Chapter Fifty-Six: Preparing to Set Out

"The reason is quite simple. First, after a strict selection process, we decided on these few actors. I believe they will deliver an excellent performance, and I guarantee the film’s quality will not disappoint the audience."

"Second, this film is a low-budget production. To be honest, for a crew as strapped for cash as ours, we simply can't afford those popular starlets..."

As he finished speaking, Gu Zhi deliberately put on a wry face, which sent the reporters into hearty laughter.

"There are rumors that Fan Binbin once approached you, offering to act in the film for free. Is this true? And if so, why did you turn her down?" asked a reporter from Huaguo Entertainment News.

The moment the question was asked, Gu Zhi’s first reaction was that this male reporter’s skills were truly lacking. The way he posed the question left him speechless. If you’re not even sure whether it's true, yet you proceed to ask about the 'reason for refusal,' doesn’t that just implicitly confirm the rumor? Why bother asking if it’s true first?

Rumors indeed... Gu Zhi didn’t even have to think to know that this news must have been leaked by Miss Fan herself. As the founding figure of the Huaguo school of media hype, whether it's self-promotion or otherwise, she never misses a single chance to boost her fame.

When King Hua brought her to Zhongying that day, Gu Zhi had already anticipated this would happen. Sure enough, the timing of the leak was impeccable—right at the press conference for his new film. The precision was not to be underestimated.

Fortunately, Fan didn't try to stir up rumors about her relationship with Gu Zhi. Otherwise, no amount of explanation could have cleared his name.

“It’s true. Our casting decisions were made long before, so I had to turn her down. I hope there will be a chance to work with her in the future.”

He had already made a prior promise to Fan, so even if he had to grit his teeth, he would have to collaborate with her at some point.

“Gu, why didn’t you continue with your previous team for this film? Both Tang Wei and Ning Hao are available, right? Was there a falling out? Will you work together again in the future?”

“Thank you for your concern. Our relationship is very good. Hao and Tang Wei are still in school, focusing on their studies for now. We will definitely work together again in the future, you can rest assured.”

“Gu, will you keep writing books in the future, or are you planning to devote yourself fully to the film industry?”

“I can promise all the media friends here, as well as my many readers, that I will keep writing. I will never let down the support and recognition my readers have given me.”

...

The press conference lasted about three hours. The questions from the media came in an endless stream, all directed at Gu Zhi, leaving him with no time to rest. Combined with the dry, dusty weather in the capital, by the end of the event his throat felt parched.

But a slew of matters awaited him next, leaving him no time for a break. After downing two bottles of Nongfu Spring at lunch and grabbing a few hurried bites with the crew, he rushed to prepare for the shoot.

The first filming location was set for the subway station and on the train itself, covering two scenes: one, the first meeting between Song Mingxi and Liu Qian; two, after they broke up for a while, Song Mingxi dashing to the subway station during a blind date to chase after Liu Qian.

Since the subway had to operate as usual, there was no way the crew could be allotted a special time slot for filming—the whole line would have to shut down, and even Zhongying didn’t have that kind of pull.

Of course, Gu Zhi and Zhongying never entertained the fantasy of filming during operating hours. After repeated negotiations with the Beijing Subway Company and the Ministry of Transport, the crew was ultimately granted two late-night windows: from 11:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., on the day of the press conference—today—and again on the 13th of the month.

To avoid troubling the subway staff, and even more so to avoid trouble for the crew, Gu Zhi instructed all departments to have everything ready during the day, aiming to finish both scenes in a single night.

All lighting, costumes, makeup, props, camera equipment—everything had to be prepared and checked in advance, and then checked again before heading to the station, ensuring nothing could go wrong.

A large number of extras also had to be coordinated—a task handled by Liu Qi and colleagues from Zhongying. Filming in the middle of the night meant no ordinary citizens could be caught on camera; all the station’s foot traffic had to be portrayed by extras—around fifty in total.

These extras had been lined up a week prior—some were students from the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama, others were “professional” extras. Wanting the scene to appear as authentic as possible, Liu Qi recruited people from various age groups.

Their costumes were assigned by the crew as well, with everyone playing different professions, so the outfits were quite diverse. For this, Zhongying had its own fixed clothing factory partner, supplying costumes to the crew every year.

Originally, Gu Zhi had hoped to have his mother, Lin Zhi, added as a supplier, but was flatly rejected by a Zhongying executive. The man told Gu Zhi bluntly: unless Han Sanping himself made a direct request, it was out of the question.

Only then did Gu Zhi realize—this was a lucrative business. With so many productions every year, all needing costumes from that source, the profits must be considerable. This was not a pie anyone could just take a piece of; without the right connections, there was no way in.

Although Gu Zhi failed this time, the experience gave him a valuable lesson. Costumes and even props for the crew represented a vast market. Since Zhongying didn’t want to work with Lin Zhi, once he became more established, he could start his own supply—perhaps even build up a brand, supplying other crews and companies in the future. The internal partners of these film companies were not set in stone; with his industry connections, Lin Zhi’s company would have an opportunity one day.

Though the Zhongying executive had refused him, the costumes were all prepared and distributed without issue; all the extras had changed into their assigned outfits before setting out.

This time, Liu Qi rented four large buses to transport the extras and crew. Three pickup trucks—those big, boxy “bread vans”—were used for equipment and props. Two van-style cars were designated for the actors, director, and makeup team.

As for Gu Zhi and Liu Qi, they rode together with the two leads, making it easier to communicate.

All these preparations took time. When everything was finally ready and all checks were complete, it was already around 9:00 p.m. After treating the whole crew to a late-night meal, Gu Zhi saw that the timing was perfect. With spirits high, the team for "My Sassy Girl" set off for Fuxinmen Station on Beijing Subway Line 2, where the crew would begin their very first shoot.