Chapter 98

Tang Yan said she had no confidence, yet she is a model of boldly entering the entertainment circle.

Originally, in history, the 18-year-old her would have won the championship in the national TV finals of the third Smooth Leg Century Star Beauty Pageant this winter.

But this time, because of Jiang Heng's new film female lead audition, she did not prepare to join any beauty pageant.

After all, even if she won there, it wouldn't bring much benefit.

If selected to become Jiang Heng's new film female lead, she would rise to fame in a single step.

After school, Tang Yan first went to a photo studio, took a few lifestyle photos, then returned home to prepare a resume.

The next day, accompanied by her best friend, she went to the Shanghai preparation office for the female lead audition of "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother" and submitted her materials.

Looking at the densely packed queue ahead, her best friend stared wide-eyed: "Are there really this many people? Did all the girls in Shanghai come here?"

"It's probably not just Shanghai people; likely also from Suzhou and Hangzhou," Tang Yan judged.

For this audition, applicants have two ways to submit materials: one is to mail directly to Outstanding Rising Film Company in Jingcheng; the other is to go in person to the preparation offices in Jingcheng, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chengdu.

Those far from these five cities basically choose the first option.

Those who are in or near those five cities mostly choose to deliver in person.

After all, it's a major matter concerning their future and fate; the girls naturally feel handing in the materials personally is safest, so preparation offices everywhere are packed with long lines, overcrowded.

Tang Yan and her best friend waited over an hour in line before arriving, then respectfully submitted their materials.

The preparation office does not eliminate candidates on the spot; that would be too hurtful.

They only have the girls do a simple self-introduction, show their physique, check their real appearance and figure; if they like it, they mark the file folder and put it in the passing cardboard box; those who don't pass go into a white plastic bucket, making the distinction clear.

"Hello, teacher, I am Tang Yan from the Air Cabin Service major of Shanghai Tourism and Commerce College, I am 18 years old!"

In the prime of youth, with a sweet smile, 172 cm tall, and having undergone flight attendant training, Tang Yan stood out among the majority of girls present like a crane among chickens.

The initial screening officer of the Shanghai preparation team stared for a few seconds, then showed delight: "Miss Tang, can you sing?"

"A little bit!"

"Whose songs do you like?"

"Wang Fei and Zhang Xueyou's!"

"Sing one for us to hear!"

Tang Yan hesitated slightly for a few seconds, then sang a cappella Wang Fei's "Stubborn and Unrepentant": "I could still feel with whose heart, truly sense the surroundings; even if tired, even if weary, I can only be stubborn and unrepentant..."

Tang Yan's voice and singing skills were not top-notch, but her state had an inexplicable appeal; the preparation team's officer made three marks on her file before placing it in the passing box.

"Miss Tang, you are excellent in all aspects; go home and wait for the call with peace of mind!"

"Thank you, teacher!"

Tang Yan smiled sweetly, bowed, and left.

The surrounding girls clearly felt the preparation team's appreciation for Tang Yan, and complained resentfully: "Why do they just ask others a few questions, but make her sing?"

"It couldn't be prearranged, could it?"

"Hard to say!"

People around chattered endlessly; Tang Yan paid no attention, linked arms with her best friend to go shopping, sharing the current joy.

"You say, will I be selected?"

Tang Yan licked an ice cream cone, gazing at the Huangpu River as she asked.

Her best friend ate even less gracefully, mouth wide open, gulping down, mumbled: "Sure you can! If you manage to bewitch Director Jiang to the point of losing his soul, don't forget to ask him to look after me!"

"Nonsense, he's so outstanding; how could he possibly take a liking to a little girl like me?"

"True, an airport…!"

"Ah, I want to choke you to death!"

In the afterglow of the setting sun, on the Bund street, the two girls stood by the roadside, laughing and horsing around carefree.

In Jingcheng, Jiang Heng, staying at Outstanding Rising Film Company, examined several faxes sent from the preparation offices; the contents included the number of candidates who passed the preliminary screening, as well as detailed information on those they favored.

Jiang Heng also gradually saw many future familiar names: Yang Mi, Tang Yan, Wang Ou, Qin Lan, Sun Li, Ma Shu, Song Jia, Tong Liya… many female stars born around the 1980s who debuted around 2001 had submitted materials and participated in his new film's female lead audition.

"There are too many strong contenders; picking them out and arranging a showdown would definitely be worth watching!"

At this moment, there had been no successful talent show domestically; the future hit "Super Girl" would not arrive until the second season of 2005.

The 2004 season only had third-place finisher Zhang Hanyun gain some attention; the rest did not become popular.

Jiang Heng didn't expect to make much money from talent shows; he just thought that in ten or twenty years, when these female stars become big hits, watching their audition performance videos again would probably be quite amusing!

Actually, not only female stars, but male stars' arts exam performances are also fun, such as Huang Bo and Zhang Jia yi.

Unfortunately, the school's recording equipment back then was a bit lacking, so when viewed ten or twenty years later, the picture quality is too blurry.

But Jiang Heng is not short of money; the more he thinks about it, the more interesting it seems, so he decided to use a film camera to record the scene at the Jingcheng audition "final".

At that moment, an assistant came over and said, Hung Jin-pao and Donnie Yen had arrived together.

"Oh, please have them come in!"

Not long after, the assistant brought the two into the office.

"Big Brother, A Dan, how do you have time to come over?" Jiang Heng rose and said with a smile.

Hung Jin-pao stepped forward for a hug, then sat on the sofa and said bluntly: "A Dan has been saying he wants to thank you; if it weren't for your investment in 'Kill Zone' that made him a hit again, he would have wanted to quit the industry!"

Because of Jiang Heng's cameo appearance and strong promotion, plus finding help for the review process, "Kill Zone" smoothly premiered domestically in summer and grossed a hundred million at the box office.

In Xianggang it also sold over thirty million, and box office performance in Taiwan, Japan-Korea, and Southeast Asia was also good.

With its hard-hitting, dark, fateful film style, "Kill Zone" became this summer's hottest action movie, akin to capturing the success of "Fist of Legend".

Donnie Yen also successfully made a comeback, becoming a new kung fu superstar.

Although after becoming popular his film offers quickly increased, and many big producers tailored kung fu films for him, but because preparation time was too short, the quality was not great.

Donnie Yen, mindful of Jiang Heng's favor, wanted to come over and ask, but the new film had nothing he could help with.

"Mr. Jiang, I want to come act in a role for zero pay!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily, originally intending to say, "I'm still short on your pay for acting!"

But as the words reached his lips, he suddenly felt that saying so would be a bit hurtful.

"Ah, having this intention is enough; it's not necessary to work for no pay!"

Zhen Zidan gave a simple, honest smile, "I just feel Mr. Jiang has been overly kind to me; I don't know how to repay him!"

Jiang Heng said, "Put your heart into making a good film, don't fool the audience like they're idiots—that's the greatest reward!"

(End of chapter)