Chapter 101 Warning [VIP]

Chapter Summary: We do not want malicious competition among artists.

A week later, Lanxing Media.

Brokerage Director's Office.

It snowed heavily today. As soon as Mu Zhiren arrived, Ji Binghe had her assistant make her a cup of hot coffee and bring it in.

He sat down opposite Mu Zhi. "Have you finished reading the script?"

"Yes, I've finished reading it."

The filming schedule for the advertisement was postponed.

I spent a whole week at home and finally finished watching it all.

Ji Binghe looked at Mu Zhi and asked with interest, "There are a total of 6 scripts: 1 large-scale ancient costume drama, 1 suspense web series, and the remaining 4 are movies."

"They are suspense films, comedies, crime films, and art-house romance films."

Almost every genre has been gathered.

"By the way, I've also received scripts for several TV dramas that will be broadcast on satellite channels in the last two days. They're all spy dramas with different actors involved."

Mu Zhi sighed and rubbed her forehead. Unless the script was a rare gem that hadn't been seen in the last two or three years, she had no interest in taking on another spy drama while her lead role was already airing.

"Zhizhi, you're thinking of taking a movie role, right? There are four scripts, have you found one you like?"

The resources available for this film script, including the production team and cast, are significantly better than those for Mu Zhi before she filmed "Countdown."

However, it was still somewhat different from the script that Mu Zhi had expected.

Currently, she is still a new face in the film industry and lacks box office appeal, so the scripts and roles offered to her are not from the main perspective, meaning the male lead has more screen time.

Mu Zhi doesn't care about screen time or billing order.

But she's not a newcomer after all, and she won't easily lower her standards and criteria for choosing roles.

I hope the script is interesting and the role I take on offers some room for development and challenge. I don't like playing decorative or stereotypical characters.

Seeing that Mu Zhi had been silent for a while, Ji Binghe thought: No way, he doesn't like any of the scripts?

Mu Zhi spoke up, "Of the four movies, the one I'm interested in is the suspense film 'Twins'."

This script is adapted from a foreign film.

Synopsis: Twin sisters. The older sister is a reclusive novelist who doesn't care much about her appearance and often keeps herself at home. She is currently serializing a bestselling novel.

The younger sister is a top editor at a publishing house and also serves as her older sister's agent. In stark contrast to her sister, she is sociable, glamorous, and has a handsome boyfriend.

The story begins with the older sister dying at home after taking sleeping pills; the door is locked from the inside.

The nanny's testimony suggested that the two sisters did not have a good relationship and had been arguing frequently recently. However, the younger sister had an alibi, stating that she was discussing a collaboration with a mystery novelist nearby on the day of the incident.

Just as the police were about to determine that the deceased's death was a suicide caused by excessive pressure from serializing his novel, a mystery novelist provided the police with a clue...

The plot of "Twins" has many twists and turns. Although the supporting characters have a bit more screen time, it is generally exciting. In addition, the challenge of playing two roles by one person is very interesting.

If it were an original script, Mu Zhi would accept it without hesitation.

But she did go see the original film, a highly-rated classic from abroad.

To be honest, the localized adaptation is not as amazing as the original, the characters are not as well-developed, the supporting characters have too much screen time, the plot is not as logical as the original, and in some places the adaptation even "avoids the important and focuses on the trivial" and "removes the essence and takes the dross".

She showed the script to her agent, who had several parts underlined in red and marked with question marks...

"I have some questions about this film that I need to meet with the director to discuss, to hear his answers and his thoughts on the filming of this movie."

Ji Binghe knew that Mu Zhi was very careful about accepting roles, so she said, "OK, I'll arrange it."

After talking with the agent.

As Mu Zhi walked out of the director's office with the script for "Twins" in her hand, she felt as if a gaze was watching her from behind. When she turned around, she saw someone standing by the window not far away, making a phone call.

An unfamiliar face; perhaps it's a new staff member for one of the artists.

When new employees see celebrities at the company, they can't help but glance at them out of curiosity.

Mu Zhi walked towards the elevator and pressed the down button.

After waiting for 2 minutes, the elevator finally started going up from the 1st floor.

I thought to myself: Maybe some celebrity was coming up, and the staff pressed the elevator button in advance, but the celebrity was late, which caused the elevator to linger downstairs for a while before finally coming up.

When the elevator doors opened, it was indeed the celebrity, Liu Rui, and her staff standing inside.

Mu Zhi greeted her as usual, "Teacher Liu, it's been a long time."

Upon hearing Mu Zhi's greeting, Liu Rui, wearing sunglasses, did not simply nod and leave as she usually did, nor did she chat with Mu Zhi warmly as she did last time.

With a slightly cold expression, she replied, "Teacher Mu, what a coincidence."

He then stepped out of the elevator.

He turned his head and urged the assistant behind him who was carrying things: "Hurry up, what are you dawdling about inside for?"

