HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

"Um?"

Xu Lang never expected that Li Gongda would call his name at this moment.

Everyone else is hiding and doesn't dare to speak up, so what can I, an outsider, say?

To flatter Li Gongda, to fawn over him?

Xu Lang wasn't incapable, but there were some things he just couldn't bring himself to say.

"I've been reborn and have a god-level photography system at my fingertips, why would I need to flatter someone?"

"Are you doing a pretty bad job?"

Moreover, deep down, Xu Lang did not agree with either Bai Peng's or Li Gongda's views.

Bai Peng adopted too humble an attitude, while Li Gongda adopted too arrogant one.

From his perspective, no matter which path you take, the outcome will not be good.

In reality, the production team, under Li Gongda's pressure, took the path of being aloof and superior.

The general direction is fine, but the implementation is poor. The publicity also follows the same tone, resulting in vague and uninspiring content.

The market, especially young audiences, doesn't buy into this.

In this situation, viewers will unconsciously compare this drama with "The Legend of the White Snake". At that time, the drama will compete in the market by focusing on its shortcomings.

The lukewarm reception and the criticism that it ruined a classic are not surprising.

But now that the big boss has called me out, it's even more impossible for me to pretend to be dead and not respond.

Xu Lang took a deep breath, smiled at Li Gongda, and nodded to everyone present as a greeting.

"Producer Li, you flatter me. I'm just a photography assistant, how could I possibly deserve such praise?"

Moreover, I am a complete novice when it comes to the positioning, promotion, and character development of film and television dramas. How can I compare with the teachers here?

I really have no objection to this.

Xu Lang spoke in a very humble manner.

No one present took it seriously after hearing it; in their minds, Xu Lang was telling the truth!

Li Gongda nodded in agreement. Although he appreciated Xu Lang's humble attitude, there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Besides Li Gongda being disappointed, Liu Tao was also disappointed in Xu Lang.

She had introduced Xu Lang, and she had originally hoped that he would make her look good, but after talking for a long time, all he said was empty talk that had no real meaning. How could she not be disappointed?

Li Gongda looked at the others, about to continue calling out names, when Xu Lang continued:

"Although I have no experience in publicity and character development, when Producer Li asked me, I talked about the specific implementation issues from the perspective of my work in photography, which is 'visual expression and communication'."

Please forgive me if what I said is right or wrong; consider it just a starting point for discussion.

Upon hearing Xu Lang's words, everyone turned their attention to him again.

Li Gongda also chimed in:

"It's alright, speak freely. It's a discussion, there's no right or wrong!"

He gave everyone a chance, and everyone else could only listen, but no one took it seriously.

Xu Lang sighed inwardly.

"We've passed the halfway mark of the most dangerous pit. Now, we need to figure out how to bring the focus back to the entire drama and the female lead's character from the most basic performance."

This is a last resort.

After a pause, Xu Lang continued:

"Everyone, as a photographer, whether I'm looking at people or taking pictures, the first thing I look at is a person's bone structure and physique."

At this point, he looked at Liu Tao, nodded politely to her, and said:

"Sister Tao, could you please do me a favor and stand up for a moment?"

At this moment, Liu Tao certainly couldn't refuse Xu Lang's request, so he obediently stood up and even turned around.

Xu Lang walked up to Liu Tao and, as if introducing a product, said:

"Without a doubt, Sister Tao is extremely beautiful, but her beauty is different from Zhao Yazhi's."

Upon hearing Xu Lang's words, Bai Peng obediently pulled up a picture of Zhao Yazhi dressed as Bai Suzhen on the computer.

Xu Lang nodded his thanks to Bai Peng, then pointed to Zhao Yazhi's still image and said:

"As you can see, Ms. Zhao Yazhi's appearance is mostly sharp lines, with slightly upturned eyes, a delicate nose, and a neatly defined jawline. She naturally has a sense of aloofness on her face."

No need for deliberate acting; just standing there, he seems ethereal, otherworldly, as if untouched by worldly concerns. He's born with this ethereal quality, and this image is etched into the childhood memories of the audience; no one can truly emulate him.

After speaking of Zhao Yazhi, Xu Lang turned his gaze back to Liu Tao.

