novellhall Chapter 9: There must be a reason for this filming!
Chapter 9: There must be a reason for this filming!
After filming of "Dilemma" was completed, Gu Qing immediately found an editor and worked day and night on the editing.
A 20-minute scene can have a master tape length of two or three hundred minutes, which is considered quite efficient. In the film era, that would have been ridiculously long.
Aside from eating and sleeping, he spent almost all his time in the editing room.
When Ning Hao arrived with a lunchbox to visit, Gu Qing was already exhausted and looked like a ghost.
His eyes were sunken and his hair was messy, as if he had fled from somewhere.
"Ah Qing, what are your plans after you finish editing this film?"
Ning Hao handed the other person a cigarette and asked with some concern.
The two quickly finished their meal and went to a smoking area to relax.
"Then naturally it means going abroad to fight in the war."
Gu Qing wasn't really addicted to cigarettes, but they were okay for keeping her alert right now.
Short films can't be shown in theaters, and releasing DVDs even raises concerns about piracy. The only option is to go abroad to participate in the Big Three and sell the copyrights.
"Yes, that's what I was thinking too. Hurry up and finish editing, then I'll take you to see Chairman Han and we'll go through the China Film Group's channels to participate in the exhibition."
Ning Hao took a deep breath and immediately agreed.
This highlights the advantage of the academic approach; they only need to take photos, while Gu Qing, who wants to participate in exhibitions abroad, has to consider many more factors.
After resting for three to five minutes, Gu Qing immediately resumed her editing work.
This film is complex, with each element interconnected, and he would only feel at ease if he edited it himself.
In addition, a soundtrack needs to be created. The most indispensable element of a suspense film is its soundtrack.
Visuals combined with music can create a synergistic effect where 1+1>2.
I went to the Central Conservatory of Music, explained my needs, and based on his humming demo, I successfully produced a piece of instrumental music, which cost him more than three thousand yuan. College students are really useful.
Two more days passed. Gu Qing had just finished editing her work. After a quick wash, she took the backup and went to China Film Group with Ning Hao.
If he were alone, he probably wouldn't even be able to get through the gate.
Inside the China Film Group office, Han Sanping sat at the top, processing documents.
Gu Qing looked slightly nervous. After all, Han Sanping was now the real head of China Film Group. He had met countless companies and worked with countless filmmakers.
Ning Hao, on the other hand, was completely carefree, looking around here and there like a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Han Sanping took off his glasses, took a sip of tea, and began to talk to the two men.
"Sorry, we're busy here. We've kept you waiting."
"Ning Hao, why are you like a monkey, never quiet for a moment?"
Han Sanping's joking and scolding also eased the serious atmosphere in the room.
"Mr. Han, as I mentioned last time, my young friend here made a short film. Would you mind taking a look?"
Ning Hao scratched his head, then pulled Gu Qing to stand in front of Han Sanping.
"So fast? Don't just take some random photos to brush me off, okay?"
"There's no need to go to the screening room. I have a computer here. Turn it on and take a look."
"I'm telling you, if the quality isn't good, don't blame me for yelling at you."
Han Sanping stood up, gave up his seat, and then looked scrutinizingly at the taciturn Gu Qing on the other side.
In his opinion, a short film that could be completed in just over half a month was probably a poorly made production. The fact that he was willing to accompany Ning Hao was already a favor to him.
"Chairman Han, please correct me."
Gu Qing didn't say much. At this moment, any words would be pale and powerless; only strength could speak for itself.
To be honest, for the head of the leading company in the film industry to watch a newcomer's work is a huge honor for them.
After copying the short film to the computer, Gu Qing raised her hand to make room for it.
Han Sanping sat in his seat with a mixture of belief and doubt, looking at the screen in front of him with a scrutinizing gaze.
After the rough cut, special effects were added, and he was confident that it would be better than the original in some details.
A film of about twenty minutes is neither too long nor too short. If the film is bad, even three minutes would be too long. If the film is good, then thirty minutes is not long at all.
Han Sanping's initially indifferent expression gradually became more serious as the plot progressed.
One protagonist after another appears, caught in a time paradox. But as the villainous personality takes on evil intentions, the film's atmosphere suddenly intensifies, and a hollow, lonely soundtrack begins, causing the viewer's heart to skip a beat.
"This film is well made."
Han Sanping's expression remained unchanged, as if in his eyes the film was merely decent.
But often, the fewer the words, the bigger the issue.
"Chairman Han, I would like to participate in the exhibition through China Film Group's channels."
Although the other party appeared calm, he noticed the changes in the other party's expression throughout the entire process.
With a huge weight lifted from Gu Qing's heart, the most important thing now was to see what conditions Zhong Ying would propose.
"Judging from the film's composition, pacing, and atmosphere, it doesn't seem like a debut film for a newcomer at all."
"You wrote and directed this yourself? Truly, new talents emerge in every generation."
Han Sanping nodded, a look of delight on his face. He started out as a producer and naturally knew how to appreciate movies. Judging from this twenty-minute short film, his level was probably no better than that of a veteran director from China Film Group.
"So, does that mean Chairman Han is willing to help?"
Gu Qing and Ning Hao exchanged a glance, and then they were also happy.
"Don't rush me, I want to ask you a question."
"At the end of the short film, the two protagonists meet, one above the other. The man in the white coat descends step by step, but his destination is a brightly lit exit. The man in the black coat ascends step by step, but his destination is a looping cubicle. Is there any symbolism behind this?"
Han Sanping smiled confidently, and also gave the two people in front of him a meaningful look.
Kids, I've seen right through your little scheme.
"..."
"Mr. Han, actually we didn't think that much about it when we were filming. The scene was in the stairwell, and we just wanted to give the story a proper ending."
Gu Qing couldn't help but chuckle. Sure enough, the Chinese people's lifelong pursuit is doing reading comprehension exercises.
The original film had no ending; the story ended the moment the door opened.
However, Gu Qing believed that a snake with its tail would make the ending even more perfect.
He then arranged a scene where the two main characters meet, a scene that would make sense whether placed at the beginning or the end.
But if I had to say what it is, well, there is something.
As Fu Dalong said after reading the script, this is a story that inspires people to do good and encourages them to act virtuously.
A thousand readers will have a thousand Hamlets.
Once the film is made, what it's about is no longer up to the director to decide.
"Haha, you didn't see Chairman Han's expression just now, his face turned green."
"You'd better give him some face next time."
As they walked out of the China Film Building, Ning Hao put his arm around Gu Qing's shoulder and burst into laughter.
He didn't say much just now; there are some things Gu Qing needs to do on his own.
"Brother Hao, I didn't do it on purpose. Who knew that those older folks liked to play this game of 'you pat me, I guess'?"
Gu Qing was annoyed. He had been a bit too outspoken; he should have just gone along with what the other person wanted to say.
Fortunately, Han Sanping eventually agreed to help him submit the short film to the three major European film and television companies, but he would have to bear a series of expenses himself.
It's November now, and the closest thing to us is the Berlin Film Festival, just before the selection process begins.
This type of short film would ideally be shown at the Sitges Film Festival, but since it's not within our timeframe, we're not considering it.
If the film wins an award, the copyright fees will be even higher.