I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 172 Penguin Video Inserted Relationship Users

"No problem at all."

What surprised Ding Decong was that Xu Kong was not angry at all.

He didn't even hesitate too much and agreed directly.

This was different from what he had imagined.

After all, in his opinion, the desire for control that Xu Kong had shown before would definitely make him quite disgusted with others interfering with his work.

Not to mention something as important as casting, even for some other small matters, it would probably be difficult to agree to.

However, before Ding Decong could be happy for long, Xu Kong spoke again.

"For roles like Shen Mo and others, we will hold open auditions."

"I have already told Producer Ding about this before."

"Just ask that person to come to Fengge for the audition directly."

Only then did he realize that when Xu Kong said "no problem", he meant the actors recommended by Penguin to audition.

As for the specific results, there is no guarantee at all.

And based on Ding Decong's understanding of directors like Xu Kong, it would be okay if you didn't say hello in advance, maybe there would be a chance.

But as I said in advance, people will look at it with tinted glasses and will be less likely to use the actors recommended by the investors.

There was a hint of helplessness in Ding Decong's expression.

Just as he had expected, this matter would not go so smoothly. The key point was that no matter whether it was Xu Kong or the leader of Penguin, it was indeed difficult for him to be caught in the middle.

If it was an ordinary drama invested by Penguin, wouldn't it be an easy task to arrange an actor to come over?

But Xu Kong’s words were really different.

First of all, even Ding Decong himself knew that Xu Konglai was invited to participate in the suspense theater project by the company's Vice President Zeng.

Secondly, with Xu Kong’s current abilities, he really doesn’t lack investment from Penguin.

Even if Penguin directly withdraws its investment, let alone Xu Kong’s company, Fengge will take over it completely.

Even if the news was released, with the performance of the two dramas "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" and "Want to See You", there would be plenty of investors rushing to invest money in Xu.

"Director Xu, I can't do anything about this."

"I'll tell the truth."

In the end, Ding Decong chose to confront the issue directly.

As a middleman, he is in a difficult position, so he just lets the two sides negotiate.

"Mr. Feng?"

Xu Kong was stunned for a moment.

Feng Yuan, president of Penguin Video and head of the entire platform.

Although Xu Kong had never met the other party before, he must have heard of this name.

However, according to some information he had previously learned, President Feng Yuan's management style was to boldly delegate power to his subordinates, and he himself was only responsible for controlling the general direction.

Even Penguin Video’s most important businesses, such as copyright, advertising, and operations, have been completely delegated.

Why would he suddenly send people to his crew this time?
"Mr. Feng should be coming to Beijing soon. In fact, he asked me to say hello this time. He wants to meet Director Xu then."

Ding Decong had guessed the approximate result before.

So before telling Xu Kong, I had already made preparations.

If Xu Kong agrees, that would be great. He could then show off his skills to the company's top leaders. If the deal fails, Feng Yuan also plans to meet with Xu Kong.

Xu Kong finally agreed to meet Feng Yuan.

In fact, Xu Kong himself was not that persistent, and it was nothing new for investors to stuff people into the crew.

But he had never been a director in his previous life, or rather, he had planned to do so but never had the opportunity.

The main reason why he didn't speak so easily was that he didn't want to open the door.

Otherwise, similar incidents will probably happen frequently in the future.

Xu Kong sees this aspect very clearly. Even though he seems to be a hot commodity now, even with investment from a large platform like Penguin, he still has considerable authority as a director.

Even producers like Ding Decong who were sent here have relatively gentle personalities.

I just don't want to conflict with him.

But all this is because of the popular "Legend of Sword and Fairy". To put it bluntly, it is because Xu Kong now has the corresponding commercial value and ability.

If his future dramas continue to flop, even Zeng Xi, who has always been smiling, will probably change his attitude completely.

So for Xu Kong, he didn’t mind most of the so-called rules, and he could adapt to such an environment.

But if it affects the things that one relies on for survival, such as interfering with the filming and production of a drama, then it is definitely not okay.

