Superstar's Development Diary
Chapter 443 - 444 Bargaining

Chapter 443: Chapter 444 Bargaining

The director nodded, "Yes, because the script was just finalized yesterday. We initially thought reserving a week would suffice to complete the filming, but once the script was set, we found it would take about half a month."

The female singer furrowed her brows, "Aren’t you guys filming an advertisement?"

Half a month’s duration; that’s enough time to shoot several ads, not to mention a mini film.

The director said, "We are filming an advertisement, but we have a new idea to shoot a short film of about half an hour first. We can extract the advertisements from the film. Huami is taking the quality of this advertisement very seriously. We are using top-notch equipment and top-level scenes, so you don’t need to worry."

Another male singer couldn’t sit still anymore, saying, "I can accept any length of commercial within the time frame, but the initially agreed upon duration was one week. My schedule can only spare a week’s time; I can’t pull out half a month to shoot an advertisement."

The female singer expressed helplessness, "Yes, me too. I even thought I had signed the wrong contract, not for filming an advertisement but a mini film."

He Jinxia kept quiet, observing the people present.

The two singers’ remarks were quite interesting, one blaming Huami for arbitrarily extending the duration and the other for changing the content of the shoot, given that there’s a clear distinction between commercials and mini films.

She stealthily glanced at Sheng Yan; Sheng Yan didn’t speak, utterly nonchalant.

The director sadly said, "I know this puts you in a difficult position, but please consider our desire to strive for perfection. The script is good, and the scene company will also choose the best options. We hope you can accommodate your schedules a bit."

The female singer pondered for a moment then slowly said, "If the filming duration is extended, then about the money..."

The director hurriedly chimed in, "The pay will increase accordingly. Huami sincerely invited everyone here to collaborate, and please understand our intention to be as perfect as possible."

He Jinxia’s eyes shimmered slightly. This time the director brought Huami fully into the picture.

Thinking of something, the director quickly turned his pleading gaze on Sheng Yan, somewhat gingerly saying, "Mr. Sheng, please stay after the meeting. I need to discuss the endorsement details with you more thoroughly."

Extending the shooting time, the opinions of other celebrities were not important. If they couldn’t accept it, Huami could find someone else, as there were plenty of new talents whose schedules could be freed up.

But with Sheng Yan, they dared not slack off. When the script was finalized yesterday, they had already called to inform him.

On the phone, Sheng Yan had agreed, but the company still thought it necessary to meet with him in person to express their apology.

A lower posture was okay. After all, Sheng Yan was a superstar; he had the clout for it.

Sheng Yan nodded slightly, his voice calm, "Okay."

On the other hand, the male singer was still hesitant, complaining a bit, "But I’ve arranged all my engagements for the next half month; it’s really difficult to cancel them!"

The female singer thought for a while and also said, "Although I’m not busy next month, I have several engagements too. It would be troublesome for me to cancel them."

The two singers echoed each other, hesitating in their attitudes, neither saying they would definitely shoot nor that they would back out.

The director, an experienced campaigner, knew that their attitude was one of bargaining for more benefits, but he also had ways to deal with this.

He suggested with a smile, "How about you first talk it over with your agents by phone, and then have your agent call me to discuss. Once we agree, we can immediately start shooting."

Seeing this, the two singers did not hesitate; they immediately stood up and went outside to make calls.

He Jinxia watched the whole process, inwardly sighing that this indeed was the reality of the entertainment circle.

The glamorous exteriors of celebrities often hid the constraints imposed by collaborators. Like now, Huami said to extend the timeline, disrupting the contract, but the two celebrities dared not back out. They could only find ways to fight for their own interests.

But for someone with a high status like Sheng Yan, Huami had to fuss over and cater to him, fearing he might just walk away if dissatisfied.

The weak have no voice, only the powerful do.

After the two left, the director turned to the still He Jinxia with some surprise, "Miss Jinxia, won’t you talk to your agent?"

He Jinxia smiled and said, "I’ve already messaged my agent a while ago. Clearing half a month in my schedule is no problem, and he even told me to learn well from you, saying that you are especially adept at filming advertisements and have even won the second prize for Best Art Short Film Special Effects at a global level, declaring you are immensely talented."

The corners of the director’s mouth twitched, his smile somewhat sincere, "He’s exaggerating. It was just a second prize, not the first—there’s nothing to boast about."

He Jinxia earnestly replied, "Not at all, I’ve heard of that award. Winning it is extremely difficult; there’s only one first prize, and just two second prizes, but there were thousands of entries. Winning the second prize is already quite an achievement."

"Ultimately, all art converges through different paths. The content of any awarded film is good. The jury just has different preferences, so you not getting the first prize doesn’t mean you lack ability. On the contrary, winning an award already shows you are very talented."

This flattery had hit the director right in his heart.

Honestly, he had been rather down since last month when he found out he had won the second prize; after all, people only remember who came first, nobody remembers the second place.

Many had comforted him at the time, but because he was in a bad mood, their words didn’t really sink in.

Now some time had passed, his mood had stabilized, and he felt a sense of kinship when hearing someone else’s comfort, looking at He Jinxia more favorably.

Seeing the two conversing happily, exchanging looks of understanding, Sheng Yan felt annoyed and coughed loudly on the spot.

The director quickly showed concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Sheng Yan spoke indifferently, "You mentioned something earlier you wanted to discuss with me."

He Jinxia hearing this, stood up proactively, "I’ll step out for a bit."

In the corridor outside, the two singers stood one on each side making calls, cupping their hands over the phones trying to keep their voices low.

He Jinxia thought for a moment then went to the restroom.

Staying outside was boring, and she took the opportunity to touch up her makeup in the restroom.

Coming outside, she just saw Sheng Yan leaning against a corner, bent over his phone.

Upon seeing He Jinxia, he immediately put down his phone and walked up to her, saying, "I thought you had fallen into the toilet, you took so long to come out. I was about to call you."

With no one else around, He Jinxia asked him with a smile, "Did you sort things out with the director?"

Sheng Yan’s face darkened immediately, and he walked forward without a word.