I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 163 161. West Film Studio

"Sister Wei..."

"What's wrong, Mimi."

"Uh...Is Xu Xin awake?"

"No, I guess he really had a hard time this time. Not to mention I drew twenty or thirty sketches in one night, and I went to the Forbidden City again in the morning. I didn't have the energy to survive. I guess I fell asleep as soon as possible. It’s night.”

After hearing Wei Lanfang's words, Yang Mi was silent for a while and then said:

"Let me tell you... there is a delivery truck outside the building... that is... the supplements Uncle Xu bought for everyone. It is for everyone's hard work and is used to replenish the body."

"……ah?"

Wei Lanfang was stunned, and subconsciously stood up from the office and looked out the window.

Under the setting sun, as expected, there was a Changhe parked at the door.

"Oh, no need. I gave away so much mutton this afternoon. Why did I buy these things again..."

Seeing that it was Changhe who came to deliver the goods, Wei Lanfang subconsciously thought that they were buying fruits or something. So, along with Yang Mi's words "I've sent them all, it's just a little bit of my heart", Wei Lanfang responded, I took it over.

In fact, the process of meetings at the Olympic Center is quite similar to meetings within the system.

She was referring to the logistics.

It's just that things like the angle and distance between cups and ashtrays are not so demanding and need to be calculated with calipers, but fruit plates and hot water are indispensable during meetings.

As a negotiator, she not only coordinates various departments, but also provides logistical support as part of her job.

So after hanging up the phone, I asked the logistics person to pick up the car.

She didn't have to go in person.

It’s just some fruits, just put them in the warehouse and sort them.

After giving the instructions, she went directly to the small conference room.

He also held two cassettes for recording documentaries.

When Zhang Yimou, who was sitting in the small conference room, saw her, his first words were:

"Is Xiao Xu awake?"

"not yet."

Wei Lanfang shook his head:

"When I first picked up the tape, I opened the door and took another look, and I was still snoring."

"oh."

Zhang Yimou nodded and said nothing.

And in front of him was the model that Xu Jin, the props team, and the others had made in several afternoons.

Zhang Yimou has been looking at this scroll all afternoon, with all kinds of ideas in his mind.

Several of the main creators are also there.

Each notebook is filled with content.

At this moment, Wei Lanfang's phone rang.

She took a look and answered the phone:

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Director Wei..."

The person in charge of the logistics service staff on the phone stuttered a little...

"You... come and see... what is this gift..."

"...?"

Wei Lanfang was a little confused, but walked out quickly.

When I took the elevator to the first floor, I saw a pile of cardboard boxes at the door. There was also a row of gift boxes in front of the cardboard boxes.

"...?"

Wei Lanfang was stunned for a moment, then walked over and asked in confusion:

"what?"

As she spoke, she picked up a gift box, took it out and saw that it had the words "Menghai Tea Factory" written on it.

A very ordinary box.

"Dayi Qizi cake tea...tea? Are these all?"

As she said that, she looked at a cardboard box again and found that the lid was not fastened tightly, so she opened the foam lid and took out a box of things.

Then……

When she saw what was inside clearly, the corner of her mouth twitched...

The finger-long Cordyceps sinensis lies in the glass bottle inside the transparent plastic paper.

She was completely speechless.

After thinking for a while, he said:

"Open them all and see what's inside."

Then, after box after box was opened, Wei Lanfang was a little confused.

Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis grows very long.

Yanzhan is as big as a small rice bowl.

There is also this tea, and a large box of dried sea cucumbers lying on golden silk...

How much do these things cost?

Wei Lanfang looked at the pile of things piled at the door and was completely confused.

"Where's the person who delivered the thing?"

Instinctively, she asked.

"Just give it away and leave... Director Wei, what should I do with these things?"

Hearing this, Wei Lanfang said to her heart that I still want to ask you.

After thinking about it, she personally carried a box of ginseng, a box of bird's nest, a box of cordyceps and the most inconspicuous looking tea box, and left a message;

"Put it all in the big conference room."

Then he carried his things, got into the elevator, and went upstairs.

