I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 1097 1092. Unexpected Discovery

Alexey Andre is a French-Russian.

At first glance, the name seems very ordinary.

Whether it is the name Alexey or the surname Andre, for Russians, they are the kind of names that cannot be more ordinary.

Just like Zhang Wei and Zhao Qiang in China.

But he is one of the royal photographers of the Cannes Film Festival.

Not only is he well-known in the French photography industry, but he is also one of the judges of this year's Sony World Photography Awards.

And the name of the Sony World Photography Awards is naturally no stranger to photography enthusiasts. As a photography award that has been held in Cannes every year since its establishment in 2004, it has been established for a short time, but with the advantage of backing Sony's financial support and generous bonuses, it has become one of the world-renowned and authoritative photography awards in just ten years.

This year, Alexey Andre is a judge.

At the same time, even if he is not a judge, he will come to Cannes in advance before and after the photography festival every year.

He likes to take pictures of the "scenery" he sees during the Cannes Film Festival.

Even if he was not commissioned by the Cannes authorities, he would come.

Although many colleagues in the photography industry do not like the "professionalism" of these actors.

For example, when walking on the street, some well-trained actors will instinctively show the best angle of their facial features to the other party after seeing a camera pointed at them.

This deliberate and artificial appearance is very fake in the eyes of some photographers.

It is not the most natural expression of true feelings.

It is not worthy of appearing in their cameras at all.

Alexey actually thinks so.

But he still likes to come here because he is good at hiding and is concealed enough.

He can always capture the most real emotional expression of his subject at that moment before others notice it.

Moreover, the subjects he photographs are rarely big stars.

Compared with those so-called celebrities, he prefers to see those independent filmmakers with artistic spirit appear in his lens.

Their emotional management is not as sophisticated as those who roll around in the world of fame and fortune. Even if the movie they worked hard to make is shortlisted in Cannes, no one cares about it, or suddenly it receives recognition from many people during the film festival... Whether it is the bitterness of the former or the ecstasy of the latter, the fluctuation of emotions is always particularly real.

And, most importantly... these unknown guys are easy to talk to.

Whether a photographer can use the photos of others, he must get the other party's permission.

For ordinary people, it may just be a verbal permission: "I took a photo of you" (show it to the other party), "I am a photographer, can I save it and put it in Sony Photography Exhibition/XX Exhibition or something like that?"

As long as there is no profit, few people will generally refuse.

But public figures are a little troublesome.

The bigger the star, the more troublesome it is.

After all, their portrait rights are usually equal to money.

So, most of the time, Alexey's eyes are focused on ordinary people, or fledgling actors and artists.

There are skills to squatting on these people.

For example, if you want to shoot those unknown independent filmmakers, you can squat on them in the cinema.

During the screening of their films, some people will be very nervous, especially when the film is about to end, their emotions will fluctuate greatly.

Mania, restlessness, pacing, hesitation...

All kinds of emotions have a different beauty in the eyes of photographers.

Including those little actors.

When they face the camera, they will have a mixed sense of contradiction between "professional and non-professional".

Clean and confused.

Alexi likes this sense of contradiction very much.

That is the only innocence they have before they are soaked or eliminated by the big dye vat of Vanity Fair.

As for ordinary people, Cannes also has many good places to go.

For example, this famous seaside highway.

Every year when the Cannes Film Festival is held, it is the carnival season for these shops.

Those so-called "pursuit of art" people, when they encounter these luxury stores, most people, especially women, will choose to go shopping inside.

Many people even have a fantasy of encountering some stars and asking for autographs.

Unfortunately, these stars rarely visit these stores, and their fantasies are doomed to be in vain.

But this place is very photogenic.

Not only because of the brand decorations of various shapes, but also because of the people who come to visit these stores.

Some people spend money like water in luxury stores, and their gestures reveal an upper-class temperament.

Some people have ordinary incomes, and when they look at these stores, their eyes are full of hesitation and desire.

Others are even more interesting. After they buy things inside, when they come out with those exaggerated and environmentally unfriendly shopping bags in their hands, they look at the ordinary-dressed people around them with all kinds of emotions in their eyes.

Or showing off.

Or complacent.

Obviously, except for the shopping bag in their hands, they are no different from others in terms of clothing, dressing and temperament.

But when they carry this shopping bag that represents luxury, at least at that moment, they seem to have completed the class leap.

Very interesting.

In the eyes of a professional photographer, these are the most precious things.

