Chapter 150 – This Is The Kind Of Feeling I Want!
You were too excited!
When Chen Jianhao heard Lu Chen say that he has a work that met Zhang Wentian’s requirements, he secretly screamed bad in his heart.
Lu Chen obviously lost his composure in front of the great director and was too eager to express himself.
A professor in the Composition Department of Beijing Conservatory of Music and a professor in the Chinese Department of Peking University. These two mentor-level figures worked together, but they were not sure that they can come up with a work that can satisfy Zhang Wentian. Lu Chen dares to boast here.
Chen Jianhao blushed a little.
Chen Jianhao called Lu Chen here today, mainly for the permit to attend a lecture. He and Gao Yue are distant relatives, so he called the other uncle. Their relationship is not very deep, but there was not much problem in helping him with getting the permit to attend.
Zhang Wentian’s presence was a complete coincidence.
If Lu Chen could get familiar with this great director and get recognized, it would be very good for him as he could gain a foothold in the entertainment industry and even enter the film and television industry in the future.
But Chen Jianhao never dreamed that Lu Chen was so eager for quick success and quick benefits!
Of course, he thought he understood Lu Chen’s thoughts.
In the pan-entertainment industry, the status of artists and the size of their positions are closely related to their careers.
Generally speaking, a movie actor’s appeal is the highest. If they can achieve the position of movie king or movie queen with enough gold content, they are worthy of being big shot in the circle and respected by everyone.
Although singers may be more popular than many actors, their appeal are really a little bit worst.
Therefore, after becoming famous, many singers try their best to drill into the film and television circle and become the so-called triphibian stars! (TN: Triphibian star – refers to a star who has developed well in three areas: film, TV, and song.)
Like those new generation idols, after their debut, they like to shoot TV dramas the most, and they also enjoy doing dog blood plot. For a supporting role in a few episodes, they would fight for it fiercely. There has been countless gossip about this. (TN: dog blood plot – a plot that have been used over and over again, where people could already guess the ending or what would happened.)
Therefore, no newcomer can maintain a normal state of mind in front of Zhang Wentian.
If one can get the favor of this great director, and even get one’s face show in his big film, then it’s worth the hype!
This was understandable, but Chen Jianhao couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
And the good impression Gao Yue had for Lu Chen also drastically dropped in an instant.
To say that Lu Chen has a dashing spirit of a fearless young man is just a polite way of saying it. And to say that he does not know the complexity of things is the correct way of saying it. (TN: The polite way is he is fearless and the correct way is he is ignorant, in their view.)
Zhang Wentian, after all, is an old man who has experience a lot of things. So, after being surprised, he soon looked calm, nodded and raised up his teacup.
Actually, he didn’t agree with Lu Chen.
He didn’t ask about Lu Chen’s work. This clearly stated his attitude.
Chen Pu showed a faint smile and said, “Really? Then can you sing it to us old fogy.”
He was the only one who was willing to give Lu Chen a chance, even if his tone was full of ridicule.
Lu Chen’s heart was clear, and he knew that his words had aroused the dislike of the several elders.
But since he dares to say it, of course he has the confidence!
Thinking for a moment, Lu Chen picked up the sterilized chopsticks on the tea table and took out a bamboo chopstick from the paper sleeve.
He pinched the tip of the chopsticks with his right thumb and index finger, and said neither haughty nor humble, “This junior will reveal his shortcomings…”
As soon as his voice fell, he struck the table with the chopsticks at the same time.
He used the chopsticks as mallets and the table as drums. The sonorous sound strikes the prelude and he sing and roar along with the rhythm. (TN: Sing and roar: you’ll understand once you listen to the song)
“Vigorous when facing the beatings of ten thousands heavy waves,
Ardent just like the rays of the red sun!
Having courage like forge iron,
And bones as hard as refined steel,
Having lofty aspirations,
And excellent foresight.
I worked extremely hard,
Aspiring to be a strong and courageous hero!
……”
Lu Chen just sang a few words, and the looks of the two professors and Zhang Wentian changed.
Chen Pu was shocked.
Gao Yue was surprised!
But Director Zhang suddenly opened his eyes wide, and he stared at Lu Chen as if he had discovered some treasure!
Zhang Wentian is a very stubborn person, stubborn to the degree of paranoia.
He has very strict requirements for his career. Whether it was shooting TV dramas or movies, he was never sloppy. He can do a lot of work and never spend only nine points to complete it. (TN: He never rush things.)
In 1991, Zhang Wentian began shooting “Romance of The Three Kingdoms”. It wasn’t complete until 1994.
The crew of hundreds of people traveled more than half of China for three years, taking numerous scenes and setting up numerous scenes. The costumes, props and buildings involved in the film all strictly followed historical facts. As a result, the final budget was greatly overspent, causing the investors to be in a mess, and almost announced the end of the project.
However, when the shooting was finally finished, it was broadcast during the prime time on CCTV, setting an audience record of 89.35%. Even though there were no major satellite TV stations at that time, it was nothing short of a miracle.
This was the case for shooting a TV series, let alone making films. Zhang Wentian’s seriousness and persistence often make investors want to cry but have no tears. After 2000, several films he made lost money and he gradually became quiet.
However, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, and Zhang Wentian is still a big shot in the film and television industry. This time, he came out again after ten year of dormancy. He is also full of lofty aspirations and ambition, and he wants to make a splash both in reputation and at the box office.
The stubborn side of this great director was once again revealed. The script had already been completed and the crew and cast were all in place, but they still haven’t start shooting because the theme song has not yet been selected. It really makes people speechless.
