1990: Starting from Baojia Street

After dinner, Zhou Yan went to the recording studio to watch Shizuka Kudo's album recording.

She's currently recording Lament, one of her biggest hits, which sold more than a million copies after its release last year.

However, this song is a cover. The original singer is Nakajima Miyuki. This time the Chinese album was recorded, and Ogi Production also made it into a Chinese song and included it in it.

During the recording process, Kudo Shizuka's performance was fine. After all, she was already familiar with the song and had sung it countless times.

The only problem is the Chinese pronunciation.

Although Shizuka Kudo has made great progress recently, she is still a surprise singer after all, and many of the lyrics are not yet sung smoothly.

But there was no way to change it in a short period of time, and Zhou Yan couldn't do anything to help her.

Of course, her current pronunciation is basically enough.

For the Chinese mainland market, having a neon female singer who exclusively releases Chinese albums is already very gimmick, not to mention that Shizuka Kudo is already very popular in Asia.

When this album comes out, it will definitely receive widespread attention and open up the mainland market for her.

In fact, the vocal part of this song is not a big problem, Zhou Yan thinks that their arrangement has more problems.

Miyuki Nakajima's version of the arrangement mainly used electric guitar and drums, which was also in line with Miyuki Nakajima's early style, which was more restless and wild. It complemented Miyuki Nakajima's rough voice.

In Shizuka Kudo's version, the electric guitar was abandoned and a violin was used. This was also to get closer to Shizuka Kudo's voice. However, the prelude sample was still high-pitched, which was obviously different from the style of the later vocals.

The arrangement has been changed, but not to the end. It feels like the beginning is ignored and the end is ignored. It is better to add a minor tune in the prelude and completely change the style of the music to be softer.

In this way, it can not only fit Shizuka Kudo's voice more closely, but the overall style of music can also be completely distinguished from Miyuki Nakajima.

There is also the use of toms and snare drums in the arrangement. Popular songs of this era, whether it is toms or snare drums, like to make the reverberation space large, and place great emphasis on the texture of the hit. .

The melody itself has no modulation. When listening to the song, you will clearly feel the dong dong dong sound. This feature is not only found in Asian songs, but also in Europe and the United States.

Why the public can immediately recognize songs from the 1980s and 1990s when they hear them is not only because of the style of the melody, but also because of such characteristics.

It’s not that this is bad, it’s just that it’s too conventional and lacks any new ideas.

However, Zhou Yan was not Shizuka Kudo's producer, so there was no need to make trouble for himself, so he didn't mention it.

After looking outside the glass for a while, he felt that there was nothing wrong, so Zhou Yan returned to his office. He had a lot of things to do, and he couldn't keep spending time with Shizuka Kudo.

Although the music in Spring of the Cowherd Class has been almost written, there are still many places that need to be revised and improved. The soundtrack of Journey to the West is also about to be officially written. Yang Guohui called me two days ago to ask. Although Zhou Yan was not explicitly urged to do this, Zhou Yan knew the meaning and just hoped that he would hurry up.

During this time, he has been busy with Spring of the Cowherd Class, and indeed he didn't pay much attention to the soundtrack of Westward Journey.

About an hour later, the phone on his desk rang. Without raising his head, he picked up the phone and said, Hello.

Director Zhou, are you busy?

Hearing Zhang Yimou's voice, Zhou Yan smiled and said, Director Zhang, why did you call me suddenly?

Zhang Yimou said with a smile, Don't show off to me. Why don't you know why I'm calling you?

Zhou Yan was a little confused, I really don't know, what's wrong?

I'm here to challenge you. Zhang Yimou feigned anger.

Zhou Yan was even more confused, What crime have I committed?

Tsk, tsk, it seems you really don't know. Aren't I going to film Once Upon a Time in Shanghai? I originally wanted to ask Li Xuejian to play the role of Uncle Liu. I only found out after I called there today that you blocked it. .”

