Chapter 125 - Blind Pride
Director Song walked towards the audition room with his team, arms crossed behind his back humming a happy melody on occasions.
The people gossiped at their back.
"What's the matter? I have never seen Director Song this...moderate before."
"Yeah, usually before auditions his expressions are those of a horned Devil passing judgment...it's weird to see him smiling."
While people were confused at the anomaly, Producer Wang saw hope in this situation. "If you are this relaxed, there has to be some happy news."
Director Song laughed before sighing. "I know what you are getting at Producer Wang but the answer is no. I am not happy because I got some sponsors for 'Dawn of Eternal bloodlust'." He looked apologetic.
After all Producer Wang had been giving it his all to attract sponsors for that specific movie. But until now, they were short on budget.
"Oh..." Producer Wang's smile faded.
They were going to experiment with a brand new idea in this movie. Investors weigh the risks before letting their money loose. Thus they hadn't been able to attract adequate sponsorship.
But he believed in the movie, in the author, and in the overall idea.
The one who was going to invest would be having a major return.
They just didn't know it yet.
How he could not wait for those investors who rejected the proposal once the film rose to the best selling...
Wang Ruogan shook his head and asked with a smile. "Then what got you so happy about? When it comes to auditions, you are the one who urges us to get serious and all."
Director Song was someone enthusiastic about his job. He had Wang Ruogan's utmost trust. In the industry, he was loved and hated at the same time.
Loved, because he would select the actor or actresses purely based on talent. He was meticulous to the point of being painful. No matter your background, you would be selected only if you fit into his standards.
Hated, because many second-generation inept stars had been rejected by him. They all gathered into a group, slandering and smearing his name, attempting to get back at him by getting him fired. But none of their efforts bore fruit.
Director Song had Producer Wang's firm support.
"I have more or less already selected the one I want." Director Song dropped the bomb.
A few people standing nearby heard Director Song and they exchanged looks, speechless. This was the same director that would make them shed tears of blood before finally selecting the one he wanted for the cast.
And now...he already selected the one he wanted?
And based on what?
A mere audition clip?
Heavens!
Who was this monster who swayed their Director with a mere video audition?
An uproar rose after this announcement.
Wang Ruogan also found it hard to accept, he eyed Song Wei suspiciously looking for signs of humor on his face. "Are you being serious?"
"Producer Wang, say it after you see her act for yourself." There was a strange pride in the Director's eyes. As if it was his own child he was talking about, a child who was going to surprise the world with her talent.
"Well, now you got me curious." Wang Ruogan laughed. "How about I postpone my meeting to watch the audition with you?"
"Haha, Producer Wang you won't be—"
"Director Song." The assistant director interrupted, getting his phone down, putting the call on hold. "We just got a call from Fu Entertainment Manager. They said they had been unable to send their candidate entry because of some technical issue... They have a candidate for 'Dawn Of Eternal Bloodlust'. What do you say?"
Director Song didn't give a reply instead, he looked at Wang Ruogan asking for directions.
"Who is this candidate?" Wang Ruogan looked at the assistant, taking on a serious pose.
"The candidate's name is Zhao Hua. Her manager claims she has excellent skills, she has even once starred in the top-grossing drama serial, on other occasions she had given sponsorships of many products including a French jewelry brand."
"Excellent skills, that's what they all say..." Director Song was already biased towards his 'child' readily finding fault with others.
"I have an impression of this Zhao Hua, she was just a side character in the so-called top-grossing drama serial." In a few words, Producer Wang humbled the impressively stated resume as he revealed a satirical look.
"Her subsequent gigs aren't the case of second-hand fame." The assistant director had engaged in a long talk with Manager Qin. Manager Qin's eloquent words had already influenced the assistant judgment, steadily influencing him into forming an overly good impression of Zhao Hua. He was biased towards her.
