Actor: My Entertainment Era

Chapter 203 Endorsement
"Blind City" started with the signatures of director Wang Xiaoying and actor Jia Hongsheng, as well as the original novel "Blindness" and the Nobel Prize-winning author Saramago.

Most of the interviewees before the premiere were the director and leading actor.

But when it came to the third performance, the troupe temporarily adjusted its publicity strategy and focused on Liu Yifei.

Because putting out the word Liu Yifei means taking the seat.

Even if drama tickets are slightly more expensive than movie tickets, Liu Yifei's fans are willing to pay.

Although she was acting as the second female lead, there was no other way, because someone bought the ticket.

Director Wang Xiaoying and producer Lei Ting actually took a deep breath when they were rehearsing this drama: "I just don't believe that such a drama can't pay back the cost! A drama with good social impact should also have a good box office!"

The drama market is declining, and state-owned theater troupes are also facing great pressure to make profits.

That's why they boldly used newcomer Liu Yifei to play such an important role as Natalia.

In fact, Liu Yifei did not live up to their expectations.

"Sister Immortal Shocks the Stage, The Premiere of the Drama is Full of Seats"

This was news a month ago.

On June 6, "Blind City" began its second round of performances at the People's Liberation Army Opera House. Liu Yifei asked for leave from the crew of "The King of Kung Fu" and returned to Beijing one day early.

"The National Theater's new repertoire "Blind City" has received enthusiastic response in its premiere at Peking University. Tonight, the second round of performances will be held at the People's Liberation Army Opera House. The director Wang Xiaoying and the lead actor Liu Yifei are guests of the play, talking about the creation process."

Wang Xiaoying said with a smile: "It's not easy to make dramas now. We invested about 100 million in this drama, and the cost is relatively high, so we chose Yifei to play Natalia, hoping to get a good profit."

The topic was passed to Liu Yifei smoothly, and the reporter asked her, "What's it like acting in a drama for the first time?"

Liu Yifei: "Actually, it's not the first time. I also acted in a small theater when I was in school. "Blind City" should be my first large-scale public performance. I was very nervous, really. When the theater decided on my role at the beginning of the year , I didn’t sleep well for two days of nervousness, Teacher Wang persuaded me to relax, and Sister Yuan Quan taught me to prepare step by step, as well as rehearsal later, my colleagues and the director took good care of me, and we had a great time working together.”

Wang Xiaoying praised Liu Yifei at the right time: "Yifei is very serious and dedicated in rehearsal. "Blind City" is a not so bright story, and her character Natalia is not a very positive character. Before we performed at Peking University, In the last rehearsal with makeup, Yifei was completely devoted to Natalia and the story, feeling very painful, and cried while hugging Xiaomei on stage after the rehearsal."

Liu Yifei smiled and said, "Didn't we agree not to talk about this?"

The reporter said: "It's okay, it's a good thing."

Wang Xiaoying smiled, and continued: "She just relaxed after the performance at Peking University on the first day."

"How did it feel after the first performance?" The reporter asked Liu Yifei.

"Hearty."

Then, Liu Yifei talked about her views on "Blind City" and her understanding of drama performance.

The reporter asked her again: "While filming "The King of Kung Fu" and acting in a drama, are you too busy?"

"Fortunately, the crew of "The King of Kung Fu" is very considerate of me, and the progress there will not be delayed."

"Any plans for the future?"

"After filming "The King of Kung Fu", we will focus on the theater, and we will have a tour after "Blind City."

Wang Xiaoying publicized at the right time: "'Blind City' has received a good response. We have already arranged tours in Guangdong Province, Yunnan Province, and Guangxi Province. We will also go to Hong Kong Island. We are also negotiating tours in other places across the country."

For a drama that can be toured across the country, profitability is not a problem, and Wang Xiaoying can finally feel at ease.

Zhang Yuanjun did not come to the evening performance, and his own "Camel Xiangzi" will be performed until the 15th, so there is no time to watch "Blind City".

