Huayu: It's normal for me, as a director, to mentor young actresses, right?

Chapter 15 Wang Jinsong

"My main wish is for the teacher to help coordinate the schedule so that the students can participate," Lin Yu said bluntly. "Also, I hope the teacher and Dean Wang Jinsong can come to the event to provide acting guidance."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chunzi understood that the young man's real intention was not what he seemed; he was after Wang Jinsong.

"That's easy to do," Wang Chunzi picked up the script and flipped through it again. "Have the actors been cast?"

"Not yet, but my idea is to choose directly from the Beijing Film Academy," Lin Yu said, "since the main roles are all students anyway."

"It's good to keep the good stuff in the family." Wang Chunzi smiled, stood up, and said, "Let's go. I'll take you to the dean now and settle this matter as soon as possible."

Lin Yu followed Wang Chunzi out of the office.

There weren't many people in the corridor; only a few students occasionally hurried by with their books.

"Don't be nervous when you see the dean later," Wang Chunzi said as they walked. "Dean Wang looks serious, but he's actually quite easy to talk to. He values ​​your attitude more."

"I understand." Lin Yu nodded.

He wasn't nervous, but he was mainly afraid that Wang Yanyang's "tribute" in the first performance class of the semester would anger him.

The two went up the stairs and arrived at the door of the dean's office on the third floor.

Wang Chunzi knocked on the door.

"Come in." A deep male voice came from inside.

Pushing open the door, the office was simpler than I had imagined. There was a large desk, a few bookshelves, and several old movie posters hanging on the wall.

Wang Jinsong was sitting behind his desk looking at documents. In his fifties, his appearance hadn't changed much since he was an actor, except for the hair on the top of his head.

Hmm, this Mediterranean Sea is a bit dazzling.

Lin Yu silently looked away.

"Teacher Wang, is something the matter?" Wang Jinsong looked up, his gaze falling on Lin Yu. "And this is?"

"Dean, this is Lin Yu, a student in our class." Wang Chunzi handed over the script. "He has a project he'd like to report to you about."

Wang Jinsong took the script, turned to the first page, and raised an eyebrow.

"I heard last week that China Film Group was planning to buy the rights to '12 Angry Men'," Wang Jinsong looked up at Lin Yu, "Did you ask someone to do this?"

As the dean, I'm better informed than others.

"I need a friend to help me out." Lin Yu did not deny it.

Wang Jinsong smiled: "Sit down, I need to take a good look at this."

Wang Chunzi and Lin Yu sat down on the sofa. The office fell silent, broken only by the rustling of Wang Jinsong turning pages.

After a while, Wang Jinsong closed the script and looked at Lin Yu.

"Not bad," Wang Jinsong replied affirmatively. "Do you have a good grasp of the storyboard?"

Drawing storyboards has always been one of the basic skills of a director. Whether it's stick figures or something that can be viewed as a comic book, you have to know how to do it first.

Lin Yu shook his head: "I've been writing the script since the report, and I haven't had time to draw it yet."

"Okay." Wang Jinsong nodded. "Go back and draw up the storyboard first. When do you plan to film it?"

Lin Yu thought for a moment and said, "I think we'll start filming around December and finish within a month, so it won't interfere with the students' final exams."

"You're planning to use freshmen?" Wang Jinsong pointed out the problem directly. "If that's the case, a month won't be enough."

He knew in his heart that with the level of a freshman, it would take a long time just to hone his acting skills.

"That was my original thought," Lin Yu said, "but now I'm thinking of prioritizing what's suitable."

"That's true," Wang Jinsong affirmed Lin Yu's statement, picked up his water glass and took a sip, "I won't ask about the funding. The school will take care of the venue and props for you."

Lin Yu was about to refuse when Wang Jinsong waved his hand.

"I know what you're thinking, but you also need to consider the school." Wang Jinsong put down his teacup. "If the school doesn't provide any support for a film made by a current student, what kind of logic is that? Besides, this is also a way to enhance the school's reputation."

