Chapter 154 Choosing a Role [VIP]
Chapter Summary: But ultimately... both movies featured supporting roles.
I returned to my hotel room.
Mu Zhi couldn't wait to read the movie script given to her by director Tang Yan in one go.
I had just finished watching it when Ji Binghe called right on time.
Before going to the dinner appointment, Mu Zhi told her agent about having dinner with director Tang Yan.
After leaving the restaurant, I briefly mentioned that director Tang Yan had given me the script.
Ji Binghe estimated that Mu Zhi had almost finished reading the script.
They called immediately.
"Zhizhi, have you finished reading the script?"
"Yes. I just finished watching it."
Mu Zhi and Ji Binghe discussed the general plot of the script, "Safe Evacuation of All Personnel." A war-themed story, it can be seen as a continuation of "Golden Globe Building," with the protagonist's story continuing.
The story revolves around a small foreign country suddenly engulfed in war, where a group of overseas Chinese need to be safely evacuated back home. The protagonist of *Golden Globe Mansion* is dispatched to the country to assist in the mission of protecting these overseas Chinese during their evacuation...
The female lead plays a rookie translator.
Her role is small. As a rookie translator, after the death of a senior translator, she remains calm and composed, forging ahead bravely and quickly maturing, shouldering her responsibilities...
The character design is pretty good.
Ji Binghe could tell that Mu Zhi was very satisfied with the script and the role, and was interested in taking the role.
"Is Director Tang's new film project scheduled to start next year?"
Since the script is already finished, filming should start soon, right?
"Start filming in the first half of next year?"
During the meeting, director Tang Yan revealed the expected start date for filming.
After all, we need to secure Mu Zhi's availability.
"Director Tang is saying that filming will begin in late July next year," Mu Zhi said.
After listening to this, Ji Binghe on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment: "It's also the second half of next year. Doesn't that clash with Director Huang's film project?"
Yes, that means Mu Zhi has no choice but to accept one role.
"There's still no word from Director Huang."
Director Tang Yan, on the other hand, very sincerely came to talk to Mu Zhi in person and handed her the script. Director Tang Yan is ranked in the top three of [directors that artists in the industry most want to work with], so it can be said that he has no trouble finding suitable actors to star in the film.
This is an excellent film opportunity for actresses; they can be carried to stardom effortlessly.
Because the female lead in the movie script is a new translator, and Mu Zhi is one of the younger actresses in this group, she can be said to have the advantage of age in accessing this resource.
Director Tang Yan gave her two days to consider it.
Mu Zhi needs to reply to the other party as soon as possible; she can't be greedy and want more.
After considering it, Ji Binghe discussed it with Mu Zhi: "How about this, I'll contact Director Huang tomorrow to explain the situation..."
Huang Shulan had only verbally invited Mu Zhi before, but now it has been 5 months, almost half a year, and there has been no news at all.
Mu Zhi's schedule is precious, so it's impossible for her to keep it reserved for Huang Shulan's film projects indefinitely.
I believe the other party will understand.
"good."
After discussing it, the two decided on this.
the next day.
Mu Zhi was filming on set when she received a call from her agent during a break.
"Zhizhi, I contacted Director Huang, and he said he can arrange to send you the first draft of the script this afternoon so you can take a look."
Ji Binghe did not disclose which director's film project Mu Zhi was in contact with.
However, yesterday, director Tang Yan visited the set of "Claws and Teeth," and the group photo taken on set was posted on WeChat Moments by the producer.
Perhaps the news of director Tang Yan's visit to the set reached director Huang Shulan's ears.
So I quickly put together the first draft of the script.
"I'll send you the script as soon as I receive it. Take a look at it after you finish work tonight, and then we can talk."
Mu Zhi had no objection to the agent's arrangement: "Okay."
Let's decide after we've read Director Wong Suk-lan's script.
The next second it dawned on me, huh? She has a night scene to film tonight, and she probably won't finish until midnight.
However, you can watch it while waiting in the wings.
