Chapter 192: Profits Should Not be Gained by Other People
If her scenes were deleted, Meng Ping wouldn’t even receive her pay. She would have been working for nothing over this half a month. This was the tragedy of the actors on the bottom.
If her scenes could stay, Meng Ping would at least have her pay, even if it was reduced. Besides, she would also appear during the movie.
That was the extent of what Yun Xiangxiang could do for Meng Ping.
Du Changrong didn’t want to film it again either. Meng Ping’s scenes were not acted out by her alone. They had to use a lot of extras. If they filmed it again, they had to use that number of extras once more.
“What do you suggest?” Du Changrong highly respected Yun Xiangxiang.
If it were not for Yun Xiangxiang, this film would never happen. Let alone having enough capital to better show his skills.
“Sister Ping has finished filming the scenes of cleaning up. Cut out her scenes after that, and add another person.”
After taking a look at the script and the progress of Meng Ping’s scenes, Yun Xiangxiang explained after deliberating on it, “Find someone who looks like Sister Ping from the back and ask Yao Zhenzhu to send Jiu Se to another person.”
Yao Zhenzhu still had some scenes after that. After taking Jiu Se away from the village, no matter if it was setting the wealthy man up in Shanghai, or seducing the military topdog in Beijing, Yao Zhenzhu would contact Jiu Se in secret.
Now that Meng Ping could not continue playing the role, they should end Yao Zhenzhu’s scenes here and add another character for the furtive contact in the later stage.
“Let me think about it,” Du Changrong nodded after listening to her suggestion, but he did not agree immediately.
Even though Jiu Se was the star of the film, as well as showing the zeitgeist of the era and mocking the weak, stupid men of that time, Jiu Se was not all-powerful. Without a huge organization, she could never finish such a mission.
“I suggest adding a male character,” Yun Xiangxiang suggested again.
This was a film that advocated that women have the strength on par with men. All the important male characters were antagonists, from the thug to the wealthy businessman to the military topdog. That was taking it a bit too far. They lacked a positive and decisive male character.
“If we change it according to your suggestion, this character has to have a lot of scenes. It’s also a big plus point for the film,” Du Changrong understood what Yun Xiangxiang meant.
“I would also suggest adding a bit of affection toward the female protagonist into him. This affection stems from love and stops at courtesy,” Yun Xiangxiang voiced her thought. “Before the needs of the country, he could only sacrifice his love.”
Jiu Se was too tragic a character. All three men lusted for her body. Even though nobody should generalize, the film would still send out the illusion that men are all visual animals.
A man who understands love would be pivotal at this moment. Such a character would provide more layers to the film.
“This is a great suggestion. I’ll go and think about the way to add it in,” Du Changrong’s eyes shone, and he went away.
It was coincidentally a rest time when Du Changrong went to work on the addition. Yun Xiangxiang took out her phone and sent a message to the Four Seasons group.
[Yun Xiangxiang @ Yi Yan: Brother Yi, I have a character slot here. Do you have time, or are you interested?]
This was an especially prominent and crucial role. He was a man who loved the female protagonist. Many eyes would be on him.
A few years ago, Fang Nanyuan and Wei Shanshan signed into a newly established company, Brilliant Entertainment. As they had a great start, they were strongly supported by the company.
Nothing much needed to be said about Fang Nanyuan. The spot of a rising star with a huge fan base was already taken by him. Wei Shanshan was also moving up the ladder steadily.
Only Yi Yan, who signed up with Xunfei Media for five years was stuck in one place. He was almost forgotten by everyone.
They were the best of friends. Of course Yun Xiangxiang wanted to give them a leg up. This character was suggested by her after all.
On top of that, “Jiu Se” was sponsored by Huan Yu Century Entertainment. Du Changrong would not reject her proposal.
She also believed that Yi Yan’s acting skills could move Du Changrong. Profits should not be gained by other people!
