This Emperor is Only An Actor

Hearing Yue Guan's words, Zhang Yimou was also agitated.

One thing to say, he really likes the script of "Shadow", especially the conspiracy and calculations in the script of "Shadow". It is very enjoyable and has a very high IQ.

But he is also a senior director at any rate, and his level has always been there.

After hearing Yue Guan's words, he immediately realized his mistake: the script of "Shadow" was indeed above IQ, but it was too petty.

If he's going to make a historical film of small people in a small format, there's nothing to say, it's definitely a good movie.

But what he wanted to shoot was the Warring States Period.

It is to win the world.

That's just conspiracy and calculation, and it doesn't match the background.

To resolve this contradiction, there are two ways:

First, change the background;

Second, change the characters and plot.

Of course Zhang Yimou chose the second option.

Because he himself knows very well that if he really shoots those historical films of small characters in a small format, it will become a literary film again.

As for literary films, there is no box office.

He wants box office.

Therefore, he cannot be willful.

And he also knew in his heart that after being named by Yue Guan, modifying according to the direction given by Yue Guan would definitely be more in line with the movie-watching preferences of ordinary audiences.

"Yueguan, you're not authentic." Zhang Yimou pointed at Yueguan and scolded with a smile, "You're not authentic."

Yue Guan: "??? Why am I not authentic?"

In order to revise the script of "Shadow" for you, I was thinking about three o'clock in the morning yesterday.

Do you really think you can figure it out with a snap of your head?

Actually said that I am not authentic and can't bear it.

Zhang Yimou explained: "You knew that "Shadow" has so many problems, why didn't you point it out earlier? Isn't this script yours?"

Yue Guan Tanshou: "Director Zhang, the script of "Shadow" is really not mine, it is a script submitted by a screenwriter bought out by our company. In terms of the quality of the script itself, it is indeed very good. My targeted adaptation is actually What is improved is not the quality of the script itself, but the changes made to the audience. Simply put, the plot I adapted will increase the box office of this drama, but it may not necessarily improve the reputation of this drama.”

Take Tian Zhan's point as an example. In the eyes of many viewers who like to pretend, leaving blank is far better than explaining clearly.

There is also the ending, the blank space in the original script left all kinds of divergent thinking possibilities, but after being changed by Yueguan, the ending is basically fixed, which is a deduction in the eyes of many big Vs.

Including improving the structure of a film, no longer letting "Shadow" see the big from the small, but really telling a grand story and proposition, in fact, it is not loved by film critics.

Otherwise, Zhang Yimou would not like the tone of "Shadow".

But what Yueguan can confirm is that after he made such a change, the audience will definitely like it more.

Because as Yue Guan has always said, audiences go to the movies to relax, not to move their heads. As for historical movies, when audiences go to the cinema to watch them, they definitely don’t just want to see shadows, assassinations, love jade, tear X...

But the big directors in our country seem to be able to see only these things. Although there are so many magnificent stories in our history, they aim at plots, love affairs, assassinations, and tearing X, which are not on the stage.

If "Heroes" was filming the story of King Qin sweeping the country, wouldn't it be more interesting than filming a few assassins?

If "Legend of the Demon Cat" is about the story of all nations coming to court in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, wouldn't it be more attractive to the audience than the story of Concubine Yang Gui?

"The Promise", "Night Banquet"...

A good historical movie, but the audience is left with endless slots.

In fact, it can be made better. If audiences who watch historical movies see love, love, conspiracy and tricks, wouldn't it be good to watch urban movies? Go to see police and gangster movies, aren't they good? Why look at history?

Zhang Yimou has been a director for decades, so he can understand Yueguan's words very clearly.

He nodded: "It is indeed as you said. If you change it like this, it will be more straightforward, and your reputation may not be better."

Deng Chao couldn't hold back, and interjected: "Director Zhang, I think the box office is more important, and there are many kinds of word-of-mouth. It doesn't matter whether you listen to the word-of-mouth of those experts, as long as the audience likes it."

He has 10,000 support for Yueguan's proposal.

Because Yueguan is an example given by the governor Ziyu.

Zi Yu was played by him.

