Chapter 101: Recruiting Talent

Some young people may not have seen *Years of Passion* and don't know how popular this TV series was at the time. However, everyone should have seen a "junior" divine drama, *Parents' Love*. It can be said that *Parents' Love* is as popular as *Years of Passion* was back then!

It was broadcast at the end of 2001, and major TV stations broadcast it round after round. CCTV, which didn't look favorably on this theme at first, regretted it endlessly, and later bought it back to broadcast on CCTV. It was popular for a whole year in 2002. Fixed sentence patterns like "XX Burning Years" appeared in newspapers and radio stations. Then the 2003 Spring Festival Gala invited the original cast of the TV series to specially arrange a short play called *Passion Remains*.

Compared with *Drawing Sword*, which focuses more on the battlefield, *Years of Passion* focuses on family life, so more people compare it with *Parents' Love*. At that time, when *Parents' Love* was just broadcast, there were even many arguments on the Internet saying that it plagiarized *Years of Passion*, causing fans of both sides to scold each other.

However, *Years of Passion* is indeed the originator of this kind of military daily drama, and it also created a type, which is worthy of being called a classic.

It may not be as popular as *Drawing Sword* for ten or twenty years, but in this era, it can absolutely become the blockbuster of the year, and it is no problem to be popular for two or three years in a row. This is also why Wu Yuchen listed it as the head TV series of their company.

This drama is super popular, but its three major leads are a bit "poisonous" in the future.

First of all, the couple Sun Haiying and Lü Liping, who fell in love because of the play during the shooting, published outrageous pro-foreign remarks many times when they were in China. Later, after immigrating to the United States, they completely became "spiritual foreigners," praising the American father and slandering the country. They also believed in a certain religion locally. Their words and deeds are really not worth mentioning. Anyway, no matter how good the acting skills of the two old bastards are, Wu Yuchen will not consider them.

Then there is Huang Haibo, who played the eldest son. In fact, Wu Yuchen knows that the so-called chicken-calling scandal of this guy is mostly designed. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that he offended someone. Not only did he call a hermaphrodite when he called for a chicken after drinking, but it was also reported by his driver. This is too fake!

However, Wu Yuchen doesn't intend to find Huang Haibo either. Not to mention whether he is wronged or not, he hasn't even entered the Tao Jingying Academy yet. Why look for him when he doesn't even have any acting skills?

These three major leads must be replaced. At that time, they will have to discuss it with the director.

Although Wu Yuchen values *Years of Passion*, he definitely doesn't have the time to do it himself. He doesn't have enough time to shoot movies, and he really can't spare it for TV series. However, there are many talents, and it is time to add some foundation to the company.

In the Water Margin City in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, in a hotel room, a group of big men sat around Zhang Jizhong, the producer.

Big Beard Zhang smiled: "Everyone, from the preparation of *Water Margin* in '94 to now, it has been 4 years, and it is finally coming to an end!"

Everyone showed a smile when they heard this. After all, this is really a huge project. Only they know how many difficulties and obstacles they have experienced in the middle. For example, Zhang Jizhong, the producer, also had a serious car accident in the middle, and he lay on the operating table for seven hours before he was out of danger.

Zhang Jizhong then clapped his hands again: "Seeing that there are only a few scenes left, let's work hard and strive to wrap up before the Lantern Festival, so we can go back to spend a late year!"

Everyone responded well, and then chatted and dispersed.

Just at this time, Big Beard Zhang's mobile phone rang. After he picked it up, he said as usual: "Hello, I am Zhang Jizhong."

After hearing the other party's self-introduction, Big Beard Zhang moved in his heart. He had heard the name of this Wu Yuchen, a genius director who recently emerged from the Tao Jingying Academy, so he immediately smiled and greeted him.

"Wu Dao, hello hello... A new novel you want to adapt into a TV series?

Wu Dao, this is not a coincidence. I am busy with *Water Margin*. I guess the post-production will take half a year. I don't have this time!

Hmm? You are looking for Little Kang? Oh, this is no problem, I will help you call him over now!"

Big Beard Zhang originally thought he was looking for himself, but he didn't expect it to be Kang Honglei, a deputy director under him. However, this is a good thing for Kang Honglei, and he naturally won't stop it.

Big Beard Zhang called Kang Honglei, who hadn't gone far, over in a few steps: "Little Kang, good thing, someone wants to find you to direct a TV series!"

