Chapter 22
Zhou Rong...
Qiao Yi Qiao thought about it for a long time, but he couldn't think of any connection between himself and this famous director.
Zhou Rong is actually just a quasi-first-tier director, but the topics and discussions he has attracted may be no less than any top star.
His life can be described as full of legends.
Zhou Rong graduated from the Sound Recording Department of the Film Academy in the late 1980s. As for the business of directing, he can be said to be a complete layman.
In that era, there was only one way to become a director, and that was to work in a state-owned film studio for many years.
However, Zhou Rong relied on his family's strong connections to get into the film studio.
At that time, people were not allowed to shoot movies freely in China. Only a few major domestic studios had filming quotas, and there were no more than a dozen per year at most. A studio might have dozens of reserve directors, so one could only wait for years, starting as an assistant director or even a script supervisor. It was common to wait for five years at least, and more than ten years at most, before one could get a quota to shoot a script that had been approved by the studio.
At that time, film studios were no different from state-owned enterprises and were promoted based on seniority. In addition, Zhou Rong only graduated from the recording department, so his chances of getting a turn were naturally slim.
So, Zhou Rongjian took a different approach and found another way.
He formed a makeshift team and secretly made movies without the knowledge of the studio.
This is what is called "underground cinema".
Fortunately, Zhou Rong's family was relatively well off, so he was able to complete the filming process.
But unfortunately, underground films did not have the permission to be released, so Zhou Rong had to find another way.
He submitted his films to several famous international film festivals.
At that time, the Western world knew nothing about the mysterious China, and Zhou Rong's films were of good quality, so he won many awards, big and small.
The situation was originally very good.
Unexpectedly, when Zhou Rong returned to China, he received a piece of paper prohibiting him from filming again within five years.
So Zhou Rong spent five years writing a script.
When the filming was completed, it was shortlisted for the main competition unit of the Palme d'Or. Although it did not win the grand prize, it still achieved one of the best results for China in the world film industry to date.
This time, he was not banned again.
Just when the domestic and even the world film industry were looking forward to his next work, Zhou Rong retired at the peak of his career.
He was silent for ten years.
Just when everyone thought he might never make a movie again, he suddenly jumped out. In the 2000s, when Chinese films were just emerging, he spent a huge amount of money to shoot a commercial blockbuster with a fantasy theme.
The Chinese film market at that time was far less tolerant than it is now. The best-selling films were often romance films and comedies. Naturally, Zhou Rong's film was poorly received and lost all his money.
The work was regarded by many film critics and audiences as "flashy", empty and boring.
Zhou Rong was instantly swept off the altar and became the object of everyone's ridicule.
After that, he entered the Film Academy as a teacher. His later works went in a weird direction, including crime thrillers, science fiction, horror comedies, musicals and even stop-motion animations... a series of themes that have almost never been seen in the Chinese film market have emerged one after another. His personal style has become more and more obvious, while the box office has been getting lower and lower. In the past two years, he has not even had his own works, and only served as a producer for students and friends.
People in the circle even call him the "death light of the film market". As long as he shoots a certain subject that others avoid, he can make money.
However, even so, he continues to be famous.
There are several news reports every year about chaotic relationships between men and women, swearing on the set, beating actors, etc.
He can be said to be the most talked-about director in China.
Qiao Yiqiao didn't quite understand why such a filmmaker who seemed a little crazy in every aspect would ensure that he entered the main competition.
But being shortlisted is a happy thing after all. If you can’t figure it out, don’t force yourself to think about it. Just ask when you meet them in person.
…
Half a month later, the professional review team finished their film screening and the Fledgling Project officially began its conference.
The conference lasts for one day. The first day is the opening ceremony, the second to sixth days are master training classes. All the creators of the films entering the main competition unit can participate, and the last day is the award ceremony.
The top five finalists will be judged based on the quality of their films and their performances in the masterclass.