When he opened the door of the small conference room again, Zhang Yimou glanced at her...and was immediately stunned:

"What are you holding in your hand?"

"...I...I don't know either, just take a look."

Wei Lanfang put the box in front of Zhang Yimou under the curious eyes of several people.

Zhang Yimou picked up the tea bag first.

Take it out and take a look...

"tea?"

"Look at the others."

Hearing her words, Fan Yue next to him also took the tea box.

After taking a look...

"Huh? Pu'er? It's from the Menghai Tea Factory."

As he spoke, he unfolded the packaging box and was confused by an old-looking tea cake inside.

"7542?...How old is it? Looking at the packaging, it's not very recent."

"What is 7542?"

Ma Wen on the side didn't quite understand this and was a little curious.

Just listen to Fan Yue explain:

"Dayi 7542, one of Dayi's seven cakes, Dayi's Pu'er tea is the industry standard...the older it gets, the more valuable it is. It's very famous, Xiaowei, who gave it to me?"

"...Sent from Xiao Xu's father."

"Uh... for Director Zhang? Then I want this box. I love drinking Dayi's tea."

He is probably the only person in this room who dares to take advantage of Zhang Yimou openly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yimou was also happy:

"Then who should I give this bird's nest to? Ma Wen? Xiao Wei?"

Everyone looked and saw a box of swallow cups in his hand.

No one thought that Zhang Yimou couldn't afford this. Instead, he just wanted to see what was in the other two boxes.

But at this time, Wei Lanfang said:

"These four things...Xiao Xu's father also brought 50 boxes...and they are piled up on the first floor."

"..."

"..."

"..."

? ? ?

Everyone in the room, including Zhang Yimou, was stunned.

"What the hell?"

Ma Wen didn't hear something clearly:

"What fifty boxes?"

Wei Lanfang was also speechless, pointing to the tea leaves in Fan Yue's hand:

"Cordyceps sinensis, eye sockets, tea leaves, and sea cucumbers... The piles downstairs are the same as in the vegetable market. Fifty boxes of the same, two hundred boxes in total, everyone has a share... I guess this is what Xiao Xu's father meant. I am Let the logistics people take it up."

"..."

"..."

"..."

…

"Ha... um."

Throwing the disposable toothbrush into the trash can in the bathroom, Xu Xin looked at himself in the mirror with a haggard look and yawned loudly.

This time I woke up feeling much more comfortable.

After wiping some water on his face, he looked at the completely dark sky outside and quickly walked out of the rest room.

It's already past 8 o'clock.

The phone is still in Sister Wei's office.

You have to take a look quickly.

Maybe my sister will go crazy looking for me.

All the way downstairs, he immediately saw the bright lights in the small conference room.

No one was in the other houses.

I don’t know if I went off work or what I was doing.

So he walked over there.

Because Wei Lanfang's office is also over there.

Just passing by the door of the conference room, he paused.

"Director Zhang."

Xu Xin greeted the people on the opposite side.

Wei Lanfang and Zhang Yimou were both there.

There are a lot of other people as well, basically everyone from the creative team is here.

A dozen people were sitting in a small conference room chatting about something.

When they heard his greeting, everyone looked over.

Xu Xin walked into the house and first noticed some gift boxes stacked in the corner.

"Hey...what? Lantern Festival benefits?"

He said something puzzled.

Then... the eyes of everyone in the room became strange.

Xu Xin still looked unaware and asked in confusion:

"Do you have mine? What did you send?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Ma Wen on the side suddenly said:

"A box of cordyceps, a box of bird's nest, a box of ginseng, and a box of tea."

"Ouch!"

Xu Xin raised his head in surprise:

"The leader is so kind to us?...Where is mine? Quick...I'll brew a Cordyceps sinensis quickly. I'm too tired from sleeping this time..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Including Zhang Yimou, everyone's expressions became more and more strange.

Wei Lanfang couldn't bear it anymore and said:

"Xiao Xu... your dad sent this this afternoon..."

"...?"

Xu Xin was stunned.

Subconsciously, he looked back at Wei Lanfang:

"Whose father?"

