Entertainment: I just want to be the boss behind the scenes

Chapter 170 I Like Those Who Are Tough

Meng Bai was also a little surprised. He did want to say it before, but he didn't mention it in the end.

"Maybe you performed well and were noticed." Meng Bai said, "Wait a minute, I'll make a phone call and ask."

I mentioned this to He Chen yesterday, I don’t know if she told He Jiong about it.

He didn't have to take credit for it. But if it really was true, people would think he was doing a favor without him knowing, and that would easily lead to misunderstandings.

I called He Chen and asked a few questions, and sure enough, it was she who told He Jiong.

"Don't worry, Mr. Meng. Teacher He said it's just a supporting role. The girl's image and temperament are quite suitable, so just use her. Don't think too much about it." He Chen said.

Meng Bai sighed silently, then smiled and said, "Okay, thank Teacher He for me. We'll talk again next time we meet."

After a few more pleasantries, Meng Bai hung up the phone and looked at Song Zhi who was standing beside him and said, "It wasn't me who said that, but it was definitely because of me."

"Ah, is this embarrassing for you?" Song Zhi frowned, "Or, I'll tell the crew that we don't need it."

"No, you've already made your choice, so just focus on acting." Meng Bai hurriedly stopped her.

Anyway, the favor has been owed, it doesn't matter whether she plays or not. But it's not a big deal, I can pay it back when I have the chance.

And then again, sometimes it's not a bad thing to owe favors to others. You owe me, I owe you, and that's how connections and friendships are built.

Song Zhi nodded, glanced at him and said, "But judging from your expression before, it seems that you are not very willing for me to participate."

"It's not that I don't want to, it's mainly because of the plot and characters of this movie, which are... hard to describe in a few words."

As he spoke, Meng Bai told her the general content of the script he had read.

Song Zhi listened blankly and blinked his eyes: "So, my character died in the first half because of a car accident?"

"Yes."

"Wow--"

Song Zhi opened her mouth wide, she didn't know what to say, anyway, the plot was indeed quite explosive.

Meng Bai came to comfort her: "It's okay, your role is just a minor supporting role anyway. Whether the movie is good or not, it won't have much impact on you. Just think of it as accumulating experience and earning a salary at the same time."

For most ordinary actors, the standards for choosing a role don't need to be so high. Most of them are there purely to earn the pay, and having one or two highlight dramas every two years is enough.

Compared to this kind of shoddy movie, it is better to look forward to the drama "The Disguiser". At least the role of "Yu Manli" is quite exciting.

The filming location of this movie is mainly in Guangzhou. Fortunately, her role should not have many scenes, so she probably won’t feel the high temperature in the south much.

After talking about the movie, the two sat together again.

"Meng Bai."

Song Zhi called out softly.

"how?"

"Um……"

She actually wanted to ask Meng Bai if they should get back together, but when the words came to her lips, she hesitated again.

It feels a bit hasty to ask now.

After all, strictly speaking, the two of them haven't been together for very long.

I should just wait a little longer and wait until this guy falls in love with me again.

Song Zhi made up his mind and changed the subject: "What do you think? Should I leave the People's Art Theatre?"

Meng Bai was stunned for a moment: "Why did you suddenly think of this?"

"I just feel like there's no future for me in the theater. The subsidy for rehearsing a play is not much, and I have to waste more than half a month on it. I feel like it's not as good as the one that comes out."

In fact, she is not the only one who has this idea. Many young actors in the People's Art Theatre also have this idea.

In the past, when the film and television industry was not well developed, the pay of actors was not so high. Working in a theater could earn 1,000 or 2,000 yuan a month, and working in a movie for three to five months could earn 10,000 or 8,000 yuan, which was not stable, so the older generation thought that working in a theater was good. But now, with more and more hot money in the film and television industry, the pay of actors has also risen.

A third- or fourth-tier small-time actress like her can earn hundreds of thousands of yuan for filming a movie, but the salary in the theater is still only two or three thousand yuan.

