Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 466, Section 464: The Black Guy

Los Angeles time, 9:30 a.m. on January 15, 2003.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds of the conference room in the Burbank Disney Animation Studios building, casting dappled shadows on the polished long table.

Wang Sheng sat in the main seat, with a nearly untouched cup of black coffee beside him.

Robert Geller and Sarah Miller sat on either side of each other, quietly exchanging final opinions about the upcoming audition.

Inside the room sat a casting director and an assistant who was in charge of taking notes.

A professional atmosphere, a mixture of expectation and scrutiny, permeated the air.

"Mr. Jamie Foxx has arrived," the secretary announced, pushing open the door.

“Please let him in,” Geller replied.

The door was pushed open completely, and a figure walked in with a whirlwind-like energy.

The person who arrived was Jamie Foxx.

He wore a well-tailored dark blue casual suit with a simple white T-shirt underneath and khaki pants, making him look sharp and energetic, with a touch of nonchalant street cool.

Wang Sheng's gaze calmly fell on the other person, but in his heart, he habitually labeled this black actor he was meeting for the first time with the term "nigger" from his personal dictionary.

In Wang Sheng's view, Hollywood is a place of fame and fortune, with a large number of black actors, and many of them have made it big.

From the distant past, like Sidney Poitier, who made history; to the more recent Denzel Washington, who won the Oscar for Best Actor last year for "Training Day" and is currently riding high; and Will Smith, who is a pillar of commercial value.

The early 2000s was a pivotal period for the rise of Black actors in Hollywood.

Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2002, and Halle Berry won Best Actress in the same year, a landmark event.

This phenomenon is the result of a long-standing struggle in the civil rights movement, a growing call for diversity, and the efforts of Black media moguls like Oprah Winfrey.

Studios have also gradually recognized the huge potential of minority markets.

Of course, the word "nigger" would never be uttered.

In Hollywood, where political and political issues are becoming increasingly sensitive, this would be tantamount to career suicide and would get him into huge trouble. Wang Sheng was fully aware of this, and all the judgments and labels existed only behind the walls of his heart.

"Good morning, everyone! Robert, Sarah, it's nice to see you again!" Jamie Foxx smiled broadly, revealing a set of white teeth, his voice loud and infectious. He stepped forward to shake hands with Geller and Miller, his posture relaxed, clearly indicating that this wasn't their first time meeting.

“Jamie, welcome.” Geller responded with a smile, then stepped aside to introduce, “This is Wang Sheng, Mr. Wang. He is the director of our project, ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ and also the director of ‘Night at the Museum,’ which just achieved great global success.”

When Geller introduced Wang Sheng, Jamie Foxx's gaze immediately turned to him, his expressive eyes widening instantly, filled with undisguised surprise and excitement.

"Wow! No way! You're Wang Sheng? The one from 'Night at the Museum'?" He exclaimed, speaking rapidly like a machine gun, and in a few strides he was in front of Wang Sheng, extending his right hand, "Dude, I heard! 1.32 million worldwide in the first week? That's insane! That number is outrageous! Congratulations!"

His enthusiasm almost overflowed the room, and his handshake was firm and long.

In early 2003 in Hollywood, a film that grossed over $100 million worldwide in its opening week was considered a top-tier commercial blockbuster.

Being able to direct such a film means that the director has undoubtedly joined the ranks of "A-level directors" or "directors in the 100 million yuan club," which means that he has the ability to manage high-budget projects and bring global box office returns, making him a sought-after partner that both studios and stars are willing to work with.

For Jamie Foxx, who has yet to reach the top tier of directors, Wang Sheng is undoubtedly a heavyweight director worthy of attention.

“Thank you, Mr. Fox. 'The Museum' is a success for the team.” Wang Sheng stood up, shook hands with him, his tone as steady as ever, a polite smile on his face, a stark contrast to the scrutiny in his heart.

He subtly applied a little more pressure, ending the overly enthusiastic handshake.

"Just call me Jamie, please, just call me Jamie!" Jamie Foxx said nonchalantly, still excitedly sizing up Wang Sheng. "My agent told me there was an important audition, a Disney project, the director is amazing... but I really didn't expect it to be you!"
I just finished watching "The Museum" not long ago. I took my niece there, and she absolutely loved the moving dinosaur skeleton! I thought it was fantastic too. Jack's kung fu was excellent, and the idea was amazing—wow, absolutely brilliant!

He talked incessantly, his body language was rich, as if he could burst into an impromptu rap or impersonation at any moment.

This outgoing personality is quite consistent with the impression Wang Sheng gained from the documents and scattered images.

"I'm glad you liked that movie." Wang Sheng gestured for the other person to sit down. "Shall we get started?"

“Of course, of course! I’m ready!” Jamie Foxx immediately toned down his extroverted emotions, sat down across the conference table, and leaned forward slightly to show his focus.

Sarah Miller handed him a prepared audition script excerpt.

"Jamie, this is the scene I need you to perform today. It's from scene 38 of the script, the scene where Chris Gardner spends the night in the subway station bathroom with his son."

Jamie Foxx took the script and quickly and carefully skimmed through it.

The only sound in the room for the moment was the rustling of him turning the pages.

Wang Sheng quietly observed him. Putting aside his own impolite label, he had to admit that Jamie Foxx was good-looking, and at thirty-five years old, he was both energetic and composed.

With well-defined facial features and expressive eyes, he can convey both humor and depth.

The key is that he possesses a "sense of life" and "street smarts" that many classically trained actors lack, which may be crucial qualities for portraying a character like Chris Gardner who struggles at the bottom and rises up through his own resilience.

