Huayu Entertainment: You have been directing for three generations, are you comparing your qualifica

Guo Fan has announced the complete cast list for "The Witch".

The main actors are all familiar faces, which is not surprising, but the choice of the main villain is unexpected.

The name Yutaka Takenouchi may not be familiar to people in China. He starred alongside Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi in the drama "Long Vacation".

His starring role in "The Beach Boys" aired, achieving an average viewership rating of 24%, which propelled him to become a top male actor in Japan.

Tian Xiaole was a little surprised to receive the email from Yutaka Takenouchi agreeing to participate in the film, because she had initially cast a wide net with high hopes.

Shanghai Sugar Man.

Everyone could tell that Cai Yinong was in a bad mood today.

As for the reason, only Liu Shishi knows.

I thought I could get in through connections and just go through the motions during the audition, but I was rejected.

The atmosphere in the office was somewhat awkward.

"Shishi, the role might not be a good fit for you this time, but don't worry about it. We have several TV dramas to work on. When Director Tian has any new roles, you can ask him about them again..."

Cai Yinong sighed. She had thought she could really get on Tian Xiaole's good side and quickly promote Liu Shishi to the top tier, but it seemed she had been thinking too much.

Liu Shishi nodded. She felt quite guilty for letting Tian Xiaole down.

Recalling her audition, Guo Fan's evaluation of her was: lacking spirit, and her acting was stiff...

Since she has no formal acting training, if she wants to act in Xiaole Pictures' projects in the future, her primary task is to improve her acting skills.

·······
Chen Zhixi knocked on the door and only entered the office after hearing someone say "Come in."

Seeing Zhang Li inside, her complexion was rosy, which was quite obvious...

She was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening.

She was very familiar with this kind of office drama.

"Director Chen, you two talk."

Zhang Li walked away with her legs clamped together, failing to get the role and instead getting a severe beating from Tian Xiaole.

"Any news from over there?"

Tian Xiaole sat on the chair and zipped up his pants.

“Masaharu Fukuyama refused; he’s a stubborn man and very resistant to our film.”

"I didn't expect him to be an extreme right-wing Japanese devil."

Tian Xiaole smiled dismissively: "What do the others say?"

"Nishijima Hidetoshi agreed, but made a request that we guarantee his personal safety."

“He also knows he’s afraid of getting beaten up for committing too many sins.” Tian Xiaole said with a playful smile, “This request is reasonable, grant it.”

Now that the Japanese actors are in place, domestic auditions should begin.

Audition invitations from Xiaole Pictures were sent out one by one, and everyone began to schedule time to prepare.

Lu Yang had a list of all the auditionees, which included people from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and almost all of them were second-tier or above.

He was a conscript recruited by Tian Xiaole to conduct the initial audition.

As for the later stages of "Embroidered Spring Blade," he would be more than willing to leave it to Lao Tian to oversee.

When he looked at the thick stack of resumes that needed to be auditioned, he was a little dazed. How long would it take to audition them all?
Starting from the 26th, all characters, big and small, with lines will have to go through the process.

"Hello director, I am actress Bai Bing."

Lu Yang looked up wearily, then mechanically asked her to introduce herself.

After several days of preliminary tests, he had seen too many beautiful women without makeup, and Bai Bing's appearance did not amaze him or give him a mental boost.

In just one year since his debut, he has starred in three TV dramas, but only "The Myth" has received any significant response.

"A prostitute could act, there would be scenes of her being forcibly hugged, but she wouldn't show her breasts."

"Yes, that's a basic quality of an actor."

Lu Yang nodded. He admired actors who could let go of their inhibitions.

"Next, perform a simple act based on this scene."

Bai Bing was quite nervous, as she had never experienced such a formal and professional audition before.

Actresses must appear without makeup, demonstrate their physical form in front of the camera, and then have their basic performance considered.

