Superstar's Development Diary-Chapter 757 - 758: An Incredibly Heart-Stirring Script

However, after carefully considering it, He Jinxia thought the female reporter’s performance was actually quite good.

In a place filled with warfare, where a bullet could fly towards your head the next second and explode it, her courage was already more substantial than that of most people under such chaotic circumstances.

Her brow was furrowed, a thought crossed her mind, and she felt an impulse to try for the role!

He Jinxia picked up her phone intending to call Luo You, but just then, the phone rang—it was Luo You calling.

After answering the call, Luo You’s hurried voice came through, "Didn’t we agree you would give me an answer by one o’clock in the afternoon? I’ve been waiting for hours without your response."

He Jinxia was taken aback and looked up at the clock on the wall, the hour hand pointed at "5." Unconsciously, she had been reading the script for "Special Action" for several hours and hadn’t noticed how fast the time had passed.

He Jinxia sheepishly said, "I was caught up looking at another script just now and forgot to tell you, please push back ’Fox Fairy Legend’ for me."

Luo You, "You’ve decided to take it then? I’ll contact them right now... Wait, what, you’ve decided to push it back?!"

The sudden high octave of his voice reflected his astonishment over the phone as Luo You repeated, "You’ve decided to push it back, is that right?"

He Jinxia’s voice rose calmly and slowly, letting Luo You know that this was not a rash decision but one made after careful deliberation.

"Yes, I’ve decided to push it back. This movie relies too heavily on special effects. If the effects are poorly executed, the entire movie could be ruined.

I specifically called Sheng Yan for advice, and he gave me a new perspective. Director Zhang would not ruin his reputation for one film, so he will definitely make this movie carefully."

Luo You couldn’t help but echo, "Yes, Director Zhang will definitely make this movie carefully."

"But—" He Jinxia’s words took a turn, "Have you thought about when the movie will be released?"

Luo You was stunned. He had indeed not considered this issue, muttering, "It should be released soon. Movies shot this year are usually released by next year at the latest, and sometimes they can be released the same year."

"No, no, no, that only applies to ordinary movies, not special effects films. Director Zhang has already spent two years doing preliminary work for this movie; the groundwork has been very thorough.

But since many of the special effects occur during fights between characters, do you think, once the actors have finished filming, that the special effects will be ready quickly?" He Jinxia retorted.

Luo You’s body shuddered, coming to a full realization as he gravely said, "You mean after the movie is filmed, the post-production effects will take a long time to create, and it may not be released quickly which could mean the film might be delayed to the year after next or even later."

He Jinxia affirmed with a sound, "Yes, that’s my thought. I have a premonition that Director Zhang might be planning just that."

Luo You’s lips parted and closed, unable to find words.

He wanted to say that finishing filming by next March, with five months to complete the special effects, would be enough to target the summer blockbuster season.

But even he couldn’t convince himself of this statement.

Special effects movies are recognized in the industry as difficult to produce, and Huaxia hasn’t yet produced a top-tier special effects film that measures up internationally.

The difference between Eastern and Western cultures makes it difficult for Eastern directors to achieve good outcomes with international special effects teams.

He had inquired around and found that this time Director Zhang, having prepared for two years, had chosen the most advanced domestic team instead of an international one, which only increased the riskiness of the special effects.

The risk was one thing, but the key issue was the film’s release period!

If it turned out as He Jinxia suggested—after the shooting is done and the effects are finished, Director Zhang finds them unsatisfactory and decides to delay the release to the year after next—what then?

Taking on Director Zhang’s film now would create a five-month gap, resulting in missing next year’s summer season—a lost opportunity to boost popularity. If Director Zhang’s film faced another year’s delay, it would impact He Jinxia’s career profoundly.

This was a gamble they couldn’t afford!

Luo You’s thought mirrored He Jinxia’s, considering Director Zhang’s two-year preparation indicating the film would not be rushed to release if the special effects were lacking.

Luo You didn’t believe that the initial special effects, once produced, would satisfy Director Zhang.

He had contemplated calling Director Zhang to discuss the specific release date of the film, but asking the director to guarantee a release next year when the film had not yet started shooting was perhaps asking too much.

Especially since He Jinxia’s standing wasn’t influential enough; for Director Zhang to personally invite her as the leading actress was already quite an honor. If they made too many demands, it could lead to both losing the deal and harboring resentment.

This wasn’t acceptable!

Luo You’s heart was pounding extremely fast, his brain whirring rapidly. After several seconds of silence, he finally sighed with resignation:

"You’re right in your considerations. I was too hasty, focused only on the fact that this was a major production that could make history in Huaxia’s cinema, but I overlooked the risks associated with releasing it."

When it would be released was one hurdle, and how it would be received after release was yet another.

If Jinxia wasn’t in a rush, then perhaps it would be worth a try, but she urgently needed a film that could be released next year, so gambling on this film being ready by then wasn’t an option.

As they were settling this matter, Luo You was about to hang up, when He Jinxia stopped him with a serious tone:

"Could you inquire whether the ’Special Action’ director has found the female lead, whether the chosen actress fits his ideal image of a wartime female reporter, and whether he has considered replacing her, maybe with me for a try?"

Luo You was confused at the beginning, but then he recalled, "’Special Action’... the name sounds familiar. Did the director not send you an invitation to play the lead role?"

He Jinxia replied, "Brother Luo, the director did indeed send me an invitation, but it was only for a cameo role as a female doctor. I’ve carefully read the script and find it quite good. Rather than the pleasing supporting female role, I’d rather challenge myself with the lead role."

Luo You’s brow furrowed deeply, he advised, "Are you sure you really want to act in this film?"

"Jinxia, why don’t you think it over again? If you take this film, and then a blockbuster continues to invite you next, you wouldn’t have time to do it."