Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 230 Want it all

The news that "Inception" needed two Chinese actors was like a nuclear bomb exploding, exploding in the film and television circles. For a time, domestic actors with some connections tried all kinds of ways to find out the specific information.

Then, word spread that Inception needed an actor and an actress.

I don’t know the exact age of the actors and actresses, but it should be between 25 and 40 years old.

Therefore, all actors in this age group use their connections and try to find ways to get an audition opportunity.

However, no matter who these actors rely on, not many of them can actually make it to Cao Yang.

Ever since "District 9" broke the domestic box office record and he won the Oscar for Best Director, his status and influence are very different from before.

Most people would not easily "recommend" actors to him. It's not that important, so they can't open their mouths.

What's more, this is a project with an investment budget of 15 billion, so I dare not speak easily.

Huang Xiaoming, who was filming in Jiuzhaigou, naturally heard the news.

Not only him, but the entire crew including the producer, director, staff and actors, all discussed this matter in their spare time.

Huang Xiaoming has developed well in the past two years. He has also taken on the role in "The Return of the Condor Heroes", which became popular before it was aired. He is in high spirits now.

"25 to 40 years old?"

After Huang Xiaoming learned the news from his assistant, he became restless and could no longer suppress his thoughts.

According to the previously signed actor contracts, The Return of the Condor Heroes started filming in October last year and will take six months to shoot, which means it will probably be wrapped up in April.

It's already March, and there's only a little over a month left.

The progress seems to be about the same, it shouldn't exceed.

For a science fiction movie with such a large investment as "Inception", the preparation period is estimated to be about half a year, which means that there will definitely be no problem with its own schedule.

In fact, even if there is a schedule conflict, almost everyone knows what to choose as long as they can sign for "Inception".

Huang Xiaoming had just finished filming his scene with Xiao Long Nu today and was just about to find a place to make a phone call when he unexpectedly had Xiao Long Nu follow him.

"Brother Xiao Ming, you have worked with Director Cao before. Is it true that his new movie cost 15 billion yuan?"

Huang Xiaoming really wanted to pretend he didn't hear it and leave quickly, but this was not in line with his usual style.

"Why, do you have any ideas about Director Cao's new play?"

"Of course, who wouldn't want to be in Director Cao's new movie? However, judging from the news that has been circulating, I'm not old enough."

"The budget of $1.8 million is $15 billion, right? This is a big production, and it's also one of the most expensive in China... and Hollywood."

Especially after talking about these numbers, Huang Xiaoming's heart became more anxious, and then he waved to Xiao Longnv, "I have something else to do, I need to make a phone call, let's talk next time."

After saying this, he left in a hurry without waiting for Xiaolongnu to reply.

He found a deserted place and found Cao Yang's cell phone number. He moved his fingers several times but didn't press it.

He laughed at himself and realized that he was too impulsive. Making this call without sufficient information would not only make Director Cao unhappy, but also give him the impression that he didn't know how to act.

Moreover, if Director Cao refused on the phone, there would be no room for maneuver. No matter what connections I used afterwards, I would not be able to appear in Director Cao's new play.

He turned to the page with Cui Ma's phone number on it and dialed it.

"Teacher Cui, are you busy?"

Cui Xinqin was the head teacher of Huang Xiaoming's class, which was known as the Beijing Film Academy's star class. She knew exactly why Huang Xiaoming called her.

"Xiao Ming, are you still filming?"

"I'm still in Jiuzhaigou. I'll go to Yandang Mountain to shoot scenes in a few days." Huang Xiaoming said hurriedly.

"Is it for Director Cao's new movie Inception?"

Cui Xinqin asked.

She received a lot of similar calls today, including calls from Xiaoyanzi, Chen Kun, Guo Xiaodong, He Lin, Yan Danchen, etc. Almost all the students she had taught called her.

As everyone knows, when Director Cao selects actors, he does not care about fame, nor does he have high requirements for acting skills. What he cares most about is that the actors fit the role.

"Ha, Mr. Cui, I can't hide anything from you. I just want to ask you, do you have any inside information?"

In the 96 acting class led by Cui Xinqin, Huang Xiaoming was the most valued student and she treated him like her godson. Therefore, Huang Xiaoming was very respectful to Teacher Cui and spoke to him very casually.

"This really doesn't exist."

