MC Bookstore Chapter 39: Competition Again
Chapter 39: Competition Again
In July, the hottest news in China wasn't which movie was released or which director made another boast, but rather the casting for Zhang Dahuzi's "The Return of the Condor Heroes".
Liu Yu saw the news at the Beijing Film Studio.
That day was the third to last day before filming wrapped on "Hearing Girl". The headlines in the entertainment section were all about the same topic, as if they had been planned in advance.
"Who will win the role of Little Dragon Girl? Zhang Dahuzi's audition is underway." He swiped down and almost threw his phone away.
Yan Danchen, Jiang Qinqin, Zhang Baizhi, Dong Jie, Sun Li, and even Liu Xiaoqing.
Liu Xiaoqing, Liu Xiaoqing is fifty-six years old.
Liu Yu stared at that name for several seconds, and the image of Liu Xiaoqing with two small braids, wearing a white dress, flying around on Zhongnan Mountain appeared in his mind.
The scene sent a chill down his spine, not because of the cold, but because it was so jarring to look at.
He put down his computer, rubbed his temples, and thought to himself: Zhang Dahuzi's hype skills are second only to Zhang Weiping.
The casting for "The Return of the Condor Heroes" has been a hot topic since March of this year.
Today they say this person is confirmed, tomorrow they say that person is out, and the day after tomorrow they say all the previous news was false and the real candidate hasn't been decided yet.
The media joined in the commotion, and netizens followed suit, thoroughly investigating every young actress in the industry—more frequently than walking a dog.
Liu Yu knew this tactic from his past life; it wasn't about casting, it was about promoting the show.
First, generate buzz, then finalize the casting, then continue generating buzz until filming begins, until production wraps, and until the show airs.
A TV series can generate buzz for two years, longer than the series itself.
.....
When Yan Danchen called, Liu Yu was on set watching the monitor.
"Liu Yu, I have something to tell you."
"explain."
"You know Zhang Dahuzi's 'The Return of the Condor Heroes,' right? They sent me an audition invitation for the role of Little Dragon Girl."
Liu Yu's first reaction wasn't whether you were suitable or not, but who sent you the message.
He didn't ask, as it would make him seem petty, "Did you try it?"
"I'm gone. The second round just ended."
"Second round? You passed the first round?"
"Yes. The first round was submitting documents and photos, and if they thought it was suitable, they would notify us for an audition. The second round was in Beijing, an on-site audition."
Yan Danchen's tone carried a hint of pride, but also a hint of uncertainty. "They had me try two scenes, one was a scene with Yang Guo, and the other was a solo monologue. I felt it went okay, but I don't know if I can advance to the next round."
Liu Yu remained silent for a moment; he knew who would ultimately play the role of Little Dragon Girl.
In his past life, he had read countless news reports about the casting of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," and the final casting choice was Liu Yifei.
This isn't a problem with acting skills; it's a problem with connections.
Because of Liu Yifei's godfather relationship, Zhang Dahuzi received 20% of his shares.
No matter how good Yan Danchen's acting skills are or how popular she is, she can't compete with that kind of relationship.
He couldn't tell Yan Danchen these things; it would sound like he was hurting her, or like a charlatan who knew the ending in advance.
"It's already impressive that you made it to the second round," Liu Yu said carefully, choosing his words. "I heard that several thousand people applied nationwide, then dozens were selected, then a dozen or so. You were among those dozen or so people, which means Zhang Dahuzi approves of you."
"Do you think I can play Little Dragon Girl?" Yan Danchen asked a question he couldn't answer.
Liu Yu thought for a moment and decided to tell part of the truth, "I think you're good at whatever you play. But the role of Little Dragon Girl requires an ethereal quality. You're beautiful, but your beauty is down-to-earth. When the audience sees you as Little Dragon Girl, they might feel, 'This Little Dragon Girl is kind of approachable.'"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Liu Yu thought she was angry and was about to explain when she suddenly laughed.
"You're right. Big Beard Zhang asked me if I'd be willing to try a different role."
Liu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "Who?"
"Huang Rong".
