Chapter 345: Several plays, set sail!

For the movie *Lost on Journey*, with the main creative lineup composed of Jia Long and Lu Yan He, no media doing new film predictions will let it go.

Because the starlight is strong and the attention is numerous.

However, this does not mean it is favored by the market—Lu Yan He has only written the script for *Friends* before. He is not a novice, but that is a TV drama, a sitcom, which is a different genre from a movie.

Movie scripts are much harder to write than TV drama scripts—this is the industry consensus. Especially, the screenwriter is often the one who is less concerned among the main creators of the movie. No matter what the reason, a consensus has now been formed: film is the art of the director, and the quality of the script is not as prominent as in TV dramas, and the director's style will dilute the presence of the script to a certain extent.

And according to the news exposed so far, this movie is also a comedy movie that is a bit "earthy" and a bit "village-like," and it is a road comedy, which is not a mainstream comedy type in the film market.

A movie is definitely not a box office hit just because it has big stars. Countless bloody lessons have fully explained this point.

No matter how big a star carries the box office, if they encounter an unsuitable subject matter, they will still have a Waterloo.

Lu Yan He said to Jia Long: "Jia Laoshi, regarding our movie, if the director is decided, are we going to look for actors next?"

Jia Long nodded. "Yes, it's a headache. There are so many characters appearing, and there are hundreds of roles that need to be on camera. It's a big production."

He joked with a smile.

Chen Ziyan asked: "Is Jia Laoshi planning to entrust a casting company to recommend actors?"

Jia Long is the biggest promoter of *Lost on Journey*. Even though Lu Yan He kept the copyright of the original story in his own hands, because Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi actively gave up power in the movie, *Lost on Journey* is basically Jia Long's decision alone now.

Jia Long said: "I have some friends myself, and there will be some suitable roles left. Yan He, list the names of the friends you want to cameo in advance, so it will be easy to find other actors later. There are some roles in this movie that need special actors, just like the three actors in the restaurant at the beginning of your movie. One needs to be ugly, one needs to be stupid, and you have to specifically find actors with such looks and temperament."

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "Okay."

Jia Long has read the script many times and pondered many places.

Lu Yan He still doesn't understand why Jia Long doesn't want to be a director himself. Actually, it's a pity that someone like Jia Long who has rich experience and understands movie production doesn't be a director. Comedy movies are different from other movie types. Often, comedy movie masters are all integrated into writing, directing, and acting. The probability of being integrated into writing, directing, and acting is far higher than other movie subjects.

"The more I read this script, the more interesting I find it. Your dialogue is truly well-written, especially this opening scene where the boss reprimands the three subordinates and critiques them—that kind of sharpness, I've never played a character like that before," Jia Long said.

The lines of this movie are indeed good.

Lu Yan He was deeply impressed when he watched this movie before.

In fact, Lu Yan He doesn't know whether many popular scolding words started from this movie or if this movie made a compilation.

For example, Xu Zheng scolding subordinates at the beginning—last year you were mentally retarded, this year you are stupid.

For example, the famous scene where Xu Zheng sees Wang Baoqiang drinking milk at the airport, that sentence "What a talent."

Lu Yan He cannot replicate the lines of the movie intact, but these golden sentences are all engraved in his mind, and basically anyone who has watched the movie will not forget them.

Lu Yan He said to Jia Long: "They are all things I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears before, so I put them into this story."

Watching the movie, it is indeed seen with his own eyes and heard with his own ears, so it is not a lie.

Jia Long said: "Your lines, structure, it's a pity that you wrote a comedy film. If you wrote a film that academic school likes, you should have a chance to win an award."

Lu Yan He: "No, no, overpraised."

"I'm not exaggerating with you, I'm serious. Although every paragraph in the script is shaking baggage and creating funny effects, you don't have a sentence written that is rotten and vulgar, and you don't pursue low-level laughter," Jia Long sighed. "I have acted in many comedies in the past few years. Many times the script is not that good, and I have to rely on actors to smash the script and smash the jokes on the scene. But your script allows actors to act lightly. It depends on whether the actors have the ability to act out what you wrote."

Lu Yan He thought to himself, that's because he used the script that had already been smashed out by those actors on the scene and presented as a finished film.

Thanks to Director Ye Weimin, thanks to Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang, and thanks to the screenwriters of this script, Tian Yunsheng, Xu Yuanfeng, and Shi Chenyun.

Chen Ziyan asked: "Jia Laoshi, when does *Lost on Journey* plan to start filming?"

