Chinese entertainment, from radio love songs to superstars

Chapter 54: Hate Capital, Understand Capital, Become Capital

"Her name is Gao Yuanyuan, and she's the girl in the MV of my new single "Fairy Tale"."

Many years later, whenever the word "coal boss" is mentioned, people will think of their mixed past with the entertainment industry.

I won’t talk about the bad things, those who understand will understand.

On the positive side, the reason why the film and television industry likes coal bosses is because they are generous and never interfere with creation and filming. Apart from specifying male or female actors, they have no other requirements.

However, this story was as short-lived and brilliant as a meteor. The coal bosses eventually withdrew from the stage of history, and the film and television industry was also swept up by new traffic and new capital.

In his previous life, Shen Lang scoffed at the behavior of capital forcing people into the crew, but now that it happened to him, he finally understood the meaning of the phrase "hate capital, understand capital, and become capital."

When Qian Guosheng heard this, he looked like he was eating melons and said, "Your rumored girlfriend."

Shen Lang quickly refuted the rumors, saying, "These are all made up by the media and netizens. She and I were filming a music video."

Qian Guosheng smiled and said, "I know. People who watch a show don't mind the big things."

Fang Wanhua said seriously, "She is very beautiful and has a good image. She is a perfect match for you. However, judging from the MV, it is hard to tell whether her acting is good or bad."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately spoke up for Gao Yuanyuan and said, "She debuted in 97 and has starred in five TV series so far. She is experienced and has no problem playing this kind of romantic drama. What I mean is, can you give her a chance to audition and compare her with the other candidates?"

Qian Guosheng looked at his wife. The company was opened for her and she had the final say in everything.

Fang Wanhua didn't think about it for too long and said with a smile: "Sure, I'll tell Zhou Yi."

The 700 million they invested accounted for 60% of the total investment, making them the largest investor and having the final say.

Shen Lang said sincerely: "I would like to thank Brother Qian and Sister-in-law on her behalf."

"You're so polite again." Qian Guosheng picked up the bottle and said, "I have a strong feeling that our play will be a big hit."

Others open champagne at halftime, but he opened champagne before the game even started.

Shen Lang raised the bottle and clinked it with him. Instead of saying anything, he drank the rest of the beer in one gulp.

Fang Wanhua was very excited. She gave up her job for her family and daughter. Now she was feeling great to start a career again.

They sang happily until ten o'clock in the evening, took a taxi to send Qian Guosheng and his family of three to the hotel, and then Shen Lang returned to the apartment.

I didn't tell Gao Yuanyuan about the audition for the female lead in "Love Across Time and Space" in a hurry, in case Zhou Yi didn't agree, then her happiness would be in vain.

Unexpectedly, Fang Wanhua called at eleven o'clock and said that the matter was settled and asked to arrange a time to go to Zhou Yi's company.

Shen Lang then dialed Gao Yuanyuan's number.

"have you slept?"

"I was lying on the bed, listening to some music and then going to sleep. Why are you calling me so late? What's wrong?"

"Have you taken any roles recently?"

"No, just a commercial to be filmed."

"I have an audition opportunity for the leading female role in a TV series. Do you want to try it?"

"Okay."

"Why don't you ask what TV show it is? Aren't you afraid that I'll trick you?"

"Don't worry, you won't cheat me."

"Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, and we'll talk more then. Good night."

"OK, good night."

……

The next morning, Shen Lang drove to Gao Yuanyuan's house and took her to have breakfast. He also talked about some relevant information about the drama "Love Across Time and Space".

At a table in the corner of the breakfast shop, Gao Yuanyuan looked at Shen Lang, who was drinking soybean milk and fried dough sticks. She was so surprised that she forgot to eat her soybean milk and fried dough sticks. As a native of Yanjing, she had never tried soybean milk. She couldn't help asking, "Is it delicious? I heard that soybean milk is very unpalatable and has a rancid smell."

Shen Lang was from Sichuan. He ate Houttuynia cordata as a meal. Soy milk was nothing to him. It tasted good when he got used to it. He pushed the bowl over and said, "Try it?"

Gao Yuanyuan scooped a little bit with a spoon, slowly put it into her mouth, and then swallowed it with a painful look on her face. It was not that exaggerated, but the taste was indeed bad. She said, "It's not suitable for me. I'd rather drink soy milk."

Shen Lang took the bowl back, finished the soy milk and fried dough sticks, wiped his mouth with a tissue, looked at Gao Yuanyuan who was eating slowly and elegantly, and said, "If you have time in the next two days, let's go to Zhou Yi Company."

Just now, after Gao Yuanyuan heard him talk about the drama "Love Across Time and Space", she thought it was great. The key is that he is the male lead. If she succeeds in the audition, she will play a couple with him. Naturally, she wants to fight for it: "I have too much time. I am idle at home every day. I will listen to your arrangements."

In this way, the two of them and Qian Guosheng's family of three went to Haikou.

