Started as an independent producer in 1988

Chapter 131 Let me help you try Diao Chan’s play

"What?! You don't need me?"

Lin Qingxia, who had just finished filming in Changchun, took the phone and said angrily: "Still not sisters!"

Xu Feng said awkwardly: "I thought about it and it's really inappropriate. Don't be angry. Let's cooperate next time."

"What did Chen Shiping say?" Lin Qingxia asked angrily.

Xu Feng thought about the conditions he had agreed to with Chen Shiping, so he had to say: "He wants to use you, but my current budget is not enough, and the actor is not a good match for you."

Hearing what Xu Feng said, Lin Qingxia felt better and asked helplessly: "Am I really not suitable?"

"Well, you've been filming so many movies lately, why don't you take a good rest. We'll work together again next time."

Xu Feng comforted him for a while and then hung up the phone. He couldn't help but complain about Chen Shiping alone.

But what Chen Shiping said is right. As a producer, his duty is to handle these difficult matters for the director so that he can concentrate on his creation.

Xu Feng really didn't want to cause so much trouble for himself now. He originally planned to ask Mei Yanzi, but now he gave up.

Chen Shiping wanted to use Gong Li to kill him, but it was useless for her to persist alone.

Facts also proved that Chen Shiping's vision was much better than mine, but I was a little angry that Chen Shiping had kept him entertained for so long.

After thinking about it for a while, Xu Feng felt relieved. At least Chen Shiping didn't argue with him. Otherwise, he would still be angry when working together later, which would affect the normal shooting.

Looking back now, Xu Feng feels that Chen Shiping really knows how to deal with personnel and has invisibly solved problems that may arise in the future.

Since he decided to cooperate with Chen Shiping, Xu Feng was too lazy to wait for Zhou Runfa's reply.

You are asking for more without sincerity, and you think of yourself as a superstar!

Xu Feng did some calculations and found that Chen Shiping already had his own choice of actors, so he didn't need to put so much thought into it.

This is much simpler and saves a lot of costs. Mainland stars can't command such a large salary, even the leading male lead is priced at RMB 10,000 to RMB 20,000, which is considered high.

Before going to the mainland, we need to get the equipment Chen Shiping needs.

After the casting problem was resolved, Chen Shiping also faced his own troubles.

The film bureau called and informed him that he had failed the review, and it was a double copy!

The review of "Groups of Wives and Concubines" was rejected, and the review of "Farewell My Concubine" was also rejected.

Two pieces of bad news in one day made Chen Shiping numb.

I originally thought that I should be more respectable than Zhang Yimo and Cheng Kaige, but now it seems that they are all the same in front of the review.

Wives and Concubines cannot be released in mainland China, but it is not considered a banned film. Otherwise, it would be illegal for Chen Shiping to bring Wives to a national film festival.

Chen Shiping is not that anxious. If he can win the Golden Lion in Venice next year, there is still hope that it will be released. Now he can only hold it in his hands for a while.

The script of Farewell My Concubine had the biggest problem, and it was rejected directly. It was required that the subsequent scenes be deleted and that it could not touch on historically sensitive issues.

Chen Shiping could only obediently delete those plots and hand in a clean version.

First, get the filming permission. When filming, you should still follow the original script. It is a sin to deceive the superiors, but the problem is not that big, as long as it is not publicized everywhere.

In the censorship department of the film bureau, Chen Shiping didn't leave even after handing in the script. He just sat in the office waiting for a reply.

He had to get the filming permit today. He didn't have time to go back and forth and revise the script again and again.

More than half an hour later, the office door was pushed open.

"Director Chen, you have deleted a lot of this script, and there are structural problems." The director of the review department said with a smile: "You are not fooling me, are you?"

Chen Shiping immediately smiled and said, "How could that happen? I fooled you into not being able to show it later. I'm asking for trouble."

"That's good. I'll tell you that Director Chen wouldn't do such a thing. This script is approved!"

"Thank you! I'll treat you to dinner later!"

Chen Shiping successfully obtained the filming permit. At this time, the film was officially registered and could be shot normally.

Otherwise, he could only treat Farewell My Concubine as an independent film, in which case the problem would be huge.

It may range from being banned from teaching to someone who may be punished at worst.

Sometimes the system is very rigid. It doesn't matter who you are, if you can't pass, you just can't pass. But the system is rigid and at the same time gives people the opportunity to be flexible.

For Chen Shiping, he can just shoot normally. As for whether it can be released in the mainland, it depends on whether he can win an award. Only after winning the award can he have the confidence to ask for release.

When Chen Shiping returned home in the evening, he saw Tao Huimin reading the script. He walked over and asked curiously: "Has the factory arranged filming for you?"

