Chapter 74
And she had to consider that Shu Miao, the second female lead in the ancient costume drama, was about to be completed, so she had to arrange her next drama.
At this point, "Old Love Letters" has already been released, and everyone who acted in this movie has reaped the benefits. Shu Miao, who missed this opportunity, doesn't show anything on the surface, but it's impossible for her not to feel resentful in her heart.
Not to mention, she had already been chosen for the role and she had even played it before, so the gap was even more obvious, which made Shu Miao unhappy recently.
As soon as Zhu Lan arrived at Jianfeng, he grabbed Shu Miao, the most popular one, in his hand. It was impossible for him to just let her go. She still needed this chess piece very much. He had to give her some sweet treats and appease her, lest she would think too much and become disobedient in the future.
Besides, Shu Miao has already starred in two idol dramas in a row, and her fans are not very satisfied. They clamored that they didn't want the works to be the same, and wanted to take on some special roles. Zhao Zhenyue, who is righteous and awe-inspiring, is a good choice. This role is likable no matter how she plays it, but she needs to think carefully about how to get it.
At this time, Zhu Lan's footsteps were already heading towards Su Ning.
Su Ning had just finished talking to Ji Mowei at this time. They had finished the audition and wanted to stay and take a look.
Because the next film to be filmed, "Killer", has the most complicated story and is the most difficult one, it is placed at the end. It is good to take a look at it here. If you have time, you can also go to Zhou Chunqing's place to try on makeup and clothes first.
Then they headed towards the dressing room responsible for the costumes and makeup of the crew. Not long after, they ran into Zhu Lan who was waiting there.
"Boss Su," she stopped Su Ning, "I have something to discuss with you, serious business."
Su Ning was very busy. Ji Mowei and the other person were sitting on the side. Su Ning was talking to Zhou Chunqing about the makeup for the show.
Zhou Chunqing was showing him the prepared headdress and hairpins, as well as several pieces of material embroidered with intricate patterns. He heard Zhu Lan's words, but he finished talking to Zhou Chunqing first before turning around and saying, "Okay, what President Zhu wants to talk about is not a serious matter."
Zhu Lan said: "I'm serious."
She arrived a little late, and knew that she would have to pay a price to have a good chat at this time, so her attitude changed accordingly, and she continued, "Since Mr. Su has already signed an exclusive broadcast contract with Orange Video, this matter cannot be changed. I know that Yuedong will never have this opportunity again."
"But as for the TV station, Mr. Su knows that the platform of Haicheng TV station is not good enough. So I saw Shen Mingzheng running around frequently recently, just to find connections with the TV station, and try to negotiate a joint broadcast for "The Ambitious Family"."
But the situation at the TV station was more complicated. Because of the Shen family, being able to meet and talk was already a great honor. Most people couldn't even get into the office door.
Moreover, what is being discussed this time is the share of the big drama in the prime time in the evening, which is one of the TV station's top resources. This kind of favor and relationship requires time accumulation and long-term cooperation. These two are really young, and even if they are the king of the world, it is impossible to achieve it in such a short time.
The foundation left by Mr. Su and his colleagues was used up in the past two years. How could it be easy to rebuild it?
Zhu Lan kept watching Su Ning's expression and said, "I can help you get this play broadcasted on Nanjiang TV."
Nanjiang Provincial TV Station has a much higher average viewership than Haicheng TV Station and is a first-class platform for broadcasting dramas. She mentioned this seriously because she knows what Su'ning needs most.
TV audiences are different from Internet audiences. Ye Qiuxin does have an audience at the TV station level, but as an actress she usually only focuses on acting and cannot make much of a difference. If she could appear on Nanjiang TV's evening show, she could indeed maximize her role as the heroine.
Moreover, there is room for manipulation of the number of views and popularity on the Internet. The ratings are real, and the circle also calculates the actors' performance. The ratings are a very important factor.
The conditions proposed by Zhu Lan were indeed excellent, but this had been mentioned before. However, because the demands were too much and unacceptable, they were rejected by Su Ning.
But in the current situation, her requests are much simpler.
"I don't want the female lead anymore, and I won't change the script. But I want Shu Miao to be part of the crew," she said. "It can't be a simple role. I want Zhao Zhenyue. Mr. Su, I only want this one."
