Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 402 "Brotherhood of Blades" VS "Charlotte" (6.5k)
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After the performance,
"Little girl, your name is Zhou Ye, right?"

Lin Yufen wore an approving smile, and her tone was much gentler than before.

"Yes, that's right, Director."

Zhou Ye nodded vigorously, then turned to Gu Qing, who had just cooperated with her, and gave her a grateful, sweet smile, her eyes sparkling.

Then she faced the judges' panel again, realizing that what followed was crucial, and her fingers unconsciously twisted together in nervousness.

"Teacher Gu Man, what did you think of that little girl's performance? Did it fit the character of Zhao Erxi in your book?"

Lin Yufen smiled and turned his head to seek the original author's opinion.

"Well... let's wait until everyone has auditioned and then compare them all before making a decision."

Gu Man remained cautious in her words, but the satisfied smile on her face was unmistakable.

But this made Zhou Ye, who had been secretly observing her expression, feel a surge of joy, as if countless little fireworks were exploding in his heart.

"Brother Gu Qing, Director, Screenwriter, Senior Sister Jing Tian, ​​then I won't disturb your work."

Zhou Ye bowed obediently, his voice carrying a light rhythm.

"Go ahead, go back and wait for news." Lin Yufen nodded gently.

Zhou Ye turned and left with light steps, each step revealing her inner joy and hope.

……

"Next student, please join us for your audition!"

After Zhou Ye left, the staff's voices rang out again.

As luck would have it, Zhou Ye bumped into Zhang Jingyi, who was about to enter, right at the door.

Before coming today, Zhou Ye had already learned through their respective channels that Zhang Jingyi was interviewing for the exact same role as him, "Zhao Erxi".

Faced with a direct competitor who bears a resemblance to themselves and is also aiming for the same goal,
It would be strange if Zhou Ye's expression was good.

"Senior Sister Zhou Ye..." Zhang Jingyi was about to greet her politely.

Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Ye's originally sweet face instantly turned cold, and she even rolled her eyes slightly without anyone noticing.
Then, as if he hadn't seen her at all, he walked right past her, leaving behind a cool, fragrant breeze.

"What are you pretending to be innocent for!" Zhou Ye couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Zhang Jingyi silently swallowed her slight embarrassment, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to the interview room.

——Inside the house,
"Huh? Little girl, why are you back again?" Lin Yu subconsciously pushed up his glasses, squinted in surprise, and felt that the girl in front of him had returned.

"Director Lin, look closely, it's not the same person. Although they look somewhat alike, their clothes are different, and their demeanor is also slightly different."

As the author, Gu Man's observations were more meticulous and perceptive, and she immediately pointed out the differences.

"Hello, senior students, senior sister Jing Tian, ​​directors and screenwriters."

Zhang Jingyi was so nervous that her delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly, but she still managed to keep her composure and greeted him in as steady a voice as possible, "My name is Zhang Jingyi, and I am a first-year student in the Acting Department at Beijing Film Academy."

"Junior Sister Jingyi, you can do it!"

When Jing Tian saw her, she immediately showed her senior sister's friendliness, clenching her fist and enthusiastically cheering her on.

"Gu, Miss Jing Tian, ​​you...you both know her?"

Lin Yufen watched the interaction and asked curiously.

"Yes, she was my deskmate at school."

Gu Qing nodded and gave a brief explanation.

"My deskmate? Oh~~~"

Lin Yufen and Gu Man exchanged a glance, and the two experienced middle-aged women revealed smiles of sudden realization mixed with a touch of amusement.

"Young lady, what role are you auditioning for today?" Lin Yufen steered the conversation back on track.

"Teacher, the role I want to audition for is... Zhao Erxi." When Zhang Jingyi said the role she wanted, she felt her heart was about to jump out of her throat, and her fair palms were already damp with sweat.

"Zhao Erxi?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Man found today's interview even more interesting.

She carefully examined Zhang Jingyi's appearance and demeanor.

