It's true that Jiang Yuqian really needs this opportunity now, but she is not at the point of constantly lowering her bottom line.
Ultimately, she wants to go international to make her career better, not to cross a bottom line and make people in Hollywood think that she is a cheap actor.
She didn't say that she had to get a very high salary before she could act in a certain movie.
If the film production budget is limited, each actor's pay is very low, and she really likes the script, then of course she can lower her pay a bit.
But how can it be possible if her pay is kept so low while others can get normal pay?
"In the final analysis, it's because they knew that the film we were in contact with, 'Doomsday', was shelved, so our subsequent schedule was vacant. They also knew that we had been actively contacting the heroine of a Hollywood movie, so they maliciously lowered the price, thinking that we would agree," said He Heng.
Jiang Yuqian took a deep breath and shook her head.
"Our actions were indeed a bit obvious. Everything was written on our faces and was clearly seen by others," Jiang Yuqian said. "Begging others to take on a project is completely different from others begging me to take on a project."
"To put it bluntly, they see that we are Asian and they know that we want to be in Hollywood movies, so they think they can control us."
He Heng sighed in annoyance, and then said to Jiang Yuqian: "Actually, I have been reflecting on one thing recently."
"What's the matter?" Jiang Yuqian asked.
"Are we too obsessed with participating in Hollywood TV series?" He Heng said, "Especially since we have seen Yan He's success, we always subconsciously benchmark and refer to him. Of course, I am not saying that TV series are not important. What I mean is that many popular stars may not have such successful TV series. We should not accept unsuitable TV series and movies, and there is no need to force it."
If you choose to be a celebrity, the success of your film and television works is secondary. The key is whether you are popular enough and whether you are always being noticed by everyone.
Jiang Yuqian said: "But if we want to go the international route and not participate in Hollywood movies and TV series, how can we let people around the world see me through Hollywood's global publicity channels?"
He Heng said: "This is the question I really want to talk to you about. When we go international, do we really want to become a star with international fame and influence, or do we use the internationalization route to become a label for you among Chinese stars? In fact, the main base is still in China. These are two different concepts."
Jiang Yuqian understood.
She looked at He Heng with some surprise.
He Heng said: "If it is the former, then we have to continue to work so hard to find projects and resources, but if it is the latter, our current strategy should change. We can only produce one Hollywood TV series every two or three years at most. It is enough for us to attend more international events on weekdays."
Jiang Yuqian quickly understood what He Heng meant.
In fact, it is not difficult for Jiang Yuqian to act in some overseas TV series. With the drama "Squid Game", she is no longer unknown to various overseas production companies, and is also a Chinese actress with a certain degree of popularity in everyone's mind. For Jiang Yuqian now, the resources she can get are the leading roles of some mainstream, A-level productions, the real commercial title of being the global spokesperson of a top brand, and the single cover of an important month of a top fashion magazine...
If Jiang Yuqian really wants to take a truly international path and become a female star known by the world, then she cannot turn a blind eye to these difficult resources and must try her best to conquer them and gild her resume. But if, as He Heng said, she just needs an "international" label to consolidate her position as a female star in China, she doesn't have to work so hard. As long as she appears in some international occasions as a Chinese actress from time to time, it is enough for her to maintain her current position.
Jiang Yuqian hardly hesitated.
"While I can still fight, I still want to fight." Jiang Yuqian said, "Since we have put forward the slogan of going international, if I just want to be an international star in the eyes of Chinese people, it would be too self-deception and meaningless. If I really can't make it in the future, I can only use this method to get by. Now... I think, it's okay, just fight, every level is difficult and every level is passed. If they are unwilling to pay the normal market price for this role, then I won't play it."
He Heng nodded.
"Then we don't know when we will get the next chance to play the leading role in a Hollywood movie," she reminded.
"It's okay." Jiang Yuqian nodded. "There really is no work to do in Hollywood. I have work to do in China, so why do I have to come here and suffer this loss? Besides, it's fine as before. I can play a supporting role with only two or three scenes in a big director's film. I am willing to do that. But if you let me play the leading role but give me a salary that is not even as good as that of a supporting role, I can't bring myself to do that. It's embarrassing."
