Chapter 236 "Bringing Apprentices into the Group"
The idea of adapting the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber into a television screen was proposed by CCTV director Wang Fulin in 1979, and was supported by CCTV and the Redology community.
In 1981, CCTV held a special meeting on the filming of the TV series "Dream of Red Mansions" to study the adaptation issues.
It was not until after the Spring Festival this year that CCTV officially established the preparatory group for the TV series "Dream of Red Mansions". The head of the preparatory group was the station director Wang Feng, and the standards were quite high.
CCTV is currently preparing a screenwriter group and an advisory committee. If Wang Feng were to follow his true intentions, he would like to invite Lin Weimin to become the screenwriter of "Dream of Red Mansions".
But he knew that Lin Weimin was not only a nationally renowned writer, but also the deputy editor-in-chief of "Contemporary". The deputy editor-in-chief in his twenties had a bright future.
The compilation of the script of "Dream of Red Mansions" is a very laborious and energy-consuming task, and Lin Weimin simply could not spare the time.
In comparison, being a consultant requires much less energy and basically involves attending meetings and providing various and multifaceted opinions to the "Dream of Red Mansions" crew.
But there is a problem. The consultants that CCTV is planning to invite are all of high seniority, and the appearance of Lin Weimin, a fresh face here, is somewhat abrupt.
Wang Feng was not unaware of this problem, but since Lin Weimin had a good teacher, there seemed to be nothing wrong with Mr. Wan "bringing apprentices into the group."
"……this"
Lin Weimin pondered for a long time.
He had just made a splash in the Literary Gazette some time ago, and now, at a young age, he appeared in the advisory group filled with people born in the 1960s and 1970s, which was really too conspicuous.
"Wang Tai, I think we should forget about the consultant matter."
Wang Feng advised, "Teacher Lin, I think you shouldn't take this too seriously. We chose the expert consultants for Dream of the Red Chamber not based on age, but on their professional strength. No one can replace your skills in novel and drama creation. To be honest, the consultant group we plan to invite is exactly missing an expert who is proficient in both novels, dramas, and especially TV series."
One of the important reasons why Wang Feng insisted was that he was impressed by Lin Weimin's ability to create TV drama scripts.
The success of "The Cliff" is the success of the original novel and also the victory of the screenwriter.
To be honest, Ren Hao's directing technique is average. What's rare is that he implemented Lin Weimin's script very seriously and did not improvise.
Wang Feng had read the script of "The Cliff". Lin Weimin even wrote the protagonist's costumes and accessories, the camera position and duration of each shot clearly, so the director basically didn't need to worry about it.
The result was that The Cliff became a huge success nationwide.
Various TV stations competed to introduce and broadcast the drama, and the people loved it. Newspapers, magazines and TV stations reported on it one after another. Some radical media even called "The Cliff" "an insurmountable mountain for domestic spy war TV dramas in the next ten years."
Such success is enough to prove Lin Weimin's talent and ability in the field of TV drama script creation. CCTV plans to invite a group of consultants including Redologists, writers, calligraphers, historians...
They invited people from all majors related to "Dream of Red Mansions", except for one very important major - TV script writing.
There is no doubt that Mr. Wan is a great dramatist, but the creation of TV drama scripts is still a very new subject for domestic dramatists. As a sub-field of drama creation, Mr. Wan’s attainments in this area may not be as good as Lin Weimin’s.
After all, Lin Weimin has real combat experience, but Mr. Wan does not.
"Teacher Lin! We at CCTV need you, and "Dream of Red Mansions" needs you!" Wang Feng saw that Lin Weimin was still hesitant, and said in a sincere tone.
No matter how good a boy is, he can't resist such teasing!
"Okay then." Lin Weimin finally agreed.
Wang Feng smiled and said, "That's right. With the addition of you, Teacher Lin, our Dream of Red Mansions crew will be even more powerful!"
Lin Weimin waved his hands repeatedly to show his modesty.
The two talked about the specific preparations for the TV series "Dream of Red Mansions". Lin Weimin realized that the screenwriter team has not been established yet, and there is no trace of the advisory committee. CCTV has only tentatively invited some experts, and Lin Weimin was the first to agree.
Damn, not reserved enough, Lin Weimin thought.
On second thought, forget it. After all, he is old and has enough experience. If he is too reserved, he may end up showing off.
I came to CCTV and took on a job. I have nothing to do in the next few months. At least I have to wait until the screenwriter group and advisory committee are established and the screenwriters come up with a specific direction for the adaptation before I can hold a meeting to discuss and put forward opinions and suggestions.
That’s right, consultant Lin Weimin mainly attends meetings.
When Wang Feng told him the content of his work, Lin Weimin couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
Teacher Xu can be surrounded by beautiful girls in the Grand View Garden, but my teacher Lin has to attend meetings with a bunch of old men in the conference room?
This is not fair!
After leaving CCTV, Lin Weimin made a special trip to Wangfujing Bookstore.
