I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 279 - 279 278. Interview_1

Chapter 279: 278. Interview_1 Chapter 279: 278. Interview_1 Lu Ban’s recruitment ad quickly spread throughout the circle.

Not only within the circle but also outside of it, the buzz was intense.

Some believed this was a demonstration of Lu Ban’s insufficient production capacity and that following this, the pace of Lu Ban’s film production would slow, allowing many in the film industry to catch their breath for a while.

Others thought that the fact Lu Ban had only now started hiring meant that his previous production capacity was extremely high; he had completed major productions with very few people, and now that he was recruiting more staff, the speed of film production could only get faster.

Still, others saw it as an excellent opportunity to learn from Lu Ban, where capable professionals could join his team, pick up his special effects techniques, learn his shooting methods, then strike out on their own. Given Lu Ban’s current dominance in the horror thriller genre, even learning just the basics would be enough to get a taste of the action.

Lu Ban himself, however, received even more resumes, and there were even journalists disguised as applicants, trying to come over to scout the situation.

Feeling his time shouldn’t be wasted this way, Lu Ban improved his interview strategy.

In mid-May, a group of candidates arrived at the office of Lu Ban’s company, “Silence Culture.”

The office had changed a lot since the beginning; the desks and chairs were arranged neatly, and it looked prosperous but was just short of people.

Bai Qiquan was among this group of candidates.

About to graduate from Yannan Media University, he sent in his resume, thinking it cost nothing to try and wanting to join Lu Ban’s company.

Unbeknownst to Bai Qiquan, he was quite lucky. He happened to submit his application precisely when Lu Ban, frustrated by the low efficiency of handpicking resumes, started to scoop them up in large quantities, which led to his interview opportunity.

Otherwise, for fresh graduates like him who might not be able to get hands-on with the work right away, aspiring to join Lu Ban’s company was somewhat wishful thinking.

Those companies that hire large numbers of fresh graduates are usually big factories that lack neither money nor people. They can regularly reserve talent to prevent gaps, whereas startup companies like Lu Ban’s most often require immediate combat capabilities, expecting new hires to be able to start working as soon as they sit down.

Holding his resume in hand, Bai Qiquan was nervously practicing his interview self-introduction while wearing a rented suit. Yet, when he arrived at the office, he found that nobody else was dressed as formally as he was.

And…

“Is that the special effects artist from that very popular movie? He’s actually applying for a job too?”

“That guy looks like the alumnus who came to give a lecture before; could it be him in person?”

“Could it be… that everyone here for the interview is a big shot, except for me?”

Bai Qiquan felt a cold sweat on his forehead, forgetting what he had prepared for his self-introduction.

The other candidates seemed to know each other a little and were whispering and networking among themselves.

“I heard these interviews are tough. A friend of mine came before; he didn’t detail the content, just mentioned that Lu Ban seems to start tormenting the employees right from the interview.”

“No way, is he that arrogant? I always thought he was just quirky.”

“Before, he went to a mental hospital for research; he might have some new inspiration. Speaking of which, if we get hired, we won’t have to stay in a mental hospital, right?”

Thus, because none of the previous recruits had passed Lu Ban’s interview and those who failed kept quiet about the process as if they had some sort of PTSD, the mystique only grew.

Hearing their conversation, Bai Qiquan felt out of place.

“Young man, where did you work before?”

At that moment, a man with a ponytail approached and greeted Bai Qiquan.

“I’m from Yannan Media University…”

Bai Qiquan said somewhat uncertainly.

“Teaching as an assistant at a media university, young and promising, huh.”

The man gave a piece of unsolicited flattery.

“Uh, I’m a recent graduate…”

Bai Qiquan had no choice but to explain, albeit reluctantly.

“The recent graduates really aren’t up to much; Yannan Media University’s intake hasn’t been too good for the last couple of years.”

The man interpreted the situation for himself.

“…”

Bai Qiquan felt he couldn’t clear up the misunderstanding.

Fortunately, Lu Ban appeared just in time to relieve his embarrassment.

A few people noticed that there were several more candidates behind Lu Ban.

Their eyes were somewhat lifeless, lips pale, and limbs trembling slightly, as if they had suffered some inhumane torture and abuse.

“Take care.”

After seeing off those candidates, Lu Ban greeted and then turned his head back.

“It’s your turn now.”

“!”

Exclamation marks seemed to pop up over their heads.

What was that just now?

What had Lu Ban done to those people?

Is this really an audition?

Associating with the movies Lu Ban had made before, unease began to grow inside them.

“Could this be some sort of trial that involves experiencing something strange?”

Bai Qiquan muttered doubtfully.

“Don’t be nervous. As you all know, I have a lot of horror and thriller movies here, so some scenes might be overly intense. To prevent these scenes from affecting you during your future work, I need to first test your endurance. If you can’t handle it, then there’s no helping it. It’s for your own safety,” Lu Ban explained with a light chuckle.

“For our safety?”

The others were somewhat puzzled.

Wasn’t Lu Ban overdoing it a little?

Although his movies were indeed good and had a real sense of horror, that was limited to the immersive experience in the cinema, the combination of audiovisual effects.

Who would be scared when facing those raw clips during post-production editing?

Lu Ban, not only are his movies decent, but he’s also pretty dedicated to putting on a show.

Someone thought inwardly.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qiquan immediately felt his hands tremble.

He had seen all of Lu Ban’s movies.

They weren’t just ordinary horror movies, but the kind that would keep you up all night, with scenes from the film filling your mind, to the extent that Bai Qiquan would shiver at the smell of hospital disinfectant even now.

According to what Bai Qiquan had heard, what was shown in the movies was already edited by Lu Ban, and the truly most terrifying footage was never released.

If he were to work here, wouldn’t he have to come face-to-face and be in close contact with those things?

He suddenly felt like backing out.

But Lu Ban had already turned around and was leading the remaining people toward the screening room.

Swallowing hard, Bai Qiquan could only follow reluctantly.

The company’s small screening room was built with a reference to a previous music studio and had excellent sound effects, able to accommodate up to twenty people. Lu Ban asked the interviewees to take their seats and then turned off the lights in the screening room.

“If you feel anything amiss later on, just shout it out loud, and I will stop the playback,” Lu Ban specifically instructed, causing a few others to smile, thinking he was making a joke.

Only Bai Qiquan sat up straight, wary because he knew very well that what Lu Ban said might be true.

This audition short film, it might truly scare someone to death!!!

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