C9
by UntamedS“Sister Zhang, Producer Zhang, ah, Brother Shen is also there; you guys hurry and come in; it’s not good; there’s a disturbance.” The assistant director was in a hurry; he still slipped out the back door of the room to find someone.
“Director Zhu cursed again?” Zhang Jie’s first reaction was this: “This bastard, doesn’t he think I’m in enough trouble?”
“No, to be precise, it was a sparring match, but Director Zhu lost.” The assistant director seemed like he wanted to laugh but suppressed it; just the upturned corners of his mouth revealed some gloating.
Shen Tianqing sighed and touched his hair, thinking that he might want to consider a hair transplant. Speaking from his experience, the mess that Jiang Fanxing was going to make for him in the future would be more than the two of Qin Shi and Yi Zhu combined.
Unfortunately, he was currently in poverty. Otherwise, he would have gritted my teeth and been willing to pay for the 30 million yuan termination fee, as his own life was more important.
Zhang Jie turned her head and looked at Shen Tianqing in surprise, seemingly asking, ‘Is your artist like this?’
“Go.” Shen Tianqing sighed, “Let’s go in to persuade them; if we delay for a long time, it won’t be good if Director Zhu gets pissed off and has a heart attack.”
“If he really gets angry to the point of sickness, it would be quite good to replace him.” Zhang Jie sighed along with him; she wanted to replace him with a director who didn’t like cursing. It was comfortable for Zhu Guofu to scold people on the set, but it was hard for her to keep apologizing and mediating relationships in the back.
It was also very painful for her to have such a colleague.
In the room, Zhu Guofu had already been pulled by the others.
“Director, director, calm down; he’s just a newcomer; it’s not worth it.”
“Jiang Fanxing, apologize to the director.”
“Everyone is going to work together in the future; there’s no need for the atmosphere to get so stiff.” Qiao Qiao had no choice but to come out and persuade the others; if a beating incident was rumored before the crew had even started, her anti-fans would definitely start going wild again.
“I’m sorry, Director Zhu; I’m used to being straight forward; I said some bad words; don’t mind.” Jiang Fanxing climbed down the ladder. “I’m also doing it for your good.”
“You… you’re saying it’s for my good?” Zhu Guofu exploded with anger, and a bunch of national curses came straight out of his mouth.
But Jiang Fanxing wasn’t angry at all. Instead, it was like he was “laughing at a crazy dog.” “Director, you’re really cursing hard. Why don’t you make a local drama for the next drama? You’ve already written the lines.”
Zhu Guofu stormed out.
Then there were also a few people who came up to persuade Jiang Fanxing.
“Alright, alright, calm down. What if you make you stunt your career? Ahem, well done.” The last three words were spoken lightly, but Jiang Fanxing still heard them.
He raised his head and realized that it was the scriptwriter girl talking to him, then he quickly averted his eyes.
Obviously, it wasn’t a day or two since everyone in the crew had been angered by Zhu Guofu.
Just thinking about it, it was clear that Zhu Guofu wasn’t polite to popular artists, so he would only be more domineering towards other professionals who weren’t as good as artists. Just because in the past everyone had to endure it didn’t mean there really wasn’t any resentment left.
Not long after, Zhang Jie and Shen Tianqing came in together.
Seeing Jiang Fanxing’s manager come in, Qiao Qiao also breathed a sigh of relief, “You’re finally here.”
She and Shen Tianqing had also dealt with each other, and she was still quite optimistic about this agent; if Nian Nian Studio really couldn’t hold out after the bankruptcy, she was willing to recruit Shen Tianqing to her own studio. He was able to bring out two famous artists; his ability was right here, and he was also decent; who wouldn’t welcome such a talent?
“Teacher Qiao, I’m sorry.” Shen Tianqing politely apologized, “Our Xiao Jiang is still young; he hasn’t even graduated from university yet, so he’s a bit ignorant.”
“There’s no need to apologize to me; you should still think about what to do on Director Zhu’s side.” Qiao Qiao shook her head. “This project is rare; it’ll be a shame if he can’t act on it because of this.”
An actor sometimes missed out on a role and would never have the chance to become popular again. Especially for this kind of role with a large cast and a heavy part, if they missed it, it was hard to know how many detours they’d have to take in the future.
The entertainment industry was very much based on achievements.
If they’d been the third male lead in an S-rated project, the next script that came their way had to be the second male lead in an A-rated project, so there couldn’t be too many downgrades. But if they started from a small web series, they may have to achieve very good results before they could go to a big production to be the male lead number four or five and climb up step by step; their path would be much slower.
“I won’t be where he is, and he won’t be where I am; I definitely can’t have such a black sheep in my crew!” Director Zhu was still snapping angrily.
Jiang Fanxing smiled faintly. Che, I’m happy to know that you’re so unpopular; this crew’s situation really isn’t up to you.
Zhu Guofu was pulled down, and the next audition was continued by the other assistant directors, casting directors, and others. The people waiting outside weren’t sure what was going on in the room but vaguely guessed that there was a fight.