It was a little after 5 p.m.
After Mu Zhi finished dinner, her scenes wouldn't be filmed until around 8:30.
The agent has already sent over the script they received.
Mu Zhi went to her RV to rest and finished reading the script for the comedy film directed by Huang Shulan.
The lead actress, Mu Zhi, is invited to play two roles: a rough, unsophisticated country girl who doesn't know how to dress, and a dazzling, high-profile actress from a prestigious family. When the actress mysteriously disappears, the country girl is brought in by her agent, leading to a series of hilarious and absurd events...
Mu Zhi's first impression after reading the script: It really looks like a first draft.
She discovered two logical plot holes.
Comparing the scripts and characters of the two films, Mu Zhi already had her answer.
Ji Binghe sent a message.
[Director Ji] Zhizhi, have you finished reading the script?
Mu Zhi called her agent directly.
"Sister Ji, I've finished reading the script for the comedy film."
Ji Binghe didn't ask Mu Zhi for an answer first, but said, "I just finished a call from Director Huang."
Director Huang stated that this comedy film he is preparing is another collaboration with Yue Ge...
Director Wan Zhou is known as a great director. He has been making films for 30 years and has many classic works covering various genres.
Directors like Huang Shulan and Hong Yan specialize in a particular genre. For example, the former makes comedies, while the latter makes martial arts films.
As for Yue Ge, whom Ji Binghe mentioned, he has collaborated with director Huang Shulan three times. The two are a golden duo in comedy films and have an extraordinary box office appeal in the comedy genre.
The two previously collaborated on a comedy film that grossed over 3 billion yuan.
"I can tell that Director Huang really wants to invite you to star in the show. He guarantees that the female lead will have plenty of screen time and will give the actress a lot of room to perform."
"But I'm just relaying Director Huang's words to you. The choice is up to you."
Ji Binghe thought to herself: Director Huang Shulan was trying to persuade her, the agent, to convince or pressure Mu Zhi to choose to star in a comedy film.
In fact, she, as the agent, has no say in Mu Zhi's affairs.
When it comes to choosing scripts, Mu Zhi has always had her own ideas.
Both films have excellent production teams, so it would actually be difficult for Ji Binghe to choose.
The war film directed by Tang Yan features the same actor who co-starred with him in the previous film as the male lead. He has a large role and is the absolute protagonist of the entire film. There is also a special appearance by a superstar.
Ji Binghe could tell that Mu Zhi was very satisfied with the story and character design of the script.
The only problem is that the female lead has a bit too little screen time.
They may not necessarily make a significant appearance in the movie.
Furthermore, this film may be shot overseas, which involves a large investment and high risks. It's hard to say whether it can surpass the box office of its predecessor, "Golden Globe Building."
The script for director Huang Shulan's comedy film still needs further polishing, so it's hard to say what the film's quality and reputation will be.
However, director Huang Shulan said that Mu Zhi's role and screen time are similar to Yue Ge's, and Mu Zhi's presence in the film is guaranteed. If the film receives good reviews, the profits will be considerable.
Even if this comedy is just a passable popcorn comedy, it should still gross over 2 billion yuan at the box office.
Mu Zhi made up her mind: "I choose to star in director Tang Yan's film."
She has always wanted to take on interesting roles, roles she has never played before, and she also likes the theme and story of the movie "Safe Evacuation".
Ji Binghe had more or less guessed it.
"Okay, I'll talk to Director Huang."
Mu Zhi's next movie has been confirmed, and her filming schedule is fully booked for next year.
Ji Binghe's biggest headache was getting Mu Zhi to take on roles, but now she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
However, although Mu Zhi is now receiving top-tier resources in the film industry, the production teams and actors she collaborates with are all top-notch.
Ultimately, however, he played a supporting role in both films.
"Zhizhi, I look forward to the next script I receive that I'm satisfied with, and you'll be the absolute lead."
Mu Zhi smiled gently: "Yes."
She was looking forward to it too.
Early March.
