raknovel Chapter 3 Who is the Smart One?
Chapter 3 Who is the Smart One?
Zhang Jun has already left, leaving behind several core members of the Film Association to hold a meeting and discuss the matter.
Just before, Zhang Jun proposed a condition: he could sell the script to the club, but only if he would direct it.
This request surprised everyone.
Even now, apart from a few people who know that Zhang Jun is going to become a director, everyone else thinks he's just slacking off and waiting to graduate.
This condition made the core members of the film association hesitate, because the original plan was to find a student director from the directing department of Beijing Film Academy or Central Academy of Drama to direct the short film.
Zhang Jun is a senior who is about to graduate. Although he talks about movies very knowledgeably, he is, after all, an outsider.
His decision to become a director seems completely unreliable.
But Zhang Jun also said that if he didn't agree to be the director, the script wouldn't be sold to the gang, which is why Ye Xiaoyi held a meeting to discuss it.
"Xiaoyi, I don't think we can be fooled. Let's wait until the literary society finishes writing the script!"
Zhao Liangchen didn't want Zhang Jun and Ye Xiaoyi to have any contact, even though Ye Xiaoyi said the script was fantastic.
One of Zhao Liangchen's followers chimed in, "Yeah, President, I heard this senior is from the astronomy department. He's unreliable!"
However, Ye Xiaoyi was determined: "You don't need to say anything more. I've read the script several times, and it's really good."
The question we're discussing now is whether or not to agree to Zhang Jun's request to let him direct.
Everyone looked at each other, unsure how to answer.
Although Zhang Jun has been visiting the Film Association frequently lately, he speaks fluently about film theory and seems to know a lot about it.
But theory and practice are different. Anyone can talk a lot about theory, but when it comes to actually doing it, nobody believes it.
After a long silence, Zhao Liangchen spoke first, his purpose still being to prevent Zhang Jun from contacting Ye Xiaoyi.
He hasn't even gotten his hands on this cabbage yet, so he can't let Zhang Jun succeed.
"Xiaoyi, since you think so highly of this script, let's just give him some money and send him away. It would be more reliable for us to hire someone from the Beijing Film Academy or the Central Academy of Drama."
From a practical point of view, Zhao Liangchen's words were not wrong, and they were recognized by many members.
Ye Xiaoyi also thought Zhao Liangchen's words made sense, but the senior said that if he wasn't invited to be the director, the script wouldn't be sold.
She genuinely loved the script and thought it was the best story she'd read recently. So she didn't want to miss out and was stuck on this decision.
This is why Zhang Jun insisted that Ye Xiaoyi see the script alone and also demanded that it be kept secret.
Having lived for so many years in my past life, I still have the ability to judge people.
If Zhao Liangchen got the script, there's no way he'd get paid. I just changed the name and made some minor changes to the story, and used it without giving Zhang Jun a second thought.
You're accusing me of plagiarism? Do you have any evidence?
Registering a copyright is useless; these copyright lawsuits can easily drag on for two or three years. Even if you win and receive compensation, it won't cover the time and effort spent.
Don't doubt it; a better school doesn't equate to higher moral standards. Poor academic performance doesn't mean someone is inherently bad, and good academic performance doesn't necessarily mean someone is a good person.
Therefore, it is very important to choose the right people.
Zhang Jun couldn't see Ye Xiaoyi's inner turmoil, but he could guess her current mood.
Back in his dorm room, Zhang Jun lay on his bed in a daze, pondering what to do next.
First, use a short video to prove that you're not just dabbling in this, at least to give yourself a relatively fair chance.
This is also why Zhang Jun used "The Tuner"—this short film is excellent enough to prove his ability.
If the film is made and wins an award at the College Student Film Festival, gaining media attention and coverage, Zhang Jun will have made a name for himself.
Then they use this title to fool the rich and foolish coal mine owners.
Zhang Jun didn't experience the era of coal bosses in his previous life, but he heard from the elders that the coal bosses of that era were naive, rich, and easy to fool.
I imagine making a million or two wouldn't be a problem.
As for writing a script and persuading the film company executives to invest, that's wishful thinking.
The script can fool college students, but it's only good for college students like Ye Xiaoyi who are too well protected and have simple minds.
It wouldn't even be enough to fool Zhao Liangchen, let alone the head of a film company; he wouldn't even be able to meet him.
Although it's hard to say, the script is precisely the least valued part of a film production process.
These days, there aren't many companies that can invest in and distribute films. He's neither a well-known film director nor a famous movie star, so he can't get film companies to treat him differently.
Unless he also has a family background, such as a director father or a wealthy father. But unfortunately, although the original owner's family was very happy, it was impossible for them to support him in making movies.
Having made preliminary plans for the future, Zhang Jun proceeded with his preparations step by step.
In the following days, Zhang Jun used his minimalist style to create the script for "The Tuner" and made a simple estimate.
In his previous life, he had independently led several large projects. Apart from needing to adapt to the times and conduct some research, everything else was easy for him to handle.
There was no news from Ye Xiaoyi, and Zhang Jun didn't go to the Film Association to inquire about the situation. However, he believed that Ye Xiaoyi would eventually agree to his proposal.
However, soon after, the class advisor, Lao Hu, approached Zhang Jun again.
"There's a campus recruitment fair next week, and people from several observatories and planetariums will be there. Do you want to attend?"
