Chapter 920: Month, Help with Casting!

On the morning of the first day of the National Day holiday, countless eyes in the entire film and television industry were cast on the daily box office of the four films yesterday.

*The Foreigner* and *Chasing the Dragon* led the start, with first-day box office of 72.64 million and 40.51 million respectively.

*Sky Hunter* and *Sewing Machine Band* both fell on the second day, with 26.93 million and 13.62 million; that's right, the first day was 34.57 million and 37.76 million, and it fell so much on the second day.

Especially for *Sewing Machine Band*, from 37.76 million on the first day to 13.62 million on the second day, this is undoubtedly the sky falling and blood collapsing!

But this can indeed explain one thing, that is, Da Peng and *Pancake Man* did leave an indelible "impression" on too many audiences, so much so that everyone had a stress reaction — boycott!

"Isn't this already entering the National Day holiday, the market should look up, and the box office will stabilize. Wang Dong, you don't have to be too discouraged, after all, it's definitely not losing money."

"Are you using this kind of comforting words to fool newcomers or fool novices? The longer the holiday, the more the winner takes all; the truth that the strong are stronger and the weak are weaker, don't you understand?"

"Oh, so Wang Dong, you also know it in your heart? Then why are you complaining to me? I can't save your film."

Lin Nan didn't pretend anymore, and directly complained to Wang Changtian with a smile. The latter ran to him early in the morning to sell misery, which was really Sima Zhao's heart, everyone knows.

"You big uncle...

Sigh, what should I do, it can't be operated at all. The promotional money that Enlight and Wanda just threw in yesterday morning was completely washed away by those 'self-black' on the internet, suppressed."

Hearing this sigh from Wang Changtian, Lin Nan suddenly remembered Lu Chuan's *The Last Supper*.

At that time, Taro "self-exploded" on the internet, publicly admitting that he bought water troops to fight against "black fans," and then was publicly slapped in the face by two seniors, He Ping and Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Especially the original words of Lin Nan's teacher, which can be described as killing the heart:

"If the reputation of a film cannot even be 'maintained' by water troops, then the director should reflect on it. Maybe those who black you are not the water troops of competitors, but real audiences..."

At this moment, this sentence is also incomparably fitting for *Sewing Machine Band*, only this time it is not smearing, but boycotting.

"Forget it, I'll give you a suggestion. Don't add promotional investment anymore, and don't buy traffic anymore. This film is too close to *Pancake Man*, it's impossible to save it.

Let Dong Chengpeng settle down for one or two more films; his problem can only be boiled with time; as long as he is attentive, he will eventually boil it out... With those extra publicity resources, it is better to invest in *Marriage Story* of me and Yifei."

Wang Changtian was silent, because Lin Nan's tone was indeed very serious. "Fine, I'll listen to you, I'll communicate with Wanda and Dong Chengpeng later, and the promotion will end here.

But are you sure *Marriage Story* and *Hanson and the Beast* won't hold a premiere?"

"Hmm, not holding it anymore. Because *Hanson and the Beast* and the Venice Film Festival have done enough publicity for *Marriage Story*, there is no need to mobilize the masses. Enlight just needs to pull the distribution to the full. As for whether the final box office is more or less, leave it to the audience and the market. After all, this subject matter doesn't belong to commercial films, and Yifei and I don't have too much expectation for the box office." Lin Nan smiled quite heartily.

"Still box office? Heh, you two earned so much from copyright channels, naturally you won't count on the box office to earn much!"

Wang Changtian was a bit sour, but he could only be sour in his mouth. Because only big directors can afford to play with copyright channels outside, and Enlight doesn't have this resource.

Near noon, the relevant trending search for the Golden Horse Awards came down, which was the nomination list announced this year. However, it seems to be a small year, and there are no films that are too eye-catching.

Of course, there is a joke. That is, *See You Tomorrow*, after nominating 7 items for the Hong Kong Film Awards at the beginning of the year, this time also received 4 Golden Horse Award nominations including Best Actor.

