China Entertainment 1981: Starting from Journey to the West

As we enter November, the days are getting shorter.

The whole afternoon was spent in meetings and discussions, but at this moment, everyone's face showed no signs of exhaustion, but full of anticipation for the work that was about to begin.

"Xiao Gu, it's okay. I've known Director Yang for so many years, and she never praises others easily."

Peng Li packed her things and was about to leave. She saw Gu Bei lagging behind and said something with a smile.

She was really happy for Gu Bei. A newcomer who had just come to Taiwan as an intern was assigned to such an important team as "Journey to the West". Moreover, in the first intensive discussion, she was recognized by Director Yang Jie. She was indeed working hard. A good start.

The interpersonal relationships at this time were very simple. There were cases of jealousy, envy, and stumbling between each other, but they were rare.

Especially those who are engaged in literature and art, they are noble in their bones, and they disdain to do some things.

"Teacher Peng, what I said is all nonsense. What one family says cannot be taken seriously."

"Be humble again!"

Peng Li glanced at Gu Bei.

"Don't be so worldly when you are young. It's not good. Besides, you should smoke less. You are such a young person. I don't know that smoking is harmful to your health."

When I was cleaning up the conference room just now, the ashtray in front of Gu Bei had the most stock.

Ha ha!

There is no way to explain this. Before his rebirth, Gu Bei was a regular smoker, at least two packs a day. After his rebirth, he also thought about quitting, but he still overestimated his self-control and gave in within a day.

It’s just that my pockets are not rich, and even if I have money, I can’t buy cigarettes without coupons. I can only follow my classmates at school and my neighbors and friends at home.

Gu Bei would not dare to steal Gu Xiaowu's cigarettes.

"Teacher Peng, are you always so busy at work?"

Gu Bei still felt very relaxed in the morning. A newspaper, a cup of tea, and a pack of cigarettes could last him a whole day.

But at this moment, Gu Bei had a new understanding of the work of the TV station.

In the corridor, people were coming and going, and everyone was in a hurry. When acquaintances met, they just nodded to each other, and then passed by.

"Not necessarily. For people like us in the production department, when there are no tasks, it is still very relaxed. We go to work at the same time and get off work at the same time every day. But once we get busy, we have no time at all, let alone holidays, and we have to stay up all night. have."

Gu Beilai joined the art department in the art department. Like Peng Li, the relationship between the two naturally became close.

Especially during the meeting just now, Gu Bei's performance really impressed Peng Li. He was young and full of ideas. Moreover, he was not just throwing out random shots. Every issue he mentioned was meaningful.

What if he was really careless, high-minded and low-handed, and just because of Peng Li's temper, he didn't bother to talk to her.

"Xiao Gu, you! It's better to relax now and wait until you get busy, haha!"

Hey, Sister Peng, can you finish what you have to say?

Gu Bei knew that what Peng Li said was not an exaggeration at all. In his previous life, he had seen an interview with the crew of "Journey to the West". It took six years from the preparation of this drama to the completion of all 25 episodes.

Six years!
How many six years can a person have in his life?
But now that he's here, Gu Bei has no regrets. Besides, he hasn't been on the crew all the time in the past six years. There are plenty of opportunities for him to do something else.

"What do you think?"

Peng Li asked casually when she saw Gu Bei was lost in thought.

"It's nothing, Teacher Peng. Director Yang left suddenly just now. She was going..."

Peng Li smiled: "What else can I do? Just ask for money. Now someone is going to have a headache."

Listening to this tone, why is there still a sense of schadenfreude?

But Peng Li was right. At this moment, someone was having a headache.

Seeing Yang Jie sitting in front of him, looking determined to achieve his goal, Hong Minsheng, who had just been promoted to deputy director, was helpless.

Before he came to CCTV, he knew that there was a director named Yang Jie in the Opera Department of the Literature and Art Department who was a thorn. Ordinarily, this name was not similar to that of an old lady. But after contacting him twice, he heard some things about Yang Jie. He really believed the rumors.

Not only is he a bitch, he is also stubborn and stubborn.

Just after the organizational meeting, Hong Minsheng was about to go home from get off work when he was blocked in the office by Yang Jie.

I thought Yang Jie was doing this for Gu Bei's sake.

It was Hong Minsheng who arranged for Gu Bei to join the crew of "Journey to the West".

It was a coincidence that Gu Bei happened to join the job today, and he was a graduate of Beijing Film Academy. He was from a well-known and upright family, and had a good foundation. The station must focus on cultivating young people like this.

Some people doubted Gu Bei's background, but they thought too much.

Yang Jie came to the door. Could it be that she was planning to send Gu Bei back?

After asking, Hong Minsheng realized that he had misunderstood.

Yang Jie's attitude towards Gu Bei made a 180-degree turn. She praised him in front of Hong Minsheng, and then talked about the purpose of coming to him this time.

money!
Although he was prepared, Hong Minsheng was still caught off guard when Yang Jie came over to ask for money so quickly.

"Director Yang! The decision was just made in the morning. Director Wang Fulin has to take a year off from work to study. You don't have to be in such a hurry, right? Let's gather everyone together for a meeting to discuss, find out the problems that need to be solved, and do enough Even though we have made full preparations, there is still nothing to worry about, so why are you anxious?"

