Chapter 358: Decisive

During the time Cao Yang was back in the country, his schedule was packed.

As for the Beijing Film Academy, even though he had declined to be responsible for the graduate thesis defense and the selection of outstanding graduation projects, he certainly couldn't avoid participating entirely.

Additionally, regarding the approval of film projects at the Youth Film Studio, he specifically set aside three days to look into it carefully and discovered that the situation was even more complex than he had imagined.

It was common knowledge at the Beijing Film Academy that the Youth Film Studio had money.

Consequently, many teachers and staff members who had been unable to direct films due to funding issues were all submitting scripts to apply for Youth Film Studio projects.

This seemed like a good thing on the surface.

The head of the Youth Film Studio, Cao Yang’s senior fellow student Xie Xiaojing, brought out a thick stack of scripts for Cao Yang to look over.

Cao Yang randomly pulled a few from the stack to examine.

The first script was submitted by a teacher from the Cinematography Department; Cao Yang still had some impression of this teacher, who was a cinematographer with a fair amount of fame.

Anyone who knows the Beijing Film Academy knows that the school doesn't just produce directors from the Directing Department; the Cinematography Department is also a major producer of directors, having cultivated many well-known ones.

The most representative of these is Zhang Yimou.

However, not just anyone from the Cinematography Department is capable of doing the work of a director.

First was the script; Cao Yang only roughly read the beginning before he couldn't help but exclaim, "Holy crap."

The setting of the script was a story taking place in the seventies; those who know, know—it is basically very difficult to handle a film with this era as its background well.

Sure enough, the female lead was an educated youth sent to the countryside, and the story involved several absurd romances during that special period...

The content was a bit like *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, but the story was not as complete or profound; the feeling it gave was that it was set up this way deliberately for the sake of so-called exposing human nature, purely to cater to that group of people in Europe and America.

Even if such a film were made, it would definitely fail to pass censorship, and the director might even be lucky enough to receive a ban-from-directing package.

It was understandable that this script wasn't selected.

But the next few scripts he saw made Cao Yang realize that, by comparison, the people from the Cinematography Department were at least relatively reliable.

Some scripts were simply like *Pure Hearts: Into Chinese Showbiz*, extremely unreliable, not even managing to write a clear story, which truly opened Cao Yang's eyes.

Cao Yang randomly pulled out a few more rejected scripts and finally saw one where the story was written clearly, but the filming plan was completely outrageous...

In short, these rejected ones always had various kinds of problems.

The overall feeling was that since the Youth Film Studio had money and provided so many fixed project quotas to the Beijing Film Academy, everyone definitely wanted to submit a script to try their luck—what if it got selected?

Therefore, although Xie Xiaojing, as the studio head, seemed to hold great power, getting things done was not easy at all; just the project approval process alone was very difficult and easily offended people.

For a school-run enterprise like the Youth Film Studio, having money isn't necessarily a good thing.

It was only because Xie Xiaojing had a deep enough background, with Cao Yang and Old Situ as his backing, that he could continue in this position; otherwise, if it were someone else, it would be very hard to carry on.

Cao Yang considered it for two days, exchanged opinions with Xie Xiaojing again, and decided to reform the current situation.

Since everyone was coveting the spots, then let them compete.

He provided Xie Xiaojing with a general framework and let him formulate a feasible plan based on the actual situation.

That was to decentralize the preliminary review power.

For example, giving the Directing Department fifteen quotas per year, the Cinematography Department ten, the Literature Department six...

This didn't mean that just because their department had these quotas, they would definitely get these projects.

Rather, this was just the list of applications submitted by their department, which still required the final review by the Youth Film Studio.

In other words, if any department didn't review strictly and submitted unqualified applications to the Youth Film Studio, they might not get a single project quota that year.

Furthermore, if these projects that passed the departments' preliminary reviews failed the Youth Film Studio's final review, Cao Yang, to prevent missing out on good projects, specifically established a "resurrection" mechanism.

Every year, at least one project would be selected from these rejected applications submitted by the departments.

This could be considered a form of incentive.

Of course, the person responsible for these final review powers was the general producer of the Youth Film Studio, which was Cao Yang.

It was just that he had no time for this, so for the time being, it was still Xie Xiaojing and the production department doing the reviews.

During this time in the country, Cao Yang also attended several meetings of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association, mainly regarding this year's Golden Rooster Awards.

The Golden Rooster Awards are film awards hosted by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association, and the China Film Association is one of the 14 associations under the Federation.

In other words, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles is a federation composed of 14 literary and art circles, including the China Film Association, referred to as the Federation.

As for Cao Yang's role as vice chairman of the Federation, the things he was responsible for were self-evident.

The operation of the Golden Rooster Awards is usually the responsibility of the Film Association.

Therefore, when Cao Yang went to the Film Association to hold meetings and discuss the Golden Rooster Awards, while it was called attending a meeting, according to his official status, it was going to provide guidance.

This was also the reason why Old Hou was busy considering candidates for judges for Cao Yang, as well as asking Cao Yang what general direction to set for the Golden Rooster Awards, because Cao Yang could truly decide the judge candidates and set the tone for the awards.

