Chapter 351

Feng Xiaogang recently encountered a problem; the location shooting in Kuandian requires a battle in the snow, however, it hasn't snowed here since the New Year.

The sky is overcast, but it just keeps overcast and doesn't snow.

After shooting a set of shots in the morning, Feng Xiaogang couldn't help but ask his assistant, "Did you ask the Meteorological Bureau? What did they say?"

The assistant was a bit helpless; Feng Xiaogang had already asked her to ask the Meteorological Bureau several times during this period, as if the Meteorological Bureau could control the weather.

Sigh, it is estimated that she will be scolded again this time.

Although complaining in her heart, the little assistant still bit the bullet and quickly replied: "Director Feng, the people at the Meteorological Bureau said that it has been cloudy for the past half month, with heavy snow in some areas, and it could snow here at any time."

"Fuck!"

Feng Xiaogang couldn't help but scold again:

"At any time, at any time, what the hell is at any time? What I want is the specific time and place; what I want is here—the place where we are standing, when will it snow, not some local area, some at any time..."

The little assistant lowered her head, letting Feng Xiaogang's spit fly and curse.

Everyone could see that ever since Cao Dao came last time, changed a few producers, and allegedly held a meeting to point out some mistakes in the crew, Feng Xiaogang's evil fire suddenly increased.

He gets angry at every turn.

Actors' performance is not good, scold.

Staff makes a little mistake, scold.

Recently, because it didn't snow, he started scolding the Meteorological Bureau.

The little assistant also suffered, as if it was the Meteorological Bureau's inaction that it didn't snow, and the little assistant's contact was not in place.

The little assistant had no choice; she had been following Feng Xiaogang for a few years and knew Feng Xiaogang a little.

This Feng Xiaogang is sometimes very emotional.

When he is in a good mood, actors' expression is not in place, staff makes mistakes, he can guide and correct them very patiently, looking very approachable.

But if he is in a bad mood, then pray for yourself; it is not one or two actors who were scolded to tears by him; when he scolds, he really speaks without restraint, and any ugly words can be scolded out.

That scolding is really dirty, and it is aimed at people's lower three paths.

Of course, when Feng Xiaogang scolds people while shooting, he also looks at people.

The little assistant rarely saw Feng Xiaogang scold Ge You, nor did she see him scold Li Xiaoran, who collaborated on two films.

And, when Ge You is there, Feng Xiaogang scolds people, and Ge You can also appropriately persuade him.

But this "Assembly" has no Ge You, and no big names; there are not many people qualified to persuade Feng Xiaogang.

Feng Xiaogang sat angrily on the director's chair, was in a daze for a while, suddenly frowned again, looked up and asked the little assistant, "Is today the Oscar awards ceremony?"

The little assistant quickly nodded.

"Yes, due to the time difference, the start time of the Oscars is nine o'clock in the morning for us."

Feng Xiaogang looked at the time; it was already past eleven o'clock at noon; at this point, the Oscars should not have ended yet.

"Go and find out about the Oscars, and tell me when eating at noon."

"Okay." The little assistant quickly nodded and agreed.

The crew's lunch is also particular, which can be said to be distinct in class, and what they eat is completely different.

The group actors' meals are specifically in one place, and what they eat can only be said to be able to fill their stomachs; don't think about the taste; when eating, they either stand or squat.

The meals for staff and ordinary actors are the same; compared to the group actors, they certainly count as not bad.

Directors, cinematographers, art directors, lighting engineers, etc., eat the same as the crew's main actors, usually choosing to solve it on the set, sometimes choosing to go to nearby restaurants.

When eating on the set, there are specially set up tents on the scene, and there are tables and chairs for eating in the tents.

Of course, the one with the most privileges is the director, who can open a small stove.

"Director Feng, where to eat at noon?"

The little assistant came over and asked.

Where to eat doesn't look big, but for the little assistant, it is a big thing, which is also her work scope.

Feng Xiaogang sat on the director's chair, waved his hand to signal the little assistant to get closer, and whispered: "Are the Oscars out? Did Cao Yang, that grandson... cough, did Cao Yang win a major award?"

