Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Self-directed and self-acted!

Although in China's director-centric system, actors are merely tools to realize the director's creative intentions, it is somewhat beneath the director's prestige for the director to act, aside from cameo appearances.

In reality, many outstanding directors' representative works often feature themselves as actors.

For example, Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle" and "A Chinese Odyssey", Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly", Wu Jing's "Wolf Warrior 2", Xu Zheng's "Lost in Thailand", and so on.

The only person who truly understands a director's creative intentions is the director himself!

Therefore, setting aside factors such as acting skills and appearance, the director is the most suitable person to create the protagonist.

Although director and author Zhao Yanxi is a plagiarist, he has seen the original work of the film and is definitely more suitable for the lead role of Zhao Jingyan than any other actor.

Upon realizing this, Zhao Yanxi made a quick decision and filled in her own name after "Zhao Jingyan".

Zhao Yanxi swore to God—all of this was for the purpose of better reflecting the film's meaning, and certainly not because he and Shen Jiayi had a kissing scene at the end of the script...

Finally, Zhao Yanxi didn't hide the familiar name Huang Bo, giving him a cameo role.

Finally, the successful man who married Shen Jiayi!

......

After finalizing the decision, Zhao Yanxi sent the casting information to Director Wang Jingsong, asking him to tell the students to come and sign the contract.

"How did I, the head of the performing arts department, become your assistant?"

Old Wang harbored some resentment, but he acted swiftly. Before long, Zhao Yanxi received a call from Liu Yifei.

"Director Zhao, our teacher asked us to come to 'Yanxi Studio' tomorrow to sign actor contracts. I wonder how much you'll offer me?"

The little girl's voice was clear and melodious, but the words she spoke made Zhao Yanxi feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

"Sissi, we've been through thick and thin together, and you're still talking to me about pay?"

"What?! You want to get it for free?"

"What kind of prostitution is it if you don't pay!" Zhao Yanxi laughed loudly. "Just kidding, this film is easy to shoot, it can be finished in a month..."

"How about 20? You know I'm a bit tight on funds..."

This price isn't high.

In an interview with Star Times, Chen Jinfei mentioned, "Feifei's film salary in 2005 was less than 50 yuan. We value the style of the work more."

Liu Yifei didn't appear in many movies in 05, which most likely refers to the two movies she filmed in 04.

He had a cameo role in "Love Winner" and was reportedly paid only 8 to 10 yuan. Based on this, it is estimated that his salary for "May Love" was around 30 to 40 yuan.

After the release of "Chinese Paladin" at the beginning of the year, Liu Yifei's popularity among Chinese college students reached new heights.

Fame and fortune, fame and fortune, with fame comes fortune.

With increased popularity, the actor's salary should naturally rise accordingly.

Without going into too much detail, four or five hundred thousand is definitely achievable.

Of course, putting aside personal feelings, Zhao Yanxi's asking price wasn't low, considering that the filming period for "You Are the Apple of My Eye" was only one month.

The filming of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" took half a year, and the actors' salaries were only 30 yuan!

Liu Yifei was just about to tease Zhao Yanxi again when she suddenly saw a call notification from Jiang Yan on her phone, so she didn't say anything more.

"Okay, see you at the office tomorrow!"

"good!"

...

After hanging up with Zhao Yanxi, Liu Yifei then answered Jiang Yan's call.

"Yifei, you said you weren't familiar with Director Zhao, but you've already become the leading lady..."

Jiang Yan felt wronged. Even Sun Meijing got a supporting role as the third female lead, while she didn't get anything at all.

Liu Yifei is the leading actress again!

Why should I?!

She even said she wasn't familiar with Director Zhao! Is this the kind of role you can get just by not knowing him?!

"Um, I don't know either..."

......

After the role was finalized, Zhao Yanxi didn't sit idle.

During this period, he received many calls from various parties, such as Wang Jinghua from Huayi Brothers and Li Shaohong from Rongxingda, both established brokerage firms.

On the contrary, none of the so-called Wang Zhonglei, Wang Changtian, Han Sanping and others who are commonly seen in Huayu Entertainment have been contacted.

After all, it's possible to get a few actors, but getting them to invest in "You Are the Apple of My Eye" is obviously impossible.

After finalizing the production team and cast, Zhao Yanxi also went to Yunnan to finalize the filming location.

We found a private high school that was willing to provide a filming location for free, which can be considered a way of giving the school a good beating.

Meanwhile, the script submitted to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television was finally approved.

In mid-May, the troubled production crew was finally assembled!

"The filming of 'You Are the Apple of My Eye' has officially begun. Good luck everyone!"

"come on!"

"come on!"

"Charge!"

......

After Zhao Yanxi finished explaining the play, she handed it over to a senior student from the directing department to take the camera.

The first scene is the entrance of all the characters.

The group walked into the classroom, and the camera zoomed in on Zhao Yanxi, who was stuffing breakfast into her mouth, flipping through a novel, and leaning against the wall.

Then, the camera pans across the other supporting characters one by one.

Later, we will add introductory narration for each person to this section.

Finally, the camera slowly zooms in, focusing on the female protagonist, Shen Jiayi, who is studying.

Liu Yifei wore a white and blue striped school uniform shirt, her long black hair falling naturally over her shoulders.

Her face, though without makeup, was still incredibly beautiful, almost otherworldly compared to a classroom from the 1990s.

She sat there quietly, like a fairy herb fallen to earth, a stark contrast to the students around her.

"Click!"

"Director Zhao, I think this take is good enough. Would you like to do another take?"

"Need not."

Although Zhao Yanxi was acting, he was also observing the movements of others on set when the camera turned away.

