I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

   Chapter 359 357. Years

"sister."

   At Liu Yifei's home, Wu Qiqi knocked on the door of Liu Yifei's bedroom with her phone in hand.

"What's the matter?"

   Liu Yifei, who was lying on the head of the bed reading a book, looked up and asked after seeing her.

  Wu Qiqi said:

   "Sister Ting said that the script of "Deal" has come out, and I'll bring it over for you to read now. Then Director Xu would like to invite you to have dinner together in the evening, is that okay?"

   Liu Yifei's eyes lit up:

   "No problem. Let's go to the study."

   "Hmm~"

  The two quickly came to the study room. After Liu Yifei found her mailbox, as expected, she saw a WORD file.

  No preview, download and print directly.

   Soon, the printer printed 8 sheets of paper.

  But Liu Yifei who was holding it in his hand was stunned...

  Only 8 sheets?

   so short?

  ? ? ?

   "Kiki...why there are only 8?"

  As she asked, she flipped through the pages, and found that the story inside was indeed the same story, but...it seemed to have been shortened a lot.

   Wu Qiqi was also a little puzzled.

  Sister Yifei has been reading the script during this time. Although it is the first version of the script, it is at least more than 20 pages thick.

   But why are there so few now?

   "I'll ask Sister Tingting to see if she has lost her hair."

  As she spoke, she called Sun Ting.

   "Hey, sister Tingting, is this script only eight pages? We received eight pages."

"right."

  Sun Ting responded and said:

   "I only received 8 pages, and I specifically asked Brother Xu. Brother Xu said that he was basically right, and we were chatting during dinner at night. I don't know the details~"

  She concealed the matter of changing the script into a short film.

  Because it must be thankless for her to talk to Liu Yifei as an assistant, and it will easily make her feel uncomfortable.

   This matter requires Brother Xu to talk to her in person.

   And Liu Yifei frowned completely after hearing that there were only 8 pages.

   Directly asked Sun Ting on the phone:

   "Where do you eat tonight? What time?"

   "Qinchuan Yashe, let me ask brother Xu for the time, sister Yifei, please wait for me a moment."

"good."

  …

  On the other end, Xu Xin, who was visiting the National Grand Theater with Wei Lanfang, received a call from Sun Ting:

   "Brother Xu, what time should we be in the evening? I just finished talking with Sister Yifei, and Sister Yifei called to ask why the script is only 8 pages long."

   "At 6 o'clock. Then...you go there at night too, don't drive, drive me back then. Take a copy of the script of "The Hawthorn Tree" by the way."

"OK."

  Sun Ting directly agreed.

   After hanging up the phone, Wei Lanfang asked:

   "The script of "The Hawthorn Tree" has come out?"

"Um."

  Xu Xin did not hide it from her, and said:

   "The script has been completed, and now it's time to start the crew formation and casting. For this kind of era drama, serving the way is the key point. When Yang Mi is confinement, I will go to Xi'an to do these things."

   "Tsk, I also said that we will have dinner together tonight."

   Wei Lanfang felt a little pity.

  Xu Xin laughed:

   "Another day, anyway, I am also a great director, very busy."

   "Yes, yes, great director~"

   Wei Lanfang couldn't help laughing.

   "Has Director Xu considered giving us any project? Our National Center for the Performing Arts is still waiting to be fed."

   "...tsk. Sister Wei~"

"how?"

   "I've lost my studies."

   "Haha~...Miss Wei, go to the office first, find a printer, I have to read the script."

"good."

  …

  After reading the script, Xu Xin, who was very satisfied with Li Ruichao's changes, came out from Wei Lanfang's place, and started to go to Qinchuan Yashe after finishing everything.

  As Xiying Film Studio's main work and reception place in Yanjing, his meals and banquets here are all charged by the factory and deducted from the entertainment fee.

  The monthly quota is quite amazing.

   And when he got there, it was half past five.

