Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

After finishing their meal, the group went to work.

Zhuang Huai'an went to the study, thinking about which TV series he should film. The main thing was that his group of buddies were all talented actors, and he couldn't just give them an idol drama to film.

This is so unfair to the audience!

With three male characters, how about making a movie called "The Disguiser"?

Zhang Songwen, Wenminglou; Lin Jiachuan, Mingcheng; Zhou Yiwei, Mingtai.

Zhuang Huai'an put himself in the shoes of a director, and surprisingly, it actually has some potential.

If you were talking about 2012 or later, he wouldn't have dared to let these three people film this movie, but nowadays the entertainment industry doesn't value looks so much; it's more about talent that makes you stand out.

Moreover, strictly speaking, the plot of The Disguiser can be considered a semi-serious drama.

The female lead's storyline needs to be changed. In the original story, this girl was too abrupt and didn't have any highlight scenes, which made Zhuang Huai'an think that Tiezi was the female lead when watching the show.

Zhuang Huai'an took out paper and pen and began to take notes. There were more characters in the TV series, so he couldn't use the Beijing Film Academy's names this time.

The role of the eldest sister will continue to be played by Liu Mintao. Her acting skills are guaranteed, and she was born in 76, so her age is also suitable.

Tiezi Jie's name can be replaced with Chen Shu, the cheongsam goddess.

Since Ou Huopo has been accepted by two Central Academy of Drama students, she should consider Beijing Film Academy. She needs to be both bright and edgy, and Wen Zhengrong, a senior from the class of '97, would be a good fit.

The character of Cheng Jinyun needs to be changed; she should be both upright and chivalrous. Miao Pu from the 98 class would also be a good choice.

Poison Bee continued to use Liu Yijun, who was also a senior at the Beijing Film Academy.

The main roles are mostly decided; Sun Hao can consider the rest himself.

After putting down the cast list, Zhuang Huai'an took out his phone and sent Zhang Songwen a text message: "The role requires you to gain 15 to 20 pounds."

Zhang Songwen is just a skinny guy now, he can't carry off Minglou's aura.

"Let's get started!"

...

After a week of seclusion at home, I finally finished the revised version of the script for The Pretender and most of the storyboard manuscripts.

Zhuang Huai'an carefully read through the script, while mentally simulating the scenes performed by the actors, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Sure enough, the problem lies with the female lead. The revised version obviously has fewer flaws."

After putting the script and manuscript into his bag, Zhuang Huai'an went out and took a taxi to his beloved Beijing Film Academy.

"Oh, Huai'an's back?" Old Qin, the gatekeeper, opened the glass window to greet him.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and nodded, handing over a cigarette. "Hey, you're back. Have a smoke, Uncle Qin."

"Hey, this is a good cigarette," Grandpa Qin lit it and took a satisfying puff, teasingly saying, "I'm telling you, you're such a big director now, even if you don't get a driver, you should at least get a car. It's so inconvenient to take a taxi every day."

"You're right, we really need to get a car." Zhuang Huai'an nodded in agreement, smoked a cigarette with him, and then entered the school gate.

Feeling the admiring gazes of his classmates, Zhuang Huai'an was somewhat relieved. Fortunately, he had already established a reputation for being aloof, otherwise he would have been surrounded by them by now.

I went straight to Lao Wang's office; the first thing I had to do upon arriving was to see my mentor.

Pushing open the door, a cloud of smoke rushed out. Zhuang Huai'an looked inside and realized why there was such a large cloud of smoke. "Oh, all the teachers are here."

The office was packed with professors from the directing department, with Director Xie Xiaojin sitting firmly in the center, flanked by Lao Wang and Tian Zhuangzhuang on either side.

"So you little rascal, you finally decided to come back, huh?"

Old Wang, seemingly scolding but actually defending, said, "Look at you, you didn't even bother to come back to school to let them know you were safe after returning from Venice."

"Hey, that's definitely my fault," Zhuang Huai'an scratched his head, pretending to be honest. "When I came back, I suddenly had some inspiration, so I thought I'd write it down first. Who knew that the more I wrote, the smoother it went, and I completely forgot about the time."

"Another inspiration?"

Xie Xiaojin's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "You young people really do have sharper minds."

"A good article is born of nature, and a skillful hand may occasionally bring it to fruition."

Zhuang Huai'an chuckled as he offered cigarettes to everyone, then pulled up a stool and sat down next to Old Wang.

