Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 58 Director Lu's Love and Hate

Another student stood up and asked, "Senior Zhang Jun, if you want to work in the film industry, what do you think is the most important thing?"

Many of those who attended the lecture were students interested in film, and perhaps many of them wanted to replicate Zhang Jun's success.

I heard that many universities have invested heavily in short films this year, trying to replicate Zhang Jun's success and become successful directors or stars.

Everyone would also like to hear Zhang Jun's advice to a non-professional student who wants to switch careers and enter the film industry.

Zhang Jun thought for a moment and replied, "I believe that film is a cultural industry, and those who make films must have cultural knowledge."

Secondly, film is an industry, so people with science and engineering backgrounds are particularly well-suited to enter the film industry.

In Hollywood, many behind-the-scenes talents come from STEM backgrounds. The Hollywood blockbusters we see on the big screen couldn't have been made by famous directors and actors alone.

Behind this is a system, a system composed of professional behind-the-scenes industrial talents.

If you want to work in the film industry, I suggest starting behind the scenes. Learning and improving little by little will make things much easier.

One student asked, "Then why can't you be like me and become a director?"

Zhang Jun and Zhan spread their hands and said, "Of course, as long as you can find investors."

I was able to direct a film because I curried favor with the president of our Tsinghua University Film Association. She's a wealthy woman, and I got investment from her.

Director Lu Chuan was able to succeed because his father had extensive connections and could easily secure investment for him.

Lu Chuan glared angrily. He understood. That bastard Zhang Jun was subtly mocking him for relying on connections.

She even dragged herself into the mess just to mock him, which shows how vicious she was.

Ignoring Lu Chuan's angry gaze, Zhang Jun continued, "It's certainly a good thing to have good ideas and stories, but the hardest thing in the film industry is how to secure the first investment."

Once you succeed once, you won't have to worry about investment anymore.

These words were truly candid, and Zhang Jun clearly explained the difficulties. If anyone tries to replicate his success and finds it impossible, then it's not his fault.

The lecture and exchange session officially ended, and Zhang Jun and Lu Chuan, with smiles on their faces, fulfilled the students' requests for autographs and photos.

When they arrived at the back lounge, Lu Chuan, with a furious expression, took advantage of the fact that no one was around.

"What did you mean by what you just said? I got to where I am today because of my talent, not because of my father."

Zhang Jun pretended to be confused: "I mean you got a rare opportunity because of your father's connections, that's the truth."

Could you really say to your father, "Dad, I got to where I am today entirely on my own merits; you're useless"?

"Damn it, you bastard!"

Lu Chuan got even angrier; the cultured man couldn't keep up the act anymore and started swearing.

Zhang Jun picked at his ear, completely ignoring Lu Chuan's anger.

"I advise you, Director Lu, not to get so angry so easily. It doesn't sound good if word gets out. The film market is so big, it can accommodate both of us. You don't have to treat me like an enemy."

He concluded seriously, "I'm too lazy to argue with you. You're the 'senior,' so it's better for everyone if we can save face."

That's all I have to say. If Director Lu still won't let me off the hook, I won't be polite either. You'd better think this through."

After saying that, Zhang Jun walked out of the lounge, leaving Lu Chuan alone, angry and getting angrier.

He just couldn't stand Zhang Jun's nonchalant attitude. He was clearly furious, but how could he act like nothing was wrong, wearing that hateful pretense...

Sometimes, this aspect of human psychology is truly inexplicable.

Just like Lu Chuan later inexplicably criticized "Claw Machine" on Weibo, it's possible that someone from "Claw Machine" offended him, or it could simply be that he disliked it and wanted to promote his new film.

His dislike for Zhang Jun might stem from Zhang Jun stealing his limelight and attention, or it might be due to arrogance.

In short, it seems that the conflict between the two cannot be easily resolved in the short term.

