"Sister Xiaoyuan, did you just go to film "The Legend of Sword and Fairy"?"
The audition waiting area for "2 Broke Girls" was crowded with people.
A rough estimate showed that there were at least a hundred people at the scene.
This is just the first batch of people to audition.
The girl who was talking to Deng Xiaoyuan was also an actress who had acted in several dramas. Her name was Fang Fang.
Deng Xiaoyuan nodded, smiled, and said, "Yes, I played a small role in The Legend of Sword and Fairy."
"I'm so envious." Fang Fang said, "I also auditioned for The Chinese Paladin at the time, but I didn't get any of the many small roles."
She sighed as she spoke.
Deng Xiaoyuan: "It was just luck that I was elected."
"How could that be? Sister Xiaoyuan, you're such a great actress and so pretty." Fang Fang said immediately, "But, Sister Xiaoyuan, since you've filmed 'Chinese Paladin', did you get to know Lu Yanhe? Do you know anything about '2 Broke Girls'?"
"How would I know that? If I knew any inside information, why would I be sitting here auditioning?" Deng Xiaoyuan shook his head.
"That's right." Fang Fang sighed again.
Deng Xiaoyuan glanced at her and kept smiling faintly.
"I heard that Lu Yanhe even directly refused to be a judge in the main competition unit of the Xitul Film Festival next year." Fang Fang's tone was not without envy.
"I'm so envious. She has been invited by Xitul to be a judge."
Deng Xiaoyuan smiled slightly.
"So many people auditioned for this drama, the competition is too fierce." Fang Fang sighed, "I don't know if I can get a role in this drama. I don't even dare to ask for the leading role, as long as it is a small supporting role."
"Who wouldn't think so?" Someone nearby immediately said, "Even if it's a minor supporting role, as long as it's in Lu Yanhe's play, it will be popular and attract attention."
"Sister Xiaoyuan should be here to audition for the female lead, right?" Fang Fang asked tentatively.
Others looked at Deng Xiaoyuan in surprise.
Deng Xiaoyuan smiled and said, "I audition for the female lead? I would like to."
One sentence dispelled everyone's surprise.
Suddenly, someone cried out in surprise.
The exclamation was quite loud.
"Oh my God!" A somewhat exaggerated voice.
Everyone was attracted and looked over there.
A very short middle-aged man, about or meters tall, wearing a suit that didn't fit him well.
The eyes from all around him made his cheeks turn red, revealing emotions such as embarrassment and shame.
Deng Xiaoyuan also looked at him with some surprise.
How... is he here for an audition too?
Is this man a dwarf?
This question is the first reaction in many people's minds.
The reason for this question is that he is not particularly short, and he is actually quite handsome, which does not quite fit the usual impression of dwarfs in people's minds.
But no matter what, it shouldn't be enough to make people exclaim in surprise.
"..."
The girl who had just screamed showed a look of contempt on her face and turned to talk to her companions.
The shorter man said nothing and quietly found a place to sit down.
When Deng Xiaoyuan saw this scene, she felt inexplicably sad.
"Is this person also here for an audition?" Fang Fang asked in a low voice, somewhat curious.
"Maybe."
"With his height, what kind of role can he try out for?" Fang Fang said.
"Maybe it's a special character who's responsible for comedy."
"Not really. There has never been such a special character in the scripts written by Lu Yanhe before."
When Deng Xiaoyuan heard this, he suddenly thought of something.
Special type?
Specialized in making people laugh?
Deng Xiaoyuan does know a little more information than others.
For example, this drama is no longer like "Friends", focusing on the daily stories between a group of handsome men and beautiful women, but highlights the living environment of the "lower class".
For example, in this drama, there will be greater differences in the composition and appearance of the characters in the protagonist group.
The waiting room for auditions is mostly filled with good-looking handsome men and beautiful women - this is also the type of people most likely to be seen in the acting industry.
However, for the drama "2 Broke Girls", this does not mean that the main casting targets are this group of people.
The person who provided the information to Deng Xiaoyuan told her that when auditioning, she must not go for the idol drama-style beauties, but must go for the type with a sense of life.
So far, he is the only one in the audition waiting room with the same body type as the man just now.
Deng Xiaoyuan's eyes flickered, and she stood up and walked towards the man.
Fang Fang and some others were stunned when they saw Deng Xiaoyuan suddenly stand up. They didn't know what she was going to do. Until they saw her actually walk up to the man and sit down in the empty seat next to him, they were all shocked.
