Chapter 1681
Framework
"realism".
"idealism".
"success".
"failure..."
On set, Zhang Yuan and Deng Chao were rehearsing their lines.
The film features a down-to-earth male lead who joins the club of Meng Xiaojun, the second male lead, a staunch advocate of studying abroad, bringing together a group of people who want to go overseas.
We discussed our ideals and practiced English.
Overall, they worked very hard.
But if your goal is wrong, the harder you try, the more you fail.
If they work hard to learn English and dream of going abroad, like Zhan Tianyou and others, wanting to learn technology and return to the country to contribute to its development, then that is the right path.
If it's just to leave the motherland and become a fake foreigner, then there's no difference between them and those people on the internet who cry out all day about escaping their original families.
When Deng was filming this movie, he had to try to keep his accent down, at least so that it wasn't too heavy.
To make the character seem rustic, Zhang Yuan had to do the opposite and emphasize his accent.
Children from small towns, whose local teachers all have very heavy accents, can't compare to children from big cities.
As written in the script, the others mocked Chen Dongqing's English, saying it sounded like it had a Russian accent, and also like it had a Japanese accent.
As you can imagine, it must have sounded awful.
This is a bit of a dig at Yu Minhong, as he often gives lectures in English and his accent is alright.
Although the grammar and tenses are not great, it is still fluent and is standard Chinglish.
"Is it awful enough?" Zhang Yuan asked Deng Chao after trying it out once.
"It's alright." Chao pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Is it just okay?" Zhang Yuan scratched his head: "I've already started using the Pingju opera style that Teacher Guo uses when he sings."
Deng Chao thought to himself, "Are you praising me or criticizing me?"
"Hey buddy, you're here too."
He spotted a tall, thin man who was not particularly handsome.
The other person grinned and showed him a mouthful of crooked teeth.
This man is named Tong Lei, and he is considered one of the more important actors in the production crew besides the main actors.
She plays a somewhat reckless student who, after returning to China, achieves her dream of studying abroad under the guidance of Meng Xiaojun, and later becomes Meng Xiaojun's consultant during the preparation for the company's IPO.
This guy is quite interesting; he's a true-blue Beijing native.
He's even more authentic than Brother Qian, almost perfectly fitting the stereotypes of outsiders.
Zhang Yuan found him interesting, enjoyed watching him, and was willing to chat with him when he had nothing to do.
Because he's the one who played Feng Kuzi in "Days Related to Youth"!
This guy has loved crosstalk since he was a child, so Zhang Yuan can talk to him about this.
He imitated Liu Baorui since he was a child, and by high school, his classmates often said that his joking and cursing manner resembled that of Feng Xiaogang.
He made some money by imitating Liu Baorui and Feng Xiaogang on TV shows.
It wasn't until Ye Jing and Director Feng had a falling out that Ye Jing was chosen to direct his own film.
When they were casting, they told him they chose him because he looked like Feng Xiaogang, but he thought it was a joke.
When I joined the cast, I found out that he was playing Feng Kuzi.
Ye Jing is a true member of a privileged family, and a leader among them.
They knew exactly what the children of high-ranking officials were like, which is why there were so many scenes in "Days Related to Youth" where these children would get into group fights.
Jiang Wen's "In the Heat of the Sun" also has a similar scene.
Then, combined with Director Feng's later film "Mr. Six"... you can see what kind of people these are.
Director Feng always envied those real children of privileged families. He would grumble and complain, pretending to look down on them, but in reality, he was extremely envious and had been jealous his whole life.
To be honest, the actor who plays Feng Kuzi is much better looking than Feng Xiaogang.
This actor later played "Big Gold Tooth," and Zhang Yuan felt the image was quite fitting.
Because this guy is a bit of a snob and a chatterbox.
Zhang Yuan asked him about his plans for his acting career, and he clearly stated that he had no plans.
He had no ideals, no goals, and no direction; this was his life motto.
Don't overthink it, just enjoy making money.
