Chapter 543 The Downtrodden Wu Tianmin
Historically, this TV series was directed by Zheng Xiaolong and Feng Xiaogang, starring Jiang Wen and Wang Ji.
Now, it’s hard to say whether Jiang Wen and Wang Ji will film this TV series, but the original two directors will not do it.
Of course it is impossible for Zheng Xiaolong. Now that the Yanjing Television Art Center and Shengshi Film and Television are at odds, how could Zheng Xiaolong agree?
Feng Xiaogang? It's impossible. This guy is an employee of the Art Center and a member of Haima Studio. Only Wang Shuo follows his lead. How dare he disobey Wang Shuo?
Zhang Yimou is busy preparing for his "Raise the Red Lantern". Who should he look for?
In the evening, when Song Tangtang came back, Fang Minghua talked about this matter. Song Tangtang also looked worried.
“I think it’s best to cooperate with Xiying Film Studio.” Song Tangtang expressed his opinion:
“After all, I am familiar with Xiying Film Studio. As long as you don’t influence Director Liu, He's an official. If you pay him, he won't care about anything you shoot, but you need a good director."
Fang Minghua pondered, and suddenly thought of someone, and said, "What do you think of Wu Tianmin? ”
"Who?"
"Wu Tianmin, the former director of Xiying Film Studio."
"Isn't he still in the United States? How to film?" Song Tangtang was surprised, and suddenly understood: "You You mean, this TV series will be filmed in the United States?”
“Of course, it’s an American story, so you can’t film it in a domestic setting, right?” Fang Minghua said with a smile.
"According to your idea, Wu Tianmin is very suitable for this film. Although he has never filmed a TV series, his directorial skills are there!" Song Tangtang became more and more excited as he talked: "Besides, I heard that he I am relatively downtrodden in the United States, but I am very willing to film!”
With this idea in mind, the couple sat on the sofa and began to add up.
If Wu Tianmin becomes the director, there is also a big advantage in using the production team of West Film Studio. Wu Tianmin is the former director and they are familiar with each other. And although Wu Tianmin has left West Film Studio now, his prestige is still there.
“Now, the biggest problem is how to convince Director Liu to use the production team of Xiying Studio to cooperate with Wu Tianmin, and the second is how to contact Wu Tianmin.” Fang Minghua concluded.
“I’ll go find Director Liu.” Song Tangtang said.
"Zhang Yimou and Wu Tianmin knew each other's specific address in the United States through letters. I called Sun Lizhe or Lili to help find them." Fang Minghua said.
After the two of them finished speaking, they looked at each other and smiled.
Having made up their mind, the couple split up. Fang Minghua called Zhang Yimou the next day to explain his thoughts and learned that Wu Tianmin was currently in Los Angeles, California, USA.
"Minghua, Director Zhang wrote me a letter during the Chinese New Year. He was originally employed as a visiting professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, but his contract expired at the end of last year, so he is now living at home with his daughter. Together."
On the phone, Zhang Yimou's voice was a little low: "His daughter Wu Yanyan is still studying at UCLA, and she spends a lot of money. I guess Director Wu's situation is not very good now."< br>
Fang Minghua understood what he meant.
My daughter is in college and my father has lost his job. They are both wandering in a foreign country. How can the situation get better?
"Minghua, if your friend contacts Director Wu, say hello to him on my behalf. If you need my help during filming, just ask, I know people well at Xiying Studio."
"Okay, I will bring it to you."
Now that he knew Wu Tianmin's address, Fang Minghua did not hesitate. At one o'clock at noon, he made an international long-distance call to Li Li.
It should be nine o'clock in the evening in San Francisco now, and Li Li is probably at home.
Sure enough, a familiar voice came from the phone, but it was in English: "Who are you?"
"Lili, this is Minghua."
"Brother-in-law." Li Li's voice He immediately became enthusiastic: "Where is my cousin?"
"Go to work, Lili, I have something to ask you to help with."
"Well, brother-in-law, tell me. ”
Fang Minghua briefly talked about his desire to find Wu Tianmin to film "Yanjing Man in New York".
