Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 193 Role Assignment
I am not allowed to write anything about coal. I don't understand why. I have changed it several times.
……

"Painted Skin?"

Everyone was a little surprised. Just when they were about to ask, they found that Zhang Chen took out a piece of paper and started writing on it.

Is this going to be created on the spot?
Of course it is created on the spot.

An essential skill for the reborn.

How can you show off if you don’t do this?
Besides, it’s not difficult at all.

Creation = Reference = Copy

It’s not that difficult.

But, Ning Ying, I'm sorry.

"Painted Skin" seemed to be the only work that Ningxia Film Studio could show off, but it was ruthlessly created by Zhang Chen, and Ningxia Film Studio was doomed to decline.

"Painted Skin" was completed very quickly.

Of course, what he wrote could not be a complete script, it was just a story outline.

The specific details will be completed by the screenwriter team when the time comes.

Xingchen Entertainment has a large screenwriter team, including the chief screenwriter, episode screenwriter, plot action screenwriter, dialogue screenwriter, and assistant screenwriter for data collection...

There is clear division of labor and close cooperation.

Once they get a sketch, it can become flesh and blood in just a few days.

Zhang Chen searched his memory and found that there were quite a few movies on the theme of Journey to the West, but few of them were close to the current ones.

Not to mention Fengshen, the special effects it involves are simply impossible to produce in this era.

Only "Painted Skin", which is based on "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio", is very familiar to people, so it has a mass base.

And it’s recent enough.

If "Painted Skin" was successful in its original time and space, there is no reason why it cannot be successful here.

Although we can’t fully believe the announcements from the previous life that said “Painted Skin” sold so well, as long as they can film a second part, it means that the first part must have made money.

Still making a lot of money.

The story synopsis was not long, only about 2000 words. Ning Hao finished reading it quickly and gave it to Dong Jianqiang for review, and then to Chen Xi.

Before Chen Xi finished reading, Ning Hao couldn't help but ask, "You changed the subject of Painted Skin from a ghost to a demon?"

"Yes, otherwise it would not pass the trial."

"A demon can do that?"

"Not necessarily, but if I find someone with great energy to help endorse it, it should be possible."

Looking at everyone's expressions, Zhang Chen continued, "I plan to look for China Film or Shanghai Film."

As far as I can remember, the original story of "Painted Skin" seemed to be about catching monsters, and it was not a love story at all. Later, the script failed to pass the review, and the producers had no choice but to change it into a love movie disguised as a monster.

In fact, it is just a variation of two women fighting for a husband, except that the one fighting for the husband becomes a monster.

Or is this era too conservative?

Even the dozen seconds of painted skin special effects in the original version of "Painted Skin" were praised to the sky.

There's nothing to be afraid of; they're just a bunch of wriggling bugs.

In fact, changing this to a psychological horror might be more successful.

But no matter how much he thought about it, Zhang Chen didn't do it.

The fact that the original version was successful in 08 shows that it is in line with the aesthetics and cognition of that era. If Zhang Chen makes random changes, it might end up being counterproductive.

The reborn are not omnipotent.

For example, if he were asked to shoot "The Wandering Earth" now, he would definitely be so excited.

Chen Xi revealed the secret: "Isn't this a love triangle between Xiao Wei, Wang Sheng and Pei Rong?"

"Bingo, you're right, it's a love triangle, but we put on a magical coat."

"Why not make it more exciting, like a battle between humans and demons? Wouldn't it be more interesting that way?"

You think I don't understand movies?
In fact, you don’t understand censorship.

Of course Zhang Chen knew that it would look better that way, but he didn't dare.

At this stage, Hong Kong does have similar works, but this is the first time in the mainland. It is no problem to say that "Painted Skin" is a gray area.

This thing would cost an estimated 100 million to produce. He felt very upset when a chapter of his novel was banned. If a 100 million production was banned, he would cry to death.

The reason why I want to pull up Shangying is because of this. Shangying is famous for his love of experimentation.

Many firsts were created by them:
The first color opera film "Butterfly Lovers";
The first military feature film, "The Battle of South and North";
The first children's film to win an award at an international film festival, "The Feather Letter";

a science fiction feature film, “Death Rays on Coral Island”;
The first film to win the Guinness World Record, "Lush Mountain Romance"
The first work to win an international award after the reform and opening up, My Memories of Old Beijing;
Crash Landing, the first film produced using digital special-grade technology;
The first truly co-production in New China, The Countess;
Yan Zhongfang, the first Chinese filmmaker to win an Oscar for a technical award, is associated with Shanghai Film Group.

