Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

As they left the film studio, Liu Guonan and He Ye asked each other, "How did the invitation go?"

"It went more smoothly than I expected. I thought I would have to talk a lot, but Zhang Shudong and Li Xuelei were both quite agreeable."

He also said with a smile, but he knew that it was not entirely his own achievement: "Of course, it was also because Teacher Mu paved the way for me in advance that I was able to do it so easily."

Liu Guonan nodded, not surprised that He would say that: "In this industry, connections are more important than anything else. Teacher Mu has been teaching for twenty years, so he still has that much influence."

He nodded in agreement, remembering this kindness in his heart.

"How do you plan to find actors?" After discussing the filming crew, Liu Guonan casually asked about the actors.

He didn't hide anything from him.

After all, Liu Guonan was the assistant director he chose, so he definitely had the right to know, and he was also very clear about the progress of the production.

"The men you've chosen for the male lead are all quite good. You can have Yu Feihong help you contact them. But what about the female lead? You can't expect her to find one for you too, can you?"

At this point, Liu Guonan jokingly added, "I think if we can't find a suitable one, we might as well let Yu Feihong do it himself."

"Senior Yu came here to learn directing, not for a role." He shook his head. He had considered having Yu Feihong come directly, but she had already refused.

After thinking for a moment, He also shared his thoughts: "I want to find a newcomer, or someone who isn't very famous, for the female lead. That way, it's cheaper, and secondly, it'll be less troublesome."

"Less trouble?" Liu Guonan didn't expect He Ye to have this request, and immediately laughed. "Everyone else wants to be famous, but you want someone with less trouble. That's a pretty practical request."

"When making movies, the fewer troubles the better. I'm still a newcomer and don't want to attract too much attention."

The two had already reached the parking lot. Liu Guonan didn't say much about He Ye's request: "Alright, you're the director, you decide."

He opened the door of the van and was about to get in when he suddenly heard a voice behind him.

"Director Liu!"

Liu Guonan turned around and saw a young woman walking over from the other end of the parking lot.

She was wearing a dark coat, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she had no makeup on, but her features were soft and her temperament was clean.

"Yan Danchen?" Liu Guonan recognized her and greeted her with a smile, "Haven't you finished your reshoots yet?"

"Yes, I thought we had finished filming the reshoots, but Director Shen called me again, so I had to come back." Yan Danchen walked over, her gaze falling on He Ye. "And this is...?"

"This is my junior, He Ye," Liu Guonan introduced. "He's from the Cinematography Department of Beijing Film Academy."

Yan Danchen's eyes lit up: "So you're He Ye! Hello, Director He! We've often heard Director Liu praise you for being both handsome and talented. Meeting you today, it's true..."

"I was just watching from a distance, wondering which big star this was. I never imagined it was a director. If you were an actor, we actors would be out of a job."

It must be said that those who were able to survive in the entertainment industry at the beginning of the century, aside from other factors, certainly had honed their interpersonal skills and interpersonal relationships through experience.

With just a simple sentence, he effortlessly flattered two people and also gave Liu Guonan a compliment.

As expected of Chang'e!

He glanced at her, and a thought struck him.

Hey, isn't this the perfect female lead he's looking for in the movie?

Yan Danchen is an actress who graduated from Beijing Film Academy. She won the Huabiao Award for Best Newcomer in 97 and has starred in "Carry Dad to School" and "The Rainy Season".

This year, she also played Consort Yang in "The Love Story of Tang Dynasty". When it was released after the New Year, although she didn't have many scenes, her face was so captivating that it was impossible to look away.

To be honest, He Ye really did fit the role of Yan Danchen quite well.

"Hello, Senior Yan." He also extended his hand.

Yan Danchen shook hands with him and said with a smile, "Director He, please don't call me senior. Although I also graduated from Beijing Film Academy, I graduated several years earlier than you. Just call me Danchen."

"That won't do, please call me senior." He smiled. "Senior, are you available anytime soon?"

Yan Danchen was taken aback, not expecting He to ask such a question. She answered truthfully, "Schedule? My filming here has already wrapped up. I'm just here for reshoots today. I don't have any other projects lined up for now. What's wrong?"

