Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

The group then went into the kitchen together and helped Huang Lei with the cooking. Before long, a sumptuous lunch was ready.

After the meal, everyone chatted for a long time until the sun began to set before they all dispersed. Li Xiang said goodbye to Huang Lei and Sun Li and then went downstairs to leave.

Once he was completely alone, Li Xiang's thoughts began to run wild...

He began to search his memory, trying to piece together some specific images from those vague and general descriptions.

However, no matter how hard he racked his brains, his mind remained a complete mess.

The characteristics of the character that Sister An described were too broad, and no matter how much he thought about it, he could not find a specific match between them.

Since he had no clue what to do, he decided not to waste his energy anymore.

Moreover, even if they come up with something, it will most likely just be a vague title, and they will still know nothing about the specific plot or the characters' flesh and blood.

In fact, all he needed to know was Lou Ye's name, that he was renowned in the art film field and focused on the three major European film festivals, and that would be enough.

Moreover, he vaguely remembered that Gong Li had appeared in Lou Ye's films. If the director could get Gong Li to participate, the film must be of high quality.

Moreover, Anjie's words implied that this was definitely the main character.

It's worth noting that, throughout the history of Chinese cinema, there are only about five art films that can be considered to feature a leading man and are suitable for his age.

Four of them have already been filmed.

Are we really going to have to wait until 2019 to compete with that young actor for "Better Days"?

Just thinking about it made him realize how absurd it was. Wasn't that just regressing as one gets older?

Therefore, he absolutely could not miss this opportunity.

Given his current age and experience, it would be extremely difficult for him to star in an art film with a leading male role.

However, no matter how well he planned it, the movie hadn't even been prepared yet, so there was no point in being anxious.

Fortunately, not being prepared has its advantages; at least no one has paid attention to this project yet, which gives him ample time to prepare.

It's common for art films to take a year and a half from project initiation to filming, which gives him a good opportunity to hone his acting skills.

At the same time, this incident also served as a wake-up call for him: he must never be bound by the image of a character, otherwise he might be eliminated in the very first step of casting.

As an actor, one must possess versatility to gain more opportunities to be chosen.

.....................................

If someone were to ask, what is it like for a top celebrity to be studying at a school?

Li Xiangding would confidently answer: "Nothing different from usual."

Even though this "nothing is different" may contain some element of deliberate maintenance by the students, it is still the same.

After all, students who can get into the Beijing Film Academy all carry a bit of the arrogance of being the chosen ones.

Or perhaps it was out of pride, but in any case, everyone tacitly maintained the decorum between classmates.

This left room for Li Xiang while also preserving a degree of dignity for himself.

Therefore, Li Xiang felt quite comfortable at school because everyone treated him with a normal attitude.

But this comfort didn't last long.

As the 60th anniversary of Beijing Film Academy draws ever closer, he, as one of the current face of Beijing Film Academy, has finally caught the attention of the school.

Although he doesn't need to personally go out to secure sponsorships, he can't avoid any of the occasions he's required to attend.

He even personally approached his own company and Adidas to solicit donations, securing two unexpected sponsorships for the school.

This move directly won the school's favor, and the news spread quickly among the teachers, unexpectedly bringing him into the view of several industry veterans.

Among them is a towering figure in the Chinese film industry.

It's not that Li Xiang's actions were particularly remarkable, but the key point is that he took the initiative to do this as a student.

This sense of self-awareness and responsibility, or rather, this feeling of being involved in the school's affairs as if they were one's own, is what made this elderly industry veteran take a second look.

After all, the school also has another student who was once very famous, but nowadays he rarely even shows his face.

I heard that the female classmate is known for having a very strong personality.

As the saying goes, merits should be rewarded and mistakes should be punished.

Since someone genuinely considers the school as their home, the school will naturally treat them as family as well.

Not to mention that the Beijing Film Academy is one of the birthplaces of this field, and it is the place that talks about these things the most and recognizes them the most.

The old man immediately called over a man and asked bluntly, "Have you met Li Xiang from the school?"

The man nodded immediately: "I've met you before, teacher."

"So, do you think he's suitable for the role in your movie?"

The man shook his head without hesitation and said decisively, "Going in the opposite direction."

"Oh? Tell me more." The old man's gaze was deep, gesturing for him to continue.

"Teacher, this kid is Wang's junior. He was the most eye-catching student when he first entered the school, and recently he has become famous for starring in Director Zhang's movie."

As you know, a child like him, who has had a smooth and successful life, is currently riding high on his success, enjoying the best of everything.

He then changed the subject: "But the character in our movie is a repressed, angry, twisted, and somewhat ugly avenger..."