Lu Yang couldn't help but admire Tian Xiaole's strictness; even for minor supporting roles with just a few shots, she had to be so rigorously selected.

"Is this the last one?"

Lu Yang stretched wearily.

"Yes, they're here to audition for child actors," the assistant replied.

"Then go ahead."

A moment later, the assistant brought in a little girl, followed by her guardian.

"Little sister, please introduce yourself."

"Hello director, my name is Zhang Zifeng, I am 9 years old, and I have acted in [Aftershock]."

Zhang Zifeng blinked his big eyes and said in a clear, crisp voice.

Lu Yang smiled, flipped to the audition transcript, and said to Zhang Zifeng, "If a bad guy steals your lollipop, will you cry?"

"meeting."

"Then cry for me."

"Okay." Zhang Zifeng paused for a moment, his eyes reddened, and then he burst into tears.

"That's good, you acted very well."

Lu Yang gave it a very high evaluation, then ended today's interviews and went upstairs with the list of those who passed the preliminary test.

I couldn't find Tian Xiaole in the office; he was in the logistics and costume department, checking the scenes prepared for the movie.

It had to be in accordance with the conditions of the time; the elite class used fine materials, such as silk and satin, which has remained unchanged throughout history.

Ordinary people wear the most common cotton and linen clothes. The film "The Photo Studio" is told from the perspective of ordinary people at the bottom of society, so the costumes must be in line with the era.

They hired experts on the history of the Republic of China, seven top researchers on the War of Resistance against Japan, and a costume department of over a hundred people to realistically recreate the attire of ordinary people at the bottom of society.

Compared to the shoddy production in Hong Kong, where a single costume can be passed down for three generations, the mainland is far ahead in this respect. In a few more years, it will be dozens of streets ahead.

They poured all their budget into costumes, props, and sets, neglecting the most important aspect: content creation.

This resulted in empty content and viewers complaining that it was unwatchable.

Lu Yang came over and was a little taken aback by the sight of the room full of "tattered" clothes.

If you didn't know better, you'd think they were filming a disaster escape scene.

"Is the audition over?" Tian Xiaole asked.

Yang Yang handed over the list: "Okay, it's all finished. We can start the first interview now."

Tian Xiaole took the list and glanced at it; most of them had already been eliminated in the first round.

Actors like Fan Binbin and Li Binbin.

Her distinctive temperament clashed with the film's tone, and she was eliminated in the first round, never even making it to Tian Xiaole's door.

"This young actor named Zhang Zifeng is quite good. He can cry on cue. He was born to be an actor."

Tian Xiaole nodded, indicating that she would pay attention: "Pass the notice down that the audition on the 1st will be in full makeup, and the actors should arrive early without makeup."

"Okay, I'll go and inform the makeup team and tell them to get ready."

"Okay." Tian Xiaole looked at the team leader of the clothing department: "You heard it too, get ready."

········
Beijing Film Academy dormitory.

"Old Peng, will we receive a notification for the second interview?"

"The chances are slim. The competition for the male lead role is too fierce. We have no experience and no connections."

Peng Guanyin was rather frustrated because he is too tall, and there are very few roles suitable for him in this kind of mainstream genre.

"Yes, in the entertainment industry, it all comes down to connections. Maybe it's already decided beforehand."

When asked about his background, Zhu Yilong mentioned that a talent agency was willing to sign him, but only for a 35-year contract.

Suddenly, he sat up in bed, making the metal frame bed creak.

"Old Zhu, what are you doing? You're already thinking about getting your pigsty ready before the New Year is even here?"

Peng Guanyin made a joke.

Zhu Yilong ignored him and said seriously, "Dean Wang recommended us to Director Tian, ​​so maybe we still have a chance."

"So, Director Tian might know my name?"

As the two were lost in their daydreams, the phone rang suddenly.

It's Zhu Yilong's phone.

He glanced at the unfamiliar caller ID. As one of the principles of being an actor, he never missed a call, because you never know when you might get an opportunity.

