Artists under the Rebirth of the Coal Boss

Chapter 24: Human relations and making amends

Shannan Village, the filming location of the "Home Sweet Home" crew.

Shannan Village consists of sixteen brick-and-wood structured butterfly-shaped four-story apartments and three rows of two-story brick-and-wood buildings, with a total of fifty-three units.

Most of the family scenes in the TV series "Dwelling Narrowness" were filmed here.

In a crew meeting room in a two-story brick and wood building in the second row, the crew's director, producer, and screenwriter are having a meeting.

The entire conference room was filled with smoke, as if in a fairyland.

…………

The crew of "Nail House" has three co-producers.

Teng Huatao is the director and producer, responsible for the filming and casting of the entire drama.

Xu Xiaoou is one of the film's investors and a producer at Oriental Media Group, responsible for daily production management.

Zhu Jinghong is the director of Jindun Shengye Film and Television Culture Company and one of the film distributors. He is mainly responsible for opening up the official review channels for TV series distribution.

In addition, Liaodong TV Station has appointed an assistant director Cao Dun, and Huayi Brothers Entertainment Investment Co., Ltd. has sent a financial director.

Screenwriter Qiqi has been busy writing a new script called "An Jia" recently, so she is not always on the crew.

…………

Director and producer Teng Huatao, his ashtray filled with cigarette butts, asked, "Jinghong, how's the progress of the review?"

Zhu Jinghong, one of the three co-producers of "Dwelling Narrowness," said, "The 'Domestic TV Drama Application Form' was stamped last week."

"The production organization's qualification certificate, printed version of the play's publicity notice, plot synopsis, and other materials have been submitted to the Shencheng Radio and Television Bureau for preliminary review. We should have a response next week."

"Our drama touches on topics like high housing prices, corruption, mistresses, marital crises, and materialistic values. Each of these is a pain point for the censors."

"I had dinner with their director several times and finally accepted the preliminary review materials."

Teng Huatao lit a cigarette and said to Zhu Jinghong:

"The Shencheng City Radio and Television Bureau will conduct the initial review. You need to keep a close eye on it. It will then be submitted to the Imperial Capital General Administration's Television Drama Division for review. This process will take more than two months."

"The crew can't afford to waste time, let's shoot right now and submit it for review..."

"Xiaoou, has the singer for the opening theme song been decided?"

Another co-producer, Xu Xiaoou, said, "It's booked. It's that Ding Wei. The song 'I Want This Kind of Happiness' is being recorded right now."

Teng Huatao nodded, wrote it down in his notebook, and then asked, "Lao Cao, how is your casting going?"

Executive director Cao Dun signaled Life Production Assistant Chen Guang to distribute the compiled actor information sheet to everyone.

Cao Dun then introduced: "As for the female lead, it's Li Xun from Chengtian Entertainment."

…………

Li Xi, one of the seven fairies of Orange Sky.

Chengtian Entertainment has been planning to make her a "little Zhang Ziyi" and has arranged a series of film and television resources for her.

For example, in the 2005 movie "Huo Yuanjia", Li Xin gained attention by participating in the film and played the role of "Jin Yu". He was recognized for his first appearance on the big screen.

The competition for the female lead in "Home Sweet Home" also caused Orange Sky Entertainment to bleed heavily.

Chengtian Entertainment used a male lead role in a drama, a second female supporting role in another drama, and the TV station's priority purchase of the drama rights in 2009 in exchange for the unanimous recognition of the female lead Li Xun by Oriental Media, Golden Shield, and Liaodong TV Station.

This is also a common practice used by second-tier film and television companies. Everyone shares what they have and exchanges resources to avoid vicious competition.

…………

"Why is there a question mark on the cover of the male lead's information kit? Didn't they confirm that Zhang Jiayi would be the one?"

Cao Dun touched his nose and said awkwardly, "Director Teng, Huayi Brothers still have some different opinions on the male lead..."

