The Best Director

The day after their engagement, on the 29th, “Prison Break” achieved a viewership of over 20 million for its fourth episode aired that evening, with 21.2 million viewers and a 13/20 rating, securing its momentum from last week’s fourth place and surging into the top five once again.

Even more gratifying is the rise in the viewership ratings among adult viewers, climbing from 10.5 for the first episode to 13 for the fourth, which made NBC’s nine o’clock advertising slot more valuable than prime time. Considering the overwhelmingly positive online feedback, surveys, and the lack of criticism, it has clearly established a strong stance for the season. According to analysts, a conservative estimate puts the average viewership for the first season at over 19 million, further solidifying NBC’s determination to order a second season of “Prison Break” and a new series from the amazing Yang.

As time quietly moved into October and the film industry entered the fourth quarter of the year, Flame Films’ “Step Up” was also set to hit North American theaters on October 17th.

Just a couple of days after getting engaged, Wang Yang felt the inevitable truth of “what comes around goes around!” The wedding and honeymoon, which were still a long way off, were being arranged by Jessica and their parents, while he had been “superman-ed” by “Avatar.” He was incredibly busy with pre-production for a sci-fi movie and a situation comedy, post-production for another film, and preparations for a second season of a drama series, running around like a madman with no time for sleep—not to mention a constantly buzzing phone.

He had decided not to serve as the executive producer for “Brokeback Mountain,” avoiding direct production involvement. However, because he contributed many ideas and casting suggestions and was one of the initiators of the project, he might still carry the title of one of the “Executive-producers.” James Schamus and two screenwriters would serve as executive producers for the $15 million film, while Ang Lee was handed the director’s chair.

Wang Yang called Anne Hathaway a few days ago, inviting her to audition for the role of Lureen. Overjoyed by the invitation, Hathaway accepted, saying, “Of course I’m interested in playing this role! Yang, you don’t know how long I’ve wanted to speak up for the gay community. ‘Brokeback Mountain’ is a great opportunity! It’s an honor.”

Meanwhile, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger had not yet received invitations, even though Yang was certain of his choices and confident that they would accept.

For the upcoming “The Hangover 2,” Yang also didn’t have time to take on any significant roles. He had only provided some creative ideas to the new team and participated in a few script revision workshops, but he did not take on any official writing duties. “The Hangover 2” planned to maintain the style and traditions of its predecessor, with crazy adventures and sports star cameos—Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods, David Beckham…

If Wang Yang’s name were on the director’s list, these stars would naturally have a greater chance of agreeing; now, however, it seemed more challenging, and the crew believed that Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods were the most hopeful candidates.

“Prison Break” season two was confirmed for production. Once the television season entered the winter break and the show’s performance had stable support, discussions and contracts would ensue. Preparations needed to start beforehand. Wang Yang had already conveyed his creative visions for the second season to the writing team, who would then craft scripts for the entire upcoming season. This would be followed by the executive and production teams recruiting new actors and scouting locations, among other things.

With more than 11 months until the new fall season next September, there was ample time to complete these tasks thoroughly, without the frantic pace of producing while airing, often likened to being chased by a train. This allowed for a higher quality production, one of the benefits of having a full season order.

Wang Yang wasn’t the kind of leader who needed to be hands-on with everything. He believed that everyone on the team was creative; he just had to guard the critical thresholds, leaving the rest of the specific details to their respective positions. For the time being, his involvement with “Prison Break” season two consisted of running around the writers’ office and participating in script discussions. Conveniently, the currently vacant writers’ office of “The Big Bang Theory” was right next to it.

Of course, he also had to spend a lot of time in the editing suite and music studio for “The Devil Wears Prada”, and in fact, from the wrap in June until now in October, the post-production work has not been without progress. After finishing the editing of “MIT-21-TEAM”, Margaret Goodspeed, who continued as the editor, had already made a rough cut according to the screenplay and the storyboard; what’s left now is to complete the 120-minute theatrical version.

“Yang, do we need to add a sequence of Miranda’s footsteps here?” In the dimly lit editing room, Margaret Goodspeed, who was operating the computer, asked, and Wang Yang, looking at the several LCD screens on the table, nodded, “That works.” Margaret turned to look at him, finding it strange these days; this miraculous director spoke very little, unlike the previous four collaborations where they would start with arguments and go on until the end.

She stopped, pushed up her black-framed glasses on the bridge of her nose, and Wang Yang wondered, “What’s wrong?” Margaret seriously reminded him, “Director, you need to take it seriously.” Having cooperated for five years on five films, the two shared a deep friendship and understanding, allowing Margaret to be direct in her criticism, “You seem very listless now, where’s your focus gone? Or do you only see this film as an ordinary, commercial soap opera?”

