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6.01% Hitting the Entertainment News Spotlight / Chapter 41: Rules

Chapter 41: Rules

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The interrupted sounds of a piano being played could be heard through the receiver. "Director Zhao, here's the thing, do you know about the Jianghua Group?"

Zhao Rang's expression froze for a second. He frowned and asked, "The Jianghua Group?"

"Yes." His response seemed to have injected life into the other person's voice. The other person quickly followed with an explanation, "The Jianghua Group started out as a business hotel. The person-in-charge has the same surname as you. The eldest young master of the Zhao family is interested in investing in the entertainment media. Before this, he invested $200 million in director Zhang Jingan's 'Rescue Mission'."

Jiang Se had practiced the piece twice on the piano, so she had familiarized herself with the melody of the first part and was playing it with greater ease this time.

Zhao Rang turned to look at her. He was pondering about the reason behind this phone call from Ruiqiao Media Corp.

The biggest investor of "The 99th Love Letter" was Ruiqiao Media Corp. Most of the film had already been recorded, thus they were now in the final stages of production. However, someone from Ruiqiao Media Corps was calling him now and just mentioned the Zhao family of the Jianghua Group. This was something that was worth mulling over.

"The Jianghua Group is interested in investing in our production team?"

Zhao Rang rubbed his own temples. They were filming an important scene for the movie in the Steinway piano store. This had only been possible after the person-in-charge of Ruiqiao Media Corp contacted the store. That was how they got the store to agree to them filming this scene here for a day.

At this moment, the members of the cast were already there. Cui Xing was changing into his costume and getting his makeup done in preparation for the filming. However, the investor called to bring this matter up.

Slightly annoyed, he pulled a face and said, "About this, contact my studio first—"

Zhao Rang had not finished his sentence when the person on the other side of the phone spoke up, "No, no, no, Director Zhao, that's not what this is. However, the Jianghua Group did put forward a name. They wanted her to audition for the character of the mysterious girl in the film."

Placing their own favored actor or actress was an unspoken rule in the industry. In an exchange of interests, it was normal for the investor to name certain actors or actresses for certain roles. Zhao Rang was aware of this unspoken rule as well.

The contracts had already been signed. After spending so much time and energy, the crew was now ready for filming. However, Ruiqiao was talking about including another actress as a member of the cast at the last minute. He could not help but feel his anger flare up.

"Manager Liu." He suppressed his anger as he turned to glance at Jiang Se. He did all he could from yelling with rage.

"I think I've told Manager Liu before that we've found an actress to act out the scene with Cui Xing."

The man on the other side of the phone did not expect Zhao Rang to reject him. He felt slightly indignant as he attempted to persuade Zhao Rang, "Director Zhao, the contracted person is only an amateur. If we just assign her any random role in the film, I don't think she'll be daring enough to speak u The person the Jianghua Group recommended comes from…"

"I don't care who she is." Zhao Rang was very displeased. "When Ruiqiao and Taichang Entertainment discussed matters with me, we agreed that they wouldn't meddle in the production team besides using Cui Xing and Zhu Pan as the main stars."

He was unyielding, so the man on the other side of the phone felt awkward now. "Director Zhao, they've sent a recording as per your previous requirement for the audition. Won't you take a look at it? We'll only switch actresses if you're satisfied with her. How about that?"

After he said that, he did not wait for Zhao Rang's reply before continuing, "Naturally, Ruiqiao will abide with the agreement reached between you and Manager Yan back then. However, just take a look at this. She's a real young lady from a rich family. She's from Zhongnan Industries in Hong Kong, and I think she has an outstanding temperament. Take a look."

When he finished, Zhao Rang's phone gave a notification beep. He had obviously received something in this email.

As Zhao Rang dropped the call, the assistant moved closer from the side, and Zhao Rang tossed his phone to him. When the assistant saw his darkened face, he spoke up carefully, "Director…"

Ruiqiao must have communicated with him beforehand since he was clear about the contents of the phone conversation. "Would you like to watch the video? After all, Ruiqiao has invested…"

"I'll watch nothing." Zhao Rang snorted. He pressed his cap lower, not appearing to be in a good mood. "Is Cui Xing ready yet?"

The assistant did not dare plow on. He hastily replied, "He's changed and is now getting his makeup done."

Zhao Rang waved his arm to dismiss the assistant. Then, he returned to his seat and gulped down mouthfuls of water before the flames of rage in his heart were quelled.

