Chapter 28

"Attention all departments, we are about to start the first shot of scene seventy-six. All actors, please take your positions. Props and lighting, are you all ready? Let's try to get it right in one take..."

Wu Cheng held the director's baton, looking spirited as he directed. Once all departments were ready, Wu Cheng handed the baton to the assistant director and then sat down on the piano bench beside the hall.

This scene showed the Five Lucky Stars arriving at the villain Chen Chao's mansion for a banquet. However, unlike in his memory, Wu Cheng and Deng Li Jun had a cameo appearance. First, Wu Cheng played "Wedding in a Dream" solo. Halfway through, Deng Li Jun entered and joined him for a four-hand duet, livening up the atmosphere of the banquet.

At the word "Action," Wu Cheng's fingers began to dance on the piano keys, and the people in the dance floor started to dance to the music. However, because the music carried a hint of sadness, everyone danced slowly, and the villain Chen Chao's face gradually darkened.

When Deng Li Jun entered and sat beside Wu Cheng, they played a four-hand duet, speeding up the tempo and dispelling the sad atmosphere, making the music lively again. Chen Chao's face returned to normal, and then he met another villain, Mr. He.

The most important part of this scene was Wu Cheng and Deng Li Jun's performance. As long as they did well, the extras' dancing could be simple.

Sitting on the piano bench, Wu Cheng and Deng Li Jun played a four-hand duet. They smiled at each other from time to time, their默契 (harmony) making them seem like a real couple, which made Zhao Yazhi secretly jealous. If it weren't for the filming, she would have turned and left.

"Cut! It's a wrap!"

After a long pause, the assistant director's voice rang out, "Perfect!"

"Xiao Cheng, Ya Zhi, I have to go!"

Deng Li Jun was very busy, and Wu Cheng felt a pang of sympathy. He thought he should sign all her future contracts to prevent her from overworking herself.

"When the movie is released, you must come back!" Wu Cheng said.

Deng Li Jun nodded and smiled, then hugged Zhao Yazhi and kissed Wu Cheng's forehead before waving goodbye.

"Even when she's gone, you still can't get enough!" Zhao Yazhi, seeing Wu Cheng's dazed look, couldn't help but feel annoyed and lightly tapped his head, scolding him.

Wu Cheng suddenly chuckled softly and whispered, "Is Sister Ya jealous?"

"I don't want to talk to you!" Zhao Yazhi, having her thoughts exposed, angrily turned and quickly left.

Seeing Zhao Yazhi 'flee in defeat,' Wu Cheng couldn't help but laugh triumphantly.

...

Days passed, and as the final scene was about to be shot, the movie was about to wrap up and enter post-production. Wu Cheng felt a mix of emotions.

This was his first movie in Hong Kong, and he had been involved almost from start to finish, learning a great deal. His heart was filled with a mix of excitement and reflection.

"This is the last scene. After this, the movie will be wrapped up," Hong Jinbao, holding the director's baton, was encouraging everyone. "A Long, Xiao Hei, this one is on you!"

For the final scene, Wu Cheng had saved the most challenging part for last—the scene where Cheng Long, wearing roller skates, chases a car. At least dozens of cars would be crashed in this scene.

By saving this scene for last, Wu Cheng planned to use the budget saved from earlier scenes, which amounted to at least 500,000 Hong Kong dollars. He had arranged for 100 prop cars, costing around 300,000 Hong Kong dollars.

"Is the stunt team ready?"

Xiao Hei, Ke Shouliang, gave Hong Jinbao a thumbs up, indicating no problem.

"A Long, what about you?"

Cheng Long, chewing gum, rubbed his hands, clapped, and gave a thumbs up.

For such a dangerous shot, Cheng Long insisted on doing it himself. Wu Cheng had nothing to say about this. Although Cheng Long had many flaws, his dedication was admirable.

For this scene alone, there were six cameras, two following Cheng Long, two shooting from above, and the remaining two filming the stunt drivers. Although they couldn't find a helicopter for aerial shots, the set was next to a construction site, so they borrowed a crane. The remaining two cameras were used to film the stunt drivers.

Everything was ready, and all departments began to operate. Cheng Long, wearing roller skates, started to race into the scene, entering the flow of traffic driven by stunt drivers.

In the end, everyone was stunned by the car crashes, admiring both the stunt drivers' skills and Wu Cheng's vision.

This scene was undoubtedly the most impressive in Hong Kong cinema at the time. Compared to the small-scale action scenes, this large-scale scene would definitely attract countless viewers to the cinema.

In a sense, this scene alone could make the film a hit.

So, this film had great potential to be a huge success!

Many people could foresee that Eastern Dragon International could become famous through this film.

Many crew members were thinking about joining Eastern Dragon International, as the company offered higher salaries than others.

