It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 7 takes the spirit of 'wool-gathering' to the extreme! Actors, production crew... I want them all!

With the guidance of Lu Rui's techniques for using light, shadow, and color, as well as the complete storyboard, the scene that had troubled Jiang Wei and Zhang Jiandong for so long was finally completed smoothly.

Dark red light and shadow swept across the wall like bloodstains, and in the shot, An Jiahe's figure twisted and deformed wildly in the shadows.

Mei Xiangnan, who was at a disadvantage, huddled in the cool, soft light, like a wounded, trapped beast.

At the same time, Lü Rui also witnessed what a "talented" performance is like.

The moment the clapperboard fell, Feng Yuanzheng's entire demeanor changed abruptly. His gentle and refined expression from a moment ago vanished, replaced by a morbid obsession and madness surging in his eyes!

Under his brutality, Mei Ting trembled and shrank smaller and smaller, as if fear and despair were seeping from every pore of her body!

The subconscious tremor, the reflexive action of raising her hand to protect her head, and the sobbing with a tearful tone made everyone watching feel a lump in their throat.

What's even more astonishing is that her eyes, which were unfocused in extreme terror, also flashed with a hint of stubbornness at a certain moment, perfectly interpreting Mei Xiangnan's remaining will to live in despair!
"What a great actor! What a truly great actor!"

Lu Rui sighed inwardly, unconsciously licking his dry lips, a burning light appearing in his eyes.

He's craving it!
He's really craving it!
If we could invite Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting to play the male and female leads in "The Vanished Lover"...

Just thinking about it made his arms tremble with excitement!

"Rui-ge? What's wrong?"

Zhao Peng, who was standing next to Lü Rui, noticed that Lü Rui's arm was shaking and asked him a question out of curiosity.

"fine."

Lu Rui shook his head slightly and began to think about how to persuade the two of them.

The day's filming went smoothly.

That evening, Lü Rui went directly to Jiang Wei and Zhang Jiandong.

He pondered all day but couldn't come up with a reason to persuade Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting, so he decided to ask the two teachers for advice.

However, when he expressed his confusion, Jiang Wei and Zhang Jiandong were taken aback for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

"Isn't this simple?"

Jiang Wei took out his phone and called Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting, asking them to come over.

After the two entered the room with their doubts, Zhang Jiandong helped Lü Rui by introducing the project "The Vanished Lover".

"This is a screenplay written by my student, which also revolves around the theme of marriage. It's a suspense/thriller, very similar to the film we're currently making, 'Don't Talk to Strangers.' It has already received support from China Film Group, Huayi Brothers Media Group, and the Beijing Film Academy..."

Lu Rui added, "Director Jiang Wen will come to be my supervisor, and Vice Chairman Han from China Film Group has agreed to be the producer."

When this foundational framework was laid out before Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting, Lü Rui's status as a "new director" was completely overlooked by them.

With Jiang Wen's help, not only can a new director succeed, but even a dog can be placed behind the monitor!

As an actor, Jiang Wen was nominated for the Berlin Film Festival Best Actor award and won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actor. After switching to directing, his works were nominated for the Golden Lion and the Palme d'Or.

This is the best endorsement!

It's important to understand that this is an era dominated by art films; the golden age of commercial films has yet to arrive.

Therefore, Jiang Wen can definitely be considered a renowned figure in the directing world!
As for Han Sanping, Mei Ting didn't know much about him, only that he was a big shot.

But Feng Yuanzheng knew him very well!
Because he and this person lived in the same compound, he often heard stories about this person from his father, who was full of amazement!

Furthermore, given his interest in entering politics, he naturally wanted to establish a connection with Han Sanping.

And this might be a great opportunity!

At the same time, and for decades to come, film actors will enjoy a much higher social status than television actors.

Therefore, if there is an opportunity to act in a movie, as long as the script suits them, generally no actor will refuse.

So, is the script for "The Vanished Lover" suitable for Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting?
It took the two of them more than half an hour to finish reading the script.

The moment they looked up, their eyes were fixed on Lü Rui, and they didn't look away for a long time!

"Did you really write this script?" Feng Yuanzheng asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Lü Rui nodded: "I am honest and trustworthy, Director Jiang can testify to that."

Mei Ting, who was standing next to him, swallowed hard, and a strange light suddenly flashed in his eyes.

She gently closed the script, took a deep breath, and said, "Compared to 'Don't Talk to Strangers,' the female characters in this play are no longer just simple victims."

She's intelligent and ruthless, fighting back in her own way during this marital predicament; this complex character is indeed very appealing.

At that moment, she even thought of the character Mei Xiangnan she was currently playing, who was always struggling between fear and forbearance.

