Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 775 Self-taught
After hanging up the phone, Chen Fan turned and went downstairs.

At the top of the stairs, I ran into the two sisters who were about to go up.

Jiang Lili stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes and asked, "Is it settled on Jiangxi Film Studio?"

Jiang Tiantian remained silent, but stared intently at him, her expression more tense than if her article were about to be published.

Chen Fan smiled and sat down on the sofa.

Jiang Lili immediately went to get him a teacup, while Jiang Tiantian turned on the electric fan, set it to the lowest setting, and blew it at him.

The two then sat down on either side of him.

Chen Fan then said, "Jiang Film Studio is very sincere, and they are the only ones who have contacted me right now, so they can definitely be my first choice."

At this moment, Jiang Tiantian said cautiously, "But the staff at Jiangying Studio have low technical skills. They've been established for 21 years and haven't even made a single real movie, only a few stage films. Also, their equipment is quite outdated. Can they really make this film?"

She was worried that no film studios would approach her, but now that they have, she's starting to nitpick.

There's no other reason than that no matter which film studio it is, they can't delay Xiao Fan's work.

Jiang Lili whispered from the side, "But, sister, only Jiangying Film Studio is contacting us now..."

She paused for a moment, then turned to Chen Fan. "Xiao Fan, why don't you contact the Beijing Film Studio? The deputy director you mentioned is also a member of the Writers' Association; he should be able to understand your creative intentions, right?"

Chen Fan spread his arms, put one hand on each shoulder, and said with a smile, "Whether it's Jiangxi Film Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, or Beijing Film Studio, it doesn't really matter to me."

At first, I did intend to submit the novel to the Shanghai Film Studio for adaptation, but after they refused, I had a new idea.

The two sisters looked at him together. "What are you thinking?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I plan to film it myself."

Jiang Tiantian's eyes widened. "You want to be a movie director?"

Jiang Lili's eyes were full of imagination, "You're making the movie yourself? That will definitely be even better."

Jiang Tiantian quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, you wrote the story, so you know best what you want to express. Just like 'Cloud Lake Love' and 'The Ferryman,' although many viewers think the movie is very good, they also feel that the adapted story is not as good as the book. If you haven't read the original work, you can't easily understand the spirit conveyed by the story."

I also think you'd be best suited to be the director; that way, the story can be presented in its entirety.

Chen Fan laughed and said, "You guys have a lot of faith in me, but making a movie and writing a novel are not the same thing. Novels have no word limit and can fully express one's ideas, but movies have time limits. Generally, they can't exceed two hours, and now they are generally around 90 to 100 minutes, which puts higher demands on the expression of the plot."

Moreover, film technology has certain barriers to entry. In addition to literature, it also includes other art forms such as music, fine arts, and drama. For example, lighting and cinematography all have very high requirements.

You have confidence in me, and I have confidence in myself, but others may not have confidence in me.

Upon hearing this, the two sisters exchanged bewildered glances, then turned to look at him together. "What should we do then?"

Unlike novels, which can be written independently, movies require collaboration from multiple professions, including cinematography, art direction, lighting, and especially actors, in addition to censorship.

If Jiangying Studio doesn't agree, where will Xiao Fan go to make movies?

Chen Fan patted the two men on the shoulders and said with a smile, "It's alright, we can talk slowly when Director Wu and the others arrive."

The two sisters exchanged another glance and pouted simultaneously. Now they could only hope that Factory Director Wu would be sensible and not force them to beg for help!
……

Director Wu didn't keep them waiting long. The next morning at 8:30, just when most administrative units were at work, the doorbell rang.

Having prepared himself mentally, Chen Fan didn't go upstairs to play his instrument after finishing breakfast. Instead, he sat quietly on the sofa in the living room and waited.

As soon as the doorbell rang, Jiang Tiantian immediately went out to open the door.

Holding a remote control, she opened the door and saw three middle-aged men who looked like officials standing at the entrance.

They were both wearing white short-sleeved polyester shirts, dark blue polyester pants, and open-toe sandals. The two, who were half a step behind, were carrying a lot of gifts.

When the door opened and the man saw Jiang Tiantian, his face immediately lit up with a smile. He said, "Hello, is this Vice Chairman Chen's house? You must be Comrade Jiang. I am Wu Zhiguo, the director of Jiang Film Studio. I asked Chairman He of the Jiangnan Writers Association to call me yesterday."

Jiang Tiantian said with a smile, "Hello, Director Wu. Vice Chairman Chen has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come in."

He then made an inviting gesture, inviting Director Wu and his entourage to enter.

