Training the Heavens

Chapter 111 The Most Beautiful Woman in the Mainland
Shi Shujun took Gao Jialin to the Shanghai Theatre Academy, which is also one of the most famous academies in the domestic film and television industry and has trained many film and television stars.

Arriving at the conference room used for casting, Shi Shujun introduced Gao Jialin, "Our film is about young people who have just entered college, so freshmen are the most suitable. They can best understand the feelings of the main characters, and their true colors are enough for them to act."

"The teachers at the school originally didn't want freshmen to film, but after hearing what I said, they agreed. We made an exception for this drama. Other crews can only look for juniors and seniors if they want to find people."

"Today we're mainly looking at freshmen. If there's really no suitable actors, we'll look at sophomores. Other supporting roles are easy to find. Teachers and school leaders can be played by experienced actors from the factory. If your school's teachers or leaders are willing to make guest appearances, you can also let them play themselves. Oh, by the way, if you're interested, you could also play a role like a student union cadre!"

"I don't need it, right?" Gao Jialin refused subconsciously. He is not Stan Lee and does not have this hobby.

"Don't make a decision in a hurry. There is already such a role. If you ask others to play it, they may not be as suitable as you." Shi Shujun originally just said it casually, but the more she looked at it, the more she felt it was suitable.

After a few words, Tang Qidong, the production manager of "Young Friends Come Together," walked in with a list. "Director, Teacher Gao, all the students are here. Shall we start now?"

"You don't have to call me teacher, just call me Xiao Gao." Gao Jialin said politely.

In Japan, he could feel at ease listening to them calling him Sensei, but when he returned to China, he had to be more humble. He was only 20 years old, and it was indeed a bit inappropriate for a group of people in their 30s and 40s to call him teacher. He was not one of those young handsome guys who didn't know who he was.

"Then I'll call you Screenwriter Gao. It's better to call you by your title in the crew." Tang Qidong was experienced in social interactions and immediately found a more appropriate title. This way, he appeared respectful and didn't feel wronged when he called him that.

"Calling him screenwriter is fine." Shi Shujun took the list and glanced at it. "Hey, this guy named Gao Hongliang seems to have participated in the filming of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'? He's got a good foundation, which is good. Let him come in and try it out first."

"Dream of Red Mansions" has not been broadcast yet, but as an insider, Shi Shujun has heard about some of the crew's situations and recognized the actor who played Jia Lian in the play.

After a while, a handsome man with thick eyebrows, big eyes and a straight nose walked in. "Hello, director, hello, teachers. I am Gao Hongliang, a freshman at the Shanghai Theatre Academy."

He has a good foundation and solid acting skills, but unfortunately he has been unlucky and has never encountered any good opportunities. The most famous role he has played is probably the scholar Wu Ciyou in "Kangxi Dynasty". I wonder if this will bring changes to his destiny.

"Are you from Yanbian? Can you speak Northeastern dialect?" Shi Shujun asked as she looked at the information.

"Yes, I grew up in Northeast China, so I can definitely speak it." After Gao Hongliang said that, he immediately performed a piece for everyone.

Shi Shujun gave him a skit, asked him to read a few lines, and then ticked his name. "Okay, we'll let you know if there's a decision. Please call Gailili in when you leave."

"Director Shi wants him to play Zhou Bingyi?" Gao Jialin asked.

"He used to work in a cultural troupe, so his student vibe has faded a bit. But Zhou Bingyi is a serious person, not unlike a freshman. He's a perfect fit for the role, and his acting is up to par, so he can help guide the other actors," Shi Shujun explained. "He's really good," Gao Jialin nodded, not objecting.

As soon as the voice fell, a long-legged girl walked in quickly, bowed gracefully and greeted, "Director, hello everyone, I'm Gailili, from Qingdao, Shandong. At the age of ten, I went to the Beijing Dance Academy to learn folk dance. Later, I went to the Beijing Film Studio to be an actor. After filming for two years, I felt that I was lacking in some aspects, so I applied for the Shanghai Theatre Academy."

It turned out to be Qingdao Xiaoman, a specialty that is as famous as Bashu Yaomei'er, Nanjing Panxi, Changsha Meituo, and Xiyu Guli. It turned out to be really good when I saw it today.

Gailili has good acting skills. She won the Best Actress Award at the Hundred Flowers Awards and was nominated for the Golden Eagle and Golden Rooster Awards. After some testing, Shi Shujun also checked her name and said, "This girl has a great personality. It's very suitable for her to play Tian Xiaoxia. She can really portray Tian Xiaoxia's character."

Gao Jialin used the setting of the original work in the novel. Tian Xiaoxia is lively and cheerful, and does things in a hurry, a bit like a boy, which is quite similar to the personality and temperament that Gailili just showed.

Young actors lack experience, so choosing actors based on their own characteristics is a good approach.

After interviewing several more actors, Shi Shujun found the candidate to play the leading role, Sun Shaoping, Yin Zhusheng, a freshman from Xi'an. He later starred in many well-known film and television dramas.

Lin Jiulang in "The Longest Day in Chang'an", King Zhou Nan in "The Qin Empire", Wu Bingxiang in "Awakening Age", Li Yan in "The Wind Rises in Longxi", etc.

However, his greatest achievement was in the field of drama. He first won the "Shanghai Magnolia Drama Performance Award" supporting role award and the "China Drama Golden Lion Award" actor revitalization award for his role as Xu Xian in "White Snake". Later, he won the highest award in the domestic drama field - the Plum Blossom Award for his outstanding performance in "Shang Yang".

Moreover, he can speak a little Shaanxi dialect, which makes him just right for playing the role of Sun Shaoping, a character with a strong rural flavor.

The role of Zhong Yuemin was given to Sun Sihan from Beijing. With a height of 1.8 meters, he can carry the aura of Zhong Yuemin, and he is also familiar with the unruly temperament of the Beijing rogues. With some training, he can play Zhong Yuemin well.

Zhou Rong was initially cast as Yang Chunrong from Guangdong. She later won not only the Plum Blossom Award, but also the Golden Lion Award in the drama field. Although she is not well-known, she has a very high talent for acting. Zhou Rong's personality is relatively complex, and most people cannot grasp it, so it takes someone with outstanding talent like her.

Song Yunhui is played by Wang Xueming, who has a scholarly air, which matches Song Yunhui's temperament. He did not disappoint this scholarly air. Many years later, he has become a professor and master's supervisor in the Performance Department of Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Up to now, the only main characters missing are Qi Tongwei, Yu Shanqing and Zhou Xiaobai. Yu Shanqing is relatively easier. Even if we can't find him now, we can just pick a sophomore who can play the role of a materialist. The remaining two are not easy to find.

Qi Tongwei must be a handsome guy, and Zhou Xiaobai is also the most beautiful among the girls, and their appearance must convince the audience.

Soon, the next freshman came in, and Gao Jialin's eyes lit up immediately. This girl was called the most beautiful girl in mainland China by the Hong Kong and Taiwan media.

(End of this chapter)