Chapter 353: Inquiring About Copyright, Schedule, *Coming Home*

"Go and inquire about where the film copyright for this is now."

The next morning, Lin Nan called Yue Jun.

The latter was still a bit puzzled: "Lin Dao, are we going to film this story next?"

"Whether to film it or not is another matter; ask clearly about the copyright first. I only have an idea now; who knows if I'll change my mind in two days."

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Yue Jun didn't say anything more, "Okay, I'll send someone to inquire about the copyright this morning."

After hanging up, Lin Nan finished washing up and got up to go next door for breakfast.

The news in the circle these past two days was quite interesting.

On one side, a group of actors, stars, and industry insiders were all trying to prove that they hadn't been to Sanya, or that they had been to Sanya but had never participated in any so-called "feast"; for a time, the media and the internet were noisy and very lively.

On the other side, Jackie Chan was also being chased and scolded by a group of experts and netizens. Of course, there were more people supporting him.

A few years ago, Jackie Chan donated 4 of the 10 Hui-style wooden ancient buildings he bought in his early years to Singapore, and now he had the idea of donating the remaining 6 there too.

Just because they were indeed planning a site there and building a museum next to the university. The government also promised to allocate funds every year to properly maintain and protect them, and to exhibit these ancient buildings for free to everyone in the world.

And placed in the country, it was neither giving the place a museum to repair, nor was the official concerned.

These old houses could only be a pile of wood in the warehouse, constantly being gnawed by termites.

Jackie Chan still had to spend tens of millions every year to protect these buildings; simply put, donating them was fine.

Just like that, rotting there, not a single person went to blame. But to donate them out, immediately a bunch of people stood on the moral high ground to attack and kidnap.

"Yo, that *Switch* is also set for release?"

Lin Nan saw the new film information; several posters were truly "painstaking."

Lin Zhiling was almost the main character, and the posters with Andy Lau were either showing legs or showing figures.

The most eye-catching one belonged to Lin Zhiling and Tong Dawei.

Tong Dawei had pure white long hair, Japanese style, kneeling there, leaning against Lin Zhiling. He was holding Lin Zhiling's naked legs, with a complex look of admiration, and some restraint...

"Not to mention how the film is, this poster is a bit interesting, full of Japanese style!"

Lin Nan smiled and muttered in his heart.

Immediately, he looked at Liu Yifei and Shu Chang again: "I'm going to China Film Group this morning; shall we go see *The Croods* in the afternoon?"

"Mm, okay."

Liu Yifei then perked up a bit, smiled at Lin Nan, and nodded.

"I won't go to be a lightbulb; I have to go back to work; I have a notice," Shu Chang drank milk and replied.

"That's great, I won't see you off."

Lin Nan pretended to be very happy, which earned him a pair of eye-rolls from Shu Chang.

On the side, Liu Xiaoli looked at the children, smiled and shook her head, and didn't say anything.

At China Film Group, a large number of filmmakers in the circle came in and out almost every day, mostly running for connections or pulling investment.

When Lin Nan arrived, the entrance was even a bit congested.

"Director Zhang?"

Through the car window, Lin Nan saw Zhang Yimou and his party of three in the distance; they were getting into the car, preparing to leave.

There was no chance to say hello, so Lin Nan gave up.

Driving into China Film Group, looking at those filmmakers huddled together, Lin Nan felt a bit of disdain.

Although he wasn't familiar with these people, Lin Nan had some impression of their faces.

How many years had passed in a flash, and these were still the same people asking for film support funds; were they used to eating relief?

It was possible that even the quota for applying for film support funds had been "monopolized" by these people.

"Senior Brother Lin, I'm in my second year of graduate school this year."

Turning around, he met Han Jia, which gave Lin Nan a big jump.

"I say, you're in your second year of graduate school; what does that have to do with me?"

Lin Nan teased; just after speaking, he remembered, "Graduation play?"

"Mm."

"Han Dong didn't say he would open a back door for you?"

"This is a graduation work; Old Han wouldn't do that."

"Feature film?"

When asking this question, Lin Nan was already prepared to bleed.

"Short film."

"Short film?"

"Yeah, just starting out; I can't compare with you big directors. Even that Zhao Wei only directed her first film after acting for so many years; I'd better be conservative."

As she spoke, Han Jia looked at Lin Nan and said with a smile:

"Senior Brother Lin, lend me the team from your company when the time comes. The equipment at the Youth Film Studio is too simple, and Old Han wants to avoid suspicion with China Film Group's people and machines..."

"Haha, okay. I thought you were asking me to invest in a feature film."

"A short film is also fine."

Han Jia smiled slyly, without any embarrassment at all.

Fine, a short film is a short film; at most it's a few hundred thousand, or even tens of thousands or over a hundred thousand can get it done.

