Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

Actually, many of these people were invited initially out of respect for Mu Deyuan.

At the same time, there was also a desire to see what kind of photos this first-year photography student could take.

The most obvious examples of this idea are Xie Fei and Xie Xiaojing.

As for the other photography professors, they didn't have such thoughts; they were simply there to show their support.

However, as the plot progressed, their dismissive attitude gradually disappeared, and the expressions on everyone's faces gradually became serious.

They are all experts and insiders.

As the saying goes, a true expert's skill is immediately apparent upon their first move.

From the very first shot, He Yian's ability to convey story information through his understanding of the internal information of film shots (such as composition, shot size, and movement) and the relationship between shots is immediately apparent.

Aside from the initial scenes depicting everyday family life, the male and female leads actually have very few lines in their solo scenes.

This method of conveying emotions through the camera, rather than relying on dialogue or instruction manual-style expression.

It's so visually expressive.

This demonstrates that He Yi'an has already reached a high level in the use of cinematic language.

Besides these, He Yi'an's storytelling ability is also beginning to show promise.

In particular, through structural arrangement, the use of interweaving and control of rhythm and emotion, he fragmentedly integrated the female lead's personal and emotional storylines into the whole story, and then detonated this point at the last moment.

The female lead's emotional expressions were forcibly blended together with the male lead's most helpless and desperate moments using montage techniques.

This greatly enhances the dramatic tension of the film.

The initial indifference of the audience gradually disappeared, and everyone became immersed in the story of the movie.

……

Mu Deyuan stared intently at the screen, his expression shifting from excitement to amazement, and finally settling on only satisfaction and appreciation.

Although he had taught He Yi'an for three years and knew that his students couldn't possibly produce terrible films, he was still genuinely proud to see each and every one of them imbued with unique themes and exquisite cinematic language.

Han Sanping was also somewhat surprised; in his eyes, He Yi'an had always been a mischievous little monkey.

Surprisingly, this mischievous monkey actually took some really good photos when he got serious.

Now Han Sanping felt even more confident.

Didn't those guys say he was transferring benefits and that his approved applications were irregular?

Let's wait until the movie is released and see what they have to say then.

At the same time, he was determined to continue supporting He Yi'an. Compared to supporting others, He Yi'an was his true protégé!

Zhang Yimou was stricter than others. In addition to silently studying He Yi'an's cinematic language and narrative ability, he valued even more what He Yi'an expressed in the film.

And He Yi'an's use of color in the film.

After all, He Yi'an personally taught him about color.

"The use of color was a bit conservative... but it's understandable to use safer colors for a first film..."

Xie Fei and Xie Xiaojing, who had initially come with a critical eye, found themselves in a rather awkward position.

They weren't clueless people; they knew the movie was almost finished even before seeing half of it.

But this made them even more upset.

Why did such a promising student choose photography?

But they didn't realize that in 2001, the directing department of the film academy was completely reorganized, and the application requirements were changed.

This change essentially cuts off the possibility for ordinary people to apply, and it is destined to become a place for second and third-generation rich kids to amuse themselves.

One hundred and eighteen minutes later, the screen went dark.

The lights in the screening room came back on.

There was a silence that lasted for several seconds.

Then, Mu Deyuan was the first to applaud.

Next came Han Sanping, Director Liu, and then Xie Fei and Xie Xiaojing.

Finally, Zhang Yimou also applauded.

He Yi'an looked at his father, who was sitting in the corner, and gave He Yi'an a thumbs up.

Liu Jianzhong was the first to offer his opinion: "Xiao He, well done! Deyuan, you've taught this student well. It seems you've achieved something after all these years at the Beijing Film Academy!"

"Senior Brother Liu, you flatter me..."

"Alright, I won't say anything more, I have other things to do!"

"Senior brother, let me see you off!"

After saying that, Director Liu walked straight outside, and Mu Deyuan hurriedly went to see him off.

Han Sanping also stood up, walked up to He Yi'an, and patted him hard on the shoulder: "Xiao He, I've seen the film. I'll handle the submission for review, so you don't need to worry."

"I'll handle things in Venice as well."

"Thank you, Mr. Han!"

Zhang Yimou then approached and stood in front of He Yi'an, saying, "Don't worry, what I promised you before still stands."

He Yi'an was overjoyed: "Thank you, Director Zhang!"

……

After the screening ended and He Yi'an and the others left, Mu Deyuan turned back.

He stood at the door, watching He Yi'an organize the film, hesitant to speak.

