Global Film Emperor

Chapter 376 The Difference Between Lower-Level Actors in China and Abroad

“Lucas, I want to do a long shot here, from this side of the corridor all the way to the nurses’ station, a downward-sloping shot. You can handle the track setup. As for the color, I want a cooler tone. We’ll test the shot when we get back to the company. As for negotiating with the hospital, Mr. Hopkins, would you be in charge?”

This location will be used to shoot a very important scene, so today Mickey brought along cinematographer and art director Lucas, along with the producer sent by the theater's investors, to scout locations. Of course, every shot in "Afterlife" is important, so they have quite a few locations to visit, and this is already the sixth one today.

Lucas nodded without answering, looking around the hospital environment, carefully memorizing every detail and taking notes. It wasn't until Mickey's phone rang that he clipped the pen cap to the notebook cover, pinched the corner of his eye, and let out a long sigh.

"Hey Lu Ze, how are your interviews going? Three already? Good progress. What roles are they? Okay, I got it. Didn't you say Camilla would be coming this afternoon? I just called to let her know she's off the plane. Okay, I'll head back now."

Mickey snapped his fingers, thought for a moment, opened his phone camera, found a corner in the corridor, squatted down, took several photos, and then mentioned it to Hopkins with a smile.

"Miss Hygula is almost here. We should head back. We'll finish visiting fourteen more scenic spots in the next day or two! Lucas, today's main character should arrive in half an hour."

……

"Mr. Smith, thank you very much for your strong support of the 'Rebirth' production team. The casting process will take about a week. We will notify you by email whether you are selected or not. Thank you for coming. Please call the next person when you leave."

Are all foreign actors really that good? Before today, Lu Ze might have nodded in agreement. After all, he had seen so many excellent imported works, and the amazing acting skills of the top actors in them inevitably left people with a false impression that foreign actors have a deep-rooted industry.

But after actually getting to know them, Lu Ze realized that while there were many talented actors, there were even more newbies struggling at the bottom. Let's start with the positive aspects.

The general strength of the featured actors here is higher than that of the domestic actors of the same level. Due to the more complete system and actor system, any production team considers not only whether the actor and the character look alike, but also what special talents the actor has to make the character more fitting. Secondly, the actors' union will also send the resume to the production team, clearly informing them of all the works they have participated in from beginning to end.

In this way, actors not only have to maintain their physical condition to meet the requirements of the special roles in the production team, but also have to continuously improve their acting skills and special skills so that they have the strength to continue to climb the ladder. That's why so many A-list stars are able to emerge from the group of special role actors.

In China, however, the distinction between character actors and real actors is too clear. Character actors are supposed to do character-specific things, and there aren't many requirements. Precisely because you are a character actor, people don't pick and choose too much. As long as your physical appearance is acceptable and you have some acting skills, that's enough.

Just like when Lu Ze was in Hengdian, directors would give him a chance if they felt he was good enough. He never had trouble finding work. The requirements were low, so filming was quick. The advantage was that he wouldn't starve, but the disadvantage was that he would basically only be a character actor for the rest of his life. Above that, all classes were firmly controlled by the academics. Otherwise, why would Lu Ze's appearance be considered extremely rare?

So if you observe carefully, you'll find that even the extras in high-quality foreign films don't have bad acting skills; they're capable of carrying a role with very few scenes.

In contrast, many extras in domestic blockbusters have subpar acting skills, especially the elderly and children. Their lines are stiff, their facial expressions and body movements are rigid, and they fall short in the details.

This isn't the fault of the production team or the actors. Did the production team really need that little bit of money to find an actor whose acting wasn't awkward? They weren't bad, but no matter how you look at them, they're all just similar types. You can't really choose.

You can't blame the character type, because when you become a character type, you're destined to appear on screen for roles that suit you. You can see the ceiling of your life; there's no room for advancement.

Lu Ze isn't just any random character he picks. If he's destined to never become famous, but still loves acting and wants to make a living from it, then why would he bother honing his acting skills? As long as he has work and can support his family, that's enough.

So Lu Ze thought about it for a long time: what do lower-level actors in China lack? Later he realized that what China lacks is an authoritative, professional, national actors' union established by the state to guarantee the rights and interests of lower-level actors, provide them with protection, and pave the way for them to move up in society.

