independent filmmaker

For the post-processing of "Rooting", Xie Lansheng's initial plan was to go to Australia to do it, including editing, lighting, printing, and soundtrack.

In Mainland China, film development is not even allowed without a film shooting license. The first thing every processing factory does when receiving an order is to check whether the procedures are complete. Therefore, Xie Lansheng's film must be sent abroad for processing, Hong Kong is also acceptable.What's more, Xie Lansheng has always believed that the technical level of these photofinishing factories in China is relatively backward, and there may even be low-level mistakes such as mechanical failures or unstable developer solutions, which make everything fall short.

As for which country to do it in, Xie Lansheng chose Australia.Australia is the country with the best printing technology in the world, and even Hollywood action movies are often sent for post-processing.The Australian company has a serious attitude, the quality of the cut films is excellent, and it knows a lot of little tricks that domestic photofinishing factories do not understand, and the price is not much more expensive than the Hong Kong company.

With good vision, Xie Lansheng chose a good company called ABCLAB within the budget.

Xie Lansheng was short of funds, he couldn't ask the other party to develop a sample first, he had a look at it and then discussed the editing direction with the editor, and he couldn't even fly to Australia to explain the requirements face to face with the LAB people.He could only say on the phone that the people in LAB would cut it directly, and whether "Rooting" is good or bad is all in one thought.

Generally speaking, movies are filmed and edited at the same time, there is a fault tolerance rate, the director of the crew will send someone to print every part of the filming, and the main creative team will watch the samples together every few days to see the photography, lighting, positioning, The performance, whether there is any cheating.If there is any problem, I will go back and make up the shoot as soon as possible. If there is no problem, let the editor in my factory use the negatives to cut. On the day when the director officially shuts down, the editor can complete the first cut.But Xie Lansheng was too cash-strapped to afford such consumption.

Xie Lansheng sent a copy of the storyboard script.The storyboard he drew is very clear frame by frame, without omissions or stick figures.In the script, Xie Lansheng also wrote everything that needs to be explained in English.Xie Lansheng took every stroke very seriously when writing, as if he was treating a treasure. He even spent two days practicing writing English characters.English stickers were not easy to buy, so he went to several bookstores.

When talking with the LAB editor on the phone, Xie Lansheng's hands were shaking and cold.

He said in broken English: "It's like this... I am an independent filmmaker from China. I don't work in 16 state-owned studios. I am self-financing and filming the literary film "Growing Roots" by myself." .Now, my money is only enough for one wash, just one time, so I can’t look at the samples, or even the negatives. After the negatives are developed, they can be cut directly, and there is no possibility of redoing.” Xie Lansheng has communicated with ABCLAB’s customer department several times Now, I know what I can do with my 25 yuan.Every step in the later stage is too expensive, tens of thousands of tens of thousands.Going to Australia is also very expensive, with air tickets costing thousands, plus meals and accommodation.

The editor’s name is Nathan, who has edited films for 20 years and has a lot of experience. Even he was shocked by Xie Lansheng’s request and said, “Wow, Director Xie, we generally don’t recommend this method to clients. I don’t know if you I understand that once the negative is cut, it is not easy to modify it, we suggest not to touch the negative, but to cut the sample of the copy.”

Xie Lansheng said: "I know." The film has been developed, stopped, fixed, dried and other steps to become the original negative, showing a negative image, and there is only one original negative, which is very precious.

Not only did he know, he had been to the lab.The film development hall is filled with the smell of silver halide chemicals, mixed with the smell of film, it is more charming than hormones.There is a small guillotine for cutting film on the workbench, and a white marker pen for marking.At that time, the factory used an automatic film editing table to edit, with the picture copy on the bottom and the sound copy on the top. An ordinary domestic film needs at least ten films, which add up to 3000 meters long, which impressed Xie Lansheng deeply.The masters discussed with the director and cameraman about the light measurement and lighting in the early stage, and asked the other party to think carefully, because it is difficult to adjust in the later stage.

After a pause, Xie Lansheng said, "It's like this... I have already sent the shot list to your company."

"Yes, I received it."

