Entertainment Industry: I am a top-tier movie star

Chapter 91 Casting for "Better Days"

In early spring of 2017, the weather was still chilly despite the warming trend. The script for "Better Days" was finally perfected after repeated revisions by Han Jianu, Chen Nianbei, and Zhang Lei.

The final version retains both the poignant realism of the original novel and the intense bond between the two teenagers who depend on each other for survival.

Furthermore, through more refined cinematic language, more nuanced character psychology, and more symbolic imagery, the overall artistic style and intellectual depth have been enhanced.

The plot points involving sensitive boundaries are handled more skillfully and powerfully, wrapping the critical edge in a somber narrative and a complex exploration of human nature.

When the three of them finished checking the final draft for the last time, the first rays of dawn were breaking outside the window. Although they were tired, their eyes shone with a sense of relief and anticipation.

"The script is finished."

Han's daughter closed her laptop, letting out a long sigh. "This is one of the most painful, but also the most powerful, notebooks I've written in recent years. Now, it's up to you."

Chen Nianbei thanked her sincerely.

He knew that without Han Jianu's profound skills and precise grasp of scale, this project might not even have been able to stand up.

With the script finalized, the project officially entered its rapid development phase.

Zhang Lei has demonstrated an execution ability beyond his years and an increasingly clear aesthetic pursuit.

He invited Cao Yu, a cinematographer who had worked on the "Brotherhood of Blades" series and was skilled at creating a raw realism and sharp action scenes, to join the project, ensuring that the film's visual style was cold and impactful.

For art direction, they brought in Li Miao, who is skilled at creating immersive realistic spaces and has an excellent grasp of the sense of time and details of daily life.

The styling director boldly employed a rising star known for his stylistic approach and willingness to break conventions, with the goal of creating a look for the character that is both realistic and highly distinctive.

Casting was another tough battle, especially for the pivotal character "Chen Nian".

This role requires the actor to possess both extreme vulnerability and extreme resilience, to have eyes that can bear immense pain and secrets, and to have that glimmer of light that refuses to go out even in the mud.

The list of actresses in the industry who are of the right age and have sufficient acting skills is not long, and Zhou Dongyu's name is mentioned repeatedly.

She won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress for her role in "Soul Mate". Her acting is lively and versatile, and she is highly adaptable. She possesses a unique sensitivity and stubbornness that lies between girlhood and adulthood.

The process of getting in touch was not easy. Zhou Dongyu's schedule was very full at the time, and he was extremely picky about scripts.

Zhang Lei submitted the script through an intermediary. Initially, he didn't have high hopes, but to his surprise, a week later, Zhou Dongyu's team contacted her, expressing that she was very interested in the script and hoped to discuss it with Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei in person.

The meeting was arranged at a very private coffee shop in Beijing.

Zhou Dongyu arrived without makeup, dressed simply, with clear and direct eyes.

She didn't exchange many pleasantries; after sitting down, she went straight to her understanding of the character: "Chen Nian was in so much pain, but it wasn't the kind of pain that she cried and whimpered about; it was a kind of pain that was deep in her bones, a silent pain."

What happened between her and Xiao Bei wasn't just simple love; it was more like two people on the verge of drowning, clinging to each other, even if the other was just a straw.

Chen Nianbei listened quietly, inwardly praising her. He continued, "Yes, it's symbiosis in dire straits. Xiao Bei, in his own way, provided her with a small patch of sky to breathe in the storm."

And in the end, she protected this sky in her own way. This relationship is more primal and more profound than love.

Zhang Lei elaborated on his vision for the film's overall atmosphere and narrative rhythm, emphasizing that this would be a work that required a great deal of commitment and trust from the actors.

Zhou Dongyu listened, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of her coffee cup. After a long while, she looked up, her gaze sweeping across Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei's faces before finally settling on the script: "I'll take this script. But there are two conditions:"

First, I need time to prepare in advance, experience life, and develop a rapport with Xiao Bei.

Secondly, during filming, I hope the director can give the actors enough trust and space.

Chen Nianbei and Zhang Lei exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Zhou Dongyu's addition undoubtedly adds crucial weight to the performance quality and market appeal of the project.

"No problem, that's the thing to do," Zhang Lei immediately agreed.