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai is the original novel of Shake, Shake, Shake to Grandma Bridge, and Zhou Yan knew this.

In fact, it is said that Once Upon a Time in Shanghai is the original novel of Shake, Shake, Shake to Grandma Bridge. This is not very rigorous, because there was a movie first and then a novel. Both the movie and the novel came from another movie. The novel Fashion Rules.

Family Rules is a novel by Li Xiaotang. Many people don't know Li Xiaotang, but few people don't know his father Ba Jin.

Speaking of which, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige are really entangled. Although they may not be entangled subjectively, in fact, they will always run into each other head-on along the way.

Wind Moon filmed by Chen Kaige, the original novel Flower Shadow is written by Jinling writer Ye Zhaoyan, and the screenwriter is Shanghai writer Wang Anyi.

Zhang Yimou is here filming Shake, Shake, the original novel Family Rules, the author is Shanghai writer Li Xiaotang, and the screenwriter is Jiangsu Province writer Bi Feiyu.

This model looks very similar no matter how you look at it, and the heroines of both movies are Gong Li. It’s no wonder that others always compare the two of them.

Zhou Yan was also surprised that he accidentally snatched someone from Zhang Yimou, Is there such a thing? I really don't know, and I didn't listen to Teacher Li.

If you heard about it, would you still rob me?

Zhou Yan smiled and said, Even if I know, I still have to snatch it. My movie can't be done without Teacher Li.

Haha, what you said is too direct, so give me some face. I'm not here to challenge you. Actors, whoever steals them will use them. I just heard that you are going to make a new movie, so I came here Ask.”

For Zhang Yimou, not being able to invite Li Xuejian was not a big deal. The role of Sixth Uncle did not have to be played by Li Xuejian. Otherwise, Zhang Yimou would not have sought out Li Xuejian so late.

Not to mention that Zhou Yan had already grabbed it, even if the two of them were still grabbing it, Zhang Yimou would probably give in.

The plan for my new movie has just started. The early promotion has not started yet, and not many people know about it.

Still cooperating with Tomson?

Yes, the film contract I signed with Tomson hasn't ended yet.

Zhou Yan and Tomson still have one last film contract, but the film contract doesn't actually limit them. If Zhou Yan really wants to cooperate with other companies, Xu Feng will not disagree.

Zhang Yimou sighed, Unknowingly, this is your third feature film. It feels like filming Raise the Red Lantern was just yesterday. At that time, you were still a student, and Gong Li took you on stage every day. .”

It's Director Zhang who has a sharp eye, otherwise I wouldn't be where I am today. Zhou Yan complimented me smoothly.

However, he is still somewhat grateful to Zhang Yimou. His current filmmaking style is more or less influenced by Zhang Yimou, at least in the creation of storyboards.

If someone compares Zhou Yan's storyboard with Zhang Yimou's storyboard, they will find that their storyboards are exactly the same, both are very neat.

Of course, Zhou Yan's painting skills are poor and cannot be compared with Zhang Yimou.

Let's not talk about this kind of situation. I'm very happy that you can make it this far. Let's get together when we have time.

No problem. When I get the chance, I'll call Sister Li and some other old friends and have a meal and a couple of drinks together. Yu Hua even talked about you to me a few days ago.

Okay, let's talk about it later. I didn't have anything else to do when I called you. I just wanted to ask about this. But you have to remember that you robbed me this time. Next time I have dinner, you have to treat me.

No problem, I'll give you ten meals.

Okay, I'll remember this and hang up.

Okay, let's talk later.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yan was also a little confused, because he rarely heard Zhang Yimou reminiscing about the past like he did today, and he always felt that Lao Mouzi was not in a good mood.

Ordinarily, it won't happen. The filming of a new movie is about to start, so he should be full of energy.

However, he didn't particularly care about anything that happened to Zhang Yimou, so he concentrated on doing his own thing again.