In addition to receiving honors, the top five directors will also receive tangible rewards - the right to shoot a feature film. Not only will they have various resources at their fingertips, but they will also have well-known directors and producers to protect them.
The scripts of the five feature films were personally selected by the five ultimate mentors who have the ability to guarantee the promotion. Being the main director of such a project is extremely tempting for all filmmakers. After all, the total box office revenue of four of the five of them in the past three years combined has occupied half of the Chinese film market.
The remaining one is Zhou Rong.
To put it bluntly, although the five contestants finally selected by the Fledgling Project will be given the title of chief director, they may actually become the executive directors of these five works, and will be cared for by the big directors throughout the process. They may not soar to success, but they will definitely be guaranteed a bottom line.
In fact, everyone knows what's going on when they see the schedule. After all, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. The top 50 films all have their own advantages and disadvantages, but they are enough to show that the creators have the basic qualities to be a director.
In the end, who will win the crown and get the rights to shoot those five works will mainly depend on who performs better in the master class and who is more compatible with the ultimate mentor and has potential.
The five works awarded as rewards have different styles, covering the current popular genres in the market, such as romance, science fiction, action, comedy and crime.
This is a very novel crime-themed work, which is also Qiao Yiqiao's goal, and he hopes to win the championship in one fell swoop.
The final judge of this project is also an acquaintance - Wang Yige.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is the first in this type of film.
As for why Qiao Yi Qiao didn't want to choose the science fiction project that Zhou Rong was in charge of.
The main reason was that Qiao Yi Qiao didn’t really understand science fiction, nor did he know Zhou Rong very well. After all, this guy had never filmed a science fiction movie, so he didn’t know what Zhou Rong was up to.
Qiao Yi Qiao actually expected that the fight among the shortlisted contestants would be extremely brutal, but it was not until the opening ceremony that Qiao Yi Qiao had a direct understanding of this brutal situation.
There are fifty shortlisted contestants, plus the five guys who were recommended by the big guys to advance, a total of 55 people. It can be said that their ambitions are clearly written on their faces and bodies.
Qiao Yi Qiao chose a standard suit, which was not too outstanding but could not go wrong. However, the others not only wore strange clothes, but also had their own little tricks, such as wearing special earrings or brooches, just to be different from others and make the famous director remember them.
However, among the crowd of people whose attire is very memorable, Qiao Yiqiao, a person with no memorable features at all, has also become a memorable point.
At least Qin Duo saw him at a glance.
While waiting to enter the hall, Qin Duo dismissed the contestants around him who were talking to him and came to Qiao Yi Qiao.
"I was right. You are indeed selected," Qin Duo smiled. "I always say that gold will always shine."
Qiao Yiqiao felt a little embarrassed by what he said, so he could only explain awkwardly: "I didn't make it into the top 50 either. I was recommended by the final judges."
"Oh?" Qin Duo became interested. "Who protected him? Wang Yige?"
Qiao Yiqiao shook his head: "It's Teacher Zhou Rong."
"He..." Qin Duo's expression became unnatural for a second, "Then are you going to choose his class later?"
There will be a class selection session at the opening ceremony. The five final judges will lead five classes respectively. Although the rules do not explicitly state that the five final judges will select the winners from their own classes for subsequent cooperation, everyone's guess is probably similar.
Qiao Yiqiao answered truthfully: "I still want to choose Director Wang Yige's class."
"Is that so? That's good," Qin Duo said with a relaxed look. "That type is more suitable for you. Besides, Director Zhou...his personality is a little harder to approach, and there's more uncertainty."
It seems that the rumors I heard before were not false.
Even people in the industry said so, so Qiao Yi Qiao believed in his own judgment even more.
"Tsk, you said bad things about me, damn you, Lao Qin."
As the two were talking, a male voice suddenly came.
The two turned around and saw a middle-aged fat man wearing sunglasses appear behind them.
This man has red hair, and is obviously the famous Zhou Rong.
Qin Duo saw him and smiled: "Who made you have such a bad reputation? Didn't your former student publicly say that you were a 'tyrant on the set' who influenced his creation and even beat people up?"
