People in later generations have a saying when evaluating the mainland entertainment industry, saying that this circle is the most feudal place in China.

But here in Xiangjiang, the situation is different.

While it is feudal, it is also full of charlatanism, where human feelings and face are overwhelming.

Maggie Cheung's appearance and age were different from the important female characters in the movie, but Chen Ziqiang came to ask for it, and his attitude was so low that Xu Guanwen was too embarrassed to refuse.

Perhaps seeing Xu Guanwen's embarrassment, Xu Anhua said: "Brother Willie, "The Truman Show" is Michael's one-man show, and the female characters actually have no sense of existence."

"Maggie's current acting skills can't support any meaningful roles..."

Chen Ziqiang responded with a few sentences. Seeing that Xu Guanwen and Xu Anhua, the two souls of the crew, looked troubled, he knew that this role might not be available.

Although he was disappointed in his heart, he still had a smile on his face. He was about to say a few words and leave with Maggie Cheung. At this time, Tao Yushu, who was sitting aside and had no sense of presence, opened his mouth.

"The character Roland..."

As soon as Tao Yushu spoke, everyone's eyes immediately focused on her. Seeing this, her face hesitated and did not continue.

Lin Chaoyang squeezed her hand gently, and the couple made eye contact and had a tacit understanding.

Tao Yushu then said: "I think Miss Zhang is quite suitable for the role of Roland."

Roland is Truman's first girlfriend when he was studying in the movie. He doesn't appear many times, but he is different from his wife who completely cheated on him.

Roland loved Truman and told Truman the fact that the world he lived in was false.

In a movie like "The Truman Show" that is full of cunning, cunning and ugly humanity, Roland's existence is a rare bright spot, and she is also a kind of salvation for The Truman.

Even though she is the second female lead, this role is even more outstanding because of its clever setting.

Tao Yushu only appeared in Jiahe in the past two days. Lin Chaoyang occupied 10% of the investment in the film with the script. After the crew was established, he proposed that she be one of the producers of the crew.

Xu Anhua frowned as she listened to Tao Yushu's words. She respected Lin Chaoyang very much.

But through these few days of communication, she also learned that Tao Yushu didn't know much about the film industry.

In the past two days, she rarely participated in everyone's discussions. She mainly focused on listening and learning. Today, for some reason, she suddenly stated that Maggie Cheung is suitable for the role of Roland.

Although he knew that refuting Tao Yushu now might give Chen Ziqiang the impression of deliberately making things difficult, in line with his responsible attitude towards the film, Xu Anhua still asked:

"Mrs. Lin, why do you think Miss Zhang is suitable for the role of Roland?"

Tao Yushu glanced at Lin Chaoyang again, seeming to cheer himself up.

"In the movie, Roland has the courage to risk his life for love. I think Miss Zhang has a kind of innocence in her. If this kind of innocence is used to interpret the character of 'Roland' who risks his life for love, it might have unexpected effects."

While Tao Yushu was talking, Xu Anhua looked at Maggie Cheung and kept looking at the other person with a scrutinizing look.

Not just her, but everyone else in the office too.

Feeling everyone's eyes, Maggie Cheung couldn't help but adjust her posture slightly.

Chen Ziqiang, who was already disappointed and ready to leave, did not expect such a turn of events. Although he knew the identities of Lin Chaoyang and his wife when they introduced each other just now, he did not expect that the other party would actually offer help.

Chen Ziqiang couldn't help but have some hope in his heart.

His eyes lingered on Maggie Cheung for a few seconds, and Xu Anhua asked again: "Mrs. Lin, don't you think Miss Zhang's image is too young?"

Hearing this, Chen Ziqiang, who was still a little happy, felt his heart sink again.

Along with Maggie Cheung, who was secretly happy just now, she was now full of anxiety.

At this time, Tao Yushu said calmly: "Director Xu, I actually think that Miss Zhang's youth is not a bad thing."

"Huh?" Xu Anhua didn't understand what he meant, and the others also looked confused.

"The drama "The Truman Show" itself has a sense of absurdity.

We can think of it this way, Truman and Roland originally met when they were in school. As the plot progresses, Roland shows up from time to time, still looking the same young person when she met Truman.

So in Truman's subjective world, Roland has always been young, which is actually an explanation."

Xu Anhua's eyebrows knitted together, thinking about Tao Yushu's statement in her mind. After a while, she said: "You mean, we can use Miss Zhang's appearance to give the audience another interpretation, that is, all this is actually...

Maybe it’s Truman’s imagination.”

"That's right!" Tao Yushu nodded vigorously, "I suggest that Roland's clothes, makeup and hair should not change the few times he appears."

After hearing what she said, Xu Anhua couldn't help but light a cigarette for himself, and sat there thinking for a while.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Tao Yushu's idea was exquisite, and the more excited she became. This treatment gave the movie that originally had a fixed ending an extra space for imagination.

At the end of the script, the director once told Truman that after leaving Taoyuan Island, the world he would face was not necessarily as free and beautiful as the world on Taoyuan Island.

But Truman still took that step without hesitation, and the plot has reached its completion.

As for Truman's experience after leaving Taoyuan Island, it is left to the imagination of the audience in the script and movie.

