Chapter 457
Inside the film and television city.
Seeing the peaceful atmosphere at the wrap-up scene, Jiang Pengchi, the "tyrant" of the set, barely managed a smile. Seeing his expression, the surrounding staff members emboldened themselves and, unusually, started urging the director to cut the cake.
Because it was a suspense-themed shoot, every prop piled up on set had the potential to become a focal point for future audience discussion. Therefore, only select media outlets with a good relationship with the director were invited to the wrap-up event for "Interweaving."
Of course, besides the media, many sponsors and investors were also in attendance. But looking at the "lonely" director, it was clear that the most lively place in the room was next to Ji Shao, the leading male star of their film "Interweaving."
Listening to the commotion around him, Jiang Pengchi lost his usual sullen expression on the set, as if someone owed him millions. Instead, he waved towards Ji Shao, who was chatting with the screenwriter and holding a bouquet of flowers. "Xiao Luo, come here!"
"Xiao Luo" is Ji Shao's on-screen name. On set, he was rarely addressed by the name "Ji Shao." He was usually called "Chang Xiao Luo" or "Xiao Luo." Because of the semi-closed management system, the crew had become close friends with Ji Shao over the past six months.
In the center of the wrap-up tent stood a massive, long table made from three wooden tables used for rural banquets, borrowed from a nearby village. The large cake on top was prepared by the sponsors, emblazoned with their respective logos and fondant figurines of key actors from the series.
"Okay, Director." Noticing Director Jiang's gesture, Ji Shao handed the stack of autographed photos he had just signed to the screenwriter sister beside him, and then trotted over with extra joy.
Since arriving at the wrap studio, Ji Shao had been signing autographs non-stop. Director Jiang had a strict rule during filming, prohibiting stagehands and extras from asking for autographs or taking photos with the actors, and no one dared to disobey. So, today, when that rule was relaxed, even the screenwriters joined in the fun.
Most of the people present were crew members. Seeing Ji Shao, who looked so different from his usual filming days, they all started to tease and jokingly laugh. The young man who had instantly become a trending topic was completely different from the young actors they usually remembered. Only now, after filming wrapped, did they finally feel a sense of reality: the top star was right next to them.
You know, the fans gathered outside are much larger than the scale when the filming started! No one knows where these fans came from, but the staff know it all: they are all here for Ji Shao.
The large crew of over a hundred people wore the same white T-shirts with the "Interweaving" logo on the chest. As Ji Shao lowered his head to cut the cake, the crew of "Interweaving", which had been working for half a year, finally officially wrapped up!
The media across from them were practically snapping their cameras until smoke started coming out. It was only because of their good relationship with Director Jiang that they were able to get the firsthand news of the filming wrapping up. So they also knew what questions they could and couldn't ask on set.
As the most anticipated TV series to be broadcast in the second half of the year, Ji Shao, who was originally a showman and whose acting skills were questioned, won the Best Actor Award at the Huacai Awards for his outstanding performance in "The Unparalleled General". This immediately raised the expectations and investment for "Interweaving" to a new level.
Many film directors are eagerly awaiting the release of "Interweaving," a film produced by a truly accomplished team. The quality is self-explanatory, but the key is whether someone can adapt to the pace of filming.
Needless to say, director Jiang Pengchi is a true god at directing TV series. The screenwriter is Mao Ning (Cat Sister), a highly sought-after figure in the industry with numerous hits under his belt. The cast, aside from Ji Shao, who brings his own popularity and sponsorship, is filled with talented veteran actors.
After Xie Zhengyun's character was revealed, the only possible "poison point" became a shining bright spot. Everyone was looking forward to what kind of surprises Ji Shao, who won the Best Actor award for his first TV series, would bring to everyone.
It's more of an anticipation than a pressure, but it doesn't seem to make any difference to Director Jiang. After all, not all directors are like him, putting pressure on actors, tempering their will, and meticulously scrutinizing details from the very beginning of filming.
Jiang Pengchi is known for his strict and demanding approach. Past collaborators testify to his demanding nature. Regardless of the actor's arrogance or fame, they must meet his standards. This explains why, despite his generally unremarkable reputation within the industry, he remains a popular choice among actors.
For Ji Shao, this was undoubtedly a good thing. Having just won the biggest prize in his life, Director Jiang came to dampen his spirits, which would be of great help to his future acting career.
So even though he was severely tempered physically and mentally, Ji Shao always maintained respect for Director Jiang. As for the other actors who avoided the director after the scene, Ji Shao was the one who chased the director and asked questions.
After taking the group photo, Jiang Pengchi's expression softened slightly. He looked at the reporters in front of him who looked as if they wanted to burn holes in Ji Shao's body, and he coughed lightly.
