Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 29 Bull Demon and Snake God
Chen Shouzhe hadn't expected the people blocking the door, but they were polite and said they were there to visit the horse farm.

Chen Shouzhe had received advance notice from Meng Hetang and had already left through another gate. He was not very familiar with the people at the horse farm.

In particular, there was a man named Yang Zi. Chen Shou could hear him shouting from a distance that he wanted to send a batch of Akhal-Teke horses to the horse farm.

He acts like a nouveau riche, as if he has money to burn, practically wearing the words "I'm rich" on his face.

Chen Shouzhe knew this guy; his wife was the one who went to Heaven on Earth, the person Wang Changtian hated the most.

This guy has no bottom line when it comes to hype; the Kung Fu Emperor went for a cameo role but ended up as the lead actor.

Chen Shouzhe had absolutely no desire to encounter such people. As for the remaining celebrities, Chen Shouzhe had heard Meng Hetang mention them, and most of them were artists from Huayi Brothers.

If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place; there is no secret that can be kept forever.

Chen Shouzhe had already heard from various rumors who had tampered with the last "Painted Skin" movie. Although it was just a rumor, there's no smoke without fire.

Yu Qian has been very busy these past two days. All sorts of people have been contacting him through various channels, and he can't refuse them because they're all friends; he just enjoys making friends.

The horse farm was unusually lively, but he did not interfere with Chen Shouzhe.

He knew these people were after Chen Shouzhe. If they asked any questions, Yu Qian would just laugh it off and not engage. Gradually, they realized that they couldn't get through to Yu Qian and could only do as Chen Shouzhe said.

The casting for a movie with an investment of 13 billion yuan has already begun, and domestic casting will definitely follow. It's uncertain who will get the prize.

When Chen Shou arrived at the company, he found that there were quite a few people there, including Huayi, Emperor Group, Bona, and Xiao Ma.

"Director Chen." The company rented three floors, and Chen Shouzhe first met Wang Zonglei of Huayi.

"Good morning, Mr. Wang." Chen Shou was not surprised by Wang Zonglei's arrival; he had experienced the power of this smiling tiger firsthand.

"Director Chen is truly young and promising; he has facilitated a co-production worth two hundred million US dollars."

"It was just good luck and a coincidence."

"Director Chen, would you be willing to part with this? Huayi also wants to get on board. Don't worry, the price will definitely satisfy you."

Chen Shou thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wang, but the contract has already been signed. If one of the companies wants to withdraw, then China Film Group and the other companies will take over. It cannot be transferred at will," Chen Shou said, shaking his head.

"Oh, that's a pity. Co-productions require Chinese actors, and Huayi has quite a few artists. Director Chen can choose freely." Knowing he couldn't get an investment share, Wang Zonglei settled for actors instead.

“I will arrange auditions for the actors as soon as possible within a week. If Huayi is interested, they can submit their audition applications,” Chen Shouzhe said.

"Okay, I'll go back and make the arrangements right away," Wang Zonglei said helplessly.

After Wang Zonglei left, the others were also seen off one by one. Everyone wanted an investment share and was eyeing him. In the end, it was because he was weak. He could only set up a scheme to let the big shots have a meal, while he could only watch others eat heartily.

The entertainment industry is a cutthroat arena where the strong prey on the weak. If Chen Shou wants to become strong, he can only rely on himself now. The help that his master and godfather can provide is now negligible.

If he were just a minor celebrity, it wouldn't matter; as long as it wasn't illegal, he could do whatever he wanted. But now he can't do anything. Even the world's top billionaires can be targeted, let alone him.

You have to be careful about everything you say and do. What about female celebrities and scandals? There are plenty of twenty-year-old girls out there for the next few decades.

Only by being strong can one be unafraid of being sabotaged. The experience with "Painted Skin" taught him that in this industry, people may smile at you on the surface, but they will stab you in the back the moment they turn their backs.

He wouldn't even acknowledge his own mother if it involved matters of interest.