However, Zhang Jun didn't care at all. Lu Chuan wasn't the governor of Earth, and couldn't decide his fate. Even if Zhang Yi had a conflict with Zhang Jun at this moment, it couldn't stop Zhang Jun's future.

The reason is simple, just as Zhang Jun said: the film market is huge, and there are many film companies.

Nowadays, there are only a handful of directors who can make money from movies, and Zhang Jun is a rare talent. There are plenty of investors willing to invest in Zhang Jun.

With his momentum already established, unless a powerful figure from the government's cultural sector orders Zhang Jun to stop making movies, no one can seriously damage him.

If Zhang Yimou is no good, let alone Lu Chuan; his father has already proven this point.

As for the cultural sector, according to Han Sanping, Zhang Jun is already on the list. It's not that he's been banned, but rather that he's been added to the talent pool.

A talent like Zhang Jun has greatly promoted the film industry, and it's impossible for the authorities to ban a young director who hasn't made any mistakes without a reason.

Even the so-called "Beijing elites" and their children from high-ranking compounds are no match for them. Even if they are from such families, they still have to live a normal life.

Zhang Jun graduated from Tsinghua University, and even the current number one is an alumnus of Tsinghua University, plus Tsinghua University's extensive network of connections.

With such a school endorsing Zhang Jun, the children of high-ranking officials aren't stupid; they have no reason to make trouble for Zhang Jun.

The day after the exchange lecture ended, the awards ceremony of the Beijing University Student Film Festival was officially held, and it was broadcast live on YTV6 Movie Channel.

Zhang Jun had called home beforehand, saying that he might win an award.

However, with the end of the semester approaching and Zhang Yuncheng and his wife teaching, their younger sister Zhang Linwan is preparing for the college entrance examination, so they may not have time to watch.

In his previous life, Zhang Jun didn't attend many award ceremonies, but he still had experience.

To look more formal, he specifically hired a stylist to dress him up and then put on a nice suit.

Upon seeing Zhang Jun's attire, Fan Wei joked, "If you went out looking like that, everyone would think you were a big star!"

Song Dandan also said, "Director Zhang is good-looking to begin with, and with this makeover, he's no less handsome than those male actors."

"Stop teasing me."

Zhang Jun fiddled with his tie: "I prefer giving orders from behind the scenes to being a star."

"That's true!"

Song Dandan strongly agreed: "If you do a good job as a director, many stars will come to flatter you. Director Zhang is talented, so it's better for him to be a director."

Zhang Jun patted Qi Ruyi's head: "Are you nervous?"

Qi Ruyi was nominated for Best Child Actor for her role in "Little Miss Sunshine," but Zhang Jun felt that with her performance, a Best Actress nomination wouldn't be a problem.

Qi Ruyi looked at the many people present and nodded; she was still nervous.

Zhang Jun reassured him, "You performed exceptionally well; we all saw it. You definitely have a chance to win an award. Don't be nervous when you go on stage; just think of it as receiving a little red flower in class."

Qi Ruyi managed to calm herself down: "With the director here, I'm not nervous anymore."

This year, a total of 33 films were submitted for selection, including Zhang Jun's "Little Miss Sunshine", Lu Chuan's "Kekexili", Jackie Chan's "New Police Story", and Feng Xiaogang's "A World Without Thieves".

Before the awards ceremony, Zhang Jun also chatted with Feng Dapao and Li Shuangbing.

The actors who came to the scene naturally wanted to get to know the excessively young director, Zhi Xingjun, so a small circle of people formed around him.

Lu Chuan, who was not far away, saw this and had nowhere to vent her frustration.

He felt that Zhang Jun was popular and sought after because his movies were box office hits, so the actors were all trying to curry favor with him.

But the focus tonight should be on him. His film "Kekexili" has been nominated for Best Feature Film, and he himself has been shortlisted for Best Director.

Why does he receive less attention than an amateur director who succeeded by sheer luck? Has the world changed?

People's hearts have changed!