Chapter 135

The preparation work for 'Nine-Tailed Fox' was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Several important staff members had already been determined. Cao Yang let them know his understanding and thoughts on this film, and then let them begin to participate in the film's preparation.

There were three producers this time: Cao Yang, Hou Ke-ming, and Han Zong.

However, Han Zong didn't participate much in the crew's preparation work.

He only occasionally asked about the progress and sent an executive producer and a financial person over. They weren't mainly participating in the crew's preparation, but to supervise where the money went, which was an essential link.

The cinematographer was still Gu Changwei. Old Gu was also quite happy; cooperating with Cao Yang was very comfortable. There were many shots that didn't need to be tried over and over again; he just needed to film according to what Cao Yang said.

Before, he didn't understand and argued several times, but later he found that filming according to Cao Yang's way wasn't necessarily the best, but it was the most consistent with the plot.

If the lens wasn't for showing off skills, wasn't its main purpose to serve the plot?

Because this film had many fight scenes, Cao Yang discussed it with Hou Ke-ming and invited Yu Chenghui to be the action director.

Yu Chenghui was not only a very famous martial arts director but had also participated in many popular films.

In Jet Li's breakout work 'Shaolin Temple', Yu Chenghui was not only one of the actors but also one of the martial arts directors.

Later, in 'Kids from Shaolin', 'Yellow River Fighter', 'East Returns Hero', and TV series like 'Laughing in the Wind' and 'Lian Cheng Jue', he all participated as an action director.

Cao Yang's requirement for him was that on the basis of fighting, the movements should be designed to be as elegant as possible. After all, this was a fantasy film and didn't need real combat skills.

The art director invited was Ye Ye Jintian. Cao Yang also planned to invite several historians as consultants; he must restore the costumes, makeup, and props to the era's background as much as possible.

Ye Ye Jintian had participated in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and Old Tian's 'Springtime in a Small Town', as well as Li Shaohong's 'Palace of Desire' and 'Orange Is Red'. Old Tian said this person had some skills.

Cao Yang also knew him. Ye Ye Jintian had very deep insights into costume design and art design. Cao Yang felt that one person could do the work of three, which was quite good.

So he hired him as the art director.

The production manager was still Cheng Jianye, an old team member, trustworthy, definitely bringing him along.

The assistant directors were still the old team members: actor assistant director Liu Shan, on-site assistant director Li Mingyi, and Ning Hao, who had just graduated. Cao Yang promoted him to assistant director.

The stylist was still Huang Liqi from the Youth Film Studio. They had cooperated in 'Secret Sunshine' before, and she worked quite seriously.

These past few days, Li Xiaoran returned to Beijing. Cao Yang had the key to the house she bought, and he had been staying at Li Xiaoran's place these past few days.

Li Xiaoran didn't usually cook for herself; only when Cao Yang came over would she cook in person.

Her cooking skills were a little better than Dong Xuan's, and only a little better, mainly reflected in the fact that the food she made wouldn't be too salty or too bland, and the seasoning was just right.

These were all practiced when she hadn't become famous because she had no money and could only cook for herself.

As for the taste, if you want taste, isn't it better to go to a private kitchen restaurant? You can't have too high requirements for a woman. Being able to cook in person proves that you are a very important person to her.

The two chatted while eating.

"Have you seen the news these past few days?"

Li Xiaoran ate in small bites, mainly watching Cao Yang eat. The more Cao Yang ate, the happier she was.

"What news?"

Cao Yang was so busy these days, where would he have time to pay attention to the news.

Li Xiaoran giggled, didn't speak, finished her little bit of rice, then added some rice for Cao Yang, and then explained it to Cao Yang.

"It's Director Zhang... pfft, Zhang Yimou's producer, Zhang Big Mouth. At first, he wanted to use International Zhang and me for hype, but I didn't give him face, directly refuted him in front of the reporters, and stated that I wouldn't appear in Zhang Yimou's film."

Cao Yang looked up at Li Xiaoran and couldn't help but ask: "Judging from your tone, you not only have an opinion about Zhang Weiping but also about Old Mouzi?" Li Xiaoran hummed, pouted, and whispered: "Zhang Yimou is not honest. Do you remember him personally inviting me to audition for 'Hero'?"

Cao Yang nodded.

"He didn't choose me in the end, just said that for the next film, I was the first choice for the female lead. Who knew that when his new film was launched, he directly forgot about me and sent an invitation to Hong Kong's Anita Mui."

Li Xiaoran was itching with hatred when mentioning this. Such a big director, his words didn't count at all. She had never seen such a person.

Mentioning this, Cao Yang wanted to laugh, and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hmm?"

Li Xiaoran was stunned. What's your situation? What are you laughing at? Schaudenfreude, right?

She bared her teeth and deliberately ground them, pretending to be clawing and scratching: "Tell me, what are you laughing at?"

Afterward, she changed into a pitiful expression, aggrieved, on the verge of tears, and pretended to sob.

"Hmph, ever since you got married, you don't love me anymore. Is your heart all on her? It's in vain that I followed you wholeheartedly; I'm so pitiful..."

Damn, this acting, that pitiful look, really makes people want to hug her tightly and ravage her... no, comfort her.

Cao Yang wouldn't admit that he had these feelings only after hearing things like marriage and her.

!

However, it seems that after adding the immersive experience, even after recovering, it's true that it can increase the other party's acting skills.

"Actually, it's very simple why Old Mouzi doesn't use you. I once asked Old Tian to tell him that you are my 'exclusive' actor. I guess from then on, he decided not to use you." Cao Yang explained with a smile.

Li Xiaoran was stunned, then reacted, pinched Cao Yang hard, and stared wide-eyed in anger.

"Cao Yang, you bastard, what do you take me for? I'm not that kind of person. Hmph, I'm angry, the kind that can't be coaxed. You go find your 'her', I'm not in the mood for the next month."

"Haha, I know you're not."

Cao Yang pulled the angry Li Xiaoran onto his lap and said with a smile: "Isn't this because I'm worried about you? You're so beautiful, and there are so many bad people outside. I'm afraid others will have designs on you."

"Hmph, you're just selfish, wanting to monopolize me alone."

"Yes, you're right." Cao Yang said with a smile.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Alright, I forgive you. I knew you loved me the most; otherwise, you wouldn't have secretly hidden me here behind her back." Li Xiaoran kissed Cao Yang and said with a smile.

Cao Yang was sometimes very helpless. You can't change this little hobby of yours, right?

"Cao Yang, do you think International Zhang will be a supporting actress for Anita Mui this time? Just like last time in 'Hero', being a supporting actress for Maggie Cheung."

Li Xiaoran suddenly asked with great interest, as if she was very happy that International Zhang was a supporting actress and was suppressed.

Cao Yang thought about the rumors he knew. Both Old Mouzi and Zhang Weiping said at the beginning that the female lead was Anita Mui.

But the news also said it was a double female lead. The news said this was a film with two male leads and two female leads, and International Zhang was the other female lead.

Anita Mui already knew she had cancer at this time, and later news said she resigned from the female lead role because of cancer.

But this film was filmed with only one female lead, which was International Zhang.

Old Mouzi and Zhang Weiping wouldn't have used Anita Mui for hype from the beginning, right? It shouldn't be that bad.

(End of chapter)