"Have you asked me which great director it is and what film it is?" Cheng Hao shouted on the phone.
"I asked Sister Hong and also Mr. Yu. They all said that this is the producer's rule. As long as the director is not here, nothing can be disclosed. Besides, your agent is so powerful.
She can't find out anything, so where can I find out?" He Xin said helplessly.
Recently, probably all the famous young actresses in the industry have been asking about one thing.
The cause of the incident originated from an inconspicuous casting advertisement that appeared on the bulletin boards of major art schools such as China Theater, Nortel, Shanghai Theater, and Beijing Dance Theater in early April.
"Age 19-23 years old, height 164-168cm, devilish figure, extremely intelligent, elegant and classic temperament."
In addition to the rigid indicators of age, height, and devilish figure, this casting advertisement is relatively abstract in terms of intelligence, elegance, and classic temperament. After all, it says, "Global warming, the baby penguins in the Arctic will starve to death without food."
"The compassionate actress also looks very smart and has an elegant and classic temperament.
No one cared about it at first, just thinking it was a new director picking up the slack.
But those newbies from art schools and 18th-tier starlets couldn't help but give it a try, so they contacted each other and asked about the film's title, director and script synopsis.
But the other party kept it tightly covered like a state secret. The only thing he revealed was: a Republican drama, an internationally renowned director, a real big shot.
Although the industry is often criticized for being full of lies, there are some things that you absolutely cannot lie about. This is a business rule. If you say you are a big shot, you must be a big shot. So as a result, more and more people are interested.
The news soon came out that the person in charge of the casting advertisement in Beijing was a director assistant named Wu Huiyan from Hong Kong Anle Film and Television Company.
Anle Film and Television, well, is the company of Mr. Jiang who has short legs and can easily step on the hem of his windbreaker if he is not careful.
This is a long-established film distribution company in Hong Kong. It first distributed Western films, and also distributed some mainland films, such as Guoshi's "Hero", "House of Flying Daggers", Zhuang Zhuang's "Blue Kite", etc.
His style is more literary and artistic. In recent years, he has also begun to get involved in film investment and production, such as "Fearless" released at the beginning of the year.
The nature of the company is somewhat similar to Yu Dong's Bona.
As a result, everyone was interested and began to guess which internationally renowned director it was? For example, the current leading figure in the Hong Kong film industry forced Wang Gouzi to pay homage to his ancestors; he broke into the American empire and finally tormented MGM.
John Woo, who went bankrupt and "returned with great honour"; the king's apprentice who was better than his predecessor, the newly announced chairman of the Cannes Film Festival jury, the sunglasses king; Xu Ke, who couldn't film the "Seven Swords" trilogy, there are even guesses
It's from Macrosaurus and so on.
Of course, there are some who are very popular, such as Zhang Niangniang, who was also just announced as one of the judges of the Cannes Film Festival. She came directly to try to force a confession using both soft and hard tactics. In the end, the most they could say was: I really can’t tell you, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
.If you miss it, you will definitely regret it for the rest of your life!
Well, this is not very friendly, but it is more exciting.
Not even Cheng Hao, who was filming in Shanghai, called her and asked her boyfriend to inquire.
"Then you can inquire more carefully!" the girlfriend on the other end of the phone said still unwilling to give up.
He Xin knew that his girlfriend's biggest wish now is to develop into movies. Unfortunately, there are really few movie resources these days. There are only a few big directors in China, but they either have their own sphere of influence, or they are targeting popular women in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
For stars like Cheng Hao who are neither good nor bad, it is really difficult to obtain better quality film resources.
Moreover, her image is relatively fixed and her acting scope is not wide. Even for the heroine Caifeng in "A Tale of Two Donkeys" currently being prepared by He Xin's company, he could not use his own girlfriend.
"What's the use of asking? You're already twenty-eight, so you're a lot older!" He Xin couldn't help but joke.
"Bah! Who is twenty-eight? Isn't it good to be twenty-six? Don't talk nonsense. You have to take this matter to your heart and don't be confused all day long."
When it comes to age, the girlfriend on the other end of the phone is like a stinging cat.
"Well, I'll try my best anyway. If I really can't find anything useful, don't blame me."
"Okay, so be it, the director is calling me, bye!"
"Why……"
He Xin originally wanted to say that he was going to visit the class in two days, but before he could finish the words, the call hung up. He could only shake his head helplessly.
