Chapter 792: Zhang Zhang Yimou's Change of Mindset; First Day of Auditions

……

After 3 PM, once the investment share for "Dying to Survive" was finalized, everyone rose in succession, preparing to head home.

Meanwhile, news that "The Journey of a Lifetime" had wrapped smoothly and was officially scheduled for the Spring Festival dropped straight onto the Weibo hot search.

The meat-grinder-like Spring Festival battlefield now had one more contender vying for a slice of the pie; the already smoke-filled atmosphere of the film industry suddenly became even more gunpowder-laden!

"Lin Nan and I are both at the company, just about to head home. Tomorrow? Yes, tomorrow is the audition, hosted by Jia Nu and Han Dao for the casting of 'Dying to Survive'..."

As Liu Liu Yifei's voice on the phone rang out, Lin Nan and the others couldn't help but turn to look at her; whose call was this?

"What? You say you're bringing someone to audition? For 'Dying to Survive'? Alright, I'll tell her later. But who exactly is auditioning, so mysterious..."

A smile of disbelief crossed Liu Liu Yifei's face as she teased, glancing at Han Jia Nu, who wore an expression of suspicion mixed with bewilderment, and she playfully winked her right eye at her.

Not long after hanging up, before Lin Nan and Han Jia Nu could ask, Miss Liu spoke up herself, joking and bantering:

"That sister said she and Director Ning would bring someone tomorrow to audition for 'Dying to Survive', asking our little Han Dao to take care of them, but she wouldn't say who. Really."

"Alright, I'll definitely take care of them." Hearing this, Han Jia Nu immediately nodded with delight.

Little Han Dao, then little Han Dao it is; who else but a big screenwriter and a big director would earn such a "respectful title" for oneself? Hehe.

"Ning Hao and his wife want to recommend someone? Then I'm really looking forward to it." Even Han Han Sanping couldn't help but laugh.

"But why do I have a bad feeling? They've never made a request like this before!"

Lin Nan also shook his head wordlessly; what on earth was going on? Wasn't it just asking Ning Hao for a cameo, why the hidden agenda?

"Let's go, let's go, we'll know tomorrow." With Ren Zhonglun waving, everyone successively got into their respective cars.

Afternoon, Zhang Zhang Yimou Studio.

The casting for "Shadow" was still underway, and as of today, it had been half a month.

For the actors auditioning here, there was good news: they had gained an opportunity.

Starting tomorrow, while auditioning for "Shadow", they could also audition for "Dying to Survive" and "The Wandering Earth"; and both sides were directed by big directors, with Lin Nan's film side even more tempting!

The actor standing before Zhang Zhang Yimou for the audition was none other than Guan Guan Xiaotong. Of course, to say the latter reached this stage purely on merit would be a joke.

When he was partnering with Zhang Zhang Weiping, he had a subtle resistance to "connections", although he eventually agreed. But now? He had actively embraced this unwritten rule himself.

However, according to his thinking, he would do his utmost to balance connections and roles, striving to have his cake and eat it too! Even selecting and comparing among a group of connections.

"Alright, you can go back now; staff will contact your agent and family later."

A few minutes later, Zhang Zhang Yimou smiled and waved at Guan Guan Xiaotong; he would not tell the actor the result on the spot. Guan Guan Xiaotong also politely bowed, then quietly stepped out of the audition room.

"Director Zhang, what do you think of Guan Xiaotong? She debuted as a child star, her current national popularity is very high, her looks are delicate, and she has Ji Ben Gong..." Someone on the side was speaking softly and sweetly.

"Hmm, she can be considered." Zhang Zhang Yimou nodded; for such a supporting role, he was indifferent. It was all resources; who was it given to if not her?

"Director Zhang, let's see the next one. This one was also introduced, hoping to be in Director Zhang's film, and is a non-professional, named Liu Liu Haocun."

Another casting director chuckled and took over the conversation; the intention was obvious, he was at odds with the one speaking for Guan Guan Xiaotong, there was competition.

Glancing at the photo, Zhang Zhang Yimou nodded in agreement, "She is quite delicate, then call her in."

Moments later, a girl just over 1.6 meters tall was brought in; at first glance, she was ordinary, indeed lacking Guan Guan Xiaotong's recognizability.

"Hello Director Zhang, hello teachers, I am Liu Liu Haocun, from the Folk and Ethnic Dance Department of the Beijing Dance Academy..."