About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Yan shouted, Come in.

Li Haining pushed the door open and asked softly, Boss Zhou, are you busy now?

Zhou Yan raised his head and looked at Li Haining.

He nodded secretly. After staying here for a few days, Li Haining at least learned to knock on the door, unlike before.

What's the matter?

Teacher Ma said that our song Let's Swing the Oars passed the test.

Where's the note signed by Teacher Ma?

Yes, yes. Li Haining took out a note from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan took the note and looked at it. It was indeed written by Ma Shuguo.

After making sure it was correct, Zhou Yan took out four ten-dollar bills from his pocket and said, Ne, this is your reward.

Thank you, Boss Zhou.

You don't need to call me Boss Zhou from now on, you can just call me Director Zhou or Teacher Zhou.

Okay, Director Zhou, what song should we learn next?

Let Teacher Ma and the others arrange it. By the way, has your school resumed classes yet?

Li Haining shook his head, I'm afraid I won't be able to resume classes for a while.

When he heard that Li Haining and his school would not be able to resume classes for a while, Zhou Yan looked a little solemn. Although this school is not large, there are students in the 70s and 80s in the whole school.

The school cannot resume classes for one day, and these students No. 70 and 80 have no books to read for a day. Although Li Haining and others may not want to study, Zhou Yan deeply knows that their current age is the best time to acquire knowledge. If they miss it, will affect their lives.

If they can recognize one more word and learn one more piece of knowledge now, maybe their life will be easier in the future.

Ma Shuguo and Sun Wenjuan both reported to Zhou Yan that Li Haining and his two children had very poor foundation. Although they were in junior high school, they did not know many common words.

If they don't even have the ability to read, it will greatly affect their independent learning. Zhou Yan hopes that when they are free, they can not only practice singing, but also read some music-related books to enrich themselves.

Know what it is and why. Learning music is the same as learning computers. As long as you are familiar with the underlying logic, subsequent learning will be easy, so laying the foundation is particularly important.

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yan said, In the future, for every song you learn, I will give you twenty yuan more.

Li Haining said in surprise, So just for one song, the national security guards and I can get 40 yuan each?

Seeing how excited Li Haining was, Zhou Yan waved his hand and said, Don't rush to be happy. From today on, I will let Teacher Ma and Teacher Sun teach you music theory knowledge and take regular exams. If you pass the exam, you can get it as agreed. money.

What if I fail the exam?

If you fail the exam, you will be deducted ten yuan at a time.

Li Haining immediately became anxious, You will also be charged for it.

Zhou Yan put down the pen in his hand and leaned back, I'm not a shady boss, and I won't force you. The choice is in your hands. It's up to you to decide whether to follow the new rules or the past. Rules come.”

I……

After all, Li Haining was a child. Zhou Yan left the choice to them, but he didn't know what to do.

If they choose the previous rules, they will not be able to get the high reward of forty yuan per song, but if they choose the new rules, they are worried about the money being deducted if they fail the exam.

Moreover, learning music theory knowledge is tiring and time-consuming, which may affect their singing practice.

Seeing Li Haining struggling, a smile appeared on Zhou Yan's lips. The lesson he wanted to teach Li Haining today was that people must learn to make choices.

When faced with a choice, many people will appear hesitant, at a loss, and extremely unsure of the future, but in fact, making the choice itself is more important than what to choose.

No one can make the right decision every time they need to make a choice, but as long as you know what you want and make your choice firmly and without regrets, your path in life will not be too bad.

If you can't make a choice, you can go back and discuss it with the National Security Agency. Before you make a choice, follow the old rules.

Li Haining was silent for a while, and finally gritted his teeth and said, I choose to follow the new rules.

Zhou Yan was quite surprised to see Li Haining make a choice so quickly. This boy's decisiveness was beyond his expectation.

I will remember your decision. Let the national security officer tell me his decision.

