Chapter 97

As for Chen Kaige's Wuji, Jiang Heng wasn't particularly interested; years later his only memories were the jokes about the costumes and not understanding the film.

Translation: Regarding Chen Kaige's "Limitless", Jiang Heng wasn't very interested, and years later his only memories were the "clothes" and "don't understand" jokes.

We need to keep quotes? Chinese uses 「」 for quotes; we can translate to English quotes. We'll use double quotes.

Thus: Regarding Chen Kaige's "Limitless", Jiang Heng wasn't very interested, and years later his only memories were the "clothes" and "don't understand" jokes.

two jokes

Han Sanping mentioned it offhand, and he simply listened.

Translation: Han Sanping said it casually, and he just listened to it.

Better: Han Sanping remarked offhandedly, and he just took it in.

Han Sanping said it casually, and he just listened to it.

He came this time to discuss the investment and preparations for the film Saving Mother by Splitting the Mountain.

Translation: This time he came over to discuss the investment and preparation issues for "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother".

Since the film is mythological, they didn't need any foreign actors or overseas locations.

Translation: Considering the film is a mythological theme, no foreign actors are needed during production, and there's no need to go to Europe and America for location shooting.

Therefore, Jiang Heng does not intend to involve Columbia Company this time.

Translation: So Jiang Heng this time does not plan to bring Columbia Company along.

Upon hearing the news, he was naturally filled with regret and shock.

Translation: Upon hearing this news, the latter naturally felt very regretful and shocked.

But when he learned they would still collaborate on Pacific Rim 2, it wasn't an issue.

Translation: But upon learning that cooperation on "Pacific Rim 2" would continue, there was no problem.

He only requested the distribution rights for Jiang Heng's new film in several North and South American countries; Jiang Heng agreed verbally, but the formal contract would be signed after filming finishes.

Translation: He only asked for the distribution rights of Jiang Heng's new film in several North and South American countries; Jiang Heng verbally agreed, but the specific contract would have to wait until filming is completed to be signed.

China Film contributed $15 million, and Jiang Heng's Jingcheng Aoying invested $35 million.

Translation: In terms of investment, China Film invested 15 million US dollars, and Jiang Heng's Jingcheng Outstanding Rising Film Company invested 35 million US dollars.

Jiang Heng still oversaw production, inviting Sammo Hung as action director and assistant director.

Translation: As for production, Jiang Heng remains fully responsible, inviting Hung Jinbao to serve as action director and assistant director.

They cast Lan Tianye as Master Zhenren Yuding, the teacher of Yang Jiao.

Translation: As for casting, Lan Tianye was invited to play the master of Yang Jiao, Zhenren Yuding.

Zhenren Yuding, the master of Yang Jiao.

For the female lead, the script went through several revisions, ultimately adding a young female character.

Translation: Regarding the female lead, after several revisions to the script, a young female character was ultimately added.

Jiang Heng doesn't want to use popular actresses from the industry; he plans to hold an open audition, which is why he came to talk about it.

Translation: Jiang Heng does not plan to use the currently popular actresses from the film and TV circle; instead, he intends to hold an open audition, so he came over to discuss it.

Han Sanping was delighted, saying, "An open audition is a great idea; the actress who stands out from thousands will be perfect in every respect. Once your film is made, the mainland will have another female star!"

Translation: Upon hearing this, Han Sanping was pleased: "An open audition—this idea is not bad; the actress who can emerge from thousands of troops will be absolutely flawless in every way. Once your film is shot, the mainland will have another female star!"

As the leader of the Chinese-language film market, Han Sanping values cultivating mainland stars amid the current dominance of Hong Kong talent, and he naturally welcomes their success.

Translation: As the leader of the Chinese-language film market, facing the current situation where Hong Kong stars dominate, Han Sanping cares about nurturing mainland talents and naturally welcomes their success.

Jiang Heng laughed, "Alright, it's settled—I'll have someone issue a notice, and you can send people to help with preparations!"

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed: "Then let's settle it like this; I'll have someone send out a notice later, and you can send people to help prepare!"

Of course!

Translation: "That's only natural!"

The news quickly spread across the entertainment industry, sparking a huge response.

Translation: Once the news got out, it quickly spread throughout the entertainment industry and caused a huge reaction.

Although Jiang Heng's films don't feature large female roles, Li Miki in The Matrix and Gao Yuanyuan in Pacific Rim both became overnight sensations and turned into top female stars in the Chinese-language film market.

Translation: Although Jiang Heng's films don't give women many roles, Li Meiqi in "Hacker Empire" and Gao Yuanyuan in "Pacific Rim" both became overnight sensations, turning into top female stars of the Chinese-language film market.