With so many firsts already, they would probably be willing to try their hand at making their first blockbuster film on supernatural and fantasy themes.

With the endorsement of this giant, and with China Film, it should be able to pass the review.

"I still think the script is a bit too simple." Ning Hao expressed his opinion.

"Just keep it simple. Have you noticed that the plots of Zhang Yimou's two current blockbusters are very simple, especially Hero. It can't even be described as simple, it's simply thin."

Ning Hao nodded.

"Blockbuster movies must be simple. Blockbuster movies are different from small and medium-budget movies. Small and medium-budget movies have insufficient budgets, so they can only rely on the plot to win, and they can come up with all kinds of creative ideas on the conflicts in the script.

But blockbusters are different. To a large extent, blockbusters sell special effects, scenes, and shock...

Too much complexity will cause the audience to experience a misalignment, which will invisibly reduce the effect of the scenes and special effects. Therefore, blockbusters cannot be complicated and can only tell the simplest stories..."

This idea is actually correct, but it is not very convincing at this stage because there are no negative examples.

But it doesn’t matter. Everyone is used to trusting Zhang Chen’s vision. If he says it’s right, then it’s right.

"What about the roles? Who are you going to ask to play them?" Dong Jianqiang was even more curious about these. Since it was a big movie, he would definitely have to invite big-name actors, otherwise how could it show its size.

Zhang Chen had a plan in mind: "Let Fan Binbin play the role of the vixen Xiao Wei. Wang Sheng is the key to the two women's fight for a husband, so we must find a handsome guy. I think Huang Xiaozhu is good. As for Peirong, how about Mr. Zhou?"

Zhang Chen did not use the original team.

He never felt that the vixen played by Mr. Zhou was so charming. Mr. Zhou's appearance had nothing to do with seduction.

However, among the top stars, there are not many who can handle this role, and even fewer who can act opposite her. Zhao Yanzi can barely be counted as one of them.

As for the double ice, they were not even up to the mark at that time.

The term "Four Dans and Two Bings" is just hype. In terms of status, there is a huge difference between them.

Even among the four dan, their status is very different.

In terms of business ability, no one can beat Master Zhou even if all the others are tied together.

Zhang Chen always felt that Fan Binbin was very suitable for the role of Xiao Wei, because she was pretty and had the right temperament. The key point was that she later played Su Daji, which was also very successful.

This is a success story.

As for Chen Kun's Wang Sheng, Zhang Chen has never liked the actor Chen Kun. It's not because of his personality or anything, but simply because he doesn't like his temperament. He is too melancholy and lacks masculinity.

Another person who is similar to him is Hu Bing, who is more feminine and has a handsome face for nothing.

In comparison, he prefers Huang Xiaoming.

There is no doubt that he is handsome, and it was this reason that helped him get into the Beijing Film Academy.

He is also very sunny, but a little pretentious.

In Shi Hang's words: always showing that kind of meaningful yet meaningless smile.

But it's still okay when you're not smiling.

His acting skills are also on point, with "The Emperor of Han Dynasty" and "The Partner" being the best proof of this, although his performance was a bit unstable.

Some people say that he would rather make money by lying down than standing up, and he is the typical person who takes a break after starring in one movie.

But Zhang Chen didn’t think so, he simply couldn’t find that point.

When he meets a director who knows how to teach acting, such as Chen Kexin, he can contribute 120% of his acting skills.

But he was not sure whether Zhang Chen himself could stimulate Huang Xiaoming's state.

As for replacing Zhao Yanzi, there is nothing much to say. I believe there is no one who doesn't hate her.

How much I liked Xiaoyanzi at the beginning, how much I hated Zhao Buffett later.

In fact, Zhang Chen had another selfish motive for employing Huang Xiaoming.

Because in its previous life, "Painted Skin" was the first blockbuster film with a young actor from the mainland as the protagonist.

After this movie, people finally realized that young actors from the mainland can also take on leading roles.

This ushered in the spring for young actors in mainland China.