Zhou Rong curled his lips: "That's because he's so bad."
"With your character, it's no wonder that no one wants to talk to you," Qin Duo shook his head and introduced Qiao Yiqiao, "Xiao Qiao, Zhou Rong and I have been friends for many years. If he's not a bad person, he's quite nice."
Qiao Yiqiao: “…”
I understand, but it seems I don’t understand.
"You are Qiao Yiqiao, right?" Zhou Rong half-pushed his sunglasses aside and looked at him carefully.
Qiao Yiqiao nodded politely: "Hello, Director Zhou, thank you for helping me advance."
"It's nothing. I recognize you," Zhou Rong said with a smile, "Have you ever beaten up a pervert who was secretly filming you?"
"ah?"
Qiao Yiqiao thought for a long time before he remembered that it was true.
But how did Zhou Rong know?
Zhou Rong seemed to have guessed what Qiao Yiqiao was thinking: "My student showed me the video you shot at that time. Some parts of it are exactly the same as the camera movements in your Red Balloon movie, and most importantly, the sound is also the same."
After hearing this, Qiao Yi Qiao understood.
In "Red Balloon"
During the post-dubbing process, there were a few lines that were not recorded well, and he didn't have time to ask Li Wei to re-dub them, so he did it himself.
I didn't expect that Zhou Rong could hear all of this.
Is this how the gears of fate begin to turn?
Furthermore, Qiao Yiqiao thought that Zhou Rong would actually pay attention to such details in his film...
So horrible.
"Of course, Mr. Qin also mentioned your project to me. But even if he didn't mention it, your film is really good. At least it suits my taste. I have watched all the films, and I still like yours the best." Zhou Rong patted Qiao Yiqiao's shoulder. "Of course, you don't have to join my class. Even if you join, I may not choose you."
Qiao Yiqiao: “Ah.”
Okay.
He didn't know what to say.
I could only look at Qin Duo with gratitude.
Qin Duo shrugged: "Anyway, I have a good relationship with Wang Yige and Zhou Rong, so I just mentioned it in passing. You don't have to take it too seriously."
Qiao Yi Qiao was about to say something to thank him, but Zhou Rong glanced outside and his expression suddenly changed.
"Ah, that garbage thing is here too."
Qiao Yi Qiao and Qin Duo took a look and found that it was none other than Wang Yi Ge.
And there is an acquaintance beside him, Wu Gong.
He is the editor who was just sitting there doing nothing on the show "Needle Walker".
"Speak softly, don't let others hear you." Qin Duo elbowed Zhou Rong.
"He's afraid to say it. He's using such a good resource to make some rubbish," Zhou Rong said cynically. "Look at what he recommended. He likes things that are stable. It's still the fledgling plan, almost the old bird plan."
After hearing what Zhou Rong said, Qiao Yiqiao realized that the film Wang Yige had saved was actually the film of Wu Gong.
Although Wu Gong has been a screenwriter for many years, he has never directed any works, so although he is not young anymore, he is qualified to participate in the "Young Bird Project".
Wu Gong and Wang Yige both graduated from film academies, and they were said to be fellow students, so it was not surprising that they got him in.
Zhou Rong said this "old bird plan" very loudly, and many people around looked at them sideways, even Wang Yige and Wu Gong.
When they saw Qiao Yiqiao standing next to him, they both frowned unconsciously.
"Anyway, no matter whether you can really become a director or not, I advise you not to be a director like Wang Yige." Zhou Rong said.
Qiao Yiqiao was puzzled: "Why?"
Wang Yige is actually much more recognized in the industry than Zhou Rong.
He has been deeply involved in the police, action and crime genres, producing at least one film almost every year, and the box office is also good.
He is a director with a strong base in the industry.
Zhou Rong just crossed his arms and said indignantly: "For decades, they have been shooting the same movie over and over again. The apprentices and students they brought up also shoot the same movie. Is this called making a movie? It's more like running a factory."