"There is no set time for now, it will be at the end of this year at the earliest," Jia Long said. "I have another movie to film later. I have to finish filming that movie before I can devote myself to the filming of this movie."

Jia Long and Lu Yan He are both producers of this movie, and also executive producers, especially the former, who is a serious core figure and has to manage everything.

The energy to be invested is not such a simple thing.

Lu Yan He sighed. Fortunately, when he first crossed over, he didn't think about the dream of being a "copywriter screenwriter."

The so-called taking out a script and getting everyone's recognition, and then a bunch of bosses bringing piles of money to ask you to film a movie... truly mixing in this industry, Lu Yan He discovered that this industry really doesn't lack good scripts. To be precise, good scripts are always scarce, but what is even more lacking is someone with a discerning eye, a good team, and execution ability to turn a good script into a good movie.

For screenwriters, the most paradoxical place is that if the movie is filmed badly, no one will say the script is good, it's just that the director filmed it badly.

So, the effect presented is—why are there so few good scripts in this industry?

If good scripts can get good treatment and can bring status and rich income to screenwriters, then there will definitely be a steady stream of people joining.

Talented people can't stand out, and good scripts can't stand out. This is not a problem of lack, but a problem that the big environment didn't give them a chance to stand out.

Why can Jia Long become the leader of the new generation of small-character comedies?

Because he has a very mature eye for choosing scripts, and then he will use his own strength to protect this script and let it be filmed as brilliantly as possible.

And why is the output of some big-name actors fluctuating? Because he doesn't have such ability.

Why did Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi actively give up power and hand it over to Jia Long when they could clearly have more say in this movie? Because they know themselves that they don't have such ability either.

Without corresponding ability to do some things hard, it will only prove your stupidity.

Eating with Jia Long made Lu Yan He breathe a long sigh of relief.

Because Jia Long is clearly very concerned about *Lost on Journey* and has been working hard to promote this movie.

Knowing that Jia Long is doing this, Lu Yan He is relieved.

It's not anything else, but Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi were worried before that Jia Long had many projects in his hands and didn't have much time and energy to spend on the *Lost on Journey* project.

It's not even that Jia Long himself doesn't care, but there are too many people who want to cooperate with him, dispersing his energy.

After dinner, Jia Long suddenly said to Lu Yan He: "Yan He, there is one thing. Regarding the other male lead of *Lost on Journey*, that is the silly Niu Geng, a friend of mine recommended his son to me. I have owed him quite a few favors before, so it's really hard to refuse, but his son is really not suitable. Can you come forward to refuse?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan He nodded immediately. "Okay, then look for an opportunity, I will meet him, and just say I don't want to."

Jia Long patted Lu Yan He on the shoulder. "Let you be the villain."

"This kind of thing can only be done by me," Lu Yan He understood Jia Long's approach.

Human society, just like sometimes it's not easy for Lu Yan He to come forward and say it himself, Chen Siqi and Chen Ziyan will help him say it.

Actually, it's the same thing.

However, Lu Yan He did not expect that the person Jia Long mentioned gave him an inexplicable... lukewarm feeling.

This person is a student of Jingyi, graduating this June.

He has short hair, looks white and clean, has correct facial features, is not that dazzling handsome, has no aggressiveness, saw Lu Yan He, shouted "Lu Yan He" slowly, and then said "Hello."

He still brought his girlfriend with him.

His girlfriend is not a person in the entertainment industry, she is an illustrator, has a lively and cheerful personality, and took the initiative to say: "I know he is coming to see you, I really want to know you, so I asked him to bring me along."

Lu Yan He nodded and greeted them with a smile.

"Jia Laoshi recommended you to me, saying you can try the role of Niu Geng in *Lost on Journey*," Lu Yan He said straight to the point.

He hadn't spoken yet, and his girlfriend Shi Qin said: "He is not suitable for that role at all."

Lu Yan He looked at Shi Qin in surprise and asked: "Have you read the script too?"

"No, but he told me, it's a role of a young milking worker from the countryside, right?" Shi Qin hugged his arm. "He has been pampered since he was a child, and he can't act out that kind of honest and reckless feeling at all, although he is also quite honest."

He Jiang didn't speak slowly until this time, saying: "It was my dad who found Uncle Jia and asked Uncle Jia to take me to act in this movie. I read the script myself, and it's not very suitable."

He scratched his head, and a look of apology appeared on his face.

"Sorry, I actually told my dad it wasn't suitable, but he wouldn't listen to me," He Jiang said.

