Chapter 133: A perfect match, double happiness
The time for the second audition had not been determined, but Zhang Yuan was not idle either. He found an opportunity to visit Guangde Building.

Now this crosstalk garden can be considered as our own property, so we have to pay attention to it.

He was still the same, sneaking into the garden quietly and hiding in a corner.

"2, 4, 6, 8..."

After sitting down, he did not sit idle, but started counting the number of people.

Dapeng, the host of the Capital Art Radio Station, has come to listen to several crosstalk performances as agreed with him.

It didn't matter what he heard, but this old fan was shocked.

How can there still be such serious and interesting traditional programs these days?
This has to do with Mr. Guo’s early creative concept, which was to carry out secondary creation based on traditional programs of old jokes.

This coincides with Dapeng, who has collected hundreds of old works.

Especially the programs performed by Guo Degang and Yu Qian, such exquisite cooperation has not been seen in many years.

On that day, he brought the recording crew of the Art Radio Station to Guangde Building and recorded for a week. After recording dozens of crosstalk pieces, he left with great satisfaction.

These programs have been broadcast on the Imperial Capital Literature and Art Radio Station with good results.

"Well, the occupancy rate is about 30%." Zhang Yuan counted and nodded.

There are still many empty seats at the venue, but compared with the previous attendance rate of less than 20%, it has been a clear improvement.

This shows that the radio station’s publicity has taken effect, and we just need to wait for it to ferment.

Zhang Yuan didn't care about the slight increase in attendance because he had seen how popular theaters were in later generations.

There were so many people that colleagues were so jealous that they went to the fire department to report it.

But contrary to his indifference, Guo Degang, the head of the troupe, was excited about this small progress.

Because the difference between 20% and 30% attendance rate is the difference between loss and profit!

Although it wasn't much, after several years of hard work, his crosstalk garden finally made some money!
This made the short black man almost cry for joy.

“This is the right step!”

As soon as he cooperated with Zhang Yuan to establish the company, it turned losses into profits, which made him feel as happy as if the clouds had cleared and the moon was visible.

“Zhang Yuan, come over to your house if you have a chance. Your sister-in-law is an expert at stewing fish.” After the show, Teacher Guo took off his coat, changed into casual clothes, and enthusiastically pulled his arm.

"I will definitely go if I have the chance."

“By the way, the radio stations that you recorded earlier have started trial broadcasts, and the response has been pretty good.” Guo Degang said with a smile.

"Really? I don't have time to listen. But it's embarrassing to listen to my own work."

"What's there to be ashamed of? You're not bad at talking." Teacher Guo praised, "Recently, many colleagues have come to ask who talked about the book, and they want to discuss it with you in private."

"I also heard that some old gentlemen thought what you said was good and quite innovative."

"I don't deserve it." Zhang Yuan said this, but he didn't think so in his heart.

The traditional folk art industry has both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage is that they have a strong introverted spirit among their fellow disciples, but the disadvantage is that they place too much emphasis on family background and are particularly xenophobic.

Then the question arises. Brother Qian has Teacher Shi Fukuan's protection, so that's easy.

Mr. Guo had a falling out with his master in Tianjin in his early years. There are many different opinions about the specific reason, and he did not delve into it in detail. After all, everyone has their own version of the story, which can easily become a "Rashomon" in the end.

With Mr. Guo’s ability, it is not difficult to find a master.

In this way, I am the only one left.

As a major shareholder of the company, entering the folk art industry without any background is ultimately a weakness.

He thought that it would be perfect if he could find an old gentleman of high enough status to be his disciple.

But opportunities are hard to come by, so there is no need to rush.

As the two were talking, Zhang Yuan received a call from the bearded man.

"Director Zhang, is everything going well with the crew?" he spoke first.

"Hahaha, it went smoothly, very smoothly!" The bearded man laughed on the phone, "Thanks to you, the several reshoots and reshoots went smoothly."

"After the funds were in place, I built several large scenes in Yunnan, making the scene even bigger, and the effect was very good."

The fact that he can be so happy shows how much money the bearded man has made.

"I'm calling to let you know. The balance will be transferred to you shortly."

Of course, Zhang Jizhong didn't need to notify them personally about this matter. He did this just to show his closeness and to express his gratitude.

Putting down his phone, Zhang Yuan looked relaxed and his career was thriving.

The money for the old project is about to arrive, and the new drama will be launched soon. It's going so smoothly.

But that's how life is. As the saying goes, good times come after bad times, and sorrow comes after joy.

Although he was not overjoyed, he was also relaxed, and then... he really had some free time.

