She acted out the scene with the casting director. She took care of her expressions, which was muddled first, and she burst into tears when she was woken up. She did everything according to the storyline. She didn’t need to look at the script because she had morized every line.
“Okay,” said the Director, “Cut.”
Director Ma looked elated. “Shuang, you really understood the script thoroughly,” he said approvingly, “Your reactions seed real and natural. Excellent job!”
He asked for the opinions of the scriptwriter and the casting director, both of whom seed very impressed at her acting. They comnded her for taking the ti to morize the script. “The youthfulness that you portrayed was very convincing,” the casting director said, “The innocent complexity of a young girl was clear in your acting.”
Ling Shuang thanked them. She had practiced her expressions and reaction in front of the mirror countless tis. She was glad her hard work hadn’t gone to waste. She had worked extra hard when she knew of Shen Yichong attending the audition. Maybe he was impressed too. She lifted her head to look at Shen Yichong, and her gaze fell on Yu Yaoyao. She was sure that the youthfulness she portrayed could never be expressed by a married woman with a child. She smiled smugly.
“Mr. Shen, Mrs. Shen,” said the Director, “What are your opinions?”
“I have a different opinion,” said Shen Yichong.
“I object,” said Yu Yaoyao at the sa ti.
Director Ma was surprised. He had asked for their opinions out of politeness. He didn’t really think Shen Yichong would have any suggestions on the acting; he was just a businessman, not an artist. Yu Yaoyao was a different matter. She was a successful, formidable actress.
Ling Shuang’s confidence wavered. She ignored Yu Yaoyao and looked at Shen Yichong with hope. “Mr. Shen,” she said, “I would be delighted to hear any differing opinions that could improve my performance.”
Director Ma looked doubtful. However, Shen Yichong seeing Yu Yaoyao practically jumping in her seat with her hands raised like an elentary kid couldn’t hold back his smile. “Well, if you don’t mind,” he said, “I will let Yu speak first.”
“Thank you,” said Yu Yaoyao imdiately, “The scene felt a little off. It wasn’t very convincing.”
Director Ma was stunned. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He never expected anyone to give criticism so boldly. She was indeed an accomplished actress and qualified to give feedback. “Mrs. Shen,” he said, “Have you even read the script?”
Ling Shuang was seething in anger. How dare she? She can’t just denounce my acting because of personal prejudice! She was visibly shaking.
“Mrs. Shen,” said Director Ma, “The scene is on page 36, if you could just—,”
“Call ‘Yu Yaoyao’, if you don’t mind,” said Yu Yaoyao, “And I don’t need to read the script.”
Ling Shuang gritted her teeth and looked at Director Ma. The Director frowned. “Mrs. Yu Yaoyao,” he said, “Do you have any other actress in mind? The suitability would depend on the script itself.”
“Of course not,” Yu Yaoyao said, “Miss Ling has already explained Sumr’s journey for right before the scene.” She looked directly at Ling Shuang. “Before Sumr cos to her senses, wasn’t she in the darkness with no hope for anyone or anything?” she asked, “Sumr feels like her world has ended. So, Sumr would look desolate and hopeless. But the youthful vitality and vigour in your acting told a completely different story.”
Ling Shuang froze. The casting director let out an ‘ah’ in realization of this. Ling Shuang, in order to impress, had focused more on the character’s youthfulness instead of her hopelessness.
“That was what I was thinking as well,” said Shen Yichong, “I thought the character didn’t look desolate enough considering what she has been through. Despair is important to portray the transformation from naivety to maturity powerfully. The scene did not evoke it.”
Ling Shuang’s confidence was gone. She felt so angry that she felt like her eyes would lose focus. She gritted her teeth in anger. “Mrs. Shen,” she said with mock respect, “You are a very proficient actress. Please provide a small demonstration, if you would be so kind. So that I can gauge where I went wrong.”
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