Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 125 The Selection of the Female Lead

After working hard for nearly four months, Quan Yongxian finally wrote the script for 40 episodes of "The Cliff". He lost weight visibly, and the big bags under his eyes were big enough to hold water and raise fish.

The script is over 50 words long and is scheduled to be written until at least September, but who made him meet Zhang Chao? Whenever the plot got stuck, he would talk to Zhang Chao, who would naturally straighten out the plot and give suggestions for subsequent developments.

Quan Yongxian increasingly felt that Zhang Chao had already conceived the entire play in his mind and was just writing it through his hands.

Although this feeling is not too wonderful for a writer, with more than 80 yuan in script royalties right in front of him, Quan Yongxian decided to put his pride aside.

Only a few days after the script of "The Cliff" was handed over to Huayi, Zhang Chao was notified to attend a meeting.

Yizhe is still the contact person in charge. The film and television industry is a circle of acquaintances, and since the last cooperation was pleasant, the contact person will not be changed easily.

There was also a stranger in his 50s with gray hair at the meeting. As soon as Zhang Chao entered, Yizhe took the initiative to introduce them to each other: "Director Zheng, these two are the screenwriters, Zhang Chao and Quan Yongxian; Zhang Chao, Yongxian, this is Director Zheng Xiaolong who we invited for the drama "The Cliff". With Director Zheng, our drama will go smoothly later!"

Zheng Xiaolong sat on the sofa, smiled and nodded to them, then shook hands with them one by one. He looked relaxed, yet had a kind of dignity that made him look majestic without even getting angry.

The director of "The Cliff" in the original time and space was Liu Jin, but in 2005, he was still a rookie with almost zero directing experience. Even if Zhang Chao recommended him, Huayi would not take the risk to choose him.

But Zheng Xiaolong is different. He is not only the director of popular TV series such as "Yanjing People in New York", "Never Give Up" and "Criminal Police Mission", but also a senior screenwriter, supervisor and producer. He also participates in the investment of film and television dramas.

This time, Huayi invested in "The Cliff", and Zheng Xiaolong was not only the director but also the co-producer.

As soon as they sat down, Zheng Xiaolong spoke: "In March, when I first read the first three episodes of the script, I only felt that this drama had great potential, but I didn't think about directing it myself. But two days ago, after I finished reading it all, I felt that not directing this drama would be a regret in my directorial career."

Yizhe said: "Director Zheng is now more of a producer and less of a director himself. So the fact that The Cliff impressed him right away shows that the quality of the script is really high."

Zheng Xiaolong said, "I invited you here this time mainly to discuss some details of the script, and then we can discuss the roles together to see which actors are suitable for these roles."

As a leading director of domestic TV dramas, Zheng Xiaolong is very demanding on scripts. However, with Zhang Chao's strategic planning and Quan Yongxian's solid research foundation and writing style, Zheng Xiaolong did not find any faults in "The Cliff". However, Zheng Xiaolong, a native of Yanjing, was a little unsure about some details that were very characteristic of Harbin.

After discussing the script, Zheng Xiaolong said, "The filming of this drama will probably start in September this year, so we can shoot the exterior scenes without snow for two months, and the snowy scenes for two months. We expect to finish the filming before the Spring Festival. Of the two of you screenwriters, who can follow the crew?"

The scriptwriter is mainly responsible for modifying the lines, and modifying the scenes and plots according to the on-site conditions, and even adding or deleting characters. For example, in the original script, the scene was a car chase on the road, but the road closure permit was not obtained when the shooting was about to start, but the equipment and personnel were in place, so the scriptwriter had to modify the scene on the spot.

Of course, there is also a type of scriptwriter who is brought into the group by a big-name actor himself, who frantically modifies his own lines and even arbitrarily adds (his own) or subtracts (others') scenes. However, this was not common in the early 2000s.

It was not until Internet capital began to pursue popular young actors and actresses that the trend of actors bringing their own makeup artists, stylists, and even screenwriters began to flourish.

Zhang Chao pointed at Quan Yongxian and said, "It must be Lao Quan. I'm going to the United States in August to participate in an international writing program. I'll be staying for three months. I have to catch up with school classes after I come back."

Going to the United States to do something these days is still quite respectable, so after hearing what Zhang Chao said, others would definitely not force him. So they all turned their eyes to Quan Yongxian.

Quan Yongxian also said with some embarrassment: "I also have to go to class..."

Zheng Xiaolong said, "That won't work. There must be someone from the core screenwriters to follow the team. If we hire someone from outside and they don't have a good grasp of the script, it will definitely cause delays on the scene."

Quan Yongxian could only bite the bullet and agree: "Okay, I'll see if I can ask for leave from school."

Zheng Xiaolong nodded with satisfaction and said, "Next, let's discuss the actors. First, the protagonist Zhou Yi, whose age is between 30 and 40, is characterized by calmness, restraint, and strong self-control, so when acting, the play must be carried out from within.

The success or failure of the entire play is basically determined by this role. So for actors, too young is definitely not acceptable. The age limit can be relaxed to 40-50 years old. Actors generally look younger than ordinary people, especially male actors. With makeup, it shouldn't be a problem. Do you have any suggestions?"