Astronomy students don't have many options after graduation, but with the Tsinghua University name behind them, it's not difficult for them to find jobs unrelated to their major.
But so far, I've never seen anyone like Zhang Jun who suddenly had the idea to become a director.
The path to fame for bands like Shui Mu Nian Hua was simple; all they needed was a guitar. But movies, on the other hand, require a film to be made so that people can see if you're capable.
The process of filming is precisely the most difficult for a beginner.
Old Hu still cares about his students. He thought that since Zhang Jun had given up on postgraduate entrance exams, he should at least find a job, and this was a good opportunity.
To everyone's surprise, Zhang Jun shook his head: "Thank you for your kind offer, but I have no intention of working at a planetarium or observatory; that's not what I want."
"You want to be a director...?"
Old Hu frowned, looking very stern: "Zhang Jun, I advise you to think it through. One should be down-to-earth."
If you want to be a director, why did you apply to Tsinghua University in the first place?
Wouldn't it be better to go to Beijing Film Academy or Central Academy of Drama?
"Because I got a high score!" Zhang Jun replied matter-of-factly.
That's the correct answer; the original examiner's score was indeed very high. If he had traveled back in time before the college entrance exam, he would definitely have tried for the Beijing Film Academy or the Central Academy of Drama.
"Well!"
The homeroom teacher, Mr. Hu, was taken aback by this reason and said irritably, "Who told you to get such a high score?"
He said to Zhang Jun earnestly, "Zhang Jun, you are still young and prone to impulsive actions, which I understand."
But you need to think about your future. Having dreams is good, but you also need to be realistic!
To be honest, Zhang Jun was somewhat moved.
These are not words that just anyone would say to you, which shows that Lao Hu is indeed thinking of him.
Despite being moved, Zhang Jun still stuck to his own ideas.
"Thank you for saying that, but no matter what, I want to give it a try, otherwise I won't be satisfied."
"Fine!"
Old Hu sighed and said, "Next week, there will be people from the TV station coming to the campus recruitment. Although it's a bit far from movies, it's still related."
"You write a resume and I'll submit it. You can give it a try then."
This was indeed a roundabout way to achieve the goal, so Zhang Jun didn't refuse again. He wrote a resume and handed it to Lao Hu, sincerely thanking him.
However, Zhang Jun soon didn't need it anymore, because just one day later, Ye Xiaoyi contacted him and asked him to meet at the Film Association's activity room.
Zhang Jun tidied up his script manuscript and stuffed it into his backpack. He then asked a classmate from the neighboring law department who was already working at a law firm before arriving at the film association's activity room.
There were already quite a few people in the activity room by now; some of them Zhang Jun had seen before, and some he hadn't.
However, everyone was curious as to why the chairman would buy a script from this handsome guy who looked so much like Vic Chou.
Being handsome can't put food on the table, unless... the student council president likes this graduating senior.
Thinking of this, many boys who admire Ye Xiaoyi must be heartbroken.
"Senior, we've decided to accept your terms... We'll buy your script for five thousand dollars, and you'll direct it."
It was Zhao Liangchen who spoke, while Ye Xiaoyi, standing to the side, remained silent, her face showing hesitation and guilt.
Zhang Jun didn't pay any attention. When he heard this, he smiled and said, "You've made the right decision."
After saying that, Zhang Jun took out three documents from his bag: "These are contracts drafted by law students. Take a look and see if there are any problems. If there are no problems, we will sign them."
Zhao Liangchen's face darkened. His original plan was to buy Zhang Jun's script and then dump Zhang Jun.
With a script that suited Ye Xiaoyi's tastes, Zhang Jun had no reason to interfere with other work, and since he couldn't contact Ye Xiaoyi, he felt relieved.
These past few days I finally managed to convince Ye Xiaoyi to leave it to me and let me handle it.
But who knew that bastard Zhang Jun would be so shrewd? It's just a short film, why did you bring a contract? Was it really necessary?
It is necessary, absolutely necessary.
As if knowing Zhao Liangchen's thoughts, Zhang Jun explained, "Don't misunderstand, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just that we are all adults and need to be responsible for our own actions."
Moreover, this is a business transaction, and a written contract provides protection, which is a good thing for everyone.
Zhang Jun's words made Ye Xiaoyi even more embarrassed; the senior had no other intentions at all.
It's a good thing that Zhao Liangchen has been badmouthing Zhang Jun these past few days, which has caused her to misunderstand her senior.
"I'm sorry, senior."
Ye Xiaoyi apologized to Zhang Jun, then took the contract and signed her name on it without even looking at it.
Zhao Liangchen was stunned: "Xiaoyi, didn't we agree on this..."
"Don't say anymore, he's a good person."
Ye Xiaoyi returned the signed contract to Zhang Jun: "Senior, on behalf of the Tsinghua University Film Association, I hereby formally appoint you as the director of Tsinghua University's short film entry for 2004."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun, who had been given the "friend zone" card, finally broke into his most genuine smile.
"So, shall we have a pleasant collaboration?"
"It's a pleasure working with you!"
Zhao Liangchen's face darkened even more. He had schemed and plotted, but in the end, Zhang Jun still succeeded. Where did he come from?
You're about to graduate, you should either be taking the postgraduate entrance exam or looking for a job, why are you getting involved in the film association?
If Zhang Jun knew what Zhao Liangchen was really thinking, he would have answered with a big laugh.
Hey! Friend, this is my job, I'm a director.