Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 18: A Script Tailor-Made for Princess Jing

Choosing a script for Jing Tian is actually a rather difficult task.

Because Jing Tian really isn't a good actor.

Jing Tian is very good-looking, but that's about it.

As for acting skills, let's not even mention them.

In his previous life, after signing with Starlight Brilliant, Jing Tian was given strong support to enter the film industry. He first starred in the ethnic action comedy film "The Python" with Liu Jiahui and others, and then began to act in many films such as "An Epic of a Woman" and "The Legend of Sun Tzu".

But it barely made a ripple.

Ultimately, it comes down to not knowing how to act.

For example, in "Anaconda," Jing Tian already showed his good looks and quirky personality, but his acting was quite immature.

As a drama set in the Republican era, it would be difficult to leverage Jing Tian's strengths.

Many viewers have actually seen this movie, and their opinions on it are surprisingly consistent.

It has neither a python nor any horror elements; it's a laughable piece of trash with cheap special effects versus fake zombies.

awkward.

"A little difficult."

Cao Zhong racked his brains. At present, there were not many ways for him to make money quickly, and contacting Jing Tian was the simplest one.

A single script is naturally not enough to convince Jing Tian.

However, if you add your own evidence related to "Nanjing Photo Studio," such as project approval, Han Sanpin's endorsement, support from Beijing Film Academy, and various actor contracts, it becomes much simpler.

Even the simplest script has to be one that is suitable for Jing Tian to star in and for the film to be released.

In the dormitory, Cao Zhong was twirling a pen.

Deeply in thought.

His first priority was to secure commercial films for Jing Tian.

Cao Zhong is certainly capable of directing art films, but casting Jing Tian in them would be a terrible waste of talent.

Even if there are things that need to be conveyed, it would be too difficult for Jing Tian's acting skills to do so.

This isn't just about Princess Kuroko; sometimes, you have to admit the truth.

Moreover, Cao Zhong and Han Sanpin had previously discussed the Chinese market and emphasized the importance of the market, so he naturally wouldn't contradict himself.

As his starting point, "Nanjing Photo Studio" will inevitably face controversy and difficulties in the future. If he can bring Jing Tian onto his side, Cao Zhong will be much safer.

Judging from the many films Jing Tian made in his previous life, the people behind Jing Tian were truly not short of money, but also truly did not understand film.

It's a barrage of resources.

From a junior director to Zhang Yimou.

From Hong Kong's film and television industry to Hollywood.

This kind of person is even more of a coal boss than a coal boss himself; he is a true friend of directors.

Therefore, Cao Zhong also needs to show his sincerity by providing a script full of sincerity, making full use of Jing Tian's current advantages, trying to ensure that the film has a good box office, and ensuring that the film is not a bad movie, but a passable mid-range film.

Cao Zhong's thoughts became clearer and clearer. He was quite familiar with Jing Tian from his previous life, and had even met him a few times after entering the entertainment industry.
Cao Zhong knew that it was true that she could dance.

At the age of 12, she was admitted to the affiliated secondary dance school of the Beijing Dance Academy and began to learn Chinese folk dance.

Therefore, Jing Tian is very flexible.

This is one of Jing Tian's advantages, and then there's her youth, her status as a wealthy young lady, her innocence, and her lack of guile.

This is the current characteristic of Jing Tian.

This actually eliminates a lot of movies.

For example, "Bad Genius," "The Witch," and "Flying Colors"...

Cao Zhong even doubted whether Jing Tian had ever had an experience like being a "bottom-ranked hottie" who required a lot of hard work.

In the first two films, Jing Tian's acting skills were not up to par.

That would require Jing Tian to try out the role of a accessory.

But this doesn't align with the feeling of being full of sincerity.
For example, Cao Zhong considered having Jing Tian star in "Split," finding a veteran actor with great acting skills to play the role of the twenty-three personalities, replacing Yi Mei from the previous life, and then having Jing Tian play a kidnapped rich girl, purely as a supporting character in the narrative.

Actually, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. Moreover, this film was a low-budget production, costing less than ten million US dollars to make, yet it grossed 2.78 million US dollars worldwide.

A true dark horse with a low budget and high box office.

But Cao Zhong eventually rejected the film.

This movie can be made, but at least for now, it's not suitable for Jing Tian.

Cao Zhong even doubted whether such a film could pass censorship in China.

Because there are some violent and bloody scenes in "Split".

This is certainly difficult. Deleting or modifying it is no problem, but Cao Zhong has doubts about the subsequent effects.

Thriller films are currently a niche genre in China, and with the most classic animal transformation scene cut, Cao Zhong is not confident enough about the film's performance in China.

Moreover, Cao Zhong really didn't want Jing Tian to feel that his so-called sincerity was just treating her like an accessory.
This makes it difficult to persuade Jing Tian to join his cause.

Actually, the best option would be to get on board with Hollywood later and make these kinds of movies there, earning money from Hollywood.

Make money, not shabby.

Although the West holds a lot of artistic discourse power, there are also many films in the market that lack any awareness of dissemination.

Hollywood horror films are classic cult films.

Aside from making money, it doesn't offer any other conceptual output.

Moreover, even if the movie is actually made later, Cao Zhong doesn't want to direct it himself; he'll just invest in and produce it.

This can be seen as giving Jing Tian a ride to Hollywood.

Show your face.

He had previously told Han Sanpin that he wanted to be a hawkish director, so Cao Zhong needed to maintain a certain distance.

I wouldn't stoop to watching movies with such a highbrow feel.

A high-class image is essential for making money.

Once you succeed, you'll say that you've never actually liked money.

Cao Zhong felt happy just thinking about it.

As he pondered the matter, Cao Zhong was actually reminded of a movie.

My Zombie Daughter.

A 2025 South Korean commercial comedy blockbuster, it has even been hailed as the film that ushered in a new wave of zombie movies in South Korea after "Train to Busan."

With over ten million viewers in South Korea, it ignited the entire summer.

This movie tells the story of a father who will do anything to protect his daughter, who has become the last zombie.

For the current Chinese film market, this movie combines the bizarre zombie elements with humor and touching moments, as well as laughs and insights.

In a hilarious turn of events, the father begins to tame his daughter, who has turned into a zombie.

From etiquette training to bite prevention techniques, it has created an innovative post-apocalyptic parenting scenario.

In the clash between zombies and family ties, the film expresses fearless paternal love, allowing people to feel the dawn of hope in the darkness.

Most importantly, the movie title itself shows Cao Zhong's sincerity towards Jing Tian!

Look at that, the four characters "zombie daughter"—who else could it be but Jing Tian?

They just used you as the movie title.

Is that sincere enough?

After thinking it through, Cao Zhong tapped on the table, preparing to spend some time at an internet cafe tomorrow to type out the script for this movie.

Cao Zhong was actually quite confident about this film.

Comedy film
Bizarre films,
A touching film about family affection.

A film with absolute commercial attributes.

Cao Zhong does not believe that this film has any chance of failure in the current film market.

(End of this chapter)