Zhouyi Film and Television was jointly invested and established by Zhou Yi and his wife Jiang Xueruo.

One of the couple worked as a reporter, and the other is a senior screenwriter. Zhou Yi is also one of the screenwriters of Justice Bao. In the 90s, the development history of domestic costume dramas in the mainland was not long. They rushed into the mainland market with the imprint of Hong Kong and Taiwan TV productions, the feelings of martial arts, and the most imaginative scripts.

Later, the subject matter became wider and wider, from fantasy to science fiction, from modern campus to ancient palace, from historical drama to martial arts adaptation. Although various elements were mixed together, the plot was smooth and not contradictory, so it was once very popular and was called the "God drama maker."

In the mainland costume drama market, Zhouyi, Tangren and TVB are in a three-way competition, and it can be said that they have monopolized the childhood and youth of the post-80s and post-90s.

Zhou Yi and Jiang Xueruo's first impression of Shen Lang and Gao Yuanyuan was "a talented man and a beautiful woman". One was the material for the male lead, and the other was the material for the female lead.

Judging from their appearance, there is no problem for them to play Zhu Yunwen and Xianxian in "Love Across Time and Space".

The rest depends on the acting skills, which don’t require great acting skills, as long as you can portray the character’s personality.

"You can start anytime you are ready."

The director and screenwriter were not present for this audition, and in fact, they were not needed.

Zhou Yi is the producer of this drama, Jiang Xueruo is the producer of this drama, and Fang Wanhua is the largest investor in this drama. With this lineup, who would dare to object to deciding on the male and female protagonists?
Shen Lang and Gao Yuanyuan got the script from Fang Wanhua in advance and took a short section from it to practice, but the practice time was not long, less than a day.

The two adjusted themselves and started.

Shen Lang said anxiously: "Xianxian, why did you choose to come back at this time? Do you know that it is very dangerous to be with me at this time!"

Gao Yuanyuan said: "If it wasn't dangerous I wouldn't come!"

This scene is about Zhu Di's army approaching the city, and Xianxian, who has disappeared for a long time, comes back to face Zhu Yunwen together.

Shen Lang shook his head and said, "No, I must send you out."

Gao Yuanyuan said with a firm look in her eyes: "I won't leave by myself. From now on, I will be with you no matter whether you live or die."

As they spoke, the two hugged each other.

After a while, Shen Lang slowly let go of Gao Yuanyuan and said with a smile: "No, you must live."

Gao Yuanyuan said anxiously: "Unless you live with me."

……

The audition mainly examines the actor's lines, body shape, and performance, which are often referred to as the three major elements of an actor.

Of course, there is also the fit with the role.

Zhu Yunwen in this drama is gentle, kind, and benevolent. Although he sometimes seems indecisive, his actions are always driven by emotion rather than interests. He is a complex and three-dimensional character.

Xianxian is a skilled, playful, clever, and eccentric girl. She has a willful and unruly side, but is also persistent and sacrificial in love.

In this performance, the character personalities displayed by Shen Lang and Gao Yuanyuan are over 80% consistent, and the three elements of voice, shape and expression are also above the passing line.

What surprised Zhou Yi and Jiang Xueruo was Shen Lang.

His acting style is unique. He shapes characters not by image but by methods and ideas.

What does that mean?

Generally speaking, when casting for film and television dramas, they pay great attention to the appearance and temperament of the actors. For example, Tang Guoqiang plays Zhuge Liang, Wan Ziliang plays Jiang Tianyang, Yuan Qiongdan plays Sister Pomegranate... The creation of these characters relies on three parts of performance and seven parts of image and temperament.

On the other hand, if we don’t rely on temperament and image, we need some methods and concepts, that is, the presentation of the character’s social identity.

In other words, Shen Lang acted out the state that an emperor should have, as well as the care and love that should be shown as Xianxian's lover.

It can be simply summarized as follows: he relies on internal logic to bring characters to life, rather than imitating labels or performing with preconceived "images".

It was hard for Zhou Yi and Jiang Xueruo to imagine that this was actually achieved by a singer without any performing experience.

This is Shen Lang’s “wild way”.

As for Gao Yuanyuan, she is average.

What impressed them most was that Gao Yuanyuan and Shen Lang had the feeling of a screen couple, which is also important and will attract the audience.

To give a simple example, if you let Pan Changjiang play the role of Tang Monk, then he and the Queen of the Kingdom of Women, Zhu Lin, will not have the feeling of being a screen couple, and the audience will feel it is not in harmony and will not like it.

"No problem. Zhu Yunwen will be given to Mr. Shen, and Xianxian will be given to Ms. Gao."

After whispering for a while, Zhou Yi and Jiang Xueruo announced the results.

Joy was sprinkled on Gao Yuanyuan's rosy cheeks, and she was as happy as a blooming flower, gentle and bright.

Shen Lang looked at her with a smile on his face, with an expected calmness.

(End of this chapter)