Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 380: A Stellar Cast? A Qualitative Change for "Incense"! The 'Advertisement' for College Student Films is Also in Hand!
It must be said, this bald man is indeed quite bold.

However, Deng Zhuo's move was a risky one.

After starring in "Nightclub", not only him, but also the rest of the cast of "Cuihua on Sauerkraut" basically had no shortage of acting opportunities.

They can't be said to have become famous, but at least they've found a place to settle down.

Actually, that's just how things are in the entertainment industry. Besides, the original plan for this play was for the teacher to bring the students out to make an appearance, which would help them find jobs in the future.

That's how it is these days. Even students from Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama aren't guaranteed acting roles. Even those in star-studded classes are no exception. Take Zu Feng from the 96 Beijing Film Academy star class, for example. He was quite talented, but he's still struggling to stay on as a teacher.

It's said that he was the top student in their class during their school years.

Getting acting roles, or even becoming famous, really depends on a combination of chance and opportunity.

The previous film, "Nightclub," was a stroke of luck.

They are very lucky.

And recently... this period has indeed not been very good.

There's nothing I can do but bear with it for now.

But Deng Zhuo was still quite shrewd. He was fine before because he wasn't confined to the school while filming.

He still tries to keep busy taking on roles, but since he's already somewhat famous, he naturally has certain standards for scripts.

By chance, he saw a notebook.

To be precise, he saw the script from Tong Liya.

The reason he and Tong Liya were able to meet was entirely because of the drama "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

That's right, we need people anyway, Deng Zhuo is a pretty good-looking young man, and there aren't many film crews that can start filming right now, so let's bring him on board.

In this way, Deng Zhuo came across the manuscript of "Incense".

That's great!

Deng Zhuo was immediately captivated.

The most crucial aspect of this script is that it's very complete!

The script for "Incense" is really appealing to someone who understands film.

Even if you only take a cursory look at this story, let's leave aside the fact that it echoes each other from beginning to end.

The key point is, it's the final scene.

What kind of expression should this little monk have?
Throughout his journey of restoring the Buddha statues to gold, he repeatedly pushed his own boundaries so that this small temple could still have incense offerings.

He's becoming less and less like a monk.

Unfortunately, the temple was eventually demolished, and the Buddha statue could not be saved.

in this way……

When Deng Zhuo immersed himself in the script, becoming the little monk, his expression...

I absolutely have to play this role!
So, I couldn't bother with "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" anymore, and I became this little monk!
Moreover, Deng Zhuo heard Tong Liya say that Huang Bo was already vying for the role.

Oh no!

Currently, Deng Zhuo is not as popular as Huang Bo, even though he has also become famous.

How to do?
do my best!

Monks, of course, should have their heads shaved, right?

And so, he came to stand before Ma Xun.

He said he wanted to play the little monk in the movie "Incense"!
Isn't that sincere enough?
Ma Xun laughed, "This little monk, well, because that temple was a bit too bad, his bald head isn't as clean as yours; he still has some hair."

Good guy!
These words completely shut Deng Zhuo up.

"Boss, please, I really love this notebook."

"However, Ning Hao, who was in charge of this film and the creator of the script, has already met with Huang Bo, and their discussion went quite well."

This was obviously a dig at Deng Zhuo.

Why should I help you? Just because of your sincerity?

Deng Zhuo could tell, of course, but he didn't say anything.

"Boss, if you can give me this film, I'll work like a slave for you from now on."

This guy really dares to say things.

Ke Ma Xun said with a smile, "I have no shortage of cattle and horses here."

That's right, Ma Xun needs talent.

But to be honest, this guy in front of me is really a talent.

One thing is certain: before Deng Zhuo entered the variety show industry, he had already made a name for himself in the domestic film circle.

He is truly a rare breed, belonging to the middle generation.

Moreover, Deng Zhuo has a good face; he's relatively handsome and can contribute to box office success.

It's really strange that Ma Xun is thinking about the movie market from the original timeline.

In China's domestic film market, for a male star to be able to carry the box office, he first and foremost has to be... not that handsome.

Okay, Wu Jing was actually quite manly during Wolf Warrior, and his muscular physique was really impressive.

But he was more handsome back then than he used to be.