"Hello, I am Zhu Yilong."

"..."

The call had already ended, but Zhu Yilong remained frozen in place, still holding the phone in his hand. "Whose call was that?" Peng Guanyin asked, a vague guess forming in her mind.

"Old Peng, it's a call from Xiaole Pictures. I've made it to the second round of interviews. I'll be auditioning with makeup on."

Zhu Yilong's voice trembled slightly; he hadn't expected to get this far.

"Congratulations, Lao Zhu! Don't forget me when you become rich and powerful."

Peng Guanyin offered his congratulations, but how much of it was genuine remains to be seen.

I am afraid that my brothers will suffer, and I am also afraid that my brothers will drive a Land Rover.

Human nature.

Entering May, Xiaole Pictures was bustling with activity that day, with many well-known actors everywhere.

Dozens of male and female actors from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong crowded the corridors and passageways. There were no single rest rooms available, and actors who knew each other chatted in the lobby.

On the surface, they seemed happy and harmonious, but deep down, their eyes were full of vigilance and wariness.

Dozens of news media outlets were staking out downstairs, their cameras and microphones aimed at Xiaole Pictures' entrance, awaiting the final result.

The makeup team has been busy since morning, turning into relentless makeup machines. Some people just sit down and start applying makeup with a series of loud, sweeping strokes.

Nowadays, actors are all fair-skinned and clean-cut. The first step is to make them look ugly, with rough skin and a state of long-term malnutrition.

At 10 a.m., the first batch of auditioning actors had basically completed their makeup and costumes and began their final auditions.

In the conference room, Tian Xiaole and Lu Yang sat together, with Wei Jian, the producer who had just joined the company, sitting next to them.

He used to be Ning Hao's agent, and when he heard that Xiaole Pictures was recruiting a producer, he came to apply.

As the company expanded, the professional producers found themselves stretched thin, and the newcomers they trained were not ready to become proficient in their roles.

The first actress to audition was Alyssa Chia.

"Hello director, hello interviewers, I'm actress Alyssa Chia..."

Tian Xiaole carefully examined her appearance and was surprisingly satisfied.

The character Zhao Yifang is a traditional woman with gentle, reserved, and resilient qualities.

At 36, she no longer possesses the radiant and dignified presence she had in "The Empress of China," but her gentle demeanor is tempered with shrewdness, perfectly matching Zhao Yifang's delicate personality.

Alyssa Chia's understanding of the character is flawless; she clearly did a lot of research.

So Tian Xiaole moved on to the next step: "Choose any scene from the script to perform, and be required to portray the contradiction of a sharp tongue but a soft heart."

Jia Jingwen thought for a moment, got into character, and then began to perform.

For a married woman like her, this is an exceptionally good performance.

However, Tian Xiaole did not make a decision immediately. There were many actresses present today who were capable of playing the role, so she decided to wait and see.

The next one is Yan Dancheng. Her image doesn't match, but her temperament is not bad.

Hearing that they were eliminated, their frustration was palpable.

Tian Xiaole's next words made her smile again.

"Let's try the role of Jin Wanyi instead."

"Okay, I'll listen to Director Tian."

What was a perfectly normal sentence to others took on a different meaning to Tian Xiaole.

Yan Dancheng's coquettish behavior was an attempt to attract his attention; this delicate flower hadn't been properly nourished in a long time.

The character Jin Wanyi connects several key plot points and is considered the third female lead.

Yan Dancheng's performance was commendable.

The next contestant, Zeng Li, was eliminated; her face shape wasn't suitable for acting in this kind of war drama.

Tian Xiaole ignored her mournful gaze and carefully marked the strengths and weaknesses to fill in the gaps.

Next up, Li Xiaoran, very big and fair-skinned, um—eliminated.

In those days, it was good enough to have enough to eat, let alone be raised to be so fair and plump, not someone's mistress.

When it was time to audition for the role of Lin Yuxiu, something interesting happened.

