MC Bookstore What exactly is the theme of Chapter 107?
What exactly is the theme of Chapter 107?
What exactly is the theme of Chapter 106?
After the casting was finalized, Zhang Jun held a script reading session at Guanzhi Pictures, allowing the four main actors to meet and get to know each other.
When Jiang Yan arrived at Guanzhi Pictures, she was led to a conference room by the staff, where she saw Yang Mi writing with her left hand.
She recognized Yang Mi, after all, the hit drama "The Return of the Condor Heroes" made not only Huang Xiaoming and Liu Yifei popular, but also Yang Mi herself.
Yang Mi is the female lead in this drama. I heard that she has a close relationship with director Zhang Jun, so Jiang Yan greeted Yang Mi very warmly.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jiang Yan asked, "Why do you write with your left hand? Are you left-handed?"
Yang Mi shook her head: "No, the director said that left-handed people are usually geniuses, so he hopes that I can use my left hand to write proficiently."
Jiang Yan's eyes sparkled: "Amazing!"
Soon after, Wen Zhang and Wang Kai arrived. However, since they were not familiar with each other, they each held their scripts and read them without exchanging much information.
About ten minutes later, Zhang Jun finally appeared.
"Hello, Director!" The four people stood up and greeted him.
Zhang Jun gestured for the four people to sit down: "Sorry I was held up, let's get started!"
He got straight to the point: "Please introduce yourselves and talk about your understanding of the roles."
"MiMi, you go first."
"good,"
Yang Mi stood up and introduced herself: "I am Yang Mi, and I play Lin Wei in 'Bad Genius'. She is a smart student from a poor single-parent family, and she sees exams as the only fair battlefield."
Following Yang Mi, Wen Zhang stepped forward: "—The character I play is Chen Qi, a top student. He is diligent and upright, and he discovers that Lin Wei and her classmates are cheating."
But because he lost his scholarship, he was forced to cheat for profit with Lin Wei, ultimately leading him down a dark path.
Jiang Yan and Wang Kai also gave introductions, discussing their understanding of the characters.
Zhang Jun nodded with satisfaction: "They're all good. It seems everyone has absorbed the script."
He paused, his tone full of anticipation: "The fact that the four of you stood out from hundreds of auditionees fully proves your abilities."
I hope everyone can delve into their roles and work with me to present a wonderful film to the audience.
"Yes, Director!" the four of them said in unison.
A few days later, Guanzhi Pictures announced that "Bad Genius" had been officially approved for production, with a total investment of 20 million yuan. There were originally many investors involved, but this time the investment amount was small, and Zhang Jun stated that they were unnecessary.
So Guanzhi Pictures invested 10 million, Boss Wang's company invested 5 million, and Zhang Jun's personal studio invested 5 million, for a total of three investors.
After successfully investing in movies and fulfilling his martial arts dream, this Mr. Wang plans to continue down the path of film investment.
Since they were so supportive, Zhang Jun decided to give them face and let Boss Wang continue to participate in the investment.
Boss Wang even introduced his goddaughters to audition, but none of them got a role. However, Zhang Jun still gave his two goddaughters a cameo opportunity.
The main characters do not accept favors or be influenced by personal relationships; this is called being principled.
Less important roles, or cameo roles that are only briefly mentioned, can be handled flexibly; this is called flexibility.
Zhang Jun used his influence skillfully, offending no one while also giving face to all the bosses and associates, who in turn owed him a debt of gratitude.
As the weather gradually turns cooler, "Bad Genius" first shot the "ABCD" posters, and then held a press conference.
Although none of the four main actors are big stars, Zhang Jun has already established a good reputation and can still attract a lot of media coverage.
The press conference was scheduled for the Kunlun Hotel in Beijing. Even before the press conference started, more than twenty machines had already been set up in the banquet hall.
Photojournalists crouched in the front row to secure good shooting positions, while print journalists gathered in small groups to chat.
"Bad Genius? That sounds like a crime thriller."
A reporter flipped through the thin press release in his hand: "Zhang Jun has switched to making police and gangster films?"
"No way, his last movie, 'Reign of Assassins,' was a wuxia film, and it just finished airing."
Someone nearby said, "It's probably still a drama."
"I bet it's a suspense thriller. Look at this poster: four letters, A, B, C, and D, four black shadows—doesn't it look like the movie 'Election'?"
Which approach?
"Come on, 'Election' is a gangster film. When has Zhang Jun ever made a gangster film?"
"Isn't this just about transformation?"
"This wouldn't pass censorship, would it? Gangster films can only be made in Hong Kong; they can't be made in mainland China."
Someone in the back row chimed in: "I heard that the main actors this time are all newcomers to the film industry. One is called Yang Mi, and the other is called Wen Zhang. These two are somewhat well-known."
