Wen Bing asked, "The long take I mentioned earlier, do you think it’s necessary to shoot it?"

"Of course," Zhou Yun said resolutely, "Just imagining it myself makes me excited. As an actor, this kind of seamless performance is very challenging for me, and for the audience, this shot will make the special effects makeup scene, which has been seen many times in other films, much more impactful."

This feeling is like someone standing right in front of you whom you can’t recognize at all, until he gradually removes his disguise in front of you, rather than walking into a room and coming out a while later telling you that it was him earlier.

This direct experience is the most shocking and irreplaceable.

...

"I didn’t expect Zeng Yeng to have such a tight control over Wen Bing’s filming. Wen Bing isn’t a newbie director anymore. Granted, if you consider when he first started making movies, his time as a film director hasn’t been long, but he’s already successfully directed two films. I really don’t get why Yao Yuanfeng doesn’t give Wen Bing more creative freedom."

Zhou Yun complained about this issue over the phone with Song Chi.

Song Chi said, "It has nothing to do with whether Wen Bing is a mature director or not. New Shield’s style in filmmaking has always been like this, with very tight management over funding and budget, so many directors don’t like to cooperate with New Shield."

"By doing this, wouldn’t Yao Yuanfeng be shutting out many talented directors?" Zhou Yun asked in surprise.

Song Chi said, "Did you forget? New Shield has always made commercial films, and it’s only in the past year or two that they’ve started investing some money into artistic films. They don’t need talented directors; they just need directors who can completely follow the company’s intent to shoot films according to the original plan."

Upon hearing Song Chi say this, Zhou Yun was shocked.

Primarily because she, as an actor, had always embraced the idea that "a director is the soul of the film." New Shield’s approach of treating directors as mere executors of shooting plans felt unfathomable to her.

Song Chi said, "But with Wen Bing’s achievements and status today, for Yao Yuanfeng to still assign such a producer to manage the filming and budget with him, isn’t he afraid of creating increasing conflicts with Wen Bing?"

"Wen Bing signed a contract with New Shield, so even if Wen Bing’s collaboration with New Shield isn’t pleasant, he can only work with New Shield for five years," Zhou Yun said helplessly, "Does Yao Yuanfeng have no fear?"

"After the five years? With a director like Wen Bing, any film company would be eager to work with him. At that time, what assurance does Yao Yuanfeng have in retaining Wen Bing?"

"Who knows? But as for Yao Yuanfeng, you can tell by his attitude towards me. Don’t people say that I am now lying at home, with dozens of film company owners standing at my door with cash asking me to accept roles? As long as I am willing to act, no matter what conditions I set, companies will agree, but Sister Lan demanded profit sharing for the second part of ’Two Tigers,’ and he not only refused but even arranged for the company to release press articles disconnecting me from the current box office success of ’Two Tigers.’ Such a person can be genuinely enthusiastic when things are good, but once there’s a conflict, he changes his face in an instant."

"He hasn’t completely fallen out with you, has he?" Song Chi asked.

Zhou Yun: "Not quite, he knows well himself how much publicity he used me for when ’Two Tigers’ was released."

"He’s just a businessman; such thoughts and actions are not surprising, and you don’t have to take it to heart," Song Chi said, "But I think you’re right; if Wen Bing’s ideas are beneficial to the film, then no matter what, he should fight with Yao Yuanfeng for it. Zeng Yeng can’t be the only one calling the shots; she just cares whether the film is done within the original budget and schedule, and as for how the film performs after its release, that’s hardly her concern." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

In essence, Zeng Yeng’s job is just to manage finances and oversee the work for New Shield.

Zhou Yun asked, "Do you think I should give Yao Yuanfeng a call?"

"Some things don’t have to be direct," Song Chi said, "You’re not a newcomer, and every word you say, every move you make, will be scrutinized for your attitude."

-

A new month, a new day, asking for monthly votes.

Also, I forgot, do you remember whether Yuk Chu’s pregnancy and reunion with Yin Zhou have been publicly exposed?