I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 309 307 gives you the best (at the beginning of the month, please vote for me!)

Chapter 309 307. Give you the best (at the beginning of the month, please vote for me!)

Perhaps Xu Xin's expression was too speechless and strange, so Zhang Yimou simply asked directly:

"What do you think of the script for "Three Guns"?"

"..."

Xu Xin thought for a while and said tentatively:

"Alright... okay?"

This time it was Zhang Yimou's turn to be speechless.

He asked again:

"What do you think of Shen Xiaoyang's performance?"

"Also... okay?"

Zhang Yimou immediately showed a speechless expression on his face, tilted his head and looked at Xu Xin:

"Why haven't we seen each other for a few months? You are not good at other things, but your ability to talk nonsense with your eyes open is much better."

Who knew that it would be a good thing if he didn’t mention it, but when he mentioned it, Xu Xin was even more speechless:

"You all know that the script is bad and the actors are bad, but you still come to ask me?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the script of "Three Guns" in his hand:

"Do you know how I felt after reading this script this afternoon? Because it was your script, I thought... maybe I didn't understand it very well, so I read it again..."

"What does it feel like now?"

"It felt like I was reminded of Guo Degang's cross talk. Hou Zhen used firecrackers to blow up the toilet. When the cannon exploded, there was a shrimp in his mouth..."

"..."

Zhang Yimou silently lowered his head and glanced at his beef rice.

Put down the spoon.

This meal...

It’s almost too much to eat.

This metaphor is too disgusting.

But this time he did not refute, but said:

"Actually... after this script settled on the absurd comedy style, I knew it was going to be bad after two takes."

"Then you still shoot?"

Looking at Xu Xin who looked puzzled, Zhang Yimou didn't have any special expression on his face.

It's not even an exaggeration to say calm.

"Otherwise, what should we do? People eat horse chews, how can tens of millions be spent on it? Money is not wasted like this."

"...?"

At this time, Xu Xin was really confused.

"Didn't you say that there wasn't much investment in this movie? It's only 20 to 30 million... Even if 20 to 30 million is lost, if we change the team and work on the story, we can make up for it from the box office, right? But if we continue to play like this..."

"That's the truth, but now it has cost more than 70 million... It's not much to say, but I don't want to do it."

"...????"

Looking at Xu Xin's confused look, Zhang Yimou began to explain what this film was about.

In fact, the investment in "Three Guns" has been revealed by Zhang Weiping in an interview.

Eighty million.

But in fact, this film can be used for 80 million?

Don't be ridiculous.

This film can't even be used for 30 million.

Because Zhang Weiping secretly changed the concept of investment here.

The total budget of 80 million is indeed real and not fake.

But not all of them are used in movies.

First of all, the copyright fees for "Blood Maze" alone cost a lot of money!

Forty-five million.

People in Hollywood...have such dark hearts.

For a work that only cost 800,000 US dollars, the copyright cost 45 million.

Everyone in Xu Xin was stunned.

After deducting the 45 million, the remaining 35 million for the movie includes about 10 million in promotional expenses.

Then, for the remaining 25 million, I was willing to use Wang Xiaohua as the boss lady. The agreed-upon salary, including the money for Zhao Benshan's cameo, and the total salary of Sun Honglei, Ni Dahong and others, was about 11 million.

The remaining money is production costs.

This is the composition of these 80 million.

After hearing Zhang Yimou's explanation, Xu Xin asked dumbfounded:

"So...even if all the people are replaced, it will only be an extra ten or twenty million in expenses?"

"Um."

"Then why don't you change it? If you don't change it... what about... Shen Xiaoyang? This film is really dead. What's more, the biggest flaw of this film is the script. The emotion of this plot is... weak. What do you want to say? It might be okay to change it to the original serious thriller theme. But if it continues like this, with such a bunch of unreliable actors, will this movie still be good?"

Xu Xin really didn't know what to say.

"There is no need for you to ruin your reputation because of this little money... Isn't it okay if I take out this money? I am investing an additional 50 million. You can do whatever you want... I won't invest, I will lend it to you to shoot the business No? Let’s do something about it. This... what is this now! "

He was really anxious.

However, seeing his eager look, Zhang Yimou was happy.

