Chapter 506: Hiring Actors.
The first thing Xin Changkong did after returning to Lin’an was to get the script he wanted.
After staying in his hotel for three days and three nights, he went to Chen Huan with a deep analysis of the script and its characters.
He had his own understanding of every role and story, and then he would use his experience and ability to change ‘Prison Break’ into a better-rounded version.
He would also fix some minor issues Chen Huan didn’t notice.
There were also things that were made up out of nowhere since Chen Huan never been to Thailand but Xin Changkong planned to go there with the film crew before adjusting it.
A person who paid attention to details was someone Chen Huan appreciated.
But Xin Changkong didn’t feel any pride at all.
What he did was just a little repair on the big frame.
The real main storyline as well as the whole world setting and sub-plots were written by Teacher Chu, which was already perfect.
What did he have to be proud of some small fix?
Chen Huan put away the big stack of paper and said, “I’m going to show to Teacher Chu but it shouldn’t have any problem in general.”
“I’ll trouble you then, Teacher Lu.” Xin Changkong said respectfully.
Chen Huan wasn’t just the spokerspoon of Teacher Chu as his own status wasn’t something Xin Changkong be compared to.
Not to mention the fact that he was chosen and was able to turn things around with shooting ‘Princess Returning Pearl’ was the result of Brother Shui speaking out for him from what his own brother told him.
Teacher Lu would only go persuade Teacher Chu when he himself agreed to it.
Teacher Chu was basically the model of hermetic nerd as apart from writings books or scripts, he had no interest in other things at all.
Couldn’t it be seen from when he almost donated all of his money?
It wasn’t millions or tens of millions but hundreds of millions!
So after knowing the truth, Teacher Lu and Teacher Chu were like his second parents!
After a pause, Xin Changkong said, “I can start form a film crew now, or is it too early?”
“It’s not.”
Chen Huan said, “A little more time to acclimate and more time to get acquainted with the team would make the TV series better. The most important for our Fengxiang Film was to shoot good work and everything else is secondary.”
“I understand!” Xin Changkong smiled.
Who didn’t want a boss like that as a director?
A boss that asked for great work with limited budget, a slightly more renowned director would have already left already.
Chen Huan went on, “Tomorrow, I’ll transfer you 30 million for the preparation budget and another 50 million once the shooting starts. If it isn’t enough, just call me anytime.”
“We shouldn’t need that much.” Xin Changkong said, “The biggest expense is the prison but Shanhai Streaming had already helped us buy the platform so the cost will be greatly reduced.”
That was what he said but he didn’t refuse the large budget Chen Huan gave him.
Which good director didn’t want a bigger budget?
A little more in the budget meant he could reshoot scenes that he wasn’t happy about as much as he wanted without worrying about overspending.
“However, on the actors’ side, in particular the three protagonist roles, I’m afraid that Teacher Lu as to personally contact them.” Xin Changkong added, “My reputation is enough for the rest of the supporting roles but for the rest, only you personally taking care of it will show enough sincerity.”
“Alright.”
Chen Huan agreed without much thought into it.
Xin Changkong still didn’t have a firm foothold in the industry.
If he was just an ordinary director before, ‘Princess Returning Pearl’ would be enough to launch him into the moon.
The important point was Xin Changkong had such a bad personality and disgusting actions that even actors looked down on him, let alone other directors.
Most of them would probably not agree to come if it wasn’t for Chen Huan personally casting them and that Bu Yiyi was the female lead.
After Xin Changkong left, Chen Huan pondered for a while before he called Zhou Lexiang.
Soon, Zhou Lexiang’s soft and pleasant voice was heard over the phone, “Hello? Is this Teacher Lu? Hello!”
Zhou Lexiang saved Chen Huan’s number so knew it was him right from the start.
“Hello Sister Xiang.” Chen Huan was very polite, “How have you been?”
“Oh, after I blew up with ‘Princess Returning Pearl’, I became really popular so my agent picked up a historical drama and I’m still playing as an empress but it’s a main role!” Zhou Lexiang was laughing lightly, “Teacher Lu, thank you very much for recommending me to play in ‘Princess Returning Pearl’!”
Zhou Lexiang wasn’t just beautiful but also very smart.
She knew why she got the empress role.
It didn’t matter that she was selected after Cao Nihui refused the role.
What mattered was the end result.
The result was Cao Nihui gave up this great opportunity but she seized it too and had taken another step forward in her career since then.
