I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

   Chapter 85 083. The Courage of the Cicada

   "Left and right... fighting each other?"

   Xu Xin didn't realize what he meant.

  At this time, Assistant Lin came over:

   "Director Zhang, your meal... Teacher Xu hasn't gone to pick it up yet? Shall I get one for you?"

   "No, no, no, Assistant Lin, you are welcome."

  Xu Xin quickly shook his head, while Zhang Yimou took the lunch box and said:

   "It's okay, Xiaolin, you can take another box."

   Assistant Lin nodded and left, while Zhang Yimou handed the box lunch in his hand to Xu Xin:

   "You eat first, I'll drink some soup."

   "No, I'll wait for Assistant Lin..."

   "Take it."

  The lunch box was forcibly stuffed into his hand. After Zhang Yimou took a sip of the bone broth, he suddenly said:

   "Xiao Xu, where is your hometown?"

   "Shenmu, have you heard of it?"

   "Shenmu? Over there in Yulin?"

"right."

   "Oh~~ The mutton noodles over there are good."

   "..."

   After finishing speaking, he put down the disposable paper cup, saw Xu Xin not moving his chopsticks, and asked:

   "Why don't you eat?"

   "...I lose my appetite for what you said."

  Xu Xin sighed helplessly...

   "If you can have a bowl of mutton noodles at noon... After eating, drink a bowl of Physalis water..."

  He was a little homesick.

   "I usually like to eat Liangpi."

  Holding the cup, Zhang Yimou crossed his legs and said:

   "A bowl of jelly, two buns. But instead of drinking syrup, you have to drink fermented glutinous rice."

"…well."

  Xu Xin sighed...but immediately remembered something, and said quickly:

   "By the way, Director Zhang... do we have a shooting plan for tomorrow night?"

   "Yes, there are quite a lot of night scenes in "The Golden Armor."

   "Then... Shall I take a leave of absence? Tomorrow night, I will go back to town."

   "Tomorrow night?"

  Zhang Yimou was taken aback:

   "Is there something wrong?"

   "Well, it's very important...but if you do it quickly, it may take some time to go back and forth..."

  Hearing this, Zhang Yimou seemed to understand something, and the appreciation in his eyes became stronger again.

   "Okay, then you can leave early tomorrow night."

"All right."

   While talking, Assistant Lin came over with a box of lunch. After Zhang Yimou took it, he said:

   "Xiao Xu, you don't know how to cook?"

"Won't."

   "Then it will be really difficult for you to eat some home food."

   "That's why I'm hungry..."

   "Ha~"

  Zhang Yimou nodded with a smile, and the two began to eat sullenly.

  After eating, the weather here was completely hot. Xu Xin ate quickly. After eating, he greeted Zhang Yimou politely and planned to make up a cup of bone soup.

  It’s hot, so he likes to drink something sour, and wants to see if there is any vinegar.

  Normal film crews who deliver boxed lunches usually leave as soon as they finish delivering them, but in Zhang Yimou’s film crew, the boxed lunch delivery man never dared to leave, he would never leave at all.

   When Xu Xin came here to serve soup, he asked if there was any vinegar, and the buddy immediately took out a bottle from the car.

   also said with a smile:

   "Director, if you like sour soup, next time I will make some hot and sour soup for you."

   Logically speaking, the other party doesn't have to be so polite.

  But who told Xu Xin to eat under the same tent with Zhang Yimou just now?

   Who can deliver boxed lunches to this kind of crew, who is not a character who can see all directions and listen to all directions? They all wait for the director and the others to finish eating, to see if there is anything dissatisfied with the food, and only after making sure they are satisfied with the food can they leave. And if there is any request, it must be fully cooperated to meet it.

Xu Xin waved his hand to signal no need, poured some vinegar into the cup, and did not leave. He finished drinking next to the bone soup bucket, threw the cup into the garbage bag next to him, turned around, and saw that he had also finished eating over there. The old Zhang Yimou was talking to Wei Lanfang, Wei Lanfang nodded vigorously.

  He didn't think much, took the cigarette case and squatted in the shadow at the base of the city wall, planning to have a cigarette after dinner.