"cough."
"Ahem."
“Cough cough cough!!!”
"Director, what's wrong with you?" Ji Shao, who was surrounded by the noise, finally heard the cough of someone next to him and asked quickly.
"Nothing," Jiang Pengchi said after pretending to think for a moment. "All the media owners here are my friends. They want to interview you, so I can't just refuse them outright."
Ji Shao didn't say anything. Based on the tacit understanding they had developed during previous filming sessions, he knew that Director Jiang must have something else to say when he said that.
Sure enough, I heard the other party say in a quieter voice, "While they are interviewing me, sneak to the back. I will keep the gold for you to guard the door. Don't let the fans waiting for you outside wait too long."
Jiang Pengchi's attitude towards fans is very calm. He's like a mirror, reflecting back on how his fans feel about him. Just like when filming started, when Ji Shao agreed to serve as a food truck supporter for fans, he's very satisfied with the good order maintained by Ji Shao's fans at the filming location.
Seeing the young man's eyes suddenly light up, Jiang Pengchi inexplicably thought of something, so after thinking for a moment, he asked directly, "Have you made any plans for the next drama?"
Both of them were very careful when they spoke. Fortunately, Director Jiang was "notorious", and the others standing next to him, except Ji Shao, kept a considerable distance from him.
The media in front watched the two people whispering, sweating with anxiety. They wanted to put the big microphone behind them to their mouths to listen to what they were whispering about in private. How could it make Ji Shao's eyes light up?
Hearing Director Jiang's question, Ji Shao stretched out his left hand to cover his lips and whispered, "I've already signed a contract with Director Fang, and the film is almost ready."
"That?" Jiang Pengchi seemed to understand something. He reached out and patted Ji Shao's arm and said seriously, "Don't let your guard down. Shoot well! Don't embarrass me!"
Everyone in the media area was feeling uneasy. They wished the interview session could begin right now, so they could ask all the questions that had arisen.
But unexpectedly, once the interview officially began, the other protagonist simply vanished. When asked about Director Jiang, he simply smiled and said nothing, his eyes darting around, leaving everyone feeling uneasy and inexplicably frightened.
After learning from a message from a colleague that Ji Shao was out interacting with fans, I immediately gave up the idea of interviewing Ji Shao today. Speaking of which, with the number of extras filming at the studio today, are there as many as Ji Shao's fans?
…
Huashang Times Hotel.
Watching the videos posted by frontline fans in the super topic, Zhou Xiao liked them one by one with his small account, then put his phone upside down on the coffee table.
In front of her were several large paper scripts, all of which Director Fang had sent over two days ago. It was precisely because of the arrival of these scripts that Zhou Xiao missed the finale of Ji Shao's new play.
The script wasn't actually very thick; the reason there were so many copies was because Fang Xi had sent over several previously revised versions. In other words, the script Zhou Xiao had received wasn't the final version yet. Of course, the actors' scripts were similar.
On the coffee table lay an open script, its sharp handwriting affixed to it, the very marks left by Director Fang. For Zhou Xiao, the value of this script was beyond measure.
The reason for sending so many copies was that Fang Xi hoped Zhou Xiao could understand the reasons for the script revisions and the impact of the revisions from the revised chapters, and complete his own independent thinking through the revisions on paper.
This was a huge pressure on Zhou Xiao, but she had a systematic training space. So, over the past few days, she absorbed the script like a sponge, absorbing everything she knew. From the placement of objects in the space to the minute details of each scene, Zhou Xiao found it incredibly fascinating and captivating.
While the actors were confused about the filming schedule, Zhou Xiao had already learned from Director Fang that filming would likely begin between late November and December of this year. Why this timing? Besides the preparation time required by the crew, it was also said to be a good time for filming.
This way, there was indeed plenty of time. Zhou Xiao wasn't worried about the crew's preparations at all. On a more secular level, with Director Fang's "Future Time" box office success and Ji Shao's fame and acting prowess, sponsors and investors were practically chasing after him. On the technical side, Director Fang also had his own team.
Shaking her head, pushing all these thoughts aside, Zhou Xiao prepared to study the script once more. This was what Director Fang had instructed her to do, at least to read it thoroughly before filming began. She couldn't recite it by heart, but she had to know it thoroughly. After all, memorizing the script was the most basic and simplest part of filming.
She had only turned a few pages when her phone, set to vibrate mode, began buzzing on the coffee table. Putting her pen down, Zhou Xiao took the phone. The name on the screen made her raise her eyebrows slightly.
Du Huiyue? Why was she calling at this hour? Could it be that CCTV needed help again?
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