Cui Xinqin hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice:

"Director Cao has been busy with another movie since he came back. I think he has already made a plan for the cast of Inception. Just focus on filming. If there is an audition, I will try my best to get you a role."

Huang Xiaoming suddenly felt very disappointed. Did Director Cao have a candidate?
Several people suddenly appeared in his mind: Liu Ye, Chen Kun, Duan Yihong and Wu Qihua.

As for other people, such as the more famous Four Heavenly Kings in Hong Kong, or Li Lianjie and Jacky Cheung, Huang Xiaoming rejected the idea as soon as he had it.

If the role does not require it, Director Cao likes to use "old" people. In the eyes of a director of his stature, the fame of these domestic actors is really not important, even Li Lianjie and Cheng Long.

Am I considered an “old” person in Director Cao’s eyes?
Huang Xiaoming couldn't help but ask himself.

Then, he thought of the other movie that Teacher Cui mentioned just now. After suppressing his disappointment, he pretended not to care and asked, "Teacher Cui, do you know about Director Cao's other movie? Does it need actors?"

Cui Xinqin looked around and saw that no one was paying attention, so she whispered:
"I heard that this is a movie about ballet, and Director Cao wants to find a few actors who can dance. Your dance foundation is not good enough, but there is a role with a lot of scenes that does not require dance foundation..."

Huang Xiaoming quickly expressed his gratitude. It was not easy to get this information. At least compared to the actors who knew nothing, he was one step ahead.

After hanging up the phone, he whispered to himself, A movie about ballet?

It seems I need to learn more about ballet.

As for "Inception"... Huang Xiaoming sighed and thought, forget it, no one can help me, so I'll just have to leave it to God's will.

The Hong Kong media was very puzzled. Wu Qihua had played so many roles with Cao Yang before, and his salary had increased from the initial quoted price of 30 to 300 million, but they didn't like to report it.

However, according to reports by the Hong Kong media, "District 9" is a "pure" Hollywood blockbuster.

Even though Wu Qihua is just an "alien" who doesn't show his face, in the Hong Kong media, he has become the main character second only to Depp.

Many media outlets even said that Wu Qihua was another Hong Kong actor who had made it into Hollywood after Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Li Lianjie and Chow Yun-fat.

These media published Wu Qihua's photo in the newspaper, with the words "District 4.68" written under the photo, and then in large letters, the words "US$ million" were written behind it.

Some tabloids were even more exaggerated, saying that a movie starring Wu Qihua topped the box office in Hong Kong, and that no movie starring any Chinese actor had ever achieved such a high box office.

What followed was Wu Qihua's salary offer, which was still 300 million, but was converted into US dollars.

Not only was Wu Qihua not pleased, he was actually afraid.

He asked his agent, "Is my offer too high? Is there anyone who dares to hire me?"

The agent consoled him, "The offer is just an offer, and it's different from the actual situation. For example, if it's Director Cao's movie, we'd be happy to act in it even if we don't get paid. You don't have to worry about your pay being too high, like Shenxianfa, who offered $800 million. How did he get that? You've acted in many more movies that won European awards than he has.

You also starred in District 7.8, a movie that can make you fly high. The current exchange rate of USD to HKD is 36.5, which is billion HKD! Who can have such a high box office? Not even Jackie Chan.

The price of $300 million is very affordable.”

Wu Qihua smiled bitterly and sighed. He himself had not yet adapted to this change.

In his mind, although he had a very important role in "District 9" and could barely be considered one of the main actors, he did not show his face throughout the entire film. When his pay was changed from Hong Kong dollars to US dollars, he always felt uneasy.

The agent patted Wu Qihua on the shoulder and whispered, "You should know that Director Cao's new movie has an investment of 1.82 million US dollars, right? Didn't they say that there will be two important roles for Chinese people in it? Why don't you give Director Cao a call?"

"Inception" has become a hot topic even in Hong Kong. Jackie Chan's movie investments are huge, often as much as 1.82 or million US dollars, but that is completely different from million US dollars.

According to the current exchange rate, even if US$1.82 million is converted into Hong Kong dollars, it would be more than 14 billion. It is a super large project.

Wu Qihua shook his head. "If Director Cao thinks I'm suitable, he will call me. What's the point of me calling him?"