Perhaps due to some nervousness, during the audition, this freshman performed poorly.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhang Yimou had encountered countless non-professional actors and was very tolerant, but he still did not feel the other party had any particularly outstanding strengths or unique temperament.

This scene fell into the eyes of the casting director from just now, who grew a bit anxious; after Liu Liu Haocun withdrew, he immediately leaned in and whispered, "Director Zhang, Liu Haocun's family..."

Zhang Zhang Yimou's eyebrows clearly furrowed, sinking into thought, his eyes also glancing toward the door. To be precise, he was weighing interests.

"Director Zhang, for this role, the 'conditions' on Guan Xiaotong's side are absolutely the best; no one else can compare." The previous one spoke up at the right moment.

Sure enough, Zhang Zhang Yimou's furrowed brows smoothed out, "Hmm, then it's Guan Guan Xiaotong after all."

The casting director on the side, who had prepared to add more weight, fell silent; he knew Zhang Zhang Yimou had made his decision. This round of interest exchange had failed on his side.

Ten-plus minutes later, outside Zhang Zhang Yimou Studio.

Under the gaze of many, the casting director from just now got into a business van without concealment; inside were a mother and daughter.

"How was it, Director Zhang?"

Liu Liu Haocun, like her mother, looked anxiously at the casting director; the latter helplessly shook his head: "Ms. Lu, the role belongs to Guan Guan Xiaotong.

But it's okay; after the LeEco incident, Director Zhang's mindset has clearly changed; interests and money can move him. Next time, if you prepare fully, maybe you can always connect..."

"Good, next time, my daughter will be the female lead!"

……

The heat of the Golden Horse Awards began to rise; when Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei arrived home, they saw news that Feng Feng Xiaogang had just arrived in Taiwan, leading the way.

By all rights, today was only the 21st, and the awards ceremony was on the evening of the 26th; wasn't that going too early?

But thinking it through carefully made sense; Little Steel Cannon had gone out of sight to quiet his mind, had given up hope on "The Wandering Lady", and accepted his fate.

Without expectations for the box office, wasn't it just "focusing" on the awards?

He had brought out the necessary attitude, even "stooping" to go early to attend the Golden Horse Exhibition before the Golden Horse Awards, giving the Golden Horse Awards enough face; let's see how the Golden Horse responds!

Perhaps because two films were auditioning tomorrow, the phone calls this afternoon were unusually numerous.

Less than two hours after getting home, Lin Nan had taken three calls, and Liu Liu Yifei had taken four, one of which was from Xie Nan.

"She jokingly quoted her Director Wu's exact words, saying that for this kind of post-apocalyptic survival sci-fi film, the protagonist must have good physical fitness and a soldierly tough-guy image, otherwise it's unscientific; so, her Director Wu Jing will also come to audition, hoping you and I won't show favoritism and be strict! Xie Nan really knows how to say the opposite, hehe..."

Seeing Liu Liu Yifei on the sofa laughing herself into a fit, Lin Nan also laughed.

"'The Wandering Earth' will definitely be released after 'Wolf Warrior 2'; even after 'Wolf Warrior 2' is released, it might not have started filming or might still be shooting. Wu Jing calculated this correctly; he indeed has ample time for the post-production of 'Wolf Warrior 2'..."

Lin Nan joked and analyzed aloud, but the smile on his face suddenly faded, becoming serious, "'Wolf Warrior 2' first, then 'The Wandering Earth'... 'Wolf Warrior 2'!"

"What are you muttering?" A foot in white long socks gently kicked Lin Dao Da's thigh.

"Nothing, I'm waiting for Wu Jing! Given the relationship between that couple and us currently, it's indeed possible." Lin Nan caught that foot, but it was struggled free.

"What do you mean?" Liu Liu Yifei asked suspiciously.

"Liu Qianqian, please cook me a bowl of noodles. I'll go take a shower first; I need to sleep early today." Lin Nan stood up and walked straight upstairs, not answering Liu Liu Yifei's question.

Miss Liu also sat up at the sound, confident that cooking noodles was no problem for her. "Okay, I'll go prepare it for you right away."

"After 'Wolf Warrior 2', Wu Jing's momentum will make him the top actor in the country; indeed, he can add immense weight to any film, like a tiger gaining wings..." Lin Nan muttered to himself, acknowledging the truth of it.

At 7:00 AM on the 22nd, traffic on the main road beside Lin Nan Pictures was blocked, and the congestion was quite severe.

Although all auditioning actors were scheduled for different dates and times, since two films were auditioning simultaneously, the number of people was naturally not small, but very large.