The Zhang Baizhi juice recommended by Yinghuang was eliminated in the first round. They really have no idea what they're doing.

Then I recommended Charlene Choi (Ah Sa).

Yinghuang really doesn't have any actresses, so they even recommended idol-type actresses.

The reason she was selected is simple: it's just a formality, a way to send a signal to the outside world.

Although Mr. Yang is a businessman, he is quite loyal and has always supported Jiang Wen unconditionally, betting on "Pacific Rim" in the past.

These things, one by one, are far better than those who claim to be close to the mainland but secretly show a completely different face.

Therefore, in this audition, three actors from Yinghuang made it to the second round of auditions.

When Mei Ting entered, Tian Xiaole's eyes lit up; that simple, rustic charm of a bygone era was immediately apparent.

"Director Tian..."

"let's start."

·······
Chen Hao is also good.

Hao Lei, Liu Tao, Jiang Qinqing...

After dating more than a dozen actresses, Tian Xiaole finally saw his "daughter" who had been separated from him for many years.

"Pull...Director Tian..."

Qin Lan almost blurted it out, whether intentionally or not, she didn't know.

Tian Xiaole adopted a strictly businesslike attitude. If she really wanted to go easy on them, there would be no need for auditions; all the actresses there would be knowledgeable enough to know their place.

Qin Lan's acting skills were too immature, so she was given a minor role with only a few scenes.

·······
"Director Chen's film is still being shot, and he's already here for an audition."

“My scenes are almost finished, so Producer Chen let me take over.”

Tian Xiaole nodded, quite satisfied with Huang Xiaoming, especially in terms of gifting "shadows"—his emotional intelligence was impeccable.

This means that he got the role of Kim Seung-jong.

When it was confirmed that he would get the role, Director Tian couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The others were confused and looked puzzled.

Tian Xiaole couldn't explain it. She couldn't very well tell them that it was because Huang Xiaoming was sensible, could she?

I had to change the subject: "Huang Xiaoming's acting skills only get better with age. He can hold his own against anyone. I'm really looking forward to his performance."

·······
"Just get started."

Huang Bo smiled and began performing according to the audition requirements.

The character of Wang Guanghai is complex and multifaceted; he possesses the cowardice of a small-time person, yet still retains a conscience, which places high demands on the actor.

Huang Bo's performance was quite good; he portrayed the obsequious and ingratiating side very naturally.

Deng Chao, Lu Yi, Wu Jing...

Next up was the audition for the male lead.

Nicholas Tse was just going through the motions.

Then he auditioned for more than ten more roles.

Tian Xiaole watched the number of resumes dwindle; the process was nearing its end.

The door to the room was pushed open, and a stranger walked in. He seemed a little nervous, and his voice trembled as he introduced himself:
"Hello director, hello interviewers, my name is Zhu Yilong, a senior at Beijing Film Academy, audition..."

Tian Xiaole looked at his information. He was one of the students recommended by Lao Wang. He must have something special to have gotten this far.

"Just get started."

Zhu Yilong took the audition materials, took a deep breath, and quickly adjusted his state.

Whether you can defy fate and change your destiny depends on whether you can live up to it.

The performance was decent, nothing special.

The Beijing Film Academy isn't really suited to teaching acting; its founding principle is directing.

"Interested in joining Xiaole Pictures?"

According to Zhu Yilong's profile, he is not signed with a management company, which is why Tian Xiaole asked him that question.

"Yes, of course I'm willing."

"Well, so be it."

After sitting all day, Tian Xiaole's buttocks were numb. She packed up her materials, got up, and left the audition room.

Zhu Yilong stood there, somewhat at a loss.

The others looked at him with amusement; what a lucky guy, just out of school and already…

"Come with me."

Chen Zhixi took Zhu Yilong to sign the contract, but the latter was still in a daze, wondering if he had actually landed the role. (End of Chapter)