Mu Zhi selected one song from among the many lyrics sent by her agent.
I also listened to the demo of the song, and I was quite satisfied.
Filming will wrap up in two weeks.
"I've already made an appointment with the music studio. Once you finish filming and return to Beicheng, we'll arrange for the song to be recorded immediately."
Ji Binghe asked Mu Zhi, "Have you decided on the release date for the single?"
Mu Zhi thought for a moment and chose a date: "How about April 1st?"
April Fool's Day? Okay, fine.
Anyway, once the news that Mu Zhi is going to release a single and hold a birthday party is revealed, many people will probably think it's an April Fool's joke.
I expect... there will be some dissenting voices.
In early March, a week before Mu Zhi's individual scenes were completed.
During the filming of an action scene, she was accidentally cut on her left arm by the tip of a sword held by an opposing actor.
Fortunately, the wound was not deep, and only some blood was lost.
The crew's accompanying doctor promptly disinfected and bandaged Mu Zhi's wound.
The male actor who made the mistake turned pale and kept apologizing to Mu Zhi.
Mu Zhi comforted the other person, "It's okay, it's not serious."
"You didn't do it on purpose, just be more careful when you reshoot."
Director Hong Yan asked with concern, "Can you still keep going? Why don't you go back and rest, and film again tomorrow?"
Mu Zhi held the sword with her right hand. The wound on her left arm was a little swollen and hot, and she felt a dull pain when she moved.
But it's still bearable.
"It's okay, I can manage."
The main problem is that once she left, the set design that took all afternoon was wasted, and the entire crew had to wrap up work as well.
Mu Zhi didn't show the pain on her face and decided that she had to grit her teeth and finish filming the scene no matter what.
The next two days will be filled with dialogue scenes. By then, my arm injury will have almost fully healed, and hopefully it won't affect the final major action scene.
Tai Feng saw through Mu Zhi's "persistence" and comforted her, saying, "Fortunately, it was her arm that was injured, not her face."
Mu Zhi: "...Yes, that's what I think too."
If someone else had said this, she might have thought it was a sarcastic remark, but Tai Feng was also injured while filming "Claws and Teeth" a while ago. The crew mishandled the wire harness, resulting in large abrasions on Tai Feng's back.
Filming action scenes inevitably carries a certain risk of injury.
Mu Zhi thought that she and Tai Feng were actually quite similar; her first reaction to being injured was: "Don't let it affect the filming schedule."
"Thank you for your comforting words, Professor Tai."
"You're welcome?" But Tai Feng felt like he might have said the wrong thing.
Three days later, there are only two days left until filming wraps up.
The filming location for the TV series "Claws and Teeth" at the Western Film City was a dungeon that was built.
Mu Zhi's final major scene as the female lead is also the climax of the "Claws" plot.
Taking advantage of the emperor's critical illness, the head of the Eastern Depot forged an imperial edict to eliminate Prince Xie Leshan and led a large number of men into the prince's mansion.
Xiao Die tipped off Xie Leshan, allowing him to escape.
Xie Leshan possessed the emperor's true edict, and using it as bait, he set a trap in the underground labyrinth to lure the head of the Eastern Depot inside...
During a fight with the head of the Eastern Depot, Xie Leshan was hit by a hidden weapon, but fortunately, the female lead, Xiaodie, appeared in time and saved him.
In the end, he sacrificed himself to perish together with the head of the Eastern Depot.
In this scene, Mu Zhi's character is dressed as a woman, with half of her hair tied up and the other half down. She is wearing a red outfit that is easy to fight in, making her look heroic.
At this point, the female protagonist realized that the male protagonist's feelings for her were mostly for his own use.
I've stopped being love-struck and regained my cold and indifferent heart.
However, her time with Xie Leshan reshaped her worldview, and she learned that the head of the Eastern Depot, who was also her adoptive father, was a wicked man who wanted to seize power, set up his own court, indiscriminately killed loyal officials, and caused immense suffering to the people. Everyone had the right to kill him.