"Cut! It's a wrap! Quickly check if the stunt drivers are okay!" Hong Jinbao called out. After confirming everyone's safety, he threw the baton and announced, "I hereby declare that 'The Five Lucky Stars' is officially wrapped up. There will be a wrap party tonight, and I hope everyone can attend!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and cheered.

The first film was finally wrapped up. However, Wu Cheng had made changes or deleted some scenes to avoid exposing Sister Ya's figure, such as the bathroom scene, where he had Sister Ya wear a shoulder-exposing silk nightgown. Even so, she looked even more enchanting on screen. Another scene, where she was carried by Hong Jinbao, was also deleted by Wu Cheng, as he thought it was unnecessary.

In other words, all the intimate scenes were deleted.

...

Others could relax and have fun, but for the film's investors, Wu Cheng and Hong Jinbao, they still couldn't relax. They had to handle post-production and find a theater to screen the film, especially the theater distribution.

At the time, the theater market in Hong Kong was dominated by Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest. Other small theaters couldn't make much of a splash. Therefore, 'The Five Lucky Stars' would ideally be screened by one of these two companies. However, Shaw Brothers usually only screened their own films, and the profit share for external films was very low, as they were self-sufficient.

As for Golden Harvest, Wu Cheng was wary of their reputation. He had heard rumors in the future that Golden Harvest often withheld overseas box office shares from film companies by selling the overseas shares for one Hong Kong dollar.

The Hsu brothers and Hong Jinbao had suffered from this before. If he approached them now, would he suffer the same fate?

While Wu Cheng was conflicted, Hong Jinbao said, "A Cheng, Mr. Ho from Golden Harvest invited me to dinner. I think he's heard something!"

Wu Cheng looked at him and nodded, then smiled, "It seems their information isn't very reliable! They only found out now. Do they still lack confidence in you?"

Hong Jinbao laughed awkwardly, "A Cheng, what do you think? If Mr. Ho is willing to screen our film in their theaters..."

Wu Cheng nodded, "That would be great. But don't rush to agree. See what their conditions are. If Golden Harvest's terms are too harsh, we can go to Shaw Brothers. If that doesn't work, we can team up with the smaller theaters and include Lisheng Theater."

Hong Jinbao shook his head, "I doubt that will be easy. Lisheng Theater is currently working with Golden Harvest."

"Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it! Lisheng and Golden Harvest are ultimately working for profit. They don't have their own production company. If we 'Eastern Dragon' are willing to work with them long-term, do you really think the Lisheng boss doesn't want to make money?"

Hong Jinbao shook his head and laughed, "A Cheng, are you really only fifteen years old?"

"Does Brother Sanmao think I'm only ten?" Wu Cheng rolled his eyes.

Hong Jinbao chuckled, "You're like an old fox!"

"Go away!" Wu Cheng laughed and scolded him, then said seriously, "I'm not worried about the local box office. I'm worried about the overseas box office. If Golden Harvest plays tricks, our hopes of growing through this film will be dashed."

"A Cheng, do you have any ideas? You have many clever ideas, so speak up."

"Let's talk to them first. We can negotiate during the signing."

"Alright!"

At the wrap party that night, Wu Cheng left early with Zhao Yazhi. Not long after they left, He Guanchang appeared at the party and found a time to chat with Hong Jinbao.

...

After returning from the wrap party, Wu Cheng took a shower and then sat at the coffee table in the living room, writing a script. After Zhao Yazhi finished her bath, she sat beside Wu Cheng, reading a book.

Zhao Yazhi's current tasks were heavy. She had to read management books and acting books. She wanted to help Wu Cheng manage the company and also perform well in her role. Wu Cheng didn't want her to be so tired, but she wouldn't listen.

As a result, her tasks were naturally heavy. No one is born an actor. The role of Meitou in 'The Five Lucky Stars' had made her realize her many shortcomings.

Even a simple role made her feel inadequate, let alone a role that required more acting skills, which she couldn't handle with her current abilities.

Wu Cheng, on the other hand, was writing a new script—'Half a Catty, Eight Taels.'

The next day, Hong Jinbao told Wu Cheng about his conversation with He Guanchang, "According to Mr. Ho, they do want to screen 'The Five Lucky Stars' in their theaters. However, from his expression, the profit share won't be good, and they might even want to buy the rights outright."

"Buy the rights!?"

Wu Cheng laughed, "Golden Harvest's appetite is huge! They have the nerve to ask!"

Hong Jinbao laughed, "I told Mr. Ho to wait until the post-production is done."

"That's right. As long as our film is good, we won't lack a market. If that doesn't work, we can go to Shaw Brothers." He paused and added, "Brother Sanmao, I'll go with you to talk. Golden Harvest has some favors to you, so you might not feel comfortable speaking up. I'll do the talking, and we can play good cop, bad cop."

"You have so many ideas! Alright!" Hong Jinbao laughed and agreed.