On the 15th, after the last performance of "Camel Xiangzi" this year, after the group dinner, director Gu Wei announced another big news: ""White Deer Plain" will also be scheduled."

All the young actors are eager to show their skills in "White Deer Plain".

"Really?! Mr. Gu, who are the actors for "White Deer Plain"?"

"Don't even think about veteran actors. Bai Jiaxuan has already hired Mr. Pu, and Lu Zilin has already hired Guo Da. There are many young people in "White Deer Plain", and you all have opportunities."

"White Deer Plain" will start rehearsals after the National Day, and it will be performed at the end of October. After the performance in Beijing, it will go to Sanqin, the hometown of "White Deer Plain", and then it will be a national tour—as soon as this kind of play comes out, a tour is scheduled.

The rehearsal of "White Deer Plain" was revealed by Director Gu Wei to this group of young people in advance. "Camel Xiangzi" was performed for 15 consecutive days, and the attendance was very good.

After dinner, Zhang Yuanjun did not drink, and drove Guo Yijun (Tiger B), Yu Mingjia (Little Fuzi) and Lei Jia (Feng Erye) back home.

"Third brother, are you going to choose "White Deer Plain"?" Yu Mingjia asked.

"We can't talk, it's not that we can perform as the theater arranges. I am very content to be able to perform "Camel Xiangzi", and I will do two more performances later, no matter what." Zhang Yuanjun said while driving.

"Yeah, you can get jobs outside of the theater if you don't have any shows, unlike us." Guo Yijun said.She came out of the People's Arts Cooperation Class of China National Opera. Almost graduating means she has obtained the People's Arts Department, but she can't get any decent plays outside, so she is so stuck in the theater to act in dramas.

"What you're saying is that I'm only doing "Love Is After Life" this year, and it was shut down halfway through the filming. This film will probably lose money, and I'm embarrassed to ask for the balance." Zhang Yuanjun said on "Love Is After Life" He received 10 yuan as a salary, and gave 5 yuan when signing the contract, and there are 5 yuan left, which Yuanjun doesn't plan to take.

"Isn't it, it's so miserable?" It's really rare for a play to lose the actor's final payment.

"You guys don't know, this drama is very complicated." Zhang Yuanjun didn't want to say too much on "Love Has an Afterlife".

After sending the three of them back properly, Zhang Yuanjun also returned to his home, washed up and slept well.

During the daytime the next day, his assistant Xiao Zhao came to his house to give him tickets for tonight's "Blind City", and asked him for credit: "Look what I negotiated for you."

While speaking, a stack of intention contracts was photographed in front of Zhang Yuanjun.

"What is it worthy of such a treasure?" Zhang Yuanjun picked up the contract and looked at it, it was the endorsement contract of Mercedes-Benz.

In November this year, Mercedes-Benz is going to release the new C series, and they want to choose a spokesperson in the mainland - this is the first time that Mercedes-Benz has selected a spokesperson in the mainland.

Earlier this year, Zhang Yuanjun, Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun and other popular niche students entered their investigation scope.

After half a year of investigation, especially after Zhang Yuanjun was shortlisted in Cannes, Mercedes-Benz (China) made a decision on Zhang Yuanjun without hesitation.

"No." Zhang Yuanjun was a little amused, "My Volvo has less than 5000 kilometers, so it's no different from a new car. If you sign a Mercedes-Benz, it's not like my car can't be driven."

"If you can't drive it, don't drive it. If you can't drive it for more than 5000 kilometers after buying it for more than a year, you basically say goodbye to the car."

Zhang Yuanjun changed his mind: "No, you're planning on Volvo!"

"You discovered all of this?" Xiao Zhao said with a smile, "I have calculated everything. If you endorse Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz will definitely give you a car. Your Volvo will be used in the studio. We still take a taxi when we go out. What? Sample?"

"not so good."

"Is the Mercedes-Benz contract still signed?"

"Sign! Why don't you sign this kind of endorsement!" Zhang Yuanjun said.

(End of this chapter)