Chapter 6

The *Empresses in the Palace* production team worked tirelessly, with the shooting schedule proceeding smoothly. As everyone got into their roles, the pace only accelerated. However, under the requirements of Zheng Long and Wang Shang, they maintained a meticulous attitude towards filming, refusing to rush the process.

However, the result of this meticulous approach was that the budget began to run short. Fortunately, Tang Zongshi, the generous CEO of Tang Dynasty International, continued to increase the funding.

Currently, the TV series has completed half of its shooting, and it is expected that by January 20th, which is the arrival of the Spring Festival, the entire shooting will be completed. At that time, while post-production is being done, the first few episodes can be broadcast, ensuring that it can air during the Spring Festival.

On December 20, 2001, the production team released a behind-the-scenes video of the TV series online, which immediately received widespread praise from netizens.

*Empresses in the Palace* once again gained popularity, attracting more and more attention from the public.

Tang Dynasty International had high hopes for this series, and after watching the unedited first few episodes, they were full of praise.

It just so happened that Tang Zongshi, the CEO of Tang Dynasty International, was a big fan of Qing dynasty dramas. He immediately contacted the national television station, hoping to air the series during the prime time slot on the first channel.

Many local TV stations, upon hearing the news, hurriedly came forward, eager to secure the first broadcast rights for the series. After all, the series had already been hyped up even before production began, and with the continuous release of promotional materials like stills, *Empresses in the Palace* had already gained a strong following.

Moreover, after seeing the first few episodes, they were all deeply impressed by the high quality of the series, making them even more eager to secure the first broadcast rights.

Upon hearing these good news, the crew members were elated and performed even more enthusiastically, further enhancing the quality of the series.

Wang Shang, while enjoying these good news, was also preoccupied with finding the right actress for the role of the schoolgirl. In Wang Shang's plan, this schoolgirl would also play Shen Jiayi in *Those Years We Chased After*.

At the Tang Dynasty International casting hall, Wang Shang and his temporary assistant looked at the actress auditioning for the schoolgirl role in *Old Boy* with a puzzled expression.

She was seductive and heavily made up, wearing white stockings and nearly half-naked. This was not an audition for a schoolgirl but a beauty pageant.

Wang Shang had no good feelings towards actors who couldn't grasp the essence of their roles. If one was auditioning for a high school schoolgirl, they should look like one. Innocence and purity are the hallmarks of a high school schoolgirl. Dressing like this either means they are not smart or they are too clever for their own good.

Direct pass!

After interviewing several more, he was still unsatisfied.

Wang Shang rubbed his temples and asked his temporary assistant, Yu Bo, who was provided by Tang Dynasty International, "Is that it for today?"

Yu Bo, though inexperienced, was diligent and eager to learn. He held a reverent attitude towards Wang Shang, who was younger than him. He quickly replied, "Yes."

"Most of the actors we've seen recently are like this. It seems we're going about this the wrong way. We shouldn't be sitting here auditioning; we should go out and find the right person in schools."

Yu Bo nodded in agreement. These actors had been through countless hardships and had long lost the innocence and purity of high school students. Finding a schoolgirl among them was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

...

The next day, Yu Bo, carrying a briefcase, followed Wang Shang to the No. 13 High School in Shanghai. Wang Shang didn't linger in the school but went straight to the principal's office.

The reason for visiting the principal was that any student going out for "work" would need the principal's approval.

Additionally... wouldn't the principal know the most about the beautiful students in the school?

Wang Shang cleverly used the name of Tang Dynasty International to gain an audience with the principal.

"Are you Wang Shang?"

"The Wang Shang from the Shanghai Media College?"

"You want to find a female student to play the lead role in your movie?" The principal's yellowish eyes stared intently at Wang Shang, his expression unreadable.

Wang Shang nodded.

The principal immediately shouted, "Get out!!"

"..." Without a word, Wang Shang turned and left with Yu Bo.

At the second high school, the No. 4 High School in Shanghai, Wang Shang was again driven out. It was a truly miserable and embarrassing situation.

