Chapter 596: Celebration Banquet (Bonus Chapter!)

Lu Yanhe had not expected that everyone would prepare such a surprise for him.

There were even people holding cameras, filming his reaction.

"Thank you, thank you!" Lu Yanhe said, his mouth agape in surprise as he looked at everyone. "I really... didn't you tell me that time was tight? How did you all manage to prepare this for me?"

"Did you not think we would prepare a surprise for you?" Peng Zhixing asked with a smile.

"I thought about it, but Zhou Tong told me that the program recording schedule was very tight. Just a moment ago, he kept asking me on the road how much longer it would take, saying the program was waiting for me alone," Lu Yanhe said. "I thought you would wait until after the recording was finished before celebrating."

"Then it's fortunate that we took a step ahead, otherwise you would have guessed it," Peng Zhixing said. "Returning with honors once again, how does it feel?"

Lu Yanhe hugged the flowers, thought for a moment, and said, "I can't think of how I feel right now for the time being."

"Happy, excited, thrilled—" Lu Yanhe shook his head. "It's just that kind of feeling, nothing worth mentioning."

"Just that feeling is very good." Peng Zhixing stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "Congratulations, Yan He. Amazing. Congratulations on filming another movie that has been recognized by everyone!"

Director Luo Yuzhong also came over.

"Little Lu, congratulations."

"Thank you, Master. Being able to film this movie is all thanks to you." Lu Yanhe immediately gave Luo Yuzhong a warm hug.

"I watched your acceptance speech," Luo Yuzhong said. "It was alright. You maintained the standard of your previous acceptance speeches. Keep up the good work in the future."

Lu Yanhe smiled.

Chen Lingling also rarely cracked a joke, "In the future, if I want to find you to film, will it be even harder?"

Lu Yanhe said, "Director, when has it ever been hard to get me to film?"

Chen Lingling teased with a smile, "You're a movie star now, do you still look down on us TV people?"

"Let the movie star go to hell. I am a big star, and a big star must bloom in all areas!" Lu Yanhe deliberately lifted his chin, revealing a proud expression.

"Big star, how does it feel to win the Best Screenplay award this time?" Chen Bige asked teasingly.

Lu Yanhe nodded. "I felt a little bit of the feeling you had when you won Best Actress before."

Lu Yanhe took a group photo with everyone from the program team and hurried to the dressing room to prepare.

The time was indeed tight.

Lu Yanhe needed to familiarize himself with the script immediately, finish his makeup and hair within an hour, and then go to the stage to walk through all the segments.

Fortunately, Peng Zhixing was in control of every step of the process, so the pressure didn't fall entirely on him.

The makeup artist who did Lu Yanhe's makeup had also interacted with him many times because of this program.

Everyone called her Sister Hua.

As a veteran makeup artist who had been in the industry for many years, she didn't follow the path of some makeup artists who built their own teams and became famous makeup artists serving big stars in the industry. Instead, she kept taking jobs from program teams or film crews. Not every artist could hire a dedicated makeup artist, and that was when the makeup artists provided by the program team were needed.

Lu Yanhe's styling was easy to handle; just a clean, fresh base was enough. He didn't have the extremely high requirements for makeup that many female stars had, so Sister Hua's skills were more than enough. Basically, all of Lu Yanhe's makeup in *Birth of an Actor* was handled by Sister Hua.

While applying his makeup, Sister Hua smiled and talked about things that had happened in the program team over the past few days.

Today was the official recording time for the final episode, but for this recording, the entire program team had actually been preparing for several days.

The actors' works had to be rehearsed several times, and the program flow had to be smooth.

Everyone basically stayed together every day.

"It's clearly the last episode, and the pressure is huge. Everyone has been very sleep-deprived lately, with heavy dark circles under their eyes, yet they were all still paying attention to the news about you."

"You don't even know how many people were waiting for *Love Letter* to win an award at the Hexi Film Festival. Wang Dashan even asked if the clips from *Love Letter* could be performed on the program's grand finale stage, but Chen Bige rejected him directly, saying Wang Dashan's face couldn't play a male vase."

