1990: Starting from Baojia Street

Zhou Yan was surprised at first that the Olympic Bid Committee asked him to be the deputy director of the promotional video for the Olympic bid, but after thinking about it carefully, he was indeed a more suitable candidate for deputy director.

Regardless of whether they are fourth- or fifth-generation directors, given their status, they may not be willing to serve as assistant directors.

Zhou Yan is young and does not have this psychological burden, and he is famous enough. There are other young directors, but not as famous as Zhou Yan.

In addition, Zhou Yan has an advantage, that is, his movies sell well in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This is the main reason why Liang Yu and the others decided to let him serve as assistant director.

After talking to Liang Yu on the phone, Zhou Yan tidied up briefly, took out all the dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine, then made himself a cup of tea, then went to the study and started to change the score of the Three Kingdoms soundtrack.

After lunch, Zhou Yan received another call from Zhang Youan.

Zhou Yan, your assistant has been found for you, and he will go find you tomorrow.

As soon as the call was connected, Zhang Youan said this to Zhou Yan.

A few months ago, Xu Feng said that he would find a life assistant for Zhou Yan, but this matter has not been implemented for a long time. It is not because Zhang Youan did not help him find it, but because he has never found a suitable one.

The work required in the position of life assistant seems to be quite simple, but in fact it is quite difficult, and ability is secondary. The key is that the person must be reliable.

Male or female? Zhou Yan asked.

Girls.

Zhou Yan was stunned for a moment, It's not convenient for girls.

The life assistant basically has to be around Zhou Yan every day. He feels that if she is a woman, it would not be appropriate and it would be easy for others to misunderstand her.

Zhang Youan smiled. Girls are more attentive, reassuring, more ordinary-looking, and won't cause scandals with you. And many times, male assistants are even more inconvenient.

Do I have to see the person first? Zhou Yan asked.

Zhang Youan said with a smile, Don't worry, there is a trial period, one month, you can use it first. If you are not satisfied, tell me anytime and I will change it for you.

Hearing what Zhang Youan said, Zhou Yan nodded, That's okay, then I'll wait for her at home tomorrow?

Well, she will be there in the morning.

what is her name?

Jiang Xia, I usually call her Axia.

After talking about the life assistant, Zhang Youan added, The album Piano Boy was released on Neon last week, and the sales and audience feedback were pretty good. During this period, we are also accelerating the cooperation with Neon. According to the distribution discussions, the film is expected to be released on Neon within this year, but it may be a little later in Korea.

Zhou Yan nodded, and it was actually pretty good to go step by step like this. Tomson had few movies on hand, so he was more attentive to the promotion of The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly, and he worked on it slowly, not in a hurry.

Did you remember the concert you talked about in Xiangjiang and Taiwan last time? Zhou Yan asked about the concert again.

Of course I haven't forgotten it. I have recently contacted several contracting companies and are discussing this matter. I will let you know if there is any progress.

Of course, it is impossible for Tomson to contact the venue and publicity himself for this kind of concert. This is very inefficient. The best way is to find a local company to organize the event, package the concert to this contracting company, and then contact the venue later. , let this contracting company do all the concert promotion and ticketing.

This kind of local professional company has a good understanding of the local situation and has sufficient experience in organizing activities. It is definitely better than Tomson Company to do it on its own.

Of course, these contracting companies do not accept everyone's activities. They have one purpose, to make money.

Zhou Yan didn't ask any more questions. He just wanted to make sure that Zhang Youan hadn't forgotten about it. Don't wait for him to lead the orchestra to practice the music over and over again. In the end, these students would not get the chance to perform on stage.

These students from the orchestra are willing to come here, naturally not because of the financial subsidy, but more because of Zhou Yan.

But admiration and love for individuals cannot last forever. If you want to develop this band, you must give them the opportunity to perform on stage.

Moreover, they came to the band for their own sake, and Zhou Yan would definitely not let them suffer.

In fact, Zhang Youan still had something to say to Zhou Yan. He did contact several companies that contracted activities, but the results of the negotiations were mediocre.

Because The Piano Boy performed well at the box office in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but it was not very popular, so even if these contracting companies were willing to contract Zhou Yan's concerts, they were not willing to pay high prices.

