Chapter 36
Feihong Novel Network officially announced that the copyright of "The Great Tang Female Painter" has been sold to Lucky Film and Television Media Co., Ltd.
at the same time.
The production team of "Empress Wu Zetian" has established an official account and posted that the production team is currently in preparation and will hold a start-up ceremony in two months.
Two stones stir up a thousand waves.
Countless netizens were shocked, both by the fact that February Sky had sold its copyright and by the fact that it was about to be adapted into a film or television series.
It's important to understand that for an author, every step from writing a book to selling the copyright, and then to adapting it into a film or television series, is like navigating an insurmountable chasm. Yet, February was incredibly lucky, and she navigated this entire process so smoothly.
That's just too enviable!
- They actually sold the copyright! It was all over the news a while ago, and I thought it was fake news!
-Hey, why don't you come and show your head?
- Hahahaha, February Sky is awesome!
Congratulations! You've finally reaped the rewards of your hard work.
- I can't see where he's suffering at all.
-Didn't you see how badly DaDa was criticized before? Most people would have become depressed by now, okay?
- Ha, Feihong Novel Network is really working hard. They can even get such a terrible book out of print. Princess Feihong truly lives up to her name.
-The entertainment industry has also degenerated; they'll read any novel they can find.
-Wait a minute, the name of the production crew doesn't seem to have anything to do with the novel, does it?
-I think so too, it's really strange.
-What's so strange about it? It's just a name change for film and television adaptations. It's not like similar things haven't happened before.
-Indeed [facepalm], after one of my favorite books was adapted into a TV series, everything from the title to the main characters' names was changed, and the plot was also completely altered, leaving nothing behind.
......
Xu Ying forwarded the official announcement immediately after it was released, adding her own explanation.
@FebruarySky: Good afternoon. I'm very happy that the copyright for "The Great Tang Female Painter" has been sold. Thank you to @FeihongNovelNetwork and @LuckyFilmMediaCo., Ltd. for their support and recognition.
At the same time, I will serve as the screenwriter for the TV series "Wu Zetian", writing a legendary story about Wu Zetian that is independent of "The Great Tang Female Painter". Please look forward to it.
February's remarks brought public opinion to a fever pitch.
Although she spoke in a cryptic manner, netizens are not fools, and soon someone revealed the truth.
"I guess the story the production team is filming has something to do with 'The Great Tang Female Painter,' so to prevent potential future copyright disputes, they bought the novel back at a low price in advance."
This guess isn't entirely correct, but logically it makes sense; that's exactly what Zhou Xingyun was thinking at the time.
However, these words, especially those who dislike February Sky, immediately became a point of ridicule for others.
- I thought it was because the novel was well-written, but it turns out I just got a lucky break.
Be grateful you met a conscientious production team. If they hadn't wanted to avoid trouble, who would have even bothered with your lousy novel!
- I'm dying of laughter. I want to ask February Sky, is it glorious to sell the copyright like this?
- I feel insulted. The author sold the copyright not because of their writing skills or talent, hahaha!
- Uh, what are you guys laughing at? Don't you think it's even harder to keep up? She actually managed to have such a low-probability lucky event happen to her. This woman is terrifying!
Speaking of luck, did you notice that the company that bought the copyrights is called Lucky Film & Media...?
Sisters, this isn't me being superstitious. Do you remember the top two ladies on the fan list? If I remember correctly, her name is Lucky Come Come Come.
-Damn, things are starting to take a mysterious turn.
-I was so confused that I went to the app to look for it, and the second-ranked person on the leaderboard is really lucky.
Does Sister Yue have someone in the underworld?
......
Things started to get really funny.
Perhaps because Zhou Xingyun works behind the scenes, no one has noticed her until now; otherwise, it would be easy to connect all of this.
*
While Xu Ying was writing the script, Zhou Xingyun had already assembled the initial crew. Now that she had finished the script, casting was on the agenda.
The casting was held in Shanghai.
Xu Ying followed the group to Shanghai. The first thing she did was to ask to participate in the casting of Li Zhi and Wu Zetian. She could ignore the casting of others, but these two roles were the soul of the play and the core of the whole production. She had to find actors who satisfied her.
"You've read the script and know how important these two roles are. If we don't cast the right actors, all our hard work will be wasted..."
She added a few more words of explanation, fearing that Zhou Xingyun might have objections.
Who knew that Zhou Xingyun was actually hoping she would take on more responsibilities? As a producer, Zhou Xingyun had been incredibly busy lately. Upon hearing that Xu Ying seemed to have a strong opinion on casting, he handed over the casting rights for the other roles to her without hesitation.
“You are the screenwriter, and all the characters are born from your pen. I believe you know best what kind of actors are suitable, so I feel at ease entrusting the casting to you.”
They make it sound so grand, but it's really just to save themselves the trouble.
Xu Ying: "......"
She seems to have inadvertently taken on a huge project for herself.
However, looking at Luo Ying, who was busy doing odd jobs, she felt that she was already being treated quite well.
The production team of "Empress Wu Zetian" was a small, unknown production team. It had neither a famous director nor a famous screenwriter, so the actors who came to audition were basically unknown and were considered obscure in the entertainment industry.
Xu Ying doesn't particularly care about whether an actor is famous or not; she only has one strict requirement: the actor's acting skills absolutely cannot be lacking.
The film crew's conditions were already rudimentary; if the actors continued to act haphazardly, then there would be no hope!
She was particularly demanding of the actress playing the female lead, Wu Zetian, requiring her to have both acting skills and beauty.