[Yi Yan: Since you recommended it, I will have time even if I don’t!]
[Fang Nanyuan: Sister Xiang, what about me? What about me?]
[Wei Shanshan: What do you mean, “What about you?” I am not even getting a part yet, get to the back of the line!]
[Fang Nanyuan: Ah San, you’re really going to get it one of these days.]
[Wei Shanshan: We’re both in the same boat.]
It was to Yun Xiangxiang’s surprise that they were all online. She did not contact Yi Yan in private because she was concerned about the feelings of the other two if they knew about it. Everything about them should be shown to each other without secrets.
[Yi Yan: Nanzi, Sansan, do you guys really need to fight with me?]
As both of them knew about Yi Yan’s situation, they kept quiet.
[Yun Xiangxiang: Brother Yi, then you should make the necessary preparations. I’ll call you over for an audition after these few days.]
[Yi Yan: Okay. I am always ready.]
For the script’s modification, Du Changrong went out of his way to ask a good friend over. He also gave Yun Xiangxiang two days of leave.
Yun Xiangxiang also mentioned Yi Yan. Du Changrong gladly allowed him to come for an audition. Everything would be greenlit if he passed.
“Caring Love” was what pushed Yun Xiangxiang to prominence. Coincidentally, she worked together with Yi Yan in that film. If Yi Yan would play this role, the public would have more to talk about when the film would be promoted.
It would help the promotion of the film to an extent. Naturally, Du Changrong knew about this, that was why he did not object to Yun Xiangxiang’s proposal.
During her two days of rest, Yun Xiangxiang took Ai Li and Coco to the city center hospital for a visit to Meng Ping.
“I told you to not exert yourself, but you just had to think of yourself as an all-powerful person. Now that you’re like this, you can only stop working altogether. The money you made all these years isn’t even enough to pay your medical fees!”
Yun Xiangxiang had only arrived at Meng Ping’s ward when she heard the slightly raised admonishment coming from the inside. Her brows furrowed.
It was barely a few days after Meng Ping’s surgery. This was when she should be resting.
“Who would have thought an actress who joined New Media Entertainment for six or seven years can’t even make a few hundred thousand for her surgery fees?”
Yun Xiangxiang immediately pushed the door and went inside the ward. Her cool gaze fell upon the plump woman standing before Meng Ping’s bed.
She was probably Meng Ping’s agent. Taken aback by Yun Xiangxiang’s sudden entrance, she didn’t wipe away the rage on her face in time.
“Even though Meng Ping has been in the industry for a long time, she cannot be compared to the great results of Miss Yun. Miss Yun, you started from a high vantage point, it makes sense that you do not know how difficult it is for someone who toils on the bottom of the hierarchy,” Meng Pin’s agent was no simpleton.
She immediately changed into a professional smile. She buttered Yun Xiangxiang up at the same time she escaped from Yun Xiangxiang’s trap.
Naturally, Yun Xiangxiang was in no position to challenge her, “How should I call you, elder sister?”
“I am Xu Tao. Please, call me by my name, Miss Yun,” Xu Tao was being humble.
Huan Yu Century Entertainment was the leader of the industry. New Media Entertainment might have been established earlier, but they never had the chance to shine. They would never dare to go against Huan Yu.
“Sister Xu. I think Sister Ping needs some quiet rest. What do you think?” Yun Xiangxiang smiled.
“I think you are right. I have been here for quite a while. There are still things I need to attend to. I think I have to go now,” Xu Tao pretended to not understand what Yun Xiangxiang was saying.
As she looked at how Xu Tao reminded Meng Ping about some trivial matters before taking her handbag and leaving, Yun Xiangxiang admired how flexible and shameless this person was.
But it was this kind of person who suited the cruel society better.
“Thank you, Xiangxiang,” Meng Ping was grateful.
Not just for Yun Xiangxiang’s defense earlier. There was also the pay that Meng Ping received.