The two chatted for a few more minutes. Yan Danchen said that she had another audition next Wednesday. If she passed, she would enter the final round; if not, then it was over.
...
Liu Yu put down his phone and stared blankly at the monitor for a while.
Liu Yifei took leave to audition on July 8th. She asked Liu Yu for a day off, saying she was going to a film and television base in Daxing, where Zhang Dahuzi had set up a shed.
Liu Yu approved the leave without asking any further questions.
The next day, she returned to the film set. When Liu Yu finished work, he saw her sitting in a corner chair reading the script. "How did the audition go?" he asked.
Liu Yifei looked up, her expression neither particularly excited nor particularly disappointed.
"I auditioned for a few scenes, one as Xiaolongnu and another with Yang Guo. Zhang Dahuzi said I performed quite well and told me to come back and wait for news."
"that's all?"
"That's it." She paused. "Oh, he asked me a question."
"What's the problem?"
"He asked me if I could join the crew early, saying he wanted me to learn martial arts and the guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument)."
Liu Yu had a sudden thought: to start learning martial arts and the guqin ahead of schedule was to set the pace for her.
Liu Yu nodded and didn't ask any more questions. Liu Yifei lowered her head and continued reading the script, as if nothing had happened.
Liu Yu stood beside her for a few seconds, thinking: Does she really not think she can get this role, or is she just pretending?
......
On July 12, filming for "Hearing Girl" officially wrapped up at the Beijing Film Studio.
The final scene is Lin Xiaoxi singing in the music academy's exam hall.
Liu Yu spent an entire day filming this scene, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., eight hours, fourteen takes.
Liu Yifei sang it fourteen times until her voice was hoarse.
After filming the fourteenth take, Liu Yu stared at the playback on the monitor, watching it over and over again.
In the video, Liu Yifei, dressed in a simple white dress, stands on the stage of the examination hall, singing "Farewell" a cappella without accompaniment or a microphone.
"Cut!" Liu Yu stood up. "I hereby declare 'Hearing Girl' officially wrapped!"
The shed was in an uproar.
Wang Chaowen held the clapperboard high above his head and ran around it.
Sun Yang peeked out from behind the viewfinder and grinned.
The lighting crew threw a reflector into the air, and it almost hit someone when it fell back down.
Liu Yifei walked off the stage, and Liu Xiaoli went up to her and handed her a bottle of water.
Liu Yu walked over, extended his hand, and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
She held his hand; his palms were sweaty.
"Director Liu, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for scolding me." She smiled. "If you hadn't scolded me, I probably would still be putting on an act."
Liu Yu paused for a moment, then smiled.
"I'm not scolding you, I'm teaching you."
"Your teaching style is quite unique."
"I'm a former soldier, and our squad leader was even tougher on us."
...
Principal Zhang arrived at the wrap party. He was wearing a white shirt, his hair was neatly combed, and he stood at the entrance of the studio like an old cadre who came to inspect the work.
He looked at the setup in the studio, then at the script supervisor's sheet posted on the wall, and nodded. "Not bad, not bad."
Liu Yu walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Liu Yu, this is your third film. Three films, three genres, and you've improved with each one. The school is proud of you."
"Thank you for the support from the school and the principal."
Principal Zhang waved his hand and started chatting with Li Xuejian next to him.
What surprised Liu Yu the most was that Yan Danchen also came.
She was wearing a light yellow dress and holding a bouquet of flowers. When she walked in from the entrance of the shed, everyone's eyes turned to her.
The flowers are sunflowers, golden and bright, like sunlight brought into a greenhouse.
She walked up to Liu Yu, handed him the flowers, and said, "Happy wrap-up."
Liu Yu took the flowers and smelled the faint grassy scent of the sunflowers.
"Why are you here? Didn't you say you had a schedule today?"
"It's been rescheduled." Yan Danchen smiled. "I can't miss your wrap party."
People nearby started to murmur, "Sister-in-law is here!" "Sister-in-law, sit here!" Yan Danchen's face flushed slightly, but she quickly returned to normal.