And the price they were willing to offer was something Zhang Youan couldn't accept.

Money comes second, and Tomson Company doesn't expect to make much money from concerts.

The main reason is that these contracting companies are not particularly optimistic about the concert, and naturally they cannot spend too much money on the promotion of the concert.

They held this concert just to promote Zhou Yan. If the contracting company didn't care about publicity, wouldn't it be in vain?

You can't outsource the concert and then spend a lot of money to promote it yourself. Then you might as well just do it yourself.

Of course, there is no need to tell Zhou Yan about this kind of thing. Anyway, Zhang Youan has already thought about it. Even if he can't reach an agreement with the companies that contract the activities in the end, the concert will still be done, even if it doesn't make money.

Just think of it as spending money on publicity, and feel more at ease than leaving it to a company that doesn't take it seriously.

…

At around three o'clock in the afternoon, Zhou Yan was just about to get another cup of tea. After taking a rest, he heard a knock on the door from outside, and then heard Fang Xiu's voice.

Senior Brother Zhou Yan, are you at home?

Zhou Yan stood up and opened the courtyard door, only to see Fang Xiu, Yu Ran and Wang Feng standing outside the door.

How did you know I was back? Zhou Yan was a little surprised.

Zhou Yan told them in advance about his trip to Zhuo City, but he didn't tell them the time of his return. How could they come by such a coincidence?

Fang Xiu smiled and said, I don't know. I just came to knock on the door to try. I didn't expect you to be at home.

That's quite a coincidence. I just came back today. Zhou Yan smiled and gave way, Come in.

As soon as the three of them came in, they ran to the piano room.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Zhou Yan wanted to leave a key to them so that they could come over to practice at any time when he was not at home, but after thinking about it, it was still inappropriate. This was his home after all, and it was never good to give the key to others. .

The idea of ​​setting up a studio once again appeared in Zhou Yan's mind. If he could find a studio, these problems would be easily solved.

It just so happens that his life assistant will arrive tomorrow. When nothing happens, he can ask the life assistant to ask around.

Zhou Yan has also planned that if he successfully holds concerts in Hong Kong and Taiwan at the end of this year and the response is good, he will later plan to hold concerts in Korea and Neon in an effort to go abroad.

Zhang Youan said that the album Piano Boy has been released on Neon, and the response has been okay, but he did not elaborate on how it was. Maybe Zhang Youan did not get the specific data.

…

In neon Kyoto, at the entrance of Kakegawa High School, Tanaka Maji lowered his head and walked out of the school gate, heading towards the Nangong Family Bookstore two blocks away.

The sports atmosphere in Kakegawa High School is very strong. Most boys will go to a sports club after school. Among them, the football team, baseball team and tennis team are the most popular. Other students who do not join sports clubs will basically find one they like. of societies to join.

Even those girls who do not join clubs usually go to various courts to watch games after school and cheer for their favorite players.

But Tian Nakamaji didn't join any clubs, and he wouldn't join in any fun after school, like a loner.

He was not always like this. He was originally the main defensive midfielder of the school football team, but an accident in his sophomore year resulted in a fracture of his fifth toe.

The fracture of the fifth phalanx was not a serious injury and would not have any impact after recovery. However, since then, he has been suffering from heart problems and did not dare to play football again, no matter how much his teammates and coaches persuaded him.

Now he not only doesn't want to play games, he doesn't even want to pass by the football field. The cheers and cheers coming from the football field also make him feel harsh.

Recently, he met a friend at Nangong's Bookstore. The two of them like the same kind of books and the same kind of music.

So during this period, Tian Zhongjian Er would go to Nangong's bookstore after school to read and listen to music with his friend.

When he arrived at the bookstore, before his friend came, he found a mystery novel and started reading it.

Ten minutes later, Hiramatsu and Hiro patted Tian Nakamaji on the shoulder from behind, Hiranaka, did you come so early today?

I just came here too. Tian Zhongmaer pushed up his glasses and said with a smile.

What are you reading?

Tabakamaji turned the book back to its cover, After School by Keigo Higashino.

Oh, Keigo Higashino, I haven't heard from him for a long time. Hiramatsu and Hiro smiled and said nothing more.

