Entertainment: Who still wants to fall in love when there are cheats?

Chapter 177 Meteor Garden
【Don't Stop the Camera!】is actually a low-budget production.

The main plot revolves around a director who, due to various limitations and interference, makes a film, as well as some bizarre problems encountered during filming and how they are handled.

Even in this film, there were only a few shooting locations, and the number of actors needed was very small. There were hardly any extras or bit parts.

There are no large scenes, no need for large venues, and no need for a lot of manpower, so the filming of this movie really doesn't require much investment.

In fact, the amount of money spent on hiring actors for this production was relatively high.

In addition, Sister Wang personally oversaw almost every expense, greatly reducing the amount of overstatement. So, five million was really enough for this movie.

To be honest, Li Boda was a little surprised when he first received the script from Yue Xiaojun and the others, because the script had a small cast and a low production cost, even lower than that of "Crazy Stone".

In other words, this movie was filmed two or three years later than "Crazy Stone," otherwise it wouldn't have cost five million.

The film was sent to post-production immediately after shooting was completed.

Meanwhile, Li Boda returned to 'Magic Cube Technology' to check on the company's operations during his absence, the performance of the Silly Girl system, and whether there were any issues or improvements needed.

Li Boda spent almost a week understanding and handling the company's affairs.

After finishing dealing with various matters at the company, Li Boda finally came to his personal studio.

"Hmm? Sister Wang, where's Liying?" Li Boda asked casually after arriving at the studio and not seeing Zhao Liying.

"Boss, Liying has gone out to film a movie," Sister Wang replied with a smile.

"You went out to film a movie?"

"Yes, Liying is really capable. After filming 'Don't Stop the Camera!', she only rested for a day, and the next day she asked me for a role. Luckily, I've accumulated some connections over the years, so I picked out a role for her in 'The Legend of Nezha'. She happily went to film it," Sister Wang explained with a smile.

"【The Legend of Nezha】Prequel? They're making a prequel to The Legend of Nezha?"

"Yes, 'The Lotus Lantern' was so popular that the 'The Lotus Lantern' production team created a prequel under the guise of using the original cast. However, although it is said to be the original cast, there are actually some changes in the personnel. I took the opportunity to choose the role of Ao Tingxin, the fourth princess of the Dragon Clan, for Liying. Although this role is only a supporting role, the character design is quite good and likable."

"She's a supporting actress. She just played the lead role in a movie, and now they're asking her to play a supporting role in a TV series. Does she have any objections?"

"No, she has a clear understanding of her position. She knows that she was able to play the female lead in the movie entirely because of good luck. She didn't think that she had to play the female lead in the future. When she got the role of Ao Tingxin, she was quite happy. I didn't need to say anything. She just happily went to report to the crew of 'The Legend of Nezha'."

Hearing what Sister Wang said, Li Boda nodded.

Indeed, Zhao Liying is quite down-to-earth. She is able to recognize her own position and is aware of her own limitations, which is commendable.

"Since she can see clearly, let's get her more good resources."

"Boss, do you even need to tell me? You know, she's the only female artist in our studio. Whenever there are good resources, I'll naturally give them to her," Sister Wang couldn't help but laugh.

“That’s right!” Li Boda nodded with a smile.

"But boss, when do you plan to resume filming?" Sister Wang asked.

"Well—no rush. How about this, Sister Wang, you keep an eye out for some fun and interesting roles for me. Just let me know when you find one. As for the others, we can take our time," Li Boda said, expressing his idea.

"Okay, boss, I'll keep an eye on it for you. By the way, boss, Zhang the Bearded Man sent you an invitation not long ago," Sister Wang reminded him.

"Zhang the Bearded One? He's going to make another Jin Yong adaptation?" Li Boda asked rhetorically.

"Yes, this time he's filming 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.' He wants you to play Zhang Wuji. Zhang the Bearded Man even sent over the script." As she spoke, Sister Wang found a script and placed it in front of Li Boda. "'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'? Forget it. The last 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber,' the one starring Su Youpeng, was filmed in 2003, right? It's only 2008 now, just five years later. That's too short a time gap. If the gap were more than ten years, it would be fine, but five years... the audience's impression is still stuck on Su Youpeng's version of Zhang Wuji. If we film 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber' now, whoever directs it will fail." Li Boda shook his head, completely pessimistic about the project.

Under normal circumstances, and indeed, a cycle should be considered to be ten years.

