Chapter 747 Real Casting
Gu Wei and Zeng Li did not meet often.
Both of them are very busy with work, and because of their age, it is difficult for them to work together on a play.
In addition to filming, Gu Wei also appears on variety shows. Some of them are for publicity, some are due to personal relationships, and some are like "Flowers and Youth" where he uses the name of work to travel and relax.
Zeng Li never appears on variety shows. During her breaks from filming, she just rests at home or goes shopping and eats with her close friends. Her life is relatively simple.
In the past two years, as short videos have become more and more popular, Zeng Li has started to like shooting Douyin videos in his spare time as a way to spice up his work and life.
"Uh~ Sister Li, I didn't expect you to be so lively when recording short videos."
After dinner, the two sat in the living room chatting and watching TV. Gu Wei was watching Douyin on his phone and happened to see Zeng Li's account.
Click on her personal homepage and scroll down. It turns out that Zeng Li has only had a Douyin account for a short time, with about a dozen works. At the beginning, she was a little reserved and couldn't let go, but later she became more and more casual.
Many of their works imitate popular videos on the Internet, but they don’t have the airs of big stars or beauties at all, and are very relaxed.
The comments from netizens in the comment section are also very interesting.
[Is this Zeng Li? Is this an imitation show? ]
[Sister, although you are not the star with the most fans on Douyin, you are definitely the most down-to-earth]
[It turns out that big stars have such a cheerful personality in private. Love it~]
[As expected, good-looking people look good in everything they do, even those funny actions are pleasing to the eye]
Zeng Li was concentrating on watching TV. The Beijing TV station was broadcasting "Glorious Times" starring Zhang Yi.
After hearing what Gu Wei said, she turned to look at the phone he was holding, and happened to see herself doing a funny dance.
"The assistant staff around me all like to watch Douyin. They would shoot some videos on their own when they have nothing to do. Later, they asked me to shoot with them, which I found quite interesting," Zeng Li said somewhat embarrassedly.
She didn't think too much about it when she posted the video on Douyin. She thought it was quite funny at the time, but now that Gu Wei saw it, she suddenly felt a little socially devastated.
"Haha. It's really funny. Sister Li, you're really down-to-earth and more popular with the public."
"I just took the photos for fun, without thinking too much."
“I planted flowers with care but they didn’t bloom, but I planted willows by accident and they grew into a shade.
Sister Li, if you are interested, you can keep updating Douyin.
It doesn't have to be too frequent. Just let the assistant record a clip occasionally when filming.
In the future, Douyin will be a good channel for promoting new dramas.
Its importance is no less than that of Weibo."
Gu Wei did not mention the matter of promoting products. Considering Zeng Li's current fame and income, promoting products would be too low-end and would lower her status.
She doesn’t promote products or make money through live streaming. It’s her freedom to film whatever she wants and when she wants, just like the slogan of TikTok: “Record a beautiful life!”
Without any utilitarian purpose, netizens will also show the greatest goodwill.
"I know, I posted it because I thought it was interesting."
As the two talked, Gu Wei slowly lay down, resting his head on Zeng Li's thigh, and moved left and right until he got into a comfortable position.
"Are you going to the Golden Rooster Awards in a few days?"
"I've been filming TV series for the past two years, and none of my works have been shortlisted, so I don't plan to join in the fun.
And you? "
Zeng Li placed her slender fingers on Gu Wei's head and massaged him gently.
"I have to go. 'The Wandering Earth' has been nominated for several awards, and the organizers invited me to be the guest of honor at the award ceremony."
"Do you have a nomination?" Zeng Li asked curiously.
“No, it’s too difficult for a sci-fi film like The Wandering Earth to be nominated for Best Actor.
The currently released "Better Days" is an option, but the Golden Rooster Awards registration period is from May to July, so "Better Days" will have to wait until the next session."
"Better Days" not only has a good reputation, but also has such a high box office. It has a great chance of winning the Hundred Flowers Awards next year." The Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards are held every two years and are rotated. If you miss one, you have to wait another two years.
"Based on my acting skills and popularity, there should be no problem, but I was the Hundred Flowers Award winner last year, so it's difficult for the organizers to give me the award two years in a row."
Zeng Li smiled and said, "You still have a long career ahead of you. You will definitely receive more and more awards like this in the future."
A silent night, enjoying the tenderness.
The next morning, Gu Wei took Zeng Li out of the house and went directly to the library of a university in Beijing.
When the two arrived, the crew had already set up the venue.
Because of Gu Wei's instructions, Zeng Li deliberately wore simple clothes and put on light makeup when going out.
