Chapter 482: Parasite Starts

After nearly half a month of script reading, Zhang Yimou finally got started.

This move inevitably attracted the attention of media reporters. After all, the great director Zhang Yimou partnered with the international superstar Liu Yifei to shoot an art film. No matter from which angle, it would be a hot topic.

Speaking of roles, Yuan Quan was able to successfully get the role of the second female lead, naturally because of the recommendation of Qin Hao and Chen Minghao.

At that time, she was not the only one recommended. There were also Zeng Li and Qin Hailu. The three of them came to the company together. After some auditions, Zhang Yimou finally decided on Yuan Quan.

Speaking of the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama, there emerged ambitious and enterprising people like Zhang Ziyi.

There are also people like Zeng Li, Yuan Quan, and Qin Hailu who don't fight or compete and are as calm as a chrysanthemum.

Perhaps this attitude makes them not very famous in the entertainment industry, but they can still gain recognition and love from audiences and fans.

Their existence gives people more expectations and hopes for the entertainment industry, and they interpret the beauty and power of women in their own way.

"Zeng Li and Qin Hailu are also good, but they lack that kind of temperament."

“Yuan Quan’s temperament is reflected in her behavior and attitude.

She always faces the camera and the crowd with a calm attitude, neither ostentatious nor pretentious.

Her smile is gentle and sincere, giving people a fresh and comfortable feeling.

She moves with grace and ease, exuding a confidence and inner charm.”

Faced with the extremely high evaluation from the national teacher, Yuan Quan's attitude remained consistent, which also made Zhang Yimou more optimistic about him.

As for other roles, actors who have some fame and acting skills but not particularly high exposure were invited. Not to mention that there are countless such people in the circle, there are also many under the 18th Company.

After all, there are too many artists, and even if Wang Jinghua works herself to death, it is impossible for everyone to have sufficient resources. It is already quite difficult to make sure everyone has movies to shoot after becoming popular.

After the characters were completely decided, Zhang Yimou conducted more than a dozen location surveys and decided that the main shooting locations would be the capital and Shanghai.

For example, the old supermarket in the script was chosen in the old city of the capital, a place with a history of more than 20 years.

The Rainstorm Stairs were chosen in a residential area between the old and new city areas. In the movie, these stairs symbolize the transformation of the protagonist’s family from poverty to wealth.

As for the mansion of the second male lead, most of the interior scenes were built at a shooting location in Huairou Film and Television Base. This mansion shows the huge difference between rich and poor.

By the end of August, the preparations for the entire play were completely completed.

Originally, according to Song Ge's idea, he would naturally invite the media to publicize it widely.

However, after a series of operations on the new picture, Zhang Yimou became somewhat disgusted with the hype.

In the end, the two discussed and decided to just hold a small press conference to announce the all-star lineup and the start time of filming.

At the press conference, not many stars came to show their support. One reason was that everyone was very busy. Also, it was still early for the film to be released, and it was not a critical period for promotion.

Secondly, Zhang Yimou did not invite many people to participate. Many people in the circle wanted to come, but were politely declined by the national master.

Instead, there were many directors in the industry, teachers and leaders from the three major colleges and universities, including some filmmakers within the system.

The media present were quite excited and took photos non-stop. When it came to the question-and-answer session, some even asked directly whether the film would definitely compete for the Oscars.

"Yeah, I'll definitely go."

"As for the timing, it may be too late for next year's Oscars because of the film selection process, which may not allow for large-scale public releases before the submission deadline."

"Hello, Director Zhang. I'm a reporter from China Film Report. I'd like to ask why Director Gu Wei, the producer of Parasite, did not attend today's launch conference?" While saying this, the reporter kept looking around but still couldn't find Gu Wei.

The other media reporters nearby were also looking forward to Zhang Yimou's answer. Some of them were even thinking that maybe there was a conflict between the two, so Gu Wei didn't come. This was big news.

Afterwards, Zhang Yimou didn’t let anyone think too much and said directly: “The reason why Director Gu didn’t come is because the filming of The Wandering Earth is about to come to an end and the crew is too busy.”

A single stone caused a thousand ripples. Not only the reporters, but also the people in the industry who came to attend the press conference showed surprise.

"Is Gu Wei's movie shot so quickly?" Tian Zhuangzhuang asked Song Ge next to him in a low voice. In his impression, a sci-fi 3D blockbuster like this would take at least two to three years to complete.

“Well, it’s almost done, but only the live-action part is about to be finished. The post-production special effects and production will probably take more than half a year or even a year to complete.” Song Ge naturally knew the progress of “The Wandering Earth” and did not hide it from the guy from Beijing Film Academy.

"Director Zhang, has the filming date for Director Gu's movie been decided?"

"Director Zhang, when will 'The Wandering Earth' be released?" Faced with the reporters' impatient questions, Zhang Yimou waved his hand and gave the answer "the time is kept secret for the time being." This made many people at the scene unwilling to give up. They decided that after this was over, they would go to the China Film Digital Base to block people, as this was explosive news material.