Lin Yu thought about it and realized it made sense, so he didn't refuse anymore: "Then thank you, Dean."

Wang Jinsong smiled and said, "Alright, you can try to find an actor yourself first. If it doesn't work out, come back to me."

"Yes, Dean."

Wang Jinsong then looked at Wang Chunzi: "Teacher Wang, once the personnel are finalized, just bring the leave slips from the students currently on campus, and I'll sign them. Don't delay things."

"Yes, Dean." Wang Chunzi stood up.

Wang Jinsong looked back at Lin Yu: "Alright, I won't keep you any longer. Once you've finished your storyboard, I'll take you to the directing department to find a big shot to mentor you."

Lin Yu also stood up, and could roughly guess who the big shot Wang Jinsong was talking about was.

If we can get them to come, the chances of this film being made will be much greater.

"Thank you, Dean. I'll take my leave now."

"Go ahead." Wang Jinsong waved his hand and picked up the documents on the table.

As Lin Yu stepped out of the office, he let out a long sigh of relief.

Wang Chunzi patted him on the shoulder: "Not bad, the dean thinks highly of you. Go back and prepare well, don't let them down."

"Don't worry, Teacher Wang," Lin Yu smiled, "I know what I'm doing."

-----------------

After saying goodbye to his teacher, Lin Yu found a quiet corner and made a phone call to Han Sanping.

It's not about urging for copyright; it's about Nazha signing a contract and about film investment.

Although it's difficult for this script to recoup its costs solely through box office revenue, there are still many ways to make money afterward.

For Lin Yu, recouping the costs wouldn't be too difficult; if all else fails, he could simply ask the movie channel to pay for it.

"Hey, nephew, what's up?" The background noise on the other end of the phone was a bit loud, but Han Sanping's voice was exceptionally enthusiastic.

Lin Yu's lips twitched. This form of address... he hoped he could stick to it in the future.

"Hey, Uncle Han, I'd like to trouble you with two things." Lin Yu found a secluded spot to stand.

"You said, your Uncle Han will take care of it for you." The background noise quieted down, probably because they found a quiet place.

"I'd like to ask you, do you know someone named Wang Jinghua?"

On the other end of the phone, Han Sanping was in his office receiving the Wang brothers and Feng Xiaogang from Huayi Brothers. Filming for "1942" was about to begin, and the two main investors were meeting to discuss future arrangements.

Upon hearing the name "Wang Jinghua," Han Sanping raised an eyebrow and glanced at Wang Zhongjun on the opposite sofa.

"Yes, I know him." Han Sanping stood up and walked towards the door. "My nephew wants to sign with a talent agency?"

He waved his hand, signaling the Wang brothers and Feng Kuzi to go out first.

Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei exchanged a glance, then silently got up and left. The name Wang Jinghua made them furious.

"It wasn't me, it was my friend," Lin Yu said. "She's a young lady from XJ, quite attractive, and looking for a reliable agent."

"Okay, I'll take care of it," Han Sanping said after sitting back down at the table.

"Okay, Uncle Han, please let me know when you've arranged it, and I'll make the arrangements." Lin Yu paused, then added, "There's one more thing, Uncle Han, are you interested in investing in 'Twelve Citizens'?"

Han Sanping's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone, "Of course I'm interested. China Film Group will take whatever it takes, no matter how much is needed."

They all understood this very well: the money belonged to the company, but the personal connections were truly their own.

"These kinds of movies are usually critically acclaimed but not commercially successful. Uncle Han, aren't you worried about not recouping your costs?" Lin Yu chuckled.

"Hey, film investment, there's no guarantee of making money." Han Sanping didn't care at all; he could afford to lose money on a low-budget film. "China Film Group has always been very tolerant of young directors like you."

"Then I'll thank you in advance, Uncle Han. I'll bring the proposal to discuss it in detail when we schedule a time."