The development of things was somewhat beyond Lu Yan He's expectations.

This was not quite the same as what he had imagined.

He originally thought that He Jiang was very eager to act in *Lost on Journey*, so he found Jia Long's relationship.

Didn't expect it to be like this.

Lu Yan He hesitated for a moment and said: "Actually, after I saw you, I also felt that your image is not very suitable for the character Niu Geng. You know after reading the script that he is a very honest, even a bit earthy character, but he also has his special lovely places. When I wrote the script, I actually felt that this character might need to be found from people who have never acted before to act out that feeling."

He Jiang said: "Actually, I came today because I want to recommend a classmate of mine to you."

"Hmm?" Lu Yan He was taken aback.

He Jiang said: "He is the only student from a township in this session. When he first came to enroll, he also made many jokes like Niu Geng. When I was reading the script at the time, I felt that this character was almost exactly the same as him."

Lu Yan He was stunned.

Huh?

He Jiang took out a resume from his bag.

"He is my roommate, this is the resume I made for him," He Jiang said. "Please take a look."

Lu Yan He felt that although he hadn't entered the entertainment industry for a long time, it wasn't short either.

Like He Jiang, who was recommended to see people, actually brought someone else's resume to recommend others... let alone the first time he saw it, Lu Yan He had never heard of it before.

Shi Qin said: "You must think it's very strange, right? This guy came to audition himself, and also recommended others. I also told him it wasn't suitable, but he is such a personality, a lukewarm good person. His roommate is called Wang Dashan, and he has a good relationship with him. He cares about Wang Dashan more than himself."

Lu Yan He looked at He Jiang in surprise.

He Jiang was quite embarrassed, lowered his head, and said: "He is not very popular with film and television companies, they think his appearance is not very in line with the current audience's aesthetics."

Lu Yan He glanced at He Jiang's classmate on the resume.

How to say... actually, it is a very clean, very honest face, a pair of eyes as clear and clean as the sea, still a bit green, the skin is a bit dark, like a student. But it can't be said to be ugly, it is a very plain face. Lu Yan He's first intuition is that such a face can act any role.

Actually, being able to be the only student from a township in this session of Jingyi shows his own quality.

Lu Yan He subconsciously wanted to overlap his image with Wang Baoqiang's image.

Strictly speaking, he is not very similar to Wang Baoqiang. Just looking at the photos, his image is actually better than Wang Baoqiang's.

Why did Wang Baoqiang take so many years to be truly considered a good actor? It is really because too many of his classic works are considered to be "original color acting," such as *A World Without Thieves*, such as *Soldiers Sortie*, such as *Lost on Journey*, such as *Detective Chinatown*. In fact, in these works, every one of his characters is very different, but his image is too deeply rooted, the impression of "original color acting" is unbreakable, everyone thinks his actor road will not go long, in a blink of an eye, almost twenty years have passed, and he is still standing in the entertainment industry.

In this regard, Wang Dashan's image is not so "countryside," nor so "silly root." Even, if you don't look at it by the standard of idol drama big handsome guys, he is actually considered a person who looks quite correct, otherwise he wouldn't have been admitted by Jingyi.

Lu Yan He's reason for hesitation is also here. He doesn't look very "earthy," can he act as Niu Geng? However, besides the image, the first time Lu Yan He saw this photo, he had a feeling that "he seems quite suitable."

Lu Yan He said to He Jiang: "Actually, although you are not suitable for *Lost on Journey*, I have another role that I think you are quite suitable for. Can I invite you to audition when the time comes?"

He Jiang was taken aback and looked at him in surprise.

Shi Qin reacted faster than him, and immediately a look of joy appeared on her face, and asked: "Is it true?"

"Hmm," Lu Yan He nodded. "Because I do have other plays in preparation later." Shi Qin: "No problem, no problem, he can."

She promised it all-inclusively.

He Jiang seemed not to mind her doing so at all. After she finished speaking, he nodded silently to Lu Yan He.

"I will contact this classmate of yours later," Lu Yan He said again.

He Jiang showed a surprised smile and nodded. "Thank you."

He Jiang's performance actually surprised Lu Yan He very much.

His girlfriend was not wrong at all. He seemed to care more about his classmate's affairs than his own.

But thinking about it, Lu Yan He thought of Li Zhibai and Yan Liang.

Maybe everyone has one or two truly good friends in their life.

