1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 532 Lu Liping

What does "stunning" mean?
That's probably how Zheng Xiaolong felt after reading the script for "Stories from the Editorial Department".

Whoops.

it is good!
Very good!
What surprised Zheng Xiaolong even more was that Feng Xiaogang was also involved in the script.

He and Feng Xiaogang had known each other for a long time.

And they are very familiar with each other.

Several years ago, Feng Xiaogang went to the hospital to visit a friend. He saw a young girl and was immediately captivated. He thought she was quite pretty, smoked a lot, and had a real personality.

Feng Xiaogang wanted to "seduce" her, so he inquired about the girl everywhere.

Finally, I found out.

The girl's name is Wang Xiaoping. She just returned from abroad, but she already has a boyfriend, and her boyfriend is even more impressive—Zheng Xiaolong from the Beijing Television Drama Art Center.

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaogang's mind changed.

The pursuit of Wang Xiaoping has shifted to the pursuit of Zheng Xiaolong.

Of course, this "pursuit" was more about currying favor. He knew that Zheng Xiaolong had a powerful background, and his resources and connections were exactly what he dreamed of. Moreover, Zheng Xiaolong was an outstanding person, a highly skilled graduate of Peking University.

So he spent all his time following Zheng Xiaolong around, talking about ideals and work.

Later, someone asked Zheng Xiaolong, "Did Feng Xiaogang often treat you to meals in order to get you transferred to the center?" Zheng Xiaolong laughed and said, "He didn't have money to treat me to meals. I was the one who treated him to meals. When he treated me to meals, his family cooked for me. When I treated him, it was always to eat out. He even borrowed money from my wife to buy his motorcycle."

Feng Xiaogang had another dream: to build a huge blockhouse by the roadside, collect tolls, and then bring all the pretty girls inside to serve Zheng Xiaolong.

Zheng Xiaolong himself said this.

In short, Feng Xiaogang and Zheng Xiaolong's friendship was built up step by step in this way.

In addition, Feng Xiaogang is particularly good at flattering people. He is an expert with words and is best at speaking well of you in front of his friends when you are not around.

It is said that he used this trick to win over many big shots at dinner parties.

That's how Wang Shuo was taken down.

When someone asked Feng Xiaogang to comment on Wang Shuo, he simply said: "Looking up, I see the Big Dipper."

Wang Shuo is actually a shy young man, so he couldn't stand this. Although he didn't like the unassuming Feng Xiaogang at first, he was too addicted to his flattery. In Wang Shuo's own words, "Feng Xiaogang's words are so pleasant to hear."

In short, thanks to Feng Xiaogang's persuasive skills and constant flattery, Zheng Xiaolong eventually gave in to his persistent pleading and helped him transfer to the Television Art Center as a graphic designer, thus officially connecting him with the film and television industry.

Although I'm called an art designer, I've actually worked as a production assistant, script supervisor, and even acted.

That's right, actors.

In the TV series "Triumph at Midnight", there is a character who is a foreign officer who is killed as soon as he appears on screen. Someone joked with Feng Xiaogang: "You look just like a foreign villain. It's a pity you don't play this role."

So Feng Xiaogang volunteered to play the villain.

Zheng Xiaolong had assumed that Feng Xiaogang would just continue to follow him around.

He felt quite comfortable having someone like that by his side.

Take the filming of "The Great Forest" for example. When it was hot, Feng Xiaogang would lay out brand new banana leaves for Zheng Xiaolong every day so that he could sit on them comfortably and read the script.

Having someone serve you every day? How could you not feel comfortable? Zheng Xiaolong truly experienced the wonderful feeling of being waited on by servants in the old society.

As a result, Feng Xiaogang suddenly came to him some time ago and said he was quitting and wanted to find a new job.

Zheng Xiaolong never expected that the job he switched to would be writing scripts under Jiang Xian.

And it's actually quite well-written, very innovative.

Sitcoms were a format never seen before in China at that time, and the dialogue was very witty, unlike the old television shows that were always stiff and pretentious.

Just an ordinary little house, a few busy people, and that's how a drama came about.

In short, after receiving the script, Zheng Xiaolong immediately decided to put filming on the schedule.

The "Seahorse" team is complaining bitterly, saying they can't write the script and don't have time to do so.

Zheng Xiaolong didn't mind and made a very bold decision: "Film, write, and broadcast simultaneously!"

In short, let's shoot a few episodes and try broadcasting them first. After all, it's a new TV format. If it doesn't work, then there's no need to waste any more effort.

"Teacher Jiang, over here, over here."

That day, Zheng Xiaolong brought Jiang Xian and Hai Ma's group to a guesthouse.

Feng Xiaogang was very enthusiastic when he saw Zheng Xiaolong, asking him about his well-being.

