in charge of the production manager. Haozi, you and Ning Hao will go and inform the senior brothers and sisters to make sure they have time to make room for you."

Seeing the three vocational school students standing by looking on expectantly, Zhuang Huai'an tossed them a cigarette and asked, "Hey guys, are you willing to help me?"

"Ahem," Zhang Songwen said, feigning nonchalance, "Since you've spoken, we brothers will definitely support you."

"Okay, there aren't any suitable roles for this show. We'll just work with the production team for now, and once the script is approved, we'll start filming!"

"Alright." Everyone went about their assigned tasks.

Over the next few days, thanks to the intentional or unintentional promotion by senior students who had received the announcement, the Beijing Film Academy experienced a surge of interest.

You have to understand, this isn't the future, where just anyone can make a movie.

Nowadays, filmmaking is still seen as an art form, especially by students in art colleges, who all want to appear on the big screen.

The first to act were the teachers in the acting department. Since they couldn't approach Zhuang Huai'an directly, they could only recommend their prized student through Wang Hongwei.

Wang Hongwei didn't refuse any of the resumes that came his way, and would accept them all. He would then reply that everything would depend on the script being approved, leaving the decision to Zhuang Huai'an.

As expected of the leading art school, the Beijing Film Academy has a profound foundation. With the help of a senior elder, the script with a somewhat sensitive subject matter was approved in just three days.

In the office, the master and apprentice were studying the cast list when the landline on their desk rang.

"Hello, this is Wang Hongwei."

"Oh, it's Dean Zhang, you said."

"What? Really?"

"The list is out?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!"

Seeing Old Wang hang up the phone with an excited expression, Zhuang Huai'an asked, somewhat puzzled, "Teacher, what happened?"

"Good disciple! You've really done it!"

Old Wang laughed heartily, stepped forward, put his arm around Zhuang Huai'an, and excitedly said, "The Cannes shortlist is out! The Sound Engineer is in the short film category! The Hunting is in the main competition category! My apprentice, you're going to be a legend!"

After listening, Zhuang Huai'an was also somewhat dazed.

Although he remembers these two films as being incredibly impressive, they were made ten years in advance, and he couldn't guarantee whether they would be suitable for the current environment.

"Although it's uncertain whether we'll win an award, just being shortlisted is already a success for Virgos."

Old Wang's hands were trembling slightly. He lit a cigarette to calm himself down and continued, "My good disciple, in the decades-long history of the Beijing Film Academy, you are the only person to be shortlisted for an international film festival while still a student. This will definitely go down in the school's history!"

Zhuang Huai'an lit a cigarette as well, and said with a smile, "Master, no matter how awesome I am, I'm still your student."

Although his abilities came from his unfortunate transmigrator brothers, Zhuang Huai'an believed that Old Wang's help to him was even greater.

The world is never short of talented horses, only of discerning judges of talent.

There are many people who feel they have no opportunity to be recognized for their talents. Even if you are a genius who is one in ten thousand, in China, you are only one in 14.

In this world, connections and background matter.

Without these two qualities, he's just a nobody.

Beijing Film Academy is Zhuang Huai'an's background and connections!

"Hmm, that's true." Old Wang was very pleased with his good apprentice's words.

Almost simultaneously, the Beijing Film Academy campus, already rippled with excitement due to Zhuang Huai'an's preparations for his new film crew, was thrown into complete uproar as if a bomb had been dropped on it.

On the campus forum, the message was posted and immediately generated hundreds of replies.

Inside the temporary office, the three heroes of the Wolong and Fengchu vocational high school class, who had just received the news, excitedly hugged each other and shouted: Awesome!

The shockwaves at the school were just the beginning; the news quickly swept through the entire entertainment industry.

Sohu, NetEase, and Sina, the three major portal websites, took the lead in making efforts.

[Freshmen from the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy stormed Cannes with two films, one feature-length and one short, shaking the film industry.]

[A 19-year-old freshman is nominated for Cannes Film Festival, breaking another record in Chinese film history!]

[Beijing Film Academy produces another great director; Kai Ge has a worthy successor!]

The portal websites only reprinted the official Cannes shortlist, while the first detailed report came from the campus journal founded by the Beijing Film Academy.

China Film Group office building

Secretary Xiao Chen, holding a batch of documents that had just been delivered, reported to the boss: "Boss, the news has been confirmed. These are journals that Dean Zhang from Beijing Film Academy just sent over."

"Just leave it there."

Han Sanping took off his glasses and rubbed his temples.

"I heard he's come up with a new script, and the old men have already approved it?"

"Yes, boss. The script is called 'The Vanished Lover,' and I heard it's a suspenseful film."

Han Sanping nodded, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Hmm... as expected of someone from an academy, to be able to get these old men, who are usually so prudent, to act so quickly."

Xiao Chen didn't dare to respond to this and could only pretend he hadn't heard it.

Han Sanping gave the order: "Go to the Beijing Film Academy on my behalf, congratulate our great director, and ask him if his new film needs investment."

"Okay, boss, I'll go right away."

After Xiao Chen left, Han Sanping picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and couldn't help but exclaim, "To be shortlisted for Cannes at 19, that's incredible!"

...

After hanging up Wang Zhiwen's congratulatory call and agreeing to go to Cannes together, Zhuang Huai'an couldn't resist removing the Nokia's battery.

"How does success feel?" Seeing his good apprentice's anxiety, Old Wang smiled and handed him a cup of tea.

"Good, and bad."

Zhuang Huai'an breathed a sigh of relief and said with a wry smile, "I had heard that this circle was a place of fame and fortune, but I didn't expect it to be this exaggerated. It's fine if people who know me call to congratulate me, but I've never even heard of many of their names."

"We've already been quite restrained here, after all, there are still people above us keeping things under control," Old Wang pointed to the ceiling. "See, as soon as you popped your head out, someone delivered a message."

Zhuang Huai'an's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What is the teacher talking about?"

"Han Sanping, the vice chairman of China Film Group, is also a half-alumni of our school."

So it was this person. No wonder.

Zhuang Huai'an nodded, somewhat understanding: "You heard about my new movie?"

"Indeed," Old Wang gave him an approving look and explained, "When you were on the phone just now, I also received a call from Director Zhang. He said that his secretary came to congratulate you in person and asked if your new movie needed investment. No matter how much the shortfall was, China Film Group could make up for it and help you with distribution."

Zhuang Huai'an was well aware of this man's style; in this day and age, if you want to get involved in film, you can't avoid China Film Group.

They keep dragons at home.

"I see,"

After a moment's thought, Zhuang Huai'an made a decision.

"Master, could you please pass on a message to Director Zhang? The total budget for 'The Vanished Lover' is 1000 million, and I personally plan to invest 500 million. If China Film Group is interested, we can discuss cooperation."

Zhuang Huai'an is too small for his current situation and doesn't plan to contact Zhongying. For now, he'll stay in the tower and develop his strength. He'll make use of any backers he has.

Again:

I am not yet mature; when I am mature, things will change.