Huayu: Just started as a stagehand, but the director's comeback system

"Brother, besides these basics, you might not understand since this is your first time making a movie. You need to choose a good day to start filming. I know some people here who can calculate it."

"No need, brother, I've already consulted a national-level master."

10:10 AM, October 1, 2003.

The main cast of "Crazy Stone" gathered together, and after the red cloth covering the camera was lifted in Jianghuai, the crew officially started work today.

Many media reporters attended the opening ceremony, but they only had eyes for Xu Zheng.

"Xu Zheng, I heard this movie has a very small budget. Can you live up to the audience's trust?"

"Xu Zheng, please answer our questions directly. Are you really going to give up like this?"

"I've heard that director Jiang Huai is a well-known idiot in the dubbing department of Beijing Film Academy. Is that true, Director Jiang?"

……

Okay, eventually someone did mention Jianghuai, but the question they asked was a little impolite.

Some other actors tried to defend the two, but Jiang Huai had them sent back. Fame is fame, good or bad; they weren't afraid of being criticized for the movie, they were afraid of no one coming.

Therefore, no matter what questions these reporters asked, Jianghuai's response was always the same: "Please promote Crazy Stone more."

I don't know what kind of report the reporters will write when they get back, but they'll probably have to mention Crazy Stone at least a little bit. These people weren't hired by him; there's no possibility of him losing money, it's pure profit.

After dealing with the group of reporters for some time, Jiang Huai and Xu Zheng finally returned to the film crew.

"Director, these reporters are just like that. They'll follow you no matter what the slightest thing happens. Please don't mind them."

Xu Zheng recalled his nervousness after his first interview and felt it was necessary to comfort the director, since he still wanted to use him to break into the film industry.

Otherwise, given his current fame, he would receive a considerable number of scripts. Even if Crazy Stone were the best, it wouldn't be enough for Xu Zheng, who was in charge of both directing and acting in Li Wei the Magistrate 2, to lower his fee to star in it.

He mainly valued Jiang Huai's identity. Even if his background couldn't be investigated, someone who could gain experience by Zhang Yimou's side would definitely not lack resources in the future.

"Hey, what's the big deal? It's all for the movie."

Jiang Huai didn't say much. He still needed to maintain his authority as director on set, otherwise he wouldn't be able to control these actors who were all more famous and older than him.

"That's true, I knew the director was special."

Xu Zheng stayed by Jiang Huai's side and said a few words, but didn't try too hard to flatter him.

After the two entered the hotel conference room they had booked, Huang Bo and the other actors who were waiting for news immediately surrounded them.

"Director, those reporters didn't ask any more difficult questions, did they?"

"Ahem, everything's alright now. Everyone get ready, filming will officially begin this afternoon."

Jiang Huai coughed twice, not wanting to talk about the reporters anymore, and asked the main actors to get ready to start filming the first scene.

Crazy Stone wasn't filmed sequentially; instead, all the scenes were filmed in this film studio first.

Since none of the actors here had any other activities besides Xu Zheng, Jiang Huai put Xu Zheng's scenes first to avoid affecting the progress if he had other commitments later.

"Click, Xu Zheng, prepare to secure another one."

The lead actors all have years of stage experience and their acting skills are generally good. Apart from some of their performances being a bit too exaggerated and needing some correction from Jiang Huai, they have no other problems.

Jiang Huai was happy with this arrangement. He had heard that Director Zhang liked to personally coach the actors. Jiang Huai was currently rushing to finish filming, hoping to complete the shoot within two months and see if it could be released in time for the Lunar New Year holiday after the film was approved and tagged.

Therefore, he certainly couldn't teach people step by step, and he didn't have much experience either. Just like the current film crew, he was happy to be at ease.

The days passed quickly, and the production team was progressing much faster than Jiang Huai had imagined. However, Xu Zheng was going to the set of "Li Wei the Official 2" in a few days to do some additional dubbing.

In order to maintain the current progress, Jiang Huai decisively started a high-pressure shooting schedule, with filming starting at eight in the morning and continuing until six in the afternoon, during which time all of Xu Zheng's scenes were filmed. He specifically asked Fu Lulu about the timing to ensure that breaks in between would not affect the actors' performance.

Most importantly, we don't have to pay extra salaries, since these staff members sent by China Film Group have to pay management fees to the guild.

If he had spent any more time queuing, the guild would definitely have demanded that he pay the outstanding wages if someone reported him.

"The director is exhausted. I can't take it anymore. Let me rest for a few days."

Xu Zheng initially supported Jiang Huai's approach, after all, he had just finished directing, but the other party was completely treating him like a donkey.

He has been filming like this for five days now, but he still has three days before he can leave the crew. He feels that if he continues filming like this, he will never have to leave again.

After enduring it for several days, Xu Zheng finally couldn't take it anymore and expressed his dissatisfaction to Jiang Huai. He wanted to rely on Jiang Huai to break into the Northwest film circle, but for an actor in his rising career, physical health must be the most important thing.

"Xu Zheng, I know your difficulties, but you also need to understand that it's not that I don't want you to rest, but you still have scenes with Zhang Ziyi later. If you rest now, you can't keep her waiting for you later."

After learning that Zhang Ziyi was willing to make a cameo appearance for him for free, Jiang Huai immediately decided to use her name as a cover.

How many actors in China today are more famous than Zhang Ziyi?

"Really, director?"

"Of course, would I lie to you about something like this? Think about it, once you've had scenes with Zhang Ziyi, when you take on other movies, you'll at least get a supporting role, right?"

Xu Zheng's eyes flickered. Jiang Huai would never deceive him with Zhang Ziyi. As long as he had scenes with her and bought some media publicity, he would officially become a movie star.

"Director, you're right. How could I be so lax?"

After weighing the pros and cons, Xu Zheng felt that he was not in any physical discomfort and that he could endure filming for several more hours.

"Yes, I'm glad you understand. I'm doing this for your own good."

Although Zhang Ziyi might only make an appearance and say a couple of lines, that wouldn't be considered lying. However, there's only half an hour left of filming today, so Xu Zheng really should get a break.

"Huang Bo, we'll film your scenes for the rest of the time."

After patrolling around, they spotted Huang Bo cracking sunflower seeds on the side and decided to recruit him as a laborer.

"Hey director, how about we call it a day?"

Both of them understood the importance of distinguishing between public and private matters on set, and no one mentioned the nickname "Sleeping Dragon" or "Young Phoenix" used in private.

But now Huang Bo really wants to get closer to him through private relationships. Xu Zheng's filming wasn't all his own scenes, and he hasn't had much rest these past few days.

"Feng, I have the highest hopes for you. You definitely won't let me down, right?"

Seeing that the other party was also a bit emotional, Jiang Huai knew he couldn't talk about interests like he did with Xu Zheng; with Huang Bo, he had to talk about feelings.

Sure enough, under his bright eyes, Huang Bo only hesitated for a moment before clenching his fist and patting his chest.

"Don't worry, Brother Long."