Yang Jie was unhappy when she heard this.

"Boss, why is there no film? Let me be responsible for filming "Journey to the West". This was decided at the meeting of the leaders of our literary and art department this morning."

"That's not what I meant. The filming of "Journey to the West" was decided by the organization, and it will definitely not be changed. What I said is that sharpening the knife will not delay the chopping of wood. The knife has not been sharpened yet. Whatever you do, you will get twice the result with half the effort. This way intolerable."

"That's right! Leader, I came to you because I want money to sharpen my sword."

Money, money again.

Hong Minsheng wanted to pull his hair after hearing this.

If Taiwan had money now, would it still be necessary to push back and forth?

When we just held the organizational meeting, everyone was still discussing this issue.

Where will the money come from to film "Dream of Red Mansions" and "Journey to the West"?There must be no Bengzier in Taili now, and it is already very difficult to maintain normal work.

Fortunately, the production of the two masterpieces will not start immediately. According to Hong Minsheng's idea, Wang Fulin will take a year off from work to study, and "Dream of Red Mansions" will have to wait until at least 83 to start production.

What about "Journey to the West"?

As long as it can be postponed until the end of the year, the financial allocations from the higher authorities will also come down by then.

But Yang Jie...

No wonder the previous director of the Literature and Art Department told him when he left that there was an old lady named Yang Jie in the opera department who was extremely difficult to deal with.

"Money for sharpening the knife? Director Yang, please make it clear."

Then Yang Jie mentioned that she was going to inspect filming locations across the country.

When Hong Minsheng heard this, his eyes widened.

Going on an inspection trip and traveling across the country?

This is unheard of!
Today's TV drama productions are basically done in studios, and even if outdoor scenes are needed, the materials are taken nearby.

"Director Yang, is this really necessary?"

At the morning meeting of the leaders of the literary and art department, someone raised a question, but Yang Jie shot him back.

Hong Minsheng originally thought that even if he had objections, Yang Jie would have to consider the actual situation in Taili.

"Boss, during the meeting in the morning, you told me that the pictures must be better than those in my childhood. If there is no support from the stage, how can I still make riceless food even if I am a clever wife? What is the actual situation now? Here it is, we want to make "Journey to the West" well, but the stunts can't keep up, so we can only rely on storytelling to make up for it, and then combine the scenery and the story, otherwise..."

Yang Jie left half of what she said, and Hong Minsheng understood what it meant.

If the studio doesn't give any support at all, and the audience doesn't approve of the final work, don't put the blame on Yang Jie alone.

Headache, really headache.

Hong Minsheng not only wanted to pull his hair, but also wanted to beat it twice to relieve it.

"If you go out for inspection, how much do you plan to charge?"

There is a door.

Yang Jie's eyes flashed, and she was thinking quickly.

"The members of the inspection team include me, Lao Wang, Peng Li, Lao Sun, plus Xiao Gu. By the way, I also want to transfer someone from outside. I don't know if that's possible."

Yang Jie is calculating, and Hong Minsheng is also calculating.

If it were just a few people, it doesn't seem like it would cost much.

But this fee cannot be spent in vain, it must have a name, otherwise, it will not be explained up and down.

"Okay, I agree this time. I will discuss it with the director. However, Director Yang, this money must be included in the overall budget."

Yang Jie was stunned when she heard this and was about to refute, but finally held back.

"Okay, but boss, how much do you plan to give me for filming "Journey to the West"?"

"Why are you asking this now?"

"How much rice is there and how big a pot is prepared? If there is not much rice, what is the use of preparing such a big pot? Leader, please give me an accurate number so that I can plan the flowers."

Hong Minsheng did not answer immediately, but repeatedly weighed the two dramas "A Dream of Red Mansions" and "Journey to the West" in his mind. When the financial allocation for next year is released, he must focus on "Journey to the West" first.

Yang Jie is impatient, and based on what she said, she will probably have to wait until next year to start the phone.

The "Dream of Red Mansions" side can take it slow first, but some funds must be set aside just in case.

Besides, we can't shut down the entire CCTV because of "Journey to the West", and other work must continue.

If you do the math...

"300."

"U.S. dollars?"

"What do you think?"

Hong Minsheng almost jumped up.

And in U.S. dollars!

Nowadays, all aspects of national construction require a large amount of foreign exchange. The ADO imported last year was $[-] that Wang Feng, the director of the station, obtained from the Ministry of Light Industry.

You're filming a TV series and you still want US dollars?
Don't you go to heaven?

Hong Minsheng now understands why Tathagata Buddha pressed the monkey under the Five Elements Mountain. It was because the hozen danced too happily.

cough cough...

This seems a bit impolite.

300?
Yang Jie quickly made a calculation in her mind. Obviously, no matter how she calculated it, such a small amount of money would definitely not be enough to support the filming of the entire "Journey to the West".

make trouble?
I guess I won't be able to make any money.

Let’s spend it first. If we really run out of money by then, can the station still ignore it?

"Row!"

Hong Minsheng breathed a sigh of relief: "When do you plan to lead the team out to capture the scenery?"

"next year!"

Tomorrow...next year?
When we go out to scout for scenes next year, what kind of money are you asking me for now?