1990: Starting from Baojia Street

Although there were many people around Xutongtong, most of them came to join in the fun. Chen Kaige and others came mainly to chat with Zhou Yan and answer a few questions from Xutongtong, and then left.

After about ten minutes, the number of people surrounding Xutong Road became much smaller.

Xu Tongtong's thinking was also very clear. When he saw that Xu Feng and Hou Xiaoxian were gone, he kept an eye on Zhou Yan and kept asking Zhou Yan questions.

After all, Zhou Yan is today's protagonist, and if you want to dig him, you must dig Zhou Yan.

Xu Tongtong: Director Zhou, you just said that this is your first feature film. Have you made any other works before?

Zhou Yan: I made a short film before.

Xu Tongtong: Is it convenient to reveal the name of the short film?

Zhou Yan: Antfly.

Xu Tongtong: How long will it take to shoot The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly?

Zhou Yan: More than two months.

Xu Tongtong: What's the release time?

Zhou Yan: The release date has not been determined yet.

Xu Tongtong: This movie is scored by yourself. Have you ever done any work in scoring before?

Zhou Yan: I have previously participated in the soundtracks of Raise the Red Lantern and Heaven's Reply, and I also participated in the Farewell My Concubine currently being filmed.

Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Xu Tongtong also understood. No wonder Zhou Yan and Chen Kaige were so familiar with each other. It turned out that Zhou Yan had collaborated on the soundtrack.

Xu Tongtong has never heard of Heaven Replies, but Raise the Red Lantern and Farewell My Concubine have been in the newspapers frequently in the past two years, and they are both movies that have attracted great national attention.

It was previously rumored that John Lone would be participating in Farewell My Concubine. Although he was not the president in the end, Leslie Cheung was not bad either and was also a popular star.

…

Zhou Yan chatted with Xu Tongtong alone for another six or seven minutes. Then he looked at the time and said with a smile, Reporter Xu, that's it for today's interview. We have a scene to shoot in the morning, and I have to take the team there now. On set.”

After hearing what Zhou Yan said, Xu Tongtong didn't bother anymore. After all, Zhou Yan was already very cooperative with him. Today may be the smoothest interview he has ever had in his career, and he has already gained a lot.

Well, okay, Director Zhou, thank you very much for today. Xu Tongtong said gratefully.

Zhou Yan smiled, waved his hand and said, You're welcome. Everyone is here for work. By the way, when you go back, tell Sun Qin of the special team that I will take half a day to find him this weekend.

Sun Qin has been filming Forbidden City: Memory recently, and has already filmed a lot. Some time ago, he told Zhou Yan to let Zhou Yan have time to watch the film.

It's just that Zhou Yan has been busy and hasn't taken time. He just thought that he would go take a look this weekend while the actors were resting.

The reason why Yanjing TV station sent someone here this time was because Sun Qin learned about the opening ceremony from Zhou Yan.

Xu Tongtong was a little surprised when Zhou Yan said this, Director Zhou, you know Director Sun from our station.

Zhou Yan laughed, You can find out the relationship between me and him when you go find him.

After saying that, Zhou Yan waved to Xu Tongtong and walked towards the door.

The rest of the crew had already gone to Yangyin. Wang Xiaoshuai and the driver were waiting for Zhou Yan at the door.

Looking at Zhou Yan's back, photographer Xiao Liu was still a little confused, Brother Xu, it seems that Director Zhou and Brother Sun are quite familiar with each other.

Unlike Xiao Liu, Xu Tongtong's mind was spinning very fast. He remembered that the special team was recently filming a promotional film called The Forbidden City: Memory, and it seemed that the soundtrack director was from the Central Music Composition Department.

Could it be that it is Zhou Yan?

Let's go, let's go back too. Xu Tongtong waved to Xiao Liu, and he was going to go back to ask Sun Qin.

…

The first scene today is about the young male protagonist’s parents receiving a letter written by his grandfather before his death. In the letter, the grandfather told his parents that the young male protagonist did not fall on his head at all, that there was no problem with his IQ, and that everything was done by the little male protagonist. Mainly disguised.

In this movie, all the scenes that did not require scenes were shot by Zhou Yan in Yangyin. From the perspective of the difficulty of shooting, the letter-reading scene was actually very simple, because there were very few scenes. Most of them are close-ups of the parents' faces.

In other words, the only difficulty in this play is actually the actors. It depends on whether the actors themselves can grasp the feeling of reading the letter. As long as the performance is in place, the scene will be fine.

Although the crew was rich, Zhou Yan was also a director who was very economical on film. He rehearsed the scene seven or eight times before starting the filming. He didn't tell Zhao Fei to start filming until he thought the expressions and lines of the two actors were in place.

Turn on.

