1RomanceEB Chapter 102 After becoming famous, there were many activities.
Chapter 102 After becoming famous, there were many activities.
Chapter 101 After becoming famous, there were many activities.
The interview for "China Film Report" took place in the YTV studio.
Zhang Jun arrived at 2 p.m., when the sun was blazing.
He got out of the car and looked up at the old Y TV building.
That tower, which was once the tallest building in China in the 90s, was no longer conspicuous on the Beijing skyline in 2006, but it still carried a certain sense of authority.
The studio was on the second floor. The corridor was carpeted in dark red, and footsteps made no sound.
The staff led him into the dressing room. The makeup artist was a woman in her forties. She was very skilled and chatted with him while applying foundation.
"Director Zhang is really popular lately; my daughter talks about you all the time."
"What are you talking about me about?"
"You graduated from Tsinghua University, and you're so good at making movies."
The makeup artist laughed: "She's taking the college entrance exam this year and wants to apply to Tsinghua University. I told her to check if her score is high enough first."
Zhang Jun also laughed: "Huaqing University is not easy to get into."
"you do not say."
The makeup artist sighed, "That's why she thinks you're amazing. Getting into Tsinghua University and making movies at the same time—most people would be lucky to do even one of those things."
After the makeup was done, the director came in to go over the process.
"Director Zhang, we'll have about forty minutes. First, we'll talk about the creation of 'Reign of Assassins,' then your directorial philosophy, and finally, our future plans."
Have you read the draft with questions?
"I've seen it," Zhang Jun said.
"Alright, the host is all ready, let's begin in five minutes."
The studio was smaller than I had imagined.
The backdrop was a poster for the movie "Reign of Assassins," and the lighting was very bright. The host was a female reporter in her thirties named Zhou Ting, with short hair, wearing a professional suit, and a very capable smile.
"Director Zhang, welcome."
"Hello, Teacher Zhou."
The two sat down on the sofa. Zhou Ting adjusted her posture and looked towards the camera. The director made a gesture from below the stage.
"Three, two, one, begin."
"Hello everyone, welcome to China Film Report. Today our guest is young director Zhang Jun."
Director Zhang's new film "Reign of Assassins" is currently showing in theaters, and its box office has exceeded 100 million yuan in just eight days.
Director Zhang, please say hello to the audience first.
Zhang Jun faced the camera: "Hello everyone, I am Zhang Jun."
"First of all, congratulations on 'Reign of Assassins' surpassing 100 million yuan at the box office. As your first film to break 100 million yuan at the box office, how do you feel now?"
"It's quite peaceful."
Zhang Jun frankly said, "The fact that the box office has exceeded 100 million yuan shows that the audience likes this work and is willing to go to the cinema to support it. This is my honor."
But once the movie was finished and released, my work was actually over.
The rest is up to the audience and the market.
Zhou Ting nodded: "You keep emphasizing the audience and the market. In your opinion, what is the standard for a good movie?"
"My philosophy is very simple: to make movies that the public likes."
Zhang Jun put it bluntly: "I believe that art is not something that is highbrow and inaccessible; art should bring joy to the masses. Only a work that is recognized by the majority of people is a good work."
Film, in essence, is a popular art form; it needs to be watched, discussed, and remembered in cinemas.
If a film is made and only a few people praise it, while most people don't understand it or don't like it, then its value as a film is questionable.
"So you don't agree with the concept of 'auteur cinema'?"
"I agree that films should have authorship and directors should have their own expression, but there are many ways to express that expression."
You can express yourself in a very personal and obscure way, or you can express yourself in a very common and acceptable way.
I choose the latter.
Because I believe that more people can understand and enjoy an expression, that is the most effective expression.
Zhou Ting made a note in her notebook and continued to ask, "Is 'Reign of Assassins' your first attempt at a period martial arts film?"
Why choose this genre? My previous works, like *Little Miss Sunshine* and *About Time*, were modern dramas.
"Two reasons."
Zhang Jun said, "First, my father likes martial arts and enjoys reading novels by Jin Yong and Gu Long. I myself have also watched many old-school martial arts movies and have an affinity for this genre."
Secondly, I want to see if I can handle different types of roles.