In contrast, the female protagonist in "Gone Girl" is like a lurking beast, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the betrayer at any time!
Feng Yuanzheng nodded thoughtfully and said, "Don't Talk to Strangers shows the direct horror of violence in marriage, and the audience can see the evil at a glance. But in Gone Girl, the evil is hidden in carefully woven lies and scheming, hidden under the seemingly loving marriage. This kind of chilling feeling is the most deadly."

His voice suddenly lowered, "Moreover, in this play, the male characters are no longer simply portrayed as perpetrators, but are instead full of contradictions and struggles. This multifaceted nature is a real test of acting skills."

"Hahahahaha."

Jiang Wei suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had just remembered something.

For a moment, everyone in the room stared at him.

After a while, he stopped laughing, looked at Feng Yuanzheng, and teased, "Weren't you worried that after playing the role of 'An Jiahe,' you would be labeled as a 'domestic abuser' by the audience?"
Now, things are different. In "Gone Girl," the female lead is much more assertive than the male lead, and you're now on the side of the hidden victim.

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting's eyes lit up!
The two of them reacted instantly.

This "Gone Girl" seems to be a character-reversed version of "Don't Talk to Strangers"!
Of course, the plot is completely different, and there is no plagiarism or borrowing.

"Hey? That's great! This way, the 'domestic abuser' label can be torn off as soon as it's applied."

As Feng Yuanzheng spoke, he looked at Meiting again.

He's ready to accept the role.

However, if they want to completely remove the label of "domestic abuser," they need the help of "Mei Xiangnan" himself.

Mei Ting understood what he meant and immediately nodded in agreement: "I'll take this script. The character's personality is quite interesting. Beating up a scumbag boyfriend sounds so satisfying, and it'll be perfect for me to get out of the shadow of being a victim of 'domestic violence'."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Ahem." Lü Rui spoke up weakly, "Um, teachers, the pay for this movie might not be very high, because we need to prepare for award ceremonies at film festivals, so..."

I'm still going to try my luck at winning the lottery!
Feng Yuanzheng suddenly stood up, looking at him in disbelief, "Really?"

Mei Ting's gaze was also burning as he stared intently at Lü Rui.

For actors today, the easiest, fastest, and most effective way to increase their market value and status is to win awards!

If this movie is definitely going to compete for awards...

"We're preparing to go to the Berlin Film Festival. Director Jiang Wen said that this subject matter is very suitable for the style there, and foreigners will definitely like it. The probability of it being nominated for the main competition is as high as 90%."

As soon as Lü Rui finished speaking, Feng Yuanzheng replied without hesitation, "I am willing to lower my fee."

“I’m willing too!” Mei Ting quickly added.

Lu Rui immediately stepped forward and shook hands with the two men, saying sincerely, "Thank you! Thank you so much, teachers. With your support, I believe this film will definitely leave a strong mark on the history of Chinese cinema!"

After chatting for another half hour and confirming some details, Lü Rui personally saw Feng Yuanzheng and Mei Ting out the door.

But then he turned back.

Inside the room, Jiang Wei and Zhang Jiandong looked at him with suspicion: "Is there anything else?"

"Ahem." Lü Rui scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Teacher Jiang, Teacher Zhang, um, I'm still short of a photographer, art director, costume designer, makeup artist, prop master, set designer..."

If it's convenient for you two, could you lend me the staff from the "Don't Talk to Strangers" production team?

Since it's about taking advantage of deals, you have to do it properly.

Wouldn't it be foolish not to use something that's readily available?
Before Lü Rui arrived, he had already decided that since filming for "Don't Talk to Strangers" was about to wrap up, he might as well just use the original production crew's resources.

As soon as filming wrapped up here, filming could start right away there. Everyone didn't even need to move; they could continue shooting in the current location.

Moreover, filming a movie is much faster than filming a TV series.

Lü Rui didn't need to use it much; a month and a half would suffice.

"You little brat, you're just picking on us two, aren't you?" Jiang Wei said, both amused and exasperated, his expression one of utter helplessness.

Zhang Jiandong laughed heartily: "Why don't we both stay and help you?"

"Is it okay?" Lu Rui blinked, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Get out! Get out! Get out!" Jiang Wei picked up the script on the table and pretended to smash it.

"Okay, get out of here."

Lu Rui took off running, and once outside, he couldn't hold back any longer and swung his fist hard.

"It's done!"

Since Jiang Wei and Zhang Jiandong did not directly refuse, it was obvious that they agreed.

So he immediately took out his phone and called Jiang Wen: "Hello, Director Jiang..."

(End of this chapter)