Play the board.

once.

start.

Although I have only made one short film, when it comes to this routine, I am familiar with it.

…

Because it is not a live recording, after the camera is turned on, Zhou Yan will talk next to him and give some instructions to the actors.

Yes, father came over and sat down.

After reading the letter at this time, my father raised his head first.

Mother also raised her head...

During the on-site shooting, it was impossible to let the actors really read the letter. Firstly, it would be a waste of time. Secondly, the two people read the letter at different speeds. If they really let them read it by themselves, they would definitely not be able to grasp the time, so the director could only Voice control during shooting.

This scene went very smoothly. The scene was originally simple and had been rehearsed several times, so He Saifei and Zhu Shimao completed it very successfully.

Okay, pass.

After Zhou Yan said pass, the audience burst into applause.

The first scene went so well and everyone on the crew was very happy.

Isn't there a saying that a good start is half the battle, so looking at it this way, they are now half the battle.

Of course, this shot has been passed, which does not mean that the whole scene has been shot. Other scenes will be shot later, but they are relatively simple shots, such as the side shot of the father walking over, and the shot from behind the actors when they read the letter. Close-ups of letters, etc.

After all the shots scheduled for this morning were taken, Zhou Yan breathed a sigh of relief and asked Wang Xiaoshuai to inform everyone to call it a day and have dinner.

Even though they finished shooting these scenes in more than an hour, before he arrived on the set, Zhao Fei and Senior Lu had already started setting up the scene with the crew.

These shots took a full day and a half from the preliminary preparation, to the actual shooting, to the final ending. This was still a relatively simple scene. If it was difficult, it would be normal to shoot for several days.

At the end, Hou Xiaoxian came over with a smile, This is a good start, and the follow-up will definitely go smoothly.

I hope so. Zhou Yan said with a smile.

Well, don't underestimate this good start. It has a very strong psychological implication for the staff. I have been making movies for so many years, and I can clearly feel that if the first scene is not shot well, there will be various problems later. All kinds of problems, if the first scene is shot well, the follow-up will be much smoother.

Zhou Yan nodded, Hou Xiaoxian was right, psychological suggestion is a very mysterious thing.

He smiled and asked, Director Hou, you were watching just now, do you have any suggestions for me?

Hou Xiaoxian smiled and waved his hand, This scene is relatively simple and will not pose any test to you. Let's wait until we shoot other scenes later.

Although Hou Xiaoxian did not comment, he actually gave an evaluation. He was very sure of Zhou Yan's level.

But Zhou Yan knew that he had to thank Senior Lu, Wang Xiaoshuai, and Zhao Fei. The three of them helped him a lot, including when he wrote the footage and storyboards. These three people also gave him a lot of useful suggestions.

Especially in terms of the arrangement of scenes, the final version was quite different from what Zhou Yan originally designed. The final scene design was discussed by the four of them together.

Among the four of them, Zhao Fei is undoubtedly the most experienced, while Senior Lu and Wang Xiaoshuai have very solid theoretical knowledge. The most important thing is that Senior Lu and Wang Xiaoshuai have shown very high enthusiasm.

This was the first project they had worked on since they graduated, so it was natural for them to pour their heart and soul into it right there. Like Zhou Yan, they hope that this movie can be completed well.

During this period, they often discussed together until eight or nine o'clock in the evening, sometimes even as late as eleven o'clock. Except for Wang Xiaoshuai who would go home no matter how late, Zhao Fei and Senior Lu would run away if they were late. Go to sleep in Zhou Yan's dormitory.

Senior Lu actually works the hardest, but he is not in good health. In order to take care of his health, Zhou Yan will try his best to finish before nine o'clock and not let him stay up late.

After Hou Xiaoxian left, Zhou Yan looked around the set and found that his younger brothers and sisters were helping the crew pack things.

During this period, Zhou Jiajun has been following Zhou Yan. When the crew is busy, they will also help.

At first, the crew knew that they were the director's younger brothers and sisters, so they were too embarrassed to ask them to help. Later, they couldn't resist their enthusiasm, and Zhou Yan seemed to acquiesce, so he started letting them do it. As time went by, he gradually got used to it.

They have become quite familiar with each other on the crew during this time. The older ones are very diligent and help everywhere. Although Lao Jiu can't help much, she is so cute that everyone in the crew wants to tease her.

Lao Jiu is playing with Yu Feihong at the moment. Although this girl never talks about it, Zhou Yan knows that she is from the Appearance Association and prefers to play with good-looking people.

In fact, there were no scenes with Yu Feihong during this period, and Zhou Yan did not require her to come to the set, but she still came every day, and she would always watch carefully after coming. Her work attitude and study attitude were very good.

