[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr":3,"chapter-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-356":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Academic Director: Reborn in the Film Industry",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297356,4493,"Chapter 356: Detour","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-356",356,"\u003Cp>Cao Yang was quite in agreement with Old Situ’s perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Cao Yang’s current status and influence, he could certainly intervene directly in the Golden Rooster Awards, or even change the selection rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But isn't there a saying: too much is as bad as too little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could achieve his goal temporarily, and others wouldn't dare to confront him head-on, but what about afterwards?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you touch the interests of the majority and cause widespread dissatisfaction, many people will inevitably trip you up behind your back, file malicious complaints against you, and do a perfunctory job with your instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It has long been proven that going it alone doesn't work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless you only want to be \"willful\" this one time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Cao Yang’s current status, it is no exaggeration to say that he is also a vested interest holder in the film and television industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any industry, as a vested interest holder, one does not want outsiders to break in, disrupt the industry's development, and force a redistribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the development and sustainable growth of the film industry is also a problem Cao Yang should consider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This requires changing or eliminating certain drawbacks that hinder industry development, as well as establishing rules that can limit such destructive behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Cao Yang cannot accomplish this alone; even if he unites and leads some people, or wins others over, it is not certain that better development will truly be achieved in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, how much worse could it get?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let's try it slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, with this year's Golden Rooster Awards, there is no need to be too radical, but there must be some changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are your plans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian also instantly looked up at Cao Yang; he understood the meaning behind Old Situ’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang thought for a moment and said: \"The Golden Rooster is criticized for many things; for example, some films haven't even been publicly screened, or were screened but almost no one watched them, yet they still win major awards, which invites a lot of questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, few people know what the specific selection criteria for the Golden Rooster are; without specific standards, it is seen by many as being easier to manipulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the lack of professionalism among judges; many judges are not even people working in the film industry, and every time, many such people appear on the list of judges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another example is the phenomenon of 'slicing the cake,' and in the last two years, there has also been a tendency to favor films and filmmakers from Taiwan and Xiangjiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are quite a few such drawbacks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian grimaced and gave Cao Yang a thumbs up; he had long been unable to stand these things, but unfortunately, these were not things he could change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ opened his mouth, having a lot to say; he had similar thoughts to Old Tian, both assuming that Cao Yang said so much because he wanted to change all these drawbacks at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how is that possible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reform, in any country, in any industry, no matter how much support it has, is an extremely difficult thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the person pushed to the forefront often does not have a very good ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is almost a certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reality is just like that; even if the reform succeeds, because too many people were offended, in order to appease the so-called \"public anger,\" the person at the very front often needs to be \"sacrificed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ secretly made up his mind; it was hard enough for the Beijing Film Academy to produce a Cao Yang, so he must never let Cao Yang stand at the forefront.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Old Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knows, Old Tian is famously \"stubborn,\" having long been dissatisfied with the \"old traditions\" of the film circle; if he were pushed to the forefront, it would absolutely feel completely natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, Old Tian is the Director of the Directing Department at the Beijing Film Academy, which fits the requirement of being \"high-ranking and powerful\"; he still has quite a bit of influence now, and in a while, he could even be promoted to Vice Dean, which would be even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, judging by Cao Yang’s meaning, he intends to get Old Tian a Golden Lion from Venice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is simply perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winning a Golden Lion brings international influence, and being the Director of the Directing Department, or perhaps Vice Dean, while also being famously \"stubborn\"—isn't he just born to stand at the forefront...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian suddenly shivered without warning; what was going on? It was already summer, this shouldn't be happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have considered the whole situation carefully and thoroughly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ looked at Old Tian again, then revealed a harmless smile and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Golden Rooster Awards ceremony is held at the end of October, and the Venice Film Festival is held in September. I personally believe that Director Tian’s *Pieta* has a high probability of winning the Golden Lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, after taking this into account, I suddenly feel that Director Tian is the best candidate for the head of this year's Golden Rooster Awards committee.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian was stunned at first, then burst into laughter; at this moment, he felt Old Situ looked much more pleasing to the eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Rooster Awards selection committee has one head, that is, the chairman, one secretary-general, and the remaining twenty-one are all regular committee members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the head is the leader of these judges, similar to the jury president of the three major European film festivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the domestic Golden Rooster Awards is generally held by someone \"highly respected\" in the industry, which is considered a recognition of their status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian felt that Old Situ’s suggestion was excellent; he could finally hold his head high again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, while happy, Old Tian was also a bit puzzled; after *Pieta* finished post-production, because he was waiting for Cao Yang to review it, it hadn't been screened even once, not even within the Beijing Film Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the question arises, how can this guy Old Situ be so sure I can win the Venice Golden Lion without having seen the film?