In terms of rank, provincial film studios are under the management of the provincial Department of Culture, and are at most at the deputy department level. The studio secretary is also only at the deputy department level, the same level as Chen Fan. Director Wu is only a division chief, one level lower than Chen Fan.

Not to mention that compared to the Writers' Association, a giant in the arts and literature world, a film studio that has never even made a movie is almost of zero importance.

Therefore, in front of Chen Fan, Director Wu and his group had no choice but to bow their heads.

Jiang Tiantian stepped out to greet the guests in Chen Fan's place, so she naturally wouldn't embarrass him. She was polite, but she couldn't let her presence be diminished.

Factory Director Wu and his two companions hurried inside, but no one had closed the door. They were startled to see the two doors close automatically.

However, all three of them remained outwardly calm, suppressing their curiosity, and followed Jiang Tiantian toward the villa.

Meanwhile, he thought to himself, "No wonder he's the youngest vice chairman of the Writers Association, the most famous young writer, and whose works sell well overseas. His living conditions are just different; he has a small villa all to himself."

Tsk tsk, this is a villa that only capitalists in old Shanghai could afford. It must cost at least 10,000 yuan, right?
However, considering the foreign exchange royalties that writer Chen has earned, which I heard are over ten thousand US dollars, it's quite normal for him to be able to live in such a villa.

Didn't the higher-ups say in the meeting that some people are allowed to get rich first? Among writers, writer Chen is one of those who got rich first. As long as his income is legitimate, no one will say anything. Once Jiangnan Film Studio gets the adaptation rights to writer Chen's novel, compared to "The Ferryman" and "Love of Cloud Lake," it will definitely make a fortune.

China Film Group will likely offer the maximum acquisition price, which should bring hope for the staff dormitory building next year.

Ideally, this film could become a successful precedent, so that we could continuously obtain the adaptation rights to Chen's novels. At that time, Jiang Film Studio could also build its own "literary new village" like the Writers Association and the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and even give out bonuses every month, making its peers extremely envious!

Filled with anticipation, Director Wu changed into slippers at the door and finally met the legendary Chen Fan.

This was the second time he had seen Chen Fan. The first time was at the Spring Festival celebration gala of the Jiangnan literary and art circles before the Lunar New Year, where he enjoyed Chen Fan's performance of "Young Friends Come to Meet," which was in no way inferior to the female singer on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

Unfortunately, Jiangying Film Studio had little presence in the arts and culture scene in Jiangnan. Even though he was the director, his position was relatively low. In addition, Chen Fan left right after his performance without saying goodbye.

Upon seeing him in person, he changed into slippers and quickly went over, saying with a smile, "Vice Chairman Chen, hello. Please forgive my abrupt request for an audience."

Chen Fan did not greet him from afar, nor did he even go to the door to meet him. He was a year ahead of Chen Fan, and since the other party had come to him for a favor, he naturally had to maintain a proper demeanor and waited by the sofa.

In fact, it's also to firmly grasp the initiative.

When Director Wu strode up to him, he smiled and extended his right hand in greeting, "Hello, Director Wu. I was really looking forward to receiving calls from Chairman He and Elder Fang yesterday."

Factory Director Wu naturally understood the politeness in Chen Fan's words.

However, he was also aware that he had come to ask for help. Although the Shanghai Film Studio disliked Chen's novel and other small studios also had concerns, there were actually quite a few film studios that had nothing to lose, just like the Jiangxi Film Studio.

For example, the neighboring Fulan Film Studio was also established in 58, but it was shut down in 61 and was not rebuilt until 77, making it even worse than the Jiang Film Studio.

Jiangying Film Studio at least produced a few stage plays and films, while Fuying Film Studio was just a name without substance. Last night, when he called the studio from his hotel, he received a notification from Secretary Fang that the director and secretary of Fuying Film Studio had also received the news and were planning to come to Shanghai, their purpose being self-evident.

Therefore, this time, we cannot afford to fail. No matter what conditions Vice Chairman Chen proposes, we must accept them and make sure we get the adaptation rights so that Jiang Film Studio can achieve a great start!

In a flash, he forgot that there were two of his own men behind him.

Instead, Chen Fan had to take the initiative to ask, "Who are these two?"

Factory Director Wu immediately realized what was happening and quickly turned around, saying, "Oh, this is Kuang Mingyi, the director of our production department, and this is Lao Jianhua, the director of the office."