He Heng: "That's true. Once this matter is exposed, it will be really embarrassing."
"Oh, right." He Heng suddenly remembered something and asked, "Have you heard about the news that Li Zhibai is going to star in "Buried Alive"?"
"I heard about it." Jiang Yuqian nodded, "What's wrong?"
"Haven't you talked to Lu Yanhe privately? Since he has a script like "Buried Alive" in which Li Zhibai can play the leading role, he might also have a script for you to play the leading female role." He Heng said.
Jiang Yuqian: "Maybe, but let's not bother him. If he really has a role suitable for me, he will definitely tell me, and I don't need to ask. And, Sister Heng, I hope that in addition to Yan He, we can also accumulate our own connections and strength overseas. I especially admire Yan He for one thing. Wherever he goes, he can put down his roots. For example, the movie "Buried" was developed by his production company in the United States and the production company of director Lune Reese."
"His situation is special. We can't just learn from him." He Heng shook his head. "If he didn't have the identity of a screenwriter and didn't write scripts like Buried and Source Code, he would just be a very representative actor among Asians in Hollywood. He wouldn't be able to directly enter the development stage of some projects like he is now."
Jiang Yuqian asked: "Sister Heng, do you think it is possible for me to lead the development of a work?"
"Ah?" He Heng was stunned.
"For example, I've read a very good novel and I think it's suitable to be developed into a movie or TV series. I'll buy the copyright and develop it," Jiang Yuqian said. "The idea is good, but it's hard to realize. Just look at Li Zhibai's "Nineteen Years of Crime Records". He Heng said, "It takes a lot of effort to develop a project from scratch. Unless you do nothing for a year and devote all your efforts to this project, you have to find someone who understands what you're thinking and what you want to achieve, to help you be a producer and take care of these things."
Jiang Yuqian nodded.
"But I think what Yan He said is right. If actors want to have the right to speak and control their careers, they can't just passively wait for scripts to come to them." Jiang Yuqian said, "There was no way before, but now I want to slowly get in touch with this aspect."
He Heng: "Of course, that's also possible."
Jiang Yuqian: "In fact, every time I encounter some problems in my own career, I can't help but be surprised by Lu Yanhe. You see, every step he takes is extremely accurate, and looking back, it has the effect of preparing for a rainy day. We are still spinning in the track of actors, but he has already opened up a new track. You really can't compare people."
"There's no need to compare. Everyone is different. In fact, our domestic film and television industry has not become a global center like the United States. Otherwise, as long as you are a top female star in China, you will naturally be famous all over the world." He Heng said, "You have actually done very well. As for someone like Lu Yanhe, let alone China, do you think there are any young people in Hollywood who can compete with him?"
"Don't say it. Every time I see some new moves he makes in Hollywood, I want to ask myself, what am I doing? Why do I feel like he and I are not in the same Hollywood? His projects come one after another, but I keep hitting a wall." Jiang Yuqian nodded and said firmly, "In the end, it's because I don't have core competitiveness. This is the most critical thing."
He Heng nodded, "On the one hand, he is very capable, and on the other hand, he is really lucky. You see, in the movie The Mist, he is just a villain. Although he is also the lead actor, the focus is not on him. However, since the beginning of filming, there have been several news stories about him and his Asian identity, which have gradually shifted the focus of the movie to him. Before the movie was released, even the promotional strategy of the movie became a story about how an Asian ghost avenges the brutal murder of his family.
It was really luck that was on his side. If it weren't for this reason, people wouldn't have attributed much of the success of The Mist to him. He is also highly valued for the Asian market he represents. This movie showed Hollywood that Asians have a box office market. There was no such consensus before. That's why we've come across quite a few English scripts with Asian characters over the past year. There weren't that many before."
