The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

Gu Ning found this audition really interesting. Not only did three of the four little actresses show up, but it was a pity that the selection of the four little actresses had not yet begun. Otherwise, if these girls met, they might have started to fight.

When celebrities in the entertainment industry feud, it doesn't matter whether you want to or not.

Instead, the fans themselves will start arguing and dig up dirt on each other.

As the saying goes, celebrities pay the price for their fans' actions.

Regardless of whether it was secretly instructed by the other party or not, if it was just done by the other party's fans, the blame will definitely be placed on the other party.

Gu Ning thought to himself that it was a pity; these days, when celebrities tear each other apart, it's much more interesting than it would be a decade or two later.

Later actresses would create all sorts of personas, unlike nowadays where they genuinely and sarcastically criticize others during interviews.

Of course, this is also closely related to the development of social media. The actresses born in 85 have experienced the development of social media from scratch, and their accounts are all in their own hands.

The promotional methods on social media have become more sophisticated, and accounts are managed by dedicated personnel. Whatever you want to post has to be approved by the company.

"Old Gu, what's with that regretful look on your face?"

Liu Sanxi asked, "Are you still not satisfied with Shu's singing?"

"no."

Gu Ning snapped out of her daze and shook her head. Just then, the next actor to audition arrived.

"Director Gu, hello to both teachers, I am Bai Baihe."

Bai Baihe said nervously, "I'm here to audition for the lead role of Meng Lijun."

Gu Ning nodded, explained the requirements, and then asked her to begin acting.

Bai Baihe's acting skills were mediocre at this point. After she finished playing Gu Ning, she was told to go home and wait for news.

Next, several more actresses auditioned, and all the actresses who came to audition for the female lead had finished their auditions.

Gu Ning checked the time, rested for ten minutes, and then continued auditioning for the male lead.

The first person to come in was Deng Chao.

"Hello Director Gu, hello Director Fan, hello General Manager Liu," Deng Chao greeted them in turn with a smile.

Compared to the others, Deng Chao had clearly done his homework, and could even clearly address Fan Chunxi and Liu Sanxi.

"I didn't expect someone of your caliber to audition, but you should know that there's a significant age gap between you and the male lead," Gu Ning said.

"The actual age difference is quite large, but I look young, so you probably can't tell, right?" Deng Chao said with a smile.

"Brother Chao, I've seen some of the roles you've played, and to be honest, leading roles don't suit you," Gu Ning said.

Deng Chao's smile remained unchanged as he said, "Since Director Gu says it's not suitable, then it's definitely not suitable. We'll have another opportunity to work together in the future!"

"Definitely. I'll definitely contact Brother Chao if there are any suitable roles in the future." Gu Ning nodded with a smile.

"Then I'll have to hold Director Gu back."

Deng Chao said goodbye to Fan Chunxi and Liu Sanxi and then left.

The next person to enter was Yin Xiaotian, who is currently one of the most popular young actors, alongside Huang Xiaoming, Liu Ye, and others.

He was even a little older than Deng Chao, and like Deng Chao, he was the kind of person who looked very young but lacked a sense of naivety.

Therefore, Gu Ning didn't waste any time and said directly, "The male lead isn't suitable for you, how about the second male lead?"

Yin Xiaotian was taken aback upon hearing this, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Director Gu, do you think I'm suitable?"

"I think it's quite suitable, but given your status, I don't know if you'd be willing to take the role," Gu Ning said with a smile.

"No role is too small. Since Director Gu says I'm suitable, then I'll take the part," Yin Xiaotian said.

Although he is very popular, he has always acted in TV dramas.

Within the industry, TV dramas and movies are essentially two completely different circles.

He is signed with Hairun Media, which provides him with ample resources for television dramas, but very few resources for films, and even fewer good ones.

At his age, he needs to consider a career change.

Therefore, when Gu Ning asked him to play the second male lead, he didn't hesitate much. Instead, he asked Gu Ning if he was suitable for the role.

He knew very well that without company resources, it would be difficult for him to get good roles in movies.

If they continue to insist on only playing leading roles, they'll have even fewer opportunities.

Of course, he wouldn't take on minor roles, no matter how outstanding they might be.

The second male lead is within his acceptable range, and Gu Ning says he's suitable, plus he can do Gu Ning a favor, so he's in a win-win situation.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Gu Ning's eyes as she said, "Then it's settled. I'll contact you later to discuss the payment."

"Thank you very much, Director Gu!" Yin Xiaotian said gratefully.

"For someone of your stature to agree to play the second male lead, I should be thanking you," Gu Ning said with a smile.

"That was because Director Gu gave me the opportunity."

Yin Xiaotian said a few polite words and then left.

Gu Ning then auditioned for several male actors, but none of them were quite satisfactory.

Until Zhu Yilong appeared, Gu Ning, after some consideration, finally chose him.

The main focus of this movie is on the female lead; while the male lead is also important, he is not particularly so.

Although Zhu Yilong is a newcomer, she already starred in a movie last year.

Most importantly, he is from the Beijing Film Academy.

Although Beijing Film Academy directors have a tradition of using actors from the Central Academy of Drama, Gu Ning is not yet qualified to carry on that tradition.

He didn't use any actors from the Beijing Film Academy for the lead roles in his first film. If he doesn't use them in his second film either, he'll inevitably be criticized by those old guys at the school.

Although he didn't care, he still needed to understand social etiquette.

The male lead was cast, and it was already noon. After the audition, Liu Sanxi led Gu Ning and Fan Chunxi to a hotel near the company for lunch.

"Old Gu, have you read today's newspaper?" Liu Sanxi asked with a strange expression.

"Um?"

Gu Ning was taken aback and asked, "What newspaper?"

"When Director Feng's wife was asked about the 'overnight stay scandal' by reporters at an event, she said, 'Anyway, there are men in our family, so it's not a loss if they pounce on me,'" Liu Sanxi said.

"..."

In February, a major scandal broke in the entertainment industry: paparazzi photographed Feng Kuzi and host Shen Xing entering an apartment together and not leaving until the next morning.

Both are married, and the news immediately made headlines in major entertainment media outlets.

After the incident, Feng Xiaogang avoided talking about it when interviewed by reporters.

Interestingly, the other party involved announced that they had already divorced.

This is practically tantamount to admitting the truth.

Otherwise, they should avoid talking about it or deny it outright. Why announce their divorce?

At the time, Gu Ning was abroad, making it inconvenient for her to follow the gossip.

After returning to China, I heard some rumors. Some said it was for publicity, while others said that Shen Xing secretly leaked information to the paparazzi in order to gain fame.

However, the matter gradually subsided, but unexpectedly, another bombshell has broken out.

"Do you know what people online are saying about Director Feng's wife?" Liu Sanxi asked with a gossipy look.

Gu Ning asked curiously, "What did they say?"

"They say she has the air of a great director's wife!" Liu Sanxi laughed.

"No problem, this is a basic skill for a director's wife," Gu Ning said with a smile.

How many of those big directors in the industry aren't womanizers? And their wives are all incredibly tolerant of them.