Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 384 "The Third Kind of Love"

The changes in publicity are quite direct. In the past, the style of film crews would usually involve releasing behind-the-scenes footage of celebrities visiting the set during the publicity period before and after the film's release.

However, news of Li Qiutang visiting the sets of "Nirvana in Fire" and "Ban Shu Legend" was posted online the next day.

Li Qiutang felt that since you hadn't even finished filming, releasing behind-the-scenes footage to generate buzz wouldn't help your broadcast at all.

But his staff told him that the production team is now eager to maintain high popularity from preparation to filming, post-production, and release. No matter the stage, having popularity is always better than having no popularity.

"Putting everything else aside, when the TV station leaders come, showing them the behind-the-scenes footage of your visit can help you negotiate a higher price."

Li Qiutang felt that her abilities weren't that great yet.

His assistant had another explanation: "Actually, it's mainly for the fans to see. When you visited the set of 'Nirvana in Fire,' Hu Ge's group of young female fans were so happy, especially when you praised Hu Ge's handsome appearance. Those young girls felt that they had received your approval and thought that you would cast Hu Ge in your future films."

Li Qiutang didn't quite understand the fans' logic: "They're just visiting someone on set, saying a few nice words is all they want."

"That's exactly what they're doing. Hu Ge's film resources are so limited, his fans are worried sick about him. Now if you praise him, they'll be very happy. It's about making the fans happy, so why wouldn't they be happy?"

Li Qiutang didn't take the matter to heart and continued working.

Hengdian wanted Li Qiutang to film the studio scenes for "Mojin: The Lost Legend" there, as Hengdian Film & Television is a major shareholder of Autumn Pictures, but Li Qiutang still refused the request.

The production team of "Mojin: The Lost Legend" had already signed a contract with Huairou Film and Television Base. This cooperation was initiated by China Film Group and the Beijing Municipal Government.

Huairou Film and Television Base is a young film and television base. It hopes to make a name for itself with a large-scale production like "Mojin: The Lost Legend". Hengdian no longer needs any film crews to promote them.

Before leaving Hengdian, Li Qiutang visited Jing Tian again and told her to prepare well for Ding Sitian: "This role is the origin of the entire 'Mojin: The Lost Legend' story. Prepare well, you don't want to be scolded by the audience again, do you?"

Li Qiutang did not return to Yanjing after leaving Hengdian, but instead went to Liangxi.

In Yanjing, the production team has already begun organizing the actors of the three tomb raiders to come to the set early for action training.

Three days after receiving the notice from the production team, Liu Yifei finished her out-of-town activities and rushed back to Yanjing.

She was the first lead actress to join the cast; the other two still had some work to finish.

Meanwhile, the production team began casting extras to play the educated youth. According to Li Qiutang's requirements, these extras had to look like people with the nutritional status of that time, and the girls had to have round faces.

Thirty people were selected and trained, living, eating, and working alongside the educated youth of the past. They watched model operas, learned revolutionary songs, and watched contemporary films every day. Each person was assigned to memorize quotations and give a self-criticism report in the evening. All these conditions were included in the contract.

Li Qiutang wanted to restore the local customs and traditions of that era as much as possible.

That morning, Liu Yifei had just finished training when her assistant informed her that she needed to meet with a producer and director during her lunch break.

"Didn't we agree not to give me any more roles? I only have this one project this year," Liu Yifei said.

"We didn't accept it; they approached us on their own initiative. It's a co-production, and the cast is pretty good."

"We told them we weren't available this year, but they kept pestering us and insisted on meeting." Many production teams get actors on board this way.

"Alright then," Liu Yifei said helplessly, "Where did we agree to meet?"

"Here, they come over."

After the meal, Liu Yifei met her guests.

There was one woman and two men. The woman, surnamed Dou, was the Chinese producer of the film. The two men were Korean; one was director Lee Jae-han, and the other was the Korean producer, surnamed Kim. The conversation was conducted in both Chinese and English, as Liu Yifei did not understand Korean.

