Chapter 55 Date
Zhao Mingcheng completed the entry procedures and officially became the general manager of [Weiming Tianxia Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd.].
The film and television company is still an empty shell. The first thing Zhao Mingcheng did after taking office was to recruit and build the company's structure as soon as possible.
With the help of Yang Liwen, he quickly became familiar with the company's personnel and processes.
"Mr. Zhao, your main job now, besides recruiting, is to help Producer Chen coordinate the filming of Detective Chinatown.
This project is currently the company's only and most important project. You continue to recruit people in China, and I will take the crew to Thailand for filming.
I believe that after this shoot, our company's team will also be able to get used to each other and be trained. After the filming of this movie is completed, we will have more scenes to shoot in the future.
"You also need to renew your relationship with the TV station. The company will not only produce movies but also TV series in the future, so the relationship with the TV station cannot be bad." Gu Wei assigned tasks to the newly appointed Zhao Mingcheng.
"I understand, Mr. Gu. These are my main areas of expertise. I'm very familiar with them."
In the next few days, Gu Wei handled some matters that required his approval in the company and became familiar with the crew members.
There are mainly three assistant directors. The first assistant director was recommended by China Film Group, Director Huang Dezhong. He is in his 40s, slightly fat, wears glasses, and has a smiling face.
Director Huang is an old director who graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. He started as a script supervisor and worked his way up to the position of director.
He has been in the film industry for more than 20 years and has shot many films, but unfortunately, he has basically only played the role of assistant director.
It is said that he had directed a movie independently 10 years ago. The China Film Corporation invested in him because of his hard work over the years and believed in his professional ability as a director.
Then China Film Corporation lost all its money, and Director Huang's ambition accumulated for more than 10 years also disappeared with the failure of this movie.
After that, I followed the company's arrangements and went to various crews to serve as assistant director. I am a brick in the company, and I will be moved wherever I am needed.
Although he didn’t make a good movie, Director Huang’s more than 20 years of filming experience is not exaggerated.
He can make clear arrangements for you on the entire crew.
"Director Huang, this isn't the first time we've met. We met before when I went to China Film Group. I'm very happy to be able to work with you this time.
"I'll need Director Huang's help later on during filming," Gu Wei said politely.
"No, no, Mr. Gu, you are embarrassing me. I am just an employee. Chairman Han arranged for me to come here to work for you. If you have any instructions, just tell me. Old Huang will do his best to fulfill them." Director Huang said with a smile.
Director Huang was very humble, and Gu Wei knew it. They had known each other before when Lu Yang was editing films at China Film Group.
He knew that this person was a wealthy man and had a cooperative relationship with their China Film Group. He had previously invested in "The Blade of the Assassin" and now he was in charge of this comedy blockbuster.
Before coming, Han Sanping had made it very clear that he was here to help with the filming of the movie, and everything would be based on Gu Wei's responsibility.
He also understood what Han Dong meant. Gu Wei was both the director and the investor, and the crew members were all his employees. Even if Gu Wei didn't know how to direct, he would just help and support him.
If there is any conflict, he will be kicked back. There are many directors like him in China Film Group who have experience but no works. If there is a problem, China Film Group will not help him.
Huang Dezhong is no longer a young man in his 20s. He still knows clearly where he is and what attitude he should have.
Besides, the crew has Lu Yang as the producer. If there are any problems during the filming, Lu Yang can be asked to discuss it. They have a closer relationship and can communicate better.
The remaining two assistant directors were both seniors who had graduated from the directing department of the academy. To be more precise, they were Lu Yang’s seniors. Unfortunately, they did not have Lu Yang’s good fortune.
One is called Li Xin and the other is called Zhao Liang. Before coming to Gu Wei's company, they worked as executive deputy directors or actor deputy directors in some small crews in Hengdian.
Although I have no experience in independent directing, I am not lacking in theoretical knowledge and shooting experience.
In the crew, Director Huang is the first assistant director, who is mainly responsible for implementing the director's creative intentions, ensuring the normal operation of the set, and ensuring the smooth execution of filming.
As the second and third assistant directors, Li Xin and Zhao Liang need to follow Director Huang's arrangements to ensure that the entire [shooting scene] can run smoothly and that the director's creative intentions can be fully executed and implemented.
It can be said that the director team composed of three of them is the biggest managers in the crew besides the producer, supervisor and director.
In the evening, in a private room of a small private restaurant.
Gu Wei and Zeng Li sat opposite each other. The dishes were served and they also ordered a bottle of plum wine.
