This director lacks vision.

Chapter 53 Finalizing the Script
Jiang Yifeng used the pen name "Somebody" and uploaded 10,000 words to the forum.

Then I went to bed.

He forgot about it the next day at work.

Fifty Shades of Grey was just a side project; I write about it occasionally as a hobby to pass the time.

The most important thing right now is still filming "Lost in Thailand".

Jiang Yifeng didn't remember the specific plot of the "Lost in Thailand" incident very clearly.

What impressed him most were several famous scenes.

One is about Wang Baoqiang being stopped by airport security, and in a fit of anger, he drank an entire bucket of milk. The other is Wang Baoqiang's exclamation, "What the hell is this?!"

And the part where Xu Zheng meets Fan Bingbing from Jiangcheng.

These memorable scenes are hilarious and are still frequently edited by content creators in the era of short videos.

Therefore, Jiang Yifeng remembered it quite clearly.

Based on his vague memory, his own understanding, and the characters' logic, Jiang Yifeng noted the direction for revising the script of "Lost in Thailand" and then sent it to Tian Yusheng.

Tian Yusheng worked quickly and finished writing the new script within two days.

After reading the script, Jiang Yifeng focused on some details, and Tian Yusheng continued to revise it.

After repeated communication and revisions, the script for "Lost in Thailand" was finally finalized on July 30th.

Jiang Yifeng took the script and went directly to Zhang Chaoyang.

"Boss, this is the script for my new movie. As per our previous agreement, Fengxing Media will produce the film and television series, Souhu Video will provide the production costs, and we will split the profits 50/50."

Upon hearing Jiang Yifeng's shameless remarks, Zhang Chaoyang laughed and cursed, "Get lost! We're talking about the web dramas and programs broadcast on the Sohu video website."

Your film is a theatrical release; there's no reason for us to fund it.

Jiang Yifeng smiled and asked again, "So, are you going to vote or not?"

“What is the total investment?”

"800."

Zhang Chaoyang took a sip of tea and said dismissively, "I thought it would cost much, but it's only 800 million."

Your company is currently very profitable and can easily cover this investment.

"Film investment is risky; our company will invest a maximum of half."

Zhang Chaoyang readily agreed, saying, "Alright then, I'll personally invest 500 million, taking only half of the profits. Is that acceptable?"

Jiang Yifeng immediately flattered, "Boss, you're so generous! I love how you spend money like crazy!"

Zhang Chaoyang: "..."

Are you sure you weren't just insulting me?

"No, I meant throwing money around. Money is currency, so it's called throwing money around."

Zhang Chaoyang shook his head and said, "Fine, considering how effective your lectures are, I won't hold it against you."

Jiang Yifeng taught lessons to the video bloggers signed by Souhu, and later communicated with them through email and QQ groups, providing them with certain guidance, with immediate results.

The quality of these video bloggers' videos has improved significantly, and their fan base is growing rapidly.

Moreover, after mastering the method, everyone's update volume increased significantly.

The emergence of this high-quality video content has attracted more viewers, further increasing Sohu Video's market share.

Of course, Jiang Yifeng also received a lot of praise.

He now has a bit of a video blogger father vibe.

Numerous video bloggers are praising him, and some even claim that Jiang Yifeng is their life mentor.

Upon hearing Zhang Chaoyang's words, Jiang Yifeng said, "Since you've invested in this movie, why not take on the title of producer?"

Zhang Chaoyang said nonchalantly, "It's up to you."

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yifeng started using tricks again.

"Since you're the producer, it's only right that you help our production team find two lead actors, isn't it?"

Zhang Chaoyang: "..."

Ignoring Zhang Chaoyang's speechless expression, Jiang Yifeng continued, "My movie is a road comedy, and the male lead is very important."

I'd like to invite Wang Baoqiang and Xu Zheng to act in this; could you please put in a good word for me, boss?

Despite his online popularity, Jiang Yifeng has little standing in the industry and is still a newcomer director with no experience.

