Considering the difficulty of finding a suitable house in the short term, and the reluctance of Mimi and Tutu to move, Quan Jiu decided to take a more relaxed approach. The next morning, she called the agent to withdraw the listing for the house, planning to relist it only after a new one was confirmed.
After sending Mimi and Tutu to kindergarten, Quan Jiu rushed to the film set. Today was the final round of auditions for casting.
Upon arriving at the set, key crew members such as Jiang Nanchen, Luo Cheng, and Wang Feifei were already present, discussing the selection of actors for the roles.
"I support Xiao Qi. He has acting skills and popularity. He previously played the second male lead in a very popular urban drama, gaining countless fans, and his image is also very fitting for the male protagonist. Among all the auditioning actors, he is the most suitable," said producer Wang Qiang.
Jiang Nanchen nodded in agreement, "Considering all aspects, Xiao Qi is indeed the most suitable."
"Xiao Qi is not suitable," Quan Jiu stepped forward directly, her gaze sweeping over all the photos. Finally, she picked one from a pile of rejected photos and placed it in the center of the table.
Everyone looked over.
Luo Cheng questioned, "Xing Di? This person barely made it through each round and has the worst overall conditions. Firstly, he has a strong, striking appearance, an unrestrained personality, and a wild aura, which is completely at odds with the deeply affectionate image of the male protagonist.
Moreover, his acting is also quite average. He has only acted in some low-budget web dramas, and has only three million Weibo followers. This is the era of traffic; while we don't reject newcomers, the male protagonist still needs a certain level of popularity."
Quan Jiu directly shook her head and retorted, "He is the most suitable. From the initial selection to the final round, we eliminated over five hundred people, yet he has consistently remained with his stable performance. This indicates that he is rapidly growing within just a few days of auditioning.
Secondly, I have watched his previous web dramas. Every character he plays has a different personality, showing his strong adaptability.
As for Xiao Qi, whom you mentioned, he indeed has popularity and acting skills. But haven't you noticed that he has always stayed within his comfort zone? 'Fu Sheng' is a historical drama, and it's a film, not a TV series. Xiao Qi cannot carry it."
Wang Qiang disagreed, "Even if Xing Di has the advantages of growth potential and adaptability, the purpose of film and television is to serve the audience, not for the actors' growth.
We have ample funds now, so we should choose the best possible. To be honest, 'Fu Sheng' has been trending on hot searches even before filming began. We are in a high-stakes position, and we must strive for excellence to maintain this attention."
Quan Jiu did not back down, "Precisely because we need to strive for excellence, we absolutely cannot choose Xiao Qi. The male lead can only be Xing Di."
Wang Qiang and Luo Cheng were veterans in the industry, and even Jiang Nanchen showed them respect.
However, Quan Jiu completely disregarded their opinions, which greatly angered the two.
Wang Qiang, being straightforward, said displeasedly, "I know the capabilities of scriptwriter Quan, but you were abroad before. The foreign and domestic markets are completely different. Xiao Qi brings his own popularity, and his reputation and persona are very good. Xing Di isn't even considered an eighteen-line actor. I really don't understand what you see in him."
"During my five years abroad, I never stopped researching the domestic market. Otherwise, 'Fu Sheng' would not have received your approval," Quan Jiu, lacking her usual amiability, spoke with a firm and confident tone, "The male lead for 'Fu Sheng' can only be Xing Di."
Seeing that Wang Qiang and Luo Cheng were about to lose their temper, Wang Feifei quickly mediated, "How about this, we tentatively select these two and let them compete. It will soon become clear who is better."
Luo Cheng immediately objected, "Xiao Qi has over ten million fans. Using this method will definitely cause dissatisfaction and backlash from his fans. Our crew will be criticized on hot searches the next day."
Wang Feifei was unconcerned, "Why bother with those fans? We are not selling tickets based on traffic. He has over ten million fans, but there are still 1.4 billion people in the country. As long as our movie is good, the audience will naturally pay."
Thus, the male lead selection was temporarily settled.
Next was the female lead. Wang Qiang, perhaps fearing Quan Jiu had other ideas, quickly presented his preferred candidate, "Zhang Sui is definitely the most suitable for the female lead. No one will object to that, right?" He looked at Quan Jiu.
Quan Jiu, however, smiled and once again picked a photo from the rejected pile, placing it before everyone, "The female lead can only be her."
This time, Wang Qiang was completely enraged, "I am the producer, and I have the final say on casting. I already compromised on Xiao Qi. Zhang Sui is the best candidate in all aspects. The female lead can only be her."
Quan Jiu glanced at Wang Qiang indifferently, "Zhang Sui is not suitable. Her acting experience is too extensive, and she has already formed a set of commercialized acting.
My female lead is an innocent and naive little sprite who is ignorant of the world. More than acting skills, I value her liveliness. Although Liu Wenwen is a newcomer and has little acting experience, and her acting isn't even considered good, her eyes are clean and clear. She is genuine while also appearing a bit clumsy. This is my female lead."