   When she came to the room, Liu Yifei, who specially put on light makeup, was already waiting in the room early.

  It is beautiful and amazing enough.

   "Come so early?"

   Xu Xin greeted her familiarly.

  After casually handing over the coat to Wu Qiqi who came over to help him hang the clothes, Liu Yifei smiled and said:

   "You are looking for me, do I dare to be late?"

   "Well! Xiao Liu's ideological awareness is very high~"

   "Yes, yes, the leader praises you~"

  Since breaking away from her mother's "shroud", her rather skinny temperament has gradually revealed.

  The immortal energy between gestures and gestures slowly converges.

fine.

  Xu Xin smiled and sat in front of the tea table.

  Sun Ting poured tea quickly.

   After Liu Yifei also sat down, he asked:

   "When can I see Mimi?"

   "Just wait until she comes out of the cell."

   "..."

  Liu Yifei was a little speechless.

  Xu Xin cut straight to the point:

   "Have you read the script?"

   "Look, why are there only 8 pages?"

   "Because it's going to be a short film."

"Well…"

  Under Liu Yifei's puzzled eyes, Xu Xin held a teacup and explained:

"Before, the screenwriter who made this came to me for a meeting. Didn't it already have two editions, and I was not satisfied. Later, a screenwriter named Li Ruichao meant... the character structure of this story is too fragile, because the two Both characters are too extreme.

   It would be more appropriate to keep only the main story line. I think it makes sense, let them try it out. As a result...it is indeed so. After leaving aside those...some plots that can be said to be forced to express sorrow for new words, the whole story suddenly became clear. How about you? "

  After receiving Xu Xin's explanation, Liu Yifei nodded unconsciously:

"... To be honest, I think so. The whole script feels much more natural, and even the emotional conflict is stronger. Especially the last paragraph, it is written that the little boy has been paying attention at home without the hostess knowing. After getting used to her life for a long time... all of a sudden that touching picture appeared in my mind..."

"So I plan to take the film I made with you to the College Student Video Festival as the opening film. They have already sent me an invitation to be the director of the opening film in April next year. How about it? Are you interested? ?”

  Liu Yifei was taken aback for a moment:

   "College Student Video Festival?"

"Yes. In terms of genre, it's a bit similar to a youth film festival. Later, I checked this film festival...it said it was a niche, but it's actually quite a niche. Because the audience is not very large, and they are all contemporary young people. But it's... not bad, pure enough. It's a bit like those foreign film festivals, famous brands or big investment are all fake, and the main thing is storytelling and artistry."

"Well…"

  Hearing this, Liu Yifei thought for a while before asking tentatively:

   "Do you want me... to reappear from the young fans in the public eye?"

"That's right. You have the most fans among young people. This is an undoubted fact. It must be a good thing to be able to return to everyone's attention. But more... I'm thinking about your future acting path... I just want to see when you can get rid of the shadow of "Tianlong" and "Sculpture of God". On the one hand, it is to help you transform, and on the other hand... you should have a clear enough understanding of your acting skills now, right?"

  In Liu Yifei's subconscious nod, Xu Xin responded:

   "What you need is a boost."

   "...Why did Mimi's acting skills soar so fast?"

   Yang Mi is not here at the moment, and with this sentence, she asked the doubts in her heart.

  Xu Xin was taken aback...

   then smiled and said:

   "How do you think she did it?"

   "I asked you because I didn't know. Take "The Wind" as an example. I only know that she has been preparing for a long time, but... once she appeared on the screen, the feeling was completely different."

"time."

  Xu Xin summed up Yang Mi's journey in two words.

"time?"

   "Well, time."

  Looking at Liu Yifei's puzzled gaze, Xu Xin thought for a while and said:

"If I remember correctly, the novel "The Wind" was met by her in the winter of 2007 when she was filming "Ugly Lady" in Dalian. I was still in Shenmu at the time, and she told me that she liked this story very much. , recommended it to me. Since I bought the copyright, she has already started preparing for the role of Gu Xiaomeng.