Moreover, stage play performances are not like film and television dramas where you can repeat yourself after some NGs. They must be done in one take, which is stressful and takes a long time to rehearse.

As one thing grows, the other shrinks. Unless the actors are unable to get any other roles outside, everyone is thinking about running away.

Meng Bai thought for a while, looked at her and said, "It all depends on your future plans. But if it were me, I wouldn't leave."

"Why?" Song Zhi asked curiously.

"It's very simple. Mainly because I have the identity of NTAC, my future path will be wider." Meng Bai said.

As one of the most authentic people's theaters established before the founding of the People's Republic of China, the identity of the People's Art Theater is actually somewhat similar to that of a Party member.

For actors, the biggest benefit of this identity is that it makes it easier to get resources for serious dramas.

Just like “movie actors look down on TV actors”, there is also a chain of contempt within TV dramas.

CCTV's major dramas are naturally ranked first, followed by historical dramas, period dramas and other serious dramas, then workplace dramas, family dramas, and then various costume dramas and romantic idol dramas.

Finally, there are remakes of classics, such as the Jin Yong dramas that have been filmed to pieces, as well as "The New Red Mansion" and "The New Return of the Condor Heroes", which are generally used to promote newcomers.

Many actors started out with remakes and idol dramas at the bottom, and then worked their way up step by step.

Being able to get a role in a serious drama not only represents the actor's status, but more importantly, it also represents the major official awards.

Sometimes, the resources for a serious drama do not necessarily depend entirely on popularity and popularity, but more on the official recognition of its identity.

At times like this, a background like that of the National Theatre of China can come into play.

"If you only look at the early stages of development, staying at the People's Art Theatre will indeed delay things. But when you become more famous and famous in the future, this identity will also bring you many benefits."

Meng Bai said: "If it were me, I would choose to continue to stay in the People's Art Theater, and then find a suitable agency to outsource the film and television contracts or business contracts. At most, I can take two or three months out every year and go back to the theater to cooperate in completing the performance tasks. It won't delay anything."

Song Zhi thought about it and felt that it made sense. It seemed like it would take many years for him to become so popular that he couldn't even spare a month or two.

"Okay, I'll listen to you." She thought for a moment and looked at Meng Bai: "Otherwise, I'll sign the contract with you."

"Of course, but you have to wait two months." Meng Bai said, "We have an artist management company that we are planning to cooperate with strategically. It is in preparation and will be officially operational around the middle of the year. By then, there will be a professional management team, assistant team, legal affairs team, etc. to run the operation."

Everything else is easy to deal with, but the key is the legal affairs. After all, Song Zhi is a formal employee of the People's Art Theatre, so in theory he cannot have other labor relations outside.

Generally speaking, in such cases, the agency will adopt personal studio or labor cooperation relationships to avoid relevant regulations.

In addition, the National Theatre of China usually turns a blind eye to actors taking on other roles, as long as they can complete the required tasks, so generally speaking there is basically no impact.

"Okay, I'll wait a little longer then."

Song Zhi said: "Order takeout, I'm a little hungry."

Meng Bai smiled and said, "I just said that there are many exercises that can consume energy comfortably."

"You are the only one who is comfortable. I feel uncomfortable all over now."

"Ha, now let's talk about me. I don't know who was the one who shamelessly kept saying 'come again' last night..."

"Don't mention it!" Song Zhi pinched him in embarrassment and said, "I, I haven't been active for a long time, and I was not prepared all of a sudden. Wait for me to recover and continue tonight!"

"No problem." Meng Bai smiled and stood up while holding her: "How about we have some dessert before the takeaway arrives?"

"Stop, it hurts... Why are you laughing? Let me rest before continuing!"

"Oh, girl, you are really tough. It's okay, I just like tough talk."

"Haha, I was wrong, I was wrong, don't... ugh!"

　Chapter 167 is too busy to be reviewed. Let's see if it can be released manually tomorrow.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)