But Zhang Wentian himself didn’t think so. What he’s searching for is a kind of feeling.
When the feeling is in place, the shooting will naturally go as smooth as floating clouds and flowing water, otherwise it is like lacking a soul, and he can’t shoot what he truly wanted.
The theme song is the soul of this movie!
Zhang Wentian personally found four or five songwriters to write the theme song for the movie.
To be fair, these works are of good quality, but none of them can satisfy Zhang Wentian.
Having no alternative, he looked toward his two old friends, hoping to gain something.
As a result, Zhang Wentian didn’t expect that a young newcomer in the circle who happened to meet him would say that his work was suitable, and even dared to sing it on the spot.
At the beginning, Director Zhang really had the idea of watching a joke, and just considered it as Lu Chen had come to amuse them and relieve boredom.
But he was stunned silly!
Lu Chen’s chopsticks accompaniment was close to child’s play. He lowered his voice and didn’t sing loudly, but as soon as he opened his voice, a majestic atmosphere and hot-blooded aura contained in the melody of the lyrics rush to his face, which instantly shocked his soul.
Different from Chen Pu and Gao Yue, the two professors were only purely surprised. They weren’t excited or anything else, but Zhang Wentian was really shocked.
It was precisely this kind of feeling that he has been searching for, that is, the charm contained in this song!
Bang!
The next moment. Zhang Wentian pounded the table fiercely, his eyes wide open: “Stop!”
He slammed his hand very hard. if it wasn’t for the exquisite workmanship of the tea table in the elegant room, the tea bowls placed on it would have been knocked over.
Lu Chen was startled. He immediately stopped roaring and singing.
Yes, this song needs to be “roared” with spirit, otherwise one can’t sing its charm at all.
“It’s not right, it’s not right…”
Zhang Wentian lowered his head, deep in thought, and walked back and forth, as if trying to find something.
Chen Pu and Gao Yue looked at each other, wandering what this great director was doing.
Lu Chen’s work sounds interesting, but it’s not enough to make him lose his cool, right?
Gao Yue asked with a smile, “Young man, you use the tone of a general order for this song, right?”
The Beijing Conservatory of Music Composition Department professor felt a little guilty in his heart. Just now he thought Lu Chen was being ostentatious and wanted to be in the limelight, but now he knows that the latter was really talented.
Lu Chen quickly replied, “Yes, Professor Gao.”
Gao Yue asked again, “What is the name of the song?”
“A Man Should Strengthen Himself!”
In Lu Chen’s dream world, this song is a classic movie theme song. Its influence is greater than all the works of the same type. It was created by a character who can be regarded as a master.
In his memory, the one who liked this song the most was neither Xu Bo nor Mo Ran. It’s Fang Mingyi!
“A Man Should Strengthen Himself!”
Gao Yue repeated, praising: “Good name, good song!”
Chen Pu also nodded: “The lyrics are better.”
At first glance, the lyrics of this song sounds very rough and full of reckless atmosphere. However, it has been greatly sublimated under the accompaniment of the melody, which makes people, who listened to it, feel passionate. It is full of chivalry.
“All right!”
At this time, Zhang Wentian finally came back to his senses, and he said aloud, “The only bad thing is the accompaniment. This song should be played with a big drum to really show its charm!”
The great director stared at Lu Chen with eager eyes: “You sing it again. Sing the whole song and accompany it with a drum!”
Using chopsticks is simply an insult to this work!
“Uh…”
Lu Chen was unable to complain. This is a quiet and elegant teahouse. Where can he get a drum instrument?
But he really underestimated the teahouse called “Yuming Tea Garden”. Chen Jianhao called the waiter and asked to borrow a drum. The latter didn’t show the slightest look of surprise or embarrassment and quickly took the order.
After telling the waiter, Chen Jianhao looked at Lu Chen with strange eyes – this guy really hid deep!
The so-called should one desire to sing, one would amaze the world with his first song, and that’s probably the case!
Lu Chen noticed Chen Jianhao’s gaze and could only smile bitterly.
He himself didn’t expect to play so big. Just now, when he had heard Zhang Wentian’s movie script, the song “A Man Should Strengthen Himself!” came to mind and he said it without thinking too much.
This song is very suitable for the plot, and Zhang Wentian’s masterpiece will not bring disgrace to this classic!
Unexpectedly, Zhang Wentian’s reaction was so fierce.
Of course, Lu Chen was calm at this point. He didn’t expect to play a role in Zhang Wentian’s films with a single song. As long as he establishes a friendly cooperative relationship with this great director, it is already a great advantage.
And creating a movie theme song can greatly enhance his appeal!
In the industry, one’s appeal represents the value of one’s position. The higher Lu Chen’s appeal is, the more valuable his work will be.
He will never miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
After about 10 minutes, two waiters came to the elegant room carrying a drum.
Along with them was a beautiful woman dressed in Chinese dress.
________
TN: For those who have watched the movie “Once upon a time in China” starring Jet Li. You might know this song as this was the theme song of the movie. I also have watched this movie when I was little, so when I listened to this song, it brought back memories.
TN: The song: Here. (This is the one that the author is referring to because of the intro. Like how Lu Chen struck the table with the chopsticks and the roaring while he sang.)
TN: The song with English Lyrics: Here. (This has different instrumental.)
TN: The song with clips from the movie: Here.
TN: The term pan-entertainment industry was coined in China in 2011 and refers to multi-level creative products developed from intellectual property.
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