   Throughout 2008, she was making preparations. On the one hand, it is to consult information. Guan Lu, one of the four talented women in the Republic of China, can be said to be one of the prototypes of the story in this book. She began to search for Guan Lu's information, and at the same time went in and out of the library, looking for someone to sort out some real situations from the mouths of the only surviving old people. There are close to two notebooks for her materials. "

  Xu Xin gestured with his thumb and index finger in a gesture that made Koreans furious.

   Much wider though.

   "Make materials, and then build models in my mind over and over again..."

   "Did she talk to you during this period?"

"No."

  Xu Xin shook his head:

"We can talk about scripts and stories, but only about the shaping of characters. Before the start of the reading session, we never talked once. All of her shaping of the role of "Gu Xiaomeng" was done by herself. Even , She even went to learn the Morse code for a period of time by herself.

  So... you have to ask me how she improved so fast. All I can say is...she spent a year thinking about this role. Through all means of reading, understanding, listening, and talking, to enrich and perfect Gu Xiaomeng's image, it has created a wonderful performance on the screen. "

"Well…"

  After getting an explanation from Xu Xin, Liu Yifei thought about it, and suddenly asked strangely:

"Then... what about the role she's busy with now? Before the baby was born, we went to a small auction, and she got a copy of "Ji Xiao's New Book". I asked her why she bought this, She said she was preparing a movie..."

   "A movie that hasn't been finalized yet."

  Xu Xin shook his head:

   "People are not allowed to say the name or something. I won't mention it... But she is not preparing for a movie, but preparing to audition after confinement."

   "...???"

   Liu Yifei was dumbfounded.

   Eyes full of absurdity:

   "Audition?"

"Yes. This movie... has a lot of twists and turns. But to put it simply, she is a senior brother who gave her a general type of character. We both think this character is very interesting. Originally, I wanted to ask Can't shoot, but they have found a director and everything. Now it's just a matter of casting. What she wants to compete for is a role in it. For this role, she also started from last year... probably in the second half of the year, before we got married. Let’s start preparing.”

   "Just for a role that is not sure whether you can play it?"

  Liu Yifei was speechless.

   "Then if you are not selected, isn't all your hard work in vain?"

   "...well, sure."

  Xu Xin smiled and nodded, but asked again:

   "But it also goes to show that the characters in this script are great, right?"

   "That's right."

   "The actor meets a great role, even if it's just an audition, isn't it natural for him to make the best preparations?"

   "..."

  His words stunned Liu Yifei.

  Is this correct?

   Definitely right.

  A great script and a great role are definitely worth fighting for.

But…

  When the cost of "vigorous" is measured by the unit of measurement "year"...it would be fine if it had already been determined.

  But, brother, this role is not Mimi's yet!

   It's just an audition!

you…

  She immediately showed the expression of "Although you are right, I think you are just farting".

   looks particularly fancy.

   But it's more absurd.

  But Xu Xin likes to watch it very much, because these expressions are keeping Liu Yifei away from that "fairy spirit".

  Actors, that's it.

   You have to learn to live, know how to live, learn to live, and then you can root yourself in the soil.

  Every day people around you praise you as a god, saying that you don’t eat the world’s fireworks and grains, and they don’t even let you fart to go to the toilet...then the fate will not be much better.

  Amidst this absurdity, Xu Xin said:

"I don't think she's wasting her time. Also, don't think that the line she often says to the media, 'If people only remember the character and don't remember me, I will feel honored' is a lie. She is quite I'm serious about separating my acting skills from my commercial attributes. Making money is making money, and work is work. So...after confinement, she is going to audition. To be honest, I am quite looking forward to it."

   "..."

  For a while, Liu Yifei didn't know what to say.

   Although many people on the Internet say that she is dedicated.

