novelraw Chapter 16 On the Importance of Deception
Chapter 16 On the Importance of Deception
Han Sanping hung up the phone and waved towards the door.
Wang Zhonglei, Wang Zhongjun, and Feng Xiaogang re-entered the office, each with a different expression on their face.
As soon as he sat down, Wang Zhonglei couldn't help but ask, "Third Master, who is this person? Trying to pull strings to sign with Wang Jinghua's side?"
Han Sanping shook his head, resuming his usual serious expression: "It's just a casual inquiry about a junior member of the family."
Hearing this, Wang Zhongjun finally spoke up: "Third Master's descendants are our descendants too. They can come directly to Huayi Brothers, and they will definitely be taken care of."
Han Sanping, of course, wouldn't explain further to them. He waved his hand and said, "The child has his own ideas; it's good for him to try things out on his own."
The Wang brothers didn't say anything more after hearing this, but they both understood what was going on—someone who could get Han Sanping to personally answer the phone and call him "nephew" must be someone important.
"By the way, Third Master," Wang Zhongjun changed the subject, "the opening ceremony for '1942' is in Shanxi. Are you free?"
"I won't go; I probably won't make it in time." Han Sanping picked up his teacup. "You guys can handle it yourselves."
"Understood, we will arrange it."
The two kings didn't try to persuade him any further, and picked up their teacups to take a sip.
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The teacup slammed heavily on the table, and Zhang Yishan exclaimed in exaggerated admiration, "Wow, junior, you're something else! You're already making movies in your freshman year."
Since that phone call, Lin Yu spent several days organizing the script and began the long road of using the script to deceive people.
Today is Friday, and our first stop is Yang Zi and Zhang Yishan.
The three of them agreed to meet at a tea restaurant near the school. Yang Zi arrived first, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with her hair in a ponytail and no makeup.
She was looking down at the script, her brow furrowing and relaxing every now and then, reading very intently.
Zhang Yishan arrived right on time. As soon as he entered, he sat down casually, poured himself a cup of tea, gulped down half of it, and then picked up the script and flipped through it.
After careful consideration, Lin Yu decided to cast Yang Zi as Juror No. 2, a gentle, weak, and scholarly character.
At 11, Yang Zi still had the pure and innocent charm of a girl next door, which suited her perfectly.
I originally planned to give the No. 8 lead role to Zhang Yishan, but I thought about it and decided against it.
He has difficulty portraying the feeling of upholding the truth and thinking independently.
More importantly, this role requires a calm and composed demeanor, but Zhang Yishan exudes a glib and slick vibe from the moment he appears, which is completely at odds with composure.
In the end, Juror #7 was more suitable—cynical, witty, and only interested in getting things over with as quickly as possible to get back to his own business.
Zhang Yishan doesn't even need to act for this role; he can just stand there.
"How is it, seniors? Is the doujinshi okay?" Lin Yu picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Zhang Yishan flipped through a few pages, then suddenly slammed the script on the table, leaned back, puffed out his chest, raised his head, and gazed resolutely into the distance, his chin slightly raised. "Look at this posture of your senior, is he really not fit to play the lead role?"
After finishing the action, he added, "Junior, look at me, don't I exude righteousness?"
Lin Yu laughed out loud: "I didn't see any righteousness in you, but you've definitely shown some monkey-like behavior."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yishan's posture instantly deflated, and he returned to his usual nonchalant demeanor.
Yang Zi then chimed in with a smile, "I think I could play No. 8 too—delicate and compassionate, calm and resolute."
As she spoke, she mimicked Zhang Yishan's expression, her eyes hardening.
Lin Yu sighed helplessly.
An actor who doesn't want to be the lead isn't a good singer.
"I invited Dean Wang Jinsong to be the producer and acting coach," Lin Yu said calmly, lowering his head.
A brief silence fell over the room.
Wang Jinsong's reputation in the performing arts department is well-known; he is famously strict.
