novellhall Chapter 100: Flowers, Certification
Chapter 100: Flowers, Certification
This year's Hundred Flowers Film Festival is being held at the end of September. Unlike the Golden Rooster Awards, which are held every two years, the annual Hundred Flowers Awards seem to lack sufficient business.
The annual award format has diminished the significance of the Hundred Flowers Award.
Of course, the Hundred Flowers Awards for Popular Films wasn't particularly prestigious to begin with.
Because it uses an online voting system, it is naturally subject to criticism from others, and most importantly, it makes cheating easier.
The nickname "Huayi Hundred Flowers" for the Dazhong Hundred Flowers Film Festival is not just a joke.
Last year's release, "Assembly," became the biggest winner, with Huayi Brothers taking home all the awards: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Supporting Actor.
Although his film "Cruise" received a nomination, it couldn't beat Huayi Brothers' votes, meaning he lost in both commercial and artistic terms.
"I told you a long time ago that we didn't need to go, but you wouldn't believe me."
Ning Hao was also following the Hundred Flowers Awards from Taiwan, but he didn't attend in person, clearly having anticipated this situation.
"Sigh, we've lost everything now."
Gu Qing pretended to sigh and said, but he did not come away empty-handed; he also won an award for outstanding film.
The only consolation is to look forward to next year's Huabiao (ornamental column).
Fortunately, he didn't have high expectations. He just thought that he had been in the industry for almost two years and hadn't won any prestigious awards. He felt like he had really disgraced the time traveler.
Are we really going to force him to make an art film as a base? If so, which one would be better?
In addition, the first mainstream commercial film, "The Founding of a Republic," has officially started filming.
Gu Qing also went to the film set to join in the fun and met quite a few people.
Tang Guoqiang, Zhang Guoli, Liu Jin, Wang Wufu...
It has to be said that these actors who specialize in portraying characters really look alike, and Gu Qing also took a few photos with them.
"I asked you to be the assistant director, but you didn't come."
"I haven't filmed any big scenes yet, and I admit my skills are lacking."
"Haha, aren't I still the same?"
Gu Qing chatted with Han Sanping for a while and learned some of the details.
Although he had never directed such a large-scale event before, he was naturally not intimidated at all. However, given his experience, he didn't really want to be in the spotlight.
Moreover, he avoids things that bring no benefit if they succeed but leave him to take the blame if they fail.
Han Sanping didn't hold out much hope, just joked about it and didn't bring it up again.
"I heard you've got another TV series in the works? You have amazing energy."
"Sigh, every day when I open my eyes, I see hundreds of people needing to eat. What can I do? Do I not want to rest?"
"They're quite honest; they come to me for investment when they need it."
"Let's talk about it later. What business is it of yours, China Film Group, getting involved in my TV series?"
"You brat, can't we invest in TV dramas? We even make our own!"
Han Sanping laughed and scolded, but in his heart he admired Gu Qing the most. This kid was daring and ambitious, and he was also capable. He would probably rise to prominence soon.
But do TV series really make more money than movies? Maybe we should just make another movie.
Gu Qing had no idea what Han Sanping was thinking. He didn't know if TV series were profitable, but movies were really expensive, especially science fiction movies.
Thinking about his 70 million investment in "Source Code," he felt a pang of heartache.
Perhaps he should make a few low-budget comedies to recoup his investment?
However, all of that will have to wait until next year; he doesn't have the energy for that now.
You'd be better off spending more time with your wife. Building a career is for the purpose of spending more time with your family; you can't put the cart before the horse.
After finishing up his many miscellaneous tasks, Gu Qing returned to Beijing Film Academy once again. He had been coming here frequently these days, and the security guards at the school gate no longer questioned his car and let him pass directly.
He is also about to start preparing to film this web series.
In the final decision regarding "The Beginning," Gu Qing opted for online streaming, without considering offline media options.
The main reason is that this show has a high viewing threshold; the time loop concept is too profound.
Films like "Triangle" are still not understood by many people, and there are also many critics of them.
When Marvel came along, this kind of science fiction became the mainstream science fiction movie. There's no other reason than that it requires no threshold, it's an enjoyable movie to watch, and you can watch the protagonist wreak havoc.
In the first half of this year, there was actually a science fiction TV series, "Magic Phone," which is truly the progenitor of science fiction TV series.
It blends elements of mythology, the future world, and artificial intelligence.
Of course, the more it was popular, the more it was criticized. Although the show had high ratings, it was still criticized as a masterpiece. Even ten years later, many people still dislike it and criticize it online.
