I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 150, Teaching Young People What It Means to Be Down-to-Earth

at this time.

In the capital, the planning for "The Lotus Lantern" is also underway, with auditions and casting for other roles proceeding at a rapid pace.

Yu Mingsheng and Zhang Xingda sat around discussing where to select other supporting roles, such as the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West, who were chosen from veteran actors in the central circle and the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Also present was screenwriter Ye Jiunian, the main creator and writer of the script for "The Lotus Lantern".

After discussing the supporting characters, they began to discuss the roles and choices of the main characters, including Erlang Shen, whose casting was publicly announced.

"Jiao Jun'en, choose him, he is the Erlang Shen in my heart." Ye Jiunian looked at the photos of several auditionees and said with emotion, "When I watched 'Little Li Flying Dagger', I felt that his appearance was perfect for me to be Erlang Shen."

"Hahaha, Liu Yehong is not bad either." At this moment, Zhang Xingda still thought highly of Liu Yehong.

Her status is slightly lower than that of Jiao Jun'en back then.

But that was Jiao Jun'en back then, not Jiao Jun'en today.

"He looks too sinister." Yu Mingsheng paused and said, "His roguishness is too strong, unlike Jiao Jun'en. He's handsome, and his handsomeness is very upright."

"His portrayal of 'Li Xunhuan' was inherently a character with a touch of divinity, roaming the martial arts world with unparalleled skills. Liu Yehong has played far too many rogue-like roles."

Yu Mingsheng's meaning is quite clear.

I don't have a high opinion of Liu Yehong, or rather, it was Jiao Jun'en who actively recommended him to join the group.

He had a very high opinion of Jiao Jun'en's portrayal of Erlang Shen, the god of immortality.

"Actually, Liu Yehong's is not bad either."

Ye Jiunian chimed in from the side.

He thought both Jiao Jun'en and Liu Yehong were good.

"Both are good, so let's give them both high marks. That's great." Zhang Xingda clicked his tongue as he looked at the nine-year screenwriter.

In fact, Zhang Xingda was still somewhat puzzled as to why Yu Mingsheng gave Ye Jiunian such a great deal of autonomy in making choices.

There is a consensus in the industry that screenwriters have no human rights.

Screenwriter Zhang Jiunian should be the same.

However, Yu Mingsheng did give him a lot of power, such as the right to choose Erlang Shen this time, which gave him considerable say.

I don't know what's the point of giving him so much say.

"This..." Ye Jiunian lowered his head somewhat awkwardly at this moment.

Then Yu Mingsheng, who was standing next to him, spoke first.

"Mr. Zhang, I also think that both sides have their own merits. The final result will depend on the audition results of both sides."

"Alright, since it's you guys auditioning anyway, and I've already given my opinion, Liu Yehong is good, and Jiao Jun'en is not bad either. Although Liu Yehong's foundation isn't as solid and he debuted relatively late, he has an unparalleled advantage: he has great connections in the Beijing entertainment circle. Li Mo from that circle is related to his mother by marriage."

"Those of us in the CCTV circle, although we don't have to be subservient to the Beijing circle much, we still have powerful backers there."

"Li Modu, that's no ordinary person from the Beijing circle. He's a veteran artist with impeccable credentials." Yu Mingsheng stroked his chin. "However, I will also consider the audition results in the end. Ultimately, the selection of roles will be based on suitability and the smooth filming of the entire TV series. This is something that cannot be compromised."

"I would say that, given equal performance, I would choose Liu Yehong first."

Zhang Xingda nodded, feeling somewhat relieved after hearing what he said.

Without any personal bias, the best roles were selected.

To express the best cinematic effects.

This is the most important thing the creative team needs to do.

That's what Zhang Xingda must expect them to achieve.

Although he didn't understand why Yu Mingsheng gave Ye Jiunian so much power, he trusted Yu Mingsheng completely, so even though he did this, he only had some minor complaints, but did not stop him from making the choice.

"Screenwriters really have no rights," Ye Jiunian lamented at that moment.

Although the producer's attitude didn't surprise him too much.

After all, the lack of human rights for screenwriters in the industry is nothing new.

Some things you just get used to.

"Hahaha, maybe he hasn't witnessed your exceptional talent, Brother Ye, that's why he's acting like this," Yu Mingsheng said with a smile. "You are one of the key figures in our Lotus Lantern."

Especially after reading Ye Jiunian's script.

He knew that Ye Jiunian was definitely the soul of the Lotus Lantern.

An absolutely indispensable soul.

In this context of the decline of mythological and fantasy dramas.

The current mythological and fantasy dramas are really weak. They are basically just the same old stories like Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West, over and over again.

The Lotus Lantern is considered a second-tier mythological story below Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods, but it is still quite niche overall. That's how mythological stories are; small investments won't produce good results. If I had a large investment, why wouldn't I just make Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods, which are safer themes?

Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods are the absolute masters of mythology and fantasy!