In fact, he somewhat understood his girlfriend. After all, the conditions listed in the mysterious casting advertisement, except for being slightly older, included height, a devilish figure, extraordinary intelligence, elegant and classic temperament, and his girlfriend was basically
Everything above is consistent.
After hanging up the phone, He Xin walked back to his office from the balcony.
It's not easy. The company has finally been renovated. The metallic gray facade looks very solemn. He Xin's chairman's office is in a large office of more than 30 square meters facing south at the end of the second floor, with an entire side.
The floor-to-ceiling windows on the wall face the small garden outside, and there is an open-air balcony. Inside, there is a collection of modern minimalist style office furniture, and there is a reception area surrounded by a cream-yellow sofa next to the door.
He Xin felt that she didn't spend much time in the company, which was a bit too luxurious. But Xiao Douding insisted that in her words, the boss's office represents the face of the company.
It had just been renovated less than a week ago, and there was still a slight smell of paint lingering in the office.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Cheng."
He Xin nodded to a middle-aged man with a flat head, slightly fat, and a strong look, and sat down opposite him.
"It's okay, it's okay." Cheng Qiang smiled and said politely.
With that said, he glanced at Tang Wei who was sitting next to him, and continued the previous topic: "I think Xiaotang is very suitable. Of course, it would be even more perfect if her accent has a bit of Shanghainese in her accent."
"Tangtang, I heard that Teacher Cheng has made a clear request to Nong. Can Nong carry it?" He Xin looked at Tang Wei and said to her in Shanghainese with a smile.
"Brother, don't worry, of course I can carry it clearly!" Tang Wei replied with a smile, also using Shanghainese dialect that sounded a bit pidgin to He Xin.
Although she is from Hangzhou, she worked as a model in a cultural agency in Shanghai for a while before being admitted to the Chinese Opera. In addition, her ex-boyfriend of three years is from Shanghai, so Cheng Qiang asked for a Shanghainese accent.
, there was nothing that could stop her.
As a fellow native of Xiaoluzi, Cheng Qiang from Xi'an heard this. Although he didn't quite understand Shanghai, his eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this emphasis and he said in surprise: "That's even more no problem."
The negotiations for the film "Double-sided Tape" went very smoothly. As a fledgling director, Cheng Qiang had very low requirements. As long as he had the opportunity to direct, he would be able to film the film.
The film and television industry is in a slump these days, investment is hard to come by, and local tycoons are hard to find. For him, Xinhao Media can invest, which is a dream come true. Issues such as copyright are not a problem. He just lies down on the ground.
, and then the rich man please face my attitude head on.
In fact, although Shou Qiang participated in the adaptation of the script "Double-sided Tape", the main adaptation work was still completed by the original author, a Singaporean female writer whose pen name is Liuliu.
After the "Double-Sided Tape" project was finalized, He Xin met with this chubby, voluptuous young woman in her thirties. In addition to the two parties reaching an agreement on the film and television adaptation cooperation of "Double-Sided Tape"
In addition, the company "conveniently" also obtained the film and television adaptation rights of her debut novel "Anna and Wang Gui".
This is also an unexpected surprise for a kindergarten teacher who likes to write. Not to mention the cost of film and television adaptation and the screenwriter's remuneration are very generous, and more importantly, his work can be put on the screen, which is a great success for any writer.
It's something that can happen but cannot be asked for. What's more, the chairman of Xinhao Media, the famous movie star He Xin, specifically told her that he particularly liked her works. If there are any new works in the future, Xinhao Media is very willing to continue to cooperate.
Go down.
In the original time and space, Cheng Qiang found a friend when he couldn't get investment. At the same time, he was born in Nortel and had directed several film and television dramas with his father's influence.
That's right, he is the director of the famous "Fortress Liu Hai" in later generations.
Tenghua Tao still had resources, and it attracted the investment of Beijing Hualubaina, which had a state-owned background, and the two co-directed "Double-Sided Tape".
The two also had a common friend at the time, Teacher Huang, who was also a teacher at Nortel, and Teacher Huang recommended his good student Hai Qing to star in the play as the female lead Lijuan.
After "Double-sided Tape" became a hit, Cheng Qiang was naturally out of the game. Then he started the model of Liuliu + Tenghua Tao + Haiqing, and successively created two hit dramas "Anna and Wang Gui" and "Snail House"
.
As a result, he became a great screenwriter, a great TV drama director, and a great heroine.