Why does this sound so awkward?

Wei Lanfang sighed silently:

"Oh... your dad, your dad suddenly sent it this afternoon. Fifty boxes were sent, and this is what's left."

"...?"

Xu Xin was even more confused.

Is this old man so stingy?

Fifty boxes of gadgets are not all given away at once. Even if you divide the fifty boxes by 4... you can't divide them.

But he reacted immediately:

"My dad is here!? Where is he?"

"Here, turn on your phone and contact me yourself."

Wei Lanfang handed over Xu Xin's cell phone, which had been turned off.

And Zhang Yimou also said:

"Okay, when you wake up, go eat as soon as possible. Come here after eating. You have to work overtime tonight."

"Uh...Okay, I'll go then."

Holding the phone, Xu Xin walked out quickly.

As soon as I turned on the phone, there were a bunch of missed calls and text messages.

But there is little else of substance.

There is only one message from my girlfriend:

"Contact me when you wake up."

He didn't contact Yang Mi first, but called his father.

As a result, dad’s phone was turned off.

"?"

He called again, but the phone was still turned off.

After thinking for a while, he called Li Hao again.

Li Hao also shut down his phone.

What's going on?

After thinking for a while, he dialed Yang Mi's phone number.

This time it finally stopped shutting down.

The call was quickly answered:

"Dudu... hello, brother. Are you awake?"

"Um...where are you?"

"In the dormitory. After Sister Wei said you might have to work overtime tonight, I went back to the dormitory and am now walking on the playground."

"...Sister Wei said I have to work overtime?"

"Yes, I told you about 5 o'clock in the afternoon... Oh yes, brother, I have to tell you that Uncle Xu came today, but now he is gone. He said that the gifts had been sent, and he said that you were busy, but he didn't wait. I have something to do over there, so I’m going back. I may not be here for the Lantern Festival..."

"...???"

Xu Xin, who always felt that a lot of things had happened to him after sleeping all day, asked in confusion:

"My dad is back?"

"Yes. After Sister Wei said you had to work overtime, she went directly to the airport."

"...Did you two meet this afternoon?"

"I saw you at noon. Uncle Xu sent a lot of sheep this time. We also went to the Olympic Building. But you were still sleeping at that time and didn't wake up, so I didn't call you. Then in the afternoon, Uncle Xu and I went shopping again I sent a bunch of supplements over there..."

"...????"

Xu Xin's mood can no longer be described as confused.

"Then what?"

"It's gone... Didn't Sister Wei say that you guys have been very busy recently? When Uncle Xu heard this, he said he wouldn't disturb your work and left directly. Then I won't be looking for you recently. I'll wait until when you don't If you’re busy, tell me in advance that I’m looking for you.”

"Well……"

While talking, Xu Xin had already walked to the cafeteria.

He glanced at the small blackboard.

Late night snack: mutton soup, cumin mutton, steamed buns.

Good guy...

…

Twenty minutes later, Xu Xin returned to the small conference room after eating and drinking.

When he came in, having figured out the ins and outs, the meeting had already begun.

He didn't say anything and sat on the chair.

He didn't think it was too much to give away nutritional supplements and the like.

This is not a bribe...

Just pure concern.

Whether these Cordyceps sinensis or others, they are just like the sheep in the canteen.

Take it to eat, take it to replenish your health.

Isn't it normal?

As for whether to take it away...

In fact, there is no need.

Who doesn’t want a cup of tea? Have a cigarette?

Nine out of ten people in the team smoke.

Ten people drink tea.

As for bird's nest and sea cucumber...

Let's make porridge in the canteen.

The sea cucumber and millet porridge tastes quite good. Although the bird's nest has no taste, it is still nourishing.

Just give the sisters extra meals.

As for whether the chefs in the cafeteria will eat secretly...

Hi.

People have also worked hard and worked so hard. What’s wrong with eating and drinking?

As for those cordyceps...

Just soak it in water and drink it.

This thing is very comfortable to soak in water and drink.

It is better than taking Liuwei Dihuang Pills.

Nothing matters.

…

It's almost eleven o'clock at night.