Upon hearing this, the assistant quickly stepped out of the elevator, carrying something in her arms. In her haste, her elbow accidentally bumped into Mu Zhi's arm.

The force was great; the impact caused Mu Quan's arm to ache, and the script he was holding fell to the ground.

Mu Zhi bent down to pick it up, but Liu Rui's assistant picked it up first with lightning speed.

"Sorry, it's a bit dirty. Teacher Mu, let me pat it off for you."

He rubbed the back and front of the script several times.

Liu Rui scolded her assistant unhappily: "You can't even do such a small thing right. You're always so clumsy. Apologize now."

"Teacher Mu, I'm sorry." The assistant apologized again and handed the script back with both hands.

Liu Rui sternly reprimanded her assistant, and Mu Zhi couldn't say anything more. It was just a small matter; once something was lost, it could be picked up.

After receiving the script, Mu Zhi glanced suspiciously at Liu Rui and her assistant. Seeing that the assistant looked a little nervous, she assumed that she was worried that she would scold her, so she reassured her, "It's okay, just be more careful next time."

I then stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the first floor, and the elevator doors slowly closed.

Liu Rui, still standing at the elevator entrance, took off her glasses and extended a hand to her assistant.

The assistant quickly wrote two words on the back of a document and handed it to Liu Rui.

The next evening.

Ji Binghe, Mu Zhi, Minmin, and an assistant, the four of them went to a restaurant.

On the way, Ji Binghe gave Mu Zhi a brief introduction to Director Dou, whom she was going to meet.

Besides what Muzhi Search learned: a well-known director who has made several films, including one popular suspense film that made him famous, but unfortunately the quality of his later films declined.

Ji Binghe also gave a heads-up: "I've met this Director Dou. People in the arts are bound to be a bit arrogant and conceited."

Minmin: "Speaking of which, Teacher Liu Rui has worked with Director Dou before. The movie that was released during last year's National Day holiday grossed over 200 million yuan, but the reviews were just so-so."

Speaking of this, Ji Binghe casually mentioned, "Actually, I met with Director Dou to discuss this script. He said that he initially intended to find Teacher Liu, but later felt that your temperament was more suitable for the role, Zhizhi."

Mu Zhi didn't take it to heart. It wasn't unusual. Some directors did like to work with actors twice. They had better chemistry, it was easier, and they might even get a discount.

We arrived at the restaurant and went into a private room.

There were two people sitting inside. The one in the main seat was Director Dou, and the other looked like his assistant.

My agent said the producer will also be there.

After sitting down, Director Dou explained: The producer had something come up and couldn't make it.

While exchanging pleasantries, ordering food, and waiting for the food to be served.

At Mu Zhi's prompting, Minmin took out the script from her bag. Mu Zhi talked to Director Dou about the original film and the script she had received, shared some of her thoughts, and showed the director the marked parts of the script.

Director Dou showed little interest in it, glancing at the script briefly before closing it.

He started lecturing Mu Zhi, basically saying that he had made many films and understood the market and audiences very well, while Mu Zhi was just a newcomer...

Mu Zhi insisted: "I still think the original movie handled the plot better. The fundamental conflict between the sisters is that the younger sister wants to control the older sister and use her as a tool, while the older sister is unwilling to be deliberately hidden behind others by her younger sister, weakening her own existence and preventing her from stepping in front of the camera."

The bestselling novel, currently being updated, serves as the catalyst, but the adapted screenplay sets the younger sister's boyfriend as the trigger for their falling out, prompting the older sister to harbor murderous intent towards her younger sister and begin implementing her own plan...

Is it reasonable to do this for a man I've only met a few times?

Also, in the original film, the mystery novelist who provides witness testimony for the "sister" has a significant role and assists the police in solving the case; he is the male lead.

The script for "Twins" added the younger sister's boyfriend to the male lead role.

When asked about this, Director Dou expressed his pride in his innovative ideas: "We want to innovate on the basis of the original film and bring the audience a different viewing experience."

By making the younger sister's boyfriend the male lead, the film gains a romantic entanglement, thus expanding the audience. Adding some passionate scenes further enhances the film's appeal...

Mu Zhi frowned as she listened.

Ultimately, the final product of a film, and its box office success, depends on whether the audience likes it; it's up to the audience to decide.

Her perspective on the script differs from the director's, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's right.

But so far, four works have been filmed.

Mu Zhi enjoyed working with the four directors, Xu Tao, Xu Kuan, Shen Yan, and Wan Zhou. Communication before filming went smoothly and they were on the same page. The directors listened to the suggestions the actors made, whether they adopted them or not, and they discussed and exchanged ideas with each other.

Even director Wan Zhou didn't put on airs or dismiss the actors' suggestions.

After the dinner.

Ji Binghe felt as if Mu Zhi had been doused with a bucket of cold water. "Our conversation tonight didn't go very well. Do you still have concerns about starring in this drama?"

He didn't agree to act at the dinner party, implying he still needed to consider it.