  But just halfway through a cigarette, I saw people from the creative team walking out.

  Xu Xin was taken aback for a moment, and quickly got up to follow.

  He reckoned that everyone went back to rest at noon... After all, they didn't have an RV, so they couldn't rest in the car, so it was normal for them to go back to the hotel for a few hours.

  But Wei Lanfang, who followed the big guy, came directly to him:

   "Xiao Xu."

   "Sister Wei, Director Zhang let us go back and rest?"

"right."

   Wei Lanfang nodded, but changed the subject and said:

   "You stay."

"…What?"

  If he hadn't gotten to know everyone well, Xu Xin would have to think about how to treat this group of people differently after hearing this.

  I heard Wei Lanfang say:

   "Director Zhang said you should stay. If you want to rest, you can just sleep in the commercial vehicle. This afternoon is the shooting of Gong Li and the others. Director Zhang asked you to stay and follow him."

"Well…"

  He was stunned at first, but immediately the words "Xiao Xu, do you know how to fight left and right" appeared in Zhang Dao's mind.

   "Is this for me to follow?"

"Yes."

  Wei Lanfang nodded:

"Let's go first, and we may come later in the afternoon. I see that you were chatting with Director Zhang at noon today... He probably meant to let you learn along with me... This kind of practical experience is comparable to what you learn from books at school. It's much stronger. Do you understand?"

   "OK, I understand."

  After understanding this thought, Xu Xin nodded:

   "Sister Wei, let's go."

   "Well, come on!...do you need me to bring you something?"

   "No, just go."

"good."

  The two separated, and after Wei Lanfang left, Zhang Yimou had disappeared.

   But he was grateful...

   I am grateful to Director Zhang for giving me this opportunity.

   As for going to rest...

  Xu Xin turned his head and looked at the gate of the palace first.

  In the shadows at the gate of the palace, many extras are resting. After all, they don’t have air conditioners, so they can only stay in the shadows to cool off.

  They cannot enter the palace, there are special guards there.

  The filming location was arranged with great difficulty by the crew, so there was no reason to let a group of extra performers enjoy the cool.

   In case it is destroyed, don't you make trouble for yourself?

  Xu Xin thought about it, but in the end he didn't choose to go to Assistant Shen. He didn't lack these resting time, but what he lacked was experience...and insight.

  The "city" of Hengdian had already given him enough courtesy when he came.

  I lived in a four-star hotel, not to mention crew members who came in and out, and even the hotel service staff had to be polite.

  But the scene in front of Xu Xin now exposed the tip of the iceberg at the bottom of this film and television city.

  Perhaps these ensemble performances are the reality of this "city" that has made countless film and television stars and flourishing flowers on the surface.

  Xu Xin himself understands...he may never be able to feel the truest side of these ensemble performers, no matter whether they are working to earn money or come here with dreams of being a star.

  No way, society is so realistic.

  He is a rich man.

   is the second generation of coal.

  But after throwing away these auras of identity, it did not prevent him from observing these various aspects of life from his own perspective.

  You don’t need to empathize, because each has its own difficulties.

   But at least, he wants to see more...

   Teacher Yu once said to him: The so-called director's style is actually everyone's own perspective on the world.

  Xu Xin doesn't know what his own style is, but he at least wants to see it.

  So, he looked around the square, thought for a while, and walked into the palace gate.

  The group performers who were sitting on the ground stretched their legs and rested on the ground. The first reaction was to retract their legs.

  The palace gate is so wide, but they seem to be afraid that their legs will get in the way of this crew member.

   Seeing this, Xu Xin said politely:

"Excuse me."

   Then he walked outside the palace gate.

  Out of the palace gate, he saw a few workers wearing hard hats passing in front of him, walking towards the exit.

  At the same time, in the shadow under the wall over there, there are still some girls in the form of court ladies resting.

   Not talking about clothes, but hairstyles.

  The crew kept all the clothes together, and after their hairstyles were done, the makeup artist asked them not to mess them up.

   Messed up, in a good mood, help me out. I'm in a bad mood...then you stand in the back row.