A new audience every ten years. Ten years ago, viewers watched Su Youpeng's version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and were deeply impressed by it. But when a new version is made ten years later, many viewers have not seen Su Youpeng's version. Even if they have, such a long time has passed that they will not remember it as clearly. Only the new version can be watched.

"Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be ten years. Zhang Dahuzi's 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' was released in 03, and Tangren also broadcast Hu Ge's version of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' last year."

"That's because Li Yapeng's version of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' didn't have a good reputation. Even so, last year's 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' didn't live up to the reputation of Jin Yong's dramas in terms of popularity and buzz." Li Boda shook his head.

"...Fine, you're the boss, so you decide. Actually, I was thinking that if you were playing Zhang Wuji, you could bring Liying along and let her play Zhao Min or Zhou Zhiruo." Sister Wang muttered with a hint of disappointment.

"...What are you dreaming about? Do you think Liying's round face is suitable for playing Zhao Min and Zhou Zhiruo? She'd be more suitable for playing Xiao Zhao. Forget it, don't even consider Zhang Dahuzi's roles. Haven't you noticed that Zhang Dahuzi's career has been declining these past few years?" Li Boda couldn't help but shake his head.

"No way?" Sister Wang asked in surprise.

"I'm talking about his ability to make stars through his TV dramas. After 'The Return of the Condor Heroes,' he filmed 'The Sword Stained with Royal Blood' and 'The Deer and the Cauldron.' How many actors did he make famous? This time, with 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber,' it's uncertain whether he can make many actors famous. It might end up like 'The Sword Stained with Royal Blood' and 'The Deer and the Cauldron,' where the actors don't become famous," Li Boda said, shaking his head.

"It can't be that bad, after all, he's Zhang Dahuzi." Sister Wang hesitated. She genuinely respected Zhang Dahuzi and believed that his films were bound to be hits.

In fact, this is the prevailing view in the industry now. Almost everyone believes that any project involving big directors or producers like Zhang Dahuzi, Wu Baige, Zhang Yimou, or Chen Kaige is guaranteed to be a success and cannot possibly fail.

Well, actually, Li Boda had the same idea before.

Having seen "The Promise" and "The Banquet," and having personally directed "The Forbidden Kingdom" and "Red Cliff," the aura of such a renowned director doesn't shine as brightly on him.

"By the way, Boda, didn't you always want to act in Taiwanese idol dramas? Now's your chance," Sister Wang suddenly said mysteriously to Li Boda.

"Hmm? A Taiwanese idol drama? Someone from Taiwan wants me to act in a movie?" Li Boda perked up a little.

Although Li Boda initially wanted to play a domineering CEO type of role, after filming "Magic Phone," he no longer needed to play such a character. However, Li Boda still harbors some longing to film Taiwanese idol dramas.

After all, I could never get the opportunity before, and now that I have it, it would be a lie to say I have no interest in it.

"It's not that someone from Taiwan has approached you for a role, but rather that someone from the mainland is planning to remake the Taiwanese idol drama 'Meteor Garden.' It's a project from Hunan TV, and the adapted script is supposedly called 'Let's Watch the Meteor Shower Together.' How about it, boss? Are you interested? If you are, I'll go run the errand for you right now, and I can definitely get you the male lead." Sister Wang said energetically, with a hint of eagerness in her voice.

In fact, if Li Boda hadn't founded 'Magic Cube Technology' and devoted a lot of energy to it, I don't know if he would have had time to film movies.

Sister Wang wouldn't even inform Li Boda beforehand; she would simply go and secure the role, then immediately seek credit from Li Boda.

"【Meteor Garden】, F4, four rich kids, and then they fight over a commoner girl. Right?" Li Boda recalled for a moment, mainly because when 【Meteor Garden】 first aired in mainland China, it was immediately stopped by the authorities. Li Boda never had a chance to watch the TV series. He had only heard bits and pieces about the specific plot, and he didn't know the details.

"Yes." Sister Wang nodded; she knew more about the play than Li Boda did.

"So, what are the abilities of these four rich kids? Are they business geniuses? Computer geniuses, or do they have any extraordinary talents?" Li Boda asked him about the aspects he was most interested in.

"...Well, I don't think so? I only remember four male protagonists vying for Shan Cai at school. As for their other talents—" Sister Wang hesitated.

"Forget it then, I'm not interested in a good-for-nothing." Li Boda shook his head directly: "But you can try to help Li Ying get the lead role. If that doesn't work, 'Magic Cube Technology' can invest some money in her."

"..." Sister Wang was speechless.

(End of this chapter)