"No." Tao Huimin closed the script and said, "It's a co-production in Yindu and they want me to star in it."

Chen Shiping suddenly felt strange. He had never heard from Director Liao about this matter. How could he find Tao Huimin to film the movie so smoothly?

"What movie was it co-produced with?"

Tao Huimin explained: "A married woman, a movie from the Pearl River Factory, and funds provided by the bank."

"This movie? I have some impression." Chen Shiping remembered that he had seen this movie on Zhonghe's list, but he didn't know much about the content of the movie.

So he looked at Tao Huimin and asked, "Do you want to take pictures?"

"Think about it. You said you would quit your job after getting married. Let's make more movies now."

Tao Huimin's tone was slightly disappointed, but she still liked acting in her heart.

"Resigning is not retirement." Chen Shiping said helplessly: "It's not like I won't let you film. Have you misunderstood?"

"Huh? Can I still film?" Tao Huimin said in hindsight, "I thought you didn't want me to continue to be an actor."

Chen Shiping smiled and held her in his arms and said, "Am I such a rigid person?"

A smile appeared on Tao Huimin's face, she raised her head and looked at him and said, "Then I will accept this drama."

"Take it, what time?" Chen Shiping asked curiously.

Tao Huimin immediately said: "I'll go this month and try to finish filming before the year. If I can't finish before the year, I'll continue filming after the year."

"That will take a long time, and I will have nothing to eat."

"Let's go out to eat, you don't know how to do it yourself."

Chen Shiping suddenly remembered the cold noodles made by Chen Hong, and couldn't help but nodded and said: "Then we will go out to eat, but now I want to eat full first!"

After saying that, he picked up Tao Huimin and walked to the bedroom. Tao Huimin rarely pulled shyly, but blushed and whispered to Chen Shiping to slow down later.

The next day Tao Huimin packed up and set off for the south, leaving Chen Shiping alone at home.

However, Chen Shiping was also busy, and even when he was busy, he didn't feel uncomfortable having so few people around him. Jingwu Heroes has been completed for two or three days and is now in the post-production stage. This year’s Lunar New Year release has also begun to be promoted.

Newspapers and magazines have also begun to warm up. Both Beijing Film Studio and China Film Studio attach great importance to the concept of Lunar New Year stalls and are very careful in publicity.

If it were any other movie, China Film would not care about you. The copies would be sent directly to theaters and they would not care.

However, Li Lianjie doesn't have time to participate in promotions now. He is going to Guangxi to shoot The Invincibles of the East and will not come back to participate in promotions until the movie is released.

In the end, there were only two actresses left to promote the film. Mainland movie magazines were all following popular movies and rarely used male actors on their covers. Instead, they hired actresses to shoot their covers.

Popular Films found Nakayama Meihui and Chen Hong to shoot the cover, and Chinese and Japanese actresses appeared on the cover together.

Chen Hong was extremely happy. This was her first time in a popular film. Although she had benefited from the movie, she was still jumping up and down with joy.

Not everyone can be on the cover of a popular film. The cover girls in the 1990s were all well-known actors.

Even the back cover is full of well-known foreign actresses. It is difficult for ordinary actors to be on the cover. Unless a movie by a big director is released, the heroine will be found to be on the cover for promotion.

"Do you think I will be outdone by Zhongshan Meihui?" Chen Hong asked worriedly.

Chen Shiping smiled and said: "Why don't you have any confidence? You are much prettier than her."

"You're not lying to me, are you?" Chen Hong asked irritably.

"Of course not, you are the most beautiful woman." After Chen Shiping said with a smile, he suddenly remembered that at this time, Chen Hong was promoted by Qiong Yao as the most beautiful woman in the mainland.

Chen Hong didn't know what Chen Shiping was thinking, so she hugged him happily and kissed him. She didn't expect Chen Shiping to think so highly of her.

Thinking of the most beautiful woman, Chen Shiping remembered that he had forgotten to recommend Chen Hong to the Three Kingdoms crew, so he pinched Chen Hong's face and said, "Wait a minute, I have a gift for you."

As he spoke, Chen Shiping took out his address book and dug out the phone number to call the Three Kingdoms crew. CCTV provided great support to the Three Kingdoms, with a dedicated office and a dedicated hotline for the crew.

Chen Hong watched Chen Shiping on the phone curiously, wondering what kind of gift he had prepared for her. Usually when Tao Huimin was around, Chen Shiping would never come over to him, but this time he even prepared a gift for himself.

The call was quickly connected, and Chen Shiping said into the phone: "Three Kingdoms crew? I'm Chen Shiping from Beijing Film Studio, please help me find Mr. Li Fazeng."

