Chapter 268 Bottom Line
In Hong Kong Island, Wells was very quick, after all, the procedures for registering a company there were too simple.

Purchasing film equipment is not difficult either. As long as you pay, the service will be extremely efficient.

In less than a week, the report on co-production approval reached the capital.

An office of the Film Bureau in Beijing.

"Boss, this is an application from Beijing Film Studio for a co-production of a film."

In the office, a young clerk walked in with a document and handed it to the leader's desk.

"Co-production application?"

"This old Wang is really fast."

The co-production of films was also just approved this year, but most of the applications are from outside, such as requests for assistance from Hong Kong Island, or left-wing film companies coming to the mainland for co-production.

It is rare that the studio calls us to apply.

"Why haven't I heard of this Planet Film Company?"

The leader looked at the Hong Kong Film Company listed above and asked curiously.

After the policy was relaxed in the past two years, co-production films are no longer limited to the left. Some non-leftist film companies’ applications for co-production are generally approved.

Just like this year, Haihua Film Company co-produced "Intolerable", a Qing Dynasty action film, with the film producers of Mindi.

This film is just average, but this company is a signal because it is a non-leftist film company.

This play was personally approved by Director Liao, the highest official in Hong Kong and Macau.

Although the production company, director and leading actors of this drama are not well-known and they are not considered well-known talents in Hong Kong Island, this drama has demonstrated an attitude to the audience.

The country is opening up and is no longer limited to cooperating with left-wing companies.

"We asked someone to help us investigate this Planet Film Company. It was newly established, but it was handed over to us by the Hong Kong Office."

"The conditions offered by the other party were very good. Not only did they cover all the filming expenses, but they also provided all the filming equipment."

The clerk said with some doubt that he had never seen such good conditions.

"Then this should be considered a co-production, how do you apply for a co-production?"

"I don't know. The one that Beijing Film Studio called was a co-production application, and this Planet Film also called for a co-production application."

"Well, let me call Lao Wang and ask him what's going on."

The leader considered it for a moment and did not approve it directly. Instead, he picked up the phone on the table and called Wang Yang.

Not long after, Wang Yang rode his bicycle directly to the office.

"Old Wang, you are really hardworking. It's so cold, but you don't take the car. You ride a bicycle without fear of the cold."

Seeing Wang Yang coming in with his nose red from the cold, Director Jiang, who was in charge of the approval, said with a smile.

Wang Yang waved his hand: "There are only a few cars in the factory, and they are too busy making movies. How can I do it myself?"

Of course, he was allocated a car for someone of his rank, but Wang Yang seldom rode in it. Instead, he gave it directly to the crew at the factory.

"What's the matter, Lao Jiang? The movie can't be approved?"

After taking off his hat, Wang Yang directly questioned Director Jiang.

Director Jiang shook his head: "You are still so hot-tempered. When did I say I couldn't approve it?"

"So what did you call me to ask?"

Wang Yang asked bluntly.

“I just don’t understand!”

"Old Wang, don't blame me for being suspicious. You two are a good match, and the conditions offered by the other party are too good. Even the film companies we are familiar with don't offer such conditions."

"I'm really unsure."

"Tell me, what's going on with this movie?"

Director Jiang asked Wang Yang in a low voice.

Some things are not just about procedures, you also have to be sensitive.

Hearing this, Wang Yang sat on the sofa and smiled.

"The application report has been sent over. It was issued by the Hong Kong Office, right? That means there is no problem."

"Can patriotic Hong Kong businessmen support national construction?"

"As for the specific cooperation, that is the secret of our Beijing Film Studio. What if it is leaked out and a group of film studios compete with us for it?"

"So, Lao Jiang, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's that I can't tell you."

"Anyway, there's nothing wrong with this movie. I've sent you the script, and it's completely up to standard."

"Just approve it boldly. If anything goes wrong, I'll be responsible, okay?"

Wang Yang said proudly.

Director Jiang saw this and shook his head: "Really can't tell?"

"I really can't tell you. Anyway, it's a good thing for us. Just believe me!"

Wang Yang definitely can’t say it.

Zhu Lin hasn't graduated yet. Even though she is from Beijing, there is no guarantee that she can enter the Beijing Film Studio.

What if the conditions were known by other film studios?

They can produce scripts, provide foreign exchange, and also offer brand new film equipment. These conditions must make those film studios jealous.

Therefore, Wang Yang was determined not to reveal it to anyone.

"Well, now that you've said that, it seems like your secret is really big."

Lao Jiang shook his head helplessly.

"Don't worry, there won't be any problems, and it will help us train our own film talents."

Letting students from Beijing Film Academy shoot the film is not the way to cultivate film talents.

"Fine!"

“Take it back!”

Director Jiang quickly signed the document and handed it to Wang Yang. Just as Wang Yang said, the co-production application submitted by the Hong Kong Office must have no problem with the nature of the company.

