I'm the director, I'm not bad

"sister."

At Liu Yifei's home, Wu Qiqi knocked on the door of Liu Yifei's bedroom with her phone in hand.

"what's wrong?"

Liu Yifei, who was lying on the bedside reading a book, looked up and asked after seeing her.

Wu Qiqi said:
"Sister Ting said that the script of "Deal" has come out, and I'll bring it over for you to read now. Then Director Xu would like to invite you to have dinner together in the evening, is that okay?"

Liu Yifei's eyes lit up:
"No problem. Let's go to the study."

"Hmm~"

The two quickly came to the study room. After Liu Yifei found her mailbox, as expected, she saw an ORD file.

No preview, just download and print.

Soon, the printer printed 8 sheets of paper.

But Liu Yifei who was holding it in her hand was stunned...

Only 8 sheets?

so short?
"Kiki...why there are only 8?"

As she asked, she flipped through it, and found that the story inside was indeed the same story, but... it seemed to have been shortened a lot.

Wu Qiqi was also a little puzzled.

During this time, Yifei has been reading the script. Although it is the first version of the script, it is at least 20 pages thick.

But why are there so few now?
"I'll ask Sister Tingting to see if she has less hair."

As she spoke, she called Sun Ting.

"Hey, sister Tingting, is this script only eight pages? We received eight pages."

"right."

Sun Ting responded and said:

"I only received 8 pages, and I specifically asked Brother Xu. Brother Xu said that he was basically right, and we were talking at dinner at night. I don't know the details~"

She concealed the matter of changing the script into a short film.

Because it must be thankless for her to talk to Liu Yifei as an assistant, and it will easily make her feel uncomfortable.

Brother Xu needs to talk to her personally about this matter.

And Liu Yifei frowned completely after hearing only 8 pages.

Directly asked Sun Ting on the phone:

"Where are you eating tonight? What time?"

"Qinchuan Yashe, let me ask brother Xu for the time, sister Yifei, please wait for me a moment."

"it is good."

……

On the other end, Xu Xin who was visiting the National Grand Theater with Wei Lanfang received a call from Sun Ting:
"Brother Xu, what time are we at night? I just finished talking with Sister Yifei, and Sister Yifei even called to ask why the script is only 8 pages long."

"At 6 o'clock. Then...you go there at night too, don't drive, drive me back then. Take a copy of the script of "The Hawthorn Tree" by the way."

"OK."

Sun Ting directly agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Wei Lanfang asked:

"The script for 'The Hawthorn' is already out?"

"Um."

Xu Xin didn't hide it from her, and said:

"The script has been completed, and now we have to start the crew formation and casting. For this kind of period drama, the focus is on serving Huadao. When Yang Mi is confinement, I will go to Xi'an to do these things."

"Tsk, I also said that we will have dinner together tonight."

Wei Lanfang felt a little pity.

Xu Xin laughed:
"Another day, anyway, I am also a great director, very busy."

"Yes, yes, director~"

Wei Lanfang couldn't help laughing.

"Then, has the great director Xu considered giving us any project? Our National Center for the Performing Arts is still starved for food."

"... Tsk. Miss Wei~"

"how"

"I've learned badly."

"Haha~ Sister Wei, go to the office first and find a taxi

Printer, I have to read that script. "

"it is good."

……

After reading the script, Xu Xin, who was very satisfied with Li Ruichao's changes, came out from Wei Lanfang's place, and started to go to Qinchuan Yashe after finishing everything.

As Xiying Studio's main work and reception place in Yanjing, his meals and banquets here are all accounted for by the factory and deducted from the entertainment fee.

The monthly quota is quite amazing.

And when he got there, it was 05:30.

When he came to the room, Liu Yifei, who specially put on light makeup, was already waiting in the room early.

It's beautiful and stunning enough.

"It's so early?"

Xu Xin greeted her familiarly.

After casually handing over the coat to Wu Qiqi who came over to help him hang the clothes, Liu Yifei smiled and said:

"You look for me, dare I be late?"

"Yeah, Xiao Liu's ideological awareness is very high~"

"Yes, yes, the leader is so flattering~"

After breaking away from her mother's "shroud", her rather skinny temperament has gradually revealed.

The immortal energy between gestures and gestures slowly subsides.

pretty good.

Xu Xin smiled and sat in front of the tea table.

Sun Ting quickly poured tea.

After Liu Yifei also sat down, he asked:
"When can I see Mimi?"

"Wait until she comes out of the cell."

"..."