   And who among the selected Dabo court ladies would not want to show their faces more times and have a few shots in Director Zhang's movie?

  So even though I'm sitting casually at the moment, the area above the neck is kept quite well, not a single hair is messed up, even the hot sideburns and the tip of the nose are covered with sweat.

  He thought for a while, and walked directly to the palace over there.

  The maids' sitting postures became more attractive at a speed visible to the naked eye, and they were no longer that casual appearance.

   When Xu Xin was about to walk to the gate of the palace, one of the girls got up boldly and bowed to say hello:

   "Hello Director."

  The girl is youthful and beautiful, with fair skin and lively eyes.

  Honestly speaking, she is quite beautiful, and she should have practiced her body. Whether it is greeting or bowing, the language and movements are quite good...but for some reason, she seems a bit rusty.

   Or is… kind of empty.

  It is the sense of déjà vu that there is nothing in the body to support this body language.

   It's weird.

  I also wore a short sleeve with a zipper on and off.

  Although the ancient-style bun and the zipper-style short sleeves on the body do not match the style...but they have to wear it like this, because only the most inexperienced group performers will come in this kind of ancient drama wearing clothes that can only be put on.

  If the clothes are put on the head, the hairstyle will be messed up.

   After suffering a few losses, you will become finer.

  As the first person to say hello, she naturally has the qualifications to be remembered by the "director".

  And with her taking the lead, several people reacted belatedly and stood up one after another:

   "Hi, director."

   "Hello Director."

   "Director, you have worked hard."

  …

   Compliments...not really.

   But Xu Xin looked at the first girl who greeted him and thought for a while, then suddenly asked:

   "You know me?"

  As soon as Xu Xin answered, a hint of surprise appeared in the girl's eyes, and she hurriedly said:

   "We saw you and Director Zhang on the monitor in the morning...Director, you are so young to be able to direct a movie in the director group, you are amazing!"

"…ha."

  Xu Xin was amused by this girl.

   It's nothing else, the main reason is that she is very good at talking.

  Before directing the film, she added a director team... As for the reason, it may be because she was afraid of saying the wrong thing. After all, the film director of "The Golden Armor in the City" is Zhang Yimou, and when he saw himself and director Zhang together, he said that he became the director team.

  But he didn't mention anything about other aspects, such as how powerful Director Zhang is and how much he can learn from his side, because he was afraid that he wouldn't like it after hearing it? After all, there are always some young people who are arrogant...

   And say these few words, don't say anything else, at least... this girl has a brain.

   After thinking about it, he smiled and asked:

"what's your name?"

   Now, the surprise in the girl's eyes could no longer be hidden.

  So much so that the smile on the face that was shocked by this kind of ecstasy couldn't be contained, and it began to overflow:

   "My name is Zhao Liying! Just call me Xiao Zhao!"

"okay."

  I always felt that the name sounded familiar, but Xu Xin didn't think about it so much, so he nodded and said:

   "Take a good rest and work hard this afternoon."

   "Thank you director!"

   Under the jealous eyes of the girls around her, the girl bowed deeply again.

"Um."

  Xu Xin nodded, passed them, and came to the gate of the palace, intending to see what was being built here.

  The sight that caught his eye made him pause.

  In the shadows at the gate of the palace, a group of girls in the shape of "Golden Armor" maids stood up, lined up on both sides, and locked their eyes on him.

  Xu Xin reckoned at least dozens of people...

   is looking at him straight.

  This time, he didn't smile, but nodded politely, and his eyes fell on the very tall building in front of him.

   Then ignored the girls and walked directly inside.

  In fact, his mood is quite complicated.

  If those few girls just let him see the scheming of the extras, then these people... terrified him a bit.

  Obviously they are nothing in the crew, but these girls are willing to release kindness and flattery.

for what?

  It's very simple.

  Go ahead.

   But the question is... who can guarantee that it will come out?

  No one can guarantee.

Even if you just need to think about it, you will know that no matter whether they are popular or well-known in this circle... no matter how inspirational or twisted their stories are... what everyone sees belongs to the bias of survivors a member.

  Isn’t this circle the most authentic portrayal of a successful career?

