Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 30 Director's Instruction

In the entertainment industry, the first thing to consider is capital, the second is family ties, and the third is one's mentor or lineage.

Clearly, this girl's innocent appearance belies her expertise.

"Hello, please have a seat."

Qi Yue nodded, sat down opposite her, and calmly looked her over.

Undeniably, this face has a great advantage in front of the camera, but "Day and Night" is not an idol drama that relies on looks; the actors still need to have acting skills.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Wei got down to business.

"Director Qi, I've looked at Nazha's basic information. She's acted in some movies and TV series before. Although her experience isn't particularly extensive, she has a strong learning ability. This time, I hope she can hone her skills in a good team. Do you see any suitable roles for her to try in 'Day and Night'?"

The words were spoken politely, but the meaning was clear.

Guo Fan, who was standing next to him, glanced at him and waited for his response.

Qi Yue didn't answer directly, but instead picked up his teacup and looked at the somewhat hesitant Nazha in front of him.

"Miss Nazha, do you know what kind of story 'Day and Night' is about?"

"Know!"

Naza jumped up from her chair, her body ramrod straight, almost saluting Qi Yue on the spot.

Guo Fan, who was standing next to him, almost couldn't hold back. Qi Yue touched his ear and pressed his hand down.

"You don't need to stand up, you can talk while sitting."

Naza blushed deeply, glanced at Xu Wei beside her, and then mustered up her courage to say:

"Sister Xu showed me the script outline. It's a very exciting crime and suspense story, and the twin body double setting is particularly appealing."

"So, what type of role are you more interested in? Or, what type do you think you're best suited for?"

Naza hesitated for a moment, "I think all the female characters are great. If possible, there's a character named 'Liu Yin,' a bar owner. She doesn't have many scenes, but she seems to have quite a story..."

Qi Yue's eyebrows twitched slightly. Liu Yin was indeed a rather outstanding supporting character in the script.

Her bar is one of the key settings. She is also very shrewd and knows a lot of secrets in the gray areas. She has connections with both the Guan brothers, Guan Hongyu and Guan Hongfeng, and is a key figure in driving the plot forward.

According to the character's description, this is a role similar to Jin Xiangyu in "Dragon Inn" and Tong Xiangyu in "My Own Swordsman", which requires a high level of acting skills from the actor.

"The character Liu Yin requires a very special quality; she needs to be both integrated into the lives of ordinary people and have a sense of detachment."

Qi Yue looked at the slightly green Gulnazar in front of him and said, "How about this, you try out a scene, the one where 'Liu Yin discovers Guan Hongyu's identity.' I'll act with you."

He chose a scene from the script where Liu Yin and Guan Hongyu first confront each other:

Guan Hongyu accidentally stumbled into the warehouse in the backyard of the Yinsu Bar, where he was caught red-handed by the proprietress, Liu Yin, and knocked unconscious. While he was unconscious, Liu Yin discovered Guan Hongyu's status as a wanted criminal. After Guan Hongyu awoke, Liu Yin confronted him in her own unique way.

Hypothetical scenario: In a warehouse, Guan Hongyu is tied to a chair with his hands behind his back.

Qi Yue quickly got into the zone. He opened his eyes and was met with a blinding white expanse in front of him.

Naza noticed Guan Hongyu was awake and tried to distract Qi Yue by pointing at her phone:

"Look where you're looking! Look here!"

.....

The scene was short and quickly came to an end.

To be fair, Nazha's performance was... rather average.

Although the accent was slightly off and the lines were fairly clear, it still felt like something was missing overall.

Liu Yin didn't fully portray the shrewdness, probing, and subtle shrewishness that a seasoned businesswoman with a long history should possess.

She was more like a pretty student trying to finish her homework than a complex woman struggling to survive in the cracks between right and wrong.

Acting skills sometimes test one's experience; if you lack it, you simply lack it. It's not something you can achieve through imagination or by reading a few theory books.

The rehearsal room fell silent.

"Has our great director made a decision?"

Xu Wei, who had been watching from the sidelines, broke the silence with a smile.

Naza stood in the center of the field, her hands unconsciously twisting together, looking at Qi Yue with a nervous expression, her beautiful big eyes filled with apprehension and anticipation.

Guo Fan glanced at Xu Wei, then at Nazha, and whispered in Qi Yue's ear...

"Qi Yue, I think...this girl is alright. At least, she has nice legs, and her overall appearance is definitely a plus."

This half-joking remark was actually a reminder to Qi Yue:

Don't take it too seriously; you have to give the sponsor face.

To be honest, even in the entertainment industry, Gulnazar's appearance is a rare resource, which is beneficial for attracting attention to dramas.

Qi Yue, of course, understood the pros and cons involved.

With an investment of 80 million, the investor is sending in a newcomer with a lot of buzz, requesting a supporting role that isn't the most central but has the potential to shine. This request isn't unreasonable.

If you stubbornly refuse, there will be a lot of trouble later.

Gulnazar's acting skills are indeed immature, but not beyond redemption.

Qi Yue is not the kind of director who simply blames the actors for their acting problems. Ultimately, the quality of an actor's performance depends on the director's ability to guide them.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many actors' acting skills, with one film being praised to the skies and another being criticized as utter garbage.

If properly trained, and given Gulnazar's natural talent and image, she might deliver a satisfactory or even surprising performance in Liu Yin's role, which has a high ceiling and where the pressure of acting alongside veteran actors is relatively dispersed.

The key lies in the director's guidance and the control of editing.

the most important is,

He needs to ensure the smooth progress of the entire project and cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains.

After a moment, Qi Yue finally spoke, his voice steady, revealing little emotion:

"Okay. Come over tomorrow for a fitting and makeup session. Let the stylist design a few looks for you based on Liu Yin's preferences."

That means you've agreed.

Xu Wei's smile deepened, clearly satisfied with the result.

Naza instantly breathed a sigh of relief, her face beaming with a surprised and grateful smile.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Qi! Thank you, Senior Brother Guo! I will definitely work hard!"

Guo Fan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully his brother wasn't some kind of art fanatic who blindly pursued purity.

"Director Qi, let's have dinner together tonight," Xu Wei suggested.

Qi Yue's phone vibrated at that moment. He picked it up and glanced at it; it was a new message from an unsaved number.

"Let's go." He stood up, his tone as usual.

Dinner was at a nice, private restaurant that offered a reasonable level of privacy.

Xu Wei, Qi Yue, Guo Fan, and the newly joined Gulnazar, the four of them sat at one table.

During the meeting, Xu Wei and Guo Fan chatted about interesting industry stories and project preparation details, while Nazha listened quietly most of the time, occasionally agreeing or asking questions in a well-behaved manner.

It's clear she cherishes this opportunity and is trying hard to fit in.

"Senior Brother Qi, Senior Brother Guo, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity! I know I still have many shortcomings, but I will definitely work hard and not let the crew down! This toast is for you!"