Unlike the girl named Zhou Ye from before, although both of them have pretty faces, Zhou Ye is more sweet and lively, like a vibrant fruit candy.
The Zhang Jingyi before us, however, possessed a subtle air of heroism and aloofness, making her resemble a small white flower with dew on its petals.

Each has its own merits.

Judging solely from the fit between his appearance and the lively, cheerful, and adorable character of "Zhao Erxi," Zhou Ye seems to be a better fit.

Gu Man silently made comparisons in her mind.

"Jingyi, why don't you act out this scenario?"

Gu Man smiled slightly and threw the question back to Zhang Jingyi unchanged: "When Zhao Erxi first met 'Senior Xiao Nai' in real life, what was his expression and state of admiration, excitement, and a little bit of elation when he passed by you?"

Lin Yufen's interest was also piqued. She smiled and said to Gu Qing, "Gu, you helped out with Zhou Ye's role earlier. Now that your deskmate is here, you can't be biased and just ignore it, can you?"
Go quickly, be a 'human backdrop' again.

Zhang Jingyi stood in the center of the field, looking somewhat bewildered and at a loss, not quite understanding the situation yet.

"Ms. Gu Man, Director Yu Fen, what are you doing..."

Gu Qing was getting a headache from the middle-aged woman's teasing.

However, before he could finish speaking, his arm was grabbed by a slender, pale hand.

"Stop sitting there like an idiot! Hurry up, get up and move around, help out our junior sister Jingyi!"

Jing Tian suddenly appeared and displayed a surprisingly strong physique, almost pulling Gu Qing off the chair.

The audition process was almost identical.

Watching Gu Qing walk past her indifferently, especially when his clear, bright eyes glanced over unintentionally,
Zhang Jingyi felt her heart skip a beat, and then it started pounding wildly like a drum.

Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and her shy yet joyful expression came out naturally, almost as effective as Zhou Ye's previous performance.

However, upon closer examination, subtle differences still exist between the two:
Zhou Ye's performance is more like the pure, passionate admiration and excitement of a young fan meeting their idol.
Zhang Jingyi's portrayal, on the other hand, leans more towards the shyness and secret joy of a young girl facing her crush, with her heart racing and feeling at a loss.

Their acting skills are roughly equal, both still showing the rawness of newcomers, but thanks to their outstanding looks and natural emotional expression,
Among all the students interviewed today, this is considered a pretty good performance.

As soon as the performance ended,

Zhang Jingyi felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She let out a long sigh of relief, and her tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

Her delicate body even staggered slightly; she had been far too tense just now.

"Clap clap-"

"Jingyi, you acted wonderfully! Don't be too nervous!"

Jing Tian was the first to clap enthusiastically, praising loudly without reservation.

She smiled and nudged Gu Qing, who had just sat down next to her, with her elbow, asking, "Don't you think so? Our junior sister Jingyi acted so naturally!"

“Ah Gu,”

After hearing Jing Tian's words, Lin Yufen, who was on the left, also turned to look at Gu Qing and asked, "Who do you think performed better, this Jingyi or Zhou Ye just now?"
Or rather, who better fits your image of 'Zhao Erxi'?

The female lead has already made her stance clear.

If the male lead also shares the same opinion, then a strong consensus has essentially been reached regarding the casting.
It's difficult for outsiders to change anything anymore.

"Jingyi's acting was indeed very good, and her emotions were very sincere."

Gu Qing first affirmed Zhang Jingyi's abilities, then changed the subject, saying, "However, as for who is more suitable, I think we should listen to Teacher Gu Man's professional opinion."

She is the original author, and understands best the soul and core of the characters in the book.

He didn't fall for the "either/or" trap at all and casually changed the subject.

Miss Jing can make decisions recklessly based on her status and background, but he has no need to get involved in this mess.

Zhou Ye and Zhang Jingyi's roles are either the second or third female lead, and the two leading actresses behind them have already reached some kind of tacit understanding or agreement with the production team.

Gu Qing would never be the one to "stick her neck out" and offend people.

