Chapter 793: Casting the Role; Signing an Artist?

"Nickname?"

"Ning Ning Shitou."

"How old are you?"

"Seven years old."

"Are these your parents?"

"Mm. Auntie, didn't Auntie Liu and Uncle Lin tell you?"

A little past ten in the morning, at the audition site for "Dying to Survive," a child's blunt rhetorical question left Han Jia Nu completely stunned.

Meanwhile, Han Han Sanping, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Jiang Jiang Xuerou, Ning Hao, Xing Aina, and several staff members burst out laughing instantly.

"What 'Auntie'? You should call me 'Sister,' you know?" Han Jia Nu frowned and immediately became displeased.

A hint of cunning flashed in her eyes; then she looked at the little brat before her and began her ill-intentioned coaxing, paying no mind that the child's real parents were right there beside her:

"You're so young, yet your parents let you go out to work. Do you know this is called child labor? It counts as child abuse?

Your father's heart is truly black; he's planning to have a younger brother for you while you're away from home so he can inherit the family fortune later... You'll have to support yourself, with not a single penny..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Han Han Sanping reprimanded his unreliable, leaky, black-hearted little cotton-padded jacket with a sense of helplessness, while the other few people nearby watched the spectacle with great interest.

"A... Sister, I'm seven years old. Please don't treat me like a little brat, okay? My parents are just doing this to train me."

Ning Ning Shitou held back from "educating" Han Jia Nu; this auntie's brain seemed a bit childish. She was actually using the same trick to coax him that she'd use on a three-year-old? Uncle Lin had already been coaxed with that trick two years ago!

"Hahaha, Jia Nu, you've been looked down upon by Ning Hao's seven-year-old son." Ren Ren Zhonglun, showing no trace of elder decorum, teased this niece of his without restraint.

"My son is good, Han Dong?" Xing Aina pulled her son over and asked with a beaming smile.

"Of course, no problem at all. He's just like a little adult."

Han Jia Nu made a face at Ning Ning Shitou, paying no heed to her personal image, and received a smiling face in return; the friendship formed through conflict between her and the little brat was established instantly.

"Director Ning will make a cameo as the landlord, and Little Ning Shitou will play the protagonist's son; both are zero salary, okay? Mm, three meals provided." Smiling and nodding, the female assistant director confirmed once more, and immediately the scene was filled with laughter again.

Outside the door, the large and small conference rooms and reception rooms on the third floor were already filled with actors and artists from the industry waiting for auditions;

even in the corridors and on the balconies, many agents and assistants were lingering, creating a truly spectacular scene.

At the same time, in the largest conference room at the far west, the audition for "The Wandering Earth" was also underway.

"Actors from the Central Academy of Drama are indeed numerous; these are all of them." Yue Jun lowered his voice and whispered to Liu Liu Yifei, glancing at Li Li Guangjie who was performing without props.

Actually, Lin Nan had dealt with Li Li Guangjie quite a while ago; when CCTV filmed "The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Prequel to the Lotus Lamp," Lin Nan was the credited director, while the latter played the role of Yang Tianyou.

Although it was only a credited role, Lin Nan still attended the opening ceremony and necessary visits, so they knew each other. The latter's on-screen image was mostly upright and righteous, so his acting skills were naturally impeccable.

"Mm, that's enough. The staff will give you a reply in a few days."

"Thank you, Lin Dao, Producer Liu, and Director Yue. I'll head back now and not delay the auditions for others behind me."

Smiling and bowing his head slightly, Li Li Guangjie turned to exit the conference room; he still had an audition for "Shadow" this afternoon.

Lin Nan also smiled and nodded, then drew a circle on the audition resume in front of him. "Who is next?"

"Lin Dao, it's Zhang Zhang Zifeng." Miss Liu pushed the resume toward Lin Nan with an amused tone, while simultaneously retrieving the one he had just circled.

Lin Nan looked down and saw that "Detective Chinatown" in Zhang Zhang Zifeng's resume was so conspicuous, even listed as the first representative work.

"Ah, let her come in." Sighing, Lin Nan instructed his assistant.

The last time Lin Nan met Zhang Zhang Zifeng was when "Detective Chinatown" finished its theatrical run; only nine months had passed; yet seeing her now, she seemed much more mature, a proper young lady.

Compared to the immaturity when filming started in the first half of last year, they were two completely different appearances. Mm, it was the difference between a high school student and a middle school student.

"Lin Dao, Producer Liu, Director Yue, good morning."

Sometimes, an overly mature and steady temperament in a young actor is not a good thing. Because it doesn't match their age, their on-screen image can easily become fixed.