I also learned from Xie Leshan that the members of [Xiaoying] were all orphans because their families were killed by the head of the Eastern Depot. He took the infants back and raised them, training them to be executioners.
How ironic.
She didn't know her real name, didn't know who her family was, all she knew was that she wanted revenge...
The action scenes of the female lead, Xiaodie, were not difficult for Muzhi.
Her arm injury has almost fully healed and will not affect her performance.
Several of the signature moves were practiced before joining the group.
Mu Zhi empathized with Xiao Die's feelings of revenge and found the fight scene very enjoyable and satisfying to film.
In the end, the female protagonist failed to dodge the villain's fatal blow. Instead, taking advantage of the close proximity of the blow, she used the poisoned arrow she had prepared on her wrist to stab the villain in the neck.
Her body went limp and collapsed, and a "flower of blood" quickly spread beneath her.
The seriously injured male protagonist walked over, clutching his chest, and pulled her into his arms.
Before she died, Xiaodie asked Xie Leshan one last question: "Did you ever love me?"
Xie Leshan knew from the beginning that Xiaodie was a spy planted by the head of the Eastern Depot to monitor him and assassinate him. He used a clever scheme to seduce her, turning her into a tool to assassinate her adoptive father...
He mostly used this woman, but he also developed feelings for her.
But after Xiaodie asked, she didn't seem to intend to hear his answer.
Then he made a request, "[Xiaoying] only has 3 people left, I hope Your Highness can spare their lives."
After saying that, he breathed his last.
Director Hong Yan sat in front of the monitor, originally thinking that Mu Zhi would have to do many takes like before when filming the scene where she asks the male lead, "Have you ever loved me?"
Because when the female lead asked this question, her eyes were full of love for the male lead, an unrestrained love, and reluctance to part, she did not regret falling in love with this man.
Perhaps you know the man is dangerous the moment you fall in love, but you still fly into the fire like a moth.
Hong Yan could tell that Mu Zhi herself wasn't like that, so it was difficult for her to fully immerse herself in the role and connect with Xiao Die.
But surprisingly, they performed the play well.
He was surprised to find that Mu Zhi did not act out the character with empathy as before, but rather used acting techniques to accurately grasp the nuances, and that she had practiced beforehand.
It's still a little short, but it's already pretty good.
Hong Yan let it pass.
Unexpectedly, Mu Zhi is able to use both the method acting and academic acting styles with ease. At such a young age, her acting skills are both superb and mature, as well as full of inspiration.
Mu Zhi's portrayal of Xiao Die once again exceeded Hong Yan's expectations.
After this major scene was filmed, Mu Zhi's remaining two days of filming involved her being a "background character".
Two days later, Mu Zhi held her personal wrap-up ceremony.
When director Hong Yan bid farewell to Mu Zhi, he sighed with emotion: "Zhi Zhi, thank you for your wonderful performance. 'Claws and Teeth' should be the last martial arts film I make."
Mu Zhi: "The Claws will not be the last martial arts film."
Upon hearing this, director Hong Yan's sadness was largely swept away by Mu Zhi's words. "Good, well said."
"The waves of the Yangtze River keep pushing the old waves forward, and the film industry will continue to flourish. Yes, I believe there will always be works that can lead audiences to relive the glory of martial arts films of yesteryear."
After saying goodbye to the director, Mu Zhi was greeted by Tai Feng.
"Happy wrap-up, Teacher Mu."
Seeing Tai Feng extend his hand, Mu Zhi generously shook it back: "Thank you."
Tai Feng didn't leave. He looked at Mu Zhi and spoke in a soft and gentle tone: "Teacher Mu, 'Claws and Fangs' is the second drama we've worked on together. I admire your dedication and focus on the role during filming, and your pure and passionate attitude."
It really touched me.
"When we get back to Beicheng, could I invite you to have a meal together?"
[Author's Note]
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 23:16:14 on September 17, 2022 and 23:58:54 on September 18, 2022!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Jiu 1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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