Yang Zi and Zhang Yishan thought it was just a junior's hobby, so they went to help out. They didn't expect that a big shot would be invited to oversee things.
"Professor Tian Zhuangzhuang from the Directing Department will also be there," Lin Yu added, rubbing salt in the wound.
Yang Zi and Zhang Yishan simultaneously closed the scripts in front of them and exchanged a glance.
They almost simultaneously said, "Junior, the seniors are all pretty busy lately, why don't you try asking someone else?"
Lin Yu then looked up and smiled: "What are you afraid of? Dean Wang is very supportive. You don't even need to sign your own leave slips."
These words caused the siblings to hesitate briefly, but they both shook their heads in unison.
Although I asked for leave from school, I still had to film under Wang Jinsong's nose, so what difference was there between me and not asking for leave at all?
Most importantly, there's also Tian Zhuangzhuang from the directing department next door. As everyone knows, the directing department at Beijing Film Academy has always looked down on the acting department.
With both of them present, the demands must be incredibly high; I can't even imagine how they'll be worn down.
Lin Yu took a deep breath and added, "I'm not giving a friendly price. 20 for a month of filming."
Yang Zi's hand holding the teacup visibly trembled. Zhang Yishan was even more direct, his eyes widening in surprise.
The salaries in 11 have not yet reached a point of explosive growth.
Although the siblings had already gained considerable fame through the TV series, the film industry at that time was truly hierarchical; a newcomer was a newcomer, no matter how famous you were in the TV series world.
More importantly, the two have been somewhat awkward since "Home with Kids".
They are indeed famous, recognized on the street; yet they never seem to get good roles, always wavering between being 'child stars' and 'actors'.
The two took a deep breath, hesitated for even longer, and gripped the script tightly in their hands.
"China Film Investment guarantees it will be shown in theaters," Lin Yu added as the final blow.
These words struck like a hammer blow, shattering their last line of defense.
Nearly 800 films will pass censorship in China this year, but less than 200 will actually be shown in theaters.
A movie that can be shown in theaters is a completely different concept from a casually made film, which is very attractive to the two child stars who are looking to change their image.
The two looked up at the same time, their eyes filled with a resolute determination.
Lin Yu thought to himself: They should really be sent to pilot mechs in Pacific Rim; their synchronization rate is too high.
Yang Zi was the first to move. She put down her teacup, picked up the kettle, and her smile returned to her face, but this time it was especially sweet: "Director Lin, look at what you're saying. We're all classmates. Just let me know if you need anything."
As she spoke, she gently poured water for Lin Yu.
Not to be outdone, Zhang Yishan jumped up, ran behind Lin Yu, put his hands on Lin Yu's shoulders, and began to massage him earnestly.
"Director, look at what you're saying! Even mountains of knives and seas of fire are just a matter of a word from you. Is this the right amount of force? Should we go a little harder?"
Who says the Beijing Film Academy can't produce actors? These actors are all incredibly talented.
"I'd go through fire and water for you, Director Lin," Yang Zi said, carefully holding the teacup to Lin Yu's lips and testing the temperature with her finger on the rim. "Is the water temperature suitable?"
Her tone of voice changed, becoming soft and sweet, her eyes curving into crescents, and her dimples appearing and disappearing.
Lin Yu felt like he was visiting a brothel; the service was too attentive. Just a moment ago, they were calling him "junior brother" so affectionately, and now they've upgraded to "Director Lin"—the speed of their change of expression is comparable to Sichuan opera.
The service was excellent.
"When are you signing the contract and joining the crew, Director Lin?" Zhang Yishan was still happily patting his shoulder from behind. "Look at my schedule, I can adjust it anytime."
"No rush," Lin Yu said, squinting as he took a sip of the tea Yang Zi handed him, enjoying the siblings' hospitality. "There's another one I need to recruit in my second year; we'll sign contracts together then."