I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 223 221. The mysterious age

"What are you going to do next?"

Xu Xin asked while holding the freshly served bamboo shoots cold dish.

"Do you have any plans for your career?"

"..."

Zhang Jiao shook her head slightly:

"I said my plan is to take it one step at a time, do you believe it?"

"Believe it. Why don't you believe it?"

Xu Xin was not surprised at all:

"How can a person at a young age be able to see clearly all the things that he encounters, encounters, or accidents in his life? Don't many people just take it one step at a time?"

"……Um."

Hearing this, Zhang Jiao seemed to agree very much and continued:

"So I didn't think much about it. Anyway, I was working at that time. Although my family spent hundreds of thousands on me to go to college... I could only get a few thousand yuan in salary after I came out. In addition to food and drink, I wanted to use the rest of my salary. It is a fantasy to fill the gap of hundreds of thousands... But now I can only take one step at a time. If nothing happens, maybe in three or five years, I will be able to set up my own service school. The studio... If we can get to know some people... like you, Director Xu, and give us some orders when we make movies, I can live a good life."

"Ha~"

Xu Xin couldn't help laughing.

This is not the end yet, let’s start laying the foundation for the relationship.

This girl...

However, he didn't say "no" either.

In fact, strictly speaking, each crew is a "mine".

Regardless of the profitability of this mine, Party A of the mine is the investor, and Party B is the director and crew. After taking over the mine, if the mine is to be constructed, a contractor will be needed. The companies Zhang Jiao mentioned in Fuhua Road are actually equivalent to Party B working for Party B.

Belongs to the lowest level of the interest chain.

Can you make money?

Definitely.

But it’s destined that if you can’t be the best in the industry… you won’t be able to make much money.

Of course, Xu Xin's "big money" was measured in hundreds of millions.

Zhang Jiao was indeed thinking of a way out.

If you want to get a project from Party B, you must rely on relationships or profits.

As for talent and such...

There are too many talented people in the market, but there are also too many people who are underappreciated.

These people can kill people just by getting involved.

Before success, talent is equal to shit.

Guo Degang's famous saying.

Therefore, what a company like hers needs is various human resources.

From this point of view, the little girl understands clearly what her current career prospects are, and the planned route is reasonable.

only……

"You really don't want to continue walking?"

Hearing this, Zhang Jiao was a little stunned.

Looking at the handsome guy who was looking at him inch by inch with his eyes...

She actually had to admit that people like Director Xu were quite lethal to women.

Maybe it's because of the hairstyle? Or maybe it's because of those eyes that look like a frown and a cold expression when looking at others seriously?

Or maybe it's the...inexplicable aura that the whole thing exudes.

Director Xu is particularly like the kind of person who... at one glance, one would think that this person seems to have very low desires and is very cold. But after the first glance leaves this impression, it will make people want to try it.

I especially want to see the contrast between this cold character with a "low desire" face and being crazy because of "himself".

It has nothing to do with the flesh or lust.

Zhang Jiao doesn't understand what others think.

But she felt that...if Director Xu were her boyfriend, what she wanted to see most was his indifference and obsession with her...

This is a man who can arouse women's desire to win and possessiveness.

Without contact, you can't see it.

You can feel it after contact.

The more sober he is and keeps a rational distance from you, the more you will have the urge to make him crazy about you and even surrender to you.

Therefore, she sometimes envied Yang Mi.

But more curious...

What's so magical about Yang Mi? She can make the man in front of her look so frigid, yet he has been in love with her for more than two years.

After all... even the circle of small actors and extras is in such a mess.

She really couldn't imagine what the circle of people like Yang Mi, who had become famous and popular in the past two years, was like.

However, these curiosity and speculation did not affect her answer to Director Xu's questions.

On the contrary, what made her willing to open her heart was to chat with Director Xu in this small shop.

"What does Director Xu imagine the life of a group actor is like?"

In her eyes.

Director Xu is a dragon.

Flying very high.

He could see the mountains and the earth.

But I can't see how the insects in the mountains and forests live.

really.

After Xu Xin heard this, he thought about it and said:

"Every morning I get up early and go to the group leader to take over the work. Sometimes it ends quickly, and the work ends in the morning. Sometimes it ends slowly, or I'm unlucky, so I can only do the same as the time of "Golden Armor", staying there every day Waiting in the crew. When it gets hot, I find a cool place to hide from the sun. When it gets cold, I hold a hot water bottle and shiver next to me.

