Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 43 How to Find a Win-Win Situation

When Zhang Yan rushed to the TV station, Yan Xiaoming and Ma Huiwu were discussing the issue of multi-camera shooting.

This technology is already quite common in domestic films, but no one has used it in TV series yet. After all, TV series usually have tight budgets, so good resources can only be used where they are most needed.

But Tianjin TV is different. It has strong support from the municipal government and the Economic and Technological Development Zone, and Chen Zhipeng helps it attract advertising sponsorships, so its funding is relatively abundant.

So Ma Huiwu, who had already made one movie, was getting restless.

Seeing Zhang Yan burst in so quickly, the two couldn't help but wonder, "Xiao Zhang, what brings you here all of a sudden? Don't tell me you have another idea to revise the script?"

"It's not a problem with the script, it's a problem with the female lead!"

When Zhang Yan told Yan Xiaoming and Ma Huiwu about Xu Fan's internship at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Yan Xiaoming and Ma Huiwu immediately became restless.

Yan Xiaoming immediately opened his phone book, preparing to contact Xu Fan to confirm the truth of the matter—actually, the truth was not important; what mattered was which side Xu Fan planned to attend to first.

Ma Huiwu asked curiously, "Xiao Zhang, who told you this news?"

After a slight hesitation, Zhang Yan revealed Chen Hong's name.

Of course, the part where he took off his coat to show off his figure, and Chen Hong's final hint, were definitely cut from the broadcast.

"Tsk~"

But after listening, Ma Huiwu still shook his head: "Young girls these days are really audacious. Back then, we could only secretly post things in the big newspapers. How could we dare to come to their door like this?"

Could it be that when you were young, you didn't have the status or fame, so you didn't encounter anyone who would come to you on their own initiative?

Zhang Yan silently complained in his heart.

After being relayed through the Central Academy of Drama's mailroom, Yan Xiaoming finally contacted Xu Fan half an hour later. Faced with Yan Xiaoming's questioning, Xu Fan seemed flustered and stammered for a long time without giving a definite answer.

But this actually reveals her inclination.

If Xu Fan values ​​this opportunity to play the female lead more, then he should first reassure Yan Xiaoming instead of constantly making excuses.

So after hanging up the phone, Yan Xiaoming's brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Ma Huiwu asked, "Old Yan, how do you plan to handle this matter?"

"Go to the capital!"

Yan Xiaoming gritted his teeth and said, "This matter cannot be delayed; we must find her in person and ask her about it!"

After a pause, he asked Zhang Yan, "Is Chen Hong still in Tianjin?"

"here I am."

Zhang Yan pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket: "This is the hotel's contact number."

Yan Xiaoming didn't reach out to take it, but instead directly instructed, "Give her the script first and try to get her familiar with the role as soon as possible. If it really doesn't work out, let her step in!"

Yan Xiaoming actually disapproved of Chen Hong's underhanded tactics, but it was too late to find new actors for auditions, so he had to choose the lesser of two evils.

When Zhang Yan mentioned Chen Hong's name, he guessed that this would be how things would develop.

There's nothing else wrong, but I feel a little bad for Jiang Shan. We've been in frequent contact before and after the New Year, and we've become quite familiar with each other over the phone. Logically, if we're going to change the female lead, we should ask Jiang Shan's opinion first.

But who can blame them when Chen Hong is prettier?
Moreover, communication over the phone is not as appealing as the vivid and tempting scene before one's eyes, and Zhang Yan is currently most susceptible to temptation.

…………

Yan Xiaoming and Ma Huiwu were both decisive people, and they boarded the train to Beijing that very evening.

Zhang Yan was also quite fast; he had dinner with Chen Hong that evening.

Upon seeing the script Zhang Yan brought, Chen Hong's eyes shone brightly, like stars. She held the script up with her palm facing up and said sweetly, "If I really take on the role, you'll have to help me sort out the plot, since I need to fully understand the character in such a short time."

Those fair little hands were clearly extending an invitation.

Zhang Yan placed his large hand on hers, naturally intertwining their fingers, and smiled, "If you're willing, I'll definitely teach you step by step."

At the same time, he completely removed Chen Hong from his list of potential marriage partners. He could accept Jiang Shan's initiative, but Chen Hong's actions for personal gain...

Dating is fine, but marriage is out of the question.

Holding Zhang Yan's warm hand, Chen Hong appeared sweet on the surface, but in her heart, she thought inappropriately: "If only he were a movie director."