A director who can only make one type of film will have a very narrow career path.
I want to see where my boundaries are.
"The results prove that your boundaries are very broad."
"Still under exploration."
Zhang Jun smiled and said, "Reign of Assassins was a decent attempt, but there are still many areas for improvement."
I've been reading the feedback from audiences and critics. Some points are valid, some are open to discussion, but they're all valuable opinions.
The interview went smoothly; Zhou Ting's questions were all within the scope of the article, and Zhang Jun's answers were concise and to the point.
After discussing the film, the conversation turned to the creative concepts behind it.
"You mentioned watching martial arts movies since you were a child. Where do you usually get your creative inspiration?"
Zhang Jun said, "I have a folder on my computer that contains a lot of random ideas."
Some are a single sentence, some are a character setting, and some are a plot.
Write down whatever comes to mind and organize it when you have time.
Some ideas may remain just ideas forever, while others may develop into screenplays, and some may be written into novels like "The Martian."
Speaking of "The Martian,"
Zhou Ting turned a page of her manuscript: "This novel is very popular recently. As a director, what made you decide to write a science fiction novel?"
"I've been a science fiction fan since I was a child."
Zhang Jun said this very naturally: "I have a lot of science fiction books at home, and I've read Jules Verne's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' countless times."
I have also read Mr. Liang Qichao's "The Future of New China", which is one of the earliest science fiction novels in China.
Later, he was admitted to the Department of Astronomy at Tsinghua University, where he systematically studied astrophysics and developed a more concrete vision of the universe, technology, and the future of humanity.
At that time, I thought, maybe I can express these imaginations.
"Then why was it a novel in the end, and not a movie?"
"The timing is not right."
Zhang Jun frankly stated: "The science fiction movies I envision require very high production costs and technical support."
Given the current size of the domestic market and the level of industrial development, it is not yet possible to support such a project.
But the story was already in my mind, and I felt uncomfortable not writing it down, so I wrote it as a novel.
Let it come alive in the world of words first; perhaps one day in the future, when conditions are right, it can be turned into a film.
How far away do you think this future is?
"Look at the speed of market development."
Zhang Jun put it very pragmatically: "The film market is growing, technology is advancing, and audience tastes are changing. Maybe in five years, maybe in ten."
But someone always has to be the first to think, the first to write, the first to try.
"We'll have something to film when the conditions are right."
After the interview, Zhou Ting stood up and shook hands with Zhang Jun: "Thank you, Director Zhang. It was a very pleasant chat today."
"Thank you, Teacher Zhou."
As he left the studio, the director escorted him to the elevator: "The program will air the night after tomorrow. We'll let you know then."
"it is good."
He sent a text message to his assistant, Gao Yan: "Interview over, back to the company."
Gao Yan quickly replied, "The car is waiting in the underground parking lot."
The elevator descended to the basement level, the doors opened, and Zhang Jun stepped out. The basement was dimly lit, and his footsteps echoed in the empty space.
As I approached the parking space, my phone vibrated; it was a call from Ye Xiaoyi from the United States.
"Senior, I saw the box office figures! It's surpassed 100 million!"
Ye Xiaoyi's voice came from across the Pacific Ocean, still full of energy. Zhang Jun could imagine her holding the phone in one hand and waving the other in the air.
"I saw it. How's it going on your end?"
"Great! ULCA's classes are very interesting. The professor talks about the Hollywood industrial system, and there are many things worth learning from them."
By the way, I went to see an IMAX theater yesterday. The screen was huge, and the effect was amazing.
"If my dad really brings IMAX to China, it'll definitely be a success."
"President Ye has always had a very accurate eye for talent."
"That's right."
Ye Xiaoyi felt a surge of pride, then lowered her voice.
"I have something to tell you. I know a few Hollywood producers here. They heard that I was an investor in 'Reign of Assassins' and they all came to me to ask about you."
A producer wants to meet with you, saying he has a great project.
"What project?"
"They didn't specify, but from the tone, it might be a co-production. Would you like to take it?"
Zhang Jun opened the car door and got in: "Let's see what kind of project it is first. Co-productions are a murky business; you might end up pleasing neither side."
