Chapter 347: Frozen

The outside world always jokes that there are a few directors who, when making films, always cast their own wife as the "first choice" for the female lead.

In practice, when they actually shoot, it's true—either the female lead, or a major supporting female role, at the very least the kind they've collaborated with across several films.

For example, Jia Jia Zhangke and Zhao Tao, Feng Feng Xiaogang and Xu Fan, Jiang Wen and Zhou Yun, Chen Chen Kaige and Chen Hong, Gu Gu Changwei and Jiang Teacher Wenli.

Similarly, there's also Director Guan Hu of "Cuisine, Gangster, Actor," and his wife Liang Jing.

Once Lin Nan gets married, this lineup will most likely gain one more new pair of members: Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei.

"This film doesn't have a big investment, only those four leads, and the main setting is just one restaurant…"

Wang Wang Changtian's tone carried a flaunting edge, without a shred of pretence.

"Not a big investment—how much, then?"

"15 million."

Wang Wang Changtian smiled and answered crisply; he'd been waiting for Lin Nan to ask that question.

"Then I have to congratulate Director Wang—blood profit. If you go after Huang Bo now, that previous pay won't cut it anymore."

Lin Nan tossed out a playful compliment. This comedy really did have something to it.

"Ha, yeah, made money. Who would've thought that after a New Year slot and a Spring Festival slot, he'd end up with two films crossing the 1-billion box office mark?"

Wang Wang Changtian laughed heartily—he'd truly picked up a bargain and made a killing.

With this film now, Huang Bo alone can draw plenty of audiences into the cinema.

At the premiere, after watching the film, Lin Nan didn't linger.

The cookie-cutter cocktail parties and social small talk didn't interest him much. In the afternoon, the company had an appointment to meet Zheng Zheng Xiaolong.

Come to think of it, Lin Nan Pictures isn't short on film directors, but TV drama directors—especially top-tier TV drama directors—genuinely doesn't have any.

Of course, Lin Nan had never thought of cultivating them himself. In this circle, money can never all be made. The cake is that big, but you can't eat it all by yourself.

Wanting to do everything yourself is too unrealistic; if you try, you'll either work yourself to death, or be careful you don't burst from overeating.

Around noon, Lin Nan unusually received a call from Hu Ge.

Any actor with a bit of ambition is looking for their own way out; for Hu Ge, the film route is pretty much a dead end.

Any film company in the industry has its own roster of artists, or its own circle of interests—it never lacks actors, and good projects basically never get handed to outsiders on the cheap.

Given Tang Ren's awkward position in the industry, there's simply no way to help Hu Ge land good film resources.

But in the stage play arena, Hu Ge seems to have latched onto a powerful backer on his own.

"Director Lai Shengchuan's stage play 'A Dream Like a Dream'—I'm playing the male lead in his youth. Starting on the 1st of next month, it'll run for half a month at the Poly Theatre. Lin Dao, if you have time on your end, you could come by and give some guidance…"

Hearing Hu Ge's invitation, Lin Nan was a bit surprised—already branching into the stage play circle? And a long-form production running over seven hours at that.

"A stage play! Well, congratulations to you—ordinary actors wouldn't dare take on a stage play."

Lin Nan spoke up. Stage plays really hone acting chops.

The reason most actors don't touch stage plays: first, they don't have the skill; second, it's too grueling and exhausting; and only then comes the most important reason—the pay is too low!

"It's alright. I've already signed a long-term contract; from this year on, I'll be following every performance of 'A Dream Like a Dream.'"

That resolve is pretty firm.

"Alright. I'll try to carve out time to come watch—wishing you a smooth run."

Even after hanging up, Lin Nan was still a bit reflective—Hu Ge's success came because of Tang Ren, and now Tang Ren is also what's holding him back.

…………

Liu Liu Yifei happily accepted the surprise Lin Nan had given her; she had already sent her reply email to the Disney side.

Just like that, a piece of news that had crossed the ocean from Hollywood made its way back into the mainland film and TV circle, conspicuously so.

"Disney's new production, the 3D animated feature 'Frozen,' adapted from Andersen's fairy tale 'The Snow Queen,' has confirmed the invitation of Liu Liu Yifei as one of its female leads, to voice Princess Elsa."

"It is reported that at the mid-January 'Frankenweenie' party, Lin Dao Nan had recommended her to the Disney side…"

"The Disney side stated that Liu Liu Yifei will voice 'Frozen' in both English and Chinese versions, in preparation for its later entry into the domestic market…"

Quite a few actors in the circle noticed this news; in the past, mainland actors had also voiced for Hollywood animated films.

But a Disney princess title… that's truly very rare!

Miss Liu was highly efficient—she had already reposted the news right away and left a comment:

"Mm, not lying to you, Lin Nan was actually the one who told me first—I was completely stunned at the time. Such a lovely surprise!"

