Huo Zhiming is also a well-known figure in the Chinese director circle.
He is nearly fifty years old and comes from an intellectual family, but he has a quirky and lonely personality. Many actors who have worked with him have mixed opinions about him.
Some people think he is too strict, a little unkind, and moody. People who have worked with him on the set have privately called him a "tyrant."
Some actors also think that he is very dedicated and the movies he makes can always keenly capture the feeling he wants.
Huo Zhiming's works have received mixed reviews from the audience. Some of his works are amazing, while others are difficult to watch.
But these are not the reasons why Xia Chaoqun mentioned him. His biggest problem is:
"He has no position."
Xia Chaoqun made this comment indifferently.
The most direct manifestation of Huo Zhiming's so-called "lack of stance" is in his movies.
No one can determine the relationship between the protagonist and supporting characters in his films before the film is released, and he is completely free to do whatever he wants in editing.
It is possible that he was cast as the protagonist when the contract was signed, and was aiming to play the protagonist's role during filming, but later he changed his mind in the middle of filming, and perhaps the protagonist's role would be cut to only a shadow in the end.
Because of this characteristic, there are many good works among Huo Zhiming's films, but his films have always been the ones that investors least like to invest in, as they are considered too risky and not worth trying.
It is for this reason that most famous actors do not like to work with Huo Zhiming, for fear that he might act on a whim and make the "protagonist" worse than a passerby.
Many well-known movie stars who have worked with him ended up parting ways with him on bad terms. He does not have a good reputation in the circle and is currently in a very embarrassing position.
He is neither an unknown new director nor has he made many well-received works. In terms of status and position, his qualifications are no less than those of well-known domestic directors such as Ning Zhanping and Zhao Rang.
But he has been known as a great director, but he has not released any new works for many years. Except for his former fans, perhaps young audiences may not even know him.
His movies are too unstable. Xia Chaoqun solemnly reminded Jiang Se:
"You've read the novel, right? Haven't you seen the script yet?"
What she said was true. When Jiang Se got the thick materials of these scripts, he only read the novels and had not had time to read the scripts, outlines, and character personalities.
As soon as Xia Chaoqun finished speaking, Jiang Se went to find the folder labeled "Criminal Suspect". After opening it, he saw the words "Director: Huo Zhiming" written on the script of "Criminal Suspect". Even Huo Zhiming's name was written in the screenwriter's section.
“His films are so inconsistent.”
It has been nearly six years since his last movie was released. And six years ago, when his movie was released, it was criticized a lot. After watching the movie, many viewers made direct comments, saying that Huo Zhiming was old and should quit the industry and go home to retire.
Even some of his die-hard fans expressed their disappointment: Was Huo Zhiming forced to film this drama, or was he so short of money that he compromised with reality, and so on
"The reputation of his last play may affect this one."
Most importantly, Xia Chaoqun held the phone between his cheeks and reached out to look through the information, and also found the information about the movie "Criminal Suspect":
"Because of the reasons I mentioned above, no one is willing to invest in his film."
She said this and asked Jiang Se:
"Under such circumstances, Sese, do you still insist that you are interested in the play "Criminal Suspect"?"
Jiang Se didn't say anything, and Xia Chaoqun didn't mind her silence. "He's old, too independent, and too stubborn. His aesthetics may not be able to keep up with the trend and attract the public."
If I really cooperate with him, it would be no less than a big adventure.
"You are becoming more and more famous now, and your career has just started. It is too risky for you to take this film. I am not afraid to tell you directly that the chairman had someone put this film in a pile of information and asked me to give it to you to choose."
When Luo Yin was young, he had a friendship with Huo Zhiming. This time, no one knew why Luo Yin came forward to do this, but Xia Chaoqun was obviously not curious about the inside story:
"Let me remind you that among the stars signed by Century Galaxy, almost every one of them has a copy of this information."
When Jiang Se heard this, his eyebrows twitched. Xia Chaoqun continued:
"Don't blame me for being so ruthless. Huo Zhiming has gotten to this point now, and he doesn't even have any investors. He's not even sure if he can pay the actors!"
When she said such disdainful words in a calm and composed tone, Jiang Se couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Sister Chaoqun, I am still interested in this movie. I think the character of Zhong Qi is very interesting."
After she said this, Xia Chaoqun on the other end of the phone didn't speak. Jiang Se wondered what expression Xia Chaoqun would have when he heard what she said.
"How about we find some time some other day and meet with Director Huo to decide?"
Xia Chaoqun had been with Jiang Se for such a long time and had some understanding of her personality.
People like her are gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. Once she makes a decision, it is difficult to change her mind. Don't listen to her tone of discussing with Xia Chaoqun at this time, but if she didn't mean to do so, she wouldn't even mention it to Xia Chaoqun. Once she brought up this matter and mentioned that she wanted to meet Huo Zhiming, Xia Chaoqun knew that she was probably determined and it would be very difficult to change her decision.
"Do you want me to remind you again?"
Xia Chaoqun's tone was somewhat cold, "All the smart stars in Century Galaxy have tried every possible way to decline this script."
Jiang Se heard the hidden meaning in her words and couldn't help laughing again:
"Just meet once and see what happens."
Huo Zhiming's reputation has reached the point where many people in the circle are unwilling to cooperate with him anymore. It can be said that everyone is avoiding him as much as possible.
Jiang Se insisted on meeting Huo Zhiming. Xia Chaoqun fulfilled her obligation to remind him and finally wrote down this itinerary. But before hanging up the phone, she couldn't help but be curious:
"Can I ask you one more question?"
"certainly."
Jiang Se was somewhat curious about what she wanted to ask. Compared with Mo Anqi's strong curiosity, Xia Chaoqun was simply not like a woman. She never inquired about gossip and rumors in the entertainment industry, and she had no curiosity. She only looked at the results and not the process. She didn't talk nonsense that was irrelevant to the business, and always got straight to the point.
Her face was always calm and peaceful, and it was rare to see a different expression on her face. (To be continued)