Zheng Xiaolong was deeply moved to see that he was still serving him like a "dog".

What really touched Zheng Xiaolong was that among all the people present, Feng Xiaogang served Jiang Xian the most enthusiastically, and only then did he get a turn.

He sighed.

They're not my soldiers anymore.

As the group went up the stairs, Zheng Xiaolong greeted Zhu Lin.

"Teacher Zhu Lin, I really didn't expect you to come today. I've been watching 'Dream of the Red Chamber' for a while now, and your acting is so good. You brought Qin Keqing to life from the book."

"You're too kind." Zhu Lin simply smiled at Zheng Xiaolong's compliment.

As they were talking, the group went to a conference room, where quite a few people were sitting, all of whom were the current creative team of "Stories from the Editorial Department".

"This is Comrade Jiang Xian." Zheng Xiaolong pulled over a young man in his thirties and introduced him to Jiang Xian. "This is Zhao Baogang."

Jiang Xian glanced at the man.

He was fair-skinned and thin, looking like a pretty boy.

Is this Zhao Baogang?
Isn't Zhao Baogang square-faced and with a fierce look?

"Old Zhao?"

As they were talking, Zhu Lin peeked out from behind Jiang Xian and looked at Zhao Baogang with delight. "Oh my, it really is you! I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Comrade Zhu Lin, oh my, I didn't expect this either!" Zhao Baogang said with a look of surprise. "It's been so many years since we last saw each other, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it's been many years."

As Zhu Lin spoke, she introduced Jiang Xian, "Old classmate, we both studied in the amateur acting class at Beijing Film Academy back then."

"Huh? Oh."

Jiang Xian quickly realized what was happening.

I only remembered Zhao Baogang as a director, and forgot that he was a director before that.

He's actually an actor!

Zhao Baogang came from a working-class background, becoming a foundry worker at the age of 16. However, in his spare time, he was also an "active member of the arts and culture scene," learning drama and practicing bel canto at the workers' cultural palace whenever he had free time, and participating in the factory's arts and culture performances every year.

Later, when the Beijing Film Academy recruited for its amateur acting class, Zhao Baogang was accepted and became classmates with Zhang Guangbei, Li Chengru, and Zhu Lin. He also went from being a worker to an actor.

I've watched all the versions of "Dream of the Red Chamber" that you acted in.

Zhao Baogang said, "My whole family watched it, and we all said you played the role well. Wow, you're doing really well now, creating so many classic roles."

"Oh, Lao Zhao, you're too kind. I was just lucky. We're all old classmates, don't mention it."

"Alas, I am not like you."

Zhao Baogang sighed, “You come to this acting class to essentially ‘gild’ your resume, to supplement your professional knowledge. As for me, it was through this class that I had the opportunity to embark on my acting career. It’s not that attending an amateur acting class guarantees success, but the important thing is that it got us into the world of acting.”

I remember when we first graduated, Li Ranran and her teachers introduced us to some directors and recommended us to some production teams.

You said if I hadn't gone to that class, hadn't known those teachers, and those teachers wouldn't have recommended me, I would have had to rely on myself to wander around in society, how could I possibly get acting roles?

"Sigh, all these things."

"We're short on time, so let me introduce you first, Ms. Zhu Lin and Comrade Bao Gang."

Zheng Xiaolong interrupted their reminiscing with an apologetic look, "Our show, 'Stories from the Editorial Department,' is directed by Comrade Lu Xiaowei, the director of our art center."

However, Comrade Lu Xiaowei is also busy with a play, which is also from our center, called "Plainclothes Policeman", so he is too busy to be in two places at once.

He recommended Comrade Zhao Baogang to temporarily replace him as director, while Comrade Lu Xiaowei remained the director, and Comrade Zhao Baogang was the 'director'.

"Oh, okay, okay."

"Don't worry, where is Comrade Baogang?" Zheng Xiaolong paused halfway through his sentence.

He was also a little worried that Jiang Xian might not trust Zhao Baogang's directing skills, since Zhao was a self-taught director who couldn't compare to a professional one.

Therefore, Zheng Xiaolong had prepared his explanation in advance. If Jiang Xian was upset, he would explain to Jiang Xian the shortage of staff and the lack of good directors, and seek his understanding.

To his surprise, Jiang Xian didn't care about this at all.

So weird!

Before Zheng Xiaolong could even think about it carefully, he heard Jiang Xian urging him on.

"Xiaolong, time is tight, let's begin."

"Hey, good."

The main task I'm here for today is to audition for roles.

"We're auditioning for six lead roles today."

Zheng Xiaolong told everyone, "Many people may have just read the script and are not familiar with these six characters. That's okay. I made up a rhyme to summarize the characters' personalities when I had nothing else to do."

