Chapter 196: Audition, Ready to Roll

The Golden Rooster's old boys are up to their tricks again.

This year's entry standards have added a new rule.

Any film with an investment under 8 million yuan is barred from competing in any individual award category.

In other words, they cannot participate in the selection for Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, or any other individual award.

In other words, the Best Picture award in the main section is definitely out of reach as well.

Because such films can only go to the newly established, separate "Low-Budget Film Section," to compete for the sole award within that section: "Best Low-Budget Film."

The moment this new rule was announced, it drew mockery and condemnation from the entire film industry.

Looking at film festivals worldwide, this kind of joke is being seen for the first time!

"Even film festivals have started to snub the poor and fawn on the rich…"

"How ironic is this? What are directors like Lin Nan, Jia Jia Zhangke, Wang Quan'an, Wang Wang Xiaoshuai, and Gu Gu Changwei supposed to think?

Their award-winning works from Europe's three major film festivals can't even qualify for entry into this year's Golden Rooster main section!"

Faced with the press's questioning, the association's vice chairman was quite adept at sophistry:

"The new rule is precisely meant to protect low-budget films.

Besides, films like 'Return to Dust,' 'Tuya's Marriage,' and 'Still Life' are all good films, but national conditions differ, so they can't all be lumped together…"

As for how to determine whether a film's investment has reached 8 million yuan, the Golden Rooster's answer was even more 'operational.'

"There's really no way to define it in detail, but the Golden Rooster Awards are a professional honor. After watching a film, many experts can roughly estimate the cost…"

Although Lin Nan had long since given up on domestic film festivals, seeing this news still left him feeling a bit disgusted.

All these vague, fuzzy rules and explanations will most likely end up becoming backroom deals and exchanges of favors…

These people's methods are indeed rather barefaced, and have already provoked resistance from many filmmakers.

Lin Nan heard that quite a few directors and producers in the industry, even when their films met the Golden Rooster's requirements, still resolutely refused the invitation and turned around to enter the Golden Horse instead.

For example, Jiang Wen's 'Let the Bullets Fly,' Gu Gu Changwei's 'Love for Life,' 'The Piano in a Factory,' 'Wu Xia'…

Public opinion was once again in an uproar, but the Golden Rooster side maintained a completely indifferent attitude.

…………

Half a month into its release, 'Painted Skin 2' had reached a box office of 550 million yuan.

This figure made it the fourth highest-grossing domestic film of all time, trailing only 'Aftershock.'

And as industry insiders had predicted, the film still had plenty of box office potential to show.

The producers—Western Film Group, Ning Film, and others—were each more excited than the last.

Han Han Sanping and the others even decided to give Ur Shan a bonus after the film finished its theatrical run; Lin Nan had no objections.

The July film market was already destined to be dominated by 'Painted Skin 2,' with other films beaten into complete helplessness.

In light of this situation, films scheduled for release in the second half of the year began their promotional campaigns early, terrified of another 'Painted Skin 2' emerging.

"Hmm?"

In his office, Lin Nan saw the news online.

'The Banquet' officially wrapped filming today, and held a wrap party press conference in the capital.

"The 200-million-yuan investment epic 'Legend of the Banquet' held its wrap press conference in Beijing today."

"The production team confirmed the film is set for release on November 29th, firing the first shot of the He Sui season!"

"Yang Mi, who plays Consort Yu, is the only female lead in this film…"

"Feng Feng Shaofeng and Yang Mi will once again play an on-screen couple…"

In the on-site video from the media report, the principal cast and crew could be seen, all smiles on their faces.

"Setting everything else aside, the He Sui season is a major window. We hope to achieve good results worthy of the 200-million-yuan investment."

Li Li Rengang's remarks were understated, yet brimming with confidence.

Finally, the crew handed the microphone to Yang Mi; everyone looked at her, and she understood what was meant.

"I hope 'Legend of the Banquet's' box office can surpass 'Painted Skin 2.'"

On set, only Yang Mi could say something like that without seeming arrogant and out of place.

After all, she had also appeared in 'Painted Skin 2,' and that film was controlled by Lin Nan Pictures—she was one of their own.

The crew's purpose in giving her the microphone was very simple: they hoped she could hitch a ride on 'Painted Skin 2's' buzz.

Yang Mi's remarks were, as expected, reported on extensively.

"'The Banquet' will benchmark against 'Painted Skin 2,' with a box office target aimed straight at 700 million yuan, or even higher."

"The cast is full of confidence in 'The Banquet'—the film is sure to come out on top of the He Sui season!"

……

Lin Nan wasn't particularly concerned about the hype over there.

No matter how loud the slogans are during promotion, the real test is whether audiences will buy in once the film is released.

"I've given Ceng Jia a great deal of autonomy. The facts have proven she's an excellent agent with very strong professional abilities…"

This was Yue Jun's decision. Although Lin Nan felt it was somewhat improper, he ultimately did not object.