Zhou Yan walked over and picked up Lao Jiu's collar, Qing'er, follow your fourth sister during dinner later and stop running around.

Lao Jiu smiled and nodded, Okay, Third Brother, don't worry, I will definitely not lose Fourth Sister.

Zhou Yan snorted and said with a smile, You are so powerful, then should I take your seventh sister with me?

As soon as he heard about the seventh sister, Lao Jiu waved his hands repeatedly, Third brother, I'd better follow the fourth sister.

If among the brothers and sisters, who is most likely to beat up Lao Jiu, it is Lao Qi Zhou Jing.

Lao Qi is the biological sister of Lao Ba and Lao Jiu. Although Zhou Jing rarely beats Lao Ba and Lao Jiu now that she is in high school, the memories of her childhood are so deep that they still shy away from Zhou Jing.

The cowardly look of Lao Jiu also made Yu Feihong laugh, Jiu Mei, it turns out that you are also afraid of people.

I respect you, Sister Feihong. I respect Sister Qi just like I respect you. Lao Jiu said with a smile.

Hearing this, the smile on Yu Feihong's face became even brighter. Zhou Qing is like this, always able to say something that makes people like her.

Third Brother, I'm going to find Fourth Sister. You can talk to Sister Feihong. After saying that, Lao Jiu ran away.

After Lao Jiu left, Zhou Yanxiao asked Yu Feihong, Do you have time after lunch?

I have time. Is there something wrong, Director Zhou?

Zhou Yan nodded, There are some changes to your play. I have just perfected the script. If you have time at noon, we will meet in the composition classroom. I will show you the new script and tell you about the play. .”

Okay, no problem. Do you want to go after dinner?

Zhou Yan looked at his watch and said, At one o'clock, let's meet in the composition classroom.

Yu Feihong smiled and nodded, Okay.

…

At one o'clock in the afternoon, when Zhou Yan arrived at the composition classroom, Yu Feihong was already waiting at the door.

Awaited.

Yu Feihong smiled and shook his head, No, I just arrived.

Zhou Yan smiled and opened the door of the composition classroom. After entering, he handed the script to Yu Feihong, The other scenes have not been changed. The main part is the part where the young hero reunites with you. Take a look.

Yu Feihong nodded and took the script from Zhou Yan.

This part of the script is not long, and Yu Feihong read it in a few minutes.

Before she even finished reading the script, Yu Feihong had a smile on her face, because the changed scene had greatly improved her character.

Originally, she was more like a symbol in this movie. She didn't appear much, but she was always in the heart of the young hero. But now that the reunion scene has been changed, her character has become very different.

In particular, a song appears in this scene. After the movie is released, and when others hear Reunion in the future, the image of her hiding from the rain under the eaves may come to mind.

Yu Feihong's first concern was also about this piece of music, Did you also write Reunion played by the male protagonist here, Director Zhou?

Zhou Yan said with a smile, You have heard of this song, it is the one I played on the stage that day at the meeting.

It turned out to be that song...

Yu Feihong's thoughts flew back to the day of the meeting. She had always wanted to ask Zhou Yan what the song was called, and even thought about asking Zhou Yan to record a version for her to listen to. The song was really nice, and it matched the weather that day. .

But she wasn't familiar with Zhou Yan, so she didn't feel embarrassed to mention it.

So the song that day was written just for the heroine? Yu Feihong asked.

Zhou Yan nodded, Well, this scene also came to mind when I saw it raining that day.

Yu Feihong looked at Zhou Yan with a different color in his eyes. No wonder the song fit so well with this plot.

With a smile in her eyes, she said, Actually, there is a small piano where I live, but I can't play it, so it has always been a decoration. Director Zhou, at my age, is it okay to learn piano?

Zhou Yan nodded affirmatively, Of course. I know a teacher who started playing piano when he was in his sixties. Now he is in his early seventies and he plays very well. Of course, if you want to take the professional route, the possibility of starting now is Not big anymore.”

I don't want to take the professional route, I just want to play songs like Reunion and Secret Joy.

Zhou Yan said with a smile, That will be easier. If you work harder, you can perform these two pieces of music well after one year of learning. If you are talented, the time will be shorter. If you practice for a few more years, you can play Croatian Rhapsody It's not impossible.

Can you teach me, Director Zhou? Yu Feihong suddenly asked.

That's not possible, my fees are very expensive. Zhou Yan joked, and then said, My piano skills are actually very average. If you want to learn, I can help you find a piano major after school starts. Students come to teach you, and their level is much higher than mine. Teachers should not be able to do it. The teachers in the piano department of our school basically only take students from the professional route.

Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Yu Feihong was slightly disappointed, and then smiled again, Then I won't study for the time being, and concentrate on acting well first.

