Chapter 427: Must be calculated clearly (Second update!)

The audition for *Burning Fire* is in full swing, and many people have come to inquire about the news from Lu Yan He.

After all, Lu Yan He is currently the only confirmed lead actor in this film. In everyone's eyes, Lu Yan He should know some news.

But Lu Yan He really doesn't know any news. In this play, he is just an actor, neither a screenwriter, nor invited to participate in more production, so the news is not well-informed.

As for how Long Yan Film and Television chooses people, I don't know.

The only thing Lu Yan He knows at present is that *Burning Fire* is planning to invite Director Wan Renhai to direct.

A top commercial blockbuster director in China, in his professional experience, has never directed a low-cost film. They are all commercial blockbusters, from gunfights to police and bandits, from martial arts to action, from magic to war, with rich experience, having directed more than ten films.

Wan Renhai started cooperating with Long Yan Film and Television about eight years ago. At that time, he helped Long Yan Film and Television shoot a costume magic film called *Demon Subduing*, which achieved a box office of 1.2 billion. Although the reputation was a bit polarized, the picture was unanimously praised. Later, he shot the second part of *Demon Subduing*, which still achieved a box office of nearly 1.1 billion. After that, the third film Wan Renhai shot at Long Yan Film and Television was an action war film called *Crossing Falling Eagle Valley*, which allowed domestic action-themed films with war as the background to achieve a box office of more than 2 billion for the first time, winning 2.2 billion box office, becoming the box office runner-up of the year.

It can be said that the name Director Wan Renhai, if nothing else, is at least a guarantee of box office.

He has maintained a good relationship with Long Yan Film and Television. It is not surprising that *Burning Fire* will be directed by him this time.

After all, *Burning Fire* has such a large investment, and it is aimed at a series of films from the beginning, so it must be reliable to find a director who can carry it.

It is a pity that Lu Yan He has never met Director Wan Renhai. Wan Renhai is not the kind of director who will appear at award ceremonies. His films have never been the evaluators of domestic mainstream awards. And other activities, Lu Yan He attends less.

Knowing that the director is Wan Renhai, Lu Yan He specially found the films he had shot before and watched them one by one. For a film director, any outsider's evaluation is indirect. Only by watching his works with his own eyes can he personally feel his charm as a director.

After watching seven or eight films of Wan Renhai, Lu Yan He found that this director's style is very similar to a director he knew before he transmigrated named Wu Ershan. They are all that kind of magnificent, strong visual style. No matter what the subject is, his film vision actually has a sense of comic rendering.

His narrative rhythm is indeed not humanistic, introverted, very commercial, fast, and layer-by-layer, interlocking, with strong storytelling, combined with his strong visual effects, making people watch intently.

Lu Yan He was so excited that he couldn't help but watch it. Although it is a commercial film, it is not routine at all, and it is not popcorn at all. It has a very strong personal style and cannot be replaced.

After watching, he immediately made a phone call to Shang Yongzhou.

"Senior Brother."

"Hmm?" Shang Yongzhou was quite surprised to receive his call and asked: "What's wrong?"

Lu Yan He asked: "Senior Brother, have you decided whether to act in *Burning Fire*?"

"I... I am still thinking." Shang Yongzhou said.

"Senior Brother, have you watched *Demon Subduing* directed by Director Wan Renhai?"

"*Demon Subduing*? Heard of it, but I haven't watched it."

"Go watch it. If after watching this film, you still can't help you determine your thoughts, then it is difficult for other things to help you determine your thoughts on acting in *Burning Fire*." Lu Yan He said.

Shang Yongzhou was confused, obviously not understanding why Lu Yan He suddenly called and said such things.

However, Shang Yongzhou still listened to Lu Yan He and found the two films of the *Demon Subduing* series to watch.

This evening, Shang Yongzhou sat in his home audio-visual room, watched the two films of the *Demon Subduing* series, thought for half an hour, and watched it again from beginning to end.

