This celebrity is absolutely wicked.

Chapter 327 If others can't film it, I will!
During this period, Liu Dayong was in charge of the main work of "Soldiers Sortie". Lu Ran was the one who decided on the lead role, and Liu Dayong was also the one who selected the other actors.

Liu Dayong has a habit of preferring to use new actors.

In addition, he had served in the military for a period of time, so he has a very keen eye for casting actors.

The actors chosen in the end all had impeccable backgrounds; many of them were people whose names you might not recognize, but they were all very well-suited to their roles.

Lu Ran had no idea from which nooks and crannies Liu Dayong had found these actors.

"What's the situation in the capital?"

Liu Dayong quickly explained what had happened.

"Soldiers' Assault" depicts military life and was produced in collaboration with the Red Star Art and Culture Center.

This year happens to be the centenary, so the Red Star Art and Culture Center will definitely be sending a few films as a tribute.

Once selected, these films will not only receive additional investment, but also better publicity and distribution resources.

The Red Star Art and Culture Center was formerly known as a film studio. After its restructuring, it has become an art center, housing a performing arts troupe and the former film studio, now called the Film and Television Production Department.

Many classic movies and TV series have been filmed in this place.

Since entering the new era, the Red Star Art and Culture Center has also been making changes, producing and investing in more plays and operating in a market-oriented manner.

Lu Ran's desire to film "Soldiers Sortie" is inseparable from the support of the art center.

The actors have now been sent to the military camp for training, thanks to this connection.

"Okay, I'll come over tomorrow."

School has already started, and the good news is that he didn't have a single class in his senior year, and he didn't fail any courses, so he doesn't need to retake any exams.

This year I only have one thing to do: finish my graduation thesis. I have a lot of free time.

The next morning, Lu Ran went to the capital.

At the airport exit, Liu Dayong, wearing a down jacket and a baseball cap, waited.

Liu Dayong didn't call out Lu Ran's name, but waved to him when he saw him.

This made Lu Ran feel a little uncomfortable.

The emotional value provided by having the company's driver pick you up at the airport is still the most significant.

The two got into the car, and Liu Dayong drove towards the Red Star Art and Culture Center.

Liu Dayong said solemnly, "The outcome this time is hard to say. Our soldiers may not be selected."

Lu Ran was also mentally prepared for this.

It's worth noting that "Soldiers Sortie" wasn't well-received even back on Earth.

When the director was trying to secure investment, investors were unwilling to invest.

Back then, it was the era of coal bosses. When the coal bosses saw this, they would say, "Why don't you even have any actresses here?"

They finally managed to secure investment, and the investor had military experience and liked the story, so he invested without expecting the show to make money.

During filming, the actors were all a bit unsure of themselves; all they wanted was to make a good film.

When it was first broadcast, the ratings were very poor, and it didn't become popular at all.

It wasn't until it was broadcast on another television station that it gained fame and eventually swept the nation with unstoppable momentum.

After chatting about the work they would be doing later, Liu Dayong drove into the courtyard of the Red Star Art and Culture Center.

Lu Ran had seen the office area of ​​a mature company.

The film and television production department still retains workshops used for filming, such as set design workshop, sound recording workshop, editing workshop, and special effects smoke train workshop.

The remaining areas include the director's room, photography studio, art studio, and other office spaces.

This provided Lu Ran with a lot of experience.

For a mature film and television production company to move towards industrialization, there are certain paths it must take.

Assembling a team on short notice for each shoot won't achieve this goal.

The two walked through the office building corridors and finally arrived at the door of an office.

Liu Dayong pushed the door open and entered.

A middle-aged man was sitting at the desk inside.

Liu Dayong quickly gave an introduction.

The middle-aged man is named Gao Yuhui. He was the one who supported the filming of "Soldiers Sortie," and he is essentially someone from the Red Star Art and Culture Center.

Gao Yuhui will coordinate all the firearms, ammunition, and equipment needed at that time.

Gao Yuhui extended his hand in admiration, saying, "Heroes emerge from among the young! If Lu Ran hadn't been standing in front of me, I wouldn't have believed that Soldiers Sortie was written by such a young person."

Lu Ran quickly reached out and shook hands with Gao Yuhui.

"Mr. Gao, you flatter me. When I was writing this script, I watched a lot of TV dramas produced by Red Star. If it weren't for a senior like you who has been deeply involved in military themes, I wouldn't have this script."

Gao Yuhui felt refreshed upon hearing this.

Young man, if you don't improve, who will?

After exchanging a few polite words with Lu Ran, Gao Yuhui smiled and got down to business.

"The main reason I called you here is because you are the screenwriter, and you need to talk about your script at the meeting."

Gao Yuhui then gave a brief account of the upcoming meeting.

Today's meeting will decide on the main support projects for the Red Star Art and Culture Center in the coming period.

Lu Ran listened attentively.

He had carefully studied the script of "Soldiers' Assault" and had undergone a systematic assessment, so reciting the script was not difficult for him.

This kind of support should be fought for and must be fought for. If it were really given the title of a 100th anniversary series of TV dramas, the whole effect would be different.

Conference room at the Red Star Art and Culture Center.

At this moment, several groups of people were already seated in this large conference room.

The arts and culture center also has several managers, each responsible for different projects.

Today, this group of people came with the director and screenwriter.

Upon seeing Lu Ran enter, several people present showed obvious surprise. However, they relaxed upon seeing Liu Dayong, as if they understood why Lu Ran was also present today.