"Jingyi, we saw your performance. Go back and wait for the official notification from the production team."

Seeing how slippery Gu Qing was, Gu Man sighed with regret.

She had originally hoped that this top celebrity would clearly take sides, so that the production team would have a solid support when facing pressure from all sides.

However,

This is a very clever little fox with a sharp mind.

Fortunately, there was also Miss Jing, who was straightforward and had a strong background, who had already foolishly expressed her opinion first.

This at least gives the production team an important reference and a potential "shield" when making decisions.

After Zhang Jingyi left, the morning's interviews finally came to an end.

"How many people are left? When will this interviewing ever end? It's so boring."

Jing Tian stretched lazily without any regard for her image, pouting her rosy lips and complaining, her beautiful body curves on full display, "It's not fun at all."

"The main roles are mostly finalized. This afternoon, let the production team send other assistant directors and casting directors to audition the remaining extras."

Lin Yufen smiled and arranged, "Gu, Miss Jing Tian, ​​as the hosts, you two will have lunch together, and then in the afternoon you'll show me and Teacher Gu Man around the campus."
Let's look at some scenic spots that would be suitable as filming locations for the drama.

“Okay, no problem.” Gu Qing nodded in agreement and then stood up.

Since it's a weekday casting call,

Keeping things simple, the school cafeteria naturally became the first choice for lunch.

The four of them arrived at the cafeteria, where the observant staff had already taken care of everything and prepared their meals.

"Ah Gu, why are you sitting with this old hag like me?"

As soon as Lin Yufen sat down, she noticed that Gu Qing had naturally sat down next to her, and she immediately smiled.

She gestured towards Jing Tian across the table and teased, "Your leading lady is right there on the other side, why don't you go over there?"

"Who would want to sit with him?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Tian immediately snorted and turned her head away, feigning disgust.

“Director, you see?” Gu Qing casually spread her hands, “It’s that they look down on me, not that I don’t want to go.”

Gu Man chuckled and sat down next to Jing Tian.

She actually wanted to make a joke, but she was still a little intimidated by this young lady and didn't dare to be too casual.

Lin Yufen, completely unconcerned about any of this, with the characteristic openness and boldness of a Hong Kong director, reached out and patted Gu Qing on the shoulder.

"That won't do! You two are such a loving and sweet couple in the drama, the envy of everyone!"
If we don't get to know each other off-screen first, cultivate some chemistry and understanding, how will we film those intimate scenes later? The audience will be pulled out of the story!

She said earnestly, "Come on, sit down and have a chat."

"Director, don't worry,"

Gu Qing accepted the plate from the staff member, thanked them, and then picked up her chopsticks without flinching. "I'm a professional actress. I can distinguish between on-screen and off-screen roles. It won't affect the filming."

"It's not like nobody's a professional actor!"

Upon hearing this, Jing Tian reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, retorting with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, trying to prove that she "didn't mind."
She angrily stuffed her plate full of vegetable salad.

Gu Man exchanged a troubled glance with Lin Yu.

broken.

As the male and female leads of an idol drama, their relationship seems... a little strained.

When filming officially begins, will the two of them be able to create that sweet, chemistry that will make the audience swoon?

Gu Man silently drew a huge question mark in her mind about this.

……

After a simple lunch, Gu Qing led Lin Yu and the other two on a walk around the vast Beijing Film Academy campus, conducting on-site research.

As an idol drama set in a school, more than half of the scenes in "Love O2O" needed to be filmed on location within the school.

Whenever Lin Yufen sees a corner with beautiful scenery and clever composition, he immediately takes out his mobile phone to take pictures from different angles and simply marks the location and possible uses.

Gu Man would also occasionally try to find matching locations in reality based on the scenes described in her book, and would occasionally exclaim in surprise when she found a place that closely resembled the description in the book.

As the group strolled to the vicinity of the school library, a breathtaking view suddenly appeared before them—a lake as clear as a mirror.

Rows of willows are planted along the bank, their soft branches swaying gently in the spring breeze, creating faint ripples on the water.