"Well, as you can see, the storyboard is more detailed, and the subordinate shot number of each scene is also marked in the second column. At the same time, because of the need to save film, we only shot that one shot for almost every shot. Only 65. Places that were shot more than twice appear on page 130, page 195, and page [-] of the script. For these places, please use the clips from the last shot. I have marked them in the blank space of the storyboard. I think these will reduce the difficulty of LAB's editing... Also, for the convenience of post-production, we speak and write the shooting scene and shot number in English on the set, which can be matched."

Nathan seemed to be considering the feasibility, speaking slowly: "OK...OK...I see..."

"I'm sorry, I don't have the money to go to Sydney anymore—" Xie Lansheng's voice was soft and persistent, "I can only use the phone to explain the concept, plot, character, and foreshadowing of this movie to you."

"Well, you said."

Xie Lansheng read out Xin Ye's revised English manuscript slowly, and made sure that Nathan understood every sentence and every word he said.He even practiced it with Xinye, and Xinye said he could understand.

Nathan also listened very carefully, and asked a few questions, which Xie Lansheng answered one by one. Nathan still hopes that Xie Lansheng can develop a sample and go to Australia to communicate with the laboratory in person, but Xie Lansheng really has no money.

In the end, Xie Lansheng said: "Nathan, we are the first or second team in mainland China to make their own film. We really hope to make a good film and give a good start to Chinese independent films. Give similar film teams a little inspiration, a little motivation."

Nathan said, "I understand."

"I..." Xie Lansheng said almost begging, "I don't know how to say it, but if you can make it as your own film, I will thank you from the bottom of my heart and remember you forever kindness.” He hoped for support.

Hearing "always remember your kindness", Nathan was taken aback, and said after a while, "To be honest, only cutting and editing once is quite a challenge even for me. Since your funds are limited, I won't say more What's wrong. I can't guarantee anything, I can only say that although the amount is small, I will do my best."

Xie Lansheng said, "Thank you, thank you."

Putting down the phone, he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling very lucky.

nailed it.Xie Lansheng will trust Nathan, believe that the other party can give "Rooting" the most reasonable editing method and the most perfect presentation method, and also believe that Nathan will not mess up the relatively simple editing of "Rooting".

…………

After returning the camera to Nortel and the light to his undergraduate roommate Zhang Shijie and Wang Zhongmin (Chapter 1), who was running an advertising company, Xie Lansheng sorted out the films in order, and solemnly went to the post office.

He wanted to send the film of "Rooting" to far away Australia.

Little Red and Little Green are not here, Xin Ye has already gone to Shanghai, Xie Lansheng can only handle the mail by himself.

At the Dongsishitiao Office of the Post Office next to Xie Lansheng’s home, Xie Lansheng bought a big cardboard box with the aunt at the counter, carefully put the sealed film of "Growing Roots" in it, weighed it, put a stamp on it, and then hugged the small paper Shell box, took out a white paper with his right hand, and asked the aunt at the counter opposite: "Well, can this instruction be pasted on the box? Where is it more appropriate to paste it?"

The aunt at the counter was very impatient and asked, "What is it?" The aunt in Beijing has a very loud voice, and Xie Lansheng's mother Li Jingrou has also had this trend in recent years, and Xie Lansheng always feels that it is not good.

Xie Lansheng replied: "An explanation to the customs."

"what?"

Xie Lansheng raised his voice again: "An explanation to the customs."

This is what Xin Ye once told him to prepare.Xie Lan has lived for more than 22 years and has never sent an international package, and he did not know that sending film to Australia needs customs clearance. However, a few days ago, just after he made up his mind to go to Australia for post-production, Xinye called him and said "Everything sent abroad may be opened and inspected by the customs of the other country." He asked him to prepare a conspicuous "attention" note and paste it on the box, as well as on each box of film.

On the white paper, there was a letter of request written by Xie Lansheng to the customs in both Chinese and English: 【Contains film, cannot be exposed to light, I implore the customs to open the box carefully. 】It is written with a thick black pen, which is very conspicuous.

Although he knew that the post office would not take care of illegal filming, Xie Lansheng was still guilty, holding a note to cover up, fearing that he would be seen as a villain with evil plans.

