Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 4: Even a short film is not easy.

"Have you heard? The Film Association's short film project is all set."

"Really? Didn't they say the script wasn't finished yet?"

"The Film Association found someone else to write it, apparently a senior from the Astronomy Department. The president of the Literature Club was very angry when he heard about it."

"Holy crap, this guy's amazing! What did he write?"

"I don't know, the Film Association keeps it a secret!"

Listening to his classmates' chatter, Ma Qiang lost all interest in studying. He had originally thought that Zhang Jun would give up after a while because he had no connections.

Who would have thought that he would actually find an opportunity?

After four years of being classmates in college, Ma Qiang only realized today that he didn't know Zhang Jun nearly as well as he thought.

"Perhaps Tsinghua University really can produce a film director?"

Ma Qiang shook his head and continued to bury himself in the vast sea of ​​books, fighting for his postgraduate entrance exam.

After signing a formal contract with Zhang Jun, the Film Association got busy with the short film.

Time was tight. The school had originally arranged for a mentor, but that mentor had to attend a forum in Sanya and was not at the school.

Other teachers were also temporarily unavailable to guide the film association, so after consulting with the school, Ye Xiaoyi enthusiastically took matters into her own hands.

With the script and director in place, the remaining issues are the location, equipment, costumes, and props for the actors.

With limited funds, I need to be careful with my money.

Fortunately, Zhang Jun had already made a preliminary budget. It would cost money to hire students from the directing department of Beijing Film Academy, and it would also cost money to hire actors.

However, Zhang Jun himself does not need to receive a salary for directing, and the issue of actors can be resolved internally, which also does not require spending money.

The venue issue can be resolved internally at Tsinghua University, and the university has given the green light to this.

The real expense is the cost of equipment.

As Ye Xiaoyi and Zhao Liangchen had discussed, they initially planned to use a digital video camera to film, but Zhang Jun rejected the idea.

This isn't a modern digital camera; today's digital cameras produce blurry images with very low resolution. To shoot such a great film as *Andhadhun* with such a terrible digital camera is a terrible waste.

So Zhang Jun pulled Ye Xiaoyi along, intending to go to the equipment company to rent a film camera.

Zhao Wei, the manager of the equipment company, found it somewhat amusing to hear that two young men wanted to rent a camera.

"Hey you two, are you still in school? Do you even know what a camera is for?"

Ye Xiaoyi hesitated for a moment. Although she was a movie enthusiast, she didn't know much about cameras.

But it doesn't matter, there just happens to be someone who knows what's going on nearby.

Zhang Jun glanced at the dozen or so cameras on display, without even looking up, and said directly, "That one, ARRI-ICAM, a mainstream 35mm format camera, launched in 2000."

It can be used with 16mm, 50mm, and 70mm lenses. It is lighter and smaller than its predecessor, and easier to operate.

Zhao Wei was stunned after hearing this: "Excuse me, are you from Beijing Film Academy or Central Academy of Drama?"

"No, it's from Tsinghua University."

"Huaqing...University?"

This is not surprising. When the school's name was announced, Zhao Wei was filled with respect. It was one of the best schools in the country, so it wasn't unusual for students there to know about cameras.

In fact, Zhao Wei didn't know that even students from Tsinghua University don't know everything.

Unfortunately, Zhang Jun happened to be the one who knew it.

Seeing that the equipment was in good condition, Zhang Jun said directly to Zhao Wei, "We need to rent two cameras, a spotlight, an HMI light with a ballast, two floodlights, and LED lights."

I've already made a list of the necessary equipment; please send it to me according to the list.

Also, you should have photographers and lighting technicians who are very familiar with your equipment company, right?

Please also help us connect with a reliable photographer and lighting technician. Student projects have a limited budget, so please don't set the price too high.

"Uh... okay!"

The reputation of Tsinghua University was still useful, and Zhang Jun's series of impressive professional terms immediately stunned Zhao Wei.

Zhang Jun asked Ye Xiaoyi to pay, and then asked Zhao Wei to deliver the items and people to the designated location.

Afterwards, the two went to a clothing company and rented the clothes they needed. They also looked at several locations to use as filming locations off-campus.

Ye Xiaoyi was stunned as she watched Zhang Jun effortlessly converse with the heads of various companies and venues, and then sign contracts at reasonable prices.

She remembered her father saying that some people have innate talents and abilities, and these people can achieve great things as long as nothing unexpected happens.

Could it be that my senior is exactly that kind of person?

On the way back, Ye Xiaoyi looked at Zhang Jun curiously. She absolutely refused to admit that it was because Zhang Jun was handsome; she just thought he was very capable, beyond the scope of a student.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

Ye Xiaoyi blushed a little when Zhang Jun caught her.

However, she still asked, "Senior, why do you know so much about movies? And how do you talk to people and get what you want?"

"It's simple, just study more and you'll find out!" Zhang Jun replied naturally.

Ye Xiaoyi became even more curious: "Study? How do you study? Do you often participate in social practice activities, senior?"

Faced with Ye Xiaoyi's persistent questioning, Zhang Jun changed the subject: "Let's go back quickly. The equipment and personnel are all taken care of; we just need actors."

When this was mentioned, Ye Xiaoyi became serious.

"Should we hire professional actors?" she asked.

Zhang Jun shook his head and rejected the idea: "We've already spent a lot of money on equipment and venues, so we don't have the money to hire professional actors."

"By the way, didn't you say that Zhao Liangchen can play the piano? How good is he?"

Ye Xiaoyi recalled: "It was pretty good. He said he was a grade 10 pianist, and I saw him play. He could indeed play."

Zhang Jun raised an eyebrow in surprise: "I didn't realize that this jealous and gloomy boy actually had this ability."

