"Yes, this movie is positioned as a commercial film, a commercial comedy. The main character is a smart kid. Yes, the actor for this kid has been decided. He has worked with me in a movie before. He is very talented. His name is Huang Feng."
"For these two stupid thieves, we still hope that at least one big name can play the role. Otherwise, it will have a huge impact on the film's release date. Without big names, it won't be able to get a screening."
"Teacher Jia Long is going to perform?"
Lu Yanhe was stunned.
"But the absolute protagonist of this movie is still this kid. He has always been the absolute protagonist in Mr. Jia Long's movies over the years. It's impossible to invite him. Besides, he will be busy promoting Lost in Thailand during the winter break this year. I guess he won't have time."
"Where's Liu Teli?"
"Teacher Liu?" Lu Yanhe was stunned.
Liu Teli... this big star who is famous for playing small characters in the market has indeed never entered Lu Yanhe's mind before.
On the one hand, he was not in Lu Yanhe's image of an actor because he did not play this kind of spoof comedy. On the other hand, in Lu Yanhe's mind, Liu Teli was an academic actor who pursued art and was a performing artist. Wasn't it a waste of talent for him to play in the movie "Home Alone"?
However, when he connected the image of Liu Teli in his mind with the stupid thief in "Home Alone", Lu Yanhe inexplicably felt that... there was some resemblance.
Liu Teli can definitely act interestingly.
It feels like it would have been fine if I hadn't thought of it before, but now that I thought of it, it seems like there is no one more suitable than him.
Moreover, Liu Teli's popularity and the amount of buzz he would generate if he starred in this film completely met their requirements for an actor.
That is...Teacher Liu Teli may not be willing to perform.
Visit the thatched cottage three times.
This word emerged in Lu Yanhe's mind.
Since you think it’s suitable, you should visit him three times.
With this thought in mind, Lu Yanhe immediately told Chen Yin and the others.
Chen Yin was stunned and asked, "If we invite Mr. Liu Teli to play the role, should the character settings of these two stupid thieves be modified?"
In the script, these two stupid thieves are middle-aged men between 30 and 40 years old.
Lu Yanhe said: "Neither the relationship between the characters nor the script need to be changed drastically. The two stupid thieves in the script are also a relationship between a leader and a coordinator. They are both actually very stupid, but one thinks he is smart. If Mr. Liu can play the role, he will definitely play the role of the leader. With his age, in his early fifties, he will be the wise man of the duo. The other thief will have to be made younger, one with a dumber brain but a taller image."
Chen Yin thought about it carefully and realized that according to the script of Home Alone, it was indeed true.
Chen Yin added: "The theme of this movie is actually most suitable for the Spring Festival period."
"The biggest feature of this comedy is that it is combined with children's films." Lu Yanhe said, "It is a family comedy, and its theme is the concept of family."
"Can we get more big-name actors to guest star?" Chen Yin said, "I know that the most important thing about a movie is the content. The content must be good. I think the current theme and content of this movie are good enough. The jokes are dense and refreshing, which is completely different from the comedy movies on the market. However, the better the content, the more publicity it needs to make people know about it. This movie is not a group drama. If Liu Teli alone competes for the Spring Festival period, it will still not be as good as other movies."
Lu Yanhe thought for a moment and said, "But the only cameo roles in this movie are parents, police, neighbors, and airport attendants..."
"Then let's invite popular stars to play these roles." Chen Yin said, "Only in this way can we get tickets for the Spring Festival."
Lu Yanhe asked: "How is the search for a director going?"
Chen Yin: "Lu Xiaochuan, who we had our eyes on before, is considering it now. He promised me that he would give me an answer this week."
"Oh, by the way, if we invite Mr. Liu Teli to play the role, the budget may have to be increased." Chen Yin reminded, "Originally, our budget for the salary of the two stupid thieves was 2 million, but for Mr. Liu Teli, the salary is expected to be 5 million to reach his market level."
