During the release of "Once Upon a Time in China", Xu Ke and Liu Jialiang had a war of words in the newspapers.
This dispute is not only a conflict between individuals, but also a collision between two martial arts styles and movie concepts.
Following the topic of the dispute between Jet Li and Cheng Long, the dispute between the old and new martial arts has aroused widespread attention and discussion among the citizens of Hong Kong.
With the help of the media, more and more people are attracted to movie theaters to try new things, and the movie box office has been rising steadily since then. It has exceeded 10 million. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that "Once Upon a Time" is definitely It will become one of the highest-grossing movies of the year.
Therefore, when Gong Xie finished her film roadshow trip and returned to the crew, she was immediately welcomed by Wang Jing and other crew members.
In addition to flowers and applause, congratulations were heard all the time. All I met were good people, and everyone spoke kindly.
Gong Qie saw through it without saying anything, and followed the countermeasures discussed with Fang Yan:
“When I came here, I happened to pass by a tea restaurant. The pineapple buns and mandarin duck milk tea there were very good. , I ordered a copy for everyone!”
“Wow!”
Everyone applauded the airborne assistant director from the mainland. The more you look at it, the better it becomes.
Even the most arrogant person has a little less rejection and disgust in his eyes.
After all, instead of looking at Fang Yan’s monk face, we must also look at Fang Yihua’s Buddha face. At the moment, Gong Cie is more favored by Fang Yihua than Wang Zuxian.
Wang Jing even got the guidance of his father Wang Tianlin, who diligently invited Gong Qie to the shooting scene just like he served Fang Yihua.
Now, the preliminary work of "Baby Zhi Duo Xing" has been completed. It was officially launched the day before yesterday, and sacrifices were placed to pay homage to Guan Gong.
The first few scenes were filmed as transitional sections of the movie, which were not very difficult. They were mainly for the purpose of getting in touch with the various departments of the crew, and also for the actors to find the acting state as quickly as possible and grasp the feeling of the characters. , thus gradually entering the play.
Gong Zhen sat on the chair and quietly watched the picture on the monitor.
At this time, two stupid thieves, Zhou Xingchi and Wu Mengda, had just been released from prison and were wandering around on the street with nothing to do.
The scene was quite simple, just follow the script and say the lines and dialogue, but as expected, something unexpected happened.
Zhou Xingchi suddenly played his cards against the rules and started chatting with Wu Mengta intermittently. It seemed that the preface and the follower were incompatible, but it was not inconsistent with the situation.
“Pfft!”
The crew members snickered when they saw this scene. Gong Zhen couldn't understand it because he didn't understand Cantonese very well.
But just by looking at the movements, one can’t help but raise the corners of his mouth, seeing that Zhou Xingchi and Wu Mengda are taking steps to disown each other.
“Crack!”
Wang Jing stood up from the monitor angrily, “What did you do!”
Then he came to Zhou Xingchi and Wu angrily In front of Meng Da, he said sternly: "Can't you remember such a simple line?"
"No, director, I have memorized the lines."
Zhou Xingchi said: "'I'll give you an AK, I'll give you a Laifu, I'll leave your mother alone, I'll make it bigger and stronger, and create greater glory'. "
"Then you remember, why don't you say it? Why are you talking so nonsense?"
Wang Jing frowned, "Did you do it on purpose or accidentally?"
Zhou Xingchi raised his chin and said, "I think these lines and actions were added. , will make us two thieves act even more brainless.”
"So, you did that on purpose just now?"
Wang Jing looked unhappy: "Didn't I already tell you what to do? Who asked you to change it randomly!"
Zhou Xingchi said confidently: "Director, don't you think the performance we just performed was funnier?"
"Yes, the effect is indeed good." Du Qifeng said in a low voice.
“So what, is he the director or am I the director?”
Although Wang Jing thought so in his heart, he was still reluctant to give up.