-
"This actor named Bai Yunfei used to be a performer in an acrobatic troupe." Hu Siwei held up a photo and introduced him to Lu Yanhe and the others. "He is only meters tall, but he is very flexible. He also has a pretty face. He doesn't look uncomfortable in front of the camera. He fits the character portrait you gave me at the beginning."
In "2 Broke Girls", the restaurant owner is a short Asian guy.
Lu Yanhe has always felt that one of the important reasons why the show "Bankruptcy Show" became popular and well-liked in the beginning is that the show consciously talked about equality when political correctness and feminism had not yet emerged in Hollywood.
Moreover, especially when discussing this topic in an environment like an ordinary restaurant, it seems more real and valuable, and because it is wrapped in the cloak of a sitcom, it lacks the heaviness of a social issue.
Lu Yanhe wants to retain this feature in the drama.
He didn't expect that Hu Siwei actually found an actor with such appearance.
"Among so many actors who came to audition, he was the only one I invited," Hu Siwei said. "Of course, if you think he's not suitable, just give him a low score."
Lu Yanhe asked: "He used to be an actor in an acrobatic troupe. Is his physical ability very good?"
"Yes." Hu Siwei nodded. "I have seen his performances. Although they are very different from those in movies and TV series, he is very capable. As long as someone guides him to adjust his performance style, there will be no problem for him to act in our drama."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
-
Today I'm here to audition for the casting of 2 Broke Girls.
There is really no confirmed actor for this drama, and all casting will be done through auditions.
Including two heroines.
Lu Yanhe is now accustomed to the audition job.
There are still many people coming to say hello, and Lu Yanhe is becoming more and more familiar with how to deal with such situations.
It's just a joke anyway.
There are six screenwriters for this drama.
Very exaggerated, but also very normal.
It is exaggerated that for the crew that Lu Yanhe met, the script was basically written by one or two people, with at most a director who participated in the creation of the script.
Normally... Actually, for a sitcom, normally there are many people who write the screenplay.
Because each episode of a sitcom is a different small subject, it needs jokes and fun. Except for people like Lu Yanhe who have a golden finger, if only one or two people are responsible for writing the script, the creativity will soon run out.
If you watch classic sitcoms, you will find that basically every sitcom is written by a large team.
Of course, in the drama "2 Broke Girls", Hu Siwei originally wanted to put Lu Yanhe's name in the column of chief screenwriter, but Lu Yanhe immediately refused. He did not write a single word and really did not have the face to be the chief screenwriter.
Script Creator and Script Consultant. This was his final title.
The screenwriters have already written scripts for several episodes, and today's audition is using several episodes of the scripts to test the acting skills.
Everyone has only five minutes.
The actors who were auditioning came in one by one and went out one by one.
I must say that many of the actors who came to audition performed quite well.
The problem is... it's too academic.
Lu Yanhe didn't know what to say. If a sitcom was performed in that particular academic style, it would actually be very awkward - it would make the audience feel awkward.
Lu Yanhe made marks on his list from time to time.
During the intermission, Hu Siwei chatted with Lu Yanhe, asked him how he felt, and asked him what these marks meant.
Lu Yanhe said, "Oh, I think these marks are more suitable for some of the roles in my other dramas, so I wrote them down and invited them to audition later."
Hu Siwei asked: "Among the actors who have auditioned, are there any who you think are suitable for these permanent roles?"
“A few of them seemed okay, but the audition time was too short.” Lu Yanhe said, “Maybe I’ll have to take a closer look later.”
Hu Siwei nodded.
“In fact, many first-line actors have proactively asked us if we can act in this drama, and they have even reduced their pay.” Lu Yanhe shook his head.
"It's a sitcom... well, it's ok for first-tier actors to guest star, but forget about starring." Lu Yanhe shook his head. "Unless it's like Friends, where all the first-tier actors became famous because of this show, otherwise, it's hard for the audience to get into the show. Moreover, if a famous actor is placed in a starring cast where other actors can't match his fame, it's easy for the show to become centered around him."
Hu Siwei seemed to be hesitant to speak.
"There was no way to make Friends back then. First, although I was quite famous at the time, my status as an actor was not as high as it is now. Second, if I didn't star in it, the show wouldn't get off the ground. In fact, there was this problem when the first season was aired. All the publicity was centered around me. The other five actors clearly had the same amount of roles as me, but everyone's shining points were suppressed by me."
