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

Chapter 70 New Cooperation
Hou Hongliang didn't expect Meng Bai to have this purpose. Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "Nowadays, the new generation of creators are basically aiming to be directors. There aren't many people like you who are interested in behind-the-scenes production."

"It just happened to be a coincidence." Meng Bai said.

"It's a good way to describe it, 'It happened at the right time.'" Hou Hongliang sighed, "When I was young and just joined Shanying, I actually wanted to be a director. Being a director is so good, he has the final say on what the crew wants to shoot and how to shoot it. Unfortunately, there were too many directors at Shanying at that time, so my teacher came to me and said, why don't you switch to being a producer. Just like that, I became a producer, and I have been doing this for 20 years now."

Meng Bai didn't expect that the other party had such a past, but when he thought about it, it made sense. At that time, the "fifth generation directors" were the most popular, and anyone who had anything to do with the film and television industry wanted to be a director.

"Everyone has their own destiny." Meng Bai said: "Mr. Hou, as a producer, you are also successful."

Hou Hongliang laughed and said, "That makes sense. Well, since you call me senior, I can't let you call me that for nothing. So, after the crew starts preparing, you can be called 'assistant producer'. If you want to know anything, just go and see for yourself."

Meng Bai's eyes lit up. This was a real benefit. Although the title of "assistant producer" did not have any actual production rights, it was the most suitable for him now.

"Thank you, Mr. Hou." Meng Bai said, "Then I wish us a happy cooperation."

"Pleasant to work with."

The cooperation intention has been reached, but the subsequent script copyright fees, screenwriter remuneration, etc. will have to wait and be discussed later.

Meng Bai suggested that he wanted to observe the crew of the filming at Noon Sunshine, and Hou Hongliang readily agreed. Then he said that he had been busy recently and could not accompany them in person, so he finally asked Zhou You to come over and let him, an acquaintance, take him on a tour.

"You know what, this environment is really quaint." Meng Bai looked around at the pavilions and houses and couldn't help but sigh.

Zhou You said: "Xiangshan is mainly used as a setting for costume dramas and martial arts dramas. We spent half a year to renovate the entire house, and the effect is really good."

"What is the total investment for this drama?" Meng Bai asked.

"The initial budget was set at 80 million, and it was increased a bit after filming started, so the total amount is probably over 100 million," Zhou You introduced.

Meng Bai sighed. As expected, costume dramas are indeed big spenders. If it were his urban crime drama, he could shoot an entire series with 100 million yuan.

Zhou You brought him to the set, which seemed to be filming at the moment, and a circle of people could be seen from a distance.

Meng Bai looked towards the crowd and saw the actor who was performing. He recognized him immediately. It was the male lead Hu Ge.

"Hu Ge——" Meng Bai sighed.

Zhou You, who was standing by, asked curiously, "Why? Do you know him?"

"How can I know him?" Meng Bai shook his head. "When I was a kid, I watched a lot of his movies, especially The Legend of Sword and Fairy. I liked it a lot back then."

"Well, what you're saying is, who hasn't been a fan of 'Li Xiaoyao' before?"

Meng Bai frowned: "Well, maybe it's because of different preferences. I still prefer 'Zhao Linger'."

"Fuck, you're leading me into the ditch!"

Meng Bai looked at the other actors again and found many familiar faces that he had seen on the set of "All Quiet in Peking" before.

"Is that Senior Brother Wang Kai? And the one next to him looks like Teacher Liu Yijun." Meng Bai said this in his heart. He has always heard that Kong Sheng and his gang particularly like to use actors they have worked with before. Now it seems that this is true.

If that's the case, the lead actor for his "The Disguiser" project will probably be chosen from the actors in this current drama.

Just as I was thinking about the casting issue, I suddenly heard Zhou You beside me say in the other direction: "Sister Ou, you're here." "Hey, Xiao Zhou, why are you here?" a female voice came from the side.

Meng Bai turned his head and saw a woman wearing a red palace costume and bright eye shadow walking towards him.

The woman walked towards them and also noticed Meng Bai standing beside them. Before she could ask, Zhou You introduced them first: "Sister Ou, this is my friend, Mr. Meng from Arclight Films."

The woman smiled and took the initiative to reach out to Meng Bai and said, "Hello, Mr. Meng, my name is Wang Ou."

"Hello, Meng Bai."

Meng Bai looked at Wang Ou, who was tall and plump, with bright makeup on her face that made her look elegant and graceful, her eyes were affectionate, and she was faintly charming but not coquettish.

A very pretty young lady.

After a few simple greetings, Wang Ou learned that Meng Bai was here to discuss project cooperation with Hou Hongliang. He immediately said enthusiastically: "I wonder what kind of drama Mr. Meng's script is about? If there is a suitable role, please give me a chance."

"I'm just a screenwriter. Mr. Hou is in charge of the project, so the choice of person depends on his opinion." Meng Bai said politely.

"The screenwriter is also the core of a play. Director Kong and his team always respect the screenwriter's opinions when filming." Wang Ou looked at Meng Bai with a smile on his face and said sincerely, "Mr. Hou has always had a good eye for scripts. Mr. Meng, your script must be a masterpiece. I wish you success in your new play in advance."

"Lend your blessings."

It was just a chance encounter, and nothing could be achieved in such an occasion. Wang Ou obviously understood this, so he just chatted for a few words and then said goodbye and left.

Seeing Meng Bai staring at Wang Ou's back as he left, Zhou You smiled ambiguously and came over to ask, "Why, do you need my contact information?"

"Don't use your dirty thoughts to speculate about the pure me." Meng Bai retracted his gaze and said calmly: "I was thinking that there seems to be a role in the script that really needs such a bright and elegant actor."

"You're just making excuses. Do you still have the nerve to say that you're pure?"

"It's really hard to have a refined conversation with a vulgar person like you." Meng Bai turned around and said, "Let's go and say hello to Director Kong. Maybe we'll work together soon."
-
Meng Bai only stayed in Xiangshan for one day before flying back to Blue Island.

The filming of "Psychological Crime" is about to begin, but before the official start of the filming, the crew has an important step, which is the "script reading".

The so-called "script reading" is a simulated rehearsal between script writing and formal filming. The main creators and leading actors of the entire crew gathered together and read the script according to the division of labor of the important roles in the play.

Doing so can, firstly, help the leading actor understand the role in advance, and secondly, unify the understanding of the script among all crew members to avoid the theme going off track during the actual shooting.

Strictly speaking, this step should actually be something that every project crew should have before filming. Korean and Japanese dramas have always maintained tradition in this regard.

In the domestic entertainment industry, the early crews also basically had a "reading" session. As for now... I can only say that there are many crews, but few are really useful.

After all, big-name actors or directors have tight schedules and it is difficult to arrange time, so many crews either do not have the main actors or directors present for the "script reading". Even if they are both present, many of them are just a formality and often end in a day or two.

When Meng Bai was filming Soul Ferry, he only "did it" for two days. Firstly, the text of the unit drama was small, and secondly, the time was tight, so he finished it quickly.

But this time is different. Firstly, the plot and characters of "Psychological Crime" are more complicated and difficult to grasp; secondly, many of the leading actors are newcomers and they need such a link to help them understand the characters.

This is why Meng Bai was so anxious to return to Blue Island. And not only him, but also the other directors, photography crew members, and the main actors such as Li Yitong and Zhu Xudan had to come together.

(End of this chapter)