When Xu Weizhou received the script for "Steel," he was not so eager to check it out. After he showered, changed clothes, slept, and regained his energy, he opened his computer mailbox and read the document.
"Screenplay: "Steel Horn"
Screenwriter: Han Sen
Plot summary: On April 10, 1912, the luxury liner Steel, known as the "miracle in the history of world industry", began its maiden voyage. It planned to spend nearly two months traveling around the world, starting from Southampton, England.
Set off and sail to New York, America, with the final destination being the international cruise terminal in Wusongkou, Donghai City, China.
At that time, Deng Qingsi, a wealthy girl, boarded the first-class cabin with her mother and fiancé Xie Keduo.
On the other side, the bohemian young painter Li Wei also won a ticket to the lower class cabin in a Du Bo Zhong competition at the pier.
Deng Qingsi was tired of the hypocritical life in the upper class and did not want to marry Xie Keduo. He planned to commit suicide by throwing himself into the sea, but was accidentally rescued by Li Wei.
Soon, the beautiful and lively Deng Qingsi fell in love with the handsome and cheerful Li Wei. Li Wei took Deng Qingsi to a dance in the lower class cabin and took her portrait, and their relationship gradually heated up.
In the happy time, the time came to four days later.
April 14, 1912, Sunday night, a calm night.
The Steel hit an iceberg, and the "unsinkable Steel" eventually faced the fate of sinking.
The budding love between Deng Qingsi and Li Wei will also go through the test of life and death..."
When the electronic version of the script in the document appeared in front of him, and after just reading the plot summary for a moment, Xu Weizhou felt that this script...
It seems that it is not as magical as Tang Wu said.
It's a completely average story.
He remembered the sinking of the Steel that he had just reviewed. Although he had an intuition that there was a big story that could be unearthed, judging from the plot summary created by Han Sen, it seemed that it was not enough to support the so-called big story.
But he recalled Tang Wu's previous excitement, and vaguely felt that the real content of the story might not be so simple.
After all, Tang Wu's ability to choose scripts is obvious to all, otherwise she would not have become one of the four leading actresses in the contemporary film industry at such a young age.
So, when he started to read the actual content of the script, Xu Weizhou completely abandoned the somewhat disappointing thoughts he had just had, and quickly and seriously browsed "Steel Horn".
From being serious at the beginning, to being immersed after five minutes, to being completely fascinated, smiling, solemn, and sad, in just half an hour, Xu Weizhou changed his expressions. In the end, he felt lost and wiped out
Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, he breathed a long sigh of relief and sat there in silence.
Finally, after who knows how long, he finally spoke and murmured: "Life is precious, but love is even more valuable!"
At this moment, scenes from the script "Steel Horn" kept popping up in his mind.
Before the turning point when the ship hit the iceberg, everything was very quiet. The descriptions in the script were completely straightforward, as if there was no foreshadowing.
But if you dig carefully, you can still see some traces.
For example, the speed of a ship.
In the script, a person in charge of Huazhang Shipping Company forcefully asked the captain of the Steel to increase the ship's sailing speed. Although the captain expressed his concerns and said that there was a risk of icebergs in the sea ahead, the person in charge bluntly stated that the Steel was
How could the largest and strongest ship in the world be afraid of a small iceberg?
It was the arrogant mentality of the shipbuilding company that caused the Steel to be unable to evade when it encountered an iceberg because the ship was too fast. The iceberg eventually opened a large hole in the side of the ship's hull, causing the ship to sink.
.
Another example is that the lookouts on the Titanic failed to send a timely signal of the appearance of icebergs ahead.
In this movie, we can see that the crew members standing on the observation deck at the top of the giant ship were working conscientiously at their posts.
But when the hero and heroine were having sex on the deck of the giant ship, the two idiot lookouts were distracted watching the young lovers having fun, completely forgetting their own responsibilities, and thus missed the best opportunity to discover the iceberg.
Later, although the signal for the appearance of icebergs ahead was sent again, it was too late for the ship traveling at high speed.
For the audience, the sinking of the Steel is a historical event. As long as they understand this history, watching this movie will not be boring at all, because all calms are signs before the thunderstorm.
"It was not easy for Han Sen to write "Pawn Shop No. 8", but I didn't expect that he could write such a great story."
Xu Weizhou felt sad when he thought of what was described in the script.
At the last moment when the ship sank, the sailors on the deck, the musicians in the auditorium, and even the white-haired elders gave their last chance of survival to women and children.
