I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 567 565. It doesn’t matter, I will take action

"Sister Bingbing has also started playing with Dzi beads?"

Xu Xin asked looking at the bracelet hanging around her neck.

"Uh... no."

Liang Binning shook her head slightly, and while speaking, she was tying her hair with the rubber band on her wrist.

So the two people's eyes didn't meet at all, they just heard her say:

"A friend gave it to me, saying it's for safety. Aren't we going to the temple to film a movie tomorrow? I'm a bit superstitious, so I feel at ease wearing it."

The shooting location of "The Legend of Zhen Huan" is Jietai Temple on the outskirts of Beijing.

In fact, logically speaking, most of the scenes of the entire crew were completed in Hengdian, and Hengdian also has a specially built temple landscape.

From Buddha to Tao.

The crew is actually very particular about filming in temples.

Speaking more scientifically, the spotlight light that must be used during filming will react spectrally with the colors on the statues of immortals and Buddhas, especially the gold foil, which will cause the gold foil to lose its original gorgeous color, and the statue will change color over time.

To be more superstitious, taking pictures of Buddha, Bodhisattva and gods is not very respectful.

Temples and Taoist temples are the residences of immortals. If ordinary people go there to take pictures and visit, lack of respect will inevitably cause displeasure to the immortals.

So generally speaking, the crew will shoot in specially built temples.

This kind of temple has a lot of talk.

For example, if the statue has not been illuminated, it is a pure handicraft.

In other words, during the construction, someone gave special guidance and continued the rules of the ancient pear garden. Whether it is opening or breaking the stage, in short, after walking around, there will not be any gods coming to this place, but pure scene construction...

Talking too much, even the rules in the south and the north are different.

If I really want to explain it in detail, it involves folklore and miscellaneous things. Many things are not scientific, so I can't explain them clearly for a while.

But it is true that sometimes some reckless actions will produce some...unexplainable adverse reactions.

Some people are quite taboo about this.

This is the case with Zheng Xiaolong.

So after hearing Liang Binning's words, he smiled and said:

"It's okay. The abbot of Jietai Temple is my friend. The reason why we put it there specifically this time is because every time I am filming, I always put incense there. I have held the opening ceremony many times. , Bingbing, you don’t have to worry.”

"Um."

Liang Binning responded with a smile, then took off the string of Rudraksha, took out a small yellow silk bag from his pocket, put it inside and sat down.

Looking at Xu Xin:

"Drink less today. Although it is a wedding banquet, don't be like last time and don't know anything."

Xu Xin responded with a smile:

"Um."

After speaking, he turned and looked at Zheng Xiaolong:

"Director Zheng, what should we drink today?"

"wine."

Zheng Xiaolong waved his hand:

"The phone will be turned on tomorrow. If you drink too much, you will definitely be in bad shape. Today is just for everyone to get together and enhance their relationship. Just have a drink."

As the director of the crew, his words were equivalent to an "imperial edict", setting the tone for tonight's dinner.

Red wine is much simpler.

Next, everyone sat together and chatted.

They arrived so early that when other actors came and saw the director and investors arriving, they all quickly apologized and said they were late.

And Xu Xin also saw the appearance of these people.

Most of the male actors, including Chen Jianbin, have gone bald, and the hairstyles of female characters have also changed a lot.

For example, Baozi and Zhang Jiao, when these two ladies came, they had a row of bangs on their foreheads.

Zhang Jiao has a cold temperament, and her hairstyle with bangs makes her look... well, she is neither unruly nor ugly.

But in short, you don't like this person's sense of déjà vu at first glance.

Xu Xin nodded as he watched.

Not to mention, Director Zheng really has two skills.

One glimpse reveals the whole leopard. Zhang Jiao's appearance alone fits the unlikable character "Huan Bi" very well.

As for the dinner, it was uneventful.

Compared to the casual drinking of liquor last time, today's guys are more and more eager to get close to Director Xu, but Liang Binning, the first sister of the crew, set the tone at the beginning:

"Director Zheng, although I can't drink too much today because I have to start filming tomorrow, I still want to toast you. Please take good care of me in the next few months."