Although the two were mutually attracted, they had only known each other for a short time, and there were still uncertainties regarding the female lead, so for the time being, they remained at the stage of tug-of-war.

Return to the hotel in the evening.

Chen Hong couldn't wait to flip through the script, and the more she read, the more satisfied and delighted she became.

Most current crime dramas and movies still follow the traditional male-centric, female-centric model, with female leads having significantly less screen time than male leads, and their roles often revolving around romance and domestic drama.

Whether it's "Plainclothes Policeman," which became a nationwide hit in 87, or "Urban Criminal Police," which Chen Hong filmed two years ago, the same applies.

But this drama, "Tianjin Wei," is completely different. The female lead, with her keen observation skills, understanding of high-tech products, and unconventional investigative methods, is just as capable as the male lead. Even though the male lead is more assertive, he can't overshadow the female lead's brilliance.

This was a great relief to Chen Hong, and it lessened the regret and entanglement in her heart.

If Zhang Yan can continue to create such fresh and interesting stories, it doesn't seem to matter much if he's not a film director—Wang Shuo is also a writer, and now so many directors are eager to have him write scripts, which makes his influence in the Beijing film and television industry no less than that of those directors!
…………

same moment.

Xu Fan, however, was caught in a deep dilemma while holding the script.

Actually, she wasn't very interested in the TV series at first; she was only persuaded by Jiang Shan to participate in the audition.

But after receiving the script, she discovered that although it was not a TV series told from a female perspective, it gave the female lead a great deal of room to perform.

Delicate, wise, intelligent, decisive, gentle and considerate...

The female protagonist embodies almost all the virtues of an independent urban woman.

What surprised Xu Fan the most was that the female protagonist's strengths were gradually revealed in the process of solving the case.

This is completely different from the old trope of other TV dramas where the female lead immediately starts talking about love, romance, and mundane life.

Although the TV series eventually touches on romance, it feels more like a natural fusion between two comrades who have entrusted each other with life and death.

The more Xu Fan watched the show, the more unique he felt it was, and the more he watched it, the more he liked the character.

but……

She closed the script and looked at the internship application on the table.

When they went to audition, she and Jiang Shan had both forgotten about this. It wasn't until they returned to school after the New Year that they realized they were supposed to do an internship at the Beijing People's Art Theatre in the second semester of their senior year.

For young actors these days, the Beijing People's Art Theatre is a prestigious institution, and Xu Fan would never give up this opportunity.

The rules at Beijing People's Art Theatre are always quite strict, and it would be impossible for her to go to Tianjin to film a TV series during her internship.

Hey~
Is there a way to have it all in this world...?

"Xu Fan~"

Just then, the dormitory door was pushed open, and Jiang Shan walked in casually, asking, "I heard you wanted to see me about something?"

Xu Fan turned around and said irritably, "It's all your fault for creating such a big problem for me!"

Jiang Shan's eyes widened in surprise as she pointed at Xu Fan's lower abdomen and asked, "How many months?!"

"roll!"

Xu Fan stomped his foot and grabbed the pen, pretending to throw it away.

Jiang Shan giggled, leaned in and put her arm around her, saying in a dramatic tone, "My wife, don't be angry. Tell me what's bothering you, and I'll help you calm down."

Xu Fan had no choice but to explain the dilemma of having to choose between two equally desirable options.

"Yup!"

Jiang Shan slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "I didn't even realize it until you said it! It turns out this drama clashes with my internship—thank goodness I didn't get selected."

"How dare you say that!"

Xu Fan pinched her angrily, and said in a flustered mood, "What should we do now?"

"or……"

Jiang Shan's eyes lit up: "I'll go in your place?"

"Are you crazy? You want to do an internship too!"

"Oops~"

Jiang Shan said nonchalantly, "Anyway, going to the Beijing People's Art Theatre is for my future development. Didn't you say this script is very well written? If I become famous after filming a TV series, wouldn't I be able to develop better?"

"But, but..."

"No buts, I'll call Zhang Yan right now and recommend myself!" Jiang Shan said, then asked, "Or are you willing to give up the opportunity to intern at the Beijing People's Art Theatre?"

"This, I..."

Faced with Jiang Shan's question, Xu Fan stammered and still couldn't give an answer—but not being able to give an answer actually meant that he already had an answer.

Jiang Shan patted her shoulder and laughed, "Then I won't be polite."

Watching Jiang Shan leave the dormitory humming a song, Xu Fan felt an emptiness in his heart, as if he had lost something very important to him.

(End of this chapter)