PNB Chapter 132 The Hunger Games [3000 words]
Chapter 132 The Hunger Games [3000 words]
Chapter 132 The Hunger Games [3000 words]
Enter the building and follow the signs to the third floor.
Several people, all young male actors, were already waiting in the corridor. Some were reciting their lines in a low voice, while others were doing stretching exercises.
Chen Xun recognized two of them as rising stars in the television industry.
As soon as he entered, several pairs of eyes swept over him, their gazes filled with a hint of rejection.
The news that Chen Xun, the Chinese actor who just became popular with "Green Lantern", is going to compete for Peeta is no secret in this small circle.
A young assistant wearing a work badge walked over, and after confirming Chen Xun's name, his eyes lit up. He spoke with exceptional politeness, "Mr. Chen, you've arrived. Please come with me. Let's get things ready here."
This treatment was clearly different from that of the others waiting in the corridor, attracting more attention.
The assistant led Chen Xun into a small, private room where costume and makeup artists were already waiting.
"This is the outfit you'll be wearing for today's audition. Please change into it. We'll do some simple makeup and hair touch-ups to emphasize a natural look."
The assistant explained, then added, "Director Gary specifically instructed that he wanted to see you in your most authentic state."
Chen Xun thanked him and began to change his clothes.
The clothes consisted of simple beige cotton trousers and a slightly rough linen shirt, with an overcoat of dark brown old jacket.
It imitates the everyday attire of the commoners in District 12 from the original work.
The clothes have a rough texture but are clean.
After changing clothes, the makeup artist simply used foundation to slightly adjust the skin tone, making the complexion look more natural, and styled the hair to look slightly messy.
The person in the mirror instantly lost their star quality, looking more like a young person living in a remote mining area, with clear eyes but also a touch of melancholy.
Chen Xun admired him sincerely.
The makeup artist on set is amazing; with just a few simple touches, he looks like a completely different person!
"Very good, this simple feeling is just right."
The makeup artist nodded in satisfaction.
Once everything was ready, the assistant reappeared and led Chen Xun through the corridor to a closed door.
"The audition room is inside, Mr. Chen. Good luck."
His assistant opened the door for him.
The audition room was bigger than I had imagined.
The furnishings are simple.
There were a few chairs in front, and a simple camera and lighting equipment behind them.
Five people were sitting in the chairs.
In the center is director Gary Ross, next to him is a middle-aged woman wearing glasses with a serious expression, and on the other side are two men who look like producers.
At the very edge sat a woman with long brown hair, exuding a quiet and intellectual air.
It was none other than the original author, Susan Collins herself.
She was holding a thick notebook and looking up at me with curiosity in her eyes.
There seems to be a lot of anticipation for how this Chinese actress, who just starred as Green Lantern and became a global sensation, will interpret the character she created.
"Chen, thank you for coming!"
Gary Ross spoke first, his tone calm: "These are our casting director Linda, producers Jon and Michael, and Susan, I think you should know them."
"Hello everyone, I'm Chen Xun."
Chen Xun bowed slightly politely, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
"Relax, Chen."
Gary pointed to an area marked with tape in the center of the room: "We won't have you perform a complete scene from the script today. We just want to see how well you fit into this outfit and some of your instinctive reactions. Linda will give you some simple instructions."
Casting director Linda took over, her voice crisp and direct: "Okay, Chen, first, please walk to the center of the marked area, stand naturally, and imagine that you have just finished a day's work at the bakery, still smelling of flour and fire, and now you are standing at your front door, looking at the Twelfth District where you live."
Chen Xun followed the instructions and walked to the center, lowering his eyelids slightly to slow his breathing.
His improved emotional control, now at level 4, allows him to quickly get into the zone.
He didn't make any exaggerated expressions of sadness or exhaustion; his shoulders were slightly relaxed, yet still slightly hunched from years of hard work, and his eyes were vacant, staring at a point in the void.
There was a gray sky, dilapidated houses, and perpetually hungry people.
His fingers rubbed together unconsciously, as if he were rubbing away invisible flour.
A weariness deeply rooted in daily life naturally emanates from it.
The room was quiet, with only the faint sound of the camera operating.
Gary Ross and Susan Collins exchanged a glance.
"very good!"
Linda continued: "Now change the context. You were at the harvest festival and heard that Katniss Everdin's sister was chosen. You saw her rush up to volunteer to take her place, and you were moved. Give me that look in your eyes."
Chen Xun didn't move his body much, but his entire demeanor changed instantly.
His back straightened almost imperceptibly, and his eyes snapped up, looking straight ahead.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, which were quickly overwhelmed by more complex emotions.
There is a sense of powerless anger at the cruel rules, and a shock and admiration for Katniss's courage.
All these emotions flowed by in the blink of an eye.
His lips were pressed tightly together.
Susan Collins was quickly jotting something down in her notebook.