The clinking of glasses between her and Zheng Xiaolong was equivalent to showing everyone off.

After the message of not drinking too much was conveyed, Xu Xin was liberated.

Indeed, work will start tomorrow. If he gets drunk again tonight and goes to filming with swollen eyes tomorrow, the director will be in trouble.

So, after the meal, Xu Xinlong drank less than two glasses of red wine.

It only adds up to about half a bottle.

After having enough wine and food, we agreed on the time and place for the power-on ceremony tomorrow morning, and the dinner ended.

At the end of the show, Zheng Xiaolong, who had already become familiar with each other after two meals, also asked Xu Xin about the new movie.

"Xiao Xu, how are the preparations for the new movie going?"

"Auditions will start in the next two days."

Xu Xin smiled while following him in the direction of the car.

Zheng Xiaolong nodded slightly:

"Is that so...where are the male and female protagonists? How do you say that?"

Xu Xin's expression remained as usual:

"It's just an audition, the investment is not big, and a matter of millions is not worth fighting. This scene is about a friend who opened a film and television company, and dragged me over and forced it into my hands... I really didn't want to take it, but I I'm afraid of getting beaten by some of them, it's not worth it~"

"Haha~"

The joke made Zheng Xiaolong laugh out loud. At the same time, he took out the cigarettes in his pocket, handed one over and said:

"Okay, then I get it. In fact, I also have a few good young people here. You are about to start auditioning, so I won't talk about it. Next time if there is a lack of roles, tell me and ask them to Let’s go visit you.”

"no problem."

Xu Xin agreed immediately.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a few more words, and finally Xu Xin personally sent him a business car.

One after another, other actors have almost left.

Only Zhang Jiao and Baozi were left, talking to Liang Binning and Yang Mi.

When he walked over, Yang Mi asked curiously:

"What did you and Director Zheng talk about?"

Xu Xin didn't say anything at first, but lit the cigarette.

"Hiss~"

He thought for a while and looked at Liang Binning:

"Sister, shall we take you back?"

"good."

Liang Binning responded and waved her hands to Wang Dongying:

"Send Baozi and Jiaojiao back."

"OK."

Under Wang Dongying's nod, Xu Xin glanced at Zhao Liying...

"steamed stuffed bun."

"ah?"

"Behave yourself."

"Uh-huh!"

Zhao Liying nodded quickly:

"I know, Brother Xu."

"Jiaojiao, look at her carefully."

Listening to Xu Xin's words, Zhang Jiao smiled and nodded:

"Don't worry, Brother Xu."

"Well, let's go."

He waved to the three of them, and soon after they left, Xu Xin was not in a hurry to get in the car, but asked:

"Director Zheng should be quite powerful in Beijing circles, right?"

"Well..."

Liang Bingning thought for a while and said:

"What's your situation...what's wrong?"

"I sent him away just now, and out of the blue he suddenly started chatting with me about movies, saying that he also had some good young people here. He said that if he wanted to make another movie next time, let him know, and he would recommend it. Let me see……"

Holding a cigarette in his mouth, Xu Xin had a confused look on his face:

"Do you think this is a signal?"

"Well……"

Liang Binning fell into thinking.

And it’s quite a long time.

Waiting until Xu Xin finished smoking, she shook her head, but did not give an answer.

"Let's talk in the car."

So, Sun Ting drove, Yang Mi sat in the passenger seat, and Xu Xin and Liang Binning sat in the back.

She said:

"Director Zheng's status in the Beijing circle is actually quite special."

"For example..."

"Do you know who is the boss in Beijing now? I mean openly."

"That must be Huayi."

"That's right."

Liang Bingning responded and continued to ask:

"Then do you know who is the first eldest brother in the Beijing circle?"

"this……"

Xu Xin thought for a while and said tentatively:

"Is it Director Zheng?"

"Yes, that's him. He, Wang Shuo, can be said to be the leading brother."

Liang Binning began to give him popular science.

"Actually, we have to start talking about this in the 1980s, the era of "Desire". The 1980s was the era when Beijing circles dominated the TV screen. At that time, Director Zheng was the director of the Nortel Art Center. He promoted two people at that time , one is named Zhao Baogang, and the other is named Feng Xiaogang.