On March 21, *Burning Fire* announced that Shang Yongzhou joined the starring *Burning Fire*.

This news made the film *Burning Fire* and Shang Yongzhou make it to the hot search together.

Some media published reports that Shang Yongzhou and Lu Yan He cooperated in *Road of Glory* and then joined hands to cooperate in *Burning Fire*.

This news made the audition, which was already deadlocked and white-hot, even more concerned.

The first round of auditions has results, and many people have received notification of the second round of auditions.

Among them is Huai Qian.

Actually, Huai Qian has basically been locked by Long Yan Film and Television to play one of the roles. However, in order to further confirm his suitability, Long Yan Film and Television still notified him to participate in the second round of auditions.

The second round of auditions directly used makeup to audition.

Shang Yongzhou and Lu Yan He were both invited by Long Yan Film and Television to watch this round of auditions, especially a role with heavy scenes and relatively many rival plays with them. Huang Tai and the others also wanted to hear the opinions of Shang Yongzhou and Lu Yan He.

Not only them, but Liu Bige was also invited by Huang Tai and the others.

Many people came to watch this second round of auditions, to watch the film.

Lu Yan He only brought Zou Dong and Wang Biao over.

As a result, several actors who came to audition had teams of seven or eight people, mighty, occupying a place in the waiting room, and even brought makeup artists to touch up their makeup at any time.

Lu Yan He came to the audition room and greeted Huang Tai and the others first.

As soon as Huang Tai saw Lu Yan He, she greeted him enthusiastically, saying: "Yan He, the film critic forum your girlfriend made is too good. When can you invite all of them to China, open an offline forum, so that we can also communicate with them on the spot?"

Lu Yan He immediately said: "Okay, I will ask Siqi later, see if I can invite them over? Actually, we should indeed organize more such exchange activities, so that these people with influence in the commentary circle can see more of our Chinese films and understand our Chinese films."

"Yes, before they didn't pay attention to our films at all. Didn't expect your *Jump Up* to be able to establish such a familiar relationship with them." Huang Tai said, "These film critics are very arrogant one by one. We want to ask them to help our films say a few good words, and no one pays attention to you."

Lu Yan He was a bit speechless, thought for a moment, and said: "They all have their own evaluation standards, and they will definitely not give up their standards because of these human feelings, and praise our films. They don't play like that in the European and American film circles either. At our premiere, the people who come are all relatives and friends, and what they say is also the praise of human feelings. But those film critics are not our domestic set."

Huang Tai immediately said: "What domestic or foreign, it's the same. Before, it was said that Japan makes things, what craftsmanship spirit, what quality standard is high, now isn't it exposed to cut corners?"

Lu Yan He felt that he was a bit chicken talking to a duck.

Feeling that Huang Tai didn't understand what he was saying at all.

Or, she didn't want to accept this set at all.

"Huang Tai, it is indeed so, what you said is not wrong, and I cannot guarantee that all film critics are like them, but at least the few film critics we invited, the reason why they can have the current fame and current status in the commentary circle is that the film reviews they wrote before and the words they said can still be recognized and respected."

Lu Yan He didn't want to have a dispute about film critics with Huang Tai here.

If it weren't for the fact that there were many people in the audition room, and Huang Tai publicly brought up this topic, Lu Yan He wouldn't even deny her words face to face.

Lu Yan He just didn't want to leave trouble for himself.

So, after saying this, Lu Yan He immediately took the initiative to change the topic, smiled at Huang Tai and said: "Huang Tai must be very busy recently, right? Heard that most of the actors in the entertainment circle have come to audition for the film *Burning Fire*."

Mentioning this topic, the smile on Huang Tai's face bloomed again.

"It is indeed so." Huang Tai nodded, "The film *Burning Fire* has received huge attention, and everyone can see what achievements this project will achieve in the future."

Lu Yan He smiled slightly, the topic was successfully transferred, and he didn't say much anymore. He saw Shang Yongzhou sitting alone in the corner, so he greeted others with a smile and walked over, sitting down beside Shang Yongzhou.

