Chapter 627: Audition; Little Steel Cannon Fires, War of Words Starts!

Early in the morning, the film circle saw a very annoying piece of film and television information;

Hollywood imported blockbuster, the seventh installment of Lucasfilm's *Star Wars* series, *The Force Awakens*, air-dropped on January 9th, squeezing into the New Year release slot!

For a time, China Film Group was accused by everyone, pointed at by the entire production industry; it didn't do many good things, but it was handy at doing bad things.

Even Lin Nan had to admit the fact that the pressure increased instantly, but it didn't matter, because it was still within his acceptable range;

It was nothing more than continuing to increase the promotional efforts for *Detective Chinatown*, fortunately there were still ten days left.

Beijing Film Academy, Acting Academy.

Since the casting audition announcement from Xingwu was issued yesterday afternoon, just one night passed, and it had already spread throughout the circle, boiling, and everyone knew it.

Although Liu Yifei had said at the promotional event for *Detective Chinatown* that she would select some actors from the three major colleges, and the college also hinted that there would be quotas;

But when the students actually saw the words "Art Colleges" clearly written in the casting announcement, everyone was completely relieved.

Next, it depends on their own ability and their own fate!

Since the morning, a large number of students from the Acting Academy have been making audition resumes, and those who had already made them were also repeatedly deliberating and modifying them.

There are even acting teachers who will guide them on the side on how to make a relatively "conspicuous" audition resume.

After all, the students are basically mediocre in their resumes, almost non-existent.

And the news outside has also spread, among the people responsible for the audition this time, there is a senior TV drama producer in the industry: Jiang Xuerou!

Therefore, the audition resume must be formal, rigorous, and able to leave an "impression" on people.

"This is one of the few dramas in the industry that is recognized as being popular before filming, and almost no industry insiders question this point;"

"Because it is responsible for the script, filming, and post-production by Lin Nan Film Industry. But this also means another thing, that is, the competition for roles will be particularly fierce."

"The consistent style of our acting department is to become famous early, and facts have proven that this is correct. Good resources in the industry are rarely open to students, and I hope you can pay attention."

In the tiered classroom, the instructor of the 13th grade of the acting department was very serious and earnestly urging the undergraduates of the four grades and a few vocational class students who came today.

All the students present were bright-eyed and eager to try.

"... I have to remind you one more time, your opponents are the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy, don't take it lightly."

"In addition, all students with acting experience should cherish the opportunity as much as possible, your success rate will be higher than others..."

"Hey, did you hear that, the instructor is talking about you up there."

Meng Ziyi bumped Chen Yao with her elbow, her movements were careless but her tone was sneaky.

The latter showed a helpless smile on her face and looked at her desk mate, "Then, let's try it?"

"Definitely have to try, let's go together."

Similar to the Beijing Film Academy, many students at the Central Academy of Drama are also submitting audition resumes.

"Although it's easy to offend people by saying this, it doesn't matter if we are in the school."

"That is, the directors of the Beijing Film Academy are naturally close to the actors of our Central Academy of Drama. Hmm, the director's wife is also close to the vermilion."

A "joke" from an acting teacher immediately made everyone on the scene laugh.

"If you have ideas, go and try. The student who introduced herself during the Q&A when Lin Dao and Producer Liu came to the school for promotion last month, you have an advantage this time, you have already left a good impression first."

The department leader joked on the side, and the eyes of many students immediately looked at a girl in unison, with quite envious eyes.

From the morning of the 21st, audition resumes flooded into Xingwu like a swarm of bees by email or mail;

And audition invitations were sent out from Xingwu, sent to the brokerage companies or agents of more than a dozen male actors drafted by Jiang Xuerou and the Xingwu team.

The casting audition work for the TV drama *Eternal Love* has officially started.

Online, the promotional war between *Mr. Six* and *Bad Guys Always Die* is getting more and more intense;

The fans and fans of the two sides have already stood in opposition, and there is even a sign of mutual attack and cyberbullying... but overall, *Mr. Six* has the upper hand.

After all, when it comes to fans, Huayi has two traffic stars, commonly known as little fresh meat!

The craziness of their fans is simply astonishing, and their words and deeds are like "little yellow hair" who dropped out of school halfway without completing nine-year compulsory education.

"As of yesterday the 22nd, the total box office of *Mojin: The Lost Legend* has reached 1.948 billion, only one kick away from 2 billion, but yesterday's daily revenue... was 12.08 million."

