Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 5, Section 05: Big and White

The office fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional sound of the factory's broadcast coming from outside the window.

Everyone was trying hard to find a suitable candidate in their minds.

"Speaking of the girls in the Beijing Film Academy's acting department..." Monkey, who was in charge of lighting, scratched his head and broke the silence first: "How about Liu Zi from the class of '93? She has a sweet image and seems to have done some commercials."

Chen Liang immediately shook his head: "No, no, I heard she signed with another company, which is probably expensive, and her schedule might not be easy to book. With our budget, we can't afford to hire her."

"What about Jin Qiaoqiao from the class of '94?" Da Liu interjected. "She's a Korean girl with big eyes and a exotic look. She should be able to pull off a wedding dress."

Hearing these two familiar yet unfamiliar names, Wang Sheng's mind flashed through fragments of memories about them. Liu Zi's most famous role in her acting career was Lu Wushuang in the 98 version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes." Jin Qiaoqiao was a specialist in playing princesses. Because she had played too many princesses, she once said in a media interview, "I can't play a farmer," which was very controversial. In fact, it was because her acting range was too narrow. Later, as she got older, she lowered her standards and played roles like farmers.

“Jin Qiaoqiao… has the right temperament, but she seems to lack the ‘pure and dreamy’ feeling we’re looking for in our advertisement.” Wang Sheng said thoughtfully, “Besides, she probably isn’t cheap either. She appeared in Lin Yilun’s music video back in 93, and last year she also starred in the Beijing Film Studio production, ‘The Winner’.”

"What about the class of '95?" Chen Yu joined the discussion: "There was a student from the class of '95 named Zuo Xiaoqing. She used to be a gymnast. She had a very clean and pure temperament, like a blank sheet of paper. She also acted in 'In the Heat of the Sun,' so she was somewhat well-known."

Zuo Xiaoqing...

I guess they're probably working on their acting together with Director Jiang right now.

Furthermore, Zuo Xiaoqing at this time didn't have the same elegance as she did after she turned thirty, and her appearance was far inferior; she was just an ordinary girl.

Wang Sheng immediately rejected the idea: "Zuo Xiaoqing is not suitable."

"What about Sun Li from the class of '95? She's a graduate of the Beijing Dance Academy, and she has great poise and figure."

Sun Li...

Right now, she's probably having a teacher-student romance with Huang Lei, the deadly poison chef.

Wang Sheng denied it again: "It's not suitable."

The discussion stalled for a moment.

Students from the 93 and 94 classes at Beijing Film Academy are relatively more active and have more opportunities to engage with society, but this may also mean they are paid more or are more selective about jobs.

The class of '95 still seemed to retain a touch of youthful naiveté.

"Central Academy of Drama! There are quite a few beauties at the Central Academy of Drama!" The lighting monkey became lively again: "How about Gong Beirui from the class of '93? She acted in 'You Are Not Sixteen Years Old,' she has a very distinctive look, not the kind of vulgar beauty."

Gong Beirui?
Never heard of it.

Wang Sheng said calmly, "The overall feel might not quite match the dreamlike quality we're looking for."

"What about Tao Hong from the class of '94?"

Lau continued, "He used to be a synchronized swimmer. He had a sunny and healthy image, and his eyes crinkled when he smiled. He was very approachable and also acted in 'In the Heat of the Sun'."

this……

He kicked it away.

Wang Sheng: "Not suitable."

Chen Liang stroked his chin and steered the conversation in another direction: "If the Central Academy of Drama isn't an option, how about the Beijing Dance Academy? The girls who dance, with their figures and气质 (qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance), would definitely look beautiful in wedding dresses!"

"What about Wang Yan from the Beijing Dance Academy?" Chen Yu suddenly interjected, "She's the little maid in 'Smoke Locks the Tower,' she's very pretty and delicate."

"Smoke Locks the Tower" is a Qiong opera.

