Huayu: Starting with mentoring female stars

That evening, Chen Zhou arranged a get-together at a restaurant.

The people he invited were Jiang Wei, Sun Honglei, and Duan Yihong.

Jiang Wei and Sun Honglei are both old acquaintances of Chen Zhou, needless to say.

Duan Yihong, like Sun Honglei, is an actor from the Central Academy of Drama.

So Chen Zhou, through Sun Honglei, directly summoned them over.

Around 7 p.m., Chen Zhou, who had just arrived, walked into a private room.

Immediately afterwards, the three members of the Jiang Committee who had arrived earlier all looked at Chen Zhou.

"Director Chen, you've finally arrived! You're treating tonight. We wouldn't have dared to touch our chopsticks if you hadn't come." Sun Honglei stood up.

When Duan Yihong saw Chen Zhou, he also had the kind of appreciation that an actor has for a director.

He knew very well that Chen Zhou had achieved his current success through his own genuine abilities.

Instead of some second-generation directors who rely entirely on their family connections to get into officialdom, what kind of garbage do they produce?

Therefore, he had the most basic respect for Chen Zhou.

Without saying a word, Duan Yihong walked up to Chen Zhou, extended his hand in greeting, and said, "Director Chen, nice to meet you. Please take good care of me."

"Brother Duan, you're too kind. The character you played, Yuan Lang, in Soldier's Sortie is one of my favorites," Chen Zhou said.

"Come, come, sit down. What's the matter?" Jiang Wei said.

Everyone sat around the table.

"Chen Zhou, is there something you need from us?" Jiang Wei asked.

"It's nothing much, just a casual dinner for everyone. I've been wanting to invite you and Brother Honglei to dinner for a while now. Like I just said, Brother Duan is one of my favorite actors, so naturally I'd invite him too," Chen Zhou said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei and the other two were all very surprised.

They had initially thought that Chen Zhou had called them over because he had something important to say, but it turned out that it was just a dinner invitation.

"Everyone, please eat as much as you like tonight. I'll pay for everything. If you enjoy the food and drinks, that's giving me face," Chen Zhou said.

With things said to this point, the group of grown men naturally didn't hold back any fuss.

Good wine and good meat were ordered, and then everyone started eating.

The topics they discussed next were also quite varied.

Sun Honglei and Duan Yihong both said they have many film offers recently and can't even finish choosing from the new scripts.

In addition, there are some gossips.

For example, an actor slept with so-and-so.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]

Then it was mentioned that a certain director recently took on a young, beautiful wife.

These kinds of messages spread very quickly within the industry.

It was past 10 p.m.

Jiang Wei, Sun Honglei, and Duan Yihong were all flushed from drinking and looked quite dizzy.

Chen Zhou, on the other hand, has always had a relatively high alcohol tolerance.

Therefore, the person is very clear-headed.

He calmly watched the three of them.

His eyes seemed to be taking in the fruits of his labor, with a hint of smug satisfaction at his successful plan.

"Chen Zhou, you're really something now. You sold an unknown company for a whopping 1.5 million, a return on investment of nearly 2000%. When I saw this news, I rubbed my eyes several times. I was almost scared out of my wits. In terms of return on investment, you're even better than Zhang Yimou," Jiang Wei said sincerely.

"Indeed, if Director Chen had investors like Zhang Yimou, I believe his films would sell even more," Sun Honglei said, slightly drunk.

Duan Yihong smiled. His eyes were starting to droop, but he still spoke:

"I watched Director Chen's 'The Unknown' three times in the cinema, and each time I had a completely different feeling. That's the depth of the film."

"I've never respected seniority; I only respect directors I admire."

"Among the younger generation of directors, Director Chen is definitely the one I admire the most. I respect you."

After saying that, Duan Yihong forced himself to drink another glass.

Chen Zhou spoke calmly, "I'm really happy that everyone likes the movie I made, but this is just a small test for me. I will be making a new movie soon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei and the other two all looked at Chen Zhou.

"You already have plans to shoot a new movie so soon?" Jiang Wei asked.

"Yes," Chen Zhou nodded, "The script for the new movie has been approved, and we are currently preparing the production team. I am currently casting actors, including two roles: one is the boss of a criminal organization, and the other is the boss's assassin."

"I'm struggling to find two actors with fierce-looking faces."

"And they have to be good actors; I won't accept anyone who's even slightly less skilled."

Upon hearing this, Sun Honglei and Duan Yihong both straightened up, their auras instantly rising.

The actors Chen Zhou was talking about, those with good acting skills and fierce appearances, aren't they the two of them?

Their acting skills are impeccable!

Sun Honglei said directly, "Director Chen, let the two of us play these roles. We trust your movies, and we don't even need to see any scripts; you've already cast us."

Duan Yihong added, "That's right. It's an honor for me to participate in Director Chen's film, and I also acted in it."

"This isn't quite right. Didn't you two say before that you were so busy choosing new scripts that you didn't have time?" Chen Zhou said.

"That's no problem at all. As long as Director Chen says the word, I'll turn down all those scripts," Sun Honglei said.

"Honglei is right, I'll decline too," Duan Yihong said.

Chen Zhou forcibly suppressed the rising corners of his mouth, then feigned a troubled expression, "But this film of mine is a low-budget investment, so I can't offer too much in terms of salary. Isn't that a bit unfair to you two?"

"Where do I feel wronged? Director Chen, there's no point in you talking like that. What's most important for an actor? Of course, it's playing the role well. How could the roles you wrote be bad? They definitely won't be bad. So what if the pay is less? It's all for the sake of the film!" Sun Honglei said.

"Me too!" Duan Yihong said.

"In that case, thank you both, teachers." Chen Zhou finally couldn't help but laugh.

Next, Chen Zhou turned his attention to Jiang Wei.

"Teacher, my new movie needs more staff. Last time, the budget for filming was too low, and there were too few people available. It exhausted me."

"Since your filming of 'Lurking' is already finished, why don't you contact your elite subordinates and have them come work on my set?"

Hearing this, Jiang Wei was both amused and exasperated. "You little rascal, you're really something else! Not only did you poach my male lead, but now you're trying to steal all my staff! Your heart is filthy!"

"Teacher, that's not right. These days, we should focus on making more money. Don't worry, I won't mistreat them after they join my group," Chen Zhou said.

"Alright, alright, I'll get in touch with you. Having a student like you is truly a blessing for me." Jiang Wei poured himself a drink.

Chen Zhou raised his glass. "It's settled then. Anyone who goes back on their word isn't a real man!"

"That's right, whoever goes back on their word isn't a real man!" Sun Honglei and Duan Yihong chimed in.

to here.

We've successfully secured the roles of two important supporting actors in "No Man's Land"!