"Explanation?" Aunt Beijing's voice was astonishing, she snatched the explanation in Xie Lansheng's hand, glanced at it, and threw it back lightly, saying, "Leave it there, I will post it for you later. .” When Xie Lansheng put on the stamps, she had already started to serve the next customer, but when Xie Lansheng came back, she was still working.

"Thank you, thank you, it's really hard work for you." However, despite saying this, Xie Lansheng did not leave, and just stood there like a nail.

The aunt at the counter glanced at him again: "Okay, let it go! You can go!"

Xie Lansheng smiled kindly: "Sister, this explanation is too important. I know you won't forget it, but I still want to see it posted on the box with my own eyes, so that I can feel at ease."

The aunt pursed her lips and didn't speak any more, but knocked the package in her hand until it made a loud bang, causing the owner of the package to give Xie Lansheng a blank look.

After finishing handling the items at hand, the aunt at the counter tore Xie Lansheng’s package very roughly, smeared some glue on the instructions, stuck it on the side of the box, and threw Xie Lansheng’s precious film into the parcel pile at the back with a "boom". , Said: "Okay?! Pasted! Let's go?"

"..." Xie Lansheng rubbed his nose and said, "Thank you, thank you for your hard work." He was very distressed when he was dropped, but several copies of the film had already been mailed away, and the instructions to the customs were also posted, and he finished. A big thing, still happy.

After coming out of Dongsishitiao Institute, Xie Lansheng even walked erratically.

He walked two steps, getting more and more excited, and walked faster and faster. After 1 minute, he finally ran on the streets of Beijing, passed through the streets, and passed through the crowd. Windy bird.

…………

His excitement only lasted about 15 minutes, though.

As soon as he got home, Xie Lansheng calmed down and became restless.

Different from the excitement after mailing, Xie Lansheng felt empty in his heart for a moment, and he didn't even want to pay attention to his parents' nagging.

His work was done, all he could do now was wait.

Just like a few words from a mother waiting for a child who is working hard outside, Xie Lansheng was also anxious and restless, tossing and turning day and night.

As if he had obsessive-compulsive disorder, he kept recalling every detail of the shooting when he was free. For a while, he felt that this place was not good, and for a while he felt that it was not good there. He wanted to change this and that, but because he knew everything was wrong It was possible, and he sighed in vain.

He looked at the work "Rooting" with the most powerful magnifying glass and the most harsh eyes. Although he knew that its audience might not care at all, he still felt uncomfortable.

The strange thing is that he never doubted Qi Yong.He didn't think about whether the focus would be wrong or the picture would be blurry. In his eyes, it was the greatest blessing that Xinye, Nannan, Qi Yong, and Cen Chen were willing to help. He shouldn't blame anything, he The only one to blame is himself.

Sometimes, because he didn't want to get too entangled, Xie Lansheng would divert his attention and think about Xin Ye.

On the day Xinye went to Shanghai, Xie Lansheng once asked Xinye what he wanted to do in the future.

At that time, Xin Ye said: "For the time being, I want to be an actor."

And Xie Lansheng wondered: "Why is it 'temporarily wanting to be'?"

Xin Ye smiled: "Because the other thing I want to do is still not possible."

"What is it?" Xie Lansheng only felt puzzled—is there anything Xin Ye can't do?Young, handsome, and sophisticated, his stepfather is oldmoney in Los Angeles.

Xin Ye smiled, but did not answer.

Seeing that Xin Ye didn't intend to talk about it, Xie Lansheng confirmed to him again: "So, you have two things you want to do, being an actor is one of the things you want to do, and there is another thing you want to do, right? Is it?" Very strange, Xie Lansheng insisted that his own talent is limited and he can only do one thing in his life, but Xin Ye must be able to complete several careers at the same time.

Xin Ye nodded and admitted: "Yes. Actually, when I just graduated from Harvard... I thought acting was quite boring, but after getting along with each other in the past few months, my opinion has changed. Making movies...is very interesting. My level is still far away. Not enough. If I want to tell a story and help you interpret the story, I still need to observe all kinds of people, understand their different positions, and then exaggerate and magnify with the skills I have figured out. This is very interesting. I hope there will be One day I can be truly satisfied, and then…”

Xinye didn't say anything later.It was not until many years later that Xie Lansheng knew that the words Xin Ye omitted at that time were "to help you realize your dreams and help you complete your art."