Lu Yan He sent a message to Jia Long, telling him about meeting He Jiang, mainly talking about how he also felt he was not suitable and expressed that he didn't want to act as soon as he came up.

Jia Long sent a shocked expression.

Lu Yan He smiled and said: You don't have to worry anymore.

Jia Long said: This is really unexpected.

Lu Yan He said: But I have another play, I think he is quite suitable for a role in it, I want to invite him to audition, if it's ok, I think it's quite good for him to act.

Jia Long: Ah?

Jia Long: Really or fake?

Lu Yan He: Really, I was worried before, because it is also a group portrait drama, it is difficult to find actors, and that role is relatively special.

Jia Long: Group portrait drama? Is it the ancient costume sitcom you cooperate with Arctic Light?

Lu Yan He: Yes.

Jia Long: In this drama, do you star yourself?

Lu Yan He: I won't act, there is no role suitable for me.

Jia Long: You are galloping on the road of professional screenwriter. You don't act in three plays in one breath. Will there be no such situation as writing and acting by yourself like *Friends* in the future?

Lu Yan He: That won't happen, there will definitely be. It's just that sometimes, I already have a finished story, so I don't need to write a role for myself and insert it into it.

Jia Long: You are really awesome, Yan He. You will become someone the entire entertainment industry wants to make friends with in the future.

Lu Yan He: Borrow your auspicious words, I still want to cooperate with you on a few more plays.

Jia Long: You write the script, I act.

Lu Yan He: Then it's settled, Jia Laoshi. I have already thought of several stories later, preparing to write the script.

Jia Long: Tsk tsk, if other screenwriters know your such vigorous creative ability, they will all be jealous and crazy.

Lu Yan He: No way, there are too many stories popping out of my mind, I can't help but want to write them out.

Jia Long: Okay, don't worry about *Lost on Journey*, I will promote it, don't let it be boxed. Such a good script, I also can't wait to film it.

Lu Yan He: Hmm hmm.

After chatting with Jia Long, Lu Yan He sent a message to Chen Ziyan: Sister Ziyan, let's see when we can make an appointment to meet with the people from Arctic Light Video. I want to promote the drama *My Own Swordsman*.

Chen Ziyan replied in seconds: Okay.

A May without filming and not much work didn't make Lu Yan He feel very relaxed.

In a blink of an eye, June came again.

The recording of *Idol Age* is just around the corner. The performance stage of Lu Yan He, Li Zhibai, and Yan Liang has been prepared. On the contrary, the theme song of *Seventeen Layers* that he has to sing himself, he recorded in the recording studio for an afternoon before recording a satisfactory version.

Singing on the spot is one thing, and when *Seventeen Layers* is broadcast, the version he sings will also be used as promotional material, matched with his performance in the drama, to make an MV.

The promotion of *Seventeen Layers* has already begun.

As the head drama originally scheduled by Jingtai this year, if *Friends* at the beginning of the year was a huge surprise, then *Seventeen Layers* is the biological child they put on the throne of the drama king early on.

Lu Yan He realized that if Jingtai wants to vigorously support a drama, how many resources can be mobilized.

As the male lead of *Seventeen Layers*, Lu Yan He changed the situation of being "cold-treated" by Jingtai before.

The station leader in charge of this drama is Jiang Lan. She used the largest promotional resources to promote this drama.

Lu Yan He and Chen Bige combined to appear on the covers of three magazines, and together they appeared on a veteran interview program that has been broadcast on Jingtai for seventeen years.

Besides this, in order to create the concept of *Seventeen Layers* in advance, they even arranged one of their ace variety shows to use one episode to do a "Seventeen Layers" theme, arranging the host group and the actor group of *Seventeen Layers* to break through the barriers.

Lu Yan He hasn't seen the actors of *Seventeen Layers* for a long time, and is also very excited. Especially Teacher Jiang Jun, after the surgery, Jiang Jun is not that he doesn't want to come out to work, but the situation is not good. This promotional trip was still asked by Lu Yan He and Chen Bige if Jiang Jun would participate, and Jingtai contacted his team.

Lu Yan He specifically brought a performance contract to find Jiang Jun.

"Teacher Jiang, *Squid Game*, male lead, this is the performance contract." Lu Yan He and Chen Ziyan's production company Linghe have registered the copyright for *Squid Game* and have submitted the project book and plot summary to Arctic Light Video, but it has not officially entered the preparation link.

This performance contract was specifically made by Lu Yan He for Jiang Jun.

