Huayu Tianxian: This director is such a hypocrite!

Chapter 14 Launch Press Conference: Opening His Mouth and Offending People

"Hiring a media outlet is so expensive?"

"You can't even part with 20,000?"

March 4, conference hall on the second floor of Duyun Guipin Wanguo Hotel.

The fairly spacious backstage area was packed with people, and four or five makeup artists were extremely busy.

Ye Chong didn't want to wear makeup, but Chen Zhixi rejected his idea, telling him he should at least put on some base makeup.

The other actors backstage stared at each other, very curious about the young director.

The first impression of the two men's conversation was that they were very easygoing and approachable, but the second impression was that they were somewhat unreliable.

"Twenty thousand is too much. Twenty thousand is almost the daily food expenses for the film crew."

"Oh, you're really meddling! You're not a production manager, why are you meddling in other people's business!"

Ye Chong smacked his lips; he felt a pang of heartache.

You really can't understand the thought process behind Lan's films unless you organize your own event.

"By the way, what about Lan's films?"

Ye Chong was speaking to Tu Da, who was standing guard at the door and didn't need to go on stage.

Upon hearing this, Tu Da turned his head and said, "He won't arrive until tomorrow."

"Our production manager, I've been waiting for him for so long!"

Yes, China Film Group sent Director Lan again this time, after all, they had collaborated before.

I wonder what his expression will be when he sees me tomorrow!

This time I'm the investor, so try acting all high and mighty again.

"Click—"

A host in a suit poked his head in: "Director Ye, there are still twenty minutes before the press conference starts."

"It'll be over soon."

"OK."

Twenty minutes later, the launch press conference officially began.

The huge conference center could accommodate hundreds of people, but only the first two rows were actually present, and forty-odd cameras were pointed at the stage.

The huge posters on the stage featured only relatively unknown celebrities, except for Chen Jianbin, Gao Lu, and Chen Zhixi.

Even though there were many newcomers, the reporters' flashes kept going off as soon as they sat down, after all, they were paid.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the press conference for the start of filming of 'The Nameless'. Please welcome the director of this film, Ye Chong, a top student from the Beijing Film Academy!"

As the host introduced them, the film's director and producer walked out from backstage.

"Welcome, welcome our director Ye Chong, and producer and lead actor Chen Zhixi!"

Ye Chong waved and nodded to the audience with neither arrogance nor servility.

He had once imagined such a scene, enjoying the spotlight on stage as a big star, but he never dreamed that this scene would not come until twenty years later, and not as an actor.

The press conference proceeded in a standard manner. After the director and producer finished their discussion, the host began to introduce the film's lead actors.

"Welcome, Professor Chen Jianbin."

"Welcome, Ms. Gao Lu."

"Teacher Wang Yanhui."

"Teacher Zhang Yu."

"Teacher Lü Kongwei."

"Teacher Zhou Yang."

"Teacher Zhu Yawen."

"Teacher Yang Mi."

A large group of actors came up on stage and lined up like they were going to a fair.

Compared to veteran actor Chen Jianbin, Zhang Yu and Pan Binlong were somewhat shy, but Yang Mi appeared quite composed, as if she were born for this job.

This was also arranged by Ye Chong, since there are many unknown people out there, and it would be good if they could just show their faces.

"So many unfamiliar faces."

"Of course! How come there are Taiwanese people here?"

"This...doesn't it look like a 'tender beef wrap'?"

"Hey, that guy with the mohawk, he's probably a hoodlum, right?"

The chirping of crickets from the audience did not affect the performance on stage.

Although the new recruits were a little nervous, they still managed to complete the entire process.

The main cast of "The Unknown" is gradually becoming clear:

Ma Xianyong – Chen Jianbin

Ma Jiaqi – Chen Zhixi

Hu Guangsheng – Zhang Yu

Li Haigen - Pan Binlong

Gao Ming - Wang Yanhui

Wang Shuncai – Lü Kongwei

Liu Wenhong – Gao Lu

Zhao Hongxia – Zhou Yang

Gao Xiang – Zhu Yawen

Ma Yiyi - Yang Mi

Team Leader – Ye Chong

"Ms. Gao Lu, how did you come into contact with the crew of 'The Unknown'?"

Gao Lu smiled sweetly: "It was an old classmate who called me. Didn't Senior Brother Chen Jianbin come too?"

The reporters nodded; they also knew that Gao Lu was Chen Zhixi's classmate.

"Mr. Zhang Yu, how did you get involved in this project?"

"Maybe it's because the filming location is my hometown?"

"Hahaha……"

"Director Ye, I see there are quite a few actors on stage, including many new faces. What is your intention in doing this?"

The microphone was held up to Ye Chong.

This wasn't the host deliberately nitpicking; it was part of a pre-arranged script.

"This was indeed something I arranged specifically, because my film, just like its title suggests, tells the stories of ordinary people, so strictly speaking..."

Ye Chong raised his hand and pointed around: "Strictly speaking, they are all the main characters in this film."

The host suddenly realized, "Oh, I see! What a meaningful design!"

"I'd also like to ask Producer Chen, I see that you and Director Ye are from the Central Academy of Drama and the Beijing Film Academy, respectively. What coincidence led you to decide to participate in this film?"

"There's no coincidence. I'll take any role that comes my way. I'm not picky. Of course, I paid for this role; it was really expensive."

"Hahaha……"

"Click click click—"

The sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly from the audience, even though it was a self-deprecating joke, it was still a rare highlight.

For low-budget films like this, reporters are paid a certain amount to write a certain number of press releases; you get what you pay for.

The host on stage was still speaking diligently.

The hour passed quickly, and the group moved to another location to begin individual interviews.

Five or six microphones were set up in front of Ye Chong. He glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and thought he saw the Southern Entertainment News.

"Director Ye, you just said that this story revolves around finding a gun. How is it different from Director Lu Chuan's film 'The Missing Gun'?"

"Who?" Ye Chong frowned; he seemed to have heard a strange name.

"Director Lu Chuan, it's 'The Missing Gun'!"

"Oh—" Ye Chong looked as if he had just realized something.

"You mean the movie 'Looking for a Gun' directed by Coco Chiang?"

"Yes! Ah? No, no!"

The reporter was a bit confused, but the other reporters weren't as naive as him!

I just said there were no surprises, are we not going to get any?

"Click click click—"

"Director Ye, Director Ye, do you mean that Lu Chuan's film 'The Missing Gun' was actually directed by Jiang Wen?"

"Director Ye, do you have a problem with Director Lu?"

"Ye Chong, do you think your gun-finding skills are superior to Lu Chuan's?"

"Director Ye, Director Ye!"

The reporter's voice grew louder and louder, and Chen Zhixi, who was being interviewed in the distance, also looked over. When she saw that it was Ye Chong, an ominous premonition welled up in her heart.

Could it be that they've pulled some kind of stunt again?

"Never mind what I just said."

"Hey! Are you trying to cover it up?"

Ye Chong rolled his eyes: "Next question."

Perhaps because of Ye Chong's lack of cooperation, the next question was much more pointed.

"Which generation of directors do you consider yourself to be? You're so young, what makes you think you can direct a good film?"

Why should I? Because of my system and a bunch of director cards!

Ye Chong just couldn't understand why they kept asking these ridiculous questions when they had already received the money.

"Next question."

Please answer directly.

Ye Chong glared at the reporter, then turned to leave.

"Director Ye, what's your relationship with Liu Yifei?!"