novellhall Chapter 20 Audition, Conditions
Chapter 20 Audition, Conditions
"Little Chicken, don't worry. You played the role of Luo Cheng in 'Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties' very well. After the TV series airs, production teams will definitely come to you."
"Senior, I have no worries about food and drink right now, and besides, I'm still a university student, so I'm not in a hurry."
"Okay, that's a good attitude. To survive in the entertainment industry, you need a good attitude and not worry about temporary gains or losses. Come on, let's have a toast."
"Are you really going to do it?"
"Go away, I'm drinking alcohol, and you're drinking a beverage. Just take a sip."
"Haha, okay, I'll take a sip."
After taking a sip of his drink, Ji Qingxu noticed the strange smile on Kou Zhanwen's face and blurted out, "Senior brother, is there good news?"
"Haha, you little rascal, I thought you could really hold it in."
Seeing Kou Zhanwen laughing heartily, Ji Qingxu glanced at the door of the private room and asked in a low voice, "Is Brother Haibin not performing anymore?"
Kou Zhanwen nodded slightly. "President Fan called me and said that Huang Haibin refused."
Upon hearing the confirmation, Ji Qingxu exclaimed, "He doesn't even act as the male lead. Haibin is truly amazing."
Kou Zhanwen chimed in, "That's really impressive. But Lao Huang's personality is quite common in the industry. Besides, Lao Huang isn't the first actor he's turned down. He also turned down Lu Yi, who was offered the male lead, and Buffet Zhao, who was offered the female lead."
Upon hearing those two familiar names, Ji Qingxu blinked. "Senior, is this production crew reliable?"
When Ji Qingxu said this, Kou Zhanwen almost burst out laughing.
Thinking about the question Ji Qingxu had just raised, Kou Zhanwen found it somewhat amusing. "Logically speaking, since so many well-known actors have turned it down, it shouldn't be very reliable. But junior brother, what's the fame of Buffy Zhao and Lu Yi? They debuted as lead actors and are now top-tier celebrities all over the country. They don't lack roles. Although this drama has an investment of tens of millions and is adapted from Liang Yusheng's martial arts novel, it's an opportunity that's unattainable for ordinary actors. But for the two of them, scripts of this caliber are not only countless, but they are certainly not lacking. Do you understand?"
Ji Qingxu nodded slightly, "Some are dying of drought, while others are dying of floods."
"That's right, that's how it is in the entertainment industry. The bigger your fame, the less you have to worry about resources. On the contrary, those below you may not be able to succeed even if they use all sorts of means to get a role."
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu stared at Kou Zhanwen and slowly said, "Senior brother, has my chance come?"
Kou Zhanwen breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, the opportunity has come. In a couple of days, we'll ask the director for leave and go audition... By the way, have you read the novel 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'?"
"I watched it. After President Fan came to the set to invite Brother Haibin back, I bought it and watched it several times."
"Okay, that's good to have seen it."
"Senior brother, should I make any other preparations?"
"No need for now, we'll talk about it when we get there."
"it is good."
"Junior brother, come on, have a drink. This is your first chance to play the male lead. We won't do anything that's morally reprehensible, but we'll use every other means possible."
Ji Qingxu smiled, revealing a set of white teeth, and said, "Okay."
After finishing his drink, Ji Qingxu asked curiously, "Senior brother, were these two 'Pigsy' series films also invested in by President Fan?"
"Yes, it was his company that invested."
"Who is this Mr. Fan? I remember you said he was a writer and a magazine editor. Where did he get so much money to produce one film and television series after another?"
Upon hearing this question, Kou Zhanwen glanced towards the door and whispered, "President Fan's family is not simple. Furthermore, President Fan has a wide circle of friends; he operates somewhat as a broker in the film industry, you understand what I mean?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu immediately understood, "I understand."
The two then tacitly changed the subject, chatting while eating and drinking.
......
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Watching Ji Qingxu perform swordsmanship, He Qun tilted his head and whispered to the martial arts instructor beside him, "Instructor Li, what kind of swordsmanship is this?"
Li Cai replied in a low voice, "Wudang swordsmanship emphasizes movement, turning and twisting, lightness and agility, flexible footwork, varied body movements, and a balance of strength and softness."
"In your professional eyes, what do you think of this young man Ji's skills?"
Li Cai was silent for a moment, then said in a somewhat complicated tone, "Unprecedented in the world."
Hearing such high praise, a hint of surprise flashed in He Qun's eyes. "Really?"
