Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 332 Casting Requirements, Strike Ends

The Lunar New Year has just passed, the chill of spring has not yet dissipated, the snow in the south has just melted, but the wind in the north has become even stronger.

In this early spring season when the weather is still chilly, the closed-door meeting between the Olympic cultural and artistic advisory group and the directing group, though kept secret from the public and not reported in the media, still managed to glean some clues from the slightest hints.

However, that's a high-level topic that only a very few people can touch upon.

The real uproar was over the casting storm for "The Martian," which began to unfold dramatically throughout the entertainment industry.

The audition was scheduled for February 20th, the day before the Lantern Festival.

This major Sino-US co-production project has generated considerable buzz in the industry since its inception.

The casting team, comprised of several major companies, has been quietly working on its projects in recent days, with rumors already circulating about some supporting roles and space agency-related roles, prompting many actors to test the waters.

Numerous discussions have been taking place within various brokerage firms.

"Damn it, none of these roles seem right for me. Maybe I'm just not meant to be?"

“A supporting role is fine too. I feel like I could try a role in the space agency.”

"Brother, do you think those roles are prepared for you? You're going to be competing with actors like Chen Baoguo and Li Xuejian? Aren't you afraid of being overwhelmed by their presence and not even being able to look them in the eye?"

A burst of laughter erupted, masking the anxiety and resentment hidden within.

At this point, the biggest beneficiary among the actors has not yet emerged, but the temporary winner is obvious: the Beijing Film Academy.

This period coincides with the art exam season, which is usually the busiest time for art schools to recruit students.

However, because "The Martian" began its pre-production in Beijing and chose to hold it at the Beijing Film Academy, the entire school was instantly thrust into the spotlight.

"This year's entrance exam for Beijing Film Academy is of utmost importance. We need to prepare even more thoroughly than for the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Look, the casting for 'The Martian' is being held at Beijing Film Academy!" The candidates were discussing excitedly.

"You applied for a performance-related major, but I'm different. I plan to do post-production work, so I'll apply for a fine arts major."

"You won't admit you're stupid. My senior, who got into the Beijing Film Academy's management department last year, told me that 'The Martian' also has practical courses in collaboration with the Beijing Film Academy."

Departments like management and fine arts send representatives to participate, but the requirements are very high; only those with top grades in their major courses are eligible. Do you have this resource at other schools?

"real or fake?"

"."

Various rumors circulated among the test takers, passed from person to person, and were told in a seemingly plausible manner. Most importantly, these rumors were actually true.

At this moment, the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy began to get restless.

The Shanghai Theatre Academy, in particular, is the top choice for art students in Shanghai, with a stable student body year-round, and is especially favored by certain regions.

However, this year, a significant number of students who originally planned to develop their careers locally have turned to the north to prepare for the entrance exams, which may lead to a noticeable decline in the quality of admissions this year.

Inside the admissions office of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, an older female teacher sighed.

"The problem now is that some students who originally planned to come to the Shanghai Theatre Academy ended up choosing the Beijing Film Academy after also getting accepted there."

"If this continues, I estimate that quite a few people will make this choice this year."

"."

At this point, both schools were helpless, as it was the other party's skill, a veritable open scheme. Meanwhile, inside the Beijing Film Academy, the atmosphere was one of jubilation.

"This year's admissions brochures and promotional materials were printed too early. If they had been printed later, it would have been great to put Wu Chen on the cover!" someone joked.

"That's too obvious."

"Haha, what's so obvious about it? They really are our students."

"Makes sense!"

"."

However, at this time, the most important thing for the "Mars Rescue" crew was to select the male lead.

Several major talent agencies were stumped after receiving the role recommendations, while the casting team of the production crew had been working non-stop for several days to select candidates who met the requirements.

Wu Chen listed too many conditions, not only specifying requirements for age, height, body type, and appearance, but also being extremely demanding in terms of temperament.

It requires the triple qualities of an "intellectual + adventurer + conductor", the ability to portray "loneliness in humor", the wisdom to find joy in hardship, and the power of strong personal monologue;
Moreover, it requires sufficient emotional tension, a believable mental breakdown and self-redemption process in extreme environments, and a strong sense of presence, so that even if a person sits motionless on Mars for an hour, the audience will not feel bored.

Even language expression is required: one must be able to give monologues, make self-deprecating jokes, explain science, and be humane.

Wu Chen has reviewed and personally shortlisted some of the invitees, and then handed them over to the casting director for further contact.

Hu Jun, Zhang Hanyu, Deng Chao, Liu Ye, Wu Jing, Duan Yihong, Zhang Zhen, Andy Lau
At this point, Huang Xiaoming was quite helpless because he had not received an audition invitation. Although it might take more than one round, 90% of production teams can resolve auditions in the first round, and it is rare for it to drag on to the second round.

"The height is not suitable."
Having obtained inside information, Director Wu clarified the audition requirements: there were strict height restrictions, and the actor needed to embody the physique of an astronaut to create a more imposing and convincing image on screen.

Huang Xiaoming listened to the news his agent had gathered and gave a wry smile.

"Brother Xiaoming, why don't you call Director Wu and ask? There's still a chance," the agent suggested, knowing all too well Huang Xiaoming's strengths.

Huang Xiaoming sat down and thought for a long time. He was indeed reluctant to give up this big opportunity, but he knew that Wu Chen would not lose sight of the bigger picture for a small gain. If it was not suitable, it might really not be suitable.

"Forget it, if it's not suitable, then forget it. I can't let a small matter cause a big loss. Besides, my temperament really doesn't match." Huang Xiaoming took a deep breath and reluctantly let go of the matter.

None of the industry insiders who received invitations have come out to boast; there were quite a few people invited, and they were all formidable rivals.
Hong Kong was still in a slump, and Andy Lau was the only actor to receive an audition invitation. When interviewed by Hong Kong media, he expressed his deepest gratitude.
"Thank you to the production team for choosing me for the audition. I was really feeling lost. I will give it my all, and I'll accept whatever the result is."

At this point, even the Hong Kong media couldn't find anything wrong with Wu Chen.

On the other hand, Huo Wenxi, seeing Andy Lau on the audition list, couldn't help but ask:
"Boss, Nicholas Tse is actually suitable too. If he can participate, the negative controversy surrounding him during this period can at least be suppressed."

"No way, don't even think about it. Even Han Sanping wouldn't agree to it," Yang Shoucheng said, rejecting the idea outright.

He knew Han Sanping all too well what kind of person he was.

If it doesn't infringe on China Film Group's interests, things can be amicable. But once China Film Group's interests are touched, for a film like "The Martian," they won't be so easy to talk to, especially with Wu Chen involved.

"Your audition candidates for Hong Kong are top-notch. You've silenced the Hong Kong media," Han Sanping said with a laugh as he and Wu Chen walked out of the conference room side by side.

Just as Wu Chen was about to say something, Jason Blum's call came through abruptly:

"Wu, it's just been confirmed. The American writers' strike has completely ended, and there will be no surprises at the Oscars."

(End of this chapter)