Chapter 425: Casting
Chapter 425: Casting
Nie Jingting was aware of Lu Jiaxin's formidable money-making abilities, but he had no idea she had such a temper. Back at home, even Kang Huijuan was polite and courteous to him. However, the threat of Nie Zhan loomed over him, preventing him from daring to show any displeasure.
Lu Jiaxin, noticing his acceptable attitude, didn't hold this incident against him and even offered a suggestion: "If you truly enjoy acting, consider enrolling in a performing arts academy for further studies. Spend a couple of years there, and when you return, start with minor roles. I'm confident that if you're willing to put in the hard work, people will be clamoring to cast you in their productions. But if you continue down this path, the industry folks will steer clear of you."
Being avoided was the least of his worries; the real concern was becoming a laughingstock in the industry. In later years, there was a tycoon's son who, due to excessive flattery, lost touch with reality and became the target of online ridicule.
Nie Jingting frowned, "I've also hired acting coaches, and everyone says I'm doing quite well."
Lu Jiaxin was speechless. However, for Nie Zhan's sake, she continued, "You can go to the mainland to study acting. There's the Film Academy in the Fourth Ring or the Drama Academy in Magic City; both have excellent teachers. But if you want to learn the real skills, you must keep your identity a secret."
Nie Zhan understood, "So, you're saying that the teachers he hired previously were just going easy on him?"
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, "I'm not sure about that. All I know is that no one wants to watch the movies he's been in."
This struck a nerve, but a good movie was a collaborative effort between the director and the actors. Nie Jingting's behavior, however, was that of a dilettante; he always chose directors based on his personal preferences. Directors had their specialties—some excelled in arthouse films, others in urban dramas or martial arts epics. Nie Jingting, however, didn't care about their actual abilities or whether they were working on their preferred genre; he simply chose whoever caught his fancy. No one dared to work with him under such conditions. As the young master of a wealthy family, he could afford to be careless; if a film failed, his family would still support him. But for those who relied on this industry for their livelihood, a damaged reputation could mean a difficult life.
Nie Zhan turned to Nie Jingting and said, "Think carefully about it. If you truly love this industry, then commit to studying acting properly and stop behaving like you have been. But if you choose not to, then join the company and help your brother shoulder some responsibilities."
Without hesitation, Nie Jingting replied, "I'll go, Brother. But I don't know anyone in the mainland. How can I get into a film academy?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "That's not a problem. However, you must keep your identity a secret. When the time comes, we'll tell people that you're Mei Gu's nephew and that you want to study at the film academy because of your passion for acting."
"Ah..."
Lu Jiaxin didn't force the issue and simply asked him to give it careful thought.
Yu Meitung, upon hearing about Lu Jiaxin's movie casting, was intrigued and wanted to see for herself. However, as Lu Jiaxin had to attend school, Yu Meitung waited until Shi Xinyu returned before approaching her.
Lu Jiaxin politely declined, "There will be auditions, but it's not appropriate for you to be present during the selection process. However, once filming begins, if you're interested, you're welcome to come and watch."
Shi Xinyu asked, "Jiaxin, I've never acted in a movie before, and I'm curious about what it feels like. When filming starts, can I have a small role?"
Yu Meitung also looked at Lu Jiaxin expectantly.
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "That's not entirely up to me. Once we're on set, I'll ask the director, and if there are suitable roles for you, you can make a cameo appearance."
Shi Xinyu happily hugged Lu Jiaxin, "Jiaxin, thank you!"
Yu Meitung also expressed her gratitude and then asked, "Jiaxin, what inspired you to want to make a movie all of a sudden?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't believe they could keep a secret, so she gave them a casual reason, "Last month, Nie Zhan and I went to watch a movie. After we left the theater, I suddenly had an idea, and when I got home, I wrote the entire script. After finishing it, I felt it was pretty good, so I wanted to turn it into a movie as a memento. Nie Zhan read the script and thought it had potential, so he asked the manager of Wanting to make the necessary arrangements."
Shi Xinyu immediately thought of Nie Jingting when she heard this and asked, "Is the fourth young master of the Nie family the male lead in this movie?"
"Do you think that's possible?"
Alright, that answer was a clear no. It made sense, too; Lu Jiaxin, despite her young age, had amassed a considerable fortune, and she wouldn't let Nie Jingting mess around with her production.
Many people showed up for the auditions, but most of them were unknowns. Director Qi and Tian Pengyu selected six individuals—four females and two males. However, their acting skills were rudimentary at best; they might be suitable for background roles, but casting them as leads would be a joke.
When Lu Jiaxin saw these six individuals, she suddenly realized her mistake. Holding a nationwide casting call in the mainland was feasible because there were many performing arts students or seasoned actors to choose from. Once selected, they could be trained by experienced teachers and eventually take on leading roles. But that wasn't the case here. The candidates here had mostly attended training programs like TVB and started their careers playing minor roles, gradually honing their acting skills over time.
At this moment, Director Qi recommended several individuals to Lu Jiaxin for the female lead—Zheng Ling and Mi Xue; and for the male lead—Dage, Fagong, and Liusheng.
Lu Jiaxin considered their appearances and smiled, thinking that Director Qi was setting her up for a challenge. She then added a few more names to the list—Lan Yinggu, Guan Meiren, Wang Xiaoqian, and Zhou Yunu.
Director Qi was delighted to see that Lu Jiaxin had selected renowned beauties. If they could secure these beauties for the movie, it would be like a beauty pageant, and that could be a unique selling point.
Tian Pengyu wasn't surprised that they hadn't found their ideal male and female leads among the candidates. After all, most of those who showed up lacked acting experience, so how could they be expected to carry a leading role? However, when he received the list from Lu Jiaxin, he couldn't help but grimace. Half of the list comprised famous actresses: "Boss, one female lead and one supporting actress are enough. We don't need this many."
Lu Jiaxin said, "These artists have their own schedules. Some are currently filming, and others have their calendars filled with commitments. So, it's better to have more options as backups. Of course, if we can get them all, that would be fantastic."
"Boss, that would cost a fortune."
Lu Jiaxin wanted to be indulgent just this once, "Money is not an issue. As long as they agree to be in the film, that's all that matters. But they must audition. If they're unwilling to do so, then forget it."
Tian Pengyu began contacting the individuals on the list. Actress Zheng was willing to take on the role but refused to audition. Lan Yinggu didn't reject the offer outright but asked them to handle her signed company's arrangements. Wang Xiaoqian and Zhou Yunu, who weren't yet famous, agreed to audition. As for the male stars, Dage and Fagong had fully booked schedules, but Liusheng had an opening and was willing to audition.
Director Qi informed Lu Jiaxin that Actress Zheng would be a perfect fit for the female lead in her later years and that an audition wasn't necessary.
Lu Jiaxin understood that a popular actress like Zheng had the leverage to make such demands. However, this was Earth, and if Zheng didn't work out, there were always other options, "Let Lan Yinggu and the others audition first to see if they're suitable for the lead roles."
"If Zheng finds out, she'll refuse to be in the movie."
Lu Jiaxin didn't seem to mind, "If she's not willing to audition, then it's a no-go. If Wang and the others aren't suitable, we'll continue searching. There are so many female celebrities out there; I refuse to believe we can't find someone fitting."
Director Qi wanted to argue further, but Tian Pengyu cut in, assuring them that he would handle the matter.
(End of Chapter)
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