Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 288 We Have Professional Ethics

May in Yanjing is the best season of the year as long as there is no wind or sand.

But in such a beautiful season, Xie Jin, who was living here as a guest, was full of worries.

Ever since he decided to shoot the movie "The Garland under the Mountain" in February, the news has become the hottest topic in the Chinese film industry.

It has been three months now, the script has been completed, and the crew is almost ready, but the main actors have not yet been found.

In order to select the actors, he stayed in Yanjing for more than a month. In addition to attending activities and meetings, most of his time was spent on selecting the actors.

He visited all the major drama troupes, song and dance troupes and art schools in Yenching University, but still couldn't find the actor he liked.

Some famous Chinese male actors have been combed through in his mind just like combing his hair.

But where are Zhao Mengsheng, Liang Sanxi, and Jin Kailai?
The Chinese film industry is full of talented people. I can't say that we have everything, but according to general standards, it is not a problem to select a few actors who meet the requirements.

It’s just that Xie Jin had too high expectations and requirements for the movie "High Mountain". He had read the novel and script of "High Mountain" countless times, had his own imaginations about the main characters, and was not willing to relax his requirements for casting.

On the one hand, hundreds of actors are trying their best to act in Xie Jin's movies, while on the other hand, he is worried because he can't find suitable actors.

The reason why such a paradoxical situation occurred cannot be explained by high standards and strict requirements, but rather by Xie Jin's idealism caused by his excessive emphasis on movies.

So even though it is already spring in Yanjing, Xie Jin's face looks like it is winter, cold and hard.

In the second half of the month, he had to go to Shaanxi to participate in this year's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards. This delay was more than a week. He was so anxious that his mouth was bubbling. He even didn't drink in the past few days.

The person in charge of casting for the crew is assistant director Wu Zhennian, and she has been a lot annoyed by Xie Jin these days because of this matter.

That evening, Wu Zhennian had just returned to the guesthouse after a day out, and Xie Jin called her over.

Xie Jin thought that the current method of selecting actors was too slow, and since both of them were in Yanjing, it was a waste of resources, so he decided to let Wu Zhennian go to other cities to have a look.

The first city chosen by Xie Jin was Changchun, where there is Changchun Film Studio and many theater troupes. It is one of the important cities in the Chinese film industry.

After Wu Zhennian left, Xie Jin was not in a hurry to select actors.

He was in a bad mood these days and planned to find a place to relax. At first, he wanted to go to Yanying Studio to find those bad friends, but when he thought about these people working together to cheat him, he felt angry.

Instead of looking for those old foxes, it is better to look for the little foxes.

That Sunday, Xie Jin ran to the Overseas Chinese Apartment, but found it empty. He then found Xiaoliubukou Hutong according to the address provided by the security guard.

As soon as he saw Lin Chaoyang, he complained, "Why didn't you tell me you moved?"

After walking around the house and seeing that Lin Chaoyang lived in such a big yard, he immediately felt unbalanced again.

"It's my contribution that you live in this yard!"

"Come on, it's just that little bit of money, and you keep complaining. No one would be willing to write a script for someone like you."

Lin Chaoyang's words made him behave himself, and then he started to have some drinks.

Lin Chaoyang looked at his mouth full of bubbles and asked, "You still want to drink something?"

"I got this because I didn't drink."

Lin Chaoyang joked: "I think your bubble is not caused by not drinking, but by bragging, right?"

"What did I blow?"

"'If I can't make 'The Mountain' well, I'll quit the film industry', is that what you said?"

Xie Jin's face felt a little hot when Lin Chaoyang stared at him, "Hey, didn't you just say this during the meeting?"

"Just open your mouth, right?"

Seeing that Lin Chaoyang was not giving in, Xie Jin stiffened his neck and said, "How do you know I can't take a good photo?"

"Don't change the subject. Are we talking about the same thing?"

"Alright, alright, stop talking about this trivial matter. It's so annoying!"

Xie Jin was like a rebellious teenager. He waved his hands impatiently, interrupting Lin Chaoyang's words, and then said, "I've been worried for more than half a month. Even the wine doesn't smell good on my lips."

