Chapter 228: Guidance and Watching Shu Chang

When Lin Nan was woken up by Liu Yifei, he was bewildered.

"The script was rejected?"

"Yeah, everyone knows about *Bad Genius* being sent back. What should we do now?"

Liu Yifei said with a bitter face.

She had just finished reading the script and was full of joy, only to receive calls from several acquaintances, all talking about this matter.

"Sigh, what a headache."

Lin Nan was dazed for a while, then took Liu Yifei's laptop.

The news online was indeed lively, filled with speculation about *Bad Genius*.

There were already a large number of comments under Lin Nan's and the company's Weibo, including Liu Yifei's side as well.

Quite a few people in the industry also stepped out to join the fun, such as Feng Xiaogang:

"Based on my experience, most scripts that get rejected on the first try are good scripts, especially those from well-known directors."

"I believe Lin Nan wouldn't touch anything with incorrect values or anything on the edge. So, I support him!"

Seeing Jiang Wen's Weibo, Lin Nan wanted to laugh. When it comes to being on the edge, he felt inferior compared to Jiang Wen!

Liu Yifei sat on the side, flipping through Lin Nan's missed calls.

"Chairman Han's, President Ye's, Chairman Wang's, Shanghai Film, Xi'an Film, Ning Hao... and several others without notes. Do you want to call them back?"

Taking the phone handed over by the young lady, Lin Nan shook his head:

"Calling everyone back is too much. I'll go ask Director Tong what's being said above.

I hope it's not the kind that gets killed off with one blow." Lin Nan looked at the young lady and said with a bitter smile.

Liu Yifei bit her lip lightly, and suddenly became a bit dejected too.

"Yeah, I believe it definitely won't be."

The outside world was very lively; most people in the industry didn't expect to learn about Lin Nan's new film in this way.

Wu Dang Mountain.

"Thinking about it now, you're really lucky to have chosen *Sleepless in Seattle*. Just hearing the name, you know it's a romance film; there's absolutely no way it wouldn't pass censorship."

During the crew's break, Ceng Jia said to Yang Mi with secret delight.

The latter wasn't as happy as Ceng Jia imagined, but rather a bit... envious or regretful?

"What's wrong with you? It's not like *Sleepless in Seattle* had a problem; you should be happy."

"I am happy, of course. But have you thought about the fact that a script written specifically by Lin Dao for Liu Yifei was rejected? What does that imply?"

"Imply what?" Ceng Jia asked subconsciously.

"It implies the script must be very good. The content likely touched upon certain points—maybe realistic subject matter or sensitive topics. That's much more influential than a romance film!"

Ceng Jia nodded blankly; sometimes Yang Mi was indeed very smart and reacted quickly!

"No matter how good the script is, it has nothing to do with us. Let's just see how Lin Dao handles it."

"Yeah, I reckon he'll definitely find a way to pass censorship!" Yang Mi affirmed.

Those people in charge of film censorship started acting up again.

Back when Ning Hao's *No Man's Land* was rejected time and again, someone from the censorship committee posted on Weibo, mocking and ridiculing him.

Saying Ning Hao was immersed, lost, and narcissistic in the honors of *Crazy Stone* and *Crazy Racer*, unable to extricate himself, unable to see reality...

This time, Lin Nan received the same treatment.

"Some young big directors, relying on their past achievements and awards, always think they can test the bottom line of film censorship.

Without considering at all what negative influence their scripts might have on society, or how many children they might corrupt.

What kind of story are you telling? What demands are you trying to express? And what are you alluding to? Young man, you'd better take it easy!"

Good heavens, the film industry completely exploded!

"What exactly did Lin Dao's script write? To be targeted like this by that group of old fogies!"

"The more they say that, the more I feel Lin Nan's script is good!"

"Who was the last one targeted like this?"

"Ning Hao, Feng Xiaogang, Jiang Wen... it seems every big director has been named and 'criticized'."

"Gunman? Could it be that he touched upon the college entrance exam?!"

"I want to act in Lin Dao's new film..."

Film Bureau.

Lin Nan was currently wearing a dark face; he had seen the posts by certain people on the censorship committee on Weibo.

These people, relying on their seniority and playing dumb, treated everyone's words as wind past their ears.

"Director Tong, such a big hat cannot be placed randomly! What I'm filming is not domestic exams.

And what demands am I trying to express? What am I alluding to?

They are completely 'the thief crying stop thief,' nitpicking..."

Tong Gang met with Lin Nan in his spare time; after all, he had said he would help, but who knew that group of people would act first and report later.

"Logically speaking, your story background and content really don't have anything to do with the mainland, which is why I thought it was worth a try initially.

But you have to know, we are a country of exams; anything that can be slightly linked might be used as an excuse."

"The breeze doesn't know how to read, why bother flipping through books?"

Hearing Tong Gang's words, Lin Nan couldn't help but tease.

"That's going too far." Tong Gang pointed out with annoyance.