Gu Qing smiled. Although the script for "The Beginning" was more concise, it was also more profound.
TV dramas are generally watched by middle-aged and elderly people. If children want to watch these, they might as well watch Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf. Teenagers and girls prefer to watch idol dramas and martial arts dramas.
Those who have computers at home are generally from well-off families. They have a certain viewing threshold, which can also unintentionally enhance their social status. They can say, "You can't understand what I'm watching," which reflects their sense of superiority.
The chosen streaming platform was still Sohu. Could it be said that he had been eyeing Sohu for a long time?
He agreed to use some of the actors in "The Beginning," but he wasn't going to be taken advantage of. The Beijing Film Academy has abundant resources, so there shouldn't be any problem with him using some equipment and personnel. These are all free laborers.
Nortel stated that as long as they don't ask me for money, everything is negotiable.
It even spurred various departments to work together, with Gu Qing taking the lead, to launch a unique large-scale internship activity.
Although there was suspicion that Gu Qing's production team was being used as a training ground, Gu Qing wholeheartedly agreed. After all, it was just a web series, and he had only spent some money to promote his name.
Not to mention, Sohu also invested in this web series.
The total investment was 12 million, of which he accounted for 60%. However, due to the strong support from the Beijing Film Academy in terms of actors and equipment, expenses were greatly reduced. In addition, there were many product placements, so he actually spent very little money.
Sometimes he even admires his own business acumen.
Because this is a web series and not widely recognized by the mainstream, Gu Qing did not promote it extensively.
On the contrary, the Beijing Film Academy itself has attracted a lot of attention in the industry because of the mobilization at all levels.
"You've really got some skills, kid. It's been a long time since the Beijing Film Academy has been this lively."
"Professor Mu, shouldn't you be saying that the Beijing Film Academy is mentoring younger generations?"
Gu Qing and Mu Deyuan chatted casually, discussing some preparations for the TV series.
The Beijing Film Academy also has a subsidiary, the Qingying Film Studio, which is backed by the Beijing Film Academy. It has all the necessary resources, but for the assistant directors, cinematographers, lighting technicians, and so on, they use students from their own academy.
Gu Qing was not stingy and paid all his fellow apprentices, not letting them work for free.
This guy is already taking advantage of others before even joining the company; it's a terrible impression.
"I heard you're filming some kind of web series. Here's my advice: focus on movies. These are fine for fun, but don't get too addicted to them."
"I heard Xia Gang mention before that you are quite interested in TV dramas."
Mu Deyuan was smiling when he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but remind him.
Having a formal directing background, he really looks down on television dramas.
In addition, although art films are declining, commercial films are on the rise, cinemas are opening up everywhere, and the number of screens has increased several times.
He didn't want Gu Qing to get too caught up in TV dramas; he wanted her to make more movies. He suggested she use that time to work on art films and win some awards.
"I don't need to know that, but I just finished filming a movie, so I started a TV series to relax."
"Web series, as the name suggests, are broadcast through online media channels."
Gu Qing smiled and didn't argue. These older generation filmmakers regarded television dramas as trivial matters, and they were just worried that he would be led astray. There was no need for him to refute them.
"Let's not talk about that. I thought you were going to cast your girlfriend as the female lead in this drama."
Mu Deyuan was an old and shrewd man, so how could he not see through the perfunctory tone in Gu Qing's words?
However, he was out of touch with the times, and Gu Qing was already skilled in martial arts when he became his apprentice, so he naturally had no right to lecture him.
Gu Qing had previously specified the casting range as sophomores to seniors, and he thought Gu Qing was deliberately reserving the role for Jing Tian, who happened to be a sophomore.
"This role is a bit difficult to play, and Tian Tian is currently in the 'Chinese Paladin' crew, so I don't want her to be too tired."
Gu Qing shook his head and said that he really had no such intention.
Not to mention that Jing Tian has already filmed quite a few dramas this year, she is not suitable for leading roles.
Although Jing Tian's acting skills have improved considerably, there is still a significant gap between her and her co-stars.
"Source Code" was tailor-made for her, and with most of her scenes being her own, she was able to handle the role.
Jing Tian's acting skills are not good enough to play the female lead in "The Beginning".
Of course, he wouldn't explain it directly, but was worried that the other person was too tired.
The art of language has always been like this.
As for the female lead, Yang Mi is indeed a good choice, but unfortunately she takes on too many roles and doesn't want to disappear from the screen while filming.
Many people submitted their work for auditions, including Yuan Shanshan from the class of 05, Zhang Meng from the class of 06, and Zheng Shuang and Kan Qingzi from the class of 07...