Fortunately, Jiang Se was performing well on set. While Zhao Rang was occupied with the phone call, she had familiarized herself with the piece under the direction of the music director. Her playing was much better now.

It was half-past nine when Cui Xing came on set with his makeup done. By then, Jiang Se could play the song without even having to look at the score.

The production team had spent a fortune for the famous Hong Kong musician, Shi Jiadong, and his team to produce this piece over the span of one year. The melody was bright and suave. When layered over the storyline, it gave a sweet and sour impression of one's first love.

Although Cui Xing was already styled, he had another scene to be filmed, which was his entrance into the mall. The crew members wanted to film this part first, hence Jiang Se stayed inside the store and continued practicing.

By the time Cui Xing finished filming his part, she had completely memorized the music score.

Zhao Rang composed himself and asked the crew members to get ready.

Jiang Se stood up from her practice piano. She made her way to the actual piano which would be used in the shoot.

She had been playing for quite some time before, so she was not feeling flustered. She did not seem to be an amateur as well. When the piano store staff saw her sitting before the white piano, she no longer seemed like she was facing off a formidable opponent.

When the director told everyone to get ready, the lighting engineer adjusted the angle and light levels. The camera was trained on Jiang Se.

The young girl sat before the white piano on the raised platform at the center of the piano store. With her back facing the camera, her face could not be seen.

The only thing the others could see was her fingers leaping deftly across the keyboard and the section of jade-like skin on the back of her neck since her hair was tied up.

Her face was not visible, hence the people behind her could only imagine her looks from her back and the bits of exposed skin.

Her slender fingers ended in oval tips with no artificial coloring on her nails. Everything was pleasingly and naturally beautiful.

Even the cameraman felt as if he was being drawn in by her. However, Zhao Rang frowned and shouted, "Cut! There's something wrong with the lighting."

He looked at Jiang Se's back and told the crew to do a retake.

The lighting engineer hastily adjusted the angle of the lights, and Zhao Rang's creased brows only relaxed after the fourth adjustment.

The lighting from the back highlighted the contour of Jiang Se's body even more. Even some strands of her stray hair could be clearly visible.

It was precisely because Jiang Se would not be showing her face in this film, yet she had to carry the role of the goddess with whom Li Qingyang fell in love at first sight. She had to inspire the audience to get lost in wild and fanciful thoughts with her back alone. Therefore, Zhao Rang had strict requirements for this.

After a few rounds of adjustments, Zhao Rang finally found the feeling that he was looking for.


Chapter 42: Hardworking

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Although the lighting engineer could sigh with relief, the filming process did not go on smoothly. Zhao Rang was harsh when he was in his working mode. Sometimes, the creases on Jiang Se's shirt did not please him, and the stylist had to smooth the fabric out for the retake. He would have loved it if every strand of Jiang Se's hair could obey his directions.

For this short scene alone, Jiang Se had to go through more than 20 NGs.

However, the effects were also visible. Even without digital editing, every second of the original recording was magnificently beautiful. What made Zhao Rang look at Jiang Se in a different light was that even after that many retakes, whether it was because of her, the lighting engineer, the stylist, or even the arrangement of the props, she showed no signs of being annoyed.

In fact, each of her performance was better than the last. The melody produced from her fingers sounded better every time she played it.

To Jiang Se, it was as if every NG was a chance to revise the music again.

She did not complain or throw a tantrum. Nevertheless, even if she asked for a break, it was unlikely that Zhao Rang would grant it. However, she made no such request. This undoubtedly gave Zhao Rang a good impression of this newcomer.

From the start of the filming until its final completion, more than an hour had passed. She maintained an elegant posture all this while and did not display any decadent, hunchbacked bearing. She was very professional with her upbringing and attitude.

"Little Jiang, take five."

Zhao Rang put his headphones on and replayed the recording. He had a satisfied expression. "This went well. Take five, everybody."

The crew members passed Jiang Se a bottle of mineral water. She thanked them and accepted it.

Zhao Rang sat down and watched the newly recorded video while discussing the next scene with a freshly-styled Cui Xing.

After a brief rest and confirming that the recording was up to his standards without any need to retake any parts of it, he looked at his watch and clapped his hands together.

The script supervisor told everyone to get ready.