Liu Yifei was speechless.

And Xu Xin went straight to the point

"Have you read the script?"

"Look, why are there only 8 pages?"

"Because it's going to be a short film."

"Uh……"

Under Liu Yifei's puzzled eyes, Xu Xin held a teacup and explained:
"Before, the screenwriter who worked on this asked me for a meeting. Didn't it already have two editions, and I was not satisfied. Later, a screenwriter named Li Ruichao meant...the character structure of this story is too fragile, because Both characters are too extreme.

It would be more appropriate to keep only the main line of the story.I think it makes sense, let them try it out.As a result...it is indeed the case. After leaving aside those...some plots that can be said to be forced to express sorrow for new words, the whole story suddenly became clear.What about you, how do you feel?"

After receiving Xu Xin's explanation, Liu Yifei nodded unconsciously:

"... To be honest, I think so too. The whole script feels much more natural, and the emotional conflict is even stronger. Especially in the last paragraph, it is written that the little boy has been paying attention at home without the hostess knowing. After getting used to her life for a long time... all of a sudden, that touching picture appeared in my mind..."

"So I'm going to take the film I made with you to the College Student Video Festival as the opening film. They have already sent me an invitation to be the director of the opening film in April next year. How about it? Are you interested? "

Liu Yifei was taken aback:
"College Student Video Festival?"

"Yes. In terms of genre, it's a bit similar to a youth film festival. Later, I checked this film festival...it said it was a niche, but it's actually quite a niche. Because the audience is not very large, and they are all contemporary young people. But it's... not bad, it's pure enough. It's a bit like those foreign film festivals, where big names or big investments are fake, and it's mainly storytelling and artistry."

"Uh……"

Hearing this, Liu Yifei thought for a while before asking tentatively:

"Do you want me... to reappear in the public eye from among young movie fans?"

"That's right. You have the most fans among young people. This is an undoubted fact. It must be a good thing to be back in everyone's sight. But more... I'm thinking about your future acting path ...I just want to see when you can get rid of the shadow of "Tianlong" and "Sculpture of God". On the one hand, it is to help you transform, on the other hand...you
Now I should have a clear enough understanding of your acting skills, right? "

In Liu Yifei's subconscious nod, Xu Xin responded:
"What you need is a boost."

"...Why did Mimi's acting skills soar so fast?"

Yang Mi is not here at the moment, and with this sentence, she asked out the doubts in her heart.

Xu Xin was taken aback...

Then he laughed and said:

"How do you think she did it?"

"I asked you because I didn't know. Take "The Wind" as an example. I only know that she has been preparing for a long time, but... the moment she appeared on the screen, the feeling was completely different."

"time."

Xu Xin summed up Yang Mi's journey in two words.

"time?"

"Well, time."

Looking at Liu Yifei's puzzled gaze, Xu Xin thought for a while and said:

"If I remember correctly, "The Sound of the Wind" was in the winter of 07. She met her when she was filming "Ugly Lady" in Dalian. I was still in Shenmu at the time, and she told me that she liked this story very much. Recommended to me. Since I bought the copyright, she has already started preparing for the role of Gu Xiaomeng.

Throughout 08, she was making preparations.On the one hand, it is to consult information. Guan Lu, one of the four talented women in the Republic of China, can be said to be one of the prototypes of the story in this book.She began to search for Guan Lu's information, and at the same time went in and out of the library, looking for someone to sort out some real situations from the mouths of the only surviving old people.There are close to two notebooks for her materials. "

Xu Xin made a gesture with his thumb and index finger that made Koreans angry.

Much wider though.

"Make materials, and then build models in my mind over and over again..."

"Did she talk to you during this time?"

"no."

Xu Xin shook his head:
"We chatted about scripts and stories, but we never talked about character creation before the reading session started. All her shaping of the role of "Gu Xiaomeng" was done by herself.She even went to learn the Morse code for a period of time by herself.

So... you have to ask me how she improved so fast.All I can say is...she spent a year thinking about this role.Through all means of reading, understanding, listening, and talking, to enrich and perfect Gu Xiaomeng's image, it has created a wonderful performance on the screen. "

"Uh……"

After getting an explanation from Xu Xin, Liu Yifei thought about it, and suddenly asked strangely:

"Then... what about the role she is busy with now? Before the baby was born, we went to a small auction, and she got a copy of "Ji Xiao's New Book". I asked her why she bought this, She said she was preparing a movie..."

"A movie that hasn't been decided yet."

