I am a Big Player
Chapter 533 - 527, Studio Recruitment (First Update)_1

Chapter 533: 527, Studio Recruitment (First Update)_1

The true test of an actor’s mettle in a play is often seen during the face-off with their counterpart, and without those last 8 minutes, everyone might have already deemed the other actors’ performances sufficiently good, not bad by any means.

But with the show-stopping final 8 minutes, everyone else seemed a bit dull by comparison, not to say they were not good, but simply because the beggar was played too well.

Thus, even before the drama ended, several directors and stars began considering adding new blood to their studios.

Zhang Ming looked at Ren He’s explosive acting at this moment with some admiration, wondering whether the entire series would have been more compelling if Ren He had been cast as the male lead in Kunlun. After all, with actresses like Xia Yuting taking the lead female roles, the male lead seemed somewhat overshadowed.

He heard someone behind him expressing the desire to snatch up the beggar. For Zhang Ming, such a matter could only be dismissed with a smile now. That young man was not someone you could simply grab if you wanted; it all hinged on whether he was willing to act.

If Ren He truly participated in someone else’s film or TV series, then Zhang Ming would have to ask why he would act in others’ works and not his own.

Someone behind Zhang Ming whispered, "Hold him back backstage later, try to prevent others from contacting him, it looks like quite a few people are already interested."

Sometimes a supporting role is crucial and can elevate the entire script. Ren He was well aware of this fact, such as his fondness for the film "The Man from Nowhere" in his previous life, where the supporting actor, Zhang Yi, shone brighter than the leading, Liu Ye. Without him, the film’s purpose to criticize the issues of the time wouldn’t have been heightened.

Generally speaking, it’s better to elevate the quality using a supporting character at this time, which necessitates impeccable acting skills from the supporting actor.

Several people present at the scene were missing just such a supporting actor. They were themselves protagonists and had already broken away from talent agencies to open their studios and invest in movies. Studios are now a means for stars to work more freely. For instance, "Eternal Love of Dream," which was extremely popular in his previous life, was actually produced by Yang Mi’s Jaywalk Studio after acquiring the rights; apart from a few actors, the cast was mostly Jaywalk Studio members. They made money and promoted several of their actors, reaping benefits all around.

For these moguls, grabbing such a talented seedling from the Central Academy of Drama was a no-brainer. After all, the cost of employing college newcomers was pitifully low, an absolute bargain.

It’s no wonder some directors favor launching newbies — they’re incredibly inexpensive, allowing them to allocate more money elsewhere.

In their minds, extending an invitation left no room for rejection. After all, wasn’t the goal of attending the performance program at the Central Academy of Drama to break into acting? Now that they were offering an opportunity, why would anyone say no?

Moreover, they frequently encountered scenarios where the student in question was possibly a fan of theirs, swayed by a single invitation.

The moment the performance ended, the whole auditorium erupted in applause; those final eight minutes were intoxicating!

People from the various studios began to approach Chen Da, as this student must have been one of his. By speaking with Chen Da, they could learn everything they needed to know. If Chen Da was willing to help them win over the student, their odds were practically guaranteed. It was the most hassle-free method. The only exception was someone from a studio who had directly headed backstage.

Even Chen Da hadn’t expected so many studios to extend offers to Ren He after the play. Perhaps it was because Ren He’s acting far surpassed that of his peers.

Although students in the troupe were also outstanding, chosen from thousands, they were at best of Advanced Level in acting skills, whereas Ren He was at Master Level — the difference was clear-cut.

The Master Level of the Divine Punishment System has always had the power to turn the decayed into the miraculous.

Someone from a studio found Chen Da and, seeing so many rivals, said in a low voice, "Chen, we go way back, surely I can’t be lumped with them. Just have a word with the student, tell him to join our studio. We offer plenty of compensation and opportunities. You know the number of scripts we’ve acquired this year; many roles would suit him perfectly!"

Other studios didn’t take kindly to that: "Who hasn’t purchased a few scripts? Besides, I heard your funds aren’t that plentiful, right? Chen, we’ve known each other for many years — you can’t turn me down on this. Don’t push your student into their pit of fire!"

Just as another person was about to retort, they saw Chen Da glance at the leisurely departing Zhang Ming and then laugh bitterly, "For any other student, I might be able to make the decision, but this particular one, you’d better approach him directly. If he wants to act, then it doesn’t matter who it’s for; I can’t help, but I also won’t obstruct. Go find him backstage, if you’re too late he might already be gone."

Chen Da knew Zhang Ming had arranged to dine with Ren He, so it was very likely he would leave right away.

The people surrounding Chen Da paused upon hearing his words, bemused. Under normal circumstances, they would just coordinate with a teacher to select a student, but Chen Da’s attitude suggested that this student was extraordinary and even beyond his command.

Chen Da wouldn’t bother explaining much either. He was still pondering Zhang Ming’s words: Perhaps this student was his ticket back to the big screen!

"Not good! I just saw Lin Ke heading backstage!" someone exclaimed, rushing towards the backstage area.

Lin Ke was a big name in the TV drama field, featured in many historical dramas, and was transitioning into investment, aiming to shift from actor to producer gracefully. His studio urgently needed talent, but while he needed actors, he didn’t lack funds; he had spent a pretty penny recruiting several actors recently!

So, anytime someone mentioned Lin Ke, it changed the mood — the man had capital!

Further, his personal trip backstage clearly showed deeper interest than those who just spoke with Chen Da, who carried a hint of arrogance. Although they were keen to sign the young actor, he was but an unknown, and approaching him directly would suggest he was worthy of such consideration.

But it was precisely this arrogance that put them a step behind.

Lin Ke quickly found Ren He in the backstage, changing out of his costume and removing makeup. Lin Ke sat down beside him, cordially saying, "Hello, student. Do you recognize me?"

The rest of the troupe was shocked — it was Lin Ke, of course, clearly there to poach talent!

Ren He had only performed a few times, yet he was already being scouted!

The student who had played the beggar regretted it deeply; if only he had delved more into the role, he might have been the one being scouted!