Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 110 Are you interested in opera? Give it a try

On an afternoon in mid-April, sunlight streamed into the dormitory through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a gentle breeze blew through the curtains, bringing the lazy atmosphere of a spring afternoon.

Wu Chen closed his notebook, took a long breath, rubbed his eyebrows, leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers on the table, and thought about the candidates for the first and second female roles.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up his phone and called Zhang Jiqing.

"Teacher Zhang, I've finished the first draft of the script. Would you like to take a look?"

Wu Chen went straight to the point. As an important member of the "Black Peony" crew and a Kunqu opera consultant, he naturally had to inform the other party of the current progress.

"There's no rush for the script. Since I promised you, there won't be any problems with the script." Zhang Jiqing's voice was as calm as ever. "But have you chosen the cast yet?"

"Still thinking about it." Wu Chen answered truthfully.

Zhang Jiqing pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Let me recommend one to you. To be more precise, it's recommended by Old Cai."

"Teacher Cai?" Wu Chen was slightly stunned.

"Well, he has a talented Kunqu Opera talent. He's sixteen years old this year and has been specializing in Kunqu Opera. He's considered by Old Cai to be the fifth-generation successor."

Zhang Jiqing paused and said, "I've met this person before. She fits the description in your script quite well. She seems suitable for both the first and second female roles.

Do you want to go over and take a look? If necessary, you can talk to Lao Cai.

However, her family may also be present, as she is still young.”

As Wu Chen listened to this description, a name popped up in his mind. He asked tentatively, "What's the girl's name?"

"Li Qin."

Wu Chen was slightly startled. It was indeed her.

Without hesitation, he quickly contacted Cai Zhengren, who readily agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Cai Zhengren had a complicated expression. He then called Li Qin's mother and set a meeting time and place.

Having resolved a problem, Wu Chen was in a good mood. He picked up his phone and opened Penguin, where Liu Yifei's message just popped up.

"Hehe, I'll be back to school by the end of the month. I'm so happy."

Wu Chen raised the corner of his mouth slightly and replied, "Senior Sister, welcome back. I'll treat you to a meal when you come back."

Soon, Liu Yifei replied with a tone full of dissatisfaction: "Why should I treat you to a meal?
I've worked so hard, shouldn't you treat me to a meal and reward me?"

Wu Chen smiled and was about to continue teasing, but his mind flashed back to Liu Yifei's appearance in the "Battle of Xiangyang" a few days ago, as well as the scene when he visited the set last time.

He paused, deleted the edited text, and rewrote: "I'm going to the opera school in Shanghai in a few days. I'm looking for someone around your age. Sister, are you interested in opera?"

"Ah? Who are you looking for?" Liu Yifei's first concern was this. The corners of her mouth seemed to be dragging on the oil bottle, and her fingers quickly tapped on the keyboard. "Is it good-looking?"

"I haven't seen it, so how can I know if it's good?" Wu Chen couldn't help laughing. "By the way, you haven't answered my question yet. Are you interested in opera?"

"I'm interested, of course," Liu Yifei replied. "I feel really cool with makeup on. Besides, people won't recognize me anymore, and they won't keep asking, 'Hey, that's Liu Yifei.'"

"Okay, I understand." Wu Chen smiled and ended the topic.

The spring afternoon breeze blew across the entire crew of The Return of the Condor Heroes. Liu Yifei leaned back in her chair and muttered a few words. Seeing that Wu Chen no longer responded, she continued to adjust her state and prepare for the final filming of The Return of the Condor Heroes.

Magic City, morning of April 20th.

The Magic City is still bustling and bustling, with busy streets and tall buildings standing side by side.

The sunlight shines on the old Shikumen alleys, bringing a hint of warmth.

Through the hustle and bustle of the city center, the Magic City Opera School is located in a corner of the MH district. On the vermilion lacquered gate at the school entrance are inscribed six powerful characters: "Magic City Opera School".

A small lotus pond in front of the teaching building is rippling with water, exuding a quiet scholarly atmosphere.

On campus, the quaint teaching building glowed with soft light in the morning light. Some students in costumes were tumbling and jumping in the practice room, and the air was filled with melodious singing.

On the stage.

A group of students are rehearsing "The Peony Pavilion". Li Qin stands in the center, wearing a costume, with her eyebrows lowered and her movements graceful and elegant.

In the audience were Rong Guangrun, the principal of Shanghai Opera School, Cai Zhengren, the Kunqu Opera master, and Li Qin's mother.

The students were whispering to each other, wondering why they were arranged to rehearse together today.

Li Qin understood what was going on. She quietly looked towards the side door of the stage, feeling a faint anticipation in her heart.

Li Qin's mother stood aside, frowning slightly, and said with a hint of worry:

"Teacher Cai, it would be fine if Qinqin just filmed Director Wu's 'Black Peony,' but if she enters the entertainment industry, will she be able to come back to study opera in the future?"