Up to this point, whoever says it is not directed by Wong Kar-wai, that is really fooling ghosts, even idiots don't believe it.

And there is another one, *Angels Wear White*, which returned empty-handed at the Venice International Film Festival in September, seems to have become a big hit for this Golden Horse Award.

Hmm? Seems to be a local film in Taiwan? Since it is this situation, it is not just a big hit, it must be a nail-on-the-board award-winning film!

"I don't even have the heart to manage myself, how can I have the heart to cultivate any newcomers. Right, Red Star Dock has no plan to sign amateurs, just reply to Tudou like this. The same goes for Director Jiang's side at Lin Nan Pictures, and several studios..."

Liu Yifei's voice came from far to near, waking up Lin Nan, who was lying lazily on the lounge chair in the pavilion by the lake, taking a nap.

He took the *Yuefu Poetry Collection* that was covering his face, turned his head, and looked at Liu Qianqian's beautiful face with a confused look:

"What's wrong? I was dreaming just now, dreaming of watching the Henan opera *Hua Mulan*, it just happens that I can go to learn and absorb some materials in the past two days. Do you want to go together?"

"Hmm, okay. But let's talk about business first. Tencent Entertainment and Tudou are going to hold a large-scale group talent show, asking if we have any of our own people to stuff in. Director Jiang also called just now, but you were sleeping lazily outside, so I helped you give an opinion: don't get involved."

"I wasn't sleeping lazily, just tired from reading, resting for a while." Lin Nan's first reaction was not to deal with business, but to justify his name. "Originally, there is no artist brokerage business, so naturally, don't get involved."

Speaking of which, Lin Nan couldn't help but yawn again. Mainly because the weather was too good, warm, and the upper and lower eyelids couldn't help but start fighting.

"But listening to their meaning, the scale and specifications of this talent show will be very large, I estimate that there will be no shortage of companies and industry insiders who walk through the back door and find connections."

"It's all business. Let's keep a low profile and stay away. Go, let's go back and think about what to eat at noon." Lin Nan closed the *Yuefu Poetry Collection* and stood up.

"Don't think about it, Mom said to eat noodles at noon today. She cooked it herself, hmm, hot dry noodles."

"My dear mother, spare me, I haven't been used to eating these for years."

"Then you go tell her yourself, hehe."

While Lin Nan was complaining that he couldn't get used to hot dry noodles, over at Happy Mahua, Yan Fei and Peng Damo were already eating lunch — the dinner party for *Hello Mr. Billionaire*, socializing.

It's just that this meal didn't seem to be very harmonious, because the request made by the other party was too "whimsical."

Originally thought the other party just wanted to buy some supporting role, but after everyone sat at the dinner table, Yan Fei and Peng Damo knew, good guy, it was aimed at the female lead!

"Yan Dao, Director Peng, you two can really consider it. As for the remuneration, whether it is zero pay or even paying to act, or the film's promotion and screening in Taiwan, we can accept and provide help.

The mainland is the basic market of the Chinese film and television industry, and the prosperous situation is the general trend, while the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets have long since declined... We just want to support young people and leave some vitality and fresh blood..."

The other party raised his glass with a smile, and also signaled to the young girl beside him.

"Yan Dao, Director Peng, I toast the two directors." The young actress from Taiwan stood up immediately, holding the wine glass with both hands, and bowed to toast.

Yan Fei and Peng Damo were a bit helpless, the two just nodded in response, and didn't pick up the wine glass. The meaning behind this behavior is already self-evident.

"Yan Dao, Director Peng, you two are?" The film capital of Taiwan and the broker on the side were a bit confused. At this moment, they had already realized that something was wrong.

"If it were other supporting roles, we could still consider it. After all, commercial films are business in essence, and after stuffing people in, we have the confidence to control the quality of the film. But you want the female lead, we can't agree to this matter."

"Why? As far as we know, the male lead and several male supporting roles are the most core highlights of this film? The female lead's scenes are indeed not few, but it won't affect too much..."