Although he had no comments, Tanakamaji knew that Hiramatsu and Hiro probably didn't like this book or even Keigo Higashino very much.

According to Hiramatsu Kazuhiro's character, if he likes this book or the author Keigo Higashino, he will definitely be very happy to share his love with Tanakamaji, instead of saying nothing like this.

Silence was his respect, but at the same time it said everything.

Tian Nakama Er smiled and closed the book. In fact, he also felt that the rhythm of this book was not suitable for him. He just wanted to pass the time when he was bored and waiting for someone.

Seeing Tanakamaji put down After School, Hiramatsu and Hiramatsu put a copy of Vertigo in front of him.

Shimada-kun's Vertigo? Tanaka Maji looked surprised.

This novel was serialized in a magazine before. Not long after the serialization ended, I didn’t expect that a single book had already been released.

Shoji Shimada is their two favorite mystery novelist, and they have basically read all of Shimada's novels.

I gave it to you. Pingsong and Guang said with a smile.

Tian Zhongmaer raised his head in surprise, Don't you do it yourself?

Of course I have one myself. I bought two copies. This one is specially bought for you. Hiramatsu and Hiroshi said with a smile.

Thank you so much.

Haha, if you want to thank me, just keep it well.

They had read this novel when it was serialized before, and they still had the serialized magazine at home. Now they bought it, of course, for their collection.

must.

Holding Vertigo, Tian Zhongma couldn't put it down. He flipped through it again to see if there was any difference between the content of the single book and the serialized version.

Hiramatsu and Hiroshi found another newly released novel and read it. After a while, he suddenly raised his eyebrows because he had never heard the music played in the bookstore today.

listen.

Tian Nakamaji raised his head, listened carefully, and then noticed the background music in the bookstore today.

It seems...never heard of it.

After listening for a while, Hiramatsu and Hiroshi smiled again and said, It's a nice violin. What do you hear from this piece of music?

Tanakamaji thought for a while and said, The melody is a bit sad. I think of a lonely train traveling in the middle of the sea. I don't know where the destination is and whether there are any passengers inside.

Maybe you are the passenger inside. Hiramatsu and Guang said with a smile.

Tian Nakamaji also laughed, If that's the case, then I hope you are in it.

Then I will jump directly into the sea. Hiramatsu and Guanghuang shrugged, I don't have the imagination like you. When I heard this music, I thought of the day a few years ago, when I was alone in the wild, and suddenly it was windy and rainy. , I didn’t bring an umbrella, and I didn’t even have a place to hide from the rain.”

It's miserable.

Soon, the song ended, and after a while, the second piece of music sounded. Different from the previous sad piece, this piece sounded more pleasant and melodious.

Another song that sounds good but I've never heard of it. Hiramatsu and Hiroshi's eyes lit up.

Before the second song ended, Hiramatsu and Hiro stood up and ran downstairs.

What are you going to do? Tian Zhonger asked.

I'll ask Nangong what kind of music this is...

While talking, Hiramatsu and Guang were already downstairs. After a while, he went upstairs again, holding a record in his hand.

What is this? Tian Zhongmaer asked curiously.

Hiramatsu and Hiro raised their hands and showed Tian Nakamaji the cover of the record, which had the words Piano Boy written on it, and below these words, there was another line of words.

[Original soundtracks from movies such as The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly...]

What is the piano boy who wants to fly? Tian Zhongmao asked doubtfully.

I don't know either, but Nangong said there is an introduction in the record.

After that, Hiramatsu and Hiroshi opened the record, and sure enough they found a booklet inside.

This booklet contains a personal introduction of the composer and an introduction to each song in the record.

After reading the introduction, they knew that The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly was a movie written and directed by the composer Zhou Yan.

They have no interest in movies for the time being and only pay attention to the music in them.

Hiramatsu and Hiro took out a CD player from their schoolbag, put the disc of Piano Boy in it, and then gave another pair of headphones to Tanakamaji.

There was a blank space in front of it. Hiramatsu and Hiro took the booklet and said, The first piece is called...Croatian Rhapsody.

As soon as he finished speaking, the music started.

The two looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

Because they had heard the previous two pieces of music, they thought Zhou Yan's style was soothing. Unexpectedly, this Croatian Rhapsody had such a fast tempo when it started, which was completely different from the style of the previous two pieces.

