Chapter 97: Female Lead Selection

Jiang Heng was not very interested in Chen Kaige's "The Promise", and many years later, the only points of memory he had were the "clothes" and "I couldn't understand".

Han Sanping said it casually, so he just listened to it.

This time I came here to discuss the investment and preparation issues of "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother".

Considering that the film is based on mythology, no foreign actors are needed in the production process, and there is no need to shoot in Europe and the United States.

So Jiang Heng did not plan to bring Columbia Company along this time.

The latter was naturally very sorry and shocked when he first heard the news.

But when I learned that they would continue to cooperate on "Pacific Rim 2", there was no problem.

They just asked for the agency distribution rights for Jiang Heng's new film in several countries in North America and South America. Jiang Heng verbally agreed, but the specific contract would be signed after the filming was completed.

In terms of investment, China Film Group invested US$15 million, and Jiang Heng’s Beijing iQiyi Films invested US$35 million.

Jiang Heng is still in charge of the production, and he invited Sammo Hung to serve as the action director and assistant director.

As for the actors, we invited Mr. Lan Tianye to play Yang Jian’s master, Jade Ding Zhenren.

As for the female lead, the script was revised several times and finally a young female character was added.

Jiang Heng did not plan to use the popular actresses in the film and television circles, so he was going to hold an open audition and came here to discuss.

Han Sanping was delighted to hear this. "Open auditions are a good idea. An actress who can stand out from the crowd must be right in every aspect. Once your film is shot, the mainland will have another female star!"

As the head of the Chinese-language film market, Han Sanping is very concerned about cultivating mainland stars and is naturally happy to see the situation in which Hong Kong stars are gaining popularity.

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Then it's settled. I'll have someone send out a notice later, and you send someone to help prepare for it!"

"That's natural!"

As soon as the news came out, it quickly spread throughout the entertainment industry and caused a huge response.

Although women do not have many roles in Jiang Heng's films, Maggie Q in "The Matrix" and Yuanyuan Gao in "Pacific Rim" both became instant hits and became popular actresses in the Chinese-language film market.

Being able to star in Jiang Heng's film would be like stepping into the sky!

Actresses from the mainland and Hong Kong asked people to inquire and confirmed that Jiang Heng wanted to find a younger newcomer this time, and they all lamented the unfairness of fate.

Some female artists who have already debuted but are not yet famous, didn't care about that and sent their resumes to the crew. They were actually accepted, which made them overjoyed.

More people, who have some talent and good looks, have started to dream of becoming stars and are participating in the auditions for the female lead.

North America, New York.

After Liu Xiaoli received a phone call, her face became sad and annoyed, and she was depressed for several days.

Liu Tianxian asked her mother what was wrong, but she refused to say.

Then suddenly one day, the Korean girl in the class packed her bags and said she was going to drop out of school.

Liu Tianxian was curious and asked her why!
The girl said, "Don't you know? The director you like very much, Jiang, is auditioning for a female lead. She needs to be young and have little acting experience. This is tailor-made for me. I'm going to China to participate in the audition and wait for me to become the female lead of his new film!" Then she left with full confidence.

When Liu Tianxian heard this, he was stunned.

After she set the goal of becoming an actress, she studied hard all day and worked hard to earn credits in order to return home as soon as possible.

But judging from the current situation, it will be at least 2002 before we can leave the United States.

But I didn't expect that there is such a good opportunity in the country right now. No wonder my mother has been depressed these days.

As for the auditions, she really wanted to participate, but she had spent so much time earning credits, she couldn't just give up like that!
"Mom, you knew a long time ago that Jiang Heng was going to audition for the female lead, right?" "I know, and I am indeed a little disappointed, but Xixi, you are still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Right now, completing the credits and getting a diploma is the most important thing, okay? After getting a diploma, go back to China and try to get into the Beijing Film Academy or the Central Academy of Drama. Only after you have some acting skills can you work with big directors!"

Although this opportunity is rare, Director Jiang Heng doesn't just make this one movie. He makes new films every year. We have a chance to work together. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Mom, I will work harder!"

Mainland China, Beijing No. 14 Middle School, class 2.

"Mi Mi, Mi Mi, have you heard? Director Jiang Heng is going to hold an open audition for the female lead!"

In the classroom, several little girls who were still childish gathered together to discuss.

The one called Mimi is naturally Yang Mi who later became very famous. At this moment, she is still a little girl, but she has already had a lot of acting experience.

In 90, Yang Mi participated in a training class for young actors. Coincidentally, the crew of "Tang Minghuang" directed by Chen Jialin came to recruit actors. The 4-year-old Yang Mi was lucky enough to be selected and played the role of Princess Xianyi in the play.

At the age of 5, Yang Mi played the daughter of the male protagonist Su Can in "The Legend of Su Qier".

In 92, Yang Mi co-starred with "Teacher Liu" in the opera-themed children's drama "Monkey Baby". In the following years, Yang Mi also appeared in MVs.

In 2001, Yang Mi, who was only years old, sent her photos to Rayli magazine at the suggestion of her classmates and was selected by the editor to become a print model.

It has to be said that some people seem to be born to do this job. Their career path is smooth and they show their talents at a young age.

"I heard about it. I sent the information over a long time ago!" The little girl couldn't hide her feelings and looked a little proud.
"Ah, if you are chosen, won't you become a big star?" The girl opposite pressed Yang Mi's shoulders and shook them desperately.

Yang Mi's head shook with her body, and she said hurriedly, "Stop, stop, if you keep shaking your head it will become a mess. With so many people here, how can you be sure?"

"Our Mimi is naturally beautiful, she will definitely be chosen when she arrives!"

"That's right, don't forget us then!"

"When the time comes, please ask Director Jiang Heng for an autographed photo for me. He looks so handsome!"

"Please give me one too!"

The little girls made requests one after another, and Yang Mi took on all of them, acting like a big sister. "Don't worry, if I'm chosen, I won't forget you!"

"Wow, Mimi is so nice!"

"If you have the chance, take us to the set!"

……

Shanghai, at the School of Commerce, Trade and Tourism, Tang Yan, who is already a senior in high school, is preparing for the "art exam", but he is not very confident.

Because I felt that my competitors were too strong and my family was not very supportive.

When she told her father that she wanted to be admitted to the Central Academy of Drama, his father gave her four words: "Daydreaming."

It’s just that I really want to be an actor right now, and I work hard for my “dream” every day.

One day, my best friend suddenly came running over like crazy, "Tangtang, have you heard? Director Jiang Heng is casting for the female lead!"

"Ah!" Tang Yan was stunned and didn't react for a moment.

Her best friend knocked the textbook out of her hand and said, "It's already this late, why are you still reading? If you're chosen as the female lead, you don't even have to take the art exam. You'll be a famous actress straight away!"

Tang Yan said softly: "If you don't get selected, you still have to come back to prepare for the exam. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Keep calm, keep calm!"

(End of this chapter)