Shen Teng was the same way. When he was handsome, no one paid any attention to him. He even played a eunuch in "Curse of the Golden Flower".

Note that this eunuch role wasn't in the movie; it was at the movie's premiere, where Shen Teng played a eunuch.

Judging from the timeline, he was really capable back then.

But if they want to guarantee box office success, their looks...

Does this mean that male movie stars in China have to make a choice?
Good looks or box office success, which one to choose?

Ma Xun was overthinking it, but Deng Zhuo in front of him was indeed good-looking and had box office appeal.

And now...

"Boss, what do I have to do to get you to..." His voice even changed a little.

"Get lost!" Ma Xun immediately stopped Deng Zhuo's antics.

"Boss~ please, by the way, I'll give you 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber' for free, how about that?"

They really know how to go all out.

However, he didn't play Zhang Wuji in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," but rather Zhang Cuishan.

Since he wasn't the lead actor, his salary wouldn't have been much.

Ma Xun immediately pointed out another detail about Deng Zhuo, "Don't think I don't know, you'll also be wearing a wig in 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber,' so this bald head..."

Deng Zhuo immediately admitted defeat, "Boss is awesome! As expected, nothing escapes your keen eyes. Well then, I'll lay my cards on the table. Boss, tell me what you want me to do."

He was indeed very sincere.

Looking at him, Ma Xun thought to himself, "If he were to play that little monk, it wouldn't be bad."

Huang Bo's looks are really not that great, but Deng Zhuo is much better looking.

Moreover, if Deng Zhuo were to play this monk, given his good looks, the audience would immediately perceive him as a righteous character.

This is a good monk!

After that, the monk continued to degenerate... and I could really feel it.

If Huang Bo were to play the role, the audience wouldn't have the same feeling.

Although he's already famous, Huang Bo is good-looking enough to play a villain, right?

It's definitely more interesting when a good person turns into a bad person than when a bad person remains a bad person.

That's pretty good.

But what about Huang Bo?
Ma Xun thought for a moment and said, "Since you're so sincere, I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm."

Upon hearing this, Deng Zhuo looked extremely aggrieved... He thought to himself: Boss, you've already been too harsh on me.

But he dared not say it aloud.

Then, Ma Xun said, "Since you're so eager to act, how about this: you go and talk to Ning Hao and Huang Bo. If you can convince them, then I have absolutely no problem with that. But, do you think it's okay to not let Huang Bo act in this play?"

What do you mean?
Deng Zhuo, being a quick-witted fellow, immediately understood, "That definitely won't work! Brother Bo is a good actor, he has to stay in our show."

Alright, boss, just wait for my good news!

This guy just left like that.

Ma Xun watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but laugh.

Deng Zhuo is indeed quite intelligent.

As for how he could persuade Ning Hao and Huang Bo, Ma Xun guessed that he might still use his status as the boss. It's very possible... Deng Zhuo also started to sway them.

Regardless of this detail, if we only look at this film, "Incense".

With the current cast, this movie is bound to become a classic.

Yes, Xiao Ran plays a prostitute, Tong Liya plays the village chief's sister, Deng Zhuo or Huang Bo plays a monk, and who else?

Wait a minute, Ma Xun thought of someone else.

Fat Orange... Fourth Uncle... Oh no, it's Chen Jianbin.

His previous film, "Chicken Feathers Flying to the Sky," received a decent response from various quarters, but its box office performance was truly terrible.

The key point is that this guy actually appeared in "Nightclub" before.

I came with Zhang Jiayi.

He and Zhang Jiayi have a good relationship; they are roommates.

After thinking it over, Ma Xun decided to just bring them all over!
It's mainly cheap... cough cough... I can't say that.

To be fair, these guys were pretty good actors, and they were cheap...

Anyway, if they all joined this "Incense".

That film will definitely become a classic!
Okay, I'll do it once I've thought of it.

Ma Xun immediately called He Qing and asked her to arrange the matter.

What do secretaries do when there's something to do?

For now, it's a minor matter.

Zhang Jiayi and Chen Jianbin, they all became very obedient when they saw Ma Xun.

He kept calling him "boss" with a big smile on his face.

So and so.