Li Cai nodded slightly. "Director He should know that my last film was 'Hero,' where I worked as a martial arts instructor under my teacher Cheng Xiaodong. This young man Ji's skills are no less than those of Li Lianjie and Donnie Yen."
He Qun was truly shocked. Although Li Cai had put it mildly, He Qun understood the underlying meaning: Ji Qingxu's skills were superior to those of Li Lianjie and Zhen Zidan.
Thinking of Ji Qingxu's age and seeing his handsome face, He Qun breathed a sigh of relief.
......
"when!"
As the performance was nearing its end, everyone saw Ji Qingxu toss his sword into the air and then kick it hard. The sword spun rapidly in the air, and Ji Qingxu caught it and continued spinning it. Everyone present was shocked, and some even shouted, "Holy crap, awesome!"
When Ji Qingxu sheathed his sword to signal the end of the performance, everyone present applauded.
"Good, good, Xiao Ji, your skills are amazing! Coach Li, how was Xiao Ji's performance just now?"
Upon hearing Fan Xiaotian's question, Li Cai immediately gave a thumbs up, "Impressive. At this age, I have never encountered a young person with better skills than Brother Ji."
Fan Xiaotian smiled and looked at Director He Qun beside him, "Director He, what do you think of Xiao Ji?"
He Qun said slowly, "I feel as if I see a young swordsman appearing before me from ancient times."
Hearing the two people's evaluations, Ji Qingxu felt a sense of satisfaction, realizing that it was worth bringing out his "secret weapon".
This "sword kicking" routine was a special program recorded by Zhao Wenzhuo on CCTV during the National Day holiday in 2022. The program became an instant hit on the internet.
Although it lacked the venue and lighting conditions that Zhao Wenzhuo had used for his performance, no one had performed this move before, and the fact that it was a live performance made it just as impactful as Zhao Wenzhuo's later performances.
"Haha, both teachers gave very high praise, hmm, not bad."
After speaking, Fan Xiaotian looked at Ma Zhongjun, who had been silent beside him. Ma Zhongjun gave him a wink, and Fan Xiaotian nodded slightly before looking at Ji Qingxu. "Ji, you worked hard on that performance. Let's take a break."
"Okay, Mr. Fan, everyone, I'll head out now."
After saying hello, Ji Qingxu left the room.
After Ji Qingxu left the room, director He Qun and martial arts instructor Li Cai also tactfully said goodbye and left the room.
......
When only Fan Xiaotian and Ma Zhongjun remained in the room, Fan Xiaotian asked with a smile, "Old Ma, what do you think of this young brother Ji?"
Ma Zhongjun replied with a smile, "Very good, but I have a question. Why was he brought by Lao Kou to this audition? Where is his manager?"
Upon hearing this question, Fan Xiaotian replied with a half-smile, "He and Lao Kou are currently artists under Hairun Film and Television."
"Hai Run Films? Then he..."
Halfway through his sentence, Ma Zhongjun pointed outside and tentatively asked, "Because of a small scheme?"
Fan Xiaotian nodded slightly.
Upon hearing the confirmed answer, recalling the rumors in the industry, and then thinking about Ji Qingxu's appearance and figure, Ma Zhongjun couldn't help but laugh.
"Old Fan, do you think they'd be willing to join my apprenticeship?"
Fan Xiaotian raised an eyebrow. "Is Ciwen Media preparing to get involved in talent agency business?"
Ma Zhongjun nodded. "Yes, previously the company focused on film and television production. Every time we filmed a movie, we had to find actors from outside. Like this time, Ma De, I invested tens of millions of yuan, and it's an adaptation of a well-known martial arts novel. But the actors all acted like they were big shots, and we couldn't get them even if we begged them. So the company is preparing to establish a talent agency next year."
"That depends on the conditions you offer. As far as I know, Old Kou is not short of resources."
"Old Kou has no shortage of talent, but he does lack this junior brother. Ji Qingxu is top-notch in both appearance and skill. However, Lao Fan, we've been in the industry for over a decade. Being good-looking and skilled doesn't guarantee fame. This industry has no shortage of good-looking and skilled artists."
Hearing this, Fan Xiaotian smiled and asked, "So these are your conditions?"
Ma Zhongjun nodded without hesitation and replied, "That's right, he can play the male lead in this drama, but he has to sign with Ciwen Media. I can't spend tens of millions to promote a complete stranger."