Chapter 105: What If It Has to be Me?
The director was Wu Zhao. He could be in the top five of China directors. He enjoyed more fame than a lot of actors. He was nominated for an Academy Award, as well having attaining countless international big awards.
Lu Jing would play as King Wen of Chu. He was only thirty three this year, but he already has thirty years of experience in acting. He debuted as a child actor when he was three. At seventeen, he was already crowned the best actor in leading male role. He devoted himself to films, and was an A-lister who stood at the top of the film industry.
The marquis of Cai would be played by Hou Cang. He was forty-five years old. He didn’t have many films, but all of them were critically acclaimed. He was nominated best actor various times leading male role internationally, as well as getting the best actor in the nation three times.
He Xingzhou, the newly minted international best actor from Xibo would play as the marquis of Xi. He was twenty six years old and had a bright future ahead of him.
Even characters like Madam Cai and the marquis of Zhen were played by illustrious actors who would either be best actor or best actress.
“This film shouldn’t really be short on manpower…” Yun Xiangxiang said feebly after taking a deep breath.
Besides, this film was probably an epic that involved magnificent war scenes, elaborate plans, and conspiracies. The whole movie would be visually stunning.
The names of the leads and the director would be all it took if it was a hit that they wanted.
The whole of China knew about Wu Zhao’s reputation to produce quality films.
So why couldn’t they find someone to be their female protagonist even when it was already this close to the start of filming? Something didn’t add up.
“They don’t have a female lead for some reason,” He Wei chortled. “This film has already started its filming. They just need the scenes of the female protagonist. Wu Zhao doesn’t leak any news, doesn’t do any marketing, and forbade the leads from spreading the news. Even the filming was done under wraps. That was his style.”
Yun Xiangxiang nodded. She heard about this in her previous life.
“I won’t say who was the first candidate for female protagonist. Wu Zhao eliminated her when I sent her finished photo to him on WeChat.”
He Wei explained in detail to Yun Xiangxiang, “The second candidate was sent home because her pose and expression didn’t reach his expectations during training. The third one was scolded so much, she ran away…”
“R…ran away because of the scolding…” Yun Xiangxiang said dumbly.
It was normal for actors to get a scolding. Yun Xiangxiang also had experiences of getting harshly reprimanded in her previous life.
A serious director wouldn’t be able to control themselves no matter how great their temper was. Just like how a gentleman would do if he had a deadweight in his team during gameplay.
Every actor had their fair share of getting scolded. There were no exceptions. No matter how popular or important a bigwig was, they could still come across a director that had even higher standing. Besides, not everyone became a superstar the moment they started out and required mollycoddling.
An actor was someone who walked the path of endless rebuke.
She might not experience any scolding in this life; but she already had that in her previous life. Also, she didn’t come across any character that she couldn’t challenge in this life. That was why her mistakes were minimal.
This was such a good chance though. If it was Yun Xiangxiang, she would do anything to keep on filming. Even if she was scolded because they tried to pick a bone in perfection; let alone being reprimanded because she wasn’t on par with expectations.
Is pride really that important?
Such a mega production; such a marvelous team; such a fantastic character; such a great script. And someone who had this chance actually quit just because she got scolded?
“The total investment in this film exceeds three hundred million yuan,” He Wei observed Yun Xiangxiang earnestly. “I do have some connections with Cao Chi. But it’s up to you whether you could take this character.”
Cao Chi was the producer for “The King’s Plan”. He was also an authoritative producer in China. The films that were handled by him enjoyed decent fame at least.
Money was obviously not a problem since the investment was already huge. So things like bringing in money for the team didn’t exist. It also wouldn’t be appropriate to use any connections here. The most He Wei could do was to get her a chance for an audition.
But of course it was already great enough. Not everyone could get a chance to audition when it came to strong productions like this.
Wu Zhao was also someone who liked to be mysterious. Things like open auditions didn’t exist in his book.
“What if they can’t find a female lead?” Yun Xiangxiang was suddenly curious.
A great deal of people must be spending their money and labor behind such a large investment. They couldn’t keep on delaying the filming.
“This is a film mostly played by men. They just need to weaken the female protagonist,” He Wei was very patient with Yun Xiangxiang.
Wu Zhao wouldn’t dare to carp if he didn’t have the chips to do it.
“Outstanding move,” Yun Xiangxiang had to compliment this.
If they couldn’t find anyone that could play the female protagonist satisfyingly, They would just reduce her part. Then they just needed to find someone that could play the role okay and not slow everyone down. The actress wouldn’t need to enrich the film in any way. She only needed to more or less portray the part.
It would be easy to get the actress they wanted once they lowered the bar.
“Madam Xi might not have a big part in this film, but it will take a long time to film her scenes. If they think that you have potential, you’ll have to go through a one month etiquette training. If you don’t pass their expectations, you will still be kicked out of the team,” He Wei warned Yun Xiangxiang prudently.
“I understand,” Yun Xiangxiang nodded. “I like the earnest and rigorous vibe.”
Since it was set in the Warring States period, she would have to accept training in that era’s etiquette. From conduct to the way of walking to the tone of speech…
Every single move must let the audience experience the authentic Warring States period.
The effort put into filming this film wouldn’t be less than “University Dream.”
“University Dream” tired the body. This would tire the mind.
She might be sent home just because of one false step. All the hard work would be for nothing. The three candidates before were good examples.
And they requested the clause for getting fired for reasons to be written in the contract beforehand. The actors wouldn’t be able to claim any compensation because of breach of contract with this.
Entering top grade productions like this meant signing unfair contracts. Even if they were harsh, actors still had to beg to have a part in it.
“I worry about my exams…” Yun Xiangxiang felt dejected.
Even though she really wanted to be a part of the team; even though she really wanted to play in a film that could go down as a classic, she was still a student. She still had to prioritize her studies.
She could only film under the condition that she keep her grades up. Wu Zhao was a fanatically fussy person. Rumor had it that the actors that played in his film could not leave no matter what. They still had to be at the place even if there wasn’t any scene for them that day.
He was someone for whom inspiration would strike randomly. He would add or delete scenes on the fly if ideas came to him during filming.
If the actor who would play in the improvised scene wasn’t there, it would be tough luck.
Every actor in China had a love-hate relationship with him. They loved his production, but they hated his style.
It was already late October now. Training and filming would stretch until the winter break. She had to attend finals between that.
She promised the school to be present during exams, and was barred from going to any replacement exams.
“So don’t go?” He Wei asked tentatively.
“No. I want to go,” Yun Xiangxiang calmed down. “I need to try. Even if I can’t make the cut, I need to know what my weakness is. If I can have their approval, then I’ll make some requests.”
“Make requests?” He Wei couldn’t hold his laugh in. “Silly girl, do you have any idea that it has been more than ten years since anyone dared to request something from Wu Zhao?”
“Then what if I’m so good, he will not ask for anyone but me?” Yun Xiangxiang raised her chin that made her look slightly conceited.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll call Cao Chi now,” He Wei shook his head smilingly while taking up his phone.