Inside the audition room.

Zhang Yuan took off his plainclothes police uniform and changed into the common clothing of domestic tour groups.

A light-colored, slightly dirty top, dark pants, and white sneakers.

In those days, sports shoes had a special name, called travel shoes.

The name sounds familiar, but in fact, it carries the sadness of a generation.

Why are they called hiking shoes?

Because rural people usually have to work in the fields and are reluctant to wear good shoes, they only wear these "high-priced" sports shoes when they go out.

These shoes are only worn when going out to meet guests, so they are called "travel shoes".

This name has gradually disappeared in the tide of the times, which shows that a pair of shoes worth one or two hundred yuan are no longer "treasures" that people are reluctant to use. That's great.

After changing his clothes, he turned around and walked towards the center of the room, which was the performance area.

Just these few steps made the boss and three directors excited.

"Hey, his temperament seems to have changed." Mr. Wang raised his eyebrows.

Compared with the remaining three, he is a layman. He can’t be said to know everything about performance and shooting details, but at most he has only a vague understanding.

The reason why he came back today is because he values ​​Director Feng as well as the project "A World Without Thieves".

In recent years, Huayi has shown signs of emerging as a market leader.

The two big bosses, Wang and Wang Xiao, are investing everywhere, which is referred to as "spending money".

And we have already started planning for future listing.

They want to make Huayi the first listed film and television company in mainland China.

Of course, in the end, Orange Sky was one step ahead and directly acquired Golden Harvest, went public through a backdoor listing, and became the first person in history.

This is also the reason why Wang Jinhua went to Chengtian after falling out with Huayi. They are indeed very powerful.

There is no place to stay here.

Since the company wants to go public, its performance and financial reports must be good enough.

Feng Xiaogang is the "boss" of Huayi in the film industry now and even in the next ten years. The Wang brothers are of course very concerned about his projects.

In addition, they are actually both "children of the big compound", so they are closer.

Of course, the Wang brothers' background is much larger.

Therefore, the level of attention far exceeds that of Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu".

Especially after Zhang Yimou's "Hero" earned nearly 2.5 million yuan at the box office two years ago, the Wang brothers, who were already good at showing off, have always had a thorn in their hearts and have been thinking about surpassing "Hero" all the time.

The previous movie "Cell Phone" had a box office of over 5000 million, which actually made a lot of money, but Huayi was not too satisfied.

They are counting on the movie "A World Without Thieves" to be a big hit!
Zhang Yuan knew the result. The box office was over 100 million yuan and Huayi made a lot of money, but it still did not break Zhang Yimou's record.

But it is enough to add a highlight to Huayi's financial report.

Also for the purpose of financial reporting and industrial layout, Huayi has another big move this year.

That is to change the previous strategy of "focusing only on movies" and begin to extend its tentacles into the booming TV drama field.

Similar to the film strategy, Huayi first needs to find a big figure who can take charge of the TV drama industry.

And the "big shot" they found was Zhang Jizhong, who had been working with Ciwen Film and Television before!

Why does Zhang Yuan attach so much importance to the two movies "Kung Fu" and "A World Without Thieves".

Famous directors and famous works are important, but Huayi behind the scenes and the bearded man who is about to become a member of Huayi are also crucial.

These people and things are all part of his strategy.

Mr. Wang is not a professional, but he can see the change in Zhang Yuan's temperament. How could the other three veterans not see it?

"When I was playing the role of a plainclothes policeman just now, I was still a policeman after all."

"His steps are majestic, his body is relaxed, his expression is confident and composed, and there is a gentleness in his stability." Director Feng said this deliberately out loud.

“Now I am a thief disguised as a tourist, but a thief nonetheless.”

"My steps were cautious, even a little pigeon-toed."

"His expression was cautious, and his eyes kept moving, as if he was always observing the surrounding situation, ready to take action or escape at any time."

“The body language is more restrained, too.”

After listening to his detailed introduction, the remaining three nodded in agreement.

"It's very different from the image of Lin Jiadong just now, but the temperament is similar." Chen Guofu said: "It seems that the image he created is more honest."

"And Lin Jiadong's shaping is more casual."

"Yes, the two people's performances are slightly different, but the general direction is similar."

"And Zhang Yuan seems to be able to get into the role faster." Director Feng reminded again.

Just now, Brother Hua brought his younger brother Dongguanzi to the audition, and judging from their performance alone, everyone present was quite satisfied.

