"Old Zhang, I don't care if you have time or not. We've collaborated so many times. You absolutely have to film this movie for me!"
The soldier said, then plopped down next to Zheng Qi and started being unreasonable.
His gaze also swept over Su Yu. He frowned, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
He felt that the young man in front of him looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen him before.
"Director Zhao, aren't you just being difficult? We have a big project recently and genuinely don't have time to film a movie for you. I've already told my superiors, and they will arrange other project teams for you..."
Zheng Qi had been discussing filming a movie with this cultural troupe director, Zhao Chengfeng.
However, due to the current "Journey to the West" project, their team had absolutely no free time or resources to film a movie.
But after several rejections, Zhao Chengfeng insisted they film it.
Later, Zheng Qi had to report the matter to his superiors. Although he had a good relationship with this powerful military figure, it was only a working relationship, and he was afraid of offending Zhao Chengfeng.
"No way, I only recognize your team. Didn't we cooperate well in the past few years? Look how supportive our military district is, providing you with whatever weapons and equipment you need. The films we made were amazing!" To his surprise, Zhao Chengfeng still refused, seemingly set on Zheng Qi's team and showing no interest in other teams.
"Ah, this..." Zheng Qi didn't know what to do with this demanding superior.
With these soldiers, you couldn't reason with them, you couldn't scold them, and you couldn't directly refuse them.
"You should consider it carefully. This movie is personally ordered by the Old Chief to create a hero who embodies the image of Chinese soldiers. If this is done well, it will be easy for you to get the military district's cooperation for future films?" Zhao Chengfeng continued to entice Zheng Qi, seeing his expression soften.
The biggest difficulty in military-themed films is the support with equipment.
There are many connections and channels involved, and it's very difficult for ordinary entertainment companies to get military support. Even if Hua Shi wanted to film a military-themed movie, it would require many levels of approval to get support.
Indeed, this opportunity was very valuable. Creating a hero embodying the image of Chinese soldiers, if filmed well, would definitely become a huge hit and earn the military district's favor.
"But... but your timeline is so tight. Where am I supposed to find a script for you?" Zheng Qi spread his hands helplessly.
Not to mention that the "Journey to the West" project had already driven him to the brink, and this movie was required to be released by the end of May. This meant filming had to be completed in a month and a half. Without a script and with no actors cast, it seemed impossible.
Moreover, Zheng Qi had experienced their pickiness with scripts before and knew that agreeing would only lead to self-inflicted trouble.
He had already found several screenwriters, but none of their scripts were approved, leaving him truly without options.
"Um... may I say something?" Finally, Su Yu understood what they were talking about.
It turned out the military wanted to film a movie that showcased the image of soldiers and insisted that Zheng Qi film it, and the timeline was very tight.
Tight timeline?
This was his specialty.
Besides, this type of film wasn't something anyone could just make; after all, planes and tanks required military support.
With such a good opportunity presented, Su Yu felt he could try to secure it.
Furthermore, after "A Chinese Ghost Story" was released, Gu Qianqian's team had been clamoring for new projects.
With achievements, the crew members were filled with renewed vigor.
"Who are you?" Zhao Chengfeng was slightly taken aback.
"Haha, I forgot to introduce Director Zhao. This is Su Yu, his pen name is Jiangnan," Zheng Qi said, slapping his forehead and quickly introducing him.
"Jiangnan?" Zhao Chengfeng's eyebrows shot up.
Ordinary soldiers might not pay attention to entertainment industry matters, but Zhao Chengfeng did. As the head of the cultural troupe, he was a leader in the military district's cultural and arts center. He had heard of the recently popular Jiangnan, though not in great detail.
"Comrade Xiao Jiang, what do you have to say?" Zhao Chengfeng asked with a smile.
"Uh... Director Zhao can call me Su Yu. I just overheard your conversation, and I happen to have a good script," Su Yu said, barely coming back to his senses. What was this "Xiao Jiang" thing?
"You have a script?" Zhao Chengfeng raised his eyebrows.
In fact, he wasn't very familiar with Jiangnan. He hadn't watched any of his movies or TV shows, only hearing people in the troupe mention the name.
"That's right. If Director Zhao is interested, we can find time to chat," Su Yu nodded.
Zheng Qi, seeing Zhao Chengfeng still hesitating, immediately chimed in, "Teacher Jiangnan's every TV drama and movie is a hit. The project we're busy with now is also Teacher Jiangnan's 'Journey to the West'."
He wasn't unwilling to film Zhao Chengfeng's movie, but the timeline was too tight, and their team genuinely didn't have any extra energy.
"Journey to the West?" Zhao Chengfeng showed a hint of surprise.
He only knew that Jiangnan had filmed several TV series and a few movies. He didn't expect that "Journey to the West" was written by the young man in front of him, and that "Journey to the West" had been praised by the Old Chief personally, more than once!
Immediately, his expression became serious.
"Then how about today? Do you have the electronic script? I'll wait for you outside," he said, intending to report this to the Old Chief.
He felt that given the Old Chief's fondness for "Journey to the West," he had to give this Jiangnan an opportunity.
Otherwise, if this matter reached the Old Chief, he wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.
"Yes, I'll send it to you later," Su Yu nodded with a smile.
A custom script was a matter of a sentence, and he could have the system directly put it on his phone and then send it to Zhao Chengfeng.
If this movie was finalized, it would be much easier to film similar themed projects in the future. This was also why Su Yu wanted to secure it himself.
This was an opportunity that couldn't be sought after.
After Zhao Chengfeng left.
Zheng Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Su Yu with a smile, "Thank goodness for you. You can't reason with these soldiers at all."
He had clearly stated he had no time, but the other party just wouldn't let it go.
Now that Su Yu had taken on the task, he seemed very happy.
"It's my duty..." Su Yu waved his hand with a smile.
This was the first time he had encountered someone snatching business from him while simultaneously thanking him.
"However, I still need to mention this to Teacher Jiangnan. This business isn't that easy. They want it released by the end of May, and these people are extremely picky about scripts. We had five editors before, and none of them were satisfactory," Zheng Qi felt it was necessary to remind Su Yu. After all, they still had to collaborate on "Journey to the West" in the future, and he didn't want Su Yu to be affected by this matter or delay the progress of "Journey to the West."
"These are not problems," Su Yu nodded.
He had heard it all just now. However, after the previous few rush jobs, Xinghui's film and television team was definitely efficient.
"Since you're confident, I won't say anything more. Let's continue discussing the role of Sun Wukong."
Zheng Qi had interacted with many people in literature and knew that literary figures tended to be proud.
Therefore, he was quite interested in the conversation between Su Yu and Zhao Chengfeng later.
The young man thought things were too simple, believing that his script would be approved by the famously picky Zhao Chengfeng?
If that were the case, he wouldn't have had to find so many famous screenwriters to change scripts before.