"Hey, Director Chen."

As soon as Chen Shouzhe turned on his phone, calls came in immediately.

"What, you want a role too?" Chen Shouzhe already knew who had called, and laughed after hearing the voice.

"Nonsense, a $2 million production, who wouldn't want a role? Are there any suitable ones for me?" Zhou Xun said on the other end of the phone.

After filming "Painted Skin," the two developed a good relationship. Zhou Xun has a straightforward and outspoken personality, with strong likes and dislikes; she's a good friend, and they can even joke around together. "You? Tsk tsk..."

"Damn it, just tell me if there's anyone suitable for me? Or maybe you've got your eye on me?"

“With your small frame, I can’t help but be interested,” Chen Shou said.

"Go to hell! Tell me, is there anything suitable for me?" Zhou Xun cursed anxiously. During the filming of Painted Skin, there was a scene where she had to take her clothes off. After filming, Zhou Xun told Chen Shou not to get excited.

Chen Shou replied casually, finally understanding what it meant to be completely at each other's throats. He almost got beaten to death by Zhou Xun for saying that.

"Come audition. There's only one outstanding female role. The female lead and the male lead are from the American side. There are more male roles," Chen Shou said.

"Damn, so few?" Zhou Xun couldn't help but blurt out, surprised that there were so few female characters.

"Yes, there's only one, and not many shots of him," Chen Shouzhe said truthfully.

"Alright, I'll give it a try. After all, it's a big production, and it's just one role. How many male roles are there?" Zhou Xun asked.

"What, are you going to recommend me?" Chen Shou asked with a smile.

"You know Xiaoming, right?"

"I know, but we've never worked together."

"I'm having dinner with him right now, what do you think of him?"

"Oh, he's right next to you. How's his English?"

Chen Shou kept seeing Huang Xiaoming's face in his mind. He was handsome, had good acting skills, and was also a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy. Now he ran his own company and had completed the transition from an artist to a capitalist.

Zhou Xun looked at Huang Xiaoming, whose expression was somewhat troubled.

"I've been learning recently," Huang Xiaoming said, sounding a little unsure.

"He's not bad," Zhou Xun said.

"Then let him audition. His English absolutely must be up to par," Chen Shou said.

"it is good."

Chen Shou hung up the phone, and Zhou Xun looked at Huang Xiaoming beside him and said, "I've given you the chance. Whether you can succeed or not depends on yourself."

"Thank you, Brother Xun. I need to go back and prepare, and try my best to land the role," Huang Xiaoming nodded.

Chen kept receiving calls from across the ocean, from Colombia. They had already started casting, and after discussions, they decided to take back the second male lead. The second male lead was a dentist and a pilot. It wouldn't be appropriate for an Asian actor to fit their rules there, so at most they would give the third male lead the role of a scientist.

After all, it is told from the American perspective, especially the Yellowstone explosion, and the protagonist's family eventually escapes to China.

The film's auditions, initiated by the company, reached out to the film industry, immediately attracting widespread attention.

The third male lead is a scientist, and he's the biggest one. There's also a geologist and his wife, and two other people in the snowy area who help the protagonist's family get on the big ship.

All the stars in the film and television industry have turned their attention to this. There are really very few female roles. The only female lead is American, so they can forget about it. There are almost no female roles left. Even the Russian tycoon is out of the question. His mistress is also Russian, so he can only be considered the third female lead.

The only one was the scientist's wife, who eventually drowned, or the Chinese liaison officer.

The film certainly has certain issues with its stance, since it doesn't conform to the national conditions. If disaster films were to be made domestically, then only "The Wandering Earth" would be left. Films like "2012" can only be made abroad.

The casting process is conducted within our own company. Once the casting is complete, we will travel directly to the United States for filming. He may need to stay in the US for a while.

Chen Shou made time to go back to school to register. A year had passed, and he only had a few days left at school, so he needed to make time to go back to class.

(End of this chapter)