Chapter 368 Supporting Young People

Zhang Yimou opened Contemporary and stopped at one of the pages. "This is the novel."

Lin Weimin looked at the words "Red Sorghum Family" on the page and smiled with satisfaction. "This is Mo Yan's first novel. You two are destined to be together."

Zhang Yimou didn't understand what Lin Weimin meant by "fate". He said, "I also like his Transparent Carrot."

Lin Weimin nodded slightly, "You want to be a director, then let me test you, if I take this novel, how do you think it should be adapted?"

Zhang Yimou's expression was surprise at first, then thoughtful.

After thinking for a long time, he said cautiously: "If I were to revise it, I'm afraid I wouldn't use all of it in this novel."

"You won't use all of it?"

"Yes." Zhang Yimou pointed to the first chapter of the novel. "Although this novel is a long one, each chapter is very independent, especially the first chapter. I think it is enough to make a movie."

Lin Weimin looked at the three-character chapter title on the page again - Red Sorghum.

"Well, how about trying to come up with a script first?"

Lin Weimin asked in a very persuasive tone.

Zhang Yimou looked at Lin Weimin in astonishment, "Make a script? Use this novel?"

"Yes, how is it?" Lin Weimin asked with a smile.

The ambition that had just surged in Zhang Yimou's heart somehow disappeared without a trace after hearing Lin Weimin's question.

"It's too early to work on the script. I haven't even started working on it yet. I don't even know if the studio will agree to let me be the director!"

"If you don't fight for it, how do you know your factory won't agree? You should at least show an attitude!

When you go to talk to your boss, you pull out a script, which at least shows your determination and dedication."

Zhang Yimou had to admit that what Teacher Lin said was right.

If you don't pay attention to your own affairs, who else can help you?

Thinking of this, Zhang Yimou also completely understood Lin Weimin's original intention.

Teacher Lin is still giving me some advice!

"You're right. This is my own business, and I should fight for it myself."

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "That's right!"

Zhang Yimou then scratched his head and said, "I will find someone to write a draft when I get back. If the studio agrees, I will ask Mo Yan for the adaptation rights. Teacher Lin, I will definitely trouble you when the time comes."

Lin Weimin shook his head. "You are already in Yanjing, why are you still making such a fuss?"

Zhang Yimou looked at Lin Weimin, what does that mean?

"Mo Yan is studying at the PLA Academy of Art right now. I'll find him tomorrow and you two can discuss and come up with a draft of the script first. He just finished writing Red Sorghum and has time."

Zhang Yimou felt a little embarrassed and said again: "Teacher Lin, I have not made any progress on this matter!"

"What are you afraid of? No one wants his novel, so it's a waste to leave it there. Now at least there is a chance to adapt it. You young people should not be afraid of the trouble, and don't be afraid of wasting time, because that is the least valuable thing to you!"

Zhang Yimou finally made up his mind after hearing this, "Okay, I'll listen to you, Teacher Lin!"

Qu Xiaowei's mouth twitched wildly. He was called a young man with wrinkles on his face. What should you be called? A brat? A yellow-mouthed kid?

He looked at the expression on Lin Weimin's face and it was so familiar.

When he was at the Institute of Literature, whenever this kid wanted to do something bad, he would have this expression on his face.

"It's time to eat! It's time to eat!" Tao Huimin greeted everyone, acting like a complete hostess.

Lin Weimin pulled Zhang Yimou over and said with a smile, "Put aside the script for now and eat first!"

The next evening.

Lin Weimin felt that he should give Donglaishun a suggestion and launch a membership card activity or something like that.

Judging from the frequency of my visits, I can be considered a big customer. It’s no problem for me to get an 8% discount.

"Come here, this is Mo Yan, and this is Zhang Yimou, the photographer of Guangxi Film Studio. He shot "One and Eight" and "Yellow Earth"."

Zhang Yimou felt a little shy after being introduced by Lin Weimin. Teacher Lin made it sound as if he was the director.

After the greetings, the hot pot was boiling, and Lin Weimin said, "Let's eat first, eat first, and then we can talk after we finish eating."

After they had eaten several plates of meat, they began to move their chopsticks more slowly.

Lin Weimin then spoke up and said, "Moyan, Yimou has recently been planning to try his hand at directing. I recommended your film Red Sorghum to him before, and he was very interested."

Mo Yan was a little surprised. His novel was only published in "Contemporary" in November, and he didn't expect that someone would take a fancy to it and adapt it so soon.

Thanks to Mr. Lin for the recommendation.

After Lin Weimin's brief reminder, Zhang Yimou began to talk incessantly about his ideas for adapting "Red Sorghum".

Mo Yan had never been involved in film adaptation, but he had watched a lot of movies and had taken related screenwriting courses in school, so the two of them communicated very smoothly, and there was even a sense of mutual admiration.

When the two had almost finished their discussion, Lin Weimin asked Mo Yan with a smile, "How is it? Are you confident in handing the novel over to Yimou?"