Landing a role in Jiang Heng's film is a fast track to stardom!

Translation: To be able to appear in Jiang Heng's film is to leap straight to stardom!

Mainland and Hong Kong actresses inquired through contacts, learned that Jiang Heng sought a young newcomer, and lamented their unfair luck.

Translation: Mainland and Xianggang actresses repeatedly inquired through contacts, confirming that Jiang Heng this time wanted to find a young newcomer, and they all lamented their unfair fate.

Furthermore, some actresses who had debuted but weren't yet famous sent their resumes to the crew, were unexpectedly accepted, and were overjoyed.

Translation: And some actresses who had debuted but were not yet famous, regardless of that, all sent their resumes to the crew, and surprisingly they were also accepted, making them overjoyed.

Many others, possessing some talent and good looks, began pursuing stardom by joining the female lead audition.

Translation: Moreover, many of those with some talent basis and good looks started dreaming of stardom and joined the female lead audition.

North America, New York.

Translation: North America, New York.

After a phone call, Liu Xiaoli grew worried and upset, staying glum for several days.

Translation: After Liu Xiaoli received a phone call, her face turned worried and annoyed, and she remained unhappy for several days.

Liu Tianxin asked her mother what was wrong, but she wouldn't tell her.

Translation: Liu Tianxian asked her mother what was wrong, but she wouldn't say.

One day, a Korean girl in the class packed her bags, saying she was preparing to take a leave of absence.

Translation: Then one day, a Korean girl in the class packed her bags, saying she was preparing to take a leave of absence.

Liu Tianxin wondered why and asked her.

Translation: Liu Tianxian became curious and asked her why!

The girl replied, "Don't you know? The director you like, Jiang, is holding a female lead audition for someone young with little experience—this is practically made for me. I'm going to China to try out, hoping to become the lead in his next film!" She then left full of confidence.

Translation: The girl said: "You don't know? The director you like so much, Jiang, is holding a female lead audition—he wants someone young with little acting experience; this is practically tailor-made for me. I'm going to China to take part in the audition, waiting to become the female lead of his new film!" She then left, full of confidence.

you

Liu Tianxin was left speechless.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Liu Tianxian was completely stunned.

After deciding to become an actress, she studied diligently, racking up credits as fast as she could to return home sooner.

Translation: After she set her goal to become an actress, she studied hard all day, desperately earning credits, intending to return to China as soon as possible.

But at this point, she wouldn't be able to leave the U. S. until 2002.

Translation: But given the current situation, she wouldn't be able to leave the United States until 2002 at the earliest.

But she didn't expect such a good opportunity back home, which explains why her mother has been feeling down lately.

Translation: Yet she didn't expect that there would be such a good opportunity domestically right now, so it's no wonder her mother has been feeling down these days.

She does want to join the audition, but after all those credits she's earned, she can't just abandon them.

Translation: Speaking of the audition, she does want to take part, but after earning credits for so long, she can't just give them up!

"Mom, did you already know that Jiang Heng is holding a female lead audition?"

Translation: "Mom, did you already know about the news that Jiang Heng is holding a female lead audition?"

"I know, and I do feel a bit regretful, but Xixi you're still young—there will be plenty of chances later. For now, finishing your credits and getting your diploma is most important. Once you have your diploma and return home, you can aim for Beiying or Zhongxi, and with some acting foundation you'll be able to work with big directors."

Translation: "I know, and I do feel a bit regretful, but Xixi, you're still young; there will be plenty of opportunities later. Right now, finishing your credits and getting your diploma is the most important thing, you understand? Once you have your diploma, returning to China to aim for Beijing Film Academy or the Central Academy of Drama, having some acting foundation, will make it easier to work with a great director!"

"Although this opportunity is rare, Director Jiang Heng doesn't only make this film; he makes new movies every year, so there will be chances to work together—do you understand?"

Translation: "Although this opportunity is rare, Director Jiang Heng isn't only making this one film; he makes new films every year, so there will be chances to collaborate—do you understand?"

"I understand, Mom—I'll work even harder!"

Translation: "I understand, Mom; I'll work even harder!"

Beijing No. 14 Middle School, a second-year class.

Translation: Mainland, Jingcheng No. 14 Middle School, a certain second-year class.

"Mimi, Mimi, have you heard? Director Jiang Heng is holding a female lead audition!"

Translation: "Mi Mi, Mi Mi, have you heard? Director Jiang Heng is holding a female lead audition!"

In the class, a few young girls gathered to discuss.

Translation: Inside the classroom, several young girls who still had childishness gathered together to discuss.

The girl called Mimi is, of course, the later superstar Yang Mi; she's still a little kid now, but she already has considerable acting experience.

