Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 10 Liu Fei

Wang Peng coughed lightly and exchanged a knowing look with the acting teacher next to him, but neither of them said anything more.

This is the norm in the industry, especially in the delicate process of casting.

"Next up, Liu Yifei."

The staff member's voice rang out again.

Fu Yibai composed himself and refocused his attention on the audition itself.

Liu Yifei?

In his memory, this girl should only be fifteen or sixteen years old now, right?

Bai Xiuzhu from "The Story of a Noble Family" has only been on air for a short time, and Wang Yuyan from "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" has not yet appeared. They are at the age when they are just beginning to show their talents.

Is she auditioning for the role of Ye Lanqiu? The age and role seem a bit too different.

The door was gently pushed open, and a girl wearing a light blue dress and with her hair in a ponytail walked in.

She was indeed very young, with a touch of baby fat still on her face, but her features already hinted at the refined contours she would develop in the future. She possessed a fresh and refined temperament, exuding a sense of innocent purity.

"Hello, teachers, I am Liu Yifei."

Her voice was clear and sweet, with a girlish charm. She was a little reserved, with her hands folded in front of her, appearing somewhat nervous.

"Hello Yifei, please have a seat."

Wang Peng's attitude remained gentle, but a hint of doubt was also in his eyes, clearly indicating that he also felt her age was not quite a good match for the role.

"Have you read the script? Do you need to take another look?"

"I've seen it, Teacher Wang."

Liu Yifei nodded, trying to appear calm.

"I...I know I might be a little young, but I really like the character Ye Lanqiu. She has a complex inner world and is very challenging."

I want to try it.

Looking at the earnest yet stubborn light in her eyes, Fu Yibai found her rather endearing.

He spoke, his tone slightly softer than before.

"It's okay, auditions are a process of trying and discovering possibilities."

Then come to scene 15, the one where Ye Lanqiu is on the bus, misunderstood for not giving up her seat, and faces the malice of strangers and the stares of those around her for the first time.

"Okay, Director Fu."

Liu Yifei walked to the performance area, took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a few seconds, and when she opened them again, she tried to suppress the fresh feeling of a young girl.

She created a virtual bus environment, initially sitting back wearily, and then, as the "plot" unfolded, her body gradually stiffened, and her face showed surprise, grievance, and anxiety as she tried to explain but couldn't find the words.

Her brows furrowed, her eyes reddened slightly, and her lips moved a few times, but in the end she just stubbornly turned her head to look "outside the window," her fingers unconsciously tugging at the hem of her skirt.

The performance was rather immature, with some obvious traces of emotional transitions, and the nuances of portraying invisible "pressure" were not rich enough.

After the performance, Liu Yifei looked nervously at the judges' panel, especially Fu Yibai.

"Thank you, Yifei."

Fu Yibai made a few notes on the evaluation form, then looked up at her with a calm gaze.

"You have a great appearance and a unique temperament."

However, the role of Ye Lanqiu requires more complex life experiences and inner depth, and you may need more time to grow in understanding and interpreting it.

His words were tactful, but his meaning was clear.

Liu Yifei's eyes dimmed for a moment, but she quickly cheered up and nodded earnestly.

"Thank you, Director Fu. I understand. I will continue to work hard."

"You have great potential."

Fu Yibai added, his tone encouraging.

"If there are opportunities in the future that are more suitable for your age and temperament, I hope we can collaborate."

These words made Liu Yifei's eyes light up again, and she nodded vigorously.

"Thank you, Director Fu! I'll remember that!"

After Liu Yifei came out, her mother Liu Xiaoli immediately went to greet her.

"Mom, Director Fu said... I might not be suitable for this role."

Liu Yifei's voice carried a hint of frustration, but her eyes were not gloomy.

"However, he said I have great potential and he hopes to collaborate with you in the future if a suitable opportunity arises."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoli was initially disappointed, but then became excited again.

She was originally a dancer, so she is well aware of the interpersonal relationships and the preciousness of opportunities in this industry.

To be personally affirmed by the director as having "great potential" and to leave room for "future collaboration" is itself a huge recognition and resource.

"Don't be discouraged, Feifei."

Liu Xiaoli put her arm around her daughter's shoulder and whispered.

Who is Director Fu? He's a director who won a major award at Berlin, so naturally he has high standards.

The fact that he can tell you this is more valuable than getting an ordinary role.

"Let's go back first; you did very well today."

The mother and daughter left the corridor, talking in hushed tones.

The auditions were still going on in the room.

The subsequent auditions proceeded as planned.

Several more actresses joined in, including newcomers with formal training and familiar faces who had acted in several dramas.

Some people performed mediocrely, while others occasionally showed flashes of brilliance, but none of them were the one who caught Fu Yibai's eye and made him think, "She's the one."

"Next up, Chen Hao."

The name made Fu Yibai raise an eyebrow.

This "heartthrob" from the 97 star class of the Central Academy of Drama is rising to fame with "Pink Lady". Her bright and beautiful temperament seems to be even more different from Ye Lanqiu than Fan Binbin.

However, given Fan Binbin's previous attempt at "transformation," Fu Yibai was curious about how she would interpret it.

Chen Hao's audition scene was the last calm conversation between Ye Lanqiu and the male lead, Yang Shoucheng.

She toned down her outward sexiness, trying to portray a weary gentleness and a faint sense of relief, but the allure and urban feel in her bones were still hard to completely shed, always making people feel that "Chen Hao is playing a melancholy woman" rather than "she is Ye Lanqiu".

After a day of auditions, Fu Yibai rubbed his throbbing temples.

Wang Peng and the acting teacher were also packing their things.

"President Fu, judging from today's performance, Fan Binbin and Chen Hao were among the more outstanding, but in terms of compatibility..."

Wang Peng carefully considered his words.

"It seems like they're all a bit lacking."

Liu Yifei has a certain charm, but she's too young.

The other people didn't stand out much.

The acting teacher nodded in agreement.

"The role of Ye Lanqiu requires the actress to have a strong inner tension and tragic temperament. She should have a fresh and even somewhat aloof appearance, but a volcanic turmoil inside."

Today's problems either stem from outward appearances being inconsistent or from a lack of inner strength.

"There will be another batch tomorrow."

Fu Yibai stood up.

"Let me take another look."

No rush to decide.