Chapter 110: Start of Filming

The roles in *The Thieves* have quite a wide age range.

For actors like Liu Dehua and Liang Jiahui, Lin Nan’s positioning for them is as the leaders of two thief gangs.

This represents their experience, seniority, and ability in this industry.

The media waiting downstairs at Lin Nan Film today really hit the jackpot.

The actresses who arrived were all unique in their own way...

"There are even people wearing bodysuits?"

A reporter muttered in a low voice, eyes wide open, while their camera never stopped clicking.

In the conference room, Lin Nan and Guo Fan sat together, with Jiang Rou beside them; the latter will participate in the production work for *The Thieves*.

The first actress to audition was Li Bingbing.

To be honest, she is quite experienced in action films.

But this role requires more than just that.

In the plot, one must be able to switch their state and temperament at any time when facing different situations and different people.

Charming, cold and glamorous, coquettish, seductive, carefree...

In this regard, Li Bingbing was a little stiff.

"Director Lin?"

"Yes, once the results are out later, I will have someone notify you."

"Then, thank you, Director Lin."

Li Bingbing thanked him politely and left the conference room.

She had a faint premonition that perhaps she hadn't let herself go just now.

Next was Zeng Li.

Although they are old acquaintances, Lin Nan still had to say that Zeng Li was still lacking for this role.

It might also be due to her bone structure; she has enough cold glamour, but lacks coquettish charm.

Since they were too familiar, Lin Nan gave the answer directly.

"Senior Sister Zeng Li, you are not very suitable."

After these words were spoken, he didn't see the other party looking dejected.

"Having a clear answer is enough, it saves me from overthinking when I get back. Well, Director Lin, I'll be going first. Let's get together when everyone is free."

Zeng Li said with a smile, very composed.

"Mm, take care."

After Zeng Li left, Guo Fan was a bit surprised, "She is too calm and indifferent, isn't she?"

"Haha, that’s just her personality."

Lin Nan replied; the get-together Zeng Li mentioned definitely didn't carry any other meaning.

When Fan Bingbing walked in, it was truly a sight for sore eyes.

"Director Lin..."

She is clearly so beautiful, yet she insists on proving that she has acting skills!

"Let's begin."

Li Xiaoran was also not bad.

Hao Lei, Chen Hao, Liu Tao...

After more than a dozen actresses in a row, Lin Nan saw an old acquaintance again.

"Long time no see, Director Lin."

With a bright smile, it was still that Yan Danchen.

"It has been a long time. Do you want to try a different role?"

Lin Nan had collaborated with Yan Danchen on two films, and *Lotus Lantern* also counted as one.

He considered himself to understand her; Yan Danchen was the exact opposite of Zeng Li.

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Guo Fan and the others realized that Director Lin must be talking about another supporting female role.

"Hm? Anything is fine, I'll listen to Director Lin."

Yan Danchen said nonchalantly; she never cared about the size of the role and could take on both film and television work.

Lin Nan, Guo Fan, and Jiang Rou were all quite satisfied with Zhang Hanyu, which meant that the latter had secured the role.

"Start, old classmate."

Luo Jin smiled without saying a word. Following the audition requirements, he began to perform.

The requirements for this role in the script were actually not high, and with Luo Jin's qualifications, he was fully capable of handling it.

Lin Nan gave Luo Jin a positive answer on the spot.

"Thank you, Director Lin."

Lin Nan didn't say anything; they were classmates in the past, but that was just the past. He could call the other party an old classmate, but the latter clearly knew the rules within the industry.

Lin Nan saw it in his eyes and figured that Luo Jin must have hit many walls in the last two years.

Wu Jing was already someone who had been a director.

That he came to audition this time was something Lin Nan hadn't expected.

"Director Lin, I've long admired you. I'm here to audition, and to steal some tricks while I'm at it, haha..."

Lin Nan and the others glanced at him; this guy was a natural at getting familiar!

The fact that *Legendary Assassin* lost so much money was not big news in the industry.

After all, out of ten directors, nine of them lose money on their first film, not to mention someone crossing over to become a director.

Wu Jing had acted for so many years, from television series to films, and was a mature actor.

The auditions for *The Thieves* really couldn't stump him. Moreover, the male roles in this film were easier to cast than the female ones.

After two days of auditions, Lin Nan finalized the final cast list.

Liu Dehua, Liang Jiahui, Zhang Hanyu, Wu Jing, Luo Jin, Hui Yinghong, Fan Bingbing, and Yan Danchen.

With one more left, the main cast would be complete!

Other less important roles could be found at the film studio.

"Director Jiang, Zhang Yi's scenes should be about done, right?"

"Don't rush me, just these two days. It's only because it's you; if it were anyone else, I would definitely be cursing..."

Through the phone, one could hear the laughter on the other end.

"Alright, once it's finished, have him come back immediately," Lin Nan said with a smile.

*The Thieves* announced the final cast list and production information to the outside world.

