Chapter 7

A movie is generally shot in one location, completing all the scenes related to that setting before moving on to the next. This is done rather than following the script's sequence of locations and time changes, as that would be time-consuming and increase costs. As long as the scenes are edited in the correct order during post-production, it works fine.

To boost publicity, Wang Shang deliberately went to the Eighth Middle School in M City to shoot the school scenes before the winter break. He should thank the relatively developed entertainment industry in China, as the Eighth Middle School hosts film crews a few times a year. The students, though enthusiastic, were not overly excited, making the scene easier to control.

Every time they shot a scene, hundreds or even thousands of students would gather around the shooting area, forming a crowd and laughing heartily. Fortunately, they remained restrained and did not interfere with Wang Shang's filming. This was largely thanks to the previous film crews that had shot at the school, paving the way for Wang Shang. Another reason was the absence of big-name stars, which would have made things more complicated.

"Cut! Shen Yao, I need you to act cold, not aloof!" Wang Shang, looking at the serious Rachel, said, "Imagine that Xiao Dabao always bullies other students in front of you to show off and get your attention, but you find it boring!"

Shen Yao, still a student, naturally lacked acting experience. After being criticized a few times by Wang Shang, she became nervous and almost cried. Wang Shang, who always strives for perfection, was naturally unsatisfied, and the shooting progress of "Old Boy" was slowed down. It was already the fifth day of shooting, and only one-tenth of the movie had been completed.

Wang Shang, feeling a bit frustrated, finally came up with an idea: "Has anyone ever pursued you before? There must have been, right? Did you ignore them?"

Shen Yao nodded, blushing.

Wang Shang was delighted: "Let's skip this scene for now. Adjust your emotions, forget about acting, and just imagine the scene where someone was pursuing you..."

This approach worked well. Shen Yao performed naturally and excellently. She gradually adapted to the rhythm of the film and improved her acting skills.

To prepare for the future film "Those Years We Chased After Girls," Wang Shang deliberately increased Shen Yao's role in "Old Boy." The reason for shooting "Those Years We Chased After Girls" was that it had a low shooting difficulty, required few famous stars, and had no big explosion scenes, making the production cost manageable for Wang Shang.

The other actors in "Old Boy" were also newcomers. At first, they were unhappy with Wang Shang's young age and strict requirements, but as he combined kindness with authority, teaching them how to understand their characters and improve their acting, they gradually changed their attitudes.

The pranks in the classroom, the beautiful and pure girl, the boy playing the guitar, the uniform school uniforms, the bicycle shed, the messy dormitory, and the stands by the playground... After five days, the school scenes were finally completed, and the crew rushed to the next location.

Wang Shang discovered that Shen Yao had a natural talent for acting, and she portrayed the role of the school beauty perfectly. Wang Shang praised her highly, making Shen Yao very happy.

"Old Boy" gained a reputation among the students of the Eighth Middle School in M City, who spread the word. As a result, several media outlets began to seek interviews with Wang Shang and the "Old Boy" crew.

However, Wang Shang's response was neither cold nor warm: "This is a good movie, a movie that will make you shed tears."

Wang Shang had become a minor celebrity during this time and enjoyed the treatment that came with it. "Old Boy" had already been featured in major newspapers before it was even completed.

"The screenwriter of 'Empresses in the Palace' greedily wants to shoot a movie, with a bleak future."

"A newcomer just starting out wants to be a director? Is he delusional?"

"A person just entering society wants to shoot a profound movie? It's bound to fail!"

"Can a pretentious scoundrel make a good movie?"

As expected, there were many negative comments, with countless people predicting Wang Shang's and "Old Boy's" downfall, believing that Wang Shang's small success had made him overconfident and arrogant.

However, there were also positive reports, not based on the truth but on the need to boost sales through mutual attacks.

"Director Wang says this will be a touching and tear-jerking movie."

"This is a movie that can move three generations of people from the 60s to the 80s."

"When you watch this movie, be sure to have tissues ready!"

