Chapter 9: Huang Bai and the Script

By late September, Wei Jin had been studying music theory for ten days, having found a teacher from the music conservatory to provide tutoring every night.

The main reason for studying music theory was the fear of writing a song and getting slapped in the face later; the "musical stitch-up monster" of his past life had been dragged through the mud in every way imaginable.

Wei Jin had already finished his first song and handed it to Shen Haobo to help register the copyright.

Additionally, he entrusted the matter of the Studio to him for registration as well; now, he had to consider whom to find to record this song.

In the afternoon, Wei Jin strolled through the Beijing Film Academy campus, watching the girls coming and going, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Truly worthy of being the Beijing Film Academy, which specializes in producing stars; the girls' looks are indeed top-tier."

"Huh, among a group of girls, what kind of thing has mixed in?"

"Holy crap, is this Huang Bai?"

Wei Jin's heart stirred; it was like someone offering a pillow just as he felt sleepy, so he walked up quickly.

"Wait a moment, classmate."

"Handsome, are you calling me?"

A girl who looked to be about an 80 out of 100, upon seeing Wei Jin's appearance clearly, looked shy.

"Uh, no, I'm calling him."

Wei Jin felt a bit awkward and immediately pointed at Huang Bai. At this time, Huang Bai wore his hair at medium length, parted in a three-seven split; if one ignored that face, he still had a bit of an artistic vibe.

"Classmate, do you know me? Are you also from our school?"

Huang Bai looked at the handsome guy who had intruded with a bewildered expression.

"Sorry, my name is Wei Jin, from the 2002 Director Department. Is it convenient to take a moment of your time?"

Wei Jin hurriedly stated his identity, waved at Huang Bai, and simultaneously apologized to the girl from before.

After the others had walked away, Wei Jin explained his intentions to Huang Bai.

"Is your name Huang Bai? I heard from other classmates that you used to be a Singer?"

Wei Jin casually told a lie, believing Huang Bai wouldn't go to verify it; at this time, Huang Bai was pursuing advanced studies in the Dubbing Department of the Beijing Film Academy's vocational program.

"Oh? I used to work in bars, just to make a living; I wouldn't call myself a Singer."

Huang Bai waved his hand, looking humble.

In fact, when Huang Bai was working the circuit in the south in the 90s, he made over ten thousand a month; if it weren't for still having an actor's dream, he wouldn't have applied to the Beijing Film Academy several times.

"You're too humble. It's like this: I have some business cooperation I'd like to discuss with you. Do you think it's convenient to have a cup of tea?"

Wei Jin invited him.

"."

This was phrased so formally that Huang Bai really didn't know what this Director Department classmate wanted to do.

The two then left the school and found a teahouse nearby. After Wei Jin finished ordering, he began to talk about business.

"It's like this: I wrote a song and am planning to find you to sing it."

Upon hearing this, Huang Bai was stunned and hurriedly waved his hands to indicate: "This, I'm not a professional Singer; I'm just an amateur..."

"Don't rush, Brother Bai. This song is very simple, and it doesn't have high requirements for vocal technique. I'm not in the music circle either; just treat it as doing me a favor. The pay won't be small."

Wei Jin said with a sincere expression.

"Hmm, how about this: is it convenient for me to see the song first? I'm mainly worried that my level isn't enough and I'll ruin your song."

Huang Bai was indeed a representative of high emotional intelligence; he put it very nicely.

"Fine, Brother Bai, take a look first."

As Wei Jin spoke, he took out the lyrics and the composed music from his bag.

Huang Bai took one look at the title of the lyrics, *Who Do You Really Love*, and after a simple browse, he hummed along to the music and mused: "This song, hmm, it is very simple; the lyrics are plain and catchy."

In reality, it was just a pop song, but Huang Bai didn't want to lose face for this alumnus.

"Ten thousand. You just need to record it well. If we can find a distribution channel, I'll add another ten thousand."

After all, Wei Jin was not in the music circle and lacked relevant connections, so he could only lead with money.

Huang Bai was also startled by this price; currently, in an ordinary recording studio in Beijing, it only cost about a hundred or so per hour.

How much time could it take to record this simple song? Moreover, there were channel fees, and he happened to be short on cash recently, so he agreed.

The two agreed that Huang Bai would enjoy the performance rights, commercial performance income would be split fifty-fifty, and the copyright would belong to Wei Jin; the contract would be signed at the recording studio tomorrow.

