Chapter 380 Brothers Unite!

The so-called sub-camera is actually an auxiliary means in film and television production.

A story may be a simple idea from a director or screenwriter or a novelist. If it is detailed and put into words, it can become a story. If it is written as a novel, it is a novel. If it is written as a script, it is a script.

And the story itself, no matter whether its carrier is a novel, a script, or even only exists in words, it is the starting point of most entertainment methods in this world.

However, so far, stories are just words.

Words are one of the most wonderful things in this world. A strong writer can let readers naturally form a certain sense of presence and a sense of substitution in their hearts through simple text descriptions, so as to deeply feel the story. The joys and sorrows and ups and downs of the characters in the story-the so-called "there are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of a thousand people", the scenes and characters in the story, at the stage of writing, his image is entirely up to the reader's own imagination. Constructed in the mind, each person is different.

Then, there are ventriloquists, storytellers, singers, drummers, cross talk talkers, and even foreign talk shows, as well as radio dramas after the emergence of modern means of communication... Of course, the oldest way must be The story told by parents or grandparents before going to bed. In short, at this point, the story begins to break away from the category of pure words.

When anyone tells a story, there will be priorities in tone, accents, exaggeration and reduction in speech, and even voice simulations of specific characters and animals, etc. All of these make the story more specific.

If for a story, text is considered a one-dimensional world and is a very flat thing, then when it comes to the "telling" link, voice is added, and the story begins to become a two-dimensional narrative.

Two-dimensional is more concrete than one-dimensional, but the so-called concrete, from another perspective, greatly shrinks the capacity of the story itself - a person who listens to the story and knows the story, he has a certain voice in the story His imagination is greatly restricted, and a person who knows the story through words can associate everything in his imagination.

And movies, TV dramas, dramas, dramas... are all three-dimensional art.

"Journey to the West" writes about the Flame Mountain. After reading it, readers ponder and draw in their hearts what the Flame Mountain looks like. But when the drama comes out, what does the Flame Mountain look like? Stage Design will give you a model. Then when the film and television drama came out, what did the Flame Mountain look like? The film and television screen will even give you an extremely realistic flaming mountain.

From then on, the Huoyan Mountain looked like this, and no longer looked like anything else.

So, at the beginning of the creation of the drama stage and film and television drama screen, should Huoyanshan be like this, or should it be like that?

For stage designers of dramas, for the selection of filming locations for film and television dramas, and for the work direction of set staff, how to turn the flaming mountain in the text into a realistic and credible What about Huoyan Mountain?

Of course, there is a lot of design and creation work to be done, but first of all, everything that the staff has to do, design, and create must adhere to the main creator of this play, that is, the director's vision. Mind.

And, on top of that, the photography, the costumes, the makeup, whatever, what to do with that character in the script? How to deal with the fight in the plot?

Whatever the director needs, that's what it has to be.

Therefore, a director who pays attention to filming will spend a lot of energy to give a rough shot of the film before the filming starts-even if it is sloppy, even if it is not all the shots, but the most important information must be there. Such as clothing style, such as lens style, such as the choice of scenes, and so on and so on.

To put it simply, the split-shot script is a transition method in the process of a director transforming a two-dimensional, one-dimensional text story into a three-dimensional, acousto-optic image.

Of course, with concrete images and shot scripts, they are already two-dimensional.

With the shot script, the director has directly concretized his own ideas and the ideas he needs, and then he showed it to the costume designer, who immediately understood: Oh, so it should be like this! He showed it to the camera, and the camera immediately understood: So this lens needs this angle!

What's more, as soon as the sub-shots came out, even the choice of actors had an accurate direction to a large extent.

Of course, for the director, the shot script is not absolutely necessary.

Not to mention the shot script, some directors even started filming without even having a script. They are of a high level, blind shooting, everything is in their hearts, and all the films are classics.

But in the circle of directors, this is still rare. Basically, a film director, no matter how famous you are, will have his own storyboard script before the filming starts.

