22: Chapter 22 The Test of the King of Qin

7 PM, Xiangqun Restaurant.

Lin Chuyan, Wu Yue, and Director Zhang Qian gathered together.

After a few rounds of drinks, Director Zhang Qian began to talk about the real business.

"I've read the script for 'drama', and it's decent. But what I value more is that the details are quite refined, and the costumes, makeup, and props aren't shoddy. That's a big plus."

"Jing Wen is the name of the female lead, and you can tell from the title that this is a female-led drama. Whether it's the male lead or the second male lead, they're both there to set off the female lead."

"The male lead has already been set by the investors. It's said to be an actor that Bilibili is going to heavily promote later. No one can snatch this role. He's a newcomer; I don't remember his name."

"The role I'm recommending you audition for is the second male lead. This guy is great in every way, but he just fawns over the female lead. You know what I mean? I get so annoyed reading the script sometimes. He's a prince, for God's sake, but his IQ drops the moment he sees this woman."

"The filming location is in Hengdian. I don't know much else, but it will definitely take a few months to shoot."

"Also, because it's a low-budget production, the pay will definitely be lower than the market rate. I estimate it will be cut by about 30-50%."

"The investors and the director have made their stance very clear: use newcomers, not big stars. First, they can't afford them; second, they want to spend the money on production."

"I showed him your clips from 'seven days of pursuit', and he thinks you can come over for an audition. If it's a good fit, we'll talk about the rest."

Lin Chuyan and Wu Yue occasionally interjected with questions, but mostly they listened silently. At this moment, they exchanged a glance and understood what the other was thinking.

Take it! Must take it!

The connections with the teacher are one thing, but they can't rely on them. It's best to rely on oneself.

Besides, the difference between a web drama and a web movie is huge. The former has an audience many times larger than the latter, making it easier to be seen.

What's more, the investor is Bilibili. So what if it's a low budget? The platform is big enough! Bilibili will definitely give it a recommendation slot when the time comes.

Besides, so what if it's the second male lead?

The script might control me, but can it control who the audience likes to watch?

This is an opportunity.

Seeing that they were interested, Director Zhang Qian directly gave them the director's phone number.

"The director is my college buddy, Director Yang Yang, and he's in Hengdian right now. This drama is a special case; the other roles are basically set, and the sets are built. The only one missing is the role of Prince Qin. Even if you pass the audition, you won't have much time to read the script, so I suggest you go over as soon as possible. Hmm, just call him when you arrive; I've already mentioned you to him."

Wu Yue raised his glass: "Thank you for your cultivation, Director. Xiao Yan has always been taken care of by you. I'll finish this; please drink as you like."

Director Zhang Qian waved his hand and accompanied him with a drink: "I really haven't specifically taken care of him. I hate people without acting skills the most—ahem, Xiao Yan, I'm not talking about you. Let bygones be bygones."

Lin Chuyan made an excuse to go to the bathroom and went out to pay the bill. The three of them ate and drank for a while longer before going their separate ways.

...

Wu Yue booked the flight for the next day that same evening. Lin Chuyan only had time to tell his teacher on WeChat, and by the next noon, he had already appeared at the airport.

After all, the two of them had nothing to do in Beijing, so they had to jump on work whenever they had it.

It only took two hours to get from the airport to Hangzhou, but it took two and a half hours to take the airport bus from Hangzhou to Hengdian.

Lin Chuyan wasn't idle either; he had already started reading the e-book of the original novel of the same name, 'drama', along the way. By the time they arrived at Hengdian World Studios, it was already evening.

After a phone call, someone came out to pick them up.

"Lin Chuyan?"

The person who came was a man around 40 years old, looking disheveled.

"I'm the production assistant for 'drama', Li Li. Just call me Old Li."

Lin Chuyan smiled and greeted him: "Hello, Brother Li. I am Lin Chuyan."

"The director told me to come out to pick someone up. I don't know the situation either. Are you here to..."

"Audition, for the second male lead."

Li Li suddenly realized and smiled along: "The second male lead, Prince Qin. There's quite a bit of screen time, so we need to hurry."

