Of course, Lu Yanhe did not expect that the movie "Picnic on the Balcony" would make him cry.
Just as Chen Yin said, this movie was like a sharp knife that pierced into his heart.
This movie tells the story of a man whose wife and son died in a car accident. He lives alone in what used to be a family of three, constantly immersed in memories of the past, and in the loneliness and sadness of reality, he reads poetry and daydreams.
This is a one-man film.
Lu Yanhe had never seen this actor before. There was a scene in the movie where he was sitting alone in the room, watching the light outside the window gradually dimming. His eyes were silent and lifeless, and he sat there like a clay statue.
Seeing this, the hairs on Lu Yanhe's arms stood up.
At that moment, Lu Yanhe felt that this was a state he could not act out.
It is the real sadness and silence that can only be seen in documentaries.
Lu Yanhe suddenly realized why Chen Yin brought up this matter with him specifically for the sake of this movie.
This is a movie that obviously won't make much at the box office, but it can definitely be called a movie.
It does not use a tragic experience to make the audience empathize, but uses light, color difference, music and performance to combine into a journey back and forth between the past and present confined to a house.
Of course, it is not advanced enough, and the theme is too straightforward, and all these shortcomings exist. But it portrays an image of a person wandering between the past and the present, sadness and silence, and a person silently hypnotizing and healing himself. Lu Yanhe felt like he was slowly drowning, and unknowingly, he was sinking deeper and deeper in this movie.
Rather than a mediocre film with a score of 90, Lu Yanhe prefers a film that seems to have only a passing score of 60 in all aspects, but has a score of 99 in one aspect.
Chen Yin said: "I have already met the director of this film. He used the money invested by the Youth Entrepreneurship Fund and his own savings of 300,000 yuan to make this film, a total of more than 800,000 yuan, but no company is willing to distribute this film. If we become the agent of this film, there may still be related problems in domestic distribution, but we can send it to try film festivals and see if we can sell the distribution rights overseas."
Lu Yanhe certainly understood why this movie was so good, but no company was willing to distribute it, and no one was willing to take it over. A new director, a movie without any well-known actors, and no awards, and no selling point at all, this meant that any company doing commercial distribution would hardly make any money.
He said: "Buy it, or sign an agency agreement. We will be the exclusive agent for the copyright operation of this film, and the copyright will still be retained by him."
Chen Yin nodded.
“By the way, is he still making movies now?”
"He has trouble getting three meals a day now. All his money has been spent on this movie. When I met him before, he was working part-time as a network administrator in an Internet cafe," said Chen Yin.
Lu Yanhe said, "Then you can ask him if he is willing to sign with our company. If he is willing, we will pay him a basic salary. Even if he doesn't write a script or shoot a second project, at least he will have enough food and clothing for three meals a day."
Chen Yin showed a surprised expression.
"Great, I'll go talk to him right away."
Lu Yanhe: "Mr. Chen, if you think there are good movies like this and directors like this in the future, please feel free to contact me. I am willing to let our Linghe do such things."
Chen Yin hesitated a little and said, "But wouldn't it be bad if this happened more often?"
"If there are movies of this quality, I don't mind having too many. In fact, there can't be too many." Lu Yanhe said, "You have found a treasure. I am very curious about how you found this movie."
"A friend from a distribution company recommended it to me. He said he saw a well-made low-budget movie, but because it had no box office prospects, his company was unwilling to take it over. He asked me if I was interested. He also appreciated the talent, so he recommended it to me."
"That's great." Lu Yanhe nodded. "This movie is already very mature. You can try submitting it to the West Tuer Film Festival to see if the West Tuer Film Festival is willing to accept it."
Chen Yin was a little surprised and asked, "Can this movie be submitted to the West Tuer Film Festival?"
"You can send any movie," Lu Yanhe said, "but they have very high requirements for the selection of movies. When you send it, add a sentence saying that you like this movie very much and are willing to recommend it to everyone."
"Okay." Chen Yin became a little excited.
Lu Yanhe is actually willing to use his reputation to recommend this movie.
This will certainly make the West Tull Film Festival pay more attention to it.
-
When Lu Yanhe was communicating with Chen Yin, Chen Ziyan was listening beside them without saying a word the whole time.
After they finished chatting, Chen Ziyan showed her phone and said, "The Lingyun Award just contacted me. They want to talk to you."
