Huayu Entertainment: Rising Since 1998

Chapter 123 "The Assassin Couple" Casting: Yao Chen Invites Zhou Yan

Zhou Yan did not leave after finishing filming, but instead filmed some details and added some shots.

He didn't leave the film crew until two days later and returned to Kyoto.

He earned $100,000 this week, which averages out to more than 100,000 RMB per day.

Even so, he still received the lowest salary among the main actors.

The film "Hero" had an investment of $3000 million, setting a record for Chinese film investment at the time.

Jet Li's salary is $300 million, equivalent to 2600 million RMB. This figure is already astronomical for domestic actors, but for him it is considered "lowering his own value," because Jet Li's current market price is $900 million.

The combined salaries of Leung Chiu-wai and Cheung Manyu are approximately 1500 million RMB, or about 100 million USD each, which is the "lowest price" on the international market for them.

Although Zhang Ziyi's role in the film was small, she still received $20.

Although Zhou Yan has few scenes, with the title of "Berlin Film Festival Best Actor," his performance is unlikely to be subpar.

Therefore, his salary was comparable to that of Chen Daoming, who played Qin Shi Huang, at around $10.

Once you become famous, making money is really easy.

The problem is that most of them are not famous.

After returning to Kyoto, Zhou Yan began working on the "Assassin Couple" project.

The first step is casting.

"The Assassin Couple" mainly revolves around the male and female protagonists.

Besides the male and female leads, they also have several helpers around them.

The male protagonist has a good friend named Shidun, who is Zhou Jun's contact person at the assassin company.

Whenever the assassin company issued a mission, Shi Dun would send the assassination task to Zhou Jun.

When Zhou Jun and Fan Mei had a falling out and Zhou Jun was unable to go home, he also came to Shidun's house to hide.

In addition, Zhou Jun has a friend who is proficient in computers—Feng Yu.

The female lead also has several helpers, namely her deputy Jia Simin, and team members Xu Wen, Han Bing, Zhou Yan and Zhao Rong.

The two sisters, Xu Wen and Han Bing, were pre-selected to be played by Zhong Xintong and Cai Zhuoyan.

Chung Hsin-Tung plays the hacker Xu Wen.

Charlene Choi plays Han Bing, a weapons assembly master.

The remaining people all need to be cast.

Therefore, Zhou Yan set his sights on the Beijing Film Academy and his friends.

Zhou Yan personally communicated with the school leaders of Beijing Film Academy, hoping to gain the school's support.

The leaders of Beijing Film Academy were overjoyed to hear this. Zhou Yan truly lived up to his reputation as an outstanding student of Beijing Film Academy and won their hearts.

The school leaders personally issued an order that all teachers and students unconditionally cooperate with Zhou Yan's casting.

Anyone Zhou Yan takes a liking to must be released.

Zhou Yan became a highly sought-after figure in the eyes of the school leaders.

At this moment, Zhou Yan was no longer a student of Beijing Film Academy, but their beloved family and friends.

Soon, the message spread to all classes in the performing arts department, including not only undergraduate classes, but also vocational classes and continuing education classes.

The performing arts students were immediately excited upon hearing the news, and they all cheered enthusiastically.

He felt immense gratitude towards Zhou Yan.

"Have you heard? Zhou Yan's company is casting for their new movie at our school."

"How come I haven't heard that the performing arts students are making a fortune?"

"If I had known, I would have chosen the acting major."

"You're not good enough, your looks don't meet the standard."

"Fuck your grandpa, how dare you say that to me?"

When will casting begin?

"It's supposed to be the day after tomorrow. The print shops have been packed with people these past two days, all of them printing resumes."

"It's not just print shops, but also photo studios; there are many places where people take pictures."

"The printing shop and photo studio made a killing this time; they should give Zhou Yan some gifts."

Several students from other departments chatted, their tone full of envy; they also wanted a classmate as awesome as Zhou Yan.