The person who said this was a student who had a brain tumor during his middle school entrance exam, whose hands trembled so much that he couldn't write, yet still got into the Capital University of Economics and Business.
So don't believe anything others say; only a fool would.
Zhang Yuan found him interesting, and there was something else about him.
It's this person who particularly dislikes English, the kind who deliberately avoids it.
I won't study, and I won't talk.
As a Chinese person, why should I learn English... That's what he said.
Zhang Yuan felt that having such a character in a show where every other character wanted to go to North America was ironically ironic.
Of course, Zhang Yuan didn't ask how you got into university and graduated if you didn't learn any English.
They're just making a statement; there's no need to delve into the details.
Anyway, Director Feng really hates him, but Zhang Yuan really likes him.
"Zhang Yuan, someone is looking for you outside."
While chatting with Feng Kuzi during a break, the on-site producer approached him again.
"Uncle Hat?" he asked, looking up.
"No."
That day, when the people from the HQ District Police Station arrived, they asked him about the situation.
After understanding the situation, the other party said they would personally meet with those individuals and guarantee that they would not harass you again.
Zhang Yuan wisely indicated that he would post a message on Weibo to pay tribute to the Tianjin police.
After it went viral online, people across the country raised questions about the security situation in Tianjin.
It will not only affect tourism and consumption, but also the city's overall impact.
The higher-ups weren't happy, so the lower-ups started to get moving.
He adopted a victim's stance to make it easier to handle these matters.
At this moment, he thought to himself, "I've already posted on Weibo to thank the police, so why are there still people coming?"
After meeting, the other party introduced himself, saying that he was a member of the Tianjin Quyi Association.
Tianjin is a very interesting place; it's the hometown of traditional folk arts.
Auntie from Tianjin is known for her sharp tongue, ruthless actions, and remarkable abilities.
It's not quite the same as the way Sichuan women stand with their hands on their hips and curse in the street.
In short, Tianjin is a very inclusive city, and women have a good status.
The Tianjin Quyi Association not only benefited from this, but also carried it forward.
For many consecutive years, the chairperson of the Chinese Quyi Artists Association has been a female artist.
Most of them sing drum songs.
Therefore, Zhang Yuan remembers very clearly that when the Quyi Association held its annual meeting, the Tianjin representatives were always dressed as dignified older women.
The person who claims to be from the Chinese Quyi Association today is actually a middle-aged man.
He probably isn't a high-ranking official.
"You must be tired. May I ask what brings you here?"
"It's against the rules to bring matters that are internal to the industry into the official sphere."
Zhang Yuan asked the question politely, but the other party suddenly said something completely out of the blue.
He immediately dropped his previously kind expression.
Their attitude is already very clear; they came with a clear stance.
I assume I'm doing something wrong.
Zhang Yuan then didn't stand on ceremony.
"Every country has its laws, and every industry has its rules."
"However, we now live in a society governed by the rule of law, where national laws far outweigh industry regulations."
"I see you are well-dressed, so you must understand this principle."
"Moreover, by handling this through official channels, I've already shown respect to my colleagues in Tianjin," he stated frankly.
I'm being polite to you and holding back.
"The law is not separate from human feelings."
"If colleagues have a disagreement, they can find someone or a place for everyone to sit down and talk it over."
"If you do this, you'll inevitably disappoint your colleagues in Tianjin."
"We have reached a consensus and strongly recommend that you issue a public apology to us."
Zhang Yuan laughed, because people really do laugh when they're speechless.
They've teamed up.
Zhang Yuan figured it out after a little thought.
In the hometown of folk arts, local customs and traditions are prevalent.
Those people will definitely be indignant when the police come after them.
Zhang Yuan had anticipated this, but he didn't care.
Filming will be finished in a few days, then I'll leave Tianjin. Let them do whatever they want. If a dog barks a few times at night, am I supposed to grab a stick and beat it up?
Unexpectedly, the other party used this as an excuse to band together.
It's still the same old gangster stuff.