"There are even rhymes?" Zhu Lin chuckled upon hearing this.

Zheng Xiaolong took out the manuscript and read it aloud.

These six characters are:
Humorous, avant-garde, and a chatterbox, Li Dongbao is a caring older sister figure.
Ge Ling is quick-witted, articulate, and self-important.
Liu Shuyou is stingy, cowardly, avoids trouble, and is overflowing with sympathy.
She spouts Marxism-Leninism but is a vulgar, old-fashioned woman.
Yu Deli is a profit-driven individual who works day and night and is opportunistic.
"Honest, reliable, and calm under pressure, Editor-in-Chief Chen."

"Hahaha."

The room couldn't hold back any longer and everyone burst into laughter. Zheng Xiaolong didn't mind. After everyone finished laughing, they started today's audition.

Jiang Xian tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table as he watched a lean young man push open the door and enter. He wasn't particularly handsome, and his appearance wasn't purely delicate; if anything, he had a touch of roguish charm.

"Why is it him?!"

Jiang Xian was still in surprise when the young man suddenly bowed deeply to the person in the seat:
"Hello, teachers. My name is Wang Zhiwen, and I am a student from the Performance Department of Beijing Film Academy, Class of 84."

Zheng Xiaolong looked over at Zhao Baogang and Jiang Xian, exchanged glances with them, and said, "Read a few lines."

"it is good."

Wang Zhiwen nervously picked up his lines and read a passage aloud. Zhu Lin nodded slightly as she listened and whispered something to Jiang Xian.

"The child's delivery of lines is quite good."

"."

Jiang Xian thought to himself that this was self-evident.

This guy is widely recognized as the "King of Dialogue".

"It's just that her image isn't quite up to par and she's not really suited for acting," Zhu Lin added immediately.

"Mm," Jiang Xian nodded in agreement.

Wang Zhiwen actually has a decent appearance, but he simply doesn't fit the current mainstream aesthetic.

Moreover, the role he was competing for was Li Dongbao.

Jiang Xian already had a clear idea in mind who would play the role of Li Dongbao.

He also wanted to take advantage of Wang Zhiwen.

Unfortunately, it's not the right time for him to come out yet.

His novel, "Stories from the Editorial Department," is determined to be a huge success; he cannot afford to make any mistakes.

As for Wang Zhiwen.

Okay, let's practice some more.

The teachers discussed the matter briefly and then told Wang Zhiwen to go back and wait for the results.

Wang Zhiwen was a shrewd man; he probably guessed what was going on and left dejectedly.

Several more people came in after that, but none of them really stood out.

However, one actress soon gained the approval of Zhao Baogang, Zheng Xiaolong, and many screenwriters, including Haima.

"My name is Lü Liping, an actor from Shanghai Film Studio. I have acted in director Wu Tianming's film 'Old Well'."

"Comrade Liping, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Since Wu Tianming took office as the director of Xi'an Film Studio, he has produced a constant stream of excellent works, turning the studio, which used to be at the bottom of the copy rankings every year, into a chicken farm.

"Old Well" is a big project that Xi'an Film Studio released this year. Upon its release, it not only performed well at the box office, but also garnered heated discussions among domestic film critics.

We're also planning to send it to Japan to participate in the Tokyo International Film Festival.

So when they heard that she was an actress from "Old Well", everyone, including Zhao Baogang and Haima, was very interested in Lü Liping, even though she only played a supporting role in the film.

"You should know Lao Zhang, right? We're from the same film crew," someone from Haima mentioned Zhang Yimou.

Because Zhang Yimou is the lead actor in this film, "Old Well".

At the time, Wu Tianming was casting a wide call for roles to find the male lead, Sun Wangquan, for his film "Old Well". Perhaps because Zhang Yimou looked like a farmer, he was the one who applied.

To be fair, Wu Tianming is indeed a good person.

It is said that after filming "Old Well", Wu Tianming learned that the village where the film was shot lacked funds to repair the road. So he generously donated his 10 yuan prize money from the Film Association's Lifetime Achievement Award and also secured a donation of 20 yuan from Haier Group. After running around, he finally invested a total of 50 yuan to repair the cement road for the local area.

This was 50 back then, which was no small sum.

Back in the conference room.

The role that Lü Liping auditioned for was Ge Ling.

Zheng Xiaolong had her read a passage from Ge Ling's script. After listening to it, not only Zhao Baogang and Zheng Xiaolong, but also the people at "Seahorse" thought she was very good.

"This actress is good."

"She has a presentable appearance and is quite good-looking."

"Yes, as expected of an actor from Shanghai Film Studio. I wonder if she has a boyfriend."

Everyone in the room showed great interest in Lü Liping.

Except for Jiang Xian.

(End of this chapter)