Now, with Tao Yushu's idea, the direction of the script has an extra layer of imagination.

That is, maybe all this is Truman's imagination? Maybe he simply doesn't have the courage to leave Taoyuan Island?

Xu Anhua's mind was thinking rapidly. Because she was too excited, she took a long drag on the cigarette and spit it out again.

The swirling smoke spread in front of her eyes, and the hearts of everyone present became nervous due to her solemn attitude.

"This treatment..." As soon as Xu Anhua spoke, everyone's eyes immediately focused on it, "Very good! It's a stroke of genius!"

As she spoke, she looked at Tao Yushu, her eyes full of appreciation.

She thought Tao Yushu was an outsider, but she didn't expect that he would come up with such an original idea in a flash of inspiration.

"If Mrs. Lin becomes a screenwriter, she will definitely be as good as Lin Sheng!"

Xu Anhua's face-to-face compliment made Tao Yushu a little embarrassed, but he still said a few words of humility and grace.

"Director Xu, look at Maggie..." Chen Ziqiang, who was waiting aside, suddenly asked.

Xu Anhua whispered a few words to Xu Guanwen, and finally she said: "Then leave the role of Roland to Miss Zhang."

Hearing these words, Maggie Cheung's face was full of surprise, and Chen Ziqiang also showed a happy smile on his face, and stepped forward to shake hands with Xu Anhua and Xu Guanwen.

"Thank you so much, Director Xu, Brother Michael!"

As he spoke, he came to Lin Chaoyang and his wife again and said in a sincere tone: "Sheng Lin, Mrs. Lin, I really want to thank you both for today."

Maggie Cheung also followed behind Chen Ziqiang, expressing her gratitude step by step. She couldn't help but look at Tao Yushu secretly, wanting to look but feeling embarrassed.

"You two are welcome."

After thanking him, Chen Ziqiang struck while the iron was hot and discussed with Xu Anhua about the schedule and remuneration.

Maggie Cheung has now acted in several movies and has become somewhat famous. If she had starred in an ordinary commercial movie, the salary would be less than HK$180,000.

However, the investment in "The Truman Show" was not high to begin with. In order not to reduce production costs, the actors were given very little remuneration. Even Xu Guanwen only received a symbolic HK$100,000.

You must know that with his fame and status, any movie he stars in will start with a salary of one million, and it will be even more if you include box office dividends.

Therefore, Maggie Cheung's salary was finally set at HK$30,000.

In order to gain a foothold in the film industry, it is normal for some actors who are not famous enough to lower their pay for filming.

As for the schedule, Maggie Cheung has no other film appointments yet. Chen Ziqiang said that after she terminates her contract with Shaw Brothers, she will fully cooperate with the crew.

After talking about business, Chen Ziqiang happily asked everyone to have a meal.

Favors have been given away. If someone wants to treat someone to a meal, of course they have to give them face.

Chen Ziqiang decided to treat the guests at the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant in Aberdeen, Hong Kong. The Jumbo Seafood Restaurant is famous for the three famous sea-painting boats moored in Sham Wan.

In the 1980s and 1990s, this seafood restaurant was used as a filming location for Hong Kong movies many times. Audiences who have watched "The God of Cookery" should be deeply impressed by the final showdown scene in the movie. That scene was filmed at the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant.

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Lin Chaoyang and the others arrived in the evening, when the sky had just darkened. The retro hull, magnificent decoration, and bright lights made the surrounding sea surface beautiful under the lights of the Treasure Seafood Restaurant.

Chen Ziqiang won the role for Maggie Cheung and treated him to a treat. Not only did he and Maggie Cheung have a treat, but he also invited Cheng Long to accompany him.

Cheng Long, who has just turned 30, is already a top star in the Hong Kong film industry. You can feel his high-spiritedness as soon as he appears. He is followed by several martial arts disciples, and he looks very majestic.

The most impressive thing about him is his shiny hair and big nose, and his warm smile when he speaks. He greets everyone warmly when he meets him.

As soon as the banquet started, he became the main force today, taking turns to toast everyone.

He is here today to help Chen Ziqiang hold up the scene. This kind of outgoing enthusiasm is an essential skill for Hong Kong artists nowadays when communicating.

"Brother Michael, the new movie is a hit!"

Cheng Long's toasting style is very rough, he basically drinks a glass of wine after saying a word, which is full of the Jianghu custom of the Hong Kong film industry in this era.

After finishing the drink, the two chatted for a few more words.

Xu Guanwen was planning a transformation, and so was Cheng Long, but his transformation path was a step faster than Xu Guanwen's.

Cheng Long became famous in "Snake", and later made a series of comedy action movies of this type such as "Drunken Master", "Laughing Fist", "Junior Brother" and so on, all of which achieved good results.

During this period, his image has always been that of the "kung fu boy" who punished criminals and eliminated evil in the old colonies. His inimitable comedy, stunts, and affinity became his signature.

He became another kung fu star in the Hong Kong film industry after Bruce Lee, and gained huge influence in Southeast Asia.

However, these works and achievements made Cheng Long successful, but also restricted his image and acting style.

In order to become a Kung Fu superstar with global influence like Bruce Lee, Cheng Long must break the restrictions and create a more unique style of his own.
To be continued...