When I arrived at the crew, I asked the makeup artist to give me some simple touch-ups and then I could go straight to filming.
"I've said this many times, I won't bring students along." Zeng Li stood up from his desk and walked to the side with a calm expression to get some information.
"Take a look at this first." Gu Wei, dressed as a student, followed from behind.
His age and appearance are not at all inappropriate for playing a college student.
“I have read the paper you sent via email and replied to it.
I have made it very clear that I do not agree with your use of modern concepts to analyze ancient literary history.
So don't waste any more time." Zeng Li picked up the documents on the table beside him and walked back. The rejection in his words was obvious.
“This isn’t a paper, this is the schedule of the Science Fiction Literature Online Competition.
Submit your work every week, and a group will be eliminated every week. The one who remains at the end will be the champion."
"What's the point of you telling me this?"
"You oppose the collision of modern thought and ancient literature because it is a topic that cannot be verified.
But what if I do it another way?"
Gu Wei pulled a chair, sat at the table next to him, and opened his laptop.
“I’ve signed up for the science fiction competition.
The story is about the collision of modern ideas and ancient institutions, and the theme is what it would be like to live life again."
“Why did you choose the theme of living your life over again?”
“Everyone has more or less thought about living their life over again, because life always has too many regrets.
So the real meaning of this story is to cherish the present and live for the good."
This scene only stars Gu Wei and Zeng Li, and its total duration in the TV series is no more than 5 minutes. The lines and plot are very simple. It was shot twice, and the director passed it after feeling there was no problem.
"How about it?
Do I act like a university professor?"
After finishing the filming, the crew members were packing up their things and Zeng Li stood aside.
Gu Wei gave a thumbs up
"Very elegant, like a university professor."
Zeng Li chuckled: "When I was studying at the Central Academy of Drama, I also thought about staying on to become a teacher after graduation. Later, by chance, I came out to make a movie."
"The Chinese Academy of Drama has lost a famous teacher~"
"It's not as exaggerated as you say. I know my own strengths and weaknesses. My acting skills are no match for Mei Ting, Zhang Ziyi, Qin Hailu and others.
I wanted to stay in school because my acting skills were average and I was afraid I wouldn’t have any acting opportunities after graduation.”
This idea is a bit strange, but it makes sense when you think about it.
In film academies, those with good acting skills and potential naturally want to become stars. Only those who don’t develop well or seek stability will become teachers in school.
After the filming was completed, Gu Wei said goodbye to Zeng Li and returned to the company with the crew.
"Director Sun, the post-production of Joy of Life is now in your hands."
"Don't worry, Mr. Gu, I will do my best to complete it!"
"How long do you estimate it will take for the film to be released?"
Sun Hao thought for a moment and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, it should be completed within two months."
Gu Wei nodded and patted Sun Hao on the shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work."
In the office.
"Boss, we've already communicated with the crew of [Send You a Little Red Flower], and they fully agree to our request and will give us 30% of the investment share."
Gu Wei nodded.
“Who are the main investors in this film?”
"China Film Group, Tencent, Hengdian Film Group, Ruyi Film and Television, Maoyan, Tao Piaopiao"
"So many!" Gu Wei was surprised.
Yang Dan nodded.
"Director Han Yan is quite famous. He organized the project "Send You a Little Red Flower," and many companies in the industry are involved."
"We've taken a 30% stake right away. Do the other investors have any objections?"
"Don't worry, boss, there is definitely no such thing.
I have communicated with Director Han Yan.
The share given to us was given in proportion by other investors, but they had no objection at all and many of them proposed to increase their investment.
Boss, your joining has made "Send You a Little Red Flower" go directly from a low-cost feature film to a blockbuster that is highly watched in the industry.
China Film Group specifically asked President Fu Ruoqing to be the film's supervisor to show their appreciation."
"Fu Ruoqing."
This Gu Wei is no stranger. He is the current deputy general manager of China Film Group and also the future chairman.
He will take over after La Peikang retires in 22 years.
Han Sanping, La Peikang and Fu Ruoqing are the three helmsmen of China Film Group in the past 10 years.
"Have all the main characters for the movie been cast?"
The female lead is Liu Haocun, a Mou girl, and the male lead's father is played by Gao Yalin, and his mother is Zhu Yuanyuan.
I heard the director wants Xia Yu to play the heroine’s father.”
The story of "Send You a Little Red Flower" is relatively simple, and the main characters are the male and female protagonists and their parents.
'really.'
All choices are not unexpected, even with the butterfly Gu Wei.
There must be someone supporting Liu Haocun behind the scenes, but it is not clear whether it is Zhang Yimou or Gu Wei.