Lu Yanhe was a little surprised.
"Why are they looking for me?"
"They probably want to invite you to be a judge for the Lingyun Award." Chen Ziyan said, "The nomination list for the Lingyun Award will be released soon. After the nomination list is released, we will start selecting the final winners."
Lu Yanhe: "Ask me to be a judge? Do I have the time to be a judge?"
"There should be." Chen Ziyan said, "You just need to join the second season of "Friends" in December, which coincides with the selection period of the Lingyun Awards. Actually, it seems that you haven't been a judge yet, right?"
"Well, I haven't done it seriously." Lu Yanhe said.
"Being a judge is helpful to your career." Chen Ziyan said, "Especially now Linghe also needs a lot of help."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"So are you suggesting I take over?"
"Yes." said Chen Ziyan.
"But if I serve as a judge for the Lingyun Award, does that mean that Love Letter will not be able to participate in the selection?" Lu Yanhe asked.
Chen Ziyan hesitated for a moment and asked, "'Love Letter'... That's indeed the case. Yes, 'Love Letter' should definitely be nominated, but I don't know how many awards it will get. Then they definitely can't ask you to be a judge. This is a bit strange. They told me that they want to invite you to be a judge..."
No matter what, the Lingyun Award is also one of the three major domestic film awards.
It's impossible to make such a low-level mistake.
Lu Yanhe said: "I'll talk to them on the phone first to see if there's any mistake."
After the call, Lu Yanhe talked to them and found out that the Lingyun Award did not want to invite him to be a judge for this session, but that the Lingyun Award was preparing for reform and would also conduct selection for TV dramas, web dramas and other series. Registration would start at the end of December this year and the award ceremony would be held in February next year.
The Lingyun Award invited Lu Yanhe to serve as the chairman of the first Lingyun Award (TV series category) jury.
Lu Yanhe was shocked.
Generally speaking, the contempt chain between movies and TV series determines that the value of movie awards is often higher than that of TV series awards.
But this is not the point. The point is that, looking around the world, the only award that covers both TV series and movies and has influence and popularity is the American Golden Globe Awards.
The other awards are either only for TV series or only for movies.
The Lingyun Award is a big step.
Lu Yanhe was unable to make a decision for a moment. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Thank you for your invitation. You trust me too much. However, this job is too much responsibility and requires a lot of time and energy. I will basically be filming at the beginning of next year, so I may not be able to spare that much time for this job."
The other party expressed the hope to discuss the matter with him in person.
-
Chen Hengyi, chairman of the executive committee of the Lingyun Award, is a real big shot in the circle and the real operator of many major projects. He is also behind the movie "Burning Fire" and is one of the producers.
Those who are able to serve as producers in such top-level big-budget movies may not necessarily play any role in the production of the movie, but there must be some key nodes that must be handled by them.
The so-called big boss is called a big boss because he has such ability.
Lu Yanhe didn't expect that Chen Hengyi would come to meet Lu Yanhe in person, sit together to eat, drink, and talk about this matter.
Chen Hengyi did not lobby him right away, but said happily: "The special effects of the movie "Burning Fire" are really well done. They are finally not those 50-cent game special effects. Have you seen it?"
Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "Not yet. After filming, I haven't seen any material related to "Burning Fire"."
Chen Hengyi: "Longyan spent a lot of money this time and tried his best to make a real blockbuster. The results are remarkable and worthy of your and Yongzhou's performance in it."
Lu Yanhe laughed.
"That's good."
"In fact, we would like to ask you to help us with some connections, especially with Europe and the United States and streaming media. There are not many successful cases for us to refer to for overseas distribution of blockbusters like this one." Chen Hengyi said, "You and Linghe have been dealing with international film distributors a lot in recent years. You are the most familiar with the latest cooperation models and gameplay."
"Okay, no problem." Lu Yanhe nodded, "If there's anything I can do, just let me know."
Chen Hengyi: "That's pretty refreshing."
Chen Hengyi added: "Now with the emergence of streaming media, the influence of TV series around the world is gradually surpassing that of movies, although those streaming media have not entered our mainland market." "Yes." Lu Yanhe nodded, "To some extent, I think streaming media may be more suitable for our Chinese-language film and television dramas to gain influence overseas than movies. You see, TV series produced in South Korea often appear on the top ten global broadcast lists, and several works are popular every year. I have to admit that they are worth learning from in terms of TV series production."