“Huh? Wu Tianmin is in Los Angeles and can’t go back to China? Hey, I’ve seen his movies “Life” and “Old Well”, especially “Life”. I like it very much. I was still studying at Western University back then. , I watched it several times."
The girl's chatterbox was immediately opened: "Liu Qiaozhen is such a good girl, why doesn't Gao Jialin cherish her? I gritted my teeth with hatred when I saw it, why are men like this? "Fang Minghua smiled bitterly after hearing this.
You can’t beat all the men to death with a stick, right?
And, please, my eldest lady, international long distance is very expensive!
However, Fang Minghua did not interrupt much, but listened quietly.
Maybe she is lonely in a foreign country.
Li Li talked for more than ten minutes before she stopped. Suddenly she realized that she was off topic, so she apologized on the phone: "Brother-in-law, I'm sorry, I talked too much today, don't you blame me?"
"It's okay, Lili, come back and visit your parents during the holidays. Tangtang misses you too." Fang Minghua said gently.
"I also want to come back, but when I come back my mother will definitely ask where this question comes from. How should I answer? Sister Tangtang has probably told you about my affairs, hey."
"Get a divorce, you What's the difference between this kind of marriage and a grave? You're still young and you can definitely find a better one." Fang Minghua advised.
"Divorce? I've thought about it too, but I think it's good like this. We live in separate places now and don't interfere with each other. My life now is no different from before, which is good."
But this is not a long-term thing.
Fang Minghua sighed slightly.
"Okay, brother-in-law, don't talk about this anymore. I'm going to Los Angeles tomorrow!"
Los Angeles, Hilgrad Avenue.
This is located east of the University of California, Los Angeles. Although there is no bus to the school and the transportation is a bit inconvenient, the rent here is very cheap, which still attracts many students to rent here.
Wu Tianmin’s daughter Wu Yanyan rents a house here, and her father Wu Tianmin lives with her.
Now, as his daughter rides a bicycle to school, Wu Tianmin is not idle and continues his day's business - renting videotapes.
Unable to return to China, and with no source of income after their contract with the University of Los Angeles expired, the lives of the father and daughter suddenly fell into trouble.
At first, they made money by making dumplings and delivering dumplings to the local Chinese. Later, they decided that this was not a big deal. On February 14th this year, Valentine’s Day in the West, the father and daughter braved the heavy snow to return home from the two major universities. Car tapes, making a living renting tapes right here in the apartment.
This day is Chinese New Year’s Eve.
The father and daughter barely make ends meet by relying on the income from renting video tapes.
Life in the United States is monotonous. Wu Tianmin has nothing to do all day long, just watching video tapes to pass the time, from very famous literary and artistic films such as "Roman Holiday", "Gone with the Wind" and "Dead Poets Society" to Hollywood blockbusters. He has watched "Terminator" and "Blade Runner" to see what the movies are about and how Americans make movies.
He even saw "The Bridge of Lost Dreams" and "The Love Between Ghosts and Humans" adapted from Fang Minghua's novels.
I sighed in my heart, I didn’t expect that this guy Fang Minghua could write such a touching love novel.
Of course, he has also done something that made him very proud. Since there are no buses here, his daughter has to walk a long way to school every day. Not long ago, she muttered: "If I had a bicycle, I would Okay.”
Wu Tianmin kept his daughter’s words in mind.
What should I do if I have no money?
So he thought of a way to enter the casino!
It was the first time in my life that I came to these places, so I was naturally a little timid, but I was lucky and even helped my daughter win money for a bicycle.
When his daughter rode the brand new bicycle he bought, he felt so happy.
It is now past three o'clock in the afternoon. Students are in class and there are relatively few people renting tapes. Wu Tianmin was just about to watch the latest movie "The Godfather III" when suddenly a beautiful oriental girl with black hair and eyes appeared. At his doorstep.
The girl looked at him and said, it was Chinese Mandarin with a slight Wu accent!
"Hello, are you director Wu Tianmin?"
Director
Wu Tianmin's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
It’s been a long time since anyone called themselves that!
(End of this chapter)