novelinnhs Chapter 5 confirms the male lead.
Chapter 5 confirms the male lead.
Film Academy faculty apartments
The aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the living room was so quiet that you could hear the click of the old-fashioned wall clock.
"You'd like me to be the producer of this show?"
Wang Hongwei's gaze swept across the faces of the two young men in front of him. Qi Yue's face showed just the right amount of respect and earnestness, while Guo Fan rubbed his hands together nervously.
"Yes, Teacher Wang," Qi Yue said, offering the teacup with both hands, his tone sincere. "It's also to thank you for your help and effort in connecting us. Of course, Teacher Wang, don't worry, you can just be a nominal producer. I won't take up any more of your energy."
Wang Hongwei took the teacup, his lips twitching slightly as if he wanted to laugh but held it back. "Students publish papers, get their names listed on the supervisor's name, and then have to help revise and proofread. And you, you just list my name and tell me I don't need to worry about it?"
He shook his head, his gaze sharpening. "Alright, you two, stop beating around the bush. Is something bothering you? Just tell me, and see if I can help."
Qi Yue and Guo Fan exchanged a glance, knowing they couldn't hide it from this almost shrewd teacher. Qi Yue decided to stop pretending.
"Teacher Wang, we have indeed encountered a problem; we're stuck on casting the male lead, 'Yu Zui.'" He briefly explained the audition process.
"Yu Zui is the key character in our show. If he can't be established, the whole show will collapse by half."
Guo Fan added from the side, "We also considered relaxing the requirements or finding established actors from outside the school, but firstly, the budget is tight, and secondly, we don't want to settle for less."
Wang Hongwei listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the sofa armrest, a habitual gesture when he was thinking.
He admired Qi Yue and his colleagues' rigorous attitude towards creation, which is the kind of pursuit that students from film academies should have.
"So, you thought of me, wanting to see if I have any 'stock' on hand?" Wang Hongwei said slowly.
Qi Yue nodded readily: "Yes, Teacher Wang. You are a senior in the industry, you have met many people and have a wide network of connections. It would be great to have your guidance."
Wang Hongwei remained silent for a moment, seemingly recalling something.
"I do have someone here who might meet your requirements," he said slowly.
Qi Yue and Guo Fan's eyes lit up at the same time, and their bodies involuntarily leaned forward.
"However," Wang Hongwei changed the subject, "he's not from our school."
"And who is he?"
"Next door, there's a student from the 10 acting class at the Central Academy of Drama named Jiang Qiming."
The Beijing Film Academy isn't the only institution in Beijing offering acting programs; in terms of influence, the Central Academy of Drama next door is second only to the Film Academy.
Unlike film academies, which aim to cultivate talents in various film and television specialties, students at the Central Academy of Drama focus on drama education, concentrating on cultivating stage and drama talents.
From the outside perspective, students from the Central Academy of Drama are generally considered to be slightly better at acting than those from the Beijing Film Academy, but Qi Yue would never admit that.
Would Wudaokou admit that Zhongguancun students are better than them? Just kidding.
"I noticed this child at a joint performance by the two schools," Wang Hongwei recalled.
"He played a minor character, not the lead, but his energy... was very interesting. There was something in his eyes, not empty. As for his appearance, he wasn't handsome in the traditional sense, but he had distinctive features and was pleasing to the eye."
Qi Yue's immediate interest
"Teacher Wang, can you get in touch with him? We'd like to meet him as soon as possible and audition for a role."
"I have his old contact information here, I don't know if it's been changed." Wang Hongwei got up, walked to his desk, and searched through an old address book.
"By the way, the Central Academy of Drama is putting on a play tomorrow night, and Jiang Qiming should be in it too. If you really think it's suitable for you, you can go and check it out."
......
The next afternoon, following the address given by Wang Hongwei, Qi Yue and Guo Fan went straight to a small theater near the Central Academy of Drama.
The small theater is hidden deep in the alley. The facilities are simple, and the audience seats are less than a hundred. Most of the seats appear to be occupied by students and teachers.
The stage setting was simple, and the lighting had a rustic feel, like a student's homework.