"No but. Because our plan from the beginning was to use the original cast, it is the original cast of *Goodbye Mr. Loser*." Yan Fei picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Finally, Peng Damo couldn't help but take over the conversation, adding. He also gave face to the middleman:

"Ma Li is not only our old partner, an old employee of the company, most importantly: Lin Dao designated her! So we can't change the female lead."

"Lin Dao? Director... Lin Nan?" In just a moment, the heat in the eyes of several people just now all went out and cooled down, because Peng Damo was nodding, it was Lin Nan.

As for Lin Nan's style, almost no one in the film and television circle doesn't know. How could he give face to Hong Kong and Taiwan capital? Even if Yang Shoucheng of Emperor Group opened his mouth, it might not be successful.

Since both sides talked about collapse, there was naturally no need to continue to perfunctorily socialize.

In less than twenty minutes, the few people from Taiwan, together with the broker, left one after another after leaving excuses that everyone knew.

Up to this point, in the hotel private room, only Yan Fei and Peng Damo were left eating dishes as usual. After all, it was a big meal, and the other party had already paid the bill, don't eat it for nothing — diligence and thrift are traditional virtues!

"Old Yan, do you want to call the company and tell them to come over directly after the performance? There are so many big dishes, and red wine, we two can't eat it." Peng Damo joked with a smile.

"Hmm, okay." Yan Fei nodded, and really took out his mobile phone from his pocket and dialed the phone.

"To tell the truth, if it weren't for Lin Dao specifically instructing to use Ma Li as the female lead and ensure the original cast, I would really be a bit shaken, they gave too much!

Anyway, Chairman Zhang will probably let Ma Li suffer a bit and give up the female lead for the sake of company profit... It's a big deal to compensate Ma Li with a female lead later.

But that girl just now... what was her name? Oh, Song Yunhua, although she is indeed 10 years younger than Ma Li, she looks really not very good; not only looks old but also a bit ugly, far less than Ma Li, hmm, not as good-looking as Ma Li..."

"Old Peng, my phone is connected." Yan Fei reminded weakly, and then heard a burst of laughter from the other end of the phone.

Among them, Ma Li's voice was the most "harsh" and loud: "Old Peng, well done, you didn't betray the organization, we are still good girlfriends. And today I found out, your vision is really first-class! Hahaha..."

"Old Yan, I am... socially dead?" Peng Damo stared, feeling embarrassed to the extreme.

On the 1st, 22.52 million; on the 2nd, 21.56 million; on the 3rd, 23.38 million. The National Day holiday really hung the life of *Sewing Machine Band*.

It is the same for *Sky Hunter*, and it may even be more unfriendly. After all, the film quality of the latter is too poor, so much so that its daily box office fell behind *Sewing Machine Band* on the 3rd: 26.71 million, 22.95 million, 22.15 million!

Looking at *Chasing the Dragon* and *The Foreigner* again, these two films are steadily maintaining a daily income of 40-50 million, although they are also various complaints, it is obviously not a big problem to get a total box office of 500 million+.

On the morning of the 4th, another cannon fodder was added to the New Year slot, which is the big hit of the Golden Horse Awards, *Angels Wear White*.

It was scheduled for November 24th, which is the same day as John Woo's *Manhunt*, and before and after it is *The Problem Solver* and Huayi's *Ex-Files 3*.

Even Lin Nan is a bit emotional, this New Year slot is getting more and more lively, destined to be a pot of stew. And the scene at that time will inevitably be bloody, and the vast majority of films will only be the fate of being eaten as a dish.

"Oh ho, it really is free America?"

Inside Tiangong Color, Lin Nan, who had just invested in the post-production of *Operation Red Sea* for less than two minutes, was attracted by the exclamation of the employees behind him.

Good guy, it was the just-refreshed current affairs news, hanging about 60, and hurting more than 500 people!

"Why do I feel that after this golden hair came to power, that side is getting more and more chaotic?" Guo Fan glanced and muttered.

