Chapter 519: Chapter 395: Nighttime Meeting
In fact, even Shi Luoqi has her doubts and hesitations about projects she wants to disagree with; convincing others to participate is itself a tough process.
When Xue Qin approached Zeng Lili and You Jiang, both were bewildered.
They joined the production of "Falling Leaves" solely because of Shi Luoqi’s reputation.
Although their careers were no longer at the peak, both were well-respected actors in the industry who valued their own reputation more than the average actor.
Is this abruptly introduced project reliable?
Using the language of the younger generation, what kind of sketchy project is this?
But after both of them read the beginning of the script handed to them by Xue Qin, they fell silent.
They found themselves unable to utter a word of refusal.
This script was nothing like "Falling Leaves", which centered around a solo performance with other actors merely serving as supporting roles.
This script, this story, gave every character who appeared a strong sense of richness.
For actors like Zeng Lili and You Jiang, it had been years since they encountered roles so rich and full.
Indeed, a script that was only two pages long, which currently seemed more like a synopsis, had given them both the same feeling.
Actors first look at the characters when they read a script.
What Xue Qin brought out was not a script, but tempting cheese, an irresistible delicacy for any true actor.
That evening, in a small meeting room.
A meeting with about a dozen participants, including heads of various departments of the crew.
Everyone knew why they gathered there that night, and they looked at each other, but no one spoke up, uncertain of what to say.
Everyone felt conflicted, everyone hesitated.
Rationally, they thought the project was unreliable, but emotionally, a voice told them to go for it, that it was a good story.
Until Shi Luoqi entered the room and sat down.
"Calling everyone here for a meeting late at night, thank you for your hard work," she said as she pulled up a chair to sit down, taking a deep breath, "Today, I’ve asked you all here for a new play, one that is risky, but it seems like it’s a play none of us can bear to refuse."
Zhou Yun laughed.
She picked up a water glass and took a sip.
"Falling Leaves will cease filming The Day After Tomorrow, and tomorrow is the last day of this phase of shooting. There will be a one-month hiatus - first, waiting for Luo Zhiheng to recuperate from the hospital, and second, we still need to find an actor to play Meng Fanyan." Zhou Lan said, "Originally, my plan was to disband and ask everyone to return to the crew after a month, but the director came up with another idea. She approached me wanting to shoot another movie during this one-month hiatus, a movie she hasn’t finished writing yet. I think she has already discussed this with some of you, and of course, I have discussed it with a few of you as well."
Zeng Lili gave a quiet cough.
"To be honest, I’ve had experiences producing such ad-hoc films before, but they were really a mess," Shi Luoqi said, "I had made up my mind that I would never take on such impromptu projects again, but like all of you here, Xue Qin’s passion convinced me. Indeed, it’s undeniable, she’s a truly capable and spirited director. In just one evening, she wrote a synopsis that none of us could refuse, which resonates deeply with our current situation. I’ve discussed with a few heads from the technical department, and indeed, following our current ideas for the film, we can source materials on-site and don’t need to set up new scenes. The extensive preparations usually required could be skipped, but as we all know, producing a movie will inevitably encounter various problems, and such risks are unavoidable by any crew."
Faces began to glance at each other again.
"So, I’d like to ask everyone a question: if this movie is bound to encounter issues during filming, would you all stick with it?" Shi Luoqi looked seriously at everyone and said, "I need a true answer from you."
Two seconds of silence.
Xue Qin’s face remained expressionless, as usual on set, but her hands involuntarily clenched tightly, showing her nervousness inside.
"I will stick with it," Zhou Yun was the first to raise her hand and declare, "As I said, the worst outcome is that the film doesn’t get made. But if it does come out well, it will be a pride in my acting career."
Zeng Lili and You Jiang both looked at Zhou Yun in surprise.
Who would have thought that Zhou Yun would be the first to make a statement?
At this moment, the head of the photography team, the lead cinematographer, spoke up: "This month was already set aside for filming, why not go ahead and film something? The photography side of things, I’ll handle it, rest assured."
"The costume side should be no problem, right?" The head laughed, "My idea is simple, since it’s entirely derived from our current situation, everyone can just wear their usual everyday clothes, however they’re worn, my team will design it."
"The crew encountering this situation isn’t something I can just ignore. Now that there’s an opportunity I can redeem myself somewhat, so I will stick with it to the end," said the person in charge of lighting.
...
Everyone took turns making their statements.
Finally, the last two remaining main actors were left.
Everyone’s gaze focused on Zeng Lili and You Jiang.
Zeng Lili and You Jiang looked at each other.
"Sigh, to be honest, I feel like I’m almost at retirement age," Zeng Lili shook her head and said, "Making a decision without a complete script on whether to act in this movie really unsettles me. However, the current situation over the past few days has reminded me of when I first entered the industry. Back then, we encountered more issues during filming than you all face now. Though we were actors, on set, everyone was the same, without the celebrity treatment we have now. Back then, there were many difficulties, yet we never felt it was time to disband; everyone was eager to make the film work. It’s rare, just earlier today, and right now, I suddenly felt that kind of atmosphere again."
"I’m really not the impulsive and adventurous type, yet to my own surprise, I’m thinking, we always talk about supporting the younger generation, helping them, if we don’t do it now, then aren’t those words empty?" Zeng Lili smiled and shook her head, feeling moved, "You Jiang, it’s rare to have a chance to play in a proper face-off drama, let’s just agree, shall we?"
You Jiang paused for a moment, then smiled, "You’ve said it all, what can I add?"