Qi Yue and Guo Fan slipped inside while the security guards weren't looking. The play being rehearsed tonight was called "Mr. Donkey." Qi Yue glanced at the cast list and saw that Jiang Qiming was playing the role of "coppersmith."
The surrounding lights dimmed, and the actors entered the stage one by one.
When Jiang Qiming, playing the "coppersmith," appeared with a simple yet somewhat timid appearance, Qi Yue did not immediately associate this seemingly rustic character with "Yu Zui."
But as the plot unfolds, the character of the "coppersmith" undergoes a complex transformation from cowardice to outburst under the sudden impact of his "identity" and "desire." Jiang Qiming's portrayal of this transformation is nuanced and highly impactful.
In particular, there was a scene where the "coppersmith" was provoked and roared his accusations in dialect, his eyes filled with a savage vitality that almost burst through the simple stage.
Those who haven't seen a play live can hardly appreciate the impact of an actor's powerful performance.
Qi Yue's back straightened without him even realizing it, and Guo Fan held his breath, whispering:
"Holy crap... that power..."
Jiang Qiming's "The Coppersmith" portrays the inherent humility and longing, as well as the earthy cunning and destructiveness distorted by the environment.
This has something in common with the core spirit of "Yu Zui," who goes from a low-level hoodlum to being forced to enter a police academy and carry out an undercover mission, trying to survive in the gray area.
As the play ended, applause erupted.
Qi Yue did not applaud immediately. He sat silently in the dimly lit audience seats until the lights came on again.
"It's him," Qi Yue said to Guo Fan, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Shouldn't we try it out again? What if it's only suitable for the stage..." Guo Fan was still a little hesitant.
"No need to try anymore." Qi Yue stood up. "The 'truth' on stage is the hardest to fake. He was just on stage, he was just another version of 'Yu Zui'. What we need to do now is to bring that feeling to the camera."
The two waited for a while at the backstage entrance, and Jiang Qiming, who had removed his makeup and changed back into his own clothes, came out.
He looked a bit thinner than he did on stage, with a slight excitement still lingering in his eyes from just finishing a performance. He was wearing a regular hoodie and sweatpants.
As Wang Hongwei said, he is not handsome at first glance, but he has well-defined features, bright eyes, and a focused and direct temperament.
"Jiang Qiming." Qi Yue stepped forward and extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Qi Yue, and this is my partner, Guo Fan."
Jiang Qiming was taken aback for a moment, then quickly shook hands.
"Hello Director Qi, hello Director Guo. Teacher Wang spoke to me."
"We just watched your film 'Mr. Donkey,'" Qi Yue said bluntly. "You acted very well."
"Thank you, Director Qi," Jiang Qiming smiled somewhat shyly, his smile still carrying a hint of student bashfulness.
"I won't beat around the bush." Qi Yue looked at him, his gaze sharp and honest.
"We're currently preparing a web series, and we're short of a male lead. We need an actor who can portray complexity and realism. Would you be willing to take on this role?"
Jiang Qiming was clearly taken aback by this direct affirmation and invitation. He was just a student who had not yet graduated and was still considered a newcomer on the stage of drama.
The other party was a web series director who had already secured investment and was about to start filming, and the lead role was offered to him so directly?
"I..." He took a deep breath and instead asked a very practical question.
"Director Qi, Director Guo, thank you for your recognition. But... I haven't acted much, especially not in web dramas; my experience is all stage. I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of not acting well?" Qi Yue picked up the conversation. "What we need is your raw energy that hasn't been worn down by the camera. I trust Teacher Wang's judgment, and I trust my own eyes even more. You are the person we need."
These words completely dispelled Jiang Qiming's concerns. He sensed the other party's sincere appreciation and firm determination.
"If...if you think I can do it, I'm willing to give it a try!" Jiang Qiming nodded vigorously, his eyes hardening.
"I will do my best!"
"Okay!" Qi Yue patted him on the shoulder. "We'll discuss the specific contract and script in detail tomorrow. Welcome to the 'Yu Zui' production team."