I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

"Director Cheng has three movies and seven TV series scheduled for next year. I wonder if there will be any suitable roles for me," Chen Kun said.

"Yes, we do, but it will probably be our turn after Victory Film Company selects its artists," Huang Xiaoming said with a smile.

“Victory Film and Television Company doesn’t have many male artists. If there’s a real open audition, I’ll definitely participate,” Chen Kun added with a smile.

“It’s a pity I’ve already signed with Huayi, otherwise I would have signed with Cheng Sheng’s company. That way, I wouldn’t have to fight for resources; they would all be arranged for me.” Huang Xiaoming said.

Upon hearing this, Liu, who was standing to the side, suddenly had a thought.

Since Shengli Film and Television Company doesn't have many male artists, she could let Huang Lei give it a try.

If Huang Lei could seize the opportunity to win over a male lead, then she could also become acquainted with Cheng Sheng through Huang Lei's influence.

She was determined to win Cheng Sheng over if given a chance.

In Shengjing in Northeast China.

The filming location for "Assembly" is right here.

"Director Feng, the production budget is insufficient. Do you think we could ask President Wang to increase the budget?"

The producer walked over to Feng Dapao and smiled wryly.

Although Feng Xiaogang's initial budget was 4500 million yuan, the budget kept increasing during filming.

If we want to continue filming, we'll definitely need to invest more funds.

Feng Dapao, who was studying how to shoot the next scene, looked up and glared at me, saying, "You don't need to ask me about this kind of thing. Just ask Boss Wang."

The producer was speechless.

Do you really think he's like Feng Xiaogang, able to do anything without restraint?

Although he was the producer of the film, the real power was in the hands of Feng Xiaogang.

What else can he do besides managing the production crew's accounts?
Asking Mr. Wang for funds is like asking for trouble.
How much more needs to be added?

Feng Dapao said calmly.

"It will take at least another 3500 million," the producer said after thinking for a moment.

"Okay, I'll call Mr. Wang tonight."

"Okay, Director Feng."

"Are you alright now?"

"No."

"Then let's go and calculate the accounts, and save as much money as we can."

"Yes Yes."

Watching the producer leave, Feng Dapao cursed, "He always asks me to do all the trivial things, what a fucking piece of trash."

Feng Xiaogang was thoroughly fed up; ever since "Assembly," he'd been plagued by trouble.

The casting process for "Assembly" was also fraught with difficulties.

Initially, Ge You was chosen as the male lead, but considering that his deeply ingrained comedic image might not fit the image of a war hero, Ge You ultimately chose to withdraw.

Zhang Hanyu volunteered to play the male lead, Gu Zidi, without receiving any payment.

As for the choice of the female lead, he decided to invite Chen Shu to star in the film after seeing her amazing performance in "The Plot".

However, after five days of filming, he decided to let her leave, citing that her noble temperament did not fit the overall style of the film.

Chen Shu expressed deep regret and reluctance regarding this matter.

Fortunately, Tang's outstanding audition caught his eye, and she ultimately succeeded in replacing Chen Shu as the female lead.

However, many difficulties were encountered during the filming process.

An accidental fire destroyed the meticulously crafted props for a large-scale war scene, resulting in heavy losses.

The production team had to dedicate three months of their time and effort to remake props such as dummies, guns, and ammunition, costing over 10 RMB.

This is also why the budget exceeded the limit so much. Another time, when filming battle scenes in Shenyang, the snowflakes were too small to meet the filming requirements, so the crew had to create "snow scenes" artificially.

The performers inhaled a large amount of toxins while lying prone on the snow for an extended period of time, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

Fortunately, after timely medical treatment, everyone was fine.

"I heard that Cheng Sheng's new movie for next year has been confirmed."

Is it still a historical drama?

"Of course, why would I choose something else when I have something I'm good at?"

"What dynasty is it from this time?"

"The new movie about the Ming Dynasty has already been named 'Zheng He's Voyages to the West,' and I've also heard that Cheng Sheng contacted a shipyard to build a fleet in order to make the movie!"

"Wow, that's a huge investment! It's incredibly impressive, even more impressive than our movie."

"Shh, keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you, or you'll lose your job on set."

"Building a fleet, wouldn't the investment be terrifying?"

"Yes, I heard it costs over a billion."

"A billion dollars? That's the kind of treatment only top Hollywood blockbusters get."

"The world is moving so fast I don't even recognize it anymore. A dozen years ago, the highest price for a movie was only ten million, but now it costs over a billion. With over a billion, why would I bother making movies? Wouldn't it be better to just enjoy life?"

"Tch, you unambitious guy, no wonder you're still just an extra after all these years."

"What's wrong with being an extra? Did I eat your rice? In this freezing cold of Northeast China, would you rather stay here filming or live in a luxury villa?"

"Then... of course we'll choose the villa. Who wants to stay here? I heard that a bit player got up to pee last night and almost froze his stuff."

"Hehe, if they really get frostbite, I wonder if the crew will compensate them."

"What a load of rubbish! This thing is so broken it can't be fixed, no amount of money can help."

"How can it be useless? It can be used to play Dongfang Bubai."

"You're a very talented guy."

Not far from Feng Dapao, two extras were chatting quietly. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't see Feng Dapao had already walked up behind them.

"Cough cough."

A cough startled the two extras, who turned around and, upon seeing Feng Dapao's dark face, their expressions changed drastically. They quickly stood up and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Director Feng, we're so sorry, we..."

Just as the two were about to apologize, Feng Dapao turned around with a dark face and walked away without paying any attention to them.

"What should we do? Director Feng is petty; will he kick us out of the crew?"

"No way! We're just extras, he wouldn't be that petty!"

"If we were really kicked out, we wouldn't even have enough money for the train fare to Northeast China."

"Let's be careful later. If Director Feng is really angry, we'll kneel down and apologize immediately."

"Okay, whatever you say."

Feng Dapao was indeed very angry, but he felt it would be beneath him to lose his temper with the two extras, so he ignored them and turned to leave.

"A billion-dollar investment, damn it, with that kind of money, what movie can't we make? No way, after this movie is finished, I'll also invest a billion-dollar amount myself," Feng Dapao muttered under his breath.

"Director Feng, can I talk to you about something?"

At this moment, Li Naiwen ran over and said.

"Teacher Li, what's the matter?"

Feng Dapao spoke politely to Li Naiwen.

No wonder Li Naiwen is a Venice Film Festival Best Actor.

With this in hand, being polite is the right thing to do. (End of Chapter)