Started as an independent producer in 1988

Chapter 149 Cherish each other!

In the busy office, Chen Shiping sat on a chair and looked at the list of actors in his hand, lost in thought.

Xia Gang couldn't help but said: "Director Chen, can you watch these actors?"

On the list that Xia Gang handed over were actors for several roles played by Party A and Party B.

He planned to find Liang Tian to play the role of Liang Zi. Liang Tian did have a sense of joy, but Chen Shiping still felt that it was not suitable.

He looked at Xia Gang and asked, "Didn't you say you were looking for a southern actor?"

"My ancestral home is Jiangsu." Xia Gang coughed slightly and said, "He speaks Mandarin very well and can also bring out the flavor of the southern dialect."

Chen Shiping was helpless. He was originally from Jiangsu, but if his lines were okay, he could indeed choose Liang Tian, ​​which was very suitable.

But for the role of Qian Kang, Chen Shiping never expected that Xia Gang would cast Zhang Guoli.

Chen Shiping looked at the name Zhang Guoli and pondered for a long time and said, "That's okay. He, Ge You and Liang Tian are also old partners."

The stubborn protagonist is played by this brother. It is very similar to the movie Party A and Party B. To be precise, it is Wang Shuo's style.

It's just that Chen Shiping changed Party A and Party B again, which is quite different from the stubborn master's style.

In Beijing dialect, this movie is too poor, and the movie was finished with laughter and curses.

After hearing Chen Shiping's words, Xia Gang breathed a sigh of relief and felt that Chen Shiping had given him some face. Neither role offer was rejected.

After these two roles were settled, only the final heroine Zhou Beiyan was left. Xia Gang asked with a smile: "What about the role of Zhou Beiyan? I think Zhang Min is quite suitable. He has a great appearance and has appeared in several comedies in Hong Kong. There are all heroines in the movie, and the screen image is very suitable for the role of Zhou Beiyan."

Zhang Min is indeed suitable, but she seems to be an artist of Yongsheng. Yongsheng has a dirty background, and Chen Shiping has no intention of touching her.

After Chen Shiping thought about it for a while, he said: "Besides Zhang Min, do you have any other favorite actors?"

"Isn't Zhang Min suitable?" Xia Gang couldn't help but smile bitterly. Chen Shiping had rejected so many famous actors in Hong Kong before, so where could he find suitable actors?

Chen Shiping sighed and said: "She is an artist from Yongsheng. That company has a dirty background. Let's choose someone else."

Xia Gang said helplessly: "The actor has nothing to do with that, I really think it's quite suitable."

Seeing Xia Gang's insistence, Chen Shiping thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll call and ask."

Xia Gang is right. Actors belong to actors and companies. Film companies in Hong Kong have dirty backgrounds, especially actors and directors. They cannot all be beaten to death with one blow.

Then Chen Shiping called Shi Nansheng in Xiangjiang and asked her to invite Zhang Min to come over. If Zhang Min didn't come, let Shi Nansheng choose an actor himself.

Chen Shiping is really fed up with the casting, he loves so and so! Anyway, it was just to give face to the co-production, otherwise he would not have chosen actors from Xiangjiang.

At worst, if you put more effort into promotion, I don't believe it won't do well at the box office!

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shiping looked at Xia Gang and said, "Do you want me to call the remaining actors for you?"

Xia Gang immediately said with a smile: "No need, I can do it myself!"

"Thank you." Chen Shiping smiled helplessly, and then discussed the specific shooting with Xia Gang.

Chen Shiping didn't give Xia Gang much time, only two months. Filming would start in July, filming would be completed at the end of September, post-production would be in October, and promotions would begin in November. The time was not too tight.

After chatting with Xia Gang for a while, Chen Shiping asked him to go to various departments in the factory to set up the crew.

After Xia Gang left, Chen Shiping started to be busy with other things. The co-production department was not very busy, but the distribution department was very busy.

The factory has a lot of movies this year. Not counting the co-productions, there are eleven movies produced by the factory alone.

However, there are a few movies that have been released, and there are still a few that have not been released yet.

The comedy film Comedy Star, the martial arts film Zhong Ming Han Shan Temple, the action film The Monk in the City, the drama film The Single Woman, Don't Ask Where I'm From, and the historical drama film The Great Eunuch Li Lianying.

A total of six movies were distributed, and the overall workload was not something that the newly established distribution department could handle.

Some films are better distributed by China Film Group Corporation, such as The Single Woman, Don't Ask Me Where I'm From, and The Urban Monk.

Chen Shiping has watched these movies and feels that they will not have a high market, so it would be more appropriate to hand them over to China Film Group, which has stronger distribution capabilities.

Chen Shiping asked the distribution department to handle the remaining few films. Chen Shiping gave the distribution department a distribution plan for them to use as a reference, which was basically some of the later distribution methods.