There is no problem with the Beijing Film Studio and there is no problem with the script, so there is no reason for the Film Bureau to hold it up.

On the other hand, on Wednesday night, Li Changhe came to Xiaoxitian and prepared to take Zhu Lin home as usual.

However, after the shuttle bus arrived, someone called out to Li Changhe.

"Long River"

"Teacher Hou"

The one who called him was Teacher Hou from the Directing Department.

"You and Zhu Lin, don't leave yet. Come with me and have a chat."

Teacher Hou called Li Changhe and Zhu Lin, and then led the two to an office.

"Teacher Wang, can I borrow your office so I can talk about something?"

There was still a teacher from the Performance Department in the office who had not yet left work. After Teacher Hou came in, he smiled and said.

"Okay, I'm leaving soon. Just lock the door for me when you leave."

Then, Teacher Wang stood up and walked out.

"Changhe, Zhulin, both of you sit down."

"As for me, I came to you this time, and I think you understand."

"It's about your crew. We contacted the Beijing Film Studio. They said they would let you two decide everything. Zhu Lin will be the director, right?"

"Correct!"

Li Changhe smiled and nodded.

"Well, I won't ask you how you did it. In principle, our department has no objection to your filming application."

"However, considering your current level and situation, the department has an idea."

"How about your crew becoming an experimental class for the department?"

Teacher Hou said with a smile.

"Experimental class?"

Li Changhe frowned slightly.

Teacher Hou nodded: "Yes, you also know that our Beijing Film Academy has established a youth film studio."

"But our studio is mainly focused on teaching tasks, and we can't compare with big studios like Beijing Film Studio. We can only get one or two films approved every year, and teachers have to line up to come."

“The teachers are also filming with students from the directing department, but I’m afraid the project for next year won’t be ready for a while.”

"It just so happens that you have the conditions. The department wants to let a teacher lead a group of students to study with you."

Li Changhe didn't agree immediately after hearing this, but frowned and asked, "Teacher Hou, I want to ask, are these students just following along to study, or are they also going to participate in the filming?"

"Teacher Hou, let's be honest. This co-production was made possible largely because of my favors."

"Another reason is that I really want to help Zhu Lin gain some experience. After all, compared to Tian Zhuangzhuang and Chen Kaige, my wife has too little experience."

"We asked Lao Tian and Kaige to join the group because they are students of Beijing Film Studio and can communicate better with the people there."

"We also invited Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei to join us. This is a simple crew model."

"But if our teachers bring a lot of students, it's fine if they just want to feel the atmosphere of the crew."

"But if it means being filmed on camera and practicing, then I can't agree to it."

"Although I have a lot of say, Hong Kong businessmen don't have the same money as us. If the filming is in pieces, it will be difficult for me to tell the Hong Kong side."

Li Changhe does not oppose teachers and students of Beijing Film Academy to study, but he will not allow teachers and students to participate in filming by taking the opportunity of learning.

So for some things, the ugly truth must be said up front.

It would be difficult for Zhu Lin to say these things. After all, it was a school and it might be his teacher. If he really asked her, Zhu Lin would probably feel embarrassed to refuse.

So Li Changhe must speak up about this matter.

Hearing Li Changhe's words, Teacher Hou smiled and said, "Of course, this is a co-production after all, not a teaching film."

"We have also considered it. When the time comes, we will let Teacher Xie Fei lead the team and follow you to experience it. Our main intention is to feel the filming atmosphere and understand the crew."

"As for the filming plan, it must be you who will take the lead."

Teacher Hou said seriously.

In fact, the department’s intention is to see if they can gain certain rights to improve learning outcomes.

However, this scale is also controlled by Teacher Hou. After all, you can't snatch other people's shooting rights.

"If you study this way, then there's no problem."

"By the way, Mr. Hou, how long do we plan to let them study? Is there a time limit?"

Li Changhe continued to ask.

Upon hearing this, Teacher Hou couldn't help but complain in his heart.

This kid is so cunning that he wants to set a time limit for the department.

"Well, depending on your shooting schedule, how about half a month to a month?"

Teacher Hou hesitated for a moment and set a time.

Generally speaking, it takes a crew only one or two months to shoot a movie.

Some can be extended to two or three months, depending on the progress and film demand.

Li Changhe and his team’s shooting plan has not yet come out.

But it will definitely be much slower than normal.

"Sure, Mr. Hou, since the school is organizing the study, I can make the decision. The crew will take care of the food and accommodation for our teachers and students during this period."

"But just one thing, don't interfere with the filming, that's my only request."

Li Changhe spoke to Teacher Hou seriously, his words were extremely firm.

Draw the bottom line first, and if it is violated later, don't blame him for being rude!
(There is one more chapter coming later!)
(End of this chapter)