Zhu Lan read the entire script and even part of the original novel. She didn't necessarily want to compete with others. Although this was an ensemble drama, apart from the female lead, there were not many roles that were both eye-catching and had roles to play, especially those suitable for young actors in their early twenties. After much selection, the only role was Princess Zhenyue.
There are also other positive characters with more screen time, such as the maid who works diligently beside the heroine.
But Shu Miao would definitely not want to play a maid, and the role of a maid doesn't have any highlights, basically the only advantage is being obedient and loyal. The role is about to be decided, and it's a newcomer from Gaoshan Pictures.
The only other character whose role could rival Zhao Zhenyue's was the Crown Princess married by the Crown Prince, Xiahou Jin, who later became the Queen.
The heroine was originally kind to her, but later they became enemies. She is a villain and a quite ungrateful one. She has a lot of scenes, but this role is quite annoying, and there is not much benefit in playing it.
Su Ning looked at her, and even Zhou Chunqing, who was holding the hairpin, frowned. Then he spoke, as if to remind her: "Boss Zhu, you just saw it yourself. Ji Xue has been chosen for this role."
Zhu Lan: "But the official account hasn't made an official announcement yet, I think it can still be changed."
It was announced before that Ji Xue would be participating in the performance, but the specific role had to be decided by Guo Baomu, and it was only finalized after today's audition.
Although many viewers and book fans have guessed that it must be Zhao Zhenyue, and many book fans have even photoshopped the picture, the final makeup photos have not been taken yet and there has indeed been no official announcement.
She added, "If Mr. Su has any other conditions, please feel free to raise them. We can discuss."
She has a lot of resources at her disposal.
Su Ning frowned and said, "You can let Shu Miao come for the audition, and I'll give her other roles. Mr. Zhu, it doesn't make sense for you to change someone at this time."
Zhu Lan was also firm: "I don't want anything else, I just want this role."
Her words were too strong. Su Ning lowered his head to think about it, then raised his head and said the same thing: "No."
Everything else is easy to talk about, but when it comes to human matters, he becomes difficult to discuss.
Zhu Lan: "Boss Su, we did have some unpleasantness before, but business is business..."
Su Ning said: "The conditions you proposed are very good, and the role is already reserved. I can't make the decision for her."
Zhu Lan didn't understand what he said.
She's just an artist under our company, and she's so young. How could she have any room for her thoughts on such an important matter?
She frowned and wanted to continue speaking, but at this moment, the curtain in the corner of the room was suddenly pulled open, and Jixue, who had changed her clothes, appeared there.
"What a coincidence, Mr. Zhu, I'm here again," Jixue said, "Look, why didn't you notice me this time?"
"Since this matter concerns me, there is no need to embarrass Mr. Su. Why don't you talk to me?"
This is the costume and makeup department, which is a large office. There are several simple fitting rooms at the back corner. You just need to draw the thick blackout curtains. The snow accumulates there without making any noise, so naturally no one notices.
Su Ning didn't know that he came in halfway through, but Zhou Chunqing knew it. Before she could remind him, Zhu Lan started talking about business.
Zhou Chunqing would not interrupt the boss when he was talking, and the fitting room and this side would not disturb each other. When she heard about Zhao Zhenyue's words, her face looked a little strange and she glanced towards the fitting room.
Why did this person suddenly steal my sister role?
And they robbed it in front of people!
Director Guo has already made it, and she has finished making Princess Zhenyue’s dress, it’s so beautiful! Why should she give it to someone else?
However, Zhou Chunqing also knew in his heart that if the drama could be broadcast on Nanjiang TV, it would be beneficial to the entire crew. If the drama became popular, the characters in it would naturally benefit as well.
It is Mr. Su's character to make such a choice and he will not sacrifice others, but Ji Xue's character is not like that.
She walked out and said, "Let me be frank. President Zhu does have a good eye. The most popular character in the original novel is Zhao Zhenyue, second only to the female lead. But at this time, the fight for roles, the Nanjiang TV station's joint broadcast is a benefit to President Su, what about me?"
"If I don't let go, Mr. Su can't do anything to me."
Her words were not polite. It seemed that all the artists supported by Guangying Entertainment were like this, spoiled and had their own ideas. However, Zhu Lan's expression relaxed a lot.
