Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 13: Finding Actors and Getting Approved

"This notebook, is it really for me?"

After reading the script, Ning Jing asked the same question as Jiang Wu. 💥💥 6➈SUⓍ.COM 🎃💞

"Of course, Sister Jing, you are the number one heroine in my heart for this book."

After seeing that Ning Jing liked her, Chen An himself kept quiet about Gong Li.

"Okay, I'll take it. I'll arrange the schedule when filming starts."

"I'll get things done as soon as possible. Once the script is approved and we find the other people, we'll start. You should also get ready; we'll need to go to Hong Kong Island to film."

"No problem, I'll print out the script later and take a copy home to review."

Chen An readily agreed. He had only printed one copy when he went to the Beijing Film Studio before, so he printed a few more copies this time.

"Hey bro, why didn't you ask me for such a great notebook?"

Jiang Wen was very disappointed. What did that mean? Did he not even see me anymore?

"Where would I get the funds to hire you? Besides, you're a director yourself, why don't you make your own movie instead of coming here?"

Chen An knew Jiang Wen was joking, so he went along with it.

Jiang Wen took a sip of his drink and touched his buzz cut: "I just couldn't find a script. I'm not like you who writes scripts."

"Then take your time looking. I'm going to print it out. I still need to contact Boss Lin and find some supporting actors."

After the matter was discussed, Chen An did not delay any longer.

He stood up and started to leave.

He went out and found a printing shop. After printing the copies, Chen An took two back to give to Jiang Wu and Ning Jing, and took the rest with him.

Back at school, Chen An first went to see Teacher Mu.

This filming project is definitely going to be a big deal, and Chen An will probably have to spend most of the rest of the semester filming it.

I definitely need to ask for leave in advance.

"Avant-garde cinema, you really intend to bring me back a feature film Golden Lion?"

"I was joking when I finished reading the script," Teacher Mu said.

"Look who your student is! I'll bring you not only the Golden Lion, but also the Palme d'Or and the Oscar."

"Don't flatter me. You just want me to let you go to film."

But Teacher Mu wasn't buying it and said:

"Let's get this straight, forget about this movie. You're coming back to class and you absolutely have to come back for this year's exams, and you can't fail. I'm not going to help you out."

"I'll do as you say, I promise I'll come back for the exam and pass."

"Go ahead, go ahead. After you're done filming, focus on your studies and let things settle down."

"No problem, I'll be going now."

After securing Teacher Mu's approval, Chen An left the building and began searching for actors.

Besides the two main characters, there's Lola's father and the beggar who appears throughout the series.

The beggar's requirements are not high; he just needs to be a little younger.

With makeup on, even with a face full of dirt and a beard, you won't be able to tell her age.

Chen An picked out the cheapest ones for this role, planning to go to the CCTV Drama next door to find some good ones.

Although the Central Academy of Drama can't compare to the Beijing Film Academy in terms of directing, it's still on par with the Beijing Film Academy in terms of actors.

Why not use it? It's so useful.

Freshmen at the Central Academy of Drama are not allowed to take on acting roles outside of school, so Chen An plans to do some research in his sophomore year, especially on those future acting talents, so he can have some fun himself.

So Chen An found Duan Long, who hadn't yet changed his name to Duan Yihong.

The restaurant across from the school.

Chen An and Duan Long sat facing each other.

"I'll just be direct, Duan Long. My name is Chen An, and I'm a director. I'm planning to cast you in a role."

"I know you, the author of 'Carrying the Burden,' I saw your short film at school."

Duan Long, sitting in front of Chen An, nodded somewhat reservedly and said.

When Chen An heard that he recognized him, that was perfect. Chen An immediately handed him the script:

"Alright, take a look at your script. I'd like to ask you to play the role of the beggar in it."

"Okay, let me see."

Duan Long reached out and took the script, then began to read it.

In his youth, he was a rather insecure person, not the movie star Chen An remembered.

Like Chen An, he was a child from the depths of Northwest China, from a poor family.

I took the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama three times, but I never dared to confess to the person I liked throughout my university years. I could only watch them silently.

Even when reading the script in front of Chen An, he seemed reserved, sitting upright.

"Director Chen, I'm willing to play this role, and I hope you can give me this opportunity."

After reading the script for the role, Duan Long handed it back.

"Alright, I came here to see you anyway. The fee is five thousand dollars. You should discuss it with your teacher first. We need to film in Hong Kong Island. I'll come to you to sign the contract then."