"Senior Brother." Lu Yan He called him.

Shang Yongzhou nodded to him and asked: "Yongshan Hesan hasn't said anything to annoy you recently, right?"

"Temporarily no, but don't know if he will continue to go crazy later." Lu Yan He said with a smile.

Shang Yongzhou nodded, suddenly remembered something, and asked: "Are the two films *Rouge* and *Lost on Journey* finished?"

"Yes, all finished." Lu Yan He nodded.

"When are you planning to release? If you hold a premiere, remember to send me an invitation." He said, "I really want to see what the script you wrote looks like when it is filmed."

"Okay." Shang Yongzhou took the initiative to come to support, Lu Yan He was naturally happy.

Shang Yongzhou said again: "However, it is a pity that these two films cannot catch up with this year's Hexi Film Festival."

"Hmm? Why?"

Shang Yongzhou said: "I was invited to serve as the image ambassador for this year's Hexi Film Festival."

Many film festivals will invite a film person who has status, influence, and can represent the standards of the film festival as an image ambassador in each session.

Shang Yongzhou being able to receive such an invitation in his early thirties is enough to explain his achievements in film over the past few years.

It is indeed true that he is the most representative Chinese male actor in his age group and one of the Chinese male actors with the highest global fame at present.

Lu Yan He widened his eyes in surprise.

"Wow—" Lu Yan He lowered his voice and exclaimed, "This news hasn't been announced yet, right?"

"Hmm, not yet, it will be announced soon." Shang Yongzhou said, "The Hexi Film Festival is held in May every year."

As the only film festival among the four major international film festivals that faces the audience and film critic reputation, and also the only film festival that selects awards through the votes of 100 film critics and 200 audience members every year, although its artistry has always been called the weakest among the four major film festivals, its influence and dissemination are generally the largest.

Shang Yongzhou said: "If these two films can be exhibited and screened at the Hexi Film Festival, this will be a very good, can be said to be the top publicity window."

Lu Yan He thought for a moment and said to Shang Yongzhou: "It's not necessarily impossible to catch up, look at the editing situation of the film. If you really can't catch up, you can't screen there, it's okay to go there for publicity, you can go there to sell the film."

Shang Yongzhou smiled and nodded, "Also."

They chatted idly, and before long, the second round of auditions began.

Lu Yan He's feeling about the story of *Burning Fire* is actually a bit like a Prince Revenge version of *Harry Potter*.

A man carrying a sea of blood and deep hatred comes to a spell academy and becomes a mentor of the academy. His enemy is the dean of this academy, and Li Wushang, played by Lu Yan He, is the adopted son of this dean. Li Wushang is also a student of the spell academy. He accidentally discovered that the new mentor Wei Yang was secretly investigating his father, so he also launched an investigation into Wei Yang.

A standard story mode of confrontation first and cooperation later.

Because it is a series of films, the worldview of the whole film has actually been built. And why does every role have to be auditioned so carefully? It is very likely that a role with only two lines in the first part will become a crucial role later.

Of course, at this time, no one knows what will happen later. Can only say, must be careful and careful.

Lu Yan He and Shang Yongzhou do not serve as interviewers. They are just sitting on the side watching. However, Lu Yan He didn't expect that he would meet so many acquaintances to audition.

Among the actresses, even Meng Li and Xiao Yun came to audition.

The more Lu Yan He watched, the more he felt big-headed. Because it is really difficult to choose, many excellent and good-acting actors came, simply like gods fighting.

It can be said that this is the highest quality audition Lu Yan He has ever seen.

Only a blockbuster of the level of *Burning Fire* can gather so many famous actors to audition on the spot. Including Li Yuefeng.

During the break, Lu Yan He whispered to Shang Yongzhou: "I originally thought it was very difficult for famous actors in our country to come to audition."