“What?” Wang Yang was stunned, a commercial soap opera? Like the original, just a fashion show? Impossible! He suddenly felt a jolt, frowning, “Marg, do I? I certainly want a good, good movie!” Looking at the screen featuring the white-haired Meryl Streep, he said, “I just agreed to add a sequence of footsteps, which is great! We shot this material specifically for this, it adds tension, but 2 seconds are enough.”

“You didn’t tell me ‘2 seconds’ just now.” Margaret spread her hands, the wonder boy still hadn’t noticed the problem. She didn’t ignore it but seriously said, “Yang, you’ve been lacking a lot of passion this time, think about it when you worked on ‘MIT-21-TEAM’, you were like a madman! But this time, you haven’t even yelled at me once.” She shrugged, “I’m sure this has nothing to do with your temper.”

Do I? By comparison, indeed, this was a less passionate production, but now… Wang Yang immediately started to reflect seriously. These past few days, indeed, there were not many instructions or desires to play with the editing, it seemed like he was just watching it progress along the storyboard’s tracks, as if he was treating “The Devil Wears Prada” as a job rather than a movie.

“Oh, my God!” Wang Yang wiped the hair on his forehead, this was terrible! A commercial soap opera was nothing more than an assembly line job. The problem is, after thinking it through, he felt it was very good as it was, and he always took it very seriously. Scratching his head, Wang Yang asked helplessly, “Are you saying it’s a bad movie?”

“Hehe, no, it’s outstanding.” However, Margaret immediately shook her head with a smile, the concept of this movie was much easier to understand than “MIT-21-TEAM”, and its box-office appeal was very clear. She smiled and said, “From my female perspective, ‘Prada’ has enough appeal, many girls would be willing to spend a few US dollars to admire those clothes and handbags. Moreover, the story is very engaging, your script is clear and flows naturally, with a memorable ending; the images of Miranda, Andrea, and Emily, their emotional changes all are completely articulated.”

Margaret clicked the mouse a few times, the “tap tap tap” sound of high heels walking echoed, and the screen showed Meryl Streep making her official entrance, as her early arrival sent the company into a flurry of panic. Margaret admired, “Meryl Streep’s acting is terrific! This role is indeed a small breakthrough for her. I think with her status, an Oscar nomination for Best Actress next year wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Yes, I think so too,” Wang Yang nodded with his arms crossed, Meryl Streep had already garnered an Oscar nomination in the original version, and now with a better performance than ever before? With her popularity and prestige, the judges would not overlook her.

“And this Emily Blunt, her performance is incredible!” Margaret’s compliments were even more emphatic because Meryl’s exquisite performance was no surprise; even if she were to play an ostrich, she could win an Oscar. But this Emily Blunt, a complete screen newcomer, discovered from who knows where, was so stunning.

How good was Emily Blunt’s performance? In front of Meryl Streep, at times, it felt like she was even overpowering Meryl’s presence. Margaret clicked a few more times and the screen showed a red-haired, frantic-looking Emily praising, “She’s like Natalie Portman in ‘Juno’, thoroughly embodying the character. Yang, you really have an eye for talent; Emily will definitely have a bright future.”

“Yes, I think so too,” Wang Yang agreed with a laugh. Emily Blunt had also given him a pleasant surprise; her original version was filmed in 2005, and now, two years earlier, it became her big-screen debut with an even better performance. It merely reaffirmed Emily’s exceptional acting talent; the role seemed tailor-made for her, resulting in this genius display.

“And there’s your fiancée, Jessica, honestly, she surprised me,” Margaret said while cycling through clips of Jessica on the screen. Wang Yang watched with a smile as her goofy antics unfolded. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Margaret slapped his shoulder in praise, “Absolutely stunning, you have no idea how jealous I am of her figure.” Wang Yang burst into laughter as she continued with amusement, “But what surprised me is she seems like a completely different person.”

As the editor of “High School Musical” and “Sweetheart,” Margaret was quite familiar with Jessica’s acting progress. “During ‘High School Musical,’ Jessica was all about smiling, lively, and childlike; in ‘Sweetheart,’ she was goofy, but they were both lighthearted and lively musicals. When it came to serious roles, she wasn’t that great. But now, she can cry, feel sad, get annoyed… she’s really good.”

Margaret spoke earnestly, “If there was an Oscar for the Most Improved, I think she deserves one.”

“Ha! Thank you, thank you,” Wang Yang laughed heartily, pleased with the unexpected turn of events. Their “fake breakup” had become a fun story for them; he had stopped thinking about right and wrong but wouldn’t do it again. Looking at the fashionable and stunning Jessica on the screen, Wang Yang softly chuckled, “She’s like an angel.”