Lin Jiadong made his debut in 88 and has acted in dozens of film and television dramas, so his acting skills are naturally impeccable.

The reason why his interpretation of the "thief" just now won the recognition of several "judges" was because it was real.

The source of this truth is life.

Because this person lived in Kowloon Walled City for many years after he was in his teens!

Kowloon Walled City, which is the prototype of Pig Cage Walled City in "Kung Fu", is not as exaggerated as in the movie, but it is a mixed bag with all kinds of people gathered together.

There were people pushing carts, carrying loads, practicing martial arts, performing, doctors selling magic pills... and of course, there were thieves.

He has seen thieves before, so he can act well.

What about Zhang Yuan?

He has also seen a thief, a big thief!

Cao Shangfei's level is much higher than that of the little thief in Kowloon Walled City. Because of the different reference objects, the characters they have imitated and purified will naturally be different.

Seeing his performance, Director Feng was actually okay because he had seen it before.

Although Mr. Wang is an amateur, he is still okay.

On the contrary, Chen Guofu and Jiang Haidao, two masters from Hong Kong and Taiwan, were very surprised.

They originally thought that Lin Jiadong's performance was perfect for the character, and it was a natural choice for him to get the role without any controversy.

But now a younger, better-looking, and just as skilled opponent suddenly emerges.

What should I do?
Anyone who has had contact with Hong Kong and Taiwan should know that people in these two places have a very serious tendency towards local protectionism.

Everything in the world likes to use the so-called "own people".

Naturally, they prefer Lin Jiadong.

However, on today's judges' panel, apart from the two of them, the remaining two are from mainland China, and their status in the crew is higher than theirs.

So the two of them kept silent and just watched quietly.

They want to use their own people, doesn't Feng Xiaogang want to?
Compared to Lin Jiadong, Zhang Yuan is one of us.

"Okay, come and perform a stealing scene." Director Feng said caringly after seeing him standing still.

Zhang Yuan nodded, then took small steps forward.

As he walked, his shoulders moved back slightly, as if he had physical contact with a non-existent passerby.

At the same time, his fingers moved slightly a few times, the movements were barely noticeable.

The next second, he stretched out his hand, and his palm sank downwards as if he had received something.

He turned his palms over, put them in his pockets, and continued to walk forward hurriedly, his pace slightly faster than before.

The whole performance took only a few seconds. Mr. Wang couldn't tell what he did at all, but the other three could roughly guess what he did.

Especially the martial arts director Jiang Haidao who came from a family of magic.

Zhang Yuan's subtle hand movements caught his attention.

"This kid's fingers...are so flexible."

Sister Cheng Hao clicked the thumbs up button...but Chen Guofu's focus was different.

"This kid's performance is very detailed."

"The speed of the steps forward and backward, the changes in the eyes, the changes in the movements."

“But these details are very restrained, which is the exact opposite of Lin Jiadong.”

In the crews of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", Zhang Yuan met Mr. Yu Wenzhong, who played Zhang Sanfeng, and Mr. Xu Huanshan, who played Xiao Wuyazi.

These two senior experts from Beijing Film Academy have both given him some guidance.

The most important point is that the best performance should be restrained.

The performance style in Hong Kong is just the opposite, emphasizing "relaxation"!
A typical comparison is between the mainland academic acting school represented by Wang Zhiwen and the Hong Kong wild acting school represented by Nick Cheung.

The two people's performance was just a combination of contraction and expansion.

Teacher Wang Zhiwen’s emotions are always “hidden”, while Nick Cheung uses more “explosive” performance methods.

This difference also exists in the performances of Zhang Yuan and Lin Jiadong.

As a Hong Kong native, he naturally prefers and supports Hong Kong-style performances.

Director Feng glanced at the two remaining Hong Kong people and had a rough idea in his mind.

He looked at Zhang Yuan in the room again, but saw that he did not stop immediately after the performance and stand in the middle of the room waiting for his next instructions, but walked straight towards them.

He didn't stop until he reached the long table where the four judges were sitting, and stood firmly.

And the person in front of him at this moment was Huayi's little king.

Zhang Yuan was very clear in his mind.

The three of you are sitting here in all the right places, but who will be chosen in the end is up to Xiao Wang's decision.

If he really designates someone to use, do you dare to object?

Zhang Yuan had already grasped the main contradiction!
He slowly raised his hand and placed his arm across in front of Mr. Wang, as if to shake hands.

Chen Guofu on the side narrowed his eyes.

