NOVEL NEXT Chapter 797: Audition Passed, Third Female Lead
After the muddy push-ups, there were still the 200-meter obstacle test and target practice to follow.
It's not expected that the actresses, who haven't undergone professional training, could perfectly complete the 200-meter obstacle. The focus was mainly on their physical coordination and reaction abilities while navigating the obstacles.
Among the dozen or so people, only Jiang Lingxi and another actress, who had served as a cultural soldier for a few years and received simple training, managed to finish with some struggles.
The target practice was relatively simple. Since live ammunition wouldn't be used during filming anyway, as long as the actors could adopt the correct posture and quickly grasp the technique, it was fine. This project mainly aimed to familiarize them with the weapons to be used in the scenes.
Despite this, by the time all the tests were finished, it was already around 5 or 6 in the evening.
The location of the military camp was vast, and when everyone absentmindedly looked up, they saw a large expanse of fiery clouds spreading across the entire sky.
The director also glanced at the sky, then lowered his head to continue looking at the small notebook he had filled up.
Indicating to speak directly once everyone had gathered, he said, "The results of this audition are out."
The actors and agents who heard this were like, "..."
How efficient!
But thinking about his previous identity, well, it's understandable.
"I'm only announcing those who passed the audition for now. There are currently nine tentative selections, and the roles are not yet determined; decisions will be made during script readings later. Among you, those who passed are Jiang Lingxi, Zhuang Xinning..."
Actually, during the audition process, everyone somewhat mentally prepared themselves.
Each project was undertaken in blocks, and it was quite clear who performed well and who didn't.
Hearing the results now, even if they weren't named, they accepted it with a bitter smile and nod of acknowledgment.
The director then went on to show what being a demon really means, "Pack your bags and join the crew tomorrow. Your performance today barely met the requirements, but it still doesn't reach my standards. You'll have to train while filming. Over the next two months, treat it as a real military camp experience. I only allow sick leave, all else is non-negotiable!"
The sun hung over the hills, and the actors present for the audition gradually left.
Tong Yue drove and glanced in the rearview mirror at Jiang Lingxi, who was resting with her eyes closed in the back seat. She opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing, only drove the car more steadily.
Arriving at Xiyuan, it was already past eight in the evening.
The car stopped, and Jiang Lingxi opened her eyes, casually picking up the bag of dirty clothes beside her.
"I'll come over tomorrow morning to take you to the military camp, no, the set."
"Alright, drive safely, and get some rest early tonight."
"You should get a good rest. From tomorrow, you probably won't have any peaceful days."
Not to exaggerate, but the director this time clearly looks like a tough one!
*
Dinner had long been prepared.
However, Jiang Lingxi first went to take a shower before sitting at the dining table.
After the audition, she had only wiped off the mud and water and changed clothes, so the cleanliness was not thorough.
Shen Yunqing waited at the table, handing over the porridge that was just the right temperature once she sat down, not asking whether the audition was a pass, but instead asking directly, "When do you join the crew?"
"Tomorrow." Jiang Lingxi replied and took a sip of the rich mung bean and lily porridge.
"So soon?"
"Yes, the director this time was a soldier before, he's quite decisive. And, during filming, there are no visits or leaves allowed, unless it's sick leave."
Shen Yunqing: ".... Can they at least use phones?"
Jiang Lingxi thought for a moment, "They probably can, but there might not be time. He said you could treat this time filming the show as a real military camp life, and he didn't seem to be joking."
What is real military life like?
Training from morning till night, occasionally drill at night, plus there will certainly be scenes involving missions.
In short, by then, one might be so tired after filming they'll fall straight to sleep. Playing with phones would take some energy too.
After eating, Shen Yunqing handed over an unopened box.
Jiang Lingxi accepted it casually, "What's this?"
"An automatic massager. Xiaozhou Company has launched a fully automatic massage chair, and this is a spin-off product. Its advantage is that it's easy to carry. Take it to the set this time, use it when tired, it works pretty well, better than nothing."
"Thoughtful!"
Jiang Lingxi opened it ready to try it out.
Only after seeing the fully automatic massage chair placed in the bedroom, she decisively abandoned the newly acquired old favorite for her new love.
When Shen Yunqing came out from the bathroom, he saw her already asleep on the massage chair.
With a light sigh, he walked over and gently lifted her from the chair.
*
Fortunately, there was no filming on the first day of joining the crew.
But to promote a sense of unity among the actors, the director waved a hand, and they moved into a collective dormitory.
Truly, one decorated like a military dormitory!
This can count as a gimmick. When the show airs, who would think that the dormitory appearing in the show is actually the actors' regular rooms?
Even the assistants' dormitory conditions brought into the crew were better than theirs!
The group of assistants: Terrified!
Although the show is ensemble cast based, all eight other actresses who passed the audition had already internally accepted that Jiang Lingxi would be the main lead with the heaviest parts.
But unexpectedly, after the script reading finished, when the director officially assigned roles, the lead role fell to a relatively lukewarm second-line actress, Chang Lu.
Jiang Lingxi wasn't even the second lead; those honors went to Zhuang Xinning, who had performed just below Jiang Lingxi during auditions.
Jiang Lingxi was only the third lead!
This result had everyone astonished, not even finishing listening to the director's further distributions before collectively looking over, then simultaneously turning heads towards Jiang Lingxi.
Jiang Lingxi, now having to support two actresses who were clearly less established than her in the industry? Would she just explode and walk out?
But what they saw was merely her quietly flipping through the script.
The director, having announced the role assignments, also glanced Jiang Lingxi's way, "Any objections?"
Jiang Lingxi closed the script and raised her head to meet the director's gaze, "None."
Everyone: "..."
Although, but still, there's a bit of disbelief.
Especially Chang Lu, who received the unexpectedly bestowed main role, wanted to show excitement but was afraid of provoking Jiang Lingxi, and her facial expression management was unusually failing.
The equally incredulous Tong Yue had just learned the role assignment results too.
The phone speaker was filled with her incredulous voice, "What's the director thinking? How could he decide to have you play the third lead?"
"Actually, the scenes are almost equal in number. The main lead doesn't have much more screentime than the third lead."
"It's not about the number of scenes, it's about the actor's billing. No, I'll personally ask the crew tomorrow..."
"Stop," Jiang Lingxi immediately interrupted her, "The director chooses actors based on role suitability, not fame. Moreover, I genuinely like this third lead role."
Tong Yue: "..."
If that's what you say, then what else can I say?
Fine, third lead it is, as long as the performance is great, that's all that matters.
There have been productions where second or third leads outshone the main ones.
She could only console herself with this now.
While Jiang Lingxi was deeply engrossed in filming at the set, "Gale" had extended its initial screening time by almost a month before it finally went offline in Huazhou cinemas, and simultaneously released overseas.
The hashtag #GaleSurpassesFourBillionBoxOffice# trended on the day following its discontinuation.
The crew glanced at the trending headline, then at Jiang Lingxi, who was rolling in the mud on set, with mixed emotions.
Four billion box office leading actress, and this isn't counting the overseas earnings of "Gale". Exceeding 50 billion is probably not a dream. How could their director opt to give her the third lead?
Yet, this main star had no objection, agreeing to it on the spot.
Upon official filming, there wasn't any hint of half-heartedness, and she had the fewest NG takes among all actors.
Chang Lu put down her phone and took a sip of iced water handed by her assistant, squinting at the figure in front of the camera and murmuring, "Some people succeed for a reason!"