The King of Soft Rice in Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 229 No Electricity

"Cut, good, keep it." With the director's words, all departments sprang into action again, returning to their positions, including Xu Jiuyang and Jiang Qinqin.

Yes, he still plays both Zhang Cuishan and Zhang Wuji in this version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

"Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders." That's what Fan Bingbing said.

"Those who are capable should do more." This is what Gao Yuanyuan said.

What else could Xu Jiuyang say? Playing two roles was fine, it wasn't a big deal. The only problem was that he and Jiang Qinqin didn't really click.

"How are you, Sister Qin? Are you alright?" he asked after saving one of the lives.

Jiang Qinqin clearly twisted her ankle while moving to her position, but her experience allowed her to regain her balance and it didn't affect the filming. Otherwise, it would have been quite comical if they had filmed perfectly fine one moment and then had to do another take for the next.

"It's nothing," Jiang Qinqin replied softly, without even looking at him.

However, Xu Jiuyang didn't take it to heart. Not everyone likes RMB, let alone him. Anyway, it doesn't affect the filming, so let it be.

Here, I have to give a shout-out to Lai Shuiqing; as a director who's essentially just a tool, he's been incredibly competent.

This chubby Hong Kong native, born in the 50s, started directing TV dramas in the 80s. He has not only collaborated with many big names, but has also traveled to mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and has honed a set of directing skills that are entirely his own.

No chemistry between the male and female characters? Simple, use camera tricks, close-ups, and split shots. By doing this, you can make the audience feel that there is some interaction between the male and female characters.

The key point is that he has a good temper and rarely swears on set. He always lets the producer do whatever he wants, as long as the money is right.

In short, Lai Shuiqing is the kind of director that producers love most: someone with 60% ability and 60% speed, and who is also very obedient.

Therefore, although his potential is quite good, he has the TV series "Hibiscus Town" in the 80s, "New Dragon Inn" in the 90s, and works such as "The Divine Doctor and the Heroine" and "The Mischievous Princess" after the millennium.

However, his standards are also not high. For example, there are cringe-worthy versions of Richie Jen's "The Return of the Condor Heroes", or the incontinence version of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", as well as the infamous colorful "Legend of Chong Er".

In short, a producer with high standards, good aesthetic sense, and strict requirements will have high standards, good aesthetic sense, and strict requirements. Conversely, a producer with low standards, poor aesthetic sense, and lax requirements will have low standards, poor aesthetic sense, and lax requirements.

Of course, there is another scenario where the producer takes a hands-off approach and leaves everything to the director, but this is generally unlikely to happen.

This is power, and no producer would give up their power, so—

"Oh dear, it's been three days, and you haven't said more than ten words to Jiang Qinqin besides your lines. I thought you'd win her over the first night of filming," Fan Bingbing said with a smile as she walked over during a break.

Xu Jiuyang gave her a disapproving look: "You're not going to the film crew in the Northwest to oversee things, but you're sending Dong Qing instead. Aren't you a little careless about that area?"

The production team split into two groups from the beginning: one group filmed Zhang Cuishan's scenes in the capital, and the other group went to the Northwest to film the scenes of young Zhang Wuji.

Xu Jiuyang had read the script and felt that the scenes of this version of Zhang Wuji were leaning towards the 19 version.

After all, the 19 version of Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber was mediocre in many other aspects, even including the inexplicable scene where Zhao Min was paraded through the streets and pelted with vegetables and fruits. However, the scenes featuring young Zhang Wuji, especially the one where he takes young Yang Buhui on a journey to find his family, are arguably the best among all versions.

However, he was not optimistic that this version of Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber could achieve the same effect. After all, it was more than ten years later, and the technology for filming had evolved countless times. The post-production color grading and compositing alone was much simpler than it is now.

No matter how beautiful the real-life scenery is, if the post-production isn't done well, it won't earn the audience's praise. But if Fan Bingbing wants to give it a try, then let her try; it's not like she's spending her own money.

The scenes where Zhang Wuji and the younger Zhang Wuji overlapped were the Lianhuan Manor segment, so they were divided into teams at the start of filming. Fan Bingbing, a producer with no experience... only some experience, didn't take advantage of the relatively simpler segment to gain experience, but instead sent the more experienced Dong Qing there while he stayed on this side, which is quite speechless.

"Oh, it's only been a short time, and you're already thinking about Dong Qing." Fan Bingbing clicked her tongue.

I knew it... Xu Jiuyang suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth, but it was too late.

"I'm wondering if you can handle it. Producers have a lot of responsibilities," he couldn't help but retort.

Then I saw Fan Bingbing pout, looking like she was about to cry, her face saying: How could you say that to me?

At any other time, he might have teased her a bit, but now... there are so many people in the whole crew, and Jiang Qinqin is even sitting not far away!
Xu Jiuyang, feeling frustrated, clenched his fists. Luckily, a voice came through: "Boss, boss, screenwriter Li's feedback is back!"

With his soft, sweet Taiwanese accent, there's no doubt that this is his assistant on set: Chen Qiaoen!
That's right, it's not Zhang Junning, but Angela's personal secretary, another Taiwanese assistant under Anne Hathaway, whose English name is Chen Qiaoen (Joe).

God knows how she became Annie's assistant. Zhang Junning at least comes from a so-called scholarly family, while Chen Qiaoen only graduated from high school, right? Don't Angela and the others even look at the candidates?!
Unfortunately, no matter how much he grumbled inwardly, he couldn't change the fact and could only accept Angela's "kindness."

The reason she made this arrangement was quite simple: if the mainland version of "Match Point" wanted to participate in film festivals, it would definitely have to follow her path—at least that's what Fan Bingbing said—so naturally it would also be invested through Mingdeng Pictures, only with Fan Bingbing in charge.

However, as an investor, Angela also has the right to know the progress of the script and offer opinions, right? So sending an assistant over, like Zhang Junning did before, to keep track of the progress and offer suggestions for revision, or even having her go-to screenwriter Li Xue help fill in the gaps, is completely reasonable... my foot!

Although I didn't do very well in the industry in my past life, I had never heard of this kind of model before, and Fan Bingbing actually agreed to it... Did you guys conspire together?

In any case, at least Chen Qiaoen helped Xu Jiuyang out of a tight spot. As Xu Jiuyang pretended to take the laptop from Chen Qiaoen, Fan Bingbing left with a grin.

"How about it, boss? Wasn't I clever, little Qiao En?" Chen Qiao En immediately asked, trying to take credit.

"Good job, well done." Xu Jiuyang didn't hold back his praise and gave her a thumbs up.

Although this girl is carefree and loud, unlike Zhang Junning who is so meticulous, she is still somewhat useful and must have been instructed by Angela.

To be honest, it feels like they've teamed up, but not completely...

"Boss, is there a reward if I do a good job?" Chen Qiaoen immediately asked again.

"Of course, we'll talk about it when we get back tonight. We're filming right now," Xu Jiuyang replied casually.

He knew exactly what reward she wanted, but... he might be going to Fan Bingbing's place tonight, and it wasn't his idea to break the date.

To everyone's surprise, Xu Jiuyang didn't receive any hints from Fan Bingbing until he returned to his hotel room that night. So, as soon as he entered the room, Xiao Qiao En crawled under him.

"No...don't be in such a hurry..."

"Hey boss, let me have a bite first."

(End of this chapter)