  I said that when I shoot some works, I will learn and prepare in advance.

But…

  When she herself, or those actors who also take a while to prepare, meet someone who is just preparing for an audition and starts counting years... This dedication is a bit funny.

  Even so, there may be reasons for pregnancy.

  But the preparations for "The Wind" are real.

  Even if I filmed "Sword and Sword III" halfway through.

  Mimi, have you worked so hard in a place where others can't see?

   At this time, Xu Xin said:

"Although I don't know about your business development, what she thinks. But I think... a good script + a good director + a good actor are indispensable for things like movies. Although it's a bit of nonsense, you should also understand me Meaning. There are too many things that a crew is not sure about. Right?"

   "Well. For example, the requirements of investors, or various interpersonal relationships..."

   "So, in my crew, there will be no such situations. Then, we are looking for a good story. And this story, for example, is in front of you, such as this "Deal", I will show it to you now.

   Then you go back and prepare for a year, whether it’s to be friends with a hostess, or to open a bar KTV, or to find a single-parent family and live with a child for a period of time...that’s your own business as an actor.

   And when the filming starts, you just need to appear in front of me, bring your understanding of the character, your life experience, to interpret the whole film well, and that’s all. You see, filming is as simple as that. "

   "..."

   Liu Yifei couldn't help but want to roll his eyes when he heard this.

   But he also knew that Xu Xin was not lying.

  Because this is the simplest truth that the movie itself exists objectively.

   But the problem is trying to do it... easier said than done?

   After thinking about it, she asked:

   "Then "The Hawthorn Tree"..."

   "Have you read the novel?"

   "I see, after you confirmed the project, Mimi gave it to me as soon as possible. But I only read it twice, and I have been preparing the story of "Trade"..."

""Deal" may be filmed next month. For the short film, I estimate that it will be over in a week at most. Similarly, go prepare. The role of "The Hawthorn Tree"...I don’t have any preferences. Everyone can do it according to their own preferences. Jing Qiu came to the audition with understanding. I am looking forward to your performance."

  Hearing this, Liu Yifei nodded:

"good!"

  …

   Xu Xin and Liu Yifei’s “no” preference is not an excuse.

   but true.

  In his heart, he really didn't have a clear idea of ​​what "Jing Qiu" should look like.

  Although the casting should be in line with that era, Jing Qiu has a charming temperament and figure of "Three Mile Bay".

   belongs to the very contradictory kind.

  Before seeing the specific figure, he couldn't be sure what the fuzzy outline in his mind looked like.

  So, he needs an audition, and needs everyone to show the qualities of Jingqiu that he needs, so as to help him complete the construction of this role.

   That's what his audition was all about.

   And while he was still preparing, unexpectedly, Zhang Yimou started first.

  November 20th.

   There are still 5 days before Yang Mi's confinement.

  Xu Xin arrived at Shanshui Wenyuan again at 1:00 p.m.

   When I went inside, I saw a dozen or so people, including the old man's royal photographer Zhao Xiaoding and his manager Pang Liwei.

   Come and stay on the first floor neatly.

   "Sorry, sorry, I'm late."

  The original appointment today was at 2:00.

   But seeing so many people coming at this moment, Xu Xin quickly apologized.

  Although the people who come here basically know each other, they must have the attitude they should have, even if he is not late.

   After sitting next to Pang Liwei, he asked:

   "Where's Director Zhang?"

   "Upstairs, taking a nap."

   “…take a nap?”

  Xu Xin was taken aback.

  The old man doesn't take a nap easily.

  Pang Liwei nodded:

   "Today's task is heavy, in order to maintain energy."

   "...Didn't you just take the audition tape?"

  At the beginning of November, the old man had already started to cast the cast.

   "Hawthorn Tree" and "Jinling" were selected together.

   As for "The Hawthorn Tree", he insisted on having the simplicity of that era. The distinctive symbols on Jingqiu's body in Sanliwan are not particularly important to him.

