Who says Beijing Film Academy has no great directors? (2002)

Liu Yifei simply combed her hair in front today, and her smooth, long hair neatly fell back, making her look like an innocent girl next door.

Helena Bonham Carter stared at Liu Yifei for a long time before saying, "I don't mean to bother you, but director, doesn't she lack a bit of Alice's decisiveness?"

Annie's chest tightened. If he gave up on this Chinese girl, would he choose to play the lead role himself?

She instinctively gave a fake smile and nodded in response to Helena's questioning.

"Without a doubt, Crystal is the best choice," Chen Yan said decisively.

Depp chimed in, "Yes, I think Alice needs not only bold courage but also delicate gentleness, and Crystal would do that very well, right?"

After Depp finished speaking, he winked mischievously at Liu Yifei.

"Come on, we need to speed things up, guys, time waits for no one." Chen Yan saw the crew's update from James yesterday.

It's incredible that the crew has already spent more than $30 on just some preliminary preparations and before filming even started.

This is simply a money-devouring beast with a huge appetite; China Film's finance department has reminded itself twice to start work quickly.

Anne Hathaway sat down somewhat dejectedly, her eyes unconsciously glancing at Chen Yan. She thought of the Italian businessman who had recently been pursuing her; he seemed far less impressive than Chen Yan…

Then my gaze slid to Liu Yifei.

Suddenly, their eyes met. Anne Hathaway was startled, while Liu Yifei gave her a gentle smile.

Let's begin!

After the director finished speaking, everyone at the table straightened their backs.

Time ticked by, and beads of sweat appeared on Liu Yifei's face. She was now facing a group of experienced and seasoned Hollywood actors.

Even the youngest actress, Anne Hathaway, had to beat out countless other actresses to get the role in "The Princess Diaries".

Liu Yifei thought to herself: I can't let Chen Yan down. Come on, Liu Yifei, you can do it!

"Six incredible things, count them, Alice!" The voice carried a hint of doubt.

"First, taking the medicine can shrink you."

"Secondly, cake can make you bigger."

The actor who was to voice the dragon had not yet joined the crew, so Chen Yan helped with some of the narration.

Chen Yan said in a low voice, "My nemesis, we meet again on the battlefield."

Liu Yifei looked up at Chen Yan, put down her manuscript, and replied with a puzzled expression, "We've never met before."

Chen Yan raised his voice, replying with dissatisfaction: "It's not you, you insignificant swordsman. My ancient nemesis is the Decapitation Sword."

Liu Yifei's emotions gradually rose, and her voice became stern, "Stop nagging!" She even waved her hand and made a decapitation gesture.

Chen Yan smiled slightly. This was the very spot where Alice had successfully severed half of the dragon's tongue.

Helena frowned slightly, a subconscious gesture when she was focused.

Liu Yifei completely immersed herself in Alice. She had already performed this scene hundreds of times at home, and Chen Yan had also pointed out her flaws, refining it countless times.

Her tone grew increasingly firm: "Third, animals can talk; fourth, Alice, cats can disappear into thin air; fifth! There's a place called 'Strange World.'"

Her chest heaved slightly, her eyes fixed on Chen Yan like a warrior's: "Sixth, I can kill the Frozen-necked Dragon!"

Chen Yan smiled proudly. He unconsciously began to recall when Liu Yifei acted out this scene at home. She really imitated the scene when she was knocked away by the dragon with her neck blown off her feet. Every movement was clean and neat. She repeatedly emphasized that the martial arts director should really hit her.

She said she would remember that feeling.

"Good!" Helena was the first to applaud Liu Yifei.

She didn't hold back her praise and apology: "Crystal, I'm sorry I questioned you just now. You are absolutely capable of this role."

"Thank you." After more than two hours of script reading, Liu Yifei was on edge the whole time, and now her face was flushed from the praise.

"Crystal, I knew you could do it!" Depp raised an eyebrow at Liu Yifei again.

Anne Hathaway then instinctively forced a smile and said, "You're great!"

Chen Yan glanced at her and realized she really resembled the hypocritical White Queen in the drama. No wonder Americans say Anne Hathaway is a fake, perfect robot.

"Relax, Annie," Chen Yan reminded her.

"OK..."

The reading continues.

Finally, Helena and Liu Yifei exchanged contact information. Helena had heard that Liu Yifei knew some martial arts and hoped to teach her sometime.

Liu Yifei readily agreed and even said she would talk to her about vocal techniques when she had time. The two got along very well.

On the contrary, Anne Hathaway, who seemed very approachable, greeted Chen Yan after the reading session and said she had to leave first.

On the way back to Liu Yifei, Chen Yan asked, "What do you think of the crew? Is there anyone you really don't get along with?"

Liu Yifei thought for a moment and said, "No, they all seem quite easy to get along with, especially Helena, she's so interesting."

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow. Heh, Liu Yifei is essentially a crazy girl. Does she prefer the lively type?

"That's good."

Filming officially began the next day.

Liu Yifei performed all her own action scenes, her movements were crisp and clean, and she ran like a lively little bird.

During the break, Depp leaned over and asked, "Chen, I wonder if Crystal has any sisters or anything like that? She could introduce me to some. I think I'm starting to like the straightforwardness of Chinese girls."

Chen Yan gave her a disapproving look: "No, Crystal is an only child."

"Oh, what a pity!" Depp sighed.

Chen Yan rolled her eyes at him, "You wish!"

"Stop! Don't move that light. We need a spotlight on Alice later."

Unexpectedly, just from this one sentence, the lighting technician frowned and said, "Director, you may not know this, but on a Hollywood film set, no one can order the lighting technician around."

Chen Yan was stunned for a moment. "What did you say?"

It's been a long time since anyone dared to speak to Chen Yan like that.

The lighting technician was tall and around thirty-five years old, with small eyes and thin lips; he really did look like someone you wouldn't want to mess with.

James, who was standing nearby, immediately came over and explained, "Sorry, boss, I forgot to tell them your habits. I'll go and coordinate it right away."

As he spoke, James quickly ran up to the female lighting technician and began a lengthy conversation.

Even now, Chen Yan doesn't think this is an irreconcilable conflict.

He hired James, who will take care of everything. As the saying goes, strength can overcome skill. As the boss, he would exhaust himself if he tried to do everything himself.

The female lighting technician rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Does he even know what lighting is? He's an amateur!"

But her voice was too loud, and her complaints and bad words reached Chen Yan's ears.

So Chen Yan got up and walked over to the two of them. James also had a dark expression on his face. He regretted inviting this person; he was too stubborn.

"Boss..." James was interrupted by Chen Yan raising his hand before he could finish speaking.

Chen Yan looked at the female lighting technician and said only one sentence: "You're fired."