novelraw Chapter 25 Do I, someone like myself, still need to rely on nepotism?
Chapter 25 Do I, someone like myself, still need to rely on nepotism?
Liu Yifei (Lu Xueqi) touched him and immediately pulled away, as quickly as if she had been burned.
She abruptly took a large step back, creating distance, and her usually cool and aloof face flushed crimson from her ears all the way to her neck, like a ripe peach. Her eyes drooped in panic, her long eyelashes fluttering rapidly like startled butterfly wings; she dared not look at Ling Yuan again.
Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest, so loudly that she was afraid it would be recorded.
"Cut! Perfect! One take!" Ning Hao's excited voice broke the eerie silence. He stared at the monitor, slapping his thigh with glee. "Amazing! The feeling was perfectly captured! Naïve! Inexperienced! Naïve! Hesitant! That's the perfect touch!"
Just now, he was worried that Liu Yifei was too young and had never filmed a kissing scene before, so there would be many takes. But he didn't expect that every movement, every look, even the rise and fall of her chest was so expressive. She's amazing! Is she going to win an Oscar?
In reality, he didn't know that Liu Yifei was simply playing herself. If he had put himself in Lu Xueqi's shoes, he wouldn't have been able to act it out. But by putting himself in Liu Yifei's shoes, he was able to perfectly capture the essence of the character.
"Whoosh~"
The film set instantly came alive.
"Wow~, it seems only young girls can truly capture the essence of a first kiss."
It's unclear who started it, but soon a chorus of good-natured whistles and cheers followed.
Ling Yuan: "..."
I was also amazed by Liu Yifei's kissing skills.
In the previous life, the scene in the movie "Zhu Xian" where Biyao (Meng Meiqi) forcibly kisses Zhang Xiaofan (Xiao Zhan) was criticized for a long time.
The kissing scenes in classic fantasy dramas are done like modern French ones.
Even if Biyao is brave, she is still a virgin and cannot do such a thing.
Liu Yifei, on the other hand, naturally touched and moved away lightly, perfectly capturing every expression, even the rise and fall of her heartbeat.
A woman who has experienced everything can't portray this kind of innocent kiss. Just like an old man who's always getting foot massages and engaging in prostitution, he can't write pure and refreshing love stories.
"Oh my god..." Shu Chang finally lowered her hand from her mouth, let out a long breath, her face even redder than Liu Yifei's, and excitedly jumped up and down a little. "Qianqian, you acted so well!"
She naturally admired him, as she herself had never filmed a kissing scene.
Zhao Liying loosened her grip on the ribbon, and a smile returned to her face, but it looked somewhat forced. She glanced at Ling Yuan with a complicated expression before looking away.
Tang Yan gave a soft "humph," turned her head away, and pretended to adjust the hem of her costume, but the movement was a bit forceful.
"I'm looking forward to the start of filming for 'Shadow of the Unknown' soon, that's where I'll truly shine." In "Jade Dynasty," Tang Yan was ultimately a supporting actress.
The staff watching also had a variety of expressions, exchanging knowing glances with each other.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder Mr. Ling gave up being a big boss and now works tirelessly every day, carrying around a seven or eight-pound fire poker with such relish..."
"That's right, so that's what they were waiting for!"
"This 'work injury' was worth it! I'd be happy to carry an iron bar every day too!"
"Is this Liu Yifei's first on-screen kiss and first real-life kiss? President Ling really hit the jackpot!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! But... hehe, those who know, know!"
……
Filming for "Zhu Xian 1" was completed after a month and a half of hard work.
"Phew~~~!" Ning Hao slumped in the director's chair, his beard unshaven, his eye bags almost drooping to the corners of his mouth. "Finally finished filming! Making fantasy epics is no human job!"
Ling Yuan was exhausted, but full of energy. He patted Ning on the shoulder and said, "Don't lie down, Lao Ning. We've only taken the first step in a long journey! Post-production is the real challenge, especially the special effects!"