Lin Nan understood why Yue Jun's tone was getting lower and lower, because counting today, *Mojin: The Lost Legend* only has 5 days left in public release; the total box office of 2 billion is a bit dangerous!

"Still the same sentence, do your best and listen to fate."

Lin Nan is also very helpless, the above does not give an extension, making everyone panic, Wang Changtian scolded the most fiercely.

Because... let's give an example, 1.99 billion and 2 billion are only 10 million apart, but the stimulus to the stock price is too different, the latter can even make Enlight Media's red time last twice as long.

"By the way, Director Jiang hasn't been back for the past two days?" Lin Nan raised his head and asked.

"Hmm, at most came back to get something, the rest of the time is at Xingwu. I heard that the number of people submitting audition resumes is unreasonably large, haha..."

Lin Nan nodded with a smile upon hearing this, Liu Yifei "complained" to him yesterday, and the resumes made her head ache.

After all, it was publicly stated that students would be used, and according to the situation of the school, I am afraid that 9 and a half out of 10 students will come to try their luck, and the remaining half will be urged to come and try.

Around ten o'clock in the morning, Xingwu.

Jiang Xuerou and five people are quickly flipping through audition resumes, and at the same time, the mailbox is constantly popping up windows, and people from other companies are also sending resumes to the front desk from time to time.

And Liu Yifei and Shu Chang are in the warm-toned office, browsing the audition personnel information initially screened by Jiang Xuerou and others.

The bright roses on the table and the life-sized Winnie the Pooh on the side are very conspicuous.

"Start auditioning the day after tomorrow morning, and set the list of leads by early January at the latest, and start filming after the Spring Festival. Changchang, prepare yourself."

Liu Yifei casually placed the roster of more than a dozen people including Qiao Zhenyu, Zhong Hanliang, Zhang Zhiyao, Huang Haibing, etc., aside, and reminded Shu Chang who was tidying up the roses there.

"I know. Are those the ones who were invited and have confirmed they will participate in the audition?"

"Who do you think would refuse? Although they are all supporting roles." Liu Yifei said quite proudly.

"Alright alright, don't show off, they are all coming for the sake of your big director. But don't say, the backup lineup of male actors is really luxurious!"

Across a large cluster of roses, Shu Chang blinked at Liu Yifei, these actors will all be supporting her.

"Did I show off? Hehehe..."

Rolling her eyes, Liu Yifei couldn't help but laugh out loud herself.

"Here here, still saying you didn't show off, really smug."

Eating lunch alone, strolling alone, leading the team to run promotion alone.

After finishing the promotional interview, Lin Nan originally wanted to leave, but was forcibly kept by Wang Changtian, drinking tea!

"I heard that over at Wanda, Big Boss Wang is very happy, he sang several songs at the annual meeting last night, it seems Ye Ning is an executive who was highly praised and rewarded, and should have received a lot of year-end bonuses..."

Wang Changtian teased, looking like he wanted to call Ye Ning out to treat him.

As Wanda's partners, Lin Nan and Wang Changtian had both received Wanda's annual meeting invitations before, but neither of them went because they felt awkward.

"The total box office of the domestic film market this year is not low. As the largest cinema line, Wanda Cinema must earn a lot, plus the box office profit of the film company he manages is also quite a lot, so he is naturally the object of key awards."

Lin Nan nodded in agreement.

While Lin Nan and Wang Changtian were chatting, over at Wanda Cinema, Ye Ning sent away the last cinema manager;

With this, he had finished talking to all the subordinates he should talk to.

And his plan only had the last step left, that is, to submit his resignation;

Besides that, the shackles binding him and those cinema managers only had the last item left.

"Non-compete agreement!"

All middle and senior management of all companies under Wanda have non-compete agreements; the higher the level, the stricter the non-compete agreement they carry.

But it doesn't matter... Huayi will pay for them! Ye Ning's contract has already been signed.

The time finally came to the 24th, and *Bad Guys Always Die* from Enlight Media and *Mr. Six* from Huayi officially entered the New Year release battlefield.

"Produced by Huayi, directed by Guan Hu, starring Feng Xiaogang, Wu Yifan, Li Yifeng, etc., the action blockbuster *Mr. Six* landed in national cinemas at dawn..."

