Artists under the Rebirth of the Coal Boss

Chapter 96 The most beautiful girl in the Central Academy of Drama! The first gathering of the four-person study group!
When selecting members for Yang Mi's acting improvement group, Ruby Lin was the first person excluded.

Lin Xinru's carefully crafted "pure and innocent" persona, specifically designed for the mainland market, certainly couldn't fool a talent agency of Rongxingda's caliber.
Before Yang Mi joined the crew, her agent warned her about Lin Xinru's past: she always liked to take more than her share, use her beauty to her advantage, and personally select male artists for her own use.

Wang Likun, who also stole her second female lead role, is no pushover either.

Moreover, all three are known for their roles in period dramas.

Although Ruby Lin is known for her "gentle and graceful female lead" roles, Yang Mi leans towards "lively and charming young girl" roles, and Wang Likun breaks through with her "cold and beautiful villain" roles.

However, the period drama market was already saturated by 2009. Although the three actors had different styles, they were essentially competing in the same genre of period dramas...

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As for the other members of the crew, they were either terrible actors or complete newcomers.

Zhang Tong is the only one with a famously good reputation, with zero negative news in the industry.

One of the "Eight Beauties" of the Central Academy of Drama's Class of '96, she was in the same class as Zhang Ziyi, Mei Ting, Yuan Quan, Hu Jin, Zeng Li and others. She was recognized as the "class beauty" because of her outstanding appearance and temperament.

Moreover, she is as gentle as a chrysanthemum, prefers to focus on supporting roles and stage plays, and follows the typical route of a leading lady from the Central Academy of Drama, which is completely different from Yang Mi's path.

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As for Qi Wei, she squeezed in by force, while this person took an unorthodox approach and also played Nie Yinniang in the "Return of the Horse" drama.

After overhearing Yang Mi and Zhang Tong discussing the study group in the meeting room, Qi Wei, who was on Zhang Tong's other side, insisted on joining, saying that she was juggling multiple filming projects and her acting skills were not up to par, so she needed to recharge urgently.

Yang Mi figured that since they were going to a popular coffee shop in Yunze City, it was perfectly legitimate, and she wasn't worried about Yang Mi causing any trouble.

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Lin Xingzhuo, Yang Mi, Zhang Tong, and Qi Wei chatted as they walked along the hotel corridor toward the outside...

Lin Xingzhuo couldn't help but look at Zhang Tong.

Wearing a dark white chiffon dress with blue floral print, the sheer bodice accentuates her voluptuous curves, exuding a languid and charming aura while revealing a retro and elegant air.

Truly a rare beauty! A beauty brought to life from the murals of the Tang Dynasty!

At the banquet in the Eastern Palace, I nearly met with certain death. My heart is filled with madness for my beloved!
Dai Ji back then was truly stunning, the most beautiful woman in the Tang Palace. Even Yan Danchen's portrayal of Consort Yang couldn't overshadow Dai Ji's beauty...

This study group completely outshone the "Dwelling Narrowness" drama crew.

Lin Xingzhuo deeply reflected on his self-abandonment regarding his acting skills.

We have to start this study group! We need to learn acting skills!!

Everyone loves learning!

This is what they call a threesome, forcing me to try it!
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Yang Mi's assistant drove a Nissan X-TRAIL, taking the four of them to the Feidu Cafe on Xueqian Street in Liangxi District, downtown.

The shop's signboard features all handsome young male waiters, and it was very popular for a period of time last year due to the Japanese drama "Daikanyama Cafe".

The four of them sat down in a corner of the coffee shop, and Qi Wei took the initiative to order coffee.

Looking at Zhou Yafu, who had an ordinary appearance and terrible acting skills, Zhang Tong asked curiously, "Xingzhuo, you acted in 'Dwelling Narrowness'?"

Lin Xingzhuo was happy to chat with Zhang Tong and said, "Yes, he played the fourth male supporting role."