Xu Xin shook his head:
"I'm not allowed to say the name or something. I won't mention it...but she's not preparing for a movie, but preparing to audition after confinement."

"...???"

Liu Yifei was dumbfounded.

Eyes full of absurdity:

"Audition?"

"Yes. This movie... has a lot of twists and turns. But to put it simply, she is a senior brother who gave her a general type of character. We both think this character is very interesting, and originally wanted to ask Can it be filmed, but they have already found a director and everything. Now it’s just a matter of casting. What she wants to compete for is a role in it. For this role, she also started from last year... probably the second half of the year, the two of us Preparations started before the wedding."

"Just for a role that I'm not sure about?"

Liu Yifei was speechless.

"Then if you don't get selected, wouldn't all your hard work be in vain?"

"...Well, that's for sure."

Xu Xin smiled and nodded, but asked again:
"But it also goes to show that the characters in this script are great, right?"

"That's right."

"When an actor meets a great role, even if it's just an audition, isn't it natural for him to make the best preparations?"

"."

What he said immediately stunned Liu Yifei.

Is that right?
It must be right.

A great script and a great role are definitely worth fighting for.

but……

When the cost of this "vigorous" is measured by the unit of measurement "year"...it would be fine if it had already been determined.

But, brother, this role is not Mimi's yet!
It's just an audition!
you……

Immediately, she had that "although you're right, I think you're just farting" expression on her face.

It looks very fancy.

But more is absurd.

But Xu Xin likes to watch it very much, because these expressions are keeping Liu Yifei away from that "immortal spirit".

Actors, that's all.

You have to learn to live, know how to live, and learn to live before you can root yourself in the soil.

Every day people around you praise you as a god, say that you don’t eat the world’s fireworks and grains, and don’t even let you fart to go to the toilet...then the fate will not be much better.

In this absurdity, Xu Xin said:

"I don't think she's wasting her time. Also, don't think that the line she often says to the media, 'If people only remember the character and not me, I'll feel honored' is a lie.She is very serious about separating her acting skills from her commercial attributes.Making money is making money, work is work.So... After confinement, she is going to audition.To be honest, I'm looking forward to it.

"."

For a moment, Liu Yifei didn't know what to say.

Although many people on the Internet say that she is dedicated.

He said that when he was shooting some works, he would learn and prepare in advance.

but……

When she herself, or those actors who also take a while to prepare, meet someone who starts to count years in terms of preparation for an audition... This dedication is a bit funny.

Even, there may be a reason for pregnancy.

But the preparations for "The Wind" are real.

Even if "Sword and Sword III" was filmed halfway.

Mimi, have you worked so hard in a place where others can't see?
At this time, Xu Xin said:

"Although I don't know about your business development, what she thinks. But I think... a good script, a good director, and a good actor are indispensable for things like movies. Although it's a bit of nonsense, you should understand what I mean .There are too many things that a crew can't be sure of. Right?"

"Hmm. For example, the investor's request, or various interpersonal relationships..."

"So, in my crew, there will be no such situations. Then, we are looking for a good story. And this story, for example, is in front of you, such as this "Deal", I will show it to you now.

Then you go back and prepare for a year, whether it’s to be friends with a hostess, or to open a bar KTV, or to find a single-parent family and live with a child for a period of time...that’s your own business as an actor .

And when the movie starts shooting, you just need to appear in front of me, bring your understanding of the character, your life experience, etc., to interpret the whole movie well, and that's all.You see, filming is as simple as that. "

"..."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei couldn't help but want to roll his eyes again.

But he also knew that Xu Xin was not lying.

Because this is the simplest truth that the movie itself exists objectively.

But the question is, trying to do it... is easier said than done?
After thinking about it, she asked:
"Then this "Hawthorn Tree"..."

"Looked

No?"

"I see, after you confirmed the project, Mimi gave it to me immediately. But I only read it twice, and I have been preparing the story of "Trade"..."

""Deal" may be filmed next month. For the short film, I estimate that it will be almost over in a week at most. Similarly, go prepare. The role of "Hawthorn Tree"... I don't have any preferences. Everyone can do it according to their own Come to the audition with your understanding of Jingqiu. I am looking forward to your performance."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei nodded:

"it is good!"

……

Xu Xin and Liu Yifei's "no" preference is not an excuse.

but true.

In his heart, he really didn't have a clear idea of ​​what "Jing Qiu" should look like.

Although the casting should be in line with the original era, Jing Qiu has a charming temperament and figure of "Sanliwan".

