novelraw Chapter 4 Casting
Chapter 4 Casting
The contract was drafted quickly, and Shen Qing signed it on the same day before leaving the company.
After he left, Zhao Hongwei suddenly asked Wang Damin, "Do you think... it's possible that he produced this script and storyboard in just 10 days?"
Wang Damin thought for a long time, but in the end he could only shake his head: "It's hard to say..."
Zhao Hongwei nodded, and then a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind.
He knew where that strange feeling he had just experienced came from.
He then asked Wang Damin, "You said his storyboard sketches are very similar to the style of a certain great director... very, very similar?"
"Zhang Yimou!"
Wang Damin blurted out his debut.
Then the two looked at each other, both surprised.
……
For the next few days, nothing much happened, so Shen Qing strolled around the city of Beiping from more than twenty years ago.
It felt like stepping into an old photograph, which was quite novel.
During this time, he also called the original owner's parents to tell them that he might not be able to go back to his hometown for the Chinese New Year this year.
Then Zhao Hongwei called me to the company, saying he wanted to discuss casting issues.
"Fame and Fortune" is an ensemble piece with too many male characters, so everyone is most concerned about the choice of the female lead.
"The female lead is not important."
The three of them formed a semicircle around the coffee table. Shen Qing looked at the two who were discussing whether Zhou Xun or Li Bingbing was a better match and said...
Zhao Hongwei said, "Choosing a female lead for a movie is like a man choosing a wife. Do you think it's important for a man to choose a wife? A wife is a man's face!"
Wang Damin nodded in deep agreement.
Shen Qing nodded first, then shook her head: "Of course, it's important for a man to choose a wife, but we're dirt poor. How can we possibly offer a dowry to a well-bred family like ours?"
Zhou Xun and Li Bingbing are clearly considered "well-bred ladies" among actresses.
With a total investment of 200 million, expecting to hire Zhou Xun and Li Bingbing is really wishful thinking.
Zhao Hongwei and Wang Damin both felt that Shen Qing was a bit of a downer.
These two are well aware that the company cannot afford Zhou Xun and Li Bingbing.
But can't we just dream about the company's first theatrical film?
At this moment, Shen Qing said again, "If we're talking about suitable candidates, Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, and Fan Bingbing are all suitable, but these three are all from well-to-do families, and we can't afford to hire them. Since we can't marry the one we like, it doesn't matter who we marry. Let's go to the film academy and find some newcomers. There are good ones among the girls from modest families."
Zhao Hongwei turned to Wang Damin: "What's the current market value of these three?"
"Please ask Zhou Xun. Most, if not all, of our budget should go to her alone, and the other two can have half," Wang Damin replied immediately, clearly having a thorough understanding of the market rates for various celebrities.
Zhao Hongwei lamented, "Money is a man's backbone, and actors are the face of a film. If our project has neither money nor face, it will probably be difficult for theaters to take it seriously in the future!"
"If I can't marry a lady from a prominent family, having a close female friend from one is not bad either. It's something to be proud of. How about we invite one of those ladies over for a visit?" Shen Qing said with a smile.
"You mean... a cameo role... as Nightingale?" Zhao Hongwei asked uncertainly.
Shen Qing nodded.
The female lead has to stay on set for at least a month, and it's unacceptable to not pay her market price. Guest roles are much more flexible.
The film "Fame and Fortune" happens to have a character like Nightingale, who is perfect for a big-name cameo.
Just like Fan Bingbing in "Lost in Thailand".
When dealing with cameo roles in the entertainment industry that don't offer market rates, the usual practice is to offer zero pay. This is because if the pay for a role in one production is reduced, subsequent production teams will treat it as the market rate.
Then I might as well not take any payment.
Not taking a salary doesn't mean not taking any money. You have to send the due compensation in the form of a red envelope.
Nightingale has very little screen time, less than five minutes, but she can be said to be the soul of the film, even more important than Fan Bingbing in "Lost in Thailand".
This character is the motivation behind all of Qi Leshan's actions, the core of the entire tragedy, and the ultimate mystery of the film!
This is a character with very few scenes but extremely important; her appearance must instantly make her a beloved figure whom the audience can understand and empathize with.
The audience needs to believe that everything Qi Leshan did for her was reasonable and worthwhile.
With limited budgets, the production team couldn't afford to hire big-name leads, so it was essential to focus on this minor but crucial role.
Nightingale is the second female lead, and also the unseen female lead in the film.
Who would you like to invite?
"Our junior, Liu Yifei."
"She can hardly be considered a 'lady of high birth,' can she really carry the weight of our show? 'The Story of a Noble Family' was quite popular in the first half of the year, but that was her only show, and she wasn't even the lead actress."
