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

Chapter 281 If I were a girl, I would definitely like Meng Bai

As the end of the year approaches, the casting for "Peace Hotel" has finally come to an end.

ArcLight signed contracts with the selected actors and set a release date for after the New Year.

Meng Bai planned the early preparations for the crew, and went to Harbin to discuss the design of the "Peace Hotel" with Yang Lei before flying back to Landao.

However, he did not rush to the set of "Psychological Crime 2", but turned a corner and went to the Oriental Movie Metropolis in the West Coast Bay Area first.

The filming location of "The Wandering Earth" is here.

"All the sets are here. There are eight studios in total, covering nearly 10 square meters."

"This is a transport vehicle. It's all real scenery built by the prop team. And this metal exoskeleton armor was specially ordered from Weta Digital in New Zealand."

"Further over there is the model of the planetary engine. But for now it's just a framework, and the details won't be completed until next year."

"..."

Guo Fan took Meng Bai on a tour of the bustling, yet extremely spacious studio.

Looking at the props and scenes around him that had basically taken shape, Meng Bai couldn't help but be amazed.

I remember when I came here last year, there was nothing here. In just half a year, it has completely turned into a "doomsday world".

As one of the main creators, Meng Bai witnessed the hardships along the way firsthand.

This can actually be seen from Guo Fan.

I remember when "You Are the One" was first released, this guy was still a fat man with a bloated figure.

As a result, after more than a year of busy work, I have lost a lot of weight and the edges of my face are becoming more prominent.

"Thank you for your hard work." Meng Bai looked at Guo Fan seriously and said this.

"We're just getting started." Guo Fan said nonchalantly, "This is just the first step in a long journey. Once the movie is released, it won't be too late to talk about the hard work."

"That's right." Meng Bai looked at the busy staff around him, "Are there any difficulties now?"

"Insufficient funds, undecided actors, script... oh, there is a script."

Guo Fan smiled and sighed, "It's mainly a funding issue. The money from Wanda has not arrived yet. Besides that, there is still a gap of about 3000 million."

Although with the support of China Film Corporation and the help of Meng Bai, the crew still did not have enough funds.

Gong Ge'er has visited dozens of film and television companies in the past six months, and many of them showed interest, but when it came to paying the money, they hesitated.

After all, there has never been any successful experience in domestic science fiction films before.

No matter who comes, they will hesitate.

Since they couldn’t increase revenue, the crew could only think of ways to cut costs.

Gong Geer, the producer, really spends every penny very carefully.

Except for props, scenes, and post-production special effects which are related to the quality of the film, all other aspects can be saved as much as possible.

Even for the space suits and space capsule interiors in the plot, we talked to the crew next door and asked if we could borrow them.

"Which group is next door?" Meng Bai asked curiously, "Is it also a science fiction film?"

"Director Ning Hao's new play is also an adaptation of Liu Cixin's novel "Rural Teacher", which is also a science fiction theme."

Guo Fan introduced: "But they are going for an absurd comedy style. I heard that the leading actors are Huang Bo, Shen Teng and Xu Zheng."

At this point, the old man said with envy: "Alas, with this lineup, they don't lack any investment at all."

Indeed, Huang Bo and Xu Zheng, needless to say, are the mainstays of domestic comedy films.

Although Shen Teng became famous later, he has become a top new comedian in the domestic entertainment industry thanks to last year's hit "Charlotte's Troubles" and the support of the Spring Festival Gala over the past few years. Add to that the director Ning Hao, and there is no need to read the script. Just the names of these people are worth at least 1 billion box office.

With this almost guaranteed advantage, it will be much easier to raise investment than for the struggling "The Wandering Earth".

Meng Bai naturally understood Guo Fan's envy, and patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, there's still the funding gap at Wanda. I'll ask someone to help."

"Meng Bai, if I were a girl, I would definitely fall in love with you."

"No, no, no, Brother Guo, let's not do this awkwardly." Meng Bai waved his hands quickly, "By the way, isn't it time for our crew to select actors?"

"I was just about to tell you." Guo Fan regained his serious expression, "We are also planning to start casting during this period. You are the chief screenwriter, and you understand the requirements of the role. Please help ask."

"Sure." Meng Bai agreed immediately. "When is the release date? I can prepare for it."

"The current plan is to start filming in April next year, which will take four to five months."

"Okay, I understand. Let's discuss it when we find a suitable candidate."
-
After getting a general understanding of the current progress of "The Wandering Earth", Meng Bai returned to the crew of "Psychological Crime 2".

As soon as I arrived at the set, I saw Bai Lu and Zhao Jinmai playing and fighting.

"You two can actually play together." Meng Bai watched from the side for a while and couldn't help but sigh.

Bai Lu was born in 94 and Zhao Jinmai was born in 02, eight years apart.

I don’t know whether to say that Bai Lu is childish or that she is young in mind.

"Hello, Teacher Meng!"

"Hello, Mr. Meng."

Seeing the big BOSS suddenly appear, the two girls hurriedly greeted him.

"Hello." Meng Bai responded and looked at Bai Lu, "How are the recent shoots going?"

"It's not bad." Bai Lu grinned, "At least it didn't delay the crew's filming progress."

This girl’s role in “Psychological Crime 2” is the previously mentioned “Minan”, the heroine in the future movie version.

The reason why she was asked to take this role was mainly because Meng Bai planned to let Li Qin play the female lead in next year's movie.

The two girls are somewhat similar in appearance, which serves as a perfect connection between the web drama and the movie.

As for why Li Qin was chosen as the heroine in the movie version...

One is that the character image is suitable, and the other is to introduce resources.

After all, he was planning to wait until her contract expired and then let her come to Arc Light. It couldn't be that there would be no benefit at all.

Well, yes, that's the reason.

It's definitely not the case that some people want to see Teacher Li wearing a police uniform.

After chatting with Bai Lu for a few words, Meng Bai looked at Zhao Jinmai standing beside him.

"Maimai, you should be almost done filming here, right?"

"Yes, it will be finished in a few days."

Meng Bai nodded, looked at her, hesitated for a moment and said, "I have a role in a movie project that is quite suitable for you. You can come and try it out after New Year's Day when you have time."

The movie he was talking about was not "Psychological Crime" but "The Wandering Earth".

There is a little girl character named "Han Duoduo" in the script, who is set to be a junior high school student.

When he saw Zhao Jinmai just now, he suddenly felt that her image was quite suitable.

(End of this chapter)