The remaining two, Jiang Yan and Wang Kai didn't recognize.
"Zhang Jun loves to use newcomers. Qi Ruyi was only eight years old when he starred in 'Little Miss Sunshine,' and he still made her famous."
"That's different; that was a children's film. This time, judging from the poster, there are four young people, so it's probably a youth film."
"A teen movie called 'Bad Genius'? You've ever seen a teen movie with guns?"
"Maybe it's a metaphor, using the pen as a weapon."
The group burst into laughter.
Shortly afterward, staff began clearing the area and reminding reporters to return to their seats.
The banquet hall lights dimmed, and four concept posters began to play on a loop on the screens on the side of the stage.
The four letters ABCD correspond to the four background colors of red, blue, green, and gray, respectively. There are no characters, no plot, only the release date.
"They're quite good at pleasing people's appetites," someone in the front row muttered.
The press conference officially began, and Zhang Jun walked out from the side stage.
He was dressed very simply today, in a white shirt and black trousers, without a tie. The reporters were used to Zhang Jun's style, so none of them found it strange.
He was followed by four young people, two women and two men. One of the men was good-looking, and the other was thinner, but had a steady gaze.
"This isn't right."
A veteran reporter who had covered the film industry for five years whispered in the back row, "If it were really a gunfight movie, it shouldn't have this feel to it."
""
The four lead actors stood in a row on stage, with Zhang Jun sitting in the middle of the interview area. He Xuan gave a brief opening speech and handed the microphone to the reporter.
As soon as the Q&A session began, a reporter from the Beijing News in the front row was the first to raise his hand.
"Director Zhang, what genre is 'Bad Genius'? The title includes 'Gunner,' so is it an action film?"
Zhang Jun picked up the microphone: "It's not an action movie."
"Is that a crime film?"
"No, not exactly."
Reporters in the audience exchanged glances.
A reporter from the Beijing Entertainment News followed up: "Is it a campus theme? I see the main actors are all very young."
"It's a campus theme." Zhang Jun nodded.
"What specifically?"
"We can't reveal the specifics right now, but you'll find out when it's released."
A commotion broke out below. Reporters turned to the four lead actors on stage, trying to find clues on their faces.
Yang Mi sat up straight, her expression perfectly controlled; Wen Zhang looked down at the table, as if he was reciting something; Jiang Yan blinked innocently; Wang Kai was expressionless.
"Director Zhang,"
A reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily raised a question: "The film's title is 'Bad Genius,' so is 'gunman' a metaphorical term here? Does it refer to cheating on an exam?"
Zhang Jun glanced at him but didn't reply.
The reporter wanted to ask more questions, but the microphone had already been snatched away by someone next to him.
The questions then shifted to the four lead actors, asking the usual questions like, "What was it like acting in Director Zhang's film for the first time?" All four gave impeccable answers.
Yang Mi said, "I am honored and will work hard to live up to the director's trust."
Wen Zhang said, "The pressure is immense, but I will do my best."
Jiang Yan said, "The script is excellent. I fell in love with the character the first time I read it."
Wang Kai said, "Thank you to the director for giving me this opportunity."
It was all platitudes; not a single useful sentence came out.
As the press conference drew to a close, no one could get even a single plot keyword out of Zhang Jun.
Some reporters began to get impatient, lowering their voices to complain to their colleagues, "They're really good at hiding things. Holding a press conference is like holding a secret service meeting."
"There's nothing we can do. Right now, the reporters need him, but he doesn't need the reporters."
A reporter from *China Film Report* stood up: "Director Zhang, all four lead actors this time are newcomers, there are no big stars. Are you feeling pressure about the box office?"
Zhang Jun picked up the microphone: "Whether a movie is good or not has nothing to do with how famous the stars are. Audiences go to the cinema to see a good story, not to see stars."
I have confidence in this story.
The press conference has ended.
The reporters packed up their equipment and left, still discussing the matter in small groups.
"So did you figure it out? What exactly are they filming?"
"I can't tell from the sound. But it's definitely not a gunfight movie."
"nonsense."
"Those four actors all look alright, they're just not famous."
"Zhang Jun's first feature film didn't use any big stars either. Back when 'Little Miss Sunshine' was made, Fan Wei and Song Dandan weren't exactly top-tier celebrities, but it still grossed over 40 million, didn't it?"
"I also think that movie would fetch double the price if it were released today."
"That's why they have the confidence."
In the elevator, a young reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily suddenly said, "I think someone guessed correctly just now; it was cheating on the exam."
"How so?"
"Didn't you notice Zhang Jun's reaction? He didn't deny it. Knowing his personality, if the question went astray, he'd just say no."
The person next to him thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense."