So Alexei likes to go back and forth on this street.

Go capture some interesting content.

However, two consecutive days of rain disrupted his rhythm.

Finally, the sun appeared on the third day, and he couldn't wait to take some photos early in the morning.

But in the morning, he felt that the things he took were just some ordinary things.

Maybe it was because the rain had just stopped?

Too few people?

In short, he was not very satisfied.

Until it was close to noon, he unexpectedly saw a couple.

Why is it a couple but not a couple?

If someone asked Alexi this, he would definitely sneer.

What a joke.

Can this also question the vision of a professional photographer?

He can almost tell at a glance what kind of people are lovers and what kind of people are husband and wife.

But this familiar Asian couple made his eyes light up.

The two of them were dressed casually but decently, and their temperament was also great.

The most important thing is that these two people have an atmosphere that is incompatible with the surrounding luxury stores.

Others are carrying large and small bags, LV and GUCCI.

In Alexei's opinion, such "scenery" is not uncommon around this beach road.

There are resort hotels near this business district. It is normal to come here to shop and stroll.

But these two people are different.

The two people are holding two shopping bags in their arms...

The man's shopping bag also has a sticky baguette...

They walk on this street, just like two people who just came out of the farmer's market.

If this happened in the next block, Alexei might not be surprised.

But on the seaside road... it is enough for the two people to become the focus of his eyes.

First, these two people are not tourists. Tourists do not need to buy baguettes and other ingredients when shopping.

Although they look familiar... but Alexei guessed that the two people should not be stars? I have never heard of any star dressed like this.

Second... he likes the smell of these two people.

The love lingering around the two people, the man's eyes looking at the woman are like honey. And the lady exudes from the inside out... vitality and maturity intertwined but full of playful and cute atmosphere.

The moment he saw the two people, he knew that his harvest had come.

But he was not in a hurry.

Because the distance was too far, the photo was not clear.

He had to wait until the two people came closer.

Although he could adjust the focal length to take the photo now... but it would take time after all.

If the two people saw him during the adjustment period, there would be no natural beauty.

So, he waited patiently.

Waiting for the two people to come to the most suitable range.

At that time, he would rush out of the shadow of the street lamp as soon as possible and record the most natural scene.

And the fact was exactly as he expected.

The two people approached as if no one was around.

But at this moment, a man and a woman also came out of the luxury store.

Alexey hesitated a little, but his eyes lit up the next second.

Instinctively raised the camera.

In the "small world" framed, a couple was holding various luxury shopping bags in their hands, walking away with their backs to the camera.

On the other side, the Asian couple was holding shopping bags and smiling sweetly towards him.

Coincidentally, among the couple coming out of the luxury store, the woman's long skirt and high heels look particularly "aloof" because her skirt is black.

In combination with the light from Chanel's gorgeous window display, they look like people in the materialistic and luxurious upper class world.

But this couple, who are just wearing simple clothes, perfectly separate this aloofness from the materialistic world.

That is the wall built by love and family.

With a pure emotion, all the hypocritical and impetuous extravagance and desire are shattered.

Let aloofness and luxury become a foil, reflecting their most real, sincere and sweet side.

"Click, click, click."

Alexey pressed the shutter continuously to record this scene.

At the same time, at the moment of shooting, he had already thought of the name of this photo in his mind.

"Love and Family".

Inexplicably, he also felt that the name was familiar.

Just like the two Asians in front of him.

But at this moment, he could no longer care about so much.

After showing a friendly smile to the two, he quickly lowered his head to check his photos.

The more he looked, the more he liked it!

This is simply the most satisfying set of photos he has taken today... no, since he came here on the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival!

"Wow."

He couldn't help but exclaimed.

"..."

"..."

Xu Xin and Yang Mi were stunned.

They looked at each other with a strange look.

Yang Mi asked:

"Were we secretly photographed?"

"Do you think he looks like a secret photographer? If we walk a few more steps, he can put the barrel of the cannon in my mouth."

"Huh~"

Yang Mi looked disgusted:

"Can you stop talking so gay?"

"?"

Xu Xin's face was full of question marks.

What are you talking about?

At this time, Alexei had finished checking the negatives and walked towards the two with a bit of joy and trepidation.

He was worried that the two would not agree to his taking pictures... Then he could only keep these photos for his own enjoyment.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Alexey Andrei. I'm a professional photographer."

"Well, hello. Are you filming us?"