Currently, everyone below the hegemon is like an ant.

The Lotus Lantern is nothing more than the story of Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother. There's not much else to it. Only the animated version of the Lotus Lantern produced by Shanghai Film Studio back then had some fame. Otherwise, it might not even be considered a second-tier legend.

Ye Jiunian, however, made his own original contribution to the story of Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother, creating a different version of the Lotus Lantern.

A good script is definitely worth a fortune.

"Thank you, Director Yu. I will do my best to select our Erlang Shen from these three auditioning actors."

Ye Jiunian was also very grateful for director Yu Mingsheng's appreciation.

"Oh right, three people!"

At that moment, Yu Mingsheng slapped his forehead.

It's not that I forgot; there were three auditioning actors.

The main problem is that he's in third place; he really feels like he's just there to make up the numbers.

Neither Liu Yehong nor Jiao Junen seemed like they would lose to this young man.

It's not about what's wrong with Li Yun.

On the contrary, Yu Mingsheng was optimistic about Li Yun's future.

This appearance.

This acting talent.

At 40, there's an 80% chance I can catch up with Jiao Jun'en. If I don't have the burden of being an idol, maybe I can meet some top-tier celebrities before I'm 50.

This is the highest praise he has ever given to a young person.

A young man with no resources or background, who relies solely on his own hard work.

To have achieved this level is quite astonishing.

Don't think that Jiao Junen's position is good.

Back then, he could be so affectionate towards Ximen Wuhen, which shows his professional skills. It was precisely because he had the strength of a true talent that he wasn't completely overshadowed by the popularity of an idol.

Let's get back to Li Yunlai.

It was precisely because they felt that Li Yun was too young and not yet ready to compete with Jiao Jun'en and Liu Yehong.

Let the young man fly for a while longer.

As for the Lotus Lantern incident, it might be a small lesson learned from his arrogant decision.

It certainly won't be a case of no gain.

This experience will probably teach this young man what it means to be down-to-earth.

Take it one step at a time.

You have to eat one bite at a time.

At this very moment in Taiwan, Chiao Chun-en is also preparing for his role, surrounded by mythological stories.

Of course, these stories were all read to me by my daughter.

"Legend has it that Erlang Shen is also called... how do you pronounce the two characters 'Mama'?"

"It's called Guanjiangkou. Legend has it that Erlang Shen was worshipped in this place."

"Come and read after me, guan, guan."

"Daddy, Daddy, how do you pronounce this word?"

"This '舅' means 'uncle'."

Jiao Jun'en affectionately stroked the heads of his two daughters, teaching them to read and write while reading the script.

The deep bond between father and daughter is truly touching. Even Jiao Jun'en's manager couldn't help but think that it was for these two little ones that Jiao Jun'en had retired for so many years, only to return now that the storm of that year has mostly passed.

Perhaps it's because her daughter started elementary school that she was able to free herself up in some areas, which is why she chose to make a comeback.

Jiao Jun'en is just like that, a man who puts his family first.

Unfortunately, this handsome, successful, and responsible man experienced a failed marriage, which almost ruined his career.

But it's okay, there's a chance to rise now.

Jiao Junen is currently reviewing various mythological stories, extracting their personalities, and using them as the prototypes for his characters.

"Extracting the divinity from the legends creates Erlang Shen. What I want to portray is that high and mighty god, that cold and indifferent god, who upholds justice and order, who is aloof and ruthless." At this moment, Jiao Jun'en also summarized the main personality traits of the Erlang Shen he wanted to portray.

Extract the characters from the legends and stories.

In stark contrast to Sun Wukong's liveliness and untamed nature, Erlang Shen's image has always been cold, ruthless, and full of a sense of order.

Just follow these steps and you won't go wrong.

At this moment, Jiao Jun'en's agent spoke.

"This time, your opponent is Liu Yehong."

"I know, it's not a big deal for someone whose status isn't even as high as mine." Jiao Jun'en smiled slightly at this moment, "It's not a big deal."

At this moment, the agent still seemed hesitant to speak.

Making a comeback after years of silence is indeed quite stressful.

Jiao Junen added at this point.

"Besides, there's also a new generation member."

"Never mind that one, he's just here to keep you company. Just pay attention to this Liu Yehong."

While his agent was speaking, Jiao Junen was stroking his chin, seemingly lost in thought.

Are we just there to make up the numbers?

"Dad, isn't this Song Qingshu? I like him so much."

At this moment, the little girl tugged at her father's clothes and whispered something.

As the agent spoke, Jiao Jun'en's daughter also spoke.

Jiao Junen, on the other hand, detached himself and immersed himself in the role.

The feeling of repeating a grade.

"A completely ruthless judicial god—no, no, your emotions are a mixture of compassion and ruthlessness, ruthlessness and compassion."

At this moment, Li Yun looked at the middle-aged scholar accompanying him.

Debonair and dashing.

Seemingly heartless, yet full of affection.

(End of this chapter)