All-rounder Artist

Chapter 194: Chapter 182 Casting Completed 1

Translator: 549690339

On the day of the audition, Lin Yuan met the male lead actor recommended by Yi Chenggong.

“Hello, Mr. Lin. My name is He Sheng…”

He is a young actor whose looks can be described in what way?

Standing with Lin Yuan, He Sheng’s appearance was rather average, almost indistinguishable from the crowd.

When on the side of Shen Qing, the housekeeper, He Sheng could likely be considered quite attractive to the average person.

And if you were to compare him to Yi Chenggong, He Sheng could definitely be considered a handsome man.

However, at this point, He Sheng was standing close to Lin Yuan, so he fell into the category of a regular person.

Especially in front of Lin Yuan, his instinctive nervousness made him seem even more ordinary…

“Hello.”

Lin Yuan presented the expected social smile, nodding at the leaders of various departments of the film crew assembled in the recent days by Yi Chenggong and Shen Qing:

“Let’s begin the audition.”

Shen Qing nodded, and everyone commenced with the auditions.

The first person to audition was He Sheng. Facing the director’s recommendation, Shen Qing frowned slightly.

But not just Shen Qing.

The other department heads of the film crew were also somewhat anxious.

Not because He Sheng was bad.

But because He Sheng had only been in the industry for three years with no established fame, and an unknown actor playing the lead role naturally lacks box-office appeal.

However, Lin Yuan did not speak up, so the audition process continued as normal.

A completely standard audition.

There were no fancy requirements, just asking He Sheng to perform a certain scene from the script.

During the waiting period of the audition, everyone had already reviewed parts of the script in advance, so there was no need for impromptu reading and acting.

He Sheng was initially a bit nervous, but once he got into actor mode, he seemed transformed into another person, quickly immersing himself into the character.

He acted out a scene where Tang Bohu was trying to get into Hua Mansion. Suddenly, he bent down and picked up a dead cockroach…

Shen Qing and the others were taken aback, not knowing where He Sheng found the cockroach. However, it was clear to everyone that it was a real cockroach…

“Xiao Qiang!”

“Xiao Qiang, what happened to you, Xiao Qiang? You can’t die! We’ve been relying on each other for so many years… I’ve raised you like my own flesh and blood for so many years, only to see the white-haired man send off the black­haired man today…”

He Sheng held the cockroach, sobbing loudly, beating his chest, and stamping his feet.

The attention of Shen Qing and the others was diverted from the cockroach itself to He Sheng’s performance.

What’s this?

Is it worth it for a dead cockroach?

If you say this crying act is real, it gives people a sense of manipulation, it’s clearly an exaggerated performance style; if you say it’s fake, He Sheng’s appearance of grief seems rather genuine, at least the feelings he invested in the cockroach are beyond everyone’s imagination…

In any case, Shen Qing and the others, though they had read the script and knew the causes and consequences, could not help but feel a little confused. Yi Chenggong, on the other hand, looked to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan’s expression did not change much.

The performance script was determined by Lin Yuan. He deliberately omitted the part about performance instructions, providing only the lines, allowing the actor to interpret the performance on his own.

As a result, He Sheng’s incarnation was very close to the part of the script that Lin Yuan had removed.

It’s this kind of real or fake crying scene.

Being too serious makes it solemn, while too fake loses its humor.

It’s about getting the balance right.

Shen Qing and the others also turned their heads towards Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan asked, “Where did the cockroach come from?”

Shen Qing and others were left speechless by the question. Was this really the main point?

“I found it in the bathroom.”

He Sheng answered somewhat awkwardly.

Lin Yuan nodded but did not make an immediate decision, instead inviting the next auditionee to enter.

He Sheng left, appearing uneasy.

The subsequent auditionees for the leading roles did not elicit any comment from Lin Yuan.

Until the end of the auditions, when everyone began to discuss.

Yi Chenggong directly recommended He Sheng.

Shen Qing shook his head, “He Sheng’s performance, wasn’t it a bit too much. He was crying over a dead cockroach, is that necessary? It just feels like an exaggerated performance…”

The others behind Shen Qing nodded in agreement.

Yi Chenggong couldn’t help but interject, “You guys view it with a professional vision, of course, He Sheng’s performance seems a bit exaggerated. But I believe He Sheng’s performance mode is at least consistent with the logic of the script…”

Someone argues, “If not choosing from a professional acting background, are we to choose from unconventional paths?”

Yi Chenggong shook his head, “You can check his background, He Sheng is indeed from a professional acting institute.”

The assistant director next to him frowned and said, “But his acting doesn’t seem professional at all.”

II II

After a round of discussion, with no clear decision reached, everyone turned their eyes to Lin Yuan.

“Let’s go with He Sheng.”

Lin Yuan spoke up.

Shen Qing and the others wanted to object but ultimately didn’t say anything more.

It turns out this was a one-man show for Lin Yuan, any objections from others would be irrelevant anyway.

Just like before when someone tried to persuade Lin Yuan to modify the script, but he was not willing to do so.

Yi Chenggong, on the other hand, revealed a smile.

It turns out not only him, but the entire cast and crew of “Flirting Scholar” were tools for Mr. Lin.

All they needed to do was to complete their tasks.

After the leading roles had been determined, the rest of the casting process became relatively easier.

Shen Qing and the others rarely voiced their opinions, and it was essentially Lin Yuan and Yi Chenggong who finalised all the actors.

However, during the casting process, the others got a sense of Lin Yuan’s casting criteria:

No handsome men.

No beautiful women, aim for an uglier cast, or rather, ones with characteristic looks.

Shen Qing agreed completely with this.

In a comedy, supporting roles must be cast with less attractive actors.

Only the four servants of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, were deliberately selected by Lin Yuan to be exceptionally beautiful actresses. Especially Qiuxiang…

This was probably the most suitable choice for the leading lady in the eyes of

Shen Qing and the others because Qiuxiang’s face was very beautiful!

More importantly, Qiuxiang had a reputation!

She is a second-line actress with the stage name Yu xilu.

Yu Xilu has a number of works to her name, she has a somewhat classical beauty, but because her acting skills are mediocre, she has been labeled a “vase” by many people since her debut.

If it were casting for any other film or TV series, Shen Qing and others would

not take a liking to a “vase” like Yu Xilu.

But looking at the actors Lin Yuan picked…

Even the director looked somewhat sleazy…

Shen Qing and the others felt that Yu Xilu, at least, was a reliable choice.

At least Yu Xilu was pretty, and she has some level of fame!

Don’t care whether this reputation is built on her acting skill or her looks.

Anyway, if you must choose one, just like in picking the tallest amongst the short, Shen Qing and the others considered Yu Xilu to be the perfect choice.

After deciding on the leading male and female roles as well as the integral supporting roles.

Lin Yuan said, “Let’s get shooting on the schedule.”

Shen Qing and the others nodded, fully prepared to be Lin Yuan’s tools. When assigned to tutor a prince like this, not seeking merit but avoiding demerits became their motto.

However, Yi Chenggong was full of motivation.

Although he was a tool, he was the most willing to be used out of the lot!