Chapter 80: Things about the crew

Seeing this, Shang Jin thought that Liu Shishi was a little nervous because she had just arrived, so he quickly waved his hand to interrupt the two of them.

"Stop, stop, stop. Try again! Xiao Liu, show some emotion. Pay attention to your eyes. Don't panic. Try to find the feeling."

Liu Shishi's mind was in a mess. She had no idea how to act. She responded mechanically, "Okay, Director."

Yan Ni rehearsed the play again, but Liu Shishi's eyes were still dull and lifeless, with no change at all.

Shang Jin could only remind him: "Xiao Liu, this scene is the first meeting between Tong Xiangyu and Zhan Hongling. It contains hidden meanings and a contest between them. It doesn't mean you should glare at others fiercely."

After four or five rehearsals, Liu Shishi's eye acting showed no improvement. Shang Jin sighed, rubbed his forehead helplessly, and sweated anxiously.

Yan Ni was also anxious. It was not a good idea to keep wasting time like this, so he said to comfort her, "Director Shang, why don't you take a break? Sister Shi may have just arrived at the crew today and hasn't gotten into the mood yet. Let her take her time."

Shang Jin sighed and waved his hand, "Alright, you guys take a rest first, Yan Ni, please give Xiao Liu some pointers."

Yan Ni was as if pardoned. Shang Jin was tired of watching, and she was even more tired of cooperating. Since the director agreed to let them rest, she immediately pulled Liu Shishi up and said, "Sister, let's go and rest first."

Liu Shishi looked frustrated. Recalling the time when she was asked to do it again and again during the filming of "Moon Shadow and Wind Lotus", she became unconfident and asked in a dejected voice, "Sister Yan, did I act badly?"

Yan Ni was secretly complaining in his heart and wanted to reply, "You are very self-aware," but it was just a thought.

He still encouraged the girl: "You just came to the crew. After you get to know everyone for a while and integrate into the cast, you will soon be able to get into the role and perform well."

Liu Shishi hung her head and glanced at Yan Ni timidly, "I want to act well, but every time I look at you, Sister Yan, I can't express my inner feelings. When I get anxious, I can't even say my lines."

Yan Ni understood in his heart that this girl was most likely a latecomer, and actors who were not professionally trained all had similar problems.

Without systematic study of acting theory and professional skills training, it is difficult to express the required emotions quickly. One can only rely on experience and emotional substitution and make progress through trial and error.

Qiao Zhengyu was at the edge of the studio. He walked up to greet Yan Ni and Liu Shishi. He saw that their expressions were a little strange, one looked helpless, and the other looked sad.

She asked in surprise, "Sister Yan, what happened between you and Shishi?"

Yan Ni grabbed Liu Shishi's hand, patted the back of her hand, and encouraged her: "Come on, girl. It's just a small scene, don't make such a fuss!"

Qiao Zhengyu understood immediately after hearing this, thinking that the audition probably didn't go well, and consoled her: "It's okay, Junior Sister, you should think about it carefully. Zhan Hongling doesn't have many scenes, just practice more."

Yan Ni mistakenly thought that Liu Shishi was also an artist of Tengda, so he joked: "Old Qiao, since Shishi is your junior sister outside the play, and the role she plays in the play is Zhan Hongling, Bai Zhantang's white moonlight, then you have to help her out more."

"Leave it to me, Shishi, you take it easy first. I'll rehearse with you in the afternoon and help you get the feeling." There are not many actors who graduated from Beijing Dance Academy, and her junior sister Qiao Zhengyu thinks they should be taken care of.

After being comforted and encouraged by the two, Liu Shishi regained some energy and was deeply moved. "Thank you, Senior Brother, Sister Yan."

Not to mention Qiao, Yan and Liu who were exchanging ideas over there, Shang Jin was pacing back and forth in front of the monitor with his arms behind his back.

He had a headache. He didn't expect that Liu Shishi looked so good in ancient costume. Unfortunately, it was just for show. Her eyes were empty and dull, which was very disappointing. Her acting skills were too bad.

Shang Jin hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and decided to call the producer and replace Liu Shishi. He was the director and could not let the producer do whatever he wanted.

Originally, he got along well with the producer Wang Jing, and the investors did not randomly insert actors into the filming, so the filming went smoothly. Although the producer asked for a small guest role in the middle of the filming, Shang Jin naturally agreed to this small request.

However, Liu Shishi's performance disappointed Shang Jin. He was a man who was very dedicated to his work, otherwise he would not have been so persistent in attracting investment and wanted to film "Wulin Waijia" even though he knew that the market was not optimistic about costume sitcoms.

Therefore, he had very high requirements for this play and strived for perfection. Even a small guest role could not have obvious shortcomings.

He held his breath, wanting to prove to the market and the audience that he, Shang Jin, was worthy of the title of a national first-class director and that the TV series he produced would definitely be high-quality.