Lu Yanhe couldn't help but laugh. Sister Hua stopped her hand, waiting for Lu Yanhe to finish laughing before continuing.

"Especially after the news that *Love Letter* won the Best Screenplay award came back, everyone was boiling over. Zhen Hongyu even asked if whoever won the championship would get a prize: starring in your next movie."

Lu Yanhe: "A lead role isn't guaranteed, but if everyone is willing to come and play, there will definitely be some special guest roles to play. However, I still hope that after everyone is seen by the public through this program, you will take advantage of this time to take on more outside work. Anyway, my projects here always welcome everyone to perform."

Sister Hua: "Everyone heard that *Birth of an Actor* is already preparing for the second season, and they joked that they were afraid you would see new people and forget the old ones."

"Is everyone holding me in such high regard? It makes me sound like an emperor with three palaces and six courtyards."

"Haha, anyway, recording a program like this, there is no lack of competition among everyone, but what's magical is that competition is competition, and on some major issues, everyone is quite unified. They won't tear each other apart on the surface and be unable to share the stage. Oh, except for He Sha."

Lu Yanhe curled the corners of his mouth.

To put it bluntly, people with acting skills and ability usually have personalities. In such a competition, how could there not be competition?

However, it didn't mean that competitors couldn't have mutual appreciation and common pursuits.

As for He Sha—

That was someone who never intended to properly showcase her acting skills through this program from the very beginning.

"Having said that, He Sha brought it on herself," Sister Hua said. "I heard that after she was blacklisted by Beijiguang Video, she has privately begged for mercy several times, but no one is buying it. Now, basically no film crew is willing to find her to act, and the same goes for TV variety shows."

"Her situation is such that being blacklisted by Beijiguang is only the surface reason. The key is that everyone saw how she backstabbed her partners. Who would dare to cooperate with her easily? Who isn't afraid of being backstabbed?" Lu Yanhe said bluntly. "In this line of work, personal character is too important. Anyone can be replaced, and the substitutability is too strong. If you make people suspicious, then others will naturally use someone else."

Sister Hua nodded.

"I agree, that point is absolutely right."

The two chatted, and in this hour, Lu Yanhe learned about most of the things that had happened in the program team during this period that he needed to know.

In the end, the champion of the first season of *Birth of an Actor* was Zhang Pingqing, the runner-up was Zhen Hongyu, and the third place was Wang Dashan.

Luo Yuzhong, who came to serve as the guest mentor for the final episode, issued an invitation to Zhang Pingqing for his next project on the spot.

"After finishing *Chinese Paladin*, I have a police-bandit drama that has been in preparation for a long time, and it is still missing a major role. I hope to invite you to star in my play," Luo Yuzhong said.

Zhang Pingqing was so excited that his eyes turned red on the spot.

After struggling for so many years, before this program, Zhang Pingqing was a low-profile actor who couldn't even play a small supporting role in Luo Yuzhong's dramas. Through this program, his name had been added to the cooperation lists of major film and television companies. In the final episode, he was even given the opportunity to star in Luo Yuzhong's next project.

For an actor like Zhang Pingqing, this opportunity was hard-won and precious, something not many people could empathize with.

When giving his acceptance speech, Lu Yanhe also said: "Actually, I have said many times, why do I want to initiate such a program? Because in fact, we have been using language and some works to tell what is good acting and what is a good actor, but it seems that there has never been a channel like this program, such a concentrated, frequent, and diverse window for so many different actors to show what actors and acting are. Through these twelve episodes, in the past three months, we have sparked everyone's attention and discussion about good actors and good acting. This is the thing I am most proud of."

"In our industry, in fact, besides those of us lucky actors who have already been seen by everyone, there are many who have not been seen," Lu Yanhe said. "I really hope that everyone in front of and behind the scenes of our program will have the opportunity to support these good actors who need to be seen in the future. I also hope that the actors, directors, and screenwriters who have already been seen will leave some opportunities for all creators."

"Good partners, good cooperation, good competition, good works—only then can all of us get better and better along with this industry, growing endlessly."