He glanced at Liu Guonan, who instantly understood his meaning. Liu Guonan raised an eyebrow at him, the meaning clear: You wouldn't be thinking of...

"Senior, I have a script here, but the female lead hasn't been cast yet."

Ignoring Liu Guonan's meaningful look, He Ye took out the script from his bag and handed it over: "You can take a look."

Yan Danchen took the script and glanced at the cover.

"Fireworks in the Human World?" she read it aloud, then turned to the first page.

Yes, this is the name He Ye has decided on, and he doesn't plan to change it.

I'm going bald from trying to come up with a name!

Of course, this is just the name used in China. When translating it abroad, it will definitely be more straightforward, and the name used is "Noodles and Poetry".

Otherwise, if you try to do this kind of figurative art with foreigners, they won't understand it.

Wild boars can't eat fine bran!

Seeing that Yan Danchen had started reading the script, He didn't urge her, but leaned against the car door and waited.

Liu Guonan leaned closer and whispered, "You little rascal, you didn't just decide to do this because she's pretty, did you?"

He ignored Liu Guonan; his choice of Yan Danchen was certainly not because she was pretty.

Although she is indeed beautiful, she is best suited for period dramas.

The more important reason he chose her was that she was easygoing and her age was indeed suitable.

What's strange is that someone with decent looks, passable acting skills, and awards has been in the industry for several years but has remained relatively unknown.

It doesn't even qualify as a second-tier city.

There are only a few reasons: either their personality is too bad, or they are unwilling to accept certain rules, so no one supports them.

If someone has a bad personality, they definitely can't keep such a secret, so thinking about it, the only reason that comes to mind is the latter.

You can trust an actor like this to work with.

They won't act like a big shot, won't cause trouble, and won't create any risks of your business collapsing.

Moreover, she is only 23 years old this year, and her appearance and temperament are really a perfect match for the character Chen Xiaoyu.

Chen Xiaoyu is the kind of girl who looks feisty but is actually very soft-hearted.

And Yan Danchen happens to be from Funan...

She's a typical hot girl, and the Hunanese are known for their romantic nature—these traits are definitely a plus for the character of Chen Xiaoyu.

During his brief chat with Yan Danchen, He noticed a stubborn yet gentle quality in her eyes.

About ten minutes later, Yan Danchen closed the script.

Her eyes were a little red, and her voice was slightly nasal: "Director He, this script... the character of Chen Xiaoyu is so well written."

"Do you think you can act?" He didn't beat around the bush, but asked directly.

"Yes!" Yan Danchen nodded vigorously. "I really want to play this role. I haven't received such a good role in a long time."

"Then it's settled," He Ye said. "The fee will be based on market price. You can come to my studio in a few days to sign the contract."

Yan Danchen was stunned: "It's settled? Just like that? No audition needed?"

"No need. You have to trust the director's eye for talent, and besides, this is a low-budget film, so I won't be doing any auditions."

Upon hearing this, Yan Danchen's eyes reddened even more, and she bowed deeply: "Director He, thank you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

He quickly helped her up, saying, "Senior, you're the one who's in a good position, no need to be so polite."

Yan Danchen straightened up, wiped her eyes, and said with a smile, "No matter what, I definitely want to thank Director He, and of course, Director Liu too. Could you elaborate on when the contract will be signed?"

"Once the script is approved, I'll have someone contact you. Probably by the end of January at the latest."

"Okay. I'll wait for Director He's message."

Yan Danchen bowed again, then turned and left.

Liu Guonan watched her retreating figure, then glanced at He Ye, and clicked his tongue twice.

"You little brat, you pick the female lead so casually? You decided after just one glance?"

"It's not just any actress. When choosing a female lead, if she's suitable, we just cast her directly. There's no need for all that fancy stuff. Besides, she's easygoing and won't cause me any trouble."

Liu Guonan started the car and said with a smile, "You've got a long-term vision."

"I can't help but think about going far away." He leaned back in his seat, thinking about those dramas that were canceled because of the actors. "Making movies is troublesome enough. I don't want to be bothered by actors' issues anymore."

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