1990: Starting from Baojia Street

Hou Xiaoxian invested and paid for the film, so naturally it was not because of his kindness.

The reason why his current producer, Qiu Fusheng, signed a two-film contract with Zhang Yimou is to join forces with the mainland to promote Chinese films to the world.

In the past two years, Chinese films have performed well abroad, with Chen Kaige's Yellow Earth, Zhang Yimou's Red Sorghum and Hou Xiaoxian's Sad City all winning international awards.

For these films to achieve good results, the quality itself is naturally an important factor, followed by publicity. In addition to their own publicity, the famous Italian film critic Marco Muller also played an important role.

At the Venice Film Festival last September, Hou Xiaoxian had a chat with Marco Muller. Marco Muller continued to support Chinese films, but he also mentioned that China’s output of short films was too small, which was a factor in the film industry. It is a lack in development.

Both Italy and France attach great importance to the development of short films, especially France. The state even intervenes to encourage more directors to invest in short film shooting. There are many independent short film festivals in France, as well as many large film festivals. There will be short film awards, and France is now the country that produces the most short films in the world.

When they were chatting, Qiu Fusheng was also there.

Qiu Fusheng didn't know much about movies, but he took Marco Muller's words to heart. After returning to China, Qiu Fusheng began to collect short films.

In the past year or so, they have collected a lot of short films, but the quality varies, and they have spent a lot of money to collect these short films.

Why is it difficult to collect? Because no one took pictures.

In France, the government will fund and approve some people to shoot short films. After the short films are produced, they can participate in various film festivals. Local TV stations may also fund the purchase of the copyright of the short films.

But in China, these are not available.

Although it seems that they invested and paid for Zhou Yan's short film, the cost was very small, only tens of thousands of yuan in total.

The key is that it doesn't take much effort. The filming of Raise the Red Lantern has just been completed. The machines and staff are still there. I can finish the film in a day or two. It is just a casual thing and does not need to be set up separately. project.

In addition, Hou Xiaoxian is not only investing in movies, but also investing in Zhou Yan. He is very optimistic about Zhou Yan. Even if Zhou Yan does not continue to develop his film career in the future, he will probably become a well-known composer, which is worthy of his early investment.

Tens of thousands of dollars and a good relationship, why not?

…

No matter what Hou Xiaoxian thinks, Zhou Yan is now focused on finishing the filming of Antfly.

After negotiating with Hou Xiaoxian, Zhou Yan went directly to find Zhao Fei. He had to ask Zhao Fei to help with the photography.

When he heard about the new project, Zhao Fei didn't hesitate and agreed immediately. Anyway, it would take a few days for him to leave. He was idle here these days, and he was also very curious about what Zhou Yan wanted to shoot.

After finishing the photography, Zhou Yan went to find a makeup artist.

When he arrived at the makeup studio, Hong Xin and the others were already packing their things. Apart from the actors, the makeup crew was the first to leave, saying they would be leaving the day after tomorrow.

After entering the room, Zhou Yan said with a smile, Guantou Hong, you may stay for two more days.

Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Hong Xin's first reaction was whether there was any scene that needed to be re-filmed, Which scene needs to be re-filmed?

Zhou Yan shook his head, It's not about reshooting, but there is another short film to be shot. I have told Director Hou that I may need to second someone from your team.

Hong Xin asked, Can one be enough?

Just one person. Zhou Yan nodded.

Lin Juan, who was packing her tools, had already stopped her work and looked at Hong Xin eagerly. How could Hong Xin not know what Lin Juan was thinking? She pondered for a moment and then said, Is makeup difficult? Can you let Lin Juan go with you?

Lin Juan? She glanced at Lin Juan and nodded with a smile, Okay.

Although Lin Juan's skills are not as good as Hong Xin's, she can do simple makeup. There is no makeup in Antfly. If it weren't for the fear of problems, Zhou Yan would not come to make up and coordinate people.

Hearing Zhou Yan say she could, Lin Juan smiled like a flower, Brother Zhou Yan, when will we start filming?