"Nonsense," Old Wang glared at him, though his eyes were mostly amused. "Your 'Gone Girl' script has been shelved for almost half a year. Feng Yuanzhen has called me several times to inquire about it. We can't possibly change the script again now, can we?"

"No way, the project continues. This script I have is for a TV series, for Sun Hao and the others to practice on," Zhuang Huai'an explained. "I just finished it and came to pay my respects to you, my mentor."

"Just a greeting?" Old Wang glanced sideways, his face full of disbelief.

"Hehe, I also wanted to support my alma mater's internship program."

Seeing Zhuang Huai'an's grinning face, Xie Xiaojin found it somewhat amusing. He had clearly come to ask the school for people, yet he could portray it as supporting the school's work.

Xie Xiaojin shook his head and chuckled, "With your reputation as a Golden Lion Award-winning director, you can just go and ask whoever you want. Who would dare refuse you?"

"Director, you're mistaken."

Zhuang Huai'an poured himself a cup of tea and said, "If I go, it's only on my own behalf. If the school arranges it, it means the school leaders care about the students' internships and specifically asked me for some internship slots. In that case... hehe..."

Hearing this, Xie Xiaojin felt a little embarrassed and cursed himself inwardly. After decades of work, he still didn't understand a single student. He deserved to have to rely on seniority to become the vice dean!

Seeing his silence, Wang Hongwei chuckled inwardly. He subtly elbowed Xie Xiaojin to defuse the situation, saying, "Alright, all the teachers in our department are here. The director will handle it for you."

"Okay," Xie Xiaojin sat up straight and nodded, "Give the schedule to Hongwei later."

Zhuang Huai'an laughed heartily, "Alright, then I'll thank you all, teachers."

After sitting for a while and smoking two cigarettes, Zhuang Huai'an was forced to leave the copy of the script behind and went to the acting department office.

As soon as I entered, I saw Chang Wei... no, Wang Jingsong cursing.

"I can tolerate you reading Romeo and Juliet as Romeo and the Pig spending the night together, and I can even tolerate Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai as Liang Shanbo and the Pig having sex, but what's with this Shakespeare? Is he Shakespeare's brother?"

Zhu Yawen, standing by the desk, lowered his head and dared not speak. Good heavens, he had memorized all of this before the exam, who knew he would suddenly have a meltdown during the exam?

Having vented his anger, Wang Jingsong stopped. Seeing Zhuang Huai'an walking towards him, he put on a smiling face and said, "Huai'an is back."

"Oh, Teacher Wang, are you busy?"

Huai'an? Zhu Yawen's heart skipped a beat. He secretly observed this renowned senior. Wow, buddy, with your looks and physique, why don't you go to the directing department?

"It's not busy right now, I still have a class later."

Wang Jingsong replied, then turned to Zhu Yawen and said, "You go back first and tell your classmates that I might be a little late for the next class."

"Okay, Teacher Wang." Zhu Yawen obediently went out and cleverly closed the door behind him.

"Come, sit here."

The two sat down on the sofa. Wang Jingsong was about to make tea when Zhuang Huai'an stopped him, saying, "No need for tea. You have class later. I'll get straight to the point. I have a small favor to ask you."

"What is it?"

"I've drafted a TV series script, with Sun Hao as the director, and we're still short a few actors."

Zhuang Huai'an took out a piece of paper and handed it to Wang Jingsong, saying with a smile, "You have been deeply involved in the performing arts department for many years, and I would like to ask you to help me contact these people."

"Nursery, Wen Zhengrong, Liu Yijun?"

Wang Jingsong nodded and replied, "Okay, leave this to me. I've taught both of these girls before. Liu Yijun is my senior, so he can speak to them."

"I knew I'd come to the right person," Zhuang Huai'an said with a smile, adding, "You just need to pass on the word. If they're interested in acting, I'll schedule a time to read the script."

"Huai'an, you're saying that because you're not confident in your current position," Wang Jingsong teased. "You have no idea how envious the acting teachers have been of me as the Golden Lion Leading Man since I came back this time."

"If you release the news that you're casting for your script, people from all over the industry will be lining up to act."

That's true, and Zhuang Huai'an knew it too, but he had to be humble in front of his superiors; as long as he had the authority, that was enough when he went out to perform his duties.

Why bother going to school to get it done?