Gu Man's eyes widened instantly, and her face lit up with barely suppressed excitement: "Director Lin! Look here!"

She pointed to the scenery in front of her, her speech quickening: "There's a particularly classic scene in my book, where Xiao Nai and Bei Weiwei make a promise in the game to meet offline for the first time!"

"The scene I imagine is: a young man in a white shirt, standing quietly under a willow tree, his posture upright, gazing at the shimmering lake."
Only a slender, alluring silhouette remained...

Behind him, a girl in a white dress walked step by step, filled with curiosity, anticipation, and a touch of trepidation, searching for the person she had promised to meet…

Gu Man's vivid description immediately ignited Lin Yufen's creative passion, and a beautiful and romantic scene instantly appeared in her mind.

She couldn't help but grab Gu Qing's arm, and with her other hand she eagerly pointed to the willow tree with the most graceful posture, "Gu, stand under that willow tree, with your back to us, let me see how it feels!"

“Miss Jing Tian, ​​you…” Lin Yufen looked at Jing Tian again.

"Director, just call me by my name, or call me Sweetie, don't be so polite."

Jing Tian had long been fed up with this unfamiliar form of address, especially compared to the natural and casual atmosphere with Gu Qing, it felt even more awkward.

"Okay, then sweetie,"

Lin Yufen readily complied and immediately instructed, "Stand on that low stone bridge over there, hold onto the railing naturally with both hands, and look at A-Gu's back."

The performance should convey that feeling of...searching for someone, with a touch of curiosity and doubt.

Lin Yufen and Gu Man were fully engaged in their work, excitedly setting up the scene.

One is a director who has deep experience in idol dramas and understands audience preferences.

One is a romance author who has woven countless romantic plots and knows how to create atmosphere.
They know all too well what kind of images can touch people's hearts and what kind of compositions can create the ultimate atmosphere and aesthetics.

Gu Qing had no objection to this, and obediently walked to the willow tree, turning around as instructed, leaving his tall and slender back to the crowd.

My gaze fell upon the shimmering lake in the sunlight in the distance, and I was instantly enveloped in that tranquil scenery.

Lin Yufen's gaze moved back and forth between Gu Qing's back and Jing Tian on the stone bridge, like the most precise scanner.

She even turned on her phone's video recording function, scrutinizing the composition and lighting effects through the screen, while simultaneously giving instructions aloud:

"Ah Gu, yes, that's it. You can relax your shoulders a little and lean against the tree trunk..."

"One hand naturally slips into the pants pocket, yes! Just like that, relax a bit, very good..."

"Don't tense your back muscles too much; relax them, creating a relaxed yet expectant feeling..."

"Excellent! This angle is stunning! It's like a meticulously designed movie poster..."

"Sweetie! Stop staring at handsome guys like that!"

Lin Yufen's attention then turned to Jing Tian, ​​"Put yourself in the role. You are now Bei Weiwei, and you are looking for the person you made a promise to meet in the game."

Hold onto the railing with both hands, lean your upper body slightly forward, and look in the eye with a searching gaze and a hint of uncertain doubt... Be careful, don't fall too far forward into the water!

"Hmm...good, now we can add a little gesture, like gently scratching your head with one hand, which makes you look cute and a little confused..."

"Yes! That's exactly the feeling I want! Be natural, be as natural as possible!"

"Now, try not to make any expression, just hold onto the edge of the bridge with both hands, and quietly watch A-Gu's back with a purely questioning and inquisitive look..."

"Perfect! That's it! Keep it up!"

The shutters of Lin Yufen and Gu Man's mobile phones clicked incessantly, capturing numerous photos from various angles, constantly searching for the most perfect and moving composition and moment.

"What a pity, the midday light was too strong and too harsh today."

Looking at the photos on her phone, Lin Yufen commented with a hint of regret, "If it were early morning, when the sun has just risen, the soft, warm morning light would be the best."
When used to illuminate people and scenery, it creates a soft-focus effect, eliminating the need for a separate lighting panel.