But he looked at Qiao Yiqiao again and said casually: "But if you choose him, just pretend I never said this."
The opening ceremony began quickly. After the host introduced the competition, it was time for everyone to choose their contestants.
Although Qiao Yiqiao was very grateful to Zhou Rong in his heart, he finally chose to enter Wang Yige's class.
What he needs is a way to make money that is as stable as possible.
Although Wang Yige’s box office appeal is not the strongest, it is the most stable every year. This is what he wants to learn.
Qiao Yiqiao originally thought that the 55 finalists would choose the five classes evenly, but he did not expect that more than half of them would choose romance and comedy.
It’s not surprising actually, because these two types of movies have always been the best-selling types of movies.
Only seven people chose Wang Yige, including Wu Gong and Qiao Yiqiao;
Those who chose Zhou Rong were even worse off, with only three.
…
The next day, the course started.
The so-called master classes are actually classes taught by the more prestigious screenwriters, directors, producers, actors, artists and other industry leaders in this fledgling program.
There is no limit on the number of seats for the master class, nor is there a restriction that only students from a certain class can listen to the class of their "class teacher". Anyone who is the main creator of the film can attend, so Qiao Yi Qiao did not hesitate to bring his seven-member team.
There are about a hundred people in one class. Wang Yige’s class is really popular.
Wang Yige's classes are quite like those of a university teacher. He just talks on his own, never interacts, and never asks questions. How much students can learn depends entirely on their self-motivation.
To be fair, Wang Yige spoke very well.
He is worthy of being the director with the best control over commercial genre films. He starts with the story and explains it in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
In fact, all the stories in this world are similar in essence and follow a general template.
All commercial genre films are also inseparable from the three-act structure, with the first act setting the stage, the second act developing the film, and the third act ending.
And cramming the story into these three acts gives us fifteen beats of time.
The first act should complete the opening, theme presentation, foreshadowing, catalyst, debate, and departure.
The second act involves completing the B story, game time, false victory, villain approaching, total defeat, and dark night of the soul.
The third act is to complete the transition, ending and finale.
During the seven-day course, Wang Yige broke down the fifteen beats and explained them in detail, incorporating the director's focus at each step.
It can be said that Wang Yige’s approach is the golden rule for all commercial genre films.
Wang Yige believes that structure is the most important thing in a commercial film.
If you shoot according to this structure, even if it's not outstanding, you won't make any big mistakes.
Qiao Yiqiao just felt that he benefited a lot.
This is a simple process that can make money.
Zhou Rong's class had few attendees, which was very different from Wang Yige's teaching style.
In the first class, Zhou Rong talked about poetry and asked students to choose their favorite poems to share and analyze.
In the second class, Zhou Rong took everyone to the lawn to get closer to nature.
The third class was held at the meeting point. Everyone was given a camera and randomly took photos...
During the seven-day course, the number of students attending class each day decreased visibly. By the last class, only seven people including Qiao Yiqiao were left.
Because no one could understand what Zhou Rong was teaching.
However, Qiao Yiqiao tasted some flavor from it.
If Wang Yige taught the structure that remains essentially the same despite all changes, then Zhou Rong taught this “everything changes”.
He advocates breaking conventions, forming his own style and expertise, and moving the audience with true emotions.
This is a dangerous road, and it can be said that Zhou Rong himself has not figured out the formula for victory.
But he is like Mr. Keating in "Dead Poets Society", hoping to lead everyone to liberate themselves and find their own way.
This is almost two completely different paths from what Wang Yige talked about.
Qiao Yiqiao couldn't help but compare the two teachers.
He suddenly realized that although Wang Yige had more works and produced one every year, it was difficult for him to choose the famous scenes among them.
On the contrary, although Zhou Rong's works are not many, he has an impression of almost every protagonist. Although the plots are often outrageous and abrupt, it is these plots that left a deep impression on Qiao Yiqiao.
A stable business that makes a lot of money.