When Jiang Jun received this performance contract sent by Lu Yan He in the lounge, he was stunned and looked at Lu Yan He at a loss.

He has wanted to continue acting for the past half a year, frequently encountering coldness. Except for some cameo shots with only a few scenes, roles with slightly more scenes, others are not willing to give him. Even if his recovery is very good, and the hospital has issued a certificate for his physical condition, others just don't give him a chance.

No way, he is not a famous actor, he is not irreplaceable, no one is willing to take risks.

Jiang Jun certainly remembers that Lu Yan He told him that there was a play later to ask him to act as the male lead.

When Lu Yan He officially announced so many projects at the Hexi Film Festival in early May, Jiang Jun actually wanted to ask if there was the play promised to him.

But later Jiang Jun still silently held back.

How could there be!

Jiang Jun laughed at himself, at this age, still having such a beautiful dream.

It is rare for people to be willing to say such words to make you happy.

Lu Yan He is not that he has become a big shot, holding a lot of resources to share one or two male leads with you.

Jiang Jun knows that Lu Yan He is just writing scripts.

Jiang Jun never let himself think more about this matter again.

Who knows, Lu Yan He brought the contract.

"You take the contract back and look at it first. If there is no problem, we will go through the contract," Lu Yan He said. "But this drama definitely can't catch up with the start of filming this year."

Jiang Jun almost didn't hide the corner of his mouth that was trembling with excitement.

Lu Yan He said again: "Besides this play, I have a play that is being promoted. Actually, I want to invite you to act in a role. It is not the male lead, but it is also a main role."

Jiang Jun was taken aback.

Lu Yan He said: "This drama might catch up with the start of filming this year, or maybe not. It depends on the progress of the promotion later. Preparing for the movie *Lost on Journey* made me fully see how many things and time it takes from having a script to being able to start filming."

Jiang Jun opened his mouth and said: "You, you are willing to find me, I will definitely act well for you."

At this moment, Jiang Jun didn't treat Lu Yan He as a junior who needed his own guidance anymore.

Lu Yan He said: "I cooperated with you in *Seventeen Layers*, I know how powerful you are, Teacher Jiang, I 100% believe you can act them well, as long as you are willing to act."

Jiang Jun nodded, "I am certainly willing."

"Okay," Lu Yan He laughed, "Then that's great, then can I have an uninvited request?"

Jiang Jun was taken aback.

"You help me cameo in *Lost on Journey* again, because the production pressure of this movie is a bit big, your cameo pay might not be able to be given according to the market price, can you give a friendship price? The other two plays have sufficient funds, and can be given according to the market price. Don't worry," Lu Yan He showed a flattering smile.

Just like a junior asking a senior for help, that kind of flattering meaning.

Jiang Jun smiled and waved his hand, "What kind of pay to talk about for a cameo, free cameo!"

"Then I won't be polite! Teacher Jiang, it is indeed that this movie needs too many people to cameo. If all are given according to the market price, I can't afford it," Lu Yan He explained.

Jiang Jun nodded, full of spring breeze, "You sent me two leading roles, I still covet your little cameo fee."

Lu Yan He: "I still took advantage, thank you, thank you."

The two were chatting, Chen Bige suddenly knocked on the door and came in.

"What are you talking about? I heard Teacher Jiang's laughter outside," Chen Bige asked.

Lu Yan He said: "Teacher Jiang just promised me to help me cameo in *Lost on Journey* for free."

Chen Bige heard this, smiled, "Hard to say, then do you want me to help you cameo?"

Lu Yan He asked in surprise: "Is it free?"

Chen Bige said: "You kid, do you know how many movies brought one or two million to ask me to cameo in a shot?!"

Lu Yan He: "Isn't this shy in the pocket."

Chen Bige sighed, "Looking at the fact that you wrote two scripts for me, I will reluctantly agree."

Lu Yan He clenched his fist in surprise, "Thank you to the two virtuous teachers, the little one is grateful!"

Chen Bige hummed softly, "You are getting more and more glib."

Lu Yan He smiled.

Chen Bige said: "I also heard that you are preparing to write a play like *Seventeen Layers* yourself?"

"I have already written some," Lu Yan He said directly, "I invited Teacher Jiang to star."

"Oh?" Chen Bige asked, "Then why don't you invite me to act?"

"I didn't write a role suitable for you," Lu Yan He said, "You have already starred in *Seventeen Layers*, you definitely won't take a play with a similar subject matter."

Chen Bige accepted this reason.

"That's true." ===== CHAPTER 346 =====