The only sun in Huayu

at the same time.

Shen Shandeng did not dwell too much on the controversy surrounding the casting process.

He took a small core team and flew directly to Xinjiang to scout out filming locations.

The vast Gobi Desert, the boundless wasteland, is scorched by the blazing sun.

Karamay, a city of immigrants that rose to prominence because of oil.

Shen Shandeng wandered around for several days, the wind blowing the corner of his clothes, carrying the dry smell of sand.

He looked at the desolate yet magnificent scene before him and was very satisfied.

He was drawn to the city’s ruggedness, tenacity, and a certain mixed vitality.

The local publicity department welcomed him very warmly, not just in a normal way.

"This is it."

Shen Shandeng said to the producer beside him, "Looking at reports and photos is not enough. Only by standing here can you feel the essence of this land."

With the main filming locations determined, the film's preparation has taken another solid step forward.

Back in Beijing, the Olympics had come to a successful close, and the tail end of August already carried a hint of early autumn chill, but the film and television industry remained as vibrant as ever.

Peak Pictures.

Ma Youde reported his recent work to Shen Shandeng.

"The first training sessions for the production, directing, and screenwriting classes have successfully concluded, which can be considered as sowing a batch of seeds."

"The post-production of 'Jiajing' is still being meticulously crafted, and the publicity and distribution are proceeding in an orderly manner."

"The preparation for '14 Blades' is proceeding smoothly, with Wu Jing coming over from time to time to discuss ideas."

"The pre-production work on costumes, props, and sets for 'No Man's Land' is nearing completion. Once the female lead is confirmed, we can begin full-scale production."

Shen Shandeng listened and nodded slightly.

He was satisfied with this methodical progress.

Ma Youde had just left when his phone rang.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Feng Xiaogang.

"Director Feng, has filming wrapped up? What's up?" Shen Shandeng's heart skipped a beat, and he answered the call.

"Haha, still filming." Feng Xiaogang's slightly roguish voice rang out: "Busy? Free tonight? Boss Shuo's got a get-together, a little something about your 'No Man's Land,' how about you join us?"

Feng Xiaogang was somewhat helpless.

His relationship with Shen Shandeng is not as good as before; they can't go back to the more pleasant period.

The media compared him to Shen Shandeng, and he could still find the earliest cannons and small cannons amusing.

Then there's the Hundred Flowers Award, where "The Eunuch" and "Assembly" are also in competition.

Adding to that, the box office of Shen Shandeng's two films surpassed that of ten of his films, so he's not really happy.

Feng Xiaogang is petty.

But since Wang Shuo had been kind to him, he still had to ask for a favor.

"Director Feng is here too?" Shen Shandeng asked. "I'm not familiar with Wang Shuo."

Feng Xiaogang pleaded, "Just to give me face?"

Shen Shandeng understood immediately; this was Wang Ziwen, the one Wang Shuo had recommended.

He hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

It was just a meal; they'd run into each other all the time, and he also wanted to see if Wang Ziwen at this stage could inspire his creative passion.

night.

A private room in a club with good privacy.

Wang Shuo arrived early, looking slightly overweight. The confident and assertive air he once had was replaced by a sense of melancholy and a deliberately maintained demeanor.

Sitting next to me was a petite girl who looked very young.

With delicate features and a look of timidity and wariness in her eyes, it was Wang Ziwen.

Feng Xiaogang didn't come in person, but he received a phone call. Upon hearing that Shen Shandeng had arrived, he quickly greeted him.

"Shandeng is here, please have a seat!" Wang Shuo greeted him warmly.

"Director Shen, hello." Wang Ziwen quickly stood up and greeted him respectfully in a soft voice.

Wang Shuo took a sip of tea and said, "Shandeng, Ziwen is a good prospect. Don't let his young age fool you; he's acted in a few films and TV series, such as 'Who Is My Father' and 'Cold Autumn,' but he hasn't made much of a splash."

"A blank sheet of paper, untouched by all those messy schemes. Isn't this the kind of material your Midas touch needs?"

"Xiaogang also said that this girl is very bright."

On the other end of the phone, Feng Xiaogang took over, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying, "Ziwen, don't just stand there, show Director Shen something, how about a dance? Or a short scene?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Wang Ziwen's face, but she still prepared to perform as instructed.

Shen Shandeng raised his hand to stop him: "No need, let's have a meal together."

Seeing that the matchmaking was over, Feng Xiaogang didn't want to chat anymore: "Director Shen, I have a film here, I'll invite you when it wraps up."

Shen Shandeng listened to Wang Shuo's boasting in a half-hearted manner, his gaze falling on Wang Ziwen as he carefully examined her.

At 21, she is indeed radiating youthful energy and possesses a unique blend of qualities.

The girl is lively and agile, but deeper down, she has an untamed stubbornness, like a small animal that is wary of its environment, fragile yet with a primal defensiveness.

This sense of complexity does indeed resonate with the character of "Jiaojiao".

But if someone is forced into this position through connections and succeeds, who will she be grateful to?
They certainly wouldn't be grateful to Shen Shandeng for giving them the opportunity; instead, they would thank Wang Shuo and Feng Xiaogang.

