HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

In a short while, Xu Lang had already come up with a plan to maximize the use of Ning Hao and Wuershan.

At the dinner table, he remained calm and chatted amiably with Li Xiaolin and the others.

After the dinner, Xu Lang exchanged phone numbers with Ning Hao and Wuershan, and then left with Yang Ying and the other four.

That evening, after settling the five women in, Xu Lang called Ning Hao.

"Senior brother, is it convenient for you to come out for a bit?"

Ning Hao was genuinely surprised that Xu Lang would call him, and he was quite puzzled.

However, he also knew that his junior brother was truly capable, so he quickly said:

"Okay, where are you? I'll come find you."

Soon, Xu Lang met Ning Hao in the hotel's tea restaurant.

After the two sat down, Xu Lang didn't stand on ceremony and said directly:

"Senior, I have a script that I'd like to turn into a TV series. I'm currently looking for a director. What do you think? Are you interested?"

As he spoke, he handed over the script for "Struggle".

"I?"

Although Ning Hao accepted the script, his eyes were full of doubt.

In 2005, Ning Hao was still an unknown director with the script for "Crazy Stone". Because he had no money to make the film, he begged and pleaded with everyone he could. In the end, he got 300 million yuan from Andy Lau's "Asian New Star Director" program and made the classic "Crazy Stone".

He didn't quite understand why Xu Lang would ask him, a small-time director, to provide guidance.

Seeing Ning Hao's puzzled expression, Xu Lang didn't mince words and explained directly:

"Senior, we both graduated from the photography academy. To be honest, I also want to switch to directing, but I've never done it before."

So, I wanted to use this show as practice.

At this point, Xu Lang paused.

"So, what I meant by asking my senior was that you be the director and I'll be the cinematographer, and we'll work together to finish this film."

"what?"

Hearing Xu Lang's words, Ning Hao understood somewhat.

However, as someone who has been in the directing industry for several years, he certainly knows that this is not an easy job.

Even a child could figure that out.

"To put it nicely, that's called being a director; to put it bluntly, it's just being a puppet!"

Seeing the growing hesitation on Ning Hao's face, Xu Lang quickly added:

"Senior brother, don't worry, I promise you, I'll only do the filming. How we shoot is up to you, I won't say a word!"

Despite Xu Lang's assurances, Ning Hao remained uneasy.

However, there's nothing that can be said about that.

Saying more would offend people.

"Let me take a look at the script first."

Ning Hao smiled at Xu Lang, glancing at the script while thinking about how to refuse the offer.

"Okay, you take a look first."

Xu Lang then fell silent, waiting for Ning Hao to read the script.

More than half an hour later, Ning Hao frowned and closed the script.

Seeing this, Xu Lang's heart stirred, and he thought to himself:

"Oh no, this is probably going to break!"

Sure enough, Ning Hao said:

"Junior brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that I can't."

He pointed to the script and said:

"This script is clearly an urban youth idol drama, which is not my forte. If I film it, it might not feel right."

"Well..."

Ning Hao's words really hit the nail on the head.

The TV series "Struggle" is a typical youth idol drama and the first drama to truly focus on the lives of post-80s college graduates.

It allowed those born in the 80s to see "themselves" on the screen for the first time.

One of the main reasons this drama is famous is that the characters are imperfect and extremely vivid.

Cheating, whirlwind marriage, witty banter, and capriciousness!

Lu Tao is not a perfect male lead, he's even a scumbag; Xia Lin is not a saintly female lead; and Mi Lai's foolishness is heartbreaking.

This "flawed reality" resonates with many.

Besides the characters, the dialogue, with its Beijing accent, witty banter, and classic quotes, can spread like a virus. For example:

"We absolutely must go to work, date, and strive—this is extremely urgent!"

It defined a generation's imagination of youth.

Of course, besides the plot, the main actors in this drama, such as Tong Dawei, Ma Yili, Wen Zhang, Wang Luodan, and Li Xiaolu, all gave outstanding performances.

And what about Ning Hao?!

Xu Lang thought about Ning Hao's style.

"Crazy Stone," "Crazy Racer," "Crazy Alien," and "No Man's Land" are all films, and they are all absurd comedies known for their dark humor.

"If he were to direct 'Struggle,' this idealistic youth romance drama would probably turn into an absurd realist social allegory."

The audience no longer shed tears for the characters' love stories, but instead gasped at the unpredictability of fate!

"This does seem a bit inappropriate!"

After all, the success of the TV series "Struggle" was based on the foundation of youth idol dramas.

"Is Ning Hao really unsuitable?"

Xu Lang had finally met a talented director, and he really didn't want to give up.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and his eyes lit up.

"By the way, this drama has to be directed by Ning Hao!"

Xu Lang recalled the TV series "Struggle" that he had watched in his previous life. Although the series was popular, it was also highly controversial.

The largest one is:

Fake struggle, fake lower class, fake elite!

The drama is titled "Struggle," but throughout the entire series, the main characters spend most of their time not striving for their careers, but rather falling in love, playing video games, arguing, and having whirlwind marriages and divorces. (CCTV)

A television network once published an article questioning: "The TV series 'Struggle' is all hype; did the characters really struggle?"

The idea that a recent poor graduate lives in a fully furnished loft, drives an Audi, and frequents upscale venues has been criticized as a serious distortion of reality.

Thinking of this, Xu Lang's heart couldn't help but stir.

"The reason why later urban dramas became detached from reality and failed to resonate with ordinary people actually started with this show!"

Having thought this through, he made up his mind.

"Even if this show doesn't make money, I can't let this 'exaggerated' trend start with me!"

Thinking of this, Xu Lang became even more convinced of Ning Hao's potential.

"Ning Hao's style is perfect for filming ordinary people at the bottom of society; it suits him just right!"

However, seeing Ning Hao's rejected look, Xu Lang knew that it was impossible to persuade him normally.

After thinking for a moment, he asked with a smile:

"Senior, is your script for 'Crazy Stone' currently seeking investment? How much money do you need?"

"Um?"

Ning Hao was taken aback when Xu Lang suddenly changed the subject and revealed that he knew about him.

But considering the relationship between Li Xiaolin and Xu Lang, Ning Hao understood.

He smiled bitterly and said:

"I came to see Mr. Li this time because I wanted to get investment through Andy Lau's 'New Star Director' project."

As for the amount of money?

At this point, Ning Hao looked at Xu Lang, gritted his teeth, and said:

"I can get it done for just 3 million."

"300 million?"

Upon hearing this number, Xu Lang immediately slammed his hand on the table and said to Ning Hao:

"Senior brother, I've invested this 300 million, and I can give it to you now."

but..."

At this point, Xu Lang's voice changed, and a smile curved his lips as he added:

"The condition is that you help me promote the TV series 'Struggle'."

How was it?