First of all, movies have far higher requirements for pictures, costumes, and cameras than TV dramas. Secondly, to be honest, movies are short after all. A movie usually lasts from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. After all, the lens is limited, so this work is not so time-consuming and labor-intensive.

But for TV dramas, especially domestic TV dramas, to be honest, it is extremely rare for the director to draw the script of each episode and each shot before shooting begins... It is extremely rare.

Firstly, the TV series are really too long, ranging from 20 episodes to as many as 30 to 50 episodes. Even if it is to roughly draw the main shots, the workload is extremely heavy; secondly, what is the quality requirement of the TV series? Not that high, especially the quality requirements of domestic TV dramas are quite low.

Nothing else, just the lens and photography.

Li Qian didn't understand these things at first, until he had been acting for several years, and then by chance, he started to help an old buddy manage the set, and got a part-time assistant director's name, and then gradually began to study this part.

For example, on another space-time later network, many netizens often take screenshots to compare footage from domestic TV dramas and some famous European and American TV dramas—famous high-quality dramas such as "Game of Thrones", "Rome" and "House of Cards". Episodes are objects that are often pulled out for comparison.

In contrast, it is easy to find that on the TV screens of these famous American dramas, almost every shot, set and props of every scene are very particular. Feeling, will make you feel very delicate, very attentive, very particular.

On the other hand, in domestic TV dramas, even the most famous ones, most of the scenes are still extremely flat - just a scene, a few characters stop there, and directly start a conversation, the story of Barabara .

Therefore, many people say that there is no aftertaste.

This is not only the status quo of TV dramas in this time and space in 1998, but in fact it is also the status quo of TV dramas in another time and space in 2015.

As for the reason, of course it’s not because Chinese people can’t shoot or play such good shots, because in theory, if movies can shoot exquisite shots, then TV dramas can definitely do the same. The reason is mainly due to two points:

The first point is that the overall atmosphere is not good. And it's not just that the audience's consumption atmosphere is not good, even the producer's production psychology does not support this kind of creation.

Frankly speaking, even if it is already 2015, domestic audiences have been bombarded by European and American blockbusters for many years, and many audiences on the Internet have even watched American dramas for many years. Would the producers not know that it is better?

But in the first place, it would be too costly to do that. You know, even in another time and space in 2015, actors’ salaries have been rising again and again, but the production cost of TV dramas is still in the tens of millions. I often hear that a certain Movies have invested over 100 million, or even hundreds of millions, but TV dramas... almost none.

Simply put, the result of making a high-quality drama is likely to be that you invest in it, but you can't earn it back.

However, although there are many complaints about domestic TV dramas on the Internet, the producers of the TV dramas are filmed according to the old method. As long as the story passes the test, you have to watch it even if you hold your nose. What's more, the people who have really been baptized by American dramas are only the younger generation after all, and they are not the group of people who will contribute to the ratings of TV stations.

So after going back and forth, considering the ratio of investment to return, the producer has no guts or energy to make that kind of high-quality exquisite drama series, and the vast majority of audiences can still watch normal drama series. The producer simply doesn't care what those young people on the Internet scolded, and how to do it, if you want to watch exquisite ones, just watch American dramas!

The second point is the staffing... It's still a lot worse.

Even in 2015, in another time and space, to be honest, there are still only a few people who are able to make movies continuously in China. In fact, those who make up a story and find a bunch of celebrity faces to take photos to make money, are rare to start telling stories to the audience seriously, and they can already make a lot of money. The development of the entire industry has not yet evolved to When it's time to really play with those deeper things. This is true for movies, let alone TV shows? Even if someone is willing to spend money to shoot, the question is, who will shoot?

Let Zhang Yimou, Wong Kar Wai, and Jiang Wen make TV dramas?

That's obviously not realistic.

And in fact, among the film and television works produced by British dramas, American dramas, and Hollywood movies, many of them are high-quality goods, but the proportion of high-quality goods is slightly higher than that in China. This is because they can really spread to China. Yes, most of them are due to high-quality dramas, so we must seriously discuss that there are few high-quality dramas. This is a thing that happens all over the world, not only in China.