The main reason was that she left a good impression on Teacher Lu Xiaofeng with her humble and forthcoming attitude when she auditioned for ‘Love Letter’.
Zhou Lexiang also took her role in ‘Princess Returning Pearl’ very seriously and was praised for her great acting.
She knew that as long as she did well, then Teacher Lu Xiaofeng would be able to see it and then Teacher Chu Liuxiang would also be able to see it.
So there was definitely something if Teacher Lu was calling her today.
Sure enough, Chen Huan was taken aback when he heard her and said, “Is that so…I had a role I wanted you to play but since you already have a good offer, then forget it.”
“Wait, wait!” Zhou Lexiang was moved, “Teacher Lu, can you give me more details, a new TV series? Whose it is from? Is it still from Teacher Chu?”
“Yes, it’s an urban thriller TV series and a new work from Teacher Chu Liuxiang. Most of the roles in there are mostly males and there’s only one female supporting role, which is a female doctor.” Chen Huan briefly said, “It seems that this isn’t meant to be, next time then!”
“No, no!”
Zhou Lexiang said without hesitation and almost instantaneously, “They haven’t started filming yet before I agreed and the film crew hasn’t formed yet! I can back off here, you must leave the role for me!”
“Sister Xiang, wouldn’t it be bad for your reputation if you do that?” Chen Huan asked in shock.
“Hey, is my reputation good? They are saying that I’m almost becoming a bus!” Zhou Lexiang laughed at herself, “But this play really isn’t that important, I would really be sorry if they started filming but they haven’t gotten the details yet and it would only cost a bit of trouble at most if I quit but not much!”
“There are many substitute actors for a role like mine. Not to mention that I have to compensate them with the liquidation fee so they won’t lose out much.”
Chen Huan felt nice seeing her insistence.
The other party would rather back off of a main role to come to him for a supporting role, was it how loyalty felt like?
“Alright.” Chen Huan laughed, “When you’re ready, go to Xin Changkong, he will be the director and producer!”
“Okay!” Zhou Lexiang said earnestly, “Thank you Teacher Lu, thank you for giving me another opportunity!”
“You’re welcome, do your best!” Chen Huan answered and laughed.
Zhou Lexiang abruptly jumped from her sofa when the call ended.
The girl jumped, leaped in joy and looked like a madwoman with her disheveled hair.
Chapter 506: Hiring Actors.
The first thing Xin Changkong did after returning to Lin’an was to get the script he wanted.
After staying in his hotel for three days and three nights, he went to Chen Huan with a deep analysis of the script and its characters.
He had his own understanding of every role and story, and then he would use his experience and ability to change ‘Prison Break’ into a better-rounded version.
He would also fix some minor issues Chen Huan didn’t notice.
There were also things that were made up out of nowhere since Chen Huan never been to Thailand but Xin Changkong planned to go there with the film crew before adjusting it.
A person who paid attention to details was someone Chen Huan appreciated.
But Xin Changkong didn’t feel any pride at all.
What he did was just a little repair on the big frame.
The real main storyline as well as the whole world setting and sub-plots were written by Teacher Chu, which was already perfect.
What did he have to be proud of some small fix?
Chen Huan put away the big stack of paper and said, “I’m going to show to Teacher Chu but it shouldn’t have any problem in general.”
“I’ll trouble you then, Teacher Lu.” Xin Changkong said respectfully.
Chen Huan wasn’t just the spokerspoon of Teacher Chu as his own status wasn’t something Xin Changkong be compared to.
Not to mention the fact that he was chosen and was able to turn things around with shooting ‘Princess Returning Pearl’ was the result of Brother Shui speaking out for him from what his own brother told him.
Teacher Lu would only go persuade Teacher Chu when he himself agreed to it.
Teacher Chu was basically the model of hermetic nerd as apart from writings books or scripts, he had no interest in other things at all.
Couldn’t it be seen from when he almost donated all of his money?
It wasn’t millions or tens of millions but hundreds of millions!
So after knowing the truth, Teacher Lu and Teacher Chu were like his second parents!
After a pause, Xin Changkong said, “I can start form a film crew now, or is it too early?”
“It’s not.”
Chen Huan said, “A little more time to acclimate and more time to get acquainted with the team would make the TV series better. The most important for our Fengxiang Film was to shoot good work and everything else is secondary.”
“I understand!” Xin Changkong smiled.
Who didn’t want a boss like that as a director?
A boss that asked for great work with limited budget, a slightly more renowned director would have already left already.