After hearing Chen Shiping's words, Chen Hong's eyes immediately lit up, "Three Kingdoms crew?" Are you recommending yourself to star in the Three Kingdoms TV series?

What kind of role would that be, Zhen Ji? Big Joe? Or Diao Chan, the most beautiful woman in the Three Kingdoms?

Thinking that Chen Shiping had just said that she was the most beautiful woman, Chen Hong vaguely guessed the answer in her heart, and the expectations in her heart were all written on her face.

"Director Chen? Wait a moment, I'll call Teacher Li over."

Chen Shiping listened to the words on the other end of the phone, responded with a smile, and then pinched Chen Hong's face.

Soon Li Fazeng's angry voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Director Chen, are you planning to join the screenwriting team?" Li Fazeng asked with a smile.

Chen Shiping laughed and said, "I've been too busy recently. Unfortunately, I can't participate in the creation of Three Kingdoms. However, I heard that you are selecting actors, so I would like to recommend an actor."

Li Fa had a flash of disappointment in his heart. During this period, countless people recommended actors to him, but he still asked politely: "I don't know who you recommend? What role do you want to play?"

"Chen Hong, the beauty from the theater school, recommends her to play Diao Chan!" Chen Shiping said directly and decisively.

After Li Fa heard this, he was stunned for a moment and then said with a smile: "This is such a coincidence. I saw her photo when I went to the theater before, and I was interested in her, but I didn't see the real person."

"She is in the capital now. Should I ask her to see you? You can see if it's appropriate in person."

"Okay, you can ask her to come directly to the TV station. Now she is worried about Diao Chan's choice."

Chen Shiping and Li Fazeng chatted for a few more words before hanging up the phone. Then they looked at the excited Chen Hong and said, "Let's go to CCTV to report tomorrow."

"Ah, is it true?" Chen Hong happily hugged Chen Shiping and said, "Thank you!"

The Three Kingdoms crew is not something you can get into just because you want to. Wang Fulin's casting requirements are very high, and you can't get in just by looking for connections. Moreover, this is a key project of CCTV.

The popularity of the Four Great Classics, Red Mansions and Journey to the West, made many actors famous overnight.

Three Kingdoms is a man's drama, and there are only a few outstanding female characters in it. Diao Chan can be said to be the most popular female character in it.

I don’t know how many actors are eyeing this role.

Chen Hong was happy for a while and suddenly grabbed Chen Shiping's hand nervously and said, "What if I can't choose?"

"Don't worry, this role is definitely yours." Chen Shiping said confidently.

Chen Hong looked at the confident Chen Shiping and couldn't help but ask: "Have you helped me smoothen the relationship?"

"You will know when you go there. This role belongs to you."

Chen Shiping didn't make it so clear, so let her misunderstand it.

Chen Hong naturally thought that it was Chen Shiping who was helping her to clear up the relationship, so she stood up on her toes and kissed him, saying with some emotion: "Thank you."

"Don't worry, thank you. I'll see how your performance goes first. Play Diao Chan," Chen Shiping said with a smile, holding her waist.

Chen Hong blushed, clasped his hands and slowly squatted down to bow, then raised his head and looked at him with a charming look and said: "Diao Chan from the slave family has met the general."

After saluting, Chen Hong stood up and walked to Chen Shiping softly and said, "It's getting late. I will undress the general."

After a while, clothes were scattered on the floor of the room.

A small white hand suddenly appeared on the armrest of the chair by the window, clutching the armrest tightly. The white arm was pink and covered with beads of sweat.

"General, please take pity on me, my family has been too weak to be whipped since childhood."

The chair by the window that Chen Hong held tightly was constantly being pushed forward between movements and stillnesses. The legs of the chair rubbed against the ground, making a sharp sound, which made people cry.

Seeing that she was a little unsteady, Chen Shiping simply grabbed her legs to help her stabilize her body.

After her feet were off the ground, she could only hold on to the chair with both hands to stabilize her balance, but she couldn't move. She could only look back at the brave and invincible general with a red face as he kept charging.

After an unknown amount of time, the two of them sat on the chairs and panted.

Chen Shiping wiped the sweat from Chen Hong's forehead and said, "Your performance is so good!"

Chen Hong couldn't help but spat softly and said: "I just want to watch your show, my general, my thighs are cramped."

Chen Shiping stretched out his hand to press her a few times and said, "Then we'll try another method later."

"Come back, general, please let me go." Chen Hong immediately begged for mercy, and when Chen Shiping wasn't paying attention, she stood up from his arms and ran away.

When I stood up, there was a popping sound in the room, like the sound of opening a red wine and removing the cork.

(End of this chapter)