  What he was looking for was the impression of youth...or young girls in the era that belonged to his energy.

  Even acting skills don’t matter, as long as the feeling comes out.

   But Xu Xin insisted on acting theory.

   That is an actor who fits all the characteristics of Jing Qiu under the tone of the great era.

   Then the two will compare.

  He is still waiting for Yang Mi to give birth, Zhang Yimou has already started.

  After hearing his words, Pang Liwei pointed to the shoe box of the TV next to her:

   "It's all in there."

   "... information? There are still a lot of information, let me take a look?"

   "It's not a paper material, it's a video tape."

   "..."

  The corner of Xu Xin's mouth twitched instantly.

   "Video?"

  Looking at the shoe box, he was speechless:

   "Is it the big one or the DV one?"

   "DV."

   "..."

  DV video tapes, the standard format is 60 minutes a disc.

   Moreover, its size is 51*73*15 (MM).

   is very small.

   It's only half the size of a palm.

   Actually filled a shoebox...?

"full?"

"full."

  Pang Liwei nodded:

"Anshan, Shenyang, Harbin, Hebei, AH, Jiangsu...Basically, there are people who have recorded art colleges. There are a total of 460 people on the list. Girls with the highest age of 20 years old have passed another sieve and eliminated 151. A person whose face has undergone plastic surgery, there are 309 people left, all of them are here."

   "..."

  Xu Xin's heart skipped a beat.

   smiled wryly:

   "If I knew it earlier, I would have taken a nap with my daughter in my arms before coming back."

   "The wedding banquet is on the 26th, right?...I will try my best to adjust the time. If these people can be selected, they can go. If Director Zhang says no, then we have to go. We won't be able to go then."

"Ok, I know."

  Xu Xin nodded, then asked tentatively:

   "Then Nanjing..."

  Pang Liwei remained motionless:

   "I'm in charge of it myself, I'll see it later."

  The reason why he specifically mentioned Nanjing is because the casting location of "Jinling Thirteen Hairpins" has already been determined.

   will fully use localized actors.

  Nowhere else, only Nanjing locals.

  Whether it is Shisanchai or those students, they are all locals.

   But very few people knew about it. Except for Xu Xin, only a few cronies of the old man knew about it, so the number of people who went to Nanjing was the largest.

   While chatting, Zhang Mo called Zhang Yimou down.

   It can be seen that the old man is sleepy.

  But after seeing the person coming, he still nodded and said hello:

"let's start."

   As he spoke, holding his treasure gourd plastic cup that hadn't been changed in almost four years, he sat next to Xu Xin and took a big gulp.

  After hearing this, Yao Songlin, the camera assistant closest to the TV, opened the box, looked at the video tape on it, and picked up the first disc.

   "This is the video tape from Shen Yin's side. I brought a total of three boxes."

  Opened one of the boxes, pushed it into the video recorder, and took the remote control to turn on the TV screen.

   Soon, a girl with no bangs and a ponytail appeared on the screen, filling the screen with her full face.

   It can be seen that it was deliberately "slapped" in the face.

  The purpose is to let Zhang Yimou and Xu Xin see all the details of the face clearly.

  Although the ideas are different, Xu Xin is really looking at it seriously. Moreover, Zhang Yimou also explained:

   "The choice is yours."

  Xu Xin nodded, looking seriously at the girl in front of her...

  The girl has a very polite smile on her face, and the background looks like it was shot in a ballet classroom.

   Yao Songlin should go to Shen Yin, and while watching the girl introduce herself, he said:

"When I arrived at Shen Yin's side, the school was very cooperative and took me to choose it myself. According to your instructions, don't be so tall, but have a better body and temperament. I just shoot that one when I see it is suitable, so The auditions this time are relatively scattered, they are all freshmen, and there are not many sophomores who meet the age..."

   "Let's go."

  Before he finished speaking, Xu Xin denied the girl.