With the business finished and the tea fragrance rising, the two began to chat about everything under the sun.

Huang Bai himself had rich experiences and high emotional intelligence, and Wei Jin had lived two lives; he was intent on befriending this future Best Actor.

The two hit it off like a house on fire, chatting enthusiastically and feeling like they had met too late; before long, they began calling each other brothers.

After bidding farewell to Huang Bai, Wei Jin entered the school again and walked straight toward the Instructor's office.

"Wei Jin, what are you doing here, kid?" The one who spoke was another teacher, Jiang Wei.

"Hello, Teacher Jiang. I'm here to find Teacher Zhang."

"Oh, do you have something to discuss with him? He'll probably be another half hour; he just went to the restroom."

Jiang Wei had a lively personality and would tease other teachers in front of students without concern.

"Uh, it's like this: I wrote a script myself and wanted to ask a teacher to help take a look. Is it convenient, Teacher Jiang?"

Wei Jin couldn't respond to Jiang Wei's teasing and could only state his purpose.

"Oh? You wrote it yourself? Bring it here and let me see."

In fact, most students in the Beijing Film Academy's Director Department didn't study at school all the time; they were all interning at various film crews and advertising companies. There were plenty of people like Wei Jin who were putting together scripts in their sophomore year to hone their craft, so Jiang Wei wasn't surprised.

Taking the notebook handed over by Wei Jin, Jiang Wei flipped through it nonchalantly, but after two minutes, he sat up straight and began to flip through it from the beginning again, as if afraid of missing a single word or sentence.

Ten minutes passed, and Jiang Wei put down the notebook, looking at Wei Jin with a complex expression.

"This script, even in the Literature Department, is a rare sight. Good, good indeed. A fine seedling who can write and direct his own work."

It was evident how satisfied Jiang Wei was with this script and with Wei Jin.

"What fine seedling?"

Just as Wei Jin was about to speak, Zhang Jiandong's voice came from outside the door.

"Old Zhang, come take a look at Wei Jin's new script; it really is quite good."

Jiang Wei, as if unable to wait to share it with someone, handed the script over.

Zhang Jiandong took it and looked, only to see two large characters written strikingly on the cover—"Buried".

After reading it, another ten-plus minutes passed, and the first sentence Zhang Jiandong said was: "Has the script been registered?"

It was rare to encounter a good script, and one written by his own student at that, so Zhang Jiandong was afraid he lacked experience.

"It has already been registered, Teacher Zhang."

"Tell me about your plans."

"It's like this, as you two can see, this script wins primarily on its storytelling and atmosphere, and the investment is relatively small, so I intend to practice with it myself."

Wei Jin hurriedly stated his position; he was prepared to take the helm himself.

"Can you handle this style?"

Zhang Jiandong was also afraid that Wei Jin would ruin this script.

"Teacher, please take a look at this."

Wei Jin took out another stack of materials and handed them over.

"This is a storyboard? You've even finished this?"

Zhang Jiandong was somewhat incredulous, and Jiang Wei also crowded over.

"When do you plan to start filming?"

"Teachers, this is my plan: during the National Day holiday, I will first complete location scouting and other pre-production work; once the holiday ends, I can begin preparations, and I expect to start filming in the middle of the month."

Wei Jin stated his plan.

"Isn't that a bit rushed? There's no need to be in such a hurry, is there?"

Jiang Wei asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Teacher, I intend to finish filming before the middle of November and complete all post-production by the beginning of December."

Wei Jin explained.

"Hmm, the beginning of December... you kid, are you so full of confidence that you're preparing to enter the Berlin International Film Festival?"

Zhang Jiandong said with some surprise.

"Yes, Teacher Zhang. The European Big Three each have their own preferences, and this script is better suited for the Berlin International Film Festival, so the schedule has to be a bit tight."

"In that case, come with me."

Zhang Jiandong, without further ado, took the script and Wei Jin to the Department Head's office; after some discussion, Department Head Xie Xiaojin expressed his full support.

"Little Wei, film it well, let Jiang Wei be your Producer, and strive to win an award to bring honor to our school."

The Department Head spoke in his usual motivational tone.

"Then I am very grateful to the Department Head; I was just worrying about how to assemble a crew."

Wei Jin looked pleasantly surprised; with a Producer, all the miscellaneous tasks of the crew would be resolved.

(End of chapter)