The comments below were all over the place.

"I can practically see Producer Liu's smug expression and tsundere tone as she says this…"

"Can we keep it down a bit, so the other actresses don't hear and get jealous and sour?"

……

The fans and netizens actually guessed right, but actresses of the same age group could only stand by and envy—no way in.

"Lin Dao can already recommend people to other Hollywood companies now?"

Quite a few actors and agencies shared this sentiment, and from there entertained some unrealistic ideas.

……

"Congrats Liu Yifei—when are you heading over?"

"Right, when are you going to do the voice work, Princess Liu Qianqian?"

Plenty of industry insiders were also offering congratulations and asking questions.

Liu Liu Yifei @-replied Zhou Xun, Huang Huang Xiaoming and a few others, "End of next month, before May Day."

Lin Nan scrolled through Weibo for a while, gave Miss Liu a like, and then stopped looking.

His assistant notified him that the person had arrived and was in the small reception room on the third floor.

When Lin Nan reached the third floor, Zheng Zheng Xiaolong and his assistant were drinking tea.

This man was a heavyweight among TV drama directors—over the past twenty years, he'd shot plenty of award-winning TV dramas, the most recent being "Empresses in the Palace."

"Director Zheng, welcome."

After Lin Nan entered, he stepped forward and shook hands. The man was sixty years old, worthy of his respect.

"Lin Dao Nan, you're too kind. To be honest, last October, we were already inquiring about the TV drama rights, but it turned out your company bought them first."

Zheng Zheng Xiaolong smiled and told Lin Nan about last year's matter.

"Supervisor Yue Jun has a hobby of collecting rights; I only found out about it afterward."

After the two chatted casually for a few sentences, they got down to business.

"My wife is busy with the script for another period drama, about the Qin dynasty's Queen Dowager Dong Xuan; it'll probably be next year before it's done. This window in between works out perfectly—I can take on Red Sorghum."

Hearing Zheng Zheng Xiaolong say this, Lin Nan nodded. Just as he was about to speak, the other man spoke again.

"I heard from Yue Jun that the male and female leads are set as Zhou Xun and Zhu Zhu Yawen?"

"Yes, I decided that."

"Those two are great. For the casting afterward, I hope I can have some decision-making power. This is a right a director must have over the TV drama he directs—to make a good show, it has to be this way."

"Of course, I also won't accept some untalented, unsuitable insider-connection actors; the company can supervise. Likewise, the company can keep recommending actors, but I hope I can have the final say."

This kind of demand was very reasonable to Lin Nan.

Because he himself was a director. A director, based on his own understanding of the script, had to have a certain decision-making power over the roles, to control the entire crew.

"Sure, no problem. Zhou Xun's schedule won't be free until the second half of the year. During this time, Director Zheng can start casting. Supervisor Jiang Jiang Xuerou will cooperate—she's the producer of this TV drama."

"Good, that's settled."

Zheng Zheng Xiaolong's fee for taking on a project was openly priced in the industry, so signing the contract was much simpler.

…………

Huayi Studio's The Loyal Yang Family Generals, with an investment of 170 million, was also holding its premiere, and a great many people from the industry went to show support.

A Hong Kong director, a Hong Kong screenwriter, nearly ten actors from both sides of the strait and three regions—it was billed as a galaxy of stars.

Experienced industry insiders, seeing this production lineup, knew right away: another so-called "historical epic" shot by a Hong Kong team!

Even though the industry wasn't optimistic, at the premiere Wang Wang Zhonglei still shouted the slogan of a 500-million-yuan box office starting in the mainland, and at least 50 million USD overseas.

As for how much it would actually get after release, it would depend on whether those imported films and domestic films like The Chef, the Thief, and the Actor gave it face.

"Produced by Lin Nan Pictures, directed by Zheng Zheng Xiaolong, the period epic Red Sorghum has officially been greenlit, casting begins…"

The news of Red Sorghum was posted on Lin Nan Pictures' official Weibo, and within half an hour it had caught the attention of everyone in the industry.

There were no fools in the circle.

The country's first Nobel Prize had only been born half a year ago, and everyone knew perfectly well how much attention this TV drama, adapted from the work of a Nobel laureate of the same name, would receive.

This was currently the highest-quality TV drama resource in the mainland—the top-tier TV drama director, original author, and production company!

No actor wasn't tempted; everyone was eyeing the casting.

……

"What a joke, the male and female leads are already set! When were they decided?"

"Zhou Xun and Zhu Zhu Yawen?"

"Isn't this a fix! So unfair…"

The talent agencies and actors calling to inquire were too many to count.

The reply they all got was that the male and female leads were set, the remaining roles would be chosen jointly by the director and the producer, with the director's opinion taking priority.

A flood of audition résumés was sent to Jiang Jiang Xuerou's and Zheng Zheng Xiaolong's studios.