This was the thought in the hearts of Lin Nan, Liu Liu Yifei, and Yue Jun at this moment; Zhang Zhang Zifeng looked very well-behaved and introverted, but this very strength had turned into a clear weakness in "The Wandering Earth."

"We need a sister image that is extroverted, cheerful, and lively, one that looks carefree and heartless at first glance, but who is actually resilient."

Liu Liu Yifei spoke first; she was a bit worried about this little girl. After all, when she was on the set of "Detective Chinatown" before, the other party had been very polite, calling her "Sister" this and "Sister" that.

"You have three minutes to prepare. Create your own performance format; regarding the performance content... I only look at the result."

Lin Nan took over the conversation; his emotionless tone made the atmosphere in the scene suddenly become serious, and Zhang Zhang Zifeng couldn't help but feel nervous, with pressure doubling.

Han Jia Nu served as an executive director and assistant director on the set of "Lost in Thailand," commonly known as doing miscellaneous work, thereby avoiding some exams in the directing department, and the director of "Lost in Thailand" was none other than Xu Zheng.

At that time, Xu Zheng was very friendly and approachable toward Han Jia Nu, maintaining a very low posture, with no airs of a senior in the industry.

So for Han Jia Nu, Xu Zheng coming to audition for "Dying to Survive" at this moment could indeed be considered an old acquaintance.

Of course, with Han Han Sanping and Ren Ren Zhonglun presiding on the side, even Xu Zheng, who had now become a big director and capital, would only be more humble, more respectful, and maintain an even lower posture than before.

"Speaking of actors who switched careers to become directors in recent years, you are absolutely the first! Whether it is your acting skills as an actor or your box office results as a film director, both are very impressive."

Han Han Sanping spared no praise for Xu Zheng's audition performance, even straying off-topic. In that moment, it was as if the "Zuo Zuo Shandiao" who served at China Film had returned.

"Thank you for your praise, Han Dong. It's just a skill for making a living." Xu Zheng agreed with a smile.

"No need to be modest; your career planning is undoubtedly the most clear-headed among the Yanji Sect in the industry.

"The path of an actor eventually comes to an end; from that point, you then balance acting and directing, even reaching today's position as a major investor," Ren Ren Zhonglun interjected, affirming the statement.

Hearing this, Xu Zheng immediately clasped his hands: "Chairman Ren, you honor me; the road is still long, and I still need to improve further." As he spoke, Xu Zheng also looked at Han Jia Nu, who was sitting in the middle position, expecting something.

"No need to wait for a reply; I can tell Director Xu right now. Welcome to join the team of 'Dying to Survive'; I hope you can act out my script well. Of course, after filming starts, Senior Brother Lin will be the boss of the set.

However, given your acting skills and your standard of portraying this type of character, I imagine he won't say anything; it's you and no one else." Han Jia Nu said it openly and generously.

"Then I really must bow to you, Han Dong, right now, and thank Han Dong and Chairman Ren for your affirmation." As he spoke, Xu Zheng really bowed with a smile, handling human relations and worldly wisdom perfectly.

At 11:40 in the morning, Zhao Zhao Jinmai bowed very politely and then turned to leave the audition conference room for "The Wandering Earth."

And the noon auditions ended there.

Walking out of Lin Nan Film Building, quickly dodging media lenses with the help of her assistant, Zhao Zhao Jinmai had just sat into the car when she was met with her agent's eager inquiry, the latter's face carrying obvious expectation.

"Mai Mai, how was it?"

"I don't know either; Lin Dao and the others haven't given results. But the audition content was quite simple; hmm, I personally feel it wasn't difficult."

Zhao Zhao Jinmai was speaking her true thoughts, but hearing it in her agent's ears made things sound rather ominous.

It was just like those students who, after every exam, always said the test went well and the questions were very easy, while the top students always looked gloomy or expressionless, feeling something was wrong everywhere and worrying greatly.

"The audition is already over; you can't make me go back and try again, can you?" Seeing the agent's negative expression, Zhao Zhao Jinmai tilted her head, pouted, and said helplessly.

"Forget it, forget it, let's go back first."

The agent was also helpless and could only hope for a miracle to happen. She knew that fifty minutes ago, when Zhang Zhang Zifeng came out, she had glanced through the car window; that was the expression of a top student!

The paparazzi had not left Lin Nan Film; they were already prepared to station themselves there long-term;

but Lin Dao Da and his group needed to eat, so at noon, several cars were seen roaring out from the negative first floor—the lunch banquet had been booked in advance.

Outside, the atmosphere for the New Year's film season had already become extremely intense; the entire film industry's focus had naturally shifted to the premiere of "Meigonghe Action" the day after tomorrow.