Smiling quite happily:

"Okay, I know you are rich. But didn't I tell you just now, I don't want to do this. If I really want to change, I would have done it a long time ago. Why bother even if I've been filming here for a month, I didn't say anything about changing. matter?"

"Why?... After the Olympics, everyone is waiting for your movie under the spotlight. Is this the first movie you plan to make when you "come back"?"

"2:00."

Zhang Yimou raised two fingers:

"There are two reasons why I did this. On the one hand, I liked this serious thriller movie with black humor when it was released. So now that it can be made, I simply give it a try. Just think It's self-willed, after all, I have made so many movies, but I have never dabbled in this kind of subject matter, so I gave it a try. But this is not the main reason, but more like a compromise under no choice."

"...What about the second reason?"

Hearing Xu Xin's question, Zhang Yimou paused.

He seemed to be hesitating whether to talk to Xu Xin or not.

But he didn’t hesitate for long and said directly:

"He stretched his hand too far. I want to give him a warning...or a lesson."

"..."

? ? ? ? ?

Seeing Xu Xin's absurd expression as he didn't know what to say at all, Zhang Yimou actually relaxed in his sitting posture.

Pointing to the door:

"No one, including Momo, has said this to me. Only you know."

"You're talking about...Zhang Weiping?"

"Um."

Zhang Yimou's eyes fell on the script of "Jinling Thirteen Panties" in front of Xu Xin.

"Actually, I originally wanted to film it. This script... has been revised at least forty times so far? Almost. As for preparations... In fact, preparations have already started before the Olympics."

"Then why..."

"Because its script hasn't reached a level that I'm satisfied with yet."

Seeing Xu Xin take out the cigarette case, Zhang Yimou also helped him get an ashtray from under the coffee table.

Not everyone can smoke in front of him.

Especially in your own house.

Not everyone can ask him to pass over an ashtray and pour some tea from his cup when he is smoking.

Pushing the ashtray to Xu Xin, he continued:

"Just like you polished "The Wind", a script needs a lot of patience to polish from the initial stage to the final perfection. I still have patience, and a lot of it. But his patience is gone."

"..."

Xu Xin lit a cigarette and continued to listen.

This was not the time for him to ask questions.

"Yimou, we have to make a movie quickly. Everyone is waiting to see you."

"For one plot, let's do "Blood Maze". The script of "Jinling" is not yet mature."

"You don't know how much things have been delayed by the Olympics. In the past few years, people in the company have been chewing the cake, and they have been investing in vain."

"If you look at the current market for commercial films, the prospects are very bright."

"You definitely won't be able to move to "Jinling" this year. It's too late at this time. If you miss this year, it won't be interesting, don't you think?"

"Let's just take "Blood Labyrinth". Except for the copyright fee, this film is quite cheap. It has few scenes and can be released quickly. It can be released in a few months."

"Yimou, look at this Shen Xiaoyang, how popular he is? He is no worse than Jay Chou back then."

"I asked Zhao Benshan. Zhao Benshan means that he has many apprentices. You can go and see them all. It's not expensive to package them together."

"We still have to make money..."

One sentence after another came out of Zhang Yimou's mouth.

But Xu Xin knew that this was not what Director Zhang said.

It was Zhang Weiping who told him.

And, through these words, Xu Xin understood what Zhang Weiping meant.

Let’s make a small-budget movie that’s quick in and out first, and then we’ll make some money.

In addition to the high copyright fee, "Three Guns" is really not a big production in terms of production costs.

But the problem is...the copyright fee is not money?

Don’t you understand such a simple truth?

However...if you really want to put aside the copyright, the production fee of tens of millions can be regarded as "little".

Besides, regardless of Shen Xiaoyang's acting skills, the fire... is really hot.

Although he doesn't know how much the other party's performance fee is, nor does he know the Zhao family class's sharing structure. But with this kind of popularity that spread all over the world overnight, it is equivalent to sitting on a pile of money.

but……

"So, there is a problem with the script now, and there is a problem with the actors, right? You didn't object?"

"Of course I objected. Do you know what the problem with this script is now?"

After hearing this, Xu Xin thought for a while and said:

"Although I haven't watched the original version of "Blood Maze". But I think...it must be acclimatization, right?"

Zhang Yimou nodded in agreement:

"That's right, it's just that it's not localized enough. The original version was copied and changed, which is a bit specious."

