The Queen's Rumored Father

The idea of ​​becoming a film and television director had been lingering in Chen Kewen's mind for a long time, but he hadn't told anyone. So how could Xu Yuan know?

The two of them only had a brief encounter of less than ten minutes in the office.

This is...too incredible!

"Why would I want to be a director? I'm very happy as a program director at CTV." Chen Kewen denied it, unaware that he had already taken two steps toward Xu Yuan.

"Documentary!" Xu Yuan had seen Chen Kewen's resume when Chen Kewen arrived.

He's a relatively well-known program director at CTV, that's all.

"I've noticed that your shows have been featuring more and more short documentary-style films in the last two years. This is a sign of your rising desire to direct; you're already experimenting with television and film shooting techniques in your shows," Xu Yuan said. "A project like 'General and I'm Not Admiring Yourself' isn't a good one. On the contrary, I have high hopes for another drama."

"The actors' salaries are so low, but the total price is so high. If it's not about ripping people off, then the high cost is due to expenses on costumes, props, and sets. This is one of the characteristics of a high-quality drama series."

"At the same time, the director of this show was once a well-known film and television cinematographer in China. This is his first time directing a TV series. After you invest, you can negotiate with him to become the second director and co-direct with him."

"You're from CTV, and you have a good reputation in the industry. We'll need your help with production and censorship. Based on that alone, no one will refuse you."

"Whether this directing is successful or not, you've gained experience, and you can then prepare to direct a TV series independently. Then, step by step, you can move from TV series to the film industry."

As Xu Yuan was talking, Chen Kewen sat down next to him, listening intently.

Chen Kewen was tempted.

He did receive some of the investment money, but it was only a small portion. He invested this money in a solitary, unassuming way; he was simply an investor, and it wouldn't benefit his resume or career in any way.

Conversely, if he invests in another film, in addition to being an investor, he can be a second director, a producer, and even participate in more roles.

Even if this play fails, these experiences are invaluable.

Now that someone is paying him to gain experience, why should he miss this opportunity?

To put it bluntly, even if he does lose money on his investments, from his personal perspective, he won't lose anything. His future will only get better.

This is what it means to use someone else's hen to lay your own eggs.

Most importantly, the director of that film was a friend of mine, so it was definitely possible to talk to a second director.

"And you? What do you want? There's no female lead in this drama, and it's not a good thing if Xiaoxuan is in it," Chen Kewen asked.

"I want Tanqi!"

Xu Yuan spoke.

Yes, that's the movie!

A day in Chang'an, no, it's twelve hours in Chang'an!

There are many female characters in this drama. In terms of screen time, there is no female lead. At least three characters have screen time that is comparable to or even more prominent than Tanqi.

However, there are techniques to choosing a role.

Some characters may not seem to be the main characters, but they are actually the main characters.

There are also some roles that seem very important, but in reality, they are a waste of time and money, and it would be worse to play them than not to play them at all.

Sometimes, an actor's success or failure is already determined from the moment they choose a role in a film.

These techniques have been thoroughly studied on Earth, but in this world, people are still focusing on superficial character designs and so-called screen time, without considering the audience's reception at all.

"I'll think about it." Chen Kewen was tempted.

Xu Yuan's words planted a seed in his heart.

"It's best to decide sooner rather than later. Otherwise, once Cao Dun is mentally prepared to direct independently, you'll face resistance if you ask to be the second director." Xu Yuan finished speaking and pointed to the TV, adding, "The next show is a musical. Aren't you going to keep an eye on it?"

"what?"

Chen Kewen looked up, then took off running.

But as he ran, he kept muttering, "The Longest Day in Chang'an, what kind of day is this that you actually want to make forty-eight episodes!"

Watching Chen Kewen's departing figure, Meng Xiaoxuan picked up the script of "The Longest Day in Chang'an" and flipped through it.

The role of Tanqi is indeed not very big; there are at least five or six other characters with more screen time than Tanqi.

So this is a number five, six, seven, or eight?

"Dad, you're messing with your daughter! This Tanqi role has so few scenes, it might not even be as good as me taking 'General and I'd rather not have it." Meng Xiaoxuan said with a bitter face, but she didn't blame her father. It was better not to take the role, so she could spend more time with her father. If her aunt came back during this time, that would be perfect!