The rise of Wang Shuo, the pillar of the Beijing Circle in the early days, is also inseparable from him.

It can be said that back then, if he said something, the entire Beijing community would tremble. "

"Well, what then?"

"Then? Wang Shuo left the United States after being banned in 1996 due to issues with his values. The man who took the lead in producing "The Stubborn Master", "The Story of the Editorial Department", "Desire", and "The Yanjing Man in New York" inevitably affected.

As domestic entertainment companies began to rise, Director Zheng, the leading brother, inevitably stepped down from the altar.

You can think of it this way, the development of Beijing Circle was led by the big courtyard brother. But now it's not enough to just be a big brother, you have to be rich and powerful. Therefore, Director Zheng's position is rather embarrassing.

He is the big brother who established the status of the Beijing Circle, but now the Beijing Circle has broken away from the pure atmosphere of a big brother. The words of the generation of elders he represents actually have little weight. On the contrary, people like Feng Xiaogang, who followed him as his younger brother, began to gain momentum.

The old man is reclusive and the newcomer is coming forward. He still has energy in the Beijing circle, but the old man with this energy cannot follow him, and the newcomer has no need to pay attention to him. With only status and no resources, the most embarrassing thing for him now is this..."

Speaking of this, she suddenly laughed out loud:

"Haha, I suddenly remembered something."

"What?"

"If Director Zheng's position at that time... Don't ask me to be the protagonist in "The Legend of Zhen Huan", the person who plays "Zhen Huan" must be a princess in the Beijing circle. Either Xu Jinglei, Xu Qing, and me What's going on?"

"..."

Xu Xin said nothing, just thinking about what she said.

In fact, Xu Xin didn't dare to say that he understood everything she meant.

Especially the relationship between Wang Shuo and Director Zheng, and how the Beijing circle was transformed into the current Beijing circle.

But he didn't sit next to him and think about the meaning of Director Zheng's words today.

To be honest, I actually have no conflict with Beijing Circle.

You make your money, I shoot my scenes, the two sides are not next to each other.

It's just because he chose to join Xiying Studio, became a member of the Northwest Circle, and started to... well, it's not an exaggeration to say that he leads.

After he started to lead the people in the Northwest Circle to rise up, the Beijing Circle naturally closed the door on him.

It's like Venice this time.

It's obvious that everyone can stick together outside, but the two sides always keep their distance.

But Director Zheng suddenly said that he wanted to introduce some young people to him, so he couldn't help but not think too much about it.

After all, even if Sister Bingbing is not popular, he still knows that Director Zheng has a high status in the Beijing circle.

No matter whether Big Brother is fading away or stepping down from the altar, the mark of the Beijing circle will always be there on him.

A person with the stamp of the Beijing circle, who was once the leader, suddenly said that he wanted to introduce some young people to himself... Now Xu Xin faced a very real problem.

Is this a sign of goodwill from Beijing?

If it's a sign of goodwill, should I continue?

But what if these young people are just rotten cabbage, and what if I don’t want them?

And what Director Zheng meant, was it his own? Or is it that the Beijing Circle wants to send him a signal?

These things may not seem related at first glance, but putting them together is a very troublesome thing.

He is not afraid.

But if this matter is someone else's plan, then he really has to be on guard.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing that he didn't speak, Liang Binning asked.

"I'm thinking about what's behind this..."

After he expressed his thoughts, Liang Binning thought for a moment and shook his head slightly:

"I think it shouldn't be the case. Director Zheng's status is here, and the current Beijing circle has made it clear who is rich and powerful, and who is the eldest brother. At his age, he is destined not to return to the position of the eldest brother he once was. .

Director Zheng put it bluntly, the reason why he lost power was actually similar to Wang Shuo. Wang Shuo believes that creative use should be subjective and the audience must adapt to him. Director Zheng's fault was also because he, like Wang Shuo, overemphasized the meaning of his works and failed to actively embrace the market.

His failure is irreversible, so this is the main reason why he does not have any good resources in the Beijing circle now. You want to ask what other privileges he has... Maybe the only privilege he has is that he can ignore some rules and make works that interest him...