"Yes, this is also the reason why we want to set up a drama award unit for the Lingyun Award." Chen Hengyi said, "We will set up a film award at the end of the year and a drama award at the beginning of the year. Moreover, we will set up a truly tasteful award."
Lu Yanhe: "This is a very good thing. The Lingyun Award itself is one of the three major awards in the film industry. Now it is an award for TV dramas. It is different from other awards that were created from scratch. The popularity, honor and credibility are all here."
"That's right." Chen Hengyi nodded, "But if the results of the first and second selections cannot stand the test of time and the market, and cannot convince everyone, they will easily rot."
Lu Yanhe: "Fairness is always a talisman."
"Yes, so, our Lingyun Award is going to break an industry rule in the area of drama awards."
"What rules?"
"There is no need for producers or drama producers to sign up," said Chen Hengyi. "We make the nomination list based on market feedback over the past year, drama quality, audience reputation, industry recognition and other dimensions."
"Then is this nomination list also decided by a primary selection committee?"
"We don't plan to set up a preliminary selection committee," Chen Hengyi said. "Instead, we plan to adopt the Academy system of the Oscars. The biggest difference between TV series and movies is that the former requires too much time to watch. In fact, it is difficult for both the preliminary selection committee and the final selection committee to watch all the works from beginning to end. Therefore, if we can attract thousands of industry insiders and bloggers and big Vs who are deeply involved in film and television dramas as members to vote every year, the nomination list produced in this way will be more convincing."
Lu Yanhe didn't expect that the Lingyun Award for Drama would be awarded in this way.
"What about the final selection? Will the final selection not continue to be held in this way?" Lu Yanhe asked. "In fact, there has never been a serious industry award in our country. Almost all of our awards are judged by a jury, with a maximum of a dozen judges and a minimum of only a few people."
"We still hope to adopt a jury system for the final selection," said Chen Hengyi. "Because the preliminary selection is a large-scale nomination, so that fewer gems are missed, and the works on the nomination list are at least works that the entire industry pays attention to. But when it comes to the final selection stage, especially for people in the entertainment industry, 90% of them can't watch all the works on the nomination list from beginning to end. We still need a jury to carefully judge these works. If it is on the nomination list and you haven't seen it, as a judge in the final selection, you must watch it."
Lu Yanhe understood what Chen Hengyi meant.
But even so, it is already a reform of a very large scale.
Lu Yanhe didn't know what effect this design would have.
Because the design of any system is often good in its original intention, but various problems will always arise in the actual operation process.
But at least the Lingyun Award is willing to make such an attempt.
Lu Yanhe: "This is a very bold design."
"Yeah." Chen Hengyi nodded. "We don't know what the final list of nominees will look like if we really invite thousands of people in the film and television industry to become our members. But we can only watch and improve slowly as we go along. Our original intention is to keep up with the times and launch an award that can best recognize good dramas at a stage when the quality of Chinese dramas is rapidly improving, so as to promote the further development of this industry."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"So, the first session is crucial," Chen Hengyi said. "The choice of the chairman of the first jury is crucial."
He looked into Lu Yanhe's eyes seriously.
At this moment, Chen Hengyi's eyes were very sincere.
"It must be a person who is recognized and influential in the entire industry," said Chen Hengyi. "At the same time, it must not have such a deep historical connection with the traditional three major awards, so that everyone can believe that this is a new award, an award with a different positioning from the traditional three major awards."
Lu Yanhe's heart skipped a beat.
"In terms of popularity, achievements and industry influence, you, Yan He, are the only one who can meet these standards." Chen Hengyi said, "So, this is different from ordinary invitations. I know that many places are inviting you to be a judge, to be the chairman of the jury or the judging panel——"
Chen Ziyan smiled slightly and interrupted, saying, "In fact, Mr. Chen, Yan He just recently rejected the position of judge for the main competition unit of the West Tuer International Film Festival next year."
Chen Hengyi was slightly stunned.
Lu Yanhe said: "I am just thinking about what you just said - I have to watch every work on the nomination list and have enough time to discuss each work with everyone before I can decide on the winners. You know, every January and February is when I shoot Friends, and I am afraid I don't have time to do this job well. If I have time, I am very willing to contribute my strength to do this."