Zhang Yimou waved his hand and let everyone leave.

Xu Xin didn’t leave.

He had just woken up, full of energy, and planned to talk to Director Zhang about "The Secret That Cannot Be Told".

Just like that, after everyone left, he looked at Director Zhang who was still sitting in a daze and said:

"Are you resting?"

"how?"

"Asking you about the release of the film."

"Oh~~"

Holding the treasure gourd-like water cup, Zhang Yimou thought for a while and said:

"How do you want to distribute it?"

"……What's the meaning?"

Xu Xin was stunned.

And maybe mentioning the movie again can make Zhang Yimou relax a little, and the tired look in his eyes has also faded a lot.

Looking at Xu Xin, he asked:

"Do you want to just find a publishing company, or do you want to use it as... a stepping stone?"

"A stepping stone...how to knock on it?"

Xu Xin keenly caught the unusual meaning in Director Zhang's words.

"Actually, I also think the latter option is suitable for you."

After hearing this, Xu Xin became even more confused:

"what do you mean……"

"Find it from a big factory. I mean."

"...What's the difference?"

"There is no difference. But it is more suitable for you...for example...to find a distribution company affiliated with Xiying to distribute. Entrust the distribution rights to them, whether it is film arrangement or schedule... Although the agency fees of such large distribution companies are higher. , but you also have peace of mind. After signing the contract with them, you don’t need to worry about a series of other things. Moreover, for you... it is still an opportunity to enter the Xiying Group. "

"Western Film...Xi'an Film Factory?"

"Yes, this is where I came from."

Zhang Yimou nodded:

"You should know its history, right?"

Does Xu Xin know?

Nature couldn't be clearer.

In a word, Xi'an Film Factory is the film studio that has won the most honors.

none of them.

Compared with the students of the third generation, film studios such as Yanjing and Changchun currently have a series of international awards that can represent the honor of Chinese filmmakers, such as Director Zhang's "Red Sorghum", Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" and so on. The credit can be attributed to Xiying.

Because these directors all came from the West Film Studio.

And if Xi Film Studio really counts its contributions, it is really a very important achievement in the history of Chinese films.

Even "Westward Journey" belongs to it.

but……

"You want me to go to Xiying?"

"right."

There were no outsiders at this moment, so Zhang Yimou simply said:

"I think this stage... is an opportunity."

"...?"

Seeing Xu Xin's increasingly confused look, he asked a... topic that seemed to have nothing to do with what the two people in front of him were talking about:

"Have you ever thought about what you are going to do after the Olympics, or after this stage is over?"

"filming……"

"I know it's about making movies, but what I mean is what kind of director do you want to be? Artistic films, genre films, commercial films... which one is your main focus?"

"……have no idea."

Xu Xin shook his head honestly.

He really hadn't thought about this problem.

"You have obvious advantages and disadvantages...except for talent and hard work."

After hearing his words, Zhang Yimou picked up a pen as he spoke.

It gave Xu Xin a sense of déjà vu... as if he had become a lecturer.

"Your advantages are obvious, and your family is well-off. You don't have to think about what movie I have to make to make ends meet, how should I find a way out, where should I go, and who can stay under someone for a while and work for others. This It’s your advantage.”

"Uh-huh."

Xu Xin listened carefully.

"But your shortcomings are equally obvious, that is, based on inheriting your advantages, you may lack the most basic judgment on certain things. To give you the simplest example, of course, I am not saying that you are stupid. I What it means is that in our circle...you have money and dare to invest, and then someone else brings a book...you take a look...oh, good, I want to shoot it. But the things you shoot may not be suitable for the market, or that It may not be successful. This is inevitable. All directors will encounter this kind of situation... You obviously like a story, but after it is filmed, even if you are satisfied with it, it cannot be recognized by the audience... Just like what we filmed This "Golden Armor"..."

"Well……"

Fine.

You old man has used yourself as an analogy.

So what can I say.

However, he understood what Director Zhang meant:

"You are worried that... I will be deceived... That's not right... You are worried that I will spend money blindly, right?"

