Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 139 Zhang Yimou's Troubles

Having been in the industry for so many years, Zhang Yimou is all too aware that these seemingly simple interpersonal relationships may have intricate and complex underlying connections.

This person will definitely need to be replaced, and he may even have to revise the script for Zhang Qilin.

He looked at the stack of documents on the coffee table in front of him.

That was the information about Zhang Qilin that he had his assistant investigate.

Unexpectedly, the other party was a newcomer from the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

The young man in the photo has a refined yet masculine air about him, and he looks quite good.

As a newcomer, he had serious doubts about whether he could handle the role of Instructor Li.

His assistant only found out the surface information known to the outside world. To find out the real situation of Zhang Qilin, he needs to find someone familiar with the Beijing People's Art Theatre to find out the truth so that he can adjust the script according to the actual situation.

Another point is that the person who called asked him to find a way to circumvent the rule that newcomers from the Beijing People's Art Theatre cannot go out to film, and to bring Zhang Qilin out.

He didn't know why there was such a request, but he could only do as the other party instructed.

To circumvent the regulations of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, one must obtain special approval from the director.

Although he had worked with Dean Zhang Heping in 08 and their relationship was fairly good, it wasn't good enough for the other party to abandon his principles.

So where should he start?

At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind, and he remembered an old classmate.

Zhang picked up his phone, scrolled to the number he hadn't contacted in a long time, but hesitated to press the button.

He and Zhang Li had been classmates for decades, but because of the copyright issue of the TV series "The Flowers of War", Zhang Li and Zhang Weiping had a falling out, which also implicated him.

After hesitating for a moment, he pressed the dial button.

The phone rang three or four times before a middle-aged man's voice came from the other end: "Hello, Mr. Yi? That's unusual, what brings a big director like you to call me?"

"Old Zhang, don't tease me," Zhang Yimou chuckled, "What have you been busy with lately?"

"What else could I be busy with? Rehearsing for a play, of course. You're the kind of person who doesn't come to my door unless there's something important. So, what is it?" Zhang Li asked directly on the other end of the phone.

Zhang Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "There's something I'd like to ask you for help with. Have you been in contact with Director Zhang of the Beijing People's Art Theatre lately?"

Zhang Li was curious upon hearing this. Zhang Yi knew Dean He Ping, so why was he suddenly asking him?

When Zhang Li spoke, his tone held a hint of inquiry: "Why didn't you just call Dean Heping directly? Why did you go through all this trouble to contact me?"

After a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, Zhang Yimou slowly said, "I want to use an actor from the Beijing People's Art Theatre, but I need Director Zhang's approval. However, my relationship with him isn't quite there yet, so I'd like to ask for your help."

"The actors at Beijing People's Art Theatre all have management companies. You can just contact their management companies."

"I know, but I'm looking for newcomers who joined the Beijing People's Art Theatre this year. You know the rules of the Beijing People's Art Theatre."

Upon hearing this, a thought suddenly popped into Zhang Li's mind: Could it be that he also went to find Zhang Qilin?

Zhang Li asked abruptly, "You're not looking for Zhang Qilin, are you?"

Zhang Yi, on the other end of the phone, was also stunned.

He didn't expect that Zhang Li would guess his name before he even spoke.

"How did you know?" Zhang Yi's voice was clearly surprised. "Is he that famous?"

"I just came out of Dean Heping's office a couple of days ago; it was this kid who signed the contract."

"What role did you sign him for?" Zhang Yimou pressed.

"Lin Juemin," Zhang Li didn't hide anything, "And you? What role would make a big director like you personally call someone to find you?"

Zhang Yimou paused for a few seconds, seemingly considering his words: "In 'The Flowers of War,' there is a character who plays an anti-Japanese military officer, Instructor Li."

This time it was Zhang Li's turn to be surprised.

He knew about this character; his next TV series would be the TV version of this movie.

It was precisely because Zhang Li knew this that he was even more surprised.

He and Zhang Yi belong to different circles, yet the other party was able to intervene without any resistance.

It seems the person behind this is even more powerful than he imagined.

Thinking about this, he admired Dean Zhang Heping's foresight even more, for being able to guess the arrangements made by the person behind Zhang Qilin.

First, he was an important historical figure in a tribute film, and then he played an anti-Japanese officer in a certain Zhang Yimou film.

This isn't just ordinary gilding; it's an attempt to mold Zhang Qilin into a highly influential actor.

The plans the forces behind him had for him were undeniably far-reaching.

Thinking of this, Zhang Li's tone became serious: "Hey, can you tell me the truth? Who passed on the message to you?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

After a long silence, Zhang Yi finally spoke: "Old Zhang, we're old classmates, so I won't lie to you. Someone put in a good word for me to use him, but they didn't say who it was, and I didn't dare to ask."

Why does this sound so familiar?

It was almost exactly the same as when he received that instruction.

"What are their requirements?" Zhang Li pressed.

"Let me find a way to circumvent the newcomer regulations of the Beijing People's Art Theatre and bring him out," Zhang Yimou's voice revealed a hint of helplessness. "You know, although I know Dean Heping, it's not to the point where I can make an exception for him."

Zhang Li fell silent.

He is now basically certain that the person who passed the message to Zhang Yimou is the same group of people, or at least at the same level, as the person who passed the message to him.