69 new books

"No problem, thank you Director Chen. You can just contact the security guard when the time comes. Sorry, I don't have a phone."

Chen An smiled and waved his hand:

"It's okay, I don't have a phone either. I'll contact you when the time comes."

After saying that, he left the script with Duan Long, got up, and left.

Even after leaving home, Chen An was still pondering who he should ask to play the role of a father.

He wanted to find products that were cheap and easy to use, spending more money on manufacturing. Fame didn't matter, since no one abroad knew about them anyway.

Chen Jianbing?

No, Chen An rejected the idea in his mind. He was only 25 years old, far too young.

Guo Tao?

Chen An thought for a moment. This person had just finished playing the male lead in Feng Xiaogang's first movie, and he would have to pay some money. Besides, he wasn't that old.

As Chen An walked along the road, smoking a cigarette, he suddenly thought of someone.

The role of the father requires a lot of skill in delivering lines. There's a scene where he grabs Lola and kicks her out of the bank, and he has to keep talking.

Zhang Hanyu, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama's 84 class, is a renowned actor in later generations.

Most people don't know that this person is a year older than Gong Li, but debuted later, only acting in a TV series in 1999.

Of course, Gong Li is also partly to blame. She debuted early, became famous quickly, and received many honors, giving people the impression of being a very old-school actress.

She was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama in 1985, and made her debut in 1987 in a great film like "Red Sorghum". She then rose to higher and higher, winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival.

In those years, she appeared in almost every film that won Best Picture at the three major film festivals in mainland China. She was either in an important role or the leading lady, as if she had a cheat code.

Of course, Zhang Hanyu, who has now graduated, can't be found by Chen An alone, so he can only contact Director Han to see if he can find him.

Through Director Han's connections, Chen An finally got in touch with Zhang Hanyu.

"Brother Yu, how's it going? Should I answer?"

"No problem, Director Chen. But I've always been a voice actor, so I'll need to be understanding since this is my first time acting."

Zhang Hanyu grasped Chen An's hands with both of his and thanked him.

After all, he had never acted in any works before, and he was invited by Chen An to act in a movie. He was very grateful to Chen An for giving him an opportunity.

"It's okay, it's my first time making a movie too, it's the same for everyone. Let's set the salary at five thousand. I'll contact you later and leave my phone number."

"it is good."

Zhang Hanyu immediately found a piece of paper and wrote down his home phone number.

Chen An put the paper into his pocket and reminded him, "Alright, Brother Yu, you should get ready. We'll be filming in Hong Kong Island."

"No problem, I'll take care of it right now. I'll wait for you to contact me."

After saying that, he picked up the script and went home to study it.

Chen An has finished his other roles and now he just needs to find some extras locally.

The thief on the bicycle acted in the role himself and even earned an extra portion of the earnings.

Chen An was poor, so he wanted to earn as much as possible because he needed to go home for the Chinese New Year.

A few days later, while I was in class, I received news that the review process had been completed and I could officially start preparing for work.

Chen An immediately contacted Lin Dajiang to come over, and after signing the contract...

The next day, Lin Dajiang generously transferred the money directly.

He also gave the remaining rolls of film to Chen An.

Chen An immediately contacted several actors and signed contracts.

They found the Beijing Film Studio to rent equipment and personnel.

There were also several Hong Kong Island officials who accompanied Chen An, and they were responsible for dealing with the people from Hong Kong Island.

Chen An also bought a cell phone, which belonged to the film crew, but he planned to protect it himself, so he always carried it with him.

Afterwards, I immediately asked Teacher Mu for leave and couldn't wait to go to Hong Kong Island to start filming.

Chen An also invited his roommate Chen Wei to join him for the internship.

This time, Chen An didn't need to appear in person; the Beijing Film Studio had professional photographers.

There were also quite a few other professionals; it was much more professional than the makeshift stall I ran last time.

Ning Jing received a friendly fee of 100,000, Jiang Wu received a smaller amount, but since he was the male lead, Chen An also gave him 30,000.

After signing the actors' contracts, there were also contracts for the staff of Beijing Film Studio.

These are the prices for regular troops.

Chen An felt a pang of heartache; the money was just disappearing like water, and it hurt so much.

My money!

It's all my money!

It's snowing and getting colder at home, and my hands are aching from typing. I'm thinking of moving to the fireplace room to type, but I'm worried about the computer overheating and exploding.

(End of this chapter)