"Why haven't you called me yet?"

Zhang Yuan sat alone in the courtyard, holding his chin in his hand, wondering.

"I agreed to have a second interview, but there's still no news in over a week."

He was so worried that he stood up and walked around in circles in the yard.

"No way, was I stood up?"

"Nie Yuan still got the role."

"Whether you want it or not, give me a reply."

He knew that unlike Big Beard who preferred to "take his time and do fine work", the efficiency of Hong Kong and Taiwan producers was terrifying.

TVB shoots 30 to 40 dramas a year. A -episode TV series only takes one month, which means one episode can be shot in an average of one and a half days.

Hong Kong genius Wong Jing wrote, produced and directed a total of 06 films in 9!
This is the efficiency of Hong Kong and Taiwan film and television dramas.

So it is obviously abnormal that there is no response for more than a week.

Zhang Yuan doesn't have an agent, so it's not polite to call directly to ask.

So he thought of a roundabout way to save the country.

"You heartless bastard, you've been back for so long, and now you finally know how to call me."

The only reliable friend he has in Taiwan is Alyssa Chia.

"I missed you, so of course I called you."

"That's more like it... Never mind, if you have anything to say, just come to me and tell me." Alyssa Chia was straightforward. Knowing that Zhang Yuan and she were just in a fleeting relationship, she didn't force it.

As soon as the matter about the "A Chinese Ghost Story" crew was mentioned, Alyssa Chia immediately started to grumble.

“You really went to the audition.”

"We just finished filming a movie, can't we take a break? Aren't you tired?"

At this point, Alyssa Chia thought of the large bed in her master bedroom that had just been replaced after it collapsed due to the earthquake, and she rejected her own idea.

With his physical strength, he shouldn't be tired!

"Okay, I'll go ask for you." Alyssa Chia agreed readily.

Not long after, I called him back.

"It's not your problem, it's the crew's problem."

"The crew encountered a little trouble, and the filming will be postponed."

What exactly happened?

Actually, it’s because of bad timing.

At this moment, there is a flu epidemic in Guangdong Province.

It is easy to find permanent staff such as the crew's cameramen, stagehands, props, etc., as they can all be found and transported to Taiwan.

But the problem is that "A Chinese Ghost Story" is a costume blockbuster and requires set construction!
There were only so many skilled workers originally, but now most of them are gone due to the flu, so there is a serious shortage of manpower.

The progress of the preliminary preparations was greatly slowed down, so there was no news and no one contacted Zhang Yuan.

"It's hard to find people with experience in building film and television sets now. The crew originally planned to shoot in Yunnan, but now they are planning to find a new location because they can't finish the work."

"It would take at least one or two months to complete this process."

Jia Jingwen spoke in a relaxed tone. When the crew is filming, it would be an accident if nothing unexpected happened. It is perfectly normal.

"I see. I'm glad it's not my problem."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yuan lay down on the recliner. "I never thought that this would happen."

"Come to think of it, TV crews really like to go to Yunnan, especially Dali, to shoot scenes."

"After Da Huzi received additional investment, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils went to Yunnan for location shooting."

“A Chinese Ghost Story also wants to be filmed in Yunnan.”

“A good view is what attracts people.”

Zhang Yuan thought that if he could have a villa by the Erhai Lake, he would probably not be willing to leave.

“Yunnan…yes!”

As he was thinking, he suddenly sat up straight.

"It's just perfect that they both want to go to Yunnan."

A few days later, in a hotel in the imperial capital.

"This is Director Zhang Jizhong."

"This is Director Li Huizhu."

As a middleman, Zhang Yuan brought together the decision-makers of the two TV series to work in the same room.

After thinking about it, he found the highlight!

Da Huzi spent a lot of money to build the sets in Yunnan, which included palaces, city walls, battlefields, caves and other common scenes in ancient costume dramas.

Li Huizhu, on the other hand, was worried because there was no scenery available.

Why don't they just get together!
Anyway, once Big Beard finished filming the movie, those scenes were wasted and could not be reused.

It would be better to sell it to "A Chinese Ghost Story" and make some extra money.

At the same time, "A Chinese Ghost Story" only needs a little modification before it can be put into use, saving money and time, isn't it perfect!

As a result, when the two sides contacted each other, they were attracted to each other and hit it off immediately.

Now Li Huizhu has solved her urgent problem and Big Beard has received an unexpected surprise. This is a win-win situation.

He was only responsible for introducing people together. When the two of them were negotiating, he would tactfully find an excuse to leave.