It's kind of contradictory.

Before seeing the specific figure, he couldn't be sure what the fuzzy outline in his mind looked like.

Therefore, he needs auditions, and needs everyone to show the qualities of Jingqiu that he needs to help him complete the construction of this role.

That's what his audition was all about.

But when he was still preparing, unexpectedly, Zhang Yimou started first.

11 month 20 number.

There are still 5 days before Yang Mi's confinement.

Xu Xin arrived at Shanshui Wenyuan again at around 1:[-] p.m.

When they entered, they saw a dozen or so people, including the old man's royal photographer Zhao Xiaoding and his manager Pang Liwei.

They all stayed neatly on the first floor.

"Sorry, sorry, it's late."

It was originally scheduled for 2 o'clock today.

But seeing so many people coming at this moment, Xu Xin quickly apologized.

Although the people who came basically knew each other, they must have the attitude they should have, even if he was not late.

After sitting next to Pang Liwei, he asked

"Where's Director Zhang?"

"Upstairs, taking a nap."

"...take a nap?"

Xu Xin was taken aback.

The old man doesn't take a nap easily.

Pang Liwei nodded:
"Today's task is heavy, in order to maintain energy. "

"...Didn't you just take the audition tape?"

At the beginning of November, the old man had already started to cast a role.

"The Hawthorn Tree" and "Jinling" were selected together.

As for "The Hawthorn Tree", he insisted on the simplicity of that era.The distinctive symbols on Jingqiu's body in Sanliwan are not particularly important to him.

What he was looking for was the impression of youth...or young girls in the era that belonged to his energy.

You don't even need acting skills, as long as the feeling comes out.

And Xu Xin insisted on acting theory.

That is an actor who fits all the characteristics of Jing Qiu under the tone of the great era.

Then compare the two.

He was still waiting for Yang Mi to give birth, Zhang Yimou had already started.

After hearing his words, Pang Liwei pointed to the shoebox of the TV next to her:
"It's all there. "

"... There are quite a lot of information, let me take a look?"

"It's not a paper document, it's a videotape."

"."

The corner of Xu Xin's mouth twitched instantly. "Video"

Looking at the shoe box, he was speechless:
"Is it the big one or the DV one?"

"DV."

"..."

DV videotapes, the standard format is a 60-minute disc.

And, its size is 51*73*15 (MM).

Very small.

It's about the size of half a palm.

It actually filled a shoebox...?
"full?"

"full."

Pang Liwei nodded
"Anshan, Shenyang, Harbin, Hebei, AH, Jiangsu... Basically, there are people who have recorded art colleges. There are a total of 460 people on the list. The girl with the highest age of 20 years old passed another sieve and was eliminated. 151 of them had plastic surgery, and there are 309 left, all of them are here.”

"..."

Xu Xin's heart skipped a beat.

wry smile

"If I knew it earlier, I would have put my daughter in my arms and taken a nap before coming here."

"The wedding banquet is on the 26th, right... I will try my best to adjust the time. If these people can be selected, they can go. If Director Zhang says no, then we have to go. We won't be able to go then."

"Ok, I know."

Xu Xin nodded, then asked tentatively:

"Then Nanjing..."

Pang Liwei remained motionless:
"I'm in charge of it myself, I'll see you later."

The reason why he specifically mentioned Nanjing is because the casting location of "Jinling Thirteen Hairpins" has already been determined.

Localized actors will be used entirely.

Nowhere, only Nanjing locals.

Whether it is Shisanchai or the students, they are all locals.

But very few people knew about this matter, except for Xu Xin, only a few cronies of the old man knew about it, so the number of people who went to Nanjing was the largest.

While chatting, Zhang Mo called Zhang Yimou down.

It could be seen that the old man was sleepy.

But after seeing the person coming, he still nodded and said hello:
"let's start."

As he spoke, holding his treasure gourd plastic cup that hadn't been changed in almost four years, he sat next to Xu Xin and took a big gulp.

After hearing this, Yao Songlin, the camera assistant closest to the TV, opened the box, looked at the video tapes on it, and picked up the first disc.

"This is the video tape from Shen Yin's side. I brought a total of three boxes."

He opened one of the boxes, pushed it into the video recorder, and took the remote control to turn on the TV screen.

Soon, a girl with no bangs and a ponytail appeared on the screen, filling the screen with her full face.

It can be seen that it was deliberately shot in the face.

The purpose is to let Zhang Yimou and Xu Xin see all the details on the face.