Mo Yan nodded, feeling happy, "Don't worry, don't worry!"

Zhang Yimou was also very happy when he heard Mo Yan's answer.

At this time, Lin Weimin said, "You two are both young people, and your ideas can spark sparks. I think it would be better if you write the script!"

Mo Yan looked at Lin Weimin, then at Zhang Yimou's expectant eyes.

He said hesitantly: "Teacher Lin, I have never written a script!"

Lin Weimin laughed and said, "No one is born knowing how to write a script. You are now a famous writer after all, and your studies at the Military Art Academy were not in vain. Don't have so little confidence in yourself."

Zhang Yimou thought of what Teacher Lin had advised him before, which was exactly the same as what he was saying now.

Teacher Lin is really willing to support us young people!

He also encouraged her, "Mo Yan, Teacher Lin is right. No one is born with the ability to do something. Trying is also a form of learning."

Mo Yan looked at the two of them again and finally put forward his request.

"If there is anything I don't understand, I would like to trouble you, Mr. Lin, to give me more guidance."

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "Of course that's no problem. It's my honor to help you make this happen."

Zhang Yimou hurriedly said, "Teacher Lin, please don't say that. I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to your help..."

Lin Weimin waved his hand and said, "No more talking. Come on, come on, eat!"

Mo Yan looked at Lin Weimin with a bit of admiration in his eyes. Teacher Lin has always been like this, always willing to support young people like them, but never taking credit for himself.

After discussing the script and finishing their meal, Mo Yan rejected Lin Weimin's suggestion and returned to the Military Art Academy.

Zhang Yimou looked at his back and suddenly thought of a question, "Teacher Lin, it seems that we haven't discussed the issue of script royalties yet."

Lin Weimin glanced at him and asked, "Do you have money to give if we talk?"

Zhang Yimou was speechless.

That's right. I want to make a movie with the encouragement of Teacher Lin, but it hasn't gone through the company yet. How can I pay Mo Yan for the royalties?

But then he thought of a more serious problem.

What if the studio doesn't agree to let him be the director, or doesn't agree to invest in this film? Wouldn't Mo Yan have worked in vain?

When he thought of this, a hint of anxiety appeared on his face and he looked at Lin Weimin.

"Teacher Lin..."

"What's wrong?"

"What do you think we should do if this doesn't work out?"

Lin Weimin raised his eyebrows and glanced at Zhang Yimou. The young man was still young and didn't know what a white girlfriend was.

The movie hasn’t even been made yet, why are you paying me?

Of course, this must not be said, as it will affect Teacher Lin’s glorious image.

"Don't worry!" Lin Weimin comforted him in a gentle voice, "If your factory disagrees, I'll find a way for you later."

When Zhang Yimou heard Lin Weimin's words, his uneasy heart instantly calmed down. He had never felt so at ease.

A feeling of being moved filled his heart, and he had the urge to die for his friend.

"Teacher Lin..." Zhang Yimou called out with a choked voice.

Lin Weimin turned to look at him, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Yimou swallowed back all those grateful emotions and words. He knew that Teacher Lin's selfless help was not just for his cheap thanks.

"I will definitely make this movie well!" Zhang Yimou's eyes were firm and his face was full of fortitude.

Lin Weimin laughed easily, patted his shoulder and said, "Don't be stressed! If you have any difficulties, just tell me, everything can be solved."

Zhang Yimou suppressed the urge to cry and nodded vigorously.

A few days later in the afternoon, Mo Yan rolled up his bedding and ran to the Guowen Society to ask Lin Weimin for help.

"Teacher Lin, the school is on vacation. I want to stay in the Chinese Literature Society for a while. Is that okay?"

The guesthouse of Guowen Publishing House is provided to writers who come to Beijing to revise their manuscripts. Moyan, do you have any manuscripts that need to be revised?

If Teacher Lin says yes, then yes.

After arranging a dormitory for Mo Yan, he took out some of the script he had written.

"Teacher Lin, this is what I wrote these days. Can you help me take a look when you have time?"

Lin Weimin took the script and said happily, "It just so happens that I have time now."

Compared with novels, scripts are much more concise, with very few unnecessary characters, scenery, and psychological descriptions.

Even the necessary descriptions of the main characters are extremely brief, highlighting only the important features.

It was Mo Yan's first time writing a script and he made many of the same mistakes as when writing a novel. Lin Weimin only took a few glances at it and pointed out all the mistakes one by one, which made him feel a little embarrassed.

I originally thought that I wrote very well, but Teacher Lin found so many problems with it after just a few glances.

After reading the script, Lin Weimin saw that Mo Yan was a little shocked, and comforted him: "Writing scripts and novels seem similar, but in fact they are very different. This is also a learning experience for you, don't worry, Yimou will have to coordinate with the studio when he returns anyway, there will be no results in a short time, just take your time."

Mo Yan nodded, "You are right!"

(End of this chapter)