Actor: Thank you.

A few days later, Zhang Yuan arrived in Northeast China with his bodyguards.

The moment I stepped off the plane and onto this black soil, I felt the malice emanating from nature.

It's fucking cold!
I quickly pulled up the collar of my down jacket, zipped it all the way up, and put on a woolen hat.

The average temperature is below -10 degrees Celsius, and it drops to below -20 degrees Celsius at midnight.

His breath was a puff of white smoke.

We drove to the vicinity of AS City, where the crew of "The Piano in a Factory" would film scenes in dilapidated factories and working-class communities.

AS City, a well-known prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of LN Province, is known as the "Steel City".

Although "The Piano in a Factory" depicts the decline of Northeast China and the struggles of the working class.

However, Ansteel has not declined. It still ranks second in China and is the third largest steel company in the world.

Even Fortune 500 companies.

The outside world's so-called "decline of Northeast China" is jokingly referred to as the Northeast's current heavy industry being barbecue.

It's both right and wrong.

It has declined, but not completely.

It's a systemic issue; overall, it has declined compared to its peak, but it's not completely finished.

It is still supported by many strong companies.

Furthermore, the per capita grain yield in the black soil region of Northeast China is about six times that of other regions.

The reason for the large portions in Northeastern Chinese cuisine has been found.

And he experienced it very quickly.

After meeting with director Zhang Meng, Zhang Yuan led him to a restaurant that served both stir-fries and "heavy industry" barbecue, where he met with the other lead actors.

"Teacher Wang... no, Teacher Tian, ​​hello."

Tang Wei's ex-boyfriend, Teacher Tian Yu, was one of the main actors; he was the one who didn't accept calendars in the movie "Goodbye Mr. Loser".

He plays Zhang Yuan, the male lead's best friend and rival in love.

"You can call me Teacher Wang." This person was quite easygoing.

Moreover, his name in the film is Wang Kangmei, so Zhang Yuan's slip of the tongue is not wrong.

The name Wang Kangmei itself evokes a sense of the times.

Moreover, it's a director's "common name." In the previous film by director Fan Wei, "Big Ears Bring Good Fortune," the male lead was also named Wang Kangmei.

Years ago, Zhang Yuan thought this kind of name was old-fashioned, but now he feels that this kind of name sounds powerful.

Of course, Zhang Yuan's name in the film is even more powerful.

"Okay, I'll call you Teacher Wang."

"Then you can call me Guilin Boy."

The male lead's name is Chen Guilin.

We are all new creations.

Moreover, according to the director, the main filming location was in the Lingshan area below AS City, which is located west of the Anshan Iron and Steel Plant area, with many abandoned old factory buildings.

So soon the whole crew will be following me, Chen Guilin, to Lingshan.

"Didn't they say they found a Korean? Where is he?"

"Director Kwak Jae-yong is in charge of supervising our post-production," Zhang Meng replied.

Kwak Jae-yong is the director of "My Sassy Girl".

With this person around, it's much easier to win awards.

"That's not what I meant." Zhang Yuan waved his hand. "Isn't the actress playing my wife a Korean woman?"

"Zhang Shenying hasn't arrived yet."

"She doesn't have many scenes. Once we get started here, she'll come and film a few scenes."

"Fine," Zhang Yuan said, indicating that he didn't care.

"Hehe, you're so interested in foreign artists?" Teacher Qin Hailu smiled sideways.

"You shouldn't concern yourself with your co-stars."

Zhang Yuan took a bite of the large, oily edge; it was chewy and satisfying.

Zhang Shenying is not well-known in China, but she is somewhat famous in South Korea.

But it's not exactly a good reputation either.

At a young age, she became involved with the young master of her agency, got married, and had children.

When the young master's business failed and he ran out of money, she immediately divorced him and became an "independent woman" again.

That's why I came to China to film.

After all, Jang Nara herself said that if you don't have money, come to China.

I was also thinking of giving it a try.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zhang Yuan swallowed the meat and noticed that Qin Hailu was still looking at him with a sidelong smile.

"I'm afraid you want to win glory for the country."

Zhang Yuan: …

After having a big meal and getting to know most of the main actors, the group took a dilapidated minibus to Lingshan.

If you have a limited budget, don't bother with luxury cars.

Zhang Yuan wasn't particular about such things.

And it has to be this feeling that you can maintain the character.

Otherwise, if they immediately get into luxury cars worth millions as soon as the work is called off, how can the emotions of laid-off workers be maintained?

