Chapter 195: Audition for Now You See Me, and another multi-million dollar series

Chapter 195: Audition for Now You See Me, and another multi-million dollar series

"Xiao Liu!"

After calling Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Qing called his assistant over and gave him some instructions.

"Send an audition invitation to Duan Yihong and Zhang Yi."

"understand!"

After much thought, Zhou Qing felt that Duan Yihong and Zhang Yi could both give the role of FBI agent a try.

Although these two have never played FBI roles, they have portrayed many police roles, and they have done a very good job.

Now, I think there won't be any problem in changing my appearance and playing an FBI agent with similar characteristics.

"Also, send an audition invitation to Xu Qing and Wan Qian as well."

"clear."

As for the female Interpol, Zhou Qing has currently thought of two more suitable actors.

There is no need to say much about Xu Qing. He is already a very experienced veteran actor and has appeared in countless works.

There is no doubt about his acting skills, he should be able to play the role of an international criminal police officer with ease.

Moreover, in his previous life, Zhou Qing had also watched a movie called "24 Hours: Resurgence".

Although the film is not very famous, the cast is actually pretty good.

The male lead is the big Hollywood star Ethan Hawke, and Xu Qing plays the female lead.

Frankly speaking, such resources are already top-notch.

So what role does Xu Qing play in it?

It is Interpol.

The acting is pretty good.

The only thing to consider is that Xu Qing may be a little older now.

The sisters were born in 69 and are now 37 years old.

But what can I say? Female celebrities have always taken good care of themselves, so it may not be a problem at this age.

If the overall effect is really unsatisfactory, we still have Wan Qian.

He is only 24 years old this year, so there will definitely be no problem.

As for acting skills, although Wan Qian doesn't have many works now, she is a professional student of the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

I have been performing in dramas since graduation, not only in China, but also in other places such as America and Rome.

He also performed at the National Theatre.

His work "The Wasteland and Man" performed at the National Theatre of China also won the Ministry of Culture's "A Century of Drama" National Drama Exhibition Gold Award.

So there is no need to worry about the acting.

Like Duan Yihong and Zhang Yi, Zhou Qing had also seen the image of the female policeman created by Wan Qian in his previous life.

There is absolutely no problem playing an Interpol officer.

Now the only one left is the old man played by Morgan Freeman.

Because this guy killed the FBI agent's father, he recruited the Four Horsemen when he grew up and caused so many things.

Just to send Morgan Freeman to jail.

This person doesn't have many scenes, but he is undoubtedly a very important character in the movie.

Moreover, it involves the grudges of the previous generation. His age may not be as old as Morgan Freeman, but he must be around 50 or 60 years old.

To be honest, there are still many choices for actors in this age group, after all, they are all veteran actors.

For example, Chen Daoming, isn’t that pretty good?

However, as for Chen Daoming, his acting skills are beyond doubt, so there is no need for him to audition.

Zhou Qing thought about it, then asked his assistant Xiao Liu to find Chen Daoming's contact information, and then called him.

"Hello, Mr. Chen Daoming, I'm Zhou Qing."

Because he had never dealt with Chen Daoming before, Zhou Qing first introduced himself.

"Hello Director Zhou, I have heard of you for a long time."

Chen Daoming greeted Zhou Qing politely, and wondered in his heart, could it be that Director Zhou wanted him to play a role?

Good thing!
Even Chen Daoming would very much like to work with a director of Director Zhou's level.

"Teacher Chen, there is a very important supporting role in my new play, and only you can handle it."

After a brief greeting, Zhou Qing explained his purpose to Chen Daoming.

"Director Zhou's role is definitely a good role."

Chen Daoming said so immediately.

It's not really a compliment, but I really think so.

All the movies Zhou Qing has shot so far are highly acclaimed masterpieces, there isn’t even one bad one.

Although he has not seen the script of Zhou Qing's new play yet, Chen Daoming believes that it will definitely be an excellent one.

But even so, Chen Daoming still needs to understand it further.

"But Director Zhou, can I take a look at the script first?"

Chen Daoming then made another request to Zhou Qing.

There was naturally no problem with this, it was reasonable and logical, and Zhou Qing agreed without any hesitation.

He immediately asked Xiao Liu to fax a copy of the script to Chen Daoming.

"Director Zhou, I'll take this role!"

Just half an hour later, Chen Daoming gave Zhou Qing a reply.

Although the role of the "magician who fights fakers" does not have too many scenes and is a real supporting role, his presence is still very strong.