Then... look at those celebrities, big names, with tens, hundreds, or even tens of millions of dollars in salary, in front of the camera, with all the attention, and behind the camera, everyone is cheering. In my mind, I imagined when I would be able to live such a life...and then I would risk everything for such a life. "

As he spoke, he waved his hand:

"Of course, it doesn't mean that all extras are like this. If you put aside some interests, intrigues and so on. To sum up, just follow the normal schedule. Work during the day, come back from work at night, whether you are attending acting training classes That’s fine, I’d better figure it out by myself with a book, watch movies and imitate. I’ll be busy until 11 or 12 o’clock, then go to bed. Day after day.”

"Um……"

After hearing his two paragraphs of discussion, Zhang Jiao nodded:

"Director Xu, you are right. Leaving aside those off-site factors, these are indeed the lives of many extras. In fact, they are no different from office workers... So when do you think you are the most tired every day?"

"While working, of course."

"..."

Seeing her pursed lips, Xu Xin tilted his head in surprise:

"What? What I said is wrong?"

"...It's not wrong, let me tell you this. Of course, I only tell you what I saw and heard. I don't know if everyone is like this."

"Yeah, tell me."

"For me...huh..."

Suddenly, Zhang Jiao took a deep breath, drank a sip of Coke, then shook her head and said:

"The hardest part is actually the time after get off work."

"...?"

Seeing Xu Xin's confused look, Zhang Jiao said directly:

"After the filming of "Golden Armor" was completed, Baozi went to Suzhou and Hangzhou."

"Um."

"Then I will follow Sister Chen..."

"Who is Sister Chen?"

"The leader of our group."

"oh oh."

"When I was following Sister Chen, it was just because I was a stand-in in "The Golden Armor". Although it wasn't popular, I had roles every day. And they all paid hundreds of dollars more..."

"Well, then?"

"Then I joined a crew once. It was nothing at first, I just worked and got paid... But then after I got home, Sister Chen called me out and told me that the director of the crew was having dinner with several directors. ...I need to call some beauties over to liven up the atmosphere. Sister Chen wants me to go..."

"went?"

"went."

Zhang Jiao nodded:

"At first I thought it was an opportunity to get to know a few more directors, and maybe there would be a suitable role for me. So I went... maybe I had never experienced this. When I was eating, I felt something was wrong, just like that... ...Hooking each other up, you know?"

"..."

"At first, I thought it was just a joke. I just ate and drank with these directors. I didn't say that my connections would be useful immediately, but at least I got to know each other. Although I didn't like it, I really drank a lot that day, and they cheered to me. I'll do it! I originally thought it would be over after drinking, but after the dinner, the director asked me and him to get in the car... Then I saw the female extras getting into the car separately, and I realized... What’s the next show?”

"Then?"

"Then I ran away..."

"..."

When Xu Xin was speechless, Zhang Jiao smiled awkwardly:

"I drank too much at the time, and there was a problem in my mind. I just... didn't want to go, so I made an excuse to go to the bathroom, returned to the hotel and left through the back door. The phone was also turned off, just for fear that he would find me. Then. I went to bed... After I slept until dawn, I turned on the phone... and then I received a few text messages. What Sister Chen meant was... I don't want the opportunity that was given to me, and because of me, Sister Chen offended me. I won’t go to that crew anymore. I won’t have to go there anymore.”

"Well……"

"Then you know, the group leaders are all connected. They all have their own communication circles. After I couldn't go, Sister Chen, I thought about changing the group leaders. When I found a group leader, the first thing I asked was Me: Are you the one who ran away as Sister Chen said?... Before I could react, he asked me: In one sentence, I want you to accompany me for a drink, do you want to accompany me? After I said no... he kicked me out. I am leaving."

"..."

"I have been looking for several people in a row. As soon as they saw my name, they all knew... This girl named "Zhang Jiao" is not sensible. She won't drink or sleep with her, and she will let others go. If she accepts me, she will be offended at any time. Because of the risk to the crew, no one would dare to hire me... I still didn't give up, so I thought about using my stage name instead of my real name... So I got a photocopy of the ID card of the P picture, and changed my name to Zhang Jiao instead of Zhang Jiao. Zhang Ai...Xiao Ai is actually my nickname. Anyway, the money given by the group leader is in cash, and I don't say that I did a photo replacement for "Golden Armor", so I just added the school beauty resume to my resume... "

"...????"

Xu Xin was stunned:

"what?"

"School beauty resume. Just say what you are as a school beauty~...Actually, this is considered an unspoken rule here."