"Silly girl!" Xu Yuan flicked Meng Xiaoxuan's forehead and said, "Choosing roles is a complex art. Those actors who only know how to get lead roles, supporting roles, and fight for so-called screen time haven't even scratched the surface!"

"The real value of an actor isn't measured by how many minutes they appear on screen, but by how many minutes the audience remembers them! Some characters appear in every episode, but the audience still can't remember the actor, which is equivalent to a wasted performance."

"But some characters, even if they only appear in one episode, can still leave a deep impression."

This was established long ago in the global entertainment industry.

In the past, many artists have said that they would take on a role if they saw a good or interesting script. In fact, they were all weighing the challenge the role would pose to their acting skills and the impact it would have on the audience.

If the impact isn't enough, then don't accept it.

The root of the problem actually lies here.

In The Longest Day in Chang'an, the main female characters include Tanqi, Yuchang, Wenran, Wang Yunxiu, Yan Taizhen, Li Xiangxiang, Ding Tong'er, Xu Hezi, and so on.

Li and Ding could be outstanding, but their roles are too small, and their identities as prostitutes are detrimental to Meng Xiaoxuan's image.

Xu Hezi is not particularly outstanding and can only serve to fill in gaps in the plot.

Yan Taizhen is a huge trap. She seems to have an incredibly high historical status, but in fact, she is not as outstanding as Li Ding and the other two.

Wang Yunxiu had enough screen time and played a significant role, even taking on a leading role as a female character later on. However, this role was one that shouldn't be played; it would be a role that would cause her to lose fans.

Some characters are so evil that they aren't hated; these are the truly good villains. Insiders have recognized your acting skills, and audiences are impressed, turning casual viewers into fans.

Playing a villain like Wang Yunxiu, who is so evil that people hate her, will only shorten her acting career.

These kinds of roles are usually prepared for actresses who are frustrated and unsuccessful. They have no choice and no time to think about the future, so they can only seize the opportunity in front of them and take it one step at a time.

Wen Ran, on the other hand, is a sweet trap. Judging from the script, she seems to be the most favored and should be a positive character. However, the character's immaturity and constant tantrums from beginning to end cause strong discomfort to the audience.

Actors who hope to gain fans through this role are destined to be greatly disappointed.

Like the character Wang Yunxiu, the character Wen Ran is disliked, not because of the actress, but because of the character.

If Meng Xiaoxuan were to play both the roles of Wang and Wen, it would be equally harmful to her, and might even carry the negative impression out of the show, making the public think that this little diva is a spoiled, arrogant, and princess-like bad girl.

If someone tries to manipulate public opinion, Meng Xiaoxuan's image will be in jeopardy.

That's why some actors, despite perfectly portraying their characters, become incredibly unpopular after the show airs, losing fans, public favor, and their status plummets.

This kind of role is poison.

In that case, only Yu Chang and Tan Qi remain.

Fish intestines are quite outstanding, but unfortunately they are not suitable for Meng Xiaoxuan.

She's a rising star, not a female celebrity who adopts an androgynous persona, and she also lacks fighting skills, so she can only play the role of Tanqi.

Tanqi is knowledgeable, reasonable, brave, resourceful, has a romantic storyline with the male lead, and has a deeper identity behind her. She is a character who may not be considered the female lead in terms of screen time, but is definitely the female lead to the audience.

On the other hand, Meng Xiaoxuan is not yet ready to be a true leading lady, neither in terms of acting skills nor audience approval, so a pseudo-lead role is the best choice.

"But will Director Chen really invest in 'The Longest Day in Chang'an'? And what if I don't get the role?" Meng Xiaoxuan was a little uneasy.

"Don't worry," Xu Yuan replied with a smile.

Chen Kewen will come looking for him.

Similarly, as long as Chen Kewen votes for The Longest Day in Chang'an, then Tanqi will belong to Meng Xiaoxuan.

compete?

That's absolutely not true!

It's all predetermined, what's the point of competing?

Of course, these kinds of things couldn't be said in front of Meng Xiaoxuan. When teaching a daughter, one should teach her the good things. As for the bad things, Xu Yuan could handle that alone.

As for why Xu Yuan was so confident in having Chen Kewen under his control?

Ha ha!

The female lead in "General and I" is Yang Ying, one of the Four Little Heavenly Queens.

Chen Kewen ruined their plans; he had already lost his chance to be shortlisted for the "A Lonely Beauty" competition!