Then, Shen Tianqing sat down in front of Jiang Fanxing.
“If you miss out on this project, all you can take on is B-level web dramas. Time is life. Do you know how many years it will take for a male third lead who can speak out at the age of 21 and a male lead who came from a B-level web drama background to climb from the latter to the former?” Shen Tianqing said bitterly, “Can’t you just endure it?”
“I endured it; I didn’t say anything back before he made things difficult for me; the more he said, the more he went overboard; I didn’t say a single dirty word from start to finish; ugh, I just said what he said on the internet.” Jiang Fanxing still felt wronged: “At such an old age, with so much money earned, is his mental resilience still so poor? If I could earn millions or tens of millions a year, I wouldn’t mind if someone pointed at me and scolded me every day. Money is hard to earn, and shit is hard to eat. Where can all the advantages be taken?”
“You have a point; you have a point.” Shen Tianqing already didn’t want to say anything more: “This project is gone; I’ll think of other ways.”
“It won’t be gone; why would it be gone? This role is still mine, ah.” Jiang Fanxing looked seriously at Shen Tianqing and said genuinely, “Didn’t you already sign a contract with Producer Zhang Jie? It’s not like I’ve violated the law or lost my brand image; I didn’t even say a dirty word, and according to the contract, if he tears up the contract, he has to pay for it.”
“This contract hasn’t… been signed yet.” Shen Tianqing wanted to say that this contract hadn’t been signed yet, but seeing Jiang Fanxing’s firm eyes, he suddenly understood.
“You mean, let me and Zhang Jie sign the contract first and move the time forward a little?”
“Brother Shen, what are you talking about?” Jiang Fanxing didn’t drop this bit of talk: “I remember clearly; we signed the contract during the morning meeting; ah, the start time was today; the contract has come into effect.”
Shen Tianqing silently gave a thumbs up, “Zhang Jie’s side…”
“Director Zhu has such a bad temper, and this project is so important. Sister Zhang Jie is also the chief producer and needs to coordinate all the parties; there is always a need for someone who can check and balance Director Zhu; he can’t just shoot whatever he wants.” Jiang Fanxing smiled a very kind smile, full of affinity, “It’s not good if the crew becomes a one-man show.”
Wasn’t it basic to install one’s own people in a project?
Especially if the partners were still at odds with themselves.
Could placing other people be as reliable as himself, a small actor who choked with Zhu Guofu in public?
Shen Tianqing immediately packed up and got up. “Xiao Zhou, you stay here and watch him; I’m going to find Sister Zhang to discuss this.”
“Okay.” Xiao Zhou replied obediently.
Shen Tianqing immediately disappeared into thin air; Jiang Fanxing and Xiao Zhou knew exactly what he went to do.
“Brother Jiang, you’re awesome.” Xiao Zhou let out a plaintive exclamation, “You’ve been arguing with people so much, and you still managed to get the role?”
“Because from the very beginning, I was the one who was picked. We’ve always had a mutually exploitative relationship with this group.” Jiang Fanxing laughed, “It’s a pity; if our studio owed a hundred million yuan, the male lead would have to be mine.”
Besides, was the project or the quarrel important?
Of course it was the project.
The crew had prepared to this extent; it was impossible to stop because of a quarrel between the two of them, him and Zhu Guofu. Even in the same team, there were many quarrels because of different opinions, but the next day at work, they still had to say “good morning” to each other. After tearing away the seemingly glamorous veil of the entertainment industry, it was actually no different from any other job.
It was all just a way to make a living.
“Brother Jiang, even though you haven’t graduated yet, it feels like you have so much life experience.” Xiao Zhou couldn’t help but sigh, “Did you really not secretly attend any cram schools?”
“Haha.” Jiang Fanxing laughed out loud, “My dad used to be a grassroots letter writer; he wrote Visiting Work, get it?”
Xiao Zhou didn’t really understand; he hadn’t learned about this aspect.
But when he really went to learn about the so-called letter, Visiting Work, he was enlightened.
Life was the best teacher.
The casting of the actors and actresses on the crew side of Redeeming Life was roughly finalized, and all that was left was to wait for the start of the film and then have the actors and actresses formally shoot their make-up photos.
Zhu Guofu vowed to fight to the death: “I don’t agree with Jiang Fanxing to play the third male lead role; anyone else will do.”
“Director, we’ve already signed a contract with someone else’s studio.” Zhang Jie put on a difficult expression, but in her heart, no one knew how happy she was. “You, this old thing, you’re so high and mighty when you ask me for money; do you know how hard it is for me to go to the investor’s side to ask for sponsorships, and how many times I have to be embarrassed by the financial accountant of the investor’s side?” Just taking those silly shots every day and not putting them in the final cut was a pure waste of money!
“Then pay for the breach of contract!” Zhu Guofu replied firmly.