After all, if actors like Cheng Long and Gong Cie want to change their roles, a director like himself, who is a small actor, will naturally have nothing to say, but someone like Zhou Xingchi who only played a bit player in "Song Bingyi" before , how dare you hit him in the nose and bully him, the most popular director of Shaw Brothers Film Industry.
So no matter whether the changes to the play are appropriate or not, he has to maintain his authority as a director, otherwise he will not be able to lead the crew in the future!
Including Du Qifeng, everyone on the crew knew this, so no one stood up to defend Zhou Xingchi.
“If you tamper with Fang Sheng’s script at will, you are just superfluous, you know!”
Wang Jing was furious.
“But director, the effect will really be better if you do this.”
Zhou Xingchi didn’t understand it very much. As soon as he got the role of "Baby Zhi Duo Xing", he thought hard about all kinds of more down-to-earth ideas. The jokes and more humorous actions try to make the comedy effect in the script more prominent and more in line with the tastes of Xiangjiang citizens.
I originally thought that these efforts would be appreciated by the director and applauded, but unexpectedly, I was scolded and I felt aggrieved.
“You are stealing the show! Spoiling the show!”
"Do you know how many seconds, how many frames of film, and how much money were wasted just because you did this?!"
"How much time and effort of the staff are there!?"
Wang Jing is ready to scare the monkeys and establish his prestige in the crew, saying cruel words one after another.
Zhou Xingchi was young and energetic, and still a little unconvinced. Wu Mengta who was standing aside was startled and hurriedly stood up to smooth things over. While he apologized to Wang Jing on behalf of Zhou Xingchi, he winked at Zhou Xingchi vigorously. Shut this guy up.
"Director Wang, this guy is new and not very sensible. Don't be as knowledgeable as him!"
"There was something wrong with me in the scene just now. My tone and actions were not enough to show the characteristics of a stupid thief like me."
Wu Mengda is different from Zhou Xingchi in that he can bend and stretch.
Back then, he co-starred with Zheng Shaoqiu, Zhao Yazhi, and Wang Mingquan in "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang". He became popular with "Hu Decal" and was famous in the entertainment industry for a while. If he hadn't failed to live up to his expectations, he got into bad gambling. Although he is not as good as Zheng Shaoqiu and Zhou Runfa, the first-line TVB actors, he is still a respectable star, and he will not be reduced to being a green leaf for young people.
Because of this qualification, Wu Mengda is still somewhat weak-minded in front of Wang Jing.
What's more, Gong Qie also stood up to smooth things over and asked everyone to take a break from work to get pineapple buns and mandarin duck milk tea.
Seeing them begging for mercy, Wang Jing did not continue to scold Zhou Xingchi, but gave the disobedient prick a hard look. The warning in his eyes was very clear, and he said "Reshoot after eating" and got angry. Leaving with a bang.
The people watching the excitement dispersed, leaving only Zhou Xingchi standing angrily.
Wu Mengda glanced at him and couldn't help but shake his head and said: "When I was filming, I went my own way like you. I offended many people later on. You must not imitate me, otherwise there will be consequences. "When you are unlucky."
Zhou Xingchi said disapprovingly. He curled his lips and said, "At worst, I'll go back to playing a small role again. I don't believe I won't have a chance in the future..."
Before Zhou Xingchi could finish speaking, Wu Mengda hurriedly poked him with his elbow, then grinned at Gong Qian and said with Broken Mandarin:
"Ms. Gong, what Xingzi just said were all angry."
"It's fine if you say it in front of me, but don't compete with the director."
Gong Xie He shook his head helplessly. Zhou Xingchi's behavior in a mainland crew was tantamount to challenging the director's authority.
It can range from being criticized like Wang Jing to being kicked out of the crew altogether. If you don’t act, there will be others who will act.
"Yes, yes, Xingzi, why don't you thank Miss Gong for speaking for you just now?"
Wu Mengda pulled Zhou Xingchi's sleeve.
