Huayu: Starting from managing the Mahua FunAge Theater Troupe

Despite being relentlessly pressured by Xiong Naijin, Shen Feiyang eventually gave Xiong Naijin a role.

She was cast as Lu Lu, a major supporting female character in the drama.

Xiong Naijin's life experience is quite similar to Lu Lu's.

Lu Lu came to Beijing from rural Sichuan to make a living and seek a sense of security.

Xiong Naijin wasn't that poor. She was a child star when she was young, and at the age of fifteen, she entered an art school in Sichuan. After graduating, she worked for the provincial folk art troupe.

But she also had clear life goals. After saving money for two years, she resolutely quit her job and went to Beijing alone to take the entrance exam for the Beijing Film Academy. From applying to enrolling, and from enrolling to graduating, she persevered through every step on her own.

The two started from different points, but their underlying characteristics were similar.

They are the kind of people who leave home alone, stand on their own two feet, and never look back.

Shen Feiyang chose Xiong Naijin to play Lu Lu not entirely out of personal favor, but also because he genuinely felt that she could bring the character to life.

Lu Lu's core quality, that "I must survive on my own" spirit, is something Xiong Naijin inherently possesses.

After getting the role, Xiong Naijin stopped trying to find another one.

After signing the actor contract for "Struggle", Xiong Naijin diligently rehearsed "Lost in Thailand", participated in the follow-up competition of "Shining New Anchor", and took some time to read the script of "Struggle" and figure out how to play the role of Lu Lu.

……

As for who would play the other roles, Tian Youliang first searched among his former students and current and former students of the Central Academy of Drama.

We should keep the good stuff within the family.

That's how it is in this circle.

Shen Feiyang is the same.

In addition to designating Shen Teng to play Xiang Nan, he also reserved several supporting roles for other actors in the troupe, including Lu Lu played by Xiong Naijin, Yao Yao played by Jiang Yan, Zhu Tou played by Wei Xiang, Guan Peng played by Allen, and Gao Qiang played by Zhou Dayong, among others.

The actors playing the main roles were discussed and decided upon by Tian Youliang and Shen Feiyang.

……

12 month 14 day.

Small conference room on the 12th floor of Zijin Building.

Tian Youliang and Shen Feiyang met briefly.

Shen Feiyang held a preliminary casting list finalized by Tian Youliang in his hand.

Aside from Xiang Nan, among the male characters, only Lu Tao and Hua Zi are worthy of Tian Youliang's personal selection.

Lu Tao: Deng Chao (Central Academy of Drama, Class of 1998, one candidate, unavailable, crossed out), Yin Xiaotian (Central Academy of Drama, Class of 1993, second candidate, slightly unsuitable in temperament, high salary, pending), Wen Zhang (Central Academy of Drama, Class of 2002, third candidate, currently filming "Days Related to Youth", available in March, slightly lacking in experience, pending), Tong Dawei (played "Yang Rui" in "Jade Goddess of Mercy", received a double nomination for the Feitian Award and the Golden Eagle Award, a powerful new generation actor, fourth candidate, extremely high salary, unavailable), Zhu Yuchen (Central Academy of Drama, Class of 1998, slightly unsuitable in temperament, pending).

Hua Zi: Zhu Yuchen (first choice, available, can be finalized)

Tian Youliang served as the class teacher and lecturer for the undergraduate classes of the Performance Department of the Central Academy of Drama in 91, 93 and 98.

In other words, Deng Chao, Yin Xiaotian, and Zhu Yuchen were all his students.

Shen Feiyang wasn't in a hurry to recommend actresses for the role. He looked up at Tian Youliang and said, "Director Tian, ​​for the role of Lu Tao, only Wen Zhang is actually suitable, right?"

Tian Youliang said with a sense of helplessness: "President Shen, the role of Lu Tao requires too much acting skill from the actor. Our drama focuses on the post-80s generation, so we can't choose actors who are too old. There are only a few emerging young male actors, and none of them are available. This Wen Zhang is a pretty good choice in my opinion."

