The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

Chapter 43 The sample footage is finally ready.

Xinchang Ancient Town in Shanghai.

On the set of Ip Man.

"Filming should wrap up around the end of the month."

"The earliest we can see the sample footage is late December."

"Right now, there are only pornographic films available, which are definitely not good. I don't recommend watching them. The shots are illogical, and it's difficult to judge the final result without a professional who was involved throughout the entire process."

"Okay...I understand...um..."

Sitting in the director's chair, Shen Qing hung up the phone, thinking that President Han was too impatient, actually wanting to watch porn.

What can you tell from the rough cut? Even if you're impatient, you should wait for the rough cut to come out, right? It's best to look at the sample footage directly after it's released.

Shen Qing's company has a 50% stake and he's not worried, but how many shares does China Film Group have?

Chen Xi walked over, bowed slightly, and said solemnly, "Director, I've made up my mind. I want to transition to working behind the scenes as a producer."

Shen Qing was delighted to hear this and said, "Let's practice with 'Half a Comedy' first. If it's really suitable for us, my company is still short of a manager."

"Thank you, director. I will definitely work hard," Chen Xi said without hesitation.

Shen Qing nodded and asked her, "Are you still going to play the second female lead, Gao Lu?"

"May I?"

"Of course."

"I still want to give it a try."

"Then it's settled. Director Zhou will be here in a while, and I'll give you both the official script then."

"it is good."

The assistant director jogged over and said, "Director, all the groups are ready."

Shen Qing picked up the megaphone and announced, "Attention all departments, we are about to start filming. Anyone not involved, please move to the back of the line."

……

A private residence in Beijing.

"Dad, how many shares does China Film Group actually own this time? You're being a bit too enthusiastic about this movie!"

The "movie" Han Jianu was referring to was naturally Shen Qing's "Ip Man," which was currently being filmed. Her father, Han Sanping, had visited the set twice and mentioned it frequently at home. He had even called just now to ask if he could watch porn.

China Film Group invests in many larger projects, but I haven't seen my dad show this much concern for every single one.

Han Sanping moved over a bit, and Han Jianu sat down next to her father, taking a bite of a pear from the fruit plate.

"If this movie becomes a hit, it'll be another Jackie Chan and Lee Lian-jie (a famous Chinese comedian), how could I not care?"

"It's not that exaggerated. I quite like 'Fame and Fortune,' but I don't think he can become the Jackie Chan-Lee duo," Han Jianu said, taking a bite of pear.

Han Sanping laughed and said, "You like his movies, yet you say he can't do it?"

"His fighting is quite impressive, but..." Han Jianu shook her head, saying firmly, "Jackie Chan's action comedies are unique; no one else can imitate them. When it comes to action comedy, everyone recognizes Jackie Chan. Li Lianjie doesn't even need to fight; just standing there, that masterly aura is something no one can replicate. The fight scenes in 'Taken' are spectacular, but they're not his exclusive skills. He can fight, but others can do the same moves. Without unique skills, you'll never reach the level of Jackie Chan and Li Lianjie."

"Hahahaha..." Han Sanping patted his daughter, looking very happy: "What you said makes perfect sense, but why do you think I, as his father, care so much about his 'Ip Man'?"

Why?

"Because your dad really did go to visit the set!"

Han Jianu was confused: "What's wrong with visiting the set?"

Han Sanping recalled, "It's hard to say whether it's the script's character setting or Shen Qing's own temperament, but just watching him perform live, I could vaguely sense the masterly demeanor of Li Lianjie that you mentioned. However, he felt different from Li Lianjie; he was more upright and peaceful."

"Dad, you're exaggerating." Han Jianu didn't believe it at all. "Hong Kong has been making martial arts films for decades, and only one person like Li Lianjie has emerged. That kind of demeanor is extremely rare."

……

"I hereby announce that filming for the movie 'Ip Man' has officially wrapped!"

"Congratulations on wrapping up filming!"

Filming wrapped!

In Xinchang Ancient Town, Shen Qing looked at the excited staff and picked up a megaphone to announce, "There will be a wrap party at the hotel tonight. Everyone who can come should come. We've worked hard for a month and a half, so let's have some fun."

"I'll definitely be there."

"Absolutely!"

