Chapter 435: Chapter 424: Casting Characters Chapter 435: Chapter 424: Casting Characters Nie Jingting knew Lu Jiaxin made a lot of money, but he didn’t realize she had such a temper. In the past, even Kang Huijuan had been polite to him. However, thinking about Nie Zhan’s threat, he dared not show any attitude.
Jiaxin saw his good attitude and didn’t press on; she even offered some advice, “If you really like acting, you should go to a drama school for further study. Spend two or three years learning, and then come back to start with small roles. I believe that as long as you’re willing to work hard, people will be fighting over each other to cast you. But if you continue this way, people in the industry will keep their distance.”
Actually, keeping their distance was a minor issue compared to becoming the industry’s laughingstock. In the past, a tycoon’s son who was overly praised had failed to recognize his own abilities and was mocked by the entire internet.
Nie Jingting frowned and said, “I’ve also hired acting coaches, and they all say I’m doing well.”
Lu Jiaxin was speechless but for Nie Zhan’s sake, she still suggested, “You can go study acting on the Mainland. The Forty-nine City Film Academy or the Magic Capital Drama Institute, there are many great teachers there. But if you really want to learn something true, you can’t let people know your identity.”
Nie Zhan understood, “You mean, the coaches he previously hired went easy on him?”
Lu Jiaxin shook her head and replied, “I’m not sure about that, I just know that no one wants to watch the films you make.”
That was a bit hurtful, but a good movie results from the mutual achievement of the director and actors. But Jingting’s approach was nothing more than a hobby, always using directors he personally liked. A director has his strengths, some in art films, some in urban dramas, and some in martial arts films. You don’t care if they have the real skill or are working on their preferred themes, as long as you like them, who would dare to take you seriously? As the Lu Family’s Eldest Young Master, it’s not a big deal for you if acting fails–you have your family’s Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. But for others, who rely on acting to make a living, a ruined reputation can make life difficult.
Nie Zhan looked at Nie Jingting and said, “Think about it. If you truly line of work, go study acting and stop doing things the way you have before; if not, join the company and help your elder brother.”
Jingting didn’t even hesitate, “I will go, elder brother. But I don’t know anyone on the Mainland, how can I get into a film academy?”
Lu Jiaxin laughed and said, “That’s not difficult, but you cannot reveal your identity. When the time comes, just say you’re Aunt Mei’s nephew who loves acting and wants to study at a film academy.”
Lu Jiaxin didn’t force him, indicating that it was fine as long as he thought it through himself.
Yu Meitong heard about her selecting film actors and was curious to see for herself. However, since Jiaxin was going to school, it wasn’t a good time to disturb her, so she waited until Shi Xinyu’s return before looking for her.
Jiaxin gently refused, “There will be auditions at that time, it’s not open to visitors. But once the film starts shooting, if you’re interested you can come watch.”
Xinyu said, “Jiaxin, I’ve never acted in a film before, and I don’t know what it feels like. When the film starts shooting, can I play a small role?”
Yu Meitong also looked at her with eager eyes.
Jiaxin smiled and said, “That’s not up to me. When we’re on set, I’ll ask the director, and if there’s a suitable role for you, you can have a cameo.”
Xinyu hugged Jiaxin excitedly, “Jiaxin, thank you so much.”
Yu Meitong also expressed her thanks, then asked, “Jiaxin, why did you suddenly decide to make a movie?”
Jiaxin didn’t trust them to keep a secret, so she made up a reason, “Last month I went to see a movie with Nie Zhan. After we came out, I suddenly got inspired and wrote it down when we got home. After writing, it seemed pretty good, so I wanted to make it into a movie as a keepsake. Nie Zhan saw the script and thought it was feasible, so he asked Wanting’s manager to arrange it.”
Upon hearing this, Xinyu immediately thought of Fourth Young Master Nie and asked, “Fourth Young Master Nie isn’t going to be the male lead in this film, is he?”
“Do you think that’s likely?”
Alright, since she said that, it must not be the case. Besides, it made sense, Lu Jiaxin, who at a young age had already made such a substantial fortune, wouldn’t let Fourth Young Master Nie mess around.
The auditions attracted many people, though most of them were not well-known. Director Qi and Tian Pengyu selected six, including four women and two men from the group. But their acting abilities were all rather green, suitable for extras perhaps, but as leads, it would be a joke.
Seeing the six candidates, Jiaxin suddenly realized she had made a mistake. That is, on the Mainland, they could hold nationwide auditions because there were many drama students or people who had been in the profession for years; if selected, they could be coached to carry the weight of the lead roles. But here it was different; here people generally started at TVB or similar training programs and worked their way up, one step at a time, honing their acting skills.
At this time, Director Qi recommended several people to Jiaxin for the lead roles: Zheng Ling and Mi Xue for the female lead, and Brother Fa and Liu Sheng for the male lead.
After considering the looks of the four people, Jiaxin laughed and told Director Qi he gave her a difficult task. She then added a few more candidates: Lan Yinggu, Beauty Guan, Xiao Qian, and Zhou Yunv.
Director Qi was delighted, realizing that if he could cast all these beauties, the film could be marketed like a beauty pageant.
Tian Pengyu wasn’t surprised that they hadn’t picked suitable male and female leads, as most auditionees lacked experience, making them unsuitable for leading roles. However, upon receiving the list from Jiaxin, he frowned–it included many popular actresses: “Boss, we only need one lead actress and one Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters.”
Jiaxin said, “Those artists, some are currently filming, and some have full schedules later, so I wrote several as backup. Of course, if they can all come, that would be best.”
“Boss, that’s going to cost a lot of money.”
Jiaxin wanted to be capricious for once and said, “The payment isn’t a problem, as long as they are willing to act. However, they must audition, and if they aren’t willing to audition, then forget it.”
Tian Pengyu went off the list to find candidates. Miss Zheng was willing to act but not to audition; Lan Yinggu didn’t refuse, but they would have to settle it with her signing company. Xiao Qian and Zhou Yunv, not yet famous, agreed to audition. As for the male stars, Brother Fa and Brother Fa had full schedules, but Liu Sheng was available and willing to audition.
Director Qi told Jiaxin that Miss Zheng matched the mature female lead well enough that she didn’t need to audition.
Jiaxin was aware that as a popular actress, she had the confidence to make such demands, but the world could go on without anyone, “Let Lan Yinggu and the others audition first to see if they’re fit for the lead.”
“If Miss Zheng finds out, she will not act.”
Jiaxin said indifferently, “If she won’t audition, then it won’t work. If Xiao Qian and the others aren’t suitable, we will continue looking. With so many actresses out there, I refuse to believe we can’t find one who’s right.”
Director Qi wanted to say more but Tian Pengyu took over the conversation, assuring that he would handle it.