"Comrade, please give me a copy of Dream of the Red Chamber... No, please give me a set of the Four Great Classics."
Lin Weimin certainly has the four great classics at home, but after taking on the job of consultant for "Dream of Red Mansions", he still plans to give himself a sense of ritual.
After buying the books, Lin Weimin ran to Muxidi in the evening.
"You're here to eat for free again!" Wan Fang said when she opened the door and saw Lin Weimin.
"Senior sister, what you said is wrong. I came to see the teacher for something serious."
"What business can you have?"
After a few words of banter, Lin Weimin started talking to Mr. Wan about serious matters. "Teacher, CCTV is going to make a TV series of Dream of Red Mansions and invited me to be a consultant."
Mr. Wan put down the newspaper in his hand. Before he could speak, Wan Fang shouted, "Invite you to be a consultant?"
"Senior sister, your tone is very hurtful."
"I'm sorry, Consultant Lin."
Mr. Wan then said, "Okay, stop making trouble."
He asked Lin Weimin: "Do you agree?"
Lin Weimin said somewhat embarrassedly: "Who can refuse this?"
Mr. Wan said helplessly: "How courageous!"
"Yeah, I said that these people from CCTV dared to covet famous works." Lin Weimin agreed.
Mr. Wan glared and said, "Don't change the subject, I'm talking about you!"
"Ah? I thought you were talking about people from CCTV!" Lin Weimin looked innocent.
Wan Fang covered her mouth and laughed.
Mr. Wan scolded, "Stop playing dumb. Is it that easy to be a consultant for Dream of the Red Chamber? With your qualifications, you will be the target of public criticism. It's not about how the people in the consultant group view you, but how people outside view you..."
Lin Weimin lowered his head and said, "Teacher, you are right!"
"You, you..." Mr. Wan pointed at him, his tone angry.
"Then should I tell them that I'm quitting? I won't be a consultant anymore!" Lin Weimin raised his head and asked tentatively.
Mr. Wan snorted, "I've already agreed. Wouldn't it be a joke if I back out?"
Lin Weimin smiled, and Mr. Wan said unhappily, "Originally I didn't plan to join this advisory group, but this time I have no choice but to join."
Just for Lin Weimin, Mr. Wan has to go in this time!
A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.
Sometimes people don’t believe more in family traditions or inheritance from teachers, but because there is someone to protect them, public opinion will not be too extreme.
On the contrary, you may have real strength earned through punches and kicks, but because no one protects you, you are bound to be slandered and defamed by villains.
With him around, outsiders would at most say that Mr. Wan was promoting his students and that Lin Weimin benefited from his teacher, but Lin Weimin did have his own strong abilities.
But if Mr. Wan was not in the advisory group, Lin Weimin would be too conspicuous and would inevitably become a thorn in the eyes of countless jealous people.
Another important reason that compelled Mr. Wan to join was that if his student Lin Weimin was on the advisory group but his teacher Mr. Wan was not, some sinister people might spread any rumors.
After these thoughts flashed through Mr. Wan's mind, he couldn't help but scold Lin Weimin a few words.
Wan Fang advised, "Dad, I think it makes sense for CCTV to invite Weimin. The filming of "The Cliff" was so good, and Weimin's novels and scripts contributed greatly to it. CCTV probably invited him because of this. "Dream of Red Mansions" is a famous novel, but it also needs to be made into a TV series!"
Lin Weimin secretly gave Wan Fang a finger.
Mr. Wan said, "How could I not know what you said? People's words are scary. Weimin has just become popular in the Literary Gazette. Now is the time to keep a low profile. The policy direction and public opinion direction change from time to time. You are still young and don't understand these things..."
The sincere protectiveness in Mr. Wan's words was understood not only by Lin Weimin but also by Wan Fang.
She continued, "So didn't Weimin come to tell you right away? With you here, what is there to be afraid of?"
"You..." Mr. Wan pointed at his daughter and was speechless for a moment.
"Forget it, forget it. I don't want to bother with you." Mr. Wan waved his hand and sent the two to the kitchen to help.
After a short while, dinner was ready.
During the meal, Mr. Wan suddenly said, "By the way, Mr. Arthur Miller has confirmed the time for his visit, and it is expected to take place next month. You have to spare some time, a few days will be enough."
Arthur Miller is Mr. Wan's friend and also an important playwright in the American theater world.
This time he came to China at the invitation of Mr. Wan, mainly because Mr. Wan wanted to introduce his works to Yenching People's Art Theatre.
"Okay, I'll arrange the work then."
Wan Fang said enviously: "Weimin is a very busy man now."
Lin Weimin said jokingly, "Senior sister, why do you sound so sour when I hear what you said?"
Wan Fang glared at him angrily, "I just spoke up for you, you really have no conscience."
The two of them were joking around at the dinner table, the atmosphere was relaxed, and Mr. Wan and his wife had happy smiles on their faces.
The third update, another day with 10,000 views.
(End of this chapter)
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