Wuxi—the same Wuxi that would later become one of the "Three Heroes of Jiangsu," alongside Suzhou and Changzhou.
Wuxi Film and Television City.
Located on Shanshui West Road in Binhu District, WX City, JS Province, it covered one million square meters of land and two million square meters of water.
In 1987, Wuxi Film and Television City began construction when Journey to the West chose it as a filming location. Later, the Tang City scenic area was built for Emperor Tang Ming; the Three Kingdoms City scenic area was built for Romance of the Three Kingdoms; and the Water Margin City scenic area was built when Water Margin chose it as a filming location.
Though it also had several filming landscapes such as Europe City and The Grand Mansion, its main attractions were ancient-style architectural complexes set against the cultures of the Three Kingdoms and the Tang and Song dynasties, centered around Three Kingdoms City, Water Margin City, and Tang City.
The Grand Director was a Ming Dynasty drama. Wuxi Film and Television City had mainly been chosen to film the "investigation of the Jiangnan Case" scenes because it sat beside Taihu Lake and possessed unique waterside scenery.
In the Shuibo Liangshan section of Water Margin City, Elder Song's Courtyard and Superintendent Zhang's Mansion were both excellent locations. The former had staggered Taihu stone rockeries, while the latter had covered corridors surrounding a pond.
There were actually better filming locations, such as the bamboo grove path at Xiaoxiang Pavilion in Shanghai Grand View Garden, which was practically ready-made, but there were equipment limitations.
After considering everything, the garden-set dramatic scenes related to the Jiangnan Case would be filmed at Wuxi Film and Television City.
As for the action scenes, there was more to consider: whether there was enough space to set up wire rigs, which ponds could be used for water fights, and other higher requirements.
Inside a Ming- and Qing-style architectural set at the film base.
Before the newly constructed Government Office set, rich with Ming Dynasty charm.
Bluestone slabs paved the ground, vermilion pillars lined the corridors, and upturned eaves soared overhead. The air carried the scent of fresh timber and paint, yet it also seemed steeped in the weight of history.
An auspicious hour in the morning.
The early-summer morning light of Jiangnan carried a trace of warmth, though the heat had not yet become oppressive.
The rest area.
"Factory Director."
Shen Shanden greeted the guests, keeping the same form of address for Han Sanping.
So what if he had been promoted? How many capable people did he even have under him?
Didn't he still have to rely on him?
Then he greeted Chen Daoming as well, his smile blooming. "Teacher Chen, thank you so much for coming."
His attitude toward Chen Daoming could not have been more different from his attitude toward Han Sanping. He was unbelievably warm.
Han Sanping's mouth twitched slightly, but he still had to maintain his trademark smile.
Just wait. Today, he would let this young comrade have a taste of what a sneak attack was.
"Director Shen, you're too polite. Doing something for Chinese Cinema is only what we should do."
Chen Daoming, who was making a friendly guest appearance, only shifted his gaze slightly, but inwardly he was deeply shaken.
Shen Shanden was something else. Daring to neglect King of the Mountain Eagle like this, he was no ordinary young director anymore.
Zhou Qifeng followed behind Shen Shanden excitedly, helping serve tea and run errands.
After several months of training, he had shed his youthful awkwardness and become much steadier.
Yet immersed in this grand, professional atmosphere of undercurrents and public attention, he still could not contain his excitement.
This was not merely the start of filming for a movie. It felt more like a declarative gathering of Chinese Cinema's new forces.
And his senior brother had actually built all of this step by step.
It felt too much like a dream. Zhou Qifeng was afraid of waking up, because it was simply too beautiful.
After receiving the distinguished guests.
Shen Shanden quickly lowered his voice to confer with the core members of the production team.
There were people from Beijing Film Studio, industry veterans recruited with the help of Enlight Media and Bona Film Group, and experienced post-production staff Wu Jing had brought in from the Hong Kong Circle.
Shen Shanden inspected the process and was quite satisfied with the volunteer team made up of fourth-year students from Beijing Film Academy.
Their practical ability was a little lacking, but they were of high caliber, serious, polite, and full of youthful spirit.
Shen Shanden's gaze swept over the entire venue, ensuring everything was running according to the process he had designed.
The Start of filming ceremony was far more solemn than the launch ceremony.
A red carpet covered the core area, with a massive The Grand Director poster in the background, its design incorporating the film's logo.
The poster in the center looked much like the one at the launch ceremony, but it no longer used that yin-yang design.
Chen Kun, dressed in a bright red Python pattern uniform, stood shoulder to shoulder with Wu Jing, who wore a proper-colored Feiyu uniform. Their gazes faintly converged on a distant point.
There were also multiple solo and group posters, and on every one of them, the logo of the main producer, China Film Group, stood out most prominently.
At the very front stood a long altar table draped in red velvet.
On it sat the main camera model, an Arriflex 435, covered in red cloth, along with an incense burner. There was no roast suckling pig, but there were traditional offerings such as fruit and pastries.
On both sides of the altar table were rest areas, where dozens of folding chairs stood neatly arranged for the main creative team and principal cast.
The surrounding area was cordoned off, but it was packed with cameras and recording equipment. Reporters had long since seized the best positions. The lineup was larger and more professional than at the launch ceremony.
Media from entertainment, film, and social news outlets had all gathered.
