Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 503 Don’t let the wealth go to outsiders

"You acted really well."

Wu Chen couldn't help but sigh softly.

Women are truly born actresses; their pitiful appearance is enough to confuse anyone.

"Hehe, you promised, okay?"

Liu Yifei smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Two days later, the two, having each taken care of some business, appeared at the airport.

Just then, Zhang Ziyi, who has been embroiled in numerous controversies, was once again revealed to have withdrawn from "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan".

This film, backed by overseas capital, has been generating buzz since its inception. Now, even the producer himself has been "invited" out of the production team, causing an uproar both inside and outside the industry.

"Tsk tsk, these overseas businessmen are really pragmatic. Back home, they'd show at least some consideration for personal relationships."

"I heard that a top international brand that co-endorsed with Takeshi Kaneshiro only renewed his contract, not Zhang Ziyi's."

"Zhang Ziyi is probably finished, that's good news!"

"."

This kind of schadenfreude is not uncommon in the industry.

The fall of a large flower means that resources are freed up, enough for several people to share.

However, before the controversy over the film's withdrawal had subsided, the "charity fraud scandal" followed.

Various accusations and speculations flooded the internet, and Zhang Ziyi's situation can no longer be described as "precarious".

"Fraudulent donations."

Liu Yifei and Wu Chen were at home in Focheng, and they were puzzled by the news, their voices full of doubt.

"Don't they all just transfer the money directly? How could that be considered fraudulent donation?"

There are so many things you don't understand.

Wu Chen shook his head with a smile, which made the latter very dissatisfied. She went to Yuan Xiaoqin to complain about him, and even included her own opinion on "Love is Not Blind".

Yuan Xiaoqin then gave the order: "Quickly, figure out which candidates are suitable for Qianqian."

"Isn't Teacher Xue a director?"

"Director Xue asked me to recommend a few people to her!"

Liu Yifei then explained, and Wu Chen immediately understood.

Generally, the power to cast actors lies with the main producers and directors, which also presents a good opportunity to build connections.
Xue Xiaolu may have misunderstood, thinking that he entrusted the project to Liu Yifei so that Liu Yifei could cultivate her network of connections within the industry.

As for Xue Xiaolu herself, this need is not high. She first worked at the school, and only occasionally made films.

Xue Xiaolu was unaware that Liu Yifei had never considered this aspect at all; otherwise, she wouldn't have seemed so out of place in the industry, with only two or three friends coming and going.

Wu Chen thought for a moment and said, "In my opinion, Shu Chang is actually quite suitable for that role; her age and personality are both a good fit for her."

"But I'm the producer, won't people gossip if I sing a few songs?"

“What does it matter? When recommending someone, you don’t have to avoid favoritism. If someone is suitable, you’ll definitely use your own people,” Yuan Xiaoqin said before Wu Chen could even speak.

"It's only truly good when our own people are doing well."

"We share the same ideas."

Wu Chen smiled gently and echoed Yuan Xiaoqin's words.

In this industry, it would be truly foolish to have suitable resources but give them away.

These words seemed to unlock Liu Yifei's full potential. Back in Beijing, work on "Love is Not Blind" was already accelerating, and Liu Yifei met up with Shu Chang and Xue Xiaolu at a coffee shop.

"Sisi, what about the male lead?"

Liu Yifei lowered her voice:
"Teacher Xue, Wu Chen said that it's best to favor one's own people. I'm thinking, why don't we choose from within the school? It's not that difficult."

These words startled Xue Xiaolu slightly, but then she seemed to recall the private banter among the teachers from several departments at the school, and couldn't help but chuckle:
"Haha, Sisi, you've really mastered Director Wu's essence. I have no objection, but I reckon your department's teachers will be very happy."

Upon hearing this, Shu Chang laughed along, and the atmosphere at the table instantly became relaxed.

As the three of them emerged from the coffee shop, the north wind howled against their faces. They wrapped their scarves tightly around themselves and then went into a nearby restaurant together.

Such a spectacle was bound to attract attention, and photos were leaked that very day, followed by a flurry of rumors.

"Is the female lead for 'Love is Not Blind' supposed to be cast? Liu Yifei, Xue Xiaolu, and Shu Chang spotted having dinner together!"

"The female lead is internally controlled? Liu Yifei's best friend, Shu Chang, is suddenly thrust into the female lead position?"

"."

The headlines were increasingly sensational, and the accompanying pictures were blurry, but the outlines of the three people on the table were clearly discernible.

Those in the industry know that it's unnecessary for a director and producer to make such a big fuss when meeting with an actor alone, unless it's a core role.

The original plot setting led the outside world to almost assume that the discussion was about the female lead.

The news spread very quickly.

Some actresses who were waiting for audition opportunities scrolled through the news, feeling a mix of emotions.

Especially those of the same age as Shu Chang, who were quite confident about this urban theme and eagerly awaited the film's casting, only to have this incident happen.

"Heh, I knew it."

Yang Mi looked at the report and felt particularly down.

She once secretly regarded Liu Yifei as a rival among her peers, but now she can't even compare to Liu Yifei's best friend.

What frustrated her even more was that she had originally planned to proactively contact Liu Yifei if the film ever went into casting, hoping to leverage their past relationship for a chance.
It seems that this path was blocked before it even began.

"I could actually do this role too," she murmured.

Zeng Jia, observing this, seized the opportunity to interject, "Mimi, Mei Ah Entertainment has offered contracts for five films, but they can only guarantee her the lead role in one. The others will depend on the circumstances."

"Let's try again, it depends on the situation" is too vague!

Yang Mi immediately put "Love is Not Blind" out of her mind, believing that there was absolutely no chance there, unless the role was unsuitable.

However, if Shu Chang is not suitable, then it's highly likely that she will also find it difficult to be suitable.
Meanwhile, Wu Chen was already busy working on the final cut of "1939" at StarChen Visual Effects, and Park Song-il was also pulled in by Wu Chen to work.

The huge color-grading screen in the center is playing the latest edited version of "1939".
Once the scene started, the air inside the room seemed to freeze.

In the segment, which lasts for more than ten minutes, the camera continuously moves through forests, snowfields, trenches, and dilapidated villages without any sense of cutoff or abrupt jumps in any frame.

Your gaze follows the characters as they run, leap, and hide; your breathing and heartbeat are in sync with the rhythm on the screen, as if you've been pulled into that icy wasteland from back then.
"Director Wu, how did you film this? It's amazing!"

The first to speak was the staff member in charge of synthesis, whose eyes were full of professional scrutiny and genuine admiration.

"Yeah, it feels like a one-shot film. How are these hidden edits constructed? The shot size, camera angle, and character movements are connected so cleverly that I couldn't find any obvious seams even after analyzing them frame by frame."

Park Song-il was all smiles at that moment, because he had contributed to the success of this film.

Wu Chen simply smiled and didn't rush to explain.

He knew the shock they felt.

One-shot filming is a notoriously difficult technique in film history, but all of this serves the story. The plot development on the screen is the most crucial element of this film.
(End of this chapter)