Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 90 You owe me a favor.

[Film Bureau Announcement: The screenplay for the film "Painted Skin 2," submitted by Shouzhe Pictures, has passed the script review and is permitted for filming!]

Unless the media and film companies see this announcement, no one will bother to check the Film Bureau's official website.

The media immediately posted the announcement on Weibo and other media platforms, which sparked heated discussions.

After all, this is the second installment. Chen Shou said at the end of last year that there would be a sequel, and here it is.

Many viewers who watched the first film said they would like to see the second one, and some actors also left messages online expressing their anticipation.

Zhou Xun's post was particularly unique, leaving many people both amused and bewildered.

“When casting for ‘Kung Fu’ last year, I went to Chen Shouzhe, and he said there was a role that suited me. I asked him which role it was, and he told me that the female character was called Ah Zhen, a female character who was even more outstanding than the female lead. I didn’t find out until after the movie was released. She was really outstanding, so outstanding that I wanted to punch him. I also urged him to start the project for ‘Painted Skin 2’, otherwise he would not have remembered. By the way, I am still Xiao Wei.”

Unexpectedly, there was this story between the two. When Zhou Xun went to play Ah Zhen in "Kung Fu", netizens quickly photoshopped her to look ugly and like Ah Zhen.

Even Stephen Chow responded, saying that he could have chosen Zhou Xun.

The buzz surrounding the upcoming filming of "Painted Skin 2" quickly surged, causing quite a stir among celebrities and fans.

Meanwhile, another group is trying various methods to contact Shou Zhe Film Industry.

They are all directors.

Chen Shouzhe had already stated last year that he would not direct this film and would hand it over to someone else for guidance.

Currently, besides Guo Fan, there are no other directors at Shouzhe Pictures. Guo Fan is currently working on an animated film and doesn't have time to direct other films.

So who will direct the film?
Many newcomers approached Shouzhe Film Studio with high hopes, seeing it as a chance for them to leap over the dragon gate and enter the film industry if they succeeded.

A road to heaven lies before us; who wouldn't be envious?

Besides, the compensation won't be less, and even if it's less, so what? You're destined to get more in the future.

Tao Le graduated from the Management Department of Beijing Film Academy. He was harassed by many directing students who graduated from Beijing Film Academy, and some students even found him by some unknown means.

Chen Shou was caught off guard by a phone call, but he had no choice but to answer it.

"Chairman Han, what are your instructions?"

"I'm already retired, so don't call me Chairman Han anymore," Han Sanping laughed on the other end of the phone.

He had only been retired for a few days when he returned to the Film Bureau, where he is now in the censorship department and also serves as an advisor to China Film Group, paving the way for his daughter.

“I’m used to it, I can’t change it. I can’t exactly call you ‘Grandpa,’” Chen Shou said.

"That's good, from now on we'll call him Grandpa Han."

"Then I'll still call you Third Master."

"You're really not going to direct Painted Skin anymore?" Han Sanping asked seriously, changing the subject.

"Yes, I don't plan to direct this sequel. The company will gradually hand over films to other directors and cultivate new directors," Chen Shouzhe nodded.

“What do you think of Jia Nu? She’s also a graduate student in directing. She just graduated from elementary school this year, so she’s your junior in school.”

Chen Shouzhe knew this would be the problem. Many people came to see him today, and many senior figures recommended their family members' descendants to him through various connections.

Such relationships are common in the film and television industry. Many people who have worked in the industry for a generation will send their children into the industry. If they can't become actors, they will become directors. Even Emperor Entertainment Group, just now, Yang Shoucheng called him to recommend a Hong Kong director.

"Third Master, I'm keeping this director in my own company unless Jia Nu is willing to join my company."

"I see. Let me ask Jia Nu." Han Sanping immediately understood. Chen Shouzhe couldn't possibly give away the cake; he was training a director for his own company.

There are conditions for making a movie; otherwise, why would they give you a movie with a box office of 600 million yuan to practice on?

After seeing off many people, Chen Shou met Wu Ershan, who had been introduced by Xi Ying.

Wuershan didn't expect Chen Shouzhe to contact him. He had seen "Painted Skin" and felt that his style was very similar to that of "Painted Skin". However, he felt that he could do a better job than Chen Shouzhe when he was still very inexperienced back then in terms of color.

That was Chen Shouzhe's second film. The lighting was very good, but he felt that Chen Shouzhe was not as good as him in terms of color rendering.

As an award-winning director himself, he was well aware of this, but unfortunately, he didn't have Chen Shouzhe's talent.

Now that Chen Shou is giving him a chance, he thinks he can give it a try.

"Director Wu, what do you think? The company will invest in your studio, and you will also get future projects from the company. In addition to your salary, you will also receive an extra share of the director's commission."

Zhong Lifan had already discussed the details with Wuershan, and the two were now sitting in the office smoking and drinking tea.

Chen Shouzhe's casualness surprised even this grassland man, making him feel that Chen Shouzhe was more like a grassland man.

Especially when we talk about archery.

However, he discovered that as a grassland dweller, he was not as good as Chen Shouzhe, who had never ridden a horse since childhood.