Yang Mi asked.

"Yes."

Alexey ignored the couple who had walked out five or six steps away and turned back to observe. After nodding and acknowledging the two of them, he said:

"I am a judge for this year's Sony Photo Show and an official photographer at Cannes. Can I put the photos I just took for you two into the Sony Photo Show?...Don't worry, we are not a profit-making project, and The tickets collected from the exhibition every year will also be used for charity and given to those in need. Your portraits will never be used for profit! ”

"Uh... Sony photography exhibition?"

Yang Mi was stunned.

Xu Xin nodded:

"Well, after the Cannes Film Festival, that's them. They're pretty famous."

As he spoke, he thought for a while and asked:

"Can I see your work?"

He could not define the authenticity of what this person said through words, but his works could not fool people.

Especially for him.

If the level is good, then he won't mind.

After all, his image rights are actually quite valuable.

"sure."

Alexey had obviously encountered this situation many times and directly handed his camera to the other party.

Xu Xin held it, Alexey held it, and Yang Mi came over.

Three people watch together.

"oh?"

When he saw the third photo in his series, Xu Xin's eyes lit up as he looked at the beautiful capture at the perfect time.

Not to mention...this person's level is really good.

He continued to turn forward.

Soon, when someone else's picture appeared on the screen, he stopped pressing the keys.

I was going to say yes.

But at this moment, Yang Mi suddenly said:

"Then can you take two more pictures for us?... If you take two more pictures, we can license them to you for free! Let's exchange, okay?"

After saying that, under her husband's doubtful gaze, she turned around and smiled:

"I quite like this style."

She said so, so Xu Xin naturally didn't refute.

But Alexey was a little stunned.

This woman... No, this lady sounds so professional.

Do you know about authorization?

Ordinary people do not have such a detailed understanding of their own portrait rights.

and……

For some reason, the more he looked at these two people, the more familiar they seemed.

After thinking for a while, he asked tentatively:

"Are you two... the film and television people attending the Cannes Film Festival this time?"

Yang Mi nodded and pointed at Xu Xin:

"Director of Silence, Goethe Schuh. I am his wife, Honey Young."

Goethe?

Hani Yang?

Alexey was stunned.

Suddenly he seemed to remember something, and his eyes suddenly became a little surprised:

"Sunshine and The Grandmaster?...WHAT THE F...last year's Berlin Best Actress? And Best Picture?"

"whee."

Yang Mi bared her little white teeth:

"Hello, Mr. Andre."

"!!!"

Following her greeting, Alexei Andrei suddenly became confused.

I just randomly took a picture of a passerby... Why did I include the two people who won the Golden Bear Award?

besides……

"How come you two are dressed like ordinary people!?"

He was speechless.

But after hearing this, Yang Mi was stunned:

"We are just ordinary people."

Alexei was stunned again when she stared at him with a look like "You are so weird."

He chewed on the meaning of these words, and for no reason, his senses suddenly became much better for the two of them.

In Vanity Fair, the achievements of these two people need not be mentioned too much.

There are so many actors in the world and so many excellent works.

But every year in Berlin, there is only one best film and one best actress...

This alone is enough to illustrate the achievements of these two people.

But seeing the private attitudes of these two...

Alexey thought to himself that it was no wonder the photos were so beautiful.

Only this natural, pure, and unaffected expression of emotion can make this set of photos so sincere, right?

Now, he completely understood. If you want to use this set of photos... the other party's offer of "take some more photos for us" is actually the cheapest "price".

After all, the reputations of these two people are really quite big.

Perhaps to others, he is a famous photographer. But for a Berlin Golden Bear director, it’s really not enough.

What's more, he also remembered... the movie "Perfect Strangers" that his wife liked very much was also filmed by him.

Tsk.

With some emotion, he nodded:

"Then let me help you two take a few more sets... Do you have any ideas?"

"Just this... something more natural. I like it very much!"

Yang Mi pointed at the camera and said.

Xu Xin shrugged indifferently.

Alexey also nodded:

"Okay, but...actually, this set of photos is the most natural emotion captured when you two didn't have a camera. If we take another photo, you may not be able to show the same emotions as this set of photos."

"I know."

Yang Mi responded:

"But it doesn't matter. It's okay to record more beautiful moments between us. And, Mr. Andre, have you paid attention to the photos and short videos that are particularly popular on Twitter recently?"

"For example?"