Lu Yanhe knew what Hu Siwei wanted to say at a glance.
"I didn't act in the second and third seasons, which is a good thing in this respect," Lu Yanhe said. "At least, for this drama, other actors and characters have become the real protagonists in the hearts of the audience during this period, and their fates have also been paid attention to."
Lu Yanhe added, "Besides, I am not only the lead actor of this drama, but also the screenwriter. I am willing to give up the role and exposure to another first-line star. To be honest, he has already reduced his salary. Can you still treat him the same as other actors? Other actors don't have assistants, RVs, or separate dressing rooms. Does he have them? He does, but the distance between him and other actors in the crew is widened, which affects the creative atmosphere of the sitcom. He doesn't have them, which is unethical of us."
Hu Siwei nodded.
"Okay, you're right."
"Situation comedies are naturally a genre that attracts audiences, so just slowly build up the audience," Lu Yanhe said. "It's impossible for first-line stars to sign contracts with you for several seasons at once. If they want to guest star, I welcome them very much, and I'm willing to pay them the market price, but I refuse to play the leading role."
Hu Siwei: "Okay, I trust your judgment."
"Brother Siwei, since you are willing to delve into sitcoms, I think it's good for you to have your own leading projects. On the other hand, I suggest that you learn from the model of Jump Up Theater and start making pilot episodes directly." Lu Yanhe said, "First, discover directors, second, discover screenwriters, and third, discover actors. As long as you have a good creative idea, you can pull together a crew and shoot an episode of the story first. In fact, to put it bluntly, it's the kind of skits in stage plays, with an episode of ten to twenty minutes. When it is put on the market, the number of views is not important. What is important is the audience's feedback. If the feedback is good, then continue to develop it. If the feedback is not good, give up in time. Through pilot episodes one by one, you can gather several teams to make sitcoms, and you can also have enough projects to support the filming team."
Hu Siwei looked at Lu Yanhe with some surprise.
"A pilot episode requires real money, and it may not be profitable."
Lu Yanhe said: "The pilot episode doesn't make much money, but a sitcom that can be further developed can definitely help you recover the production costs of dozens of pilot episodes. Not to mention, these pilot episodes can help us discover and accumulate a lot of sitcom talents. These are soft gains and cannot be measured simply by digital revenue."
Hu Siwei nodded: "I understand. I am willing to do it. How much budget can the company give me for this?"
"You make the plan, how much budget you need, we'll have a meeting to decide later." Lu Yanhe said, "In the future, the company can set a budget for your pilot episode production every year."
Hu Siwei smiled.
"I think other film and television companies will complain even more," he said. "Tiaoqi Theater has already invested dozens of dramas in this market, grabbing a lot of market share. Now we are starting to do sitcoms on a large scale. If the feedback is good, we will also do coming-of-age dramas. This market will be taken away even more."
"We have never been competing for their market. We are entering a market that other companies cannot enter," said Lu Yanhe. "Tiaoqi Theater has been in operation for nearly half a year, and Linghe has also produced several dramas. To be honest, the combined profits are not as much as the profits from one episode of "Wulin Waijia". This is a market for low- to medium-cost dramas, and other companies think the returns are too low, so no one is willing to enter the market."
Hu Siwei: "They are also competing with other film and television companies for actors' schedules and platforms' budgets for film purchases."
"Then they can just take it back." Lu Yanhe said, "I only want to make big dramas. I invest hundreds of millions in one drama and make hundreds of millions... We at Jump Up Theater may not be able to make as many big dramas as they do in a year. Can they be jealous of this? To be honest, the real small companies rely on contracting the dramas of Jump Up Theater to make money and not be affected by the current trend of the industry that only pursues the top ones. What kind of people are those who complain?"
Hu Siwei: "Hahaha, in the final analysis, it's because we broke the ecological balance they created before, and changed the production environment where they could make money without doing anything. Especially in the past six months, we have unearthed so many directors, photographers, screenwriters, lighting technicians, makeup artists... They didn't have the opportunity to emerge before, but now the entire industry has more choices. Those who used to be just sitting there doing nothing and had no real skills naturally have a hard time and started to scold us."
"Let them curse as much as they want, they will eventually be eliminated."
During the intermission, the two chatted for a while, then returned to the audition room to continue watching everyone's auditions.
