"Yes, have you read Shakespeare's Twelfth Night?" Shen Mian asked.
Ning Xi's eyes lit up and she nodded immediately, "I've seen it."
It was one of Shakespeare's classic comedies, and also Ning Xi's favorite among Shakespeare's comedies.
It tells the story of a pair of twin brothers and sisters who were separated in a shipwreck and each thought the other was dead.
The younger sister disguised herself as a man and became a servant in the Duke's house instead of her brother. She fell in love with the Duke, but the Duke was deeply in love with another countess.
The younger sister helped the Duke run errands to court the young lady, but the young lady fell in love with the younger sister who was disguised as a man and rejected the Duke.
The most important character in the whole play is the brave, enthusiastic and innocent sister, who disguises herself as a man to accompany her sweetheart, loves him silently, pursues his sweetheart for him, but also hints to him from time to time that she loves him very much.
Another female character in the play, the Countess whom the male protagonist falls in love with, is smart, beautiful, kind-hearted, cherishes friendship, is loyal in feelings, bold and persistent. She rejected the love of the noble Duke, but fell in love with the heroine who was just a little servant, and finally bravely proposed to the twin brother whom she mistook for her sister.
In the end, both heroines fulfilled their wishes and gained their own happiness.
A very positive and beautiful work.
"This script is adapted from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, but the background has been changed to modern times, which is more in line with the aesthetics and tastes of today's people. However, I don't want to make it into a simple urban idol drama, so the requirements for the actors will be very high." Shen Mian explained.
Ning Xi nodded to show her understanding, and at the same time, a flame suddenly ignited in her heart.
Shen Mian's script is definitely much better than the one she had seen before!
She had watched the previous script mostly for the many exciting plots in the play, but she still had selfish motives after all. This one, however, was several levels higher in terms of both plot and meaning.
What's more, it took Shen Mian three years to hone it!
Shen Mian stared blankly at the twilight outside the window. Although he was only in his early thirties, his expression was as if he had aged a long time ago, as if all his enthusiasm had been exhausted...
He scoffed and said, "When I first entered the industry, I was full of passion for art and dreams... But now... Do you know how people make movies now? The one who decides what to shoot is not the director or the screenwriter, but the investor! And the director? He is not the creator, at best he is just a puppet, just a worker! Artist? That's all bullshit!"
Listening to Shen Mian's words, Ning Xi didn't know what to say. The current situation in the industry was like this, and it couldn't be changed by the ability of one or two people.
In the end, even a talented director like Shen Mian had to compromise. However, Shen Mian must still be unwilling in his heart!
"Ning Xi, there are some things I still need to make clear to you in advance. I plan to shoot this movie independently and will not accept any investment, so the salary I offer will not be too high.
Moreover, including you, all newcomers will be hired, so the risk will be very high, and it is very likely to fail, and even the reputation that you have worked so hard to accumulate for Tian Xia will be ruined. So, you should think carefully about whether to accept it or not. "Shen Mian said, with a hint of nervousness in his eyes.
After finally meeting Ning Xi, he was ready to go all out. However, he had no right to ask others to go crazy with him...