Cui Xing stood up from his seat beside Zhao Rang. At this moment, he was no longer the languid superstar he had been. Instead, he had transformed into a reserved, shy young man. There was a certain uneasiness in his eyes. He looked lost and excited at the same time.

The stylist had covered most of his forehead with his straight black hair, so it cast a shadow between his brows. Coupled with his drooping shoulders, he seemed to have low self-esteem.

When Jiang Se saw that Cui Xing seemed to have instantly transformed into another person, she felt awed by the acting skills of the famous male actor from the entertainment industry.

She remembered Hang Yuyi from "Pretense to Reality". When she looked at Hang Yuyi portraying Zhou Rongshen, she felt that his acting skills were alright. At the very least, he got the character of Zhou Rongshen down pat.

However, when she saw Cui Xing's performance now, she could tell that Hang Yuyi's acting skills were not on the same level.

She remembered the pointers Gu Jiaer had given her regarding an actress's skills. When she observed Cui Xing's performance with that in mind, she became lost in her thoughts.

"Alright, places, everyone!" the script supervisor shouted an instruction. The crew members swiftly returned to their positions.

Jiang Se collected herself and sat before the piano again. She had to maintain her posture of playing the piano just as she did moments ago so that Li Qingyang, who was portrayed by Cui Xing, could fall in love with her character at first sight.

The camera focused on Cui Xing. Standing outside the piano store, he could hear the pleasing sounds of the piano.

His eyes instantly lit up. There seemed to be a look of thirst on his face. He strode toward the source but had barely taken two steps when, seemingly unable to contain his excitement, he broke into a run.

However, he seemed to be more afraid the closer he got to the source of the music. His pace slowed gradually. He brought a young man in a dilemma to life in this scene. Zhao Rang stood up and gave a satisfied "okay" sign.

While the makeup artist patched his makeup, Cui Xing moved over to the screen and watched the recording of his own performance. He was clearly satisfied with himself as well. When Zhao Rang instructed the filming to resume, Cui Xing returned to where he was before they took a short break.

The young Li Qingyang was attracted by the sounds of the piano. He carefully stood before the display window and saw the piano behind the display window. He had a longing and dejected expression on his face.

In the next moment, he looked up. Zhao Rang motioned for the camera to zoom in on him. The look of awe in Li Qingyang's eyes was clearly shown on screen.

The camera caught Li Qingyang's expression at that very moment. His eyes were widened as if he was in a daze.

At the current moment, Cui Xing was completely in character. He felt that he was Li Qingyang, and he had met a goddess for whom he had fallen head over heels.

He seemed to have forgotten where he was. He forgot the longing and fear he had for this piano store. He was even stretching his hand out absent-mindedly, leaning on the display window. He would have liked to press his face against it.

As Li Qingyang's ragged breathing blew on the clean glass, a patch of condensation formed on the glass before him.

He was wearing unpresentable clothes. It could be said that he would stick out like a sore thumb in this elegantly decorated piano store. However, he had a pair of slender and beautiful hands which were eye-catching.

Currently, he was peering into the store with a pious look that bordered on fanatic.

Zhao Rang only approved this scene after eight takes of the same scene.

The filming ended around 7 p.m. The filming today pleased Zhao Rang very much, so the entire production team sighed in relief as well.

The filming of this scene had taken longer than Zhao Rang expected. Before this, he had a hard time deciding on the actress to portray the goddess with whom Li Qingyang fell in love the first time, which put him under pressure from many sides. However, he felt that this had been worth the wait.

The shooting was perfect today. After post-production editing, it might even surpass his initial expectations.

When Jiang Se changed into her own clothes and walked out, the crew members were packing the filming equipment inside the piano store. Zhao Rang was still sitting behind the camera and reviewing the results.

He beckoned Jiang Se over. They watched the recording of her back while she played the piano.

"Little Jiang, you were wonderful."

This was her third time performing before a camera, and she was no stranger to it. However, this was her first time watching her own recording.

Jiang Se's external appearance was good, to begin with. The contours of her back were clear and soft in a beautiful way. As she sat there before the piano, under the support of the lighting and the music, she seemed to be out of this world.

Zhao Rang drank some soda water. He asked Jiang Se while fixing his eyes on her, "Do you have any plans after 'The 99th Love Letter'?" 

Most directors had their own attitude and temper. Compared to his temper when he was working, the current Zhao Rang seemed gentle and approachable. He was clearly pleased with Jiang Se.


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