"You didn't say that?"

"I told him. I told him that the script needs to be polished carefully when he comes back."

Obviously, Zhang Weiping didn't listen.

"But this actor... and the subject matter..."

"The subject matter, I originally decided on a serious thriller style. But... he must have tasted the sweetness in "The Golden Armor", and fell in love with this method of hiring whoever is popular, which can save a lot of publicity expenses. Repeatedly and I'm discussing with Shen Xiaoyang."

"I asked Shen Xiaoyang to change it, so you changed it to an absurd comedy?"

"right."

Zhang Yimou responded and spread his hands:

"But now it's obvious that absurdist comedy and dark humor are not compatible."

"..."

Xu Xin stopped talking now.

It’s not that I have nothing to say, but I’m thinking.

Thinking, thinking, he whispered:

"Now what?"

"That's it."

Looking at Xu Xin's worried eyes, Zhang Yimou felt quite relaxed:

"I was preparing the script for "The Thirteen Beauties of Jinling". He told me that we should make a small production first to replenish our blood. In fact, in the past few years, I have been delayed a lot for the Olympics, so I agreed. But we At least before "House of Flying Daggers", I had the final say in movies.

Even though everyone says "Hero" was the starting point for me to start compromising like a commercial film...

This is true.

People all have a competitive spirit.

Before "Hero", I had never made a movie that was particularly successful at the box office. The appearance of "Hero" proved that I have the ability to make commercial films, but it also gave him an ambition that he shouldn't have. That’s because I feel like I can dictate my movies.

Therefore, "House of Flying Daggers" has Kim Sung-wu, and "Golden Armor" has Jay Chou. When Ken Takakura and I were filming "Riding Alone, Thousands of Miles Away", he felt that I was wasting my time. He also felt that I was wasting time by doing the Olympics.

Sometimes I even thought he had forgotten why we founded New Picture Company in the first place. Isn’t it just to find a balance between business and art, to blur the boundaries, and to shoot something that can be recognized by art from a commercial perspective? And can it be a work that is commercially favored from an artistic point of view?

But now, his hand is stretching longer and longer, and it has even begun to disturb my creative thinking. And now this "Three Guns" is what I want to say to him. Maybe I don’t understand film and television investment, maybe I don’t understand business operations. But by the same token, you don’t know how to make a movie, and you don’t know how to tell a good story. Such is the fate of laymen leading experts. "

Zhang Yimou spoke very calmly.

But Xu Xin frowned more and more, and even tried to interrupt him several times.

Finally, after he finished speaking, Xu Xin asked doubtfully:

"In that case... I don't want to stay here, can't we just leave? Forget it if it's another director. As long as you say you want to make a movie, the group of investors are not allowed to kneel outside the door, just for you to watch One glance? Now that it’s like this, let’s go. There are many capable investors outside..."

"You don't understand, right? Why would I choose to warn him in this way?"

"Well, I don't understand."

Looking at Xu Xin's doubtful eyes.

Zhang Yimou smiled and shook his head:

"Because we are friends."

"..."

"Would you have such a big stress reaction just because your friend made a little overstep?"

In Xu Xin's silence, Zhang Yimou asked a question.

"We have known each other since 1995. If it hadn't been for him in 1995, "Let's Talk" wouldn't have been released. And after so many years of ups and downs, the friendship between friends will not be lost because he now wants to make money from movies. Collapse. And if I really leave, then it will be my fault. It is my inability to tolerate others and my lack of tolerance and understanding for my friends. So..."

He waved his hand:

"That being said, there are indeed a lot of investors outside. But how many true friends do you think I can keep around me at my age?"

"..."

Xu Xin was stunned.

Then he smiled bitterly:

"So that's it..."

"How many more decades can life last? Right? So... I told him through the movie: I told you the script, it is immature. I also told you the actor, no. But you are my friend, you If you persist in this, then I will accompany you even if you know there is a pitfall. And what I can do is just like what we said when the first-instance plan for the Olympic Games was rejected. The rules..."

He drew a box with two hand strokes:

"It's a done deal here. I can only do my best to make this movie a success within the framework of this rule. You appointed the person, and you decided to shoot the script directly. After it is released, you can make money. Take it happily..."

"Then your reputation and the audience's expectations..."

"..."