This is the complete opposite of Li Xiang's current glamorous and successful image. So I never even considered him for this role.

Besides... teacher, this is just a supporting role.

After listening, the old man remained silent for a long time.

After a while, he slowly spoke: "Then do you know what our school teaches? And what he studies?"

"Teacher, our school teaches knowledge of film and television shooting and performance, while he studies acting."

"Since he studied acting, then he's an actor!" The old man's voice deepened.

"How can you so easily make a judgment based solely on an actor's demeanor when they're not acting? If you always act like this, you'll have a hard time being a good director."

He paused slightly, his tone becoming increasingly stern: "To see beyond appearances to the essence, to uncover the actors' inner emotions and versatility, that is the path an excellent director should take."

If you only judge an actor by how well they fit the role, then what's the difference between you and a student just starting out in directing?

These words, though harsh, were like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, instantly sobering the man up.

He stood there, stunned, his face turning red and then white.

Yes, my thought just now was truly absurd—

If you're filming a murderer, do you have to find a real fugitive?

To film drug addicts, do you expect the actors to actually become addicted to the vice?

"The teacher is right..." The man's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice tinged with a hint of hoarseness, "I got stuck on one thing and understood the concept of 'fit' too superficially."

The old man glanced at him and softened his tone slightly: "The value of an actor lies in their ability to detach themselves from their own persona and create entirely different characters."

As the director, you need to see the potential in them.

Like Li Xiang, you only see his current sunny disposition, but how can you know how many untapped undercurrents lie hidden within him?

The old man's voice was not loud, but it carried great weight: "I don't necessarily want you to use him, but your current attitude is very wrong, and that's the most dangerous thing."

He paused, then looked sharply at the man: "Do you really want to be a tool who just sits behind the monitor and shouts 'cut'?"

The lighting was handled by the lighting technician, the cinematography by the cinematographer, and then a few actors who superficially fit the characters were cast to perform the roles systematically...

Then what's the point of your existence as a director?

You need to uncover, guide, and control the overall situation, not just find ready-made puzzle pieces according to a script.

The man then fully understood the teacher's good intentions.

The teacher must have noticed his obsession long ago and knew Li Xiang's background well, so he deliberately used this incident to warn him.

If I only rely on verbal instruction, I'm afraid I'll never truly understand. After this film, I fear my path to becoming a director may truly be coming to an end.

After all, everyone knows that the old man is the producer of this film. If he really becomes a "tool", then in the eyes of outsiders, he can only be a tool.

"Teacher, I know I was wrong." The man quickly lowered his head, his voice filled with genuine remorse.

"It's good that you know you were wrong." The old man's expression softened, and he said earnestly.

"A director's responsibility is not only to make a good film, but also to explore the potential of the actors, the plot, the cinematography..."

You have to coordinate and motivate everyone's energy.

If you're content with the status quo, why should anyone risk their life for you? In the end, you'll just fade into obscurity.

As he spoke, the old man looked out the window, his eyes revealing a hint of emotion: "I know you are ambitious and eager to catch up with your senior brothers."

But what connection does ambition have with the selection of actors?

Is it because he is an actor promoted by Yi Mou that you insist on not using him?

In my opinion, this isn't ambition, but rather a deep-seated unwillingness to face yourself.

Do you think Xiao Lie and Yi Mou wouldn't know you're preparing a movie? But who has proactively approached you to discuss this?

You're being too stubborn these days, which is why you're drifting further and further away from everyone else.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have specifically come to be the producer of this film for you.

The man, whose thoughts had been exposed, blushed and paled in turns, unable to utter a word for a long time.

After a long pause, he finally stammered, "Then... teacher, shall we choose this kid?"

"Look at you, you've gone to extremes again after just a few words from me." The old man shook his head helplessly and waved his hand.

"There's no need for that. Just do a normal audition. If he's suitable, we'll use him; if not, don't force it."

"But this child is indeed quite good, and he is one of the few promising children in the school in the past two years."

If even our own family doesn't help, who else can we rely on? You only see that he's close to Yimou and his group, but you've forgotten...

Both he and Yimou graduated from Beijing Film Academy.

Only when our brand is prestigious enough will our graduates have more confidence and thus more opportunities.

"Yes, teacher, I understand. Then I will..." The old man interrupted the man before he could finish speaking.

"Let's talk about it during the school anniversary celebration. I know you pretty well, you're incredibly proud."

"I, this old man, will handle things when the time comes. As for external matters, you just need to keep up your backbone."

The man was so embarrassed by these words that his ears burned. He could only lower his head and obediently agree, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.

The sunlight streaming in through the window slanted in and fell on the back of his hand, warm and comforting, which helped to ease the awkwardness in his heart.