novellhall Chapter 45: All Top Stars
Chapter 45: All Top Stars
The next day.
The Beijing Film Academy office building.
Small meeting room.
"Producer Tian, these are the actors I've tentatively selected."
Wei Yi pointed at Fan Xiaopangzi, Li Hua, and Mu Tingting.
"Fan Xiaopang plays the female lead, who is also the detective's female assistant."
"Brother Li plays two roles: the body of the murder victim on the inner layer and the assistant director and script supervisor on the outer layer."
"Mu Tingting plays the scary female ghost on the inner layer and the director's girlfriend on the outer layer."
"I'll just play myself, playing the young director on the outside."
"The remaining main roles, for which the actors haven't been decided yet, include the male lead, a detective from the Republican era; the first villain; the third or fourth male lead; the outer producer; the outer cinematographer; the sound engineer; the makeup artist; and a bunch of extras."
"Playing minor roles is easy. We can audition and cast actors directly at our school."
"But I'm a bit undecided about the male lead and other very important people like the producer, cinematographer, and sound engineer, so we're having a meeting here today to discuss it."
His project.
Tian Erzhuang ran almost the entire way.
He did more work than he did himself.
Without a doubt.
The position of producer/supervisor is naturally held by Nizo Sheda.
Tian Erzhuang stroked his thick beard and chin:
"Based on your script and storyboard, the male lead is a detective from the Republican era, and we need someone with a comedic flair. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"How is Wang Baoqiang?"
"Wang Baoqiang?"
"A distinctive actor who acted in Feng Xiaogang's 'A World Without Thieves' last year."
"I know this guy, but can he do comedy?"
"He's a good actor, let's give him a try first, and if he doesn't work out, we'll find someone else."
"Alright."
Tian Erzhuang spoke again, "Then we're left with the more important people: the producer, the cinematographer, the sound engineer, and the makeup artist."
"Producer, do you have any preferred candidates?"
Faced with Tian Erzhuang's question, Wei Yi pondered for a moment.
After thinking for a moment, he asked in a low, tentative tone, "Um, Master..."
"Wait a moment!"
Tian Erzhuang immediately spoke up, saying irritably, "I think you'd better not say anything."
"Huh? Why?"
"You never call someone 'Master' unless it's something good!"
"Damn! I was going to say it!" Wei Yi said in a light tone, "Teacher, what do you think about letting Chairman Han play the producer? Anyway, he'll be listed as the producer of our movie."
"Chairman Han?" Tian Erzhuang's face darkened. "You really have wild ideas. You're not thinking of getting Han Sanping to play the third male lead for you, are you?"
Wei Yi, with a smug grin, said, "Is that not allowed?"
"What a load of crap!"
"Give it a try, what if it works?"
"I won't try, you try it if you want. If you have the ability to get Han Sanping to agree, then you're the one!" Tian Erzhuang gave a thumbs up.
"Since we can potentially get Chairman Han as the producer, why not hire Zhang Yimou as the cinematographer?"
"Who said we could get Chairman Han? Damn, you really dare to dream. Go ask him yourself. But if it's not a big role and Zhang Yimou is available, it's not impossible..."
"I'd like to hire Chow Yun-fat as the lighting technician. I called him last night, and he was very polite, saying he'd like to see the script."
"You have a lot of influence, you're awesome."
"I'd like to hire Gong Li as my makeup artist, and she's already agreed."
"屮!"
Tian Erzhuang couldn't hold back any longer.
He said, "If even half of the people you just mentioned show up, your film will have no shortage of box office revenue!"
That's not true.
They are all top-tier celebrities.
Even if these people get together and make a bad movie.
Given their faces and names, the box office is unlikely to be too low.
"Then we're left with the antagonist, the mysterious figure in the old house. This role is quite important; charisma is crucial, and he also needs to be handsome." Wei Yi suddenly felt a bit worried.
"How about we ask Huang Xiaoming to come and help?" Tian Erzhuang said to Wei Yi.
"Huang Xiaoming?"
Tian Erzhuang nodded.
"He's very popular right now, he must be very expensive. Our film doesn't have much funding."
"That's a bit funny."
Tian Erzhuang said, "You can even invite Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li, do you still need to worry about their salaries? With your meager funds, you can't even afford Chow Yun-fat's salary! Since that's the case, what's one more flea if you don't feel itchy? What's one more Huang Xiaoming? I'd like to see how you're going to repay the favors you've done!"
Wei Yi, with his handsome face still beaming, said, "Didn't the fashion icon say she'd let me be in charge of a monthly magazine next year? I get to choose the shooting locations and the models. Damn, I can just cram them all in! Getting on the international edition of VOGUE should be enough to repay that favor, right?"
"..." Tian Erzhuang couldn't help but give him another thumbs up, "You're awesome."
However, after careful consideration, Tian Erzhuang thought that if Wei Yi was really willing to offer the opportunity to be featured in the international edition of VOGUE next year as a favor in exchange for having Gong Li, Chow Yun-fat, and others make cameo appearances.
There's a high probability that we can actually get these two people.
To put it bluntly, the entire Chinese-speaking world, even the whole of Asia, and a small number of European and American celebrities would probably be willing to star in or make a cameo appearance in his film for free just to be featured in the international edition of VOGUE.
Thinking about this.
Tian Erzhuang suddenly realized that it might not be impossible to persuade Han Sanping and Zhang Yimou to act in a play.
It's not that Han Sanping and Zhang Yimou also aspire to be featured in the international edition of VOGUE.
It's not because there are so many big names around that it's because of this.
That's enough of a star.
These two might consider coming over.
Shaking his head, Tian Erzhuang made a phone call right in front of everyone.
"Xiao Ming."
"Oh?! Director Tian, hello, hello. Is there something you need?"
"Well, there's something I need. One of my students has a film role and wants your help."
"no problem!"
"You didn't even ask what kind of play it is?"
"Since you've already asked, I'd accept it even if it meant acting in erotic films."
"It has to be you, kid. Are you in the capital yet?"
"have!"
"Then come over to the school, to the small conference room in the office building."
"No problem, I'll be right there!"
One hour later.
Panting, Huang Xiaoming arrived at the small conference room.
As soon as I entered, I saw Fan Binbin, and Wei Yi, whom he had talked to many times with his friends, agent, and Huayi executives over the past few days.
"Binbin, Director Wei! You two are here too."
Tian Erzhuang handed him a cigarette: "The play is Wei Yi's. Binbin plays the female lead. They want you to play the main villain. But not a pure villain, because your character is actually fictional in the play, he doesn't exist."
Huang Xiaoming respectfully accepted the cigarette offered by Tian Erzhuang, and said with a smile, "So it's Director Wei's film! I'm so honored. You know, lately, there's been so much news about you in the industry, Director Wei."
Although in principle, whether it's company policy, agent's requirement, or Tian Huang Xiaoming's own decision.
Now, they absolutely forbid him from playing villains.
But rules are rules, people are flexible.
Moreover, Tian Erzhuang, one of the "rules" in the Beijing circle to some extent, is here.
Wei Yi, whom Hua Yi is particularly eager to strike up a conversation with, is also here.
What else is there to say?
Just act it out.