Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

The commercial films about everyday life are actually quite average.

Perhaps due to the oppressive nature of the location, the filming locations were quite limited, mostly confined to a room or a family, with the main themes being pure love and perversion.

In contrast, Korean films are much better. They draw inspiration from Hong Kong's golden age, absorb Hollywood's production concepts, and add their own local elements, resulting in a variety of creative and innovative films.

In response to different situations, Zhuang Huai'an first presented two films: "Departures," a film shared by the East Asian cultural sphere, and "Train to Busan," a commercial collaboration model from South Korea.

Start with a royal flush, followed by four 2s.

Print out two copies of the script.

Zhuang Huai'an returned to the Beijing Film Academy, where he remained loyal.

I felt a little guilty saying this before, but after the "Chuanzi" incident, it's become a fact. He is the new king of Dancing City... cough, Beijing Film Academy!

"My dear teacher, I'm out now."

In the office, Wang Hongwei remained calm when he heard his good apprentice starting to act up again. After spending four months together on the Mars shoot, the two of them were practically ready to have a completely honest conversation.

"What's up, Director Zhuang? Planning to inspect your fiefdom today?"

Old Wang was amused. Other people's apprentices were still asking their mentors for favors, while his own apprentices had already surpassed their masters. He was finally doing well and could even get some credit with his apprentices.

"Oh, please keep a low profile. I'm traveling incognito in white dragonfish clothing, so there's no need for the teachers to come out and greet me."

Alright, alright, you've turned the tables on the Heavenly Gang, haven't you?

Wang Hongwei pointed at someone with the move "General Yu," and was about to follow up with "Brother Divine Eagle's" combo, but his good disciple interrupted him with a timely spell.

"What's this?" Old Wang looked at the script on the table. "Mars is still in post-production. Have you got another inspiration?"

"Please take a look, my dear teacher."

Zhuang Huai'an walked to the tea table and waited quietly for Lao Wang's feedback.

"A good script, creative and bold," Wang Hongwei said after reading it, then closed the script. The cover had three large characters: "The Mortician."

"Apprentice, this manuscript probably won't pass censorship in China. Are you suggesting the school submit it to the authorities?"

"No, that's not true."

Zhuang Huai'an refilled Lao Wang's teacup with hot water, explained the co-production plan spearheaded by China Film Group to him, and continued, "I plan to shoot this movie in Xiao Rizi. Han Sanping has already agreed to it. I can choose the director and actors myself. China Film Group just wants results."

"So, what you mean is?"

"I don't have time, so I would like to ask my mentor to come out of retirement and give me guidance."

"Shall I take the photos?"

Wang Hongwei was a little confused. Although he was an excellent teacher at the Beijing Film Academy, he had never actually been a director. He mostly worked as a producer to support others.

"This... I'm afraid it won't work."

Without much thought, Lao Wang refused outright.

"People in the industry now call you the screenwriting god. I'm not afraid of losing face, but I can't handle this film, The Undertaker. I don't want to ruin your reputation."

A warm feeling welled up in Zhuang Huai'an's heart. This was one of the reasons why Wang Hongwei had never taught him any professional knowledge, but he had always respected Wang Hongwei.

"But I really don't have time. If you're not confident, then Zhiyong and Haozi are even less likely to succeed. Young people really can't handle movies that contain some Confucian and Taoist philosophical ideas."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongwei pondered for a moment and then suggested, "I'll recommend someone to you. As long as he's willing to come out of retirement, making this movie won't be a problem."

"What did my mentor teach me?"

"During the previous support incident, two Supreme Elders personally intervened, with Elder Xie overseeing the proceedings and Younger Xie providing the necessary support, so..."

Wang Hongwei stopped short of making a point, while Zhuang Huai'an seemed to be deep in thought.

"Master, how about we emulate Zhuge Liang (Kongming)?"

"Can."

Old Wang, also in a playful mood, handed over a pen from the table. After the two of them wrote on their palms, they simultaneously showed their hands.

Wang Hongwei made a flying gesture in his palm, while Zhuang Huai'an made a small one in his palm—they were of the same mind.

The master and apprentice exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

"My esteemed teacher's insight is truly remarkable!"

