novelraw Chapter 17 Casting of Lead Actor X
Chapter 17 Casting of Lead Actor X
In mainstream film and television, male actors who are too thin and tall are often considered to be unable to carry off the clothes or to lack presence.
This directly results in these types of actors having a limited range of roles.
Naturally, not many male actors would specifically maintain this physique.
"Okay, let's pull up a list and profiles of male actors from Tencent who meet the criteria and are available, and go through it again. If there aren't any suitable ones, we'll hold open auditions."
"Earth Studio and Tencent Video's joint office," Lin Yi said, frowning.
He doesn't mind using people from the Penguin Group, as long as it doesn't affect the quality of the series.
"Okay," replied the casting director from Tencent Video.
A few moments later, a list and introductory materials were sent to the office email.
Lin Yi opened it and examined it carefully.
"This, this, and this."
After going through it once, Lin Yi selected three options.
One third-tier team is close to second-tier, and two third-tier teams.
"Contact them to audition."
"Okay," the casting director replied, then went outside to make a phone call.
Zhuoyue also came over to take a look. Well, he didn't remember much about him. He was a typical unknown nobody.
"Li Ming... how about we find a male lead who's more popular?" he said.
Despite having confidence in the script, Zhuo Yue expressed some concern upon seeing the rather lackluster cast.
"There are no qualified second-tier actors, but there is one first-tier actor, and we barely managed to find one even after spending all our funds."
Lin Yi complained and sent a document from his phone to Zhuoyue.
"Sun Haoxuan..." Zhuoyue glanced at the information.
He was familiar with this person; she was a rising star who became famous after a drama, and she was 18 years old this year. It is said that her latest asking price is 80 yuan per episode.
He shook his head. Zhuoyue stopped worrying about the male lead's star power.
There was another reason that Lin Yi didn't tell Zhuo Yue.
If you cast big-name stars as the leads in the first season, the actors' salaries will increase after the show becomes a hit, and the production costs of the sequel will also increase significantly.
This is extremely detrimental to an IP with long-term development potential.
In its previous life on Earth, Marvel was a super IP with abundant funding.
After Avengers: Endgame, many actors terminated their contracts with the original Avengers, ending their collaborations.
One key factor is the high cost of actors' salaries, which is unaffordable.
In the end, it was a lose-lose situation.
However, driven by capital and interests, it is a last resort.
...
It must be said that although Tencent has many of the problems of large companies, it is quite efficient under the strong promotion of its top management.
The next day, the three people designated by Lin Yi arrived in Pengcheng.
But Lin Yi killed two of them at first sight.
"Didn't you communicate with them?" Lin Yi asked the casting director, somewhat helplessly.
The two men had well-proportioned figures, with bulging muscles faintly visible under their clothes, which was completely at odds with the lean image required by X.
This is normal, though. Many slender male actors will do some muscle-building training in order to appear more powerful on camera.
"Director Zhuo, Teacher Lin, I'm sorry. I can lose weight if needed."
Despite it being a mistake by the casting director, the two quickly apologized and made promises.
Third-tier actors face a tough survival situation, finding themselves in a limbo.
Lead actors and important supporting actors can't compete with first- and second-tier actors.
A supporting role among supporting roles, and an ordinary person is more cost-effective.
In order to get roles, they often have to lower their fees.
"This was a mistake by the casting director; it has nothing to do with you."
Lin Yi shook his head. Rapid weight loss is extremely harmful to the body, and he is a kind-hearted person.
Just as the two were beginning to feel uneasy, Lin Yi spoke again.
"Since you're already here, tell me about your strengths. If you don't mind, I can arrange two roles with more screen time for you."
"Thank you, Teacher Lin," they said in unison.
After arranging for two people, Lin Yi began the formal audition for the remaining person.
"Li Ming, Game 1"
...
Li Ming's audition went smoothly.
Although he is not as handsome as Leon Lai, his image is nine-tenths of what X requires.
Although his acting skills have some flaws, they are still quite good among young actors. Moreover, once he joins the production team, Zhuoyue can provide him with further guidance.
Overall, it's passable.
"The fee is 10 per episode, totaling 120 million," Lin Yi said.
"Thank you, Teacher Lin." Li Ming nodded happily.
A per-episode fee of 10 yuan is the lowest price for a second-tier actor, but it is still the price for a second-tier actor, much higher than that for a third-tier actor.
Although Lin Yi pursues the ultimate cost-effectiveness, he is quite generous when it comes to the individual actors.
The fees he asks for are always slightly higher than the actors' current market value.
"Teacher Lin, I'd like to ask about the specific time for joining the group," Li Ming said.
Lin Yi replied, "Filming should officially begin in July."
"You can spend the remaining ten days or so reading the script, figuring out the character, and staying in shape."
Upon hearing Lin Yi's words, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Li Ming's face.
He was also auditioning for the third male lead in another big-budget S+ production at the same time, so the two auditions conflicted.
Seeing Li Ming's predicament, Lin Yi didn't urge him immediately, but simply said, "Three days. You can sign the contract within three days."
"No need, Teacher Lin, let's sign the contract now," Li Mingyi said through gritted teeth.
The difference between the male lead in an A-level production and the third male lead in an S+ level production is not that great.
He might not even get to meet the third male lead in a big-budget production like S+.
"it is good."
Lin Yi nodded and pushed X's script over.
"Take this time to study the script carefully. We'll let you know before filming starts."
...
On the other side, the crew of "Battle Through the Heavens"
"Xiao Sun, go back and wait for our notification."
That night.
"Xiao Sun, are you free tonight? I have some new thoughts to share with you about the character Yao Lao in 'Battle Through the Heavens.' Location: Regent Hotel..."
"Hello, Ms. Su, I..."
"Sun Haoxuan!" Before Sun Haoxuan could finish speaking, his manager covered the recording hole of his phone. "Do you know what this means?"
"Ah, Sister Li, what do you mean?" Sun Haoxuan asked subconsciously, then seemed to understand something and his face turned deathly pale.
"Since you know, think it over carefully," said Agent Li.
Unspoken rules are common in the entertainment industry.
Most agents will even actively persuade their artists to accept.
But Sister Li still had a conscience; she didn't want Sun Haoxuan to go without understanding the situation.
Moreover, as a newly promoted first-tier player, Sun Haoxuan has the ability to defend his bottom line and say no to unspoken rules.
He can always get roles if he wants to, though the resources might be a bit lacking.
"Teacher Su, I'm sorry..."
"Hmm." A cold voice came from the other end of the phone, and then the call ended.
...
"Ming-ge, we've got an audition offer for the second male lead in a big production!" Li Ming's agent said.
"When?"
"Right now, on the 19th floor of the Regent Hotel..."
There was a long silence.
Li Ming asked, "Is it 'Battle Through the Heavens'?"