Before that, they were miserable.

Originally, before 2008, young actors from the mainland could only play supporting roles in various big productions and serve as supporting actors for second- and third-tier artists from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

This is due to the CEPA agreement.

CEPA stipulates that at least one-third of the actors in a co-production must be from the mainland, so at least one of the male or female protagonists must be cast.

Male actors are the foundation, so the mainland basically gets the female lead.

This is also the reason why so many female artists line up to go to Hong Kong to gild their careers, because the heroine must be from the mainland.

But at the same time, the mainland actors are in trouble.

They have lost the opportunity to participate in big productions and can only play supporting roles for Hong Kong and Taiwan artistes, or play the leading role in low-budget art films.

The embarrassing situation of mainland young actors is due to CEPA, but it is not just due to CEPA. It is also related to the joint efforts of Hong Kong and Taiwan forces to suppress mainland artists.

Wu Yusen is the best example.

He once called Yan Zi and said, "You are an actress I admire very much." But after coaxing her over, he found out that she was playing a supporting role to Lin Chi-lin.

Come on, what kind of celebrity is Lin Chi-lin? She’s just a model. She had no works before this.

As a result, Zhao Yanzi, who was famous throughout Asia, played a supporting role for her, and her fame rose instantly.

Other similar examples include Liu Ye and Ethan Ruan.

He also blatantly advised other Hong Kong directors to use mainland actors as vases and supporting roles in the play, and let Hong Kong and Taiwan actors play the leading roles.

At the beginning, Chen Jiashang's movie "Painted Skin" was criticized by Wu Yusen for using too many mainland actors. He said that mainland actors now dominate the film industry and you bear the main responsibility.

Still responsible?

Take responsibility for your sister!

If Zhang Chen were to live his life again, he would never let this situation happen again.

So he wanted to advance this process so that young actors in the mainland would no longer have to suffer this humiliation.

Zhang Chen was still immersed in his own fantasy when Chen Xi raised his hand: "I see there are also roles for the demon catcher and the bird spirit?"

That’s right, Zhang Chen added a demon catcher and a bird spirit to this film. To be more precise, he moved these two characters from “Painted Skin 2” over.

He really felt that the lizard spirit in the original "Painted Skin" was uninteresting. It served no purpose other than digging out Xiao Wei's heart and having a crush on her.

Changing it to bird spirit can extend a lot of things.

For example, its relationship with Xiao Wei can be designed as the relationship between the Green Snake and the White Snake.

For example, the relationship between it and the monster catcher can also be extended.

Zhang Chen plans to shoot a trilogy.

In the first part, Xiao Wei fell in love with Wang Sheng, and finally understood the true meaning of love. She would rather give up her cultivation to save Wang Sheng.

The second part is a prequel, describing how Xiao Wei and the bird spirit met, and how Xiao Wei changed from a heart-eating fairy to one who yearns for human love.

The third part follows the plot of the first part, telling how Xiao Wei was hunted down by her former enemies after her power was dispersed, and how the bird spirit protected her.

As they listened to Zhang Chen's story, their eyes became brighter and brighter.

A trilogy is good, so Xingchen Entertainment will have two series.

Zhang Chen also wanted to give a detailed description of the monster catcher, which is also a very crucial role.

In the later stage, the universe of "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio" can be fully expanded, and the monster catcher is a clue-like character who can connect the entire story of "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio" together.

This is a big IP.

Zhang Chen was about to explain in detail when Chen Xi suddenly interrupted him.

"Director Zhang, can Yang Xiaomi play the role of the little bird spirit?"

?

Chen Xi, do you have a long-lost sister named Yang Xiaomi?

Why are you so eager to give her wealth?
Seeing Zhang Chen remained silent, Chen Xi pleaded, "Can we please compensate her for the "Manslaughter" incident last time?"

Zhang Chen was a little speechless, but seeing that Chen Xi was very determined, and the role of the bird spirit originally belonged to Yang Xiaomi, it would be fine to give it to her.

"Okay, then compensate her."

Seeing Zhang Chen agreed, Chen Xi immediately smiled and diligently poured water and served tea.

"There's really nothing I can do about you~"

I don’t know what kind of magic potion Yang Xiaomi gave Chen Xi that had such a good effect.

(End of this chapter)