Throughout history, local ruffians, hooligans, scoundrels, and even bandits—these kinds of people in the greenwood—have many ways of handling things, but there's only one!
Whoever reports this to the authorities is breaking the rules!
Otherwise, why would the crosstalk community and the bandits use the same slang and play this game?
With a cry and a fuss, the people of Tianjin, who are known for their unity, will find an excuse to stick together even more.
They gathered together, citing Zhang Yuan's lack of manners, to "punish" him.
Zhang Yuan rubbed his temples.
Good shoes won't step in dog poop, but you can't guarantee that a dog won't poop on your feet.
What is your opinion?
"Set the table and apologize!"
Zhang Yuan rubbed his temples harder, and the images of Feng Xiaogang and Guo Degang flashed through his mind.
Both of them idolize "hooligans".
What era are we living in? Still using this kind of nonsense.
Young and Dangerous people don't use their brains, they are just like airplanes all their lives.
No wonder Tianjin's traditional performing arts have only developed so poorly; they can't go out into the world, and they can't get in from outside.
He didn't bother with any unnecessary words and just called for help.
"Brother Long, see the guest out."
"By the way, tell those guys at Hongqiao Police Station that someone else is looking for me."
His face turned ashen, and he uttered those words.
Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake!
Zhang Yuan then turned to look at him.
"Thank you for praising me as a dragon."
He then waved his hand forcefully, and Brother Long gestured to his brothers, at which point six or seven strong young men ran over.
Ask the other party to leave.
Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake; it just means that this dragon isn't strong enough.
The Great Sage caused havoc in the underworld and the heavenly palace, even kicking down the Dragon King's palace, yet few local bullies dared to retaliate.
Since you've already called me a powerful dragon, then I won't hold back anymore.
He initially wanted to handle it discreetly, but now that the thugs are banding together, he's worried it will affect the film crew's work.
After getting off work and returning to the hotel, I turned on my computer and started typing rapidly to write a document.
At this moment, Brother Long arrived.
"Boss, security has been increased; they're keeping an eye on everything."
"It's alright, don't worry. With their nature, they'll at most throw a brick or something." Zhang Yuan wasn't worried at all.
What can you do?
Back when Mr. Guo was gaining popularity, these people would report him to the fire department and the urban management department.
Let's not talk about how it's unethical to report to the authorities now.
Another thing these people like to do is report others to the Chinese Quyi Artists Association.
Otherwise, it would have been someone from the Chinese Quyi Association who came to see me today.
You'll go to the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, and so will I!
Go ahead and sue.
I filed a complaint with the National Quyi Artists Association, and I was the recipient of all the emails.
The whistleblower letter was delivered to my home shortly afterward.
"There's one more thing. One of our security company employees is getting married next month."
"Great news!" Zhang Yuan looked up from the computer screen. "I'll definitely give you a red envelope."
"In the company's name, let's book 8888 for good luck."
"Okay, I'll arrange it." Brother Long was pleased to hear this; the boss was indeed generous.
"It's quite a coincidence that both parties in the marriage are from the same family."
"is it?"
"One is from a security company, and the other is from one of our companies; she was originally Song Jia's female assistant."
“Then I’ll add another ten thousand, making it 18888.” Zhang Yuan raised his hand and immediately doubled the amount.
That makes sense, since bodyguards usually only have contact with celebrities and their teams.
Celebrities are unlikely to be interested in bodyguards, but assistants and staff members in their teams might be.
Putting everything else aside, the bodyguards are physically fit and their income is not low.
"Sigh..." Zhang Yuan suddenly thought, "Could this be considered an office romance?"
"Neither of them has ever been in the office," Brother Long answered honestly.
"That's not what I meant... Never mind, we're all on the same side, it's not a big problem."
"It's important to emphasize the need to protect the privacy of artists."
This little happy event cheered him up a bit, but he didn't pay much attention to it.
A few days later, while he was filming on set, actor Feng Gong called him.
"How have you been lately? It's been so long, I've missed you so much!" Zhang Yuan said, picking up the phone.