"And look at the demeanor of those four actors, don't they resemble the top students from a prestigious high school?"
"Now that you mention it—"
"Go back and write in this direction; even if you're wrong, it won't be a loss."
The next day, reports from various media outlets began to appear.
The Beijing News: Zhang Jun's new film "Bad Genius" unveiled, campus theme sparks speculation!
Beijing Entertainment News: Zhang Jun is pushing out another lineup of new talents; "gunmen" might be a metaphor!
Southern Metropolis Daily: Does "Bad Genius" imply cheating? Zhang Jun neither confirmed nor denied!
China Film Report: Zhang Jun says whether a movie is good or not does not depend on the stars, and the internet is buzzing with discussion.
Several threads have been created in the film and television section of Tianya Community.
A thread titled "What exactly is Zhang Jun's new film 'Bad Genius' about?" has been posted for over thirty pages. People have guessed it as a police thriller, a sports film, a suspense thriller, or a science fiction film, but no one has guessed it's about a school campus.
Until someone on the 37th floor replied: "Did you see the Southern Metropolis Daily report today? Could it be about exam questions?"
""
Someone immediately retorted: "Can cheating be made into a movie? That wouldn't pass censorship."
"Too."
"But the most common meaning of the word 'gunman' is taking exams for someone else."
"Then why not just call it 'Bad Genius'? There must be another meaning behind it."
"Maybe it's a double entendre."
The debate has continued for a long time, and there is still no conclusion.
Zhang Jun scrolled through the posts, pushing his laptop aside.
Yang Mi brought in a glass of water: "What are you looking at?"
Netizens are speculating about the plot.
Zhang Jun pointed at the screen: "Someone said they filmed someone cheating on the exam, and there was an uproar on the 20th floor."
"Then why don't you go and clarify things?"
"Clarify what?"
Zhang Jun picked up his water glass: "Now that you've guessed right, what's the point of releasing it?"
The purpose of the press conference was to inform everyone that a movie called "Bad Genius" is about to start filming, and to get everyone's attention.
As for the rest, Zhang Jun doesn't care. The online discussions will disappear on their own after a while, until the movie officially begins its promotion and release.
With the preliminary preparations almost complete and the actors all ready, Zhang Jun took the crew directly to Shanghai to begin filming "Bad Genius".
Because he was busy filming, Zhang Jun did not attend the screening of the movie "A Battle of Wits," starring Andy Lau, Fan Bingbing, and others.
However, the hype surrounding this movie is by no means weak, after all, it has the support of Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing, as well as the assistance of Nicky Wu.
"A Battle of Wits" is a film adapted from the manga of the same name by manga artist Hideki Mori.
To achieve historical accuracy, the filming team for "A Battle of Wits" built a set covering 66,000 square meters in Hebei Province.
The filming team used materials such as loess, trees, houses, and bricks to recreate the ancient city, city walls, villages, and prisons from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods 2,500 years ago.
During the filming of the first battle scene in "A Battle of Wits," a single shot required 700 field soldiers and 150 extras to form various formations.
The production team also recruited 400 horse trainers and horses locally to form a cavalry formation. In addition, there were 40 professional stunt performers and 350 other staff members, totaling over a thousand people, to complete the scene of the Zhao army's attack between the two mountains.
Because filming took place during the dead of winter, the harsh weather conditions tested the entire crew, but everyone persevered in their work.
To film a scene where Andy Lau rescues a damsel in distress in a water dungeon, director Jacob Cheung, who was suffering from a severe cold, and more than twenty crew members had to immerse themselves in ice water from the start to organize the equipment and design the best shooting positions.
The director, who was seriously ill, never left the cold water throughout the entire process. He was the first to go into the water, demonstrated the movements to the actors, and constantly encouraged the two actors.
To prepare for filming this scene in the water dungeon, the crew arranged for ten lifeguards and divers to be on site, just in case.
The crew also provided ten oxygen cylinders for Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing to use underwater.
Although Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing wore wetsuits under their costumes, the water temperature was too low to provide any warmth, so hot water had to be brought to them during filming.
When filming stopped, they warmed them up with blankets and hot ginger soup.
After filming wrapped, Fan Bingbing came back and complained to Zhang Jun that she almost froze to death while filming. Zhang Jun knew the movie was mediocre, but he didn't want to dampen Fan Bingbing's enthusiasm.
Therefore, he said that Fan Bingbing's efforts will definitely be rewarded.
That's what they say, but whether they'll actually get a return is still a question.
There are quite a few period dramas released this year. Before them were "Reign of Assassins" and "The Banquet," and after them is Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower." "A Battle of Wits" is under a lot of pressure.
However, the film faced a reputation crisis upon its release, receiving poor reviews from both the media and the audience.
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