Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

The Animation Department of Beijing Film Academy ultimately selected 60 students, both male and female, and Zhuang Huai'an accepted them all.

Zhuang Huai'an has already drawn the main characters of "Kung Fu Panda". The rest is up to the students to design the background and supporting characters according to the script.

For students with formal training, this kind of imitation is a very basic assignment and has no difficulty whatsoever.

In addition to the students who joined the company, Xu Meng also introduced a top talent, who was also a graduate of the Animation Department of Beijing Film Academy and was a senior student named Su Da.

Some friends may not know her, but if you mention her work "Big Ear TuTu", it is a classic of the post-90s generation.

But before Suda could even produce the animated film, Xu Meng had already lured her away from the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

Shanghai Animation Film Studio is full of talented people. Zhuang Huai'an poached a small talent from outside. It shouldn't affect the release of "Big Ear TuTu"... right?

He gave Suda the position of animation department director, on the same level as Du Hua and Zhong Lifang. With this experienced senior helping with the overall coordination, Zhuang Huai'an could once again be a hands-off manager.

December 16th,

Parasite was released simultaneously worldwide, and China Film Group and Enlight Media provided comprehensive publicity and promotion for the film.

Not to be outdone, Wayi Films also used its own channels to promote the film extensively in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Even Professor Ren used his connections with Shanghai Film Studio to spend three minutes on the evening news of Shanghai TV for "Parasite".

See? Isn't this the benefit of making more friends?

This overwhelming news coverage has made audiences who were already interested in the film even more eager to see it.

Parasite grossed 880 million yuan on its opening day in mainland China.

It broke the record for the highest single-day box office in mainland China.

The film grossed over $2000 million worldwide on its opening day!

North America, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asian countries, and even France have all broken their respective annual single-day box office records.

The news sent MGM's stock price soaring several points. Kirk was all smiles in Las Vegas, repeatedly assuring Zhuang Huai'an on the phone that MGM would mobilize all its resources for public relations for "Parasite" at next year's Oscars.

This was also Zhuang Huai'an's ultimate goal.

Time flies when you're salting fish.

Before we knew it, the new school year had begun.

Compared to the glittering class of 02, the undergraduate acting class of 03 at Beijing Film Academy was really nothing special.

Of those who gained some recognition in later generations, only Hou Jinjian, who transitioned to a character actor, truly resembled the instructors he portrayed in revolutionary dramas such as "Awakening Era."

In addition, there are Zhang Jiani and Ye Yiqian from the vocational college class. The former is Sun Shangxiang in black stockings, and the latter is the wife of Super Girl and diving prince Tian Liang.

Zhuang Huai'an prefers to call her Cindy's mother.

this day,

Ning Hao, an unofficial employee of Company 91, has finally returned to his post.

Zhuang Huai'an couldn't help but laugh when he saw his "veteran" covered in dust.

"You've finished making your movie?"

Taking the cigarette from Zhuang Huai'an, Ning Hao lit it and took a deep drag, sighing, "It's all done. This trip has exhausted me."

Every photographer dreams of becoming a director, and Ning Hao is no exception.

Back in school, he planned a script called "Incense," which tells the story of a monk begging for alms to rebuild a temple. It's a classic example of dark humor and realism.

Following the original trajectory, Ning Hao would also beg for alms like this monk, but the remuneration he received for the two films he directed for Zhuang Huai'an was just enough to make "Incense".

Big Head also has a ruthless streak; he gritted his teeth and took the paycheck to do it.

Ning Hao chuckled awkwardly, "I've prepared all the materials, I just need to borrow your editing room."

"We're practically brothers, why would I need to borrow something like this?"

Zhuang Huai'an was very lenient with his old friend, saying, "I'll make the arrangements, you can just go ahead and use it. Also, I'll assign you two editors."

"What else is there to say! Godfather, please accept my bow!" Ning Hao was very moved and pretended to kneel down.

Seeing that his knees were hanging in mid-air without landing, Zhuang Huai'an was amused.

"Brother Hao, what do you mean?"

"Ahem," Ning Hao, who had been seen through, was not embarrassed. He shamelessly tried to save face, "I'm thinking of forgetting. It's not that I'm not sincere, but I'm worried about shortening your lifespan."

Zhuang Huai'an ignored him. The teachers at the Beijing Film Academy had said in their very first lesson that those who wanted to work in this industry had to be shameless.

"What's up tonight?" Zhuang Huai'an glanced at his watch. "Want to find a place for a drink?"

"You absolutely have to have some!"

Ning Hao complained bitterly, "You have no idea how miserable I've been in Jin Province these past few days. Every day it's just all kinds of noodles. Eating noodles is bad enough, but the worst part is that they make me sleepy!"

This is indeed true, and it has been recorded in later generations:

What do people in Jincheng eat for breakfast?

cough…

After thinking about it, Zhuang Huai'an realized it had been quite a while since they had a get-together, so he invited the three vocational school graduates who happened to be at the company.

They were in the 2000 vocational college class, a three-year program, and they will graduate this June. They used "The Disguiser" as their graduation project and barely managed to get a small award for outstanding student.