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang actually didn't understand Old Situ’s roundabout way of thinking, but he did see Old Situ’s worry and hesitation after hearing his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he said: \"The Golden Rooster hasn't existed for just a day or two, and those drawbacks cannot be solved overnight. My plan is to find some relatively more professional judges this time, and the selection of awards will no longer favor Xiangjiang and Taiwan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking for a moment, he added: \"Try not to 'slice the cake' if possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Old Situ immediately breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already prepared to push Old Tian to the forefront and secretly contact people to charge into battle; he didn't expect that Cao Yang didn't intend to \"confront head-on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it's just these two points, that is not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang is a world-renowned director, and as the Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, wanting to find some relatively professional judges for the Golden Rooster Awards is, in anyone's eyes, a relatively reasonable request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, the \"small\" matter of correcting the bias toward Xiangjiang and Taiwan, which seems simple, is not easy to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the domestic film market is growing rapidly, and a large number of Xiangjiang and Taiwan filmmakers are heading north; in the eyes of some, this is the perfect time for a united front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason, of course, is to give these people some preferential treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the upcoming Beijing Olympics, it is even more important to unite the majority that can be united.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specifically reflected in the film and television circle, it means giving these people heading north some special care, and the same applies to awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, most of these filmmakers heading north are here to make money, and since most of the Xiangjiang filmmakers heading north are engaged in commercial films, there are actually not many who can participate in the Golden Rooster Awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter can also be handled if one thinks of a way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for \"slicing the cake,\" that is because of relationships and face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, even if the judges are relatively professional, it is hard to avoid various relationships and face; \"slicing the cake\" is very difficult to avoid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this point, neither the three major European festivals nor the Oscars can avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One just needs to grasp a \"degree\"—don't let any Tom, Dick, or Harry's crappy film get a slice of the cake; to get a slice, one must at least ensure it is above a certain standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ understood all this, and when he turned his head, he saw Old Tian’s eager gaze; he was stunned, then smiled at Old Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Cao, I have considered it carefully again. After all, this is your first time influencing the direction of the Golden Rooster. For the position of head, I think Teacher Li Qiankuan is more suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the remaining committee members, I will discuss it with others and draft a new list for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ’s words left Old Tian stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, no, Old Situ, what is wrong with you? Why am I suddenly not suitable to be the head anymore?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian originally wanted to refute, but after considering it, he gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it, if I refute, it will make me look like I have no shame. Then, thinking of his masterpiece *Pieta*, which he had poured his heart and soul into to make perfect, even quitting drinking during production, Old Tian felt he needed to make up for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That... *Pieta* has been finished for a while now; how about we go to the small screening room this afternoon to watch it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Old Tian still felt a bit of regret; he had originally saved the film's \"first time\" to let Cao Yang watch it and surprise him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, he felt that this *Pieta* was the pinnacle of his life; it would be impossible to have a more dedicated and \"perfect\" film in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His original intention was to \"show off\" in front of Cao Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian sighed at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seems that he was the one who was narrow-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why show off in front of Cao Yang? I should show off in front of more people, especially that bastard Old Situ.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, just the three of us? Should we call Teacher Situ and Xie Fei and the others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ didn't think much and said directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian smiled silently; this wasn't what I wanted to show off, just wait to be shocked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, more people can offer more suggestions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang glanced at Old Tian; you still have the nerve to be smug?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple art film, simple plot, simple characters, no big scenes, no financial pressure, and you even have Ning Hao as your assistant...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such favorable conditions, you have been preparing since August last year, and it's been almost ten months now; what is there to be smug about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, well, compared to Wang Jiawei, your speed is actually quite fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a top leader of the Beijing Film Academy, Old Situ is actually very busy. Since the discussion was temporarily settled, he was just about to leave when he heard a knock on the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Situ sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Beijing Film Academy, there are very few people who can make Old Situ stand up to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were standing, it would be as if he were specifically there to welcome the person outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in,\" Cao Yang said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The office door was pushed open, and three people entered; Cao Yang recognized two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Cao...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person who came in had just called out when he noticed Old Situ sitting there; he was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted and hurriedly said: \"Dean Situ is here too. You all go ahead with your business; we will come back when Director Cao is free.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still had good judgment; it was obvious the three were discussing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful; he should have called first; he was really a bit too rash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two people following him also greeted them, \"Dean Hou, Director Cao, Director Tian...