Wang Shang had anticipated this. As a prestigious institution that had nurtured countless talents, the Shanghai Media College had a significant influence, and many primary, middle, and high school leaders were affected by it.

Fortunately, the Shanghai Media College was not all-powerful in Shanghai. There were two other prestigious film schools that balanced its influence. Rivals often have conflicts, and the tensions between these three institutions provided Wang Shang with the space he needed to operate.

Undeterred, Wang Shang continued to visit other high schools with Yu Bo.

Finally, at the No. 8 High School, the principal, Liu Ming, did not drive Wang Shang away. Instead, he was courteous and guided Wang Shang.

Liu Ming was actually a Qing dynasty drama enthusiast and had heard a lot about *Empresses in the Palace*. He was very interested in the series, which made him have a good impression of Wang Shang, the screenwriter.

Wang Shang explained the script in detail, and Principal Liu was very pleased. He treated Wang Shang warmly and immediately agreed to the request to shoot some scenes at the school.

Under Principal Liu's arrangement, Wang Shang visited several classes to see the recognized schoolgirls. However, he found them all a bit too innocent. In the later parts of *Old Boy*, the schoolgirl would also play the role of Bao Xiaobai's wife, and their appearance, even with makeup, would still fall short.

"Mr. Wang, still not suitable?"

Wang Shang replied apologetically, "Principal, I'm sorry, but I still feel something is missing."

Principal Liu waved his hand, "No problem, let's keep looking."

Soon, Principal Liu led Wang Shang to the next class, Class 2-3.

Principal Liu joked, "Mr. Wang, this is the last schoolgirl. If she's not suitable, there really won't be any more."

Just then, the class bell rang, and the students began their lesson.

Wang Shang had an idea and said, "Principal, could we sit in on the class? I'd like to experience high school again."

The principal readily agreed, called out the teacher, explained the situation, and smoothly turned Wang Shang and Yu Bo into students, sitting in the class. Two students were absent, leaving empty seats.

Wang Shang thanked the principal and sat down with Yu Bo. As the class began, Wang Shang felt as if he had returned to his high school days, and the warm memories resurfaced, causing a smile to form on his lips.

However, Wang Shang quickly composed himself and began to observe the schoolgirl candidate, who was sitting just in front of him on the right. Her name was Shen Yao, with beautiful eyes and a sweet smile. She was pure and spontaneous, like sunshine and air, effortlessly capturing the attention of all the boys in the class.

She wasn't as beautiful as the previous schoolgirls, but she somehow touched a chord in Wang Shang's heart.

As Wang Shang observed, he wrote and drew in his notebook, comparing her image with the character in the script.

"No one is more suitable for this role!" Wang Shang thought.

After class, Wang Shang shared his thoughts with the principal, who also found Shen Yao suitable after seeing her.

When Shen Yao received Wang Shang's request, she was overjoyed, "Make a movie? Can I really make a movie?"

Shen Yao came from a poor family, with her parents working hard to support four younger brothers. The economic conditions were extremely difficult. She had always dreamed of becoming a star, hoping to transform from a Cinderella into a swan.

Now, the opportunity had finally come, and she was extremely excited.

Wang Shang and Yu Bo exchanged a glance and smiled, "It's done!"

With the actress selected, they began to borrow equipment and start the shooting.

Yu Bo ran back and forth, setting up the shooting scenes, purchasing and borrowing old props like brick-like cassette players, pagers, and handheld game consoles...

Wang Shang, on the other hand, took it a bit easier, delegating most of the tasks to Yu Bo, calling it "training." Yu Bo did not object but happily accepted the task, as such training opportunities were rare.

On December 23, everything was ready, and *Old Boy* officially began shooting.

The opening day was low-key, with no guests invited, only the actors from the movie. However, Director Zheng Long and some acquaintances from Tang Dynasty International came to wish *Old Boy* a successful run.

After the opening ceremony, they cut the pig's head, and the shooting officially began.

With the script well-prepared, Wang Shang directed confidently. If not for the actors' slightly lacking acting skills, the shooting progress would have been much faster.