Ling Yuan put in a lot of effort to create the ethereal atmosphere and flying magical artifacts in "Zhu Xian". He had a table full of materials from domestic and foreign special effects companies, and his phone was ringing off the hook.
"Industrial Light & Magic? Too expensive! Weta Digital? Their schedules are booked until next year!" Ling Yuan clicked his tongue while holding the price list.
Ultimately, he decided to choose a rising domestic team. They were affordable, easy to communicate with, and most importantly, the special effects demos they'd created for martial arts films had a certain flair and were the best value for money!
"They're the ones! We should also give a boost to domestic special effects!" Ling Yuan made the final decision.
As for the post-production of "Crazy Racer," Ling Yuan simply handed it over to Ning Hao.
"Old Ning, you know this stuff well, I'll leave it to you!"
Ning Hao is certainly not alone. Xinghan Pictures is no longer a makeshift operation. In just over a year, it has developed rapidly, recruited many people, and has a post-production team capable of handling tough challenges.
For example, editor Xiao Chen is quick-witted and sharp-eyed; he is a treasure that Ling Yuan poached from the film studio.
Colorist A-Jie is as sensitive to color as a human color spectrum analyzer.
Sound effects artist Lao Ma is a master at tinkering with sounds; his sound effects props filled half a warehouse.
There are also many special effects assistants and DITs (digital imaging technicians) recruited from schools, who are responsible for running data and following processes.
There are also quite a few interns and part-time staff, numbering in the dozens.
In addition, there are several assistant directors, including Lu Yang and Rao Xiaozhi, as well as a screenwriting team led by Xing Aina.
Ning Hao was the team leader, leading these people to work hard. Of course, the final decision-making still rested with Ling Yuan, the big boss.
That day, Ling Yuan was in his office, video chatting with Liu Yifei on his computer.
These days, video calls are certainly possible; you can use a laptop or a desktop computer with a webcam.
"I received an invitation to star in a Jin Yong martial arts film, with Big Beard as the producer." On the screen, Liu Yifei and Ling Yuan shared this good news.
Liu Yifei previously played the role of Miss Wang in "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," working with the actor known as "Big Beard." Therefore, when "Big Beard" had a new project, he naturally thought of Liu Yifei first.
"Oh, right? It's The Return of the Condor Heroes, isn't it? You're playing Little Dragon Girl?" Ling Yuan said.
Liu Yifei nodded repeatedly, smiling sweetly, "Mmm, you're so smart, how did you know?"
"Haha, let me do a quick calculation."
"By the way, I recommended you to Big Beard. I told him that you absolutely have to play Yang Guo, otherwise I won't take the role."
"Huh?" Ling Yuan was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "Does the boss of Xinghan Film Industry need to resort to these kinds of nepotism?"
"Hmph, anyway, I've already said he'll contact you when he's done with his work."
"Alright then." Ling Yuan stroked his chin and said, "I feel I'm quite competitive in playing Yang Guo."
After all, Ling Yuan played Li Xiaoyao and Zhang Xiaofan. Although neither of these films has been broadcast or released yet, many behind-the-scenes clips and promotional photos have been released everywhere, and his ancient costume appearance is undeniably stunning.
He's the perfect age, in his early twenties, and looks young enough to play Yang Guo. Unlike that old Huang, who's so greasy.
"Look at you, so vain." Liu Yifei pouted on the other end of the screen.
Ling Yuan: "This isn't called vanity, it's called confidence!"
The two were chatting when someone suddenly knocked on the door.
"Go!" Ling Yuan shouted loudly.
Seeing that Ling Yuan was busy with work, Liu Yifei smiled slightly and closed the video chat window.
Mu Jing entered, still sporting a high ponytail, but now dressed in a business suit, looking even more capable.
With the development of Xinghan Pictures and Xinghan Literature Network, Mu Jing has also grown up and become increasingly elite.
"President Ling, good news! The person you asked me to find last time has been found!" Mu Jing came in, his face beaming with excitement.