Chapter 16: Jiang Ye's Art of Exploiting Opportunities
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Jiang Ye nodded and took the opportunity to hand over the project proposal. “So, I believe that if it’s you, you’ll definitely understand what I want to express in The Promotion of the Princess Consort.”
Tian Zhuangzhuang flipped open the proposal, and Jiang Ye immediately pointed to the passages marked in red pen. “Here, the collision between modern business warfare thinking and ancient political schemes is actually a way to use the past to reflect on the present.”
“The male protagonist dressed as a female is meant to explore the fluidity of gender identity...”
“Stop.” Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly interrupted, “Do you think you can fool me by adding a few theoretical wraps?”
He flipped directly to the storyboard sketches. “Explain this shot.”
Jiang Ye remained calm. “This is the climax scene of episode three, using a bird’s-eye view to show the princess consort performing a modern dance at a palace banquet. In terms of cinematography, I want to use framed composition to represent her being constrained by feudal ethics, while the tension in the dance movements subtly hints at…”
“Use a wide-angle lens,” Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly said, “Include the palace beams and pillars to create a sense of oppression.”
Jiang Ye’s eyes lit up. “Add a tracking shot that shifts from bird’s-eye view to eye level, symbolizing the protagonist’s beginning of resistance!”
Amidst the rising aroma of tea, the old and the young discussed the storyboard adjustments.
It wasn’t until the waiter came to refill their water for the third time that Tian Zhuangzhuang closed the proposal. “Does your uncle know you’re making this?”
Jiang Ye smiled wryly. “He said if I mess it up, he’d make me live with Yun Nan and the monkey for half a year.”
“But he will be the producer of this drama!”
Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly laughed heartily, picked up a pen, and signed the application form. “Tell your uncle this time, I’m on your side.”
When they stepped out of the teahouse, the rain had already stopped.
Jiang Ye looked at the signature “Art Director: Tian Zhuangzhuang” on the application form and exhaled softly.
The next morning, holding the application form signed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, Jiang Ye began his next steps.
The first stop was the equipment room of the directing department.
Uncle Zhang, the caretaker, was yawning as he opened the door, but Jiang Ye was already standing there with a beaming smile.
“Uncle Zhang, Teacher Tian’s project needs some equipment.” He handed over the proposal and casually placed a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. “Just two RED cameras, won’t delay the juniors shooting their assignments at all.”
Uncle Zhang squinted at the signature. “Oh, Teacher Tian’s personal supervision?”
He leaned in close to Jiang Ye and lowered his voice. “Kid, you’re impressive. Last time when Guan Hu came to borrow equipment, it wasn’t this easy.”
Jiang Ye smiled shyly. “Just a small assignment. Teacher Tian said it’s for practice.”
Half an hour later, pushing a cart loaded with equipment, Jiang Ye left the room. Three Arri lights had been added to the load — a “friendly sponsorship” from Uncle Zhang.
Basic equipment secured.
The second stop was the performance department’s movement classroom.
“Teacher Li, I’d like to borrow some sets of ancient costumes.”
Jiang Ye unfolded the application form. “This is a historical teaching experiment under Teacher Tian’s guidance.”
Professor Li Mei, in charge of costumes, adjusted her glasses. “Ancient costumes? We don’t have many…”
“Teacher Tian said this project is very important…”
He emphasized the words “Teacher Tian said” heavily.
Li Mei hesitated for a moment, then suddenly slapped her thigh. “Wait here!”
She took him directly to the wardrobe labeled “Ming Dynasty Costumes.”
“These are basic styles, made last year for the production of The Ming Catastrophe.”
She quickly picked out several sets: “Civil official round-collar robes, military official inner coats, palace maid skirts — all standard styles.”
She pointed to a large trunk. “There are matching crowns and belts inside.”
Jiang Ye inspected the costumes. Though not luxurious, the tailoring was proper and the patterns exquisite.