"Director Lin's new film, a luxurious cast, with an investment cost of 130 million!"

This time, Lin Nan attempted to learn from Hollywood by modularizing the film project.

When *The Thieves* was greenlit, the logistics team was already preparing.

Scouting locations, having costumes and props ready in advance, breaking down shooting tasks, and planning the shooting schedule in detail...

He didn't expect to learn seventy or eighty percent of it, but at least it had to look the part; if shooting efficiency could be improved by twenty or thirty percent, that would be enough.

This way, it would be easier to slowly catch up in the future.

And looking at this pace, *The Thieves* would most likely start filming before *Brotherhood of Blades*.

After all, period dramas take more effort.

On the other side, good news came from the Golden Horse Awards.

Huang Bo won Best Actor for *Cow*, and Zhou Xun lifted the Best Actress trophy for the second time.

Lin Nan felt it was quite good, after all, both of them were his friends.

However, when Zhou Xun gave her acceptance speech, she thanked Lin Nan again, which gave the latter a bit of a headache.

If this happened two more times, he really wouldn't be able to explain it clearly...

Han Sanping suggested that since the cast was quite large this time, they should hold a launch press conference.

Lin Nan pondered for a moment and realized they really could hold one.

For a commercial film, what you need is momentum; from the moment filming starts, the promotion has already begun.

The box office for *Source Code*, after passing 40 million, saw its daily growth slow to a crawl, and this was only after half a month.

He estimated that in the remaining half month, it should be able to climb over the 50 million threshold.

In the film industry, one could already smell the gunpowder of the New Year season.

*The Storm Warriors*, *Bodyguards and Assassins*, *The Treasure Hunter*, and *A Simple Noodle Story*.

These were the four most anticipated films.

Especially *A Simple Noodle Story*; this was Zhang Yimou's first show after the Olympics, and Zhang Weiping was swearing to break the box office record.

New Pictures sent out invitations for the premiere more than twenty days in advance, looking quite impatient.

Han Sanping was very efficient, and the launch press conference for *The Thieves* was set at the China Film Auditorium.

Media reporters, industry peers, and actors all gathered together.

The cast and crew of *The Thieves*, *Brotherhood of Blades*, and *Lost on Journey* were all present.

Counting in *Love is Not Blind*, which was currently filming, many people were so shocked they gasped.

This meant four movies were being produced simultaneously!

When Lin Nan and Liu Yifei arrived, the venue was already very crowded.

The two separated; the former went to the stage, while the latter sat in the front row.

"For the film *The Thieves*, I plan to finish shooting within two months, preferably a month and a half.

In fact, even as we speak, a portion of the crew has already started working."

As soon as these words were spoken, some people at the venue thought of Lin Nan's graduation thesis from before.

Was he already starting to work according to the Hollywood model?

Cocktail party time.

"Director Lin, I toast you..."

Fan Bingbing was very happy to have secured a role in Lin Nan's film this time.

She held a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.

Clean and efficient; she was an old hand at this.

After finishing the toast, she left gracefully, knowing how to keep her distance.

Lin Nan saw Liu Yifei accepting an interview from reporters; he guessed they were asking about her feelings on being a producer.

The girl had a smile on her face, and it looked like the conversation was going well.

"Director Lin, I wish for your film's box office to reach new heights when it is released."

Caught off guard, Lu Zheng popped up, along with Jing Tian.

"Big Brother Lin," the latter called out softly.

"Hm? Has your movie wrapped up?"

Lin Nan was a bit curious; he remembered *My Belle Boss* had only started filming last month.

"Not yet, the crew is taking a day off today..."

Jing Tian replied with a smile, her eyes flickering slightly.

"I also wish for your movie to sell well when it comes out," Lin Nan said very sincerely.

"Thank you, Big Brother Lin."

After only a few words, he saw that Liu Yifei's interview was about to end, so Lin Nan also wrapped up the conversation.

"Tiantian, go back to the set; you only asked for half a day off."

Jing Tian glanced into the distance and nodded.

"Mm, Uncle Lu, let's go."

"What did the reporters ask you?"

"They asked if I would be nervous about being a producer for the first time."

Liu Yifei linked her arm with Lin Nan's and laughed.

"And what did you say?"

"I said I wasn't nervous because Lin Nan is there to back me up. Hehe..."

This answer was truly Liu Yifei's style—saying exactly what was on her mind.

When Jiang Wen said two days, he meant two days; Zhang Yi really did rush back in time.

Now the cast for *The Thieves* was complete, and with the professional actors found from the film studio, the crew could officially start filming.

The background of this film spanned the mainland and Hong Kong, but they weren't actually going to Hong Kong to shoot.

For landmark exterior shots, Lin Nan chose to film on location, but the main plot between the actors would still be in the mainland, right around the capital.

Later, through post-production editing and a few special effects, it would all be spliced together.

This would be a test for those people at Tiangong Color.

On a bright and breezy morning, the *The Thieves* crew.

"Scene one, take one of *The Thieves*.

Action!"