"Hello Yifei, I'm a reporter from Entertainment Live. I'd like to ask you how you feel about starring in Director Zhang's movie for the first time. Can you tell us what you're thinking at the moment?"

Liu Yifei was dressed in casual clothes today, looking very youthful and beautiful. After hearing the reporter's questions, she spoke a few words very politely.

The subsequent interviews with talents such as Qin Hao, Yuan Quan, Hu Ge, and Zhao Liying were mostly like this, which made the reporters a little curious. Why did they all seem a little absent-minded?

Finally, when the question came to Chen Minghao, he responded well, "Everyone has seen our current state! Do you feel that your mind is not focused on the press conference?"

"Yeah, it feels like you all have something on your mind?" a reporter echoed.

"Actually, this is because everyone is in the right state and has immersed themselves in the characters in the script."

“When I was in school, my teacher told us that filming is not just about memorizing lines and thinking about characters, but about immersing yourself in them and fully feeling the complex emotions of the characters.

In other words, even now when filming begins, I, Chen Minghao, am no longer Chen Minghao, but have become the character in Director Zhang’s script.”

It has to be said that after Chen Minghao's explanation, everyone finally understood.

Below the stage, Chang Li, the head teacher of the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama, also came to the scene. Seeing her students say such words, she felt very pleased and nodded continuously.

As for other teachers and leaders, they were also whispering, expressing their envy that the Central Academy of Drama could cultivate such actors.

Just like that, the press conference, which lasted more than two hours, ended with applause from the audience.

The reporters present were arranged to disperse. Song Ge had already had the banquet hall set up in the hotel next door. Many guests moved in and everyone spoke privately.

The arrangement of the banquet was very interesting. Many of the main creative staff did not sit together, but were separated. For example, Liu Yifei and Zhang Yimou sat with the teachers from Beijing Film Academy.

Qin Hao, Chen Minghao and Yuan Quan are responsible for accompanying the teachers from the Central Academy of Drama.

Hu Ge was assigned to the Shanghai Theatre Academy. It has to be said that Zhang Yimou's casting for this film satisfied the leaders of the three major colleges.

At the table of the Central Academy of Drama, Chang Li held the hands of Chen Minghao and Yuan Quan respectively, and said something earnest and emotional, "More than ten years have passed in a flash. Thinking back to when we were in school, Ziyi and Liu Ye were the most mischievous. At that time, I tried my best to make sure they didn't fail the exams. Minghao, you were the most serious student. I originally thought you would have the best development, but I didn't expect that you would be performing in dramas in the years after graduation.

Now, seeing that you can all act in movies directed by famous directors, I feel relieved."

"Mother Chang!" Yuan Quan shouted with red eyes. When Chang Li became emotional, the emotions of several people were also aroused. Yuan Quan had tears in his eyes. Looking at the teacher's gray hair, he realized that time had passed too quickly without realizing it.

In the end, it was Chen Minghao who made some jokes and made everyone laugh with just a few words.

Next to him, Zhang Yimou was holding the hand of an older teacher, listening to the other party's constant encouragement: "Yimou, although the film has not started shooting yet, I think the chances of winning the award are not small. Don't be too stressed. Look, there are Yifei and the actors from the Central Academy of Drama, they are all very good."

This person was Zhang Yimou's mentor, who had retired a long time ago. However, as someone who had watched Zhang Yimou all the way, his concern for the national teacher came from the bottom of his heart.

"Yes, the teacher is right. With these good actors and the support of my fellow students, I am very confident."

Speaking of Gu Wei, everyone at the table couldn't help but feel a little proud. The latest issue of Time magazine was out, and Gu Wei was naturally the cover character. Such big news made the teachers and students of Beijing Film Academy stand up straight when they went out.

Liu Yifei next to her also kept smiling, especially when everyone was praising their men.

Happy times are always short-lived. After bidding farewell to his teachers and elders, Zhang Yimou did not delay and rushed to the filming location with everyone, starting his six-month crew life.

...

Online, the three major portals and self-media are also not idle. Compared with Zhang Yimou's low-key style, they are much more high-profile.

The next day, the front-page headlines of various media entertainment news were decisively taken by the "Parasite" crew.

Penguin Entertainment reported: "Aiming at the Oscars, Zhang Yimou's latest film held a press conference in the capital."

Sohu Entertainment reported: "Liu Yifei said frankly that she was under a lot of pressure, not because of the awards, but because she couldn't get into the state when reading the script."

Sina Entertainment: "The strongest star class - the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama, Chen Minghao, Qin Hao, and Yuan Quan are acting in the same crew."

China Entertainment reported: "According to Director Zhang, Gu Wei's The Wandering Earth is about to wrap up, and we will continue to report on the follow-up news."

.........

(End of this chapter)