In any industry, in any art, fine works are always in the minority.

So, in China around 2000, is it feasible to spend a lot of investment in high-quality TV series? Not to mention making money or not making money, at least, can you earn back the cost?

Li Qian doesn't know if others have considered this issue, but he himself has considered it for two or three years. After thinking about it, he came up with the answer: in the short term, even if he doesn't make a loss, he can't make much money; in the long run, even if he doesn't make a profit, he can't make a loss!

The fact that audiences can tolerate ordinary TV dramas doesn't mean they don't like to watch high-quality, exquisite or even exquisite dramas—never underestimate the audience's IQ!

Of the one billion TV viewers in the country, perhaps 990 million of them have never even seen a camera lens, nor do they understand a lot of technical terms such as depth of field, layering, light, etc., but a lens, a picture From the show on TV, he can tell whether he has put his heart into it or not!

Maybe one or two episodes, he still has a glimpse, and he doesn't even feel anything, but after watching this drama, he will watch other dramas and compare them in his heart, will he not feel the difference between the two?

Even if he couldn't tell why, but in his heart, that drama was better than this one!

Therefore, perhaps the premiere rights and even the second-round screening rights of this TV series "Legend of the New White Snake", whose final investment is likely to be as high as 30 million, cannot be sold for a very good price, but Li Qian believes that as long as he puts his heart into it If you want to shoot, and use the film-level standards to demand yourself and this movie, then, when the word-of-mouth of this movie is fermented, and it becomes a masterpiece in the mouths and hearts of thousands of viewers, maybe this movie will be short-term. It's a loss, but the potential impact it brings to me is destined to make me earn back even the principal and interest in the future!

Even... based on the fact that The Legend of the White Snake is well-known in China, and based on the wonderfulness of the drama "Legend of the New White Snake", Li Qian felt that once it became popular, he might be able to return to it once the rights to the second round of screenings were sold out. It's hard to tell!

And even if the first two rounds were sold out and the cost was not returned, wouldn't there be a third round? Don't you still have the right to play for a long time? Isn't there a VCD? Isn't there a future DVD? Isn't there a more future network on demand?

In a word, after thinking about it, Li Qian decided: If you don’t want to shoot, you can do it. If you want to shoot, you can shoot high-quality goods! After taking ten or even twenty years of shooting, it is still a good work that can make people feel elegant just by looking at the picture!

Even if it is really possible to lose money in the short term!

It is precisely because of this that as a rookie director and a rookie in the film and television industry, he has to spend so much money for the first time to do such a thing that has no precedent in the current domestic environment. If he wants to do a good job, besides spending a lot of effort and spending a year and a half to make the script, he also hopes to get the escort of more friends in the industry——Feng Yumin, Yu Bojun, Cao Zhan, Jin Han, as well as the team under Yu Bojun and Jin Han, are the people he wants to win over to help him.

And this shot-by-shot script, which took him a year and a half to draw, is the most favorable explanation he can come up with: I am not only serious about making this show, but also have the ability to make it well!

…………

The moment when they first saw the thick stack of sub-cameras, whether it was Feng Yumin, a big man in the industry, or his best friends Cao Zhan and Yu Bojun, they were completely stunned.

A 32-episode TV series, detailed sub-shots of all shots...

After sighing, Cao Zhan asked, "Who do you show these things to?"

Li Qian replied honestly: "A few days ago, I sent the script to Mr. Feng Yumin on Huaxia TV. Yesterday he called and said he had finished reading it. He asked me to come and talk, and I brought the first few episodes with me."

When Yu Bojun heard the name Feng Yumin, his eyes lit up first, and then he asked, "What did he say?"

Li Qian shrugged his shoulders and said: "He originally suggested that I cooperate with them in the filming of this film. He would produce the film and let me learn as an assistant director, but after watching it, he agreed to take charge of this film with friendship One of the producers of the show, helped me check it out. At the same time, he promised me that I would show it to him when it was filmed. At that time, as long as the quality of the series is not bad, he is willing to help recommend it. Will I be able to show it on Huaxia TV when I see it? Premiere."