At that time, Xinye's eyes were very heavy, Xie Lansheng was only puzzled, but he couldn't understand at all.

But he actually had a premonition that it would have something to do with him.He is a slender person, often has very keen insight and the ability to "see the future".He is 22 years old, indulging in himself, confused and ignorant of emotions, but with an instinct, he vaguely glimpses a corner of the future.

…………

In this way, Xie Lansheng spent the most difficult week amidst introspection and anxiety.

This week, it is long and very long, but it is actually very short.He often realizes that he has been in a daze for several hours when he is thinking wildly.One morning, one afternoon, one night, just like this, flew away in the blank.Go to bed every night, and then open your eyes, it is another new day.

It was foggy in Beijing this morning, and it was completely white in the morning. Xie Lansheng was anxious and finally received a call from Nathan, the editor of the post-production company. It was an international long-distance call from Australia.Xie Lansheng's father was the chief engineer in the unit and had a landline telephone at home, which was very rare in 1991.Thanks to this phone, Xie Lansheng was able to receive long distance calls.

"Hello," Nathan's familiar voice came through the microphone: "Is Director Xie there?"

Xie Lansheng replied: "Thisishe." For some reason, Xie Lansheng sensed a trace of helplessness in Nathan's tone.

He hoped he was overthinking it.

The next moment, Nathan said, "Director Xie, our company has just received all the films of Rooting."

"Well," Xie Lansheng breathed a sigh of relief, "That's great."

It seemed that he was overthinking it.

Everything is going well.The post office didn't lose anything.His film had been sent, and the storyboard had been sent, so there shouldn't be any unexpected problems.He had checked his film, and there should be no obvious scratches, but he could actually tolerate minor damage.It is also impossible for Qi Yong to have a major shooting accident. You must know that Qi Yong is a photographer who can also do it in Hollywood.

Xie Lansheng thought that sometimes he was really overly sensitive, and he didn't know whether it was good or bad.

"But..." Nathan hesitated to speak, as if he found it difficult to speak.However, after a long while, he finally opened his mouth again, "Director Xie, there is such a thing... When the film passed through the Australian customs, the customs officer in charge of inspecting the package knew about it. He saw that it was written on the customs declaration form. The address is "film", and the delivery address is also a film post-processing factory. However, the sending column is a personal address instead of a company address. You know this is not normal, because in the past, packages sent to Australian film post-processing companies They all come from several fixed addresses, for example, Beijing is all from Beiying. Therefore, he determined that the items in the package were prohibited items and there was something wrong with them, so he carried out customs inspection without hesitation."

"!!!" Xie Lansheng gasped for breath, and said, "I specially posted instructions on the side of the box! The inside is film! Can't see the light!!!" There should be no problem!

"I know, I saw it." Nathan continued, "The inspection officer also saw it. He decided to check the customs, paying a little attention to the description of 'film', but not too much. He didn't open the box directly, but It was taken for X-rays... I want to have a general look at the type of items inside before making a decision. Hey, the Australian Customs may be too confident this time."

Hearing this, Xie Lansheng was stunned.

Most people only know that film cannot be exposed to bright light, but they don't know that X-rays are also fatal to film.High-radiation x-ray scans can make images appear overexposed and grainy immediately, dark or black images will appear green, and other places will be fogged, which cannot be repaired in post.It can even be said that x-rays are more deadly than light because they are penetrating and can destroy all film, not just the outer layers.

Xie Lansheng's throat tightened, and his right hand clenched his finger holding the microphone, as if he was touching something ominous, which made him tremble all over.

The excitement that made him numb when he just received the call condensed into a cold loss, and it slid all the way to his toes, making his limbs tremble slightly.

"Director Xie," Nathan said in a sad tone on the opposite side, "The film was irradiated and wasted."

The author has something to say: Lan Sheng: I am too difficult.