Shen Shandeng thought this to himself, but remained outwardly calm: "Ziwen has good potential, and I trust Director Feng's judgment. How about this, we happen to have arranged a formal audition here, let Ziwen come and try it out too, just to go through the process, so everyone can look good."

"Regardless of the outcome, being able to participate in the audition for Shen's new film is an opportunity for Ziwen to gain exposure. Releasing press releases and increasing her popularity is always a good thing." Wang Shuo and Wang Ziwen exchanged a glance and didn't say anything more.

After all, Shen Shandeng had already agreed to give him an audition opportunity.

Shen Shandeng's words were perfectly tactful, giving face without blocking any path, while firmly keeping the final decision-making power in his own hands.

Wang Shuo said, "Brother, thank you, thank you!"

For the next few days, Shen Shandeng's phone kept ringing.

Li Bingbing and Li Xue subtly inquired about the progress, and Chen Kun also called to speak on behalf of Zhou Xun, speaking in a familiar tone.

Even Fan Bingbing sent a sullen text message.

"Master, how did the audition go? Don't forget the old friends."

Shen Shandeng was not used to it at first.

The previous two films were both commissioned, with no public casting call.

But I gradually got used to it.

Personal relationships are the norm in the competition for resources within the industry.

The audition was held on the conference floor of a star-rated hotel.

This isn't some shady arrangement; it's simply industry practice.

The hotel offers ample space, good privacy, and convenient scheduling for the actors.

On the day of the audition, the audition room, which was temporarily converted on the third floor of the hotel, was a bit crowded.

Shen Shandeng sat inside with the casting director and producer.

The first person to come in was Zhou Xun.

While it's fair, Zhou Xun, as one of the "Four Dan and Two Bing" top actresses, certainly receives special treatment.

Zhou Xun remains humble, but her confidence and talent cannot be hidden.

She said generously, "I was drawn to the fate of the character in 'No Man's Land,' and I felt that the role of Jiao Jiao was extremely challenging."

The casting director worked with her on a scene.

In 08, Zhou Xun was at the peak of her acting skills and performance, full of storytelling, and a blend of spirituality and stubbornness.

I tried out a scene, and my performance was delicate and nuanced, with excellent control over my emotions.

After reading it, Shen Shandeng politely told her to go back and wait for news.

To be fair, if it were the original version, Zhou Xun would definitely be the top choice.

But the "Jiaojiao" he wanted this time was slightly different from Zhou Xun's.

Next, I tried Yan Danchen.

"Hello, Director Shen." Yan Danchen greeted everyone and then introduced herself.

Shen Shandeng smiled and said, "Hello, Sister Chen."

As fellow alumni of the Beijing Film Academy, Shen Shandeng greeted her more casually.

Yan Danchen has a gentle and elegant appearance and solid acting skills.

Her understanding of "Jiaojiao" leans more towards a kind of resilience that erupts in desperate situations.

The performance was very good. If we're talking about the original version, Yan Danchen is the kind of actress who is very "upright" and lacks a bit of "wildness".

However, Shen Shandeng's version is just right; it needs to have a virtuous and gentle feel.

Downstairs lobby.

Wan Qian and Wang Ziwen, who were waiting for their auditions, sat in a corner, both looking a little nervous.

Looking at the faintly visible figures of reporters outside the window, Wan Qian whispered to Wang Ziwen, "I didn't expect so many media outlets to come. Director Shen's influence is truly immense."

Wang Ziwen nodded, her little hands clenched tightly.

At this moment, Yan Danchen came downstairs after her audition. When she saw them, she smiled kindly and encouraged them, "Don't be nervous. Director Shen is very professional. Just perform normally."

She also briefly shared her understanding of the character, showing no airs whatsoever.

The tension between the two subsided somewhat, and Wan Qian was called up first.

Her performance, grounded in theatrical skills, was calm and restrained, effectively portraying Jiao Jiao's despair and forbearance.

Finally, there's Wang Ziwen.

She was clearly very nervous; she even stumbled as she walked in.

Shen Shandeng asked her to perform a scene where "Jiaojiao" witnesses violence at a gas station and trembles as she wipes away the bloodstains alone.

Wang Ziwen's acting skills are indeed raw, and there are even some places where her technique is lacking.

Surprisingly, she has a fearless spirit, and her petite frame seems to contain a strong sense of contrast.

That panic wasn't an act; it was more like an instinctive reaction. The subsequent attempts to appear calm while wiping were tinged with genuine trembling and fear.

It possesses a raw, unpolished penetrating power.

The audition is over.

Shen Shandeng and the casting team watched the audition footage repeatedly.

The casting director favored Zhou Xun, believing that her acting skills and popularity were a guarantee of success.

The producer thought Wang Ziwen was good and had enough explosive power.

Shen Shandeng had been thinking about it for several days; Wang Ziwen's appearance was an accident.

Her awkwardness and untamed wildness did bring a sense of novelty.

But in the end, he made the decision: "Let's settle on Yan Danchen." (End of Chapter)