The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

Before leaving the company, I had planned a business trip to Shanghai.

The script is still going through the review process, but it should pass the review without any problems. Filming is expected to start as early as after the new year.

The film crew needs to scout locations in Shanghai, and they also need to contact the actors from the Shanghai Theatre Academy they want to use before the winter break.

a few days later.

Shen Qing appeared in the waiting hall of Beijing Capital International Airport with her suitcase. About half an hour later, Wang Damin, along with Lu Peng, the chief art director who had just been appointed a few days earlier, met with Shen Qing at the airport.

Lu Peng also graduated from the Beijing Film Academy and had a good relationship with Zhao Hongwei and Wang Damin when they were in school. However, they didn't have many opportunities to collaborate before, since Dingxin Film and Television was just a small-scale operation, while Lu Peng was quite famous in the field of art direction.

Strictly speaking, Dingxin Films' latest venture is a small-scale operation, with a production cost of only 200 million yuan, but at least it's an upgrade to a theatrical film.

"Now that we're in Shanghai, how should we plan our itinerary?" Shen Qing asked with a smile.

"We'll do whatever you say. Whatever you arrange, we'll carry it out," Wang Damin replied after glancing at Lu Peng.

Shen Qing quickly waved his hand: "Brother Wang is joking."

Wang Damin said seriously, "The chairman specifically instructed me before we came that everything should be done with you in mind. The chairman has placed the success or failure on your shoulders this time, so whoever bears the pressure must keep their word."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing no longer stood on ceremony and said with a smile to the two of them, "Then we'll split up. Brother Wang and Brother Lu will go scout locations first, while I'll go to the Shanghai Theatre Academy by myself. We'll gather the preliminary shortlisted candidates together for everyone to take a look."

"Okay, let's arrange it that way then."

While Shen Qing was in the restroom, Lu Peng teased his old classmate, "Aren't you Dingxin's number one employee and a partner? Why are you being so humble in front of your junior?"

A screen not far away was displaying a magnificent video of an airplane taking off. Wang Damin turned to look at the screen and said, "You've read his storyboard too. What are your thoughts?"

Before Lu Peng could answer, he continued, "Old Zhao and I have had more contact with him, and we both feel the same way: he might really be about to take off."

Lu Peng frowned and looked at the screen, which was playing a promotional video of an airport plane taking off on a loop. He muttered, "Takeoff?"

……

After arriving in Shanghai, the three of them took a taxi to the hotel they had booked, and then discussed some details of location scouting at the hotel that day.

The next day, Wang Damin took Lu Peng to Chedun Film and Television City to scout locations, while Shen Qing went to the Shanghai Theatre Academy alone.

He first invited Guo Jingfei, a student from the class of 2000, to meet him in a private room of a coffee shop near the entrance of the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Guo Jingfei was somewhat unkempt, with greasy and messy hair and stubble that looked like he hadn't groomed himself in a while. He also came out wearing an old-fashioned military green overcoat, which surprised Shen Qing.

So this is what it's like when future big stars go to school.

"Are you director Shen Qing?"

"right."

"I heard you have a role you'd like me for?"

"To be precise, we want you to play the male lead in a movie."

Guo Jingfei raised an eyelid, finally showing interest: "Could you tell me how you heard about me?"

Shen Qing smiled and said, "After I arrived at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, I randomly stopped a few students and asked them the same question, and their answers all mentioned your name."

"What question did you ask?"

"I asked them, among the current students at your Shanghai Theatre Academy, who is recognized as having the best acting skills? They all answered that it is Guo Jingfei! They also said that all the teachers in the department use Guo Jingfei as a role model to educate their students."

Guo Jingfei, still a college student and not very shrewd, couldn't help but smile upon hearing this: "I'm not as good as they say. By the way, can I see the script outline?"

Shen Qing smiled and said, "Of course, I'll bring it next time we meet. And I believe that after you see it, you'll be even more determined to play the role of Li Jiahui. It's practically tailor-made for you, but..."