"He started mocking me the moment he opened his mouth," Teacher Feng complained with a laugh, after all, "I missed you so much!" was his slogan for the Spring Festival Gala.
"I have a question for you. I heard you've been having some trouble with people in Tianjin lately?"
"You already know?" Zhang Yuan replied with a smile, "Thank you for your help."
"It's nothing," Feng Gong said, lowering his voice slightly.
"I'd like to ask, is this related to the proposal you just submitted?"
As a council member of the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, I am entitled to submit proposals every year.
Especially now that the end of the year is approaching, it's the time to prepare for a major conference.
Zhang Yuan submitted his own proposal.
In previous years, he would just muddle through, putting together a document to strengthen the learning and education of traditional folk art workers, and at most, he would say something biased about returning to small theater performances, just to make up for his own shortcomings and gain benefits.
If you don't take advantage of your position, are you going to wait until you're demoted to do so?
This year is different; the content of his proposal has changed.
"It is recommended to strengthen the management of the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, endangered musical genres, and traditional arts."
The title is as stated, and the content is just one sentence.
You have to pay more!
If there's no money or subsidies, who would want to learn?
Every year, the government allocates funds and subsidies to traditional performing arts, a large portion of which is swallowed up by Peking Opera.
It's a national treasure.
Who regulates local folk songs, local operas, and ditties?
Some lesser-known folk songs can't even leave the town.
Zhang Yuan's writing is full of righteous indignation, reminding us that we cannot allow the treasures of traditional culture to disappear in the long river of history, especially not in the hands of our generation.
Feng Gong, vice chairman of the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, was moved when he received the report.
You've finally done something useful!
That's speaking like a human being, quite magnanimous.
But Teacher Feng's ancestral home is Cangzhou, a place known for producing heroes and skilled martial artists.
But he was born in Tianjin!
He also worked as a worker at the Tianjin Textile Machinery Factory.
Therefore, when Feng Gong plays a worker or some other ordinary person, he does it so vividly, just like Zhao Benshan plays a farmer. He has real life experience.
Since they are from Tianjin, they are naturally well-informed in this regard.
I had heard from my friends in Tianjin that Zhang Yuan had gotten into a fight with some of his fellow Tianjin guys.
He didn't care; it's just kids arguing, and it's not appropriate for someone of my status to get involved.
Now he realizes that it's inappropriate for him not to show up!
Teacher Feng was quick-witted and immediately realized something was amiss.
Supporting niche music genres costs money, so where does the money come from?
Local folk art associations are managed by local federations of literary and art circles. Theoretically, they are not directly managed by the national folk art association, but they do receive guidance.
However, the All-China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, which is behind the All-China Quyi Artists Association, is the direct superior of local federations of literary and art circles, making the relationship very complicated.
Every year when the National Quyi Association holds its annual conference, representatives from the "eighteen warlords" (referring to various regional quyi groups) must send to Beijing to participate.
They will also receive guidance from the chairman of the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, who will assign them some annual tasks and goals.
These local folk music associations are willing to come, not only because they need the national folk music association to recognize their status, but also because they need to receive subsidies!
The money is distributed down the hierarchy.
Each city has its own subsidies for traditional performing arts, but the Traditional Performing Arts Association also allocates a separate sum of money each year.
No matter how much, it's still money, and nobody complains about having too much money.
Tianjin has a thriving folk art scene with numerous practitioners who receive substantial subsidies.
Now that Zhang Yuan, as a member of the National Quyi Association, has proposed subsidizing minor qu opera genres, the money has to be squeezed out of the mouths of those who are already receiving funding!
Originally, I received 100 million yuan every year, but this year I only received 70 yuan because the remaining 30 yuan was used to subsidize a niche folk song in a remote mountain village in Guizhou.
That was Zhang Yuan's suggestion.
I am offering this advice from a national perspective, as a successor to traditional performing arts, using a broad and holistic mindset.
After all, I'm a person with a broad perspective! (End of Chapter)