"Teacher Gu Man, what do you think of this scene?"

At this moment,
The key is to highlight the natural, idol drama-like aesthetic presented in the photos.

In the photo, Gu Qing stands under a lush green willow tree, with only her profile and back view visible, against a backdrop of a lake bathed in golden sunlight.

On the stone bridge to his right, the bright and beautiful Jing Tian was gazing into the distance, her eyes fixed on the figure beneath the willows.

Without any fancy embellishments or elaborate filters, the natural light and composition alone weave together a clean, pure, and incredibly moving sense of youthful beauty.

Lin Yufen and Gu Man were both amazed by the untouched natural scenery.

Unfortunately,
Lin Yufen's mind was still replaying Gu Man's description—the handsome young man in the white shirt, the lively young woman in the flowing white skirt, the warm and gentle sunlight like the morning sun, the willows swaying in the breeze, the lake as clear as a mirror...

She imagined how stunning and beautiful the scene would be when all these aesthetic elements were combined.
It's enough to become a classic scene in the entire series, imprinted in the audience's memory.

"No wait!"

Lin Yu clapped her hands and made a decision, "Once all the auditions for the roles are over this weekend, immediately have the art and set design departments of the production team come over to set up the sets on location."

Let's try to film this scene next week! I can't wait to see the final product!

The plot of "Love O2O" can be roughly divided into two parts: one half takes place on a real school campus, and the other half takes place in a virtual online game world.

The game's scenes require specific costumes, props, and a lot of special effects in post-production, all of which require time for careful preparation and production.

therefore,

The first part of the filming naturally involved the realistic scenes that took place on campus.

……

The two-day campus auditions quickly came to an end.

The next day,

The production team of "Love O2O" has officially announced the first batch of confirmed actors through official channels.

Regarding the most competitive female roles:
The role of the second female lead, "Zhao Erxi," was ultimately awarded to Zhang Jingyi.

The third female lead, "Meng Yiran," is played by Zhou Ye.

The other less important female roles, such as the fourth, fifth, and sixth female leads, were successfully landed by several senior female students from the Beijing Film Academy's acting department.
They won the opportunity thanks to their richer experience and relatively mature acting skills.

However, none of the current students at the Beijing Film Academy won any major supporting male roles. Roles such as "Cao Guang," "KO," and "Yu Banshan" were notable exceptions.

All of them were secured in advance by artists under various entertainment agencies through resource exchanges and other means.

In order to quell the disappointment of the school and some students, and also to make full use of the student resources of the Beijing Film Academy, the production crew later released a supplementary message:
"All the extras and background student actors needed for this drama will be selected from current students at the Beijing Film Academy!"

Furthermore, the salary offered is quite good for students, at 200 yuan per day.

The news immediately attracted a large number of students to sign up, which made up for some of the disappointment.

……

With the cast finalized, Gu Qing's schedule immediately became packed.

In between the crew's busy set design and pre-production preparations, Gu Qing also officially entered a work mode of full-time dedication.

Besides his daily, unwavering dedication to studying the script and analyzing the characters, he also needs to handle other related matters.

First, let's look at the design of the in-game clothing.

Gu Qing had already commissioned her personal stylist, Guan Qiwen, to personally handle the "Yi Xiao Nai He" look in the drama.

It was meticulously designed and produced strictly according to the game's gorgeous settings, striving to achieve the best visual effect.

Secondly,

With the airing of "Happy Camp" last Saturday, the release date of "Goodbye Mr. Loser" was officially announced.

What surprised Gu Qing the most was that, almost at the same time...

He received a message from director Lu Yang—Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield was also scheduled for release around the same time as Goodbye Mr. Loser!

Faced with the sincere invitation from Lu Yang, a senior colleague with whom he had a pleasant working relationship, Gu Qing felt that he should attend the film's premiere to show his support, both professionally and personally.

Without much hesitation, Gu Qing immediately had her assistant Zhao Ya book a flight to Shanghai.

Destination—Shanghai! Let's go!

……

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(End of this chapter)