"Teacher, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Mu Deyuan shook his head. "I just feel that you haven't wasted these past few years of learning."

"It's all thanks to the teacher's excellent teaching!"

"Alright, I'm leaving." Mu Deyuan turned around and took two steps, then turned back. "By the way, Xie Xiaojing from the Directing Department just told me that she wants you to switch departments."

"Change majors?"

"Transfer to the directing department." Mu Deyuan's expression was somewhat unpleasant. "He said your films are better than most students in the directing department, and staying in the cinematography department would be a waste."

He Yi'an was taken aback, not expecting this turn of events: "Teacher, what did you say?"

"What did I say?" Mu Deyuan snorted. "You, He Yi'an, are my student, a member of the photography department. You're not going anywhere."

"The teacher is wise."

"Stop flattering me." Mu Deyuan waved his hand. "Let's go, don't forget about the credits."

……

After He Yi'an finished dealing with the final touches of the film and resumed his student status, it was already late March 2002.

However, now that he has regained his student status, He Yi'an's thoughts are not entirely focused on academics.

The film was in preparation from November of last year until filming ended in mid-February.

The entire film production took nearly five months, and after five months of intense work, He Yi'an hadn't enjoyed this relaxed feeling in a long time.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. You only realize that school was the best place after you actually start working.

Otherwise, why would it be called an ivory tower?

However, after more than five months of hard work, the feedback we've received so far is quite positive.

The film has been submitted for review and sent to Venice. With Zhang Yimou's letter of recommendation, his chances of being nominated are much higher than those of others who did not receive a recommendation.

As for whether he can win the award... that depends on what methods he plans to use to overcome that hurdle.

His target was actually very clear: Gong Li!

Because the president of the jury at the 2002 Venice Film Festival was Gong Li!

However, we need to think carefully about how to do it.

……

Another boring day of classes.

After leaving the school's archives, He Yi'an was preparing to return to his dormitory.

When he reached the square in front of the main building, he suddenly noticed that there were an unusually large number of people there today.

Small groups of young people gathered together; some were reciting their lines, some were stretching their legs to warm up, and some were repeatedly adjusting their expressions in a mirror.

He Yi'an then remembered that his roommate Du Jie had mentioned that today seemed to be the day of the second round of entrance exams for the Performance Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

Since returning to school, He Yi'an has been staying in the dormitory every day, listening to Du Jie talk about many things at school. The thing he talked about most enthusiastically was the art exam for the performing arts department at the end of February.

During the initial screening, there were even more people, and these guys spent all their time looking at beautiful women.

He Yi'an was furious when he heard this!

He missed such a great opportunity because he was busy filming and editing a movie!

But it seems we made it today?

He Yi'an was thoroughly entertained by the sight of these bright and beautiful young women.

Every year at this time, hundreds and thousands of young men and women flock from all over the country, harboring dreams of becoming stars, to compete for the few available spots.

He Yi'an was no stranger to these scenes; he had seen similar scenes when he took the entrance exam for the photography department last year.

However, there were far fewer applicants for the photography department than for the acting department, so it wasn't as lively.

He stood at the edge of the square, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, but he didn't see many familiar faces. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly caught a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

A young girl stood under a sycamore tree at the edge of the square.

She wore a white sweater with a plaid long skirt, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, and her skin as white as snow.

Her profile was exquisitely detailed, and sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a soft glow on her, making her appear as if she had stepped out of a painting.

He Yi'an was stunned for a moment, then recognized her.

Isn't this Liu Yifei, the one I bumped into at the airport before?

After their chance encounter at the airport, he hadn't contacted the mother and daughter since he was busy filming a movie.

Even though Liu Xiaoli kept saying she would compensate him for the camera lens, he didn't take it to heart.

Unexpectedly, we met here again today.

Liu Yifei was looking down at what she was holding and didn't notice him.

However, since Liu Yifei is here, there must be someone within three meters...

Sure enough, as He Yi'an's gaze shifted, she saw the gentle and beautiful woman standing next to her.

It was Liu Xiaoli!

At that moment, Liu Xiaoli was whispering some instructions, and Liu Yifei was listening attentively.

However, it seemed that He Yi'an's gaze made them sense, and the mother and daughter, who were talking about something, subconsciously turned their heads and looked in his direction.

The three looked at each other.

Liu Yifei reacted quickly; her eyes lit up when she saw He Yi'an.

"Mom, look! It's that...that person from the airport..."

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