The Beijing Film Academy truly lives up to its reputation; all the actresses who auditioned were beautiful. Gu Qing thought they were pretty good too, but these women inexplicably had a kind of heroic air about them. This role required someone who was weak in the early stages and strong in the later stages, which didn't suit Li Shiqing's character.
Zhao Jinmai's performance was also good, but he can't just call her over to film now, she's only six years old.
He originally wanted to have Tan Songyun from the vocational high school class fill in, as she was known as a chosen high school student. However, she was only eighteen years old, had a slightly dark complexion, and most importantly, had baby fat on her face, which made him give up on her.
As for the female lead, we'll have to leave it blank for now, there's really no suitable one.
As for the male lead, Xiao Heyun, he wanted Zhang Ruoyun to come, but unfortunately, Zhang Ruoyun was not available. Later, he saw Zhu Yilong and felt that he was more suitable than the former.
Zhai Tianlin also auditioned at the time; he's the object of countless college students' resentment, sigh.
As for the remaining supporting roles, Gu Qing didn't inquire further, only making some requests regarding age and appearance, and left the decision to the acting department teachers.
Because of this, he once again gained the favor of many teachers.
It's rare to find a director who graduated from the Beijing Film Academy thinking of his alma mater instead of looking for actors at the Central Academy of Drama.
"Senior, your script is really good."
"I've seen your film 'Triangle' before. Putting aside the special effects, the storyline was really great."
Inside the office, Lu Yang held the script for "The Beginning" in his hands and praised it highly.
The story begins with a young couple who accidentally enter a time loop of an exploding bus. They experience life-or-death challenges, achieve personal growth, and ultimately, through the joint efforts of the two and the police, uncover the truth behind the explosion.
Justice will eventually prevail, just as their names foreshadow, ushering in a clear and expansive sky where "a crane soars into the clear sky, leading poetic thoughts to the azure heavens."
Lu Yang has read "Cruise of Destiny" and has the script for "The Beginning" here. He also heard that "The Primitive Code" is about time loops. One theme, three finished films. This imagination is truly amazing.
"Of course, otherwise how could I be your senior brother?"
Gu Qing accepted the praise without hesitation. After having a drink and chatting for a while that day, Gu Qing was shown around the company and looked at the script. Finally, Gu Qing gained Lu Yang's approval and was willing to call him senior brother.
These three time-loop films are considered groundbreaking even in Hollywood, let alone in China.
The only downside is that both films are still in production.
Lu Yang's gaze towards Gu Qing at this moment also carried a hint of admiration.
Although he wasn't a science fiction fan, he was still captivated by the storyline.
"How about it, Lao Lu? Come on, work with me. You can film whatever you want."
"Senior brother, in a few years, in a few years, I will definitely come to you!"
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gu Qing brought up the old story again, but Lu Yang still refused.
However, Gu Qing could also see the hint of interest in the other person's eyes.
Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang three times, and although Lu Yang did not have Zhuge Liang's talent, Gu Qing only had to spend some time waiting.
He originally wanted to do this project himself, but the school assigned him two assistant directors, which made his workload much lighter.
Lu Yang was one of them, and he was happy to see it happen. He was glad to be able to rest for a while.
Gu Qing stayed at the school for a while and then left. The funds and everything else were in place, so he didn't need to worry about the rest.
October this year was quite lively, and Huang Xiaoming, whom he hadn't contacted in a long time, made a rare phone call to him.
He held a press conference for his first album in the capital. Throughout the year, he was constantly singing and dancing, releasing new albums not only in mainland China but also in Japan and South Korea.
His name appears on the Mainland Golden Melody Awards, the Forbes Celebrity List, and the list of Asia's Most Popular Male Singers, among others.
Actors often transition into singing; as an actor, if you can't sing a few songs, you'd be embarrassed to meet your fans.
Of course, it's not a problem if you can't sing, there's always the powerful sound card.
That's how Yang Mi got through it.
When Huang Xiaoming called him, he was asking for investment. Their previous collaboration plan fell through, which left Huang Xiaoming quite disappointed.
He also planned to invest in and produce a film himself, and have Gu Qing participate and share the profits.
Gu Qing is perfectly acceptable; Huang Xiaoming's name is still quite valuable, and his TV dramas are sure to sell well.
TV dramas can be profitable, but they are also easy to manipulate. He had considered this at first, but then he thought better of it. He was about to invest in Daylight Entertainment, so he decided to write the script and let them produce it.
Only with access to television stations can you produce TV dramas for broadcast on satellite channels.