No one asked them to do this, but they unanimously chose to sacrifice themselves to protect the weak.
"Perhaps this is the difference between modern civilized people and barbaric people!"
Xu Weizhou gathered his emotions and suddenly had a feeling: "With this script, no one else can produce the effect of a great work except me."
With this thought in mind, he immediately dialed Tan Gaohan's number without any hesitation at one o'clock in the middle of the night.
On the other side, Tan Gaohan has already fallen asleep. Although Xu Weizhou is a great director, he is also a busy man. It is impossible for him to stay up all night just waiting for Xu Weizhou's summons.
I was woken up at this time. I glanced at the caller ID with a little irritation. I woke up immediately and quickly answered: "Director Xu?"
"Mr. Tan, I'm sorry to bother you so late."
Hearing this, Tan Gaohan smiled and said: "Director Xu is too outspoken. You must have something very important to tell me if you called so late. I can totally understand."
Xu Weizhou paused and asked directly: "Has the script "Steel Horn" been approved?"
Tan Gaohan became more sober and replied: "The project has been approved."
Xu Weizhou asked: "Has the crew made preparations?"
"Preparations are underway. Casting is being conducted from all over the world based on the content of the script. The momentum is not large at the moment and is only being screened within a small area."
Xu Weizhou nodded and asked: "Do you have a director?"
Tan Gaohan smiled and said: "We are already in contact with four directors..."
"without me?"
"Yes, it's just that Director Xu is too busy and doesn't have time to contact me." Tan Gaohan laughed. Although he was full of smiles, his words seemed full of resentment.
Xu Weizhou was silent for a moment and said: "I have time...I have time now."
Tan Gaohan wondered: "But I am negotiating with director Fang Xiangyu, and he is very interested in this script."
"I can reduce my salary."
"Director Fang Xiangyu also has this intention..."
"I can get zero pay."
Xu Weizhou solemnly said: "I am very interested in this script. Believe me, Mr. Tan, "Steel No." can only show its glory if I am allowed to film it. In addition, I can also persuade Tang Wu to be the director of this film.
The heroine."
"Tang Wu? We have contacted her. Because the heroine in the play has nude scenes, she has no intention of doing so."
"Just use a stand-in. This shot is harmless." Xu Weizhou said: "Movies are incomplete and regrettable art. We should not demand perfection."
Tan Gaohan nodded and said: "Use a substitute? This is a good suggestion. In fact, we have discussed it before, but Tang Wu is also very resistant to it. In this case, I need to discuss it with Han Sen and finally give you an answer tomorrow, okay?
Do you want to guide me?"
"Okay." Xu Weizhou nodded.
After Tan Gaohan put down the phone, he fell asleep immediately, but he couldn't fall asleep. He looked at the time and found that Han Sen should have left the Middle East and headed to Brazil today.
There is a time difference between Brazil and China. The current Brazilian time should have just passed noon.
As soon as he thought about this, Tan Gaohan made a transoceanic call. Soon after receiving the call, Wang Kangcheng immediately handed the phone to Han Sen.
Han Sen just woke up. He was a little exhausted physically and mentally from many days of concerts. After rehearsing in the afternoon, he will continue his Brazilian concert tomorrow.
He has to hold two concerts every week, and his tough body can't bear it. After nearly a month, Han Sen is really tired.
Therefore, every time I check into a hotel, I almost always fall asleep on the bed. I sleep for more than ten hours at a time and wake up feeling refreshed again.
After all, he is still young and has strong recovery ability.
After receiving the call from Tan Gaohan, Han Sen quickly understood the purpose of the call. When he heard the name Xu Weizhou, Han Sen had already opened the computer and searched quickly. Looking at the resume that was so beautiful that it dazzled his eyes, Han Sen swallowed.
Drool: "This talented person who won the Golden Dragon Award for Best Director twice in a row...really doesn't want a salary?"
"He said no, but we have to give it. This is the rule of the road, and it will most likely be a share of the box office."
Tan Gaohan said with a smile: "So, if you are confident about the future box office of "Steel", we can definitely negotiate the other party's remuneration at a fixed price. Calculated according to the current market price of Xu Weizhou, invite him to shoot a film, and the remuneration will be
Starting with a minimum of 60 million, his highest record in history is 100 million. However, that film did not win any awards and was just a purely commercial drama. Even so, Director Xu's box office appeal was completely overshadowed.
