Chapter 14: Your Image Is Unsuitable
On January 5th, shoplifters completed its casting and announced it to the public.
Grandma: Lu Zhong
Father: Li Xuejian
Mother: Mei Ting
Aunt: Wan Qian
Son: Xie Miao
Daughter: Guan Xiaotong
As soon as the casting was announced, everyone was surprised.
Well, not a single one from Beijing Film Academy.
Sure enough, to become a great director, one still has to take this necessary path.
There was a lot of discussion outside; looking at the film title, people thought it was a comedy.
But with this cast, it clearly wouldn't be a comedy.
A Cairo Best Actress plus two National Class-One Actors, wow, what a lineup...
Ever since the cast was announced, Li Chen's phone started ringing off the hook again.
A call came in. Li Chen glanced at the number; this time, he couldn't refuse to answer.
When lost in thailand was released, the person had called, but he didn't pick up.
The other party sent a text message expressing a desire to meet and get acquainted, but Li Chen politely declined.
The call connected.
“Hello, Ms. Wang.”
“Director Li, hello, I’m Wang Jinghua.”
“I know, I saved your number last time.”
“Thank you, Director Li. If I may be so bold, when does Director Li plan to start shooting his new film?”
“If you’re not too busy, I’d like to invite Director Li to dinner.”
“Next time. Recently, it’s approaching final exams, and the post-production for Stone is also being rushed. I’m really too busy.”
“No problem, I understand.”
“Also, our General Manager Wang asked me to pass a message to Director Li.”
“If Director Li's next film needs investment, Huayi Brothers is very much hoping to cooperate with Director Li.”
“Okay, thank you for your General Manager Wang’s kindness. I’ll contact you if needed.”
“Okay, then I won’t disturb Director Li. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
After hanging up, Wang Jinghua spread her hands.
“Rejected again?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t even come to the Premiere of cell phone, and he won’t even have dinner? What airs!”
Wang Jinghua has high emotional intelligence and didn't take the bait.
“General Manager Wang, judging by what the other party said, he also has the intention to cooperate with us. Perhaps he really is too busy to get away.”
“Hmph, I hope this Director Li’s next film sells big!”
Hengdian World Studios, Chinese Paladin production team.
Inside the largest outdoor tent, several lead actors of Chinese Paladin and Tangren Media’s boss, Cai Yinong, were seated.
Recently, she had also been following the news about shoplifters.
A prolific new director like Li Chen is exactly what her Tangren Media urgently needs.
The film industry is a big piece of cake. Tangren Media doesn't lack artists; what it lacks is a big director who can take charge.
Although the other party has just emerged and only has one hit movie.
But precisely because of this, it is worth investing early.
If the other party's next two films are still big hits, then he will inevitably become a target of competition from all sides.
Huayi Brothers has Feng Xiaogang, New Pictures has Zhang Yimou, and Chen Shiren forms his own system.
Her Tangren Media also needs its own brand to walk on two legs.
Cai Yinong smiled and said, “Yifei, your school’s Director Li Chen has been a true workaholic these past two years, with one work after another, making it hard to keep up.”
Liu Yifei also smiled and said, “Yes, he’s a prominent figure in our school now.”
Cai Yinong understood.
That evening, back at the hotel, Liu Yifei was a bit hesitant.
Liu Xiaoli noticed her daughter had something on her mind, sat up, and asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Liu Yifei sat on the sofa, kicked off her slippers, curled up her legs, and leaned on Liu Xiaoli’s shoulder.
“General Manager Cai wants me to invite Li Chen to visit the set. She just asked me for Li Chen’s contact information.”
Liu Xiaoli frowned slightly: “You call him Li Chen?”
Liu Yifei smiled: “He said himself during dinner that since we’re schoolmates, we can just call each other by name.”
Liu Xiaoli’s brows relaxed: “What’s so difficult about that? Just ask him for her. If it doesn’t work out, it’s not your fault.”
“Hmm, Mom is right. I can tell from General Manager Cai’s tone that she really hopes I can invite Li Chen.”
“Haha, it seems your General Manager Cai wants to win over this young director.”
“However, high productivity doesn’t necessarily mean a great director. It’s a pity, I heard that may love might not be able to be released in mainland China.”
Liu Yifei’s pretty face instantly fell upon hearing that.
However, she was sensible; this was not something she could decide.
She knew what it meant to ask Teacher Tian to supervise.
That evening, Li Chen unexpectedly received a call from Liu Yifei.
“Asking you for my contact information? And inviting me to visit the set?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Your General Manager Cai, I’m afraid she wants to enter the film and television industry and has taken a liking to me, this fledgling pioneer?”
“Uh-huh, Mom said so too.”
Li Chen was silent for a few seconds. Tangren Media’s reputation wasn’t very good; it wasn’t a good partner.
Seeing Li Chen remain silent, Liu Yifei quickly said, “If it’s difficult for you, then forget about it.”
“It’s not that difficult. I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet, but my new film is scheduled to start shooting in Hengdian World Studios in May.”
Liu Yifei said joyfully, “Ah? Really?”
“Yes, because the script hasn’t been approved and the roles haven’t been finalized, so last time when you asked me to visit the set if I had time, I didn’t tell you.”
“Hmph, you didn’t even consider me for casting.” Liu Yifei said, pouting.
Li Chen smiled and said, “There’s a clear schedule conflict, and besides, you’re not suitable.”
On the other end of the phone, Liu Yifei said unhappily, “The schedule conflict is fine; I can just take leave.”
Li Chen knew what she meant. Liu Xiaoli had taken her daughter and taken more than ten days off to go to Hong Kong to film another “Shaolin Investiture of the Gods.”
Without exception, it was another flop.
Liu Xiaoli’s taste and Liu Yifei’s fashion sense are definitely inherited from mother to daughter.
“How do you know I’m not suitable? You didn’t even audition me. You underestimate my acting skills!”
This girl really knows how to give herself credit.
Currently, who isn’t after your face!
Who would care about your acting skills?
“Haha, I naturally have my reasons.”
“What reasons? Tell me!” Liu Yifei puffed out her cheeks and said.
“Sigh, my film is a realistic theme, about a group of ordinary people from the bottom of society, the most common mortals.”
“And you, Fairy Sister’s image is now deeply ingrained in people’s hearts. How can you play a mortal?”
“Are you complimenting me on my beauty?”
“It’s a fact, do I still need to compliment you?”
Although the other party rejected her, Liu Yifei felt a little thrill inside.
She could barely accept the reason given by the other party. Well, just barely...
There was silence on the other end of the phone, and Li Chen also realized that he seemed to have gone off-topic.
He quickly pulled it back: “How about this? She asked you for my contact information; just give it to her. As for visiting the set, she’ll know when the time comes.”
“Uh-huh, I understand. By the way, what did that book you gave me mean?”
“What does it mean? If I tell you, it loses its meaning. You’ll know eventually. I’m hanging up if there’s nothing else.”
Li Chen calculated that “those years” could be put on the schedule by the end of this year.
Perhaps it could even meet the audience by Liu Yifei’s eighteenth birthday next year.
The next day, Cai Yinong called.
The two exchanged pleasantries and got acquainted. Li Chen agreed to the set visit.
Cai Yinong was very happy to learn that Li Chen’s film crew would also be coming to Hengdian World Studios in May.