Zhang Jiao was a little embarrassed and whispered:

"If you look through the resumes of the extras, out of ten, nine are the school beauties of XX University. The ones who are a bit more cheeky are the school beauties of a certain performing arts school... The ones who are thicker are the beauties of Beijing Film Academy, China Theater and Shangxi Theater. I have a good relationship with XX artist. I am a roommate of some star. I have everything. You don’t need to believe it when you see it in the future. Ninety-nine resumes from one hundred people are all fake."

"Well……"

Xu Xin, who was really knowledgeable, nodded:

"What an exaggeration..."

"Well... Anyway, after changing my name, I can take on the work normally. But... the person who likes me has changed from the level of director, producer, assistant director, to a certain set manager, or prop... or What are you doing..."

"..."

Xu Xin's mouth twitched.

And Zhang Jiao herself was happy.

"Anyway, it's quite an exaggeration. Of course, Director Xu, I'm not saying... how beautiful I am, but... this is a process that must be experienced. Do you understand what I mean? If I use Zhang Ai's name, Later, I was not discovered by Sister Chen's people, and the group leader who asked me to follow kicked me out... In fact, I can continue to work in this industry. But... every... slightly attractive group actor has to Go through this process.

People will ask you whether to accompany you or not. If you accompany me, your chances will definitely be greater than others. Speaking of which...this place is actually quite difficult. Once I came here, the filming time was only one month, and the time was two or three months longer... Not to mention men, women are also lonely... I won't mention their names, but at least I met a few during that time... Dew couple, do you understand what I mean? "

Speaking of this, she seemed to have discovered something inappropriate in her words.

He quickly added another sentence:

"Of course, there are still many people who can endure loneliness... They are not all bad people here."

Xu Xin took this as fart.

She didn’t think she was insinuating anyone, so she just nodded:

"So you won't do it?"

"Yes. Because... it's too hard. Sometimes I'm afraid to answer the phone after work. You may not understand how I feel. I'm afraid when the phone rings. I'm afraid that the group leader will suddenly call me and ask me to turn into a mask. Put on makeup and dress more coquettishly... just like my roommate after Baozi left. After being played for nothing for several months, she even laughed at this small role herself after the crew patted her ass and left. The remuneration from the film is not as good as selling it yourself, you can make more money."

"..."

"Anyway...after seeing, seeing, and experiencing...I felt...I didn't like it. Then Baozi just happened to come back, and we lived together again. She was protected by Huayi...although I didn't know it either. Would this happen in a big company... But I think even if it did, the big guys wouldn't be interested in a young actor of Baozi's level.

At most, she can be regarded as a "reserve force"...

Of course, it's just my guess. But I am also afraid that she will encounter a situation like me in the future, so I asked her not to put all her hopes in the company, but to run one by one on her own... no matter how big or small the role is... it's okay, at least it seems that the future is right It's quite the right move.

She is very down-to-earth, Director Xu. Although he seems unreliable sometimes, he is very kind, enthusiastic and loyal. And she is very down-to-earth. She is really studying her acting skills, attending acting training classes, and she is also very able to endure hardship..."

"Stop, stop, stop."

Seeing her start to promote Zhao Liying nonstop, Xu Xin waved his hands speechlessly:

"I know you two have a good relationship, but you don't need to praise her here. She has Hua Yi as her backer, so it's better for you to consider yourself than to consider her... What? Are you pinning your acting dream on her?"

"..."

Zhang Jiao's face suddenly became a little embarrassed.

But it can't be denied...

Indeed...after seeing Gong Li's acting skills, her dream of becoming an actress has never been extinguished.

And the same... After seeing Yang Mi, who was almost unknown before she played Jiang Chan, after "The Golden Armor", she went from becoming famous overnight in "The Girl" to "The Condor" and "The Secret". The increase in popularity and the explosion of popularity after "Wulin Gaiden"...

After witnessing the birth of a star with his own eyes and looking at Yang Mi today, the fire in Zhang Jiao's heart was burning like never before.

Want to go back?

think.

But what to do?

Can you go back?

dream?

Give me a break.

It would be nice if you don’t meet a scumbag who refuses to pay you after playing...

Thinking of this, she unconsciously stirred the barely moved wontons...and suddenly gave a wry smile:

"I said I once had a dream about a steamed bun fire, and then I gave her the dream of being an agent. Do you believe it?"

"broker?"

"Um."