"Director Shang, why did you call me suddenly?"

Wang Jing felt a little strange. She was busy with Tengda Group's affairs and had not been to the crew recently.

The producer was not there, and the director had the final say on almost all matters of the crew. She didn't think Shang Jin needed to contact her for anything.

"Boss Wang, I have seen the actress who plays Zhan Hongling."

Wang Jing smiled and said, "The little girl is very nice. Director Shang, please give her more guidance."

Shang Jin asked tentatively: "Boss Wang, can we discuss something?"

Wang Jing was confused, "What's going on?"

Shang Jin gritted his teeth and said, "This girl's acting is too poor, her eyes are dull, she is really not suitable to play Zhan Hongling, can you please change her?"

Wang Jing's tone suddenly rose, "Director Shang, what do you mean?"

Shang Jin noticed that Wang Jing was a little excited, so he could only explain tactfully: "Boss Wang, this girl is obviously a newcomer, and she has never learned acting. If you want to promote her at Tengda, "Wulin Waijiao" is really not suitable.

Think about it, everyone else's acting skills are good, but she is the only one who has a shortcoming. Once the TV series is released, the girl will definitely be scolded by the audience."

After that, he added another suggestion: "Boss Wang, your Tengda company is very powerful. If you really want to promote someone, you should train her and customize a brilliant role for her.

The rewards and risks of playing the solo role of Hong Ling are not proportional. So I think we should change the role, which is also a kind of protection for Xiao Liu. "

Wang Jing was easily persuaded and was somewhat moved by what Shang Jin said. She felt that what Shang Jin said did make some sense.

Now she works in a group. If nothing unexpected happens, "Wulin Waijia" should be her last time as a producer. She also hopes that the drama can achieve excellent results.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Jing said, "I need to report the casting change. Director Shang, you should understand what I mean."

"This!" Shang Jin originally thought that Liu Shishi relied on Wang Jing's relationship and could replace her by convincing the producer.

I didn't expect that Wang Jing couldn't make the decision. There were senior people behind him. He couldn't afford to offend Tengda Culture alone. If he offended the big boss behind the scenes just for the purpose of changing roles, it would be a loss.

But now it's too late to back down. Since the words have been spoken, he can only go ahead. Shang Jin sighed. This is a mess. "Please, Mr. Wang, notify me if there is any news."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Jing, who was handling official business in the office, immediately hesitated.

A bystander sees more clearly. The boss Song Ci usually seems to be quite kind to her and Zhang Yong, but deep down he is arrogant, cold, and self-confident. He is not an easy person to talk to.

Especially when it comes to Liu Shishi, the boss is overly partial to his childhood sweetheart. He just asked me to contact the crew to take care of Liu Shishi yesterday, and now I suggest changing the role. I'm afraid I'll be scolded.

It was almost noon. Wang Jing looked at the time and estimated that Song Ci had finished the class. After hesitating for a moment, she picked up her phone and called him. "Mr. Song, are you done with class?"

Song Ci just came out of the classroom, "Just got off, wait for Sister Jing."

After that, he moved the receiver away from his ear and shouted to his roommates, "Brother Gang, Fatty, Xiaochuan, you guys go to the cafeteria first. I'll take a call and come back later."

Lin Hao responded, "Ok, I'll save a seat for you. Come quickly, there will be a lot of people in the cafeteria and you'll have to queue up to get food."

Song Ci avoided the students who were leaving get out of class and walked to a quiet corridor, "Go ahead, Sister Jing."

Wang Jing whispered, "Boss Song, Director Shang Jin just called me and told me that Sister Shi's acting is not very good."

Song Ci frowned slightly, and his tone was calm, making it impossible to tell his mood, "Then what, what does he mean?"

Wang Jing was very careful, trying to distance herself from the topic as much as possible. "Director Shang asked me to convey that he suggested changing the role, as he felt that Shishi might not be suitable for the role of Zhan Hongling."

Song Ci sneered. Shang Jin didn't even recognize him, yet he still conveyed the message!

"Do you also think that Shishi is not suitable? Tell me why she is not suitable?"

Faced with the boss's questioning, Wang Jing was suddenly speechless. She felt that she had been fooled by Shang Jin and had rashly contacted Song Ci without clarifying the matter.

I vaguely remembered that Shang Jin mentioned that Shishi's eye acting was not good, so I could only respond: "Director Shang said that Shishi's eyes were empty and needed to be honed."

Song Ci's tone was cold, with a hint of anger: "Then hone your skills. Isn't it the director's job to give guidance and coach your acting skills? Shishi just arrived at the crew this morning, and you and Shang Jin told me to change roles?"

Wang Jing was frightened by Song Ci's stern questioning, and quickly explained: "Mr. Song, it's not what you think. Director Shang and I also have good intentions."