Originally, he played two roles by himself, and the governor Ziyu and Ziyu's shadow stood in for Jingzhou, and the role of Jingzhou crushed Ziyu.

Judging from the highlights, Jingzhou also crushed Ziyu.

After Zi Yu was defeated by Yang Cang, he was trapped in a cave. The living people were neither human nor ghost, skinny, and his mind was full of revenge and revenge. He knew that his wife and the shadow double got together, so he didn't know what to do. Only dare to look out the window.

It would be amazing if such a character could attract fans.

Originally, Deng Chao didn't think there was anything wrong with it. After all, he still has the role of Jingzhou, and Jingzhou is still very bright.

But hearing what Yue Guan said, he felt it made sense.

As the idol of all the people in Peiguo, the governor Ziyu is well-versed in civil and military affairs, and is recognized as a hero. How can he be like this?

Jingzhou is indeed very bright.

But if Zi Yu can shine a little brighter, why not do it?

Deng Chao is not stupid. This is obviously beneficial to him, and he must firmly support it.

With Deng Chao speaking, Wang Qianyuan also joined in: "Director Zhang, I think what Mr. Yue said makes sense. Although the script of "Shadow" is exquisite, the layout is indeed a little smaller."

Tian Zhan played by him has a lot of scenes in secret, but in fact, nothing can be seen on the surface...

If the audience is too lazy to use their brains after watching it, Tian Zhan played by him is probably a passerby general.

Of course, Wang Qianyuan also wanted to highlight his own sense of existence.

And if it is modified according to what Yue Guan said, his role will definitely need to add some drama and personality.

So Wang Qianyuan is also a staunch supporter of Yueguan.

Of course, some people support it, and some people definitely oppose it.

Because according to Yue Guan's modification, some people's roles will definitely be reduced.

It may even be deleted entirely.

Because if you change the style of the whole play, the existence of some characters will seem out of place.

But even if they have ideas, they dare not openly oppose Yue Guan. After all, there is nothing wrong with their brains. They can only pin their hopes on Zhang Yimou, hoping that Zhang Yimou will show his arrogance as a great director and sternly reject Yue Guan's proposal.

Zhang Yimou let them down.

Because Zhang Yimou's brain is fine, he also thinks that according to Yue Guan's change, it will definitely be better for the box office.

"Yueguan, what do you think should be changed?" Zhang Yimou asked.

Yue Guan hesitated.

Zhang Yimou saw Yueguan's concerns, and waved his hand casually: "Don't have any worries, just say it directly, this is my play. Even if the actors' plot is affected due to script deletion, I will take responsibility." , and will naturally introduce other resources to them in the future.”

With the status of the national teacher, he is qualified to say these words.

And even if he didn't say that, if he really wanted to forcibly delete it, the other actors would have nothing to do.

When facing a big director, actors themselves are weak.

Coupled with the capital of Yueguan, it is even more vulnerable.

Therefore, Yue Guan and Zhang Yimou have the final say on this matter, but neither of them is the kind of bullying person. If the interests of the actors are really affected, they are still willing to compensate them.

Seeing what Zhang Yimou said, Yue Guan also nodded: "Actors who are affected can also come to me. Our company also has a lot of plays, and we will try our best to compensate some resources for you."

Zhang Yimou stopped Yueguan: ""Shadow" is the film I want to shoot. I am the director in the crew, and you are also invited by me. I must not let you take the blame for me. Don't worry, although the resources in my hands are not as good as yours, But it’s still possible to make up for the lost actors. And if this movie doesn’t work, and next time, I won’t retire this year.”

Zhang Yimou had reached this point, so of course Yueguan couldn't say anything more.

In fact, normally speaking, this consequence should indeed be made up for by Zhang Yimou himself. Yue Guan changed the script to help him, but it didn't benefit Yue Guan himself much.

Zhang Yimou is obviously aware of this, so he is very smart.

Naturally, Yueguan will not rush to be taken advantage of.

Even so, Yue Guan didn't say who's role to cut directly, he started to change from his own role as King Pei and Deng Chao's role as Governor Zi Yu.