After all, Wu Zetian's beauty undoubtedly played an immeasurable role in her being selected by Emperor Taizong of Tang to enter the palace and later in being favored by Emperor Gaozong of Tang.
Xu Ying would never back down on this point.
Because of her high standards, all the other roles were cast, but the roles of Wu Zetian and Li Zhi remained undecided for a long time.
Zhou Xingyun asked in bewilderment, "I know you have high standards for the female lead, but why can't you decide on Li Zhi?"
"Because I wanted to find someone with a face that looked innocent and harmless."
In other words, it could also mean being weak and easy to bully, so that there will be a sense of contrast when acting. Of course, the premise is that the appearance must also be acceptable. She doesn't want a weak and ugly man to poison the eyes of the audience.
It's just that actors like that are hard to find.
The young male actors who came to audition were all very talented and didn't seem like the type to take the path of mediocrity.
After hearing what she said, and thinking about Li Zhi's seemingly innocent but actually cunning character in the script, Zhou Xingyun wholeheartedly agreed.
“I understand, but you need to hurry. Our crew will start filming at the beginning of next month, so you don’t have much time left.”
There are less than twenty days left.
Xu Ying nodded; she knew all along.
"Don't worry, I have a backup plan for the female lead. If I really can't find a satisfactory actress, I'll just contact them directly to sign a contract."
The actress who was chosen was competent in her acting skills, but in terms of appearance, she was not the voluptuous, charming, dignified, and beautiful Wu Zetian she had in mind.
"Yes, as long as you know it."
The two met briefly, and Zhou Xingyun left in a hurry.
She has a dinner party tonight, and in order to attract investment, she has invited all her cronies. She's just waiting to see if she can convince them to invest tonight.
*
Just as Xu Ying was busy looking for actors, Lin Zhongxu suddenly came to find her.
She has been in Shanghai for almost half a month now. Because she has been busy with casting, she has not been able to visit Lin Zhongxu or meet up with Fuyou and Qingfeng.
Unexpectedly, Lin Zhongxu came over on his own without her even looking.
What brings you here?
Xu Ying was pleasantly surprised; meeting an old acquaintance in another city was like doubling the bond between relatives.
"I didn't have class today, so I came to see you," Lin Zhongxu said, putting down a bag he was carrying. "These are all local specialties from Shanghai. I just bought some for you to try and see if you like them."
"Okay, you sit down first, I'll go wash some fruit."
Xu Ying and Lin Zhongxu didn't stand on ceremony.
She took the grapes to the bathroom, and when she came back after washing the fruit, Lin Zhongxu was squatting in front of the low table in the hotel room looking through the cast list.
Noticing her return, he looked up and asked, "Are all these actors here for auditions?"
Xu Ying sensed a hint of envy in his tone.
She asked incredulously, "Are you envious of me?"
"Yeah, I wonder when I'll get to that point..."
What may seem like just casting rights actually represents the formation of a film crew, and he has already deeply experienced how difficult that is in the short six months he has been in school.
"Sister Xiaoying, may I take a look at the script?"
Lin Zhongxu glanced at the thick script beside him. The cover of the script had the three large characters "Wu Zetian" printed on it. He had actually seen it as soon as he entered the room, but he had refrained from opening it without permission.
"See? As long as it's not leaked, it's fine."
People around me still get this kind of benefit.
"I promise I won't!"
Lin Zhongxu's eyes lit up when he was given permission, and he immediately sat cross-legged on the carpet and started reading the script.
He was tall and strong, and squeezed between the low table and sofa, completely blocking the way. Xu Ying had to go around him to get her phone.
"......."
Xu Ying went around to the other side to get her phone, and then sat down and started watching various drama clips not far from Lin Zhongxu.
She didn't suddenly develop a liking for watching TV; she actually hoped to find hidden gems through this medium.
Alas, true gems are hard to find!
She scrolled through the scripts for ages, until Lin Zhongxu had already read them all, but she still hadn't found a single actor she liked.
"That was brilliant!" Lin Zhongxu closed the last page of the script, turned to Xu Ying, and said solemnly, "Sister Ying, when I become a director in the future, I'll ask you to be the screenwriter..."
The script is so well written!
How can it be written so well? Every character is so real and three-dimensional, making their own choices from their own perspectives. Everything seems so natural and smooth. This is the kind of plot weaving ability that countless screenwriters and directors dream of.
Xu Ying couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Sure, as long as you don't interfere with my script, I'll be your screenwriter."
"Of course not. Your script is too good, impeccable. If the production team can film it according to your setting, the ratings of this show will definitely not be bad."
Lin Zhongxu knew the script was good.
Whether a drama can become a hit depends on the right timing, location, and people. He didn't dare to say too much at the moment, so as not to put pressure on Sister Xiaoying.
However, Xu Ying was not modest at all.
"Right, I also think it won't be bad, it's just a pity that we're stuck at the first step, it's hard to find actors..."
Without finding suitable actors, everything else is just empty talk.
Lin Zhongxu had been watching plot-driven videos, and after a moment's thought, he said, "What roles are you still undecided for? I watch a lot of TV dramas, so I can help you think of any suitable candidates."
Yes, Lin Zhongxu enjoys watching all kinds of movies and TV shows. He not only watches them but also edits them himself. He definitely knows more about the entertainment industry than I do.
Xu Ying perked up: "Wu Zetian and Li Zhi, think of them quickly!"
"Hmm..."
Wu Zetian was too special, and Lin Zhongxu couldn't think of a suitable actress for the time being, but Li Zhi was different.
After reading the script and listening to Xu Ying's ideas for the actors, a figure immediately came to mind.
Du Jing.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I made it in time.
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