I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 404 A Glimmer of Ambition!
Wednesday, November 2012, 5.

The audition days for Chinese actors in "A Trip to Hong Kong".

It has been a week since "Nanjing" was released in North America, and so far, "The Flower of War" has been released in North America for exactly seven days.

It grossed $3800 million at the box office and has opened more than 2100 theaters.

This weekend is likely to break the predictions, as the number of cinemas has increased and the number of screenings has also increased accordingly. Most importantly, the movie-going craze continues, and many of Bale's fans are aware that one of his Chinese films is currently showing in theaters.

According to North American practice, after the opening weekend box office, a film's performance will typically enter a period of significant decline.

Because the most loyal North American audiences are always those who tuned in during the opening weekend.

However, "Jinling" took a different turn, which is of course related to the number of theaters where it premiered.

Just like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" took more than a month to explode in popularity, "The Battle at Lake Changjin" didn't have full theaters at the beginning, so other theaters would gradually follow suit. This made its box office sustainability much stronger than that of a movie that had full theaters at the beginning.

The reasoning is easy to understand.

A film that started with over 5000 theaters showing simultaneously was a huge hit on its opening weekend, but its popularity began to decline the following weekend.

But Jinling did not.

This caused the expectations for the film to be expanded and extended repeatedly. Harvey originally thought the box office would fluctuate around 6000 million, and surpassing Zhang Yimou's highest-grossing film in North America, "Hero," at $5371 million would be the biggest victory.

But now, surpassing this record shouldn't be a problem, and ultimately it's very likely that it will reach a point that no one would have imagined at first.

Breaking 100 million?

Is it possible to touch it?
No, even Harvey Weinstein has to say yes.

In North America, there's a very formalized thing called "Car 9," which actually exists in China as well.

If a film grosses 90 million or 190 million US dollars, many distributors will use some shady methods to push the box office to over 100 million or even 200 million.

It's rare to see a Hollywood movie with a box office of 9000 million or 1.9 million, or even 2 million... If it's 2.9 million, then it's not a big deal.

290 million is definitely a super sales record, and there is no need for such empty titles as breaking 100 million or 200 million.

If "Jinling" can eventually reach 9000 million, then it will definitely reach 1 million in box office revenue; even if Harvey himself invests 1000 million, it is actually worthwhile.

Subsequent revenue in North America is all based on box office receipts.

The revenue generated by a film that costs over 80 million is completely different from that of a film that costs over 100 million.

The prices offered by streaming services and preview screenings are not the same.

So, Harvey has to inflate the box office numbers, even if it means manipulating them, and it's very likely he's already started doing so.

By boosting box office numbers, more people will watch the streaming service after the film's run ends, which could potentially earn Harvey more money.

Americans have too many ways to make money, which makes many film groups engage in shady practices. Of course, many domestic film companies are also starting to show similar signs, namely money laundering and the inflow of black money.

You'll see a lot of bad movies that have grossed 10 billion or 20 billion... these are all inflated figures.

The price of "Jinling" in North America may be inflated.

But this has nothing to do with Chen Jin, and he won't get a single penny. No matter what means "Jinling" uses to break 100 million, it's a real record.

This is also what Harvey has to brag about.

This guy might also hope that Chinese internet companies will promote the topic of "Jinling" breaking 100 million views in North America, because it would also bring him benefits.

The Chinese people won't care whether the data is inflated or how it was obtained. The fact that it's the first Chinese film to break $100 million in North America is enough.

Zhang Yimou, Chen Jin, and others will all benefit from this incident to some extent.

Harvey had already discussed with Chen Jin about buying some press releases for publicity, but Chen Jin still had to make him pay for it.

……

"Is everyone here?"

When Chen Jin, David, and Chad arrived at the newly established overseas branch of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), they asked casting director Steven Winger a question.

This address was chosen by Chen Kai, the former general manager of CETC, and his team has built it up to a considerable scale in just a few months. Although it certainly cannot compare with the Big Six, and is not even in the same league as Relativity, it is still a respectable presence in North America.

In Larry Plaza, the CBD near Beverly Hills, they rented four studios totaling over 200 square meters, including a room of honor.

They showed all the films produced by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), including several that broke domestic records.

Publicly announcing something is also a way to demonstrate strength; domestic box office revenue is, of course, also a form of box office revenue.

The audition was held in the conference room. The company doesn't have many people yet, about 15 including Chen Kai, and several of them are newly recruited local employees.