Just these two days, just wait for my notification. Zhou Yan smiled, Then you guys get busy first, I'll go over to the scenery and lighting.

After Zhou Yan left, Hong Xin walked over and waved her hand in front of Lin Juan's eyes, My eyes are almost falling out. If you really like her, just tell people that if you are like this, there will never be any chance for you two.

Now Hong Xin has also looked back. Instead of letting Lin Juan have unrequited love every day, it is better to ask her to be bolder and pursue happiness. If it succeeds, it will naturally be a good thing. If it does not succeed, it is better to give up the idea as soon as possible.

There are many little girls in the crew who are interested in Zhou Yan, but Lin Juan is the only one who is so infatuated.

I'm afraid... Lin Juan lowered her head and pinched the corner of her clothes, If he doesn't agree, it will be embarrassing in the future. I'm very happy to be able to play cards with him.

Hong Xin was angry that he didn't live up to expectations and said, You don't live up to expectations.

…

Zhou Yan once again visited various departments such as the lighting team and the production team, and talked to them about the shooting. Among these departments, the most important ones are photography and lighting. Makeup is optional, and the production team The work is simple and Zhou Yan can do it himself.

After the contact was established, Zhou Yan asked Liu Qing to drive him to the county to look for a house and buy the props needed for the shooting.

Antfly does not involve many props, such as leather shoes, telephones, quartz clocks... The telephone may be the only one that is more difficult to obtain, but they quickly found one in the scrap market.

As for the house, they asked around and finally chose a hotel because residential housing involves too many problems.

Most people are not willing to rent their house to others for filming movies. Even if they are willing to rent it, they don't want to talk to Zhou Yan when they hear that it will only be rented for a few days.

The hotel is very good, the environment is suitable, you can rent it if you want, and you can return it if you want to.

Zhou Yan spent two and a half days doing these things.

After he finished all this and returned to Qiao's compound to inform Zhao Fei and them to start filming, he happened to meet Gong Li and the other leading actors leaving.

Seeing Zhou Yan and Liu Qing coming back, Gong Li said with a smile, I just told He Saifei that you won't be able to come back in time to say goodbye to us.

Many people from other groups came out to see them off. Although it was said to be a farewell, the scene was not filled with too much sadness because everyone felt that they should see each other again soon.

In fact, some of them will indeed meet soon. As long as Zhang Yimou makes another movie, they will get together. For some people, it's not necessarily the case. They may never see each other again after this farewell, but they don't realize it yet.

Zhou Yan said with a smile, Aren't you going to Chang'an? I'm going there in two days. How long will you stay?

More than a week. Gong Li said.

Zhou Yan counted the days and said with a smile, We should still be able to meet again.

He Saifei asked curiously, If you don't go back to Jinling to celebrate the New Year, why are you going to Chang'an? There won't be anything for you in the future, right?

It's still early for the Chinese New Year. Sister Fei, you forgot. I am a music assistant. After I finish this work, I must report to Teacher Zhao. Teacher Zhao lives in Chang'an.

Oh, I almost forgot that you are a soundtrack assistant.

Gong Li smiled and said, His identity changes. The next time I see him, he might be the director.

I think the assistant director is more likely. Didn't he end up doing the assistant director's work?

A few people chatted for a while, and the driver started to hurry.

Gong Li got into the car and waved to Zhou Yan, Let's go first. See you in Chang'an later.

Well, see you in Chang'an.

…

Early the next morning, the temporarily formed Antfly crew crowded into a van and headed towards the county town.

After entering the hotel room, Zhou Yan was about to start setting up the scene, but Liu Qing stopped him.

A short film is also a movie. How can you be so careless in making a movie?

Seeing his blabbering look, Zhou Yan was a little confused, Brother Liu, what did you say?

When making a movie, the ceremony cannot be lost.

With that said, Liu Qing took out a stack of red cloth from his arms.

He slowly unfolded the red cloth, revealing a banner about three meters long, with a line of crooked characters written on it with a black brush.

[Wish director Zhou Yan good luck with the launch of his movie Antfly\