When they were at home, Gu Wei had promised to treat Zeng Li to a meal, so he couldn't go back on his word. As soon as he returned to the capital, he made an appointment with her.
Zeng Li has been working in Beijing for many years and has settled down here. He went back to his hometown during the Chinese New Year and came back soon after.
"Sister Li, are you a vegetarian?"
Gu Wei discovered this the last time they had dinner together. All the dishes Zeng Li ordered were vegetarian, and she didn't even touch the meat dishes on the table.
“Well, about 7 or 8 years.
It started because of work. As an actress, you know you have to maintain your figure and look good on camera.
Later I gradually got used to it, and now even if a plate of braised pork is placed in front of me, I don’t have any desire to eat it.”
Taking a bite of vegetables, Zeng Li slowly explained.
"No wonder, but Sister Li, I think you have maintained your figure and appearance very well. Now you look like a mature woman with the beauty of a young girl." Gu Wei praised
"What young girl? It's more like calling me a middle-aged woman." Although she said so, Zeng Li still had a smile on her face when she heard Gu Wei's praise.
The two chatted and drank, and time passed quickly.
"Sister Li, have you watched the recently released Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons?" Gu Wei asked
"I heard that this movie was released on the first day of the Lunar New Year and has been very popular recently. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to watch it yet."
Zeng Li said with some regret.
"I like Zhou Xingchi very much, especially his previous movie 'Kung Fu'. It's not too late now, let's go to the movies together later." Gu Wei invited.
Gu Wei didn't have any thoughts about Zeng Li at this time. It was just that he was alone now, Nazha was not in Beijing, and it was a very pleasant thing to have dinner and watch a movie with a beautiful woman.
"Hmm, okay." Zeng Li hesitated for a moment, glanced at Gu Wei, and agreed.
After dinner, the two went to the Wanda Cinema next door. Gu Wei bought the tickets and took Zeng Li with him. The two walked into the cinema side by side.
[Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons] is a classic movie by Zhou Xingchi. Although he did not participate in the film, his strong personal style can be seen in the movie.
This is still Zhou Xingchi's most glorious period as a director.
The generation who watched his movies when they were young has grown up. When they were young, these audiences watched Zhou Xingchi’s free movies on TV or DVD.
Now that I'm grown up and rich, I can naturally afford to go to the cinema to support him.
In addition, the movie is really well made, with both the plot and the lines having their merits.
The best thing is the special effects, which continue the special effects style of "Kung Fu", but the style of the movie is darker, which makes the audience very enjoyable.
"Sister Li, what did you think of the movie?" After the movie ended, Gu Wei asked as he and Zeng Li walked out.
"The movie is wonderful, the story and special effects are great." Then she hesitated.
“It’s just a little scary in some places.”
After hearing this, Gu Wei smiled and said, "Sister Li, your comments are very pertinent. Zhou Xingchi made an excellent movie, and the audience loved it. You can tell from the number of people sitting in the theater where we watched the movie.
The attendance rate was over 60%. Considering it was quite late, the high attendance rate was enough to prove the popularity of the movie.
But as you said, this movie is different from the traditional "Journey to the West". Sun Wukong and his two brothers are portrayed as bloody and brutal monsters, and the visual impact is quite strong.
It's Chinese New Year, so it's not suitable for children to watch.
If there is anything that will affect the box office of this movie in the later stage, it should be this.
After all, it's Chinese New Year, and many families like to go out and watch a movie together. Zhou Xingchi's Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons might scare the kids to tears."
Listening to Gu Wei's well-reasoned analysis, Zeng Li couldn't help but look at him with even greater admiration.
After watching the movie, Gu Wei gentlemanly asked his driver, Master Zhang, to take Zeng Li home first.
"Sister Li, the crew will hold a new film press conference in a few days, and then they will start filming. See you then."
When the car drove to Zeng Li's house, Gu Wei waved goodbye to her.
"Goodbye, Gu Wei."
Zeng Li smiled and waved to him, then turned and walked home.
Zeng Li has a good impression of Gu Wei. She thinks that this kid is young, handsome and talented, and they get along well when they chat. He will not make her feel pressured because of his identity as a director or investor.
There were many shining points about Gu Wei that made her fall in love with him, but he was too young. Gu Wei was only 21 years old, a generation and a half younger than her.
When she started filming, Gu Wei had just started elementary school, so she could only treat him as a younger brother with whom she could get along well.
Thanks to HH Xia Chong, book friend 20220328232558316, Pa Ruo Ni, and book friend 20170928140634035 for voting for the monthly tickets.
(End of this chapter)
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