Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 36 You don’t want to make a bad movie, do you?
Park Song-il and the other two were humiliated by the fall, but it warmed up the mood for Wu Chen, who chatted harmoniously with the three golden flowers of the Central Academy of Drama.

The eight golden flowers of the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama each have their own merits, and these three have very different styles, giving them three distinct flavors.

"Director Wu, are we going to the Director's Building?" Hu Jing asked with a smile, looking at the road in front of her.

"Yeah!" Wu Chen nodded.

"This road looks familiar. Teacher Chang brought us here a few years ago, and it hasn't changed at all." Hu Jing was obviously more active. She put her hands behind her back and looked left and right.

"The school is relatively poor, that's normal." Wu Chen said indifferently.

The three of them smiled at the same time.

The four of them attracted a lot of attention as they passed by.

Although it was noon in the middle of winter, there were always people wandering around the school, hiding themselves and looking around. In the eyes of Wu Chen and others, the little thoughts in their eyes were like bright lights.

"You're really being secretive!" Wu Chen shook his head silently. How can he pick up girls like this? Only if he is generous and graceful can girls kiss him. Of course, being talented and handsome is also fine.

Compared to men, women don't have so many concerns.

When Guan Yue saw Wu Chen, she came over and called him "Junior Brother", then blinked her eyes meaningfully.

The corners of Wu Chen's mouth twitched slightly. He had noticed during their last meal that Guan Yue was definitely a big mouth. He wondered what kind of wonderful and bizarre story she would make up when she got back.

Fortunately, there wasn't anyone I knew behind me, so the journey was smooth.

In the classroom of the acting and directing building, Wu Chen had already handed over the script.

The three of them tried out for the role of the male lead's current girlfriend.

"This role requires a little sacrifice in terms of scale, I'll explain this in advance." Wu Chen said when he saw the three people took the script.

The original version was very revealing, and was later adapted by some idiots in South Korea into a vivid and large-scale movie.

But in essence, this is a suspense thriller, and Wu Chen hopes to return to his original intention, of course because of the mainland censorship.

He changed all the scenes that were too explicit, and also made some minor adjustments to some of the sensitive parts that Mudeyuan circled.

The rest is just showing some shoulders, legs and back, and relying on editing to attract people.

In theory, everyone can accept it, but explaining it first is a preventive measure.

The three of them nodded, among whom Yuan Quan appeared the most relaxed and calm.

However, as time went by, the expressions of the three people changed again and again. Inadvertently, they looked at each other with seriousness in their eyes.

Yuan Quan sighed and said softly, "Lizi, Jingjing, you have to take this script seriously!"

She was really conflicted and came here in a daze, thinking it was just a formality, just a get-together with her sisters.

However, the role in the script really moved her.

The inner drama and emotions are quite complex, and it is not a superficial role that is simply expressed in words.

She believed that if she wanted to, she could definitely win one of the two heroines here.

Unfortunately, the crew was destined to not have the budget to hire her unless she was willing to make a guest appearance for a low price or no pay.

But even if she is willing, the agency will not agree.

For an unknown college student, even if the script is good, whether the film can be shot is one thing, and whether the effect can be achieved after shooting is another. This is not only a demotion, but also a huge risk.

"Hmm!" Zeng Li and Hu Jing looked at each other, silently studying the characters' emotions.

Wu Chen leaned against the window, watching the dead tree swaying downstairs, occasionally glancing at the three people, and waiting patiently.

Half an hour later, Yuan Quan tried first, while Hu Jing and Zeng Li waited next to each other.

"Lizi, this is definitely our chance, two female leads." Next door, Hu Jing whispered to Zeng Li. "No wonder Teacher Chang asked us to give it a try. The photography department at Beijing Film Academy is truly incredible!" Zeng Li remembered Chang Li's instructions when she called her, and specifically reminded her to go check it out first.

"Old ginger is still wiser!" Hu Jing nodded.

"What are you talking about?" Zeng Li smiled.

On the other side, Yuan Quan had passed the audition and was discussing the issue of remuneration with Wu Chen.

Wu Chen helplessly spread his hands, "Sister Yuan Quan, it's not that I don't want to give you a raise, but the crew's budget is only 400,000, and 100,000 is really not enough!"

If it was before the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards, Yuan Quan's pay might have been acceptable if she had gritted her teeth.

However, after winning the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards, her salary jumped three times. Now, even if Yuan Quan is willing to reduce the price to 100,000 to perform, Wu Chen still has to give it up with tears.

Yuan Quan clutched the script, wanting to speak but hesitant. After repeated hesitation, she finally gave up with regret and extended her hand: "Director Wu, I hope we can work together in the future."

"Yes!" Wu Chen felt a little regretful. Yuan Quan was indeed quite suitable, but it did not mean that the cooperation would be successful just because the roles were suitable.

Next was Hu Jing's audition.

There are three beauties from the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama.

First, Liu Ye thought that Hu Jing was the class belle, then Hu Jing thought that Zhang Tong was the most beautiful, and finally Zeng Li was named the school belle.

In the middle of the classroom, Hu Jing swung her windbreaker, stood still, and chuckled, "Do you think I'll believe you?"

His tone was gentle as water, but his eyes were sharp, like a spring breeze wrapped in cold thorns, and the smile at the corner of his mouth was calculating.

That’s right, she is a scheming woman.

Hu Jing's acting style is that when she plays a decent role, she looks righteous and awe-inspiring, a typical heroine.

When she plays a villain, once you see such a beautiful villain, you can tell that she is a scheming woman.

This is a natural bonus and fits the character setting in the script.

"Clap clap clap!"

Wu Chen applauded and went straight to the point without beating around the bush. "Sister Hu Jing, is 20,000 yuan acceptable?"

"Ah, the pay!"

Hu Jing was stunned by Wu Chen's attack, which omitted a lot of steps, before she could even get around. She shook her head, regained her composure, and then subconsciously said:
"Hey, Director Wu, isn't 20,000 too low?"

Although it is normal for newcomers to have their pay cut in half when acting in movies, it is not like they are left with only 20,000 yuan.

Wu Chen understood that Hu Jing had become quite famous in the field of television dramas because of "The Secret History of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang" which was broadcast at the end of last year.

But for the sake of the quality of the film, he had to lower the price, no matter how low he could.

When it comes to bargaining, try to bargain as hard as possible and then see how the situation develops.

"Sister Hu Jing, let me calculate the production costs for this film. Look, the actors, the locations, the costumes, the photography, the lighting, and the post-production."

Wu Chen knew that Hu Jing wanted this role, so he avoided directly discussing the salary and used the reverse calculation method to work out the cost.

"If you calculate it this way, four hundred thousand is simply too much to spend!" Wu Chen said helplessly, "Sister Hu Jing, you don't want to make a bad movie, do you?"

"But 20,000." Hu Jing was tempted by Wu Chen's persuasion. She liked this role in the first place, so naturally she didn't want to lose it in such a muddle.

"How about 25,000?" Wu Chen took the opportunity to chime in.

"Huh?" Hu Jing was stunned. The pay had increased by 5,000 yuan, so why did it feel wrong?

"Sister Hu Jing, let me tell you, the villa site will cost at least more than 20,000 yuan, and the daily expenses of the crew alone will be tens of thousands." Seeing that Hu Jing still had some thinking ability, Wu Chen immediately started to do mathematical calculations.

In a daze, Hu Jing seemed to remember that she had promised to perform for 30,000 yuan, and then Zeng Li came in for an audition out of nowhere.
(End of this chapter)