Abstract Art Award Winner

Actually, when Su Yingxia spoke, Zhou Le had thought about who he would be more suitable to play, but he never thought it would be Li Dazhao.

After all, Li Dazhao's image is too vivid.

"I could try to portray his spirit and energy, but those beards..."

"You can put on a fake beard, because I'm working with their internal staff. Right now, they're planning to let Teacher Zhang Tong give it a try. He's the one who played the monk in 'Bright Sword'."

Su Yingxia was afraid that Zhou Le didn't know who Zhang Tong was, so she mentioned it again.

Indeed, Zhou Le couldn't recall the name right away.

But he knew as soon as I mentioned monks.

"But how should I put it, just like when another film crew cast Bai Ke as Qu Qiubai in 'The Founding of an Army,' there was always some controversy."

And most importantly, 15 years ago, Teacher Zhang Tong joined a production team called "Red Guards" and played a character named Dai Xiangtao. You might not know this, but he had a nickname in the show: "Jade-Faced Grenade King."

Zhou Le: "."

Does it have to be so descriptive? I genuinely don't know the name you mentioned.

But once you mention the nickname, you can't forget it at all.

"So they were still considering it, and then someone else pushed you. Anyway, their idea was that if Teacher Zhang Tong could play the role, then you could play it too."

Zhou Le thought about it for a moment, and it was indeed the case.

What's wrong with the big beard? It's a challenging role; I've never acted in a TV series like this before.

The only one that can be considered somewhat related is "Wolf Warrior".

I also wanted to challenge myself with some other roles.

"I'll give this a try. When is their audition?"

"It'll be in a couple of days, but I'm not too sure about the exact filming schedule. It might take a while, but since this is an ensemble drama, it will definitely take a lot of effort from the other actors as well."

Furthermore, since this drama features two male leads, many episodes don't focus on you; you might only need to appear in a few scenes.

Zhou Le nodded: "Okay, I'll go audition first. If I get a role, I'll talk to Director Zhang Yimou and see how things will be arranged. Anyway, I'll try my best to finish filming here first."

This kind of TV series definitely takes higher priority than those movies.

"it is good."

After packing up, Zhou Le flew directly to Beijing the next day. Since filming for "Love and Redemption" had already wrapped up, according to Lin Yufen, even if there were scenes that needed to be reshot, Zhou Le didn't need to come. His scenes were perfectly fine, and if any reshoots were needed, someone else would do them.

After returning home, Zhou Le began researching various materials to understand his role.

When Zhou Le was in school, he had learned about these historical figures, but only after learning about them again did he truly understand how difficult and great these people were.

After thoroughly understanding the role, Zhou Le took the materials and got on the bus on the third day.

Sitting in the car, he continued to review.

The driver didn't say anything to disturb them.

Upon arriving at the audition location, Zhou Le was given a briefing on the production team of the TV series in the parking lot.

"The director of this drama is Zhang Yongxin, who also directed the previous 'The Advisors Alliance'. He used to work in stage plays, but he has won many awards in recent years. In addition to you, Yu Hewei is one of the confirmed lead actors. He plays Chen Duxiu in the drama."

The screenwriter is Long Pingping, who previously mainly participated in the editing and research of documents. She was formerly the deputy secretary-general of the Central Party Literature Research Office and is currently the director of the Third Compilation and Research Department.

Hearing the names of these people, Zhou Le felt that it seemed the higher-ups really valued this drama.

"So what kind of subject matter is this? Is it historical, contemporary, or revolutionary?"

The staff also knew about this: "To be precise, it should be a major revolutionary historical subject. Filming hasn't even started yet, but many platforms want to acquire the exclusive broadcasting rights, but it's still uncertain who will get them in the end."

Zhou Le nodded; these were not things he could decide right now.

It's an honor for whichever platform broadcasts it.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go up first."

"Okay, go ahead, but remember not to go to the wrong door."

Zhou Le certainly didn't go to the wrong place, because as soon as he walked in, a staff member took him directly to the waiting area for the audition.