In fact, from the first moment I saw "Double-Sided Tape", the heroine He Xin in it was prepared for his girlfriend. Unfortunately, he has a higher vision now and pursues movies and art. He would rather play characters with complex emotions and tension.
Fang Yanyun, the second female lead in "New Shanghai Beach", is also not willing to take on the role of a leading heroine in a family ethics drama with a short-lived family.
Even though He Xin patted his chest and promised that this drama would be a hit, Cheng Hao's reaction was still muted. In addition, at this juncture, news broke that an unknown international director was going to be casting. In addition to filming, his girlfriend now
This is what I am talking about so much. Things like "Double-sided Tape" are even less interesting.
Her girlfriend's rejection made He Xin helpless, but on the other hand, it was beneficial to her future development in the direction of movies. After all, TV series can easily define an actor's type and restrict the actor's further development in the future, just like in his own family.
My girlfriend is still trying to get rid of the label of "heartthrob".
No choice but to find another candidate.
At first, He Xin was a little hesitant about whether to choose the original version of Hai Qing. Hai Qing had worked with him before, and although they didn't have direct roles with him, they were acquaintances and had such a romantic relationship.
It’s not a shame, but Hai Qing’s acting skills are quite reliable. She played Lijuan brilliantly in the original version.
However, the drama "Double-sided Tape" is a typical drama sponsor, and He Xin was very unwilling to take advantage of Mr. Huang's good student for nothing.
In fact, another important reason is that he has disliked Teacher Huang very much since his previous life. From a purely personal perspective, he felt that this person was greasy and hypocritical, and he looked like a "little good man" and a shrewd businessman.
Of course, this may not be accurate, but if you don’t like it, you just don’t like it.
Then he naturally thought of Tang Wei. With the popularity of "Wulin Gaiden", Tang Tang, who plays Zhu Wushuang, has become a little popular this time. I heard that there are many costume dramas looking for her recently.
From the previous third and fourth female roles, the treatment of the second female lead has suddenly been improved.
Regarding the casting of "Double-sided Tape", He Xin had communicated with Cheng Qiang several times before. Although Cheng Qiang kept a low profile, he also had his own ideas about actors. Of course, this idea was very practical, and he didn't
Instead of worrying about the choice of the male and female protagonists in the play, apart from the male and female protagonists, it is also very important to choose the actors who will play the roles of both parents.
But when he communicated with He Xin, he was surprised to find that his thoughts were surprisingly consistent with He Xin's. For example, the character of Yaping's mother, a powerful old lady from the Northeast, had been attracted to Grandma Rong from the beginning, but He
The newly proposed candidate is none other than Teacher Li Minqi.
For example, for the role of Lijuan's parents, he thought it would be best to hire actors from Shanghai. He Xin immediately suggested Teacher Pan Hong and Teacher Wang Huaying from the Shanghai Drama Center, who were the ideal candidates in his mind.
In this way, he was completely relieved. It was obvious that the other party was knowledgeable, had thoroughly understood the script, and had a deep understanding of the characters in it.
Of course, He Xin did his part. In terms of casting, unless you are a big director, the sponsor's father always has the biggest say. Except for the female lead who selected Tang Wei, the male lead Yaping was chosen from the beginning.
From the beginning, I felt that Zhang Yi was the perfect choice.
Recall that the poor boy Shi Xiaomeng in "Beijing Love Story" and the mama's boy in "The Legend of Hot Mom", combined, they are a perfect Yaping.
Of course, out of respect for the director, after He Xin selected the actors, he still invited Cheng Qiang to have a face-to-face communication. Zhang Yi, who is a Northeastern boy himself, has no problem at all. Although he is not well-known, as the opening of a CCTV set this year
Chang Shun, who played Chang Shun in the 2016 drama "Qiao's Courtyard", had very reliable acting skills, not to mention the fact that he was recommended by He Xin, who played the male lead Qiao Zhiyong, which speaks volumes.
Alas, "Qiao's Courtyard" was CCTV's first drama after the Spring Festival in 2006. Such an important thing was almost forgotten.
Tang Wei was delayed for a few days because he was filming, and today he had his first face-to-face communication with director Cheng Qiang in He Xin's office.
Hence the opening scene. Tang Wei is a southern girl, graceful yet tough, and she can speak Shanghainese, which makes Cheng Qiang particularly satisfied.
At this time, the shrewd-looking woman in her early thirties who sat next to Tang Wei had a flattering smile on her face. She bent over to He Xin and Cheng Qiang and said, "Thank you, Director He! Thank you, Cheng Qiang."
guide!"