"Okay." Lu Yanhe nodded. "As for the budget, if it is actually necessary, we can add more."
-
Lu Yanhe and his group went to Liu Teli's home for a special visit.
This long-established performing artist did not win the Best Actor trophy until two years ago because of the character he played and the subject matter. Before that, he had not been recognized by mainstream awards.
But in the domestic environment, this has never affected his position and reputation in the industry, which shows his ability.
Lu Yanhe was thinking along the way about how he should talk to Liu Teli about this movie.
He was afraid that Liu Teli would have the wrong idea and develop other expectations for the movie.
If Lu Yanhe went to Liu Teli with a script about themes like "Dragon Inn" or "Raise the Red Lantern", Lu Yanhe would not be nervous.
Because he knew that Liu Teli would definitely like such a book.
Home Alone...
Lu Yanhe didn't know how to describe this feeling.
It's like taking a handicraft that sells very well to an embroidery master and saying, "Master, look, can you embroider this?" It sells very well.
The master will probably kick you out directly.
Therefore, when Lu Yanhe met Liu Teli, he said straight away: "This is a comedy commercial film."
Liu Teli already knew the purpose of their visit.
"I heard that you want me to play a thief?" he said with a smile.
Lu Yanhe nodded, "Yes, a thief who was outwitting a child."
Liu Teli asked: "Xiao Lu, can you tell me, if you were to describe this movie in one sentence, how would you describe it?"
Lu Yanhe was stunned.
"what?"
Liu Teli pointed to the script on the coffee table and said, "I'm not asking you to summarize the story. I want to know how it fits in your mind before I read it."
Lu Yanhe thought about it seriously and said, "For adults, it is a fairy tale in the real world. For children, it is a real story that makes them happy like a fairy tale. It is happy, warm and makes people happy."
Liu Teli nodded.
"I'm going to the study to read the script. You guys take a seat." He picked up the script and went into the study alone.
His wife came over with tea and greeted them.
-
Like many artists of the older generation, Liu Teli has experienced many hardships and difficulties along the way.
His wife Chen Qiang was chatting with Lu Yanhe and others, and when they talked about Liu Teli's past, Lu Yanhe learned that Liu Teli had sung in a drama troupe when he was a child, and had spent many years honing his basic skills.
Later, I joined a local theater troupe and traveled with the troupe. I suffered a lot and learned a lot. By chance, I started acting in stage plays and sketches, and then I had the opportunity to act in film and television dramas.
Starting out as a supporting role is not the same path as the current actors take.
However, most actors in the past followed this path.
They are not actors packaged by the star industry system. Of course, in the current entertainment industry environment, they are still inevitably star-like.
This is not a bad thing.
But their past experiences have enabled them to have a foothold in the increasingly dazzling entertainment industry.
This is especially true for top actors like Liu Teli who keep themselves clean and protect their reputation.
Therefore, they have very high standards when it comes to accepting roles.
This standard will not change just because you pay a lot of money, or because you are Lu Yanhe or a creator with outstanding achievements.
For such an actor, many people may look down on and despise him in terms of commercial value.
But in terms of what makes them actors and their attainments in performing arts, they are respected wherever they go.
-
Chen Qiang said: "Before, a big director wanted him to act in a movie. I won't say who it was. He had a bad temper and didn't like the role. He also didn't agree with the script, so he declined. When others found out, they all laughed at him, saying that if he acted, he would at least be nominated for an acting award. Being unique means he lacks awards."
Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "Teacher Teli doesn't need any awards. He is already very influential and doesn't need any awards to increase people's recognition of him."
Chen Qiang: "That's what I said, but in the entertainment industry, people flatter the powerful and bully the weak. Before he won the Lingyun Award, who would have looked up to him? He suffered a lot when filming with some young idol actors."
