In a hotel in the capital, Wen Weiji, the chief director of the "Young Hero Fang Shiyu" crew, was discussing the next work plan with two executive directors, Li Huizhu and Tan Youye.
The script of this drama was completed as early as last year. The reason why it has been delayed until now is mainly because of some differences in the selection of actors and filming locations.
According to the original plan, it was planned to be filmed on Baodao, but Feiteng Pictures' partner ATV put forward different opinions. ATV also participated in the investment of this drama, and the main production team was all ATV people.
Compared to Baodao, ATV's attitude is still more inclined to shoot in the mainland. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and beautiful scenery here. No matter what kind of location you need, you can find a suitable location in the mainland. Why bother to rely on filming in Baodao? Studio, and compositing for shooting.
Not only will it look fake, but the production cost will also increase.
But shooting in the Mainland is different. When the time comes, if some Mainland actors are added, and another production unit can be brought in to cooperate, it will directly become a co-production, and it will be easier to enter the Mainland market in the future.
There is also the issue of casting.
The production team, which is mainly based on ATV, wants to use Lu Songxian, the former number one brother of ATV, to play the male lead Fang Shiyu, probably because they are thinking about bringing Lu Songxian back to the ATV camp.
But Zhou Linggang, the boss of Feiteng Pictures, insisted on using Zhang Weijian.
Although Zhang Weijian still has a contract with ATV and can be regarded as one of his own, he is already a thing of the past in Hong Kong and his reputation is not as good as before.
This actor, who was once hailed by the media as Stephen Chow's successor, was indeed popular for a while, but due to excessive exposure and a single performance style, the audience had long been tired of him.
I feel that Zhang Weijian's acting is too noisy and noisy, and his popularity with the audience is really not good.
Using Zhang Weijian as the male lead is likely to offend the Hong Kong audience.
But Zhou Linggang insisted that the two parties had previously collaborated on many works such as "Happy Dragon" and "Dan Ge Xing", and Zhou Linggang had always admired Zhang Weijian.
After repeated consultations, some differences were gradually reconciled, but at this time, new problems emerged.
When Wen Weji's old friend Lu Feng learned that he was going to open a new play, he recommended an actor to him.
For the sake of his old friend, Wen Weji also agreed to give him the opportunity to audition. Before he even met, the videotape had already been sent over.
After reading it, Wen Weji was also a little shaken.
Originally, the audition was just a formality. The role of Hong Xiguan had already been decided. Although the actor had not yet signed a contract, some media in Baodao had already disclosed the cast list for this drama.
Fan Shaohuang's name was prominently listed.
But in the videotape received, the Hongjiaquan performed by the young actor named Zhang Chu really made Wen Weiji very excited.
When he was young, he also had the experience of practicing martial arts, but unfortunately he was not very talented, but he has always been obsessed with martial arts.
It can be seen that although Zhang Chu is young, his level is definitely comparable to that of a well-known Hongjiquan master.
Moreover, Zhang Chu's image is also more prominent, but he lacks acting experience and is somewhat lacking in fame.
After repeated evaluation and comparison, Wen Weji still preferred to use Fan Shaohuang, who was more famous and was also a master of Hongjiaquan.
But just when he was about to ask someone to contact Fan Shaohuang, Zhou Linggang called.
As an investor and the director of this drama, he has to personally participate in the audition.
"My attitude is still Fan Shaohuang."
After chatting for a while about the upcoming work arrangements, several people brought up the issue of Hong Xiguan's casting.
Li Huizhu was the first to express her stance.
"What's the reason?"
"Obviously, Fan Shaohuang is more famous. Moreover, this is filming, not a martial arts competition. No matter how good the actor Zhang Chu is, how can he still fly into the sky and escape from the earth?"
Li Huizhu said and pushed out the prepared photo of Fan Shaohuang.
"Don't forget, you two, we are going to use Zhang Weijian as the male lead. He is already very unpopular with the Hong Kong audience. If the second male lead cannot be cast by an actor they like and are familiar with, it is hard for me to imagine that this drama will be successful. What future does Xiangjiang have?"
Li Huizhu is right, and the reason is indeed very good.
"But Mr. Zhou's side..."
Tan Youye said at this time: "I have a way to get the best of both worlds."
Best of both worlds?
Wen Weiji said hurriedly: "Tell me about it."
"We can let Zhang Chu play Hu Huiqian. Originally, we were planning to find a new actor to play this role. If it were replaced by Zhang Chu, everything would be easy to explain."
It's indeed a good idea.
For the role of Hu Huiqian in the play, the crew chose mainland actor Zheng Guolin. He had also gone to Hong Kong to develop his career before, but unfortunately he had been hanging around for a few years and had no achievements, so he returned to the mainland.
Cheng Guolin was chosen to play the third male lead, obviously for the mainland market.
The problem is, this character is not likable.
Hu Huiqian in history was also one of the Ten Tigers of Shaolin, but after the adaptation, this character has been weakened a lot compared to Fang Shiyu and Hong Xiguan.
