Guo Wenyuan casually explained, "It's not the Pei Ran you're imagining, it's..." He thought for a moment before saying, "You could say he's a colleague of yours."
Upon hearing this, Shao Ning revealed an eager expression: "Then I must ask him for some advice when I have the chance."
Shao Ning had seen Song Yimian's audition before. Although it wasn't bad, it was a world of difference compared to his current appearance. If he had become like that colleague named Pei Ran, then Pei Ran's skills would definitely not be lacking either, since training actors is also one of the director's jobs.
However, Guo Wenyuan and Song Yimian both looked at him with strange eyes.
Shao Ning asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Does he not like people asking him for advice?"
Guo Wenyuan: "No, that's not it. But he prefers to ask for advice in a different way."
Shao Ning: "???"
Song Yimian added, "Pei Ran is very skilled in martial arts, Director Shao, you should be careful."
Shao Ning disagreed and said arrogantly, "I have been learning Taekwondo since I was a child, and I am already a third-degree black belt. Even if it comes to kung fu, I am not inferior."
Guo Wenyuan looked at him with pity: "Then wait until you finish directing 'East City Fog' before you go to 'consult' someone."
Shao Ning: "Why?"
Guo Wenyuan said coldly and cruelly, "Because the production team has limited funds, we don't want to pay for your medical expenses."
Shao Ning: "..."
-
While "East City Fog" was being filmed in full swing, Pei Ran had already discussed and drafted a rough outline of the script with Yang Yizhou and Tang Tang.
Yang Yizhou truly deserves his reputation as one of the top screenwriters in China. Even from the rough outline, one can already see how brilliant the script is. With Tang Tang and Pei Ran brainstorming together, it's enough to win over the investors.
However, the film currently only has two investors, Shen Huai and Guo Wenyuan, both of whom trust Pei Ran. Guo Wenyuan originally wanted to invest under Guan Rui's name, but Sheng Er rejected the idea at the board meeting. In addition, although the film has a big shot like Yang Yizhou, Pei Ran is a complete newcomer, which made Guo Wenyuan lose face.
In a fit of anger, Guo Wenyuan directly invested with his own company.
The two investors' investments were not small, and since Pei Ran wasn't making a blockbuster film, the budget wasn't large, so he didn't plan to find other investors.
Yang Yizhou originally took on the screenwriting job simply to complete the film association's task, and because he was quite interested in Pei Ran.
Unexpectedly, once they actually started working, Pei Ran and Tang Tang weren't like the screenwriters he used to mentor, who would simply follow his every word. They would immediately raise any questions, politely but with sharp incisiveness. This situation made Yang Yizhou even more serious and nervous, which ironically rekindled the passion he had felt when he first entered the industry.
After the three finished their discussion, Tang Tang volunteered to make tea for them. Yang Yizhou stretched and looked at Pei Ran's unrealistically beautiful profile, and couldn't help but ask, "I see that you know a lot about the Hong Kong martial arts scene back then. For your age, that era must be too far away for you."
Pei Ran didn't even flinch: "I watched a lot of movies from that era when I was a kid. I was very interested, so I looked up some information, but it was all just theoretical."
Yang Yizhou was still somewhat suspicious, and asked with a smile, "Are you very familiar with President Shen and President Guo? They invested so much money without even blinking an eye. This kind of trust is rare. This is the first time I've seen a new director attract investment so easily."
Pei Ran raised her head and revealed a faint smile: "I am also very grateful to President Shen, President Guo, and you. I will always remember the kindness you have shown me."
Pei Ran's answer was watertight, and Yang Yizhou curled his lip in boredom, too lazy to ask any further questions. Anyway, as long as the movie was good, that was all that mattered.
In this respect, Pei Ran has been performing exceptionally well so far.
After drinking some tea and discussing for a while, Pei Ran received a call from Shen Huai.
He said something to the two of them and then went out of the room to answer the phone.
As soon as the call connected, Shen Huai skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Good news and bad news, which do you want to hear first?"
Pei Ran raised an eyebrow. Shen Huai used to be such a steady person, but Ye Cang has led him astray more and more.
Without thinking, he said directly, "Bad news."
Shen Huai said, "The bad news is that Guanrui also wants to participate in the Film Association's program to cultivate new talents. It is said that they have already decided on the film to be submitted, the screenwriter is a top-notch screenwriter in the industry, and the lead actor is the former Best Actor Fu Cheng. This will be your strongest opponent."
Pei Ran didn't even raise an eyebrow, and then asked, "So, what's the good news?"
Shen Huai: "I haven't been able to find a suitable photographer before, but now I'm finally starting to see some progress."
Pei Ran did not show any joy, but instead asked, "It seems that this matter is not a simple one, otherwise you would have signed the person long ago."
Shen Huai sighed: "You're right. This person was introduced to me by Old Yi. He was an excellent photographer in his early years, but after something happened, he couldn't make it in the industry, so he switched to making documentaries. At that time, he declared that he would never come back to make movies. In recent years, his documentaries have won numerous international awards, and he has gained fame and status. Money can't sway him at all."
As Pei Ran listened to Shen Huai's description, a name popped into her mind: "Cen Shu".
Shen Huai was taken aback: "You know him?"
When Pei Ran was in his soul state, he watched a documentary about Cen Shu in the lounge of the Hong Kong Coliseum. He had to admit that Cen Shu was indeed very talented. His control over color and light and shadow was simply genius-level, which left a deep impression on Pei Ran, and he still can't forget it to this day.
Shen Huai didn't ask for details, but said, "I found a middleman to contact him and arranged a meeting time. However, Cen Shu has an eccentric personality and is known for being a man of his word. I have no confidence that I can persuade him."
Shen Huai was also helpless. The moment he saw Cen Shu's film, he realized that he was very suitable for Pei Ran's crew. It was just a pity that Cen Shu was too stubborn. He could only do his best.
Unexpectedly, Pei Ran, who hadn't reacted much, suddenly said, "I'll go with you."
Shen Huai was stunned: "You can convince him?"
“I don’t know,” Pei Ran answered honestly, “but I do know that our production team needs him.”
Chapter 173
Shen Huai and Pei Ran arrived at the agreed-upon coffee shop ahead of time. Not long after they sat down, Cen Shu appeared right on time.
Compared to the unkempt, unshaven image of typical photographers, Cen Shu looked extremely refined. He wore a three-piece suit with a wool overcoat, his hair was neatly styled, and his beard was carefully trimmed. Upon closer inspection, one could also smell a faint scent of woody cologne on him.
Cen Shu walked directly towards the two of them. When he saw Pei Ran, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, politely nodded to the two of them, and then sat down opposite them.
Shen Huai said, "Hello, Mr. Cen, I am Shen Huai."