Flashbulbs stood ready.
Beyond them was a dense crowd of onlookers.
There were student volunteers in red uniforms, crew members in matching work clothes, personnel from other productions at the base, tourists who had come after hearing the news, and local residents, all standing in orderly ranks.
"Wow, Fan Bingbing is so beautiful. Her skin is so fair."
"Huang Xiaoming looks so sharp."
"Wu Jing still has that baby face. He looks so young, so young." This came from an older woman.
"This production is insane. They're all big names."
"Chen Hao is here too, and she's with Fan Bingbing. That's incredible!"
"That's Shen Shanden, right? He really is young. He said, 'A weak nation has no art.' He really does look full of spirit."
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
It was not just the audience. The stars and agents within the venue were stirred as well.
"Sister Xiaowan, I made the right choice by seizing this opportunity, didn't I?"
There was a trace of smugness in Chen Kun's voice, thoroughly ruining the unique artistic, faintly melancholy, and profound aura he usually carried.
"Impressive."
Li Xiaowan sighed in amazement. She did not know what else to say except that the younger generation had surpassed the old.
Han Sanping had attended in person, Chen Daoming had made a guest appearance, and Chen Kun, Wu Jing, Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Chen Hao, and many other stars had joined the production.
When The Grand Director crew displayed its influence so directly, even she, someone accustomed to the storms of the industry, could not help but feel shaken.
Shen Shanden had actually assembled a lineup like this.
"My fellow townsman is incredible."
Huang Xiaoming wore a carefully tailored casual suit, his hair immaculate, his sunny smile carrying a touch of deliberately maintained "handsomeness." Secretly, he was glad about his choice.
Last month, he had joined Huayi. Since they had failed to invest in the project, and because Shen Shanden had grown close to Fan Bingbing, who had "defected" from Huayi, they had hoped he would withdraw from the project. Even the Li Bingbing sisters had pressured him.
Huang Xiaoming had not agreed. That kind of move offended too many people.
He had the standing to refuse. He was no ordinary artist; he was the "number one young leading man on the mainland," with his popularity rapidly rising. He had joined Huayi because he wanted something from them, but it was still a partnership.
Still, while he liked doing favors for others, he also hoped they could show a certain level of strength.
Now, Shen Shanden's strength had far exceeded his expectations.
"Chairman Han."
Huang Xiaoming spotted an opening around Han Sanping and hurried over at a light run. He crouched down to chat with Han Sanping, smiling like a foolish landlord's son.
Fan Bingbing, radiant and dazzling, wore a meticulously coordinated fashionable outfit.
It was both formal and easy to move in. Her makeup was exquisite, and she showed her signature confident smile toward the cameras, becoming one of the brightest stars at the venue.
With the huge buzz of leaving Huayi and setting up her own studio, her appearance triggered screams from fans and a barrage of cameras from reporters.
But from time to time, her gaze drifted toward the figure at the center of the crowd. That figure radiated an aura of letting fleeting lights and shadows pass by while remaining unmoved.
It contained a mountain-like strength.
She had experienced that strength once again last night.
Fan Bingbing restrained the burning emotion in her eyes. Shen Shanden was simply too capable—too strong and too skilled.
Apple would, unsurprisingly, have difficulty getting released. This was precisely the crucial period when she needed to prove herself after leaving Huayi to go solo.
She was seated with King of the Mountain Eagle, the top figure in the film industry. Aside from Chen Hao, she was also surrounded by New Generation first-tier stars such as Wu Jing, Huang Xiaoming, and Chen Kun.
There was also the usually low-key Chen Daoming. His attendance itself was a subtle endorsement of the project's quality and of Shen Shanden—or rather, China Film Group.
Fan Bingbing's business instincts allowed her to see the enormous benefits in this Start of filming ceremony.
What was this?
These were the industry's top connections, and also certification of one's status.
And the reputation gained from this would be upright and clean, with no hidden consequences.
Fan Bingbing looked at Shen Shanden the way White Bone Demon looked at Tang Sanzang, swallowing involuntarily.
Then her gaze met another pair of eyes.
The Heartthrob was as charming as ever, her smile sweet and approachable, her attire elegant and appropriate.
They both caught a familiar scent.
Chen Hao smiled with her eyes and returned the look.
Fan Bingbing and Chen Hao exchanged polite, restrained glances.
In a corner.
Da Mimi stared at Shen Shanden in a daze, her worshipful gaze intensely penetrating and entirely undisguised.
She was even putting her acting skills to use, determined to tell everyone that he was her man.
Shen Shanden was rising too fast. She did not feel secure.
Da Mimi occasionally exchanged looks with Fan Bingbing, Chen Hao, and the others.
Chen Hao's smile stiffened slightly before she acted as though nothing had happened.
After all, she was only tempted. She had not actually done anything. She wanted a relationship she could proudly present to others, and she still had principles.
Taking small advantages was only playfulness. It did not count.
Fan Bingbing's expression did not change at all.
She had not stolen someone else's man.
She only had occasional usage rights for half an hour, an hour, or a few hours.
"Senior brother."
Zhou Qifeng quietly reminded him that it was almost time.
Shen Shanden frowned slightly. "What are you calling me on set?"
"Director Shen." Zhou Qifeng immediately corrected himself. "Director, it's almost time."
Only then did Shen Shanden nod lightly.
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