As soon as Lu Yanhe finished speaking, Peng Zhixing immediately shouted "Good!" in an inspiring way, leading the whole audience to applaud.

This atmosphere spread, and everyone was moved.

Lu Yanhe didn't know how many people would truly take his words to heart, but he sincerely believed so.

This industry is truly the 80/20 rule: the dry die of thirst, and the flooded die of drowning.

Therefore, he sincerely hoped that the flooded could help the dry.

Only when there are more and more flooded areas can they form lakes and oceans.

In the interview, Zhou Tong asked about Lu Yanhe's speech, asking what kind of mood he was in when he said those words.

Lu Yanhe was blunt: "Based on my own feelings over the past few years, because I am very popular, I actually never feel that any project lacks investment. But in fact, many of my friends around me find it very difficult to get investment for their projects. This is because I am Lu Yanhe, and they are not."

"In this market, the people who are seen are a very small part, and we, a very small part, actually hold a large part of the resources of this industry. If I participate, this resource can be mobilized; if I don't participate, this resource, even if it is shelved, will not be used for a newcomer to try."

"For many newcomer directors, especially those auteur directors, it is very difficult for them to invite a famous actor to act, and it is also difficult to get investment. But if I like his script, even if I only make a special appearance for a few days, the significance to his project is very different. Maybe he can get enough investment to finish filming his movie, and there will be film and television companies willing to take over and help him with post-production and distribution."

"Then there are actors. Take an actor like Zhang Pingqing. If it weren't for a big director like Master Luo Yuzhong using him as a lead, other directors wouldn't dare to use him because they are afraid that he won't be able to carry the commercial weight," Lu Yanhe said. "Now that Zhang Pingqing is known by many people because of this program and has become popular, it's not just Director Luo who has sent him an invitation. As far as I know, he should have already received several invitations for lead roles. I hope that at this time, he can actually bring one or two good actors into the game, and help them out."

"Of course, this must be on the premise that he has the ability and the roles are relatively suitable," Lu Yanhe immediately added. "For example, at this time, a newcomer director asks him to act in a low-budget art film, maybe a film with a budget of only a few hundred thousand. If he thinks the script is good and the role is good, then I also hope he won't refuse just because the other party is a newcomer director or the cost is low. Many times, a project really welcomes a turning point of life because of the addition of a key person. Only when there are more and more good projects will there be more and more audiences. This is a process of mutual feedback."

The next day, Lu Yanhe and everyone participated in the program's finale celebration banquet.

Everyone came.

At the lively celebration banquet, even though the last episode hadn't been broadcast yet, everyone already knew for sure that it would have a successful finale and become a successful variety show.

When Chen Bige saw Lu Yanhe, she said, "I now deeply suspect that there is nothing you cannot do."

The relationship between Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige was no longer the kind of stranger relationship that required compliments.

Since Chen Bige said so, she must have truly felt that way.

Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "It's just because I have a group of the best people helping me do everything, so everything is successful."

"What you said also makes sense. For so many years, I haven't been on a single variety show, but I broke the rule with you. You have some tricks up your sleeve that make people willing to believe in you," Chen Bige said. "I think about it now and feel that after meeting you, I filmed *Rouge* with you, did the *Birth of an Actor* program, filmed *Love Letter*, and *Raise the Red Lantern*. Every project is not a project I would have easily agreed to before."

"There's no way around it. Who told you that the first project we collaborated on, *Rouge*, achieved such great success?" Lu Yanhe smiled confidently. "As long as it continues to be successful, your trust in me will become deeper and deeper."

"You're not wrong," Chen Bige nodded.

At this time, Zhang Pingqing came over to toast Lu Yanhe.

"Little Brother Lu—"

This was the address for Lu Yanhe that Chen Bige brought up in the program team.

Lu Yanhe was young, and many people were older than him, but many were not familiar with him, so it was not easy to call him by his name directly or call him "Yan He" right away.

This was an awkward thing.

Chen Bige led the way by calling him "Little Brother Lu." It was very appropriate for those younger than him to call him that, and for those older than Lu Yanhe, it was also half-intimate and half-close.