  Of course, anyone can hold the view of "why can't it be me", but as long as you think about it calmly and objectively, you can understand what kind of cruelty and competition there is.

  But everyone still has illusions...

  Although he doesn't think he is qualified to talk about these dream chasers with dreams.

  But the scene in front of me...

   It still made him feel a little... inexplicably uncomfortable.

   What's more, I can't give them any hope.

  He simply ignored everything, set his eyes on the building that was at the same height as the eaves of the palace building behind, and walked over directly.

   And finally finally understood why Director Zhang's crew, or the "Sculpture of God" crew that Yang Mi heard from her mouth, handled some things so indifferently.

   Actually, it’s not indifference, people’s hearts are made of meat.

  It’s only April now, if we really have to wait until June and July, how hot will it be?

  But they still didn't give these young actors any convenience or consideration. Instead, it mechanically requires everyone to use the standard of group performances—calling you to come is acting, and no one cares about your life and death when you are not filming.

   This is really not indifference, but the inability to give any sympathy and kindness at all.

   Don't suffer from scarcity but from inequality.

  The same is true for being alone.

  Because, there are...too many people who want something from you.

  …

   "Teacher Xu."

  Standing in front of the high platform, Xu Xin, who was observing the details of the building, heard someone calling him, and turned around to find that it was Assistant Lin.

  He greeted with a smile:

"teacher LIN!"

   "..."

   Assistant Lin was a little speechless, then smiled and said:

   "Xu Xin?"

   "Brother Lin."

  Hearing this address, Assistant Lin was even more speechless.

  But this time the smile is much more natural:

   "What are you doing here?"

   "It's okay, I'll take a stroll."

   As he spoke, he took out cigarettes from his pocket, and after each person lit one, Assistant Lin said:

   "This is the Chrysanthemum Terrace."

"…ah?"

  Seeing Xu Xin's stunned appearance, Assistant Lin was also a little puzzled:

"you do not know?"

   "I don't know, what is the Chrysanthemum Terrace?"

"The buildings in the script, on the Double Ninth Day of Ninth Ninth, the Yaozhi brothers climbed to the high place, and there was one less person who planted dogwood. In our drama, this chrysanthemum platform was specially built. Mr. Xu, hasn't read the script of "Golden Armor"? "

   "No, I just know the general characters, but I haven't read the script specifically."

  He shook his head sincerely.

   Looking at the high platform again, I thought it was really high enough.

   "Let's go back and rest for a while? There are still scenes to be filmed in the afternoon, so it's noon~"

"Um…"

  Xu Xin agreed, and then asked:

   "Brother Lin, is there any set, I want to go and see."

"Gone."

   Assistant Lin pointed forward:

"The places where the scene was shot this morning, one is the herbal dining room, and the other is the court of the queen and the prince. Including the emperor's court, they are all in the palace over there. And then here, the Chrysanthemum Terrace is used for shooting exterior scenes. Yes. And then there is the Wulong Tiankeng, a filming location, there are only three locations in total.”

"…so little?"

  Xu Xin was a little surprised.

  This is a big production, not to mention that the cost has to go up to 300 million?

   Just three places?

   "There are few places, but there are many people."

   Seeing his surprised appearance, Assistant Lin pointed around the square:

"At that time, the place will be covered with chrysanthemums, and then more than 3,000 people will be used for group performances, and there will be hundreds of characters such as court ladies and eunuchs. You will know when the filming takes place. It must be full of people. At that time, it will be a big scene of thousands of people sparring... And then there will be a quick change of venue... Anyway, I heard the director talk during the meeting, and the scene will be very grand. I am talking about the story It’s not complicated at all, and the time span is very short~”

   "..."

  Following Assistant Lin's words, Xu Xin looked at the circle around him...

   Covered with chrysanthemums?

   Still full of people?

  Thousands of people fighting?

  Although the imagination is not barren, it is obvious...with his current ability...not to mention controlling thousands of people, it is estimated that it will be difficult to get on the kang.

   "Director Zhang is amazing..."

   I sincerely sighed.

   Upon hearing this, Assistant Lin also nodded:

   "Who said no..."