Publicity plans for print media, offline early screenings, road shows, celebrity promotions, etc. Of course, the most important thing is to have a good relationship with the original. This can only be done by letting the boys in the distribution department go to the theater manager. Went drinking.

Originally, it was all about giving face. After all, Chen Shiping had made a lot of efforts in film reform, and everyone was willing to give Chen Shiping face.

After arranging the work of the distribution department, Chen Shiping really felt too tired. He had to do so much work in both departments himself, and he was also busy filming. It was difficult even if he was full of energy. The key was not enough time.

It seems that he needs to find a few more tool people to work for him as soon as possible. After Cheng Kaige's failure in Cannes, I don't know if he can learn to be good. If he is willing to bow his head, he will be a very good tool person.

Although Cheng Kaige is too unstable, Zhang Yimo is more suitable. It's just that Zhang Yimo has stayed well in Xiying Studio and will not change jobs easily. He probably won't leave Xiying Studio until after the 95th Five-Year Plan.

Chen Shiping thought for a while, but he didn't expect a more suitable tool. Almost all the better directors were at Xiying Film Studio, while Beijing Film Studio really had a shortage of talent in this regard.

Even Tian Bangchang went to Xiying Film Studio to find investment. Because Beijing Film Studio would not invest in his script, he had no choice but to go to Xiying Film Studio.

When I become the director of a factory, I can't make movies myself. I won't have the time. I need to find a group of capable directors for the factory as soon as possible.

After Chen Shiping thought for a while, he went to the theater troupe to see the progress of Zhang Guorong and the others.

Farewell My Concubine was really troublesome to shoot. Not to mention the time span of the movie, the seasonal changes meant that it would take a long time to shoot.

From summer to winter, Chen Shiping doesn't have to worry.

In the practice room, Chen Shiping looked at Zhang Guorong, who was practicing body skills with his orchid fingers raised, and felt strange.

Zhang Guorong's beard is too thick. It's strange to see a man with a stubble on his face walking on tiptoes, holding an orchid and singing Yu Ji's lyrics.

Chen Shiping lost his sight after watching it for a while. Before he started filming, he had to take Leslie Cheung to pluck out all his beard and do some hair removal!

The masculine characteristics are too obvious, how can I play the role of Cheng Dieyi who is so elegant and elegant?

When Chen Shiping was about to leave after watching for a while, Gong Li suddenly came over, sat next to Chen Shiping and said, "Do you have time to chat?"

"Why are you here?" Chen Shiping asked curiously, "Why are you here looking for me when you're not at home reading?"

Gong Li smiled and said, "I want to ask you, do you have any plans to adapt the love letter you wrote?"

Chen Shiping: "." Could it be that Zhang Yimo has taken a fancy to it? This seems to be an opportunity.

"Are you asking for your boyfriend?" Chen Shiping asked with a smile: "Didn't he adapt the film "A Place with Chicken Feathers" in Chongqing?" Gong Li smiled bitterly and said, "He said he had no inspiration and gave up on the adaptation of "A Place with Chicken Feathers."

"No, he led the team to inspect Chongqing for a few months and then gave up?" Chen Shiping also admired Zhang Yimo very much. After spending so much money, he finally clapped his hands and said something without inspiration.

But if you don't have this energy, you won't be able to become a great director. You have to catch such talents and work for yourself!

Facing Chen Shiping's doubts, Gong Li could only smile. She was also helpless. Who would have thought that Zhang Yimo would have no inspiration at the end.

The adaptation of Chicken Feathers in a Land finally became Chicken Feathers in a Land.

At this point, she feels that Chen Shiping is much better. If you want to make a movie, the first step is to write the script, and then start preparations for filming.

This is a very typical producer's thinking, not a director's thinking.

Gong Li felt that Zhang Yimo might need a very powerful producer to help him. It would be great if Chen Shiping could work with Zhang Yimo!

So after Zhang Yimo gave up on the adaptation of Chicken Feathers and saw the love letter written by Chen Shiping, Gong Li took the initiative to come over and speak for him.

"Do you have any plans to adapt it?" Gong Li asked again.

Chen Shiping shook his head and said: "He is not suitable. His current focus is on cultural roots. The film has a heavy emphasis on national plots and feudal reflections."

If it were Zhang Yimou ten years later, Chen Shiping would think there is no problem with this, but everyone has their own growth trajectory, and Zhang Yimou now cannot make a movie like Love Letter.

Hearing Chen Shiping's words, Gong Li didn't know how to reply, but she couldn't help but fight for her boyfriend: "Write the script entirely to you?"

"It's really inappropriate." Chen Shiping thought for a moment and said to Gong Li: "You can ask him to read a novel called Wanjia Litigation. I think it is very suitable for him."

"Wanjia lawsuit?"

