The first scene of the movie shows the female lead sitting at a bus stop, wearing a pink knit hat, and reading a book titled "The Art of Communication."
"Cut, next."
"Perfect, Sister Gwyneth, your performance was amazing!"
"David, I love the shots you captured; they're exactly like my sketches."
For Gwyneth now, such a simple film posed no challenge.
Han Zhiyan had the complete film in his mind; he only needed to shoot it according to his vision.
Before filming, he could explain the scenes to the actors, and with his complete systematic professional training and six years of experience, the shooting progressed very quickly.
He was so skilled that he didn't resemble a seventeen-year-old rookie director at all.
And as Han Zhiyan gained more confidence during the shoot, the crew and actors on set looked at the young man and felt that a new star in Hollywood was about to rise.
As Han Zhiyan and the film crew grew more accustomed to working together, to Mia's disbelief, this short film wrapped in just three days.
"Thank you, Director!"
"Daxier, you are the most talented director I've ever seen!"
Following the custom of film crews in his previous life, Han Zhiyan handed out red envelopes to everyone, to their surprised and delighted gazes, and a chorus of praise and thanks erupted on set.
Because the film didn't cost much, Han Zhiyan and Mia took everyone out for a big dinner that night.
Since Han Zhiyan was underage, he could only drink grape juice while listening to everyone's praise.
Waking up early the next day, Han Zhiyan eagerly took his film and dragged a groggy Old Han to the school's post-production center.
After handing it over to the staff and paying a fee, he waited for the film to be developed.
Although there were already film cameras that allowed for real-time monitoring, whether the filmed exposure was normal and in focus could only be known after development.
After two days of anxious waiting, he finally got the film.
Han Zhiyan eagerly projected and watched it, viewing it twice to ensure there was no focus shift, and that the exposure, color, and white balance were all appropriate before he felt relieved.
He thought to himself that the senior Old Han recommended really had some skills; he shot it very well.
Then he immersed himself in editing the film, in the literal sense of cutting film.
Because the story was simple and Han Zhiyan had a reference in his mind, many of the actors' performances were perfect in one take, with no wasted footage.
Editing was also very fast; in less than a week, Han Zhiyan completed the editing and subtitles, and added the soundtrack "Take This Dance," which he had arranged to be produced in advance.
In the USC School of Cinematic Arts film screening room, the main film creators, Old Han and Mia, as well as some invited professors and teachers from the school, were already seated.
Old Han and Mia had some ulterior motives; these professors and teachers were all members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and many were judges for the Oscar or the three major European film festivals.
After Han Zhiyan thanked the guests and introduced the main film creators, the film began to play.
The original film was not long, only twenty minutes.
But Han Zhiyan expanded the story to sixty minutes to participate in the Venice Film Festival.
(The following describes the original film)
At the beginning of the film, Heather arrives at the crisis center for work, greets her crush, a male colleague, and then receives a call for help from Stanley.
Stanley's voice on the other end of the line is desperate and low.
He lost his beloved wife two years ago and, unable to bear the pain, had taken an overdose of antidepressants, preparing to end his life, but was afraid of facing death alone.
Heather patiently comforted Stanley, trying to evoke his will to live by mentioning his family, but learned that he had lost his daughter in his prime and his wife in old age, leaving him with nothing to live for.
Heather also tried multiple times to find Stanley's address to help him, but failed each time.
Finally, she reluctantly agreed to Stanley's request to keep talking to him.
During their conversation, Stanley recounted past memories, such as how he and his wife enjoyed walking in the countryside, their love for music, and how he played the baritone saxophone and had performed on the Ronnie Scott's stage.
Although Heather's last attempt to help was still rejected by Stanley, he revealed his real name and mentioned that he had called before.
As the call ended, an ambulance stopped in front of a house, and two paramedics rushed towards it.
However, as the scene transitioned, an old woman opened the door and entered the house, responding to Stanley's words.
Subsequently, two paramedics pushed a stretcher covered with a green cloth out of the house, indicating that Stanley had passed away.
Meanwhile, Heather, following the old woman's advice, bravely took a step forward and went with her male colleague to watch a performance at Ronnie Scott's stage, starting a new life.
As the film credits appeared, the lights slowly came on, and a warm round of applause erupted in the room.
"Han, your son has perfectly inherited your visual aesthetic; this film is really good.
By the way, Mia, I heard he also wrote the script himself, is that right?
I can't believe this is just a seventeen-year-old boy," an old professor from the school said to Old Han and Mia, applauding.
"Gwyneth's portrayal of the operator, using subtle expressions and vocal changes, showed a psychological shift from professional restraint to empathetic anxiety; and Richard, who only appeared through his voice, conveyed the old man's despair and relief through his trembling, choked lines.
Their 'acting battle across the air' was incredibly infectious; both actors were excellent," a professor from the acting academy said.
As the film screening ended, Han Zhiyan followed Old Han and Mia back to Old Han's office, with Mia closing the office door as she entered last.
"Zhiyan, why didn't you shoot this earlier?
This film definitely has award-winning potential.
It's already late January, so we can't submit it for this year's Oscar.
Are you waiting for next year's Oscar or submitting it to the three major European film festivals?
Timewise, this year's Venice and Berlin are both possible," Old Han said, lighting a cigarette and looking at Han Zhiyan.
Han Zhiyan also thought seriously for a while and said, "Let's submit it to this year's Venice Film Festival first.
I plan to start preparing for my first feature film, and then we can submit it to the Oscar at the end of the year."
"Then let's send it to Venice.
After all, Cannes isn't very fond of this type of film, and Berlin would have to wait until the end of the year anyway.
Otherwise, Mom would definitely win you an award," Mia said, already thinking about reaching out to her friends for help.
As soon as Han Zhiyan looked at Mia, he knew what she was thinking.
"Mom, you've seen it, and you know the quality of the film.
Winning an award isn't important; this was just for practice.
The script, shooting, and post-production combined took less than a month."
"You don't need to worry about it, Old Han.
Go make a few copies of the film; give me two.
I'll handle the award submissions, son, you don't need to bother.
You two eat by yourselves tonight; I have an appointment," Mia said, then walked out of the office, and no one knew where she went.
Just as Han Zhiyan was about to say something else, his newly bought Nokia 7110 rang.
"Hello, Zhiyan, did you miss me?
I heard your movie is finished.
When can I see it?
You also said you'd make a movie for me."