The agent also felt a little regretful. If he could also participate in this super project, as long as the box office was not low, Wu Qihua's pay would definitely be comparable to that of Shen Xianfa.

However, having worked with Cao Yang for so long, he also knew that he could not take the initiative in such matters, lest he make Director Cao unhappy.

Just as I was thinking about it, Wu Qihua's phone suddenly rang.

Wu Qihua was stunned when he saw the phone number, then quickly answered it.

"Okay, okay, no problem. Goodbye, Director Ning."

After hearing Wu Qihua's last words, the agent jumped up from the sofa. He knew that there was a director named Ning Hao, who was Director Cao's assistant. Could it be him?

He looked at Wu Qihua who had hung up the phone and swallowed, feeling nervous and a little excited.

"Is it Director Ning Hao, Director Cao's assistant, who called?"

Wu Qihua has been smiling since he received the call.

"Yes, Director Ning told me to save the time for the second half of the year."

""Inception"?"

"Inception!"

"Fuck! You're going to be rich!"

The agent slapped Wu Qihua hard on the shoulder, causing the latter to grimace instantly.

The two people were excited for a long time, and the agent suddenly thought of a problem. How should he quote the price when signing the contract in a few days?

"How much is your pay?"

Wu Qihua slapped his agent hard on the shoulder, and now he became the agent with a grimace in his mouth.

"Are you really going to offer $300 million?"

The agent quickly shook his head, "That's impossible. How about 300 million Hong Kong dollars?"

"Why think so much? We'll take whatever is written in the contract. Are you still planning to bargain?"

Seeing Wu Qihua raise his hand again as if jokingly, the agent jumped back and nodded, "You're right!"

Ning Hao hung up the phone and immediately filled Cao Yang's cup with water. With a smile on his face, he said shamelessly, "Junior Master, the assistant director of Inception..."

"stop."

Cao Yang was so angry that he laughed, "I've told you so many times, don't yell."

"I am willing."

Ning Hao stiffened his neck and said, "You and my mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang are like brothers. What's wrong with me calling you Junior Uncle?"

Cao Yang waved his hands feebly, "Have you finished "Crazy Stone"?"

"Uh-huh."

Ning Hao nodded and said with a smile: "I'll wait for you, Junior Master, to be free and see if there is anything that needs to be changed."

"Do you have any requirements for the schedule?"

Ning Hao grinned, "No, Junior Master, you can do whatever you want."

Cao Yang thought for a moment and asked, "I'll put it on during the summer vacation. Do you dare to go?"

Ning Hao put away his playful smile and started thinking.

This is his first film to be released on a large scale and it must be very important for him.

The summer vacation season is a highly competitive time slot, but it is also one of the best time slots of the year.

It is easy to achieve good results, but also easy to fail in the competition.

Then, Ning Hao suddenly thought about what he was worried about. Director Cao is the producer, supervisor and screenwriter. His name comes with popularity and publicity.

To be frank, who knows me? But as long as Cao Yang is listed as the screenwriter and producer, most people will walk into the theater when they see this name, right?
So, what else is there to consider?
Ning Hao smiled playfully again, "Master Junior said we should go during the summer vacation, so I will listen to Master Junior."

Cao Yang felt a headache again. This guy was really thick-skinned. He waved his hand and said, "Get lost."

"Okay, Junior Master, have you promised me that you will be the assistant director of Inception?"

"Let's talk about it later. Let me think about it. You can be an assistant director in Black Swan first."

Cao Yang said, pushing a piece of paper to him, "Send these people an audition invitation. I want to see if their image meets the requirements."

"okay."

Ning Hao took the paper and looked at the names on it: Chen Shu, Wang Likun, Lu Yi, Liu Shishi…

After their names is a brief introduction of them. Several of them have backgrounds in Beijing Dance Academy.

Ning Hao didn't find it strange. "Black Swan" is a story about ballet, so it's normal to find actors with dance skills.

After Ning Hao left, Cao Yang began to consider who would be more suitable to play the role of the stage director in the movie.

In the original movie, this character had some kissing scenes with the heroine, but Cao Yang deleted all of that.

However, in order to express the character and let this role "activate" the heroine, Cao Yang added some more perverted things to this role.

For example, the more explicit, dirty and perverted language, and the fact that he asked the heroine to seduce him and guided her to touch him with her hands.

For the latter point, just use a stand-in.

(End of this chapter)