"Primarily controlled by Enlight Media, jointly produced by Deng Chao's Orange Image, directed by Deng Chao, starring the couple Deng Chao and Sun Li, the absurd comedy romance film *Bad Guys Always Die* is officially in public release!"

"Some media broke the news that a large number of Wu Yifan and Li Yifeng fans have already booked the venue for their idols..."

"Director Feng Xiaogang posted several Weibo posts in a row, calling on the vast number of audiences and fans to walk into the cinema and support *Mr. Six*..."

The industry knows that starting today, *Mojin: The Lost Legend* will accelerate towards the end.

And at this moment, its threshold to the 2 billion box office mark is still 40 million away, and there are only 4 days left!

Lin Nan didn't pay attention to those, just as he said, at this point, he can only listen to fate, and he continues to lead the team to run the promotion for *Detective Chinatown*!

Jaywalk Studio.

Yang Mi finally came back to rest for half a day, and Ceng Jia told her a "good" thing.

"You said you let the company's artists submit audition resumes to Xingwu?"

"Hmm, that's right, try it. What if you are lucky? This is a good thing to borrow a chicken to lay eggs! Then link up with your side..."

"Then you are probably daydreaming. Jiang Xuerou is helping with the audition, will she be cheap to our people? The possibility of giving resources to students in the school is greater than giving them to our company's artists."

When it comes to other things, Yang Mi is not as good as Ceng Jia; but when it comes to understanding the two directors of Lin Nan Film Industry, she thinks she has more say than Ceng Jia.

"Are you so sure?"

Ceng Jia had some objections, the artists signed by Jaywalk are all from colleges, and they look good, just right for the "taste" of costume mythological dramas.

"Haven't you noticed one thing? The roles available for audition announced by Xingwu are missing the core main roles!

Plus she publicly promised before that she would give opportunities to students in the school... so, most of the supporting roles are left for public auditions;

And those core protagonists and big supporting roles are either internally determined or invitation-based auditions, so our people shouldn't have any expectations."

At this moment, Ceng Jia was stunned. In her opinion, Yang Mi shouldn't be so... so smart?

But why is she so witty every time it comes to Lin Nan Film Industry and Xingwu? Is that trace of "competitiveness" still there?

Looking at Ceng Jia's confused look, Yang Mi couldn't help but smile: "I just care about who will become my opponent, so I paid more attention to the situation there and pondered it."

Hearing this, Ceng Jia nodded, and smiled very casually: "Still the same sentence, no matter who stars in the TV version, it's just a TV drama, so you can relax, hehe..."

Speaking of this, Ceng Jia suddenly paused, and her smile also restrained.

"What's wrong, Jiajia?" Yang Mi asked suspiciously.

"Speaking of TV dramas, I just remembered. Just in time for you to come back today, I'll tell you. I helped you take four plays, all next year..."

Hearing this, a trace of fatigue appeared unnaturally on Yang Mi's face, but it flashed away instantly.

She nodded and said to Ceng Jia: "Hmm, I know, just take it if you take it... remember to remind me to join the crew."

"That's for sure, I will remember. Take a look at your schedule in a while, I have rearranged it and added a lot of press releases..."

"Good."

When the *Detective Chinatown* crew was ready to leave the Beijing Dance Academy, it was already past three o'clock in the afternoon;

Everyone was joking about Wang Baoqiang, because of his directorial debut film *Buddies in India*.

The sound of Director Wang made Wang Baoqiang's face bloom with a smile; it's just that his smile looked sincere, but it was... a bit ugly!

Especially after just watching the performance of a group of beauties at the Beijing Dance Academy, now that they are compared, he looks even "less pleasing to the eye" than before.

"Everyone, the regular promotional activities for *Detective Chinatown* are officially over today. See you at the premiere on the 28th."

Sitting in the back seat of the Mercedes-Benz business car, Lin Nan waved goodbye to Wang Baoqiang, Chen He, Xiao Yang, Liu Haoran, Tang Yan, Zhang Zifeng, and others.

"Lin Dao, see you on the 28th."

"Lin Dao, goodbye."

"Lin Dao, see you later."

Lin Nan sat in the car flipping through his phone, Liu Yifei sent a message back, she and Shu Chang, Jiang Xuerou, and others could "get off work" around five o'clock in the afternoon.

Although there are still quite a few audition resumes arriving at Xingwu one after another, all preparations are ready; at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, the audition will officially begin!

