Chapter 47
Half a day after the news of Titanic's registration for the Cannes Film Festival broke out, various opinions were rampant on the Internet.
Under such circumstances, the Ministry of Culture actually intervened personally!
The official microblog"Voice of Literature and Art" published an article"Comment on Popular Art and Film".
As soon as the article was published, the official name, coupled with the hot topic, instantly attracted the attention of the entire network.
In less than ten minutes, the number of readers exceeded one million.
The article reads:
"Art is not content that the public cannot understand."
"Popular art and high art are both part of art. Many popular arts also have profound social significance and artistic value, and can transcend time and space and become classics."
"There is no need to elevate something that the public cannot understand to the level of art. There is also no need to belittle works that the public likes."
"……"
The general view is: Popular art is liked by the public, so of course it can be accepted by the public!
The overall style tends to be argumentative and reasoning.
But anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Ministry of Culture is personally speaking for"Titanic"!
Although it did not say whether the film can enter Cannes, it at least affirmed that it has value as art.
The public opinion on the Internet instantly calmed down a lot.
That's the Ministry of Culture.
It's not a private institution, but the highest cultural management department!
In the media industry, who dares to confront it and run into the muzzle of the gun?
In the Xunjie Film Review Studio.
A young employee's forehead was covered with sweat, and he deleted the article in a hurry.
In the leader's office behind him, the studio boss stared at the computer screen and sweated profusely.
Why would the Ministry of Culture personally come out?
Is it just to speak for the definition of art?
Or is it to protect this movie?
But isn't"Titanic" an advertisement shot by Jiahe?
Could it be that there are core members of the crew from the Ministry of Culture...
Thinking of this, the boss was shocked by his own thoughts.
In order to gain traffic, their studio has published many articles with tricky views and even attacks on the crew.
Delete! Delete all!
All the articles that make irresponsible comments about Titanic, delete them immediately!
He pushed his chair away with a bang and rushed out of the office
"Everybody, put down your work and listen to me!"
……
Although the negative comments online have died down.
But everyone's attitude is still that the courage is commendable, worthy of encouragement, and better next time.
Except for the fans who like to dream, almost no one thinks that"Titanic" can be nominated or even win the award.
Even the crew members are the same.
Although everyone doesn't believe it, the attitude is quite optimistic.
Just think of it as a gamble!
It's like buying a lottery ticket, what if you win five million?
In the actor group.
Wins:"Like Jack said, make every day worthwhile! Give it a try, if we win, we will be rich!" Leo
:"Yes, Jack said, I like everything to be unknown when I wake up in the morning. I don't know who I will meet or what the ending will be."
Zeng Wei:"You young people are really energetic. That's good! While you are young, you might as well work harder."
……
While the outside world was in a commotion.
Chen Xiao was calm and wrote furiously to organize the script and draw the storyboard script.
After three and a half days, he began to organize the list of props, venues, and group performances.
Props sound a lot, but the actual workload is not large.
He had to list the props that were meaningful but not conspicuous to prevent the props team from missing them.
For example, Dieyi used a round mirror and a red lamp, Xiaolou used a square mirror and a blue lamp, and Xiaolou drank Shaoxing Huadiao wine, also known as daughter red wine, when he rescued Juxian...
As for the bricks and ropes used by the troupe to practice their legs, the props team would prepare them after reading the storyboard script.
After a day, the props were ready!
The next step was the venue.
Chen Xiao opened the webpage and searched for suitable locations according to the impression in his mind.
He quickly decided on several filming locations: Prince Gong's Mansion, the former site of Fu Jen Catholic University, Tuancheng Martial Arts Hall, Agricultural College Gymnasium...
But there was still a core scene that had not been solved - a street in the Republic of China.
Now, the ancient buildings have been demolished or collapsed, and the few old houses that remain have air conditioners installed on the exterior walls.
If it is shot on location, it will definitely not fit the background of the times.
What to do?
Chen Xiao turned the pen and fell into deep thought.
The Art Department gave 200 million yuan.
The budget is sufficient.
How about... building one?
With advanced technology, the cost of building a street is about 50 million yuan.
Not bad. Anyway, other aspects will not cost much.
Build!
Do it right away.
Chen Xiao opened the painting software and drew the scene.
From the opera troupe compound where Xiao Shitou and Xiao Douzi lived when they were young, to the photo studio smashed by angry young people, Juxian's Hua Manlou, the theater where Cheng Dieyi performed... one scene after another was born on the screen.
Another three days passed, and the only work left was casting.
《Farewell My Concubine requires actors to have delicate emotions.
Because of the unique background and experience of the times, the emotions of characters such as Dieyi, Duan Xiaolou, and Juxian are more complex and unique than those in Titanic.
Especially Dieyi.
Whether it is a child actor or an adult actor, casting is extremely difficult.
The child actor has to perform the stubbornness of struggling between"female beauty" and"male man", and the sadness of compromise.
