Chapter 157: On-set Makeup Room

(Recently my schedule has been irregular, and my biological clock is disrupted. I slept over ten hours yesterday, so I can only try my best to update. Today I’ll make up for the two Chapters from yesterday and strive to update three Chapters. I’ll work hard to adjust in the coming days so that next month’s schedule can be more regular.)

Upon hearing Zheng Yixuan wanted to introduce Old Ten to him, Li Yan wasn’t too surprised. He hadn’t met Old Ten before, and now that they’re all in S City, it’s a good opportunity. Although he just helped Rose and them split half of Old Ten’s target antique, that can’t be blamed on him since they informed him at the last minute.

Li Yan left work shortly after arriving, and didn’t linger in Jie Rui or the supermarket for too long. Since there was still some time before lunch, he continued driving to the shooting set of "Springtime Leaked".

The film "Springtime Leaked" is a modern drama, so it doesn’t require ancient settings or places like Hengdian for shooting. Almost any city will do for its scenes. The main filming location is chosen in S City because most of the main actors, photographers, and art staff are from Cloud Island, and it’s convenient for them to commute and reduces travel costs. Moreover, the major investors Heavenly Film and Chuyi Culture are both based in S City, while Mo Yan is from G City. Obviously, it’s convenient for everyone.

Li Yan didn’t inform Qiao Pan or Zhou Yuan in advance that he was coming to the set. He isn’t some major boss who needs a grand welcome, and he prefers not to have journalists come to stir up news.

Arriving at the crew, he saw everyone busy and asked someone for directions to the shooting site where Qiao Pan and Zhou Yuan were present. As the director, Zhou Yuan naturally must be there to supervise. While Qiao Pan acts as producer and supervisor, he stays on-site if there aren’t other important matters, overseeing every detail and progress.

Seeing Li Yan, Qiao Pan was a bit surprised and came over to greet him.

"It’s nothing important, I just had some free time and brought some snacks to treat everyone," Li Yan said with a smile, telling him where his car was parked and asking Qiao Pan to have someone take the things down.

Qiao Pan quickly expressed his thanks, acknowledging that while it didn’t cost much, it showed concern for the hardworking cast and crew. If he weren’t so busy, he would do such things himself. Li Yan’s gesture as an investor was even more effective.

After discussing this minor matter, Li Yan also mentioned the issue regarding extras, saying it has been resolved with a team from Jie Rui Security Company. Since many security personnel work at different locations, scheduling them to come over at staggered times isn’t a problem, but they can’t be as readily available as regular extras.

Qiao Pan had tried to compress funds, using money where it mattered. Adjusting the timing a bit meant saving tens of thousands, so it was certainly not an issue, and he promised to communicate with the director.

Li Yan also gave him Zhao Chengyao’s number, so he could contact Zhao Chengyao directly. Since they’d agreed to integrate an advertisement for Jie Rui Security before, Qiao Pan wasn’t particularly formal about it.

The two then discussed the movie’s progress. Qiao Pan ensured regular feedback to Heavenly Film, and everything was generally smooth without major issues. The topics needing separate discussion with Li Yan included the matter with Zeng Zixi, who was learning by his side. Qiao Pan stated that in about two more weeks, the main plot would be almost finished filming, and Zhou Yuan would rush to do edits and post-production. He would then focus on promotions and securing theater support while training Zeng Zixi.

Another topic was the film’s score, and Qiao Pan mentioned contact with the band the pancakes, whose work speed was impressive. They’re expected to deliver on time, aligning with the film’s post-production schedule.

Overall, Li Yan understood what he needed to, and other aspects are usually left to Qiao Pan’s supervision, without interference. Knowing Qiao Pan was busy, Li Yan didn’t disrupt too much, and after having a smoke together, they were ready to part ways.

"Oh, right," Qiao Pan remembered something just as Li Yan was about to leave, "your classmate... the one named Bai Jie..."

Upon hearing Qiao Pan’s words, Li Yan recalled he’d asked Qiao Pan to arrange a small bit part for Bai Jie who wanted to fulfill her dream. Since he hadn’t had time to follow up, he paused: "What about her? She’s not demanding more scenes because of my recommendation, right? Don’t be troubled, just stick to your script!"

Qiao Pan quickly laughed: "No, no. Bai Jie is quite nice, understanding she lacks experience. She seriously observes and learns others’ performances, treating her small role with great importance. I’m quite satisfied with her performance. If there’s a chance, I’ll consider giving her a larger role next time."

"Then why...?" Li Yan was a bit puzzled; since Bai Jie wasn’t problematic, why mention her to me? This movie’s cast is already finalized and can’t easily change; if she’s good enough, that’s for future considerations.