Afterwards, Lu Ran and Liu Dayong sat down next to Gao Yuhui.

Shortly after, several leaders from the Red Star Art and Culture Center entered, and the meeting officially began.

At the meeting, Dou Yong, general manager of the film and television production department, emphasized: "Standing at this key historical juncture of the centenary, the Red Star Art and Culture Center should give full play to its exemplary role, create more high-quality works that reflect the spirit of the times and praise the people's struggle, and use literary and artistic works to inherit the red gene, tell the story of China, and let more audiences feel the spiritual power through film and television works."

After Dou Yong finished speaking, the meeting got down to business.

Dou Yong handed over the time to their respective supervisors.

These people then began to talk about the projects they were working on.

Lu Ran was also studying diligently beside him.

Apart from him, everyone sitting here today is a seasoned director and screenwriter in the film and television industry, someone worth learning from.

"Our project is called 'Wavebreakers,' and it's currently planned as a movie with the theme of breakthroughs in China's deep-sea exploration technology..."

"The drama we've planned is called 'The Long Song of the Green Fields,' and it will have a total of thirty episodes. We've already filmed half of it, and the theme is rural revitalization..."

"The film 'Passing on the Flames of War' tells the story of how universities moved south during the War of Resistance against Japan to protect the flame of culture..."

After everyone had spoken, it was Hong Yankun's turn to speak.

Hong Yankun glanced at Gao Yuhui and smiled, "Our drama is called 'Snow Blade and Angry Tiger,' a 40-episode series that tells the story of a special forces unit on the plateau. Let Director Xu Gaomin tell you the specific details."

Xu Gaomin, who was standing next to him, cleared his throat and explained the situation of "Snow Blade and Angry Tiger".

Gao Yuhui had already told him about this drama.

The reason why "Soldiers Sortie" was in danger was because it encountered this drama.

"Snow Blade and Furious Tiger" is also a modern military drama.

Both dramas are of the same genre, but the Red Star Art and Culture Center has limited resources and will only support one drama of the same type.

After Xu Gaomin finished speaking, everyone looked at Gao Yuhui.

Gao Yuhui also gave a brief introduction to "Soldiers Sortie".

"Let's ask Lu Ran, the screenwriter of Soldiers Sortie, to tell us about the story of this drama."

Lu Ran had prepared last night and gave a brief account of the story of "Soldiers' Assault".

At this moment, Xu Gaomin asked, "There are no female characters in your drama?"

Lu Ran nodded: "No."

"Soldiers Sortie" is a drama series starring only men, which is very rare in the entire history of Chinese television dramas.

Xu Gaomin shook his head: "You should know how large the proportion of female viewers is in the current film and television market. If you don't have any female characters, which character are these female viewers supposed to identify with? Are you suggesting they identify with a male character?"

Xu Gaomin spoke in a somewhat condescending tone.

He's been in the film and television industry for decades, and with that kind of status, it's a blessing for Lu Ran to be able to mentor a young person like him.

Normally, Lu Ran wouldn't even have the right to see him.

What's more, this time the subject matter is the same as the theme.

Xu Gaomin was determined to get this support quota.

Xu Gaomin's reasoning is impeccable.

Gao Yuhui began, "Soldiers Sortie tells a story set in the military camp and focuses on the growth of soldiers, so it's understandable that there are no female characters."

Hong Yankun laughed and said, "It's no use telling me. There's no precedent for this in the market. Can you find a modern drama that has no female characters and is still successful?"

Xu Gaomin added, "When designing the drama 'Snow Blade and Furious Tiger,' I specifically created the character of Bai Ling, a female sniper, to highlight the heroic spirit of our female soldiers, enrich the story, and meet the needs of female viewers."

The company leaders were all listening.

Just as Liu Dayong was about to speak, Lu Ran stopped him.

What else is there to say? They've completely devoured "Soldiers Sortie".

After the vote, Dou Yong announced the list of those supported.

"Snow Blade and Angry Tiger" was selected, while "Soldiers' Assault" was not.

Back in Gao Yuhui's office, Liu Dayong grumbled and cursed.

"That bastard Xu Gaomin, does he even know what it means to be a soldier? If it weren't for his excellent directing, he would never have gotten a chance."

Upon hearing Liu Dayong's words, Lu Ran realized there was more to the story.

"Director Liu, tell us about it."

He didn't care about being rejected for "Soldiers Sortie"; he would prove everything once the show aired.

Director Lu has noted Xu Gaomin's attitude in his notebook.

Liu Dayong sighed: "Go online and look at the films he made before, and you'll see."

Lu Ran immediately took out his phone and searched for it.

Xu Gaomin has acted in quite a few movies and TV series, mostly military-themed.

However, his works all have one problem: he likes to fictionalize. He doesn't understand what a soldier is or what soldiers fight for!

In his view, soldiers fight to earn medals.

As for the tactical details in movies and TV dramas, they are naturally also incorrect.

But he still had to direct these dramas, for a simple reason: no one else could direct them as well as he could.

Lu Ran imagined it for a moment and could roughly guess what "Snow Blade and Angry Tiger" would be like. He guessed it would involve a romance.

In May of this year, Xu Gaomin also had a movie released about fighting in North Korea, which also starred Su Weilun.

Lu Ran looked at it and realized that this was a perfect opportunity; an idea popped into his mind.

He took the photos that others couldn't!
He looked at Gao Yuhui and Liu Dayong.

In the office, the two men kept smoking, their faces full of worry.

"President Gao, Director Liu, I have an idea."

(End of this chapter)