Chapter 847 is the top.

Halfway through dinner, everyone inevitably started talking about the movie that was currently being filmed.

“The movie ‘The Boat’ was really difficult to make,” said Luo Yuzhong. “Other movies have many scenes and characters, so you don’t have to worry about them being boring. But this movie has a lot of everyday life, so it’s really difficult to make it interesting.”

Li Zhibai said, "I can't even watch some art films now, I find them too boring."

“Yes,” Chen Ziyan said. “Actually, handling this kind of subject matter requires a lot of skill. The most difficult thing is to make the audience watch the seemingly large amount of scenes without information in a way that is engaging and interesting.”

“There are so many genre films in theaters now, mainly because genre films can keep the pace very fast and reduce a lot of build-up,” Lu Yanhe said. “But ‘The Boat’ is not that kind of film at all. We can’t abandon its original character in order to make it more appealing, nor can we completely ignore the viewing threshold of the film’s visuals.”

Lu Yanhe actually really likes movies like "Tokyo Family". He also finds it amazing that such movies can make very ordinary things look so appealing to watch.

However, "Tokyo Family" is easier to film than "The Boat." The former has so many characters, each with their own perspective. Different perspectives bring different information, and different information leads to different stories and emotions.

A large portion of the time in "The Boat" is spent boiling water.

Before it boils, it looks almost unchanged, calm and still.

Li Zhibai: "When I was watching it on set this afternoon, I felt that I definitely couldn't act in a movie like 'The Boat' now. I can't even imagine how I would act it. Most of the time, there would be no emotional changes. I feel like I would fall asleep while acting."

“It requires a lot of inner support,” Lu Yanhe laughed. “You may not have a single line, but you have a lot of emotions and thoughts in your mind, which can only be presented in a very subtle way.”

“Yes.” Li Zhibai nodded. “That’s it. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read the script, so I don’t know what kind of story it is, or what you were acting out this afternoon. To be honest, I didn’t understand it.”

Chen Ziyan said with a smile: "Making movies is really like this. A scene may take several days to shoot. If you only watch one scene and there is not enough information, you really won't know what it is about, let alone a story like 'The Boat'."

Li Zhibai: "But you acted really well. You guys are really amazing. I had no idea what you were acting, but I was still able to follow along. Sister Meng Ling spent the whole afternoon mixing paint or something, and I just watched her sitting there by herself, slowly tending to the pile of things in front of her, occasionally glancing at you guys. Her son was also wandering around nearby. The whole scene was very lifelike. Anyway, I've rarely seen filming like this. You guys were just doing your thing, and the camera was coming to you."

"It's because the scene we filmed this afternoon should be a transitional scene in the movie, right, Director?" Lu Yanhe asked.

Luo Yuzhong nodded.

“Yes, but the main focus of this play is on the relationships within this family,” Luo Yuzhong said. “The power structure of this family, the division of labor among each person, including some details of their positions, can reveal the relationship between the siblings and the relationship between the siblings and their father, and who is closer and who is more distant.”

Li Zhibai: "Ah, right, that's exactly what I was going to ask. I feel like Sister Meng Ling is deliberately avoiding talking about the father played by Teacher Wen."

“Look, even though you said you couldn’t act in this kind of scene, you still captured it very accurately,” Chen Ziyan laughed. “This kind of keen observation is a talent.”

Li Zhi laughed on horseback.

"You flatter me, you flatter me."

Lu Yanhe: "So what do you think my attitude was for this scene this afternoon?"

“You seem a little unsettled and doubtful; you’re the thread connecting the two of them,” Li Zhibai said. “At least in Meng Ling’s feelings for Teacher Wen, you’re the thread that connects them.”

Lu Yanhe: "Sister Ziyan is right. You are really perceptive. You were able to see so much from a scene that was completely out of the loop."

