1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 44 Adaptation is not random editing
"Border Town" was originally a film that Shanghai Film Studio wanted to make, and it took a lot of effort and had a very strong cast. Xu Changlin and Huang Zumo collaborated on the adaptation.

Director Xu Changlin is famous as a screenwriter, including "House No. 13", "The Possessed" and "The Gourmet".

As for Huang Zumo, you know "Lush Mountain Love", the phenomenal love movie in the 1980s, which was directed by him.

The Shanghai Film Studio wanted to adapt "Border Town" into a movie. Shen Congwen did not object at first, but it was difficult for him to reach an agreement with Xu Changlin and Huang Zumo on the script.

Later, the matter turned out to be quite ugly. The Shanghai Film Studio tried to "force the issue" and used both blackmail and deception to directly send the revision fee to Shen Congwen, saying that "it has been registered with the Ministry of Culture" and hoped that he would not interfere.

But Teacher Shen was very tough. He returned all the money and flatly refused to shoot. He would never allow his work to be vulgarized.

To be honest, Mr. Shen's life was really difficult at that time. He was in poor health and relied on his wife for support. His courage in protecting his work would be unbelievable in later generations.

Right, what about Fortress, The Horse, Notes, The Butler, Swordsman, and Joy of Life?
Joy of Life is okay.

The Shanghai Film Studio has announced that everyone is eyeing the cheese of "Border Town".

Shi Wenxin's purpose was very clear.

If you Shanghai Film Studio can't do it, we Beijing Film Studio will do it.

"It's not that I don't want to shoot. I also have my own considerations for the film." Mr. Shen said shyly, "According to the way Hong Kong City filmed in 1953, the processing method is wrong. I can't understand the work. The characters are all arranged wrongly."

"Teacher Shen, don't worry. How could our Beijing Film Studio make such a mistake? We are the 'Literary Classics Adaptation Studio.'" Shi Wenxin was as amiable as ever.

“Who will Beijing Film Studio invite to shoot the film?”

"Director Ling Zifeng is one of the 'Four Great Masters' of our Beijing Film Studio. Adapting works is Director Ling's forte. Have you seen his 'Red Flag'?"

"I approve of him, but Xu and Huang from Shanghai Film Studio are also famous directors, but they insist on shooting with a realistic approach, incorporating some 'contradictions' and 'struggles'. If they still want to shoot like this, I think it's better to give up."

"How about we write the script first and then show it to you when we're done?"

"Teacher Shen, Teacher Shi."

Jiang Xian came up and raised his hand, "I also like Border Town. If you want to adapt Border Town, I have some ideas here."

Some ideas?

Shi Wenxin immediately understood, "You want to participate in the script writing of Border Town?"

Jiang Xian looked innocent and said shyly, "I'm not good at writing scripts. I'll try to write a script outline. I'd better ask a professional screenwriter to complete the first draft."

"You want a screenwriter?"

Shi Wenxin hesitated.

Writing a script and writing a novel are two different things. She did not doubt Jiang Xian's literary ability, but he was an amateur in screenwriting after all. Even though Jiang Xian was being so polite, she would never give him Border Town to practice on.

"Teacher Jiang"

"If Comrade Jiang Xian is in charge, we can give it a try." Shen Congwen's attitude surprised Shi Wenxin.

Jiang Xian understands it very well.

Previously, when he was writing a manuscript for "Story Club", he became acquainted with Shen Congwen and even showed the article to Mr. Shen.

There is no eulogy in his "The Chess King" and "Animals Are Dangerous", and they are far from struggle and contradiction. I'm afraid Shen Congwen also saw this point in him.

"Teacher Jiang, please write me an outline as soon as possible. If you can't write it, please let me know so that I can find another screenwriter. I'm not questioning you. The main difference between writing a novel and writing a script is really big. Please don't misunderstand me."

Jiang Xian nodded.

'Don't get me wrong.'

He was so familiar with this.

Damn, I was also treated as a spare tire in 1979.

Return to the guest house.

Jiang Xian took off his military coat and only wore a sweater and trousers.

His military coat is fake, the buttons are gray and the fabric is thin. The real one is thick, windproof and warm. There are five-pointed star patterns on the bakelite buttons. There is a label inside with his name, blood type and serial number.
I sat down, made a cup of hot tea, and read for a while the copy of "Border Town" that I got from Shi Wenxin.

At that time, there was a saying that "Border Town" was a must-read book for programmers.

Jiang Xian didn't understand, so he asked someone, and the person said that Shen Congwen was "China's first programmer."

Later he realized it was a pun. Deduct money, deduct money!

Drink a cup of tea and review the plot of "Border Town".

The relationships between the characters are very simple, there are four main characters, Cuicui, Grandpa, the eldest brother, and the second brother.

Both the eldest and the second eldest like Cuicui, Cuicui likes the second eldest, and grandpa is like a matchmaker.

In fact, as early as the 50s, Hong Kong had remade "Border Town". It was the debut work of Lin Dai, a famous Hong Kong actress at the time. It was a pity for Lin Dai as she died so early.

It’s a pity that Shen Congwen really doesn’t like this version.

There is an old Chinese saying: Adaptation is not random editing, and parody is not nonsense.

Jiang Xian knew very well what kind of adaptation Shen Congwen wanted to see.

Stay true to the original.

This was not difficult for Jiang Xian. He had Ling Zifeng's version of "Border Town" in his head. He just wrote it based on his memory.

The key is to be quick.

If it is written in advance by other screenwriters found by Shi Wenxin, he will have nothing to do with it.

"Teacher Shi!"

"Teacher Jiang!"

Three days later, at the gate of Beijing Film Studio, Shi Wenxin looked at Jiang Xian's dark circles and bags under his eyes, feeling somewhat worried.

"Teacher Jiang, you look so bad. It's okay. If you really can't write, I'll find someone else."

"Teacher Shi, please keep this summary."

As he spoke, Jiang Xian took out a stack of manuscripts from his bag, and Shi Wenxin swallowed back the half-sentenced words.

“You wrote it so quickly?!”

"I'm thinking quickly. I haven't slept much in the past few days. You can take a look first."

Shi Wenxin opened the script and took a quick glance at it.

Jiang Xian had indeed never written a script and had no experience. His writing style was a bit childish and was far from his novel writing skills.

She snapped it shut.

"Teacher Jiang, please come to my office and sit down. Teacher Shen happens to be here too, so let's let him take a look at the script first."

Jiang Xianxiang followed him in. Shi Wenxin's office was not big. Shen Congwen and two old men were sitting inside.

"Teacher Jiang, let me introduce you. This is Director Wang Yang and Director Ling Zifeng."

"This is the writer Jiang Xian."

"I've heard a lot about you." Jiang Xian shook hands with the two old men tremblingly.

Shi Wenxin was terrified, fearing that Jiang Xian would die suddenly in her place.

"Teacher Shen, Teacher Jiang has written an outline. Would you like to take a look at it first? Let Teacher Jiang take a break. He has been working on the manuscript overnight for several days."

Everyone could see that Jiang Xian was not in good spirits, and they nodded quickly. Jiang Xian lay down on the small bed shyly.

The conditions at the Beijing Film Studio are not good at the moment, and the editors are all working and sleeping in the office.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he fell into a sound sleep.

I don't know how much time passed before I was woken up in a daze.

I saw Shen Congwen sitting on the edge of the bed with tears in the corners of his eyes.

"Xiao Jiang, you have changed so well.

It was surprisingly good.

It seems you have really studied my work.”

(End of this chapter)