After [One Second], she had a constant supply of film resources, and they were all films directed by big names with big investments.
To say that she got these roles based on auditions and acting skills is purely fooling outsiders.
The plots in novels where your audition acting skills shock the director and you are the only one who can do it are most likely nonsense.
The real entertainment industry relies on relationships, connections, fame or traffic to get roles.
Why was Gu Wei able to play the leading male role when he debuted? Wasn’t it because he spent money? The same was true for the early Da Tiantian.
Even Huang Xiaoming got the role of Yang Guo because he bribed Zhang Jizhong.
Not to mention Liu Yifei, an amateur who can play Bai Xiuzhu, and then Xiaolongnu and Wang Yuyan in Jin Yong's dramas. Is it just because she is good-looking? In the final analysis, she is following the same path as Gu Wei and Jing Tian.
"Everything else is easy. The key is to coordinate the shooting time."
"We've already confirmed it with Director Han Yan. The crew is just starting to prepare. Just follow your schedule, boss. They have no objections."
Gu Wei nodded.
On November 23, Gu Wei's plane took off from Beijing and arrived in Xiamen at noon.
The closing ceremony of the 32nd China Golden Rooster Awards and the 28th China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival will be held tonight at the Xiamen Straits Grand Theater.
In the afternoon, Gu Wei changed his clothes and took a car from the hotel to the award ceremony venue.
When he arrived, a large number of celebrity artists had already gathered in the waiting area.
"Gu Wei~" Wu Jing, who had arrived earlier, waved to him, and Gu Wei walked into the "The Wandering Earth" team.
"Brother Jing~" He greeted Wu Jing, then looked at Guo Fan who was standing beside him, "Director Guo, long time no see!"
"Mr. Gu's new movie is a huge hit, and I haven't had a chance to congratulate him yet."
Guo Fan was smiling and in a very good mood. At today's award ceremony, "The Wandering Earth" was nominated for five major awards: Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Recording, and Best Art Direction.
"The story is good and the audience is supportive~" Gu Wei said modestly.
"Director Guo hasn't been seen much lately. Is he concentrating on preparing the scripts for the next two installments of 'The Wandering Earth'?"
When Guo Fan mentioned this, a wry smile appeared on his face.
"China Film Group wants me to shoot two films back-to-back, and you, Mr. Gu, have agreed. I'm really too busy preparing the scripts for two films at once.
Ours is a science fiction film, unlike other types of films, from the world view, story background, to various high-tech equipment, there are so many things to think about."
"Haha, those who are capable should do more work.
If Director Guo is too busy, you can find some professionals to help you.
There are so many professional professors in various universities in Beijing. I think we can set up a special team.
You propose a broad framework and let others fill it in. This will not only improve efficiency, but also make some content related to geographical environment, astronomical calendar, and technological equipment more credible.
Although science fiction is fantasy, it is also based on existing science and expanded upon. Otherwise, it would be pure fantasy."
Gu Wei's idea reminded Guo Fan.
"Mr. Gu has a good idea. I'll try to recruit people and build a relevant team when I return."
The first part of "The Wandering Earth" was a huge hit, so there will be no shortage of money for subsequent filmings. As long as Guo Fan wants something, he can get it no matter what.
"Congratulations on the movie's huge success! The total box office is over 2.3 billion!" Wu Jing said.
He attended the premiere of "Better Days" and never thought that Gu Wei's feature film would get such a high box office.
After "Wolf Warrior 2" and "The Wandering Earth", he and Gu Wei released a movie respectively. "The Climbers" had the support of the main theme but the box office and reputation did not meet expectations. "Better Days" was almost pulled by Gu Wei alone, but it achieved great success in both box office and reputation.
There are always some voices on the Internet comparing him with Gu Wei, saying that his box office appeal is very weak.
Given their relationship, Wu Jing would not pay attention to the negative comments online, nor would he feel jealous of Gu Wei, but he still felt a little envious in his heart.
"Last weekend, it already took in 2.3 billion. The box office potential has been exhausted in the final week. It's basically over."
"No extension?"
Gu Wei shook his head.
“No, it will be taken off the screen as scheduled in two days.
In fact, I was quite surprised that "Better Days" could achieve such results.
My initial thought was to secure 1 billion and strive for 1.5 billion, after all, the subject matter is too restrictive."
"It's a pity that your film was released too late, otherwise you should have been nominated for Best Actor today." Wu Jing shook his head slightly, feeling sorry for Gu Wei.
"Haha, don't worry, if it doesn't work out this year, there's always the year after.
"I will win the Golden Rooster Award sooner or later!" Gu Wei said domineeringly.
(End of this chapter)
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