Translation: The one called Mi Mi is naturally the later superstar Yang Mi; right now she's still a little girl, but she already has plenty of acting experience.

In 1990, Yang Mi joined a child actor training program; when the crew of director Chen Jialin's Tang Minghuang came to cast, the four‑year‑old Yang Mi was selected and played Princess Xianyi.

Translation: In 1990, Yang Mi joined a child actor training class; coincidentally, the crew of Director Chen Jialin's "Emperor Ming of Tang" came to select actors, and the 4-year-old Yang Mi was fortunate to be chosen, and she played the Princess Xianyi in the drama.

At age five, Yang Mi appeared in Wu Zongsu Su Qier as the daughter of the male lead Su Zan.

Translation: At age five, Yang Mi again appeared in "Martial Arts Champion Su Qier", portraying the daughter of the male lead Su Can.

In 1992, Yang Mi teamed up with the 'Six Teachers' to star in the children's opera-themed play Monkey Baby; in the years that followed she also appeared in music videos.

Translation: In 1992, Yang Mi collaborated with the "Six Teachers" to co-star in the children's opera "Monkey Baby"; in the following years, she also appeared in music videos.

It must be said, some people seem born for this career; their path goes smoothly and they show promise at a young age.

Translation: Needless to say, some people seem born to eat this bowl of rice; their careers go smoothly, and they show promise at a young age.

"I heard about it—I already sent my materials over!" The little girl couldn't hide her excitement, looking pleased.

Translation: "I heard about it—I already sent my materials over!" The little girl couldn't hide her excitement, looking rather pleased.

"Ah, if you get selected, wouldn't you become a big star?" The girl opposite pressed Yang Mi's shoulders and shook her vigorously.

Translation: "Ah, if you get selected, wouldn't you become a big star?" The girl opposite pressed her hands on Yang Mi's shoulders and shook her vigorously.

"Stop, stop—shake your head any more and it'll turn to mush! With so many people, who knows what will happen?"

Translation: Yang Mi's head swayed with her body; she hurriedly said, "Stop, stop—shaking your head any more will turn it into paste! With so many people, who knows what will happen?"

"Our Mimi is naturally beautiful; she'll definitely be chosen if she shows up!"

Translation: "Our Mi Mi is naturally beautiful; she'll definitely be selected if she shows up!"

"Exactly, don't forget us when the time comes!"

Translation: "Exactly, don't forget us when the time comes!"

"By then, help me get an autographed photo from Director Jiang Heng—I think he's really handsome!"

Translation: "By then, help me get an autographed photo from Director Jiang Heng—he looks so handsome!"

"Help me get one too!"

Translation: "Help me get one too!"

The girls made various requests, and Yang Mi took them all on with big‑sister confidence, saying, "Don't worry—if I get selected I'll definitely not forget you!"

Translation: The little girls made various requests; Mi Mi took them all in stride, showing big-sister poise: "Don't worry, if I get selected, I'll definitely not forget you!"

"Wow, Mimi is really great!"

Translation: "Wow, Mi Mi is really great!"

"If there's a chance, take us to the set!"

Translation: "If there's a chance, take us to the set!"

……

Translation: ……

At Shanghai Commerce and Tourism School, senior Tang Yan is preparing for the arts entrance exam, but her confidence isn't strong.

Translation: Shanghai, Commerce and Tourism School—senior high student Tang Yan is preparing for the art entrance exam, but his confidence isn't strong.

She feels the competition is too strong and her family isn't very supportive.

Translation: Because he feels the competition is too strong, and his family isn't very supportive either.

Wait we have line numbers up to 60? Actually we have lines up to 【60】? Let's recount: we have lines 【1】 to 【60】? The provided lines go up to 【60】? Let's check the original: after line 【59】 there is line 【60】? Actually the list ends at 【60】? Let's see: The lines given:

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Because I felt the competitors were all too strong, my family also wasn't very supportive.

When she first told her father she wanted to apply to the Central Academy of Drama, he actually gave her four words: 'Daydreaming.'

But this time she especially wants to be an actress, working hard every day for her 'dream'.

One day, her close female friend came running over in a frenzy, 'Tangtang, have you heard? Director Jiang Heng is auditioning for the female lead!'

'Ah!' Tang Yan froze for a moment, unable to react right away.

Her friend then snatched the textbook from her hand, 'It's already this time, why are you still reading? If you get the female lead, you won't need to take the arts exam—you'll become a popular star right away!'

Tang Yan said softly, 'But if you don't get in, you'll still have to come back and prepare. The higher the hope, the greater the disappointment—keep a calm mind, keep a calm mind!'

(End of chapter)