Yizhe said: "How is Teacher Chen Daoming?"

Zheng Xiaolong shook his head and said, "Old Chen's personal style is too strong. The role of Zhou Yi requires someone who has no external edges, but whose edges are all hidden inside. Old Chen is not 'blunt' enough."

Quan Yong first asked: "What do you think of Wang Zhiwen?"

Zheng Xiaolong said: "It's more suitable for Zhou Yi, but he's too thin, I don't know if he can hold up the look."

At this time, Zhang Chao said, "I think Zhang Jiayi is quite suitable. His acting is characterized by being highly lifelike, without exaggerated expressions of sadness or joy. Watching him act is like seeing a middle-aged man that we can meet around us at any time. In terms of appearance, he has broad shoulders and a thick back, and a sense of strength."

Zheng Xiaolong nodded in agreement and said, "Xiaotong - oh, we are used to calling him Zhang Xiaotong - is good, but some of the scenes with explosive power may..."

After discussing for a long time, several people finally narrowed down the actor for Zhou Yi to three male actors: Wang Zhiwen, Zhang Jiayi and Chen Jianbing.

As for who will be the final one, it depends on the communication with them. These few are big stars who are constantly offered roles and have won awards. You can't just sign them if you want to.

Next is the selection of the female lead, Gu Qiuyan.

After everyone had said what they thought of the heroine, Zhang Chao said slowly, "Unlike Zhou Yi, Gu Qiuyan's character is constantly growing in the play, with more layers, and she is not a typical underground worker. She has a willful and self-centered side, rather than complete forbearance and sacrifice.

I think Song Jia’s acting skills in “Better Days” are suitable for this role, and her current age is consistent with Gu Qiuyan’s age in the play.”

Zheng Xiaolong was lost in thought, Yizhe was grinning, and Quan Yongxian looked bewildered. After the discussion, Zhang Chao drove directly to Tongtian Garden.

As soon as Song Jia opened the door, he pulled Zhang Chao into the room and said, "I have something to show you..."

Zhang Chao said: "Haven't you seen them all? You bought new ones..."

Song Jia rolled his eyes at him and said, "You don't think about good things all day long - I'm talking about this, take a look."

Zhang Chao took it and looked at it. It was a movie script called "Curiosity Kills the Cat".

Zhang Chao had no impression of this movie. He flipped through it briefly and asked, "It's a suspense film. Do you want to act in it?"

Song Jia said: "They asked me to play the second female lead in the film, and I have a lot of scenes. The male lead is said to be Hu Jun. This movie approached me more than two months ago, but they hadn't finished the script at that time."

As he was talking, Song Jia leaned close to Zhang Chao and whispered in his ear, "The second female lead and the male lead are lovers, and there are passionate scenes. Do you think I should take it?"

Zhang Chao, who was flipping through the script, suddenly turned over and pushed her onto the sofa, grinning evilly, "You want to act? I just saw a scene on the sofa, I want to see how you act."

Song Jia bit her lip lightly, looked at Zhang Chao with seductive eyes, and said, "You are not the director, nor the male lead..."

“I’m a screenwriter…”

"How can a screenwriter audition... Don't bite, you are born in the year of the dog..."

After struggling for a long time, the two separated, panting. Song Jia patted Zhang Chao hard and said with a smile, "How was my performance, great screenwriter?"

Zhang Chao pretended to be angry and asked, "So you were just acting?"

Song Jia said: "Guess..."

Zhang Chao exerted force and pulled Song Jia into his arms again, saying with a smile, "Can't guess? Then try again! Anyway, there's plenty of time in the evening."

"You really want me to do that scene? Aren't you worried?"

"I am a little worried...but this is your own career. I won't interfere whether you want to act or not."

Song Jia didn't expect Zhang Chao to say that. He couldn't help but stare at Zhang Chao. After a long while, he sighed and said, "I have already rejected the script."

Zhang Chao asked, "Don't you think it's a pity?"

Song Jia said: "If it was before "Better Days", I might have accepted it. But now..."

Zhang Chao said: "Fortunately you didn't agree to it."

Song Jia said: "What do you mean?"

Zhang Chao said, "My classmates and I recently wrote a spy drama script. Huayi wants to shoot it, and now Zheng Xiaolong has been decided to be the director. The male lead may be Wang Zhiwen or Zhang Jiayi, and I recommend you as the female lead."

Song Jia sat up immediately and asked in surprise, "Really?"

Zhang Chao felt a beating red in front of his eyes, which made his blood boil. He quickly calmed down and said, "Really? I think they will arrange an audition for you in the next two days."

Song Jia leaned on Zhang Chao's chest and asked hesitantly and jokingly, "Why did you recommend me? Did the director agree to this female lead role because of the relationship between you and me?"

Zhang Chao said: "If I say that this heroine was written based on you, would you believe it?"

Song Jia said: "I don't believe it. The script must have taken at least half a year to write, right? We just met half a year ago."

Zhang Chao said, "It's not too late to say this after you finish reading the script."

"What about the script?"

"We'll see later."

"No, I want to see it now."

"There are still two scenes in the movie script that we haven't tried yet! Let's try the scene of splashing water on the rooftop first..."

(The next chapter will be posted in the afternoon)

(End of this chapter)