novellhall Chapter 84 The Joining of the Han Family Women
Chapter 84 The Joining of the Han Family Women
Chapter 90 The Joining of the Han Family Women
In the fall of 2016, after several rounds of low-key but efficient contact and negotiation, Chen Nianbei Studio finally successfully acquired the film adaptation rights to the novel "You Are So Beautiful".
Almost simultaneously, through Zhang Lei's active efforts, they met with one of their preferred screenwriters.
The female teacher from the Han family established contact.
Han Jia Nu comes from a film family. Her father, Han Sanping, is a pivotal figure in the Chinese film industry. She herself has won the industry's reputation for "sharp writing and profound insights" with her many screenwriting works that combine intellectual depth with social concerns.
Initially, she had reservations about a project led by a popular young actor and adapted from an online youth novel, but her attitude changed after an in-depth interview with Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei that lasted for several hours.
The meeting place was chosen to be a quiet teahouse.
Chen Nianbei did not bring any assistants, only Zhang Lei.
He was wearing a simple shirt, carrying a novel he had read many times and filled with annotations, as well as a self-organized outline of the story and psychological analysis of the characters.
He didn't talk about ideals or the market, but went straight to understanding the core of the story.
"Teacher Han, what we value isn't the superficial angst of youth or romance."
Chen Nianbei pointed to the key points highlighted in her notes, "It's about how these two teenagers, in dire straits, used the little warmth and strength they had to fight against the indifference and violence of the whole world."
It was Xiao Bei who built a wall of flesh and blood for Chen Nian in his rough and even clumsy way, which was also Chen Nian's final protection and choice.
This story contains the harsh truths of youth, as well as extreme, almost primal acts of protection and sacrifice.
What we wanted to make was a film with sharp realism and emotional impact, not a saccharine, sugary movie.
Zhang Lei then added their initial ideas on the film's visual style, pacing, and how to balance artistic expression with audience acceptance.
He also frankly mentioned the potential censorship risks associated with the subject matter.
The woman from the Han family listened quietly, occasionally asking questions that were always to the point.
She was amazed by Chen Nianbei's deep understanding of the character and his calm and thoughtful approach beyond his years, and also appreciated Zhang Lei's clear vision and candid attitude as a director.
More importantly, she saw in the eyes of these two young people an extraordinary seriousness and an almost "stubborn" desire to create.
"The subject matter is indeed sensitive."
Han Jia Nu finally pondered, "But precisely because it touches upon real social problems, if handled well, its power is also enormous."
The kind of warmth amidst cruelty and hope amidst despair that you desire is moving.
The challenge of adaptation lies in how to retain the soul and impact of the original work while finding the most powerful mode of expression within the constraints and safety limits of cinematic language.
She picked up her teacup and looked at Chen Nianbei: "Are you absolutely determined to get the role of Xiaobei?"
Chen Nianbei nodded, her eyes unwavering: "Yes. I believe I can understand him, and I'm eager to portray him. This is a very important acting challenge for me."
The woman from the Han family smiled and said, "Okay. I'll take this book."
However, there are several prerequisites:
First, we must discuss the direction of the adaptation in depth together, with the quality of the script as the core, and we cannot simply cater to the market or a certain aspect.
Second, regarding censorship, we need to handle certain plot points and expressions more intelligently. This is not a compromise, but rather a way to ensure the work can ultimately reach an audience; third,
She paused for a moment, then said, "If I really encounter insurmountable obstacles, I will try to seek some help, but only if the work itself is sound."
Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei exchanged a glance, both seeing the joy and solemnity in each other's eyes.
They knew that Han's addition to the team not only meant a significant improvement in the quality of the script, but also brought intangible resources and confidence.
In the following months, amidst the busy post-production dubbing of "Like a Flowing River" and various high-profile events that she had to attend, Chen Nianbei devoted almost all her remaining time to script discussions with Han Jianu and Zhang Lei.
The three of them often stayed up late in the studio, meticulously refining the plot, polishing the lines, and deepening the characters.
Chen Nianbei offered many constructive suggestions from the dual perspectives of an actor and a project leader;
With her profound screenwriting skills and keen awareness of social issues, Han Jianu constantly pushes the story towards a deeper and "safer" balance.
Zhang Lei was responsible for controlling the overall rhythm and the possibility of a cinematic presentation.
The script went through three drafts – constantly being revised and improved.
As expected, we encountered difficulties in handling certain sensitive aspects of the situation during the process.
While adhering to the core of art, Han Jianu uses more metaphorical, more open-ended, and more psychologically focused methods to resolve straightforward conflicts, allowing the power of the story to be internalized in the characters' emotions and choices, thus adding a richer space for interpretation.
When the final polished script entered the review process, despite having done a lot of "mine-clearing" work, Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei were still uneasy.
Film shooting permits are a Damocles' sword hanging over all projects of this kind.
After an anxious wait, news arrived. Han's daughter privately told Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei, "The script has been approved. There were fewer revisions than expected; it was mainly minor adjustments to a few details."
Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of relief in her eyes. "I mentioned this project to the old man, and he didn't say much. He just asked his secretary to take a look at the document."
Later feedback indicated that the story was compelling and the characters were believable. It's a good thing that young people are interested in reality, but attention should be paid to the way it's presented.
It seems to have had some effect.
Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei finally felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.
They understood what Han's daughter's "mention" and her father Han Sanping's "looked at" meant within this system.
This is not simply "going through the back door," but rather an industry veteran's recognition and support for a carefully crafted work that has social value and is artistically sound, within the bounds of compliance.
This further convinced them that their hard work on the script over the past few months had not been in vain.
The approval of the filming permit was like the sounding of a starting gun, marking the official transition of the "Better Days" film project from the preparation stage to the substantive launch stage.
Chen Nianbei immediately accelerated her external preparations for the role of "Xiao Bei".
He further adjusted his diet and training, aiming for a lean but muscular physique with the marks of street sculpting;
They began to consciously observe and imitate the behavior and demeanor of certain marginalized teenagers;
She even went to the hair salon and had the hairstylist design several more subversive short hairstyles that were closer to the character's temperament to try.
Meanwhile, other work on the project is also proceeding intensively:
Zhang Lei began searching for suitable core creative personnel such as photographers, art directors, and costume designers, and started the casting process. The most important role, the female lead "Chen Nian," will be the next key.
The production department began to calculate a more detailed budget, look for suitable co-investors, and start scouting locations.
Chen Nianbei locked the Magnolia Award trophy deep inside the cabinet and put away his suit and leather shoes.
His life's focus seemed to seamlessly shift from the podium and the spotlight to the dusty streets and the painful yet intense words on the script.
A brand new, more solitary, and more challenging "battle" has begun.
This time, he was not only an actor charging ahead, but also one of the strategists.
The goal was clear: to realistically and powerfully project the boy named "Xiao Bei" and everything he protected onto the big screen.