Zhou Xingchi bent down slightly, showed an awkward smile and said: "Thank you, Miss Gong."
Gong Jie asked: "Why did you do that just now?"
Wu Meng A replied that after receiving the role, the two of them formed a group and went to the street From my observation experience, I once met a couple dating in a dimly lit park in the middle of the night. Their chats were often illogical. They jumped to another topic before finishing the previous one, seemingly without a preface. It's a joke, but it doesn't violate the agreement. The two of them can have fun all night long. "Brother A and I think this is too nonsense."
Zhou Xingchi said: "I was just wondering if I could add this into the play, because I think Fang Sheng's script also feels nonsensical."
When he heard the word "nonsense", Gong Yue was confused. It's simply incomprehensible.
Zhou Xingchi and Wu Mengda can only say one thing to you and another to me, trying to make their understandings as clear as possible.
“It sounds like a comedy style.”
Gong Xie thought carefully, “But even if you really think it’s good, you should discuss it with the director in advance, right?”
Wu Mengda was also helpless. This was his original plan, but who would have thought that Zhou Xingchi would act first and then act on his own initiative.
"Miss Gong, you are also an actor."
Zhou Xingchi said seriously: "You should understand that when you are acting, you suddenly get inspiration and you can't help but want to act like this." Then. He asked further: "You also watched my and Brother Da's performance just now. What do you think? How was our performance just now?”
“Although I don’t understand your nonsense and I don’t understand the Cantonese jokes, I see other people laughing quite happily.”
Gong Chou. Recalling the scene just now, the way the two walked on the street was both arrogant and funny.
Especially paired with their original lines, "Is it illegal to drag? Can you tell me which law stipulates that people cannot be dragged?"
"I'll just say it!"
Zhou Xingchi was excited He clapped his hands.
"Even if this is the case, it won't work. If it doesn't happen next time, you can't make your own decisions while filming."
Gong Qie warned: "You can discuss it with us first, if you think it's really good If so, we will definitely adopt it.”
"Yes, yes."
Wu Mengda nodded repeatedly, and then took Zhou Xingchi to drink Yuanyang milk tea.
Zhou Xingchi sighed, "Did I make a mistake? I..."
"Shh!"
Wu Mengda was so frightened that he looked around and made sure No one was around, and he breathed a sigh of relief: "Please keep your voice down, if those words just now reach the director's ears, you will really have to pack up and get out. Do you know how many people are trying to squeeze their heads to act in this drama!" ”
"Of course I know. If Fang Sheng said that I was superfluous, I would admit it, but Wang directed him..." Zhou Xingchi suddenly said this, which shocked Wu Mengda.
“I don’t care what you think in your heart, but never say it out and let others hear it.”
Wu Meng replied: “I only speak for you for the sake of our past friendship. Don't be ignorant yourself!"
Zhou Xingchi nodded depressedly, "Thank you, Brother Da."
Wu Mengda reminded Zhou Xingchi and asked him to keep his mouth shut and not talk nonsense.
"You kid, remember, this drama is related to the life and death of Shaw Brothers. Mr. Liu and Mrs. Fang are very concerned about it. If you let others sue them, you may not even have the chance to be beaten in the future. No, Bao Buqi will be hidden in the snow like that Liu Dehua."
"This...this..."
Zhou Xingchi frowned. Could it be that no one could understand him? confidant?
After being criticized by Wang Jingyitong and reminded by Gong Qie and Wu Mengda, Zhou Xingchi restrained himself and no longer went his own way and made decisions without authorization. Instead, he came up with new ideas or good ideas whenever he had them. Wang Jing, Du Qifeng, Gong Jie and others discussed.
In other words, Gong Zhen and Wu Mengda act as lubricants, coordinating with each other so that the entire crew can operate normally.
Although the final results were impressive, Wang Jing always felt awkward and always believed that Zhou Xingchi was a prick that was difficult to control.