A few minutes later, Jamie Foxx looked up, took a deep breath, and his eyes had changed. His previous excitement and exuberance had been replaced by a heavy sense of exhaustion and an awkwardness that he was trying hard to hide.

“I’m ready,” he said, his voice a little lower than before.

“Do you need someone to go over your son’s lines with you?” Sarah Miller asked.

“No, no need, I can imagine him there.” Jamie Foxx shook his head, stood up, cleared the space next to the chair a little, and then sat down directly on the floor with his back against the wall (an imaginary cold tile wall).

He curled up, as if he were holding a child in his arms.

The audition begins.

[Audition script excerpt - Scene 38 of "The Pursuit of Happyness"]

Scene: A men's restroom stall in a subway station. Nighttime. A pale, harsh light shines through the gap beneath the closed door.

Character: Chris Gardner (Jamie Foxx audition)
(Jamie Foxx closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were bloodshot and filled with a sense of bewilderment, as if driven to desperation by life. His lips were tightly pressed together, his jawline taut, as if he were under immense pressure. He looked down at the "virtual" son in his arms, his facial muscles twitching slightly as he forced a smile that was more like a grimace.)
Chris (voice hoarse, trying to remain gentle): "Hey kid... don't be scared, it's just... just a special adventure we're playing tonight. Remember Indiana Jones? Yeah, like that... this is a secret base."

(He paused, listening intently; he seemed to hear footsteps approaching. His body stiffened instantly, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes. Instinctively, he braced his foot against the cubicle door, tightening his grip on the "child" in his arms. His breathing became heavy and controlled.)
Chris (almost whispering in the "child's" ear): "Shh...don't make a sound, warriors need to be quiet...when it's light, Daddy will take you to get ice cream, real ice cream, the kind with rainbow sprinkles on top..."

(The footsteps faded into the distance. Chris's tense body relaxed slightly, but a deeper sense of powerlessness and humiliation washed over him. He tilted his head back, the back of his head against the cold wall, his Adam's apple bobbing violently. His eyes quickly reddened, tears welling up, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to let them fall. The camera seemed to be zooming in on his face, a face that mingled with exhaustion, paternal love, shame, and defiance.)
Chris (inner monologue, voice trembling, but with an iron will): (He closes his eyes, a tear finally slips uncontrollably down his cheek, but he immediately raises his hand and roughly wipes it away) "...It will pass...it will all pass...I promise...I will make sure you have a good life...I swear..."

(His voice grew softer and softer, until it almost became a silent sob. He gently pressed his forehead against the "child's" head, as if it were his only source of strength. The only sound in the space was his suppressed breathing, and the silent yet deafening paternal love and despair.)
[Performance Ends]

Jamie Foxx held that position for a few seconds, then slowly raised his head and let out a long breath, as if he had just escaped from that oppressive cubicle. The traces of tears were still in his eyes, but his emotions were rapidly dissipating.

"That's my understanding." He stood up, patted his pants, and his voice returned to normal, but with a hint of fatigue from the performance.

There was silence in the conference room.

Sarah Miller's eyes gleamed as she looked at Wang Sheng. Robert Geller nodded thoughtfully as well.

Wang Sheng remained expressionless, his fingers rhythmically tapping lightly on the table.

To be fair, the performance exceeded his expectations.

Jamie Foxx not only captured the character's outward state in dire straits—exhausted, disheveled, and terrified—but more importantly, he accurately conveyed the core of Chris Gardner's character: the fatherly love that never fades even in the most humble circumstances, and the unwavering will hidden deep in his eyes that sustains him.

His performance was layered and detailed (such as the action of using his foot to push against the door, or the gesture of wiping away tears), and his emotions were full but not excessive. In particular, the complex look in his eyes at the end, which was a mixture of despair and hope, was very powerful.

This black guy... he's got something.

The prejudiced label still lingers in Wang Sheng's mind, but now it's overshadowed by a stronger professional assessment. In his heart, an actor's ability and value must ultimately come first.

“Thank you for your performance, Jamie.” Wang Sheng finally spoke, his tone flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. “How do you understand the character of Chris Gardner? Putting aside the script, what do you think is the core that drives him?”

Jamie Foxx seemed to have anticipated the question. He paused briefly to organize his thoughts before answering earnestly: “I believe it’s not just about ‘pursuing happiness,’ but also about ‘taking responsibility.’”

His love for his son was the ultimate reason he couldn't give up. He wasn't fighting for the abstract 'American Dream,' but for a specific person—his child.

This love and sense of responsibility enabled him to endure all humiliation and hardship. His motivation was primal and incredibly powerful.

This answer hit the nail on the head regarding what Wang Sheng wanted to know.

Wang Sheng nodded slightly and didn't ask any further questions. He turned to Robert Geller and Sarah Miller and calmly said in Chinese, "I think it's okay. Inform his team to move on to the next round of contract negotiations."

Geller and Miller exchanged a glance, both seeing the agreement in each other's eyes.

“Jamie,” Sarah Miller said to Jamie Foxx with a smile, “a fantastic performance! Please go back and wait for our notification; we will contact your agent as soon as possible.”

Jamie Foxx's face instantly lit up with a bright smile, and he nodded vigorously: "Thank you! Thank you all for giving me this opportunity! Director Wang, thank you very much!" He knew that the director's approval was of utmost importance.

Wang Sheng simply nodded.

Jamie Foxx said a few more words of thanks before leaving the conference room, filled with excitement and anticipation.

After the door closed, Robert Geller looked at Wang Sheng, his tone much more relaxed: "Looks like we've found our Chris Gardner."

(End of this chapter)