The situation here is even more formal than Zhang Yimou's "Cliff Walkers". The candidates are all in the same conference room, while the audition takes place in another, more spacious activity room.

Everything inside has been cleared out, leaving only a few tables and a large performance area.

Since becoming famous in 18, I have run into some acquaintances every time I go to audition, but this time was completely different.

Apart from a few actors I recognized, I didn't know any of the rest of the crew members; at most, I'd only heard their names.

This gave Zhou Le a feeling of returning to the time when he first started his struggle.

"As expected, life is about constant struggle and starting over. Previous fame is just an entry ticket; whether you can stay depends on your own ability to forge your own path."

While waiting, Zhou Le scanned the crowd and found that he could only vaguely recognize Yu Hewei; none of the rest looked familiar.

Moreover, this is only one audition, and it's impossible to finalize all the roles. There will be a second and third audition later.

It was during a conversation with Yu Hewei here that Zhou Le learned that the script for this play had been in preparation for eight years and had been revised several times.

Even after filming, it takes a long time to edit before it can be truly produced.

After all, every shot in this kind of drama needs to have its own meaning.

As for Yu Hewei as Chen Duxiu and Zhou Le as Li Dazhao, they are already practically confirmed. Their auditions and performances are just a final confirmation. If their performances are not good, they will consider replacing them. Anyway, they have many backup candidates.

If possible, we'll just finalize it now.

"In other words, the teachers sitting inside are all waiting for our performance with expectations. Once we go in, we must perform well and touch their hearts."

Otherwise, if there's a significant drop in performance, it's very likely you won't be able to climb back up. This is based on my experience from acting in serious dramas over the years.

"Thank you, Brother Wei. I've never participated in such a formal audition before. Even the auditions for 'My People, My Country' and 'Hometown' weren't this complicated."

"It's still different in the end. Those were like anthology films, which were important, but this one is produced and invested in by the municipal and provincial propaganda departments of Beijing and Anhui, as well as the broadcasting and television stations and their subordinate units on both sides. It's a proper drama."

Zhou Le nodded: "That's why it's a major revolutionary historical subject."

"Yes."

But then Yu Hewei suddenly remembered what had just happened: "What did you call me just now?"

"Hey, Wei-ge." "Haha, why are you suddenly calling me that?"

"Hey, I usually use the last character of your name plus 'brother,' but I can't exactly call you 'Brother Wei,' that sounds awful. People who know you will recognize it as a nickname, but people who don't might think I'm being rude."

"That works too."

Just then, the staff inside came out and said that the audition had started, and Yu Hewei was the first to go in.

Zhou Le originally expected the other party to come out after ten or eight minutes, but unexpectedly, the other party did not come out even after fifteen minutes. After waiting for twenty minutes, he finally saw Yu Hewei's figure.

He went in humble and full of vigor, but came out looking exhausted, though he still had a faint smile on his face compared to his humility when he went in.

After taking his seat, Zhou Le didn't even ask the other person how things were going, because there were too many people around and too much to talk about.

The second person to go in was Zhou Le.

As soon as Zhou Le went in, he understood why Yu Hewei looked so tired when he came out.

There was a row of people sitting inside, and they all looked like leaders at first glance.

This is definitely an amplified and enhanced version of a graduation thesis defense.

Even during auditions, one not only has to perform, but also answer all sorts of questions, such as interpretations of certain spiritual concepts or the character's life story.

Some of the questions were quite obscure, but fortunately Zhou Le had prepared thoroughly beforehand, so he answered each question perfectly.

They didn't even think about it.

Zhou Le's fluent answers led the directors, screenwriters, producers, and even the leaders to wonder if someone had given him the questions beforehand.

"Of course not, because I usually enjoy studying this kind of history. I have many books like this at home, and I always bring one or two with me when I go on business trips. Occasionally, I also go online to read some excellent bloggers' interpretations of the people and events of that time."

Therefore, I have a fairly deep understanding of this subject, and I not only read about it, but I also always strive to apply this spirit to myself in my daily life.