Gong Li didn't expect that Chen Shiping would recommend another novel, so she hesitated and said, "Are you sure it's suitable for him?"

Chen Shiping smiled and nodded: "Very suitable!"

"Then can you be his producer?" Gong Li asked again.

"Are you kidding me?" Chen Shiping paused deliberately before saying, "He is not from Beijing Film Studio."

"This is just a matter of family opinion. Gu Changwei and Zhao Fei are still from Xiying." Gong Li looked at Chen Shiping unconvinced.

Chen Shiping said with a smile: "I am the deputy director of Beijing Film Studio, so I must have a certain perspective."

Hearing Chen Shiping's words, Gong Li lowered her head in disappointment and wanted to help her boyfriend once.

Ever since she followed Cheng Kaige to Cannes and saw him sink and fail again, Gong Li had been worried that Zhang Yimo would follow in Cheng Kaige's footsteps.

Especially after the chicken feathers all over the floor this time, her worry became even more intense.

Gong Li really felt that Zhang Yimo needed a very powerful producer to help him, and the most powerful producer in China was Chen Shiping.

"Is there no hope at all?" Gong Li couldn't help but ask.

Chen Shiping shrugged and said, "I don't care, but will Zhang Yimo be willing?"

A glimmer of hope ignited in Gong Li's eyes, and she immediately said: "Then I'll go back and talk to him. It would be great if you could help him!"

After saying this, Gong Li immediately said to Chen Shiping: "Can I ask you to help write a script?"

Chen Shiping: "." It's all up to you, right? Too much! It’s both a producer and a screenwriter! I'll take you and Zhang Yimo under my wing later!

When men work, women have to work too! Work hard!

Seeing the expectation on Gong Li's face, Chen Shiping said speechlessly: "What am I trying to do? Do you know how much money the companies in Xiangjiang will pay me if I write a script now?"

"unless."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you let Zhang Yimo come to Beijing Film Studio, I promise to write a script for him every year. As long as he makes a movie, I will fully support him!"

Hearing Chen Shiping's words, Gong Li fell silent. This was too difficult. The director of Xiying Studio did not think highly of Zhang Yimo. How could he let him leave? What's more, Zhang Yimo didn't want to leave now.

Chen Shiping thought for a while and then added: "To show my sincerity, I helped him buy the script of Wanjia Litigation and also helped him write the script. In addition, I will give him a certain percentage of the box office of the movies he directs after he comes. Share!”

Hearing Chen Shiping's words, Gong Li looked at him in surprise, wondering if she had heard wrongly and gave the director a share? !

This has never happened before!

Chen Shiping smiled and said, "How about it? I'm very sincere, right? You go back and discuss it with him. As long as he comes over, any conditions are easy to negotiate. Xi Film Studio doesn't have that much money. Era International has signed two films with him. He doesn’t interfere either, as long as he comes over, he doesn’t have to worry about funding.”

Gong Li couldn't help but said: "You think so highly of him? You don't have such conditions yourself, right? You don't even get the director's share, but you want to give it to him?"

Chen Shiping stretched himself and said, "I won't be making films in the next few years, so I need more excellent directors. Zhang Yimo is undoubtedly the best one. Go back and talk to him, and I will give him the greatest freedom." "

Gong Li left in shock, wondering why Chen Shiping offered such good terms.

Watching Gong Li's leaving figure, Chen Shiping couldn't help but smile like a fox, and immediately took out his phone to call a classmate in the literature class and asked him to help him buy the copyright of Wanjia Litigation.

After Zhang Yimo read Wanjia Litigation's novel and found out that the copyright had been bought by him, he didn't know whether he would cry.

At that time, Chen Shiping can take the copyright and script and start talking about what Xiying Studio has to offer! Come to Beijing Film Studio! Director Chen will strongly support you!

After Gong Li on the other side left, she called Zhang Yimo and conveyed Chen Shiping's words to him.

Zhang Yimo was a little confused after hearing this. Why was Chen Shiping so concerned about him? The conditions for the director's share have been laid out.

"Would you like to think about it? I think Chen Shiping is really sincere. He also said that he would help you buy the copyright of the novel and help you write the script." Gong Li couldn't help but persuade.

Zhang Yimo hesitated, thought for a moment and said, "I'll read the novel first and then decide. If it's really suitable, I'll buy the copyright myself."

After hanging up the phone with Gong Li, Zhang Yimo went to find the novel Wanjia Litigation. After reading it, he had a question in his mind, how did Chen Shiping know that he would like this novel?

The people who know you best are your enemies? Moreover, he and Chen Shiping also liked Wives in Groups at the same time.

Zhang Yimo's feelings for Chen Shiping have become very strange now. They used to be regarded as imaginary enemies, but now they feel a bit sympathetic to each other?

How about surrendering? But this is so sorry for my old club.

(End of this chapter)