Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

Especially in a place that discriminates against Chinese celebrities, if she is not assertive enough or firm enough in her stance, she will suffer even more unfair treatment.

Therefore, she would not back down an inch, nor could she back down. Since she was the highest-paid and most valuable actress in this film, she had to be treated at the highest level; otherwise, there was no point in discussing anything further.

This is the first time Hu Xiaoxiao has acted arrogantly and diva-like since her debut.

Hu Xiaoxiao's tough attitude gave Philip a headache again, and after his repeated requests went unanswered, he had no choice but to comply.

Philip's bottom line was repeatedly broken by Hu Xiaoxiao. When Hu Xiaoxiao rejected his invitations several times in a row, his bottom line was broken once, and he put down his arrogant attitude.

Last time, Hu Xiaoxiao and Dong Peiyu expressed their refusal to perform even if it meant going to court, which once again crossed Philip's bottom line.

This time, perhaps out of habit, Philip resigned himself to his fate and took the costume back. Before leaving, he very politely apologized to Hu Xiaoxiao and said he would alter a costume to her satisfaction as soon as possible.

Hu Xiaoxiao said she wasn't in a hurry and didn't care whether it was fast or slow.

But Philippe was in a hurry, and he would have to take responsibility for any losses caused by the delay in filming.

After the costumes were taken back for alterations, Hu Xiaoxiao had some free time. However, instead of sitting and waiting for the costumes to be finished, she spent all her time at the film studio, except for studying the script.

Hu Xiaoxiao ambitiously wanted to create a market that could rival Hollywood, but that was a future goal, a future ideal. Right now, at this very moment, Hollywood is the most developed and sophisticated film industry in the world; almost all advanced film technologies originated there. Modern Hollywood is unique and irreplaceable.

Besides being an actress, Hu Xiaoxiao is also a boss. Therefore, acting is secondary for her here. Her main task is to learn advanced Hollywood film technology and understand the operation of the Hollywood film market.

Hu Xiaoxiao and Dong Peiyu were immersed in a sea of ​​knowledge, gaining a lot every day. They not only visited several film studios, but also went to many other places, watched many movies, and learned about many film companies.

However, this kind of tourist-like learning only provides superficial knowledge and experiences, which cannot satisfy them.

When Philip delivered the costumes again, Hu Xiaoxiao frowned once more as she looked at the new costumes.

The costumes designed by the costume designers seem to incorporate Chinese elements and demonstrate a deep understanding of Chinese culture. The costumes themselves look quite good, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that their understanding is superficial and one-sided. It wouldn't be a problem if a white actor wore them, but on Hu Xiaoxiao, something just feels missing.

Their clothing designs and styles lack charm.

But the essence of charm cannot be created without in-depth understanding, learning, and research. Let alone creating it, you won't even understand it when you hear it.

So, to someone unfamiliar with the art, this costume looks quite nice, fashionable, and incorporates some traditional Chinese elements. But in Hu Xiaoxiao's eyes, it's just a pretty dress that fails to capture the unique cultural charm that has been refined and accumulated over a long history in Eastern China.

The film's female lead is set up to come from the mysterious and ancient East China. How can we truly express her mystery, antiquity, and power in a way that allows the audience in the cinema to deeply feel it?

Feelings cannot be conveyed through narration, but rather must be experienced visually, and clothing and styling are the best ways to express this.

The movie "The Magic Contract" clearly only gave the female lead a character setting, and didn't care how she acted. This can be seen from the female lead's careless costumes.

They don't care or pay attention, but Hu Xiaoxiao, the female lead, is someone who represents the image of Eastern China and cannot be ignored or disregarded.

However, the degree to which it should be valued depends on whether it's worthwhile.

"The Magic Contract" is a commercial film, and commercial films prioritize profit; artistic value is not their primary consideration. Art, however, is not easy to make well; it requires a great deal of effort and dedication.

Hu Xiaoxiao weighed her options, wondering if it was worth spending too much energy on a cash-grab commercial film. She couldn't stay in Hollywood for long; there were many jobs waiting for her in Hong Kong and mainland China, and her time was extremely precious.

Should we keep working on it, or settle for something that's good enough or passable?

Philip, who was standing to the side, saw Hu Xiaoxiao frowning and deep in thought, and his heart skipped a beat: was he not satisfied again?

With unprecedented sincerity, Philip said, "To design this costume, Jack went to the museum and studied all the Chinese costumes in the museum, finding a lot of inspiration and borrowing from their designs and color schemes. Miss Xiaoxiao, before this costume was delivered to you, I had someone in the industry look at it. It is impeccable and is more distinctive and eye-catching than Emily's costume."

Hu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "We have an old saying: 'Don't burn incense in ordinary times, just pray to Buddha when it's too late.' Mr. Philip, you've always said that this designer named Jack is very skilled and understands Eastern culture very well. Is that how he understands it? Did he learn it on the spot? Did he copy it on the spot?"

“Miss Xiaoxiao, you’re deliberately making things difficult for me. This costume is exquisite and fashionable, and it also has the oriental elements you wanted. I don’t know what else you’re not satisfied with.”

“First of all, I’m very dissatisfied with your perfunctory attitude.” Hu Xiaoxiao looked disappointed. “I’m starting to feel pessimistic about the production of ‘The Magic Contract’. Can this movie really be made well? Can it really open up the Asian market? Mr. Philip, will this movie be the worst movie I’ve ever made and the worst-produced movie I’ve ever made? My God, this is simply a disaster!”

"Impossible!" Philip exclaimed, defending "The Magic Contract." "I swear to God, this film, from its cast and production team to its post-production marketing, is the strongest lineup ever assembled by Hamlet Company with a huge investment! I swear!"

"Your words never hold water, and I can hardly believe you anymore. Unless you provide evidence that this movie is worth my wait."

What kind of proof do you want?

Hu Xiaoxiao said, "I want to learn more about the production team, post-production work, and all the details of this film."

By gaining a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the film, Hu Xiaoxiao could not only learn more professional knowledge about Hollywood film production from Hamlet Company and see deeper things, but also decide whether it was worthwhile to invest more energy in this film.