Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 289, Section 287: Old Han's Cameo
March 2000, 4, early morning.

Inside a subway station set at the Beijing Film Studio, specially built for filming and filled with the urban atmosphere of the late 1990s, the lights were on.

The crew of "My Sassy Girl" is holding a brief but efficient opening ceremony here.

There was no grand press conference; only the main creators and core team members were present, creating a serious and focused atmosphere.

Director Wang Sheng stood at the front of the crowd, wearing a sharp dark director's jacket, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's as he surveyed the entire "machine" that was about to be put into operation.

As the absolute core of the project, he personally oversaw everything from script adaptation and casting to final artistic approval.

Today, he will personally direct the film, setting the tone for this genre film on which he has high hopes.

Executive director Zhang Yang stood half a step behind him, his expression respectful and focused.

He was mainly responsible for the on-site coordination and communication with the actors, ensuring that Wang Sheng's intentions were executed accurately.

Zhang Yang and Wang Sheng have worked together several times already, and they're used to it.

The female lead, Fan Xiaopang, has already completed her look for the first scene. She is wearing an oversized sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers, deliberately downplaying her glamorousness and emphasizing casualness, but the "wild" hint is already showing in her expression, which Wang Sheng repeatedly asked her to "hold on" to.

She slightly raised her chin, both excited and nervous, her eyes following Wang Sheng's figure as if he were her only source of emotional support at that moment.

The male lead, Deng Chao, is a newcomer signed by Enlight Media who has made a name for himself with several comedic martial arts TV movies. He wears a slightly unfashionable jacket and has a neat hairstyle.

His face showed the typical restraint of a newcomer as he repeatedly recited his lines, his eyes filled with awe for the director, Wang Sheng, and a deep appreciation for the opportunity.

It was Wang Sheng who personally made the decision to promote him from among a group of newcomers to take on this important task.

At that time, Deng Chao was still a newcomer who had just debuted.

Last year, he gained some popularity with several light-hearted and somewhat nonsensical comedy martial arts TV movies produced by Shengying Media. His honest yet clever image and willingness to go all out in his performances were well-received, and he was signed by the artist management department of Enlight Media.

When reviewing the cast list, Wang Sheng noticed his undefined and versatile qualities, as well as his inherent "punching bag" potential, and personally made the final decision to cast him.

At this moment, the most eye-catching "guest actor" on site is none other than Han Sanping.

This powerful figure in China Film Group was sitting in front of the makeup mirror, watching with great interest as the makeup artist put on the meticulously crafted Mediterranean hairstyle wig for him—a sparse white ring around the edges and a shiny center.

Wearing a slightly worn-out Zhongshan suit and applying dark foundation, a somewhat comical image of a lower-class citizen leaps out from the mirror.

Wang Sheng walked over, looked at Han Sanping's appearance, and smiled: "Uncle Han, I'm sorry to have to make you suffer."

"What's there to complain about?" Han Sanping waved his hand, his tone relaxed: "It's just experiencing life!"

He even added with a touch of sarcasm: "Besides, with my appearance, wouldn't it be particularly convincing to play an old man who gets vomited on by a young girl?"

Several staff members who overheard the conversation couldn't help but laugh, which lightened the atmosphere considerably.

Given Han Sanping's current status within the system and industry, it certainly requires a bit of open-mindedness and a sense of humor to make a cameo appearance in such a minor role that is clearly comedic and even somewhat "image-damaging."

But upon closer examination, it makes sense:

Firstly, this is Wang Sheng's project. The two have a close relationship and deeply intertwined interests, and Han Sanping has repeatedly expressed his support for Wang Sheng in public and private. His cameo appearance serves both to endorse Wang Sheng and to demonstrate the close relationship between the two, conveying China Film Group's affirmation of this type of market-oriented, genre-specific project.

Secondly, although the role is small, the dramatic effect is strong, and it is easy to leave an impression on the audience. For those in high positions of power, occasionally lowering their status and showing a friendly and humorous side can actually gain unexpected goodwill.

Thirdly, at this time of year, inviting celebrities and executives to make cameo appearances is a common promotional tactic for film production, especially commercial films, and is harmless. Han Sanping's actions can also be seen as a practical form of support for domestic commercial films.

"All departments, prepare!"

The script supervisor, holding a clapperboard, shouted loudly. The first scene is the highlight, set in a subway car—the female lead, drunk, vomits in front of the elderly stranger (played by Han Sanping) sitting next to her.

The actual footage used specially made, incredibly realistic vomit props, with carefully adjusted color and viscosity.

Lighting, photography, and recording were quickly put in place.

Fan Xiaopang took a deep breath, walked to the designated spot, and his eyes instantly became glazed and arrogant, indicating that he had entered a drunken state.

Deng Chao frantically tried to "dissuade" him, his face filled with helplessness and panic.

"Scene 1, Shot 1 of 'My Sassy Girl,' by Ike!"

The clapperboard sounded, and filming began.

Inside a swaying subway car (simulated by a device), the female lead, played by Fan Xiaopang, drunkenly stands up and points at Han Sanping, who is sitting opposite her, wearing a wig and looking bewildered yet somewhat fearful, and mumbles incoherently, "What... what are you looking at!"

Deng Chao tugged at her from the side, saying, "Grandma, just calm down..."

"Action!" Zhang Yang stared intently at the screen behind the monitor.

Fan Xiaopang suddenly shook off Deng Chao and stumbled to Han Sanping.

Han Sanping perfectly timed his expression to shift from bewilderment to terror, instinctively shrinking back.

Just then, following the pre-planned movements, Fan Xiaopang lowered his head, covered his mouth, and then suddenly jerked his head upwards—

A staff member quickly splashed a small can of specially made vomit onto Han Sampyeong's wig and shoulders!
A sticky, yellowish-white "vomit" instantly covered his shiny head and shoulders.

Han Sanping's reaction was extremely genuine and natural—his eyes widened suddenly, his mouth opened slightly, and he seemed frozen in place, his face filled with disbelief, bewilderment, and utter disgust. His expression was both comical and somewhat pitiful.

"Crack!"

Zhang Yang called a halt.

There was a moment of silence, followed by a burst of laughter. Even the usually serious Wang Sheng couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

Fan Xiaopang quickly snapped out of character and bowed repeatedly to Han Sanping in apology: "Director Han, I'm so sorry! I didn't scare you, did I?"

Han Sanping chuckled to himself. He carefully touched the "vomit" on his head; the texture was incredibly realistic. He said to Wang Sheng, half-laughing and half-crying, "Goodness, this thing... is incredibly realistic! Would you say I've sacrificed myself for art?"

The staff quickly came forward to help him clean it up.

Wang Sheng laughed and said, "Uncle Han, your reaction was amazing, one take. You're Oscar-worthy."

"Don't give me that," Han Sanping laughed and scolded, "This was purely an instinctive reaction."

Joking aside, filming continued.

With Wang Sheng in charge, Han Sanping's guest appearance bringing a relaxed atmosphere, and Zhang Yang's calm and steady command, the entire crew operated efficiently.

Fan Xiaopang clearly did her homework, portraying the naivety behind the "wildness" and the simplicity beneath the domineering nature with distinct layers and great control. She seems to be determined to make this role another milestone in her acting career.

Although Deng Chao was still green, his naive sincerity and slightly exaggerated body language perfectly matched the character's early "punching bag" persona, creating a striking contrast with Fan Xiaopang's endearing personality.

The morning's filming went even more smoothly than expected.

(End of this chapter)