"I just dreamed that Baozi suddenly became... a very popular artist. Then I was her manager... or assistant? That's what it meant anyway. Then she made a lot of money, and she shared it equally with me. Half of each of us..."

"..."

Xu Xin's mouth twitched...

I wonder if this dream you had was in broad daylight?

Looking at Xu Xin's expression, the bitter smile on Zhang Jiao's face turned into an awkward smile:

"Director Xu, please don't laugh. I'm just dreaming. I really dreamed about this. Then I dreamed that I bought a big house in Yanjing and Shanghai, right next to Baozi. We have a very good relationship, even the children We were born at the same time... Not to mention being lifelong friends, I will always be by her side in everything.

I won all the awards with her, including the Oscar... She's so famous. Wherever I go, people know that I am Baozi's manager and are very respectful to me, because everyone knows that I have made Baozi famous, including the artists who all nod and bow to me... I have a lot of money and bought a lot of luxury goods. , and a very handsome husband... Do you think this dream is a dream or a nightmare? "

"It should be a sweet dream..."

Xu Xin thought about it and said:

"You have a reputation that is not inferior to that of celebrities, which makes celebrities flock to you and want to become the next Zhao Liying. This is a symbol of identity and status, and it is also a manifestation of ability. In addition to those luxury goods, a lot of money and so on The symbol of money, and the yearning for love with a particularly handsome husband... This dream is a beautiful dream no matter how you look at it."

"But I cried."

"..."

"I woke up crying. My pillow was wet when I woke up."

"...Are you sure it's not saliva?"

"..."

Zhang Jiao was speechless.

Can you, the old man, also ask this?

She shook her head speechlessly and sighed:

"well……"

"So, it's a nightmare, right? Because..."

Xu Xin thought for a while and asked tentatively:

"Unwilling?...Regret? It's a pity that Baozi's role is not you?...I think there should be more of the latter, right? Because all your selfish desires were satisfied in the dream. Money, status, love, career...and The only thing that remains unsatisfied is probably the dream of becoming a star, right? So, it’s a pity, right?”

"...You are really amazing, really."

Zhang Jiao nodded sincerely:

"Yes, after I woke up, I told Baozi about it. Baozi was very happy and said it was a good omen... But I didn't say that I cried because I couldn't figure out why I cried. Until... she Hold me and say Jiaojiao, don’t worry, I’m going to become a big star, and what’s mine is yours!

...I also said, I said forget it, you like money so much, just a 55-cent account will drive you crazy.

Then Baozi was a little embarrassed... In fact, I could tell that she also thought this request was impossible. Because the positions of managers and artists are different, right? But...it was also from that time that I actually knew. I don't mean to raise money from Baozi, even if I become a big star, Baozi is my manager, I can't give it 50%. I just understood one thing at that time, and that was..."

"My father has my mother, it's better to have it myself."

"..."

Listening to Xu Xin's final conclusion, Zhang Jiao was speechless again.

because……

Director Xu is right.

From Baozi's joy, she understood...she wanted to stand in front of people more than her agent.

Girls are all vain.

No matter what the agent is, he is destined to be only the planner and giver behind.

And the only ones who can really stand in the spotlight are artists.

At this time, Xu Xin's words reached her ears:

"If you are so unwilling, why don't you listen to me, systemize your acting skills, and then take another path? You don't want to be an extra, because I think this circle is chaotic. You also want to make connections, and you want to continue to stand in front of people... Then why not systematize your acting skills and move on?"

"Because of time, Director Xu."

Looking at Xu Xin eating the fragrant meat pie, Zhang Jiao shook her head helplessly:

"Director Xu, how old are you...?"

"Eight-six."

"...What month is it?"

"August. I am one month and a few days older than Yang Mi."

"...You are two months older than me."

"ah?"

Xu Xin was stunned and asked:

"Weren't you just coming of age when you filmed "The Golden Jacket"?"

The maids in "The Golden Armor" all wear corsets.

Regardless of whether there is any suspicion of selling meat, before filming, Zhang Yimou specifically requested that all extras must be over 18 years old.

Otherwise, you will definitely get into trouble.

The crew is very stuck in this regard.

When she was chosen to be the replacement, Xu Xin also read her information. It showed that she was 88 years old and was already an adult.

But now she says that she is two months older than her?

After being stunned for a moment, he reacted:

"Did you lie about your age?"

"..."

Zhang Jiao blushed...

But he still nodded:

"Well...because I decided to be an actor, I thought the younger the better, so I changed my age to 1988."

"So...you are 23 this year?"

