"You auditioned, which role did you audition for?"
Xu Siyi took his eyes off Zhang Zhen outside and replied, "The role of the little Taoist priest in the Water Ghost chapter. Director Zhang was in charge of it at the time."
Hu Zhenghua recalled that the audition invitation letter did seem to have been sent to Xu Qiao. During that period, the filming was busy and most of the casting was done by assistant director Zhang Zhenlai.
Zhang Zhen selects the candidates and sends the audition videos to him. If he thinks they are suitable, he will make the final decision.
He remembered that the role of the young Taoist priest was finally given to Li Chengxuan. He had also watched the audition video and saw that Li Chengxuan performed well, so there was nothing wrong with giving him the role.
Thinking of Xu Qiao's reputation as a "vase", Hu Zhenghua guessed that he probably didn't perform well in the audition and was eliminated by Zhang Zhen.
Hu Zhenghua pondered for a moment, drank a sip of water, and then spoke slowly after thinking for a moment: "Si Yi, you also know that I have never considered friendship when hiring people, and I always assign roles according to their ability. But Xu Qiao helped us this time, and it is reasonable for us to show our appreciation."
"I'll think about whether there are any roles that can be played even with poor acting skills, and try to choose one with a positive and likable image for him."
The smile in Xu Siyi's eyes faded a lot and he didn't respond.
Seeing Xu Siyi didn't say anything, Hu Zhenghua looked up at him: "What do you think, Siyi?"
"I think." Xu Siyi raised his chin slightly, narrowing his sharp eyes, "Director, why don't you see Xu Qiao's performance in person before making a decision."
Hu Zhenghua didn't understand what he meant. After thinking about it, he walked out of the lounge and called Zhang Zhen over.
"Director Hu, what's wrong?"
Hu Zhenghua: "Xu Qiao came for the audition, were you in charge?"
Zhang Zhen was stunned, not knowing why this matter was suddenly brought up. He glanced at Xu Siyi beside him, and seeing that there was no special expression on his face, he looked away.
Trying not to show any strangeness, Zhang Zhen nodded: "Yes, he came to audition for the role of Little Taoist not long ago."
Hu Zhenghua hummed: "Show me the audition video."
Zhang Zhen had a bad feeling in his heart and guessed that he wanted to repay Xu Qiao for saving Ying Yuan this time.
"Director Hu, what are you doing? We have already decided on the roles—"
"I just want to see how good his acting is." Hu Zhenghua waved his hand to interrupt him. Seeing that Zhang Zhen had not made any move, his face looked unhappy: "Why, I can't even watch it?"
Zhang Zhen stammered, "Video, video may not be found..."
Hu Zhenghua snorted, and sensed some possibility from Zhang Zhen's expression, looking at him with a half-smile: "Zhang Zhen, you also know that I hate people doing little tricks behind my back. I gave you the audition task because I trust you.
"I'll turn a blind eye to the distribution of these insignificant minor roles. Little Taoist priest, that's the second male lead in "Water Ghost Scroll", what do you think..."
Zhang Zhen's heart was pounding when he heard Hu Zhenghua's slow, casual tone. How could he not know that this was a sign that the director was very angry.
A drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead and into his eyes. Zhang Zhen closed his eyes and said in a somewhat embarrassed tone, "I, I'll find the video right away."
Not long after, the video of Xu Qiao's audition for the role of the young Taoist priest was placed in front of Hu Zhenghua.
Hu Zhenghua watched the whole thing in silence without saying a word.
Zhang Zhen lowered his head in fear and didn't dare to look at him.
After a while, Hu Zhenghua smiled and said, "You didn't even choose this one, Zhang Zhen. You have very high standards."
"The person you picked is Li Chengxuan, right? Tell me about my memory. I have forgotten what his audition was like. Was he particularly satisfactory to you?"
Zhang Zhen replied hesitantly: "Li Chengxuan's performance is indeed OK..."
He felt guilty even when he said this. At this moment, Zhang Zhen just hoped that Hu Zhenghua would stop taking it so seriously.
However, Hu Zhenghua would definitely not let him get his wish today.
"Find Li Chengxuan's audition video as well." Hu Zhenghua stood up and returned to the set, "Let's study together."
When Zhang Zhen heard Hu Zhenghua's words, his eyes went dark.
If I had known this would happen, I should have destroyed the audition video, or I shouldn't have recorded it at all. Who could have known that Ying Yuan would suddenly happen to the crew, and that Xu Qiao happened to save him.
Now Hu Zhenghua was determined to watch, and under his nose, Zhang Zhen didn't dare to make any small moves.
Hu Zhenghua called all the crew members over, played Li Chengxuan's audition video once, and then played Xu Qiao's.
Everyone on the set looked at each other in bewilderment. Looking at the first one alone, Li Chengxuan's performance was actually quite good, just average, and there was nothing wrong with him playing the second male lead, a young Taoist priest.
But compared with Xu Qiaoyi who came later, it was a bit tragic. The acting skills of the two were completely not on the same level.
Xu Qiao's performance was natural and natural, and he looked like a little Taoist priest. Comparing the two, one could even see that Li Chengxuan's performance imitated Xu Qiao.
It is clear at a glance which is better and which is worse.
