Huayu: I was immediately ensnared by Jing Tian as soon as I entered the industry.

The following morning.

Someone shouted, "A film crew is here to select actors!" The dormitory building instantly erupted in commotion, and students rushed downstairs in droves.

As a major player in China's film and television industry, the Beijing Film Academy frequently hosts auditions for film crews.

This time, the company that came was a film and television company called Dongfang Feiyun.

This company frequently selects actors from the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama.

"Old Wang, shall we go take a look too?" Zhu Yilong was clearly tempted.

"Do you think I still need to audition?" Wang Xuan asked back.

As a Berlin Film Festival Best Actor winner, film company owner, and up-and-coming director, it's laughable that he would try to compete with newcomers for roles.

"That's true, with a big movie star like you gone, there's nothing left for us to do."

"Now that you've said that, I really want to go and see for myself," Wang Xuan said with a smile, putting some pressure on Zhu Yilong.

In his vague memory, he remembered that Zhu Yilong's agency was Oriental Flying Cloud.

On his way to see what was going on, Wang Xuan pondered for a while.

Should we stop Lao Zhu from jumping into the fire? He's never even heard of the films and TV series produced by this company; signing with them would only be a waste of his time.

But if Zhu Yilong really listens to him, without the support of her agency, her acting career will only become more difficult.

Never mind, let's see how it goes first.

···

Outside the large classroom, a large number of students were lined up, from freshmen to seniors, representing almost every grade. Teachers were maintaining order.

If you stand on tiptoe and look inside, you'll find that an audition is taking place.

Hearing that they were going to choose a male lead, the students around them were very excited and eager to participate.

It's important to know that even actors who have been working in the entertainment industry for several years, or even more than a decade, may not necessarily get to play the male lead.

It's easy to see how valuable this opportunity is.

"So it really is an audition?" Zhu Yilong stood on tiptoe to take a look.

His starting point was much higher than most college students, because in "Back to Youth", he was one of the male protagonists.

As for Wang Xuan, he's not his competitor. A movie star who went on to become a director would definitely look down on the male lead of a film.

Looking at it this way, Zhu Yilong felt that he had a very good chance.

"Wang Xuan, what are you doing here?"

A teacher who had taught him suddenly came out from the side.

"I came to see what was going on," Wang Xuan said with a smile.

When he looked up, he noticed the unfriendly gazes of his classmates, some wary, some annoyed.

If an award-winning actor comes along and tries to steal the role, then it's highly likely that they'll have nothing to do with it.

"I didn't intend to audition; I mainly came to accompany Zhu Yilong to check it out."

Upon hearing Wang Xuan's explanation, the unfriendly stares from those around him lessened.

"You're an award-winning actor and a director, so you really shouldn't just take on any role," the teacher kindly advised.

Wang Xuan smiled and nodded, then said to Zhu Yilong beside him, "You can wait here by yourself. If I don't leave, the other students auditioning around won't feel at ease."

"Haha, so there are times when you're not welcome too."

Too lazy to pay attention to Zhu Yilong's teasing, Wang Xuan left the large classroom.

He underestimated his influence as a movie star.

Once the film he directs is released, regardless of its success, it should be able to change the opinions of those around him.

Because the profession of director is much easier to remember than that of actor, who is also a competitor.

···

The young lady was out shooting for a magazine and didn't even have time to develop a campus romance, so Wang Xuan could only stroll back to his dormitory.

He lay in bed, scrolling through news from the outside world.

The premiere of "Red Cliff Part 1" was held at the Wuhou Temple in Chengdu.

When Han Sanping, chairman of China Film Group, was speaking on stage, he seemed to have something on his mind, and he made a slip of the tongue.

"China Film Group will leverage the resources of cinemas nationwide to successfully distribute 'The Promise'..."

After these words were spoken, there was a three-second silence, followed by a burst of laughter from the entire audience.

He immediately laughed and said it was a "slip of the tongue," thus defusing the awkward situation.

The aftereffects of "The Promise" are really serious!

It is something that the dignified leader of China Film Group can never forget.

Immediately, many media outlets began to speculate that Han Sanping's feelings after watching "Red Cliff Part I" were similar to those of "The Promise," a similarly big-budget, all-star production that was considered a box office savior.

As everyone knows, he pooped a huge amount.

The media coverage following the premiere was equally interesting.

The grandest war scene in a Chinese-language film, with Hollywood-level special effects and an epic feel in its costumes, props, and sets…

They only used empty words and didn't mention anything about the plot.

The guests' evaluations of the film were all based on the same rhetoric: the scenes were exaggerated.

···

"Old Wang, I passed the audition, hahaha."

With a loud bang, the dormitory door was pushed open, and Zhu Yilong rushed in like a madman, shouting and yelling.

The promised introverted and reserved nature is nowhere to be seen.

"You cast me as the male lead, without mentioning any other requirements?"

If Wang Xuan remembered correctly, Zhu Yilong was signed with this company, but he hadn't paid attention to when he signed.

"Didn't you make any requests?"

Zhu Yilong shook his head in confusion, then said, "During the audition, I mentioned that I had acting experience, which might have been a plus."

"If this company wants to sign you, I think you should think it over carefully. Dongfang Feiyun is not a well-known film and television company and can't offer you many resources..."

Wang Xuan offered his advice.

"Yes, I'll think about it carefully, but the key is that others might not be interested in me," Zhu Yilong said earnestly.

"There are many talent agencies in the capital. Once 'Back to Youth' is released and you finish filming this movie, you'll have two representative works. At that time, people will naturally take the initiative to contact you."

Wang Xuan finished speaking; he still needed to plan his next steps.

After the release of "Back to Youth", I have plenty of free time in the second half of the year.

Now is the perfect time to build up your armor.

Both domestic and international awards are highly prestigious, so you should definitely try to win them.

Putting everything else aside, this is the only thing that matters in the domestic film and television industry.

Those who have won awards are great directors; those who haven't are like Feng Xiaogang.

At the same time, commercial films cannot be neglected. Wang Xuan knows the future of the domestic film market better than anyone else.

[Return to Youth] As long as it doesn't lose money, China Film Group should continue to invest in him, as nurturing directors is also the responsibility of state-owned enterprises.

Wang Xuan began to think about what kind of film he should make next.

For special effects blockbusters, domestic technology can't keep up, so special effects have to be sourced from abroad, and even then, the results may not meet our requirements.

I need to make art films first, to win awards and improve my status.

The school will also pay more attention to him.

Wang Xuan is very happy to be associated with the school.

The Beijing Film Academy has a long and well-established presence in China's film and television industry and cultural field.

Many senior executives and key personnel of state-owned enterprises such as Beijing Film Studio and China Film Group Corporation come from Beijing Film Studio.

Han Sanping studied at the Beijing Film Academy.

If you greet someone as "senior" when you meet them, wouldn't that make you feel closer?

In conclusion, Wang Xuan needs to increase his own value in order to gain the full support of the Beijing Film Academy.

At this moment, his mind was racing, trying to figure out which art films could be submitted to European awards.

Beside him, Zhu Yilong seriously considered the possibility of being signed by him, and the probability was actually quite high.