Han Sanping obviously knew his daughter's plan, "Trouble you."

"Han Dong is too polite; just treat it as her remuneration when she was the executive director of *Lost in Thailand*. I just, seemed to see Director Zhang."

Han Sanping nodded and replied: "Although he is Zhang Yimou, for some themes to be successfully established and filmed, it's safer to say hello in advance."

"New film?"

"Right, with a special background; it's already no problem. Let's talk about why you came today."

"I want to see the release schedules of those films that haven't been announced yet, to choose a time for *About Time*," Lin Nan said directly.

"Here, see for yourself."

Lin Nan wasn't polite either; with Guo Fan's current strength, he couldn't rashly go to the New Year's slot; the National Day slot was also uncertain.

Half an hour later.

"Summer slot plus Qixi slot, let's make it August 1st."

"You see that time is good now, but who knows if there will be many films set for that slot in the next two months."

"Then soldiers come to block, water comes to cover; not afraid."

In the afternoon, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei went to see *The Croods* together.

Still the same sentence, Hollywood animated films were indeed far ahead of domestic ones in terms of plot and special effects; the 3D cinema was almost full.

"I think you are sometimes quite like that 'Eep'."

"Hmm?"

"When you are violent."

Lin Nan looked at his girlfriend who was grinding her teeth and teased her.

"I'm violent?"

Liu Yifei looked up with an exquisite face, looked at Lin Nan, and sneered:

"Hehehe, you're dead. When we go back, you will see a more violent me."

Lin Nan grabbed Liu Yifei's hand on his waist; it was very smooth and tender, "Actually, I quite like it; hmm, really, I'm not lying to you."

Liu Yifei looked at the soft smile on Lin Nan's face and couldn't help but laugh, acting spoiled: "Humph, too late..."

While most of the audience was still waiting for the easter egg, Lin Nan and the two had already slipped out of the cinema.

When they returned home, the news on the internet had changed a batch.

The "sneaky" appearance of Lin Nan and Liu Yifei had already appeared on the internet, stolen shots, and the light was relatively dark.

"Surprise! In the cinema for *The Croods*, saw Lin Dao Nan and Liu Yifei!"

"They went to see a movie again; why can't I meet them?"

"Looks very sweet..."

These were small gossip; the real big news came from Zhang Yimou.

"Since *The Flowers of War*, the two Zhangs have parted ways; Director Zhang Yimou's new film is finally established!"

"It is reported that Director Zhang Yimou's new film will be fully invested by LeTV Pictures, adapted from Yan Geling's *Coming Home*."

Unlike the establishment of Zhang Yimou's new films in the past, which were all handled by Zhang Weiping, the former didn't interfere.

This time, Zhang Yimou himself stood up and posted:

"Very happy to cooperate with Teacher Gong Li and Chen Daoming again; next, the crew will also screen suitable female second leads and other supporting roles nationwide, and conduct training for several months..."

Once this news came out, the film and television circle was shaken.

Countless actors flocked to buy that book *Coming Home*.

It was undeniable that Zhang Yimou's film this time was full of fatal temptation for actors in the industry.

Director Zhang Yimou, starring Teacher Gong Li and Chen Daoming.

With this lineup, even if it was a supporting role, it was what the vast majority of actors and artists in the circle longed for.

A large number of actors in the industry sent congratulations, including those "Zhang Girls" from the past, who were also staring at the female second lead.

Being a supporting role for Teacher Gong Li, even if it was a first-tier actress or female star, wouldn't feel like it was dropping in status.

And looking at this theme, it was obviously a film that could go for awards. Zhang Yimou's award-chasing films were at least nominations to start with!

Lin Nan looked at the book *Coming Home* in Liu Yifei's hand; he didn't know if it was his illusion, but why did his teeth ache a bit?

Not just Liu Yifei, young actresses in the first and second tiers of the circle were doing the same thing.

"The female second lead is also a key role, with plenty of scenes; it's the daughter of the male and female leads... good at dancing, with quite a few dance scenes?"

Listening to the report from her subordinates, Cai Yinong became more excited the more she heard, and her eyes lit up.

"Help me submit a resume; dancing can be practiced; Director Zhang also said there will be training..."

Yang Mi held the book and urged Ceng Jia.

"But we have already accepted *Swords of Legends*," Ceng Jia hesitated.

"Try it first; if it doesn't succeed, forget it. But if it happens to succeed, who knows if the schedule won't conflict. Even if it conflicts, we'll talk about it then..."

At this moment, Yang Mi's old problem flared up again.

"Tiantian, I have already helped you send an audition resume; wait for the news."

"Thank you, Uncle Lu."

Major film and television companies, brokerage companies, and actor studios, as long as they were doing artist brokerage, were all taking action.

Looking at Liu Yifei in front of him who was pouting with an expectant look, Lin Nan was a bit helpless.

