Training the Heavens

Chapter 112 Can you tell me about the play?
There were many beauties with their own unique characteristics in the 1980s, and many gossipers even compiled lists, such as Gong Xue in the south and Zhu Lin in the north. These two are indeed outstanding, and the others who are memorable are not far behind.

For example, Daji was charming and enchanting in every gesture, smile and frown, and she seduced people invisibly. Not only did she conquer the mainland audience, but in the TV series "Emperor Taizong of Tang Li Shimin" co-produced by the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, her role as Princess Yang Jier of the Sui Dynasty was also the most beautiful among all the beauties. That smile when she turned around is an unforgettable dream in the hearts of many people.

For example, Chen Hong, who just came in, has delicate and harmonious facial features. Every detail reveals the gentleness and charm of an oriental woman. She is both dignified and elegant, and gorgeous and charming, so much so that the Hong Kong and Taiwan media gave her the title of the most beautiful woman in the mainland.

"Hello, director, and hello, teachers. I'm Chen Hong, and I'm from Shangrao, Jiangxi. I've never acted in a play before, but I've been the head of the literature and art department in middle school, so I have some acting experience." Chen Hong seemed a little nervous.

This is inevitable. Gailili, Gao Hongliang and others have all filmed film and television works, but this is her first time to audition.

The encyclopedia says that she filmed the movie "There is a Spring Here" last year. It is very likely nonsense, because the original text of the encyclopedia itself is contradictory. The previous sentence says that Chen Hong participated in the filming of "There is a Spring Here" in 85, and the next sentence says that she was admitted to the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 86. Isn't this a contradiction?
Moreover, if you only search for "There is a Spring Here", you can only find a Japanese film from 55. You can't find any domestic film with the same name, nor can you find any stills of her in the drama.

Judging from her performance, Gao Jialin felt that it was right for her not to have made a movie before.

"Walk forward a few steps. Oh, yes, just stop here. Then turn around and let me take a good look at you." Shi Shujun became interested as soon as she saw it, and quickly asked Chen Hong to show her appearance.

After reading it, Shi Shujun nodded slightly. Judging from her appearance, Chen Hong was more than enough to play Zhou Xiaobai. So she took out a line and asked Tang Qidong to give it to Chen Hong, "Read this paragraph."

"You're so poor...did you learn all these compliments from that book?"

Chen Hong's pronunciation is relatively standard, but it lacks emotion and sounds a bit dry.

Shi Shujun frowned. Just having good looks wouldn't be enough to play the role of Zhou Xiaobai, but she also really liked Chen Hong's appearance. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to listen to other people's opinions. "Jialin, what do you think?"

"You're a freshman, after all. It's natural for you to be a little immature. Can I ask a few questions?" Gao Jialin asked after getting permission. "Chen Hong, what do your parents do for a living?"

Why did he ask this? Chen Hong didn't quite understand, but she still said, "My parents are both intellectuals."

"Then your family background must be quite good? You haven't suffered much hardship since childhood, right?"

"It's a little better than most of my classmates. They've never let me down since I was a kid, and they're pretty strict with me. Even when I wanted to help with some housework, they wouldn't let me. They told me to just study hard."

After hearing Chen Hong's answer, Shi Shujun's brows slowly relaxed, because her growing environment was quite similar to Zhou Xiaobai's. Both were well protected by their families since childhood. The only difference was their family status, and this shortcoming could be made up for. It was not easy for them to find a beautiful girl from a high-ranking official family.

"I'll tell you a story and you try to act it out." Shi Shujun immediately gave two questions that could show Zhou Xiaobai's pampered nature, and this time Chen Hong's performance passed the test.

"Well, go back and wait for notification. If there's a result, we'll look for you again!" Shi Shujun thought. If there's no better, then let's choose him. After looking at the freshmen and then the sophomores, she found a suitable candidate for Yu Shanqing, but she still couldn't find an actor to play Qi Tongwei, nor could she find an actor who could compete with Chen Hong in terms of appearance.

Gao Jialin felt a little regretful because Li Youbin had graduated from the advanced training class of Shanghai Theatre Academy last year. Otherwise, he would have called this handsome young man who was famous in the area to play the handsome guy Qi Tongwei. It would have been a good story when "Bright Sword" was broadcast in the future.

Since we can't find a suitable actor at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, let's recommend someone from outside. "Director Shi, there was a TV series last year called 'Searching for the Lost World'. I wonder if you've seen it. The actor who played the leading male role, 'The Count,' was quite handsome. Do you remember him?"

"Yes, his name is Xu Yajun, I think. He won the Best Supporting Actor award at this year's Golden Eagle Awards! He was even on the cover of Popular Movies. Before him, it was always actresses who made the cover, and he's the first actor to do so. Needless to say, his image and temperament are absolutely perfect for playing Qi Tongwei!"

The more Shi Shujun thought about it, the more she felt Xu Yajun was suitable. "I've seen the introduction on 'Popular Movies'. He's only 22 years old this year. With a little makeup, he can play a college freshman. I'll call the Children's Art Theater and ask him to come over for a tryout."

Xu Yajun started out as a child star. He participated in a film casting at the age of eight and was admitted to the children's drama actor class of the Central Academy of Drama at the age of twelve. In the same year, he starred in his first film "Youth is Like Fire". After graduation, he joined the China Children's Art Theater, performing in dramas while participating in the filming of film and television dramas.

When they called, the Children's Theater was unwilling to let him go. They felt that Xu Yajun's filming outside had affected the troupe's performance, so they banned him from performing and he was not allowed to go out to film for the next three years.

Xu Yajun himself was a little reluctant. When filming "Looking for the Lost World", he and the young Aunt Baiyun had some sparks. Xu Yajun wanted to go a step further. Wouldn't it be a waste of time to go to Shanghai to film?
Fortunately, as soon as Shi Shujun told them the content of the movie, they immediately agreed. It would be a pity to miss such a good work as "Young Friends Come to Meet".

Xu Yajun arrived in Shanghai soon, and the audition process went very smoothly. Shi Shujun decided on the role on the spot.

After the young actors were selected, the teachers and school leaders just had to choose from the existing actors at the Shanghai Film Studio. The crew quickly got together, carefully studied the script, and worked hard to prepare for the filming.

At this time, the gap became apparent. Xu Yajun, Gai Lili, Gao Hongliang and others who had experience in film and television performances quickly adapted to the roles.

Some other actors who have not acted in film and television dramas but have participated in formal stage performances have also made rapid progress.

Chen Hong and several other actors who only had experience in internal school performances were a little behind. They were very anxious and studied the script and the original work carefully every day, but their progress was still slow.

That weekend, Gao Jialin came to the Shanghai Film Studio again to discuss the crew's schedule with Shi Shujun and to see how the actors were preparing.

When he came out, Chen Hong bit her lip and mustered up the courage to catch up with him. "Teacher Gao, can you tell me about the play?"

(End of this chapter)