Kang Honglei's spirit was lifted when he heard this. He studied acting in '79, became an actor in '82, transferred to behind-the-scenes after failing the exam for the Central Academy of Drama in '85, and went to Inner Mongolia TV Station in '88, starting from the field record. He was an extra-budgetary person for 8 years, and didn't have a penny of salary for the first four years, all relying on a passion for film and television.

He has been in a good mood recently. After 8 years of suffering, the TV station is discussing his regularization. Unexpectedly, happy events came one after another. This time, someone actually asked him to independently direct a TV series!

After Kang Honglei picked up the phone, he heard a young voice coming from the opposite side:

"Is it Director Kang Honglei?"

"Don't dare, don't dare, I am just a deputy director."

"Haha, Director Kang is modest. *Water Margin* shot 4 groups. You can lead one group, which proves that you are absolutely capable!"

Kang Honglei is not very good at words, and just smiled when he heard this.

"Director Kang, Director Zhang just told you, right? I have a new novel to be published here, and I want to shoot it into a TV series. Funds are not a problem, but I lack a good director with style and ability. I don't know if Director Kang is willing?"

Although Kang Honglei was happy, he was not carried away. He is a person who pursues quality, has his own set of aesthetics, and is not willing to shoot anything.

"Can you let me see the script first?"

"No problem, let's do this. I will mail you a copy of the original novel, which will definitely satisfy you!"

"By the way, my *Water Margin* hasn't finished shooting yet. It may take until March to have time." Kang Honglei added.

At this time, before Wu Yuchen could speak, he heard Big Beard Zhang on the opposite side interject:

"No, no, we are almost finished shooting. Can such a big crew be short of you as a deputy director? Little Kang, you haven't been home for the New Year for three years. Pack up and go back directly!

Wu Dao, you don't need to mail it. I will let Little Kang go to Beijing tomorrow!"

Big Beard Zhang, as a producer, is much more sophisticated than Kang Honglei, a dull gourd. For this kind of opportunity where someone is willing to invest and let you independently direct, even if you don't like the script, you have to set a good attitude in the early stage. Taking the initiative to visit is the right way. It will be good to cooperate again if there is a suitable opportunity in the future.

Big Beard Zhang has led Kang Honglei for several years, so he is naturally willing to help if he can. And what he just said was the truth. There are 9 deputy directors in *Water Margin* in total. Now the ending scenes are indeed not short of one.

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, he smiled. This Big Beard Zhang is indeed a wonderful person. As a producer, his ability in all aspects is undoubtedly excellent. Maybe the audience is very unhappy with his various hype, but for the TV series itself, it really greatly increased the exposure.

However, for the time being, he can't control Big Beard Zhang yet. People are still flourishing in CCTV.

Kang Honglei is different. His treatment has always been not very good. In his past life, even if he later continuously shot big hits like *Years of Passion* and *Soldiers Sortie*, he still couldn't afford a house in Beijing.

He has the personality of an old ox, won't talk to investors about his income, and only looks at the quality of the drama. It was not until he shot *My Chief and My Regiment* that he solved his "financial crisis" and bought a house in Beijing.

Wu Yuchen likes this kind of director who doesn't make trouble, only wants to do things with his head down, basically has no bad dramas, and produces hits from time to time!

If Kang Honglei mixes with him in the future, he will naturally give him the treatment he deserves. Wu Yuchen can still guarantee this.

The next day, Wu Yuchen started the post-production work of *My Brothers and Sisters*. In fact, the Tao Jingying Studio has quite complete talents in this regard. He doesn't need to follow the whole process. He mainly invests in editing and soundtrack. He personally goes into battle for editing, and for the soundtrack, he describes all requirements accurately.

A few days later, Wu Yuchen sat opposite Kang Honglei in a private room.

Wu Yuchen also roughly knew Kang Honglei's personality and took the initiative to ask with a smile: "Director Kang, did you finish reading it in one day? How is it, are you interested?"

Kang Honglei showed an excited smile when he heard this:

"Too interested! Wu Dao, to tell you the truth, I haven't left the book since I got it. After reading it yesterday, I cried bitterly on the toilet. I didn't sleep well all night, and my mind was full of pictures of Shi Guangrong and his family. As long as this drama can be shot, even if I don't want a penny, it will be fine!"