"Considering her current age, it's perfect! The character of Nightingale is set as a 16-year-old young lady from a military officer's family in the Republic of China era. Only a younger actress can better portray the pure and clean temperament that Nightingale should have. Her age is just right. There aren't many actresses of this age who are as popular as she is now."
Deng Enxi, who played the original Nightingale, was only 16 years old when she starred in the film, and Liu Yifei is also 16 this year.
If the budget is only 150 million, the role of Shen Qing might be played by Yang Mi, who lives in Beijing, or Jing Tian, who is studying dance at a dance academy in Beijing.
However, if the budget is increased to 200 million, Liu Yifei, who would be a more suitable candidate, can be considered.
Shu Chang is also suitable, but at this point in time, her salary is not much cheaper than Liu Yifei's.
Seeing Zhao Hongwei hesitate, Shen Qing continued, "In a few days, 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' will be broadcast on Zhejiang TV. The copyright has also been sold to dozens of local channels, and all of them will broadcast it. Our junior is the female lead in 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' and her popularity will skyrocket in the next six months."
Zhao Hongwei looked at Wang Damin: "What's the current market value of this junior of ours?"
Wang Damin replied, "I heard that the total salary for the cast and crew of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' was over 20 yuan."
After a moment's consideration, Zhao Hongwei said, "A cameo role lasting a few minutes, with a one-day availability, at most two days. Is 5 enough? How about 10?"
Wang Damin nodded and said, "The script is excellent, and although the role is small, it is extremely outstanding. In addition, with the connection to the Beijing Film Academy, it should be possible to get them to participate."
Zhao Hongwei turned to Shen Qing: "The female lead is a newcomer, and the second female lead is Liu Yifei. That won't cost much. What about the rest of the roles?"
"Lu Ziye is also crucial. He is the one who brings together a group of people with their own ulterior motives and locks the door. The character is both righteous and evil, and unfathomable. He needs a veteran actor to perform with ease."
Zhao Hongwei rubbed his hands together, it seemed like the time had come for him to really spend money.
Who do you think is suitable?
"Ni Dahong, I guess."
Zhao Hongwei looked at Wang Damin.
Wang Damin thought for a moment before saying, "It's Long Er from 'To Live.' It seems like he hasn't had any acting roles for seven or eight years, right? Lu Ziye is a member of the main cast. Given Ni Dahong's image, nobody's asking him to play a lead role. We're asking him, and he's one of the main characters. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. I estimate 1 will be about right, no more than 2 at most."
Another very cost-effective candidate.
Zhao Hongwei and Wang Damin both looked at the junior in front of them.
Perhaps he had been secretly preparing for this movie for a long time, and he really planned it in the most cost-effective way, even digging up Ni Dahong, who had long been forgotten in the entertainment industry.
At this moment, Shen Qing continued unhurriedly, "The remaining very crucial character is Qi Leshan."
"This character is very complex. He is the source of all the secrets. He appears honest and fierce on the surface, but his inner workings are unfathomable. It is not excessive to spend a lot of money to find an award-winning actor to play him."
The office fell silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Then Zhao Hongwei broke the silence with a laugh: "Shen Qing, don't scare me. It sounds like the budget is about to explode! You can't hire an actor of Best Actor caliber for less than several hundred thousand, right?"
Shen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Duan Long (Duan Yihong) might be suitable. He just won the Best Actor award at the New Delhi International Film Festival for 'Second Brother,' so he's a slightly undeserving international film star, but he's still an international film star. If we can negotiate a price under 15, we can give it a try. If we can't negotiate..."
"What if we can't reach an agreement?"
"Let's figure out a solution when we can't reach an agreement!"
He previously said the total budget for the actors was 10 yuan, and at that time there were no plans to hire Liu Yifei or Duan Yihong.
Even if we don't hire these two, the budget won't be exceeded by too much.
Now that the boss has raised the budget to 200 million, it's natural to look for some better actors.
At that time, Shen Qing was thinking that if Qi Leshan couldn't find a suitable candidate, he would take the position himself.
Shen Qing possesses 99% of Zhang Yimou's professional abilities.
Zhang Yimou is the first actor in China to win the Best Actor award at an A-list international film festival.
The film "Old Well" earned him the Best Actor awards at the Tokyo International Film Festival, the Golden Rooster Awards, and the Hundred Flowers Awards.
With Zhang Yimou's acting skills—which is also Shen Qing's own acting skills—there is no problem in portraying Qi Leshan. The only concern is that it may prolong the filming period.
After all, his main job is as a director.
But if 15 yuan can't bring Duan Yihong to the table, and there's really no more suitable candidate, then we might have to ask him to take the job.