   After smoking a cigarette and hearing that there was no other setting, the two planned to go back.

  Looking at the actors standing up again in the doorway, Xu Xin didn't speak, while Assistant Lin ignored the scene.

   Obviously, he is more used to it than Xu Xin.

   And when the two passed through countless court ladies and walked out of the door, because of the angle of the sun, the shadow under the palace wall had only a thin layer of welt left.

  Xu Xin saw the girl named Zhao Liying again, standing against the wall with the girls just now.

   I don’t know if I was squeezed out... or if I really didn’t get a good place, so I can only stand here.

   "Goodbye, director."

   While thinking about it, the girl gave another big bow.

  Xu Xin responded:

"Um."

   After walking away with Assistant Lin, the girl raised her head and heard the actor next to her say:

   "Baozi, you are really brave...that's the assistant director..."

   Obviously, the girl who spoke knew Assistant Lin.

   But Zhao Liying, who was nicknamed "Baozi", ignored her companion's words, and leaned against the little shade at the base of the wall again, sweat dripping from her temples.

  …

   "Xu Xin, do you know that trick?"

   "Who?...that little girl just now?"

"Um."

   "Well, she's quite discerning. When I went there just now, she was the first one to stand up and greet me. She was quite courageous."

  Walking into the palace gate, Xu Xin didn't shy away from the nearby group performers at all:

   "It's called Zhao Liying, Brother Lin, if there is any court lady show... put her in a row in front of the camera?"

"no problem."

  A trivial matter like acting in a group...it's not a big deal in front of him.

  Who is not standing in front?

but…

   "Xu Xin, I'm serious...it's actually useless. It's hard for the audience to remember her as a character with no lines."

"I know."

  Hearing his words, Xu Xin also understood what he meant.

   Just…

   "Brother Lin, do you like brave people?"

   Assistant Lin tilted his head slightly, showing doubts.

  He knew that Xu Xin must have something to say next.

   Sure enough, Xu Xin shrugged:

   "I really like this kind of person, Brother Lin, do you know what a grasshopper is?"

   "Yes, Cicada."

"right."

  Nodding, there is a look of reminiscence in his eyes:

"When I was young, all the friends I grew up with dared to grab this thing, but I didn't dare. I think this thing is very scary... Then after others catch it, I want to see... Kids, things you dare not do, When others dare, they laugh at you. I feel very wronged, and I cry with my dad when I go back. I said they caught grasshoppers, but I dare not catch them. They all laughed at me... I remember it very clearly, my dad told me..."

  He changed his accent:

   "Sanjin, you have to be brave, you know? Go catch it, and if you catch it, Dad will buy you Transformers~"

"Well…"

"hey-hey…"

  Thinking of his childhood, Xu Xin laughed out loud:

"Just a Transformer, forcing me to catch a grasshopper with my own hands. Then I reintegrated into the collective of my friends... That food is very delicious and can be sold for money. I remember one day I caught a canned bottle. Grasshopper, take it back to my dad, I said: Dad, sell the grasshopper, and buy wine for Ni! My dad was really very happy, touched my head and said to me: Right, boy Just be brave!  …

  It was only then that I had the concept of "bravery". In the future, for example, the first time I walked at night to prevent my dad from carrying me, and the first time I went to school alone... my dad would praise me for being brave every day. That is, from then on, I have a good impression of some people with courage. When I went there just now, this little girl was the first one who dared to greet me~

  Although these things are just like what you said, brother Lin, in fact... it may really be useless. People watch movies just to see the leading actors, so why pay attention to some extras? But this is the same as my reason for catching grasshoppers. If I didn't have the courage to reach out, I might never dare to touch it in my life. And now that I have mustered up the courage, although it is not a great thing to be able to catch grasshoppers, at least... this incident has made me happy for more than ten years, and now I think it is very good in retrospect, doesn't it? "

"Well…"

  Under the inexplicable eyes of Assistant Lin, Xu Xin shrugged, and his tone was calm but gentle:

   "So, with little effort, let's give this little girl named Zhao Liying... a beautiful dream."

  (end of this chapter)