Not all grassland people ride horses to school; he never did.

Chen Shouzhe grew up on a horse farm, and he had tried horseback riding and archery. Moreover, Teacher Yu Qian liked raising horses and making friends with grassland people. Gradually, Chen Shouzhe also picked up these habits, and he became more like a grassland person.

“I basically agree to the conditions, but Director Chen, you said if I succeed in filming Painted Skin, you'll arrange a next movie for me. May I ask what movie it is?” Wuershan asked curiously. “Have you read Ghost Blows Out the Light?” Chen Shou asked with a smile.

"You mean..."

"The screenwriting team has already started. If Painted Skin is successful, then your next project might be the Ghost Blows Out the Light series of movies."

Ursan took a deep breath and said, "Okay, then I'll take on 'Painted Skin'."

"Pleasant to work with."

"Pleasant to work with."

The two shook hands, leaving the rest to others to handle.

However, in terms of roles, Chen Shouzhe has already decided that in addition to Wu Yue's role, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, and Zeng Li will remain, and there will also be an additional female role.

Not long after Wuershan left, Chen Shouzhe's phone rang, and a loud voice came through when he answered.

"When are you coming? I'm in Huairou right now, very close to your little dream."

"I'll be there in a bit. Prepare dinner for me," Chen Shou said.

"No problem, come quickly."

After hanging up the phone, the assistant drove Chen Shouzhe to the China Film Studio.

When they arrived, a large venue had already been rented out, and the crew of "Let the Bullets Fly" was preparing for the opening ceremony. Chen Shouzhe got out of the car, and Jiang Wen had specially arranged for someone to wait for him. When the media reporters saw Chen Shouzhe coming over, they all took pictures.

"You've finally arrived! Did you bring anything?"

She was so eager to see him over the phone, but when he arrived, she acted like a big shot. That's Jiang Wen.

Chen Shou put down the bag in his hand and said, "I bought some fruit, this is for us."

Jiang Wen glanced down at the bag and nodded: "That's right."

Everyone else saw Chen Shouzhe coming over, and apart from Zhou Juanjuan, the others nodded to Chen Shouzhe to varying degrees.

It's been in preparation since last year, and filming has only just started. Jiang Wen is really slow.

However, this also shows that he is very meticulous and has high hopes for the script.

Representatives from China Film Group and Emperor Entertainment Group were also present at the opening ceremony. China Film Group was represented by Vice Chairman Wang, and Emperor Entertainment Group was represented by Huo Wenxi.

During a press conference after filming began, Jiang Wen stated that he expects the film to achieve the same success as "Kung Fu Hustle," and that he has high hopes for the script.

When asked about his collaboration with Warner, Chen Shouzhe didn't say much, simply stating that he had no comment and that was the end of it.

Although it was called the opening ceremony, filming didn't actually start. Filming will begin tomorrow. Today was mainly a press conference, a chance for the media to promote the event, followed by some food and drinks.

At the dinner table, Chen Shouzhe brought nothing but a few bottles of wine. Everyone sat together and drank. The production company and the lead actors were all present. Vice Chairman Wang didn't linger. He had to be mindful of his status as a state-owned enterprise. After the press conference, he chatted with Chen Shouzhe for a few words and then left.

"Do you remember that you owe me a favor?" Chen Shouzhe suddenly said at the dinner table.

Those nearby were taken aback. Was it appropriate to say something like that in this kind of setting?

Jiang Wen's wife watched the two of them nervously. Jiang Wen and Chen Shou had drunk quite a bit, and now they were arm in arm, exchanging glances. Everyone else was extremely nervous.

"What's wrong? I owed it to you based on my own abilities, and now you want me to pay it back?" Jiang Wen said.

"I'm going to shoot a mainstream commercial film in the second half of the year, you know that?"

"Main theme...movie?" Jiang Wen's eyes widened suddenly.

“That’s right, it’s a patriotic film, a bandit-suppression movie. I’ve reserved the lead role for you, you have to take it,” Chen Shou said.

"I thought it was something serious. No problem, it'll be in the second half of the year, right? As long as it doesn't interfere with my movie." Jiang Wen nodded.

“You’re starting filming in March, do you think you can keep shooting until October? The movie will probably start filming after National Day, no doubt about it, and you’ll be the lead.” Chen Shou said.

"I feel like I've lost out big time," Jiang Wen said with a laugh.

"Loss my ass! I'm the one who lost out the most! I didn't want to give you this movie at all, okay? If you hadn't shamelessly stayed overnight at my house, I would have thrown you out," Chen Shou said with a sullen laugh.

"That takes skill, but what exactly is this patriotic film you're talking about?" Jiang Wen asked curiously.

"You'll find out when the time comes, but filming in Northeast China requires waiting for snow, so it's scheduled for the second half of the year."

"So you didn't have a job for the first half of the year?"

"Who said I'm unemployed? My new movie is already in production."

"what movie?"

Not only was Jiang Wen curious, but all the actors present craned their necks, especially Huo Wenxi, who was even more surprised that Chen Shouzhe was already producing a new movie, something that hadn't been mentioned at all in the industry.

"Hey, I won't tell you."

(End of this chapter)