Of course, if there were no Beijing Film Academy, no Old Hou, and no Han Zong supporting him from behind, even if Cao Yang wanted to decide the judges or set the tone, if the Film Association didn't want to cooperate, they had plenty of ways to fool you.

When you're out in the world, you pay attention to status, but even more so to the power behind you.

Sometimes, having status without supporting power makes it very hard to get things done.

With the support of the Beijing Film Academy and China Film Group, as long as Cao Yang wasn't particularly radical, the things he pushed could still be effectively implemented.

Furthermore, the current chairman of the China Film Association was named Wu Yigong, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy's Directing Department.

With so many factors, plus Cao Yang's own influence, you tell me—could Cao Yang stand tall and earn his money... no, you tell me, could Cao Yang make his voice heard?

Besides the Golden Rooster Awards, Cao Yang had another thing to do.

Next year is the Jingcheng Olympics, and as the chief consultant for the Jingcheng Olympics, since he was back in the country, he certainly had to attend some meetings and discussions.

After Cao Yang became the chief consultant, he had never expressed his stance on Zhang Yimou's plan, nor had he participated in it; at the beginning, Zhang Yimou had sent some preliminary plans to Cao Yang, wanting to test Cao Yang's views.

He mainly wanted to confirm whether Cao Yang would interfere with the Olympics, and if so, to what extent, so as to make some preparations and countermeasures.

In fact, Zhang Yimou had initially prepared for the worst.

Don't look at Zhang Yimou as someone who usually doesn't say much; he is a very shrewd person.

When he was hired as the chief director, he even thought about whether this was Cao Yang's "conspiracy"—that Cao Yang was afraid that messing up the Olympics would affect his reputation, so he found a "scapegoat" and gave up the position of chief director.

Then, as the chief consultant of the Jingcheng Olympics—remember, not the chief consultant of the opening and closing ceremonies, but the chief consultant of the Jingcheng Olympics—there was too much he could interfere with, and the power was too great.

When the time came, he would be the chief director on the surface, but Cao Yang would be the "chief director" behind the scenes; if the opening and closing ceremonies were done well, the higher-ups would definitely know it was Cao Yang's credit, and if they were messed up, he would be the best candidate to take the blame...

However, after testing him many times, he finally determined that Cao Yang truly would not interfere with anything, which made Zhang Yimou feel emotional and, on the contrary, somewhat respectful toward Cao Yang.

From then on, even if Cao Yang didn't interfere with anything, whenever Zhang Yimou had a major decision, he would notify Cao Yang to maintain the proper respect.

So this time when Cao Yang returned to the country, Zhang Yimou insisted on dragging Cao Yang into several meetings.

With the main things mostly handled, Cao Yang prepared to go to Los Angeles; *Pirates of the Caribbean* still hadn't finished post-production.

Actually, everything else was mostly done, with only the CG special effects remaining.

Additionally, Nolan had called Cao Yang several times.

It seemed to be very important matters; for example, every time the *Batman* crew confirmed a main actor or a main staff member, Nolan would call Cao Yang.

He even urged Cao Yang on the phone to go to the US as soon as possible, joking that Cao Yang, as the project producer, hadn't been to the set once, and everyone was looking forward to his arrival.

Cao Yang was a bit speechless; he had already sent the executive producer Ning Hao to the set, so how could he not know if something happened?

However, because Nolan called frequently, not only talking about the crew but also discussing film, the final result was that Cao Yang, without realizing it, had actually become good friends with Nolan; perhaps that was Nolan's goal.

Before Cao Yang left, Old Hou "squeezed" him one more time.

The Beijing Film Academy held a selection for outstanding undergraduate and graduate theses, and for the winners, Cao Yang had to personally present the certificates.

Furthermore, for the winners of the outstanding graduation projects, Cao Yang also had to present the certificates.

Don't look at this as just a "small" move by Old Hou; it pushed the enthusiasm of the Beijing Film Academy graduates to the extreme—who wouldn't want to personally receive a certificate from Cao Yang and take a commemorative photo?

Many graduating students were very annoyed, wishing they had done their best to write their theses or shoot their graduation projects; if they could win an award and be remembered by Cao Yang, that would be a massive stroke of luck.

Those junior students, upon hearing the news, were all gearing up, deciding they must treat this matter extremely seriously next year.

Strange sounds echoed in the room for a long time.

Everyone's constitution is different, their endurance is different, and the feeling of immersion is also different.

Yu Feihong is a female knight; in this regard, her ability seems extraordinary.

However, she is just a female knight who likes to push herself.

She couldn't hold on for long before her eyes would lose focus, her body would go limp, and she would start babbling nonsense.

Cao Yang got up and wiped himself off; when he looked up again, he saw Yu Feihong, who just a moment ago had an expression like she was dying, now struggling to move her body, lifting her legs and propping them against the wall.

It was just that her disheveled appearance looked somewhat disheveled and wretched.

"What are you doing?"

Cao Yang was a bit puzzled, then reacted and wanted to laugh.

"I heard this can increase the chances."