So, I came up with the idea of temporarily changing roles, and wanted to replace Zhou Xingchi with Chen Baixiang, who often cooperates and is more obedient.
However, he had no right to do this and had to obtain Fang Yan’s permission. So when the crew was finishing work, he asked Gong Zhen to take him to see Fang Yan.
In the tea restaurant where he had previously ordered pineapple buns and mandarin duck milk tea, Fang Yan listened to Wang Jing pouring out his bitter thoughts for a long time without saying a word.
On the surface, the fat man was complaining about Zhou Xingchi's disobedience, but secretly he also felt that as a director, he followed the script completely and was inevitably tied up, like a puppet on strings, and the actors did not have much room to express themselves freely.
“Are you done?”
Fang Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip.
“That’s it.”
Wang Jing breathed out, “Fang Sheng, what do you think?”
"From what you just described, Zhou Xingchi and Wu Mengda have quite some ideas."
Fang Yan said: "Especially that 'nonsense', it is indeed very novel. I think as long as it is not too outrageous, let them do whatever they want. ”
“But!”
Wang Jing was startled, never expecting that he would tolerate an unknown sidekick.
Fang Yan added: "However, actions and language can be changed, but try not to change the lines."
Wang Jing echoed: "That's right!"
"I don't mean that their modifications are bad, but this film should not only be released in Hong Kong, but also in mainland China and Taiwan. In other Asian countries, even in Europe and the United States, "Fang Yan explained, "There are too many Cantonese films. Clueless jokes are not conducive to the translation of the film, the audience's understanding, and it is not conducive to widespread dissemination. I said it so clearly, do you understand?"
"I understand, I understand..."
Wang Jing took a breath of air, never expecting that his ambition was so great.
“As for you, it’s the same truth.”
Fang Yan said: "Just follow the script and film it honestly. You don't need to think too much."
Wang Jing was hit hard by his words, not to mention the expression on his face How depressing it is.
Fang Yan smiled noncommittally. Many people in later generations believed that it was Wang Jingcheng who made Zhou Xingchi the "King of Comedy" because in the early 1990s, when Zhou Xingchi was at his peak, he also collaborated with other directors. Yes, but when it comes to word-of-mouth popularity and box office results, the works he and Wang Jing jointly produced are the best. Once upon a time, the combination of Wang Jing, Zhou Xingchi, and Wu Mengda was a symbol of nonsense and high box office.
It’s a pity that Wang Jing went north to work in the mainland. Although he made several good TV series such as "The Best in the World" and "Little Fish and Flowers", his movies were not as good as before. "Chasing the Dragon", "Macau Storm" and the like are basically old wine in new bottles, always making things worse.
On the other hand, Zhou Xingchi is very different, "Tang Bohu Spots Autumn Fragrance", "Returning to the Soul Night", "Kung Fu", "Shaolin Football"...
From this point alone, you can see the gap between the two.
In front of Wang Jing, Fang Yan definitely can’t say that you may not be as good as this walk-on guy in the future.
After all, it is not very harmful, but very insulting.
So he changed his words and said sincerely: "I know you are feeling aggrieved because you are a director, but I can tell you responsibly that even directors in Hollywood, except for people like Spielberg, If you are like this, you will feel very depressed when filming."
Wang Jing opened his mouth and resisted speaking.
"I chose you to be the director because you make movies to make money."
Fang Yan crossed his hands and said with a smile: "But have you ever thought that one day you can gain both fame and fortune?"
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When Wang Jing heard this, he suddenly became energetic.
“If you let Zhou Xingchi perform well in this movie, if he becomes an instant hit, everyone will think that it is you, Director Wang, who made him successful. But if Zhou Xingchi’s performance in this movie is quite satisfactory, he will be followed by ‘nonsense’. 'If you become famous, everyone will just say that you buried him."
Fang Yan smiled: "I have said what I have to say, and it is up to you whether you listen or not." (This chapter. End)