As the second mainstream commercial film directed by Lin Nan, the industry was all waiting to see the results.

Once the box office is a huge success, it will also mean that the track of mainstream commercial films has completely taken shape, and everyone will be able to enter boldly and share a piece of the pie!

As soon as they sat inside the private room of the private kitchen, Wang Wang Changtian's phone call came through.

"The Great Hall has already been set up; the red carpet, flower baskets, and those things will be laid out on the evening of the 24th. I know you two have been very busy with auditions and casting these past two days, but you must get up early on the 25th; there will be many leaders that day!"

"No problem, thank you, Mr. Wang. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up first; I'm about to eat."

Facing the teasing gazes of the people at the table, Lin Nan decisively urged Wang Wang Changtian to hang up the phone, and then got scolded a few times.

In less than five minutes, the whole table of dishes was served, and Han Jia Nu began to talk about the morning's audition casting situation.

"Xu Zheng?" Lin Nan looked at Han Jia Nu.

"Yes, it's him. My father and Uncle Ren both think choosing him is correct; Director Jiang also thinks so.

In terms of acting skills, screen image, star power, fame, and fan appeal, when these points are combined, there is no actor in the industry more suitable than him.

Moreover, with such a grand setup, I'm not willing to promote an unfamiliar actor; Brother Lin, what do you think?"

Han Jia Nu spoke very logically and was quite tsundere. Han Han Sanping, Ren Ren Zhonglun, and Jiang Jiang Xuerou were nodding in agreement beside them:

"When selecting actors for a commercial film based on real-life themes, acting skills are the first priority, but other points that can add value to the film are also very important bonus factors; Xu Zheng is indeed the undisputed first choice." Han Han Sanping evaluated very affirmatively.

"Thinking about it this way, it really is so." Liu Liu Yifei also nodded, giving Han Jia Nu a thumbs-up, "Good choice."

"Of course, this is the script I wrote; I naturally know clearly which actors are suitable for the roles! Moreover, I have worked with Xu Zheng, so I naturally understand him better." There, little Han classmate became even more showy.

With everyone talking back and forth, Lin Nan really couldn't refute. Was this giving no chance at all to other actors? But thinking about it, Xu Zheng's acting skills and character compatibility were absolutely no problem;

additionally, his status as a great director and capital figure, along with the audience affinity accumulated over these years and the box office appeal gained through the "Jiong" series, these were the decisive key points! They were top-tier bonus factors that no other actor could compare to, points scored off the field!

"Let's talk about your side too; were any actors decided on in the morning?" Han Jia Nu asked in return, and everyone beside was very interested.

"Let Liu Yifei speak." Lin Nan picked up a bite of food and pushed the topic to Liu Liu Yifei, since she felt quite sorry for Zhang Zhang Zifeng.

Miss Liu put down her chopsticks and smiled regretfully: "This should be the first time we have eliminated a young actor we liked and had cooperated with before."

"Who?" Even Ren Ren Zhonglun couldn't help but ask, after all, Lin Nan Film's style of liking to use acquaintances was famous. This time, they actually eliminated someone with a very good impression!?

"One of the lead actors of 'Tang Ren', Zhang Zhang Zifeng."

"Her appearance and temperament are actually most suitable for art films or real-life themes; she can even handle introverted, deep... or even belly-black girl-type roles. This time, losing to Zhao Zhao Jinmai, she didn't lose on acting skills, but on external objective conditions."

Lin Nan took over the conversation to add, noting that this result had not yet been notified to anyone.

"That is indeed a pity; I remember she had spirit." Third Master Han nodded and evaluated.

"To be honest, Liu Yifei had a very good impression of her. I was even thinking, should we sign her?" Lin Nan's casual remark directly made everyone at the dinner table freeze.

"Lin Dao, we have responded countless times to the outside world that we have cancelled our artist agency business and are not signing people!" Yue Jun reminded with a smile.

"Although I also hope to have a young artist with an artistic style added, we really must be cautious; rashly changing orders in the morning and evening, going back and forth, would sound bad for our reputation." Jiang Jiang Xuerou also showed a helpless smile.

"What's the big deal? Can a living person really be suffocated by urine? Doesn't Lin Nan Film have four artist studios under its umbrella? If Zhang Yi and the other three refuse to sign, isn't Hongxing Wu, which is on Liu Yifei's side, also a good option?"

Han Jia Nu casually offered a solution, then immediately saw Miss Liu's face show an awkward smile, and she was also a bit shy: "Signing artists is very troublesome, and I'm so lazy..."