Cai Zhengren had a complicated expression. "Of course I can come back if I want to, but it depends on whether the child is willing to come back."

Rong Guangrun nodded slightly. "Director Wu is a well-known director in China and one of the few Chinese directors who has established himself in Hollywood. It's a good thing for my child to be in his movie."

"I know this. We've also read the report. The box office has exceeded 30 million US dollars." Li Qin's mother said softly, with complicated emotions in her eyes.

This number was something they would never dare to dream of in their lifetime. At this moment, Cai Zhengren's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and said, "It should be Wu Chen who has arrived."

Rong Guangrun nodded and said with a smile, "I've arranged for someone to pick him up at the door, Mr. Cai, don't worry."

At the same time, at the school gate, Wu Chen had just hung up the phone when a man in business attire came up to him and smiled slightly:
"Director Wu, Principal Rong and Professor Cai are already waiting for you. Please follow me."

Wu Chen nodded and walked into the gate of the Magic City Opera School.

A moment later, the theater door was pushed open and Wu Chen walked in under the guidance of the staff.

Wu Chen smiled and nodded to several people, extending his hand.

"Let me introduce you."

Cai Zhengren introduced himself to Wu Chen one by one before they officially got to know each other.

Rong Guangrun smiled and said, "Director Wu, it's not easy for you to come all the way here."

He warmly welcomes Wu Chen. If Wu Chen can produce more celebrities from Shanghai Opera, it will be a great thing for the school.

On the stage, the students were already talking in low voices.

"That should be Director Wu Chen, what is he doing here?"

"Could this be a casting? No wonder the principal and Teacher Cai called us over for rehearsal. If I had known, I would have prepared well today."

"I heard his Hollywood movies have grossed $30 million. It would be great if he could choose me."

"."

"Quiet!" Cai Zhengren looked towards the stage with a serious expression. "Let's rehearse a piece from 'The Peony Pavilion'. Get ready."

"Director Wu, please sit down first." Rong Guangrun gestured with his hand.

Wu Chen sat down, his eyes swept across the stage, and soon noticed Li Qin.

Despite the stage makeup, her portrayal of Du Liniang has a unique charm and is still recognizable at a glance.

A performance began and Wu Chen watched quietly, without saying a word.

After the performance, the students on the stage all looked at Wu Chen, as if waiting for his evaluation.

Wu Chen nodded gently and said, "The candidate recommended by Mr. Cai is very suitable. If possible, I would like to invite Li Qin to participate in my new movie "Black Peony".

I will invite professional teachers to specifically coach my acting skills, and the Kunqu Opera part will be taught personally by Teacher Zhang Jiqing.

Of course, Li Qin already has a solid foundation in Kunqu opera, so this part of the training can be reduced as needed."

Rong Guangrun smiled and nodded. This was undoubtedly the best result.

If Wu Chen's works can enable students in the opera class to step onto a broader stage, it will be a great thing for the school.

However, Li Qin's mother showed some hesitation.

She pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "Director Wu, of course we hope that our children will have better development opportunities.

But the film and television industry is different from the opera industry after all, and Qinqin is still young, so we are worried."

Wu Chen smiled slightly and said softly, "I understand your concerns, Auntie.

Li Qin has a solid foundation, and film and television performance is also a form of artistic expression.

In the past two years, she is still learning Kunqu Opera, but with an additional performance training, it will not affect her opera career, but will give her a wider stage.

Of course, if she doesn't want to return to the Kunqu opera world, after the release of "Black Peony", her acting career will be dozens of times smoother than that of ordinary people. I am still confident in this."

Wu Chen’s meaning is actually very clear. Li Qin has a backup. If she is worried that she will not be able to make it in the entertainment industry in the future, then she can just go back to Kunqu Opera.

Because the two years were not wasted, and the teacher who taught me was the current Queen of Kunqu Opera and the chief female role master.

Not only did Li Qin not sacrifice Kunqu Opera, but she also found an additional way out.

Cai Zhengren pondered for a moment and then asked, "If Li Qin participates, what is her minimum salary on the set?"

Obviously, as a teacher, Cai Zhengren still wants to fight for a better position for Li Qin.

Wu Chen said calmly: "Teacher Cai, as long as nothing goes wrong, she will at least be the second female lead.

But whether she can win the female lead depends on her own performance."

At this time, Rong Guangrun coughed lightly and said gently, "We need to listen to the child's thoughts."

Then he shouted, "Li Qin, come down."

Under the gaze of the crowd, Li Qin walked quickly from the stage, opened her eyes wide, looked at her mother, then looked at Cai Zhengren, and after learning about the current situation, she finally said slowly:
"Mom, teacher, I want to try it."

(End of this chapter)