No wonder it's called Rhapsody. Hiramatsu and Hiro couldn't help but mutter.

After the first song ended, Hiramatsu and Guang pressed the pause button, then picked up the booklet and read it, only to see this introduction to the song.

[This song is a song played by the male protagonist in The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly. The author was due to the war...]

Sure enough, it was composed for the war. When I listened to this piece just now, Hiramatsu and Hiro thought of the ongoing Croatian war.

After reading the introduction, he couldn't wait to press the play button and continue listening to the second song.

As soon as this second piece of music started playing, they felt very familiar. Isn't this the first piece of music they heard just now? Hiramatsu and Hiro thought of the stormy day, while Tanakamaji thought of the lonely train.

What's the name of this piece? Tian Zhongmaer asked.

Hiramatsu and Hiro picked up the pamphlet and read it.

This piece is called 'Kite'.

Is it also from the movie The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly?

Hiramatsu and Hiro shook their heads, No, this song is from another movie called Reply from Heaven.

Did Zhou Yan also take the photo?

No, it was filmed by a Chinese director named Wang Junzheng, but the soundtrack director of this film is Zhou Yan.

That's it. Tian Zhongjian nodded.

Then the two of them read the brochure and listened to music.

They heard the brisk Wind (Kikujiro's Summer), the passionate Awakening, and the melodious Forever... Every piece of music, no matter how long or short it is, is very nice to listen to.

After listening to the end, both Hiramatsu and Guang were a little confused because the quality of this pure music album was too high.

Today's pure music albums are actually similar to pop music. There are only two or three songs in an album, or even only one or two main songs. And except for the main song, which is better, the other songs are relatively ordinary.

But this Piano Boy is different. Although the short songs are short, the quality is also very high, not to mention the long songs, each one is better than the last.

If only the title song was released like others, this album could be divided into three albums, or at least two.

If this album contained only the soundtrack of one movie instead of the soundtrack of three movies, Hiramatsu and Hiro wouldn't think there was a problem, and they would still like it.

I've never heard of this Zhou Yan before. Tian Zhongmao said.

Hiramatsu and Guang laughed and said, Which Chinese musician have you heard before?

Tian Zhongmao thought about it for a while, and he really didn't expect a Chinese musician. In fact, except for the musicians in Neon, the ones he had heard from other countries were basically dead and none alive.

Looking at his style, he might be from Xiangjiang or Taiwan? Tian Zhongmao guessed.

Hiramatsu and Guang shook their heads with a smile, It's impossible. I will definitely only write about these two places.

Indeed. Tian Zhongjian nodded.

Hiramatsu and Hiro put the booklet in their hands and flipped through it, I don't know if some of the movies in it can be seen in Neon. I'm quite curious about what scenes the music is paired with.

Don't they sell movie videos in bookstores? Maybe you can ask Nangong.

Yes, I'll ask Nangong later to see if she knows.

An hour later, when Hiramatsu and Hiro left the bookstore with Tanakamaji, they asked Nangong Kezi about the video tape. Nangong Kezi shook her head and said she was unclear, and the two could only leave disappointed.

After the two left, Nangong Keiko smiled. Before Hiramatsu and Guang, three people had already asked about the music played in the store. Two of them spent money to buy the music album Piano Boy and also Someone like Hiramatsu and Hiro came to ask about the movie.

Nangong Keiko also tried to enter ten albums because a channel dealer recommended the music album Piano Boy to her.

After coming back, Nangong Keiko thought the music on this album was pretty good, so she often played it in the store. However, she usually only played more soothing music such as Kite and Forever Together, while Croatian Rhapsody and More passionate songs like Awakening will be skipped by her in fast forward.

The effect of often placing them in the store is also very good. Four of them have been sold in the past few days, and today is an even better harvest. With the two of Hiramatsu and Hiroshi, four of them were sold in one day.

Of the ten albums in total, eight have been sold, which is already very fast.

Of course, this situation still doesn't happen often today. Normally, it would be pretty good if one could be sold in a day.

Looking at the remaining two copies of Piano Boy in stock in the store, Nangong Keiko picked them up and put them on the music album display rack near the door of the bookstore.