This movie made a lot of money."
Sixty million...
Han Sen took a breath, this salary is just like that for contemporary movie stars, right?
Not to mention this is the lowest starting price.
As expected, every great director is worth a lot of money.
But thinking about the box office of "Titanic" in his previous life, Han Sen suddenly felt that he was a bit short-sighted. Even if he paid the other party 60 million for the film, it would be better than the other party taking a share of the box office.
As soon as he thought about it, Han Sen said: "Since it is a rule, then we should pay him according to the market value."
"So, are you sure that Xu Weizhou will direct this movie?"
"I didn't have any ideas or candidates. Since Director Xu has such a beautiful resume, he should have some ability. After I finish the concert, I will watch Director Xu's videos to understand his photography style. In theory,
, a director who is good at feature films, the films he shoots should not be bad. What's more, he has won the Golden Dragon Award for Best Director twice in a row. In the whole of China, Xu Weizhou is one of the best directors.
Yes, I have no reason to refuse."
"Okay, I'll give him an answer right now. By the way, Director Xu also said that as long as he directs "Steel Horn", he will convince Tang Wu to be the heroine of the film, but a body double will be used for the nude scenes.
."
"really?"
"Seriously, Director Xu can be said to be Tang Wu's mentor. He single-handedly made Tang Wu famous. Director Xu's suggestions will definitely be remembered by Tang Wu. Oh, by the way, Tang Wu has also been obsessed with this script.
According to Director Xu, Tang Wu accidentally mentioned "Steel Horn" and praised it constantly. This time, it aroused Director Xu's curiosity, which prompted the matter."
"Actually, even if that scene is deleted, it won't affect the progress of the film. It's because I was too perfectionist before," Han Sen said.
Tan Gaohan laughed loudly and said: "Tang Wu was once judged to have the most beautiful face in the world. She has so many resources. She can never forget your script. She obviously values it very much. I also know that in your mind, the ideal
The heroine is Tang Wu. If you missed it last time, you don’t have to miss it this time."
Han Sen nodded. After meeting Tang Wu, he was no longer interested in the actress who played the heroine Deng Qingsi. He had chosen several times, but none of them met his taste. He didn't feel that he was right at all. After all, he had seen her before.
The face and acting skills of Allison Williams, who played Ruth in her previous life, in Han Sen's opinion, whether it is body, appearance and temperament, conversation, etc., Tang Wu is exactly like his ideal aristocratic lady.
For her to play Deng Qingsi will definitely have unexpected effects.
The noble lady Deng Qingsi and the poor boy painter are definitely typical images of two classes. A hundred years ago, the class hierarchy was too obvious. How to play the role of a lower class person is actually a challenge for Han Sen, who now has no worries about food and clothing.
Fortunately, he had been immersed in countless classic film and television dramas since he was a child, and had seen many different images of poverty. As for how to portray the image of Li Wei, a poor painter, Han Sen had already rehearsed countless times in his mind when writing the script.
.
What's more, he also has the experience of Jack in "Titanic" to draw on, and coupled with the acting experience accumulated in "Pawn Shop No. 8", it shouldn't be a big problem to play this image well in this way.
Tan Gaohan was holding back his sleep. It was difficult for him to fall asleep after being woken up. At three or four o'clock in the morning, he called Xu Weizhou, who was already asleep.
Xu Weizhou was woken up, his heart was beating wildly, and he was very angry. He had a bad temper when he saw people on the set. Naturally, he couldn't help but want to scold the person who disturbed him late at night. After picking up the phone, he answered,
Just as he was about to curse, the next moment he heard the voice coming from the receiver, Xu Weizhou suddenly woke up, sat up and asked: "Mr. Tan...has there been a reply?"
"Yes, Han Sen agreed to Director Xu to direct the film and gave Director Xu full authority to organize the crew."
Xu Weizhou quickly expressed his gratitude. After hanging up the phone, he couldn't help but clapped his hands and smiled in the dark.
Lying on the bed again, Xu Weizhou quickly fell asleep.
He had a dream.
In the dream, the old Deng Qingsi dreamed that he had returned to the Steel No. 1 and became his younger self.
In the dream, everyone on the ship was waiting in the lobby.
The handsome Li Wei was standing on the stairs and took Deng Qingsi's hand.
They hugged each other, kissed each other, and everyone around them cheered and blessed...
Outside the dream, Xu Weizhou smiled and shed tears.