He Heng added: "So, I think this is also an advantage for you. You have a representative work, you are Asian, and you have caught up with the trend of Asian roles in Hollywood. In addition to this kind of vicious price-cutting project, we still have other projects to choose from. If it were a few years ago, if you wanted to make it to Hollywood, you might not come across an Asian role with lines in a year."
Jiang Yuqian: "The Asians I met here basically all talked about The Mist. I can really feel what this movie means to the Asian community in Hollywood."
"Will The Mist also be developing a sequel?" He Heng said, "It will start filming next year. I think the sequel will definitely play the Asian card more prominently. Maybe there will be a role suitable for you. Then you will definitely be one of the most competitive candidates."
"But they may choose actors from other countries. The Mist cannot be released in China, but it will be released in other Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan. Choosing actors from these countries will also help the local box office of the sequel to The Mist." Jiang Yuqian said, "Moreover, it can also make the film's cast more diverse. Isn't this what Hollywood is advocating the most now?"
He Heng said, "It all depends on your ability. I have already contacted A19, and A19 will also seek Lu Yanhe's opinion. It's a pity. Originally, you had a good chance of becoming the heroine of the movie "Doomsday."
Jiang Yuqian: "There is no other way."
Just then, He Heng's cell phone suddenly rang.
She took it in her hand, took a look, and said, “Wait a minute, Stephen called.”
Stephen is Jiang Yuqian's agent in the United States. He is basically responsible for Jiang Yuqian's work in the United States.
About five minutes later, He Heng came back.
She looked surprised.
"Just now, The Washington Post reported the reason behind Tom Felton's withdrawal from Doomsday. It is said that he had a drug overdose and had health problems, and he could not work normally. Stephen said that the movie Doomsday should have a turnaround and will continue to move forward. Parameter asked him about your schedule. Although there is no conclusion yet, it is very likely that it will continue to move forward."
He Heng's words made Jiang Yuqian look surprised.
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“So, Doomsday is back from the dead?”
Lu Yanhe, who had been following this project, also asked Chen Ziyan in surprise.
Chen Ziyan said: "Parameter must have spent some money in the early development of this film. Tom Felton's previous reason for withdrawing caused a lot of doubts about the film. Now it is revealed that Tom Felton's reason for withdrawing is different, so the previous reason is self-defeating. The situation of "Doomsday" has naturally ushered in a turnaround."
"However, this movie definitely still needs a top-tier celebrity like Tom Felton to star in it, so that the project can proceed normally, right?"
"It depends on whether they still plan to use the original production budget to make this movie," Chen Ziyan said. "It is also possible that the budget will be reduced and the movie will become a B-grade movie."
Lu Yanhe said: "This movie has a lot of special effects scenes. If it becomes a B-grade movie, will it be watchable?"
"Whether we can see it or not... I'm not sure. Anyway, Parameter will settle the accounts, and they won't suffer any loss."
"Not getting hurt is one thing, but if the movie is terrible, should we still help Mr. Jiang Jun compete for this movie?"
Chen Ziyan shook her head. "If it really becomes a B-grade movie, then forget it. Mr. Jiang Jun fought for it before, and he won. After all, he is the leading actor in a Hollywood A-grade production, which is of great help to his career development. But if it becomes a B-grade movie... It's not that there are no good B-grade movies, but it's not worth it for an actor in Mr. Jiang Jun's current position to fight for it. This will invisibly lower the market's recognition of him."
Lu Yanhe nodded, "I think so too. I was already embarrassed to ask Teacher Jiang Jun to help us compete with Chen Pinhe for the role."
"Then there's no need for you to feel embarrassed. It's normal for Jiang Jun to compete for a good project." Chen Ziyan said, "Even if there was no such thing between you and Chen Pinhe, I would definitely fight for Jiang Jun if I knew about this project. For resources of this level, it's impossible not to fight for the right actor."
Lu Yanhe: "I know, but we must objectively admit that I did drag him into this for my own sake. Chen Pinhe will definitely remember him."
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No, I'm still dizzy, so I'll just write this much for now. See you tomorrow. (End of this chapter)