As for why Zhang Zhen chose Li Chengxuan, everyone knew the reason, but how much benefit he received was another matter.
Zhang Zhen finally couldn't stand the pressure anymore and said with a sad face, "I'm sorry, Director Hu, I made a mistake."
Hu Zhenghua ignored him, looked around and said, "It's good that I discovered it today. But before I discovered it, did someone do the same thing?"
No one dared to answer.
Hu Zhenghua's eyes fell on Zhang Zhen: "Zhang Zhen, our small crew can't accommodate you anymore."
Zhang Zhen stared at him blankly, and it took him a while to realize what Hu Zhenghua meant. Was he trying to chase him away
He thought it would be just a few words of criticism, but who knew Hu Zhenghua would go to such lengths because of Xu Qiao.
Xu Qiao took out the scroll that was thrown into the trash can, flattened it and pinned it back to the drawing board with thumbtacks.
He closed his eyes and Xu Siyi's face flashed through his mind.
After opening his eyes for a long time, Xu Qiao picked up a pen and used paint to cover up the stains that he had accidentally painted before. Then he outlined Xu Siyi's eyebrows and eyes on the face of the boy who was missing facial features in the painting.
Slightly highlighted brow bones, sharply defined eyes, slightly pursed lips…
Xu Qiao looked at the person in the painting. He was riding a tall horse, with his hair tied up high. The headband on his forehead and the cloak behind him were both dazzling red. He was wearing silver armor and looked majestic.
It matches Xu Siyi's facial features perfectly.
The cell phone rang. Xu Qiao withdrew his gaze from the painting and stretched out his arm to take the phone.
After the last hot search incident, he reluctantly changed his habit of silencing his phone when doing things.
It was an unfamiliar number. Xu Qiao paused and answered the call.
"Hello. Who is this?"
"Xu Siyi."
Xu Qiao raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where did you get my number?"
A cheerful laugh came from the other end: "You'll know if you ask. Hey, are you free this afternoon?"
"What's wrong?"
"Director Hu wants to treat you to a meal."
Listening to Xu Siyi's voice on the other end, Xu Qiao stared at the painting, stroking the pen in his hand, and accepted the invitation.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, when Xu Qiao entered the hotel box, Hu Zhenghua and Xu Siyi had already arrived.
Hu Zhenghua is in his fifties, a little overweight, and looks elegant and easy-going.
When Xu Qiao looked at Hu Zhenghua, Hu Zhenghua was also looking at Xu Qiao.
I had only seen Xu Qiao in photos and videos before. I only saw him in person last time on the crew, on the day Ying Yuan got into trouble.
But he was anxious at the time and didn't pay attention to what Xu Qiao looked like.
Now it seems that he is tall and flexible, with impeccable looks and highly recognizable features. His eyes are exceptionally clear, like black glass balls immersed in spring water.
A face born for the big screen.
With her outstanding acting skills, she was born for the big screen. I don't know why she is called a vase.
Hu Zhenghua stood up and extended his hand to Xu Qiao who was walking over.
After a polite handshake and a few words of greeting, Xu Siyi pulled out a chair for Xu Qiao, who sat next to him and thanked him.
Thinking of the painting he had drawn before coming here, Xu Qiao's eyes moved across Xu Siyi's face with a look of scrutiny and speculation, a little more serious and profound than usual.
Xu Siyi felt a little uncomfortable with his staring eyes.
Fortunately, Hu Zhenghua did not notice the slightly strange atmosphere between the two of them, and inadvertently helped Xu Siyi out when he spoke.
Hu Zhenghua poured a glass of wine and looked at Xu Qiao with a sincere look: "Xu Qiao, I didn't have time to thank you before, but today I want to express my gratitude to you formally. Ying Yuan's matter is really thanks to you."
Xu Qiao picked up the wine glass and smiled: "You're welcome."
Seeing Hu Zhenghua drink the wine in one breath, Xu Qiao took a sip.
Hu Zhenghua put down his wine glass and said, "Come, eat the food first, and we'll talk while we eat."
"You auditioned for our "Hundred Ghosts" crew, but something went wrong." Hu Zhenghua paused, "I just saw your audition video, Xu Qiao, are you still willing to join our crew?"
Xu Qiao thought that Hu Zhenghua wanted to give the role of the little Taoist priest back to him.
The audition for this role was a test of whether he could continue to stay in SSE. He actually had no great interest in the role of a young Taoist priest.
"Liu Wen, are you willing to perform?" Hu Zhenghua asked.
Xu Qiao was a little surprised and looked up to meet Hu Zhenghua's gaze.
Liu Wen, in the script, died by drowning and became a water ghost nurtured by the negative energy of the lake.
The leading male character in "Water Ghost".
Hu Zhenghua added: "The movie you're in hasn't aired yet. I went to see Jiang Wen and he showed me some clips of your performance in 'Liao Jiang'. To be honest, I think you're very suitable for playing a ghost."
Looking at Hu Zhenghua's expectant eyes, Xu Qiao smiled and nodded.
Soon, the leading male role in the Water Ghost Volume of "One Hundred Demons" which had been vacant for a long time was finally officially announced.
At the same time, "Liao Jiang" also officially announced the broadcast time.