“It’s the kind that starts out as a short film, with a couple running in a beautiful place, and the camera follows them. Then they suddenly jump up in front, and the short film suddenly becomes a still photo…”

“…”

“…”

To be honest, Alexei had never seen what Yang Mi was talking about, and Xu Xin was also a little confused.

Seeing the two shaking their heads, Yang Mi took out her phone and looked for a video.

“I want to shoot this.”

After watching it, they found that the video actually had no technical content, it was just a compilation of movies and photos.

First take a photo, and then reverse the path of the photo to see how to achieve this effect.

It’s not difficult.

He quickly agreed:

“No problem.”

So, the photo shoot began.

First, Yang Mi took over.

Although she didn’t change her clothes and didn’t dress up.

But with a professional photographer and a professional actor… even if it was a casual street shot, the effect was like a blockbuster.

But Xu Xin, who had been observing from the side, had to admit that Mr. Andre was right.

The wife in the photo... is very ordinary.

She no longer has the true feelings in the group of photos he saw just now.

This may be the wonder of photography.

No matter how ingenious the shooting is, it can't compare to the beautiful moment without any decoration.

As a director, he thinks so.

But as a husband... he has no choice.

Yang Mi took the first shot.

Then he took him to take the photo.

After taking a few photos, Alexei took the initiative to propose to go to the beach to shoot the short film + photo format.

After the three of them came to the beach, perhaps because of the sun, there were already some people on the beach.

Soon, Yang Mi's request was met.

Alexei took a photo of Xu Xin half hugging and half supporting himself, she was on the high side, Xu Xin was on the low side, and the two kissed.

It was a great shot, very beautiful.

And then we have to reverse the path of the two people taking the photo and come up with a running route.

But this kind of thing is simply a piece of cake for Xu Xin.

He took a glance and planned a running route.

Yang Mi followed her husband's instructions and came to a place, and Alexei followed her.

He would run with Yang Mi in a while, so that the camera would show the movement trajectory.

He adjusted the camera's shooting mode, and then sent a signal to Yang Mi:

"Ready, 1, 2, 3..."

The two began to run.

They only needed to run about ten steps.

But after running the first time, Xu Xin looked at it and felt that it lacked some flavor.

In terms of how the film was shot, Alexei was naturally incomparable to him.

So, he chose to follow the "director's" instructions and try slow motion in the "upgrade" method.

Soon he started running the second time.

But there was a little episode in the middle.

After the two ran for five or six steps, a child appeared from nowhere.

It happened to be on Alexei's path.

The child suddenly jumped out, seemingly to pick up the ball.

But it scared Alexei. With an agility that was not in line with his age, he stabilized the camera while dodging with a little stagger.

And even when dodging, his lens was always on Yang Mi.

It can be said that his photography skills are also good.

The child's parents were also startled, and they quickly apologized and pulled the child away.

The three of them didn't care.

They ran again.

Xu Xin was quite satisfied with the effect of the upscaling, but... the film still needs to be repaired.

But Alexei would definitely not be needed for such things.

Xu Xin even suggested that the photos he had taken of the two of them before could be handed over to him for repair.

After all, the post-processing talents of the entire Xiying team were standing behind him.

But Alexei said no.

He has his own preferences.

He already has an idea of ​​how to repair this photo.

So...

This "deal" was reached.

The Russian photographer used 3 sets of posed photos and a video in exchange for the photo authorization of the Berlin Golden Bear director and the Berlin Film Queen.

He can use that set of snapshots at will.

As long as it does not involve obvious commercial purposes, that is, using the photo of the two of them as an advertisement, then they will not care about other aspects, whether it is participating in the exhibition and winning prizes or anything else.

It can be regarded as each taking what they need.

In the end, Xu Xin left his email address, and he and his wife returned to the appearance of an ordinary couple again. Holding the shopping bag, he waved at him with a smile and left.

And Alexey checked the photos he took...

Not to mention, he was also very happy.

These sets of posed photos are just ordinary in his opinion.

But that set of snapshots...

It's really great!

...

This encounter with Yang Mi was quite happy anyway.

In the morning, she had a beautiful breakfast, took a few more sets of beautiful photos, and took a walk with her husband... Anyway, she was very happy.

And in return, she prepared a heartwarming lunch suitable for patients who have just recovered, and enjoyed it with her lover.

I have to say that there is a good French restaurant downstairs, but the way they cooked by themselves in the house is quite alternative.