This woman is Tang Wei's current executive agent named Anna. Sister Hong's current agency is getting bigger and bigger. Now, in addition to personally managing Jiang Wenli, He Xin, and Li Xiaoran, she has more than 20 other actors, including Sun Li,
Liu Ye, who became famous very quickly, and Wang Ruodan, the newcomer who was signed last year, all have special agents to help them.
This Anna just joined the company last year, and she first worked under Wang Jinghua for a while. Because Huayi intended to squeeze out Wang Jinghua's power, she switched jobs to Chang Jihong's Hairun Qianyi after leaving Huayi.
When Tang Wei signed with Qianyi, Sister Hong was more or less interested in He Xin's reputation, and the company's resources were not particularly good. Even her executive agent was not a direct lineage trained by Sister Hong herself. However, Tang Wei's character itself was
No worries, for her, being able to act and earn a six-figure income a year is already enough for her.
This is the first time she has received the role of the female lead. Although the investment in this drama is not large and the director is not well-known, it is still a drama with a heroine. It is no wonder that her executive agent is probably also a Hainan actor.
Anna, the lowest manager of Run Qianyi, was so excited.
He Xin didn't have much contact with this young manager, but when she took over Tang Wei's management affairs, he asked Li Xue about this person. Li Xue looked disdainfully and gave him four comments: "Smart."
"Overdone"! As a result, his impression of Anna was very average.
While Anna thanked him, she lightly kicked Tang Wei twice.
"ah?"
It was the first time he got the role of the female lead. Tang Wei, who was grinning happily, realized it later. He was stunned for a moment, and then with Anna's eyes, he remembered and said hurriedly: "New brother, Director Cheng
, I’m going to treat you tonight, let’s have a meal?”
"I'll forget it. I have a game with Mr. Yu from Bona tonight. You go ahead." He Xin smiled and waved his hand.
Cheng Qiang saw that He Xin was not going. After all, he and Tang Wei had just met today, so he declined politely: "I'm sorry, Miss Tang, forget it today. Anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Tang Wei is a straight-tempered person. Before the agent beside him could say a few more polite words, he stood up and said, "Okay! Brother Xin, when you come back soon, I'll treat you two to dinner. If nothing happens, we'll leave first!"
"
Anna originally wanted to have a few words with He Xin and get close to it. After all, there are not many opportunities for a small agent like her to talk to He Xin, the boss of the company and the boss of the film company.
But at this time, he had no choice but to stand up. While saying goodbye, he said with a smile: "Director He, look at the contract..."
"Oh, regarding the contract, I will ask Mr. Hu from our company to contact you later." He Xindao.
He understood the young manager's eagerness, laughed twice and said, "Don't worry, Tangtang and I are our own people, and we won't let you go."
Anna looked a little embarrassed and hurriedly nodded and bowed: "I'm sorry, Mr. He, then let's say goodbye. Goodbye!"
…
"Xiao Wei, why are you leaving in such a hurry?" Anna complained to Tang Wei after leaving the company.
It's pitiful that they don't even have a car, so they have to go out and take a taxi.
"The matter has been discussed and the roles have been obtained. Since they don't have time to eat, why are we still sitting here?" Tang Wei said matter-of-factly.
As he spoke, he patted his slightly chubby face and said: "Recently, I always feel that the skin on my face is a bit dry. It must be because the makeup of the crew is not good. I also want to go to the beauty salon for some skin care!"
"
Looking at her artiste's calm look, Anna, who knew her character well, couldn't help but hate the irony and said: "Did you know that Xinhao Media is still preparing a movie now, and He Xin will star in it himself. Listen,
The heroine in it is said to be OK, but you don’t want to..."
Before she finished speaking, Tang Wei made a pause gesture toward her and said repeatedly: "Okay, Sister An, stop it! Xinhao Media is investing in the movie itself, and Xin Ge will star in it himself. The heroine has not yet been decided.
, Isn’t it obvious that it’s reserved for good, so why should I bother? Besides, I’ve got the female lead in “Double-Sided Tape” now, so don’t push yourself too hard!”
"Well……"
Anna couldn't help but be speechless, but she still muttered unconvinced: "The contract has been signed, what if something happens?"
"Tch! You don't understand my new brother. Anyway, he has never broken his promise to me. To be honest, even if there is no contract, I won't worry."