Furthermore, media reporters would not accept any arrangements and came in full force. This resulted in a situation where a large number of actors' vehicles and media cars were blocked near Lin Nan Pictures.

"It's Ren Dong from Shanghai Film!"

"Good heavens, this is the first time I've seen Han Han Sanping so approachable."

"Nonsense, the one walking ahead of him is his only daughter; he has just this one!"

"It's truly lively today; not only did the big shots arrive early, but the actors are here so early too? It's not even 7:30 yet; usually auditions start right on time, at most half an hour early..."

"Brother, you just entered the industry, right? You should look at where this is, and look at the behind-the-scenes team for these two films..."

"Lin Dao and Producer Liu have arrived."

"Impressive; these two rarely oversleep!"

Amidst the lenses of the mass media, Lin Nan's car was seen weaving through a large number of commercial vehicles belonging to actors and celebrities, slowly driving into the building's underground first floor.

Although today's audition was not starting immediately, preparations still had to be made first, so one could not arrive too late.

However, the fundamental reason was that there were simply too many people auditioning, forcing the "examiners" to arrive early and leave late.

Taking the elevator directly to the third floor, Yue Jun was waiting at the elevator entrance.

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei, the auditions for 'The Wandering Earth' are in the large conference room on the west side, while 'Dying to Survive' is in the one on the east side. You decide what time to start."

"At 8 o'clock, we can have the actors come to the third floor to wait and prepare, avoiding harassment by paparazzi downstairs. Let's go sit in the 'Dying to Survive' room first, and go over there in a while."

Saying this, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei held hands and walked toward the large conference room on the east side. For today's audition, Yue Jun and Jiang Jiang Xuerou were assigned to stand on either side, as decided beforehand.

"Look at the actresses, from the three Golden Horse Best Actress winners like Zhou Xun down to the young stars like Ni Ni and Yang Mi... Now look at the male actors, equally incredible; big shots and powerhouses include..."

As soon as they entered, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei saw Han Jia Nu chatting confidently and showing off with Ren Zhonglun, while Han Han Sanping was seriously browsing the morning audition list and resumes on the side.

"We know there are many powerhouse actors auditioning for 'Dying to Survive', okay, but you hanging it on your lips all day is a bit much." Liu Liu Yifei couldn't help but complain, and Han Jia Nu instantly fell silent.

"Don't crush my enthusiasm like that; this is my 'debut work'!" Han Dao, Screenwriter Han, rolled his eyes at Liu Liu Yifei in annoyance and complained.

While these few people were chatting and exchanging pleasantries, actors on the lower floors continued to arrive—representing three generations of old, middle-aged, and young; famous and unknown actors and celebrities gathered together, with many veteran actors present!

It seemed to be an unwritten rule in the industry: famous artists ignored each other, while those who were not famous could exchange friendly greetings.

Of course, actors who were obviously competitors could not possibly greet each other with smiles, such as the Zhang Zhang Zifeng team and the Zhao Zhao Jinmai team...

"We have an advantage; you have acted in Lin Dao's 'Detective Chinatown', so he is familiar with you. And the hiring habits of Lin Nan Pictures are known throughout the industry..."

Glancing at the Alphard not far outside the car window, Zhang Zhang Zifeng's agent couldn't help but speak out to comfort her. The latter nodded seriously, indicating she understood; she was confident.

On the other side, inside that Alphard motorhome, similar instructions were being given: "Every audition is a new beginning; don't feel pressured. Besides, didn't we analyze this character for you before?

Her role has a lot of screen time, and it is very similar to your usual on-screen personality: cheerful, determined, lively... You are more suitable than the person next door..."

"I know, but I'm still a bit nervous." Zhao Zhao Jinmai pursed her lips, feeling somewhat helpless and panicked; after all, this was the number one director in the country.

At this moment, staff from Lin Nan Pictures came down, notifying each actor's team that they could choose to go to the third floor to wait and prepare, as the auditions were about to begin.

Immediately, many vehicles were seen opening their doors one after another, and a large number of familiar on-screen faces appeared in the paparazzi lenses. The entertainment reporters were extremely excited.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei had already left the large conference room for 'Dying to Survive' and gone to the 'The Wandering Earth' side, accompanied by Yue Jun; while Jiang Jiang Xuerou stayed here to assist Han Jia Nu and the others.

"Are these all the auditioning actors for today?"

Ren Zhonglun took the list from Han Han Sanping's hands and looked it over. "Oh my, the first day features big shots? Xu Zheng!"