He then relayed Shang Jin's views to Song Ci.

Song Ci was furious and shouted angrily, "Ballistic! This is ridiculous. Is it for their own good to kick them out of the crew? I know what Shang Jin is thinking. He is against investors inserting people into the crew from the bottom of his heart."

I guess he was holding his breath when the company asked Qiao Zhengyu to play the male lead. Although he had no choice but to compromise, he was still unhappy in his heart.

This time he just wanted to use the excuse of Shishi's poor acting skills to demonstrate his authority as a director, and you were so stupid as to tell me that he meant well.

Whatever Shang Jin says is true, Wang Jing, do you have a brain? "

Song Ci's tone of voice was extremely harsh. Wang Jing was so angry that he was speechless. It took him a long time to come back to his senses.

He stammered, "I understand, Mr. Song. I will take care of this matter."

"What I said just now was a bit harsh, Sister Jing, please think about it carefully."

After hanging up the phone, Song Ci calmed down and his mood gradually calmed down, but he was still unhappy.

When the coal boss invested in a film or TV series, he asked for a female star, so the director had to accept it. But when he arranged a supporting role for himself, Shang Jin refused.

Shishi, you are a new actor. As a big director, instead of giving some advice to your juniors, you just want to replace them to embarrass the investors.

He also said that there was something wrong with Shishi's eyes. Shiye looked at him with affection, so there was nothing wrong with that. It was just a bunch of fabricated stories and it was outrageous.

A few years later, when Internet companies entered the market and intervened in all aspects of casting, production, promotion, and screening, these self-righteous directors finally understood what it meant to have a financial sponsor to care for them.

Thinking of the suggestion for the rapid development of Tengda Culture that Zhang Zhao reported to him last night, Song Ci was a little skeptical at first. Now it seems that Wang Jing is too moderate and conservative. Since Tengda has such strength, it should occupy more market share.

The entertainment industry's pie is so small. There is a fixed number of movies released in theaters each year, TV series broadcast by TV stations, and brand endorsements. If Tenda does not compete for it, it will just sit back and watch other companies develop and grab its interests.

Wang Jing sat in the office, getting angrier the more she thought about it. She was badly tricked by Shang Jin, and at the same time she felt a little aggrieved. Song Ci scolded her so badly for the first time.

But thinking about it carefully, I was indeed a bit reckless just now. I knew that Liu Shishi was the forbidden delicacy of Song Ci, but I was still foolish enough to go and ask for trouble. It was all Shang Jin's fault. I was deceived by his honest appearance and trusted him.

Shang Jin, who was cursed by Wang Jing, was eating box lunches with several leading actors in the rest shed. There were two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes. Everyone from the director to the extras were treated equally. No one in the "Wulin Waijia" crew was acting like a big shot.

Seeing Wang Jing's call, Shang Jin dropped his lunch box, scanned the room, and found that no one was staring at him. He stood up and took a few steps to distance himself from the crowd. "Boss Wang!"

"Director Shang, I hope I didn't disturb your meal at this time."

Wang Jing's sarcastic words made Shang Jin feel bad. He smiled bitterly and said, "Boss Wang, please don't slander me."

Without waiting for Shang Jin to ask, Wang Jing said directly: "Director Shang, I won't beat around the bush with you. Liu Shishi, you have to stay."

Shang Jin still wanted to fight for it, holding on to his old opinion, "Boss Wang, didn't I explain to you that her acting skills are not good?"

Wang Jing said firmly, "Director Shang, don't play tricks on me or complain. I just discussed with you that the role of Zhan Hongling should be Liu Shishi."

"Boss Wang, you are embarrassing me and being irresponsible to 'Wulin Wai Zhuan'."

"Don't pretend to be aggrieved with me. I have no place to complain about my grievances. Do you know how badly I was scolded by the big boss just now? Okay, Director Shang, this matter is settled."

Wang Jing used her authority as a producer and producer to put pressure on the director.

Shang Jin also lost his temper and said in a deep breath: "Boss Wang, this is not the way to do it. I'm the director, and I don't think she's suitable."

Wang Jing sneered, "Director Shang, we have been working together quite happily during this period. I will also give you some authority and not interfere too much in the crew's affairs.

In "Wulin Waijiao", except for the male lead who is from Tengda, the other roles are left to you to decide. You are also a big director in the circle, and you must know that few film and television companies are as generous as Tengda.

It's a TV series wholly produced by Tengda, and it's reasonable for our big boss to insert someone to play a supporting role. I'm saying this, you should consider whether you can afford to offend Tengda Group."

Shang Jin was silenced by Wang Jing's threat. Tengda Culture owns the second largest cinema chain in the country. Not to mention himself, even big film directors like Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige would not be easily offended.

(End of this chapter)