Wu Yuchen appreciated his enthusiastic attitude and waved his hand:

"Not to that extent, the director's treatment that should be there will definitely be given to you. I plan to invest a total of 5 million in funds, and the first 100,000 will be used by the crew for preparation, and the follow-up will be hit to the crew one after another."

Kang Honglei was overjoyed when he heard this. This is 5 million in '97. Now the actors' salaries are not high. With this 5 million, it is enough to shoot the *Years of Passion* in his heart!

Then Wu Yuchen asked again: "Director Kang, regarding the candidates for several protagonists, do you have any ideas?"

Kang Honglei thought for a while and said:

"The role of Shi Guangrong is the most important. He is a soldier, has that tough, decisive personality, and has the temperament of an iron bone. But at the same time, he is also reckless and has a bad temper, a patriarchal style, and is arbitrary. I think we should first consider those with military experience, or those who have acted as soldiers before. Then it is age, not too young, preferably around 40, able to act from middle age to old age. And..."

Kang Honglei undoubtedly had many ideas and said them all at once.

Wu Yuchen said after listening: "Director Kang, your ideas are very good, and they coincide with mine. I have also thought about some actors' candidates here. Listen to them."

"The first one is Li Youbin, born in '58, 39 years old now. He has never been a soldier, but he played the male lead soldier in a TV series *Tides Rising and Falling* in '94, and the effect was very good. If Director Kang hasn't seen it, you can take a look."

Many people think that Li Youbin is from the military art troupe. In fact, it is really not. He was specially recruited only in '02, because he acted as a soldier too well, and his resolute and upright side was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, so he was favored by the leaders and specially recruited into the army.

Wu Yuchen continued: "The second one is Zhang Guangbei, born in '59, 38 years old, joined the army in '76, and later admitted to the Central Academy of Drama. His acting skills and temperament are impeccable."

"The third one is Zhang Fengyi, born in '56, 40 years old, stayed in the art troupe for 6 years, and his acting skills are also good. But he is famous now and has many plays, so I guess it is not easy to invite."

Wu Yuchen knows that Zhang Fengyi will most likely join Chen Kaige's *The Emperor and the Assassin* this year, and will definitely not miss the opportunity of Director Chen because of their small TV series.

Wu Yuchen and Kang Honglei counted them one by one and analyzed the general situation. In fact, the original Sun Haiying was also born in '56, and they were about the same age as these people.

Kang Honglei also weighed them one by one in his heart, and then said: "I think we still have to let them audition, otherwise we can't see who is the most suitable."

Wu Yuchen naturally had no opinion on this, and then discussed the candidates for other roles, listed the actors they thought were suitable, and sent audition invitations at that time, and would also open them to the public, maybe they would run into more suitable ones.

After the two chatted, Kang Honglei said: "Wu Dao, is this producer done by you?"

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "I guess I will be busy with my own projects, I don't have this time."

"Then you have to find me an experienced one. Our play may have to deal with the army and other aspects at that time. I can still shoot, but if you ask me to do these things, I really can't do it." Kang Honglei smiled bitterly.

Wu Yuchen understood. The producer is also very important to the crew. The reason why Kang Honglei was willing to follow Big Beard Zhang in his past life was that Old Zhang could handle all aspects for him, and he only needed to shoot with peace of mind.

Miracle Film and Television does have relevant film and television management majors, but they are all too young and their experience is not enough. They can follow and learn, but if they want to be the main producer of a crew, it may not work.

Wu Yuchen asked: "Director Kang, do you have any recommended producers or producers you enjoy working with?"

Kang Honglei thought for a while and said: "*Water Margin* has 9 producers in total, all of them are quite powerful. After the New Year, I guess *Water Margin* will be finished. At that time, some of them will definitely be idle. Why don't I go and ask?"

Wu Yuchen smiled when he heard this. This is great. Those who can come out of the *Water Margin* crew are basically capable: "Okay, it just so happens that you have been working together for a few years, it is better to pull one who has a tacit understanding with you!"

After the two agreed, Kang Honglei contacted and pulled a producer named Meng Fanyao from the Water Margin crew. He has been in the industry for almost 10 years now. In '93, he served as the producer of *Oriental Merchant* and won the Flying Sky Award and Golden Eagle Award.

Wu Yuchen also heard his name in his past life. *Qiao's Grand Courtyard* was initiated and planned by him. He naturally welcomed him to join the crew with both hands. In this way, *Years of Passion* really doesn't have to worry, just wait for the New Year to start the audition! ===== CHAPTER 102 =====