What's more, the script of "Now You See Me" is so wonderful as a whole, he is willing to play a supporting role in such a movie.

"Welcome Mr. Chen to join us. With his superb acting skills, he will definitely add a lot of brilliance to this film."

Zhou Qing expressed a warm welcome to Chen Daoming.

Another important role following the “Three Knights of Beijing Film Academy” has been confirmed.

No, that's not right. If Huang Xiaoming's audition goes well and Zhou Qing gives him the role of the poker master, then that would be great.

The Four Horsemen really became the "Four Horsemen of Beijing Film Academy". The people at Beijing Film Academy must be so happy, right?
Is this Zhou Qing setting a precedent for directors at Beijing Film Academy?

"Zhou Qing!"

"Brother Xiao Ming!"

Huang Xiaoming, who successfully coordinated the time with Gao Xixi, came to Zhou Qing's studio as soon as possible.

"Congratulations, Brother Xiao Ming. The ratings of The Return of the Condor Heroes are so high, and The Banquet is also a big hit at the box office."

The two were quite familiar with each other and greeted each other with a smile.

Speaking of Huang Xiaoming in the past two years, he has been very successful.

With many hit TV series, he has firmly established himself as a top male star.

Take the "New Shanghai Bund" that is currently being filmed, for example. It is definitely another hit.

"The Banquet sold 100 million yuan, but Painted Skin sold 300 million yuan. I still need to keep working hard!"

When Huang Xiaoming said this, he was full of energy.

The opportunity, isn't it here?
Since Zhou Qing’s “Painted Skin” earned 3 million yuan, then this new movie might be able to do the same, right?

"What movie is it this time? It shouldn't be Ip Man."

After the two sides talked for a while in vain, Huang Xiaoming couldn't help but ask Zhou Qing about the situation.

"Of course not. The casting of Ip Man was handled by director Ip Wai-hsin. I don't interfere."

Zhou Qing shook his head and briefly introduced the situation to Huang Xiaoming, "This is a new play I directed myself, a story about a magician."

Directed by Zhou Qing himself!

Huang Xiaoming seemed calm on the surface, but he couldn't hold back his emotions. Zhou Qing was directing the film himself, which was different from Zhou Qing just providing the script.

Huang Xiaoming would definitely prefer to act in a movie directed by Zhou Qing himself.

Although we still don’t know what this story about the magician is about, as long as it was written by Zhou Qing, it must be correct.

"Brother Xiao Ming, let's go to the audition room and talk."

After bringing Huang Xiaoming to the audition room, Zhou Qing took out a page of the script that he had prepared long ago and handed it to Huang Xiaoming.

That was exactly a scene from "Poker Master".

"Now, I'm going to start flipping through this pile of cards quickly, and I need you to pick a card."

"Of course, it's not this one. If it was this one, it would be too obvious..."

After preparing for a few minutes, Huang Xiaoming began to perform in front of Zhou Qing with a stack of cards.

"Now, please look carefully."

Huang Xiaoming raised the cards in his hand and swiped them quickly.

"Is it too fast? Okay, I'll do it again. Open your eyes wide."

In addition to following the designs in the script, Huang Xiaoming also performed some small actions of his own.

I have to say, the performance was actually quite good.

As expected, he is Huang·Hataki Kaka·Xiao Ming.

"It's OK, Senior Brother Xiao Ming. Very good."

Zhou Qing interrupted Huang Xiaoming with great satisfaction.

Huang Xiaoming couldn't help showing a hint of joy when he heard this.

Judging from the situation, I have won the role of the magician, right?
“When will the filming of New Shanghai Bund be completed?”

Zhou Qing then continued to communicate with Huang Xiaoming on further issues.

"We can finish filming by the end of May or early June. Can we make it in time?"

Huang Xiaoming asked again rather nervously.

It's obvious that Zhou Qing is planning to ask me to shoot the film. If there's a schedule conflict, that would be really fucked up.

"It's definitely in time."

Fortunately, this did not happen, and Zhou Qing nodded immediately.

He has already communicated in detail with the producer and relevant personnel, and the preliminary preparations for "Now You See Me" will take about three months.

The filming will have to wait until July at the latest, so it won’t delay Huang Xiaoming at all.

"Then Brother Xiao Ming, welcome to join us!"

Zhou Qing extended his hand to Huang Xiaoming.

"I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

Huang Xiaoming and Zhou Qing shook hands and finally couldn't help grinning.