Lin Nan didn't answer, he thought of Crystal Pictures. Recently, two films were deliberately smeared by Hollywood media, and Tom's workload also skyrocketed, all of which were public relations types.

"Home is still the safest." After a while, Lin Nan sighed softly.

At this time, the mobile phone in front of the computer also rang with a buzzing sound, it was Cao Baoping. Lin Nan had already guessed a few points in his heart, it was highly likely to be about casting.

Sure enough, Cao Baoping went straight to the point: "Are you busy, if you are not busy, come help me look at the audition? Mainly because I want to try using two young actors as supporting roles."

"Yes." Lin Nan agreed without hesitation. After hanging up the phone, he looked at Guo Fan: "Something temporary, I'll leave early today."

"Leave early? Lin Dao, you are leaving early a bit too much. You have only been in the company for half an hour!" Guo Fan was amused, but Lin Nan had already walked away without looking back.

Cao Baoping's studio is near the Beijing Film Academy, which is convenient for him to go back and forth to school.

And today is also the second round of auditions for *The Dead*, the so-called "re-examination." This set of processes shows Cao Baoping's attention to this film this time, which is far better than before!

When Lin Nan arrived, many business cars and RVs outside Cao Baoping's studio cast surprised eyes.

Because everyone knows that this film has Red Star Dock's investment, so big Lin Dao coming in person naturally makes sense.

"Who is auditioning right now?" After perfunctorily responding to many actors who greeted him, Lin Nan asked the front desk of Cao Baoping's studio.

"Lin Dao, the actor auditioning inside is Tan Zhuo."

"Tan Zhuo?"

Lin Nan knows very well that Cao Baoping's habit of choosing actors is very similar to his, which is to prioritize actors he has cooperated with. Unless there are any other ideas, just like choosing Fan Bingbing and refusing Zhou Xun before.

"She should be waiting outside right now, she has her audition this morning." The front desk introduced actively.

"Hmm, take me to the audition conference room." Lin Nan instructed.

"Okay, Lin Dao, this way."

Lin Nan's push of the door and entry was a test for Tan Zhuo. Of course, it can also be considered an additional question.

If she was interrupted, it means she is not focused enough; if she is still immersed in the audition, then give her extra points.

The answer is good, she got additional points from big Lin Dao here.

Sitting beside Cao Baoping, watching Tan Zhuo's hard performance, Lin Nan nodded from time to time, her temperament is indeed very suitable for this kind of realistic subject matter.

Five minutes later, the audition ended. Tan Zhuo bowed and waited for Cao Baoping's comments.

It is impossible to decide the role on the spot. Cao Baoping just affirmed: "Although there are still some flaws in emotion, overall it is already very good. You go back first, I will reply to you before the middle of the month."

"Okay, thank you Cao Dao, thank you Lin Dao." Tan Zhuo bowed again, then closed the door and exited the conference room.

"She and Wang Ziwen are competing for the female second lead. Which one do you think is more suitable?" Cao Baoping asked Lin Nan.

"Tan Zhuo!" Lin Nan gave the answer, he didn't have much feeling for Wang Ziwen. On the contrary, Tan Zhuo, he is more optimistic.

"Tan Zhuo? I was originally inclined to Wang Ziwen. But, they are all about the same, Tan Zhuo is Tan Zhuo."

In two or three sentences, Cao Baoping decided on the female second lead. The audition continued.

Lin Nan saw the young actors mentioned by Cao Baoping, Huang Xuan and Li Qin.

Good guy, they are all "acquaintances." Huang Xuan cooperated with Zhou Xun in *Red Sorghum*, and Li Qin just cooperated with Zhou Xun in *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace* a few months ago.

"I should be seeing your performance for the first time. Not to mention how the acting is, but the temperament on you, who was born as a drama actor, is indeed very good." After Li Qin finished the audition, Lin Nan took the initiative to speak.

"Thank you Lin Dao for the compliment." Li Qin bowed with a smile.

"So?" Cao Baoping looked at Lin Nan with interest.

