Project Approval and Casting

Early one morning, Wei Jin arrived at China Film Group. Guided by a staff member, he came to Han Sanping's office for the first time.

"Xiao Wei, you're a rare sight! What brought you over today? Come, sit down."

When Han Sanping saw Wei Jin, he raised a hand and invited him to sit. A secretary offered tea.

"You're joking, President Han. I've been busy with everything at the company. I wouldn't dare neglect you."

Wei Jin spoke politely. In a few years, the unremarkable-looking man before him would be known as the Mountain Hawk of the film industry.

"I've been working on a script for a new film. As soon as it was ready, I hurried over."

"Oh? I was just wondering about that. Did you bring the script? What genre is it this time?"

Han Sanping's eyes lit up. Wei Jin's first award-winning film had brought in more than 35 million at the box office, far exceeding the group's expectations and proving his ability. No matter what, China Film Group had to take a stake in this project.

"It's a youth campus film, adapted from my novel of the same name."

Wei Jin handed over the script and explained.

"How much are you planning to invest this time? Let's be clear up front: China Film Group's share can't be too small."

Han Sanping took the script and spoke as he read.

"The initial budget is 10 million."

"That's not much of an investment. Haven't you thought about putting in some big scenes?"

Han Sanping sounded a little regretful.

"You're joking, President Han. What kind of big scenes could I put in a youth film?"

Wei Jin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Sure enough, President Han loved grand scenes and big productions.

"In that case, China Film Group will invest three million for a thirty percent stake. Leave the publicity and distribution to us."

Han Sanping thought it over. An investment of that size didn't even need to be reported to his superiors; he could make the decision himself.

"No problem. Thank you for your support, President Han. By the way, do you have any suggestions about the cast?"

Wei Jin readily agreed. He had brought China Film Group on board to secure support with publicity, distribution, and theater scheduling.

At present, most domestic cinema chains were still subject to administrative directives. A word from a leader could make a considerable difference to a film's screening schedule. Besides, in the film and television industry, hogging everything for oneself was especially taboo.

"First, tell me what you have in mind. Do you have anyone picked out?"

"Here's what I'm thinking. For a youth film, the most important thing is how well the actors fit their roles. The acting requirements aren't high; they mainly need to have the right look. So I'm planning to announce open auditions in the industry."

Wei Jin explained. In fact, he had originally planned for Zeng Li to take the role, but after reading the script, Sister Li said she couldn't pull off the feel of that pure, innocent school beauty.

Wei Jin thought it over and realized she was right. Zeng Li leaned more toward the mature beauty type, a strikingly glamorous woman. He might as well hold open auditions.

"Mm, that works. Here's what we'll do: I'll submit the script first. Once it passes review, we'll get the project approved and start casting."

Han Sanping agreed with Wei Jin and settled the matter.

Afterward, Wei Jin asked Han Sanping quite a few questions about how domestic cinema chains operated, as well as some matters of policy.

When Han Sanping learned that Wei Jin intended to enter the cinema business, he got a clear sense of the young man's ambition. Still, he was only too eager for more people to invest in the industry.

After leaving China Film Group, Wei Jin headed to school. Quite a few fellow students greeted him along the way, and he smiled and nodded back.

When he arrived at Zhang Jiandong's office, Teacher Jiang Wei happened to be there too.

"Hello, teachers."

Wei Jin was very polite with his teachers.

"You brat, it's been months since we last saw you. So, what brings you here this time?"

Jiang Wei was the first to speak, teasing him.

"Teacher Jiang, you can't blame me. I've been busy writing scripts, haven't I?"

Wei Jin hurriedly explained.

"About what we discussed before, how many of the seniors are interested?"

Ever since Wei Jin had said he needed graduates from film and television-related majors, the school had spoken with the graduating seniors at the start of the semester. The names of those interested had already been reported to Zhang Jiandong.

"I've already put together a list. Take a look, or I can call them over to meet you."

Zhang Jiandong took the list out of his drawer and handed it to Wei Jin.

Wei Jin glanced through the list and saw no names he recognized from memory, though that was only natural.

The entertainment industry didn't really lack talent; what it lacked were chances to stand out. The directors he remembered from his past life were familiar only because they had gotten their chances. Those who remained unknown weren't necessarily incapable of achieving something; they might simply have had less luck.

"All right. Have these seniors come by my studio over the weekend. There'll be a project for everyone to get some practice on soon."

"Oh? You have another new project?"

Jiang Wei was curious. He wasn't the type who could sit still either.

"I've already given the script to China Film Group to submit for review. Once it passes, the project will be approved. If things go quickly, filming will start this month."

Wei Jin explained briefly, then turned to Jiang Wei.

"Teacher Jiang, I also have a television drama script. Would you be interested in directing it?"

With that, he handed Jiang Wei the script he had prepared in advance.

"A good opportunity like that? Let me see."

Jiang Wei took the script. On the cover was the title—"The Infiltrator."

He spent nearly half an hour reading it, while Wei Jin and Zhang Jiandong chatted about the new film.

Jiang Wei had helped oversee Buried Alive, but this time Wei Jin really was carrying the whole load himself. Zhang Jiandong gave him a few pointers in advance, lest the promising talent he had high hopes for suffer a setback.

"Whew, this script is excellent. You always have so many ingenious ideas, you brat. I'll take the project."

Jiang Wei was somewhat moved.

"All right, Teacher Jiang. Don't worry, I'll pay you top industry rates. Also, there's no rush on this project. Submit the script for review when you have time, and start the preliminary preparations. Let's begin filming after the new year."

Wei Jin felt he owed Jiang Wei some compensation. Teacher Jiang had put a great deal of effort into his first film.

"All right. I know you're loaded, kid, so I won't stand on ceremony. I'll start putting the crew together and wait for your word."

Jiang Wei didn't stand on ceremony at all.

Two days later, Wei Jin received word from China Film Group that Those Years had passed review, and the project could be approved and casting could begin.

On September 6, Wei Jin Fengliu Studio sent a notice to companies in the industry:

Those Years, the country's first youth campus film, adapted from the bestselling book and directed by Silver Bear-winning director Wei Jin, will hold open auditions on Saturday, September 9.

Roles for audition:

Female lead (Zhang Shiyi), second female lead (Ma Lijuan), ages 17–27;

Male lead (Wei Liang), second male lead (Zhang Bochun), third male lead (Wang Jianguo), ages 18–25; several supporting roles...

As soon as the notice went out, Wei Jin's phone was flooded with calls.

Wei Jin turned down everyone who invited him to meals, tried to cozy up to him, or pulled personal strings. He simply said that China Film Group required auditions and there was no room for exceptions.

While artists at the major companies rubbed their hands in anticipation, students at the major film and television schools were even more frantic.

The open auditions meant they had a chance too, and the age requirements seemed tailor-made for them, ruling out quite a few competitors.

For a time, students at the major film and television schools almost all had a copy of Those Years, giving the novel a considerable boost in sales.

The artists were so excited because very few films were released domestically in those days.

By September 2004, only a dozen or so domestic films had been released that entire year. Most had attracted little attention, and only two had made more than ten million at the box office.

One of them was Buried Alive, directed by Wei Jin.

So Those Years, adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name and both written and directed by a well-known director, really was a very desirable opportunity in those days.