As "Empresses in the Palace" gained more attention, so did "Old Boy." Several media outlets sent reporters to follow the "Old Boy" crew, providing ongoing coverage.

Wang Shang was pleased with this development. He was also glad that he had chosen to create a big stir with the M City Media Academy, as otherwise, he might still be unknown and despised by his schoolmates and teachers, without the media attention he now enjoyed.

As the actors got into their roles, the shooting progress of "Old Boy" accelerated.

...

Days passed, and soon the clock struck the beginning of the 21st century. There were 24 days left until the Spring Festival on January 24th.

With the continuous promotion by Tang Dynasty International, the stills and behind-the-scenes footage of "Empresses in the Palace" were released, and various news reports kept the show in the spotlight, with countless people eagerly awaiting its premiere.

Negotiations with the national and local TV stations continued, with newspapers tracking the progress daily and fans speculating online about which station would get the first broadcast rights.

However, as the Spring Festival approached, the national TV station, with its superior resources, maintained a high stance and refused to agree to a prime-time slot.

The CEO of Tang Dynasty International, Tang Zongshi, was also getting anxious. "Empresses in the Palace" was a major investment, and its production quality was superior to other TV series, so it could not be aired in a regular time slot.

Later, he learned that the M City Media Academy was behind the national TV station's stance. Tang Zongshi was furious, cursing the national TV station for its lack of sincerity and the M City Media Academy for its interference.

Finally, he began to negotiate with the local TV stations, which, though slightly inferior to the national TV station, were not much different.

Negotiations continued until January 5th, when the first broadcast station was finally determined. It would be Suzhou TV, starting on January 18th, airing from 8 PM to 10 PM, with two episodes per day from Wednesday to Sunday.

After signing the first broadcast agreement, the information was quickly posted on the official websites of Tang Dynasty International and Suzhou TV, and the promotion for the premiere began.

Official blogs, social media, star endorsements, entertainment gossip... all promotional methods were employed.

The publicity department of Tang Dynasty International was particularly cunning, maliciously exposing the M City Media Academy's interference in the negotiations with the national TV station and secretly stirring up the conflict between Wang Shang and the M City Media Academy again.

The recording of the conversation between Wang Yuanze and Wang Shang had not yet been released. They planned to release it when the conflict was at its peak, which would surely attract a lot of attention.

However, Wang Shang did not object. He was already in conflict with the M City Media Academy, and using them to his advantage was not wrong. It could also help increase his own fame.

Wang Shang was always a person who repaid kindness with kindness and enmity with enmity.

On January 11, 2001, "Old Boy" was officially completed, and all the actors cheered. The remaining tasks were editing and dubbing.

"Director Wang, have you prepared the song?" Yu Bo asked.

"Song? Don't worry about it," Wang Shang said confidently.

To evoke the memories of the audience's youthful years, the dubbing needed to use many popular songs from the 70s and 80s. These songs were already available, and only a small copyright fee needed to be paid to use them.

The theme song that would run throughout the micro-movie would definitely be the song "Old Boy" from another timeline, which resonated with many people.

"That person I think of day and night, how can I express my feelings? Will she accept me?

Maybe I will never say those words to her, destined to wander, how can I have any attachments?

...

Was the dream of my youth realized? Is it too late to remember now?

Time has dried up my ideals, and I can no longer find the real me.

Looking up at the starry sky, the star that accompanied me back then.

Do you remember the story here?

If there is a tomorrow, I wish you well, my dear."

For the dubbing, Wang Shang hired a team from Tang Dynasty International to dub the micro-movie. He spent the night writing the sheet music for "Old Boy" and went to the recording studio the next day to record it.

It must be said that Wang Shang's voice in this life was excellent, deep and clear. When the song "Old Boy" reached the ears of the sound engineers, they were stunned.

The more they listened, the more they were moved, as if they were transported back to their youthful, idealistic days, and then they thought about their current situation.

Life is a ruthless sculptor, changing our appearance, and our dreams, which never bloomed, wither...