"Miss Ye, hey hey, I just talked with Mr. Ye on the phone,"
Zhang Mou, hunched over and with a friendly tone, greeted Ye Yinan, clearly trying to feel out the situation.
"I heard you're looking to make a movie?"
Zhang Mou had met Ye Hai a few times when he was filming in Jianghai City, so he'd seen the rich guy's daughter too. Even though they didn't have much of a relationship, he still had to be polite and warm.
Ye Yinan smiled politely, "Uncle, it's not me. It's my friend, Shen Lang."
"Oh, hello, hello."
Zhang Mou greeted Shen Lang with a friendly smile but a cool handshake. He tried to place the name but couldn't recall hearing it in the film industry before. Zhang Mou figured Shen Lang was probably just some rich kid pretending to be a filmmaker.
Zhang Mou, who had started with indie films and even worked as a mover before, was used to this kind of social interaction. With someone like Jianghai City's richest man recommending Shen Lang, it was hard to turn down.
Even if Shen Lang didn't have any real skills, it was just a small favor for Ye Hai. In this kind of circle, nobody turns down a recommendation from a big shot.
Seeing Ye Yinan sweating a little, Zhang Mou quickly said, "Let's go to my film set to talk. It's too hot here."
Once they got to Zhang Mou's office, Shen Lang quickly and simply explained his career and ideas.
"Didn't expect you were a big-time author too."
Zhang Mou was polite but curious. He wondered how a web novelist could connect with someone as big as Ye Yinan. But honestly, he wasn't too interested in finding out.
After analyzing Shen Lang's needs, Zhang Mou thoughtfully said, "I've adapted novels before, but not these web novels you young folks read. I'm not too familiar with your field."
"But, I know someone who's really good at this stuff, and he's filming here in Hengdian today. I can introduce you two. How does that sound?"
"Sure, sure. Thanks a lot, Director Zhang."
Shen Lang thanked him profusely. He never thought someone at Zhang Mou's level would personally help him find actors for a small project.
Besides, Zhang Mou's actors were big names, and they wouldn't be interested in a short video adaptation of a novel. Their fees were sky-high, and Shen Lang didn't have that kind of money.
Zhang Mou made a call, and the person on the other end answered almost instantly. Shen Lang and Ye Yinan could hear the polite and flattering tone.
"Hey, Director Zhang, what's up? I'm just filming next door."
"Well, here's the deal,"
Zhang Mou explained Shen Lang's situation, and though he sounded a bit distant, his words weren't too harsh. The person on the other end agreed to come meet Shen Lang.
"Guess this is what being an old-timer means," Shen Lang thought to himself.
Soon, a man in a baseball cap strode into the office, and from a few meters away, you could hear his enthusiastic flattery: "Wow, Director Zhang, long time no see!"
Zhang Mou shook hands with him, made some small talk, and introduced Shen Lang.
"Director Dong, this is Shen Lang. He's looking to adapt a novel into a short video. You're a pro in this field, so maybe you can give him some advice."
"Not at all, not at all."
Director Dong Fei, looking surprised and flattered, waved his hand: "I'm just an early bird who got a few good novel rights and hit the internet jackpot."
"Ha ha, you're too modest, Director Dong."
Zhang Mou responded politely and then told them, "You guys talk. I need to stay at the set outside."
"Thanks, Director Zhang."
Shen Lang expressed his gratitude.
"Shen Lang, have a seat."
After Zhang Mou left, Dong Fei, full of enthusiasm, invited them to sit down. Dong Fei had actually gone out of his way to get Zhang Mou's contact info at a recent drinking party.
He never thought he'd have a chance to work with such an established director. Even if Shen Lang was a new name to him, Dong Fei wasn't going to be dismissive. You never know, he might be a low-key big shot.
Dong Fei didn't recognize the cool and aloof Ye Yinan but found her stunning.
So, Shen Lang laid out his ideas to Dong Fei.
Dong Fei, who had a solid reputation in multimedia directing and had adapted several popular web novels, suggested,
"Got it. Since this is your first time, if you want a long-term route, my advice is to work with a talent agency and hire some well-known female streamers.
You know that popular game with the hot female characters? I know the author, and he hired well-known female bloggers. It was cheap, and they brought in some traffic from their fan base.
Once your first project is done, you'll build up some followers for your multimedia account, and the next adaptation will get even more initial traffic."
"Oh, I see."
Shen Lang pretended to be unsure: "But I'm not too familiar with those agency bosses, and I don't know their rates."
"No problem. I have contact info for several agency bosses," Dong Fei said cheerfully. "As long as you negotiate a good price, you can get any kind of actress you want. They'll be cheaper and prettier, with decent acting skills, though a bit pricier than your average actor."
"Got it. Thanks."
Shen Lang smiled knowingly, keeping his thoughts to himself. Looks like being in this industry really does mean dealing with a lot of gossip.