Although the ideas are different, Xu Xin is indeed looking at it seriously.Moreover, Zhang Yimou also explained:
"The choice is yours."

Xu Xin nodded, and looked at the girl in front of her seriously...

The girl has a polite smile on her face, and the background looks like it was shot in a ballet classroom.

Yao Songlin should go to Shen Yin, and while watching the girl introduce herself, she said:
"When I went to Shen Yin's side, the school was very cooperative and took me to choose it myself. According to your instructions, don't be so tall, and have a better body and temperament. I saw which one was suitable and took that one, so The auditions this time are relatively scattered, they are all freshmen, and there are not many sophomores who meet the age..."

"Come on."

Before he finished speaking, Xu Xin denied the girl.

Yao Songlin nodded, took the video tape and began to fast forward.

Soon came the second girl.

Just as he opened his mouth, Xu Xin shook his head after looking at it twice.

"This doesn't work either."

Then the third...

"Pass."

"no."

"This...forget it, let's go."

"no."

"Next."

"Pass."

"Change……"

Soon, the first tape was over.

Then came the second box.

third box.

The fourth box...

Slowly, Xu Xin began to become a little numb.

At first, he could still watch seriously, but as more and more people came, his mind became more and more confused.

In all honesty, these girls are pretty.

But...maybe it's because of the DV filming?
Or maybe it’s because I’ve seen too much.

Gradually, each of them gave him a very ordinary feeling.

During the first videotape, he occasionally spoke, but later... at all, he didn't need to listen to their self-introduction.The audition segment started, and after seeing that face, his voice immediately rang out.

"Yes, yes, yes."

He felt as if his nerves had entered an unusually peaceful phase.

When there are so many beautiful girls, he will automatically enter a stable mental state.

Although I occasionally hesitate because of individual people.

But most of the time, I started to pass as soon as I saw the face, and there was no need to listen to the self-introduction of these girls.

After quickly watching five or six videotapes, Xu Xin rubbed his eyes:
"No, I'm a little confused right now... are you coming?"

Zhang Yimou nodded, indicating that Zhang Mo, who had switched from Yao Songlin to himself, continued.

then……

A voice similar to Xu Xin's sounded:
"this is not OK."

"no."

"No... okay, pass."

"Next……"

"Pass……"

From two o'clock in the afternoon, it slowly came to dinner time.

When the nanny finished the meal, Xu Xin's eyes were also red.

No way, staring at the screen for too long.

……

"This girl is not only beautiful or not, you have to be able to find that kind of green feeling from her. When everyone talks about "The Hawthorn Tree", they all know that it is pure love. If you want to be pure, you can't have that feeling on your face Kind of... I grew up, I understand the sophistication and maturity. That's not good... two faces are placed there, if you don't act, you have to let the audience understand! Understand the feeling of being young..."

During the meal, Zhang Yimou was still working tirelessly to let everyone understand his casting requirements.

But Xu Xin felt that he was "wasting time".

Although he also admitted that the old man was right.But... Amateur actresses to steer the show?
He still essentially disagrees.

But there is no other way.

After all, these are the results of the work of many people who have traveled all over the country.

The old man is here, so I definitely can't just say go.

Can only continue to boil.

Eat as a rest, after the meal, change to new tea, he continues to boil there.

After this, I stayed up until more than 12 o'clock in the morning.

Finally, a box of videotapes was finished.

309 people.

The number of people who advanced to the second round of auditions: 71 people.

Among the 71 people, Zhang Yimou chose about [-], and Xu Xin chose about [-].

"……Anymore?"

Hearing Zhang Yimou's words, Pang Liwei shook her head:
"It's gone. This is all freshmen. If you are going down, you can only go to various professional art schools."

Hearing this, Zhang Yimou looked at Xu Xin who was rubbing his eyes again:
"When do you plan to start the audition?"

"November 11th. The 30th is the live broadcast of the "The Voice" finals. After participating, come back on the 28th and start on the 29th."

Xu Xin didn't even open his eyes, rubbing his eyes and weeping as he said.

Seeing this, Zhang Yimou thought for a while, then nodded:

"Okay, let's do another round. Send a message to these professional art schools, and ask them to record audition VCDs for female students in their respective schools who meet my requirements within ten days a week, and mail them together."

"Simplicity, no plastic surgery, acting skills don't matter?"

"Yes. That's it..."

Zhang Yimou nodded, glanced at Xu Xin who was still rubbing his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and said:

"That's it for today.Let's talk about it tomorrow. "