Especially in the story, the part where he went into a dog hole in order to leave the Shaolin Temple and go down the mountain to take revenge was really hard to like, and he almost turned evil in the later stages.
Can an actor recommended by Lu Feng and named by Zhou Linggang finally be allowed to play such a role? Can he really explain the past?
After thinking about it for a while, Wen Weiji couldn't make up his mind, and finally had to leave the question to Zhou Linggang.
"The final decision is left to Mr. Zhou!"
At this time, Zhang Chu and Lu Feng also arrived in the capital.
As soon as he got off the plane, Zhang Chu suddenly felt like he was surviving a disaster.
He had been looking forward to it for a long time. He had long wanted to experience traveling thousands of miles a day. However, as soon as he took off, he felt a sudden aggravation, coupled with bouts of tinnitus, which made him dizzy, followed by bouts of stomach churning. .
Fortunately, it didn't take long to fly in the sky. It only took two hours to get from Hangzhou to Beijing. It is indeed an artifact that can travel thousands of miles in a day.
Before he had time to sigh, the feeling of weightlessness caused by the plane landing made Zhang Chu miserable again.
"Feeling better?"
Lu Feng looked at Zhang Chu who had just walked out of the bathroom, holding on to the wall, and tried hard not to laugh.
I finally discovered that Zhang Chu had his bad days.
Zhang Chu didn't even bother to say anything at this moment. He just waved his hands and made up his mind that he would never fly again no matter how far he went.
No matter how good this thing is, he won't be able to tolerate it.
"Would you like to find a place to rest, you are like this now..."
He looked like a tuberculosis ghost, and he had to audition for anything. When he met the director, he had to be passed.
Zhang Chu took a deep breath: "No need, Director Yuan only gave me two days."
"I have plenty of time! I have a day off today, and I will meet the director tomorrow as well, and then fly back in the afternoon."
Still flying?
I won't accompany you!
"I'll take the train back!"
As Zhang Chu said that, the feeling began to rise again, and he quickly turned around and went to the bathroom.
vomit……
When Lu Feng saw this, he couldn't help laughing anymore.
"Afon!"
While he was smiling, he suddenly heard someone calling him. He turned around and saw a group of people standing not far away, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Brother Gang!"
As he spoke, he arrived in front of him in a few steps, and even though he was far away, he took the initiative to extend his hand.
He is only slightly famous in the Baodao entertainment industry, but the person in front of him is a real boss.
Not just a big boss, but...a literal boss.
Zhou Linggang, the founder of Feiteng Pictures and one of the four famous producers in Baodao film and television industry.
Speaking of his life experience, it is legendary, enough to be used to make a TV series.
When he entered the industry at the age of 26, he could only do chores on the set such as serving tea and water, moving tables and sweeping the floor. Later, he won the favor of a great director because of his diligence and serious work attitude.
From then on, he started to rise rapidly. He basically did all the work of camera assistant, set recorder, prop manager, director assistant, and crew.
If this trajectory continues, Zhou Linggang's next step should be to become a director or producer.
But in 1979, Zhou Linggang suddenly established Feiteng Pictures. Although it was just a small company at the beginning, it developed extremely quickly.
Especially in the early 1980s, the TV series "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" was produced, which directly made Zhou Linggang and his Feiteng Pictures famous.
Some people say that Zhou Linggang has the support of local gangs in Baodao. He has never admitted this, but he has never denied it.
In fact, anyone who is familiar with the film and television industry can see why, if there is no one behind it, only the Feiteng Pictures studio has never been visited by gangs.
Treasure Island is the same as Hong Kong. The entertainment industry itself is deeply involved in the black society. When a crew wants to shoot in a certain place, the first thing they do after arriving at the place is to visit the pier.
Otherwise, you are guaranteed to have no peace of mind.
But Feiteng Pictures has never had such trouble. If there is no one behind Zhou Linggang, even ghosts would not believe it.
"Afeng, aren't you helping Director Yuan film a movie? Why are you in the capital?"
Lu Feng hurriedly smiled and said: "It's a coincidence. This time I brought an actor here for an audition. The audition was for the play of your company, Brother Gang. Brother Big Eyes told you."
"Young hero Fang Shiyu, the actor's name is... Zhang Chu!"
Zhou Linggang said, looking behind Lu Feng.
It really cost me my life.
In the past, Zhang Chu had never cried out in pain despite facing wind and rain, climbing on ice and snow, and sleeping in the wilderness at night.
Well?
Where is Lu Feng?
Just as he was thinking about it, Zhang Chu suddenly felt that someone was staring at him. He raised his head and met Zhou Linggang's sharp gaze.
This man is not simple.
As a person in the officialdom, the most important thing is to have a clear eye, who can be offended and who cannot be offended, who cannot be offended now, and who cannot be offended openly, must be clearly distinguished at all times.
This requires excellent eyesight, which can analyze a person's corresponding identity through his appearance, clothing, and aura in the shortest possible time.
The person in front of me should be... someone who cannot be offended openly!