"Yes, we're already waiting. There are a total of nine people auditioning!"

Steven Wenger handed Chen Jin an iPad from the auditioning actor.

"Then let's get started!"

Representatives from the Screen Actors Guild and some actors' agencies were also present.

Chen Jin gave an instruction and then led David and the others into the audition room. They naturally took a different passage; on the other side, several people in the audition preparation area were sitting there with different expressions, already waiting.

Among them was Cen Yongkang, who had invited him to audition a few days ago.

When Cen Yongkang arrived, he was in a good mood and quite excited because it was a rare opportunity.

But after seeing several familiar figures, his expression... turned sour.

Liu Simu!

I'm quite familiar with this guy, Cen Yongkang. He's a fairly well-known actor in the Chinese-American community. Although he doesn't have any representative works yet, he's very active in the industry.

He has appeared as an extra in many Hollywood blockbusters.

Most importantly, Cen Yongkang felt that... Cui Zhengdao, the role he was auditioning for in "Hong Kong Trip," was more suitable than himself.

They have an advantage, especially in terms of age.

Liu Simu was only 23 years old, a full 7 years younger than him.

And then there's Henry Golding, the Malaysian actor, who should also be his rival.

Cen Yongkang compared them one by one and found that his advantages were not that great. In terms of age, he was the oldest among the auditionees.

"Whoo~~~"

"They're all here to audition for Choi Jung-do?"

"So there aren't many roles in this audition, only... 2?"

After reviewing the auditioning actors and considering the script, Cen Yongkang came to this conclusion.

Sitting not far from him, Liu Simu was also observing his audition opponent. He wasn't stupid either, and he quickly came to the same conclusion as Cui Zhengdao, which immediately increased the pressure on him.

Although Chen Jin disliked this future Marvel Shang-Chi, she still had to put on a show for the Screen Actors Guild of North America.

These guys don't allow pre-selection, so we have to find a few more and then confirm the two real actors in front of them.

Liu Simu... that's the role he played.

He himself certainly didn't know.

As for the actor who is also registered with the Actors Guild, Chen Jin is determined to give Jackie Chan a try. If he is willing, then the three spots will be filled.

Otherwise, he would have to audition.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, the auditions for 'A Trip to Hong Kong' are about to begin!"

"First place, Henry Golding!"

The staff of CETC Overseas Company called out the auditionees according to their rankings. Henry Golding is Henry Golding, a British actor of Malaysian descent who has acted in some reality shows in Hollywood. He is the male lead in the future "Crazy Rich Asians" and has an Asian face.

In North America, the people most similar to Chinese are Malaysians. Compared to Japanese and Koreans, Malaysians are closer to the Chinese.

After all, they share the same roots, just like many Malaysian actors who go to Hong Kong and mainland China to work.

Many of them speak Mandarin and are very authentic, which is much better than the two-faced people from Singapore.

Just like the future Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, she is also Malaysian. She started her film career in Hong Kong and has always been involved in the Chinese film and television industry, both in North America and China.

Many movie fans in China also recognize her Chinese heritage, unlike many Korean and Japanese people, such as the Korean actor in "Fast & Furious," who doesn't have that special feeling among Chinese people.

Ultimately, Malaysia's status in China is indeed quite different from that of other countries, so Chen Jin also included Henry Golding in this audition.

Even if he only auditioned once and wasn't selected, it would still be very helpful to his acting career.

The casting director will remember him. If his audition performance is acceptable, the director may approach him again next time, or at the very least recommend him to others. If "Hong Kong Trip" becomes a hit, his acting resume can also include that he auditioned for "Hong Kong Trip".

An actor's efforts are never in vain; the only thing to fear is standing still.

"How is it, Golding?"

Henry Golding had just stepped out of the audition office when a girl greeted him warmly.

She doesn't look like the stereotypical Chinese-American woman in North America.

For example, squinty eyes, high cheekbones, flat nose... actually resemble a young girl from mainland China, with a cute round face and above-average looks.

"I don't know, the audition process was minimal, mostly just casual conversation!"

Henry Golding was speaking in English to the little girl in front of him, who was from Taiwan and whose name was Wu Tianmin, or Constance Wu in English.

The two knew each other because they had worked together on a reality show before.

In the future, the two will actually work together again, and they will play the male and female leads in "Crazy Rich Asians"!
Constance Wu received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, enjoying immense prestige.