A bizarre and poor commercial performance.
Qiao Yiqiao asked himself, if he put aside reality, who would he most want to be?
But the six bad guys sitting next to him made it impossible for him to escape from reality, so he had no answer for a moment.
After the last class, it was the last day.
In addition to the grand dinner, there is also a one-on-one conversation session with the class teachers.
In order to highlight its status as the top film and television competition in the country, the Chick Project held an extremely luxurious buffet dinner, with all kinds of delicacies from land and sea, and even several chefs making sushi and grilling steaks on the spot.
However, despite this, all the contestants were still eating at the buffet dinner, waiting to be called by their class teacher.
Qiao Yiqiao is no exception.
But after thinking it over, he decided to stuff all six of his younger brothers in so that they could eat to their heart's content.
Therefore, nearly a hundred people at the scene watched six guys who looked very tough to deal with sweeping away everything in a flash, and they swallowed their saliva madly.
Sometimes you have to admit that watching others eat tastes better than eating it yourself.
After waiting for a long time, Wang Yige finally called Qiao Yi Qiao, and Qiao Yi Qiao hurried into the small room.
Qiao Yiqiao had already thought about how to get votes for himself at the end, but he didn't expect Wang Yige to say, "I won't vote for you in the end."
Qiao Yiqiao was so frustrated by this remark that he was choking on his words.
"I'm not saying you're not good, but you're not the person I need. I watched your short film, and your personal style is just too strong. I can't control you, and I can't help you," Wang Yige said very frankly. "In some aspects, you're completely immature and obviously you haven't received professional training, but in some aspects, you're terrifyingly mature, even better than me."
After hearing this, Qiao Yiqiao felt disappointed.
Have I been forced to be categorized as one of those directors whose films don’t sell well?
"No one can help you on this road, I don't think even Zhou Rong can help you," Wang Yige said finally, "You have to rely on yourself."
Even after walking out of the room, Qiao Yi Qiao still felt dazed.
In fact, he doesn’t understand what personal style is at all. He just shoots what he wants. Is there anything wrong with that?
Unexpectedly, he ran into Wu Gong before he even returned to the banquet hall.
Seeing Qiao Yiqiao like this, Wu Gong smiled and said, "Have you hit a snag?"
Qiao Yiqiao didn't answer.
Wu Gong added: "Creators like us must start by imitating, following the path taken by our predecessors, step by step. No matter what Director Wang said to you, it is all for your own good."
"Then I wish you to become the second Wang Dao."
Qiao Yiqiao said slowly.
Wu Gong obviously wanted to take the opportunity to lick Wang Dao again to show his superior status as a member of the prince's party, but he was not happy after hearing what Qiao Yiqiao said.
"You have to listen. I think you have been disobeying the rules for too long and have become reckless," Wu Gong said dissatisfiedly. "We should follow the rules so that we won't make mistakes."
Qiao Yi Qiao shook his head and said nothing.
"Hey, even though I lost in 'Needle Walker', if you're like this, do you believe that in five years, I will be much stronger than you?"
Wu Gong shouted towards Qiao Yiqiao's back.
Qiao Yiqiao still didn't say anything.
He doesn't like to engage in such verbal battles.
But Wu Gong insisted: "I'll see how your next work is. Only your first directorial work can show your true strength! If I can't shoot better than you, I will write my last name backwards..."
Qiao Yiqiao returned to the banquet hall amid Wu Gong's shouts.
Although the six people were eating, they were also watching. Seeing that Qiao Yi Qiao was in deep thought, no one dared to go up and talk to him.
But unexpectedly, Zhou Rong walked into the banquet hall.
"I don't have many people here, so I finished quickly. I didn't expect you to finish so quickly as well," Zhou Rong said casually, "Wang Yige doesn't want to choose you, right?"
Qiao Yiqiao nodded sullenly: "Yeah."
Zhou Rong came closer: "Then do you want to come to my place?"
