Chapter 74

This statement also gave Hong Fei a fright; Ye Ming really dared to speak up. Two million, this was simply unimaginable.

Are you crazy?

When Hong Fei looked at Ye Ming with eyes that saw him as a monster, just about to say something,

Han Shanping laughed and said, "You little guy, your ambition is too big. Two million, you really dared to ask for it. Forget about two million. If I give you two million, I won't be able to explain it to others. I can only give you five hundred thousand. For a small-budget movie, one million or so is already quite good. You'll have to figure out the rest yourself."

Hong Fei was stunned. Third Master really did agree. It seemed that the 3D track car had a significant impact on the film industry.

Han Shanping seemed to have noticed Ye Ming's hesitation and said, "Don't be ungrateful. These conditions, others can't even dream of. Forget it, when you rent equipment, I'll have them give you a half-price deal. That should be fair to you, right?"

Han Shanping left very satisfied. At this moment, Hong Fei thought for a moment and said, "Ye Ming, if you really want to make a movie, it's not an easy task. Being a director is not as simple as you think. Making a regular movie costs over a million. With three or five hundred thousand, you can make a movie, but the quality is hard to guarantee."

Ye Ming smiled and said, "Isn't there the company? I've already thought about it. The company can contribute five hundred thousand. As long as the company puts up this five hundred thousand, I can officially start. Besides, I've calculated that the movie I want to make will only cost one million. It's not a big deal."

Hong Fei snorted and said, "Not a big deal? Do you think five hundred thousand is a small amount? Third Master agreed to allocate the money, but it will take half a year. Forget it, let's not talk about this for now. You won't have time to shoot this thing for a while. Our company has already booked you for a role. In Guo Baocang's 'The Great Courtyard Gate,' you've been given a part. You need to perform well. Playing Bai Jingqi's son, Bai Jingye, is a significant supporting role. You need to do your best. If you can pass, you'll at least become a B-level actor. In the future, no one will dare to look down on you in any production team."

In the entertainment industry, experience is everything. Having acted under Director Guo Baocang is a significant achievement.

You can demand your pay with more confidence.

'The Great Courtyard Gate,' just by looking at the cast, you can tell it's an outstanding TV series.

It can be said that this is a groundbreaking TV series in the history of television.

Count the supporting actors: Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Jiang Wen, Li Xuejian, Ning Jing, and others. They set a precedent for big stars taking small roles.

[Host, Host, triggered side mission: Accept 'The Great Courtyard Gate.' Mission reward: Acting 60, Fame 50.]

This opportunity, Ye Ming naturally wouldn't let it slip away, and immediately clicked to confirm.

Back in the dormitory, Ye Ming pondered. Tomorrow, he would go for the audition. Facing Director Guo Baocang, who has a sharp eye and doesn't tolerate any mistakes, he needed to consider his acting skills.

[Host: Ye Ming. Age 19, Acting 418, Singing 388, Fame 380, Martial Arts 400, Insight: Two stars. Functions: Artist Training, Prop Store. Inventory: Stamina Potion, Puppet, Locked Item: Best Actor Crown. Completed 'The Storm' shooting, reward: Acting 40, Insight into Acting, officially entered the acting profession, reward: Acting 30.]

Ye Ming was a bit annoyed. Why didn't you tell me in advance? Rewarding me after the performance, are you playing with me?

The system replied expressionlessly, [Accepting 'The Storm' was a random task. Based on the host's performance, appropriate acting and fame rewards were given. The host had a chance to improve by one hundred points, but missed the opportunity.]

Ye Ming was a bit dazed and said in frustration, [When did I have the chance to improve by one hundred points? Why didn't you tell me earlier?]

Losing fifty points of acting ability like that, Ye Ming was clearly unwilling.

The system said, [In the first scene, the host reached the realm of immersion. Facing various pressures, the host had a chance to break through, but because the director completed the first scene early, the host did not face enough pressure, so did not improve by the additional fifty points.]

Thinking about it, Ye Ming hesitated and said, [In 'The Great Courtyard Gate,' will there be any random tasks?]

The system was silent, neither confirming nor denying.

Damn, Ye Ming concluded, there must be. Otherwise, this system, which looks like it's infected with a virus, wouldn't be silent.

However, in this situation, he thought, tomorrow he would face Guo Baocang. How could he improve his acting skills? Not even reaching C-level, it would be difficult to catch Guo Baocang's eye.

Checking the system, the Prop Store had Mirror Training Cards for sale, priced at 20,000, randomly selecting a famous artist for guidance.

Although the price made Ye Ming tremble, he knew he should take the plunge.