"No! 20!"

Not to mention her false age, even her real age was suppressed by two years.

Xu Xin was speechless after hearing this:

"Can you be real?"

"To be honest, it's 20! I was born in 1988! I have an ID card!~"

"..."

Although I don’t know why this sister is so sensitive about age, Xu Xin just let her go:

"Well, what then? What do you want to express?"

"I am twenty years old now. If I listen to you, Director Xu..."

"Don't talk nonsense. I told you this in 2006. Weren't you only eighteen at that time?"

Xu Xin was even more speechless.

After Zhang Jiao was stunned for a moment, she also reflected...

Then he nodded quickly:

"Yes, yes, yes."

"..."

"..."

The two looked at each other for a while, and Zhang Jiao sighed:

"So... one wrong step, one wrong step after another. If I could have realized that I was only eighteen at that time, I would have definitely done what you said. Save some money and take the Beijing Film Academy exam... But at that time... I forget."

"..."

This "I forgot" seems very essential to Xu Xin.

I saw Zhang Jiao with a wry smile on her face:

"After you said that, I went to check and found that the enrollment for the second half of the year at Beijing Film Academy has ended. If you want to take the exam, you have to wait until 2007. I was thinking, in 2007, I will be 21. After studying for 4 years, I will be 25 Years old...Why don't you continue to work as an extra when you come back? Why waste that time?...It's so naive. Sigh~"

With a long sigh, she shook her head slightly:

"I just wanted to overtake in a corner, but it turned out that I was the one who deceived me. And I didn't go that year. Director Xu, how can I go now? Even if I was born in 1988, I am still 20 years old now. Wait. In two years, I will be 25 again... Actresses eat like this to commemorate their youth. I, a 25-year-old aunt, am going to compete with those 18-year-old girls... How can I compete?"

"..."

Hearing this, Xu Xin was really speechless.

"Who stipulates that actresses only live for their youth? What do you think of acting, movies, etc.?"

"I did not mean that."

Zhang Jiao quickly shook her head:

"I mean……"

"A star, right? A star's best years are those few years."

"right!"

Zhang Jiao relaxed a little when she saw that he didn't blame her.

Then his eyes were full of bitterness:

"Do you think I don't want to be someone like Sister Mi? In my early twenties, I can stand on the red carpet that attracts everyone's attention and be supported by everyone. Sister Mi has made it step by step year by year, what about me? I'm going to Beijing Film Academy now... I won't say whether I pass the exam or not, but what happens after I pass the exam?

Just like this year. I went to school in September this year, but four years later... I just graduated in 2012, and then I stood next to a group of 20-year-old "kids". If it was an actor, how could I compete with them if I was an actress? Woolen cloth? After struggling and struggling, people are in their prime when they are in their mid-twenties, and I will be celebrating New Year's Eve. "

Speaking of this, she waved her hands in disinterest:

"So, no fighting, no grabbing. I don't regret my choice either... I'll just take my time, do this first, and then see if there are any other development opportunities. Acting?... Ha."

The waning interest turned into a bitter smile again:

"This dream is too expensive, I can't afford it."

"..."

Hearing this, Xu Xin stopped talking.

He is not qualified to make decisions about other people's lives.

Make suggestions at most.

So, the two of them began to eat quietly.

Soon, Xu Xin’s wontons and meatloaf were sold out.

He wiped his mouth, drank all the Coke, and nodded secretly.

Not to mention, it tastes pretty good.

I'll take her here to eat tonight, she'll definitely like it.

Zhang Jiao hadn't finished eating yet, but in order not to embarrass Director Xu waiting for her, she asked:

"Director Xu, you came to me today... just to find a wonton shop?"

She still didn't give up and wanted to push the bun...

But who would have thought that as soon as he finished asking this question, Xu Xin shook his head:

"On the one hand, it's because of this. On the other hand, Yang Mi asked me to come find you."

"……ah?"

Zhang Jiao was stunned:

"Sister Mi, you're looking for me? Why are you looking for me? What's the matter?"

"Um."

Xu Xin responded and glanced at the boss who was sitting at the table next to him, smoking and reading a newspaper...

He wanted to smoke too.

But in front of Zhang Jiao, it was not appropriate for her to smoke while she was eating.

Then he gave up the idea and then said:

"She thinks your clothes are good, and she knows you majored in fashion design. She wants you to work with her as a clothing assistant... Oh no, you are in image design. I want to ask you if you are interested..."

"..."

Zhang Jiao was stunned.