Lin Dao thought about it, and then dismissed the idea of sending a voice message, it's better to talk to Miss Liu face to face after she gets home, he can spare time tomorrow to go and hold the fort for her!

"Hehe, are they already scolding?"

Lin Nan saw the lively scene on Weibo, the film reviews for *Bad Guys Always Die* and *Mr. Six* seemed to be abnormally numerous!

A large number of film review posts that attacked and disparaged each other were very naked, and *Mr. Six* still had the advantage.

"I said, Deng Chao can't be a director. After *The Breakup Guru*, he contributed another shitty bad film, and even his acting is garbage. It's not even as good as Fan Fan in *Mr. Six*, that kind of arrogance and handsomeness... is much more natural than Deng Chao!"

"Six Master's *Mr. Six* is poor, but proud in his bones; Wu Yifan's Little Master is also domineering and unruly, full of charm! Even Li Yifeng's Little Six is so invested, his acting is vivid... *Mr. Six* completely crushes *Bad Guys Always Die*..."

"Good heavens, *Bad Guys Always Die* was originally a popcorn comedy, whether it's clumsy comedy or forced comedy, it makes people laugh anyway.

But what is *Mr. Six*? Talking about a group of gangsters who don't obey management and talk about brotherhood? Still issuing a battle letter? Still fighting one-on-one? I think the crackdown is not enough!"

"A bad film is a bad film, wasting money... *Bad Guys Always Die* is several times worse than *The Breakup Guru*... Sun Li's performance is as exaggerated as in *The Legend of Mi Yue*!"

"Now everyone should know why Deng Chao's *The Dead End* lost to Director Feng's *Mr. Six* in the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor last month?! Because even if Director Feng crosses the line, his acting skills also crush Deng Chao..."

Lin Nan flipped through the Weibo posts all the way, his expression very playful.

He estimated that Wang Changtian should be in a state of fury and jumping with rage right now!

Because even a fool can see that the film reviews online are wrong! In the past, it was at most one-sided bad reviews, but this time 70% or 80% of the bad reviews have a disparaging attribute!

Fine, just arrived home, Wang Changtian's phone call came.

"I said President Wang, don't think about asking me to help on Weibo, how can I help with this large-scale one? Can't you see, others spent money! Let's look at the first-day box office tomorrow before talking."

"His uncle, you really guessed it right, those two dog days of Huayi played dirty tricks on me! Actually got to my head... Let's look tomorrow... If... really treat me..."

Lin Nan listened to Wang Changtian's righteous indignation and threats with a smile... it's really too interesting.

Huayi, Chairman's Office.

At this moment, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, and Feng Xiaogang are having a small meeting together.

"The preparation for *I Am Not Madame Bovary* is almost done, and I will join the crew after New Year's Day. During the public release, Guan Hu will lead the rest of the crew to carry out..."

Feng Xiaogang said with a smile. Although those things on the internet were done by the group, he also knew about it, and knew this plan and scheme at the beginning of the month.

"Hmm, it's good to start filming early. Didn't you say you want to take it to win awards abroad, you can slowly polish the film."

Wang Zhonglei took over Feng Xiaogang's conversation, his face was still that mask-like smile, the company is very looking forward to tomorrow's first-day box office of *Mr. Six*.

After finishing speaking, he looked at Wang Zhongjun again: "We are only 7 days apart from *Detective Chinatown*, should we...?"

"Black his film on Weibo?"

Wang Zhonglei replied angrily, and then added:

"It's better not to do this, can't afford to offend him! Just increase the intensity on Enlight Media in the next few days... try to hold Lin Nan Film Industry head-on after a week..."

"Hmm, I understand, I will contact people later and increase the intensity."

Liu Yifei returned wearing her "antique" down jacket, carrying a bag, humming a little tune, her mood was obviously very good.

"Lin Nan, I found that among the three major art colleges, the Shanghai Theatre Academy seems to be getting more and more... backward?!"

"How did you find out?"

Lin Dao leaned on the sofa and asked with interest.

"I saw it from the resumes of the students, and Director Jiang also agrees with my view."

Casually taking off her down jacket and throwing it and the bag on the single sofa, Liu Yifei rubbed over and used Lin Nan as a pillow.

A faint body fragrance came, very good to smell.