Cao Zhan kept silent.

Yu Bojun was silent for a moment, looked up at Li Qian, and asked, "Where's your cigarette, give me one too."

Li Qian took out the cigarette and handed it along with the lighter.

Yu Bojun took it over, took out one and lit it, took a deep breath, and spat it out again.

"Take it as a movie?" He frowned and looked up at Li Qian.

Li Qian nodded, "Take it as a movie."

Yu Bojun nodded, took a puff of cigarette, spit it out slowly, and suddenly coughed twice, and then asked: "You are the director, who will take the camera for you? Jin Han? Or should I recommend it to you?"

Li Qian nodded again, "Old Jin, I like his video style very much."

Yu Bojun nodded again, and then continued to smoke.

At this time, Cao Zhan put out the butt of the cigarette, and suddenly asked: "Look at the outline, the location scenes are indispensable, and they are all shot on location?"

Li Qian nodded, "It must be filmed on location."

So Cao Zhan asked again: "What about the costumes? Looking at your shots, it seems that you are planning to follow the costumes of the Song Dynasty? It's okay for male actors, especially if you want to make exquisite costumes... plus you There are quite a few scenes of the palace in the book, and there are also scenes of going to court in the back, and that batch of clothes...can you save a little bit? Pick similar ones, can you rent them?"

Li Qian hesitated for a long time before he said helplessly: "It will depend on the situation at that time. I guess I don't like those rented costumes. However, if you really invest too much, the costumes in the corner of the camera can be rented." A few, but the costumes of the main characters must be custom-made by experts! I plan to use Suzhou embroidery, and this play is originally located in Suzhou and Hangzhou.”

Cao Zhan nodded, "Su embroidery...it's ok, except that it's more expensive, there's nothing wrong with it. I remember a buddy once ordered Su embroidery's costumes, so I'll help you find out later and ask for directions."

Li Qian nodded.

Then, it was Yu Bojun's turn again.

He asked: "After you draw these sub-shots, are you going to shoot according to this, or will you leave a certain scale of change? What are you going to use to shoot? It won't be real film, right? Movie film, no matter how cheap it is Low-end, if you filmed 32 episodes of this drama, even if you went through the entire filming process, these more than 20 hours... I can count..."

Li Qian smiled and said: "Don't forget it, I've done the calculations, even if it's all done in one pass, the cheapest film will cost around 6 million. In fact, if film is really used, I guess it will be all shot. Come down, just this one, you have to say 20 million less, and you can’t spend a penny on other things! Costumes, sets, props, post-production computer special effects, actors’ remuneration, these are not small numbers... So, I The plan is to use mostly TV cameras and a small part to film."

Before Yu Bojun could ask again this time, Cao Zhan couldn't help squinting his eyes, and asked eagerly, "Few parts and less film? Which part?"

Li Qian responded, "Still life, beautiful scenery, some indoor scenes at night, in short, the place where the audience can calm down and slow down to watch the picture, use film. For other places, the plot is going on, or ordinary street scenes. Otherwise, it is a martial arts scene, in short, where the plot is exciting, then use a TV camera, of course, it is better."

Cao Zhan and Yu Bojun looked at each other and nodded slowly.

Obviously, after asking this question, it turns out that Li Qian's preparation for this TV series is not just this very careful script, he has considered many issues.

So, after a while, Yu Bojun said slowly: "If you use some of it, it's fine, it can improve the quality of viewing, and it's worth spending a little more money. It's just..." After a pause, he said: "Okay, Lao Jin The other skills of the team are mediocre, but the level of camera and lighting is still very high, much better than my team. Besides, you are a TV series after all, and it is not worth paying a high price to find those for the time being. lighting engineer."

After a pause, the two looked at each other again, then turned their heads to look at Li Qian at the same time.

Yu Bojun opened his mouth and said: "So, if it costs 20 to 30 million, it's not that you can't afford it. If you want to play, then play it! Experience is accumulated slowly! I also lost at the beginning. Come over then, don't stress!"