Chen Bige naturally used the close way of calling him, while Zhang Pingqing was more respectful.

Lu Yanhe: "Master Zhang, congratulations on winning the championship!"

He hurriedly picked up his wine glass, smiling brightly.

Zhang Pingqing: "Before I participated in this program, I really didn't expect to have such a harvest. Thank you for making such a program."

"If you have time next season, come back and help out," Lu Yanhe said with a smile. "I'll wait for the day you win Best Actor."

Zhang Pingqing hurriedly said he still had to continue to work hard.

After Zhang Pingqing, the other few people also came over one by one.

Including Liu Zhiyao and the others who had been eliminated long ago, those who were free all came to participate in this celebration party today.

Lu Yanhe was drinking and chatting with everyone, and without knowing it, he drank quite a bit. Almost everyone told him that as long as he needed them, no matter what role it was, they would come to act. Lu Yanhe didn't know if this was a superficial greeting in such an occasion, or if everyone really thought so, but being able to say so made Lu Yanhe very happy.

This year was truly a very special year.

He sincerely felt that everyone seemed to trust him a little more.

This kind of trust was no longer just trust in the "miracle of success" on him; on the contrary, it was truly believing that he possessed a certain kind of persistent talent and an eye that could truly see through the essence, rather than some kind of heaven-sent luck.

"The words you said in the last episode were especially good," Chen Lingling said. "In our industry now, too many directors don't dare to use newcomers and all want to use big-name stars."

Lu Yanhe: "Learning from Director Chen."

In every play directed by Chen Lingling, she would definitely use a large number of newcomers.

In *Phoenix Terrace*, which Lu Yanhe collaborated with her on, whether it was him, Lang Xia, or Xiao Yun, it was actually the same situation.

Of course, it is understandable that everyone wants to use big-name stars in a project to provide commercial guarantees. However, for some other major roles, do you dare to use newcomers, or give opportunities to actors who are not so famous?

Just like *My Own Swordsman*, it had actors who were already famous and popular, such as Huang Kai, Xiao Yun, and Jiang Jun, but it also used a group of newcomer actors who had never acted in film and television dramas, such as Liu Zi (Tong Shopkeeper), He Jiang (Lv Xiucai), and Li Youfang (Li Dazui).

Chen Lingling said: "I have a play later, and I invited Liu Zhiyin to act in it. It is a female ensemble play. I quite like that actress named Wang Jing. Do you have her contact information?"

"I do." Lu Yanhe nodded. "Should I push it to you? Or should I find a time later to make an appointment for her to meet you?"

Chen Lingling: "Find an opportunity, let me meet her. I still look at whether the actor is suitable for the role."

Lu Yanhe immediately remembered the first time he went to see Chen Lingling.

That time he also ran into Lang Xia.

Directors still like to use their own eyes to see if an actor is suitable.

Lu Yanhe immediately nodded and said okay, then said: "If I had known, I would have invited her to play in *Birth of an Actor*. She is indeed a very good actor, very explosive."

Chen Lingling: "I saw in *Late Spring* and *Squid Game* that she played those roles with a bit of temper and a bit of neurosis. She has that energy."

"She later acted in a movie I wrote, which hasn't been released yet. She starred with Jiang Yuqian, called *Phone*," Lu Yanhe said. "I watched some clips of it, and I have them on my phone now. Would you like to see them?"

Chen Lingling nodded. "Sure."

So, Lu Yanhe took his phone directly, found the two clips they sent, and showed them to Chen Lingling.

"Tsk, this little girl has a limitless future," Chen Lingling commented after watching. "It's a bit like 'if you're not crazy, you can't live'."

Lu Yanhe: "She is a true talent-type player. I feel that among the few people in *Late Spring*, her talent is the highest."

Chen Lingling: "But her image is slightly worse. Acting in movies is fine, but acting in TV dramas, she doesn't have the traditional lead look. She needs to truly become a star, and then have a script tailored for her."

Now Wang Jing has not yet reached the level where it is worth tailoring a script for her.