The little assistant shook her head gently and said softly: "The major awards like Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor nominated for 'Inception' were all missed, but..."

Feng Xiaogang stood up from the director's chair with a swoosh, and instantly had a smile that hadn't been seen for many days on his face; he didn't pay attention to the little assistant's subsequent words at all, and directly said: "Let's eat on the set with the comrades today."

After speaking, he shouted happily to the cinematographer Lü Le not far away: "Go, Old Lü, let's go eat."

Based on the little assistant's understanding of Feng Xiaogang, she could roughly guess why her boss suddenly became happy; it is said that peers are enemies, and it is the same between directors.

However, Feng Xiaogang usually compares with Zhang Yimou and the great poet Chen Kaige; when Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige's box office was not good before, he didn't compare awards with people but compared box office.

Now that Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige have also surpassed him at the box office, he started to compare word-of-mouth and awards—although he doesn't have any, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige don't have any either; everyone has no awards, and the word-of-mouth is also rotten.

The key is, I am a commercial film director, you are all "great artists"...

Feng Xiaogang is very willing to compare awards and word-of-mouth with the two of them.

As for Cao Yang, Feng Xiaogang had long since lost the thought of comparison.

However, seeing Cao Yang "eat shriveled," Feng Xiaogang was still very happy.

Malice is not enough; in the case of a large enough gap, there is no way to produce "malice"; bad taste is the true portrayal.

Feng Xiaogang actually has self-knowledge; it is okay to compare with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige domestically, but it is not the same dimension as Cao Yang.

Just an Oscar nine nominations, Feng Xiaogang estimates that he can only think about it in his dreams in this life.

In the tent for eating today, there are quite a few people sitting.

Several people in charge of the crew are there, two South Koreans are also there; on the actor side, Zhang Hanyu, Liao Fan, Wang Baoqiang, Ren Quan, Li Naiwen, and other main actors who have scenes today are also there.

Before Feng Xiaogang and Lü Le came in, everyone was chatting and laughing, but when Feng Xiaogang and the two came in, it went cold directly.

Feng Xiaogang didn't care; he laughed and said: "People are quite complete, right? Are they all here? Everyone performed very well this morning; I have already ordered extra meals."

For a moment, everyone was even more confused.

Performed well in the morning?

If everyone's memory was not tampered with, you, Director Feng, didn't scold people less this morning, and also told Zhang Hanyu that even if you pulled a passerby from the street, they would perform better than him.

How did everyone perform well in the morning?

However, the director said it was performed well and wanted to add meals, so it must be good; certainly no one dared to raise objections.

"Thank you, Director Feng."

"Thank you, Director Feng."

Feng Xiaogang felt that everyone was quite happy, so he waved his hand with a smile, waited for everyone to quiet down, and asked the little assistant as if inadvertently.

"By the way, are the Oscars out? I remember our Producer Cao's 'Inception' won nine nominations; this is a very remarkable achievement; being nominated is the greatest victory."

He almost blurted out: Some of our directors fight to the death every year for a nomination candidate for Oscar Best Foreign Language Film...

The original intention was to satirize Zhang Yimou who was competing with him this year, fortunately he reacted quickly and stopped in time; this might even "implicate" himself; it is better to stop.

The little assistant understands Feng Xiaogang; is this to let Cao Dao make a small fool of himself in "public"?

However, it doesn't count as making a fool of himself; even if Cao Dao didn't win a single award, just nine nominations would be enough for domestic directors to chase for a lifetime.

But Director Feng, you didn't finish listening to me just now.

I understand your bad taste, but although Cao Dao didn't win the biggest awards, nine nominations and five wins, Cao Dao's "Inception" is the film that won the most awards and is one of the biggest winners.

For a moment, the little assistant was twisting and humming, her brain turning fast, just not knowing how to speak.

Lü Le is a sensible person.

He is from the 1978 Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy, a classmate of Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei.

In the domestic film circle, his fame is still very large; like the famous work "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl" of Sister Lulu who likes to do hair, he is the cinematographer.

As a cinematographer, it is estimated that he should have seen Sister Lulu's tenderness.

In addition, Zhang Yimou's "To Live," "Shanghai Triad," and "Keep Cool," the cinematographers are all Lü Le.