His words drew nods of agreement from the people behind the table.

Then they exchanged glances.

Finally, director Zhang Yongxin gave a summary.

"We all agree that you are very suitable for the role. Even though you changed your clothes and put on a beard just now, there was no problem with your appearance. Your acting skills are also outstanding, especially your understanding of the character and your knowledge of that era."

"Congratulations, Zhou Le, this role is yours. Go back and prepare well; filming should start soon."

"No problem, thank you teachers."

After coming out, Zhou Le calculated the time and realized that he had been inside for about twenty minutes.

However, as soon as they came out, the staff member whispered to Zhou Le, "Teacher, there's nothing else here for now, but please make sure your phone is always reachable these next few days."

"OK, thanks."

Once outside, she found Yu Hewei still waiting for her.

He didn't even put on a smile; he just walked up to Yu Hewei with a serious expression.

"How about it, Teacher Yu? Would you like to sit a little longer?"

"Let's go outside and chat for a while."

And so, they left the audition building.

"I know a nice teahouse. Shall we go over and sit for a while? Or have lunch together?"

"Okay."

Only after they got into the car did the two of them show very obvious smiles.

"Teacher Yu, I can tell at a glance that you have extraordinary talent and are exceptionally gifted. Congratulations, Teacher Yu, on landing this important role."

"Haha, you're not bad either. I didn't have such good opportunities when I was your age. I was still in school back then. I remember my first role was Xun Yu in the period drama 'Cao Cao', and the second was 'The Grand Mansion 2'."

"That's all thanks to the kindness of benefactors. Wei Ge and I are my benefactors in this drama."

"What? I've become your benefactor? Let me make this clear, we were just acquaintances before this. If you're talking about it, I should say you're my benefactor."

"No, no, no, you are my benefactor."

"Hey! You're my benefactor."

The two of them pushed each other all the way.

They finally gave up after entering the teahouse.

However, the two came to the teahouse not just to discuss "The Age of Awakening," since they had already secured the roles and could only wait for the teahouse's arrangements.

The reason they had to get together again after the event was because, in addition to "The Age of Awakening," they both starred in Zhang Yimou's "Cliff Walkers."

Although "The Age of Awakening" is written with two male leads, Yu Hewei went in first during the audition, which means that Yu Hewei is the lead actor.

In the film "Cliff Walkers", Zhang Yimou clearly stated in the contract that Zhou Le was the lead actor.

But it's a kind of parting for everyone now, and there's nothing else to say about it, it's just like taking turns.

But the most important problem now is how to talk to Zhang Yimou.

"Cliff Walkers" only has two male leads, and both of them ended up acting in serious dramas.

Although filming is expected to begin in September this year, it's only May now, and it's still a question whether this TV series can be completed in four months.

"I think we still need to talk to him properly, at least to give Director Zhang some mental preparation. Otherwise, when the movie is about to start filming, the two of us leading actors will still be busy filming 'The Age of Awakening'."

"Indeed, but how to say it is a problem. If I tell the truth, I'm afraid Director Zhang won't accept it."

"Yes, although Director Zhang is usually easy to talk to, it's not right for us to suddenly do something like this. Even the best-tempered person would get angry."

Zhou Le thought for a moment and said, "But there's one more thing. Do you think we can talk to them about finishing our scenes as soon as possible? If there are any reshoots later, we can do them."

“We can definitely talk about it. We’ll go over and discuss it later. Anyway, our shooting efficiency will definitely not be low. Unless the director suddenly comes up with some stream-of-consciousness stuff, we definitely won’t have too many problems in most cases,” Yu Hewei said seriously.

"I think it would be better to talk to Director Zhang in person. It would seem too disrespectful to talk about it over the phone. We can say that we will try to wrap up filming within four months and then directly connect to 'Cliff Walkers'. This will definitely not delay his progress and start date."

"That's all we can do. Let's take it one step at a time."

After saying this, both of them sighed in unison in the tea room. (End of Chapter)