The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 494: War movies are difficult to make

After Lee Sheng-yew went south to Ningbo, the crew of "1937" was busy preparing at Xiangshan Film and Television City.

After being busy for a few days, Director Li left Ningbo and headed to Shanghai. Then he met up with Zhang Ziyi and Duan Yihong to attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Film Festival.

The Shanghai Film Festival has less strict requirements for participating films and does not need to premiere at the film festival.

"Sicario" has signed up for a total of seven awards, namely Best Cinematography, Best Score, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Film.

Li Shengyao feels that the best cinematography, editing, and soundtrack are all promising. As for other awards, the focus should be on participation.

It's no surprise that this guy, Pei Bingbing, is back on the red carpet again, and he's still acting like a pretty girl.

Li Shengyao was speechless.

After the opening ceremony, the organizer had a small cocktail party.

Li Shengyao, Zhang Ziyi and Duan Yihong attended together. The three of them sat together for a while and then dispersed.

Li Shengyao picked up a piece of watermelon on the table and was about to eat it when Feng Xiaogang came over with a wine glass.

Xiaogangpao's skin color is getting whiter and whiter, not only his face, but also his hands and neck are frighteningly white.

But he looked very good, his face was full of joy, and he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

"Sugar Mountain Earthquake" is about to be released, and it is very popular now. Feng Xiaogang feels that this movie will have good results.

He approached Lee Sing-yew just to fawn over him, hoping that Fenghua Cinemas would arrange more films by then.

The little steel cannon is still very good at talking.

Li Shengyao got along quite well with him. He was not polite about Xiaogangpao's request and waved his hand, "No problem, the film schedule is guaranteed."

In fact, "Sugar Mountain Earthquake" has a box office of more than 6 million, creating a movie-watching craze, and theater chains are eager to schedule more movies.

Xiaogangpao didn't know, but when he heard Li Shengyao's words, he raised his glass gratefully, "Director Li, my whole heart is here."

Li Shengyao smiled and continued to eat watermelon.

Xiaogangpao drank it all in one gulp, took a sip, and then said: "Director Li, I heard that you are looking for thousands of extras for your new movie this time?"

There is no airtight wall in the world, let alone the entertainment industry.

Li Shengyao nodded, "More than 4000 people."

Hearing this, Xiaogang Pao gave a thumbs up and said, "Director Li, you are awesome, you are going to make a big scene this time."

"Yes, it's going to be a big scene."

Xiaogangpao thought for a moment, then said: "Director Li, when I was filming "Assembly", the maximum number of extras was seven to eight hundred. At that time, we were all one person and two people tall. There were so many people, so we had to shoot well. , it’s really difficult.”

"It's not that I don't believe in your ability. It's really too difficult. Hundreds of people are more difficult to manage than hundreds of ducks. I also have a few assistant directors here. If you need them, I can lend them to you. you."

Hearing this, Li Shengyao raised his cup and touched the cannon, "Okay, I remember. If I am short of manpower, I will call you."

"No problem, I'll be here when you call me."

Xiaogangpao is a bit of a charlatan. Although he is ugly, he can be a friend.

Feng Xiaogang left soon after, and Li Shengyao was eating watermelon and apples while dealing with the celebrity artists who came over to say hello.

At this moment, Lao Mouzi came over with a smile on his face, "Director Li, you are very leisurely."

Lao Mouzi was wearing a Chinese tunic suit, casual pants, and sneakers, and his clothes were very simple.

His "Hawthorn Tree Love" is currently being filmed. He feels very good and is satisfied with the filming. He is now in a happy mood.

For this romantic literary film that reflects a special period, he felt very comfortable shooting it, as if he had found the feeling of making literary films in his early years.

He believes that the bad impact caused by "Legend of Three Guns" will soon disappear, and he can use his strength to prove that he is still the best director in the country. "It's okay, you're in a good mood."

"Director Li, my movie is going very smoothly, and I'm in a good mood."

He paused and then said: "I sometimes think about the next movie. I think I should challenge a war movie."

Lao Zhang is straight-tempered, and he directly said what he meant.

He is indeed a person who likes challenges.

Just like before "Hero", he was shooting literary films, and then he made costume blockbusters, and later he also made comedy movies like "The Legend of Three Guns".

Lao Mouzi is an ambitious person who is willing to step out of his comfort zone.

Li Shengyao naturally knows what movie Lao Mouzi will make next, isn't it "The Thirteen Hairpins of Jinling"?

Ni Ni looks really good when she twists.

Although this movie has a mediocre reputation in China, Lee Sheng Yew really likes it.

"Okay, that's an interesting idea."

Zhang Yimou smiled and said, "I heard that you are going to have a big scene now, which requires thousands of extras, thousands of costumes, and a hundred acres of land to be cleared. Does the scene have to be this big?"

Li Shengyao glanced at Zhang Yi, and then said: "It's not that I want to make it so big, it's set by the plot. I'm not doing it to show off the big scene, it's just what the plot needs."

Zhang Yimou nodded, "I discussed with Zhang Weiping, and he said that he would invite thousands of people. I really can't imagine how to manage so many people?"

When Zhang Yimou was filming Heroes, there were also many extras.

However, this movie has the support from above. The extra actors are all real soldiers. They have strong discipline and do not need Zhang Yimou to work too much.

But in "City of Golden Armor", the soldiers in the movie were ordinary extras. This time the entire director team was very tired.

It’s really difficult to direct hundreds of group actors to shoot.

Li Shengyao smiled and said, "The boat will straighten out naturally when it reaches the bridge. Take your time."

"When I finish "The Hawthorn Tree", I will visit the "1937" team and learn from you. Don't refuse me."

"Certainly not."

Zhang Yimou chatted for a while and then left.

Li Shengyao was still the same as before, eating some fruit and then dealing with the people who came to say hello.

Just as he was looking around, he met a pair of tired little eyes, which came from Chief Jia.

Chief Jia has returned from Cannes. He is currently preparing for the promotion of "Legend of the Sea". He is quite busy and looks tired.

Li Shengyao raised his head as a greeting.

Chief Jia was stunned for a moment, and then came to Li Shengyao with a wine glass.

"Director Li, is your new movie going to hit Cannes next year?"

"Well, I don't mean to win the Palme d'Or. Other awards are also acceptable."

In Lee Sheng-yew's previous life, "1917" won a lot of Oscars, Golden Globes, and British Academy Awards.

Director Li believes that if he shoots well, even if he doesn't win the Palme d'Or, there should be no problem with minor awards.

Chief Jia lowered his head and shook his head imperceptibly. He did not believe that Li Shengyao would be able to perform well in Cannes next year, but he was not a fool, so naturally he would not say it directly, "Director Li, I wish you good luck."

(End of this chapter)