Hollywood is now gradually paying more attention to the mainland Chinese market, with various film companies constantly opening branches in China and even planning to cooperate with Chinese film companies.
The biggest source of funding behind Stephen Chow's "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle" is Sony Pictures Entertainment.
However, co-productions are not an easy path, and Zhang Jun himself is not very optimistic about this model.
"Understood, I'll help you check it out."
Ye Xiaoyi paused for a moment, then continued, "Also, I heard about that matter."
You don't need to pay attention to them. They're just a bunch of old men entertaining themselves, thinking they're something special.
17
Zhang Jun laughed: "You found out too?"
"My friends in China told me."
"Just focus on making your film. Let them say what they want; it won't affect you."
"Mr. Ye is right."
The two chatted for a few more minutes before Zhang Jun hung up. As the car drove out of the underground parking garage, the afternoon sun slanted in, and Zhang Jun leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest.
He deeply agreed with Ye Bingcheng's saying, "A small temple has a lot of evil spirits, and a shallow pond has many turtles."
The Chinese film and television industry is actually not a very large pool.
The total box office revenue for the entire year was only a little over two billion yuan, less than the global box office of a single Hollywood blockbuster. Market size determines industry size, and industry size, in turn, determines the survival space for practitioners.
In such a small pond, it is easy for hills to form.
The so-called Beijing circle, Shanghai circle, and Hong Kong circle are essentially interest distribution patterns under limited resources.
Those with connections rely on connections, those with resources rely on resources, and those with connections rely on connections. Zhang Jun, who has nothing and made his way in the world entirely through his work, is an anomaly.
Of course, he wasn't completely without capital; his initial funding came from Ye Bingcheng, a real estate businessman.
Therefore, Zhang Jun is a pioneer in the entry of real estate capital into the film and television industry.
Compared to the capital from coal bosses, real estate capital is more likely to cause panic among traditional forces in the film and television industry, thus making Zhang Jun an outlier.
Those who are different will be suppressed, ostracized, and attempted to be assimilated or eliminated.
The reason given was high-sounding: "The Martian is unrealistic and not a work of literature."
The subtext is: You're a filmmaker, what are you doing writing novels? Writing novels is one thing, but science fiction? Is science fiction even considered literature?
This hierarchy of contempt is prevalent and deeply ingrained today.
Pure literature looks down on genre fiction; within genre fiction, realism looks down on romanticism; within romanticism, the orthodox looks down on the popular; and within popular fiction, romance and martial arts novels look down on science fiction.
Science fiction is at the very bottom.
So there's a reason why Liu Cixin, Wang Jinkang, and others have been ostracized by the mainstream literary circle all these years. Zhang Jun is just experiencing the daily life of his predecessors.
But times are changing, and the tide of commerce is washing away all the old order.
Box office figures are the most solid and reliable indicator, and return on investment is the most tangible recognition.
As Zhang Jun's films made money one after another, and "Reign of Assassins" broke 100 million yuan in eight days, no matter how much the old gentlemen in the film and television industry and the literary circle closely related to the film and television industry looked down on him, it could not affect the investors' determination to stuff money into his pocket.
This is the logic of the business world: if you can make money, you're the boss.
He Xuan was already waiting for him at Guanzhi Pictures.
"How's the interview going?"
"smoothly."
Zhang Jun hung up his coat: "CCTV will broadcast it the day after tomorrow."
"it is good."
He Xuan handed over a document: "Take a look at this."
Zhang Jun took it; it was a list with seven or eight names, followed by brief introductions and background information.
"This is?"
"These past few days, people have been coming in, trying to get their hands on Guanzhi Pictures."
He Xuan said calmly, "Two of them are the nephews of a certain leader, one is the nephew of a certain producer, and the other claims to be a relative of President Han."
Zhang Jun glanced at the list: "Does President Ye know about this?"
"I know, I reported it to him as soon as he returned to the country."
He Xuan laughed and said, "President Ye's exact words were: 'Get these people out of here.'"
Zhang Jun smiled; this was very much like Ye Bingcheng.
"and then?"
"Then Mr. Ye made a few phone calls."
He Xuan said, "I don't know exactly who I called, but the effect was immediate. Yesterday, three people were urging me to reply, but today they're all silent."