"This is a Sino-Korean co-production adapted from a Chinese novel," Ms. Dou introduced, "called 'The Third Way of Love.' The female lead is a lawyer, and the male lead is a company tycoon..."

Liu Yifei listened attentively, expecting a refreshing story, but it turned out to be just another melodramatic tale of "you love me, I love him, he doesn't love me, I'm so sad."

Of course, melodramatic stories can be told, but it depends on who directs them. The story of "In the Mood for Love" is simple and melodramatic enough, but Wong Kar-wai manages to make it extraordinary.

But Liu Yifei had never heard of director Lee Jae-han before and was unaware of his abilities.

The South Korean producer repeatedly mentioned Liu Yifei's high popularity in South Korea and her popularity with South Korean audiences, saying that Liu Yifei's ability to star in a mega-production like "Pacific Rim" makes her a role model for actors across Asia.

The praise was very nice, but they didn't mention a single specific detail about the project.

To persuade Liu Yifei, Ms. Dou even used "A Moment to Remember" as an example: "Koreans are very good at making this kind of romance film. This time, we want to create our own domestic version of 'A Moment to Remember'."

However, Liu Yifei is someone who doesn't want to repeat herself. After "The Beauty Inside" and "Architecture 101", she's a little reluctant to act in romance films anymore.

Moreover, compared to romance films, action films are more in line with her competitive personality and are her comfort zone where she can freely express herself.

After hearing the story of "The Third Way of Love," her agent also didn't want Liu Yifei to take the role, as it really wasn't worth acting in.

Not only was the investment small, but the cast was also small, the director was a newcomer, and the male lead was a washed-up Korean actor.

So the whole movie is just relying on Liu Yifei to make money?
The agent spoke on her behalf, saying, "Our Yifei has already joined the crew for training. Filming for 'Mojin: The Lost Legend' will start in a few months, so she may not have time this year."

“That’s alright,” Ms. Dou said. “We just need Yifei to shoot 3 days a week.”

The agent said, "We don't do that kind of thing; when we're filming, we give it our all."

"Are you not satisfied with the price? We can discuss the fee further. We really want Yifei to participate in our movie."

“It’s not about the pay,” Liu Yifei said, explaining that she wouldn’t take on a role for the sake of money. “It’s just that we really don’t have the time. As you saw when you came in, our entire studio is preparing for the start of filming for ‘Mojin: The Lost Legend.’ We really don’t have time to film anything else.”

"There are many actors in the industry who can play Zou Yu. You can ask for other people's opinions."

As if making a huge sacrifice, Ms. Dou even asked Liu Yifei's agent, "Is next year possible? We are willing to postpone the filming until next year for Yifei's sake."

This is undoubtedly a huge sacrifice, but Liu Yifei's agent said, "We're going to film Pacific Rim 2 next year, so we can't give you a schedule answer right now." Legendary has already announced that Pacific Rim 2 is in development and will be a sequel, not the prequel that audiences are hoping for, with the original Toro team returning.

Liu Yifei's team attaches great importance to "Pacific Rim 2," believing it to be Liu Yifei's most important film in the next three years, even more important than "Mojin: The Lost Legend"!

The production team of "The Third Way of Love" was disappointed when they couldn't persuade Liu Yifei to play the role. Many actresses could play the urban woman like Zou Yu, but Liu Yifei was their favorite and the most suitable actress. Getting Liu Yifei meant that the rights could be sold overseas.

No matter what, the crew of "The Third Way of Love" didn't think they could compete with Liu Yifei's schedule against the two blockbusters "Mojin: The Lost Legend" and "Pacific Rim 2".

"Sorry, we have training this afternoon," the agent said, signaling them to leave.

“Sorry to bother you,” Ms. Dou stood up. “We still hope that Yifei can consider it and call us anytime.”

"Okay, thank you."

Everyone shook hands and said goodbye. Liu Yifei quickly went back to her room to nap for a while, and continued training after waking up.

(End of this chapter)