After saying this, his demeanor relaxed a lot, and he even raised his legs again, and said with a smile: "You must have the money, but if you need me and Lao Cao to invest, you can just talk. If there is anything Lao Cao and I can help you, tell me!"

After he finished speaking, he and Cao Zhan looked at Li Qian seriously.

Li Qian took a deep breath, looked at Cao Zhan first, and said, "Brother Cao, you come and give me art direction, costumes, props, and scenery, you help me keep an eye on it! Brother Yu and I are definitely not as good as you in this area. "

Cao Zhan thought for a while, then nodded, "Okay, I'll keep an eye on it for you, and I'll take a trip later, find someone to help you get out the design drawings of the clothes, and then go to Suzhou and Hangzhou to contact those craftsmen."

Li Qian nodded, then turned to look at Yu Bojun, and said: "Brother Yu, I know you have a lot of things to do, and the later stage of the play "Love in Green Onion" is enough for you to be busy for a while, but give me a call." Name it, be a producer. In addition, you are well connected in the circle, help me recommend a better martial arts coaching team."

Yu Bojun nodded when he heard the words, "No problem, I'll call you later, hoping to make an appointment with Niu's class. Their martial arts are the top in our country."

Just as Li Qian was about to nod his head, he hesitated for a moment, and said again: "However, Niu's class is not very easy to make appointments. I can only say try, but it really doesn't work. There are still a few sets of good martial arts teams in China, so you can't miss it." !"

Li Qian smiled and nodded.

Finally, he sat back relaxed, closed his eyes slightly, and murmured: "Script, sub-camera, photography, costumes, props, martial arts... Hey, the horoscope is finally right. I will go to the location later."

Having said that, he straightened up excitedly again, and said: "Although the background is Bai Suzhen at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, I want to go to Zhangjiajie to take pictures. The strange peaks and rocks there are the most interesting. As for Qingcheng Mountain, just give it a distant view. What do you think?"

Yu Bojun and Cao Zhan looked at each other and smiled, Cao Zhan seemed to be about to speak, but Yu Bojun waved his hand to signal him not to speak, but said with a smile: "It's okay to say, your calculations are all technical What about other things? Haven't considered it yet?"

Li Qian frowned upon hearing this, "Other? What?"

Yu Bojun smiled and said, "For example... who will take charge of the finances of the entire crew for you?"

While talking, he laughed and said: "You can't do it yourself, you can't be too busy. When the director is filming, he must devote himself to the filming. It is impossible for you to be distracted and worry about this. It is even more impossible for Feng Yumin and Director Feng I don't have time to take care of this for you, so what are you going to do? Pull your beautiful president over?"

He smiled, jokingly, and said, "Don't blame my brother for not reminding you. Although your beautiful president said that when she was a record company, it didn't matter whether she chased ducks to the shelves or was a genius. In short, she succeeded, but that simple It's just a matter of selling goods, and it's not the same thing to be trivial and meticulous with the film crew! So, don't think that if there is something wrong, just pull her over, it's definitely not that simple!"

Li Qian smiled when he heard the words, and said confidently: "So you are talking about this, but I really thought about this a long time ago, and I already thought about it a year ago."

Yu Bojun was amazed when he heard the words, and couldn't help but said: "Really? Let me tell you, this studio manager, this account manager, is really not easy for anyone to deal with. A good production director, Can help you run things smoothly, never let you worry, and can take the initiative to save you money, a not-so-good production director... And this matter, although it is definitely not possible for people who do not trust, but I It’s not very reliable if you’re really one of them! The key is to have professionalism and quite strong ability!”

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but looked at Li Qian in surprise, and asked in puzzlement: "You haven't entered the industry yet, where did you make friends with such a person? Tell me about it?"

Li Qian smiled and said: "Who said I didn't enter the industry, but I entered the industry two years ago!"

After he finished speaking, both Yu Bojun and Cao Zhan were taken aback.

Immediately, the two looked at each other and said in unison: "Film Academy!"

Yu Bojun stared and said, "That's right, that's really a treasure trove of film talents!"