Shang Yongzhou said: "*Burning Fire* is still different. A blockbuster with a box office target of more than 1 billion, the additional value brought to actors is too great, no one is not moved."

Lu Yan He doesn't know if *Burning Fire* can be filmed into a classic magic blockbuster, but he, a transmigrator who has been baptized by a series of blockbusters such as *Harry Potter*, *Lord of the Rings*, *Twilight*, *Pirates of the Caribbean*, and the Marvel Universe, knows very well the meaning of a successful film series to an actor.

Just like *Mission Impossible* to Tom Cruise, it can be said that the height of his career is completely bound to this film series.

Lu Yan He doesn't know what kind of blessing *Burning Fire* will bring to himself, including Shang Yongzhou. They have fame and money, but it is indeed different. The difference is, as an actor, do you have a role that almost everyone has seen, knows, and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people?

In short, as an actor, is there a role that has entered the common memory of all mankind? This statement is a bit exaggerated, a bit big, but it is actually this meaning. This means that there is such a role, which actually unifies the world's memory of you, then the collection of this memory is much more influential than the collection of roles in fifty or sixty film and television dramas.

This is also the reason why Chen Ziyan must let Lu Yan He act in a blockbuster as soon as possible.

In the film *Burning Fire*, there are more than 100 roles with names and surnames.

And *Burning Fire* did a very new way of playing.

After the second round of auditions, they announced a list of actors:

Welcome five actors Bao Zhenzhu, Huai Qian, Xiao Yun, Lang Xia, and Li Yuefeng to join the series film *Burning Fire*!

It is not announced at once, but announced round by round.

The announcement of this round of actor list caused heated discussion.

Before, many actors were photographed entering and leaving the audition set of *Burning Fire*.

At this time, because they did not appear on this list, many people started to ask:

—Is it that xxx was brushed down in the audition?

—Yin Xincheng, who acted in two seasons of *Friends* and became a popular first-line student, was brushed?

These suspected eliminated actors also became topics of hot search.

The topic degree set off by *Burning Fire* is almost the highest set off by films in the past five years. And at this time, it hasn't even started filming, and it is still in the preparation stage.

Lu Yan He has seen it, how big is the attention of a real blockbuster.

No wonder so many actors are flocking to act.

In terms of actor selection, Huang Tai does listen to the opinions of Shang Yongzhou and Lu Yan He.

Almost every actor she wants to decide will ask them what they think of their play.

Shang Yongzhou and Lu Yan He didn't act as villains either, basically saying it was quite good and quite suitable.

Including Lang Xia, Lu Yan He didn't deny him. Mainly because even if he denied it, Huang Tai might not listen to him.

After several contacts with Huang Tai, Lu Yan He already vaguely felt that he and Huang Tai were not on the same road, and he would have less contact in the future, just keep a working relationship.

Just like Zhong Benshuo of Maxine, there is no possibility of private friendship in the future, just keep a good working relationship.

At the beginning of April, *Burning Fire* announced the third batch of actor lists. In this batch of lists, there was a person who did not appear on the audition set, Huang Kairen.

When Huang Kairen's name appeared, everyone had only one feeling: Long Yan Film and Television intends to put the most popular actors in China into this film?

Lu Yan He was also very surprised.

Because he didn'

He immediately called Huang Kai.

As it turned out, he called twice, and both times it showed as busy.

He figured many people were calling him at this time.

About ten minutes later, Huang Kai called him back.

"Are you also calling to ask about the movie *Burning Fire*?"

"Yeah," Lu Yan He said. "I just saw the list they released, saying you're joining the cast too. Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"Because this matter was only finalized this morning. They had a role for me to make a cameo, just two scenes," Huang Kai said. "I didn't expect them to make such a big fuss and put me on the cast list."

Lu Yan He: "Hahaha, so that's how it is. That's only natural. As long as you're willing to join, any movie would make a big fuss to announce the news of your addition."

