On December 19th, Feng Xiaogang's "cell phone" reportedly broke 2 million in box office on its first day, setting a record for a non-weekend single day.
However, this news, which should have exploded in the entertainment industry, was overshadowed by an even bigger headline: Zhang Mo, Zhang Guoli's son, who was studying at the Central Academy of Drama, beat his female classmate Tong Yao the night before, causing her serious injuries.
The scandal, suppressed by the Central Academy of Drama and Zhang Guoli for a day and a half, completely erupted, spreading like wildfire within Beijing Film Academy, with each version more explosive than the last.
At this moment, Wu Chen arrived at Mu Deyuan's office with his studio registration documents, "Teacher!"
Mu Deyuan was momentarily stunned when he saw Wu Chen; he felt that Wu Chen seemed to have gained a sharpness and vigor compared to before.
"The documents are fine; the studio should be set up by next week. Your studio name is quite interesting, Wu Chen Light and Shadow Workshop..."
"By the way, how do you plan to handle the actors, do you have any requirements?"
Mu Deyuan withdrew his gaze, flipping through the documents as he asked.
"Appropriate age, excellent image and temperament, good acting skills, low fame, low pay, low risk factor..." Wu Chen rattled off a string of requirements upon hearing the question.
Mu Deyuan listened to Wu Chen's string of conditions and couldn't help but rub his forehead.
Each of these conditions individually was fine and reasonable, but combined, they were a headache.
"Are you done?"
"Teacher, I'm done!" Wu Chen looked at Mu Deyuan with anticipation, clearly implying, "Teacher, do you have any suitable recommendations?"
"Are you making a wish to me?" Mu Deyuan said irritably, "Tell me, how did you combine these conditions?
And what does 'low risk factor' mean?"
"I'm just worried that if the person I choose turns out to be another Zhang Mo and Tong Yao, then my movie would be ruined," Wu Chen said, spreading his hands.
Mu Deyuan pondered and admitted there was some truth to it, but then helplessly said, "But you can't really tell with this kind of thing; you never know when something might explode."
"You tell me, based on your conditions, who could you find? I'll listen."
"Teacher, don't say that, I actually did think of an actress, Yan Bingyan, I wonder if you've heard of her?"
The reason Wu Chen could think of this incredibly low-key actress was thanks to a movie in later generations called "Feng Shui."
This movie almost swept all the Best Actress awards at domestic film festivals.
"Wait!" Mu Deyuan's hand paused in mid-air, his brows tightly furrowed, "Sounds a bit familiar, can't quite recall it for a moment."
"In '94, Hong Kong and mainland China co-produced a movie, 'Chasing the Wolf Gang,' she was the female lead!" Wu Chen said with a faint smile, "In recent years, she's mainly focused on TV dramas, like 'Red Cross Team,' Teacher, you should have seen that..."
"I remember now!" Mu Deyuan narrowed his eyes, as if a picture formed in his mind, but he was somewhat puzzled, "How did you think of such a low-key actress?"
"Well, I definitely did a lot of homework!" Wu Chen chuckled. Although he was busy with the script, he also searched his mind for suitable people while writing.
For the first movie, if conditions allowed, it would naturally be best to choose the most suitable person.
Actresses like Yan Bingyan have extremely strong explosive power, and later generations proved she possesses the ability to carry a one-woman show, and currently, her cost-effectiveness is extremely high.
"She's hard to find, she's not from a professional acting school. I'll have someone inquire about her later." Mu Deyuan nodded slightly.
He had originally questioned Wu Chen's casting ability, but now it seemed Wu Chen's selection of roles was quite precise; he could even filter out candidates with such demanding conditions.
"How do you plan for the others? Will they all follow these conditions?" Mu Deyuan couldn't help but feel curious.
"Absolutely, but I still need to deliberate!"
"Cough, if it's suitable, you can ask Teacher Wang Jinsong to help you consult..."
Mu Deyuan feigned a cough. Wu Chen secretly chuckled, then spoke:
"No problem, Teacher, I actually planned to ask Teacher Wang for advice. If we can use our own people, then our own people are naturally better."
"Mmm!"
After Wu Chen left the office, Mu Deyuan thought for a moment, picked up his cell phone, dialed a number, leaned back in his office chair, and even took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.
"Lao Liang?"
"Lao Mu? What's up, spit it out!" Liang Ming's cursing voice came from the cell phone.
Mu Deyuan heard this and wasn't annoyed. He knew his good brother's temper too well, and instead said with a smile, "Nothing, can't I just care about you?"
"......"
Liang Ming was silent for two seconds.
"You never visit without a reason, just say what you need to say, hurry up, I still have to work, do you think I'm like you, just staying in the office all day doing nothing!"
"Cough, it's like this, can you help me ask about an actress named Yan Bingyan, if she has availability after the New Year, yes, the one who acted in 'Red Cross Team'..."
"That's a small matter!" Liang Ming nodded silently. As a photographer who frequently participates in film crews, finding someone was easy for him, but a hint of doubt arose, "Lao Mu, why are you looking for her? Are you making a movie?"
"Ah, I'm just destined to be busy, you wouldn't know, there's a freshman student who doesn't know 'the immensity of heaven and earth' and wants to make a movie..."
Mu Deyuan put on airs, and before he could finish speaking, a "beep beep beep" sound came from the cell phone.
"Hmph, I know you, what freshman student doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, pretentious!" Liang Ming, still on set, sneered, directly stuffing his cell phone into his pocket, but he did take the matter to heart, wondering who to ask.
"......"
Wu Chen, on the other hand, went straight to the Performance Department.
After all, locations, costumes, art, post-production, and promotion were all things for later; the most important thing now was to first finalize the actors who would perform after the New Year and confirm them.
As for the script outline filing, film production permits, and other procedures, with Beijing Film Academy and Beijing Film Studio Youth Film Production Factory involved, he didn't need to worry about them throughout the entire process.
What he needed to worry about was whether there would be any sensitive plots that might trigger censorship.
As soon as Wu Chen arrived at the Performance Department teachers' office, he ran into Cui Xinqin, who was just coming out.
Since Huang Lei went to Wuzhen to film "Like Water, Like Time" this year, the affairs of the Performance Department had gradually been transferred to Cui Xinqin.
"Hello, Teacher Cui!" Wu Chen nodded and greeted her.
"Mmm!"
Cui Xinqin simply responded, passing by briskly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
"Good physique, decent vocal conditions, a good seedling for acting, but why do I have no impression..."
"Teacher Wang!"
Wu Chen pushed open the frosted glass door of the Performance Department office. Wang Jinsong was bending over, making tea.
Some tea leaves had fallen onto the peeling lacquer desk, and he even picked them up, blew on them, and threw them back into the thermos cup.
"Wu Chen?" Wang Jinsong was momentarily stunned, then beckoned with a smile, "What's wrong, do you need me for something?"
"......"