Huayu, my cheat code is a bit strange.

Chapter 86 Let's Dedicate Ourselves to Art (Please read on, please recommend, please do everything!)

September in Zhejiang Province was marked by continuous rain.

The filming pace of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" underwent significant changes under the intervention of a subtle force.

The shooting schedule, personally finalized by Zhang Jizhong and intended to teach a certain uncooperative newcomer a lesson through exhaustion tactics, was rejected by Zhou Xiaowen, along with the lighting director, the director of photography, and other core members of the production team, less than a week after its implementation.

The reason is simple and straightforward—I'm too busy!
Capable people are always likable.

It would be even more appealing if this capable person were available for free.

Gu Xiao's demonstrated abilities are irresistible to any creator who values ​​efficiency and quality.

Making such people wait in vain for a long time is a despicable waste!

Inside the director's tent.

Zhang Jizhong sat to Zhou Xiaowen's right, his bearded face clouded with gloom.

"Old Zhou! Don't go too far!"

He gritted his teeth and said, "Planning the filming process is my job as a producer! Who gives you the right to interfere?"

"Your plan is not feasible for Group A."

Zhou Xiaowen, with a calm expression, threw the call sheet onto the center of the table. "We're looking for actors, not slaves. You can't treat people like this."

The lighting director, a heavy smoker, took a drag of his cigarette and slowly echoed:

"Gu is young, so he really should be taken care of."

Zhang Jizhong's forehead veins bulged. "Once you're on set, you're an actor! You have to obey orders! Liu Yifei is still a minor!"

The director of photography sighed, "Producer Zhang, let's stop here."

Everyone here is an adult; there's no need to play the ghost story game.

Everyone present knew perfectly well whether someone was doing it for the sake of their work or to establish their authority by playing a prank on someone.

Zhang Jizhong looked around, his expression tense.

He never expected that some little rascal could accumulate such popularity in such a short time.

Besides surprise, for the first time, an inexplicable sense of apprehension welled up in his heart.

The production manager, who had been silent all along, had witnessed everything and was trying to help his boss out of the predicament:

“An actor’s duty is to act, and Producer Zhang also hopes that Gu Xiao will not be distracted.”

"In that case, the notice needs to be revised even more."

Zhou Xiaowen's tone was calm but undeniable: "He's still young, and his acting skills need polishing. Are you deliberately scheduling him so full to ensure he doesn't perform well?"

The production manager swallowed hard, not expecting Zhou Xiaowen to be so blunt.

Zhang Jizhong's face was extremely grim, but after glancing at the attitudes of the main creators in the tent, he knew that there was no room for him to maneuver in this matter.

He slowly got up, gave Zhou Xiaowen a deep look, and walked out of the tent without saying a word.

The production manager hurriedly got up, nodded awkwardly to everyone, and jogged after them.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, the director of photography worried, "Was that a bit too much?"

Zhou Xiaowen said calmly, "Strike the snake at its vital point. Kicking him out of the project is a good thing for me, for him, and for the crew."

"He's ultimately a CCTV employee," the director of photography said with a wry smile.

Zhou Xiaowen shook his head slightly, his tone slightly mocking:
"You don't really think he just randomly picked people and no one at CCTV is unhappy about it, do you?"

The director of photography looked enlightened and immediately stopped asking questions.

……

……

Late October, Shiguliao Film and Television City.

After nearly two months of adjustment and hard work, the "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" production team has long since overcome its initial awkwardness.

With the three filming crews (A, B, and C) working day and night, Tianlong Temple, Wuliang Mountain, Wanchou Valley, and Mantuo Villa efficiently tackled one tough challenge after another.

With Gu Xiao completing the close-up shot of the Six Meridians Divine Sword, most of the complex action scenes have been finished, and the remaining scenes are mostly dialogue scenes with several girls.

But this also gave him a real headache.

"Director, is this really necessary?" During lunch, Gu Xiao approached Zhou Xiaowen with the call sheet, looking utterly speechless.

"Does it have to be a real kiss? Can't we just use a camera trick?"

Zhou Xiaowen was engrossed in eating the braised pork in her lunchbox and didn't even look up when she heard this:

"We'll film it exactly as it's written in the script. This is crucial for the emotional development between Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing, and it's very necessary."

"Does a kissing scene necessarily lead to a deeper emotional connection?"

Gu Xiao tried to argue her point, saying, "My eye acting is excellent; it can definitely draw the audience into the story."

Zhou Xiaowen sprayed him in the face, "You make such a fuss. What's wrong with a grown man kissing? Jiang Xin didn't say anything, so why are you being so dramatic?"

Gu Xiao was quite taken aback, so she immediately changed tactics and flattered him:

"Director Zhou, you are a top student from the Beijing Film Academy, a true artist. This kind of passionate scene is too vulgar and not suitable for a cultured person like you. I think you can revise the script, and the audience will definitely understand."

Zhou Xiaowen paused in her eating, then said irritably, "Do you think you can just change a script like that? Get out of here!"

Gu Xiao said earnestly, "You must be bold in innovation."

Zhou Xiaowen was getting annoyed. "You direct! You direct!"

Gu Xiao said, "I don't want to."

Zhou Xiaowen glared at him: "Then shut up!"

……

……

Seeing Gu Xiao return to the rest area looking annoyed, Chen Hao laughed loudly:

"Looks like our Duan Yu didn't manage to convince Director Zhou."

Her shout drew the attention of several actors who were taking a break nearby.

Liu Yifei, who was originally looking down at petting the squirrel, also quietly pricked up her ears upon hearing this.

Gu Xiao slumped in the folding chair, utterly despondent, not wanting to say a word.

Liu Tao leaned closer, teasingly saying, "It's just a kissing scene, what's the big deal?"

“Exactly,” Chen Hao said, enjoying the spectacle. “Even Jiang Xin didn’t say anything, but you, a grown man, are acting all coy.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xin, who was touching up her makeup not far away, lowered her head, her ears turning red.

Gu Xiao picked up the script and covered her face, ignoring the incoherent ramblings of the crazy women next to her.

If it had just been turned on, he might as well have kissed her.

But now it's been almost two months, and he and Jiang Xin have become quite familiar with each other.

At this moment, it's really hard for him to bring himself to kiss a familiar friend.

Seeing Gu Xiao's expression, Chen Hao said with a half-smile:

"I think you're just picky about the actress, right? If it were Yifei, you'd probably agree."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei's fair cheeks flushed red at a visible speed, spreading all the way to her ears.

"Sister Hao!" she called out in embarrassment and annoyance, her voice trembling.

Gu Xiao ripped the script off her face and rolled her eyes at Chen Hao in annoyance:
"I'm not that weird!"

Chen Hao scoffed, grabbed Xiao Jiu from Liu Yifei's hand, and squeezed it in his hand:
"Xiao Jiu, do you think your master is a pervert?"

Xiao Jiu, who was about to resist, suddenly froze and called out to Gu Xiao:
"What do you mean pervert?"

Gu Xiao turned her head away, not wanting to answer.

At this moment, the production assistant came over and said to the group, "Teacher Gu, Teacher Jiang, the director is calling you."

Jiang Xin nodded slightly and walked calmly into the film set.

Gu Xiao paused for a few seconds, took a deep breath, stood up, puffed out her chest, and said:

"You're right, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'll be the one who benefits anyway."

Xiao Jiu pointed her finger and, without hesitation, exposed the situation:
Your legs are shaking!

(End of this chapter)