“This, Director Zhu, if it’s you who wants to tear up the contract for personal reasons, the liquidated damages will have to come out of your own pocket.” Zhang Jie said in a business-like manner, “He hasn’t violated the law, and he doesn’t have a tarnished image, so if we unilaterally tear up the contract, the responsibility lies with us. Moreover, Nian Nian Studio happens to be in the middle of a lawsuit recently, so they aren’t afraid of anything.”
“How much liquidated damages can a little rookie like him ask for?”
“Ten million for breach of contract.” Zhang Jie blinked and said.
“How can it be so expensive?” Zhu Guofu said angrily, “How much is his film fee?”
“He has five million for the film, and the liquidated damages are set at twice his fee.”
“If he’s a newcomer playing the third male lead, his fee would be half a million; what do you mean by giving him so much?” When Zhu Guofu heard that Jiang Fanxing could actually get five million in remuneration, he was immediately heartbroken. That was so much money that he could have made a self-produced martial arts drama with it if he added a bit more money.
Of course, it was because they needed to balance the accounts.
If he was given a few hundred thousand, how could she balance her previous project’s account?
“The film fee was also agreed by the boss.” The boss knew nothing about the project; he agreed as soon as he heard the words fresh newcomer, popular male star, Qin Shi’s junior, and so on. After all, Qiao Qiao’s remuneration was 20-30 million, the two male lead actors’ remuneration was also above ten million, and the third male lead getting five million was normal.
The investment in their drama was several hundred million.
This wasn’t even a large amount of film expenses; they hadn’t even spent 30% of the total investment.
How could Zhu Guofu have money? The two dramas he made earlier were too much of a flop, and now the platform wouldn’t even settle the final payment for him, and the money in his account simply wasn’t enough to pay for it.
“Director, when he enters the group, if he doesn’t act well, you can just scold him directly, with justification.” Zhang Jie changed her tone again. “And he is a small newcomer; if he is forced to talk nonsense outside…”
“He dares?” Zhu Guofu said so, but in his heart, he knew that the kid really dared.
“You’re right, when he enters the group, I have more than enough ways to toss him around.” Zhu Guofu seemed to have thought of some wonderful idea, mainly also because he didn’t want to lose this money; he could only go along with the steps.
“That’s right, director.” Zhang Jie was secretly happy in her heart: “Let’s just find a master to calculate the auspicious date and prepare for the start of the film.”
Zhu Guofu waved his hand in pain. It was time to start filming idol dramas again; he really wanted to film martial arts!
By the time Jiang Fanxing went back in the afternoon to finish catching up on his sleep and woke up, it was already more than 7:00 pm and almost 8:00 pm.
He was a little hungry, but he had to endure, after all, the film would start soon, indulgent meals couldn’t be eaten anymore.
Although five million in film remuneration after paying taxes went directly to Zhang Jie’s company account, Shen Tianqing promised to give five hundred thousand in remuneration to him after he finished the lawsuit with Qin Shi and the others and also gave him a deposit of fifty thousand in advance.
What else was there to say? Jiang Fanxing wasn’t the kind of person who didn’t want money for the sake of dignity.
Although the pay for this film couldn’t be his own, the next one would definitely be his!
“Brother Jiang, Brother Jiang, are you there?”
Someone was knocking on the door.
This voice didn’t sound like Xiao Zhou either.
Jiang Fanxing looked in the cat’s eye and found that the visitor was wearing a hat mask and sunglasses, disguising himself tightly.
But Jiang Fanxing still opened the door; he knew who it was at a glance.
“Chen Kele, what are you doing running to my place for? Even if you come to my house, there’s no way I’m going to sell CP with you.” Jiang Fanxing stood at the door with no intention of inviting him in.
“Of course I won’t; I already know that you’ve taken the third male lead role in the cast of Redeeming Life; firing CP with me is really an aggrievement to you.” Chen Kele knew a little more, mainly because his captain Qiu Songsheng inexplicably called him to ask about Jiang Fanxing. He learned that Jiang Fanxing directly fought with the director but still got the male third lead role. Shen Tianqing even went in to make amends. He guessed that Jiang Fanxing had some kind of formidable background in order to make Zhu Guofu give in!
“I just want to ask; you said before that I should become a male bodhisattva; how exactly is this an operational process?” Chen Kele said in a low voice, “Give some pointers.”
“It’s break time now; you can come back when I’m on duty.” Jiang Fanxing didn’t care; a lone male in the middle of the night was a bad influence.
Dingdong.
Chen Kele transferred 100,000 to Jiang Fanxing.
“Brother Jiang, a little token of appreciation.” Although Chen Kele didn’t have much popularity, he still gotten some jobs when they had just formed a group, and he still had more than a million.
Jiang Fanxing directly returned the transfer on WeChat, “I’m a law student; I don’t accept money of unknown origin.”
Chen Kele froze for a moment; his brain spun fast, and when he saw that Jiang Fanxing didn’t have the idea of closing the door, he was suddenly struck by an idea.
This time another 100,000 was transferred, but with an additional note, “Voluntary gift.”
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