When lower-level actors see hope and are introduced to more major production teams, they will naturally work hard to improve their skills. In this way, even if there are some shady dealings behind the scenes, it doesn't matter, as long as it's not too outrageous. If a few lower-level actors can be promoted, that is commendable.

But then again, those who can truly be considered actors or above are all from academia. They have the protection of schools and the help of factions, so... the China Actors Guild may never appear.

We've gotten a bit off-topic. Let's talk about the shortcomings of these foreign actors. The advantages I mentioned earlier about lower-level foreign actors refer to those with ambition; other lower-level actors... don't seem to have that much ambition. This is interesting because the film crews' meticulous selection process creates employment difficulties for lower-level actors. A large number of actors can't make a living solely from acting, so they all choose to take on part-time jobs.

It's common to see white-collar workers, physical education teachers, IT professionals, and even cleaning ladies working as part-time actors. These people can play a passerby or be a stunt double, but they don't expect to get rich from this line of work; they just want to earn some pocket money in their spare time.

There are many novices like this, and they like to take their chances. For movies like Mickey Mouse, which have a big reputation but a small budget, they think they might have a chance, which wastes a lot of casting time.

The guy I just persuaded to leave was in his early twenties, yet he auditioned for a role as a man in his fifties. I don't know what he was thinking. Would they really do a long, difficult makeup session to make him look old for such a small role? Or do special effects? Is that even possible? He didn't even consider his own abilities.

Speechless, Lu Ze returned Mr. Smith's resume and had to suppress his anger and comfort him. Otherwise, if Mr. Smith complained to the Screen Actors Guild, the production team might face a fine if the evidence was conclusive. After getting used to casting in China, it was really infuriating to have to treat people like this who lacked self-awareness and insisted on trying to take advantage of the situation so well.

"Kesha, how many are left today?"

"There are still forty-one. Good heavens, actors in Britain are really worthless... My grandma is eighty-two years old. She could probably become an actress in Britain."

"There are too few professional actors and too many charlatans. There's nothing we can do. Look out the window, what a grand spectacle! Look at Mickey running those two steps, like a prostitute entertaining customers. His face is full of wrinkles. Our big star is here."

The two witnessed Barbo, the black guy in the mailroom, push open the gate to the courtyard. Usually, even if Mickey drove over, Barbo would only open one gate, just enough for him to get in.

Now, both iron gates were pushed open, and two luxury cars drove into the courtyard. Miss Camilla, dressed in a white fur coat, white trench coat, and white hat, needed her assistant to help her delicate hands, which were clad in white silk gloves, as she got out of the car. Four burly men in suits got out and stood quietly behind her. It was unclear whether they were temporary replacements or long-term bodyguards. In any case, her slightly retro style, coupled with such a grand entrance, showcased her socialite demeanor in every detail.

Compared to him, Mickey, the owner of a small film company, looked like a nobody. Although the two were chatting and laughing, he always seemed inferior to him. After all, the other man was wearing gold and silver, while Mickey was only wearing a leather jacket and jeans, and his Martin boots were covered with mud from the spring thaw. Only Lucas, who was much more burly than his bodyguard, could salvage some of his dignity.

"Lu Ze, I really like Camilla. Can I go down and take a look? Just for a little while, can you cover for me? I'll be right back! Is that okay?"

Lu Ze never expected that Kesha was a fan of Kamiya. When she made a request to Lu Ze, she didn't hesitate, but she felt a little embarrassed about putting her work aside to chase after her idol.

"No, it's not like we'll never see each other again. We'll be working together again in a few days. What's the rush? You have plenty of time to see him. Just focus on finishing your work first."

"Really...it won't work?"

"Fine! Get lost, get lost, I give up."

"Thanks, Lu Ze! I'll be right back!"

Lu Ze couldn't stand a burly man over two meters tall putting on a pitiful act. What was the difference between him and the bear they had bullied? He got goosebumps all over and quickly chased Kesha away. In the end... of the four interviewers originally planned, only Lu Ze remained on the "battlefield".

He twirled the ballpoint pen between his middle and ring fingers, rested his chin on his hand, and watched as Mickey accompanied Camilla into the company and disappeared from Lu Ze's sight. Only then did he take a sip of water, feeling utterly bored, before the auditioning actor knocked on the door and called out.

"Please come in."

"..."

(End of this chapter)