Chapter 248: The Actor Ran Away

"A-Li, it's not that I'm being pessimistic, but someone already can't take it and wants to quit before even entering the mountains. It will only be harder after entering the mountains. I estimate this drama won't be filmed very smoothly," Sister Xiaoyun said seriously.

Shen Li also knew, but the crew's foundation was still very professional, especially the director Xiang Tian, who won a foreign award for an art film two years ago. Shen Li specifically watched that film, and it was filmed especially, especially well.

A large part of the reason for choosing this script was because of Director Xiang Tian. She had little experience and needed to be coached, and wanted to learn more professional things from Director Xiang Tian.

"It's implicated you and Brother A-Pan, if it really doesn't work, you two should go back, don't follow me into the crew to suffer."

"That won't do. You aren't afraid of hardship, so of course we can't be afraid either. We are your assistants, taking care of you is our job, how can we desert the post?" Sister Xiaoyun said righteously: "A-Li, don't let your imagination run wild. I'm just worried for you, I don't mean to complain."

Shen Li smiled helplessly and lowered her head to eat a mouthful of noodles: "Mmm... delicious!"

The next day, the rain finally cleared, and the director notified in the group to set off into the mountains at two in the afternoon.

Someone in the group was worried that the mountain roads wouldn't be dry, but the progress had already been delayed, so even if there were difficulties, they had to overcome them. They had to enter the mountains today.

Everyone sent "Received" one after another, indicating they were ready.

Who would have thought that just as A-Li was about to close the group chat and pack her things, He Zixiao suddenly sent a message: "Director, I'm quitting. Regarding the breach of contract, you can communicate with my studio's agent and legal department. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience caused to the crew. I wish you a smooth filming, and look forward to the opportunity to cooperate next time."

Shen Li was stunned looking at this message, and then hurriedly looked at Sister Xiaoyun and asked: "Sister Xiaoyun, He Zixiao quit?"

Sister Xiaoyun wasn't in the group, so she didn't see the message. Upon hearing this, she was also startled: "What does that mean, not filming? Then... then what to do? He's the third male lead, right?"

He Zixiao's character positioning was a rural boy, the only friend of the trafficked little girl in the village. He played a crucial role in the process of rescuing the girl and was a very important character in the movie.

Shen Li and He Zixiao didn't have much interaction, she was just worried that the crew would fall into the predicament of not being able to start filming again because of this.

The budget for realistic themes was originally low, and because it wasn't a commercial film, there were no sponsors. Capital was the biggest problem, and dragging it on and on would easily drag the crew down!

The director and producer quickly exploded in the group.

"You sure know how to say pretty words. Is that how you act as an actor? Leaving the post temporarily, do you know how much trouble and loss you will bring to the crew?"

"This is a malicious breach of contract, and you have to pay a huge amount of liquidated damages!"

"The contract repeatedly emphasized that the filming environment is hard, and you can't take it before even filming. If you can't endure hardship, don't be an actor, damn it!"

"..."

The tempers of art film directors were mostly not good. There were many more ugly words behind that Shen Li didn't dare to continue reading. Finally, it was only after He Zixiao left the group that the director stopped the abusive language.

Not long after, a commotion came from the hotel corridor that wasn't soundproof. He Zixiao's room wasn't far from Shen Li's room. Hearing the movement, Sister Xiaoyun subconsciously opened the door and poked her head out to look.

In the next second, she hurriedly shrank back, turned her head, and said in surprise: "The director is here!"

Before Shen Li could speak, a clear national essence resounded through the entire floor: "I fuck your mother, He Zixiao!"

This sentence directly scared Shen Li and Sister Xiaoyun silly, but the actors in other rooms opened their doors and walked out one after another. Seeing this, Shen Li followed them out.

Mainly, she had to figure out what the situation was now.

Director Xiang Tian walked out of He Zixiao's room. He was very young, with a very short crew cut, wearing a pair of black frames without lenses, his figure slightly thin, and there was a very obvious ruffian aura on his body, not looking like someone who did art.

"This turtle grandson fucking ran away!"

Coming out, it was another output of national essence, but his hands weren't idle either. While scolding, he flipped through his phone. No matter what, now that a protagonist was missing, he had to find someone to fill the spot.

As a result, several calls were rejected one after another.

First, everyone knew that the filming environment for realistic themes was hard. Second, the pay was low. Third, it might not even be released in China, belonging to the typical type that spent time but was very likely to sink into the sea.

And although Director Xiang Tian won a big award abroad, he was a small director with no weight or popularity in the domestic entertainment industry. He was young and successful, which was already envied by many people. Plus, his personality was eccentric and he did things his own way, so there were plenty of people in the industry who squeezed him out, all wishing he would make a fool of himself!

Seeing that the project was about to get stuck again, Xiang Tian was so angry he almost smashed his phone. A group of people crowded in the corridor didn't dare to make a sound. The entire crew consisted of unknown small actors, and they didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Xiang Tian suddenly looked at the crowd with red eyes and asked: "Is there anyone else who wants to leave?"

Everyone's eyes dodged, but no one said they wanted to leave.

Xiang Tian added: "If you want to leave, leave today. After today, whoever dares to pull this stunt on me again, I'll fucking risk my life with them!"

Several actors who had worked with Xiang Tian on the previous film spoke up one after another: "Director, rest assured, we won't leave."

"Right, we definitely won't leave!"

"Director, you find someone to fill He Zixiao's spot first, we'll stay here and wait with you."

Xiang Tian's handsome face was twisted together with worry. He knew he didn't have many connections in the circle, and he disdained to socialize everywhere to accumulate so-called connections in the circle. He was the kind of person who only wanted to film the movies he wanted to film and was absolutely unwilling to bow to the market.

This was originally his pride. He felt he was untainted by the mud and different from everyone else.

But the reality was, it was truly fucking powerless at the critical moment!

"Do you have any friends you know, any suitable ones?" Xiang Tian looked at the crowd and asked, his tone also softening.

Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads one after another.

Whether there was one was another matter, no one dared to take this responsibility. If they really introduced someone and something went wrong, they would definitely have to take the blame.

"Director."

Just at this moment, Shen Li suddenly stood out and looked at Xiang Tian seriously: "I do have a recommended candidate, but he was only a background actor before, and he was injured a few months ago. However, when we sent messages during the New Year, he said his injury was no big deal. If you don't mind that he was a background actor before, I can ask him."

"Background actor..."

Xiang Tian fell into a tangle upon hearing this. Could a background actor play his protagonist?

Seeing this, Shen Li hurriedly added: "He is a genuine northern rural person. If he plays his true self, it shouldn't be a big problem. I can ask him for a few clips of his previous performances. He has also played some bit parts with lines. Would you like to take a look?"

"Okay, as long as he's a rural person, it's easy to handle. Then Shen Li, you contact him immediately, we really don't have time!" ===== CHAPTER 249 =====