[Mirror Training Card] purchased, Ye Ming clicked the big wheel on the card, and the result was the famous Hollywood Best Actor, the lead in 'Roman Holiday,' the charming and gentlemanly Gregory Peck.

Indeed, he was the most handsome gentleman in Hollywood.

Although the image was formed by the system, Peck still said very gentlemanly, "Host, I must say, your potential is quite pitiful. What result do you want to achieve?"

Ye Ming hesitated and said, "Can I choose?"

Peck shrugged and said, "Of course. This is an all-powerful system. If you pay, you will get a return. Except for getting something for nothing, the system can do anything. Based on your situation, there are two levels: one is to improve your acting to 490, and the other is to improve it to 899."

This made Ye Ming quite surprised. Reaching the level of an un-crowned king, just one step away from becoming a Best Actor, the effect was truly incredible.

However, Ye Ming immediately realized that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

He said without hesitation, "I want to know the conditions for both."

Peck smiled in a gentlemanly manner and said, "Clever. I already said, there's no such thing as a free lunch. One method is to accept my guidance and learn from my experience, which can help you improve to 499 in acting. The other is to use your prop, the Best Actor Crown, to instantly improve to 899, but it only lasts for one hour."

Damn, Ye Ming knew, suppressing the urge to curse. He thought he could directly improve to the level of an un-crowned king. Indeed, there's no such thing as a free lunch. If he had the prop, why would he need your training?

Ye Ming said without hesitation, "I choose the first one. I'll accept your guidance."

Peck nodded and said, "A wise choice. Pay attention now. I've arranged seven lessons for you. After completing the seven lessons, you'll graduate, and your acting will naturally improve to 499."

In one night, Ye Ming completed seven lessons. When he woke up, he checked his stats again.

[Host: Ye Ming. Age 19, Acting 499, Singing 388, Fame 380, Martial Arts 400, Insight: Two stars. Functions: Artist Training, Prop Store. Inventory: Stamina Potion, Puppet, Locked Item: Best Actor Crown.]

This made Ye Ming very happy. The system's task was that if he couldn't reach C-level within a year, he would be eliminated.

But to reach C-level, his acting and fame must be above 500. Now, Ye Ming's acting had finally reached the critical point.

Just one step away from reaching 500.

Ye Ming said excitedly, [If I buy more Mirror Training Cards, won't my acting quickly reach the Best Actor level?]

The system replied bluntly, [At each level, the host can only use a Mirror Card once. The next time you can use a Mirror Card is when you reach C-level, and the price will be ten times higher.]

The system indeed doesn't allow getting something for nothing. With such a powerful system, if anyone could improve their acting so easily, how would others survive? Reaching Best Actor level in a few days, wouldn't Best Actors be everywhere?

Actually, improving to the peak of D-level was already a significant achievement for Ye Ming. With this confidence, he felt more assured about meeting Director Guo Baocang.

This time, it wasn't Hong Fei who took Ye Ming, but his dedicated agent, Fang Fang.

In the car, Fang Fang reminded him, "Ye Ming, I worked hard all day to get you this opportunity. Whether you can seize it is up to you. This time, Director Guo Baocang will personally audition you. No one can fool their way through. Perform well; the company is counting on you."

Yonghua isn't without talent. Even during the Xinghua Film era, the company sent artists, including Ye Ming, to Hong Kong for training. However, artists aren't just trained with a little money. So far, Ye Ming is the most famous artist Yonghua has trained. In the singing world, Ye Ming is a top-tier second-rate singer, and reaching first-rate isn't hard, just lacking some experience. Singers who perform on the Spring Festival Gala, after a couple of years, if they aren't eliminated, will definitely become first-rate singers.

Since Ye Ming is a potential star, he naturally received special attention.

At the production site, there were already over twenty people waiting outside. Fang Fang found He Jun, who had helped Yonghua secure this audition opportunity for Ye Ming.

Fang Fang said politely, "Teacher He, I've brought the person. When can the director see him?"

He Jun glanced at Ye Ming, a singer who had performed on the Spring Festival Gala. Although he was a newcomer, it was undeniable that he was very lucky, performing on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and the Spring Festival Gala in his first year, completing the newcomer's challenge.

He Jun had been in the industry for a long time and had seen many people who wanted to become famous overnight, but he had never seen anyone as lucky as Ye Ming. Perhaps only Ouyang Fenqiang, who starred in 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' was as lucky, but 'Dream of the Red Chamber' took over three years to shoot, and he didn't become famous overnight.

Seeing Ye Ming's calm demeanor, He Jun nodded and said, "Ye Ming, I've seen your performance in 'A and B.' It was quite good, so I agreed to give you an audition. Wait a moment, there's another person in the room. When he comes out, you can go in and let the director see you."