Wang Qiang was utterly amused and angry, "Scriptwriter Quan, we are a team. I don't know why you insist on opposing me, but to put it bluntly, I have more experience than you.
You admit that Liu Wenwen has no acting skills. Clean and clear? What can that achieve? You are the screenwriter; you want to choose the most ideal character. But I am the producer, and I have to consider all market demands and economic relationships.
Xing Di is at least understandable, as he has acted in a few web dramas. But Liu Wenwen has no experience at all. I don't know what makes her worth choosing."
Quan Jiu smiled calmly, "Because she is naturally gifted. I can even guarantee that after filming begins, her performance will be even more outstanding than Xing Di's."
In the success of a film and television production, casting is the most crucial aspect, yet the casting of both the male and female leads was so baffling. Wang Qiang was so angry that he threw his hands up, "Fine, if you have the ability, you do it. You be the producer." He then stormed off.
Luo Cheng was also displeased, "Xing Di and Liu Wenwen are neither of them the best choices. I still hope everyone can seriously consider it. Our starting point is to make this movie the best. Don't always try to prove yourselves; this is a team, not an individual." With that, he also turned and left.
Wang Feifei was also annoyed, hands on her hips, "Our Jiu Jiu's judgment of people is never wrong. She is very capable and doesn't need to prove herself."
As the general director, Jiang Nanchen also had the responsibility to coordinate team relationships. He said to Quan Jiu, "Since you want to choose these two, I will definitely support you. I will talk to them. We'll have two pairs compete for the male and female leads. There's no issue with that."
Quan Jiu smiled and nodded, feeling a warmth from Jiang Nanchen and Wang Feifei's unconditional support.
Jiang Nanchen then went to find Wang Qiang.
Wang Qiang was still fuming. Seeing Jiang Nanchen, his expression was not good, "Director Jiang, I admit she has ability, and the script is well-written. But casting is my responsibility as the producer. Why is she dictating things? Xing Di and Liu Wenwen have no popularity at all. Who will watch when the movie is released?
Many art films are well-made, but why are they always lukewarm? It's because the audience is too small. Being good is one thing, but without commercial value.
Xing Di and Liu Wenwen are the same now. They have no commercial value. How can they compare to Xiao Qi and Zhang Sui? Xiao Qi and Zhang Sui bring their own buzz and traffic. Even if the movie is not good, many people will pay. If the movie is good, even more people will pay. Don't you think so?"
Jiang Nanchen nodded, "I understand what you mean, and you are very right. But Nine's starting point is the same as yours; she wants to make this movie well. The director's opinions are good. Let's have a fair competition between the two pairs, and it will become clear whether Xiao Qi and Zhang Sui are more suitable after the PK."
Wang Qiang, after all, would not truly abandon his post. He also had a knot of resentment in his heart, and he believed his judgment was not wrong. After a long silence, he said stiffly, "PK, then PK. If she wants to suffer some setbacks, there's nothing I can do.
Also, the second female lead, Chen Yan, is the most suitable. Go ask her if I, as the producer, don't even have the right to choose the second female lead. If she still wants to argue with me, let her take over. I'll give her the producer position."
Jiang Nanchen smiled and patted Wang Qiang's shoulder, "Don't say things in anger. She's not trying to cause trouble, nor is she trying to oppose you."
Returning to Quan Jiu's side, Jiang Nanchen conveyed Wang Qiang's desire to cast Chen Yan as the second female lead.
Quan Jiu pondered for a moment, then said with some helplessness, "Chen Yan, although she is a bit arrogant, she is quite serious about acting. If he insists on choosing her, then let him be, so he doesn't say I'm arguing with him again."
...
Meanwhile, Shen Lu, after being eliminated in the first round of casting, had been holding a grudge. Especially towards that bitch who had humiliated her that day, she wished she could tear that seductive vixen's face apart.
And the matter of her looking for someone to inquire about that bitch's affairs finally yielded results on the fifth day of her anxious wait.
"Everything about the person in the photo up to five years ago has been investigated. It has been emailed to you," said the voice on the other end of the phone.
Shen Lu asked curiously, "Why up to five years ago?"
"Because she suddenly dropped out of school five years ago and then disappeared mysteriously. I checked all channels and couldn't find any trace of her activities in the past five years. However, she is an orphan and was previously fostered by her uncle. I am preparing to go to her uncle's place to inquire about the situation."
Upon hearing that the bitch was an orphan, Shen Lu's jealous heart immediately found a sense of balance, "As expected, she's a lowly creature. She dares to provoke me. My Shen family can crush her with just a flick of a finger."
She added, "Then hurry up and find out what happened to her in the past five years. Investigate her connections with wealthy individuals. She must have been kept by someone during these five years. Otherwise, how could a lowly orphan dare to act so arrogantly in front of me, a young lady of a prominent family? Someone must be backing her."