If Jiang Ling were to play Consort Qi, who would play Consort Hua?
Zheng Xiaolong said calmly, "Miss Jiang, are you serious? Consort Qi’s role isn't as significant as Consort Hua's, and the character isn't as prominent. Have you thought this through carefully?"
Jiang Ling’s gaze was firm. "I've thought it through. I choose to save Consort Qi, and I will never regret it!"
With her words spoken, Zheng Xiaolong was helpless.
It was he who had initially asked Jiang Ling to choose herself. If he were to go back on his word now, what would that make him?
There was no other option but to find another actress to play Consort Hua.
And so, the role of Consort Qi was settled.
"Miss Jiang, your accommodation has all been arranged by the production crew."
As Zheng Xiaolong spoke, he turned to his assistant.
The assistant understood and nodded, making a gesture of invitation. "Miss Jiang, please follow me!"
Jiang Ling and Sister Sa then dragged their luggage and followed.
"Director Zheng, you're really going to let her play Consort Qi? Such a beautiful face, such excellent acting skills, using a butcher knife to kill a chicken, it's such a waste!"
The assistant director, who had been quietly standing by, couldn't help but speak up after Jiang Ling had left.
"What else can we do? Given her status today, there are countless people eager for her to act in their productions. We've finally managed to invite her. Are we really going to fall out with her over a role?"
Although Zheng Xiaolong desperately wanted Jiang Ling to play Consort Hua, he understood in his heart that he couldn't force the issue, as it would only be counterproductive.
From the project's inception, through filming, to broadcast, the personnel involved in a production can generally be divided into three categories:
Actors, directors, and investors.
Among these, investors hold the most power, as money is king. Directors come second, while actors are often in a weaker position.
However, this relationship is not set in stone.
If the director responsible for filming is a top-tier figure in the industry, even investors dare not offend them lightly.
A select few directors are so powerful that they even dare to directly refuse actors that investors try to force into roles through connections.
Similarly, if an artist's caliber or personal popularity reaches its peak, and investors are begging them to act, directors will treat you like a treasured deity.
Especially in today's era where traffic and popularity reign supreme, this phenomenon has almost become the norm.
Young male and female stars with immense traffic and fan bases often throw tantrums, refusing to act, insisting on using stand-ins, wildly altering scripts, adding scenes haphazardly, and demanding exorbitant fees.
A director who dares to complain even slightly might be subjected to a torrent of abuse.
This bizarre and distorted situation is also a contributing factor to the proliferation of mediocre domestic dramas.
But there's nothing to be done. Movies and television dramas today desperately need traffic and exposure. Without inviting popular stars or highly acclaimed actors, it's extremely difficult to sustain them.
Even if a director pursues artistic merit and is willing to work for the love of the craft, disregarding viewership ratings,
Investors will not agree. After all, they invest to make money, not to engage in charity.
While Zheng Xiaolong is a leading director in the industry and holds significant sway in filmmaking,
He cannot overcome Jiang Ling's extremely high caliber.
She not only possesses terrifying traffic surpassing that of A-list stars but also boasts formidable acting skills.
Both directors and investors treasure her, flocking to her with eager anticipation.
Who would dare to offend her?
Do they not want ratings?