The entertainment industry changes too fast. Li Li didn't recognize Lin Chuyan at all, but his attitude was very good.

It was mainly because Lin Chuyan's appearance was so outstanding. As long as someone with this kind of looks wasn't an idiot, they might make a name for themselves at any time. An old hand like him who had been working on film crews for years had seen plenty of such cases.

While chatting, the two were quickly led by Li Li into a building.

"Come on, let me take you to find the director. Director Yang is waiting in the audition room on the second floor."

He knocked on the door: "Director, Lin Chuyan and the others are here."

Footsteps approached, and someone stepped forward to open the door.

The man inside was under 40, tall, with long hair tied in a ponytail, looking a bit out of place.

Li Li introduced them to each other: "This is the chief director of 'drama', Director Yang Yang. Director Yang, this is Lin Chuyan and his manager."

Both sides exchanged some polite pleasantries.

While Lin Chuyan was looking at him, Director Yang Yang was also observing the other party.

He was truly handsome.

Hmm, his posture was also quite upright.

The second male lead in 'drama' was the character of Prince Qin in a fictional history. He was supposed to be an outstanding talent, and in the setting, he had to be handsome and dashing.

Only such a person fawning over the female lead could highlight her uniqueness. If he looked like a mess, Director Yang Yang wouldn't even bother with polite pleasantries.

However, Director Yang Yang was a bit unsure. After all, a costume drama isn't just about being handsome.

How many modern handsome men look absolutely unwatchable once they put on costumes?

Not to mention the flaws in appearance exposed after tying up the hair.

Height, body proportions, physique, temperament, expression management, body language... Each and every one of these could screen out a large number of so-called handsome men.

To put it bluntly, if you let a novice play an emperor or a hero, he wouldn't even know how to walk.

Striding like a dragon or tiger? Who walks like that for no reason? Just try asking an amateur without a sense of belief to walk like that. You'll know how awkward it is as soon as they finish walking.

This was also the reason why the role of Prince Qin hadn't been decided until now.

Use a newcomer? Easier said than done. Where are there so many good newcomers? Internationally renowned directors hold global auditions, but what about him, Director Yang Yang? Where is he supposed to choose from for a web drama?

Director Yang Yang intended to get straight to the point: "Let's try on the costumes, put on makeup, and then see how the look turns out."

Soon, a male makeup artist took Lin Chuyan to the makeup room next door.

Skin preparation, foundation, contouring and highlighting, eye makeup, eyebrow trimming, lip makeup, sideburn trimming, and putting on the wig.

Lin Chuyan didn't feel much; he just thought, 'Hmm, quite white.'

"Tsk tsk, truly good-looking."

The makeup artist was obviously very satisfied with his work and shouted at the door: "Push the clothes in!"

Clatter, a large clothes rack was quickly pushed in.

The makeup artist looked at Lin Chuyan while comparing the clothes: "Teacher Lin, pick a set?"

In this line of work, it is indeed customary to call everyone "Teacher". Lin Chuyan had already adapted to local customs.

Looking as instructed, four sets of costumes were hanging on the rack: bright red, royal blue, off-white, and deep black.

It was a fictional history, so it was impossible to tell which dynasty's clothing it was. It looked more like a style combined with modern aesthetics. Plus, the fabric was good, and the embroidery was exquisite; it really looked quite nice.

"Let's go with this one."

Lin Chuyan pointed to a deep black one.

There was no particular reason; it just looked like it fit the title of Prince Qin better.

"Alrighty."

The stand-up collar official robe was symmetrical in front and back, with moderate cuffs and a wide hem. Pythons were embroidered on the front, cuffs, and shoulders, and it was paired with a jade crown to tie up the hair...

Someone's temperament changed instantly.

The four words "of noble and royal descent" were embodied in this moment.

"Teacher Lin, you are too top-tier, really. I've helped so many people with costumes, and I've never seen anyone this top-tier."

Lin Chuyan smiled and said nothing, because the system's task had come again.