"In the next scenario, you are already in the arena. You are injured and hiding in well-camouflaged grass. Just then, you hear approaching footsteps, which could be allies or enemies. You need to decide in one second whether to continue hiding or risk calling for help or attacking. Show me your body language and facial expressions during that one second of thinking."
Chen Xun carefully turned to the side, making a gesture as if leaning against something.
Pretend there are rocks or tree roots in front of him.
Chen Xun's breathing became shallow and long, almost inaudible.
The weariness and gentleness on his face had completely disappeared, replaced by a highly alert gaze, and his complexion was even a little pale.
His ears seemed to twitch, his eyes sharply scanning the non-existent environment ahead, his pupils slightly contracting.
Every muscle in the body is tense, ready to explode or remain dormant at any moment.
Chen Xun's fingers curled slightly, as if he were ready to grab a stone or branch at any moment.
The entire thought process was devoid of any superfluous movements, only rapid blinking of the eyes and extremely subtle twitching of the facial muscles.
Gary Ross leaned forward slightly.
The other people's eyes also began to look serious.
They all seemed to be drawn into the cruel environment of the arena by Chen Xun's superb acting skills.
"One last instruction!"
Linda, affected by Chen Xun's emotions, began to fluctuate in her tone: "In the final stage of the arena, in extreme exhaustion and despair, you saw Katniss, whom you thought was dead. What was your reaction at that moment?"
Chen Xun did not act immediately.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened his eyes again, the feigned alertness and resilience receded like the tide, revealing the pain and despair beneath.
His body swayed as if he might fall at any moment. His eyes were initially vacant, then focused on a point in the void.
The moment he "saw" Katniss, his pupils dilated sharply, filled with disbelief and disorientation, as if he were hallucinating.
Chen Xun didn't shout or rush over; he just stood there, as if he had used all his strength to support himself, his eyes telling the whole story.
Just then, a purple attribute orb fell from Chen Xun's body:
[Exquisite emotional performance +9]
absorb!
The experience gained from the attribute ball was evenly distributed in his emotions and eyes.
The room became completely quiet.
A few seconds later, Gary Ross cleared his throat: "Very good, Chen, very infectious!"
He glanced at the others, casting director Linda nodded, and a producer whispered, "Very subtle."
Susan Collins closed her notebook, looked at Chen Xun, and finally spoke her first words, her voice gentle but clear: "You captured the essence of Peeta's character and the pain of being forced to grow up in extreme conditions; it's as if you are Peeta himself at this moment!"
"Thank you, Ms. Collins, thank you, Director Ross, thank you everyone."
Chen Xun slowly pulled himself out of the situation, breathing slightly heavily.
That's all for today!
Gary Ross said, "We will comprehensively evaluate the performance of all candidates. Thank you again for your time and excellent presentation, Chen."
"It's my pleasure!"
Chen Xun bowed slightly again, then left the room led by his assistant.
The door closed behind him, and the cool air in the corridor invigorated him.
Those last ten minutes or so required intense concentration, which took a toll on my mental energy.
He went back to the preparation room to change back into his own clothes, and Rob immediately came up to him, lowering his voice to ask, "How was it?"
"We've done everything we could!"
Chen Xun wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with a towel: "Director Gary and Susan seem fairly satisfied."
"That's good! Gary specifically asked for this!"
Rob rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Let's go back and wait for news. I think none of the other kids have your aura and presence!"
As Chen Xun walked out of the building, he got into his car and recalled every detail of the audition.
There were no rehearsals of lines, and no complete scene reenactment.
However, these tests that focus on a character's core abilities and instantaneous reaction capabilities are often the best test of their true character.
The afternoon of the third day after the audition.
Rob called immediately, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement and a hint of disbelief: "Bro! Buckle up! Lionsgate has the results! Peeta Mellark is yours!"
Chen Xun was in his study in his new home, continuing to study Peeta's character background, when he heard the news and paused in his hand holding the pen.
Although I am confident in my performance during the audition, there are too many variables in Hollywood.
Especially for such high-profile projects, there will be a lot of capital competition, and no one dares to make a guarantee until the very last moment.
"So fast?"
Chen Xun was still a little surprised.
"They are very satisfied with your performance!"
Rob excitedly said on the other end of the phone, "I just spoke with their casting director, and the director, the original author, and the casting team are all in complete agreement. You are the Peeta they've been looking for."
The next few days were filled with intensive contract negotiations.
Rob is very confident this time.
After all, Chen Xun is now an actor with a representative work that has grossed 7 million yuan worldwide, proving his market appeal.
Lionsgate clearly did their homework and offered very attractive terms.
"Base salary of $400 million."
Rob pointed out the key terms of the draft contract to Chen Xun: "In addition to the tiered clause for global box office revenue sharing, the higher the box office, the higher the percentage, and there is also the priority renewal right for subsequent series. This condition is quite sincere."
He paused, then lowered his voice: "Jennifer Lawrence's base salary is $50."
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