呲!
The smell hit me as soon as I arrived on set.

It smells real; someone is welding, and it smells like burnt iron ions.

There was also a lot of scrap steel around, as well as a pile of CA6140 lathes with peeling paint and green exteriors.

This CA6140 lathe is known as one of the three major lathes in China, and it was improved from the first lathe in China, the C620.

Zhang Yuan glanced at the dilapidated factory building, where the corrugated steel roof and glass were broken.

That's exactly the feeling of being riddled with holes that the director wanted.

But this place was once a bustling work site.

Right under this canopy, the workers didn't compare who had the highest income or the biggest house; they just compared who was the best machinist.

The most idealistic era in human history was born here.

In this situation, Zhang Yuan really wanted to sing a theme song for the prison that didn't exist yet, "See You Again".

When will you return?

Just as the idea of ​​music came to mind, director Zhang Meng pushed a portable speaker off the car.

When it was opened, songs by the Soviet musician Lyubay Band played.

The band was formed in 1989, when Russian society had fully and openly worshipped the West, and popular music consisted of American hippie, disco, and rock.

The Liu Bai Band, on the other hand, stood out with its very Su-style music.

In particular, in 91, the same year the CCP was dissolved, their album "Atas" became a huge hit because of the many songs that reflected real social issues.

The band's music is generally characterized by its majestic and tragic, melancholic and poignant style.

It’s so appropriate.

Zhang Meng played this music to help the actors get into character quickly.

He also plans to buy the copyrights to use as background music.

Zhang Meng told him that he only had one requirement for the choice of music for this film.

You can tell at a glance that this is a socialist song, a song belonging to the working class.

Do not indulge in decadent music, for the worker does not die, but merely fades away.

Qin Hailu swayed gently to the music.

Zhang Yuan lit a cigarette and handed it to Teacher Wang and the others.

Everyone just smoked, watched, and listened.

Images of that era echoed in my mind.

"So that's what they were welding."

After finishing his cigarette, Zhang Yuan looked at the stopped welding area.

The instrument being made there is the most important prop in the film: a steel piano.

A piano with a pure metal casing.

Heavy, hard, but out of place, it would be ridiculed by wealthy people who could afford imported pianos.

Just like the working class today.

Zhang Meng not only used this steel piano as a metaphor for people and workers, but also for Northeast China.

Zhang Yuan lit another cigarette and squatted down to touch the rough surface that was not yet fully polished.

When I watched this movie back then, I felt that Chinese workers were really miserable.

Unlike foreign blue-collar workers, who earn more and are respected.

Later, it was discovered that the so-called blue-collar class was nothing but an illusion.

Some European countries, such as Germany and France, are in a better situation.

In places like the Rust Belt in North America, those unemployed workers were actually worse off than laid-off workers in China. While laid-off workers suffered greatly, they rarely starved to death.

In the industrial decline zone of the Great Lakes region of North America, the suicide rate has risen by more than 100% since 00.

After all, in the capitalist world, no one will bail out unemployed workers.

Unemployed today, homeless tomorrow, a drug trial the day after, and a cadaver teacher the day after that.

It wasn't just the old society that engaged in cannibalism; in some places, the new society also engaged in cannibalism, and sometimes it was even real cannibalism.

The prop piano used in the movie is just a prop; it looks complete on the outside, but the sound-producing mechanism inside is just for show and can't produce any sound.

But it is not important.

"Director Zhang."

"what happened?"

"Aren't you going to store this instrument in the warehouse?"

"Aren't you afraid of losing it?" Zhang Yuan asked.

“We’ve calculated it. Once it’s all packed, it will weigh at least 600 pounds. Who would steal this?” the director said smugly.

It's so heavy, even 10 strong men couldn't move it, and you still want to steal it?

"Hey old man selling scrap steel, I'll haul it all away in a tricycle, believe it or not?"

Zhang Yuan told him not to underestimate the capabilities of the working people.

"Just make sure you keep an eye on it and don't lose it."

"After filming is over, take me to my house."

"You want this?"

"Hmm." Zhang Yuan nodded, planning to place it in the courtyard as an installation art piece.

He would leave some souvenirs for every film crew he worked with.

This must be the biggest souvenir.

"Anyway, you're the investor, so you have no problem with what you want," the director said indifferently.

We can't fathom the tastes of the wealthy. The cost of transporting these hundreds of kilograms of steel to the capital is more expensive than the raw materials themselves.

"Get ready, we're shooting a close-up scene of you tonight."