"Ziyu is the governor of the Pei Kingdom, the number one person under the King of Pei, and has made great contributions to the Kingdom of Pei. Since the King of Pei is talented and ambitious, and has the ambition to rule the world, of course he can't cut himself off. Therefore, Prince Pei and Ziyu need a partner. There must be a reason for life and death, otherwise these two characters will become petty."

If it was an infighting in the Taiping era, it would be fine.

In the war-torn era, the king of a country is at odds with the most powerful minister under his command. Does this mean that he wants to subjugate the country?

This kind of setting reveals the aura of a stupid king, but King Pei is not stupid, which is very contradictory.

Therefore, Prince Pei and Zi Yu must have a reason to be enemies.

Zhang Yimou also figured this out quickly, and looked at Yueguan with burning eyes: "What reason is better?"

Yue Guan had already thought about it before he came, and he said decisively: "Naturally, it is to seek the country to usurp the throne. It is assumed that the throne inherited by King Pei belongs to his elder brother, and his elder brother already has a son. There is no need to set it in too much detail, just need the background Let me explain a little bit, after King Pei came to power, his elder brother's only son died of illness. In this way, Zi Yu and King Pei had a reason to be enemies, and this did not affect that they both had the same heart for the world. Dudu Zi Yu is not a traitor, but he is not loyal to this king."

Deng Chao patted his thigh: "Wonderful."

In this way, Zi Yu's personality was established immediately.

Of course, Yue Guan will not deliberately discredit the character he plays, and he is not sick.

In the war-torn era, with the flames of war raging, a juvenile monarch and a talented and ambitious younger brother, Peiliang thought he was doing his part for his own selfish desires and for the sake of the country.

There's actually not much wrong with this idea.

Therefore, Tian Zhan is still loyal to King Pei.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with Zi Yu's allegiance to the late king.

Everyone was right, and the pattern instantly improved.

Deng Chao said "Wonderful", which attracted Yue Guan's attention.

Yue Guan set his sights on Deng Chao, and then on Sun Li.

"Brother Chao, isn't it fun to add drama?" Yue Guan asked.

Deng Chao smiled embarrassedly.

He is really cool.

Jingzhou already played the most roles.

And after such an adaptation by Yue Guan, Zi Yu's plot has become both attractive and important.

Of course he has 10,000 support.

Still, a movie takes that long.

If you add drama to him, the drama of others will be reduced.

"I am sorry to Brother Chao, so I am sorry to Sister Li." Yue Guan gave Sun Li a sorry look: "In the new script, Zi Yu will be portrayed as a perfect commander, so Xiao Ai's plot needs to be deleted, because In the original script, Xiao Ai was basically a stain on Zi Yu."

In front of Zi Yu, Xiao Ai and his stand-in Jing Zhou cuddled and even made contact with each other at a distance. This kind of scene has to be expressed as a metaphor... Isn't it just to cheat the box office?

What are you talking about?

There are many ways to express metaphors, but chicken love drama is the worst one.

Yue Guan doesn't reject romantic dramas, but the problem is that his revised script really doesn't have a place for Xiao Ai.

In the original script, Yang Cang's sword skills are the best in the world, and it is Xiao Ai who cracks Yang Cang's sword skills.

The way to crack it is to use yin to overcome yang.

This is out of place in Yueguan's new script.

On the battlefield, play with yin to overcome yang...

This is not the way to seek death.

Moreover, Xiao Ai is a puppet, an ancient woman who cannot control her own destiny, and she has cracked the world's number one sword technique...

Adding drama also has to pay attention to the basic law.

This is really illogical.

In fact, Sun Li realized that her role might be greatly cut after hearing Yue Guan say that she would revise the script to be a hero. uncomfortable.

But she quickly came back to her senses, forced a smile and said, "How much you want to delete and modify, Yueguan, you can watch."

Yue Guan hesitated for a moment, but still said: "Actually, deleting all of them will not affect the plot."

Just let Ziyu and Jingzhou talk directly.

In the history of gold and iron horses, don't coerce innocent women anymore.

Sun Li: "..."

She thought that many of her plots would be deleted, but she never thought that Yue Guan would want to delete them all.

Not only was she shocked, Zhang Yimou was also shocked.

"Yueguan, delete them all?"

"Director Zhang, I'm just saying it casually. It's you who makes the decision." Yue Guan said politely.

