20: Script reading, undercurrents emerge

The next morning, Lin Da woke up early.

Outside the window, the capital city was bathed in the soft glow of dawn, its usual clamor not yet fully awakened.

He didn't get up immediately; instead, he lay in bed, closing his eyes and concentrating, going over the lines and inner thoughts of the character Wei Zhongxian in his mind once more.

Today's script reading was his first step in officially integrating into the production team of the chronicles of the great ming dynasty, and also his first stage to showcase his abilities to this formidable team.

He had to be in his best state.

"System, will my performance today affect the evaluation of subsequent tasks?" Lin Da silently asked in his mind.

"The Host's performance at the script reading will serve as one of the important references for the 'excellent portrayal of the character' evaluation in the [Gaining Renown in the Capital] mission.

At the same time, a good first impression will help the Host gain recognition from the core creative team more quickly."

The System's voice was as cold and efficient as ever.

Lin Da understood.

It seemed that today's reading wasn't just a mere formality.

At 8:30 AM, Lin Da arrived at the production team's designated meeting room half an hour early.

It was a large conference room capable of accommodating dozens of people, and a few individuals were already sparsely seated around the long oval conference table.

Lin Da immediately spotted Director Zheng Guofeng, who was conversing in low voices with two screenwriters, his expression serious.

Qin Ya sat nearby, meticulously organizing documents.

Besides them, there were several actors with extraordinary temperaments; some were engrossed in their scripts, while others were chatting quietly.

Lin Da recognized one or two of them as well-known veteran actors in the country, with whom he had collaborated in his previous life, though at present, they didn't know him.

The air was filled with an atmosphere that was both professional and slightly tense.

Lin Da found a relatively back seat and sat down, observing silently.

He noticed that almost every actor who walked into the meeting room carried a sense of confidence and reverence for acting.

This was completely different from the atmosphere he had experienced in the Jianghu Xiaoxiami production team before.

As expected of Hua Guang Film and Television's top production team.

At exactly 9:00 AM, the meeting room door closed on time.

Director Zheng Guofeng cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping across the room, and said in a deep voice, "Teachers, welcome to the chronicles of the great ming dynasty production team.

Today is our first full creative team script reading.

I believe I don't need to elaborate on the importance of this drama.

I hope that in the coming months, we can work together diligently and cooperate sincerely to create a masterpiece that lives up to the era and the audience!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

Subsequently, Qin Ya began to introduce the main actors present.

Playing the male lead, Emperor Yongle, was the domestic TV drama emperor-level veteran actor Teacher Chen Daoming.

Playing the female lead, the Empress, was the acclaimed actress Teacher Yuan Quan, known for her acting skills and temperament.

In addition, there were several other seasoned actors familiar to the audience, playing important princes, ministers, and other roles in the drama.

Each name announced was accompanied by a low murmur of admiration and applause.

When Lin Da was introduced, Qin Ya specifically added, "Playing the role of Wei Zhongxian is our production team's specially invited new actor, Teacher Lin Da.

Although Teacher Lin's previous works had limited screen time, his exquisite acting skills left a deep impression on us."

Everyone's gaze once again focused on Lin Da.

This time, besides curiosity and scrutiny, there was also a hint of inquiry.

A relatively unknown newcomer could actually land a significant role like Wei Zhongxian and be introduced in such a way by the producer; he must have something exceptional.

Lin Da stood up and bowed to everyone again, neither humble nor arrogant.

The script reading officially began.

According to the process, the actors took turns reading their lines, while the Director and screenwriters would occasionally interrupt to offer suggestions for revision or performance requirements.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was focused and immersive.

The veteran actors' line delivery skills were indeed extraordinary.

They could fully express the character's emotions and personality traits simply through their voices.

Lin Da listened, learned, and absorbed diligently.

For him, this was also a rare opportunity for observation and improvement.

Soon, it was time for the scenes involving Wei Zhongxian.

It was a scene where Wei Zhongxian had a dialogue with the young prince in the imperial garden.

The young prince was innocent and full of beautiful dreams for the future, while Wei Zhongxian silently guarded him, his eyes filled with affection and hidden worries.