As I get older and have a higher status, I am relatively free. I don’t know who he wants to support for the time being, but what I am sure of is that given his status, no one else can or dare say anything about what he wants to do.

But this privilege is limited to himself. If he wants to re-establish a sect or establish a new mountain, it is basically impossible. The people who can see you through him are either people the Beijing circle doesn't care about at all, or...well. "

Liang Binning thought about it again and said:

"It should be the same as you and Director Zhang. He is sure that these young people have no problem and is willing to promote them, and these young people don't want to be grandchildren in the Beijing circle... I think it should be like this."

"..."

Her words inspired Xu Xin a lot.

Because she connected Director Zheng's matter with the old man.

Looking at it this way, it does seem to make sense.

only……

"Beijing circle... No, is there such an actor around him?"

"There must be, and there will definitely be no less. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because of the nature of Beijing Circle."

At some point, she started playing with the string of Rudraksha in her hand.

Amidst the "ta-da-da" banging sound, she said:

"The essence of the Beijing circle is like that of Beijing Film Studio...or it is the same as your school that has just resumed college entrance examination enrollment. The first wave of people, that is, the fifth generation of directors, are not all the children of high-ranking cadres and literary and artistic families. ? Everyone is in a nepotistic relationship. This one calls me uncle, and that person calls me uncle. You and Mimi debuted late, so we don’t know. Children from other places like us... want to join the Beijing circle? Haha."

She chuckled:

"Don't talk about being a maid, being a dog depends on whether you are qualified...Have you even heard of that rumor? When "Red Sorghum" won the award, Chen Kaige said: Damn, isn't it just me? Teacher?"

"..."

Looking at Xu Xin's speechless expression, Liang Binning sighed.

And this sigh is the most authentic emotional experience of a woman who entered the industry in 1996 and has experienced the ups and downs of the entertainment industry around the millennium.

"Sigh. There are too many people who want to come up now, you know? What is the underlying ecology of this circle? You and Mimi start from too high a level, so you don't even know.

But I've been through this, so I know.

I won’t mention it at this stage, but think about Director Zhang. At that time, directors Zhang and Zhang Junzhao signed a ten-year military order with Guangxi Film Studio in order to film "One and Eight". The movie was unsuccessful, so Director Zhang volunteered to work as a photography assistant in the film studio for ten years...

If you think about it, this was still the 1980s. How many talents wanted to enter the film and television industry at that time?

And how much has this population base increased now?

Therefore, I estimate that if you want to say that Director Zheng was instructed by the Beijing Circle to cooperate with you, or in other ways... I don't think the possibility is high.

But as a big brother who has stepped down, he has seen this circle become more and more unfamiliar and cumbersome over the years... It is quite possible that he wants to do something.

After all, the reason why the drama "The Legend of Zhen Huan" was born was not essentially because he wanted to use a critical perspective to let the audience see what a real "palace fight" is, so that young people who are immersed in the fantasy of the novel Soberer? So I think his starting point shouldn't be a bad one...that's what I think. "

After she finished speaking, Yang Mi also said:

"I think Sister Bingbing's idea is quite right. Director Zheng doesn't seem to be involved with the Beijing circle~"

Both said so.

Xu Xin frowned and thought for a while, then nodded:

"Then let's take it one step at a time. Xiying Film Studio needs people everywhere. If they are really capable, I won't have any deep knowledge of the industry. That's for sure."

"If you need someone, you can look for it."

Liang Binning didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and looked at Yang Mi at the same time:

"Mimi, I'm sorry... Isn't September of any year the time when various brokerage companies compete for resources? Why don't you make any movement?"

"I'm looking for it, sister."

Yang Mi grinned and said with some guilt:

"We have been planning to recruit people. We have been busy recently. We have to take wedding photos and he is busy with movies... Oh, I know. I won't be lazy and will start implementing it in the next two days. Is this okay?"

Liang Binning shook her head helplessly, then turned to look at Xu Xin:

"Then have you decided on the male and female protagonists of your movie?"

"No, let's watch the audition when the time comes. But the male lead may be Wen Zhang."