One of them even called to apologize, saying it was a misunderstanding and asking me not to take it to heart.
"General Ye still has connections in the military."
"Not just the military."
He Xuan lowered her voice: "President Ye's trip to the United States was not only to see his daughter, but also to inspect IMAX."
Zhang Jun nodded.
Ye Bingcheng's ambitions clearly extend beyond real estate; he wants to build a complete ecosystem encompassing content production, distribution, screening, and capital operations.
Guanzhi Pictures is the content core of this ecosystem, and Zhang Jun is the core of the core.
"so,"
He Xuan looked at Zhang Jun: "Your position is very stable now. Your works are excellent, you have the support of investors, and your boss is very backing you."
The open and covert attacks within those circles can't hurt you.
"But it's annoying," Zhang Jun said honestly.
"It's definitely annoying."
He Xuan laughed: "But this is the price of fame. The more successful you are, the more people will be watching you, and the more people will want to get a share of the pie from you."
Some people move you with their work, some people pressure you with their connections, and some people lure you with their interests.
You need to learn to discern, learn to refuse, and learn to maintain your principles without going down a dead end.
Zhang Jun understood what He Xuan meant.
The film and television industry is a society based on personal connections. You can't go far if you don't understand personal connections at all, but you also can't go far if you are completely bound by personal connections. It's hard to find the right balance.
Of course, every place is a society based on personal relationships.
Even in Western societies, which are touted by public intellectuals, personal connections, backgrounds, and seniority play a crucial role.
The interview, which was published by China Film Report, received a positive response shortly after it was released.
Zhang Jun subsequently accepted interviews with Southern Metropolis Daily, shot a cover for Men's Magazine, and had an exclusive interview.
Zhang Jun joked that he didn't seem like a director, but rather like a star.
However, Zhang Jun did as instructed, seeing it as a great opportunity to build his brand image.
The editorial office of "Suno" magazine is located in an office building on the East Third Ring Road in Beijing.
The walls of the corridor were covered with past magazine covers, mostly featuring celebrities and models. Zhang Jun glanced at them and spotted several currently popular Hong Kong and Taiwanese idols.
The cover designs are all very modern, with male celebrities sporting uniform medium-length hair, some even with highlights, wearing tight shirts or leather jackets, and their eyes conveying either melancholy or unruliness.
"Director Zhang, let's go to the dressing room first."
Xiao Liu, the receptionist, pushed open a door: "The makeup artist and stylist are already waiting."
The dressing room wasn't large, but it was fully equipped. A ring of light bulbs surrounded the mirror, illuminating people's faces.
"Hello Director Zhang, I'm makeup artist A-Kn." A man stood up and shook hands.
"I'm stylist Lily. Have you reviewed today's shooting plan?" another woman asked.
"I've seen it." Zhang Jun nodded.
"Let's try the first set first."
Lily took the light gray casual suit down from the hanger: "This is a Dior Homme suit, a new style this year. Please go change first, and then we'll look at your makeup."
Zhang Jun took the clothes and went into the dressing room. The suit was well-tailored, and the fabric was crisp but not stiff. He came out after changing and stood in front of the mirror.
Lily came over and straightened his collar and cuffs.
"The shoulder line is just right."
She took two steps back to examine him: "The waistline is also suitable. Director Zhang has a great body proportion and looks stylish in a suit."
Ken began applying makeup, his movements very light, mainly applying foundation and shaping his eyebrows. Zhang Jun had his eyes closed, but he could feel the brush sweeping across his face.
"Your skin looks good."
While drawing, Ken asked, "Do you usually take care of your skin?"
"Just facial cleanser, and occasionally a little lotion," Zhang Jun said.
"That's truly a talent."
Ah Ken laughed and said, "Many celebrities get skincare treatments every day, but their skin isn't as good as yours."
After finishing her makeup, Lily adjusted her hairstyle. Zhang Jun's hair wasn't long, so she just used hairspray to style it slightly, creating a bit of volume.
"alright."
She took one last look: "We can take the picture now."
The photography studio was at the end of the corridor. The space was large, the backdrop was pure white, and the lights were already on.
"Director Zhang, welcome."