Li Zhibai immediately said, "After all, Director Luo praised me as a genius. Director Luo, do you remember? Many years ago, you came to Xingyu to interview us for the role of Lao Lu in 'The Golden Era.' You praised my relaxed demeanor, saying that it was something all of them should learn from, and that I had the talent to be an actor. So, I became an actor after that."

"You're suited for acting, kid." Luo Yuzhong laughed. "The roles you take on are all very suitable for you. I also watched your 'Grasshopper' this time, and it's quite rare. I originally thought it was a character similar to Li Xiaoyao, but I didn't expect it to be a complete transformation. It's a role very different from your usual ones, heavy, with a determination for revenge, and occasionally a bit of the youthful chivalry, but not bright. Very good. You took this role yourself, right?"

Li Zhi nodded a hundred times.

"I was involved in the creation process from the script stage."

“It’s a great role,” Luo Yuzhong said. “Although the awards won’t open doors for you because this drama is a martial arts series, it’s a great breakthrough for you. Your image is more serious, and you have a very different charm when you play a serious character. You should thank your parents for giving you such a great face.”

Li Zhibai: "..."

Lu Yanhe smiled, then his eyes darkened slightly as if he had thought of something.

Li Zhibai put his arm around Lu Yanhe's shoulder and said, "There are countless great faces, but only one in ten thousand great souls."

Lu Yanhe smiled, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Luo Yuzhong: "You little rascal, you're really shameless."

Chen Ziyan laughed and said, "I do hope that Yan He can learn from Li Zhibai and become a little thicker-skinned."

-

The next day, Chen Ziyan and Li Zhibai left Wangxian together, went to the high-speed rail station, and took the high-speed rail back to Yuming.

Chen Ziyan asked in surprise, "I have several online meetings today and can't be offline. Why did you take such a long high-speed train back instead of a plane?"

Li Zhibai said, "I'm too lazy to bother. I just put on an eye mask and go to sleep on the high-speed train."

"You didn't sleep last night?"

“I only slept for three hours,” Li Zhibai said. “Last night I had an online video call with someone in the US, and we talked for more than two hours.”

"A new project?"

"Hmm," Li Zhibai said, "I don't know if it's reliable or not, the conversation didn't really suit my taste."

“There’s no need to take a role if it’s not to your liking,” Chen Ziyan said. “Don’t force yourself. At your stage, you should only take on any project when the timing, location, and people are all right. It’s okay to take on a role every two or three years. Your status is already firmly established.”

Li Zhibai said curiously, "That's what I think too. But sometimes when I see Yan He fighting alone overseas, I always think that if I had some resources and connections overseas, I might be able to help him a little. He's a bit simple-minded, and he takes responsibility for everyone around him, trying his best to lift each person up. He's exhausted, but it's no use talking to him. So, at least in the future when he's not up to the task, I'll have the strength to give him a push."

Chen Ziyan smiled.

"Yan He is really lucky."

"ah?"

"Do you know what a talented genius fears most?"

"Um?"

“The people around him are all thinking about taking advantage of him,” Chen Ziyan said. “For many people, Lu Yanhe is a treasure; whoever takes more of him will gain more benefits.”

"But Sister Ziyan, you didn't completely take advantage of him either, did you?"

"Me?" Chen Ziyan smiled. "Maybe it's because the one thing I've never lacked in my life is money."

Li Zhibai stared wide-eyed in shock.

“It’s been a long time since anyone has said that to me,” Li Zhibai said. “Even I, a genuine second-generation rich kid, have never said anything like that.”

“You, a genuine rich second-generation, are not so genuine in front of me.” Chen Ziyan winked at Li Zhibai, saying that was enough and not saying anything more. “It’s good. I’ve always worried that someone like him would be very lonely. I’m not being sentimental, but people like him are all lonely. Fortunately, he has the two of you and Chen Siqi.”