"Yes. This is the first point. The second point is... you don't have a foundation of your own. This foundation doesn't mean a backer or something like that. What I mean is that you don't have a system of your own. For example, a normal director, He should have several familiar investors, a familiar production company, and a familiar crew... Let’s not talk about the latter, let’s talk about the investors. When you seek investment for your work, Is the other party begging for help like a grandson?"

"Certainly not."

Xu Xin chose to tell the truth.

"Although my family is not the richest person...but I don't think there is anything that requires me to bow my head when it comes to money."

"Look... isn't this a shortcoming?"

Zhang Yimou smiled and shook his head:

"You have to know that investors are not just rich. Similarly, an investor who can survive in the film and television industry, in addition to money, also has all kinds of tentacles that extend to every link. For example, censorship, for example, you have taken a fancy to a certain actor, but others ignore you. For example, the work you are shooting needs to be cleared up... such as the military rental of a war movie, or something went wrong, some related Media or unit public relations...

You don’t have to use it, but you can’t live without it. If something happens to you because of insufficient protection, if no one solves the problem, then you will only be beaten passively. And when people in this circle can trample on others, they trample them to death. And if you don’t have any relationships, or you are known to be a solitary eater and play your own game... When you are good, you won’t see anything. But if you make one wrong move, you will see the real social dangers in this circle. "

"You mean...in fact, friends are just as important as money?"

"right."

Zhang Yimou seemed very pleased with Xu Xin's intelligence.

"But sometimes, before two people become friends, as a director, you may need to bow your head. Understand? But I think you... don't really seem to have a bowing temper. That's why I said... your advantages , is also your biggest shortcoming. That is that you don’t feel that you need to bow your head. But...sometimes, in our circle, you don’t have to have money to have fun. Just like me, I am sitting in this position... …”

He was referring to the position of chief director of the Olympic Games.

"I also have to compromise and bow my head. Do you think I feel sorry for our previous plan? I feel sad more than anyone else. That is the result of everyone's hard work, understand? The results of your hard work have been killed by one sentence. Who do you think doesn't? It’s uncomfortable…but.”

Just when the middle-aged man was about to get excited, he took the initiative to smooth it over.

At this age, Zhang Yimou has already mastered the art of controlling his temper.

"You have to compromise, even if you don't understand, disagree, or are even dissatisfied... but there is no way. Anyone sitting in this position must learn to compromise and learn to survive in the cracks. No compromise, no way."

"Um……"

Xu Xin was thoughtful, but did not agree or deny.

Just asked:

"So what do you mean?"

"As a director, you can't do it without a good script."

The other party answered the question incorrectly:

"As for good scripts, in addition to the literary works that you can come into contact with yourself, in fact, most of the scripts are submitted to several film studios. And a film also has its own process from editing to distribution after the filming is completed. A set of processes. The simplest example... Even if a screenwriter wants to find you, but he has no connections and no connections, where can he find you? And if I don't care about the movie you made this time, can you find him first? Tao doesn’t mention it, but this process alone will delay you at least ten days to a month in negotiating cooperation, fees, and other trivial matters. What will be wasted is your own time."

"Uh-huh……"

"So, this time, I want you to hand over the distribution work to the company under Xiying Studio. And, I will push forward later and let you... sign a several-year contract with them."

After hearing Director Zhang's answer, Xu Xin said directly without thinking:

"You mean to let me get close to the big tree called Xiying?"

"right."

Seeing that Xu Xin had no resistance and was just humble, the middle-aged man smiled and nodded:

"But there is something wrong with what you said..."

"What?"

"Xiying is not a big tree, but an old tree that is declining. Although Lian Po is old and a dying camel is bigger than a horse... But after all, after our so-called fifth generation craze gradually faded away, our country once The premier Western Film Studio has actually entered decline.”

"Well……"

Xu Xingang wanted to ask why he wanted to go...but he immediately realized a possibility.

My eyes widened in surprise...

"You mean...let me..."

"Haha~"

The scheming middle-aged man smiled:

"How about it? Are you interested in giving it a try and seeing if you can carry the banner of the Northwest Circle?"

"..."