The photographer came over and shook hands: "I'm Wang Dong. Today's shoot is very simple, just relax and be natural."
"it is good."
When filming began, Wang Dong was very good at guiding the conversation, instead of saying things like "smile," he chatted with Zhang Jun.
"Director Zhang, I've seen 'Reign of Assassins.' How was the final pagoda fight scene filmed? Was it a real set or a construction?"
"Part of the set was built with real objects, and the rest was done with special effects," Zhang Jun replied.
"The camera movement in that scene was beautiful. There was a shot from the top of the tower, was it an aerial shot?"
"A crane arm with rails."
As they chatted, Wang Dong took photos. The camera shutter sounded very softly, clicking away steadily.
Zhang Jun adjusted his posture as instructed, standing, sitting, turning to the side, and turning his head. The movements were small, mainly subtle changes in his eyes and expressions.
After shooting for about twenty minutes, Wang Dong stopped to look at the sample footage.
"very good."
He nodded: "Your expression is natural, not forced. Many celebrities take photos with an expression that says, 'I'm taking a photo,' but yours is 'This is just how I am.' These are two different things."
Zhang Jun changed into his second outfit, this time a white shirt and jeans, without a tie, and the top two buttons of the shirt were undone.
This shoot was more relaxed. Wang Dong had Zhang Jun sit on a high stool, with one foot on a footrest and the other casually dangling.
"Imagine you're on set, just finished filming a scene, and are taking a break," Wang Dong said.
Zhang Jun did as instructed. He relaxed his shoulders, placed his hands naturally on his knees, and looked diagonally downwards, as if deep in thought.
"Yes, that's it." The sound of camera shutters clicking in quick succession.
The third outfit was the simplest, just a plain black T-shirt. But it was the most difficult to shoot because it required close-ups, magnifying every slight change in expression and eyes.
"Let's shoot something more emotional for this set."
Wang Dong said, "Imagine a scene, it could be from a movie or your own experience. Let the emotions flow naturally, without worrying about the camera."
Zhang Jun thought for a moment and recalled the scene of his first movie in his previous life.
It was a low-budget independent film with limited funds; the crew consisted of only about thirty people.
It rained on the day filming started, and everyone filmed the first scene in a dilapidated old house. The lighting wasn't bright enough, and the sound engineer said the ambient noise was too loud.
But he was very excited because it was his first real film.
There was something in his eyes, a complex emotion that mixed memories,感慨, and a hint of a smile.
The photoshoot ended at 4 PM. Zhang Jun changed back into his own clothes and went to the conference room for an exclusive interview. His interviewer was the magazine's deputy editor-in-chief, a woman in her thirties named Chen Jing.
"Director Zhang, first of all, congratulations on 'Reign of Assassins' surpassing 100 million yuan at the box office. This is your first time appearing on the cover of a fashion magazine, how does it feel?"
"It's quite fresh."
Zhang Jun frankly said, "Usually on set, I wear whatever is comfortable. Today, the stylist gave me some pointers, and I realized there are so many things to consider when it comes to dressing."
Chen Jing smiled: "But your usual outfits are actually very stylish. Several editors in our magazine have noticed that your public outfits are very simple, but very sophisticated."
This is rare among male celebrities these days; everyone seems to be chasing after flashy looks—either leather jackets with studs, or long hair and sunglasses.
"Maybe it's because I'm lazy."
Zhang Jun said, "Complex things take time. White shirts, jeans, and casual suits are easy to match and less likely to go wrong."
Besides, I'm a director, not an idol actor; it would look strange if I dressed too flashy.
So what is your understanding of fashion?
"Practical, comfortable, and befitting of one's status."
Zhang Jun put it bluntly: "Fashion is not something you wear to show off to others; it's something you wear to make yourself feel comfortable."
No matter how beautiful a piece of clothing is, if you feel awkward wearing it, then it's not suitable for you.
Finding your own style is more important than following trends.
Chen Jing wrote in her notebook: "Your clean and refreshing look actually breaks the current mainstream aesthetic."
What do you think about the long hairstyle popular among male celebrities now, like that of F4?
"Everyone has their own thing that suits them."
Zhang Jun said, "Whether it's long hair or short hair, the key is to suit your face shape and temperament. Some people look good with long hair, while others look more energetic with short hair."
