All-rounder Artist

Chapter 270: Chapter 252: The Choice for the Male Lead_i

“Mr. Lin…”

In the composers’ office on the ninth floor, Shen Qing, a film producer, looked somewhat uneasy at Lin Yuan and asked, “Did you need something from me?” Lin Yuan stated, “I want to shoot a new film.”

Shen Qing queried, “So…”

Lin Yuan explained, “I need a butler for it.”

Shen Qing broke into a smile.

Having collaborated on a film before, he knew all too well that the “butler” Lin Yuan referred to was a producer.

News of Lin Yuan’s new film project had already spread within the Film Department.

Shen Qing had some guesses as to why Lin Yuan had called him prior to the meeting.

He was just slightly surprised.

It was unexpected that after his clear lack of confidence in “Flirting Scholar”, Mr. Lin was willing to let him continue working as the producer of his new film…

At this moment, Shen Qing was somewhat touched.

Of course, Shen Qing also heard that Lin Yuan’s new film was going to be a mystery, and he had no plans to continue with the nonsensical comedy genre. But what does that matter?

After their previous collaboration, now no matter what kind of film Mr. Lin wanted, Shen Qing would not hesitate. All he did was raise his voice a little and said:

“I have no problem with that.”

Before Shen Qing could finish his sentence, a burst of laughter came from outside the door. “If Mr. Shen has no issues, I surely won’t have any problem either. Just point to what you want done, Mr. Lin!”

The speaker was none other than Yi Chenggong.

He, along with Shen Qing, was summoned by Lin Yuan this morning. Both the producer and the director of “The Sound Mixer” were people that Lin Yuan was familiar with.

“Director Yi.”

Shen Qing cheerfully greeted Yi Chenggong, not surprised that Lin Yuan had chosen him as the director once again.

Although the genre of the new film differed greatly, Shen Qing was aware of Lin Yuan’s style…

The scripts that Mr. Lin worked on were typically script-centered.

Which meant that on Mr. Lin’s film set, the director was merely a tool. All Yi Chenggong had to do was follow the script’s demands and shoot systematically.

“The scripts are here, why don’t both of you take a look.”

Lin Yuan distributed the newly printed scripts of “The Sound Mixer” to them.

The two stopped talking and began reading the scripts in silence.

In less than an hour, they finished reading the script.

Yi Chenggong exclaimed, “The central conflict is impeccably designed.”

Shen Qing who was sitting beside him added, “The handling of the multiple twists in the script is also superb, very thought-provoking, especially the ending…”

Shen Qing didn’t quite understand the script of “Flirting Scholar”.

But this script for “The Sound Mixer”, was unequally a good story in Shen Qing’s opinion!

His judgment was not wrong!

Mr. Lin was very skilled in scriptwriting. Genre and theme could not limit Mr. Lin’s creativity!

“Let’s not discuss the script for now.”

Lin Yuan stated, “I invited both of you here because I wanted to ask if there’s any actor you would recommend. I mean for the male lead.”

Lately, Lin Yuan had been selecting actors on his own.

However, Lin Yuan wasn’t very familiar with the actors in Qinzhi, so after such a long time picking, he couldn’t find anyone suitable. He had no choice but to ask for Yi Chenggong and Shen Qing’s help.

“Zhang Hua!”

Shen Qing didn’t hesitate at all when he said this name, “I think Zhang Hua is very suitable to play the male lead!”

“Mr. Shen.”

Yi Chenggong remarked frustratedly, “The total investment for the film is only ten million. Do you think we can afford the acting fee of the actor Zhang?” Zhang Hua is an actor from Starlight, and he has won the Best Actor award!

And the fee and worth of a Best Actor are definitely beyond what a low-budget film could afford…

Shen Qing replied embarrassedly, “I was just saying the candidate is quite suitable…What about Li Dongming?”

Yi Chenggong morosely added, “Li Dongming may not be a Best Actor, but he has been nominated twice for Best Actor. He is a genuine first-rate actor in Qinzhi, and his price is also not cheap.”

Shen Qing, unable to come up with a solution, named a few more actors.

However, either the price was too high or the other conditions did not match, the male lead just remained undecided.

Lin Yuan did not comment.

Although he was not familiar with the actors in Qinzhi, he had heard of some of the actors Shen Qing mentioned as they all belong to the famous class.

Indeed.

At least three of them, like Zhang Hua, were worth considering, but given the film’s budget, it was really quite difficult to hire them.

In the end, Shen Qing grew impatient and directed his gaze at Yi Chenggong, “Why don’t you suggest a suitable person?”

Lin Yuan also looked at Yi Chenggong.

The selection of He Sheng to star in “Flirting Scholar” was Yi Chenggong’s recommendation, which indicated that he had good judgment when it came to selecting actors.

“I do have an actor to recommend…”

Yi Chenggong smiled, “What about Liu Zhcngwen?”

“Liu Zhengwen?”

Shen Qing was stunned, but immediately considered, “That might actually work, although his popularity has dropped due to an accident on set…”

Lin Yuan asked, “Who is Liu Zhcngwen?”

He had never heard this name before.

Yi Chenggong explained with a smile, “Liu Zhcngwen was a popular actor ten years ago, but there was an accident on set, apparently a problem with the blasting which caused him to be severely injured. He had to take a two-year break from acting, and his popularity plummeted. After all, this entertainment industry has a short memory…”

“My worry isn’t about his popularity.”

Shen Qing said worriedly, “I just don’t know what Liu Zhengwcn’s current status is like. I heard that he was slightly disfigured due to his injuries…”

If we were to consider popularity…

He Sheng, a bit-part actor, could star in “Flirting Scholar”.

At least Liu Zhcngwen had some fame which certainly put him in a better position than the prior He Sheng.

Yi Chenggong laughed, “I’ve seen his recent works, and although they weren’t successful, his acting skills have improved since then. His face doesn’t have any issues, the surgery seems to have worked well.”

Lin Yuan said, “Then, invite him for an audition.”

“Sure.”

Shen Qing replied, “Even though Liu Zhcngwen doesn’t belong to our company, given his current situation, there’s practically no chance that he would refuse our offer. I will reach out to him later. However, just in case, we should also select a few other options.”

“Okay.”

Soon, the group discussed and came up with the names of a few other potential male leads.

After establishing the alternate choices for the male lead, Yi Chenggong suggested, “As for the female lead, we have to choose someone from within our company. The films our company invests in must have some of our employees participating. Moreover, the female lead in this film is quite important.”

Shen Qing nodded.

For the previous film “Flirting Scholar”, the female lead could simply be a pretty face, there was no need for high-level acting skills, as long as she was beautiful enough.

However, “The Sound Mixer” was different.

Because the female protagonist in “The Sound Mixer” wasn’t the male lead’s lover, but the important villain in the film, who was in opposition to the main character. There was a high demand for acting skills!

This was a non-traditional female protagonist.

Conventional female protagonists are usually in a romantic relationship with the main character. However, in the film “The Sound Mixer”, the girlfriend of the male lead did not have a significant role. Her role was only to trigger and spur the plot.

Just like that.

The group discussed potential actresses for the other important roles in the film and outlined a selection range.

Next, they would just have to wait for the audition..