"How's your Ip Man going?"

Taking time off to go back to Beijing Film Academy for classes, Zhou Qing went to sit with Tian Zhuangzhuang as usual.

The teacher and the student chatted for a while, and Tian Zhuangzhuang showed concern for the situation of "Ip Man".

"Teacher, don't worry. The preparations for Ip Man have not been affected."

Zhou Qing smiled and told Tian Zhuangzhuang the actual situation.

After hearing this, Tian Zhuangzhuang nodded with relief.

He also reminded Zhou Qing: "If you encounter any problems, just tell the teacher."

I have to say that Tian Zhuangzhuang really takes good care of Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing felt a warm feeling in his heart, and waved his hand at Tian Zhuangzhuang nonchalantly: "Those people just talk, they were very active during the audition."

Tian Zhuangzhuang couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

Is it a slap in the face or not?

"There won't be any open auditions for Now You See Me this time?"

After talking about "Ip Man", the two sides naturally talked about "Now You See Me".

Tian Zhuangzhuang also learned about the relevant situation.

"The main roles have basically been decided, but the remaining large number of supporting roles are foreigners and we have to look for them outside."

Zhou Qing also did not hide anything.

"Are there any actors from Beijing Film Academy this time? The school has come to my place many times, just to let me pass on a message to you, asking you to take care of our students from Beijing Film Academy."

While Tian Zhuangzhuang knew what was going on, he also did not forget to whisper a few words in Zhou Qing's ear.

Including Tian Zhuangzhuang, many teachers at Beijing Film Academy are actually very depressed about the current situation:
The director of Beijing Film Academy really prefers actors from the Central Academy of Drama.

This is a bit embarrassing.

So every time Zhou Qing started a new play, the Beijing Film Academy would take the trouble to greet Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing smiled when he heard this: "I'm not taking care of you this time, I'm making a big investment. Now You See Me has four main characters, all from Beijing Film Academy."

Tian Zhuangzhuang also laughed when he heard this.

If the school leaders knew the news, wouldn’t they be so happy?

"That's good. I can finally have some peace and quiet."

Tian Zhuangzhuang complained to Zhou Qing in a good mood.

"By the way, teacher, we are going to start working on Now You See Me, so I won't be able to come to class for a while."

When they were about to leave, Zhou Qing mentioned the main purpose of his visit: to ask for leave from Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Naturally, Tian Zhuangzhuang had no problem with this and approved it very readily.

"Student Zhou Qing, are you here to see Teacher Tian again?"

"Yes, Mr. Xue, come and see the teacher."

On the way out, Zhou Qing met Xue Xiaolu, a professor in the Department of Literature at Beijing Film Academy, and both of them greeted each other politely.

Xue Xiaolu didn't take this accidental encounter to heart, but Zhou Qing couldn't help but fall into deep thought as he looked at Xue Xiaolu's back as she left.

It’s not just talk that Beijing Film Academy produces directors.

Take Professor Xue Xiaolu for example, she is a natural born director.

Although he's from the literature department, he's very good at making movies.

The debut film "Ocean Paradise" has a high score of 8.0 on a certain platform, which is already a very high score.

Although the box office is not very high, only 1400 million, but this subject matter is not one that will rely on the box office, right?

Later, Xue Xiaolu's "Beijing Meets Seattle" cost only 3000 million yuan, but the box office directly reached 5.2 million yuan.

The film also scored 7.3 points, which is a classic example of a movie that achieved great success at the box office and in good reputation, and with a small investment.

The sequel, "Unbreakable Love Letter", even grossed 7.87 million yuan, which can be said to be very strong.

So what about the cost?
Much lower than the first one, only 600 million!
Frankly speaking, Zhou Qing must make these two movies, otherwise it would be such a shame.

When the time comes, just write the script and ask Xue Xiaolu to shoot it.

It's not just these two "Beijing Meets Seattle" movies. Other high-profile romance films like "Love Is Not Blind" and "Time Travelers" that are small but great can also be handed over to Xue Xiaolu.

You should know that the cost of "900 Days of Broken Love" was only 3.5 million, but the box office reached million.

The cost of "Time Raiders" was also 3000 million, and the box office was 9 million.

What’s even more difficult is that word of mouth is still very strong.

For a person who has been reborn, if these movies are not produced, are they going to be kept for the New Year?
"Ok, deal!"

Zhou Qing made this decision very happily.

For movies like this series of romantic films, just leave it to Xue Xiaolu. (End of this chapter)