This time, it was Zhang Yimou's turn to remain silent.

After a moment of silence, he shook his head:

"I can only do my best. As for what the final film will look like... I don't know. Just treat it as an old bar in a new bottle. At least the framework of "Blood Maze" is still there, and there won't be any big flaws. Tell the story clearly. , that’s what I need to do now.”

Xu Xin felt uncomfortable hearing this.

truth.

Very uncomfortable.

However, he understood that Director Zhang had made up his mind.

This is not a compromise.

Instead, it's more like giving in.

The choice to give in to a cherished friendship.

Although this is a bit stupid from an objective point of view and a business point of view.

But if Zhang Weiping can understand this truth, then it will be worthwhile for Director Zhang.

You see, sometimes that's the virtue in something.

Money is not the only criterion for measuring a particular thing.

When it comes to friendship, the old man in front of me chooses to sacrifice his reputation just to give his friends a warning.

But……

"What about the heroine? This is the top priority now, right?... I don't think I've seen her all day long. The scenes you picked are all about other characters..."

"I'll give her another chance, tomorrow."

Zhang Yimou shook his head slightly:

"If it doesn't work, then it will have to be replaced."

"...How about I go talk to Teacher Motoyama?"

Looking at his troubled look, Xu Xin said:

"We should be relatively easy to talk to. At the worst... I'll take the blame for you, just like before. I'll give the Zhao family some resources for the movie I'm going to make next. Let Shen Xiaoyang be trained by me. You can become a talented person."

Hearing this, Zhang Yimou rolled his eyes directly:

"What are you trying to do? What if he doesn't agree?"

"Then suppress them. Such a simple answer~"

Xu Xin was happy.

"Without an imperial edict, the Five Immortals from Northeast China are not allowed to enter the customs. I can't control Zhao Benshan. A few actors... should still be able to control it with their hands. If nothing else is mentioned, a Wanda Cinema Line's film schedule is equivalent to that of a Western Film Studio, which is enough. Are you going to die from the Zhao family?"

Zhang Yimou was stunned...

Looking at the little tiger in front of me who suddenly started baring his teeth and becoming murderous...

Suddenly a smile appeared on his face.

But after a fleeting moment, it was replaced by a look of helplessness:

"What's the matter with you? I assigned you to Xiying Film Studio to carry the flag. In the future, when we people get old, you have to stand up. Who asked you to use chicken feathers as arrows now?... This is not the same as It has nothing to do with Zhao Benshan, and it has nothing to do with this group of actors. This is a matter of money..."

"About money?"

Xu Xin suddenly became even happier:

"Then I will donate 10 million yuan as a friendly donation. Can we quickly replace the boss lady? It's not annoying enough..."

"You have more money!"

The old man's face was full of joy, but he was also a little speechless.

She glared at him angrily and said:

"Okay, let's take the script of "Jinling" and read it. Stop making unnecessary twists and turns here! What's the point of causing trouble?"

"No, is it okay if I pay to invite Yan Ni to come over? I know her well, she is the shopkeeper of my wife's family... Isn't it okay if I pay to invite her to come over to make you happy?"

"Get out of here, do I need you to make me happy?"

The old man kicked him out of the house, laughing and scolding him.

In the end, not inviting Yan Ni turned out to be an unjust case.

As soon as he left the house, he met Zhang Mo holding a notebook.

"Uh...Hello, Sister Mo."

Xu Xin smiled and said hello.

Zhang Mo also nodded slightly:

"Are you done talking?"

"There's nothing to talk about. Oh, yes, there's a beef rice dish brought for you on the table. It tastes pretty good."

Xu Xin smiled and pointed inside the room:

"I'm going back to rest."

"Okay, good night."

Zhang Mo waved goodbye to Xu Xin politely, and then walked into the house.

She didn't know what her father and Xu Xin talked about.

But after entering the door, I saw my father scooping up beef noodles and eating them.

To be honest, she was quite surprised.

Because the filming was not going well, my father was very angry during this period. Sometimes he would not even eat dinner, and he suffered from stomach problems several times.

But tonight I not only had a box lunch, but now I also had a midnight snack.

Even the brows that were often frowned smoothed down.

You can tell by looking at it that you are in a good mood...

For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

"Here, have a taste, it's still hot."