Before Qiao Yiqiao could answer, Zhou Rong continued, "Actually, what I want to do is to take Chinese films one step forward. Everything I did before was for this purpose. Do you understand?"
Qiao Yi Qiao thought about it and found that it was true.
Whether it is making underground movies or challenging different themes, Zhou Rong is indeed working hard to be ahead of the Chinese film era.
"I'm old and can't figure things out on my own anymore. I'm going to spend the next five years studying at various European studios. I want to learn their stuff. I hope you can come with me, and then we can come back and make a good science fiction film."
It was a very tempting invitation.
Europe definitely represents the most advanced film aesthetic system in the world today.
But after hearing Zhou Rong say this, Qiao Yiqiao couldn't help feeling sad.
Ultimately, he was unable to explore a path that belonged to Chinese films.
But that's Europe.
Zhou Rong said this lightly, as if Europe was his own backyard.
"But you have to think carefully. Choosing me will come at a price. I can only take you alone. You can't say goodbye to your good friends. And I can't guarantee that you will learn anything."
These words made Qiao Yi Qiao fall into deep thought.
He raised his head and looked at the six people who were pretending to be concentrating on eating but were actually paying attention to their own status at all times.
Each of their pockets was bulging.
There was no need for explanation. Qiao Yi Qiao also knew that they had brought lunch boxes before coming and wanted to bring some delicious food back for the brothers in the gang to taste.
People around them looked at them with contempt from time to time.
Qiao Yi Qiao suddenly smiled.
This group of people are the most native-born peasants. If they had not met by chance and got together, they would probably all be at the bottom of the society.
But no matter what.
He still wanted to get together with this group of people.
After all, he and Zhou Rong are not the same kind of people.
Relying on his solid family background, Zhou Rong can make movies that are not box office hits, go to Europe to study, and try to push the Chinese film and television industry forward.
But what about him?
Qiao Yiqiao knew that his purpose in making movies was very simple, which was to support his group of younger brothers.
On this basis, he is unwilling to compromise himself and still has his own expressions.
After all, that is his work. One can even say that he is not a professional and does not know how to completely give up self-expression and shoot a perfect assembly line product.
so.
Screw Wang Yige, screw his golden rules, screw Zhou Rong, screw Europe.
He was destined to be forced to take a path different from all other filmmakers.
He was not a fledgling, but a hyena.
A greedy hyena.
What business, what self-expression.
He wants them all.
This is him, the wildest part of his heart.
If he wasn't a bit "wild", he would never have been able to become the gang leader.
So he gave Zhou Rong a negative answer: "No, Director Zhou, I still want to stand with my comrades."
This answer seemed to be within Zhou Rong's expectations: "I guessed it was like this. You are destined to be neither Wang Yige nor me. So, try your best."
"Five years from now, let's see who is more successful," Zhou Rong said, pulling out a hard drive. "This is the diary I wrote every night for the past thirty years. It contains all my successes and failures. If you want to read it, take a look. It may help you."
Two five-year appointments were made in one night.
He gladly accepted the challenge.
"Thank you very much."
Qiao Yi Qiao felt the heavy weight in his hand and bowed to Zhou Rong.
Then he walked over to his younger brothers and smiled at them.
"Brothers, let's go home."
…
Qiao Yi Qiao did not attend the award ceremony the next day.
Because he knew no one would choose him.
Wang Yige finally chose Wu Gong, and Zhou Rong also chose a director who looked very interesting.
Although the remaining three mentors said they wanted to support newcomers, the ones finally selected were all students with professional training.
These are what Qiao Yi Qiao saw on the news.
Although he had great ambitions, Qiao Yiqiao did feel a little overwhelmed as to where to start.
Fortunately, Tu Yu’s call arrived in time.
"Hey, Director Qiao, are you free recently?" Tu Yu asked, "We have a story, but the script development has been stuck. I wonder if you are interested in taking a look."
"I watched your Red Balloon short film, it was really good, so I wanted to ask you."
"Oh, by the way, our project is a serious movie."!
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