He single-handedly led the entire department.

Indeed, that is exactly what they said.

The print shop and photo studio were packed with people, mostly performing arts students.

Why do I say "basic"?

-

Because other departments are taking advantage of the situation.

Who says only acting majors can perform?

My major is directing, so I can both direct and act.

The owners of the printing shop and photo studio were all smiles, filled with gratitude for Zhou Yan.

When Zhou Yan returned to school, she could clearly feel the difference.

Some female students from the performing arts department openly slipped him notes or letters with either phone numbers or QQ numbers written on them.

They all knew that Zhou Yan used QQ, so many people registered QQ accounts for her.

However, QQ can currently only be logged in on computers, and mobile phones cannot yet log in, which is very inconvenient.

Only a very small number of people wrote their QQ numbers to Zhou Yan.

Some girls are even bolder and speak their minds.

She was willing to give anything as long as Zhou Yan was willing to let her play a role.

The tone was full of ambiguity.

His eyes were blatantly undisguised.

Some even suggested that they could make the payment first and then discuss other things.

They were not afraid at all that Zhou Yan would take advantage of them and then deny everything.

Zhou Yan enjoyed the same treatment as people in later generations ten years ahead of schedule.

However, it's definitely more enjoyable now than it was back then.

Because the women who confessed their feelings to him were younger and of higher quality, including some up-and-coming actresses.

Zhou Yan did not throw away the note after receiving it; he planned to dispose of it when he got back.

The slip of paper had the student's name and the method of practice on it.

If it were found by someone, it could have a negative impact on the person involved.

When Zhou Yan returned to the dormitory, Cui Peng, Yang Yang, and Gao Yuan immediately surrounded her, asking if she had any suitable roles.

Zhou Yan made no guarantees, but took their resumes.

However, there are only so many characters.

Ultimately, it's up to him to decide who to use.

As Zhou Yan's classmates and artists of [Nanhua Film and Television], Dong Xuan and Cui Peng naturally received preferential treatment.

Therefore, Zhou Yan directly arranged for a supporting role.

Around noon, Yao Chen called.

"Zhou Yan, are you free right now?" Yao Chen's voice rang out.

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Xiaosu and I would like to invite you to dinner," Yao Chen said bluntly.

"Is something the matter?"

"Yes," Yao Chen said without hiding anything.

It's best to be honest with someone like Zhou Yan and avoid resorting to tricks.

"Alright then," Zhou Yan agreed without hesitation.

Although Yao Chen did not become a "top actress", she is definitely a leading figure among the middle-aged generation.

If the other party wants to participate in "Assassin Couple", they are absolutely qualified.

Zhou Yan's initial goal was to gather future big stars.

You might not see anything yet, but you'll discover this Easter egg in a few years.

The cast of "Assassin Couple" is truly impressive.

"Xiaosu and I are waiting for you in the cafeteria," Yao Chen thought with great joy.

I didn't expect Zhou Yan to give me so much face and actually agree.

Yao Chen knew in her heart that her relationship with Zhou Yan wasn't that deep.

The fact that the other party accepted my invitation shows that they think highly of me.

"How is it?" Ling Xiaosu asked.

"He agreed and will be down in a bit," Yao Chen said with a smile.

Yao Chen's appearance is actually not bad, but in the entertainment industry where beauties abound, she is somewhat out of place, as her large mouth ruins her beauty.

However, Yao Chen's acting skills are truly impressive.

Both Guo Furong in "My Own Swordsman" and Wang Cuiping in "Lurking" are classic characters.

Moreover, Yao Chen is very loyal; she always remembers the good things about Zhang Songwen and Li Yapeng.

The two have repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Yao Chen in the media for her timely help during their lowest point in life.

Zhou Yan doesn't interfere in Yao Chen's love life; after all, that's how people in the entertainment industry are.

He is the best example, surrounded by beautiful women.

But when it comes to making friends, Yao Chen is definitely qualified.