Chapter 37

The production team transferred to the Beijing Film Studio and discovered an urgent problem that needed to be addressed.

Bai Yulan, who played the role of Lady Rong, had reluctantly agreed to return for the shoot after the director's persuasion, but she still couldn't get into character.

Although Bai Yulan was a big name, she was more accustomed to traditional opera performances and wasn't very adaptable to the requirements of television acting.

The scene being shot today was Lady Rong using a needle to torture someone in a secret room.

This scene was originally scheduled to be shot during the day, but due to the unsatisfactory progress over the past two days, the crew was on edge, fearing the director's anger.

Recently, the director's temper had been particularly bad because the production costs at the Prince Gong's Mansion were over budget by more than 50,000 yuan.

This was because everyone was new, and the shooting required a lot of adjustments, leading to more NG takes. The entire crew also needed to gel, and sometimes the lighting setup was unsatisfactory, which the director required to be redone.

The extended shooting time naturally increased the costs.

This was actually a necessary process of adjustment.

Fortunately, everyone was now working more harmoniously. Chen Zhipeng, for some reason, hadn't immediately confronted Ye Ming, and Ye Ming, of course, acted as if nothing had happened.

This greatly relieved Deputy Director Chao Guoli, who had been worried about conflicts between Ye Ming and Chen Zhipeng.

It turned out that her concerns were unfounded.

However, the director now had a new headache: Bai Yulan was having trouble adapting to television acting.

The scene was supposed to be Lady Rong stretching and saying, "It's morning, I've had enough sleep, let's get back to work," with a menacing look as she walked.

This was a relatively easy scene, but Bai Yulan, accustomed to traditional opera, couldn't convey the right kind of anger for television.

In traditional opera, anger is expressed with exaggerated facial expressions and special techniques, giving a fierce and intense feeling.

But this didn't work for television, where the expression needed to clearly show Lady Rong's cruelty and endless hatred for Zhiwei, stemming from her devotion to the Empress.

Lady Rong needed to express this kind of anger, which was not something an ordinary actor could do.

Despite Bai Yulan's fame, her performance in television acting was lacking.

After ten retakes, she still couldn't meet the director's requirements.

Bai Yulan, as a state-owned actor, looked down on television actors from the bottom of her heart. Even big names like Su Youpeng and Chen Zhipeng were not in her eyes.

She was a recipient of the Plum Blossom Award and a national first-class actor. How could these people compare?

If not for the director's pleading, she wouldn't have wanted to shoot this drama at all.

After ten takes, Bai Yulan was in a bad mood.

By the twelfth take, the director was also losing patience, glaring at Chao Guoli as if he wanted to eat her alive. "This is the veteran actor you found for me?"

Bai Yulan was indeed a veteran of traditional opera, but for television, it was a different story.

Some actors were better suited to state-owned roles and not for television or film.

Bai Yulan was clearly better suited to state-owned roles and not for television or film.

Chao Guoli helplessly said, "Director, one more take. I promise it will pass this time."

Chao Guoli then explained to the director and scolded the lighting and camera crew, urging them to be more focused.

Clearly, everyone knew the director was angry, or Chao Guoli wouldn't have been so upset.

The crew was energized, but the thirteenth take still didn't pass. Bai Yulan's expression still had traces of traditional opera, making it obvious that it was fake.

Chao Guoli finally couldn't hold back and said, "Teacher Bai, please pay attention. The director is not happy. If you don't pass this, the director said no one will rest today."

But this only angered Bai Yulan. "He's not happy? I'm not happy either. I've never seen such a demanding performance. After more than ten takes, not one is useful? I'm sorry, my hypertension is acting up, I feel dizzy, I need to go to the hospital."

Unlike other actors who brought their agents, Bai Yulan brought her housekeeper.

After saying this, Bai Yulan left the set, supported by her housekeeper.

This infuriated the director. How could they continue shooting without her?

The driver reported back that Bai Yulan didn't go to the hospital but to the market, picked up her grandson, and went home to cook, even buying pork belly to make braised pork for her grandson.

This further enraged the director.

The entire crew was on edge, no one dared to speak loudly. Su Youpeng was sleeping in the makeup van, having shot all night and only resting at 2 AM. He was catching up on sleep.

Su Youpeng was the best sleeper in the crew.

Chao Guoli was also in a difficult position. It was clear that Bai Yulan was acting diva-like and refusing to perform.

If she were a real big name, it would be understandable, but was Bai Yulan a real big name?

This diva act was too cheap.

Sun Shubai decisively said, "Replace her. Tell Manager He we need to replace her. We can't afford this kind of actor. Have the lawyer pursue Bai Yulan for breach of contract."

Pursuing responsibility was one thing, but finding a replacement was a challenge for Chao Guoli.

Chao Guoli said helplessly, "Director, Lady Rong is a supporting role, but not just any actor can handle it. There's no suitable actor among the extras, and finding a professional actor might take time."

At this moment, Ye Ming stepped forward to speak.

Zhang Tielin pulled him back, signaling him not to meddle. This was the director's responsibility, and a newcomer shouldn't overstep.

But Ye Ming said, "Teacher Zhang, don't worry, I have a plan."

Approaching Sun Shubai, Ye Ming said, "Director, I can recommend someone for the role of Lady Rong. I can't guarantee they will be perfect, but they will definitely be better than Bai Yulan."

Whether it was suitable or not was up to the director, though Ye Ming was confident in his recommendation, he didn't want to overstate.

In the crew, you couldn't appear more capable than the director. This was the survival rule for actors, especially for a newcomer in such a situation.

Hadn't Zhao Weili, Lin Xinru, and Fan Bingbing, the three stars of "The Story of the Concubine," been very obedient?

Sun Shubai glanced at Ye Ming, not very satisfied with his performance. Ye Ming was too showy.

But the current problem needed to be solved. Lady Rong, though a supporting role, was crucial.

The production couldn't afford delays.

Sun Shubai finally nodded and said, "Go on."

Ye Ming said, "I recommend Teacher Li Mingqi, a veteran actor with a lifetime of experience. His acting skills are unparalleled."

Sun Shubai thought about Li Mingqi, who sounded familiar, but he was still hesitant. "This role is very demanding. Do you think she can handle such a sinister character?"

Ye Ming smiled, not wanting to make a guarantee, but said, "Teacher Li Mingqi's latest work was the lead role of Wang Po in the CCTV New Year's drama 'Water Margin,' who killed Wu Dalang."

Hearing this, Chao Guoli's eyes lit up with hope.

Sun Shubai also became interested. Being cast in a CCTV New Year's drama was a significant achievement, and the role of Wang Po was similar to Lady Rong.

Sun Shubai had noticed the TV series 'Water Margin,' especially the scene of Wu Song fighting the tiger, which was closely related to another classic, 'The Plum in the Golden Vase.'

Thinking about this, Sun Shubai nodded and said, "Can you contact Teacher Li? If possible, I hope she can come for a screen test immediately."

This was an acknowledgment of Ye Ming's recommendation.

Ye Ming didn't know Li Mingqi, but he knew Uncle Liang would. As someone who had been in the Beijing entertainment industry for a long time, Uncle Liang naturally had Li Mingqi's contact information.

Fortunately, Li Mingqi was available and came to the set that afternoon.

After makeup and costume, Li Mingqi read the script and walked a few steps in front of the camera. Instantly, a sinister, cunning, and loyal servant to the Empress appeared on screen.

[Name: Li Mingqi, Age: 61, Acting: 753, Singing: 500 (Peking Opera), Fame: 690, Insight: Three stars. Can handle various roles with ease.]

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