Because no matter how you looked at it, this wasn't any big deal.

…………

Liu Liu Xiaoli took Liu Liu Yifei back home to visit family together.

The reporters were quite capable—photos of the two of them shopping had already appeared online.

Liu Liu Xiaoli in a white top, a floral long skirt, and an outstanding air, along with…

When Lin Nan saw the photos, an exasperated smile crossed his face.

A single ponytail, a baseball cap, wine-red oversized sunglasses…

Liu Liu Yifei wore a gray T-shirt with leopard print accents, ripped jeans, and high-heeled sandals.

Neither traditional nor modern—she relied entirely on her face to carry it all!

Yet she still looked ethereal and stunning, drawing many passersby to stop and stare!

…………

"Lin Dao, this side will be fully completed in at most five more days."

"Mm, the filming crew is also ready."

After hanging up Guo Fan's call, Lin Nan had someone confirm the schedules of several actors.

Liu Liu Dehua and Zhou Xun both have commitments recently, but they'll finish within these two days.

Especially Reba and Lei Lei Jiayin are insiders—they're always waiting for word to join the set.

"Star Journey" will be released in August; though it's a romantic art film, it won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes.

Because it's directed by Lin Nan and stars him and Liu Liu Yifei, many domestic films have chosen to avoid this release window.

Now only one stubborn Hong Kong film, "The Stolen Secrets 2," will compete with "Star Journey" in the same slot.

This situation has caused a clustering of domestic films in the coming months.

Right now, all the films heavily promoted are those scheduled for September and beyond.

Among them, "Painted Skin 2" and "The Legend of the White Snake" are competing most fiercely—same commercial genre, same mythological fantasy theme, and same release date—it's a direct clash!

…………

"Painted Skin 2" broke 600 million, then 615 million, 629 million…

Now, every production company in the industry is green with envy.

This film's box office will surpass 700 million without any doubt, and it's highly likely to exceed "Let's Shoot First."

Meanwhile, "Martial Arts" has dropped below one million daily box office, currently at 125 million; its final total will likely cap at around 130 million.

"The Founding of a Party" has sluggishly reached 350 million, with half its screening time still remaining! This delay has left too many production companies frustrated and helpless…

Capital Airport.

Liu Liu Dehua, accompanied by his assistant, was spotted by the media.

"Is Hua Zai here for some event?"

"No."

Liu Liu Dehua has high professional standards; since Lin Nan hadn't spoken up, he wouldn't reveal he was preparing to join the set.

Reporters are shrewd—their news articles only speculated that "Space Passenger" was about to start filming, since none of the production companies had released any official word.

Only when the media successively spotted Zhou Xun returning to Beijing, along with the newcomer Especially Reba, did they confirm it.

"Lin Dao Nan's new film, 'Space Passenger,' is about to start filming; the three lead actors have already gathered in the capital…"

"Newcomer Especially Reba appears slightly nervous before the camera."

…………

Liu Liu Yifei returned just in time, two days before the deadline.

"If you didn't come back, I was going to place a life-sized standee of you at the cast photo shoot on opening day."

"Hmph, then you'll be dead then!"

Liu Liu Yifei feigned a fierce glare at Lin Nan, then handed him a large box.

"Here, a gift I brought you."

"What? Not hot dry noodles again? I can't stand those…"

Amid the threat, Lin Nan fell silent, smiling as he took it—he was just joking.

Inside the box: a full box of strawberries!?

"Try some. I picked them myself this morning at the orchard, then flew back…"

Liu Liu Yifei watched Lin Nan with a smile, telling him about her days.

Apparently, Miss Liu had been asked many questions about Lin Nan…

…………

"Too bad 'The Hongmen Banquet' wrapped late. I missed Lin Dao's 'Space Passenger.'"

Yang Mi said with a hint of regret.

"There's nothing to be done, but we've received quite a few new script offers—I think most of them are decent. Let's pick a few."

Ceng Jia glanced at Yang Mi, feeling quite pleased—her artist was now firmly a top-tier young actress!

"Will the schedules conflict? Can we take them all?" Yang Mi's first thought was this.

"Probably not too conflicting, but there's another good piece of news—want to hear it?"

"What good news?" Yang Mi asked.

"I heard Director Chen is casting for a supporting female role—want to audition?"

Ceng Jia's words instantly lifted Yang Mi's spirits.

"Director Chen? Which Director Chen?"

"Haha, the one you're thinking of—good news, right?"

"Yes, yes, it's good news."

Yang Mi felt a little excited; in her mind, she had better chances than many other actresses.

"Shall I submit your audition resume for you?"

"Yes, quickly—don't miss it!"

Yang Mi hurriedly said; no actor could refuse such an audition opportunity.

The filming crew began arriving at China Film Digital Production Base.

This commotion could not be hidden from those in the industry or the media, after all, quite a few other film crews were still busy at the Digital Production Base.

…………