Moreover, the other party's purpose is very clear.

The goal is to give Zhang Qilin access to top-tier film and television resources in the shortest possible time.

First, he played a historical figure in a tribute film, and then he played an important role in a certain Zhang Yimou film.

This wasn't just a simple greeting; it was clearly paving the way for this young man.

Moreover, the layout was done discreetly, with each step linked to the next.

"Old Zhang?" Zhang Yimou's voice on the other end of the phone pulled him back to reality. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

“I’m exactly like you,” Zhang Li said seriously. “Someone also put in a good word for me to play Lin Juemin. They didn’t say who it was, they just gave me the message.”

This time, it was Zhang Yi's turn to gasp in shock.

"You mean—"

"Yes," Zhang Li nodded. "We both received instructions from the same group of people. First, I was to use him in a tribute film, and then you were to use him in a movie. The timing is perfect. After he finishes filming my movie, he can join your group."

Zhang remained silent for a full half minute on the other end of the phone.

The person behind this is incredibly powerful yet frighteningly low-key.

They didn't demand that he be the lead actor or that he be listed in the credits; they simply put this young man into two of the most prestigious projects, letting him let his work speak for itself.

Thinking of this, Zhang asked, "How's his acting?"

"I haven't seen it with my own eyes yet," Zhang Li answered honestly, "but Dean Heping said that after being admitted to the hospital for a few months, he was already able to be a substitute in 'Wotou Guild Hall.' He knows all the lines of all the roles, and he can fill in for whoever can't."

"A few months?" Zhang Yimou's voice carried a hint of disbelief.

He knew the rules of the Beijing People's Art Theatre: could someone become a substitute after only a few months?

What kind of talent is this?

Zhang Yimou fell completely silent.

After a moment, Zhang Yi finally spoke: "Old Zhang, could you come with me to the Beijing People's Art Theatre in a few days?"

Zhang Li knew what the other person was thinking.

"No problem," Zhang Li agreed without hesitation.

His willingness to agree was not only because Zhang Yi was his classmate, but also because of the person behind Zhang Qilin.

He even planned to contact several media outlets he frequently collaborated with, ostensibly to visit the set during the pre-production phase of the film, and to schedule the visit for the day Zhang Qilin came for his audition.

He will happen to bump into reporters who come to visit the set, and casually invite them in to watch the auditions of the new actors.

Reporters would "accidentally" stumble upon Zhang Qilin auditioning for the role of Lin Juemin. He would personally provide guidance from the sidelines, and these media outlets would "coincidentally" record the audition process.

If Zhang Qilin succeeds in his audition, the media will report: "Young actor Zhang Qilin auditions for the role of Lin Juemin in 'The 1911 Revolution,' and his performance on set is astonishing—"

The key is.

It all seems like the media discovered it themselves, and it has nothing to do with the production crew.

This will not only generate enough buzz for Zhang Qilin's debut, but also help him build audience appeal and anticipation in advance.

More importantly, it's about currying favor with the people behind Zhang Qilin.

This allows those behind Zhang Qilin to see that he is sparing no effort in carrying out the arrangements.

Of course, if the audition doesn't go well, just pretend it never happened.

A few days later, in the rehearsal hall of the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Clang

The sound of a glass bottle shattering rang out.

Lin Zhaohua stood up from behind the director's desk and looked towards the center of the stage: "How are you? Are you hurt?"

He Bing, who was lying on the ground, pushed himself up and first looked down at his hands to make sure there were no cuts or bleeding. Then he looked up and grinned at the director: "It's okay, I'm tough."

Zhang Qilin walked to the corner, picked up a broom and dustpan, collected the glass shards, and dumped them into the trash can.

Several actors nearby also gathered around, bent down and inspected the stage floor to make sure there were no missing pieces of debris.

Lin Zhaohua turned and shouted towards the props: "Props, check them carefully next time you prepare them. We should try to avoid this kind of accident if possible."

The scene we just saw was the climax of the ending. He Bing's character was drunk and stumbled, accidentally breaking a wine bottle.

The script said the bottle was supposed to roll away, but this time it just shattered.

The props team said they would check things more carefully in the future.

Just then, the door to the rehearsal hall was pushed open from the outside, and Director Chen from the office tiptoed in.

Seeing that the rehearsal had stopped, he quickly walked over to Lin Zhaohua and whispered a few words in her ear.

Lin Zhaohua looked up at Zhang Qilin: "Qilin, go with Director Chen, the dean wants to see you."

When Zhang Qilin saw Director Chen, he already understood what was going on; another movie must have been requested.

The two arrived at the door of the dean's office, and Director Chen knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Zhang Heping's voice came from inside.

Zhang Qilin pushed open the office door and walked in.

Dean Zhang Heping was sitting at his desk, with Zhang Yimou and Zhang Li sitting on the sofa opposite him.

Zhang Yimou's eyes were fixed on the young man who had entered.

Ok.

She has an outstanding appearance.

It just lacks the tough, soldierly quality.

"Dean, you wanted to see me?" Zhang Qilin walked to Zhang Heping's desk.

Zhang Heping looked at Zhang Qilin with a somewhat complicated expression.

He never expected that the person behind this child would have the power to get him into two big-budget productions.

He even had two directors personally come to his door to ask for leave on his behalf.