Chapter 32: Major Moves at School

The banners must cross the border and be hung all over the campus by the time the sun rises tomorrow.

They must let the people of Beijing Film Academy (BFA) see just how incredible the students from the Central Academy of Drama (CAD) directing department truly are.

This time, CAD must surpass BFA and let the entire nation know that CAD doesn't just produce actors, but also produces even more exceptional directors.

Taking advantage of the fact that the new semester has only just begun, they must let all the new students see clearly: CAD is home to great directors who have won the Venice Golden Lion, and a group of outstanding students who have walked the red carpet in Venice.

Any publicity that is particularly beneficial to the school must be organized with full force.

Even if they cannot make it known nationwide, they must make sure everyone in Beijing knows that CAD is the greatest film and television academy.

One must realize that a current student managed to film a movie that was selected for the Venice main competition, produced two Best Actor winners and one Best Newcomer, and directly took home the Golden Lion.

Even China's most legendary director, Zhang Guoshi, probably wasn't as formidable as Cheng Sheng was when he first debuted!

Although disturbing an advertising agency late at night was somewhat unethical, under the charm of money, the agency would have to obediently take the job no matter how angry they were.

CAD's massive move even stirred the BFA.

Many BFA school leaders were nearly cursing in frustration.

Isn't it just achieving a little bit of success?

What are they trying to achieve by making such a big deal out of it?

This is Beijing; do you think a film school is trying to start a rebellion?

While they couldn't stand CAD's methods, the BFA leaders were secretly feeling a sense of envy and jealousy.

Having a living advertisement like Cheng Sheng would be extremely beneficial for next year's recruitment.

After all, what CAD was doing this time was a massive way to boost its presence.

Especially for those students who wanted to apply to film schools next year.

Cheng Sheng's film could be described as a project involving the entire faculty and student body; even last year's freshmen joined the film, some even having lines.

The school leading its students in filmmaking—this was likely a first!

Such an event was absolutely earth-shattering.

Anyone with even a shred of ambition in the entertainment industry would want such resources!

There are so many artists in the industry, but the resources are limited.

If no one mentors you, no matter how good your acting is, you can only scrape by with bit parts.

Many people spend half their lives on film sets, honing their acting skills to perfection, yet they still fail to land a significant role.

Why is that?

It's because they lack resources and mentorship.

Now, CAD is bringing its entire faculty and student body into Cheng Sheng's film; isn't this a living advertisement?

If they can get into CAD, would they have a chance when Cheng Sheng starts filming his next movie?

According to rumors leaked by certain people in Cheng Sheng's crew, *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins* is a film series.

There will be many more films to be shot afterward.

If one were studying at CAD, there would be a hundred percent chance of participating in this series.

Even if they didn't get a lead role, they could snag a role with lines.

After all, when filming historical epics, the number of roles with dialogue is countless.

Based on their intensive study of Tang Dynasty history, if Cheng Sheng films a sequel, it will undoubtedly be about the Reign of Zhenguan.

And the Reign of Zhenguan is famous for having a vast number of historical figures.

The most well-known are the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion, as well as the children of Li Shimin.

Calculating it up, there would be at least a hundred roles with dialogue. If one couldn't even land one of those, they would be a complete failure.

Therefore, CAD's enrollment next year would definitely explode.

It could be said that next year, CAD would be able to pick actors at will, and only the leftovers would be left for other film schools.

This point caused BFA, Shanghai Theatre Academy, and other film schools to curse directly.

If all the elites went to CAD, they would only be left with the scraps; how could anyone endure that?

Because of this, the major film schools were collectively wondering if they should team up against CAD to prevent its leadership from becoming too arrogant.

As CAD worked through the night to organize this grand event, the domestic entertainment media was also busy.

The moment they learned that Cheng Sheng had won the Golden Lion, the editor-in-chief of *Xinlang* immediately ordered his subordinates to release the prepared news.

[CAD Student Triumphs in Venice, Seizing the Golden Lion in One Stroke.]

[One Movie, Two Best Actors: A Victory for Chinese Cinema.]

[Golden Lion Winner Cheng Sheng, Silver Lion Best Actors Zheng Guolin and Fu Dalong, and Best Newcomer Su Chang.]

[A Feast for Chinese Cinema, A Feast for *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins*.]

[The Greatest Film of 2004 Has Arrived.]

[Chinese Historical Epics Conquer Venice, Showcasing Might in the West.]

[What Does a 100-Million Investment Tell Us? One Golden Lion, Three Silver Lions.]

[Not long ago, everyone doubted the newcomer director Cheng Sheng, but Cheng Sheng has now delivered a massive slap in the face to them. Who exactly is unreliable?]

[Cheng Sheng's acceptance speech tells us: CAD is the best.]

[With one wave of publicity, CAD has become globally famous without spending a single cent.]

[Just what kind of divine film is *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins* that even Westerners have been conquered?]

When the news of Cheng Sheng winning the Golden Lion in Venice was first posted online, the internet exploded instantly, with everyone discussing it fervently.

After entertainment news sites like *Xinlang* published news regarding the Venice Film Festival, they surpassed all other portals, and their click traffic skyrocketed.

Early the next morning.

Many people passing by the gates of CAD quickly noticed many students busy hanging banners. Some uninformed passersby stepped forward and asked, "What day is it today? It's not a holiday, why are you hanging these?"

"Hehe, didn't you watch the news last night? Our CAD is freaking awesome!"

"Yeah! You know Director Cheng Sheng from our school's directing department, right? He won the Golden Lion last night!"

"And two Best Actors, plus a Best Newcomer. It's incredibly badass!"

"The President had us prepare this last night."

Anyone passing by CAD who could strike up a conversation was either an acquaintance or an industry insider.

Hearing the news from the students, they were all shocked.

The Golden Lion!

Best Actor!

Best Newcomer.

CAD has truly made its mark this time.

Huang Lei, blending into the crowd, also wore a look of shock.

He had spent a messy night with someone and was heading back to BFA via the CAD gates when he saw the students hanging banners and came over to see the commotion, never expecting to hear such earth-shattering news.

As for Cheng Sheng, he had only heard of him recently.

He knew the man had gone to the Western Hills to secure a 100-million investment to film a historical movie.

At the time, he had looked down on Cheng Sheng and even mocked him a few times over the phone to Milk Tea Liu.

After all, who would spend 100 million on a historical film?

It was purely throwing money into the water.

Like many insiders, he had also posted some disparaging remarks about Cheng Sheng online.

After that, he hadn't paid much attention to Cheng Sheng's news.

Until he heard again that Cheng Sheng had actually won the Golden Lion with that historical film, and had even produced two Venice Best Actors and a Best Newcomer.

(End of Chapter)