"Yes." Lin Nan made an exception and gave an answer for Cao Baoping on the spot. Li Qin was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't suppress her smile, thanking her repeatedly.

When only Cao Baoping and Lin Nan were left in the conference room, the former joked, "You are not ready to recommend people around you? There are still female roles in this play."

"No. Shu Chang's style is not suitable, and the acting skills of the others are not enough, so it won't work."

Lin Nan decisively politely refused Cao Baoping's kindness, and he also knew very well that Cao Baoping would probably only accept Shu Chang.

"Then forget it."

At the same time as the audition for *The Dead* was going on, at the China Film Digital Production Base, La Peikang was leading people to visit the set of *Shanghai Fortress*.

"Chairman La, the market department just sent news that the attendance rate today still has no improvement. According to this, after the National Day holiday ends, *Sky Hunter* will probably be completely..." The secretary was reporting work with a biting bullet, but he still didn't dare to say the last few words.

Sure enough, Chairman La's brows wrinkled instantly. He left China Film to visit the set just to avoid these things, but at this moment, he didn't hide after all.

"I know, let them report this matter to the Air Force. No, notify the other 17 producers, can't let me be embarrassed alone!" La Peikang's voice was very low, but very cold.

"Okay, Chairman La."

Looking at Teng Huatao who was guiding Lu Han and Shu Qi to shoot special effects shots in the distance, La Peikang knew very certainly that the importance of this film to China Film had risen by several levels again.

In addition, he also knew very clearly that there are too many film and television capitals in the current film industry that don't fear China Film, and even dare to openly come to grab projects from China Film, tiger's mouth to grab food, which is really different from before.

"Chairman La?"

"What's the matter again?" La Peikang was very annoyed at the secretary's behavior of interrupting his train of thought.

"The few people from the Disney *Mulan* casting team have just landed at the capital airport."

"Hmm?" In an instant, La Peikang associated many things: "Intended actors? Or, already decided?"

Low profile, low profile!

Liu Yifei was a bit speechless, Disney told her before, hoping that she and Lin Nan would keep a low profile and keep the meeting on the morning of the 5th secret from the outside world first.

But now? They didn't keep their own itinerary secret. If they were followed tomorrow, then what to keep secret? What to use to keep secret?

"Lin Nan's phone can't get through, I have to ask Chairman Cao to help." Liu Yifei held the phone and said with a smile.

"It's the same whoever calls me. Don't worry, leave it to me.

Of course, I will congratulate you on the phone first. When Disney holds a large-scale media conference to the outside world, I will formally congratulate you again.

Oh right, for this kind of global release big project, Disney Princess series, they should hold a large-scale media conference, right? Hahaha..."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei also couldn't help laughing, Cao Guowei only guessed that she got the female lead, but didn't guess Lin Nan...

She picked up the tablet again, clicked on the paused Henan opera *Hua Mulan*, and continued to watch.

Looking at the books and materials scattered on the sofa beside Liu Qianqian, they were all books about the character "Hua Mulan," almost all modern printed versions of ancient books.

Like the Qing Dynasty's *Romance of Sui and Tang*, *Biography of Loyal and Brave Heroic Women* (*Biography of Mulan*), the Ming Dynasty drama work *Female Mulan Replaces Father to Join the Army*, *Yuefu Poetry Collection*... all were collected by Lin Nan!

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei couldn't help laughing; Cao Guowei only guessed that she got the heroine, but didn't guess Lin Nan...

She picked up the tablet again, clicked on the paused Henan opera *Hua Mulan*, and continued to watch.

Looking at the many books and materials scattered on the sofa beside Liu Xixi, they are all books about the character "Hua Mulan", almost all modern printed versions of ancient books.

Like the Qing Dynasty's *Romance of Sui and Tang*, *Biography of Loyal, Filial, Brave and Fierce Strange Woman* (*Biography of Mulan Strange Woman*), the Ming Dynasty drama work *Female Mulan Replaces Father to Join the Army*, *Yuefu Poetry Collection*... all were collected by Lin Nan!

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