Wang Baoqiang and Xu Zheng are both well-known actors.

Although he wasn't a superstar yet, he already had representative works in television dramas and movies. Jiang Yifeng inviting him himself might not be as effective.

They might not even be able to find the person in question, as their agent might politely decline the offer.

Especially Wang Baoqiang, whose current agent is Song Zhe.

This guy is not easy to talk to.

Jiang Yifeng was too lazy to waste words and say nice things, so he chose to have Zhang Chaoyang make the invitation.

Given Zhang Chaoyang's status, and the fact that the script for "Lost in Thailand" is quite good.

Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang certainly wouldn't refuse.

After finalizing the casting of Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang, finding the other actors for the production team became much easier.

Zhang Chaoyang understood Jiang Yifeng's plan and said, "I can help you. The day after tomorrow, Saturday, I've organized a mountaineering team to go fishing at the reservoir. You can come along too."

Jiang Yifeng took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "You really went to learn how to fish? Will the mountaineering team be turned into a fishing team from now on?"

"Isn't this what you said? The most suitable sport for middle-aged men is fishing."

Zhang Chaoyang had always said that nothing was interesting, so Jiang Yifeng casually suggested that he go fishing.

To put it dramatically, once you get hooked on fishing, it's like being on drugs; once you're in love with it, you can't forget it.

Zhang Chaoyang went fishing twice and gradually got the hang of it.

“Saturday won’t work. Naza’s father has a heart condition, and I’ve scheduled a consultation with a specialist for Saturday.”

"Your future son-in-law is quite filial."

"I stole someone's little cabbage that they've been raising for years, I can't just do nothing, can I?"

"That's true. If you need any help, remember to let me know."

"Don't worry about that, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Zhang Chaoyang was quick in his movements.

Four days later, Jiang Yifeng, along with Tian Yusheng, met with Xu Zheng at a teahouse.

Wang Baoqiang is currently filming a series of TV dramas celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China – For the Advancement of the New China – so we haven't been able to meet for the time being.

He had already agreed to the role, so Jiang Yifeng wasn't in a hurry.

By this time, Xu Zheng had lost almost all his hair, so he simply shaved his head bald.

A bald head shines brightly; when the sun shines on it, it looks like a small light bulb.

It looks incredibly funny.

In the original film, Lost on Journey, Xu Zheng played a boss with a very thick head of hair.

To achieve a realistic wig effect, the production team spent a lot of money to specially create a live biological wig.

It is said that a set of wigs costs 25 yuan, and the production team ordered two sets, spending a total of 50 yuan.

This is what Xu Zheng said in an interview, but it's unclear whether it's true or not.

But Jiang Yifeng wasn't going to waste this unnecessary money.

Having Xu Zheng wear a regular wig, and then having his hair get squeezed into various shapes during the Spring Festival travel rush, until the wig falls off and his bald head is revealed, would actually be even more hilarious.

It can also deconstruct Li Chenggong, the so-called successful person, in an absurdist comedic way.

Moreover, half of the audience's laughs at Xu Zheng come from his hair.

In the future, when Xu Zheng appears on variety shows and makes a big deal out of his baldness, it will surely make many people laugh.

Jiang Yifeng certainly wanted to make good use of this advantage.

Xu Zheng also got the joke.

In the script, Li Chenggong says, "What do you know? Baldness is the hairstyle of the strong. The more bald you are, the more stable you stand! I'm terrifyingly strong now!"

When Xu Zheng saw this part, he also burst into laughter.

He put away the script and said, "Director Jiang, your script is very good. I am willing to act in it."

I just wanted to offer a small suggestion.

"What suggestions?"

“I think we could add a story about flying to the beginning of the script; that would make it even funnier.”

Seeing that Jiang Yifeng didn't speak, Xu Zheng continued, "I don't know if you've ever seen a movie called 'Airplanes, Trains and Cars'."

Your script is quite similar to this film; I think we can learn more from it.

(End of this chapter)