The casting of the seemingly beautiful but actually cruel villainous girl, "Wei Lai," seemed to be influenced by an "insider recommendation."

During a break in a script discussion, Chen Nianbei mentioned Liu Haochun.

"She was very talented in 'Kuai Ge' and has continued to perform and train at the Affiliated High School of Beijing Dance Academy for the past few years."

The character Wei Lai is very complex; she appears angelic on the outside but is a devil on the inside. Her unconscious evil and cruelty stemming from a sense of superiority require a very nuanced performance.

I think we should give her an audition opportunity.

Zhang Lei also had a good impression of Liu Haochun. Knowing that she was an actress discovered by Chen Nianbei in her early days, he agreed to the job.

The audition was arranged in a very low-key manner.

When Liu Haochun received the clip of "Wei Lai", she was clearly surprised, as it was a stark contrast to her previous pure and lively image.

But she did not back down. After careful preparation, she demonstrated an amazing ability to portray different characters at the audition.

She didn't deliberately "act" bad, but rather captured Wei Lai's spoiled, indifferent, and arrogant nature, disregarding the suffering of others. With just a few changes in her eyes and tone, she sketched out the outline of this pitiful yet hateful girl.

"He has potential; his adaptability is greater than I imagined."

After watching the finished film, Han Jianu commented, "With a little adjustment, it should be able to stand out."

Thus, the "Wei Lai" part was placed on Liu Haochun's shoulder.

Upon receiving the notification, Liu Haochun was overjoyed and immediately sent Chen Nianbei a long message of gratitude, expressing that he would do his best.

Chen Nianbei thought of Wang Hao when thinking of the key adult character "Zheng Yi," a police officer who appears throughout the story, tries to uncover the truth but is ultimately powerless.

Since their collaboration on "Take My Brother Away," Wang Hao has been steadily acting in various dramas, honing his skills, but he lacks a sufficiently significant role to break through.

The character Zheng Yi is a complex character with both a strong sense of justice and a sense of frustration. He serves as a crucial link between the world of teenagers and the rules of adults, and his role is substantial, offering ample room for his performance.

Chen Nianbei called Wang Hao and got straight to the point: "Haozi, there's a script, a police officer role, the acting is great, but the pressure is high. I think you can do it, why don't you give it a try?"

After hearing the role introduction, Wang Hao immediately agreed.

The audition results were no surprise; Wang Hao's solid acting skills and earnest, down-to-earth attitude made him a perfect fit for the role of Zheng Yi.

With this, the core cast of "Better Days" has been basically finalized:

Chen Nianbei plays Xiao Bei, Zhou Dongyu plays Chen Nian, Liu Haochun plays Wei Lai, and Wang Hao plays Zheng Yi.

A combination that combines acting skills, freshness, and potential to generate buzz.

The film crew is like a precision instrument, with each component gradually taking its place.

The location scouting team selected streets, schools, and alleys in Chongqing that are full of the characteristics of a mountain city and bear the marks of time as the main filming locations.

Based on Chen Nianbei's personal investment, the production department successfully brought in two film and television companies that were optimistic about the project's subject matter and main creative team as co-producers, sharing the risks while also bringing more resources.

Chen Nianbei turned down almost all unnecessary commercial activities and began the final sprint into "Xiao Bei" mode.

He learned practical street fighting techniques from a martial arts instructor, who required the movements to be "ruthless" and "dirty," without any fancy moves.

He moved to Chongqing to adapt to the environment in advance, wandering around the old streets he had chosen, observing the demeanor and behavior of the young people making a living on the streets, so that the traces of "Mingtai" or "Yang Xun" on him would completely fade away, and he would be tainted with the wildness, vigilance and loneliness that belonged to Xiaobei.

The start date is drawing ever closer.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror—a dark-skinned man with arrogant eyes and a hint of barely perceptible fatigue—Chen Nianbei knew that "Chen Nianbei" had temporarily stepped back, and "Xiao Bei" was about to make his appearance.

This is a creative journey that is destined to be difficult and even painful.

But he and the group he gathered were ready to etch that story of a boy about protection, pain, and redemption onto film, truthfully and cruelly.

In the misty mountain town, a chilling narrative about youth and violence is about to unfold.