But having said that, on the day when he really met Feng Yuan, Xu Kong was still held back.

The person in charge of Penguin Video, one of the largest film and television platforms in China, was actually waiting for him at the door when he arrived.

Although it cannot be said to be humble, it does give enough face.

"Director Xu, my whole family really likes your "Legend of Sword and Fairy". Recently, we have been watching the series on time every day after get off work."

"I've always wanted to have a chance to meet you, but I was busy with work, so I put it off until now."

Feng Yuan doesn't seem to have the airs of a president, but rather like a very enthusiastic elder.

He kept asking Xu Kong to eat.

Sometimes it is just like this. After all, the entertainment industry is a circle full of human relationships and connections.

He is a president and he is so humble. Xu Kong can't just show his disdain before he even opens his mouth, right?
However, Xu Kong was also a little curious about who the actress was that could make Feng Yuan do this.

Of course, even though it had come to this, Xu Kong was still not ready to agree to it.

So after a round of greetings, Xu Kong still spoke:
"Mr. Feng, thank you for your appreciation, but you also know how important casting is."

"I'm afraid all I can promise is a chance to audition."

"Of course, if it's appropriate, I will definitely use it."

Feng Yuan was not angry, he just smiled and nodded.

"Of course!"

"One audition opportunity is enough. If it's really not suitable, you can't force it."

"But I hope that if the female lead's audition is not suitable, she can be given a supporting role with fewer scenes."

Hearing this, Xu Kong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Strictly speaking, in "The Long Season", Shen Mo, who plays the female lead, does not have many scenes, but this role is quite crucial.

Xu Kong certainly doesn't want anything to go wrong.

As for the supporting roles, some small roles with few lines and no high requirements on acting skills, do not have much impact.

After agreeing, Xu Kong still couldn't help but ask.

"Mr. Feng, can I ask who this actor is like?"

Feng Yuan, a CEO, came to ask for help from a young director. The identity of the person made people subconsciously feel that he was unusual.

What Xu Kong didn't expect was that Feng Yuan's answer was:
"A girl from my relative's family kept saying she wanted to be a star and came to me for help. I had no choice."

"Just agree to let her try."

"She specifically hopes to come to your crew, Director Xu. What do you think of the young people today?"

Feng Yuan spoke subconsciously.

Then he realized that Xu Kong seemed to be only 20 years old, and he was also a young man. In the end, the meal was not as turbulent as Xu Kong had imagined.

On the contrary, it went exceptionally smoothly, to the point that both the host and the guests felt very happy.

But Xu Kong didn't believe what Feng Yuan said.

Is he really just a relative's child? Could the Penguin president, who has so many things to do, care so much about him?
And when he really met the real person, Xu Kong immediately understood most of it.

"Feng Ziyan, hello, director."

Before Xu Kong could say anything, the other party came over, shook hands with him, and introduced himself.

The girl was wearing a black leather jacket with a belly-baring short-sleeved shirt underneath, tight denim shorts and long leather boots, looking like a biker girl.

The most eye-catching thing is the colorful dreadlocks on her head that are a mixture of pink and sky blue.

Plus the face that can score 90 points.

It can be said that she is the kind of girl who gets a lot of attention.

After Xu Kong looked at the information, he found out that the other party was not even an adult and was only seventeen years old.

She was not the professional actor as expected. Feng Ziyan had never acted before.

However, what really made Xu Kong suspicious were some of the expressions on the other party's face, which were very similar to Feng Yuan's at the beginning.

What relative's daughter? Could this be Feng Yuan's illegitimate daughter or something?
Xu Kong was thinking some gossip in his mind.

Shakes hands with Feng Ziyan.

The moment he saw her, Xu Kong was basically certain that he would never agree to let Feng Ziyan play the female lead.

Although the role of Shen Mo is certainly not as difficult to play as other characters in the play, it is definitely not easy.

Moreover, given the importance of this role in the play, Xu Kong's requirements will only be more stringent.

Even among the current domestic actors, there are not many who are of the right age and have acting skills that meet his requirements.