After a long time, he returned to the room. Both directors had rosy faces and looked very energetic. Those who didn't know would be surprised what they had done in the room.

"Zhang Yuan, you know this." While both parties were signing the contract, the bearded man pulled him aside and said, "Don't spread it or let anyone know."

Why not let it spread?
It's just that the bearded man wants to keep this windfall for himself.

If the investors knew that he resold the scenes after use, wouldn't they ask him to return the money?
This old guy is a money-grubber, there is no way he would let go.

"Don't worry, I understand. I've never mentioned it to anyone."

"Very good!" The bearded man winked excitedly.

He's so stingy, not even as stingy as Fatty Zhao. He didn't even give me a red envelope... Zhang Yuan complained in his heart.

[Received thanks from Zhang Jizhong, reproductive ability +1, kidney function +1, physical fitness +1! ]

Well, I'll just accept this attribute with a smile, it's more practical than a red envelope, hehe.

After seeing off the bearded man, Zhang Yuan came to Li Huizhu with a smile on his face.

"Zhang Yuan, you helped the crew a lot. Thank you very much."

[Received thanks from Li Huizhu, directing foundation +1, script understanding +1, literary foundation +1! ]

"It's all for the crew. I dare not say thank you." Zhang Yuan waved his hand and lowered his head humbly.

"Without your introduction, the crew won't be able to start work, and a delay will not be good for everyone." Director Li said as he took a thick file bag from his assistant.

He then handed it to Zhang Yuan.

"Take it."

What is contained in here is the complete script of "A Chinese Ghost Story"!

She helped the crew to resolve a major problem before filming even started. Li Huizhu has been in the entertainment industry for a long time, so she naturally knew what Zhang Yuan wanted.

The entertainment circle, the entertainment circle, it’s a circle where mutual help and mutual benefit are the norm.

There are only a few people like Big Beard who are stingy and always like to burn bridges after crossing them.

"I could sense your talent during the audition, so the role of the Seven Nights Demon Lord is given to you."

"Thank you, Director Li."

Isn’t it wonderful that all three parties got what they wanted?

He also became the first actor in the crew to get a role, apart from the already-decided male and female protagonists.

"We have two plans for film remuneration, by episode or by package, you can choose one."

Director Li said politely as Zhang Yuan opened the file bag and looked over the script carefully.

"What's wrong? There's something wrong with the script." But suddenly I found that he was frowning.

"No, no problem. I'm fascinated."

Zhang Yuan made up an excuse casually.

Does the Seven Nights Demon Lord have so few scenes?
After checking, he found that the script given by the crew was very different from what he remembered.

The role of Qiye has at least 40% less screen time.

"Hiss...something must have happened to cause the later changes in the script."

The script I have now is far less exciting and complicated than in my previous life.

He thought it over again and again and made a decision.

"I choose to be paid according to the number of episodes I appear in. If I need to increase my role..."

"We will increase the pay according to the standards and can write it into the contract." Li Huizhu was very straightforward.

Now that Zhang Yuan has helped him solve his biggest worry, this little matter is naturally no problem for him.

In the end, he was paid 20,000 yuan per episode, with a total of fifteen episodes expected.

This salary already includes Director Li’s reward for his help.

Excluding special cases like "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", his pay for a single episode of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" was only over 5,000 yuan. Now, in less than a year, it has quadrupled.

The start-up time will be notified separately, but it shouldn’t be too long.

Zhang Yuan returned home happily with the contract and the script.

The next morning, he received a call from Xu Lu.

"Did you get the role?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations!" Xu Lu's voice was sincere, and she was happy for him from the bottom of her heart.

"how about you?"

"I won't go." At this point, Xu Lu smiled freely and said, "The casting took too long, I signed with another crew."

"It's a pity that I can't work with you anymore."

The drama that Xu Lu signed with was called "Protein Girl", starring Zhou Jie and Dai Jun, as well as Li Sheng, who later played Xiaoyanzi in the new version of "My Fair Princess".

This film can be considered a sister film of "Sex and the City", but its performance and popularity are far inferior to the former.

But Xu Lu is the female lead in this movie, while in "A Chinese Ghost Story" she was only given the role of the fourth or fifth female lead. Even a fool would know what to choose.

The so-called casting took too long is just an excuse.

"Congratulations, even though we are not in the same crew, we both have to start work."

"Yes, yes, congratulations!"

They were both happy, after all, they both had a bright future.

But there are also people whose future is shrouded in shadow.

In a residential house...

"Ah, I wasn't chosen!"

After hearing what his assistant said, Nie Yuan was stunned for a long time...

(End of this chapter)