Chapter 57: Directing Actors

"The reason I say it's disjointed is that Liu Yifei's Republican-era style clashes with Director Li Dawei's idol-drama style; not only have they failed to merge, but they are actually repelling each other."

Lu Kuan pointed at Leng Qingqiu and Bai Xiuzhu on the set: "Look at the makeup on these two female characters. To put it bluntly, Liu Yifei is just wearing heavy makeup and pretending to be old, and Dong Jie doesn't look like a young married woman at all, but rather like a high school student going through puberty."

This was all thanks to him taking advantage of the situation last night, helping her along, and properly developing her young married woman charm.

"Instead of struggling to balance the two like this, it would be better to just let go and film it like an idol drama; that is a very marketable genre right now."

"The Family of Gold" had an investment of 20 million yuan, and just building the 2,000-square-meter interior of the Jin mansion cost 3 million yuan; the actors' costumes were changed with dizzying frequency, all of which were decisions made by Li Dawei.

As for things like planting a field of sunflowers and having Dong Jie and Chen Kun lie in them to express Jin Yanxi's burning passion for love, that is actually just following the path of an idol drama.

It's just a domineering CEO acting cool, isn't it?

Liu Guoquan listened to Lu Kuan's thoughts without a word, then sighed and smiled: "The waves of the Yangtze River push the ones in front; what Lu Kuan says is correct."

"The old folks say to come from the masses and go to the masses; in the final analysis, the artistic creation of a TV series is also a commodity, and one must respect the audience and market laws."

"Dawei, let's proceed as you said from now on!"

"Yes! Director Liu!" Li Dawei was very excited; he had already worked on a few productions following his mother and finally had the opportunity to hold the director's megaphone alone.

He raised his eyebrows at Lu Kuan, thanking him for his conscientious advice.

Boss Lu thought to himself, Brother Wei, I can't help you chase Sister Jiang, so this is all I can do...

"Director Lu, someone is looking for you!"

"Alright, coming!"

A business van pulled up beside the studio, and a graceful young woman stepped out with long legs; it was Fan Bingbing.

Great, another one who saw yesterday's press conference and came sniffing around like she smelled Tang Monk meat.

Fan Bingbing still acted with decorum and poise, instructing several assistants: "Move the water and drinks inside, be gentle, don't disturb the crew's filming."

It was common for celebrity friends to visit the set; in just the half-month Lu Kuan had been here, Zhang Jizhong, Zhou Xun, and Zhang Yadong had all visited, and this was already Fan Bingbing's second time.

The purpose was also self-evident.

Li Dawei came over to exchange a few pleasantries before walking away, and Lu Kuan and Fan Bingbing chatted in the actors' waiting area.

Not far behind them were two little tails: Liu Yifei in a rose-red cheongsam and Su Chang with two braids, both in their costumes from the show.

Dong Jie had long noticed this uninvited guest and even smelled a familiar scent on her...

One is a nine-tailed fox spirit, the other is a pure white lotus.

"Hello Bingbing, I'm Dong Jie."

"Xiao Lu, why don't you ask Bingbing to sit down over there? It's tiring to stand."

Liu Yifei held an AD Calcium Milk in her hand, pretending not to notice, but her ears were pricked up high.

Hearing Dong Jie's form of address, she secretly complained in her heart: 'Xiao Lu' indeed; this 'little road' of yours is already overcrowded...

Jiang Qinqin, Fan Bingbing, Dong Jie, Sister Xun shouldn't be...

Fan Bingbing knew exactly what was going on, thanking her with a face full of smiles, followed by another round of professional flattery about her beautiful and pure appearance, solid acting skills, and exquisite makeup and styling.

"Director Lu, good methods you have there. Have you tasted it yet?"

Bingbing was always so direct, which was what Lu Kuan appreciated about her; she knew what she wanted and knew what she had to pay for it.

Laying it all out on the table, no one has to struggle.

Boss Lu felt helpless; why does everyone think he is such a desperate person?

Fan Bingbing felt a bit of regret; if she had known, she should have rushed over last night. It was hard to come by a big-screen opportunity, only to have someone else get there first.

"I don't care! That song you gave me is already in the top twenty on the Golden Melody chart; you have to write me another one~~~"

Lu Kuan asked curiously: "Why aren't you asking about the female lead in the movie?"

Fan Bingbing gave him a coquettish roll of her eyes: "Do I even need to ask? Look at how she was acting just now."

Lu Kuan told the truth: "It is indeed decided, but it's not her."

"Ah? Hahaha, you're killing me! This is what they call 'losing the lady and the soldiers too,' and she was still here showing off to me."

As she spoke, she mimicked her tone from just before: "Xiao Lu~~~ why don't you ask Bingbing to sit down over there? It's tiring to stand."

Lu Kuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry; where did this damn competitive spirit come from? Has the track of 'hidden rules' become this fiercely competitive?

He was too lazy to explain; even if he told her, this future big star probably wouldn't believe it, right?

Liu Yifei and Su Chang simply couldn't bear to listen anymore; this vixen was much more formidable than the white lotus from last night, and they were blushing just listening to them!

"Xixi, you could try to go for this role."

Liu Yifei retorted repeatedly: "I'm not going! Didn't you see what the ticket to be his movie's female lead is? Disgusting!"

The young girl's sense of right and wrong was still very simple; she considered herself someone who would become a performing artist and disdained these naked transactions in the entertainment industry.

Fan Bingbing seemed to have really just come to visit the set, leaving as quickly as a gust of wind; after all, it was just a step on the gas pedal from Tianjin to Beiping.

Sitting in the car back to the capital, her eyes flickered; she was very surprised by Lu Kuan's growth speed, feeling that if she didn't let go of her inhibitions, she might not be able to hold onto this man...

"Xiao Liu, Xiao Su, what are you two doing, whispering over there?"

Su Chang protested: "You're only four or five years older than us, can you stop with the 'Xiao Liu' and 'Xiao Su'? You sound like an old man."

Liu Yifei also glared at him in agreement: "Exactly, don't we have names? Acting all old and arrogant!"

When not filming or training, she wasn't afraid of this man who didn't like to wash his hands!

Lu Kuan checked his watch; he didn't have time to bicker with two little girls, as they were officially starting production tomorrow.

"Xiao Liu, hurry back and find your mother to pack your luggage; report to the Beijing Film Studio tomorrow."

Liu Yifei asked curiously: "What do you mean?"

"You, the female lead for 'Whiplash'."

After saying this, Lu Kuan calmly returned to his room to pack his luggage, leaving only the two young girls and the curious crew members in a state of confusion.

Dong Jie watched the innocent-looking Liu Yifei with unwillingness, snorted coldly, and walked away.

The little girl is so pretentious at such a young age, and still acting like she's oblivious; who is she trying to fool!

Chen Kun was also completely baffled; he had suggested to his old friend Zhou Xun yesterday that she contact Lu Kuan for an audition, never thinking the role would be taken by someone else so quickly.

What made Liu Yifei most uncomfortable was the strange look in her best friend Su Chang's eyes.

"Xixi, did you... buy his ticket?"

(End of chapter)