Superstar's Development Diary
Chapter 239 - 240: On Pretension

Chapter 239: Chapter 240: On Pretension

Sheng Yan smiled slightly, a rare expression for him that made him seem as welcoming as a spring breeze, instantly exciting the screenwriter, who considered adding a few scenes of Prince Chen smiling in the script.

However, his good mood lasted only three seconds before Sheng Yan’s calm voice came, "The idea is good, but the film has a time limit. If I remember correctly, the footage we’ve already shot is enough to edit into a two-hour movie, isn’t it?

I heard Director Chen wants to cut this movie to ninety minutes. Now, wouldn’t the material available be too much, complicating the editing process later on?"

At this moment, Director Li came over, saw the screenwriter talking with Sheng Yan, and raised an eyebrow, asking, "What are you two conspiring about behind my back?"

The screenwriter coughed and took the initiative to say, "I have a few new ideas that I want to discuss with Sheng Yan."

Upon hearing "new ideas," Director Li’s face slightly changed. He raised his finger towards the screenwriter and shook his head gravely,

"Old Wang, I’m not trying to criticize you, but aren’t your ideas a bit too frequent? Changing the plot every other day, at this rate, won’t we never finish shooting by August?

No, no, we need to finish shooting in the next few days. You just changed a scene in the script a few days ago, and we shot it in the afternoon. I thought it was good, no need to change it again."

The screenwriter sheepishly smiled, feeling somewhat guilty. This was a movie, not some weekly TV drama that could change the plot and ending according to the whims of online viewers.

Movies disfavor scattered storylines and lack of central themes, and his constant changes could end up completely altering the story, but...

"Old Li, I’m doing this for the sake of the film. I assure you, the changes will make the content richer!"

Director Li glared at him and said irritably, "I’ve heard that line hundreds of times. Can’t you change your script? No more changes; the rental for the shooting space is expiring, and we have to finish these scenes in the next few days, without any extra time to shoot new scenes!"

The screenwriter, still not giving up, argued, "Alright, alright, I won’t change the major scenes, just a minor one, it won’t take much—"

Director Li cut him off, "Even small scenes can’t be changed!"

The screenwriter stubbornly resisted, "Alright, alright, if not the scenes, then at least let me alter a few shots, I need to change those shots. I promise, after these adjustments, the whole show will be elevated. We just need a few extra shots of Sheng Yan!"

Director Li frowned, glanced at Sheng Yan, and asked, "What shots?"

The screenwriter, sensing an opportunity, relaxed a bit, patted his clothes, and said nonchalantly, "His smile, we need his smile!"

Sheng Yan, who had been silently watching, thought: "..."

How did it come back to falling on him to act? [Reluctant target.jpg]

Three days later, Sheng Yan, clad in a magnificent golden snake robe and equipped with wires, rose into the air at the director’s command. His garments fluttered elegantly, truly a sight of dignified and charming grace.

Ignoring the barely visible wires on his body, he looked as graceful as a startled swan or a mighty dragon, his eyes challenging anyone to overlook him. With a few swift movements, his longsword shimmered like light and shadow, enhancing his commanding aura.

"Good, cut!"

Wearing 3D glasses, Director Li watched the shot taken three times before it was perfected and nodded in satisfaction, exclaiming, "When it comes to showing off, no one beats Sheng Yan!"

Just as Sheng Yan was lowered down by the staff, he heard this remark and couldn’t help but look somber, silently walking over to Director Li.

Director Li saw him coming and even showed him the footage he had captured, proudly saying, "How about that, I didn’t do too bad, huh?"

Sheng Yan spoke indifferently, as if stating a fact, "When it comes to action films, Director Li’s handling is top-notch in the country."

Director Li laughed heartily and waved his hand, "Stay humble, stay humble. We must keep a low profile. The new waves push the old waves forward, and this old bone can’t compare to the new generation of directors."

Sheng Yan continued, "Director Li is being too modest. Nobody can obscure your contributions in the history of Huaxia’s directors."

Everyone likes to hear praise, and Director Li was no exception. Sheng Yan subtly complimented Director Li for a while, then shifted the conversation to ask about the arrangements for the wrap party.

Director Li calculated the production’s budget in his head, pondered for a moment, and said, "Tomorrow, your part will wrap up, and the whole play will wrap up too. Let’s have a big celebration. Everyone’s performance has been very good. If not for the script being revised time and again, everyone should have wrapped up by mid-last month."

A big celebration also meant a way to make up and reward everyone.

Sheng Yan was waiting for Director Li to say just that.

He said, "Since we are having a big wrap party, let’s invite all the actors who have taken part in the production. Let’s make it a bustling event of significant scale, which would also be good for publicity."

Director Li nodded subconsciously but then halfway through, he realized something and looked up at him puzzledly, "What did you just say?"

Sheng Yan responded unflinchingly, "If we’re doing it, let’s make it big. We can invite the extras too."

Director Li frowned, feeling something was amiss, "Isn’t that making too much of a fuss?"

Sheng Yan replied calmly, "It’s just a matter of face. The cost of a meal isn’t much. If the wrap party has more attendees, it could build momentum and perhaps even lead to a smooth and successful box office run."

Given Director Li’s age, claiming that he wasn’t at all superstitious... would be impossible.

Funding a meal for everyone in the crew wasn’t an issue; the budget was completely sufficient. It was just a matter of whether it was necessary or not.

He had been a director for so many years, and it seemed he had never heard of a wrap party that included the extras...

However, Sheng Yan’s point about building momentum made some sense to Director Li.

After a few minutes of thought, Director Li made up his mind, "Alright, let’s invite the extras too."

Sheng Yan reminded him, "Since we’re inviting the extras, it’s best to call the supporting actors and guest stars who have already left the crew as well, to avoid trouble later on."

In the entertainment circle, status is important, and if you invite such low-tier actors as extras, then the higher-tier actors must also be invited to prevent people from later suggesting that the crew disrespected certain actors, not even deeming them better than extras.

Director Li nodded, understanding this point well.

Seeing that everything was settled, Sheng Yan turned around to continue filming, and nobody noticed the faint smile that crossed his lips.

That very evening, Luo You picked He Jinxia up from the crew and announced the good news.

Luo You smiled and said, "You’re also in luck. Tomorrow, you’re heading over to Feier for a brand event, and conveniently, you’ll be able to attend the ’World’ wrap party in the evening! If it were a day earlier or later, you would have missed it. Your luck has been pretty good lately!"