107: Audition for the filming of "The Legend of Fang Shiyu"
Behind the director, behind the second row of tables, the martial arts instructor Li Kaiming sighed helplessly.
Times have changed.
Before the millennium, they would still cast pure newcomers in main roles; as long as the person met the requirements and performed excellently, they would be chosen.
But now, the actor is more important than the role. Quality has to give way to commercial considerations, more or less.
Li Kaiming sighed inwardly, but he also understood that he could only go with the flow, and in the end, he did not voice any objections.
...
The clock on the wall slowly turned.
At 8:30, Chen Fang walked out of the lounge and went to the waiting area to draw lots.
The role of Nine Gate Admiral had two rounds of auditions; the first round tested acting skills, and the second round tested martial arts.
First, they drew for the first round.
Chen Fang drew a lot, picked it up, and saw: 11, also known as the second to last.
After drawing the lot, Chen Fang returned to the small lounge. Tang Chen closed the door and frowned, “We have to wait an hour. Do you want to continue practicing for an hour, or should I take you to meet some filmmakers, and we can come back to practice half an hour early?”
“Let’s keep practicing.”
Chen Fang really wanted to get this role.
Although the role of Nine Gate Admiral isn’t particularly effective for accumulating negative emotional value, at most it can scare children. But this is a movie, and for his acting career, it could be a big step forward.
Moreover, this character is a villain, and he’s very handsome!
Chen Fang adjusted his cloak and added, “Besides, running around everywhere now would put pressure on the other actors, wouldn’t it?”
Tang Chen sighed softly.
Given his status, it was normal for him to walk around the set. But this guy was still so kind!
Just as he thought of this, his phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw a message from Jiang Haotian:
“Boss, have you arrived at the film and television base? I’ll come over from the set in a bit! ٩(๑＞◡＜๑)۶”
Tang Chen really wanted to reply with ‘get lost,’ but what appeared in the dialogue box was: “Mm, I’ll send you the location.”
Beside him, Chen Fang continued to rehearse with his assistant, occasionally quickly pondering the character in front of the mirror.
Time passed minute by minute, and soon, nine o’clock arrived.
The first round of auditions for the Nine Gate Admiral began.
A young man of about twenty walked into the audition room and introduced himself: “Hello, directors, I’m Du Xiang, a freshman at the China National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, majoring in Peking Opera performance, specifically the martial arts role...”
After a half-minute self-introduction, the director said, “Okay, please perform the first scene.”
The audition scenes and character information had been given to them three days ago, so the order did not affect fairness.
The casting director stood up, “Teacher Du, I’ll play the blacksmith and act with you.”
“Thank you.”
The casting director walked to the table labeled “Forging Platform” and entered the role of the blacksmith.
This character was ostensibly a blacksmith, but secretly a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, aiming to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore the Ming.
And EErdo, the character the auditioning actor was to play, was dispatched to find a roster and eliminate Heaven and Earth Society members because Emperor Qianlong was having nightmares.
The director saw the two in position and said, “Action.”
...
The blacksmith (casting director) smiled guilelessly, “Excuse me, sir, are you here to buy a sword?”
EErdo (Du Xiang) looked cold and said in a chilly voice, “No.”
The blacksmith asked in confusion, “If not to buy a sword, then what are you here for?”
EErdo held his chin up, hands behind his back, “My master has nightmares every night and suffers from severe insomnia.”
“If you’re sick, you should see a doctor. We’re blacksmiths here.”
EErdo snorted coldly, “Seeing a doctor is useless.”
He took two steps forward, staring at the blacksmith with his chin up, his gaze fierce, “My master says that as long as he kills the demon in his dream, he can sleep soundly.”
“Who is your master?”
EErdo sneered, “Qianlong.”
...
The director said, “OK, next scene.”
Four minutes later, Du Xiang’s audition ended.
While he was leaving, the director looked around and asked for others’ opinions: “He’s alright, isn’t he?”
The casting director nodded, “He’s alright. He brought out the ruthlessness, which is very good among his peers. And his martial arts foundation is also up to par; he won a provincial championship in high school.”
The director also grunted in agreement.
In his mind, Du Xiang’s overall score was 65 points.
Du Xiang’s performance had flaws, and his emotions lacked layers, but as a director, with a bit of guidance, his performance could be used.
“Continue.”
However, as each person auditioned, the director’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter.
To ensure the fight scenes looked good, everyone except Chen Fang, who was already planned as an adjustment, had impressive martial arts skills.
But their acting skills were not very satisfying. They were either similar to the first one or a bit worse.
There were usable ones, but none were amazing.
After the sixth person left, Producer Tang Shan sighed softly to the director, “Director Yuan, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The industry is like this now. Few crews use martial arts actors, so there are few people.”
“Mm, I know,” the director said in a deep voice.
Among actors of suitable age, finding one with good acting skills is already difficult.
Not to mention, among those with good martial arts skills, picking one with good acting skills.
“Continue.”
Time passed minute by minute.
Finally, after the eighth person, Lin Hong, left, the director let out a long, relaxed sigh.
He could give Lin Hong’s acting an 80-point score.
He was indeed an award-winning actor.
The casting director beside him praised, “This one is good. Besides being ruthless, his arrogance is also very natural.”
The director smiled and looked back, “This was introduced by Teacher Li, wasn’t it?”
Li Kaiming smiled faintly and shook his head, “Everyone, don’t consider my face. Choose carefully; good acting is what matters.”
The director smiled, “Teacher Li, you’re too kind. Your eye for talent is indeed good. Let’s continue.”
Another 20-plus minutes passed.
Chen Fang arrived at the audition room door.
The staff member pulled open the door, “Teacher Chen, please.”
“Thank you.” Chen Fang, dressed in black combat attire and a black cloak, walked through the door and stood before the crew, “Hello, directors and teachers, I am Chen Fang.”
Everyone looked at him.
They saw his handsome face, tall and straight figure, and a hint of gentleness within his stern demeanor.
The director’s eyes instantly lit up.
EErdo was a nobleman, from an elite education background, not a cold-blooded killing machine. Chen Fang’s stern yet gentle demeanor perfectly matched EErdo, who came from an elite education.
From his appearance alone, Chen Fang was currently the closest candidate to the EErdo in his mind.