Mu Zhi: "Mm."

Before the collaboration was finalized, the director was indifferent to her ideas and suggestions, which led to a disagreement between the two.

Once filming begins, the director and actors need to maintain communication during the shoot. Given Director Dou's unyielding style, the actors will likely have no choice but to obey.

Furthermore, Mu Zhi had a concern: "Director Ji, has this film project also been in contact with other actors?"

Ji Binghe was taken aback by the question; she had actually noticed the change in Director Dou's attitude.

We were originally supposed to meet last night, but the time was changed.

The original attitude was to strongly invite Mu Zhi to star in the film, with Mu Zhi being the first choice. However, today it has changed to the point that Mu Zhi is not indispensable, and there is even an implication that Mu Zhi's salary can be reduced.

Why the sudden change of heart?

Two days later.

Lanxing Media, General Manager's Office.

Liu Rui's hair, makeup, and outfit were all carefully styled, and she walked into the boss's office in a good mood.

She valued and looked forward to every meeting with He Zhiyue.

I walked over to the sofa, hesitated for a moment, and then remembered that the boss always sat on the sofa opposite me, so I sat down next to the seat where the boss usually sat.

She sat upright with an elegant posture.

She wore a tight-fitting short skirt that reached above her knees, revealing her beautiful legs clad in extremely thin stockings when she sat down.

Men are visual creatures, after all.

The next second, Assistant Luke brought in a blanket for her.

Liu Rui was about to say no.

He Zhiyue walked over. "It snowed today, and the temperature is below zero."

Worried she'd be cold? This was the first time the boss had proactively spoken to her about anything outside of work, expressing his concern for her.

"Thank you, Mr. He." Liu Rui took the blanket from Luke's hands, gazing at her boss with gentle eyes, wondering if it was out of gentlemanly courtesy or if this unromantic block of ice was finally melting a little.

Ke Hezhi did not meet his gaze.

He glanced at the seat Liu Rui was sitting in. His usual sofa seat was taken. A hint of displeasure flashed in He Zhiyue's eyes, but he didn't say anything and sat down on the sofa opposite Liu Rui.

Liu Rui noticed the distance He Zhiyue deliberately kept from her, and the cold aura he exuded after sitting down, which seemed to indicate that the topic to be discussed would not be easy. She suppressed the romantic thoughts that had been rising in her heart.

Since the signing, there have been two contacts before the signing, one call to the general manager's office on the day of the signing, and two meetings here.

On the other occasions, it was Liu Rui who took the initiative to approach He Zhiyue.

In fact, the boss doesn't directly interfere with the artists' work arrangements; Ji Binghe handles most of the communication with the artists.

So today, Liu Rui received a call from He Zhiyue, asking her to come to the company.

The expectation was that even if the boss didn't want to talk about personal matters, it would be good news if it was about work, just like the previous two times he had called her in for meetings to discuss her big plans for her acting career.

But the atmosphere today seems off, and a possibility occurred to me, causing my heart to sink.

He Zhiyue doesn't like to beat around the bush, so she gets straight to the point: "Teacher Liu, the reason I called you here today is because I received feedback that a film project was initially handed over to another actress in the company. Director Ji has arranged a meeting with the director, and the collaboration is currently under negotiation."

Yesterday, the director announced that you've been cast as the female lead in the film project, and I think you need to explain this to him.

Liu Rui's smile froze, her hands clenched tightly. The new nail polish she had just done today wasn't very good, and it pricked her palms painfully.

She knew that Ji Binghe would report this to the boss, which was normal.

Unexpectedly, the boss personally intervened in a matter that should have been handled by Ji Binghe.

Is it because Mu Zhi is the one who intercepted the resources that you value Mu Zhi so much?

Liu Rui looked at He Zhiyue, feigning surprise at first: "President He, are you referring to the drama 'Twins'?"

Then, he calmly explained, "At the very beginning, Director Dou contacted me, showed me the script for this film, and wanted to invite me to star in it."

At the time, I was filming on set and didn't know if filming would be delayed. I was supposed to join the cast of this movie after the New Year, and the timeline was too tight, so I didn't agree immediately.

"I took some time to read the script these past few days, and I really liked it. Plus, Director Dou invited me repeatedly, and our previous collaboration was also very pleasant, so I decided to take the role."

He said that after accepting the offer, he learned that Mu Zhi had also been contacted for the same role.

He sneered, "President He, if you don't believe my explanation, you can call Director Dou to verify. With my status and position in the industry, I don't need to steal the resources of a newcomer who has been in the industry for two or three years. This is an insult to me."

He Zhiyue listened to Liu Rui's words with a calm expression, showing no emotion whatsoever.

His tone was cold, yet carried a warning: "When two actors are competing for the same role, the director has his own considerations, and it's perfectly reasonable for him to choose which actor to cast."

However, I don't want malicious competition among the artists under my company, where someone lowers their salary just to snatch resources from another actor.

[Author's Note]

good evening