Zhuang Huai'an grabbed a tissue, dampened it, and wiped the ink from his palm. "With this person coming out of seclusion, we have nothing to worry about."

The reason for choosing Director Nicholas Tse is twofold: firstly, he is younger, since this project requires filming overseas; secondly, although he is a fourth-generation director, his filming style is not conventional, but rather innovative, and his ideas are not outdated, making him a better fit than Director Tie Li.

Just do it if you have an idea.

Zhuang Huai'an took out his phone and called Director Xie to confirm the time before getting up to say goodbye to his mentor and heading towards the Beijing Film Academy's staff quarters.

As the new king of Beijing Film Academy... his name card, he also has a lot of prestige at the Beijing Film Studio. Everyone living there is a senior, so Zhuang Huai'an is very humble and greets the old man who recognizes him.

After a while, they arrived at Director Xie's building. After going up to the third floor and knocking on the door, Zhuang Huai'an stood there with his hands clasped in greeting.

With a creak, the door opened, revealing half of a sprightly old man.

"Welcome, Huai'an."

"Professor Xie, I apologize for bothering you."

"It's alright, please come in."

"Why."

Zhuang Huai'an walked straight into the living room. This was his first time visiting the Xie family. Normally, one should bring fruit or something similar when visiting elders, but this time he brought an even better gift.

Professor Xie personally brewed tea, and the two sat facing each other on the sofa.

"What brings you to this old man for tea today?"

"That's right, Mr. Xie."

After recounting what had just happened, Zhuang Huai'an presented the script with both hands, saying, "This is the script for the mortician. Please offer your corrections."

Professor Xie immediately became interested, took the teapot, and said with a smile, "Then I'll learn from it. The teapot is at your feet, so please make yourself at home."

"Okay, Professor Xie."

Zhuang Huai'an was not at all reserved. He took out a copy of Shen Congwen's "Border Town" from the bookshelf next to him and started reading it by himself.

Professor Xie noticed his movements out of the corner of her eye, a smile flashing in her eyes, and carefully began to peruse the script.

This silence lasted for two and a half hours.

Professor Xie closed the script and let out a long sigh. Seeing this, Zhuang Huai'an picked up the kettle and added hot water for him.

"Good book. Life and death are a gate. Passing away is not the end, but a transcendence, a journey to the next stage."

Hearing Professor Xie's insights, Zhuang Huai'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief; the old man had truly incorporated his thoughts into his own.

This is a sure thing.

Professor Xie took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, "I noticed that some of the plots in this script are somewhat similar to those in a novel by Xiao Rizi."

"You mean The Coffin Keeper of Aoki Shinmon?" Zhuang Huai'an smiled. "The adaptation rights have been acquired by MGM."

In fact, "Departures" only borrowed the background from the original novel "The Coffin Maker," but he had already made preparations to avoid any mishaps.

"That's good. But you really plan to let me film such a good script?"

To be honest,

Facing the old man, Zhuang Huai'an explained, "Firstly, to repay your kindness in supporting me, and secondly, because I genuinely believe that Wang Zhiyong and Sun Hao are both unable to handle such a weighty script, I have come here specifically to invite you to come out of retirement and perhaps provide some on-site instruction."

Hearing this, Professor Xie was even more satisfied, because of Zhuang Huai'an's frankness. Nowadays, very few people can remain neither humble nor arrogant nor flattering in front of him.

"Okay, I'll take the job."

Professor Xie joked, "I'm getting old and still have to rely on my students to make a living. If I don't film it well, Director Zhuang, please don't criticize me."

"Don't mention it," Zhuang Huai'an joked, "I'm even thinking of having Sun Hao learn a thing or two from you, so don't keep it from me."

"Wang Zhiyong and Sun Hao have really honed their skills by following you."

After finishing their business, Professor Xie got up, changed the teapot, and then made a groundbreaking remark.

"Your maternal grandfather and my father are also good friends. Let's not be distant with each other. You can call me 'Uncle,' and I'll accept it."

"Huh?" Zhuang Huai'an was taken aback. "You know about this?"

"Otherwise, how do you think you got into the Beijing Film Academy?"

Professor Xie smiled meaningfully, "You can't get into the directing department just by relying on your dad's two million sponsorship."

Oh ho~

Zhuang Huai'an was immediately at a loss.