It was just a scene introduced at the beginning, with no performance requirements, so there was no need to waste film.

"Let's continue, next match!"

...

The atmosphere on set was very harmonious!

We were all classmates at the Beijing Film Academy, and most of us were even in the same class, so we didn't have any conflicts with each other.

"Xiao Zhu, use your strength! Don't be afraid to hit him just because Director Zhao is the director."

Liu Yifei complained from the side, feeling disappointed.

In the scene just now, the male lead Zhao Jingyan (Zhao Yanxi) had just entered the school when a basketball flew over and hit him on the head.

As a result, Qi Guosheng (Zhu Yawen) was too nervous about hitting the director and didn't hit him hard enough.

"There's nothing to hold back when acting. Off-screen, I'm the director; on-screen, I'm the actor. I'll fight and smash things as needed!"

"Director, I understand!"

Zhu Yawen's expression was solemn.

When the computer was turned on again, a basketball suddenly fell from the sky, hitting Zhao Yanxi and making her head tilt to the side.

He doesn't even need to act; this guy is putting in way too much effort!

"You don't have hands?" Zhu Yawen said dismissively.

"Click! This one's passed."

At the assistant director's words, Zhu Yawen immediately relaxed and rushed over to ask with concern, "Director Zhao, are you alright? I think I overdid it just now..."

"It's nothing," Zhao Yanxi said, scratching her head. "It's just acting!"

You little brat, I'll remember you!

......

"Yifei, how come the director has such a good eye for talent?"

"We found you right away, the real school beauty, to play Shen Jiayi. It's as if Shen Jiayi stepped right out of the book!"

"That's right, that's right!"

"Hahaha..."

Hearing everyone's praise, Zhao Yanxi smiled and said, "You're all right this time."

"When I was writing this novel, 'Shen Jiayi' was really written with Yi Fei in mind. I'm a huge fan of Yi Fei!"

"Hmph," Liu Yifei swayed her ponytail and giggled, "So, Director Zhao, shouldn't you give me, your idol, a share of the royalties?"

"Spare me, you poor bastard," Zhao Yanxi waved her hands repeatedly, "I can't even afford to pay you your salary, let alone share your royalties."

Although Liu Yifei's salary was set at 20 yuan and an actor contract was signed, the money has not yet been transferred.

Although the budget was sufficient, Zhao Yanxi wanted to keep some money in case of emergency, so she could only ask her idol to make do!

The others looked at the two laughing and talking, while the other students exchanged glances.

This is hardly a casual acquaintance...

. . . . . .

The filming of "You Are the Apple of My Eye" went very smoothly.

A group of college students who graduated from high school less than two years ago can easily play students again.

Before they knew it, it was time for the final scene, the day Shen Jiayi got married.

Backstage, Liu Yifei, dressed in a white wedding gown, looked like an angel descended from heaven.

Beautiful, innocent, and pure.

Zhao Yanxi's eyes showed undisguised admiration as she looked at Liu Xiaoli, who was making a cameo appearance as Shen's mother, and she was also deeply moved.

"Auntie, when you see Xixi wearing this outfit, don't you feel like you're giving away your daughter's wedding gift?"

"Hehe, of course! That little girl from back then is now wearing a wedding dress!"

"Sissi has grown up, and I've gotten old..."

"Mom isn't old at all," Liu Yifei said affectionately, hugging Liu Xiaoli's arm. "Mom will always be young and beautiful!"

Zhao Yanxi smiled and quietly withdrew, leaving the scene to the mother and daughter.

Soon, the crew was ready.

"Action!"

At the wedding banquet, Huang Bo walked out arm in arm with Liu Yifei, his old face beaming with undisguised pride.

Of course, it corresponds to the wedding night, one of the four great joys in the world!

It's worth mentioning that although Huang Bo's appearance is average, with a little grooming and a suit, he looks quite different from the middle-aged man in the original work.

When Zhao Yanxi copied the book, she did not describe the groom as a wealthy middle-aged man, but as a successful young man, only a few years older than Shen Jiayi.

The story also specifically explains how the two met and fell in love—a very cliché office romance. Shen Jiayi was new to the workplace and was taken care of by a man, and they developed feelings for each other over time.

Who says a goddess in her youth has to succumb to money? Can't she be attracted to someone's maturity, stability, and thoughtfulness?!

Zhao Yanxi didn't want to dwell on the wedding pranks and the scene of the groom being kissed.

The most crucial scene is the last one, the kissing scene between Zhao Jingyan and Shen Jiayi!

Although it was just a camera trick and they didn't actually kiss, Zhao Yanxi was still very excited.

Zhao Yanxi leaned back slightly, holding Liu Yifei close, and looked at the fine downy hairs on Liu Yifei's skin that shimmered slightly under the light. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

This is an even more intimate contact than when "Zhen Zhibing" defiled Xiaolongnu!

This was the closest I'd ever been to my favorite celebrity in both my past and present lives, so it would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous!

On the other hand, Liu Yifei was just as nervous.

They knew it was just a trick and nothing more would happen.

But when she could feel his warm breath brushing against her lips, she couldn't help but think of how, at the bottom of the waterfall, she had clung to Zhao Yanxi like a lifeline...

Their lips met, yet they could clearly hear each other's breathing and heartbeats.

"Sissi, you're so beautiful...can I kiss you..."

"Cut! That's a pass!"

The assistant director's shout snapped Zhao Yanxi out of her reverie. Looking at Liu Yifei, whose face was flushed and whose brows were slightly furrowed as if she were curious, Zhao Yanxi dared not think any further.

"I hereby announce that filming for 'You Are the Apple of My Eye' has officially wrapped!"