"Good boy, just try to please the boss!"

"Jiadong is definitely not as good as him in this regard. This kid is really brave."

"But being so attentive may not necessarily win a good impression. It may even have the opposite effect."

Director Feng's heart also trembled slightly.

"Good guy!"

"I told him that the boss was here today, and I wanted to remind him to behave himself."

"His performance was indeed good, but wasn't it a bit too hasty for him to come up and shake hands with Mr. Wang?"

"It seems that this kid is still a little lacking in social etiquette."

"I thought he was smart enough to know that I would definitely help him blow dry."

Feng Xiaogang gave him a look, as if to say...

Look, it’s urgent again!
Wang Zhonglei was also stunned when he saw him raise his arm.

"This isn't an audition, why are you shaking my hand?"

"Oh... this kid is quite good at dealing with people. I guess he is a talent in communication."

Xiao Wang is usually a very presentable person, at least on the surface, he is the boss.

He smiled, raised his right hand, and let out a light exclamation.

He found that he and Zhang Yuan had shaken the wrong hands. The other party raised his left hand instead of his right hand, which is usually used for handshakes.

"This……"

Xiao Wang frowned slightly: "It seems that you still don't know the rules. How can you shake hands with your left hand?"

Generally speaking, even if you are left-handed, you need to shake hands with your right hand. This is an international practice.

Because the custom of shaking hands can be traced back to the days of slash-and-burn agriculture and tribal fighting.

The earliest handshake was a way for members of different tribes to prove to each other that they had no weapons and express goodwill when they met in the wild.

But as I said just now, Xiao Wang is still quite respectable outside.

Besides, he was impressed by Zhang Yuan's performance just now and he looked energetic, so he temporarily suppressed his dissatisfaction and took the initiative to change his left hand to shake hands with him.

As soon as he touched it, he discovered it.

"This kid's hands are really strong!"

But he was not overly attentive. Zhang Yuan just shook his hand and then pulled away.

Then he nodded slightly, gestured to the four people, turned back to the center of the room, and stood with his chest out.

"Okay..." Director Feng waved his hand awkwardly: "Okay."

"What do you think of his performance just now?"

"My opinion... the acting was good and very delicate, but..." Chen Guofu smiled secretly in his heart. This kid took the initiative to give us something to hold against him. How stupid.

"But performance is performance. It's not appropriate to do other things during the performance."

"Well, actors should be simple and just think about acting." Jiang Daohai also agreed.

shit!

Actors only know how to act, is that what you like?

Isn't it implicitly promoting Lin Jiadong, the little drama fanatic?

Zhang Yuan smiled and shook his head after listening to it, then said: "I didn't do anything else, I was always performing."

"Ah?" Chen Guofu and Jiang Daohai, the two Hong Kong and Taiwan directors, looked at each other and almost laughed out loud.

No.

There is a limit to how stubborn you can be. You can't ignore the facts.

Are you denying what happened half a minute ago?

Director Feng closed his eyes and thought to himself that this kid is usually very smart, why did he act so stupid today when the boss is here?

Nervous about meeting your boss?

Zhang Yuan ignored the three of them and walked forward confidently, just like he did in the performance just now, and came in front of Xiao Wang.

This time, he raised his arm again, still his left hand.

However, unlike last time, he did not extend his palm to shake hands, but raised his right hand at the same time, pinched the cuff of his left hand, and lifted it up slightly.

rub!
A silver-white light flashed across the sky, making the four people's eyes turn white.

Wang Zhonglei, who was closest to the scene, was the first to recover, and then he was startled.

He looked at Zhang Yuan's wrist and found a Patek Philippe watch with a silver frame, blue background and metal strap.

"This watch looks familiar, it seems... to be the same model as mine!"

Xiao Wang's eyebrows shook slightly, thinking to himself, are all the young actors nowadays so rich?

This watch costs more than 200 million!
Only a boss like me, a film and television company, would wear a watch of this quality.

What level are you? You use the same watch as me!
Wang Zhonglei suddenly felt a little depressed. He thought that he was wearing the same watch as a young actor. Wasn’t that too cheap?
"Hey?"

But soon, he took a closer look and found something wrong.

That scratch on the upper right corner of the watch frame... looks familiar?

“Isn’t this the mark left by Wenwen?”

At this moment, it was as if a thunderclap went off in Wang Zhonglei's head, and then he reacted.

"That watch he's wearing on his wrist is my watch!"

...(End of chapter)