Well, I understand, Director Zhou, I'm going to tell the national security now.

After saying that, Li Haining slowly retreated, and when leaving, he consciously closed the door.

A few minutes later, Xia Guobao also came over. His decision was the same as Li Haining's, he chose to follow the new rules.

Zhou Yan expected this, but he hoped to hear Xia Guobao say it himself.

Li Haining's shortcoming is that he is too opinionated, while Xia Guobao, on the contrary, has no opinion at all, as if his brain is growing on Li Haining's head.

Okay, you go back.

After a while, Zhou Yan went to Ma Shuguo and told Li Haining and the others about music theory.

After listening, Ma Shuguo said worriedly, It's very difficult for them to practice basic skills. If we ask them to learn music theory again, it's hard to believe that they will study it seriously.

It's okay, you just discipline them, give them a set of test papers every five days, and conduct an assessment. The difficulty is controlled so that they can get about sixty points.

Although he didn't know what Zhou Yan wanted to do, Ma Shuguo still nodded and said, I understand. I will start teaching them the basics tomorrow.

You should also tell Sun Wenjuan about this.

no problem.

After talking to Ma Shuguo, Zhou Yan went to the practice room, where he was going to adjust a piece of music he had just written.

After this adjustment, it was seven o'clock in the evening again.

Zhou Yan stretched, stood up and walked out of the practice room, only to see Kong Chao from the cafeteria standing outside.

Boss, your work is over.

Seeing Kong Chao, Zhou Yan sighed, Xiao Kong, you can just get off work when the time comes and don't worry about me.

No, it's only seven o'clock now, not very late, and Miss Kudo's side isn't over yet.

She's not done yet? Zhou Yan said in surprise.

Kudo Shizuka came over early in the morning to record. Can I still be in good shape for the whole day of recording?

He pondered for a moment and walked towards the recording studio where Kudo Shizuka and the others were, but he heard Kong Chao say, Boss, she is not in the recording studio. She is singing in practice room No. 2 now.

Zhou Yan nodded and went to practice room No. 2 again.

Shizuka Kudo is practicing First Dream. Compared with last time, her pronunciation has improved this time, and she can sing with more ease, and she doesn't sound too tired.

I have to say that this girl's function is really good, and she can withstand such a thing.

No matter how good your singing skills are, you will inevitably use your functions, and Shizuka Kudo's singing level is naturally incomparable with those other singers, so she can sing without feeling tired, so her functions must be very good.

Where are the others? Zhou Yan asked Kong Chao.

Miss Nangong and the others left early. They said they would pick her up later.

This is not the first time that Nangong Songzi and the others have left Kudo Shizuka here. They did this the last time they came to the studio. These people are really confident about their artists.

After Kudo Shizuka finished singing a song, Zhou Yan clapped, and Kong Chao next to him also clapped, even harder than Zhou Yan.

Kudo Shizuka turned around and saw Zhou Yan standing at the door, and said happily, Zhou Yan, you are here.

Well, hurry up and eat. Singing is very demanding on the body. If you keep skipping meals, you will suffer a lot when singing.

Moreover, she has been skipping meals, and it is difficult for Kong Chao to get off work.

Would you like to eat with me?

Zhou Yan shrugged, We are the only two who haven't eaten now.

Then let's eat together. Kudo Shizuka tidied up briefly, quickly followed Zhou Yan's footsteps, and looked at him sideways, Zhou Yan, what do you think of my singing?

Zhou Yan nodded, Very good, didn't I applaud you?

What about my pronunciation?

It's also very good. You are making rapid progress. Last time we chatted alone, we had to make gestures with our hands.

Zhou Yan was telling the truth. Kudo Shizuka's Chinese performance exceeded his expectations this time, and they could already communicate without a translator.

Kudo Shizuka spoke very slowly, but her expression was quite clear.

Hearing Zhou Yan praising himself, Kudo Shizuka proudly said, I practice hard every day.