To be fair, Zhuang Huai'an was right about these three. After "The Disguiser" became a huge hit, these three guys didn't get carried away. They continued to work with Wolong and Fengchu on set for more than a month until Du Hua arranged new business for them a few days ago, at which point they returned to the company.

Ning Hao was also very happy to see his three old brothers, and the Four Heavenly Kings combination made a limited-time return.

After some discussion, the group decided to have a meal at Zhuang Huai'an's courtyard house. The plump auntie was a good cook, and they could rest there if they drank too much.

Lin Jiachuan pulled Ning Hao into his car, and the group split into two groups.

"If you ask me, you're a shameless jerk too."

Lin Jiachuan drove up to Ning Hao and complained, "What did you say to Huai'an when he invited you to join 91 Company?"

Zhou Yiwei chimed in, "He said he'd rather pursue his own dreams."

"Yeah, so what have you gotten out of your pursuit?"

Lin Jiachuan said with a hint of disappointment, "Now that you've joined Company 91, you can't pursue your dreams anymore? Look at Haozi and Zhiyong, and then look at the three of us brothers. Has Huai'an ever mistreated us?"

If Lin Jiachuan had said this to Ning Hao four months ago, he might have been able to argue back, since everyone is an ambitious young man.

I, Ning Hao, am someone who has won the Best Director Award at the College Student Film Festival!

A true man is born between heaven and earth; how can he remain subservient to others for long?

After experiencing the hardships of "Incense," Ning Hao finally realized that the difference between an ordinary film crew and a top-tier one wasn't just superficial. A deep sense of disappointment overwhelmed him, and it also overwhelmed everyone in the "Incense" crew.

"Alright, it's rare for us to get together, why talk about this?"

Seeing Ning Hao remain silent, Zhang Songwen in the passenger seat secretly nudged Lin Jiachuan, signaling him not to bring it up again.

Zhang Songwen was thoughtful and considered things more deeply. Although Ning Hao was also one of the veterans surrounding Zhuang Huai'an, to put it bluntly, he was already a different circle from them.

It's not a circle of directors and actors, but a circle centered around Zhuang Huai'an.

When Zhuang Huai'an recruited Ning Hao, he had not only won several Cannes titles but was also a Golden Lion winner. At that time, Ning Hao was unwilling to stay at 91, so there's no point in talking about it now.

Moreover, in Zhang Songwen's view, Ning Hao's behavior is no less than betrayal. Even if he wants to return to 91 Company now, he can never return to the close relationship he had during the "Hunting" period.

It's better if we each stay in our own place, remain friends, and don't talk about work.

The group silently entered the courtyard.

Zhuang Huai'an was completely bewildered. Everything was fine before he came, so what happened?

Seeing his cousin Zhang Songwen give him a wink, Zhuang Huai'an instantly understood that these guys had gotten into a fight.

Suppressing his inner doubts, Zhuang Huai'an calmly invited the group to sit down, drink tea, smoke, and gossip, but made no mention of the unusual behavior of the group.

The plump auntie was quick and efficient, and soon prepared a large table of dishes, making the meal a pleasant one for both the host and guests.

After arranging for Ning Hao and the others, who had drunk too much, to sleep in the side rooms, Zhuang Huai'an sat in the tea room looking at documents. Not long after, Zhang Songwen arrived as expected.

He handed him a cup of tea and asked curiously, "Cousin, what's going on?"

Zhang Songwen sighed and gave a brief account of what happened in the car.

"Jia Chuan has always been straightforward, and he has the best relationship with Lao Ning, so he probably feels a bit resentful that he doesn't stand up for himself."

"Understood,"

Zhuang Huai'an nodded and handed him a cigarette. "So, Ning Hao's silence means he regrets it?"

"I think so." Zhang Songwen exhaled a puff of smoke. "Otherwise, given his temper, he would have already retorted to Jia Chuan's words."

"So, what do you mean, cousin?"

"What I mean is not important; what matters is how you consider it."

It's obvious to everyone that Ning Hao suffered a great blow upon his return, which is why Lin Jiachuan was angry at his lack of ambition. But how could Zhang Songwen say anything about this? The person in charge of 91 Company is Zhuang Huai'an, not him.

"I will not accept it."

"What?" Zhang Songwen didn't hear clearly.

"I said I wouldn't accept it," Zhuang Huai'an said with a faint smile.

"Ning Hao is indeed talented, and this place is not suitable for him. I invited him to join the company before because of our previous collaborations. Since he is unwilling, I will not invite him a second time."

Who doesn't have a bit of pride?

Moreover, anyone who knows Ning Hao's story knows that this guy isn't the type to be bossed around. Rather than forcing him to be a tool, it's better not to work with him at all and just stick to friendship.

With Wang Zhiyong, the Crouching Dragon, and Sun Hao, the Phoenix Chick, the core of Company 91 is already formed, and they don't need Ning Hao.

Zhang Songwen nodded. Since Zhuang Huai'an said this, it meant that from now on, Company 91 would only have the three heroes from the vocational college class, and no longer the four great generals.

Of course, they remained friends, and this did not affect their friendship.

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