“He really changed a lot during his senior year of high school, so much so. He was almost a completely different person after he fell into the water.” Li Zhibai sighed. “I didn’t understand why before, but after I found out about his relationship with Chen Pinhe, he probably guessed why he was pushed into the river. He escaped death, so he’s completely different now. Compared to him, my conflicts with my parents are really nothing.”

Chen Ziyan nodded.

“You are very fortunate, Li Zhibai. The troubles your parents caused you are the kind of troubles that will not cast a shadow on your life,” Chen Ziyan said. “Not everyone’s family of origin is as healthy as yours.”

"Then I can't say that my family of origin is very healthy, I can only say that it is very wealthy."

“Your parents just don’t know how to love you or how to express their love, but it doesn’t mean they don’t love you,” Chen Ziyan said. “That’s the most important thing, don’t get the point wrong. They’re willing to open a company just for you, to serve you alone. The film and television industry is really unnecessary for your family, and your family isn’t exactly a financially strong company that needs a major entertainment division to expand its strategic territory, but your family still did it anyway, which is actually to support you.”

Li Zhibai remained silent.

Chen Ziyan: "I'm so happy."

Li Zhibai: "Okay."

Chen Ziyan: "Aren't you really planning to try and win a few awards these past few years? With your acting skills, you absolutely can."

“There’s nothing to strive for. Why do I need so many? I’ve already reached the top at my age. Does winning awards really matter to me?” Li Zhibai shrugged. “When the time comes to win awards, they will naturally give them to me. Rather than taking on projects and topics just to win awards, I would rather put my time and energy into projects that can help me open up new horizons, like ‘Flying on Grass’.”

Chen Ziyan: "You did a great job as a producer this time, and I haven't even had a chance to congratulate you yet."

"Hehe." Li Zhibai chuckled, "The process was painful, but the result was wonderful."

Chen Ziyan: "What projects are you planning to do next? Have you figured anything out yet? Or will you be starring in one yourself?"

“I’ve made it clear that I will not be the lead actor in the sequel to ‘Grass on the Grass’, but I will continue to be the producer,” Li Zhibai said. “Once Liu Manbo’s script is finished, I will take full control of the project. I used to think I was too young to handle things, but after experiencing more projects, I’ve realized that you need someone who can keep their word and manage everything from beginning to end. As long as their judgment is accurate, it’s always better than having seven or eight voices giving orders.”

Chen Ziyan: "Yes, it's true."

Li Zhibai suddenly thought of something and asked, "Sister Ziyan, if we had approached you like Yan He did and asked you to be my manager, would you have agreed?"

Chen Ziyan shook her head.

Li Zhibai initially thought she meant "no," but she said, "I don't know. These things depend on first impressions. When agents choose artists to manage, first impressions are more important than anything else. I've always told actors that they should work with directors who truly appreciate them, rather than so-called big or famous directors. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This applies to the relationship between directors and actors, and it also applies to the relationship between agents and artists. Only when an agent truly believes you deserve to be seen can you receive genuine support."

Li Zhibai: "Zhou Ping'an often said that nothing is more reliable than resources."

"It's true. Without a material foundation, talking about appreciation and love is indeed unreliable. But it's undeniable that in the entertainment industry, if you relied entirely on so-called material things, it would have collapsed long ago. How many artists who couldn't be promoted left the scene in disgrace, and how many grassroots artists eventually made it big? Look at the entertainment industry today, those who can win the audience's favor ultimately rely on their own real skills and charm, not the strong promotion of capital and resources," Chen Ziyan said. "There are so many rich kids, so many genuine personalities, and even so many hot tempers in this circle, but aren't you just one? Some people try to replicate your path, but they get criticized and leave the industry. The more you try to copy someone, the less likely you are to succeed. An artist, to put it bluntly, is a star. It depends on whether that person has the talent, that's all there is to it."

Li Zhi nodded repeatedly, seemingly lost in thought.