"You've read the script too; the ending is completely righteous—those who surrender are caught, those who are caught are arrested—and it reflects the realistic problem of the wealth gap.

Why can't we look at it from a positive angle? This film can warn and awaken those real-life cases and people who have these thoughts..."

Lin Nan said methodically. He didn't want this script to be cut in one go; that would be too much of a pity.

Tong Gang nodded; he thought the script was still quite good. The troublesome point now was the "influence"—this matter depended entirely on one's mouth; it could be big or small.

After a long while, Tong Gang looked at Lin Nan:

"How about this: go back and revise the script, change the hometowns of all the characters, change the filming locations, and avoid everything that should be avoided.

You must add warning content to the end of the script, mark it clearly, and it will be edited into the final film..."

"Not only the story background in Hong Kong, but also move the filming location there?"

"Yes, you can keep a few shots filmed in the mainland, so it can still count as a mainland production."

Lin Nan knew this was likely the only way now. Making it an imported film would only be more troublesome.

"Are you sure that if I revise it like this, it will pass the next censorship?"

"Go revise it. When you submit the script next time, don't send it to the censorship office; bring it directly to my office..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan instantly understood, "Understood, thank you, Director Tong."

When Lin Nan left the Film Bureau, he was blocked by many media outlets.

"Lin Dao, did you come to the Film Bureau today because of *Bad Genius*? Is there any turning point for the script?"

"After listening to Director Tong's guidance today, I will revise the script."

"Can you reveal the script content?"

"No, it needs to be kept confidential."

Less than an hour later, new news spread in the industry again.

"Lin Dao's new film still has room for maneuver; currently, the script revision has begun."

"*Bad Genius* will undergo script revisions and will be resubmitted for censorship soon..."

Actors in the industry were very excited.

It looks like Lin Nan's new film is secure; as long as they are given a chance to make revisions, it means there is a high probability it will pass in the end.

"We can start inquiring about casting news!"

Lin Nan didn't return to the villa. After calling Liu Yifei to tell her about this, he went to the company.

Originally, he had thought about choosing the filming location at the Beijing Film Academy.

But now, he had to consider a new filming location, and he had to find others in Hong Kong to help.

Tom's overseas call came in; it should be midnight over there.

But given this guy's current habits, he's probably attending a cocktail party, after all, awards season is here.

"Lin, heard your film script was rejected? Might as well come over and film an English movie.

I just met Leon, and he asked me to remind you that you still owe him a script..."

"Stop with the nonsense, talk about business."

Lin Nan listened to the faint party sounds over there and knew he had guessed right.

"Alright, James agreed to a 40% investment share, the contract is already signed, and we are doing pre-production work these two days."

"What's the budget?"

"James's side wants 16 million dollars, but our team thinks it can be compressed to 1 million US dollars."

"That's fine, very good."

Lin Nan was mentally prepared for the budget of *The Conjuring*; being able to compress it to 1 million was already very impressive.

"That's it then. Convey to Leon for me that I haven't forgotten about the script."

"Alright, Lin."

The news that *Bad Genius* would revise the script and be resubmitted for censorship had already spread in the industry.

Some things couldn't be avoided, such as inquiries from several partner companies.

"There aren't many roles this time, and there are no fancy special effects; it relies on the plot, so the investment isn't big."

Han Sanping, Wang Changtian, Ye Ning, and others heard this one after another and immediately understood Lin Nan's meaning.

That is to say, for this film, Lin Nan Film Industry would not accept investment from other companies and was prepared to do it alone.

"What about casting?" When hanging up the phone, Ye Ning asked another question.

"There won't be public auditions; we'll talk about it in a while."

"Alright, I understand."

When Yang Shoucheng's call came in, Lin Nan also subconsciously thought he would ask about investment or casting, but the result was not.

"If Lin Dao is coming to Hong Kong to film a new movie, you can tell me. Emperor Motion Pictures will provide help as much as possible..."

"Good heavens, worthy of being an old fox! He could even guess this." Lin Nan muttered in his heart.

Refusing was definitely not going to happen, "Wait a few days. If things go smoothly, I will contact Chairman Yang."

As soon as Lin Nan finished speaking, laughter came from the other side.

"Hahaha, good. If Lin Dao comes over, I will definitely host a banquet to welcome you..."

It could be heard that Lin Nan's reply made Yang Shoucheng very happy.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Nan shook his head helplessly, "Looks like I'm going to Hong Kong."

When returning to the villa, there was an extra figure on Liu Yifei's side.

"Hehe, who is this? Looks unfamiliar."

"Xixi, look at him."

Watching Shu Chang hugged Liu Yifei's arm, feigning pity.

"If you ask him yourself, that's as far as I can help you."

Liu Yifei said slyly, pushing Watching Shu Chang aside and giving Lin Nan a wink.

Watching Shu Chang immediately put on a smiling face, "Brother, let's discuss something."

…………

End of chapter