Sometimes Xiao He really admired Ning Jiaqi's imagination.
The entire production team only gave him the complete script, letting him figure out the plot before and after the scene, while the actors he acted with might not know what was going on until they "died," all of them remaining on the first level.
However, this approach does have its advantages. It makes his performance more nuanced among all the actors, while the others, kept in the dark and cooperating with Xiao He's "performance," are less likely to break character.
Director Ning really trusted him too much; he actually relied on him to fool the entire crew...
Xiao He's worries didn't last long before he and Sister Liu flew back to Beijing to prepare for the start of filming for "No Bait".
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The pre-production of "No Bait" was very low-key. Apart from the casting process causing a stir in the industry, fans outside the industry didn't know much about it. Even the opening ceremony was very simple. It was held at a film and television base in the suburbs of Beijing. No media were invited to take photos. A group of people simply offered incense and prayed according to the normal procedure, and then they were ready to start filming.
Firstly, the script is quite special; it's kept secret not only from outsiders but also from the crew itself. Therefore, Ning Jiaqi doesn't want to attract too much attention, lest it affect the filming of the story.
Secondly, the production team had very few popular actors; almost all of them were skilled actors, and they were all well-known supporting actors in film and television works. The overall tone of the production team was not focused on popularity, so the initial investment in the film's popularity was not large, and the main effort was made in later promotion.
If one had to say something, Xiao He might be considered an anomaly.
More precisely, in this crew where the average age was over 30, Xiao He was the only young man in his twenties.
During the makeup trial, Xiao He's appearance was maintained at around thirty years old, but when he was offering incense, he wasn't wearing makeup and stood out among the group of people.
When Xiao He bent down to offer incense, he felt like his back was being stared at so intently that it was almost rotten.
But he didn't care. He ignored the probing, questioning, or curious glances, and slowly stepped off the stage after setting up the incense.
In fact, if it weren't for Ning Jiaqi's reputation, several veteran actors would probably have quit on the spot.
After all, no one is happy to be overshadowed by a younger actor.
Fortunately, the first scene after filming started was the last scene of Xiao He's audition—the investigation team questioned Shu Yuxiu about the truth of the case in the interrogation room, but Shu Yuxiu turned the tables on him, asking the investigation team to clear his name and looking forward to the investigation.
Xiao He had thoroughly studied this scene and could perform it with ease. Moreover, Xiao He guessed that Ning Jiaqi also intended for him to use his performance in this scene to establish his authority and gain a foothold in the crew.
Xiao He's co-star was a middle-aged actor named Duan Huai, who often played police officers; he was practically a "police specialist." From the initial readings to the start of filming, he never really liked Xiao He. It's unclear whether it was because he was a "police specialist" while Xiao He was a "villain specialist," but every time he looked at Xiao He, his eyes were always scrutinizing and arrogant, which made Xiao He feel very uncomfortable.
However, Xiao He didn't really want to clash with these people, so he simply pretended not to see them.
Before filming officially began, Duan Huai deliberately and subtly reminded Xiao He, "Little Xiao, good luck later."
Xiao He glanced at Duan Huai and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Okay, Teacher Duan, let's all do our best."
Before filming began, Liu Rulan had already taken Xiao He to visit many people in the crew, especially several respected veteran actors. She not only brought Xiao He gifts to express goodwill, but also deliberately mentioned in her remarks the praise and closeness that teachers Zhuo Jianhua and Gao Zhenxia had shown to Xiao He. The veteran actors stared at Xiao He thoughtfully, and then went back to confirm with their old friends.
After receiving a positive answer, their attitude towards Xiao He softened considerably, and they no longer publicly opposed his casting as the male lead.
As for Duan Huai... Liu Rulan didn't take Xiao He to befriend him and give him gifts alone.
Therefore, Duan Huai is probably not important and poses no threat to him.
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