Wang Haowei

Biodata

Background

Wang Haowei is one of Beijing Film Studio’s established middle-generation directors. A graduate of the Beijing Film Academy’s directing department, she has worked in film for more than ten years. Her representative works include Haixia and Look at This Family 27 41.

When assigned to direct Romance on Mount Lu, she accepts without hesitation. She studies the screenplay and prepares written notes before requesting a meeting with its screenwriter, Chen Qi 27.

Appearance

• Short in stature, with ear-length hair 27.
• Her height contrasts noticeably with Chen Qi’s when they shake hands at their first meeting 27.

Personality

Wang is approachable and collaborative without surrendering her authority as director. At her first meeting with Chen Qi, she rejects his suggestion that he is merely there to receive guidance: she considers agreement between screenwriter and director essential to making the film. She invites frank opinions and takes notes when his suggestions prove useful 27 28.

She is patient with inexperienced performers and unwilling to accept work that falls short of her expectations. Rather than rush Gong Xue through an unsuccessful scene, she coaches her, seeks another perspective, and gives her time to develop the right feeling. Her warmth also extends beyond filming: she helps Gong navigate crew etiquette and jokes that the actress’s constant thanks are taking years off her life 41 42.

Her relaxed manner has professional limits. When Chen Qi improvises distracting dialogue during a cameo, she reprimands him for stealing focus from the lead actress, though she remains appreciative of his talent and humor 45.

Abilities & Skills

Film Direction

• Thematic planning: Works with Chen Qi to define Romance on Mount Lu as a lyrical scenic film about romantic love, love of the land, and patriotism, emphasizing optimism about a new era rather than a mournful treatment of past suffering 27.
• Visual staging: Adds tourists and mountain locals, played by crew members, to keep the location footage from consisting solely of the two leads 45.
• Performance judgment: Recognizes that Gong Xue’s early problem is not her ability to walk in high heels, but an unnatural attempt to imitate an overseas Chinese visitor 41.
• Stylistic limitation: Chen Qi regards her as a good director but finds her treatment of a heartbreak scene exaggerated and shaped by the stage-influenced conventions of the period 48.

Casting and Character Preparation

• Role-specific standards: Seeks a female lead who combines innocence, delicate charm, and a convincing Western air without appearing vulgar or exaggerated 28.
• Attention to presentation: Treats makeup, hair, clothing, and movement as parts of characterization. She also accepts Chen Qi’s proposal that the leads’ styling and personalities should mature across the story’s five-year gap 28.
• Comparative testing: Is willing to train several candidate groups simultaneously rather than commit prematurely to the wrong actors 33.
• Observational preparation: Proposes a hotel stay where the leading actress can observe overseas Chinese guests’ speech and behavior 28.

Actor Coaching and Collaboration

• Patient instruction: Works through Gong Xue’s performance difficulties directly instead of simply rejecting her takes 41.
• Use of specialist input: Consults Chen Qi as the character’s creator when her own coaching does not fully resolve the problem 41.
• Practical adaptation: Adopts his suggestion that Gong stop consciously imitating others and spend time enjoying the scenery and taking photographs; the resulting performance meets her expectations 41 42.
• Scene refinement: Asks Chen Qi for a small character gesture at Laojun Hall and approves his idea of Zhou Yun beginning a Christian prayer gesture before switching to joined palms 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Developing *Romance on Mount Lu*

• Reaches agreement with Chen Qi on the film’s themes and casting direction during their first discussions 27 28.
• Accepts his suggestion of a gentler, “prettier” male lead suited to Geng Hua’s shy, passive role in the romance 28.
• Invites Chen to remain involved until filming ends, including advising on production and making screenplay changes on location. His continued stay at the studio guesthouse is included in that arrangement 28.

Auditions and Final Casting

Filming on Mount Lu

• Travels with the crew to Mount Lu and scouts locations after their arrival 38 39.
• During the train journey, discusses Chen Qi’s preference for popular fiction. She encourages him to write but warns that journals favoring serious literature may offer few outlets for his work 38.
• After Gong Xue struggles with her opening scene, brings her to Chen Qi for additional guidance. Wang praises his explanation of how confidence, posture, stride, and familiarity with props can establish Zhou Yun’s character 41.
• Gives Gong time to relax into the role, then approves her successful first scene 42.
• Continues directing the location work, including Zhou Yun’s visit to Laojun Hall and her distressed departure after Geng Ying’s intervention 45 48.

National Day Celebration

• Asks the crew to prepare performances for the thirtieth anniversary of the country’s founding, stressing participation despite their modest conditions 48.
• Co-hosts the October 1 celebration with the Guling Hotel manager for the film crew and hotel staff 49.

Relationships

• Li Chensheng — Husband and professional collaborator; serves as cinematographer on Romance on Mount Lu 33.
• Chen Qi — Screenwriter and creative collaborator. Wang values his quick understanding, practical performance advice, and ability to supply usable ideas, while correcting him when his joking disrupts filming 27 41 45.
• Gong Xue — Leading actress whom Wang recruits, coaches, and reassures. Gong also turns to her for advice about sharing a rare gift of White Rabbit candy with the crew 36 41 42.
• Fang Shu — Previously worked with Wang on Look at This Family. Wang initially supports testing her for Zhou Yun before the costume comparisons favor Gong Xue 34 35 37.
• Che Xiaotong — Friend in the General Political Department Drama Troupe who helps Wang contact Gong Xue and supplies her photographs 36.

Notable Quotes

“The script comes before the film. We have to reach a consensus and be of one mind, or we won't be able to shoot it.” 27

“We're not afraid of the trouble; we're only afraid of choosing the wrong people.” 33