Zhao Hongwei walked to Shen Qing's side and said, "They found a candidate for Zheng Duoduo in our academy, named Luo Jin. Take a look at him after you return to Beijing."

Shen Qing nodded. Luo Jin should be fine playing the playboy Zheng Duoduo; at least he's handsome enough.

The "Half a Comedy" project has officially launched, with plans to use high-definition digital filming and a budget of 3 million yuan. Guo Jingfei will play the incompetent male lead, Sun Tong, Wan Qian will play the female lead, Mo Mo, and Chen Xi will play the second female lead, Gao Lu. Chen Xi is also the producer of this film. Shen Qing's Magical Pictures holds 70% of the shares, while Dingxin and Enlight Media each hold 15%. Enlight Media will guarantee the film's distribution with very favorable terms, and filming is expected to begin within a month.

……

Night, hotel.

"Director, this movie is sure to be a huge hit!"

The script supervisor, already swaying from the alcohol, shouted in a loud voice.

"I love what Xiao Li said, it'll be a huge hit!" Shen Qing shouted.

"To wish for a big hit, director, let's have a drink!" The script supervisor looked around: "Where's the wine? Quickly fill the director's glass!"

"I have some wine!" Wu Yue carried a bottle of wine towards Shen Qing. He was swaying even more than the script supervisor, clearly having had quite a bit to drink. Just as he was about to pour wine for Shen Qing, he saw Yan Danchen standing next to him and instinctively stopped pouring: "Sister-in-law..."

Yan Danchen was slightly taken aback, and the people around her who heard it began to murmur:

"sister in law!"

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

Her face felt slightly flushed.

Shen Qing looked at Wu Yue and shouted, "Where's the wine? In the movies, he's afraid of his wife, but now that filming's over, he's still afraid? Fill it up!"

Wu Yue immediately realized what was going on when he said "sister-in-law," and now, hearing that Shen Qing wanted to pour wine, he happily filled her glass.

Yan Danchen stood silently behind Shen Qing, pondering, "What do you mean by 'the filming is all over, so what's there to be afraid of?' Shouldn't it be 'the filming is all over, so she's no longer my wife'? That would be more grammatically correct."

The following day, Shen Qing, Zhao Hongwei, Wang Damin, Yan Danchen, and their group flew back to Beijing together.

After resting for two days, I met with the main creators of "Almost a Comedy", drew the comic "Gravity", and then started working with the editor to edit the film.

Filming for "Half a Comedy" officially began in mid-December, with Shen Qing attending the opening ceremony. At the same time, a rough cut of "Ip Man" was completed.

In late December, the sample was finally completed, and Shen Qing immediately called Han Sanping to inform him.

Old Han is really too concerned about the progress of "Ip Man" this time, and he keeps calling to ask about it.

"Let's watch the sample footage together tomorrow."

"Okay, sure."

……

The Han family.

"Dad, is the sample footage of 'Ip Man' ready yet?"

At the dining table, Han Jianu handed chopsticks to Han Sanping.

"It's all set. Shen Qing and I have arranged to watch the sample film at the Beijing Film Academy tomorrow," Han Sanping said, taking the chopsticks.

"I'll go with you."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm quite curious to see what kind of movie this will turn out to be."

"This Xiao Shen has never let your dad down."

"Dad, that's because you didn't have high expectations for him before. Now you're hoping that this movie will be released and Jackie Chan and Lee will be linked together again."

"Hahaha..." Han Sanping chuckled, "It seems a bit far-fetched, huh?"

……

The following morning.

A screening room at the Beijing Film Studio.

Shen Qing waited for Han Sanping at the door.

"Shen Qing, this is my daughter, Han Jianu."

"Jia Nu, this is Director Shen Qing, one of the fastest-rising directors in China recently."

"Hello, Director Shen."

"Hello, Ms. Han."

Han Sanping said with a smile, "Director Shen, Jia Nu really likes your movies. She said that if China could produce another superstar of Jackie Chan and Lee Lianjie's caliber, it would definitely be you."

"I wouldn't dare accept that," Shen Qing said modestly. "I'm far inferior to these two."

Han Jianu rolled her eyes at her father. When did she ever say that the next Jackie Chan would be Shen Qing?

However, I can't expose my dad in front of outsiders.

The group of people stepped into the screening room one after another.