Huang Kai: "Still, since this movie is getting so much attention, it's fine for me to make a cameo and show my face. Who knows, maybe my character will play an important role in the sequel."

"Oh? What character are you playing?" Lu Yan He asked.

"Just two scenes. In the first, I question the new academy rules proposed by the Dean. In the second, I get expelled from the academy by the Dean," Huang Kai said. "Huang Tai told me that my character might have a big role later on, but nothing is fully confirmed yet. The Dean is a big villain, right?"

"Yeah, in the script I received, that's the case," Lu Yan He said. "Looking at your character setup, it does feel like you'll appear again later. Otherwise, what would these two scenes be used to show? The setup of the Dean as a big villain?"

Huang Kai gave an 'mm' sound. "That might be the purpose. Anyway, based on my feeling from reading the script, the two scenes where I appear in the movie, my total screen time might only be thirty or forty seconds."

Lu Yan He said: "Brother Huang, even if it's only thirty or forty seconds of screen time, I believe you'll definitely make the audience unable to take their eyes off those thirty or forty seconds."

Huang Kai laughed.

"That goes without saying. Since there's so little screen time, if I don't polish it well and make a deep impression, wouldn't it be a waste of acting?"

Lu Yan He asked: "Brother Huang, what are you doing now? Are you on set?"

"How could I be on set? I just finished filming *Rouge* and haven't even recovered yet; I'm resting," Huang Kai said. "I'll be going to record an episode of *China in Culture* later."

"Oh?" Lu Yan He was stunned. "What does this show have to do with you? What are you recording?"

Isn't this show just inviting scholars to give lectures?

Huang Kai said: "Ziyan added a new format to the show. In every episode, they take a small story from the content the lecturer is teaching and arrange it into a stage performance, about ten minutes long. They invite actors to perform it as a way of interpretation, placed at the end of the show. Every episode, after the lecturer finishes, they sit in the audience with everyone else to watch this stage performance. So, I had no choice; she named me, so I have to go for the first episode."

Huang Kai's words left Lu Yan He incredibly shocked.

This kind of shock was something others could never understand.

Because this format was actually very similar to a show called *China in the Classics*. Originally, Lu Yan He had planned to propose this idea to make a new show after *China in Culture* was produced. He didn't expect Xin Ziyan to have thought of it on her own.

As expected, these were just two different worlds. But even in different worlds, coming from the same cultural and historical heritage, as long as there is a spark, capable people don't need to be led by the hand to draw inferences and think of many things.

It could be said that from proposing the format of *China in Culture* to suggesting the addition of stage performances by actors, it was all her own thought and creativity. Lu Yan He had never discussed these ideas with her.

Lu Yan He truly felt it was incredible.

He shouldn't harbor the arrogance of a transmigrator.

This world won't wait for you to slowly pull things out of a treasure vault.

While you are still hiding and clutching some things as treasures, there are already people in this world who have created similar treasures.

But on the other hand, Lu Yan He felt genuinely happy that Xin Ziyan could think of these things.

"Sister Ziyan is really amazing," Lu Yan He said. "This show will definitely be a hit."

Huang Kai said: "She's been busy day and night for this show lately. I finally managed to get some rest, but then she got busy again. Sigh."

"Then what are you going to do, Brother Huang?"

"What else can I do? I'll be her assistant," Huang Kai said helplessly. "Now that everyone knows we are together, she doesn't have to hide it anymore. Since I'm free labor, of course she's going to use me."

Lu Yan He laughed even louder.

Huang Kai complained: "You don't need to laugh that loudly."

Lu Yan He: "Isn't this great? I'm not mocking you, absolutely not."

Huang Kai gritted his teeth: "Fine, you just wait. I definitely won't mock you in the future, absolutely not!"

Lu Yan He hung up the phone, the smile on his face lingering for a long time.

"My dear, Yan He's salary really can't be that high."