Lu Yanhe nodded.

"However, this little girl really knows how to act. She is a good seedling. If you have suitable roles, bring her along more," Chen Lingling said. "It's a pity for her to act as a supporting role in TV dramas. It's better to go to movies to act in some brilliant supporting roles."

"I don't have that many movie projects later. If I find her to act in roles that are not difficult, I always feel that it's a waste of talent. And, as you said, her image really doesn't have much memory points. She's not ugly, but not stunning either. It's not that easy to find a good role suitable for her."

Chen Lingling said: "Then you might as well let her try the next season of *Birth of an Actor*."

Lu Yanhe said: "I'll ask her."

Chen Lingling suddenly asking about Wang Jing made Lu Yanhe quite emotional.

He said that acting skills are king, and although Wang Jing's acting skills are so good, the heroine of *Chinese Paladin* was found to be Yan Lingyu.

Just as Chen Lingling said, Wang Jing's image is limited. No matter how good her acting skills are, they are not as good as Yan Lingyu's face. Standing there, she already has three points of resemblance.

Originally, Lu Yanhe always felt that Yan Lingyu was relatively cold and not suitable for the relatively simple Linger, but rather suitable for Little Dragon Maiden in *The Return of the Condor Heroes*. As a result, Luo Yuzhong is still Luo Yuzhong. A person with a pair of eyes who has seen countless people, he saw at a glance the point in Yan Lingyu that is suitable for Linger.

Once the costume was put on, Lu Yanhe was stunned when he saw the video.

He suddenly realized that Yan Lingyu, to some extent, was actually the same as that fairy sister. Ancient costumes and modern clothes are two completely different feelings.

Yan Lingyu had never shown herself in ancient costumes, and Lu Yanhe had never imagined what Yan Lingyu would look like in ancient costumes.

When she was dressed up, looking at the camera and curling the corners of her mouth, smiling slightly, for a moment, it was like an iceberg suddenly seeing the sun.

In Yan Lingyu's eyes, there was actually a very clean and clear charm.

*Chinese Paladin* is the most eye-catching big project this year.

The information about the heroine is very confidential.

Of course, this big cake was watched by almost all the little flowers in the circle who were in the rising period, and they tried every means to win this big cake.

If the first heroine cannot be won, other major female roles are also possible.

However, several major female roles in this project, except for Yan Lingyu, were basically determined to be decided through the audition method.

When everyone was still trying to find connections and people to send themselves in, *Chinese Paladin* suddenly announced the news that an audition would be held.

Moreover, there were as many as eight major roles released for the audition, all of which were major roles with names and surnames.

In addition to the second heroine Lin Yueru and the third heroine Anu, two other female roles were also released, one was the descendant of Nuwa played by Sun Li in the original version, and the other was the role played by Jiang Xin in the original version.

On the male role side, the three of them, Lu Yanhe, had already wrapped up the main character group. However, there were still three roles with significant screen time: the Moon Worship Leader, the Wine Sword Immortal, and Jiang Ming, all of which were released for audition.

No one expected that *Chinese Paladin* would be so generous as to take out so many roles for audition.

Moreover, in this regard, Lu Yanhe did not intervene at all and handed it over to Director Luo Yuzhong entirely.

As for Lu Yanhe, on the one hand, he was preparing for *Tropical Rain*, which he would join next month, and on the other hand, he was also reading scripts.

The bright box office performance of *The Mist* and the good reputation of *Love Letter* at the Hexi Film Festival had brought him invitations for more than a dozen projects in the past month.

Both domestic and overseas.

In particular, the news that he would participate in the Malaysian low-budget art film *Tropical Rain* had triggered a great response in the independent film circle.

Suddenly, many independent film directors turned their attention to Lu Yanhe.

If Lu Yanhe is willing to participate in *Tropical Rain*, is it possible for him to participate in their movies?

Most of those who mix in the independent film circle just can't stand the constraints of those big studios, which doesn't mean they don't hope their movies will receive more attention.

Recommend the old book *I Became a Scandal Heroine Overnight*