"By the way, you can play the piano, right?"

"Of course, I'm not lying to you."

Because many auditioning actors boast a lot, and many of them only show up on set empty-handed.

"And the accordion, you have to put on a show too."

"No need, I've already learned it, I can do it."

"The preparations are quite thorough," the director said with a smile.

"Of course, he's a Hundred Flowers Award-winning actor, how could he not be professional?" Qin Hailu rarely praised him.

"Yes!" The director was delighted at the mention of this.

Look, the male lead has leveled up.

When this film was cast, I wasn't a Best Actor yet, but now I am. You've really given me a huge discount on this role.

When the posters were later released, Zhang Yuan and Qin Hailu were placed at the top, both of whom are award-winning actors and actresses.

Just as I was discussing the evening's scenes with the director, my assistant arrived at the film set, looking travel-worn.

"Brother Zhang Yuan, I'm here."

"Oh, you've worked hard. How did things go in Hengdian?"

"I did as you said."

"How's the effect?"

"Good."

Let's go back to a few days ago.

Zhang Yuan asked his assistant and Lin Xinru to go to Hengdian to find Yu Zheng.

Zhao Dandan chatted and laughed with Lin Xinru the whole way.

"I'll give you some autographed photos," Ziwei offered, taking the initiative to be friendly.

Her assistant had forgotten about it if she hadn't mentioned it.

Zhao Dandan has seen a lot over the years, and Lin Xinru is not considered a top star in her eyes.

Ziwei also noticed that although he was her assistant, he was not intimidated by her at all, and his attitude was very equal. He was not subservient, nor did he have the arrogant and domineering manner of some celebrity assistants.

After getting off the plane, I arrived in Hengdian.

I am currently selecting a location in the film and television city and training actors.

Hello, Xinru.

"Zhang Yuan isn't here?" Yang Mi, who was trying on costumes, ran over after seeing her assistant arrive, looking around but not seeing him.

"No, he asked me to do something."

"Let's find a quiet place to talk."

The group walked to a corner, and Ruby Lin revealed her signature sweet smile.

"Mr. Yu, thank you for your help this time."

"I'm so sorry."

"After talking with Zhang Yuan, we will have a long-term cooperation."

He then explained the details of the negotiations.

Yu Zheng was overjoyed when he heard that he could get half of Lin Xinru's profits.

See? It's all thanks to my brilliant plan that the world is at peace!
With just a few words, someone will find a way to benefit me.

"Okay, we've always been friends."

"We'll help each other out after that."

"Definitely, definitely." The two of them were as close as half-siblings at that moment.

Life is like a play, and a play is like life; in any case, it's all acting.

The assistant let them talk without saying a word.

She waited until they had all finished speaking before she spoke.

"Have you reached an agreement?"

"All right."

"Alright, Brother Zhang Yuan asked me to give you a message." Zhao Dandan stood up.

"what's up?"

He said he would call all the main actors and key members of the "Palace" drama crew to come and listen together.

"Then I'll go call them." Yu Zheng asked his assistant to call Yang Mi and the other actors, as well as the producer, director, and others.

He thought Zhang Yuan had something important to announce.

"Almost everyone's here, so you can speak now," Yu Zheng said, looking at his assistant.

"it is good."

Zhao Dandan straightened up and stared blankly at him.

"Brother Zhang Yuan said, 'Stand up straight and listen to the proclamation.'"

"Huh?" Yu Zheng got up with a hint of disgust.

Even though he's not here, they're still making such a big show of things, damn it.

"Stand still."

"Stand up straight."

"do not move."

In front of the cast and crew of "Palace", Yu Zheng straightened his body.

Everyone was curious, what was going on?
Who's so important that they expect our producer Yu to act like she's receiving a royal decree?

As everyone wondered what was happening, they heard a whoosh of wind.

call!
Snapped! ! !
Zhao Dandan raised her hand and slapped him.

A large, formal slapstick was slapped directly onto Yu Zheng's left cheek.

The scene fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.

The actors around them held their breath.

what happened!

Zhao Dandan told him to stand up straight and steady so that he could aim better.

Before leaving the capital, Zhang Yuan whispered a few words to her, telling her that this was what he wanted her to do.

He specifically instructed that the beating be done in front of everyone on set.

Because last time, the lesson was taught by inviting them to my home for a secret lesson.

However, the effect of private coaching is obviously not good.

Then we'll have to teach a public class.

If you don't want to save face, then don't. (End of Chapter)