Then Nangong Huizi called the distributor and asked them to bring thirty more copies of Piano Boy when they deliver the goods tomorrow.

About two blocks away from Nangong's Bookstore, there is a store that specializes in selling audio and video products. The owner Kubo Ying has just called the distributor and asked them to give away ten copies of Piano Boy next time they deliver the goods. 》.

The sales of this album in their store are not as good as Nangong's Bookstore, but it is not bad. The last time he bought five copies of Piano Boy, four of them were sold in one week, with an average of less than two days. One can be sold.

It's actually not that average.

After the five copies of Piano Boy entered the store, no one paid any attention to them for the first two days. Only on the third day did someone listen to the trial version and decide to buy one.

After that person bought the album, two days later, he brought two more people over, and he sold two more albums at once.

Such a situation of guests bringing guests together shows that the quality of this album is indeed very high.

Kuboying took the small blackboard at the door and wrote on it: New product consultation, Piano Boy.

He knew that as long as he wrote the consultation information on the small blackboard, more people would definitely notice the music album.

After channel dealer Chuanliu Qiye just hung up the phone with Nangong Keiko, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He didn't expect that the music album Piano Boy was selling well. Today, including Nangong's, there are already three The store came to ask for replenishment. Although the replenishment quantity of the other two stores was not as good as Nangong's, it also proved that the album could indeed be sold in their store.

However, as a channel dealer, Qianliu Qiye has seen all kinds of popular music albums. A situation like Piano Boy can only make him slightly surprised. After hanging up the phone, he went to do other things.

…

When Zhou Yan saw Jiang Xia, his pupils shrank slightly.

Zhang Youan said that Jiang Xia looked very ordinary, but in fact, Jiang Xia was anything but ordinary.

It's not that Jiang Xia is good-looking, or that Zhang Xia is ugly, but... Jiang Xia is about the same height as Zhou Yan, and her build is about the same as Zhou Yan's.

It would be okay if a man had such a figure, but it was not so ordinary for a girl in her twenties to have such a figure. Moreover, Jiang Xia also had short hair and had a somewhat male appearance.

If Jiang Xia and Wang Feng stood together and only looked at their backs, 90% of people would think that the latter was more like a girl.

Hello boss, my name is Jiang Xia. You can call me Xiao Jiang or Xiao Xia.

Well, let me call you Xiao Jiang.

Between Xiaojiang and Xiaoxia, Zhou Yan chose the former because Zhou Yan felt that calling her Xiaojiang would be more appealing.

Jiang Xia smiled and said, Boss, I will be your life assistant from now on. Whether it is life or work, if you need anything, you can tell me.

Zhou Yan smiled and waved his hand, It's better not to call me boss. Call me Teacher Zhou, or just call me Zhou Yan.

He was originally a teacher, and he was used to being called Teacher Zhou.

Okay, Teacher Zhou.

Jiang Xia smiled and took out a timetable directly from her bag, Teacher Zhou, let's check your schedule first. I have only obtained one of your schedules for the time being, which is your weekly schedule. There are two lessons on harmony A from 8:20 to 10 o'clock in the morning on Thursday. Do you have any plans in the near future?

Zhou Yan thought for a while and said, There is no special schedule for the time being.

Teacher Zhou, it's not just a special itinerary, I need your entire itinerary, including the day you want to have a dinner party with your colleagues.

Zhou Yan raised his eyebrows, Does it need to be so thin?

If it involves privacy that is not convenient for you to tell me, you can be a little more vague, such as what time and what time you have something to do one night, so that I can help you arrange time or other itineraries.

Zhou Yan thought for a while and said, Next Wednesday, at ten o'clock in the morning, I am going to the Bayi Film Studio. Apart from that, I have no other appointments for the time being.

Jiang Xia marked down the date and then said with a smile, Teacher Zhou, is there anything you need me to do?

Zhou Yan shook his head and said, No.

He originally wanted to ask Jiang Xia to help him look for a place suitable for opening a studio, but after thinking about it, he still didn't say it. Jiang Xia had just arrived and the two were not familiar with each other yet. He would leave the matter to her after they became familiar with each other later. Not too late either.

