novelslam Chapter 160: Director Feng's Sacrifice to Heaven Will Surely Make a Great Film
Chapter 160: Director Feng's Sacrifice to Heaven Will Surely Make a Great Film
A few days later, at the Huairou Film and Television Base in Beijing, the crew of "Let the Bullets Fly" officially started filming!
This was no ordinary event; over three hundred people from various media outlets, both large and small, had arrived.
Don't you even look at this god-tier lineup?
Jiang Wen, Ge You, and Li Xuejian – these are three top actors sharing the stage!
To put it bluntly, even if this movie is a terrible one, with these three big names involved, it's bound to be quite popular.
Not to mention that this script was created by Gu Heng and Jiang Wen together.
At the press conference announcing the start of filming, the main cast and crew lined up and made a collective appearance.
Jiang Wu, Liao Fan, Chen Kun, Hu Jun, Liu Jialin... they are all top-notch actors!
There's a little anecdote here: in the original version, Jiang Wen found the actor who played "Liu Zi" to be a kid with a celebrity background.
Gu Heng thought to himself that this was truly unparalleled. The Dragon Prince in "The Sun Also Rises" and the Zhang Prince in "Let the Bullets Fly"—Uncle Jiang's luck was as good as ever.
Without saying a word, he took the role.
Rather than letting the person who made the mistake benefit, it's better to give it to one of our own.
So Gu Heng directly brought Jing Chao, who had recently been promoted to second-tier, into the group.
We should keep the good stuff in the family!
During this period, there have been many rumors circulating in the industry about Gu Heng losing money on his previous investment in "The Sun Also Rises".
Sure enough, during the Q&A session, as soon as the cameras and microphones were set up, a fearless reporter stood up and asked a question.
"Mr. Gu, there have been rumors in the industry that you lost a lot of money investing in Director Jiang's films before. With this large investment in 'Let the Bullets Fly,' are you hoping to get back on your feet after any setbacks?"
These words immediately created a subtle atmosphere.
The reporters were green with envy, just waiting for Gu Heng to either give them a hard time or drop a bombshell.
Gu Heng remained calm and collected, picked up the microphone and smiled faintly: "When I do investment, I believe in fate. Money is secondary; the main thing is that I have a very special connection with Director Jiang."
"He understands my script, and I believe in his talent. There's nothing to hesitate about."
His words not only shocked the reporters present, but also deeply moved Jiang Wen, a rough-looking man sitting next to him.
Jiang Wen snatched the microphone, his eyes almost red, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Director Gu's words have struck a chord with me! Director Gu and I are like kindred spirits!"
"Just as there were Bo Ya and Zi Qi in ancient times, there are Jiang Wen and Gu Heng in modern times! Enough said, it's all in the movies!"
The reporters below were flashing their cameras wildly; they had already come up with tomorrow's headline.
"A kindred spirit finds its match! Jiang Wen confesses her love for Gu Heng!"
Once the press conference is over, the production team is officially up and running.
The outdoor scenes in Huairou mainly focus on the very beginning of the film, from the horse-drawn train to the scene where the identities are switched.
In this drama, Gu Heng only took on the roles of Li Xuejian and Jing Chao, while Jiang Wen was left to choose the rest himself.
Gu Heng was wondering if Jiang Wen would bring Feng Dapao over as he did in the original timeline.
As it turned out, this old hand not only came, but he also arrived quite early.
As soon as I arrived at the film set, Feng Dapao strolled over wearing a baseball cap.
Seeing Gu Heng sitting behind the monitor, Feng Dapao greeted him cheerfully, "Hey, Boss Gu, here to inspect the work so early?"
He actually saw another path in Gu Heng.
We're both directors, but Gu Heng can become a big boss and live a life of luxury, so why should I, Feng Xiaogang, only be able to work for someone else?
I might as well try being the boss!
Gu Heng: You see, he should thank me.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, filming of "Let the Bullets Fly" officially began.
On the first day, we spent almost the entire day working on the scene where the horse pulls the train.
I must say the surrounding scenery is truly stunning, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, a picture-perfect landscape.
Accompanied by the rumbling sound of tracks rubbing together, nine pure white, tall horses pulled two steam carriages into view.
Then came the most classic opening of the entire movie.
Inside a train carriage.
Uncle Ge, Feng Dapao, and Liu Jialin sat around a steaming copper pot, eating hot pot and singing songs.
"County Magistrate Ma's demeanor is just like..."
Feng Dapao, swirling his wine glass, roared at the top of his lungs, "The wind rises, the clouds fly!"
Sitting behind the monitor, Gu Heng slapped his thigh. That's it!
This is exactly the taste! Just like in the movies from my past life!
After a brief conversation, the camera followed Ge You's movements.
Grandpa Ge got up and went to instruct his subordinates, giving them instructions.
As a result, in the blurred background, that old rascal Feng Dapao took advantage of Ge Daye's absence and leaned in to give County Magistrate's wife Liu Jialin a quick kiss on the cheek.
The county magistrate's wife immediately got up and hit him.
The sound was quite loud, but whether Ma Bangde heard it or not, Gu Heng didn't know.
This scene caused all the staff watching to cover their mouths tightly, afraid that laughing out loud would ruin the whole thing.
Director Gu and Director Jiang's script is truly amazing.
It's full of explicit and implicit metaphors and satire.
It's just these two. If any other director were to direct, it would be a huge question mark whether the script could pass censorship intact!
Ge You, Feng Xiaogang, and Liu Jialin are all seasoned actors with a wealth of acting experience.
This scene required almost no effort; it was filmed in one take with remarkable smoothness.
Then came the scene where Jiang Wen made a grand entrance with his bandit brothers.
Jiang Wen, mounted on his horse, fired seven shots at the white horse in front of the train.
"Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!"
But all around was deathly silent, and the train continued its churning motion.
Jing Chao, who plays Liu Zi, rode up to Jiang Wen on horseback and asked with a bewildered look, "Didn't you hit him?"
Jiang Wen didn't even lift his eyelids, calmly and slowly uttering a timeless classic line:
"Let the bullets fly for a while."
click!
This one goes straight through!
In just one day, Feng Dapao's cameo role as the advisor was successfully filmed.
In the evening, the film crew wrapped up work, and everyone set up several tables at a restaurant in Huairou Town.
Gu Heng watched as Feng Dapao at the next table was playing drinking games with Uncle Ge, his face flushed. Gu Heng picked up a peanut and popped it into his mouth.
He turned and leaned closer to Jiang Wen, lowering his voice and grinning mischievously, "Old Jiang, we've got this in the bag."
Jiang Wen took a sip of baijiu and raised an eyebrow: "How so?"
Gu Heng gestured with his chin towards Feng Dapao: "As the saying goes, when Director Feng sacrifices himself to the heavens, it's bound to be a great film! Our movie is as solid as a rock!"
Jiang Wen was stunned for a moment, then spat out a mouthful of wine and slapped his thigh while laughing wildly.
"Hahahaha! You fucking...you have such a damn sharp tongue!"
Jiang Wen coughed while laughing, then pointed at Gu Heng: "But I like it! Just for what you said, cheers!"
Gu Heng raised his wine glass, the two clinked glasses, and drank it all in one gulp.