Speaking of Feng Xiaogang's cinematographer, it is actually quite interesting.

In 1997, Feng Xiaogang made a name for himself with "The Dream Factory," so he had special requirements for the cinematographer.

When he shot "Be There or Be Square" in 1998, he set his sights on Zhao Fei, the exclusive cinematographer of Tian Zhuangzhuang when he was not banned.

Zhao Fei is also from the 1978 Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy, a classmate of Zhang Yimou, Gu Changwei, and Lü Le; as Old Tian's cinematographer, he shot "The Horse Thief," "Illegal Life," and "Li Lianying: The Imperial Eunuch."

After Old Tian was banned because of "Li Lianying: The Imperial Eunuch," he also shot Zhang Yimou's "Raise the Red Lantern," Chen Kaige's "The Emperor and the Assassin," etc., as a cinematographer.

Feng Xiaogang digging Zhao Fei to be his cinematographer might have something to do with Old Tian.

It is a pity that after shooting "Be There or Be Square," Zhao Fei was valued by major director Woody Allen and pulled to Hollywood to develop.

As a cinematographer, he successively shot Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown," "Small Time Crooks," and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," and then returned to the country; Hollywood is not easy to mix.

Feng Xiaogang might have felt that these cinematographers from the 1978 class of the Beijing Film Academy were indeed awesome and tasted the sweetness, so he searched for a year and found Zhang Li, who also graduated from the 1978 Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

Zhang Li is a classmate of Zhang Yimou, Gu Changwei, Lü Le, and Zhao Fei.

As Feng Xiaogang's cinematographer, he successively shot "Sigh," "Big Shot's Funeral," "A World Without Thieves," and "The Banquet."

Then, Zhang Li's thought of being a director could no longer be suppressed, so he went to be a director.

Currently, as a director, he has already shot "Towards the Republic," "Military Secrets," "Brothers," and "Ming Dynasty 1566," and the word-of-mouth is still not bad.

Feng Xiaogang lost his "love general" again.

At this time, it is estimated that he already had a point of view in his heart: the ones from the 1978 Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy are really easy to use!

So, when preparing for Assembly, he invited Lü Le, who also graduated from the 1978 Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

Lü Le is a kind-hearted person, can't bear to see people make things difficult, especially young and beautiful little girls.

Seeing Feng Xiaogang's little assistant stammering, he thought the little girl might have been busy and ignored Feng Xiaogang's instructions, and didn't have time to understand the situation of the Oscars.

I know this!

As a member of the famous 1978 class of the Beijing Film Academy, the film situation of Cao Yang, the facade and spiritual leader of the Beijing Film Academy, must be communicated in a timely manner within them.

As soon as the Oscars ended, Lü Le received relevant information.

What's annoying is that Gu Changwei, the old boy in their class who had dog-shit luck, actually won the Oscar for Best Cinematography again, which made everyone in the class envy the old Gu so much that they wanted to pinch him to death and replace him.

Lü Le had the same thought.

As classmates, who is worse than whom?

It's just luck.

"Director Feng, what a coincidence, I just received the relevant situation of Cao Dao's 'Inception' at the Oscars; Cao Dao is also a leader of our crew, and I was just thinking of telling everyone about it."

Lü Le took the initiative to take over the topic.

He is qualified, famous, and became famous early; taking the initiative to take over Feng Xiaogang's words will not appear abrupt.

Feng Xiaogang's eyes lit up; Lü Le, as a person from the Beijing Film Academy, saying this is just right, much more credible than his little assistant.

"Hurry up and talk about the situation of our Producer Cao at the Oscars."

Feng Xiaogang urged with a smile, looking in a good mood.

Lü Le thought Feng Xiaogang already knew the news and was so happy; Cao Dao is a leader of the crew, this is to urge the actors and staff in the crew to shoot well, maybe they can enter Cao Dao's eyes, right?

Yeah, it must be like this.

Lü Le first coughed pretentiously to attract everyone's attention before saying:

"The Oscars just ended; although Cao Dao's 'Inception' won nine major award nominations, it is a pity that, just like the media analysis, because of the global box office of nearly 8 billion, the box office was too high, and it failed to win the biggest awards like Best Director and Best Picture."