"Hehe, I’m telling you because she’s at the set today. You know her, right? Do you want to check on her?"

Qiao Pan took Li Yan’s inquiries seriously. From the pancakes, Zeng Zixi, product placements, Jie Rui, Bai Jie—all were matters he handled diligently, trying to coordinate himself. Of course, he had some personal motives, hoping to solidify a relationship with Li Yan for potential future investments. Bai Jie being Li Yan’s classmate naturally warranted a little extra care. After discussing other matters, it was natural not to overlook this; even if he spoke highly, Bai Jie interacting with Li Yan personally would be more effective.

"She’s here too? I thought her minor role might be completed by now."

Li Yan indeed hadn’t considered it; with a tight schedule and long daily shooting hours, minor roles could be wrapped up in a day.

"Yes, she’s here; despite having few scenes, she diligently learns and comes daily. Plus, we accommodate big stars’ schedules, so some scenes await opportunities for shooting. She..."

Qiao Pan glanced toward the shooting site, "She’s probably in the makeup room, not here now. I’ll take you over there."

While he had an overview of different affairs, it was impossible to continuously track each actor’s whereabouts unless they were leading stars.

Li Yan shook his head: "Old Qiao, you’re busy enough; I’ll go find her myself. Don’t let me interrupt your work."

Giving Qiao Pan a pat on the shoulder, he headed in the direction Qiao Pan indicated. Qiao Pan didn’t insist, feeling that Bai Jie’s mention of his support would leave a positive impression on Li Yan.

...

When chatting with Qiao Pan, Li Yan noticed the main actors were shooting, resting, or waiting for their turns. Even more so for other staff. Hence, finding the makeup room silent wasn’t surprising. But upon seeing several makeup rooms were empty and quiet, Li Yan suspected something.

Since Qiao Pan mentioned Bai Jie was committed to learning acting, at critical scenes, even if she lacked parts, she’d probably observe and learn on set rather than rest in a makeup room. Could it be that she had pending scenes and, lacking the star support of a makeup artist, she handled her makeup herself?

Li Yan hadn’t been with a crew before and wasn’t deeply familiar, but he assumed correctly. A crew’s makeup artists are limited, often focusing their efforts on major stars, taking hours to ensure everything looks perfect. For minor roles or extras, unless character needs necessitate special makeup, it’s often done perfunctorily. For females especially, self-applied makeup could be better.

While pondering, he arrived at another room. Unsure if it was a makeup room, it had its lights on, suggesting someone inside.

He approached the door, intending to enter, but realized this wasn’t someone’s private home. There might be others, not necessarily Bai Jie, inside. Even if it was Bai Jie, a sudden entrance could catch her changing or something. Therefore, he was about to knock.

As he raised his hand, he heard voices from inside.

Makeup rooms on set, essentially temporary structures, lack soundproofing. Now at the door, Li Yan could clearly hear voices—he paused to determine if Bai Jie was speaking.

"Mr. Tian, please don’t... it’s not right."

"Come on, you got this small role through a friend, right? What’s the point? Your name won’t appear on the movie’s poster when released, nor will anyone remember you afterward! I know many film people—directors, stars, bosses—we often dine together. Let me tell you, even though you’re in a minor role now, I can capture you looking stunning—select the most photogenic pictures that don’t lose to stars. During promotion, when you’re featured in promotional photos, others will wonder who this unfamiliar beauty is. They’ll notice you, remember your role—not saying you’ll become an instant hit, but at least memorable. Then I can recommend you to my connections; the next movie could land you a supporting role, and in two more projects, possibly the lead!"

"Mr. Someone," isn’t a name, but refers to someone using "Mr." in Cloud Island’s Wudong dialect.

Li Yan understood the exchange between a man and a woman in Wudong dialect, where the woman called "Mr. Tian" was clearly Bai Jie. Considering bursting in but hesitating after hearing Mr. Tian’s suggestion, Li Yan decided to see Bai Jie’s choice. If she chose being taken advantage of, he wouldn’t interfere.

"Sorry, I have no ambitions. I’m content with this minor role for fun. I need to work, and so does Mr. Tian!" Bai Jie rejected his proposal.

"Work?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"What are you doing? I’ll call someone!"

"What are you doing?"

"No! Get away..."

"I won’t leave!"

(Thanks for rewards on the 24th: Li Fanshow, zjun971210, Blue Love for Whom to Drunk, 15018306763, and Dad Yuxuan, dongmin8061, Living by Mountains and Water, Cp Pampas.) (To be continued. For more upcoming Chapters, please visit www.qidian.com. Support the author, support legal reading!)