novellhall Chapter 23: I only smoke Changbai Mountain cigarettes.
Chapter 23: I only smoke Changbai Mountain cigarettes.
Wei Yi has been promoted.
Or perhaps the burden on my shoulders has become heavier.
He was originally the casting director and location scouting assistant for the film "Curse of the Golden Flower".
Now he has another job on this film set.
He is now also the head of the second photography team.
The head of the first photography team was his senior from the Beijing Film Academy, Zhao Xiaoding.
He can earn an extra salary.
However, filming has not officially started yet.
Zhao Xiaoding and Li Hua took charge of all the preparatory work.
He has a lot of free time.
With nothing better to do, Wei Yi simply found a corner and started lighting mosquito coils.
"Hey handsome, give me one."
A voice with a feminine quality rang out.
Wei Yi turned his head to look.
Oh, Gong Li.
Wei Yi quickly took out a cigarette case and handed it to Gong Huang.
Gong Li glanced at it: "Xuanhemen?"
Wei Yi smiled: "I only smoke Xuanhemen cigarettes, and I only love one person in my lifetime."
Gong Li smiled slightly, opened the cigarette pack, and took out a cigarette: "You're the top scorer in the college entrance exam who got a perfect score and got into the Beijing Film Academy, the one in the news the other day? I heard from Zhang Yimou that you're a very talented cinematographer?"
"I'm the oddball. As for the photography, I just snapped away randomly, but I didn't expect Director Zhang to think so highly of it."
"Could a haphazardly shot film really get Zhang Yimou to decide to use it for publicity?"
"Maybe Director Zhang thinks I'm young and have a lot of potential."
"Tsk... Can I borrow your lighter too? Mine's with my assistant." Gong Li shook her head slightly.
"Wei Yi, you're here! Oh, Teacher Gong is here too, oh, smoking."
Another voice rang out; it was Li Hua, who had come closer. "Junior brother, Teacher Zhao wants you to come over. After discussing it with Director Zhang, he decided that you would be in charge of the costume fitting photos, and he wants you to go over there to prepare."
"no problem!"
Wei Yi casually handed the lighter to Gong Li, smiling as he said, "Teacher Gong, remember to return it to me."
After saying that, he followed Li Hua, leaving Gong Li alone under the tree to smoke.
After walking a little further away...
Li Hua whispered, "Junior brother, don't provoke Gong Li."
"Um?"
"Or rather, you can mess with anyone in this crew, just don't mess with Gong Li."
"what?"
"Gong Li and Director Zhang used to be a couple."
"I've heard of that. And then?"
"Although they broke up later, they are now in the same film crew again. I also heard that the reason she came to play the Empress is because Lao Zhang once promised to let her play the Empress."
"That's pretty romantic. Got it, senior. But what if I don't provoke her, and she tries to hit on me?"
Li Hua was speechless, stopped and looked at him.
I thought to myself, "That's quite possible."
Who told this kid to have a face that looks like he's from an acting school?
"Anyway, here's my advice. Whether you listen to it or not is up to you."
"Alright, thanks, senior!"
The character stills for a movie are very important.
This is the essence of the film that most viewers can access before its official release.
in other words.
A good promotional photo is a great asset for a movie.
It's like the face of a movie.
Very important.
Zhang Yimou's movie costume photos have always been taken by himself.
Or it could be shot by top-tier photographers like Zhao Xiaoding, Gu Changwei, or Christopher Doyle.
Now they're actually letting Wei Yi give it a try.
It's clear that Wei Yi's set of empty shots had a profound impact on him.
Filming began quickly.
Chow Yun-fat goes first.
Putting aside his character and such.
Once you put on the dragon robe and stand there, you truly exude an imperial aura.
Wei Yi remained silent.
The camera zoomed in on his face for a close-up, focusing on the corner of his eye.
On the monitor.
The king's eyes were filled with majesty and suspicion.
"Okay," Zhang Yi said softly.
Zhao Xiaoding looked up at Wei Yi.
Next up is Gong Li. She wore a phoenix robe and her hair was adorned with jade and gold hairpins.
Wei Yi asked her to sit by the window.
The midday sun shone through the gauze curtains, casting a soft glow on her face.
She didn't try to make an expression; she simply turned her head slightly and gazed into the void.
Wei Yi pressed the shutter.
The image is frozen on the monitor.
Gong Li's eyes were filled with suppressed madness and an overwhelming sadness that she couldn't hide.
She wasn't looking at the camera at all; she was looking at the throne, at power, at everything destined to collapse.
"This... is outrageous." Zhao Xiaoding, who was intently observing Wei Yi's filming, couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Zhang Yi stared at the resulting photo, remaining silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Keep this one as a reference for the later poster."
One afternoon, plus a whole day.
The actors came and went, while Wei Yi stayed behind the machine.
He doesn't waste words or give random instructions; he just gives a few words in the direction and then snaps a picture.
The footage made Zhang Yi nod repeatedly, and even Zhao Xiaoding couldn't help but ask... "Can I become your apprentice?"
When it was time to wrap up work, Gong Li came over.
"Xiao Wei," she said softly, "is it convenient for us to say a few words?"
The crew members who hadn't finished leaving immediately attracted a lot of attention.
Zhang Yi, who was discussing things with Zhao Xiaoding in front of the monitor, also looked over.
Wei Yi looked up: "Please speak."
"I have a VOGUE cover shoot this month," Gong Li said, looking at him. "The photographer hasn't been decided yet."
She paused, then pointed to herself. "Your photoshoot these past two days has given me some inspiration. I'd like to revise this set of photos in the queen's dress—make it more fashionable, more sexy. Along with these photos, I'd also shoot a small segment on modern urban life to create a VOGUE cover. What do you think?"
Hearing her say that...
Zhang Yimou also withdrew his gaze.
Zhao Xiaoding opened his mouth, wanting to say, "Didn't you just contact me the day before yesterday, saying you wanted me to shoot this issue of VOGUE for you?"
He looked down at the photos on the monitor again.
Zhao Xiaoding couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
If it were me, I'd probably want to change photographers too.
Talent is a thing.
Sometimes it really is the difference between dogs and humans.
Gong Li looked at Wei Yi and asked, "Could you be my photographer for this shoot?"
Wei Yi was taken aback for a second, not expecting her to ask that.
"Of course," he grinned. "Since you've asked, how could I refuse?"
Gong Li laughed, then said, "Then this week, take some time, and let me have the clothes altered. Let's reshoot the Empress photos. Make them more sexy, more..." She paused, then added, "More aggressive."
"Okay." Wei Yi nodded. "You set the time, I'm available anytime."
"And..." Gong Li beckoned to her assistant, who quickly ran over and handed her the things in her hand, "Here's your lighter and cigarettes back."
Wei Yi took the lighter, but noticed the smoke had changed; the one he had given Gong Li yesterday was Xuanhemen.
Gong Li now returns to him the Changbai Mountain fine branch.
"I've finished your cigarettes, this is all I have left, I'll use this to pay you back."
"Wow, she only smokes Changbai Mountain cigarettes, and only loves one fragrance in her life. Sister Gong has such high taste!"
"This is cigarettes from my hometown, I'm used to smoking them." Gong Li smiled, took the phone from her assistant, and said, "What's your phone number? I'll add you and call you when it's confirmed."
"Okay, my phone number is 1388299xxx."
"Okay, I've got it."