In one day, I saw hundreds of actors.
If Lu Yanhe used to feel that such a speed made it impossible to get a good look at the situation of each actor, now he approves of this model.
Because actors have to compete for the audience's attention.
The more memorable an actor is in this mode, the more he or she has the qualities to make a living from the camera and the audience.
The auditions lasted until eight o'clock in the evening, when all the actors had finished their auditions.
Lu Yanhe stretched out his body and felt numb from sitting, with his buttocks cramping a bit.
Hu Siwei said, "Shall we go get something to eat together later?"
"I won't eat anymore." Lu Yanhe shook his head. "I already have an appointment with Siqi."
"Oh." Hu Siwei smiled, "Then I won't disturb your date. We'll go to the same place tomorrow."
"Yeah." Lu Yanhe yawned, "Everyone has worked hard, you guys can eat, tonight's meal is on me."
Hu Siwei: "Okay, let's have a big meal then."
Lu Yanhe smiled and nodded.
-
Chen Siqi's car has arrived.
Lu Yanhe walked out while talking to her on the phone.
"You guys go back first." Lu Yanhe said to Zou Dong and Wang Biao, "You've worked hard today. Just let Xiaoyan and Huang Hai pick me up tomorrow. You guys can take a day off."
Wang Biao and Zou Dong nodded.
Zou Dong then said, "Yan He, are you and Si Qi going out to eat later, or are you going home directly?"
"We made a reservation at a restaurant and planned to go out for dinner." Lu Yanhe said, "We will go back after dinner."
Zou Dong: "Then I'd better follow you. You're auditioning here today. If someone is interested, they might follow you. If someone bothers you, it will be convenient for me to be here."
Lu Yanhe wanted to say no, but when he thought about how he had been harassed by some crazy people in the past, he felt that it was still necessary.
He nodded.
"Then it's hard work for you."
"It's okay." Zou Dong shook his head. "There are three people taking shifts with me now. Why should I be so hard?"
Lu Yanhe smiled.
"Then I'll go back first." Wang Biao waved with a bright smile.
"How do you go back?"
"I can just call a car." said Wang Biao.
Lu Yanhe and the others walked outside while talking.
Suddenly, a figure stood in front.
It's a figure that looks somewhat familiar.
"Ok?"
When the man saw them coming, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"Mr. Lu."
"You are... Fang Fang?" Lu Yanhe looked at her with some surprise.
"You actually remember me?" Fang Fang showed an expression of flattered surprise.
Lu Yanhe asked: "Are you waiting for me here?"
"Yes." Fang Fang said, "Today's audition time was too short. I, I don't think I did well. I was too nervous."
She looked at Lu Yanhe nervously.
"I want to ask, can I give myself another audition opportunity?"
Lu Yanhe said: "You have entered the second round of auditions. They will notify you later."
"Ah? Really?!" Fang Fang showed a surprised expression.
Lu Yanhe nodded: "Really."
"Ah ...
It looked like someone who was so excited that he had lost his composure.
However... inexplicably, Lu Yanhe could tell traces of acting from the scene before him.
"..."
"Thank you, thank you!" Fang Fang suddenly stopped and bowed to Lu Yanhe, "I will try my best!"
After saying that, she turned around and ran away like a happy little bird.
Lu Yanhe couldn't help but laugh.
"What is she doing--" Wang Biao showed a puzzled expression.
Zou Dong said: "Maybe, she wants Yan He to leave some impression on her."
They talked as they walked.
Wang Biao: "Alas, people's hearts are no longer the same as they used to be. Why are there so many tricks?"
Zou Dong said: "This is also a kind of ability. At least she is fighting for herself in an upright manner."
He was just speaking, and the words hadn't even fallen yet.
They saw a lot of people standing in the lobby on the first floor of the building, and there were security guards guarding the entrance to the corridor, not allowing those people in the lobby to come in.
From time to time, some of those people would look into the corridor.
When someone saw Lu Yanhe and his group, they immediately ran to the security guard and looked at him eagerly.
Lu Yanhe was stunned.
Wang Biao complained in a low voice: "Is it aboveboard? The truly aboveboard people are those who were stopped by the security guards and waited for Brother Lu outside. She can stay in the corridor and wait, but that is not something that can be done aboveboard."
A gust of cold wind rushed through Lu Yanhe's heart.
-
Recommended "I Became the Scandal Heroine Overnight" (End of this Chapter)