Zhou Yan nodded, Well, actually the changed scene is relatively simple, but you have to pay attention, after you escape the rain and enter the video store, your behavior will be different from before...

Then Zhou Yan briefly talked about the play with Yu Feihong, which only lasted about ten minutes.

Just when it was about to end, Yu Feihong finally summoned up the courage to ask, Director Zhou, have you recorded the song Reunion? Can you give me a tape? I'll take it back and listen to it. I'll look for this It feels like a drama.”

Zhou Yan nodded simply, No problem, I have it in my dormitory. I'll bring it to you during the afternoon filming.

Thank you, Director Zhou.

…

That night, Yu Feihong listened to the song Reunion recorded by Zhou Yan on the tape over and over again, feeling that the more she listened, the better it sounded.

After listening to it many times, she slowly fell asleep to the beautiful music.

In her dream, on her way back to school with her books in her arms, she suddenly encountered heavy rain and had to run under the eaves of a video store to take shelter.

While hiding from the rain, she was attracted by a beautiful piano sound coming from the video store, and walked into the store holding the book.

The person playing the piano was covered by the piano. She slowly approached and saw first the top of his head, then his eyebrows, eyes, bridge of nose... Finally, the person's face was finally revealed, and it turned out to be Zhou Yan.

Just when Zhou Yan was about to look up, Yu Feihong was suddenly awakened by a phone ringing.

She sat up and rubbed her hair, then ran to the living room to pick up the phone. Her mother's voice came from the other end of the phone, Feihong, are you up?

Yu Feihong said sleepily, Well, get up. Mom, are you okay with calling me?

Can't I call you if I have nothing to do? Mother muttered, and then said, Your sister is going to Yanjing next week. Do you want her to bring you something? Do you have enough clothes to wear? Ask her to bring you some new ones.”

I have enough clothes to wear. Why does sister come to Yanjing?

I have a project to go to Yenching Institute of Technology. After I go there, let her live at your place.

Isn't there a guest house?

Do you have to live in a guest house? You two sisters haven't seen each other for such a long time. Don't you have a lot to talk about?

You don't have to live together to talk...

Ok, deal.

After hanging up the phone, Yu Feihong rubbed his eyes and ran to bed to catch up on his sleep. He wanted to continue his dream, but he couldn't fall asleep, so he turned on the radio and played the song again.

…

The filming of The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly has been going on smoothly, and the progress is even a little faster than Zhou Yan's previous plan.

When school was about to start, all the scenes that were to be shot in Yangyin were basically finished, except for the last scene - the scene where the young male protagonist played Croatian Rhapsody.

The reason why we never filmed this scene is because the band never got it right.

When Zhou Yan talked with Xu Feng before, he said that the orchestra could not give in, so Xu Feng was very cautious when looking for the orchestra.

In the end, the wait was worth it, because Xu Feng directly invited the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra over.

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra has a long history and is definitely the leading orchestra in China. They were able to invite them. On the one hand, Tomson Group has a really strong relationship with Shanghai. On the other hand, they are also very interested in this piece of Croatian music.

It was not until September 27th that the orchestra arrived in Yanjing.

But fortunately, they have already rehearsed in Shanghai in advance, so after arriving, as long as they practice with Lang Lang for a day or two, they should be fine.

September 28th turned to September 29th. In two days, the band and Lang Lang practiced together for a total of twelve hours. After Zhou Yan heard the results, he felt that the results were quite good, so he started preparing for filming.

This scene was quite difficult because there were many people involved and recording had to be done on site. It was not easy for them to get this opportunity. Of course they had to record the audio track of this section. They couldn’t find the orchestra to re-record it later. record.

In order to enhance the atmosphere of the scene, Zhou Yan also attracted many students from the school and filled the concert hall.

School is about to start now, and many students are already here.

…

Yu Ran and Fang Xiu were the first to respond, and they also helped bring many people together in the class.

In fact, it is not difficult to attract people at all. When I heard that someone was filming in the school and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra was invited, the enthusiasm of the students was very high. How could they watch a performance of a high-level orchestra for free? Can a music student resist?

At first, Yu Ran and Fang Xiu had the same idea, thinking that they were just coming to listen to a free concert, but after arriving at the venue, they realized that it was not that simple.

After everyone comes, they must sign in, and then the on-site staff will arrange a seat for each of them.

The rules for arranging seats are very simple and straightforward, that is, try to arrange the good-looking ones as far forward as possible.

Yu Ran is relatively far forward.

But being forward is not a good thing, because the further forward, the higher Zhou Yan's requirements.

After the shooting starts in a while, you have to watch my gestures and don't make expressions and movements easily...

The tip and extra updates have been finished. There is still one more chapter to add with monthly tickets. I will pay it back tomorrow.