Chen Huan went on, “Tomorrow, I’ll transfer you 30 million for the preparation budget and another 50 million once the shooting starts. If it isn’t enough, just call me anytime.”
“We shouldn’t need that much.” Xin Changkong said, “The biggest expense is the prison but Shanhai Streaming had already helped us buy the platform so the cost will be greatly reduced.”
That was what he said but he didn’t refuse the large budget Chen Huan gave him.
Which good director didn’t want a bigger budget?
A little more in the budget meant he could reshoot scenes that he wasn’t happy about as much as he wanted without worrying about overspending.
“However, on the actors’ side, in particular the three protagonist roles, I’m afraid that Teacher Lu as to personally contact them.” Xin Changkong added, “My reputation is enough for the rest of the supporting roles but for the rest, only you personally taking care of it will show enough sincerity.”
“Alright.”
Chen Huan agreed without much thought into it.
Xin Changkong still didn’t have a firm foothold in the industry.
If he was just an ordinary director before, ‘Princess Returning Pearl’ would be enough to launch him into the moon.
The important point was Xin Changkong had such a bad personality and disgusting actions that even actors looked down on him, let alone other directors.
Most of them would probably not agree to come if it wasn’t for Chen Huan personally casting them and that Bu Yiyi was the female lead.
After Xin Changkong left, Chen Huan pondered for a while before he called Zhou Lexiang.
Soon, Zhou Lexiang’s soft and pleasant voice was heard over the phone, “Hello? Is this Teacher Lu? Hello!”
Zhou Lexiang saved Chen Huan’s number so knew it was him right from the start.
“Hello Sister Xiang.” Chen Huan was very polite, “How have you been?”
“Oh, after I blew up with ‘Princess Returning Pearl’, I became really popular so my agent picked up a historical drama and I’m still playing as an empress but it’s a main role!” Zhou Lexiang was laughing lightly, “Teacher Lu, thank you very much for recommending me to play in ‘Princess Returning Pearl’!”
Zhou Lexiang wasn’t just beautiful but also very smart.
She knew why she got the empress role.
It didn’t matter that she was selected after Cao Nihui refused the role.
What mattered was the end result.
The result was Cao Nihui gave up this great opportunity but she seized it too and had taken another step forward in her career since then.
The main reason was that she left a good impression on Teacher Lu Xiaofeng with her humble and forthcoming attitude when she auditioned for ‘Love Letter’.
Zhou Lexiang also took her role in ‘Princess Returning Pearl’ very seriously and was praised for her great acting.
She knew that as long as she did well, then Teacher Lu Xiaofeng would be able to see it and then Teacher Chu Liuxiang would also be able to see it.
So there was definitely something if Teacher Lu was calling her today.
Sure enough, Chen Huan was taken aback when he heard her and said, “Is that so…I had a role I wanted you to play but since you already have a good offer, then forget it.”
“Wait, wait!” Zhou Lexiang was moved, “Teacher Lu, can you give me more details, a new TV series? Whose it is from? Is it still from Teacher Chu?”
“Yes, it’s an urban thriller TV series and a new work from Teacher Chu Liuxiang. Most of the roles in there are mostly males and there’s only one female supporting role, which is a female doctor.” Chen Huan briefly said, “It seems that this isn’t meant to be, next time then!”
“No, no!”
Zhou Lexiang said without hesitation and almost instantaneously, “They haven’t started filming yet before I agreed and the film crew hasn’t formed yet! I can back off here, you must leave the role for me!”
“Sister Xiang, wouldn’t it be bad for your reputation if you do that?” Chen Huan asked in shock.
“Hey, is my reputation good? They are saying that I’m almost becoming a bus!” Zhou Lexiang laughed at herself, “But this play really isn’t that important, I would really be sorry if they started filming but they haven’t gotten the details yet and it would only cost a bit of trouble at most if I quit but not much!”
“There are many substitute actors for a role like mine. Not to mention that I have to compensate them with the liquidation fee so they won’t lose out much.”
Chen Huan felt nice seeing her insistence.
The other party would rather back off of a main role to come to him for a supporting role, was it how loyalty felt like?
“Alright.” Chen Huan laughed, “When you’re ready, go to Xin Changkong, he will be the director and producer!”
“Okay!” Zhou Lexiang said earnestly, “Thank you Teacher Lu, thank you for giving me another opportunity!”
“You’re welcome, do your best!” Chen Huan answered and laughed.
Zhou Lexiang abruptly jumped from her sofa when the call ended.
The girl jumped, leaped in joy and looked like a madwoman with her disheveled hair.