Huang Tai looked at Chen Ziyan with a helpless expression and said: "You've seen it too. Our movie uses an all-star cast, and the cost is too high. But we only have a budget of 500 million. If we have to pay Lu Yan He such a high salary, we'll have to reduce the production budget in other areas."

Chen Ziyan said: "Huang Tai, I believe you definitely know that the conditions I proposed are not excessive relative to Yan He's current market rate."

Huang Tai: "Of course, of course. It's just that, Ziyan, you and I are old acquaintances, and you know my character. If the facts didn't truly make it impossible, why would I be haggling over such a small matter?"

Chen Ziyan said: "For a top-tier commercial blockbuster, to only offer Yan He a salary of 8 million—honestly, if such a figure were signed and leaked, our Yan He would become the laughingstock of the entire entertainment industry."

Huang Tai said: "Yan He is voluntarily lowering his salary to support a movie with sincerity. How could that be a laughingstock? That's a good reputation."

"Then all the actors should lower their salaries; that would be a good reputation," Chen Ziyan looked at Huang Tai, unmoved. "Shang Yongzhou can get a salary of 20 million plus a 5% share of the box office revenue. Yan He can only get a salary of 8 million plus a 20% share of the character's derivative revenue. I think these are conditions no agent would sign for Lu Yan He."

When Chen Ziyan said these numbers, Huang Tai's previously confident expression finally changed.

"After all, Yan He has never starred in a commercial film. His ability to carry the box office in commercial films has never been verified, and we also need to answer to the shareholders," Huang Tai changed her tone. "Besides, for someone starring in a commercial blockbuster for the first time, this figure is hardly something to be laughed at, right?"

"Not to mention the series, in *Three Mountains*, although Yan He was a cameo, the pre-release promotion and the most popular topics during the release were all carried by Yan He. In the end, with a cost of over 10 million, two releases, the total box office exceeded 100 million. In *Late Spring*, you know even better. It was an art film that Long Yan Films gave to Director Liu Bige to practice with. From the director to the actors and other key creative staff, the only star was Yan He, and the only selling point for promotion was Yan He. With a cost of around 10 million, the total box office was over 600 million."

Chen Ziyan said every number clearly, word by word.

"Yan He has indeed never acted in a commercial blockbuster, but to say he doesn't have the ability to carry the box office and hasn't been verified by the market—I think, Huang Tai, if that were said out loud, other film companies would probably laugh at us instead."

Chen Ziyan smiled slightly. "A salary of 8 million? Nowadays, there are very few films that come to Yan He with a salary under 10 million, except for art films. Even for comedy films that Yan He has never acted in, people can generously offer an eight-figure salary. Perhaps the current cast of *Burning Fire* is luxurious enough that it doesn't actually need Yan He to play this second male lead. Anyway, we only signed an intent contract. If Huang Tai has changed her mind, we can withdraw."

Huang Tai was silent for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Ziyan, from the industry situation, anyone can see that *Burning Fire* will be a highly anticipated blockbuster. How much extra additional income can such a movie bring to Yan He? Endorsements, business, fame, popularity—explicit and implicit. He can completely make up for this loss in salary through other aspects. Why must we haggle over these numbers here?"

"If Yan He wanted to make money, with his influence and fame, why would he come to *Burning Fire* to play the second male lead?" Chen Ziyan smiled lightly. "Huang Tai, this isn't about the amount of the salary. If I really cared about that absolute number, I've said it before: there are plenty of film companies throwing money at Yan He, not to mention the nearly thirty endorsement invitations we turned down this year. If we took them all, we could earn over 100 million in endorsement fees alone."

Huang Tai's expression finally couldn't hold up and turned ugly.

Chen Ziyan remained unmoved.

"This is the figure Yan He should receive as an actor. When talking about numbers, don't mix in other factors or calculate everything else," Chen Ziyan said. "When we filmed *Late Spring*, did we ever haggle with you over the salary? We agreed to everything immediately, without a second word. Why should we haggle over the salary for *Burning Fire*? This isn't haggling; this is something that must be clarified."