Anyway, if you don't follow what I say, I'll just run away.

"It's not just Miss Li." Yue Guan shifted his gaze to Guan Xiaotong and Wu Sanshi.

Both had a sense of foreboding.

Unfortunately, this hunch was right.

"The roles of Xiaotong and Sanshi can actually be deleted entirely."

Yue Guan opened his mouth and sentenced the two to death.

"In a world of great conflict and war-torn times, there are many stories that can be told. The roles and scenes of Xiaotong and Sanshi are very tasteless for the whole plot. It is better to delete their plots and enrich the characters of King Pei and Yang Cang."

Hu Jun really wanted to give Yueguan a thumbs up.

He played Yang Cang.

But he put up with it.

After all, Wu Sanshi is still here.

But Hu Jun still admired in his heart: "Yueguan is Yueguan, so discerning, I think Yang Cang's role is less."

In the script of "Shadow", Yang Cang is the best in martial arts in the world, and he is the supreme commander of the enemy army. The prototype of the character is Guan Yu.

Then in the original script, Yang Cang, the invincible character in the world, and his invincible sword skills were broken by Xiao Ai played by Sun Li.

First of all, I declare that there is no discrimination, and I don't want to attract any boxers. From this description alone, the character Yang Cang becomes low.

Xiao Ai's hanging is also inexplicably turned on.

A woman who has never even been on the battlefield, came up with a way to crack the martial arts of the world's invincible general.

All other famous generals in the world can wipe their necks and commit suicide.

And the weapon that defeated Yang Cang, the Umbrella Knife, is known as the most yin weapon in the world.

How should I put it, Yue Guan watched the movie "Shadow" in his previous life.

There is one thing to say, the picture of the umbrella knife is really beautiful.

There is nothing wrong with the logical setting of yin to overcome yang.

The problem is that Zi Yu and Yang Cang compete on the battlefield.

What the battlefield needs is iron and blood, chilling, and tragic.

Not artistic beauty.

And the battlefield in "Shadow" is very artistic and beautiful.

Very yin and yang.

But the battlefield has never had anything to do with yin and yang.

A group of elite soldiers fought with the most shady weapons in the world, and their fighting movements were twisted and twisted, just like women dancing...

Again, it looks beautiful from the screen.

But it's not a battlefield.

Since Yueguan wants to change the plot, he is going to change all of these.

Zhang Yimou's ability to manage large scenes is beyond doubt. During the filming of "Shadow", he gave up his ability to manage large scenes and focused on pursuing his own aesthetics.

What Yue Guan wanted was for Zhang Yimou to show off his ability to manage big scenes.

A battle on the battlefield is a good battle on the battlefield. There is no need to instill in the audience the unfathomable truth of yin and yang, and the audience does not need to know these truths.

Therefore, the character of Xiao Ai became unnecessary.

And Princess Qingping, played by Guan Xiaotong, and Yang Ping, the son of Yang Cang played by Wu Sanshi, have actually become less important.

"Director Zhang, what do you think the roles of Princess Qingping and Yang Ping mean to the movie "Shadow"?"

Zhang Yimou thought for a while, and then said nothing.

The real situation is that these two roles are specially reserved for young stars, to be precise, for traffic.

Count on them to bring box office.

But do Zhang Yimou's movies still need actors to bring in the box office?

Even if it is necessary, Yue Guan is here, Deng Chao is here, and Guan Xiaotong and Wu Sanshi are not in their turn.

Deleting their scenes and leaving the saved scenes to Pei Wang and Yang Cang will naturally enrich the overall structure of a play.

Zhang Yimou soon realized this.

So he kept silent.

And silence itself is an answer.

Both Guan Xiaotong and Wu Sanshi were born as child stars, and they know more about the entertainment industry than many adult stars, so they didn't dare to struggle when they saw this.

Although they still wanted to make a name for themselves in Zhang Yimou's movies, both Yueguan and Zhang Yimou chose to give up on them, so they could only accept their fate.

In fact, Yueguan didn't target them, but their roles really didn't need to exist. In addition, the version of "Shadow" they watched in Yueguan didn't become a bonus item for the movie.