Yu Feihong said weakly.

Cao Yang had heard a very interesting thing: the pregnancy rate for college students is particularly high, with many getting pregnant on the first try.

The pregnancy rate for couples is lower, but it is still very easy to get pregnant.

The pregnancy rate after marriage decreases a lot, requiring many attempts to have a possibility.

And for couples preparing for pregnancy, the rate is pitifully small; often, even if they calculate the dates of the follicles, conception is exceptionally difficult.

Cao Yang didn't know if this was a joke, but ever since Yu Feihong said she wanted a child, they hadn't succeeded.

"How about you come to Los Angeles with me for a while? With more attempts, the chances will be higher."

Cao Yang felt that Yu Feihong might really want to have a child, so after considering it for a moment, he said.

Yu Feihong closed her eyes, the flush on her face hadn't faded yet, and it was unknown if she had heard him; she didn't speak for a long time.

Cao Yang glanced at Yu Feihong and smiled; it seemed she didn't plan to wash up for the time being, so he went by himself.

When he came out, Yu Feihong was still in that pose.

"Your phone rang just now; I wanted to maintain the position, so I didn't tell you."

"It's been over twenty minutes; how much longer do you want to maintain it?"

Cao Yang asked while reaching for his phone.

"I don't know either, I suppose the longer, the better?" After such a long rest, Yu Feihong had recovered quite a bit of her energy.

Cao Yang held his phone to look through it, sat down beside Yu Feihong, and casually placed his other hand over her white rabbit.

Looking at the missed calls, it was actually from Little Steel Cannon.

"It's almost midnight, and this guy still isn't sleeping?"

Cao Yang said softly and called him back.

"Director Feng, still up so late?"

"Oh my, brother, I didn't disturb your rest, did I? We worked overtime during filming today, and after that, we had to hold a meeting to review the shots from today, and then review tomorrow's plan and tasks. Once I got busy, it was already this late."

Little Steel Cannon acted unusually enthusiastic and polite, sounding very excited.

This reminded Cao Yang of Little Steel Cannon's attitude when he was competing to be the director for the Olympic Games; it was about the same as now, just as enthusiastic and polite.

"Old Feng, you have something on your mind, don't you?"

Cao Yang asked.

"Hehe, brother, you've been back in the country for so many days, why haven't you come to the set? You are the executive producer of our crew, our big leader; everyone is eagerly waiting for you to come and guide our work."

Little Steel Cannon was still so enthusiastic that it sounded a bit like flattery.

Cao Yang knew Little Steel Cannon was being fake; if he really went over, he would definitely not be happy in his heart, and would certainly be afraid of him picking faults and causing trouble again.

"Old Feng, I have a lot to do and no time to go to the set. If you have something to say, just say it."

Little Steel Cannon was silent for a moment, then said earnestly: "Brother, I mean it. I welcome you to the set from the bottom of my heart. I welcome you to provide guidance and offer your opinions. Brother, every word I say is true, I'm not playing any games..."

Listening to Little Steel Cannon ramble on, combined with his somewhat "fawning" attitude, Cao Yang thought for a moment and roughly understood.

It seemed that Little Steel Cannon must have received news through some channel about his series of moves at the Golden Rooster Awards.

Little Steel Cannon had always wanted to win awards, wanted to gain recognition in the circle, and wanted to be accepted by the mainstream.

He had very high expectations for this film, *Assembly*.

For this reason, he had already "admitted defeat" to the Golden Rooster on different occasions, wanting to repair the relationship damaged by the big-mouthed one before.

Who would have known that he would suddenly learn that Cao Yang had actually "taken charge" of the Golden Rooster!

This news left Little Steel Cannon stunned for a long time; from initial disbelief to speechlessness after confirming it repeatedly, he fell silent for a long time and smoked half a pack of cigarettes straight.

Amidst the envy, jealousy, and reflection, he suddenly realized that the screenwriter and executive producer of *Assembly* both had Cao Yang's name on them!

This was simply a blessing from the heavens.

Quickly adjusting his mindset, he couldn't wait to make the call.

Furthermore, he made up his mind that he must film exactly according to the new script, and the few small places he had secretly changed must be reshot.

Inspection, self-examination, and oversight.

There was no situation closer to the mainstream and the Golden Rooster than this.

"Old Feng, I don't have time to go to the set. As long as you film according to the real situation, don't make random changes, and don't mix in your own private agenda, I think you can make a very classic film."

Cao Yang didn't say much more; it was up to Little Steel Cannon to interpret it.

Little Steel Cannon laughed, a very sincere laugh this time, a laugh from the bottom of his heart.

"Brother, don't worry. You know what kind of person I, Little Steel Cannon, am. I am a man of my word, and I give you my guarantee here.

I will absolutely, completely film according to the materials we found, and I will absolutely not add even a tiny bit of subjective opinion..."

"Alright, Old Feng, with those words from you, I'm relieved. Hmm, you can rest easy too, just film earnestly."

Cao Yang said to Little Steel Cannon with a smile.

Little Steel Cannon hung up the phone, feeling wonderful.

(End of chapter)