"Alright, I've investigated this Chen Jin... there's not much information about him in China either!"

"It's all about the artwork, and also..."

His remarks at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan were quite popular overseas, which made Constance Wu feel a little awkward, since her parents are from Taiwan.

"He's very nice, a true gentleman!"

Henry Golding chuckled as he spoke, “They’re not quite like the Chinese people we imagine. The casting process is very rigorous, and there’s not much personal bias involved. I mean during the auditions, they’re very easy to talk to in private!”

"That's good..."

"A Trip to Hong Kong" is of great importance to all the Chinese actors present.

They belong to a group that no one pays attention to in Hollywood. Chinese films are not very popular in North America, and there are very few Chinese people in big movies. So having a film with this kind of popularity is definitely much better than many reality shows and TV series.

Besides, the lead actor is Christian Bale, the Batman whose global fame ranks among the top.

They clearly wanted to cherish this rare opportunity.

"Harry Shum!"

When the staff called Cen Yongkang's name, Cen Yongkang immediately let out a long breath, then cheered himself up and walked towards the audition room.

Wu Tianmin had heard of his name before, and smiled slightly at him as she walked up to him.

"..."

Cen Yongkang was quite surprised, and forced an awkward smile before bowing and walking into the audition room that the staff had opened.

"Cen Yongkang, right?"

"Can you speak Chinese?"

Sitting in the very center of the audition room was Chen Jin, with David and Chad sitting next to her. Not far away was an elderly woman wearing glasses, who was a member of the Actors Guild responsible for observing and recording.

"Yes, my name is Cen Yongkang. My dad is from Guangzhou, and my mom is from Jiangsu Province!"

Cen Yongkang was speaking in fluent Chinese.

Chen Jin's eyes lit up: "Oh? From Guangzhou? Do you speak Cantonese?"

"Yes, my dad taught me from a young age, and my mom taught me Mandarin!"

This sentence was spoken in Cantonese.

Chen Jin couldn't help but smile at Steven Wenger beside her. Wenger greeted Cen Yongkang: "Hi, Harry, do you remember me? I called you before, this is Steven!"

"Of course!"

Cen Yongkang smiled; the audition process was very different from what he had imagined.

It's kind of like... chatting about everyday things?

Is this the word? My mom told me about it.

If a Chinese person starts chatting with you about everyday things, it means they want to build a closer relationship.
Cen Yongkang was muttering to himself, but he heard Wenger say in his ear, "You even called Jon Chu to verify my authenticity?"

"..."

Cen Yongkang was so embarrassed.

Is Zhu Haowei really that unreliable?

So you just sold yourself like that?
Damn it, how did he know such a top audition director? He didn't even tell him over the phone.

Cen Yongkang felt that he had been tricked by Zhu Haowei.

"Ha ha!"

Seeing Cen Yongkang's embarrassed expression, Chen Jin quickly said, "It's okay, Wenger was just joking with you!"

Jon M. Chu and Arsène Wenger only met last year.

Jon M. Chu is actually quite famous in the industry. Although he only directed one film, "Step Up 2," he was appreciated by Spielberg, so Leonardo DiCaprio's new film, "The Great Gatsby," was originally slated to be directed by him.

Unfortunately, the status of Chinese people in Hollywood is too low. Even though filming was almost about to begin, they ended up replacing them with a white director.

He had a really tough few years, but starting this year, whether it was the god of fate favoring him or a sudden stroke of good luck, his circumstances have clearly improved.

"Do you feel capable of handling the role in the upcoming film 'A Trip to Hong Kong'?"

Are there any scheduling conflicts?

Chen Jin asked very directly, and Cen Yongkang considered his words carefully before saying cautiously, "I feel I can do it. I'm available anytime for filming!"

"Okay, show me a dance!"

"Looking at your acting resume, you're skilled in all kinds of dance, including breakdancing, robotic dance, electric dance, locking, and technical street dance?"

"Yes!"

When talking about his special skills, Cen Yongkang obviously became more confident.

Without any hesitation, he immediately performed a Thomas spin, a hard-hitting street dance move, on the open space to the side.

"Wow~~~"

David was the first to shout.

He liked these fashionable things, while Chen Jin, who was next to him, was more interested in Cen Yongkang's... physique!
The four fundamental elements of performance are voice, stage presence, form, and expression!

(End of this chapter)