"Ah? What's wrong with that?" Lu Yanhe was a little surprised. "Although today's idol actors have average professional abilities, they are still very respectful to the older generation of actors under the supervision of so many people, right? At least they should show respect for them."
Chen Qiang smiled and shook her head.
"That's not really the case." Chen Qiang said, "Of course anyone can do the superficial work, but the problem is that they will make many requests through the team and the crew, not directly. Then Teli and others can only cooperate with the crew's requests. Teli even shot 80% of the scenes with a stand-in, and Teli had only met the actor a few times for the scenes where the two of them were acting opposite each other."
"What kind of actor is this? I have to block him from now on." Lu Yanhe said with a dark face.
Chen Qiang: "Dan Teli thinks very highly of you guys. This time when you come over, he specifically asked me to buy some vegetables. We will cook for you ourselves later and you can try our cooking skills." "Okay, I'm so happy to be able to taste your two cooking skills!" Lu Yanhe said with surprise.
Chen Qiang: "I am also very happy to meet you. I have watched many of your plays. Teli often watches your plays and says that your plays have something that others don't have and are worth watching."
Lu Yanhe was flattered.
"No way? A performing artist like Mr. Teli is watching my play? This feeling can be written on my acting resume."
Chen Qiang: "Why are you so modest?"
"I am not usually so humble, but now that I am at your house, I must be a little more humble. If I am not humble in front of a true artist, then I am arrogant."
Lu Yanhe said it with absolute certainty.
-
"A Hollywood movie?"
At this moment, Jiang Yuqian looked at He Heng with some surprise.
"They contacted us and wanted us to audition?"
"Yes." He Heng nodded, "It's a big production, and one of the leading actors is also a Chinese actor."
"Yan He?" Jiang Yuqian's first reaction was Lu Yan He.
Because, at present, there are only a handful of people in China who can play leading roles in major international productions, and the most popular one is Lu Yanhe.
"Chen Pinhe." He Heng suppressed his surprise, his eyes shining, "We are really on the right track in going international, Yuqian, you finally got the leading role in a Hollywood blockbuster!"
"It's just an audition, it doesn't count as getting it, right?"
"They contacted me on their own initiative, so it's basically a sure thing. There are not many actresses in China who are as well-known internationally as you." He Heng said, "There is a great hope."
Jiang Yuqian also showed a look of surprise.
Although she has been working hard to go international in recent times, she played supporting roles in the two dramas she participated in before.
It’s just because one is a big production and the other is directed by a famous director, so even if it is a supporting role, it is a good resource.
But of course it’s not okay to keep playing supporting roles.
Not to mention anything else, Jiang Yuqian has always played the leading female role in China, but suddenly became a supporting role when she went abroad, which always makes Chinese people feel uncomfortable, as if Chinese-language film and television dramas are inferior, and their own popular leading female roles can only play supporting roles in your country.
Fortunately, the resources for the heroine are now available.
He Heng said: "After this news is announced, your position will be further consolidated. You really should not act in TV dramas anymore, unless they are top-notch productions."
Jiang Yuqian said: "The premise is that there will always be good movies for me to act in. I can't just keep waiting for a movie."
"Don't worry, after these plays are released, you will definitely have a lot of movie scripts in the future." He Heng said, "Especially when "The Call" is released at the end of the year, the current data in all aspects is very good, and it shouldn't be a problem for this movie to break the 100 million box office. Didn't Lu Yanhe also say that there is another movie script that wants you to act in?"
"Yan He has too many projects and he is too busy to handle them all." Jiang Yuqian said, "I actually wanted to act in the movie Dragon Inn, but Yan He said I was not suitable for the role."
"The ages of the two heroines in the film are not something you can handle now."
"I haven't performed yet." Jiang Yuqian said, "Forget it. Indeed, compared with Chen Bige and Teacher Liu Zi, my acting skills are a bit worse."