The old comrade came to Lin Chaoyang to complain, so he couldn't refuse to entertain him. He prepared some wine and food and said to Xie Jin, "I don't want to drink!"

"Just sit with me."

Xie Jin pulled Lin Chaoyang to sit down, poured himself a cup of wine, held it up, looked at each other for two seconds, then tilted his head back and drank it, letting out a cry of satisfaction.

Then he looked at Lin Chaoyang again, "Don't just stand there, pour the wine!"

"You really treat me like a waiter!"

Even as he said this, Lin Chaoyang still poured him a cup of wine, and Xie Jin drank it happily. Then he said, "Since you are so sensible, I won't bother with you about what happened before."

"Can you argue with me?"

After drinking some wine, Xie Jin relaxed and told Lin Chaoyang about his recent suffering.

He came to Yanjing originally to select actors for "High Mountains", but after arriving, he spent one-third of his time attending meetings and participating in various cultural and artistic activities.

The reason why there are so many meetings and activities has a lot to do with the popularity of "The Horse Wrangler" at the beginning of the year.

This movie has continued to be popular since its release, and it can be said that it has set a record in history, with both box office and number of moviegoers reaching new highs.

Even the male and female protagonists Zhu Shimao and Cong Shan, who were originally unknown in the film industry, quickly became popular during this period and were surrounded by thousands of fans and became movie stars.

It is said that in February, "Popular Movies" used Cong Shan as the cover character, and sales increased by more than one million copies. Such appeal is no less than that of Liu Xiaoqing after starring in "Little Flower" and Zhang Yu after starring in "Lush Mountain Love".

In late May, this year's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards will be held in Shaanxi. If nothing unexpected happens, "The Horse Shepherd" will definitely win an award.

Today, this movie has become another representative work of Xie Jin, further highlighting his artistic creativity that continues to grow with age.

Listening to Xie Jin complaining about how he had to participate in a lot of meaningless activities because of the popularity of The Shepherd, thus wasting time, Lin Chaoyang chuckled and said, "Many people want to participate but can't."

"Those are just people with nothing to do who want to join in the fun. I have so much work to do."

"Yes, you are very busy!" Sensing the sarcasm in Lin Chaoyang's words, Xie Jin glared at him fiercely.

"Everyone is willing to praise me and invite me to meetings, so I accept it and just say some polite words.

But these people refused to do so. When they heard that I was going to shoot "High Mountains", they all became excited and started giving me suggestions one after another.

Humph! Do you really think I don't know what they are thinking?"

"What are you thinking?" Lin Chaoyang asked.

Xie Jin put down the wine cup in his hand and said, "Take credit and sell your good works!"

The novel of "High Mountain" was approved by senior leaders. Now that a movie is to be made, many leaders of cultural departments are willing to come and have a say as long as it is related to the film, to show their presence. This is also normal.

Lin Chaoyang joked, "I'll remember this for you. When you meet some old comrades later, tell them about it."

Xie Jin knew it was all a joke and ignored his threats.

After chatting for a while, Xie Jin turned the topic to the casting of "High Mountains", which is also the fundamental reason for his recent depressed mood.

After hearing what Xie Jin said, Lin Chaoyang immediately thought of Tang Guoqiang who came to ask him for help a few days ago. He got up and went to the study. When he came back, he had a letter in his hand. He put it on the table and handed it to Xie Jin.

"What's this?"

"There was an actor who came to me and said he wanted to play Zhao Mengsheng."

"What is your name?"

"Tang Guoqiang."

"He!"

A delicate face flashed through Xie Jin's mind, and before he even read the letter, he said, "A pretty boy can't play a good soldier!"

Lin Chaoyang smiled and said, "Stereotypes are not good."

Xie Jin looked at him in surprise, "Why? Do you think he is suitable for playing "High Mountain"? "

"Whether it's appropriate or not is up to you as the director to decide. I'm just offering a suggestion."

Xie Jin glanced at him sideways when he heard this, "You even know I'm the director!"