"You are right. From the art exam of the acting department every year, you can see that the Beijing Film Academy is always the first choice for the vast majority of art candidates, and the first choice for the remaining small number of art candidates is the Central Academy of Drama; only when these two have no play, will they go to the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Of course, except for those students who choose the Shanghai Theatre Academy first because of their geographical location, but the number of such students is very, very small."

"Hmm, well-founded, hehe... Lin Dao, help me with casting tomorrow, okay?"

A pair of arms wrapped around Lin Nan's neck, the breath like orchids, soft and glutinous, suddenly felt a bit itchy in the heart?!

"Fine, don't even need me to take the initiative to speak."

"Ah? Hurry, hurry, you hurry to take the initiative to say you want to help..."

A night of tossing and turning, refreshed.

At 7:30 on the morning of the 25th, a red Ferrari sped out; Liu Yifei was driving, and Lin Nan was dozing in the passenger seat!

At this time, outside Xingwu, quite a few RVs were already parked;

But more people came by taxi or by the cars of agents and brokerage companies, these audition actors are mostly students or students and graduates who have just signed with a company for not long.

"Lin Nan, your phone is ringing."

Liu Yifei called Lin Nan awake while driving.

"Ah? Oh! Brother Jiao, waited for you for so long, finally there is a result, which one is it?"

"Lin Dao, I hesitated for a long time, I think I can still..."

At 8:40 in the morning, under the focus of a large number of media reporters and artists, agents, and assistants, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei got off the car;

The two smiled and waved at everyone, then walked into Xingwu, and Jiang Xuerou and Shu Chang had already arrived in advance.

"Everyone, you can all come in..."

A few minutes later, Xingwu staff came out to greet. The actors notified to audition today filed in.

When the audition at Xingwu was about to start, the film and television information online had already been reported.

Unlike the situation yesterday where *Mr. Six* "crushed" *Bad Guys Always Die* in the online film reviews, the first-day box office performance was completely opposite, it was *Bad Guys Always Die* that stepped *Mr. Six* under its feet!

"Produced by Huayi, directed by Guan Hu, starring Feng Xiaogang, Wu Yifan, Li Yifeng, Zhang Hanyu, Xu Qing, Liu Hua, Bai Jugang, etc., the New Year action blockbuster *Mr. Six* was released on the first day, with a box office of 55 million, which was mediocre compared to expectations..."

"Primarily controlled by Enlight Media, jointly produced by Deng Chao's Orange Image, directed by Deng Chao, starring the couple Deng Chao and Sun Li, the comedy romance film *Bad Guys Always Die* strongly won 153 million on the first day, three times crushing *Mr. Six*..."

"The New Year blockbuster *Mojin: The Lost Legend* has been in public release for 27 days, with a total box office of 1.966 billion, and yesterday's box office dropped to 8.3 million..."

"Exclusively produced by Xingwu Film Industry, Liu Yifei as producer, Jiang Xuerou as producer, the TV drama *Eternal Love* officially started auditioning and casting this morning."

"According to media reports at the scene outside Xingwu, most of the actors auditioning today are students from art colleges such as Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Communication University of China, Beijing Dance Academy, etc.; Lin Dao Nan accompanied Liu Yifei to the audition scene... Actor Shu Chang also appeared at Xingwu..."

Xingwu, in the conference room.

Lin Nan sat on the side, today he was just here to hold the fort; Shu Chang beside him was the same, also here to join in the fun.

The protagonist today is Liu Yifei sitting in the main seat, and Jiang Xuerou.

"Call this one first, 12th-grade student of the Beijing Film Academy Chen Yanxi—Song Yi."

After Jiang Xuerou communicated with Liu Yifei, she ordered the assistant next to her.

Not long after, a girl who was not tall and quite cute came in. When she saw the few people sitting there, she was obviously a bit nervous and nervous.

"Lin Dao... Producer Liu, hello, Director Jiang, hello, Lin Dao, hello."

"Don't be nervous, it's just an audition. This is your topic, five minutes of preparation time."

The assistant took the note from Jiang Xuerou again and gave it to Song Yi.

When the audition at Xingwu officially started, the film circle was in chaos. To be precise, the internet exploded.

Feng Xiaogang, Director Feng, Little Steel Cannon—directly fired on Weibo at *Bad Guys Always Die*, angry and ashamed!

"... Chinese cinema is hopeless, garbage audiences produced garbage films... no one boycotted this kind of bad film, but it became popular... just like *Bad Guys Always Die*..."

... ===== CHAPTER 628 =====