Feng Xiaogang also sighed pretentiously, looking very regretful.

Actually, in his heart... he originally wanted to hold back his laughter, but because Lü Le mentioned the number of 8 billion box office, it made him unable to laugh in his heart, and directly turned into bitterness.

"However..."

Lü Le tapped the table lightly, and his tone became a bit impassioned.

"Our Producer Cao, although he didn't win Best Director and Best Picture, 'Inception' won Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing in one breath..."

Paused, and then said softly and reluctantly: "And five major awards for Best Cinematography; it is the film that won the most awards at this Oscar and is one of the biggest winners of this Oscar."

Why is it one of?

It is because Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Editing; although the awards are not as many as "Inception," the weight of Best Picture and Best Director is heavy.

"Five, five?"

Feng Xiaogang was still full of smiles just now, but at this moment, he suddenly became dumbfounded, like a face change in Sichuan opera, and was directly shocked.

Lü Le secretly praised Feng Xiaogang; this acting, it is a pity not to be an actor.

"Yes, Director Feng, Cao Dao's 'Inception' won five major awards in one fell swoop; it is really a remarkable achievement."

Feng Xiaogang opened his mouth halfway, and his teeth were exposed quite a bit.

He turned his head blankly, looking at his little assistant, wanting to confirm if it was true.

Didn't you say you didn't win a major award? This is called not winning a major award? Five Oscar little golden men, this is five!

Pretend, still pretend!

At this moment, Lü Le felt that Feng Xiaogang's acting was simply super god; if it continues like this, sooner or later he will be able to win a Best Actor.

"Director Feng is also surprised, right? When I first heard this news, I was also shocked and couldn't speak; we were all deceived by that group of media!"

Lü Le shook his head and sighed.

His shock was not that "Inception" won five major Oscar awards, but that Gu Changwei, the old boy, won the Oscar for Best Cinematography for the second time.

"Wow! Cao Dao is really remarkable; this is the Oscars."

"It still has to be Cao Dao; if I remember correctly, this is the third time Cao Dao has won the Oscar for Best Screenplay, right?"

"Well, it can be said that Cao Dao has won one Oscar Best Original Screenplay and two Best Adapted Screenplays so far."

"Cao Dao is really too powerful; he has already won Oscar Best Picture and Best Director; this is the only one for Chinese people; it is simply incredible."

"The most powerful thing is, 'Inception's' global box office of nearly 8 billion; last year's total domestic box office was less than 3 billion, right?"

Everyone was talking at once, all sighing.

Feng Xiaogang was silent for a long time, and suddenly shouted loudly: "Where is the extra food? Why hasn't it been done yet? What the hell are you all doing, why is it so slow? Don't you want to do it anymore?"

After speaking, Feng Xiaogang stood up, took off the hat on his head and threw it on the seat, and loosened the collar of his cotton coat again.

"It's too stuffy in here; you guys eat first, I'll go outside to smoke a cigarette to get some air."

Without waiting for everyone to say anything, he left the tent quickly.

Outside, Feng Xiaogang lit a cigarette, took a few hard puffs, then threw it on the ground and twisted it out with his foot.

During the time of smoking a cigarette, he made a decision in his heart.

Isn't it always not snowing?

If it doesn't snow, it doesn't snow; I had already thought of a way, but I always felt that it was a bit inhumane for actors and staff to shoot in that environment.

But now thinking about it, what is humane or inhumane; for the sake of film shooting, everyone should still be very willing to "sacrifice" a little.

So, he picked up the phone and dialed it.

"It's me, go and purchase 20,000 bags of fertilizer; we won't wait for the snow, use fertilizer instead of snow."

As for according to the script setting, many actors have to lie in the snow pile, or even pounce into the snow pile, will the pungent smell of fertilizer cause psychological shadows to the actors...

What are you thinking, actors eat this hardship, take this money; this is called professionalism, understand!

If you really want to blame, blame Cao Yang, that grandson; who told him to explode at the box office and win so many awards at once; I am jealous, just jealous!

I am so envious and jealous that I am going to be unrecognizable!

(End of chapter)