Soon, a slender actor walked out with a smile. Although he didn't know if he had passed, Director Guo Baocang at least didn't lose his temper. The first three people were directly dismissed by Director Guo Baocang. Being able to complete the performance was already quite good.

Therefore, he felt he still had a good chance.

He Jun waved his hand and said, "Ye Ming, you go in first."

At this moment, someone in the corridor was unhappy. They had been waiting for over an hour and hadn't seen the director yet. Ye Ming, who arrived later, was actually allowed to cut the line.

Some young people couldn't stand it and said, "Why can he cut the line? Why can he go in first?"

He Jun was a bit angry, glaring and shouting, "Shut up! Who else wants to shut up? He performed on last year's Spring Festival Gala, the singer of 'Blue and White Porcelain.' Do you have that kind of fame? If you do, I'll let you go in first."

At this moment, everyone seemed to realize something. No wonder Ye Ming looked familiar; they had seen him somewhere.

Someone suddenly realized and said, "Ye Ming, that was Ye Ming. He played a homeless singer in 'A and B.' He performed on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and the Spring Festival Gala. A newcomer has never completed the gala grand slam, but he did."

In the industry, the gala grand slam includes the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and the Spring Festival Gala. Performing on both in a year means the artist has completed the gala grand slam.

These are the two most influential galas in the 1990s.

No newcomer had ever completed such a task.

Ye Ming, for a moment, became a legendary figure among newcomers.

At this moment, all the noisy people fell silent. Performing on the Spring Festival Gala was still a distant dream for them.

Entering the room, Ye Ming clearly felt the atmosphere become tense, as if the air in the room had become solid.

Guo Baocang looked at the documents in his hand and shook his head, "Baoguo, these people are all inadequate. I want to make a classic TV series, not just any actor can join. Look at what we have here."

A familiar face appeared before Ye Ming: a square-faced, thick-browed, and righteous-looking man.

Chen Baoguo, a domestic powerhouse actor, a Best Actor-level talent, a top-tier star in the entertainment industry.

Ye Ming checked Chen Baoguo's stats.

System appraisal: [Name: Chen Baoguo, Age: 42, Other data: Host level insufficient, unable to investigate. Best Actor-level artist.]

His presence was no less impressive. He won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor in 1983, a truly powerful actor.

Guo Baocang looked at Ye Ming and said, "Young man, your singing is excellent, I really like it. There are few singers today who can sing like that. You're dedicated to traditional culture, and you have a bright future.

However, acting is different from singing. You'll be acting with Baoguo. Let's see if you're suitable for this role. Just one line, remember it well."

He gave Ye Ming two minutes to familiarize himself with the line. Two minutes for one line, for an actor, that's not short. A good memory is a significant advantage.

Ye Ming closed his eyes, then opened them sharply, nodding to indicate he was ready.

The scene for the audition was very simple, mainly focusing on Chen Baoguo.

Seeing Ye Ming's performance, Chen Baoguo was surprised. He had entered the role.

Goodness, he had actually entered the role. It had been a long time since he had seen such a talented newcomer.

Therefore, Chen Baoguo raised an eyebrow, suddenly interested. He wanted to test Ye Ming's limits.

Chen Baoguo stood up, transforming into Bai Jingqi, the Seventh Master Bai.

The transformation into the role happened in the instant Chen Baoguo stood up, demonstrating the power of a Best Actor-level actor.

A powerful presence overwhelmed Ye Ming.

Bai Jingqi, furious, said, "You owe money to prostitutes, losing your morals,

Then Bai Jingqi turned to Bai Jingye and said, "You little brat, you gambled and got caught, and you were caught by people at our doorstep, asking your father for money. You've disgraced our family."

At this moment, Bai Jingqi was like an unscalable mountain.

Most newcomers, facing such a powerful performance, wouldn't dare to respond.

This was a psychological intimidation.

Why is a Best Actor a Best Actor? Because they can portray any role convincingly.

But Ye Ming remained unfazed, fully immersed in the role of Bai Jingye, his face filled with委屈 and anger.

Director Guo Baocang nodded inwardly. For a newcomer to perform this well was already quite impressive.

At this moment, Bai Jingqi suddenly raised his cane and burst out, "You're a waste of life."

If the previous moment was like a mountain, now the mountain had come crashing down, the pressure making it hard to breathe.

But Ye Ming naturally portrayed the effect of a spoiled and arrogant son, standing up to argue, "I don't have money, do I? If I had money, why would I owe them?"

Bai Jingye turned and left, saying without looking back, "No money, then don't gamble or visit prostitutes."