The adult actor has to perform the feeling of being crazy and unable to live.
It's hard to find...
I searched for a few days, watching Peking opera, movies, TV series, eating, and sleeping every day.
Finally, on the afternoon of the 19th, the candidates were basically determined.
When filming Titanic, he had no works to rely on, and it was under the banner of advertising, so it was not easy to let many big names come to audition, so he chose one actor for each role.
This time, with the Ministry of Culture as a backer, he was much bolder when casting.
Three to four candidates were selected for each role.
However, for some Peking opera actors, he only watched the videos online and didn't know them well enough.
So he needed to ask people in the industry to help take a look.
Chen Xiao sent the list of actors to the director group and asked for everyone's opinions.
Fang Rong saw Chen Xiao's file, clicked it and took a look, his eyes widened immediately. He has a good vision, but the choice of supporting roles is so bold!
Not to mention that Juxian and Duan Xiaolou are candidates for best actor and best actress.
Just look at the supporting roles, the candidates are so outrageous.
For the role of the old class owner, you let three national first-class actors be candidates?!
What is the concept of a first-class actor?
It is the highest title given by the country to actors who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of literature and art.
There are only more than 150 in the country, and each enjoys special state subsidies.
Let them play supporting roles, and forget it.
Three or four first-class actors are competing for a supporting role.
This is not the Olympics, it's just a promotional film.
Director Chen, how can he not understand the ways of the world.
Fang Rong exited the chat software and called Chen Xiao immediately.
"Fang Daohao"
"Director Chen, I have read the casting documents. You have a very good vision, but... isn't it a bit inappropriate to invite nine national first-class actors to try out three roles?"
The other party was silent for a moment, and then replied:"I think they are very suitable, and this script is worth asking you to try."
Fang Rong was stunned when he heard this, and after a few seconds of silence, he looked up and laughed at himself.
They are very suitable, and this script is worth...
Suddenly, I felt that Director Li's decision was right. He should indeed be the art director instead of the chief director.
Chen Xiao is the one who really wants to make the play well.
And he is still too worldly.
"You're right, it's worth it. But please be polite when auditioning."
"Well, thank you Director Fang."
The two ended the call.
Fang Rong put down the phone and laughed at himself, feeling relieved.
Well, he should just stay true to being his art director.
……
On the other side, Chen Xiao hung up the phone and sent the list of actors to Director Li's secretary.
The secretary clicked on it.
Nine national first-class actors?!
How could he decide this?
He quickly forwarded the document to Director Li.
Director Li stared at the list for a while.
That script, a famous director is willing to play a supporting role!
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and decided:"Find him!"
After that, he personally called Chen Xiao.
"Director Chen, I've seen the casting list. I'll ask my secretary to contact them."
"Thank you, Director Li"
"Are you free tomorrow? The rest of the core team has been found, why don’t you come over here to meet?"
"no problem"
"See you in the meeting room at 3pm."
""Okay."
After hanging up the phone,
Chen Xiao told Fang Rong and the others about the meeting, then yawned and lay back on the bed.
Nothing to do today, sleep.
I'll go to the Ministry of Culture tomorrow, and then wait for the actors to audition in a few days.
Oh, by the way, the Cannes nominees will be announced tomorrow.
It seems that the mood value will rise again. Later, maybe I can change to another lucky pill to play with it...
The next morning.
Six movie emperors and actresses, seven national first-class actors, and some popular stars have received audition invitations for"Farewell My Concubine".
The movie emperors and actresses, and popular stars were jealous of the popularity of the actors in"Titanic". When they saw that the director and screenwriter was Chen Xiao, they excitedly accepted.
But it was not so smooth for the nine national first-class actors.
Capital Art Theater.
On the stage, a group of young actors were rehearsing in costumes.
Offstage, at the edge of the second row.
An old man with half white hair stared at the tablet with a frown.
I just received an email, the Culture Department���Invite him to star in a drama promotional video.
This is a good thing, and he is happy about it.
But when he opened it, he found that he was playing a supporting role.
That's fine, just give the young people a chance.
But when he looked more carefully, he was invited to audition?!
Invite three national first-class actors to audition for a supporting role?
In other words, two first-class actors will be eliminated.
Isn't this a bit too much?
A promotional video is probably only a few minutes long, why make such a big fuss?
Even the Spring Festival Gala is not so excessive!
Moreover, the screenwriter and director are not the famous Peking Opera screenwriter and director, but the newcomer who filmed"Titanic"!
Isn't this nonsense?
He heard from his disciples that the movie was very popular.
So what?
At such a young age, how good can you make something? It's just in line with the current trend. It's probably just like a fast food short video.
This kind of director's short film, asking three first-class actors to audition for supporting roles, is really...
Just when he was complaining secretly, a disciple's exclamation suddenly came from the side.
"Oh my god! Titanic is in Cannes."