Soon, after lunch, Yang Mi changed her clothes and planned to go out to see a movie.

One of the movies today was "Foxcatcher", which starred Mark Ruffalo, the actor of the Marvel Hulk, and she was quite interested.

However, Xu Xin wanted to follow her but didn't agree.

"You should have a good rest in the afternoon, don't have a relapse."

Yang's mother came online again.

Seeing this, Xu Xin did not refute, and he began to feel sleepy after taking the medicine, so he took a nap happily.

When he woke up, he habitually glanced at his mobile phone.

It was a little after 3 o'clock.

And the status bar showed that he had an email to read.

He clicked on the mailbox directly, and then found that it was the photographer Andre who met in the morning.

The other party had sent the sets of posed photos and videos they wanted.

But the set of candid photos was not sent.

According to the meaning of the email, it was planned to send the negatives together after the repair.

Xu Xin replied politely, expressed his gratitude, and then downloaded all the photos to see the effect.

You can’t say… this photographer is quite skilled.

He is indeed capable.

Just as he was approving, the laptop made a “ding” sound, indicating that the short film had also been downloaded.

He clicked to play.

Because it was the original film, there were no filters or color adjustments, and it was slow-motion, so it looked a bit strange at first glance.

However, these slow-motion shots had already begun to be constructed and edited in his mind.

His wife also liked the photo of him holding her and kissing her, so this short film was obviously very memorable.

Just as he was thinking about it… suddenly, the originally stable picture shook.

In the lower half of the screen, a child’s hairstyle appeared.

Then, the camera suddenly trembled under the slow-motion lens, and then quickly moved sideways… Although it always stayed behind Yang Mi, it was obvious that there was something wrong with the second half of the film.

It cannot be taken.

Xu Xin was stunned.

He thought to himself, why did Andre send this second shot of the film with the child intruding?

Did he send it to the wrong person?

He wondered if he should send an email to ask.

But...

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and operated the playback software to rewind a few seconds.

Rewind to before the child appeared.

Continue playing.

The child suddenly appeared.

The picture shook.

It should be Andre dodging.

The instinct to dodge made him inevitably move the camera sideways.

But he turned back quickly and continued to lock Yang Mi's background professionally.

But it was at this time...

Such a coincidence happened.

In the picture, the running wife was shot with this slow motion lens + fast horizontal movement route... The texture of the whole picture was between slow speed + stillness but also under the sense of movement.

Slow speed.

The portrait was running.

The camera was moving sideways quickly.

These three elements came together, and suddenly... gave the picture a feeling that was completely different from the traditional slow motion lens.

"?"

A hint of doubt appeared on his face.

Rewind again.

Watch again.

Rewind again.

Watch again.

After watching it over and over again, I unconsciously began to simulate the shooting technique and the texture that would be presented in my mind...

It's really effective.

The characters can move normally and continue to shoot with the slow motion lens.

But the camera can passively speed up the slow motion through physical acceleration.

The picture suddenly became vivid...

This lens is very suitable for close-ups and posed shots...

Especially posed shots.

Under the fixed shape, in a small space, very good effects can be recorded!

But the speed is a bit slow.

It needs to be improved...

Gradually, his eyes became a little empty.

And at this moment, the phone suddenly rang, pulling his thoughts back.

He saw that the caller was from Yang Mi.

"Hello?"

"Honey, Tencent just contacted me. Tencent Literature, which was established last year, will announce in June that it will operate independently as a subsidiary, and the integration with Shanda is almost done. They will hold an annual press conference in June, where they will announce the shareholding swap with Shuangwei. They will invite some guests to promote it, and you have to attend this time!"

"Oh, okay."

Xu Xin agreed directly.

"Well, then let's go to Paris after Cannes is over? I'll make a few new suits for you. Including Lin Gou and the others... Oh, yes, Shishi and the others have to be included. This time the red carpet is more important, and we have to take this opportunity to promote these few salted fish. I have to think of a way to make them outshine the audience!"

Xu Xin's eyes moved when he heard Yang Mi's words.

Outshine the audience?

For no reason, he set his eyes on the screen in front of him.

When I was writing the last chapter, I saw a reader guess that the next chapter would be photos sent back to China + shocking plot...

Sorry you didn't guess right. Haha.

As for this chapter, I think some people can already guess what I am going to write.

After this plot, Cannes is almost over.

The plot line of Tencent's career development can finally be concluded.