Lin Da adjusted his breathing and spoke his first line:

"Your Highness, it's getting cold; it's time to return to the palace."

His voice was slightly hoarse, carrying that slightly effeminate yet gentle tone characteristic of an elderly eunuch.

He didn't deliberately imitate a stereotypical eunuch's voice but rather, based on the character's setting, processed it in a way that was closer to the character's inner self.

Just a simple line made many people present slightly pause.

Director Zheng Guofeng's brow subtly twitched.

The young prince was played by an experienced child actor, who immediately picked up his lines, his voice clear and childish.

Their voices echoed in the meeting room.

Lin Da's performance was getting better and better.

He didn't have many movements, yet simply through the rise and fall of his voice, changes in tone, and occasional well-placed light coughs and sighs, he vividly portrayed Wei Zhongxian's affection, worry, and the helplessness and caution of an old eunuch in the palace.

When he read a section where Wei Zhongxian comforted the young prince, recalling his own experience of entering the palace when he was young, his words filled with a hint of self-mockery and lament for fate, Lin Da's voice became even more captivating.

That tranquility after experiencing vicissitudes, that wisdom of seeing through worldly affairs, and that deep-seated sorrow all flowed out through his voice.

The meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was drawn in by Lin Da's voice, as if they truly saw that old eunuch silently guarding a glimmer of warmth in the deep palace.

Even Chen Daoming and Yuan Quan, two veteran actors accustomed to grand scenes, had a hint of surprise and approval in their eyes when they looked at Lin Da.

When this scene was finished, Director Zheng Guofeng did not speak immediately but remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a subtle hint of satisfaction: "Lin Da, your understanding of the character Wei Zhongxian is very accurate.

Especially those few lines about fate just now, you handled the emotional layers very well."

This was the first time Director Zheng Guofeng had so explicitly praised an actor during a script reading.

Lin Da felt a slight release in his heart, but he didn't become arrogant because of it; he simply nodded humbly: "Thank you, Director Zheng, I will continue to work hard."

The reading continued.

In the afternoon, it was time for a scene where Wei Zhongxian secretly clashed with a powerful minister in the court.

This powerful minister was played by a veteran actor known for portraying villains; his aura was strong, and his words were sharp.

When reading this scene, Lin Da's voice suddenly changed.

It was no longer the gentleness and benevolence he showed the young prince, but rather a hint of the cunning and sharpness belonging to a political schemer.

His speaking pace was not fast, but every word was like a nail, firmly hitting the opponent's vital points.

That unspoken confrontation, that undercurrent of tension, was vividly portrayed by the two through their voices.

"Good!" When this scene was finished, the veteran actor playing the powerful minister couldn't help but clap his hands in praise, "Excellent! Lin Da, right?

Your Wei Zhongxian is interesting!

I'm starting to look forward to our scenes together!"

This sudden praise surprised Lin Da, and also made him feel the recognition from his senior.

The script reading session lasted until evening.

At the end of the meeting, Director Zheng Guofeng specifically walked over to Lin Da and patted him on the shoulder: "Lin Da, you performed well today.

Maintain this state, and I believe you can portray the character Wei Zhongxian well."

"Thank you, Director Zheng, I will definitely give my all." Lin Da solemnly promised again.

Walking out of the meeting room, Lin Da let out a long sigh of relief.

Although today's script reading had consumed a lot of his mental energy, he also gained a lot from it.

Not only did he receive initial recognition from the Director and his peers, but it also gave him a deeper understanding and anticipation for the chronicles of the great ming dynasty and the character Wei Zhongxian.

Just as he was about to return to the hotel to rest, a slightly hoarse voice sounded behind him:

"Teacher Lin Da, please wait."

Lin Da turned around and saw the veteran actor who played the powerful minister looking at him with a half-smile.

"Senior, do you need something?" Lin Da asked respectfully.

The veteran actor slowly walked up to him, sizing him up and down, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry and... a subtle sharpness.

"Young man, your acting is good, very spirited." The veteran actor slowly said, "However, the waters in the capital are much deeper than you imagine.

You're not the only one eyeing the role of Wei Zhongxian..."

"