Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

After Han Sanping and Li Dawei finished their discussion,

But the set remained completely silent.

This left Han Sanping somewhat bewildered by Louis XVI's actions: "Am I really that intimidating?"

"Oh right, let me introduce you to Director Zhuang Huai'an," Han Sanping finally remembered Zhuang Huai'an, whom he had dragged along to visit the set.

"Let me tell you, your junior brother is something else..."

Han Sanping scanned the film set but couldn't find Zhuang Huai'an. He was even more puzzled. He casually pulled over a staff member and asked, "Where's the person who came with me?"

The staff member cautiously replied, "Director Zhuang said the crew had something to attend to and had to go back first."

"You went back?" Han Sanping nodded and didn't ask any more questions. As the head of the crew, it was normal for the director to have to go back if something came up.

"It's alright, Chairman Han," Li Dawei said with a radiant smile, having just finalized the investment deal. "Anyway, the two film crews are right next to each other. I can visit Director Zhuang when I have some free time."

"This is the only way. You're all from the Beijing Film Academy, so you won't feel unfamiliar with each other."

Li Dawei smiled and nodded, then, seeing his assistant director looking hesitant, asked, "Old Liu, what's wrong?"

"That's the kind of director he is."

Old Liu briefly recounted what had just happened. The conversation between Zhuang Huai'an and Chen Kun was not concealed and had already spread throughout the entire film set.

Han Sanping's face darkened upon hearing this, and he looked at Li Dawei.

"Gan Liliang, doesn't he know Director Zhuang?"

Li Dawei was also furious. Although he didn't need to curry favor with Zhuang Huai'an, he still had to consider Zhuang's current status, not to mention that Zhuang was brought by Han Sanping.

Film directors are generally considered superior to television directors in the film and television industry, so for someone to come and visit the set is truly a sign of respect.

You're just a nobody actor, how dare you call a film director who just won a Cannes Film Festival award a nobody?

If this gets out, Chen Kun will basically be cut off from the film industry.

"Where is he? Where is Chen Kun?" Li Dawei asked angrily.

"His agent took him to the Beijing Film Academy," Lao Liu, as Li Dawei's protégé, said bluntly. "I reckon they went there to get reinforcements."

"Damn, at least he has some brains!"

After cursing, Li Dawei looked apologetically at Han Sanping and said, "Chairman Han, I also bear some responsibility for this. Please pass on a message to Director Zhuang that I will treat you both to drinks tonight as an apology."

"No need," Han Sanping refused decisively. Given his status, he had no intention of getting involved in such trivial matters. "Let them handle it themselves. You go ahead with your work, I'll go check next door."

Li Dawei originally wanted to shamelessly go with him, but seeing Han Sanping's dark face, he could only send him out of the film crew.

the other side,

Zhuang Huai'an, who had just returned to the film crew, hung up the phone call from teacher Cui Xinqing.

"Heh, not stupid after all, he even knows to call for reinforcements. Luckily, my mentor had already planned ahead."

Zhuang Huai'an pursed his lips. Although he had asked Teacher Cui for help with the sound engineer, fortunately, when filming the hunting scene, his mentor Wang Hongwei reminded him to find an opportunity to repay the favor. The Guan Xiaotong and Nai Liangge he used were people that Teacher Cui had given him.

In adult social interactions, this kind of behavior is tacitly considered an exchange of favors, and the next time something comes up, it will be a different kind of relationship.

You think you can just run away after offending the abbot?

Zhuang Huai'an considered himself not petty. If Chen Kun hadn't spoken so recklessly to him, he wouldn't have bothered with the messy affairs of the Golden Powder Family. But who told him to be so blind?

"Zhiyong, come here for a moment."

Summoning his trusted lieutenant, Zhuang Huai'an asked, "How much money do we have left in our company's account?"

Wang Zhiyong adjusted his glasses, took out the ledger, and reported to the director: "Chairman Han has already transferred the profits from the hunting trip. After deducting the expenses of our film, there is still 1800 million yuan in operating funds."

"That's enough," Zhuang Huai'an nodded. "Tell your brothers and sisters that after this film is finished, I'll take a two-week break. I have another film to shoot."

"Huh?" Wang Zhiyong was a little confused. Dude, even if you're cheating, you can't play like this.

"Huai'an, isn't this too hasty?"

"Yong, you should become famous as early as possible. If you have an idea, just do it. Go on, do your job as a producer well." Zhuang Huai'an didn't explain much.

"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing." Wang Zhiyong shrugged, having already made up his mind to follow his lord.

Zhuang Huai'an patted him on the shoulder with a smile, picked up the megaphone and shouted, "Brothers and sisters, get ready, filming will resume in 5 minutes."

Han Sanping came over, saw Zhuang Huai'an filming, but didn't disturb him and left quietly.

The next day, Li Dawei's mother also brought Chen Kun, Dong Bailian, and Liu Yifei to visit the set.

This senior sister was very polite. She brought a truckload of fruit and drinks, but she didn't mention her dirty secret with Chen Kun at all. She just kept praising Liu Yifei, which made the young girl blush.

Given his status as a "saintly student" of Beijing Film Academy, and considering that Teacher Cui had asked his mentor, Lao Wang, to intercede on his behalf, Zhuang Huai'an politely accepted the gift.

No matter how you scheme later, you still have to put on a good show.

He can't possibly lead the way in suppressing the sect's disciples as the sect's holy son, can he?

Days passed, and the filming at Huairou Film City soon came to an end. The crew then moved to Huludao to continue filming.

Zhuang Huai'an had told everyone early on that this play was aiming for Venice, and everyone worked hard to achieve that goal.

Wang Jingsong, as the male lead, gave it his all.

We're both surnamed Wang. If Wang Zhiwen can win the Best Actor award at Cannes, then I, Wang Jingsong, am just as capable of winning the Best Actor award at Venice!

Zhuang Huai'an wholeheartedly agreed, and said with a smile: "If you perform exceptionally well, Wang Zhiwen will not only be unable to keep up with your performance, but he will also burst out laughing."

Filming wrapped up in the seaside town on June 30th.

Since it wasn't their first collaboration, Zhuang Huai'an didn't drink too much at the wrap party. Everyone packed up their equipment in an orderly manner and returned to Beijing.

The Venice Film Festival opens in August, and the open call for films will close in mid-July, leaving Zhuang Huai'an with little time.

He had already prepared for the worst, thinking he could simply hold off and send the money to Berlin next year, but a phone call from Zhang Huijun put his mind at ease.

Zhang Huijun said that as a top-ranked art school in the world, Beijing Film Academy is qualified to directly recommend films to major film festivals, provided that the film has not yet been released for public screening.

The seaside town perfectly fits the criteria!

It's still the Beijing Film Academy's editing room, and it's still one person, one cutter.

Editing this kind of film is extremely troublesome, which made Zhuang Huai'an even more determined to purchase digital cameras.

That day, Zhuang Huai'an put down his scissors and was about to go out for a smoke when Jiang Wen called.

"Huai'an, busy?"

"I was editing a video and was just about to go out for a smoke when you called, bro," Zhuang Huai'an said as he walked out.

"Well, at least I didn't bother you."

Hearing Jiang Wen's somewhat restrained tone, Zhuang Huai'an was very puzzled. This guy usually speaks in a lot of witty remarks, what's wrong with him today?

"Hey bro, what's going on?"

"Ah, is that so..."

Jiang Wen's voice carried a hint of embarrassment: "Do you have any spare cash? Give me some, I need to help a friend."

After glancing at today's date, Zhuang Huai'an instantly understood.