"he?"

Liang Binning was stunned for a moment and then said:

"Are you familiar with Ma Yili?"

"I'm not familiar with him, but Wen Zhang has always had a close relationship with my childhood friends. He may have been said too much that women are strong and men are weak, and he has been trying to turn over in the past few years. However, the resources of the Shanghai Circle depended on the pot, and it was never his turn, so he and Xu Zheng were in the same situation, and both started to think of their own ideas. If he could succeed, it would be equivalent to helping the Shanghai Circle promote an actor, which was also a personal favor. "

To be honest, there are actually very few opportunities for the three of them to talk about serious matters like this.

So the content of the conversation today is very formal.

After hearing what Xu Xin said, Liang Binning thought about it and asked tentatively:

"Don't you also want to integrate the Shanghai Circle?"

And without waiting for Xu Xin's answer, she continued:

"I'm not optimistic about you doing this. The Shanghai Circle actually seems to be supported by Shanghai Film Studio at first glance, but in fact their resources are very loose. It's not so much a circle, but a gathering place of capital... Over there Isn't there an old saying? It's called face, lizi, nothing is as good as money. It's basically impossible for you to copy the model of Xiying Studio on them."

"Why should I copy that?"

Xu Xin rolled his eyes without thinking:

"What's more... to what extent do you have to be confident? I haven't figured out the Northwest Circle yet, so I'm going to do the Shanghai Circle? It's just that everyone is working together now. Let's join together to do the Beijing Circle... If they want money, then give it to them It’s all about money. And…”

His finger drew a circle in mid-air:

"Haven't you noticed yet? I bet the new world on the future. I am not an actor born in the 1970s, nor are we born in the 80s.

What I value most is the generation born in the 1990s.

The circle of people born in the 1970s and 1980s is close to solidifying, but the circle born in the 1990s has just begun to show its signs. Whether it is the Shanghai Circle or the Northwest Circle, it is basically impossible to compete with the Beijing Circle with the heritage of these two eras, so we can only gamble on the future.

What's more... everyone knows that Shanghai Circle can make money. I am also learning from them. Vanity Fair Vanity Fair, just fame but no fortune, is destined to walk with a limp, will definitely be overtaken by others, and will not be able to walk long. "

"Then you're not afraid that people here will learn bad things?"

Hearing this, Xu Xin turned to look at her, his eyes full of calm:

"On a larger scale, this is a matter of the atmosphere of the industry. At present, I think it is well established. But on a smaller scale... I won't mention it, let's just talk about actors... Don't you, the actor, have you as well?"

"..."

Liang Bingning's mouth twitched...

For nothing else, just for the three words "old man".

She has been really sensitive to age recently...

"Teacher Gao can't be the leader for a few more years. You old man..."

"Stop, please change your name."

Liang Binning really couldn't listen anymore.

"Uh... okay. You..."

"you!"

"...You. When Teacher Gao retires, I will definitely support you to come up. As the leader of the actor troupe, let alone the old people in the troupe, each one is more slick than the last.

But for the young people who have been recruited one after another in recent years, sister, you have to keep an eye on them and keep a close eye on them. He even told them honestly that if they want to be famous, there are only a few criteria: being able to endure hardship and being willing to work hard.

How realistic is this world now? If an actor wants to rise to the top, there are only two things he needs to do. One is your own hard power, and the other is the resources behind you.

The former relies on oneself, while the latter... To put it bluntly, we can't do it in the Beijing circle now.

What to do?

I think it’s simple. On the basis of ensuring one’s hard power, one should focus on cost-effectiveness? If someone else gets a salary of 1 million, I want 500,000. I am a better actor than him! Do you use it? "

"..."

Liang Binning was speechless.

"This is a lose-lose situation."

"Why do both sides suffer?"

Xu Xin tilted his head and asked:

"What's wrong with people who come from Xiying Studio and have a cheap, easy-to-use label on their heads? As you said, getting around in Beijing depends on relationships and transactions.

We don't have to.

We are all at the bottom. Not to mention making less money, aren't there a huge number of people who are trying to get ahead by giving away money or using themselves to get ahead?