The implication was that she could negotiate conditions. As long as the resources were within Zhu Lan's control, it wouldn't be a big deal. So he asked her, "What do you want?"
Jixue was thinking. He walked out in Zhao Zhenyue's clothes and walked around. His hair was not combed yet, so he simply tied it up. Two strands of hair hung beside his ears, swaying as he walked, making him look smart and cute. Then he said, "I know that Mr. Zhu has a lot of resources. I heard that Director He Fan is going to shoot a new movie recently. You have worked with her before. Can you help me pass on her resume?"
I want to try her role in my next movie."
He Fan is a new director in the circle, but Zhu Lan had invested in her before and she had two films fail in a row. The movies she made were the typical ones that were not popular but had good reputations among film critics, but the box office was not high.
But the quality of the roles she has is okay. Shu Miao's fans want a good drama. Zhu Lan has tried to persuade the fan group before, but they are a little hesitant about He Fan's drama.
Having good reputation but bad results is quite damaging for a rising star. It may not be really beneficial and is quite useless.
Tong Feifan became famous overnight, but He Fan's artistic style is not like that and is really not popular enough.
Everyone wants both. When Shu Miao saw the attitude of her fans, she didn't want to accept it anymore.
According to Director He's previous achievements, the highest box office was only 30 million, and the second film almost didn't break 10 million. Even with the female lead and a niche subject matter, it was not easy to win awards.
Seeing that she was reluctant, Zhu Lan came out to find another one for her.
Zhen Yue is the most eye-catching character besides the female lead Ye Qiuxin. Su Ning and Shen Mingzheng's concern for this drama is far beyond initial imagination. This is a big drama, and Zhu Lan has done her a great favor by grabbing this role for her.
Besides, it was obtained from Jixue, which can be regarded as compensation for what happened before. It would be unreasonable for Shu Miao to still be brooding over what happened before.
But before Zhu Lan nodded in agreement, Su Ning spoke up. Not only did he remind her, he also took a few steps forward to try to stop her, saying seriously, "Jixue, think about it carefully, don't make a hasty decision on this matter. I don't think it will have much impact whether the broadcast is live or not. If it doesn't work, it doesn't matter. You are more important."
Although she has become popular as a new actress, she doesn't have many good roles now, even for the leading female role. Recently, other companies have also submitted scripts and expressed their intentions to her. Su Ning has read them and basically none of them are good, so Ji Xue herself is also waiting and watching.
He Fan is not very familiar with Su Ning, but her several films have failed in succession, so the investment in this movie may have to be reduced again.
Everyone knows that a movie with a high probability of failure may not be as good as a role in a big-budget TV series. Although Zhu Lan's conditions are attractive, we must always consider Ji Xue's development.
Even from the company's perspective, a Nanjiang TV station that is just icing on the cake is really not as important as cultivating popular female artists.
When Zhu Lan heard what Su Ning said, she was afraid that Ji Xue would think it over and then regret it, so she said, "I agree. If it's convenient for you, we can settle this matter today. I'll go talk to He Fan right away."
Su Ning: “No.”
Ji Xue: “Great.”
The two men spoke at the same time, and then Jixue looked at Su Ning and said seriously: "Mr. Su, I really want to make the decision myself on this matter."
Su Ning frowned and motioned her to come over so that they could talk more.
Zhu Lan had already gone out to make a phone call and asked someone to draft a simple contract.
This matter is not just a verbal statement, it must be signed before it can be considered real. Even if this kind of resource exchange may not have a legal basis, once a public figure has signed it, it is a natural constraint. She is not afraid that Jixue will think it over and regret it, and there is nothing she can do even if Su Ning regrets it.
Su Ning usually respects the artist's wishes in such matters, but he still wants to persuade them in this case, saying: "Jixue, I need to tell you more about what happened inside..."
Zhou Chunqing also had a worried expression on his face, hoping that she would think more about herself and not be blinded by the immediate benefits.
"I know everything," Jixue watched Zhu Lan walk out, and then said carefully in a voice that only they could hear, "Actually, I didn't really want to play Zhao Zhenyue."
"I just took the opportunity to blackmail her. Just keep in mind that. Don't expose me later."
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