"Fine, shall I call and ask?"

"Mm, hurry, hurry." Liu Yifei instantly became excited.

"But I think the hope is not big."

Ignoring Lin Nan's negative attitude, Liu Yifei had already handed the phone to Lin Nan, wanting to watch him make the call.

The first call went out, busy signal.

After three minutes, the second call went out, also a busy signal.

Looking at Liu Yifei who was a bit sad, Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh:

"Look, it's definitely not just me looking for Director Zhang; there are quite a few people calling him.

It's been ten minutes, and it's still: Please do not hang up, the number you dialed is busy..."

Lin Nan had expected this situation.

It wasn't just Zhang Yimou; all big directors, including Lin Nan, were like this.

Every time a new film started, as soon as the news spread, calls from the circle inquiring about casting, wanting to slot people in, and wanting to use favors would all flood in.

"Then, okay. We can wait; who knows if Director Zhang will call back in a while."

Liu Yifei said, sat back on the sofa, ate fruit, and started petting the cat; she didn't even read the book.

She also pulled Lin Nan over to use as a backrest; it was really as comfortable as it could be.

Before waiting for Zhang Yimou's call, Jiang Xuerou's call came through.

"Lin Dao, Director Zheng Xiaolong's casting is over; do you want to come over and meet everyone?"

The meaning of this words meant that only Zhou Xun, who was still flying around outside, was left; as long as she came back, they could start filming.

"Then tomorrow morning, let's have a meal."

After casting, they still had to wait a month or two to start filming; Lin Nan should meet the actors, after all, it was his company's project.

Just finished the call with Jiang Xuerou, Zhang Yimou's call came back.

Liu Yifei sat up instantly, watching Lin Nan answer.

"I've been answering calls just now; after hanging up, I saw your call, and when I called back, you were busy."

From Zhang Yimou's voice, it could be heard that he was in a very good mood.

In the film circle, Zhang Yimou was a director known for his vigorous energy, the kind who could work continuously.

"Director Zhang, I called, and it's nothing big; I just wanted to ask about the female second lead role?"

Lin Nan went straight to the point, without hiding anything.

"Haha, you are all asking about this. The call just now was from Gu Changwei, asking for his niece, that one called Ma Sichun..."

Lin Nan had the speakerphone on, and Liu Yifei could hear it on the side.

"You, you should be asking for Yifei, right? Except for Yifei, I guess you wouldn't call me several times."

"Can't hide it from Director Zhang. Hmm, that's right, I'm just asking for Yifei; is she, suitable?"

After Lin Nan finished speaking, the other side of the phone paused.

"I won't hide it from you either; for this female second lead, I want to find a professional who can dance, preferably a dance major graduate; whether she can act or not is secondary..."

Zhang Yimou was still talking, but Lin Nan had already looked at Liu Yifei on the side and shook his head at her; no chance.

The latter pouted and puffed her cheeks, a bit helpless, but had no choice.

"... In addition, Yifei is not a small actor now; she has already acted in many blockbusters. Her temperament itself is completely inconsistent with the grassroots, stupid girl of the female second lead; the audience will also be very distracted..."

Fine, Lin Nan understood, and Liu Yifei also understood.

Zhang Yimou might have never thought of using existing actors; he wanted to choose from amateurs again.

He needed an amateur like a blank sheet of paper, who could let him doodle; this was also the unified characteristic of "Zhang Girls," debuting as amateurs.

It was just that everyone didn't expect that this time even the female second lead would be like this; in the past, only the female lead had this requirement.

Those actors in the circle all wasted their efforts, and the audition resumes were submitted in vain.

"Then forget it, sorry to bother Director Zhang." Lin Nan didn't have any dissatisfaction.

"Not a bother, next time. In the future, if there is a suitable role, I will tell you."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was a bit stunned; Zhang Yimou changed his temper? Actually giving such a positive promise.

In his impression, Zhang Yimou never made such role promises.

"Then thank you, Director Zhang."

"You're welcome."

After hanging up, Lin Nan spread his hands at Liu Yifei.

Although Miss Liu was a bit discouraged, she wasn't too depressed; she was holding the attitude of trying it out anyway.

"Fine, got the answer, I'm at ease. Prepare, prepare, we'll set off for Hollywood in two days."

One second she was a bit discouraged, the next second she changed back to a smile.

It could only be said that she was worthy of being Liu Yifei; this strong heart and self-adjustment ability was that Liu Hanhan.

A large number of actors in the film and television circle were still chattering, waiting eagerly for the reply from Zhang Yimou's studio.

When to reply to the email, or notify by phone, when, and where to audition.

Other supporting roles might still have hope and opportunity, but the female second lead was destined to have no chance at all.

The next day.

Lin Nan drove to the appointment and met the creative team of *Red Sorghum*.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 354 =====