Not to mention that the other party is a newcomer who has no previous performing experience.

However, since Feng Yuansai was the one who came for the interview, he had to go through the necessary procedures.

"Try to act out this scene first."

Xu Kong handed over a very simple script, which did not contain much plot.

It's just a simple crying scene.

Auditions like this are actually quite common. In addition to the actor's acting skills, the director also looks at aspects such as the actor's compatibility with the role.

"What kind of despair is this feeling of despair?"

After watching it, Feng Ziyan did not start performing directly, but instead started asking questions.

Before Xu Kong could answer, questions from the other side came one after another.

Xu Kong was also quite helpless. After all, he was not a professional actor, and it was not easy for him to shed tears at will.

After a slight hesitation, Xu Kong looked at his assistant director.

"Give her Shen Mo's part of the script."

In similar open audition sessions, actors generally don't get very specific scripts.

Only when the actors are almost finalized will they be given detailed individual scripts.

Then select the actor who is most suitable for the role based on his performance.

After Feng Ziyan got the script, she began to read it.

He was still chewing gum.

He was in a very relaxed state, without any of the nervousness that most actors feel during auditions.

Xu Kong was not in a hurry.

Although it is indeed a waste of time.

But after all, he was an actor introduced by Feng Yuan himself, so he still had some patience.

After all, even if you really refuse, you still have to have a legitimate reason.

Out of boredom, Xu Kong started playing with his mobile phone.

Song Youyou was complaining to Xu Kong about what happened on the set.

Originally, he was planning to let Song Youyou play this role.

But now, Song Youyou has been arranged by Lin Hong to film other dramas, so they can only find a new actor.

Moreover, he looked at many young actresses in the current domestic entertainment industry and felt that there were not many suitable candidates.

He himself did not expect that the two most difficult movie emperors did not encounter so many difficulties.

On the contrary, casting for a young character takes the most time.

"I'm done reading."

"Start now?"

Feng Ziyan suddenly spoke, diverting Xu Kong's attention from Song Youyou's conversation.

"can."

Xu Kong nodded, and then casually recited a scene, which was also a crying scene.

He did this on purpose, because most of the time, crying scenes are meant to discourage amateurs who dream of becoming actors.

It is very difficult for ordinary people to cry at any time without professional acting training.

Since he couldn't even cry, Xu Kong didn't need to make any further comments. He could naturally say that the other party was not suitable for this role.

There were actually no lines in the whole scene, just crying.

But Feng Ziyan’s subsequent performance surprised Xu Kong a little.

The other person actually cried, and it wasn't just simple tears.

Rather, it's the kind of emotion where you can feel the gradual progression of emotions, from the pride at the beginning, to the sense of relief later on, and finally like the last straw that breaks the camel's back, the kind where the entire person's emotions can no longer be held back.

It is completely consistent with the emotional changes of the character in the scene that Xu Kong just mentioned.

Even crying scenes are actually quite particular.

How to cry and when to cry are different in different plot scenarios.

What shocked Xu Kong was not the fact that Feng Ziyan could actually cry.

But it is actually difficult to see too many performance techniques and traces from the other party.

For some professional actors, acting has become a formulaic thing. They can laugh or cry if the director tells them to.

I can control my emotions quite easily.

This kind of academic and technical performance style is of course good, as it ensures a certain level of performance from the actors themselves.

But at the same time, the downside is that the actors are almost detached from the characters when performing.

The feeling given to the audience is that no matter what role he plays, it's like he's playing the same one.

Most of the experiential actors completely immerse themselves in their roles.

At this moment, Feng Ziyan had undoubtedly completely immersed herself in the role of Shen Mo.

After that, Xu Kong picked several more scenes and even acted with the other party personally.

Although Feng Ziyan's performance had some problems with details, there was no doubt that this seventeen-year-old girl had a rare and high talent for acting.

It can be said that Feng Ziyan at this time was the type who had not received any professional training at all. After getting into the role, she performed almost instinctively and subconsciously.

(End of this chapter)