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Liu, come, sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang did not let the visitors leave, and said to the other two, \"Director Zhang, you two sit as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people who arrived were Liu Yibing, the department head of the Literature Department at the Beijing Film Academy, and Party Branch Secretary Zhang Min, who was also the deputy head of the Literature Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the last one, Cao Yang did not recognize him, though he looked somewhat familiar; he was likely a teacher at the school or something similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are Director Liu and Secretary Zhang looking for Director Cao for something?\" Old Hou asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yibing felt a bit regretful, not knowing if he had interrupted the Dean and Cao Yang while they were discussing matters, but on the surface, he certainly could not let such annoyance show on his face, nor could he hide the purpose of his visit to Cao Yang from Dean Hou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s like this, Dean Hou, this is our department’s teacher, Zhuang Yuxin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yibing introduced the young man behind him, then continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Zhuang directed a film called *Tooth of Love*, which recently won the Best Debut Film Award at the Beijing College Student Film Festival. It has already received its Dragon Seal, and we wanted to come over and ask Director Cao to provide some guidance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Hou immediately understood what Liu Yibing meant and asked with a smile, \"Aiming for Venice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yibing nodded with a smile and subtly flattered him, \"Nothing can be hidden from Dean Hou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Min, the Party Branch Secretary of the Literature Department, chimed in:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Zhuang’s film is considered a romantic art-house movie. When it comes to directing, our Literature Department certainly isn't as good as the Directing Department. Since we heard Director Cao was back, we wanted to take the opportunity to trouble Director Cao to take a look at it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right, when it comes to understanding art-house films, our Literature Department certainly couldn't catch up to Director Cao even with a whip,\" Liu Yibing added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One from the Cinematography Department, one from the Literature Department—why are you two always stealing work from our Directing Department?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian joked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Director Tian, that’s not right. Our school cultivates comprehensive talent. The Cinematography Department can produce a Zhang Yimou, and our Literature Department has produced a Jia Zhangke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believe that under Dean Hou’s leadership, every department can produce many film and television talents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yibing said tactfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang ignored their banter. He thought for a moment; he seemed to have heard of the film *Tooth of Love*, but he had never seen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he would take a look. As long as it was above a certain standard, he wouldn't mind pushing it for the Venice Film Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this: there’s a test screening in the Directing Department’s small screening room at two o'clock this afternoon. Let’s watch it together then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang made the final decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the trouble, Director Cao,\" Liu Yibing said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry to trouble you, Director Cao,\" Zhang Min also said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Director Cao, thank you, Dean Hou,\" Zhuang Yuxin followed up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that he was very happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fearing they would disturb Cao Yang, Dean Hou, and Old Tian while they were discussing business, the three of them left after finishing this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Literature Department really values that Teacher Zhuang; both the department head and the secretary came in person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense. It’s not easy for the Literature Department to produce another director who looks promising, and he’s even a tenured teacher, so of course they value him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Hou shook his head with a smile, knowing that Old Tian certainly couldn't empathize. After all, almost all teachers in the Directing Department had experience as directors, so it was very normal for tenured teachers to direct films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This film isn't from the Youth Film Studio, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang thought that since both Old Tian and Old Hou didn't know much about this film or Zhuang Yuxin, it was almost certain that the film was not invested in by the Youth Film Studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It shouldn't be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Hou shook his head and explained, \"The Youth Film Studio has made quite a bit of money in recent years, but the risk of investing in films is still too high. The nature of a school-run enterprise dictates that the Youth Film Studio must invest in some films every year that are obviously going to lose money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of these films cannot be released after they are made, which makes the Youth Film Studio quite strict regarding film investment applications. Generally, if you aren't from the Directing Department or a director with directing experience, it’s very hard to apply for funding...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Old Hou’s words, Cao Yang still managed to pick up on a few things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the Youth Film Studio, Xie Xiaojing, was Old Tian’s classmate, Old Situ’s student, and Cao Yang’s senior fellow apprentice. He was the former head of the Directing Department before Old Tian, and currently also served as the vice dean of the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this long list of titles, one could see that Xie Xiaojing absolutely held real power and was someone who could afford not to give face to many people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that ever since Xie Xiaojing became the head of the Youth Film Studio, he was definitely biased toward the Directing Department regarding film investment applications; it was a bit difficult for other departments to apply to be directors and make films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the slight dissatisfaction implied in Old Hou’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't look at Old Hou as a big leader and the former head of the Youth Film Studio; Xie Xiaojing’s status was different, and he truly dared not to give him face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Cao Yang could resolve this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Cao Yang didn't say anything. He was still the General Producer of the Youth Film Studio, after all. If one really looked into it, film applications and project initiations were all supposed to go through his approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to understand the specific situation first; there is no right to speak without investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3134,"2026-06-20T05:36:33.260Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","f57ce4d678f4c38917fe9d997750c55f76f04c88b4fe8858b8edc8c453b56f4f","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-357","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-355",411,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-cover.jpg"]