Sheng Tang and Gu Jiahui watched the new finished film together.
Wang Sheng shot countless extra scenes at the time, which maintained the story’s integrity and originality in the new film, yet the use of the camera was vastly different.
If you focus solely on the shots instead of the plot, it seems like an entirely new movie.
The new film also appears lengthy, dull, and even manifests the core of despair and sorrow typical of literary films.
Sheng Tang, the female lead, felt there were areas in her performance that could still be improved, whereas both Gu Jiahui and Wang Sheng were very satisfied with the new finished film.
After it ended, Sheng Tang stood up and stretched her hands and feet in the small screening room.
"How is it?" Wang Sheng asked Sheng Tang and Gu Jiahui.
Gu Jiahui: "The artistic quality is perfect, you removed all commercial elements."
"Yes," the director said, "this should make it more convincing for the Cyan Blue Awards."
"The editing is still perfect, it’s an excellent story," Gu Jiahui added, "Sheng Tang’s performance added a touch of artistry to the story."
Wang Sheng was very pleased.
He then looked at Sheng Tang, "What do you think?"
Sheng Tang remained silent.
She almost saw the exact same finished film as in her previous life, and guessed that she had a high chance of winning Best Supporting Actress. But while watching, she was still intensely simulating her acting.
Now, she felt the weariness that comes at the end of every day’s shoot.
This also explained why she couldn’t enjoy watching movies, as she rarely could appreciate them from a viewer’s perspective. Watching a movie left her exhausted for a hundred minutes.
"It should win an award," Sheng Tang said.
After watching the new finished film, Gu Jiahui invited Sheng Tang and the director for a meal.
The three discussed the award campaign.
Sheng Tang told Gu Jiahui, "To safely ensure an award, we need to focus on networking. Big production companies almost monopolize the awards.
They definitely have their ways. We can start with them and see if we can forge a path and concentrate our PR funds here.
As for high exposure, that’s temporarily unnecessary. Online reviews aren’t very valuable, considering the complexity of the internet environment, but the reputation from movie critics should be more closely monitored."
Wang Sheng was stunned listening to this.
Wang Sheng didn’t know how to campaign for an award himself.
The Road to Ascend was Sheng Tang’s first film, so she shouldn’t know these inside details. Yet, she was very clear, showing she’d put in considerable effort.
This also showed her ambition.
Wang Sheng smiled; ambition was a good thing.
She was ambitious, and her boyfriend—Mr. Gu, who was infatuated with Sheng Tang—would spare no effort to get her a nomination for the Cyan Blue Awards.
A nomination itself would be good.
"I’ll get my secretary to arrange it. The company will spare no effort," said Gu Jiahui. "Even if we don’t win, securing a nomination would still be our victory."
Wang Sheng thought, "Winning isn’t likely. However, a Cyan Blue Awards nomination is a huge buzz, beneficial for both me and Sheng Tang."
He didn’t object to Gu Jiahui spending that money.
Young Master Gu has a wealthy father, willing to spend lavishly to please his lover. Why should Wang Sheng stop him?
A nomination for Best Director in the Cyan Blue Awards would greatly boost his career, which was extremely beneficial for him.
As for winning, it’s unlikely.
There are rules in the film industry: for the first movie, no matter how well the director and actors perform, it’s rare for the judges to give an award.
If winning were that easy, they might lose their motivation afterward, which would waste a talented film industry individual.
Such considerations of legacy should temper young people’s arrogance and provide them with the drive to pursue excellence.