"Don't underestimate yourself. Your acting skills are already very good now." He Heng said, "Besides, after these plays are released, do you still need such an opportunity?"
"Who knows? Haven't you noticed? The roles Yan He asks me to play are basically not the kind that require particularly advanced acting skills. He thinks I can't play roles that require particularly advanced acting skills."
"If Yan He heard you say that, he would definitely feel wronged." He Heng said, "Your performance in Squid Game is obvious to all. Besides, doesn't the movie Call require acting skills? If you compare yourself with Chen Bige, there is indeed a gap. She has been acting for many more years than you. What are you comparing yourself with her?"
"You do not understand."
"I just hope you don't get too hung up on these things. We've agreed that we won't compete for awards in the next few years. And, Qianqian, it's not hard to be considered a good actor in a film that highlights acting skills. If you can give a performance that impresses everyone in a film that doesn't focus on acting, that's real talent."
"Just comfort me."
"I'm not trying to comfort you."
"I know my acting skills aren't that great." Jiang Yuqian shook her head. "Okay, let's not talk about it anymore. Let's just leave it at that. I hope I can successfully get the movie 'Doomsday'."
-
After Liu Teli finished reading the script of the movie "Home Alone" in his study, he did not come out immediately.
He sat in the chair and thought for a long time.
Admittedly, this is an interesting story.
Moreover, it is a very good story.
But it is indeed a bit far from the standard he is set for accepting roles now.
Liu Teli has always been a realistic actor.
If "Home Alone" is viewed from a realistic perspective, it simply cannot stand up.
If he were to act in this movie, he would have to change his usual acting style.
This was a very risky thing for him.
Of course, what made him hesitate was not the risk, but the fact that it exceeded his pursuit as an actor.
He couldn't say against his will that this movie was a risk for him as an actor, a risk in performance.
Even if the performance style needs to be changed, it is only a technical operation.
Liu Teli knew that it would not be difficult for him to act in this movie.
However, based on Linghe's positioning of "Home Alone", this movie is very likely to be a box office hit.
By then, the impression of these two stupid thieves might be deeply rooted in people's minds.
For Liu Teli, the image of an actor that he had worked so hard to build up was also bound by this role and the style of this movie, and from then on, he became a professional in playing clown-type roles.
Liu Teli considers a lot and is very practical.
At this point in his life, a hit movie doesn’t really mean that much.
The projects he is currently involved in and the roles he plays, even if they may not be as popular as expected in "Little Devil", are still not bad.
As an actor Liu Teli, he can have the aura of a "performing artist" without any risks.
He starred in "Home Alone", and even though the movie was a box office hit, it didn't help his acting career much. He could see that the only star of the movie was the "home kid", and the two stupid thieves, no matter how successful they were, were still stupid and funny villains.
And if he doesn't star in "Home Alone", it will not have any impact on his current acting career.
He doesn't need popularity or traffic. At his stage, he is already a "successful" "performing artist".
These things had actually been circling in his mind for a long time.
He was trying to convince himself not to take the movie.
But why did he need to find so many reasons to convince himself not to take this movie?
Because as an actor, he knows very well that this is an interesting story and a film theme that has never appeared on the market. Similarly, although this is a movie that does not discuss the depth of human nature or explore the art of film, it will definitely be liked by everyone as a film story.
These two stupid thieves in the movie will become a signature movie image.
A character doesn't necessarily have to be round, multi-faceted, and complex to stand out.
A character who has reached perfection in some aspect can also be a classic.
Liu Teli saw this kind of character charm in these two stupid thieves.
They are purely bad and purely stupid, but they still make people feel that their badness and stupidity are a kind of fairy-tale badness and stupidity, and have not reached the level of evil human nature.
It is very difficult to write such a character like this.
Liu Teli has never played such a role before.
His heart was stirring.
This is his passion for a role as an actor.
-
Recommend a new book about Xianxia, "The Sword of the Demon Hunter" (End of this chapter)