My face shape is rather angular, and long hair would make me look sloppy, so I chose short hair.
It's that simple.
"Where do you usually get your outfit inspiration?"
"I didn't have much inspiration, I just felt comfortable."
Zhang Jun said, "When I was in school at Tsinghua University, everyone dressed very simply: T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers."
After starting work filming, I did whatever was convenient on set. It wasn't until I attended more events that I began to pay attention to my outfits.
But the principles remain the same: clean, tidy, and well-fitting. If you can achieve these three, you're unlikely to be bad off.
Chen Jing nodded: "One last question, you are now an idol for many young people. Not only because your movies are well made, but also because of your personal image."
What would you like to say to these people who see you as a fashion icon?
Zhang Jun thought for a moment and said, "Don't copy me, copy yourself. My style suits me, but it may not suit you."
Finding your own style is more important than imitating others.
Also, physical appearance is a plus, but not the deciding factor.
Spending time and energy improving your inner abilities is more valuable than figuring out what clothes to wear.
Shortly after, the monthly magazine "Suno" was launched.
The cover features a black and white close-up of Zhang Jun, wearing a black T-shirt, without any accessories, with neat hair and looking directly at the camera.
The background is pure white, with only the magazine logo and title in the lower right corner: "Zhang Jun: A Director Who Breaks the Rules of Aesthetics".
This issue of the magazine sold very quickly.
Old Li, the newsstand owner, has been running his newsstand in Dongsi for twenty years. He can tell at a glance which magazines sell well and which don't.
"Suno" magazine usually has average sales and is considered a niche magazine, mostly bought by people in the fashion industry or students.
But this time it's different.
The first group to buy were a group of female students. They were about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing school uniforms, and probably skipped class.
One of them pointed to the cover: "That's him! Zhang Jun!"
"So handsome!"
"I want to buy two books, one to keep and one to read."
The girls chattered away and bought five books.
Next came a few working women, dressed in white-collar attire, each holding a coffee.
One of them flipped to an inside interview, glanced at it, and said, "This interview is well-written and not exaggerated."
"His taste in clothes is really good. Look at this picture, white shirt and jeans, simple but good-looking."
"He's much more pleasing to the eye than those male celebrities with long hair."
Several boys even came to buy it. One of them said to his companion, "I told you short hair looks good, but you insisted on keeping it so long, it looks like you're from a non-mainstream culture."
"I'll cut it when I get back."
Old Li listened to these discussions and glanced at the cover.
The young man in the photo is indeed energetic; there's something in his eyes, not just an empty kind of handsome. He may not understand fashion, but he understands people, and the man on the cover looks reliable.
By evening, this issue of "Men's Style" (suno) had sold out.
Old Li called the distributor to restock, and they said, "The print run has increased by 30%, but there are orders from all over the country."
Please wait a moment, I'll deliver it to you tomorrow.
The influence of this issue of the magazine is spreading.
On a fashion forum, someone started a thread: [Rational Discussion] Can Zhang Jun's dressing style be called "a beacon of male aesthetics"?
The main post included several magazine photos: a white shirt, a casual suit, and a black T-shirt—all basic items, but they looked great on him.
The comments were enthusiastic: "Finally, a male celebrity isn't doing those flashy things anymore."
"He dressed simply, but with attention to detail. The fit of his shirt, the length of his trousers, and the choice of shoes were all carefully considered."
"The key is that you have the right temperament to pull it off; the same clothes might look ordinary on someone else."
"My boyfriend read this magazine and finally agreed to cut his long hair."
"Upstairs +1, my brother too."
On film and television forums, the discussion took different angles: "Zhang Jun is trying to develop in all aspects, getting involved in movies, novels, and fashion."
"He has the looks, he's handsome, he has a great physique, and he looks good in anything."
"The key point is what he said in the interview: finding your own style is more important than following trends."
"Indeed, too many celebrities are now being led by the nose by stylists, wearing strange clothes and calling it fashion."
Zhang Jun paid no attention to these discussions. Whether it was magazine shoots or television interviews, they were all means for him to enhance his brand value.
Ultimately, all of this comes down to film; film is the foundation.