Lin Chaoyang knew that he was seeking revenge for the blow he had taken on the phone that day. "Look at you. You are an old artist after all, but you are so cunning."

After a few sarcastic remarks, Xie Jin picked up the letter on the table and asked, "What does it say?"

"How can I read a letter someone wrote to you?"

Hearing this, Xie Jin read the letter silently.

Lin Chaoyang stared at his face. His brows were furrowed at first, then relaxed, and finally the muscles between his brows and at the corners of his eyes began to twitch. It was obvious that the flattery in Tang Guoqiang's letter had touched Comrade Xie's heart.

After reading for a few minutes, Xie Jin put the letter on the table. Lin Chaoyang caught a glimpse of a line of text:
I really hope to have an experienced gardener like you to prune my small tree which has too many branches.

"The actor Tang Guoqiang..." Xie Jin was about to speak, but when he saw Lin Chaoyang's eyes fixed on the letter, he pushed the letter over to him and said, "If you want to read it, just read it openly."

Lin Chaoyang pretended to be indifferent, "Well, there's nothing to see."

Having said this, he still picked up the letter and glanced at it.

Wow, this guy is really good at flattery!
After he put down the letter, Xie Jin asked, "What do you think of Tang Guoqiang as an actor?"

"Okay!"

Lin Chaoyang has played great men and prime ministers. Can you say that such an actor is not good?
Xie Jin looked at Lin Chaoyang in surprise. He didn't expect him to think so highly of Tang Guoqiang. "How is it good?"

Lin Chaoyang pondered and said, "He has a good image. Although he looks a bit feminine, he also has righteousness and is somewhat malleable. He also fits the changes in the character Zhao Mengsheng. As for his acting skills, he performed a scene for me that day, which was also remarkable."

Listening to Lin Chaoyang's evaluation of Tang Guoqiang, Xie Jin asked, "Did you accept any benefits from him?"

"I recommended actors to you with good intentions, but you slandered me. I really don't deserve to be called a good person." Lin Chaoyang complained.

"Come on. You call this recommending actors to me? I'm afraid you're going to make the decision for me!"

Lin Chaoyang suddenly became anxious, "Old Xie, you can drink as much as you want, but you can't say anything you want. I, Lin Chaoyang, am a screenwriter, so I have professional ethics and will never interfere with the director's creative freedom."

Xie Jin looked at Lin Chaoyang's performance, and only four words came to his mind: a guilty conscience.

"Okay, okay, sit down first. I didn't say anything else to you." Xie Jin waved his hand and said.

Lin Chaoyang was still angry, "You are slandering someone's innocence out of thin air!"

"Okay, okay, I've cleared your name. I'm sorry."

Seeing that he was so humble, Lin Chaoyang calmed down and said, "I'm doing this for the good of our movie. I definitely don't mean to force you to use this actor."

Xie Jin inexplicably recalled the time when he was casting for "The Shepherd". Before he, the director, could say anything, Lin Chaoyang chose Zhu Shimao at first sight and insisted on using him.

At that time, Xie Jin didn't think anything of it, but it was the same this time. Although this kid said one thing, his actions were another.

Especially his guilty look, he looks like he deserves a beating.

"Alright, alright. I know you're doing this for the good of the movie. This actor has a good image and attitude. Let him audition later."

Xie Jin was too lazy to expose his little thoughts and said so.

Lin Chaoyang was delighted and complimented, "You really have a good eye for talent."

Xie Jin was so disgusted that he said sarcastically, "It's not me who has a good eye for people. It's obviously you, the screenwriter Lin, who has good vision."

Hearing this, Lin Chaoyang couldn't help but blush and assured again and again: "We screenwriters all have professional ethics and will never interfere with the director's casting. I am doing this for the good of the movie."

Xie Jin was just saying it, in his heart he still recognized Lin Chaoyang's vision. After all, he was both the original author and the screenwriter, and his vision had been verified during the casting of "The Shepherd".

He was only curious about one thing now. What kind of person would this kid be if he was not working with a famous director with rich experience like himself, but a young director with no experience in the industry?
Is this also the case with "professional ethics"?
(End of this chapter)