Your practice results are very good. Zhou Yan affirmed.

But, my Chinese teacher is not here this time. Can you teach me a lesson?

Zhou Yan glanced at Kudo Shizuka, Don't you have a translator?

He is bad.

What's wrong?

He speaks neon language, follow me.

Zhou Yan suggested to her, When you usually record here, you can go and chat with the band members if you have nothing to do. It will be much better than me teaching you.

Zhou Yan said this sentence a bit quickly, Kudo Shizuka didn't quite understand it, and showed a confused expression.

Zhou Yan had no choice but to slow down and repeat this sentence again.

After listening, Kudo Shizuka shook her head, I don't know them.

Zhou Yan chuckled lightly, Aren't you a Sheniu? What's so difficult about this?

Kudo Shizuka once again showed a confused expression. She could not understand the meaning of the word Sheniu.

Zhou Yan also spoke smoothly and used She Niu, but using She Niu to describe Kudo Shizuka is quite appropriate. Although she usually dresses very girly, she is very direct and proactive when communicating with others.

I mean, you're better at making friends with people.

Then we are good friends?

Zhou Yan smiled, this girl's logic was quite interesting.

Zhou Yan did not answer this question. He walked straight towards the cafeteria, and Kudo Shizuka followed quickly.

When they arrived at the kitchen, Kong Chao had already served the food.

Shizuka Kudo looked hungry too. She took her chopsticks and said, I'll start first, and then started eating.

While eating, Kudo Shizuka was quiet for a while, and the two of them had a good meal.

After the meal was finished, Zhou Yan looked at the time. It was almost eight o'clock. He asked Kudo Shizuka, When will Nangong Songzi and the others come to pick you up?

It should be there soon.

Zhou Yan nodded and said to Kong Chao, Xiao Kong, you go back first, I'll stay with her for a while.

Okay, I'll wash the dishes and leave.

After Kong Chao left, Zhou Yan waited with Kudo Shizuka for a while. Until half past eight, Nangong Songzi and the others had not arrived yet. He couldn't help but ask again, When will they arrive?

It should be arriving soon.

Seeing how confused she was, Zhou Yan stood up and said, I'll take you back to the hotel.

Shizuka Kudo stayed at the Xufeng Hotel, which was the same hotel where the cast of The Sixth Sense was cast. It was not far from Zhou Yan's house, and it was also a convenient way for Zhou Yan to go home from here.

Okay, let's go. Shizuka Kudo stood up immediately, a little impatient.

Zhou Yan locked the door of the cafeteria and took Shizuka Kudo out of the building.

But as soon as the two of them arrived at the door, Nangong Songzi brought someone over.

Seeing Nangong Songzi, a trace of disappointment flashed across Kudo Shizuka's face. If Songzi came a little later, she could ask Zhou Yan to see her off.

Zhou Yan frowned and said to Nangong Songzi, Miss Nangong, why do you always leave her here alone?

There shouldn't be any danger here, right?

As for danger, there is really no danger here in the studio, because the studio is inside an electronics factory, and there are people from the security department patrolling at night.

Zhou Yan sighed, is Neon's artist company so confident about its artists?

It was late at night in a foreign country, so I really wasn’t worried at all.

You still have to be careful and try not to let her stay alone in the studio in the future.

Okay, okay. Nangong Songzi nodded repeatedly.

Okay, I'm going back first, you should go back quickly.

After Zhou Yan left, Nangong Songzi rolled his eyes at Kudo Shizuka, Shizuka, I will never let you stay here tomorrow.

But we can't practice singing in the hotel.

Then I will accompany you.

But aren't you also very busy?

I can also be busy here.

It's okay. If it's too late, I can ask Zhou Yan to take me back.

I heard that Zhou Yan and Zhang Manyu are in love.

The news is all fake, don't you know? Shizuka Kudo shrugged, not caring at all.