Making a Promotional Video in Beijing

What an interesting experience! On Thursday, we received a phone call from the executive director of the Peking University housing complex where we live. He asked us to participate in a promotional video for housing at PKU.  We readily agreed and signed a contract. Afterwards we questioned a bit, because we could not read the contract, but decided it must be legitimate. Thus, we spent most of this afternoon being videoed.

First they came and put on our make-up. The lady spent a long time on my eyebrows and hair. She did nothing to my eyes or add blush. I assume differing cultural emphasis. We then went down to the reception area and pretended to check-in to our apartment, again, ….and again. Just like you see when you make movies of making movies.

Then there was a segment where 10 people crowded with the cameras and the lights into our small apartment and they took pictures of us reading and playing a Chinese chess game, that we had to fake understanding.  

We progressed to a wonderful meal at a campus Chinese restaurant. We were joined by a fellow Canadian teacher and the head of all the eating establishments in our housing complex. There was Peking duck, a tofu soup, and a passion fruit/pudding dessert. The presentation was spectacular with foaming dry ice, etc. We also brought away a couple jars of mulberry wine.

Finally, just the two of us were sent on to a Western style restaurant in the complex. We ate good steak and pretended to toast each other. Since we were too full at this point, the steak really came home with us in doggy bags.

We have no idea why we were chosen to represent the school in this way. It was fun, and interesting. Another situation to remember and contemplate.