The cast of our production, "Incense," is absolutely amazing.

Moreover, this also signifies that this film has truly shed its low-budget label!
Very well, I, Ma Xun, will go all out when I'm going to play.

After I finished arranging this, another phone call came in.

"Little Ma, your suggestion before was very good!"

"Oh, of course, it's thanks to your guidance, leader."

"Stop flattering me. Now, a new task has arrived. Do you have any new ideas for this year's College Student Film Festival?"

"Approximately when will it be available?"

"Judging from the current situation... the earliest it could be is June."

"It is indeed quite late."

"Just tell me straight, do you have any good ideas?"

"Boss, it seems we have a chance to hold a great awards ceremony, and given this year's special circumstances... how about this? Let's just have an outdoor one."

"open air?"

"Yes, we'll use the sky as our roof and the earth as our stage to hold a completely open awards ceremony. The entire ceremony will be broadcast not only on television, but also online and through the university's intranet."

This way, at least it complies with epidemic prevention regulations.

"Great! This is a good idea! It's very innovative!"

The caller was Han Sanping, who was still troubled by the college student film festival.

But the idea that Ma Xun gave him before was really good!
Bringing movies to university campuses.

What kind of brain do you need to come up with that?
The response has been fantastic!
It's safe to say that the reviews are overwhelmingly positive!

Moreover, don't forget, these are universities in the capital, and these universities are not simple.

With so many positive reviews, it was easy for the higher-ups to find out.

Han Sanping was so embarrassed by the praise that he became quite shy.

Needless to say, Ma Xun deserves the most credit for this.

So, the next part is the awards ceremony...

Ma Xun's method is good.

Doing it outdoors, right? That really fits the current epidemic prevention requirements perfectly.

Keep it well-ventilated.

There's nothing more ventilated than the open air.

However, there are still problems.

There were no live audience members.

Award presenters, hosts, the creative teams of the films in the exhibition... all of these people can come.

But without an audience, it means that the number of participants needs to be further reduced.

There are no artistic performances, that's all.

In the past, many college students participated in this art performance.

It's gone now.

How to do?
As soon as Han Sanping brought up this question, Ma Xun's side had been waiting for it.

"Boss, didn't I say before that we can do advertising?"

"That's not a good idea."

Even Han Sanping, the leader, has changed his tone now.

Ma Xun could naturally tell that he said it on purpose.

One of the deceptive techniques is the broken window theory.

"How about this? I mentioned our film market restart plan before, right?"

"Yes, yes, everything is ready."

"Alright then, let's take advantage of this opportunity to screen the films from the reboot plan at the awards ceremony. Of course, we can't show the whole film, just the highlights or the trailers, and so on..."

"Great! This method is indeed excellent!"

Han Sanping understood immediately; it was essentially an advertisement.

To put it simply, this is where I'll advertise for the movies that will be released next summer.

This can be seen as preparation for the upcoming restart plan.

That is, to advertise openly and honestly.

Since there's no artistic performance, they just use trailers and such to drag out the runtime.

Han Sanping immediately understood Ma Xun's method and said:

"You've done a great job this time, so you can decide which films will be screened at this event."

That's it!

A pretty good advertising resource was obtained by Ma Xun just like that.

Ma Xun not only helped the college student film festival, but he also gained access to excellent resources.

And that's money!
Furthermore, it doesn't necessarily have to be a summer movie.

It could definitely be extended further.

For example, we could release a trailer for "Warriors of Heaven and Earth".

For example, if the filming of "Incense" goes smoothly, hehe, then we'll release that too.

As for Ma Xun's main film for the summer season, it's "Infernal Affairs," and of course, the trailer for it will be shown at this film festival.

However, Ma Xun knew very well that "Infernal Affairs" would be unlikely to achieve higher box office returns during the summer season.

Although the film was very successful in Hong Kong.

In that case, Ma Xun made a phone call.

"Brother Wang, I have a resource I can use to get a trailer for a new film shown at the upcoming College Student Film Festival. I wonder if Huayi has any new films in the works?"

Hua Yi? Brother Wang?
Absolutely!

When the Wang brothers received the call, their faces turned bright red, since it was on speakerphone.

Clearly, he was furious...

(End of this chapter)