Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

After listening to Zhang Hua's introduction, Zhang Qilin gained a general understanding of the standards for selecting interns at the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

For him, he will definitely give it his all whenever he has the chance.

The key question is, why do the examiners at Beijing People's Art Theatre have a prejudice against people who are too handsome?

He needs to understand this in order to find the right solution.

No matter how well you prepare, you're still very likely to be rejected if you don't resolve this question.

Zhang Qilin asked:

"Teacher Zhang, since the Beijing People's Art Theatre is so short-staffed, is my chance of passing the interview quite high?"

Zhang Hua shook his head:

"The Beijing People's Art Theatre is indeed short of talent, but as one of the most prestigious theater institutions in China, it will never lower its evaluation standards because of this."

"Does my image meet the requirements of the Beijing People's Art Theatre?" Zhang Qilin asked the question he was most concerned about.

Zhang Hua slowly said:

"For Beijing People's Art Theatre, there is no such thing as being suitable or unsuitable. It only depends on whether you are willing to fit in. If you can adapt to the rules of Beijing People's Art Theatre, you meet the requirements. If you can't adapt, no matter how outstanding you are, you are not the person Beijing People's Art Theatre is looking for."

"What is 'joining the slots'?"

"To fit in, you need to actively align yourself with the unique spirit and team culture of the Beijing People's Art Theatre."

"So what should I do?"

"To give a simple example," Zhang Hua explained in a steady voice, "there are four characters hanging on the wall of the Beijing People's Art Theatre's rehearsal hall: 'The play is the most important thing.' This is not just a slogan, but something that everyone should internalize."

"There was a young actor with great looks who would always subconsciously look for the right camera angle during auditions. When the director asked him to play a beggar rolling around in a coal pile, his first reaction was to ask if the makeup would be too damaging to his skin."

Zhang Qilin seemed to understand something:

"You mean, they're worried that I, like those other people, have some kind of performance habit that's unsuitable for stage plays?"

"Smart," Zhang Hua said, giving him an approving look. "To be more precise, they're worried that a young person with such outstanding qualities as you won't be able to truly 'settle down'."

"The rehearsal cycle for stage plays is long, and the pay is far less than that for film and television. You have to work on the same scene over and over again, sometimes for several months, just for a two-hour performance. This requires a very high level of mental fortitude."

Zhang Hua paused, then gazed meaningfully at Zhang Qilin's face:

"Are you aware that the Beijing People's Art Theatre has suffered two major disasters?"

Zhang Qilin shook his head.

"The first one," Zhang Hua said slowly, "is people who are too beautiful."

Zhang Qilin paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

Now I completely understand why the examiner had a prejudice against him.

It can truly be said that the predecessors cut down trees, and the successors suffer the consequences.

"Of course," Zhang Hua changed the subject, "It's not that the Beijing People's Art Theatre doesn't welcome actors with good looks, but there are too many examples in the past where the theatre has spent a lot of effort cultivating promising talents, but once they encounter film and television offers or a bigger stage, they often turn around and leave, and we can't keep them. In the end, they end up doing the work for others."

Although Zhang Qilin also used the Beijing People's Art Theatre as a stepping stone to better enter the film and television industry, he never thought of leaving the theatre.

The Beijing People's Art Theatre was his last resort.

If a film or television offer conflicts with the Beijing People's Art Theatre's arrangements, he will definitely choose the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

I couldn't tell the examiners these thoughts, and even if I did, they wouldn't believe me.

Seeing Zhang Qilin's worried expression, Zhang Hua smiled and explained:

"When you go for an interview, the examiners will definitely be picky about you, but not specifically targeting you. They are assessing your qualifications, whether you are willing to be a brick in the old wall of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, enduring wind and rain, supporting the stage with other bricks and stones, or whether you just want to borrow a name, gild your resume, and then seek a better job elsewhere."

Zhang Qilin humbly sought advice:

How can I get them to let go of their prejudices?

“Contrast,” Zhang Hua explained earnestly, “Young people like you with outstanding looks have an unconscious habit of being too concerned about your image in any situation. What you need to do is to go all out and let the examiners see your sincerity in being willing to give up everything for the role.”

Zhang Qilin nodded thoughtfully.

Zhang Hua continued:

"When the Beijing People's Art Theatre was rehearsing 'Wotou Guild Hall,' there was a young actor who played an ugly role. He always unconsciously tried to restrain his expressions, afraid that making big expressions would ruin his face. The director didn't say anything, but just made him arrive at the rehearsal hall half an hour early every day and make the most ferocious and distorted faces in front of the mirror until his voice was hoarse."

"A month later, all his 'image baggage' was completely shattered. Once on stage, he was the character himself."

Zhang Qilin said half-jokingly:

"You don't mean to make me experience life on the streets, do you?"

"Why not?" Zhang Hua looked at Zhang Qilin seriously. "As long as it contrasts with your own image, you can get close to observe any real character, go into the crowd, and only then can you truly play those ordinary people well and impress the examiners."

"Go into the crowd..." Zhang Qilin repeated softly, then his eyes lit up. "Teacher Zhang, I understand. It's not about 'acting' at observation, but about truly 'becoming' a part of the observation."

"That's right," Zhang Hua nodded, his eyes showing approval. "Observation is not about looking down on someone, but about looking at them from the same level, and you even need to bend down. Your face is an advantage on stage, but you will encounter all sorts of unexpected things in life, and you need to learn to adapt."

Zhang Hua's gaze was calm:

"When I was young, my teacher asked me to do something: sit on a bench at the train station, without saying a word, and watch people come and go for three days."

"On the first day, I felt like I was going crazy, I felt so uncomfortable. On the second day, I started to notice the details that had been overlooked, like the workers unconsciously frowning as they dozed off in the corner..."

"On the third day, I forgot that I was 'experiencing life'. I was just one of the silent ones among them, sharing the same noisy, murky, yet incredibly real air."

Zhang Hua's voice was soft, yet every word was clear:

"After that, I felt confident whenever I played any minor character. That confidence came from the solid foundation of life itself."

"The examiners at Beijing People's Art Theatre have sharp eyes. They can tell at a glance whether you have this foundation of 'life' and whether you have the spirit to 'sacrifice' for the play. Skills can be practiced, but reverence for life and the desire to immerse oneself in it cannot be faked."

Zhang Qilin solemnly stated:

"I understand, Teacher Zhang. The contrast is not only in appearance, but also in mindset. Let go of external conditions and truly integrate into life."

Zhang Hua smiled and nodded, picked up his teacup, and said no more.

He knew that some things should be left unsaid, and that the young people had to walk their own paths.

Zhang Qilin stood up and bowed to Zhang Hua:

"Thank you, teacher. I'll go get ready now."

After leaving the office, Zhang Qilin considered asking someone from the photography department for help.

He needs someone to record his experience of the life from a distance and then edit it into a video so that the examiners know that he really went through the experience.

As for which career experience to choose, I'll decide after tomorrow's divination and seeing the rewards.