Jiang Xia looked at the courtyard and asked, Teacher Zhou, do you need me to stay here when you are at home?

It's better to come back when I need you.

Jiang Xia nodded, Okay, I live nearby. If Teacher Zhou needs anything, please call me anytime.

After leaving the paging number, Jiang Xia left.

Zhou Yan was quite surprised to see her leaving so simply, but it was good. Zhou Yan was worried that having his assistant by his side every day would make him uncomfortable.

In addition, Zhang Youan was right. It would be difficult for Jiang Xia and him to have a scandal. Even if the two of them were photographed together, others would probably think they were good brothers.

In the next two days, Zhou Yan did not contact Jiang Xia, and Jiang Xia did not take the initiative to contact Zhou Yan.

Until 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jiang Xia appeared at the door of Zhou Yan's house.

Zhou Yan was quite surprised to see Jiang Xia, Xiao Jiang, are you coming here today to go to the Bayi Factory with me?

Jiang Xia smiled and said, Well, Teacher Zhou, I'll take you there.

give me?

Yes, I drove here. The company provided you with a car.

Zhou Yan followed Jiang Xia out and saw a Santana parked in the alley.

He looked at Jiang Xia again, Xiao Jiang, can you drive?

Yes, when Mr. Zhang recruits assistants, one of the requirements is that he can drive.

Zhou Yan nodded. Being able to drive is a relatively special skill these days. After all, most people have never even touched a car. Jiang Xia is also a lesbian, which is even more rare.

After getting in the car, Zhou Yan asked Jiang Xia curiously, How did Zhang Youan recruit you?

It's just a normal recruitment notice, a month and a half ago...

Jiang Xia roughly told Zhou Yan about her application. Only then did Zhou Yan know that Jiang Xia had been staying with Zhang Youan for more than a month, and that not only Jiang Xia had successfully applied for the job before, but there was also another girl. But in the end Zhang Youan kept Jiang Xia.

Zhou Yan also nodded secretly. He could follow Zhang Youan for more than a month and finally win. It seems that Jiang Xia is quite capable.

After sending Zhou Yan to the Bayi Factory, Jiang Xia smiled and said, Teacher Zhou, please go in and I will find a place to park and wait for you.

Zhou Yan didn't say anything, nodded and entered the Bayi Factory.

After having an assistant and a car, it is indeed much more convenient.

After entering the Bayi Factory, Zhou Yan found Wu Ziniu.

Wu Ziniu was originally working at his desk. After seeing Zhou Yan, he stood up and shook hands with Zhou Yan very happily, Zhou Yan, you came so early today.

Their appointment was at ten o'clock. Zhou Yan originally calculated that he should be here at nine-thirty, but because Jiang Xia drove him here, he arrived at the place at nine o'clock.

I was afraid of traffic jams, so I came early, but there was no traffic jam.

Let's go to the reception room and chat.

Wu Ziniu smiled, led Zhou Yan to the reception room, poured another cup of tea, and then the two sat opposite each other.

As soon as he sat down, Wu Ziniu said with a smile, General Manager Xu of Tomson has contacted our factory, and the filming of Tree Hole has basically been decided. Recently, Tomson is making production cost planning. Once the costs are determined, the plan can begin.”

Zhou Yan nodded and smiled, Congratulations to Director Wu. Everything is difficult at the beginning, but now the beginning looks pretty good.

Isn't this all dependent on your help in the middle? If it weren't for you, I would still be communicating with Senxin. It is definitely possible to shoot, but Senxin doesn't have much money, so the investment cost will not be high.

Zhang Zhiliang joined Senxin Entertainment Company just to shoot some low-cost movies, so of course he couldn't invest too much money.

Zhou Yan asked with a smile, Now that things have come to this point, has Director Wu considered the actors?

In the movie Tree Hole, the most important character is of course Yao Xiang, and Zhou Yan is also asking about Yao Xiang.

Wu Ziniu nodded, I have thought about it, but I haven't thought of a more suitable candidate for the time being. Do you have any ideas?

Zhou Yan shook his head, I don't have a special candidate in mind for the time being.

It doesn't matter, we will post the hero post widely later, and there will definitely be many people coming to apply for it, so we will make the selection slowly.