On the contrary, the points were reduced, especially for Yang Ping played by Wu Sanshi, whose acting skills and lines were blown away by Guan Xiaotong...

The so-called acting school among young stars is so watery that it scares people to death.

After finishing Guan Xiaotong and Wu Sanshi, Zhang Yimou reviewed the script and found a problem:

"Yue Guan, in this case, wouldn't there be no female characters in the whole drama?" Zhang Yimou frowned.

Yue Guan asked rhetorically, "If you don't arrange female roles, is it suspected of female discrimination?"

Zhang Yimou: "Definitely not involved."

"Will it attract Boxer?"

"I don't portray female characters, and I certainly don't insult them. Naturally, boxers won't be attracted."

"So why must there be female characters?" Yue Guan said seriously: ""Soldier Assault" also has no female characters, which does not prevent it from becoming a recognized classic. "Shadow" itself is not suitable for female characters to appear .”

Of course Yueguan doesn't hate women, he likes pretty girls the most, and the number of harem can prove it.

But obviously there is no suitable female role, but to forcibly install one, that is not respecting the female group, but will make the female group more responsive.

Because people think you are not good at taking pictures and uglifying the image of women.

The background and story involved in "Shadow" can theoretically have beauties, but they should be the kind of stunning beauties, such as Diao Chan, such as Zhen Mi.

But the main line structure of "Shadow" is war and seizing the city, so the beauty is meaningless.

On the contrary, it will lower the tone of the whole show.

Zhang Yimou was convinced.

Deng Chao reminded in a low voice: "If it is true that there is no female role, the boxer will probably punch, saying that our show discriminates against actresses and does not give actresses a chance."

Yue Guan: "..." It's something a boxer can do.

"Then let Sister Li take a chance."

Yueguan didn't want to cause trouble either.

However, Zhang Yimou seemed very courageous at this time: "No, do it according to your idea. If we shoot a historical drama full of male hormones, it should be able to attract more audiences. And this can also be used as a promotional point. When "Soldiers Assault" "It should have done this before, and it attracted a lot of people."

This is true.

Yueguan knows quite a few young ladies. When they watch a play, if a play cannot portray a female character well, they would rather not have this female character.

If a role that is destined to be meaningless and only serves as a vase or decoration, removing it will not affect the box office, and it will even increase the box office.

Since Zhang Yimou had the courage, Yue Guan certainly did not stop him.

"Actually, this way, it becomes very simple." Yue Guan sorted out the specific points to be changed: "Simply put, it is the characters of plump governor Ziyu, Pei Wang Peiliang and the world's number one general Yang Cang. .These three roles are standing, and this drama is also standing."

"In what direction should the plumpness go?" Zhang Yimou asked.

"It's even simpler. Governor Ziyu is capable of both civil and military skills. Brother Chao, you should play the Confucian handsome side instead of the perverted side. Is there a problem?"

Deng Chao immediately replied: "Absolutely no problem."

"For Yang Cang, Mr. Hu, you can act in the direction of a great hero. You can be a little arrogant, but you have to be invincible enough, is there a problem?"

Hu Jun smiled: "I am best at playing this kind of role."

"I also have confidence in Teacher Hu."

If Hu Jun's hero is not good, there are not many actors in the domestic entertainment circle who can play a hero.

"As for King Pei, it's actually very simple. It's fine to set it up as a lonely family who can kill anyone and do anything."

Yue Guan didn't want to play a good guy.

The emperor, especially the emperor in the war years, is too kind and irresponsible to the country and the people.

The character design of King Pei in the original version is relatively good enough. Let’s enrich the character image, less pretending to be crazy, more decisive and courageous, and add some short stories, and a three-dimensional image of the emperor will be freshly released.

Ziyu/Jingzhou, King Pei, Yang Cang...

As long as these four characters stand on their feet, the film "Shadow" will be able to stand on its feet completely.

In a world of great contention, heroes emerge in large numbers.

The governor is both civil and military, majestic and heroic.

Jingzhou hides utensils in his body and waits for the time to move.

Yang Cang is invincible and mighty in the world.

King Pei is a multi-faceted hero, and he sees the world as a tiger.

The story between these four men is enough to make a wonderful historical drama.