“Yan Lingyu, you’re very familiar with her, she’s your old partner.” Chen Ziyan laughed. “She has no acting skills, no talent, and a mild-mannered personality, unlike a star, but she still succeeded. All these qualities that don’t seem like those of a star became her defining characteristics. She has nothing, so she’s exceptionally pure and ethereal. She seems mild-mannered, which is why she’s somewhat detached from the entertainment industry. You could say she got the boost from a few roles, but she was also chosen by Liu Bige to play the female lead in ‘Late Spring’ from the start. These things are mysterious and inexplicable; you can only judge by the outcome. Before the outcome is revealed, no one can predict it.”

-

"Can't Lian Bei direct?"

Chen Pinhe frowned in shock. "Why?"

Zhang Yuezhen's face was grim.

"Linghe has reached a cooperation agreement with Beijing and Taiwan to develop three spin-off films of 'The Seventeen Floors,' and Lian Bei will be the director of these three films."

Chen Pinhe's face darkened even more.

Is it fair to say that life is unpredictable?

Why would Linghe develop three spin-off films based on "The Seventeenth Floor"?

"It's said that Chen Ziyan planned this, and Lu Yanhe won't be returning as the lead actor," Zhang Yuezhen said. "It's likely that a spin-off movie will be developed based on the characters of Chen Bige, Jiang Jun, and Li Yuefeng."

Chen Pinhe: "Then my spin-off movie—"

“Your film was produced by Jingtai and Maxine, and has nothing to do with Linghe,” Zhang Yuezhen said. “Their three spin-off films are based on their trilogy and have no connection to ours.”

Chen Pinhe: "What about the sequel to 'The Seventeen Floors: Reboot'? Wen Zichong has been kicked out of Beijing TV and can't even direct anymore. Are you really going to let a director from within Beijing TV do it?"

Zhang Yuezhen said, "I have already spoken with Jiang Lan. She also values ​​'The Seventeenth Floor: Reboot' very much and will not let those incompetent directors at the station ruin the show. She will find a capable and suitable director from outside to take over."

Chen Pinhe: "If it really doesn't work out, we won't do this sequel."

“The contracts have already been signed,” Zhang Yuezhen said. “Moreover, this isn’t just a collaboration with Beijing TV; it also includes Maxine. They value this drama very much.”

Chen Pinhe said, "Maxine values ​​it to a limited extent. They won't use their best resources to promote this show. With shows like 'The Squid Game' and 'Friends' already in hand, other Chinese-language dramas can only be ranked in the second tier."

Zhang Yuezhen said, "No, in recent years, the growth rate of the Asian market has been very high. Several streaming platforms such as Maxine and HP are increasing their investment in Asian content. The production budget of 'The Seventeen Floors: Reboot' alone puts it in the top tier."

Chen Pinhe: "So, the salary for my role in the second season of 'Death Stranding' is still not settled?"

“They’re still holding onto the price and won’t raise it.” Zhang Yuezhen said helplessly, “The first season of Death Stranding wasn’t a huge hit, so they also need to control costs and risks and don’t dare to let the production budget increase too much.”

Chen Pinhe: "The problem is that my salary for the first season was already too low. Now I'm just raising it to a normal salary level, but they still won't agree?"

“Wang Jiaqi’s salary has also increased, so there’s not much budget space left for us. I estimate that we can raise it a little more, up to $250,000 per episode at most.”

Chen Pinhe frowned.

“Wang Jiaqi is, after all, from Hollywood. Her agent has a good relationship with Maxine, and she’s become quite popular in recent years,” Zhang Yuezhen said. “We’ll sign the contract for the second season of Death Stranding and act in it. If the third season is the same, we’ll quit. For now, we’ll try to stabilize the current situation. What do you think?”

Chen Pinhe said, "I think it's fine if we don't take on Death Stranding Season 2, since we have an Asimov movie and a Hollywood romantic comedy coming up."

(End of this chapter)