Did he play the piano to confess his feelings to you?

"Senior~" Ye Xiaoyi pouted unhappily, drawing out the last syllable.

"Okay, no joke."

Zhang Jun said seriously, "He's the male lead. Not only can he play the piano, but his dark thoughts are just like the male lead in the script."

"Will this work?"

Ye Xiaoyi appeared to be asking, but thinking about Zhao Liangchen's appearance, she had to admit, he was indeed very suitable.

"Of course!"

Zhang Jun expressed his confidence: "Even if it doesn't work out, I will teach him how to act. As for the other roles, we'll find someone within the school."

Junior, why don't you use your connections to get some interested teachers or classmates to do a simple audition?

We need to act quickly; ideally, we should decide on a candidate by tomorrow morning.

Feeling a great sense of responsibility, Ye Xiaoyi nodded solemnly: "I will take care of it!"

Meanwhile, ever since Zhang Jun reached a cooperation agreement with the Film Association, Vice President Zhao Liangchen has been consumed by jealousy as he watches Zhang Jun and his beloved woman appear together frequently.

Therefore, they were somewhat careless about the association's work, and even less attentive to the work on this short film.

However, we can't blame him. If Zhang Jun were in his position and at his age, he would feel the same way.

But that doesn't mean he can trip himself up. You know, it's not easy to do something well, but it's very easy to ruin something.

This short film is Zhang Jun's stepping stone to a higher stage; he absolutely cannot tolerate the slightest accident.

As for Zhao Liangchen's acting skills, there's even less to worry about. He could play the loyal lackey in front of Ye Xiaoyi for so long; he must have some acting skills.

As long as you use your acting skills in the right place, you can be a good actor!

After returning from outside and parting ways with Ye Xiaoyi, Zhang Jun went back to his dormitory, where Ma Qiang happened to be there as well.

"Jun-ge, how's your work going these past few days? Is the short film project all sorted out?"

Zhang Jun gulped down a large glass of water before replying, "It's on track. The equipment and venue are all set up. Next up are the actors."

"Wow, that's amazing!"

Ma Qiang gave a thumbs up: "At first I was worried that you were acting impulsively, but seeing how well-prepared you are, I suppose you've been planning this for more than just a day or two."

You've become quite famous at school lately. Knowing we're roommates, a lot of people have been asking me about you.

"It can't be a good reputation, can it?"

Zhang Jun said nonchalantly, "Don't defend me. Once I achieve something, these rumors will naturally disappear."

Ma Qiang hesitated to speak, because he too was part of the gossip.

Despite Zhang Jun's impressive busy schedule, he still couldn't believe that his four-year friendship with Zhang Jun had become so capable.

The next day, Zhang Jun went to the Film Association's activity room, where there were already quite a few people, all of whom Ye Xiaoyi had brought using her influence.

College students are at an age where they are lively, active, and love excitement. When they heard that the film association was selecting actors for its short film, many of them came to join in the fun.

However, the actor Zhang Jun first confirmed was Zhao Liangchen, who would play the male lead.

"Little Zhao, the role of the male lead is entrusted to you. Are you confident you can handle it?"

Faced with Zhang Jun's ambiguous smile, Zhao Liangchen felt as disgusted as if he had eaten fly droppings.

He wanted to refuse, but everyone was looking at him with envy, and Ye Xiaoyi was looking at him expectantly.

Helpless, Zhao Liangchen could only nod reluctantly, muttering, "I can't act, so don't blame me if I mess it up."

Zhang Jun said it was okay: "Don't worry, I have a good eye for people. I chose you as the male lead, so you can definitely do it."

As long as it's not deliberately uncooperative and understands human speech, even a pig would act.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Liangchen's face darkened again. To be honest, he really wanted to deliberately not cooperate and embarrass Zhang Jun in front of Ye Xiaoyi.

But if we follow Zhang Jun's logic and he messes up the performance, wouldn't he be worse than a pig?

After successfully wooing Zhao Liangchen, Zhang Jun's main task was to screen the other actors. Most of them were unsuitable; they were either too eager to perform and overly exaggerated, or too timid and hesitant.

However, after some selection, there were seven or eight suitable student actors, and even two doctoral students who taught at the school were very interested and were selected.

After searching around, Zhang Jun selected two security guards and a cleaning lady named Aunt Qian from the school.

Aunt Qian still plays an important role, as the employer and the ultimate murderer in the short film.

Faced with the elite students of Tsinghua University, the security guard and Aunt Qian were a little hesitant, but with Zhang Jun's encouragement, they mustered up the courage to agree to join the film crew.

All that's missing now is a sound engineer company manager and an actress willing to dedicate herself to art.

However, Ye Xiaoyi volunteered to take on the role of someone who would sacrifice themselves for art.

"I mean, you're not actually going to do it yourself, are you?"

Zhang Jun's curiosity earned him a furious glare from Ye Xiaoyi.

"What are you talking about? I... I can't act. I just know someone who might be able to help!"

"All right!"

Zhang Jun stroked his chin: "I'm not just curious, I just think that if you were to star in it, it would definitely attract more people."

Ye Xiaoyi's face turned red with anger: "Zhang Jun, you can go to hell!"

She seems genuinely angry; she's stopped calling him "senior" in that sweet, cloying way.

As Zhang Jun left the activity room, he was still pondering where to find the company manager and actor for the sound engineer role. Should he just hire a professional actor?

But as he walked, Zhang Jun heard his class advisor, Lao Hu, calling him from a distance.

Seeing his righteous and awe-inspiring face, Zhang Jun made a decision instantly.

He shouted, "Old Hu, are you interested in acting?"