“Director, Yang, you have to understand!” Margaret suddenly became serious. The praise she had given was indeed sincere, but it was also to awaken this prodigy’s interest and passion, like rewarding with some candy first. Just as she used to inspire and guide her son, as for the outcome, she could only do her best. Once Wang Yang calmed down and asked “What?” Margaret said, “Please don’t waste their brilliant performances, a breakthrough actress, the best newcomer, an idol who has made considerable improvements.”

Don’t waste it… not just the three of them, a movie is the effort of the entire team. Wang Yang nodded silently, “Marg, I’m not neglecting it.”

“Maybe you’re not, but you lack inspiration,” Margaret’s voice softened like a conversation between teacher and student, mother and son. She witnessed his growth with every step, in temperament, appearance, and understanding of cinema. And now he seemed tired or perhaps distracted by something else. She said, “You can’t pass all of this to me, you know, my abilities would only make it into an average commercial soap opera; it needs your help, it needs your inspiration!”

Just like with “MIT-21-TEAM,” if she were to edit it all, or let other editors take over, it would only result in a conventional, tedious, or irritatingly mediocre film. But his inspiration, his madness, his passion, his talent, enlivened the entire movie, creating a defiant genius work that broke Hollywood traditions—these were his achievements, not hers.

A good movie is 20% the producers, 80% the director. Only the director knows what he wants, so he oversees the entire operation.

Watching Wang Yang’s tense face, a look of silent reflection he had never shown before, Margaret gently patted his shoulder and continued softly, “Yang, when we cut ‘MIT-21-TEAM,’ I asked you a question: Do you want a safe 200 million global box office with nothing surprising, no criticism, or do you want the possibility of 100 million box office, cries from criticism; or even a 300 million box office, shocking the whole world?”

She smiled, “What did you say? You said ‘I don’t want to see it become one of those bland, steady commercial soaps! I just don’t want that, it’s not meant to be that way.’ But now, it seems you’ve chosen the first option.”

“No…” Wang Yang frowned, confused. How could that be? How could that be!

“Yang, even if you handed all of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ over to me, with your screenplay, these performances, these shots, it would still be an excellent film, capable of earning 200 million at the box office.” Margaret’s gaze pierced through her glasses, seemingly questioning, expressing dissatisfaction, and said, “Is that enough? I really hope now you’d scream ‘NONONO! ‘Everything is ruined!’ which would make me say, ‘This is very risky.\'”

She clenched the mouse again, turned her head to look at the frame-by-frame images on several screens, and said, “You know, I know, it’s a life, like a baby, it needs your embrace, so pick yourself up, okay?”

“Yes, I’m sorry…” Wang Yang took a deep breath, his heart trembling a little as he heard her words—what the hell was going on? He exhaled, “I think I am a bit… a bit lethargic.” But this was all his responsibility; he couldn’t let it turn into another fashion show barely different from the original, one that wouldn’t even get Roger Ebert to give a thumbs up, let alone throw rotten tomatoes at it.

Although that old guy was harsh and by no means a god, his criticism was “like an avenger against soap operas” and reflected the will of a significant portion of the audience. Rotten tomatoes? No way!

How could he waste everyone’s effort and make it a slightly better popcorn movie? That was not cool at all! Wang Yang vigorously rubbed his face, to psych himself up, psych up! December was approaching, and the promotion was beginning to gain momentum. Post-production couldn’t fall behind; there wasn’t much time left.

“Maggie, thank you, I won’t let it wither, you know, I’m aiming for at least 400 million in global box office.” After a long ponderance, Wang Yang suddenly spoke with emphasis. Margaret turned to look at him, a smile appearing on her no longer youthful face, “That’s the magic of Yang!” Wang Yang grinned and took a sip from his water cup, energizing himself, “Everything’s fine! I’ve thought about it, the part where Miranda enters, we need to add a 360-degree rotating shot, I remember we have that footage, bring it back, bring it back…”

The hectic editing was happening nearly every day, with other post-production work like music and color grading following the progress of the edited parts. Inside the editing room, Wang Yang focused entirely on the film, passionately dealing with the footage, striving to present the stunning performances of Meryl Streep, Emily, Jessica, and others on the big screen; outside the editing room, he also needed to take care of the preparations for TV series like “Firefly” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

“Mr. Graham Linehan, this is Wang Yang, yes, the magical Yang… I’m planning to produce a multi-camera sitcom, modern urban type, and I would like to invite you to Los Angeles to co-create…”

“Hello, is this Mr. Bill Prady? I am Wang Yang…”

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PS: Wow, power continues to ask for recommendation tickets, and also to recommend a friend’s “Who Am I,” the book number is 2132124, a light-hearted and humorous urban book (similar to ‘Innocence’ and ‘Awesome Pen’), if it’s not good, please hit me! (