Wang Yan later gained immense fame for her role as "Qing Gege" in the Qiong Yao drama "Princess Pearl".

"she……"

Wang Sheng shook his head: "It's not suitable." It wasn't that the image was unsuitable, but rather, "Princess Qing" was getting married soon...

In 1995, she was introduced to a real estate businessman who was a generation older than her by her teacher at the Beijing Dance Academy. It seems that they got married this year.

The Beijing Dance Academy is like a place for 'raising skinny horses'; many students are introduced to wealthy businessmen.

"Speaking of Beijing Dance Academy, there used to be someone named Li Xiaoran, who seems to be working at the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe now."

Xiaobing, who had been listening in silence, spoke up again. He had a distant cousin studying at the Beijing Dance Academy: "My cousin told me that Li Xiaoran is tall, has very fair skin, and is as beautiful as a porcelain doll."

Li Xiaoran...

Wang Sheng's eyes lit up slightly.

Of all the people we've talked about so far, only this one is truly a household name.

In short, it's big and white.

Wang Sheng pretended to be thinking, recalling some information he had learned from following gossip about Li Xiaoran in his previous life.

Li Xiaoran joined the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe in 1993.

The Oriental Song and Dance Troupe can be understood as a state-owned performing arts company.

Under the wave of market economy, the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe's business situation was extremely poor.

When Li Xiaoran was working at the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, she met a nouveau riche. His money came quickly but went quickly. This nouveau riche was cheated at a casino and lost everything, including his underwear. He almost forced Li Xiaoran onto the gambling table.

Because of this incident, coupled with her dislike of dancing and the layoffs at the dance troupe, Li Xiaoran apparently left the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe this year and subsequently signed with Xinbaoyuan Film and Television Investment Co., Ltd., a major player in the Beijing entertainment circle, to pursue a career in acting.

“This is something we should pay close attention to! Do you have their contact information?” Wang Sheng asked immediately.

Xiaobing scratched his head: "I have to ask my cousin, she might not have it."

"Military Arts Academy! Don't forget the Military Arts Academy!" the monkey shouted again.

“The PLA Academy of Arts has strict regulations. If you want to shoot commercials, especially those with intimate scenes, the approval process might be very complicated. It’s best not to hire them,” Wang Sheng analyzed.

After his analysis, he looked at everyone and said, "Don't forget, there are so many arts and cultural groups in Beijing, such as song and dance troupes, performing arts troupes, and even some modeling teams. Many girls with good potential may not have entered professional schools for various reasons, but their image, temperament, and expressiveness are not bad, and they may be more affordable and cherish the opportunity more."

Chen Liang slapped his thigh: "That's right! Shengzi, your idea is great! I've heard that some modeling girls only get one or two hundred yuan a day for shooting commercials, and they're very cooperative!"

"Yes."

Wang Sheng nodded: "This is exactly the kind of girl we're looking for—a girl with potential and a desire to perform, but who doesn't have many opportunities yet. Xiaobing, you should focus on finding out more about Li Xiaoran from the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe. Make sure you get her contact information, or at least find out what's going on with her recently."

"Alright, Brother Sheng, I'll go ask my cousin right away!" Xiaobing accepted the order.

"Everyone else, don't just sit around either." Wang Sheng assigned tasks: "Liangzi, you have a wide network of contacts, so go and find out if there are any small modeling agencies or photographers you know, and see if they have any suitable couples to recommend. Remember, our core requirements are: a pure and clean temperament, the ability to carry off a wedding dress, a good sense of the camera, and most importantly, the price can't be too high!"

"Understood!" Chen Liang replied, "Leave it to me."

"Da Liu," Wang Sheng continued, "you will be responsible for assisting General Manager Chen."

"it is good."

Wang Sheng then said, "Monkey, come with me to scout out some scenery."

"Order."

Wang Sheng concluded, "We must act quickly in finding them; we can't afford to delay. Alright, let's get started."

(End of this chapter)