Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 34 Audition
The next day at noon, in an empty classroom in the Performance and Guidance Building, sunlight slanted in from the frosted windows, and the scratches on the floor were yellow with age.

When Wu Chen arrived, Zu Feng was already there, wrapped in a gray woolen coat, his eyes calm behind his glasses. He smiled and nodded at Wu Chen who pushed the door open, "Director Wu!"

"Teacher Zu Feng, there's no need to address me like that. Just call me Wu Chen." Wu Chen extended his hand and shook it.

"Every industry has its own rules. In our industry, age is not important." Zu Feng shook his head and refused. "If our cooperation is successful, what will others think if I call you that?
Don’t call me teacher on the set, it will have a bad influence if others hear it.”

"We're just a small crew of about ten people." Wu Chen said with a faint smile, "Then can I call you Brother Feng?"

"Okay, if you don't mind, just call me that. I'm not that much older than you, so I'm taking advantage of you!" Zu Feng smiled happily.

He did not look down on Wu Chen.

When Wang Jinsong found him yesterday, he expressed his admiration for the photography department for recruiting such a good talent.

Regardless of the reason, anyone who can successfully organize a group in their freshman year should not be underestimated.

Even if this film is not successful, who knows, he might become a famous domestic director one day. There are many such examples in the photography department, although there are not many precedents.

Wu Chen handed over the script for "The Dark Side," "Brother Feng, take a look first. The male lead is a young symphony orchestra conductor. His gentle exterior hides selfishness and indifference."

"Let me take a look at the script first!"

Zu Feng found a place to sit down, opened the first page, and his eyelids twitched slightly.

Wu Chen sat casually on the floor, only to see Zu Feng leaning against the edge of the table, reading carefully with his head down, his fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the paper.

Half an hour passed, and Zu Feng still didn't get up, but his expression became more solemn.

At this time, Zhou Yiwei, wrapped like a cotton ball in his down jacket, arrived more than half an hour earlier than Wu Chen's scheduled time.

Wu Chen hurried over upon seeing this and whispered, "Brother! You might want to wait a moment. Teacher Zu Feng isn't done yet."

He also didn't know how long Zu Feng would take, as the time it takes to read the script varies from person to person.

Some people like to take a closer look and savor it slowly for the first time, while others like to take a quick look and get a general idea. Everyone has their own method.

But without exception, when good actors encounter a good script, they are already secretly thinking about how to perform it.

"It's okay, I came early. I'll go sit next door first." Zhou Yiwei said apologetically and prepared to find an empty place on this floor to stay.

Wu Chen thought about it, then hurried back and took out a page of the script he had prepared for Zhou Yiwei. "Brother, please think about it first!"

"Thank you, director!" Zhou Yiwei's eyes lit up instantly.

There was finally movement from Zu Feng's side.

Wu Chen just turned around and saw Zu Feng suddenly look up, his eyes flashing, his voice trembling:

"This script is so captivating! The disappearance and twists, the psychological twists. I've played mental patients before, but this male protagonist has a deeper heart. I want this role!"

Zu Feng pushed up his glasses and said, "Director Wu, can you give me this role?"

The script's suspenseful twists and exploration of human nature are the best he has ever come across.

He even had a feeling that the works of those great directors might not be as exciting as this script.

He finally understood why Wu Chen was able to organize and start filming in his freshman year.

Wu Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled. His finger stopped at the first page of the script. "Brother Feng, can you try a scene? I originally wanted you to play the male lead. There's no rush."

"Brother Feng, I want to see your personality when you are affectionate." This scene is exactly when the male protagonist received the recorded DV footage from the female protagonist and was sitting at home alone recalling his girlfriend.

There is no dialogue throughout the whole process, it all depends on expressions and actions.

This is also one of the most challenging scenes for the actors, with no dialogue and no physical performances.

Zu Feng nodded and stood in the middle of the classroom. After thinking for a moment, he took off his glasses and put them on the ground. He sat down and stared at his empty hands. Complex emotions surged in his eyes - love, guilt, and despair intertwined. There was not a single line, and the inner drama was supported entirely by expressions and actions.

Then his eyes glowed softly again, but the next second, the soft light shattered, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly, as if suppressing the tearing pain.

He leaned forward, clenched his fists against his forehead, and his breathing became heavier, as if he was shouting silently. Guilt and selfishness fought on his face, and finally condensed into a cold and empty look.
Wu Chen stared at the camera, his eyes lighting up.

From deep affection to collapse to indifference, the layers are clear and the character's development process is perfectly grasped.

"Brother Feng, this role belongs to you!" Wu Chen clapped his hands, his tone unable to hide his excitement, he had finally found the male lead.

Zu Feng exhaled, put his glasses back on, and seemed to be slowly becoming himself again.

"Brother Feng, how is your current salary calculated?"

Now that the role has been decided, the remuneration must be discussed now.

"Teacher Wang told me that your budget is not sufficient. I understand these things. How about this, 2!" Zu Feng pondered.

Zu Feng offered a low price of 10,000 yuan, which was a very sincere offer.

Although Zu Feng is still in a low period, as the male lead, the general offer is between 3 and 4. Of course, if it is an art film, most actors will take the initiative to reduce their pay.

However, Wu Chen's movie is at most half an art film, and it tends to be more suspenseful and thriller.

"2? That's settled!" Wu Chen grinned, and the two shook hands, finalizing the cooperation.

Zu Feng picked up the script, stroked the cover gently, as if holding a treasure, and whispered, "I need to think carefully about this role."

"Okay!" Wu Chen nodded with a faint smile. He would remember this friendship.

Zhou Yiwei was in a classroom not far away at this time, holding a page of police interrogation clips given by Wu Chen in his hand, and reading silently with his head down.

After Zu Feng left, Wu Chen called Zhou Yiwei over and pointed to a section in the script. "Brother, try it. Just click on it."

Zhou Yiwei glanced at a few lines, then stood still and raised his voice, "As a prosecutor, I have an obligation to inform you that I am responsible for her case."

His voice is rough and has a bit of alley ruffian vibe, like an old police officer who arrests people on the street. He doesn't have the depth of Zu Feng, but he has a fierceness. His eyes are rough but fiery.

The role wasn't demanding, and Zhou Yiwei had left a good impression on him. He nodded immediately, "Brother, it's interesting. It's a done deal!"

Zhou Yiwei was stunned, his face showing excitement, "Thank you, Director Wu!"

He had no say and could only seize opportunities based on instinct.

Maybe the chance was very small, but he finally got it.

Zhou Yiwei's pay is very low because his role has very few scenes, and in today's era, the pay for new actors to guest-star in movies is generally in the range of 500-3000 yuan, depending mainly on the specific role.

In the end, Wu Chen agreed on a 1500 yuan salary. Before leaving, he suddenly thought of something and said, "By the way, go to the grassroots police station more often to think about your role."

(End of this chapter)