Zhang Yimou pointed to the unopened noodle bowl without the plastic bag.

Zhang Mo was stunned and asked:

"Where did this bowl come from?"

"From the hotel."

"Uh...do I still have to send it over?"

"No, Xiao Xu bought it directly."

Zhang Yimou shook his head:

"Keep it, you can use it later to make instant noodles or something. Don't throw it away~"

Hearing this, Zhang Mo sat down, opened the plastic bag in the porcelain bowl, stirred it with a spoon, and smelled the aroma of beef...

Although she was still managing her figure, she still drank the soup in small sips.

Then he pushed the notebook to his father:

"Dad, take a look."

"Um……"

While talking, Zhang Yimou had almost eaten.

Just pick up the notepad and start reading.

It turned out that the first project was arranged incorrectly.

"1. Check the equipment first."

This is the job of various departments. What do you, an assistant director, do with such a long hand?

And then look down:

"2. Tell the actors about the shooting content of the day."

This should be placed after "confronting the shooting process with the director first".

Then the third, fourth, fifth...

Some are right, some are wrong.

But after Zhang Yimou finished reading, he didn't say anything. Instead, he closed the notebook and said:

"After shooting "Three Guns" and in the process of preparing "Jinling", if there is any movie or TV series released by Xiao Xu, you can come over. I have already finished talking to him."

"Well……"

Zhang Mo was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and asked:

"He agreed?"

"Um."

After hearing his father's words, Zhang Mo nodded:

"Okay, I know."

"You have just come back from abroad. You haven't figured out many things in China yet. You need to accumulate more experience... Don't look at his youth. He has a pretty decent way of filming, and he is very talented. His habit is to combine all the story lines of a script, I polished the shots in my mind, drew them, and then shot them step by step.

This is also the reason why when you watch his movies, you will feel that they are particularly special in terms of camera movements, camera sense, and the sense of immersion and coherence. You can try to learn his method. Once you learn it, understand it, and get used to it, this method will allow you to maintain your own style from the time you are a new director to a mature director. "

"..."

Zhang Mo was a little surprised:

"Did he do it all by himself?"

"right."

Zhang Yimou nodded:

"Tomorrow, you can ask him for the storyboards of "The Wind" and "The Secret", and you will know. He is not an outsider. You two should get closer and closer."

"Um……"

Zhang Mo responded again, but at this moment, Zhang Yimou suddenly sighed:

"well……"

"What's wrong?"

Zhang Mo was a little confused.

I saw my father wiped his mouth and whispered:

"You know the first time I met him in 2006... At that time, I felt that this young man dared to express his ideas about the Olympics in front of us old guys. He was a particularly good kid... It's a pity, if you hadn't married that bastard... I really wanted to bring you two together."

"..."

Zhang Mo was stunned...

The smile was a little forced:

"Looking at what you said, wasn't I already married at that time?"

"I don't blame you."

Zhang Yimou obviously knew about his daughter's failed transnational marriage and tried his best not to touch her scars.

"That's what I meant...I was thinking at that time, if you two could be together, I would be really happy. This kid...from the day he joined the director team, I knew that he would definitely not be a mortal in the future... "

"..."

Zhang Mo didn't know what to say for a moment.

"And later in "Golden Armor", I knew that when he and Mimi were in love, I tried my best to tell him how to maintain a long-term relationship. But actually in my heart, I also thought about it. What if Mimi and him After we break up, I will introduce you to him..."

"At that time... I wasn't divorced yet, right?"

Zhang Mo couldn't help but feel a little ridiculous.

But Zhang Yimou shook his head:

"I told you a long time ago that the domestic violence man is unreliable..."

"Then I can't cheat."

"So... you two just missed it. As a result, you got divorced last year... I actually thought about it, if he and Mimi break up, I would still introduce you to him. Your conditions are not bad, and you are beautiful. He has a good personality..."

Clearly, on some levels, parents share a common perspective on their children.

When he heard this, Zhang Mo was happy:

"As a result, I got divorced and I got married. Now the child is about to be born...isn't it even more impossible?"

"..."

Looking at her father who was silent, she smiled even more happily:

"What is this called? This is called having no fate and no destiny."

"well……"

She responded with a long sigh from Zhang Yimou.

yes.

No destiny and no part.

Really...

Pity.