"Getting a side role in popular series gets you more benefits than a main in a flop." Zhao Hua's subsequent impressive gigs were noteworthy because she earned some recognization in the popular drama series, she got lucky...
...but in the end, she was someone better than an unknown newbie.
Producer Wang sighed. Facing Song Wei, he said. "Song Wei, I will have to ask you to compromise a bit on this one case. You do know that we are short on budget? Having an actress with a background helps in attracting the sponsors."
"I understand." Director Song could be excessive when it came to choosing the actors but he knew to keep their priorities straight. What use were the actresses when they could not even fund the film? "Producer Wang since you have decided to participate in the audition, I will let you have the final say."
...
"How long will I have to wait?" Zhao Hua asked, a glaring grimace settling over her face.
"Zhao Hua, Manager Qin asked me to make certain you rehearse the lines properly. Director Song is known to be a perfectionist. If you got anything wrong, our efforts would all go down the drain." Qin Chanpu's male assistant had escorted Zhao Hua. He was assigned to see things through, allowing no mistake.
Unfortunately, working with Zhao Hua was proving to be more difficult than he had expected.
Zhao Hua rolled her eyes. "Oh please," Her mood was already irritable. Enduring Xuan Wen nagging on top of that brought her to the edge. "Just have a look around. Do you see anyone else on my level? Even I wouldn't have to audition for this role if not for a request from Brother Qin. If the Judge Panel does not accept me, they must be blind." In other words, she was certain she would get the spot.
In fact, she could foresee the so-called Director scurrying around her, flattering her with praises.
In her eyes, this was just a low-budget cheap film that won't even cover the cost of production.
It was already the production team's fortune to have her audition for one of the roles.
"Don't be so confident, Manager Qin wouldn't have warned me for—"
"Xuan Wen, stop rushing Sister Zhao for no reason." The attendant holding water bottles for Zhao Hua interjected, her manner somewhat rude. "We already got our company's best stylist fashion Sister Zhao in accordance to the role. It would just take a look for them to select her. And did you even hear Sister Zhao? Look around, which other candidates have attendants? They all look like novices."
Xuen Wen: "..." He was helpless.
It was difficult to have a reasonable conversation with women.
Xuan Wen had supplied Zhao Hua with attendants on the directions of Manager Qin. Qin Chanpu intended to establish Zhao Hua's image as a professional, An A tier actress to influence Director Song's decision. Addiontaly, he made Xuan Wen follow Zhao Hua all the way to audition as additional assurance.
Among everyone in the waiting room, only Zhao Hua had attendants, the glaring contrast bringing out Zhao Hua's arrogant side to its extreme.
After taking a look around, Xuan Wen realized that Zhao Hua's words indeed carried some weight.
There was no familiar face in the waiting room, none of them was a big shot. Only Zhao Hua had a decent history.
Based on that, shouldn't Zhao Hua easily get the spot?
Maybe Manager Qin was being overcautious by doing so much to make certain Zhao Hua gets the role...
"Just make certain to not let Chen Yi come first. If that happens, prepare yourself for the Manager's wrath." Xuan Wen sighed.
Hearing Chen Yi's name, Zhao Hua revealed a trace of contempt.
Her assistant observed Zhao Hua's hatred, finding the moment adequate to say. "Not even a few days since she has been signed and she already sent for an audition? Sister Zhao, if you ask me she is aiming for the moons. Are we even certain that she got called for the audition? Maybe it was a mistake on the selection team part."
"I was surprised too." Zhao Hua's contempt progressed into disdain. She looked down upon Chen Yi. So what if Chen Yi has beautiful looks? She is just a novice that no one knows. "No need to concern ourselves for such people. The result for today's audition is already decided."
Zhao Hua's words brought out mocking sneers from her attendants. "Sister Zhao, we know you find it below yourself to mingle with such cheap people. But to be honest, I can't wait to see her expressions once she realizes you also came here for the audition. I'm sure she won't dare to cross Manager Qin again. Haha...."