  Yao Songlin nodded, took the video tape and began to fast forward.

   Soon came the second girl.

  Just as he opened his mouth, Xu Xin glanced at it twice, then shook his head again:

   "This doesn't work either."

   Then the third...

"Pass."

"no."

   "This...forget it, let's go."

"no."

"Next."

"Pass."

"Change…"

   Soon, the first tape is over.

   Followed by the second box.

  The third box.

  The fourth box...

   Slowly, Xu Xin became a little numb.

  At first, he could still watch seriously, but as more and more people came, his mind became more and more confused.

   In all honesty, these girls are pretty.

  But...maybe it's because of the DV shooting?

   Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too much.

   Gradually, everything felt normal to him.

  During the first videotape, he occasionally spoke, but later on...at all, he didn't need to listen to their self-introduction. The audition segment started, and after seeing that face, his voice immediately rang out.

   "Pass, pass, pass."

  He felt that his nerves seemed to have entered an unusually peaceful stage.

  When there are so many beautiful girls, he will automatically enter a stable mental state range.

  Although I occasionally hesitate because of individual people.

  But most of the time, the pass is started as soon as the face is seen, and there is no need to listen to the self-introduction of these girls.

  After quickly watching five or six videotapes, Xu Xin rubbed his eyes:

   "No, I'm a little confused right now... are you coming?"

  Zhang Yimou nodded, indicating that Zhang Mo, who had switched from Yao Songlin to himself, continued.

Then…

  A voice similar to that of Xu Xin sounded:

"this is not OK."

"no."

   "No...OK, pass."

"Next…"

"Pass…"

   From two o'clock in the afternoon, it slowly came to dinner time.

  When the nanny finished cooking, Xu Xin's eyes were also red.

  No way, staring at the screen for too long.

  …

"This girl is not only beautiful or not, you have to be able to find that kind of youthful feeling from her. When everyone talks about "The Hawthorn Tree", they all know that it is pure love. Kind of... I've grown up, I understand the sophistication of the world. That's not good... two faces are placed there, if you don't act, you have to let the audience understand! Understand the feeling of being young..."

  During the meal, Zhang Yimou was still working tirelessly to let everyone understand his casting requirements.

  But Xu Xin felt that he was "wasting time".

  Although he also admitted that the old man was right. But... Amateur actresses to steer the show?

   He still essentially disagrees.

   But there is nothing to do.

   After all, these are the results of the work of many people who have traveled all over the country.

  The old man is here, so I definitely can't just leave.

   can only continue to boil.

   Eat as a break, after the meal, change to a new tea, and he continues to boil there.

   This simmering lasted until 12 o'clock in the morning.

  Finally, a box of video tapes was finished.

  309 people.

  The number of people who advanced to the second round of auditions: 71 people.

   Among the 71 people, Zhang Yimou chose about 40, and Xu Xin chose about 20.

"…Anymore?"

  Hearing what Zhang Yimou said, Pang Liwei shook her head:

   "No more. This is all the freshmen. If you are going down, you can only go to various professional art schools."

  Hearing this, Zhang Yimou looked at Xu Xin who was rubbing his eyes again:

   "When is your audition going to start?"

   "November 30. On the 28th is the live broadcast of the "The Voice" finals. After participating, come back on the 29th and start on the 30th."

  Xu Xin didn't even open his eyes, and said while rubbing his eyes and weeping.

   Seeing this, Zhang Yimou thought for a while and nodded:

   "Okay, let's do another round. Send a message to these professional art schools, and ask them to record audition VCDs for female students in their respective schools who meet my requirements within ten days a week, and post them together."

   "Simplicity, no plastic surgery, acting is irrelevant?"

   "Yes. That's it..."

  Zhang Yimou nodded, looked at Xu Xin who was still rubbing his eyes, hesitated, and said:

   "Let's stop here for today. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

  (end of this chapter)