Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

November 15th, Huairou Film and Television Base, a suburb of Beijing.

The black van stopped at the designated area for the film crew, and assistant Xiaowen got out first and opened the back door.

Zhang Ze got out of the car and looked up at the huge photography studio that had been set up not far away.

A large banner congratulating the start of filming for "The Message" was also hung above.

Zhang Ze couldn't help but sigh slightly.

As expected of a top-tier domestic team, they're willing to spend money even on these minor details.

Production assistant Li Baonian was already waiting at the door. When he saw Zhang Ze, he greeted him with a professional smile.

"Teacher Zhang, you must be tired from your journey."

"Brother Li, you're too kind." Zhang Ze shook hands with him.

"The conference room is this way. The director and the main actors have all arrived. I'll take you there." Li Baonian stepped aside to lead the way.

As I walked along, all the crew members I encountered seemed to be in a hurry, each busy with their own things. Occasionally someone would glance at me with fleeting curiosity, but no one would take the initiative to greet me.

Some of the child actors even showed a hint of disdain on Zhang Ze's face, without any attempt to hide it.

Zhang Ze knew very well that the foundation of this production team was Huayi Brothers.

From producers and directors to most of the lead actors, almost all of them are from Huayi Brothers.

As an outsider who squeezed in through Zhou Xun's recommendation, it was to be expected that he would be ostracized here.

Assistant Xiaowen followed behind Zhang Ze. She clearly sensed this subtle sense of distance as well, and her steps became somewhat hesitant.

Li Baonian led Zhang Ze to the door of a huge conference room and pushed it open.

"Teacher Zhang has arrived."

All eyes in the room turned to him.

Zhang Ze's gaze swept across the entire room.

Director Gao Shuqun and Chen Fuguo sat in the main seats, with the producer next to them.

On either side of the long conference table sat a string of people he usually only saw in movie posters and the news.

Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu.

Each of these names alone could be the subject of a movie.

Now, they have all gathered here.

"Zhang Ze is here, please have a seat." Zhou Xun waved to him and pointed to the empty seat next to her.

Her warm attitude dissolved the invisible barrier in the room.

"Sister Xun." Zhang Ze walked over and sat down next to her.

"Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Wang Zhiwen, who plays Wang Tianxiang in the play," Zhou Xun said, pointing to a middle-aged man on the other side of her.

Wang Zhiwen is around fifty years old. He is very thin, but in good spirits and has the air of an old-school artist.

He is a contracted actor with Huayi Brothers and is recognized as a powerful actor in the industry, having won numerous awards.

"Hello, Teacher Wang, my name is Zhang Ze. Please give me your guidance." Zhang Ze took the initiative to extend his hand.

Wang Zhiwen merely raised his eyelids to look at him, without reaching out to shake his hand, and simply hummed in response.

His attitude was cold, even carrying a hint of undisguised contempt.

Zhang Ze's outstretched hand paused in mid-air for a second before he casually withdrew it.

He knew very well that this was a sign of great dissatisfaction with him, probably because he had either blocked someone's way or been accused of using connections.

Moreover, this was a show of force.

In a film crew, the director and producer are at the top of the power hierarchy, but within the smaller circle of actors, veteran actors with extensive experience and solid acting skills also wield enormous influence.

Clearly, the reason why this teacher, Wang Zhiwen, treated him this way was to set rules for him.

However, Zhang Ze didn't care.

Tigers ignore the threats posed by foxes nearby; only rabbits get agitated when facing a fox.

He has excellent acting skills, so there's absolutely no need for him to fall out at this time. As actors, it's natural to compete with each other when filming.

It remains to be seen whether this veteran actor can keep up with Zhang Ze's performance.

If he can't keep up with the performance, I wonder if he'll blush when he thinks back on what happened today.

Zhou Xun noticed the awkward atmosphere, patted Zhang Ze on the shoulder, and didn't say anything more.

With everyone present, director Gao Shuqun cleared his throat.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, let's officially begin today's script reading session."

"I won't go into the importance of this film. Everyone here is a great actor. I hope we can all work together to make this movie a success."

After a brief opening, the reading session officially began.

Everyone opened their own script and, starting from the first scene, read their lines in order.

Zhang Ze quickly got into the zone.

The moment he uttered Bai Xiaonian's first line, his entire demeanor changed.

It was a kind of feminine softness and sharpness that seeped into one's bones; the voice was thin and ethereal, with a touch of operatic tone, you could only hear the voice.

The image of a spoiled, arrogant, and sarcastic commander's aide immediately popped into my mind.

The main actors present exchanged glances discreetly.

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

Based on just this one line, they knew that this young man was truly capable.

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Zhou Xun's face.

Wang Zhiwen's initially disdainful expression softened considerably, but it still held a scrutinizing quality.

The reading session proceeded smoothly.

Until it was Bai Xiaonian and Wang Tianxiang's turn to have a scene together.

After Zhang Ze finished reading his lines, it was Wang Zhiwen's turn.

Wang Zhiwen did not respond.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the script, and suddenly spoke.

"Wait a moment."

Everyone stopped reading and looked at him.

Wang Zhiwen's gaze fell on Zhang Ze.

"You're Xiao Zhang, right?"

"Teacher Wang," Zhang Ze replied.

"I heard from Brother Xun that you have a real talent for acting. Just now, when I heard you recite Bai Xiaonian, you really did have a knack for it." Wang Zhiwen's tone was slow, sounding like he was praising someone.

But his next words instantly made the air sharp.

"However, I personally feel that your understanding of this character is a bit too superficial."

He emphasized the word "surface" very much.

"Bai Xiaonian is indeed effeminate, but he's not just a simple sissy. Deep down, he's proud, even insecure. His sarcastic and eccentric manner is a protective shell. Your current approach is too exaggerated; you've only captured the form, not the spirit."

These words were no longer a discussion of the script, but a public questioning of Zhang Ze's acting skills and professional abilities.

The meeting room was quiet.

Directors Gao Shuqun and Chen Fuguo remained silent, simply watching as if to see how Zhang Ze would respond.

Zhou Xun frowned slightly, about to speak, but was stopped by Zhang Ze with a subtle movement.

Zhang Ze remained sitting upright.

He did not panic at the hostile accusations, nor did he show the slightest displeasure.

He simply looked at Wang Zhiwen calmly.