Zhang Tong subtly inquired, "Director Teng Huatao and screenwriter Qi Qi's realistic dramas are notoriously demanding in terms of the actors' acting skills, and the censorship risk is also high."

"Many new generation actors are unwilling to take on these roles..."

Lin Xingzhu lit a hard redwood cigarette and admitted, "Yes, Li Nian was under a lot of pressure back then. I even gave him special acting coaching."

Yang Mi: "..." Zhang Tong remained noncommittal and said, "In the acting industry, it's true that if you don't move forward, you fall behind. Opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce."

Yang Mi said, "Sister Tong, with your qualifications, you don't need to worry about opportunities..."

Zhang Tong glanced at Qi Wei, who was queuing to buy coffee, and sighed, "It's not working out anymore. Things are clearly different now than before. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's definitely harder to run a small business independently."

Yang Mi also seemed to have noticed this, saying, "Yeah, these past two years, everything they do seems to need to generate buzz and emphasize online publicity and attention..."

"This year, Rongxingda has started to establish dedicated positions to maintain relationships with platforms such as Tencent Weibo, Sina Blog, Baidu Tieba, Renren, and the four major portal websites in order to gain more attention."

In 2009, on the eve of the era of internet traffic, many artists were keenly aware of the changes in the entertainment industry...

After chatting for a few more minutes, Zhang Tong remembered Yang Mi's purpose in organizing this study group and got back to the main topic:
"It's really hard to find a role that suits you, so you really have to cherish it!"

Yang Mi nodded, then looked at Lin Xingzhuo, who was still smoking! Sister Tong is definitely targeting you!

Lin Xingzhuo stubbed out his cigarette and said, "That's right. Last time, when John Woo asked me to act in 'Reign of Assassins,' I felt it wasn't suitable, so I turned it down!"

Zhang Tong and Yang Mi: "..."

The two men looked at each other.

Was Lin Xingzhuo referring to the Hong Kong director who just received the Outstanding Contribution Award for Chinese Cinema at the Shanghai International Film Festival, known for his double-gun white doves and violent aesthetics that have captivated audiences worldwide?
Your acting skills are...

Could it be some animation director with the same name?

At this moment, Qi Wei brought a tray with four cups of layered specialty coffee, along with tiramisu and French mousse to the table.

"What are you talking about?"

Yang Mi offered to put the coffee on the table and said, "I was listening to Lin Xingzhuo brag!"

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I'm just an innocent person who really needs a sigh.
Some words of love are reserved only for those who have been hurt.
Even knowing that some questions have no answers, I still ask them.

Forgive me, because that's just the kind of girl I am.

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Inside the coffee shop, Dai Peini's new song "Forgive Me, That's Just the Kind of Girl," released in May, is playing.

With the desserts and other high-quality food served, Qi Wei took her seat, and the four of them began a learning and exchange activity while eating and chatting.

We started by talking about the new blockbuster film "2012," then moved on to a list of movies and discussed acting theories and methodologies.

Zhang Tong truly lives up to his reputation as the class monitor of the Central Academy of Drama's star-studded class; his theoretical foundation is exceptionally solid.

There's a saying in the Chinese entertainment industry: "The Central Academy of Drama produces actors, while the Beijing Film Academy produces stars."

As for the Shanghai Theatre Academy... the gap between it and the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama is too big...

Claiming to be one of China's top three art schools is pure self-aggrandizement; in reality, the top two are neck and neck, and the third is just there to make up the numbers!
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In his previous life, Lin Xingzhuo was the nuclear power engine of the audit department.

He possesses the top-tier racial talent of a corporate slave: when he reads, knowledge is readily absorbed, and information actively enters his brain!
He was not intimidated at all by Zhang Tong, a top student from the Central Academy of Drama.

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The first afternoon tea of ​​the four-person study group for "Beauty's Rival in Palace" quickly turned into a 1v1 solo match between Zhang Tong and Lin Xingzhuo...

(End of this chapter)