Director Kuang is also a senior cinematographer who has participated in the filming of many movies, such as "The Shining Red Star" and "The Red Guards of Honghu Lake". He has a wealth of cinematography experience. He was transferred to our Jiangxi Film Studio two years ago and was immediately entrusted with important responsibilities. He is still a director at our Jiangxi Film Studio and has directed several short films, which have been very well received.

Director Lao is a veteran of our Jiangxi Film Studio. He's worked there since its inception and is very familiar with all aspects of it. Although Jiangxi Film Studio doesn't produce many works, every single one owes a debt to Director Lao's contributions.

This time, he didn't even bring his assistant on the business trip. Instead, he brought the factory's "elite troops" with him, hoping to succeed in one fell swoop!
Seeing Director Wu's attitude, Chen Fan knew that things were already halfway done.

Since he would likely have to rely on their efforts in the future, Chen Fan naturally wouldn't put on airs anymore. He immediately extended his hand to shake hands and greeted them politely.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Fan invited the three of them to sit down.

Jiang Tiantian immediately brought over three cups of tea and replaced Chen Fan's cup with a fresh one. Jiang Lili brought over a fruit platter filled with nuts and candies, as well as a plate of chilled watermelon.

After finishing these tasks, the two went upstairs hand in hand to their room to enjoy the air conditioning.

Poor Vice Chairman Chen could only use the electric fan in the living room.

As soon as the conversation began, Director Wu stated his purpose. He smiled at Chen Fan and said, "Vice Chairman Chen, our former Party Secretary Fang called you yesterday and explained the attitude of Jiangying Film Studio."

I can reiterate my position here: although the strength of Jiangxi Film Studio is far inferior to that of Shanghai Film Studio, our attitude and determination are unmatched by any other film studio.

As long as Vice Chairman Chen entrusts the work to our Jiangxi Film Studio for filming, you have the final say on how the script is adapted and how the film is made.

Our factory's role is very clear: we are the execution unit. We will send our best cinematographers, production managers, art directors, and other personnel, sparing no expense to make this film a success.

Chen Fan smiled and said, "First of all, I am very grateful to Secretary Fang and Director Wu of Jiangying Film Studio for their trust in me. Regarding the few things that need to be avoided in the novel, Secretary Fang also made a direct statement yesterday and expressed his attitude. I am very touched by this."

He paused for a moment, then got up and walked to the low cabinet against the wall. He took out several stacks of manuscript paper from the drawer, walked back and placed them in front of Director Wu. After sitting down, he said, "You haven't read the novel yet, have you? This is the novel manuscript paper, including the story outline. You can take a look first."

Factory Director Wu quickly picked it up and found there were three copies. He gave one copy to Director Kuang and one to Director Lao, then smiled at Chen Fan before reading it carefully.

Chen Fan didn't wait around. He took out cigarettes and gave one to each of the three of them. Then, with a cigarette in his mouth, he picked up a book and started reading.

Although his knowledge is already very broad, he still needs to learn. For one thing, Professor Xu frequently updates the reading list he gives him. Even though his reading volume is already more than ten times that of someone who studied under Professor Xu for his doctorate, this old gentleman always seems to be able to find books suitable for him.

Moreover, regardless of whether it is ancient or modern, Chinese or foreign, it has not deviated from the realm of literature and philosophy.

It just so happens that Chen Fan has never stopped collecting books since he bought the house. The bookshelves in the second-floor study in Lujiawan and the old house in Yunhu have a total of more than 10,000 books. Not to mention that the third floor and attic of this small villa and the third floor of the mansion in Beijing are also piled with bookshelves.

These books are not limited to any particular genre; they include literature, science, engineering, agriculture, social sciences, fairy tales, popular literature, historical fiction, and even art books such as music and fine arts.

If he takes his time to read it, it would be a good thing if he could finish it in his lifetime.

At that moment, he was holding a 50s film magazine called "Film Technology," which contained many filmmaking tips and tricks, perfect for someone like him who had only learned the craft halfway through his career.

(Film Technology Magazine)
Of course, one cannot become a master by relying solely on unorthodox methods. Through a member of the Shanghai Writers Association, he obtained a number of old textbooks from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, ensuring that after reading them, he would become a proper professional student.

The elderly member was a drama teacher at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and had written many play scripts. He also knew that the Shanghai Film Studio had rejected Chen Fan's novel. When he saw that Chen Fan wanted to borrow books on film production, he decisively took out his treasured collection. He wanted to see what kind of moves this supposedly talented young writer, who was said to know a little bit about everything and had money to mess around with, would make next.

It would be really interesting if he wanted to make his own movies and become self-taught through reading!

(End of this chapter)