Shen Feiyang knew that what Tian Youliang said was true.

In 2004, the situation of young male actors in mainland China was actually quite awkward. The market was squeezed by male stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan and the first generation of traffic stars, and many young male actors did not have the opportunity to practice.

Young male actors from mainland China who manage to break through in this environment have signed contracts for roles three years in advance, their schedules are packed, and they simply won't take on small projects like "Struggle".

The only option is a coat of arms that hasn't yet been developed.

Shen Feiyang deduced from the future outcome and discovered that only the emblem was a viable option.

Should we use other new actors?

After a moment's thought, Shen Feiyang abandoned the idea.

The risks are uncontrollable.

Shen Feiyang nodded slightly: "Let's use the actor with the emblem. Can we sign a contract?"

"Sure. I know their homeroom teacher, and young actors like him rarely get opportunities, so he'll definitely take the role."

"Okay. Let me take a look at the actresses."

Shen Feiyang continued looking at the list in his hand.

Shen Feiyang did not express his opinion on Hua Zi's choice, which naturally meant that he approved of the choice.

Tian Youliang put a checkmark next to Zhu Yuchen's name.

Tian Youliang was responsible for finalizing the casting of three female characters: Xia Lin, Mi Lai, and Yang Xiaoyun.

Shen Feiyang adjusted the regional characteristics of each character.

If it were the original version, all the main characters would be from Beijing.

Shen Teng, who doesn't have an accent, realized he couldn't possibly play Xiang Nan.

Therefore, Xiang Nan's identity as an ordinary person who went to university in Beijing from Qiqihar is more in line with the perspective of an ordinary person that Xiang Nan portrays.

The characters Lu Tao and Hua Zi can be either locals from Beijing or people from other places; their character settings should remain the same.

The same principle applies to the characters Xia Lin, Mi Lai, and Yang Xiaoyun.

The reason for going away from regionalism.

On the one hand, it's to resonate more with audiences across the country; on the other hand, it's to broaden the pool of potential actors.

The original version set the main characters as Beijingers because the production company was part of the Beijing entertainment circle, and director Zhao Baogang was a key figure in the Beijing entertainment circle, with a preference for Beijing culture.

The "Struggle" that Shen Feiyang wants to portray is about the struggles of those who drift to Beijing, and the shared experiences of those in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen who don't believe in tears.

The period from 2004 to 2005 was the time of the most rapid urbanization in China.

Tens of millions of young people flocked to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen from all over the country.

They are not locals, but they are changing the local area.

Aside from the unchanged character designs and overall story framework, the underlying tone is completely different from the original.

Otherwise, Shen Feiyang wouldn't have hired a team of screenwriters to write the script.

Therefore, there is a wide range of candidates for the three female roles.

Xia Lin: Ma Yili, Li Xiaoran, Zuo Xiaoqing, Zeng Li, Liu Tao, Sun Li...

Mi Lai: Bai Baihe, Tang Yan, Huo Siyan, Li Nian, Zhang Yunyi, Yin Tao...

Yang Xiaoyun: Li Xiaolu, Tong Yao, Dong Xuan, Yang Xue, Wang Luodan...

For each role, there are no fewer than ten actresses competing for the role, coming from various circles.

Of course, some of these actresses don't lack opportunities; they just have their agents or friends cast their votes to test the waters.

Just like looking for a job, you only have a chance if you submit your resume.

However, many actresses see this as a breakthrough in their acting careers.

The competition among actresses is much fiercer than that among actors.

Current TV drama creation is still dominated by a male perspective, with female characters mostly relegated to secondary or marginal positions, and very few roles that truly give actresses room to showcase their talents.

Projects like "Struggle," which feature complete female character storylines, offer a rare opportunity for actresses.

It can only be said that these actresses were born in the wrong era.

A female protagonist who becomes pregnant out of wedlock and returns to her village to choose a husband is an opportunity they never dared to dream of.

After silently grumbling to himself, Shen Feiyang asked Tian Youliang again, "When is the audition scheduled?"

"November 20th."