Teng Huatao made the final decision and exhaled a puff of cigarette: "We'll discuss this in a special meeting later..."

Teng Huatao put the male lead's information pack aside. His purpose was clear: to stall and wait for a change. Once the filming officially began, he would let Zhang Jiayi star in three or four episodes. Once the matter was settled, the Huayi Brothers would naturally have nothing to say.

Teng Huatao looked through the materials and saw Haiqing's interview materials. He said with satisfaction:

"Hai Qing, who plays Guo Haiping, worked with me on 'Double-Sided Adhesive Tape'. She's a professional actor with solid acting skills, and she occasionally has some small bursts of energy, which is very good."

Executive Director Cao Dun said, "Okay, I'll sign the contract with her after the meeting."

Screenwriter Qiqi, who rarely attended the meeting, took the initiative to ask, "Has the role of Su Chun been finalized?"

Cao Dun looked at the blank resume in his hand and said, "I passed the interview and a new actor named Lin Xingzhuo was selected."

I only have a few months of experience as a group actor in Beijing, and I'm not a professional actor...

Teng Huatao smoked another cigarette. He was too lazy to beat around the bush and just said, "Old Cao, tell me, which god's mount is this..."

Cao Dun smiled apologetically and said, "Director Teng, this is an artist from Tiger Film Star Hui."

Qiqi said dissatisfiedly: "What is Tiger Shadow Star Glory? I've never heard of it..."

Cao Dun explained awkwardly, "It's a film and television company newly registered by a coal boss. It was introduced by President Li of the Shanghai Theatre Academy."

"The young man has a very recognizable voice, which is a plus."

Qiqi saw the flaw in Cao Dun's words and said directly: "We are filming a TV series, not selecting singers for "Super Boy".

"I've heard about the interview. In terms of lines and acting, how can this guy compare to Hao Ping from the Drama Center?"

Cao Dun knew that this must be Hao Ping's grandson, who went to complain to his father-in-law.

Faced with the aggressiveness of screenwriter Qiqi, Cao Dun wanted to seek support from producer Xu Xiaoou, with whom he had a good relationship.

As a result, Xu Xiaoou took the phone and answered it.

Damn, there is really no one loyal in the entertainment industry.

At the critical moment, he unexpectedly used the "Sound Escape" technique! !

There was no other way. Liaodong TV had the lowest investment ratio, so Cao Dun could only bite the bullet and say:

"Our crew's interviews take quite a while, and Shanghai has a rich pool of extras. Casting also depends on the fit with the character, not just the lines..."

Teng Huatao interrupted Cao Dun's nonsense and said, "Although this role is the fourth, it plays a very important and crucial role in promoting the plot."

"It's too hasty to use a newcomer who is still wet behind the ears."

"Give that Zhuo a supporting role. Let Hao Ping, who has stage experience, play the role of Su Chun."

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The screenwriter of "Home Sweet Home" Qiqi originally recommended Liu Yunlong to play the male lead Song Siming.

But director Teng Huatao refused and insisted on using Zhang Jiayi, who had a hunchback and wrinkles.

Because Liu Yunlong's image as a "spy war male god" is disconnected from urban emotional dramas, it will make the audience feel distant and it will be difficult to resonate with social issues such as housing prices, marriage and love.

The screenwriter's old partner's opinion was not adopted in the casting of the male lead.

So when casting the fourth male supporting role, we must take the screenwriter Qiqi's feelings into consideration and make up for it.

After all, the entertainment industry is not about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and worldly wisdom...

…………

At this time, producer Xu Xiaoou, who had gone out to make a phone call, came back with the phone, whispered a few words to Teng Huatao, and handed the phone to him.

Teng Huatao stood up and walked to the door of the room, pacing back and forth, talking on the phone, his speech speed getting faster and faster.

bang!!!
After chatting for four or five minutes, Teng Huatao hung up the phone with a dark face and threw the phone to the ground.

Xu Xiaoou: “…”

(End of this chapter)