Chen Hengyi: "Of course, we know that. However, if you take over the position of chairman of the jury, you can start watching these popular dramas of this year from now on. You don't have to wait until the nomination list comes out, right?"
Lu Yanhe was stunned.
"I'm sorry, it may be a bit too much for me to say this, but I really hope to invite you to be the chairman of the Lingyun Award Jury. Only if we invite you, only if you do it, can we set a high standard for this award."
Lu Yanhe waved his hands. "How could that be? We have so many excellent directors and actors. Sister Bi Ge has also returned to the drama circle in recent years and filmed the drama "Seventeenth Floor". The response was very good. She is also very suitable."
Chen Hengyi shook his head without explanation and said, "No one is more suitable than you."
The other person was much older than him and was also his senior. He invited him with such sincerity that Lu Yanhe really had no way of biting his teeth and refusing.
In this case where there is no direct schedule conflict.
Lu Yanhe looked at Chen Ziyan with some embarrassment.
Chen Ziyan signaled with her eyes, "You make your own decision."
Lu Yanhe took a deep breath.
"But, isn't it a bit troublesome for me to be the chairman?" Lu Yanhe asked, "Don't I have to avoid suspicion in some of the projects I participate in?"
Chen Hengyi said: "Yes, if this is the case, the work you participated in and the awards related to you will be automatically removed from the shortlist - of course, if it could have been included in the nomination list, we will also issue an announcement to explain it."
Chen Ziyan: "This sacrifice is too great."
Chen Hengyi: "Yan He definitely has no shortage of one or two screenwriting awards, directing awards or acting awards. Zi Yan, the Lingyun Award for drama is aiming for the highest award, and its influence must be complementary to the first chairman of the jury. In fact, if you think about it from another perspective, if Yan He can become the key promoter of a major award in the future, I believe this will definitely be a monument to Yan He's acting career."
Lu Yanhe: "...Have you added the word 'Monument' to it?"
Chen Hengyi: "I'm serious about this. Just like for movie actors, on the one hand, a world-class acting award is an honor, and on the other hand, being the chairman of the jury of a top film festival is also an honor that is no less than many major awards."
Chen Ziyan: "Mr. Chen, I agree with your plan for the Lingyun Award, but let's not make empty promises. The reason why Yan He is so busy today and still wants to meet you in person is because no matter whether he decides to take this job in the end, he respects your innovative and reform ideas very much, and he really hopes that this industry will be better."
Chen Hengyi nodded.
"I can feel it, so, Yan He, I solemnly implore you to take on this job despite all the difficulties." Chen Hengyi said, "We will work with you to resolve all the difficulties. If there is a conflict in filming, we will move all the jury discussions to the location next to your filming location, book a hotel nearby, and rent a meeting room."
Chen Hengyi's persistence really lives up to his name.
Lu Yanhe took a deep breath.
That’s all for the sake of talking about it.
"Mr. Chen, I am indeed moved by what you said, but please forgive me. I must consider the actual situation. I don't want to try to take both sides into account and end up with neither side getting what they want. I can't promise you now. I need to think about this matter seriously after I go back."
Chen Ziyan looked at Lu Yanhe in surprise but said nothing.
Chen Hengyi nodded.
"it is good."
He said: "I believe you will give me a satisfactory answer."
Lu Yanhe shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly.
-
"I thought you were really convinced and would agree on the spot."
"I was indeed moved by him, but..." Lu Yanhe said, "When I was about to agree to his proposal, I thought that I absolutely could not make a decision when I was emotional, so I said that."
"Okay, I've grown up." Chen Ziyan smiled, then sighed, "Alas, these big shots will never give up until they achieve their goals."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"If they didn't have such qualities, it would be hard for them to become big figures, right?"
"That's indeed the truth." Chen Ziyan nodded, "But don't you feel like you've been morally kidnapped by them?"
"I don't accept kidnapping. Who can kidnap me morally? Besides, I understand everything he said." Lu Yanhe said, "If he wants to accomplish this, do we still expect him to follow the rules and talk about reason slowly? If he is not so strong and persistent, and will not give up until he achieves his goal, how can such a large-scale reform be completed?"
Lu Yanhe smiled and looked at Chen Ziyan.
“I’ve become more tolerant, right?”
-
Recommended old book on entertainment: "I Became the Scandal Heroine Overnight" (End of this chapter)