"But what?"

"To be honest, our production team is a bit tight on funds, so the salaries aren't that generous and may not meet your expectations."

"Hey, what's the big deal? As long as the role is good, the salary doesn't really matter."

"Are there any other students at your school with really good acting skills?" Shen Qing asked again.

"Male or female?"

"I want them both."

"Wan Qian from our class is good, and Lei Jiayin from the class of 02 is also good."

Do you know someone named Yu Entai?

"I know him. He's from the TV Editing major in the TV Department, class of '95, and is currently pursuing his master's degree at the college."

"Tomorrow, invite Wan Qian, Lei Jiayin, and this Yu Entai out here."

"it is good."

"There's a guy named Yang Jianping from the 97 acting class. Could you find out how to contact him? If he's also in Shanghai, maybe we can get together."

"it is good."

……

This marked the end of their first encounter. After leaving the coffee shop, Shen Qing went straight back to her hotel.

Yang Jianping later changed his name to Yang Haoyu, who played Uncle Gong in the TV series "Longmen Express" and Guan Jingnian in the original version of "Fame and Fortune".

Shen Qing wants to cast him as Guan Jingnian again this time.

Yu Entai played the role of Zheng Qianli, the director of bad movies, in the original version of "Making a Name for Oneself". Shen Qing is still inclined to use the same actor.

Lei Jiayin can play the role of Hai Zhaofeng, a civilian police officer.

"Fame and Fortune" is a suspense film, but it is also a comedy film. Lei Jiayin has some comedic talent.

There aren't many actors with comedic talent, and each one is a rare find.

The original female lead, Su Mengdie, was played by Deng Jiajia, who played her aunt.

However, Shen Qing felt that Deng Jiajia was too immature at this time, and even a little chubby, which did not fit the character of Su Mengdie, a washed-up female star.

Shen Qing had been considering Wan Qian before coming to Shanghai, and Guo Jingfei's recommendation of her was exactly what Shen Qing wanted.

In addition, another member of the main cast is Chen Xiaoda.

The character is a former Hollywood stuntman, and he is undoubtedly the comedic relief in the film.

Shen Qing only suddenly realized that Shen Teng might be a suitable candidate after arriving in Shanghai.

In "Making a Name for Oneself", Chen Xiaoda tried to step on the air vent on the sofa in a cool pose, but he failed and ended up jumping behind the sofa instead.

It has a similar effect to the famous scene in "Never Say Die" where Shen Teng flies down in a cool way but fails to land properly and falls to his knees.

There are many similar examples of comedic contrast in Chen Xiaoda's character in the movie, and Shen Qing suddenly realized that the role of Chen Xiaoda might be perfect for Shen Teng.

At this time, Shen Teng had just joined Happy Twist and had almost no reputation in the industry, so his salary was definitely not high.

In addition, there is a villain who appears at the end. He is dressed in a very ordinary blue cloth robe and carries an old briefcase. He shoots and kills Hai Zhaofeng, a member of the main group.

Perhaps Zhang Songwen could be found for this villain role.

It seems that Zhang Songwen is having trouble even eating at this time, so it shouldn't be too difficult for him to be invited.

At this point, Shen Qing's basic casting plan for "Making a Name for Oneself" was essentially complete.

Guo Jingfei plays Li Jiahui.

Liu Yifei plays Nightingale.

Wan Qian plays Su Mengdie.

Yu Entai plays Zheng Qianli.

Yang Haoyu plays Guan Jingnian.

Duan Yihong plays Qi Leshan.

Shen Teng plays Chen Xiaoda.

Ni Dahong plays Lu Ziye.

Lei Jiayin plays Hai Zhaofeng.

Zhang Songwen plays the mysterious man.

This cast would be considered phenomenal in later times, but at this moment, Shen Qing felt that five or six of them might only need to be paid 5000 yuan each.

The most uncertain candidates are Liu Yifei and Duan Yihong; it remains to be seen whether we can actually invite them.