"But Sister Tao is different. Her features are rounded and gentle. Her eyebrows and eyes are relaxed, her nose is fleshy, and her jawline is smooth and soft. Her friendliness is etched into her bone structure."

One look at it and you feel grounded and close, without that distant, detached feeling.

Xu Lang's method of introduction, using real people as examples, with models right in front of everyone, leaves no room for rebuttal.

After describing their facial features, Xu Lang then began to talk about their body shapes.

"Teacher Zhao Yazhi has a slender and petite frame, narrow shoulders and a thin waist. She is so light that she seems to be able to fly away when the wind blows. She doesn't feel heavy even when wearing multiple layers of white gauze. She is naturally suited to the lightness of a fairy."

But Sister Tao has a graceful and full figure, with a straight back and well-proportioned frame. She is not a frail and thin type. She can carry off a simple cloth dress and also exude a down-to-earth, everyday charm.

Standing behind the counter in the pharmacy, holding a packet of medicine, you immediately sense that this is Mrs. Xu, a reliable, warm-hearted, and virtuous wife and mother who can share your joys and sorrows.

Xu Lang's words were clearly leading.

However, this kind of leading statement is hidden beneath real evidence of body shape, so even if someone notices the problem, they can't refute it.

However, the people present were not fools; in fact, they were all shrewd and intelligent.

Qin Jun, the assistant director in charge of casting, frowned after hearing Xu Lang's words and interjected in a gloomy tone,

"Young man, are you saying that casting Liu Tao as Bai Suzhen was a mistake, that she's not suitable?"

His words immediately raised the bar for high-proof liquor, making it seem as if he was trying to flatter Xu Lang.

Everyone else looked at Xu Lang with expressions of amusement.

Xu Lang cursed inwardly as well.

"Holy crap, you're really making a mountain out of a molehill!"

However, he wasn't worried, which is exactly what he's going to talk about next.

"Director Qin, that's a good question."

Xu Lang gestured to Liu Tao, indicating that she could sit down, and then continued:

"Actually, I think it's not that the actors were poorly chosen, but rather that they were excellent. I truly admire our production team's decision to cast Sister Tao as the White Snake in this version."

Hearing Xu Lang's words, not only the Qin army, but also everyone else present was somewhat confused.

Li Gongda frowned again, staring at Xu Lang, and couldn't help but think to himself...

"This kid keeps changing his mind, one minute he's denying it, the next he's affirming it. What kind of trick is he trying to pull?"

Now that Xu Lang had nowhere to retreat, he let go.

"Tao Jie's appearance and temperament are the most suitable for our version of Bai Suzhen."

As he spoke, he picked up the script on the table, found the setting for "eight drops of tears," and said:

"Our version of Bai Suzhen isn't the perfect virtuous wife from the start; she's here to 'complete a mission':"

Collect eight drops of tears and cultivate yourself into an immortal.

In the beginning, she was a demon, ignorant of human feelings, and very cold;

Later, she developed worldly desires, gradually learning to care, to be jealous, and to sacrifice, becoming a wife with flesh and blood.

At this point, Xu Lang's gaze swept over the crowd.

What does this tell us?

"What?" Everyone was taken aback by Xu Lang's question.

"This shows that our Lady White Snake can be a demon or a human, but she can never be a god!"

She has absolutely nothing to do with deities, so why should we compare ourselves to someone like Zhao Yazhi who is considered a deity?

At this point, Xu Lang pointed at Liu Tao and said:

"And Sister Tao, with the allure of a snake demon and the gentleness of a virtuous wife, is of course the most suitable candidate."

Upon hearing Xu Lang's words, Qin Jun nodded in satisfaction, his gaze towards Xu Lang now showing a hint of appreciation.

Xu Lang couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself,

"Damn, do you know how hard I worked to shut you up?!"

The others present, seeing that Xu Lang had managed to smooth over Qin Jun's question, were somewhat impressed with him, each thinking to themselves:

"This young man has a sharp tongue!"

Even Liu Tao's gaze towards Xu Lang changed.

"His reaction was pretty quick, hmm, not bad!"

Only Li Gongda remained silent in the main seat, staring at Xu Lang.

After a moment, he said:

"Xu Lang, that's enough. Stop beating around the bush. Just say what you think!"