……

Liu Liu Yifei held her tablet, watching other Disney animated films, already preparing for her trip to Hollywood at the end of next month.

Ever since Lin Nan told her the news about the dubbing, Miss Liu had been eating much lighter meals—really something else.

Looking at the vibrating phone, Lin Nan was a bit speechless. These people, all of them coming to ask about Red Sorghum—even the supporting roles weren't spared.

He had already made it clear he wouldn't get involved in the later casting, yet the calls kept coming.

To avoid being disturbed, Liu Liu Yifei had long since turned off her phone.

"Hm?"

Lin Nan glanced at the caller ID on his phone and froze!

"Jiang Teacher Wenli?"

Lin Nan was a bit puzzled. What could Jiang Teacher Wenli want with him at this time?

Glancing at Liu Liu Yifei, who was curled up barefoot on the sofa watching an animated film and giggling away, Lin Nan smiled lightly, picked up his phone, got up, left the living room, and went to the garden.

Miss Liu also noticed Lin Nan's movement, but paid it no mind, and immediately went back to watching the film.

"Sister Teacher Wenli, what is it?"

At the last Golden Horse Awards, Lin Nan had to admit, Jiang Teacher Wenli had definitely helped out as well.

"Lin Nan, I heard your company's Red Sorghum is casting?"

On the phone, Jiang Teacher Wenli got straight to the point with her question, making Lin Nan even more puzzled.

By rights, there wasn't a role in this script suited for Jiang Teacher Wenli—except for one supporting female role. But given her stature and pride, she probably wouldn't look twice at it!

He probed: "Yes, does Sister Teacher Wenli have something in mind?"

"Hehehe, it's not me. Didn't Director Zheng and your company already announce some of the roles? A friend of mine, someone I'm on pretty good terms with, sent in an audition résumé…"

On the phone, Jiang Teacher Wenli talked and Lin Nan listened, and the more he heard, the more conflicted he felt.

By rights, with Jiang Teacher Wenli asking, Lin Nan really couldn't refuse—after all, favors owed had to be repaid.

After a long hesitation, Lin Nan agreed.

"Sister Teacher Wenli, how about this: have him go audition for Director Zheng first. If he gets it, great. If not, leave it to me."

"Good, then I'll go with what you say."

After chatting for a while longer, Jiang Teacher Wenli hung up the phone, saying she had to go to class soon.

Lin Nan then remembered that this woman had been a full-time teacher at the Central Academy of Drama since last year.

"What kind of thing is this?"

Lin Nan smiled helplessly, a bad feeling creeping over him.

"It's all about favors—I'm just repaying a favor."

Muttering to himself, Lin Nan dialed a number and called Jiang Jiang Xuerou.

Soon after, the other end picked up. "Lin Dao?"

"Director Jiang, how many audition resumes have you received?"

"Many. We're sorting and notifying candidates now; next we'll begin auditions."

Lin Nan hesitated for a moment, then spoke:

"Keep an eye out for someone named Huang Dong Xuan—if he does well, forget it; if he's just barely good enough… give him a little help."

Jiang Jiang Xuerou was momentarily stunned; in past films and TV dramas, Lin Nan had never once said anything like this mid-process.

"Did someone ask you for a favor?"

"Something like that," Lin Nan replied helplessly.

"I get it—I'll pretend I never asked you that," Jiang Jiang Xuerou joked.

Lin Nan also shook his head; he thought the same—pretend he'd never received Jiang Teacher Wenli's call today.

Back in the villa's living room, Liu Liu Yifei had switched to another movie—the Disney animated version of Hua Mulan.

Lin Nan sat down, and Miss Liu naturally extended her legs over.

Her plump feet lazily rested on Lin Nan's thighs—she really knew how to enjoy herself.

"Who called you? Why did you talk so long?"

"Casting stuff."

Lin Nan gave a half-hearted, half-truthful reply.

Liu Liu Yifei picked up her phone from the table and pouted:

"I bet when I turn it on now, I'll have a ton of missed calls and messages."

"Just redirect everything to me—say I'm not interfering in casting this time."

Lin Nan squeezed Miss Liu's soft, pale feet and said something he didn't mean—he'd just given Jiang Jiang Xuerou those instructions.

"Are my feet ugly? I've trained since childhood."

Liu Liu Yifei suddenly said this, her eyes fixed on Lin Nan, bright and intense.

This question was tricky.

"I've never seen another girl's bare feet up close—how can I answer? But in my eyes, you're perfect!"

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Liu Liu Yifei's smile grew even brighter.

"This afternoon, I'm meeting Changchang to go shopping."

Miss Liu said slyly, then leaned close to Lin Nan's ear: "We can buy a few more pairs of silk stockings…"

"Mm, I think carrying bags and paying bills suits me perfectly!"

…………

(End of Chapter)