What pleased him most was a bright red gold-embroidered dragon robe. “Can this be used as the crown prince’s ceremonial robe?”
“Good eye,” Li Mei efficiently packed all the costumes. “Remember to dry clean and return them after use.”
In less than half an hour, Jiang Ye left the wardrobe carrying two full boxes of costumes.
Lead actor costumes basically settled.
The third stop was the academic affairs office.
During lunch break, Jiang Ye “happened” to help the duty teacher organize the filing cabinet.
“Teacher Wang, this priority plan needs a stamp…” he mentioned casually, “Teacher Tian has already signed.”
Teacher Wang glanced at the form. “Put it here, next week…”
“Teacher Tian said it’s best to finish it today,” Jiang Ye showed a troubled expression, “He’s going to Cannes tomorrow as a jury member…”
When the official seal landed, Jiang Ye restrained himself from whistling.
The final stop: Huairou Film Base.
Jiang Ye pushed the application form, stamped with the Beijing Film Academy seal, onto the reception desk, making sure the gilded words “Beijing Film Academy Priority Plan” faced up.
“Oh, the priority plan?” Supervisor Lao Zhou pushed up his glasses and immediately became more enthusiastic. “This is a key cooperation project between us and Beijing Film Academy.”
“Are you here to rent locations?”
“Yes, for a teaching experiment.” Jiang Ye pointed at the form. “The side halls and imperial garden of the Ming and Qing palace, for sixty days over two months.”
Lao Zhou opened the price list. “Standard fee is 8,000 a day, that’s 480,000 for two months…”
He pulled out the priority plan document. “But your school’s priority plan gets a 30% discount, plus no equipment entry fee.”
Jiang Ye calculated quickly. “That’s 336,000?”
“Don’t rush,” Lao Zhou smiled shrewdly. “If you cooperate with our publicity by adding ‘Special Support by Huairou Film Base’ in the credits, you get an extra 10,000 off.”
“326,000 for two months?” Jiang Ye’s eyes brightened.
“Exactly.” Lao Zhou lowered his voice. “Since it’s Director Tian’s project, here’s a tip!”
“The Palace No. 3 in Area B is currently vacant. It has a complete harem complex and lotus pond. Last year, The Sword of Spring was filmed there for three months.”
Jiang Ye immediately decided. “Let’s book Area B! But what about extras…”
Lao Zhou understood. “Twenty palace maids and eunuchs, long-term cooperation price — 50 per person per day, 60,000 for two months, packaged at 50,000 including costumes and props.”
Jiang Ye extended his hand. “Deal! I’ll report back and come to sign the contract the day after tomorrow!”
“Good! But hurry, in case another crew wants it…”
“Understood!”
Now, location and costumes secured, what remained were people and money.
…
At the coffee corner of the Beijing Film Academy library.
The early autumn sunlight slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows. A delicately made-up young girl was nestled in a single armchair, engrossed in reading the comic Fox Demon Little Matchmaker.
She wore a beige turtleneck sweater paired with a light coffee-colored corduroy long skirt. Her black medium-short hair lay casually on her shoulders, with a few wisps framing her face, accentuating her gentle profile.
“Ziyi!” Wang Yifei from the performance department hurried over, carrying two lattes, and plopped down opposite her. “Have you heard? Big news in the directing department!”
Meng Ziyi didn’t look up, lightly turning a page. “Another new film casting by some professor?”
“Way more explosive than that!” Wang Yifei leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I heard a freshman just joined the directing department a month ago and has already formed a crew to shoot an online drama!”
The coffee cup paused mid-air. Meng Ziyi finally looked up. “A freshman? Forming a crew?”
“Exactly!” Wang Yifei excitedly pounded the table. “From the cinematography department, they say this guy somehow got Professor Tian Zhuangzhuang himself to be the art director supporting him…”
“Plus, I got insider info that the female lead hasn’t been cast yet and they want someone from our school!”
“Female lead?”
Unconsciously, Meng Ziyi closed the book in her hands.