You said I didn't come from the bottom, and I agree.

But there are some common logics in this world.

The lower a person is at the bottom, the more eager they are to get ahead. Because they know that as long as they can get ahead, all the suffering and sin they have suffered will be doubled in return after success.

This is the current thinking of our factory. We are not as money-oriented as the Shanghai circle, nor are we as class-oriented as the Beijing circle.

We are walking between the two. As long as you are willing to work hard, work hard to improve yourself, and label yourself as cheap and easy to use, people will naturally come here..."

Speaking of this, he saw Liang Binning's eyes.

That look is like saying "Where do you get your confidence?"

So, Xu Xin smiled:

"Ha, don't you believe it?"

"...It's not that I don't believe it, I just...think it's a bit exaggerated."

"No, it's not an exaggeration at all. You will know if you think about our national conditions. Our country can take this road on a global stage! Then I think it is unreasonable for a small entertainment industry to not be able to take this road. .Is not it?"

He spoke with certainty and confidence.

Because this is his perception.

As a person born in the 1980s, he is the generation who has the deepest experience of the changes in the country from childhood to adulthood.

In his opinion, the current Beijing circle is the United States.

The shattered Shanghai Circle in the 1990s is like Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The positioning of Xiying Studio suddenly became clear.

I won’t compete with you in the Beijing circle for the status of the boss of the entertainment industry. Whoever wants to be the boss should be the boss.

But I am responsible for the happy lives of our own people.

Learn from the barbarians and use their skills to control them.

But when Liang Binning heard this... her first reaction was...

"This will offend a lot of people. Especially my colleagues outside..."

"What does it have to do with me?"

Xu Xin asked back:

"I just gave an opportunity to stand out in front of those "low-level people" as you call me. If they are afraid of offending others, then don't come. If they want to stand out, let alone offend others, what can they do if they offend other people's whole families? Like? You have to give people a way to survive, right?

Moreover, it’s not that I don’t let people make money. This is just like household appliances. We all know that foreign products are good but foreign ones are expensive. But you can't afford imported ones. Now a domestic alternative is placed in front of you, focusing on cost-effectiveness. What would you choose?

I don't stop anyone from making money, whether it's other people or ourselves. But for our own people, we have to argue for ourselves, and the money you earn must match your abilities. To put it bluntly, this is not only my plan, but also the character of our factory. "

Speaking of this, his tone became firm.

At this moment, the other three people in the car felt the unquestionable power in his words:

"Anyone can be a loser in this circle! But we can't be a loser! Mr. Tian said that sooner or later, this circle will expand. When the circle expands, no matter how many cost-effective people there are, they will all be able to get a bite of fat from it! But the tide is coming again. No matter how it rises, it will fall one day. And when the tide falls, whoever is swimming around in a suit of iron armor or who is naked and has difficulty breathing, then will be the time to see the true meaning."

Looking at Liang Bingning, he shook his head firmly:

"Sister, running fast doesn't count as winning. Running fast and far is the final winner."

"..."

A car was driving on the way home, but the conversation in the car made Liang Binning's mouth smell a little... an indescribable bitter taste.

It's like knowing for the first time what the most delicious food in the world tastes like...

When she tasted it, she suddenly realized...it turned out that her "dream" was incomparable to others.

From level to realm...a comprehensive sense of gap arises spontaneously.

And the reason why she was bitter was because she suddenly woke up.

I understand that I seem to have wasted a lot of time.

But after the bitterness, there is a hint of endless aftertaste that begins to brew.

What is hidden in this sweetness is the understanding and joy of "it's not too late".

But after Hui Gan faded away, she felt a little uneasy.

Unconsciously, she asked:

"I'm afraid I can't do it..."

After saying that, I felt something was wrong, so I quickly added:

"I mean...what if I can't control it?"

"It doesn't matter."

Seeing her lack of confidence, Xu Xin shook his head, and his eyes fell on the string of Rudraksha and Dzi beads that she had been playing with unconsciously.

"I'll take action."

he said.

"..."

"..."

"..."

No one responded.

It was just that the commercial vehicle was speeding along the road with bright street lights, going further and further away.