Chapter 390 - Chapter 390: Performance Examination
Chapter 390: Performance Examination
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Tian Juan had already told Wen Nian the content and procedures of the performance test. The entire test would consist of vocals, lines, and performance.
There would be a piano and other musical instruments in the examination hall. The examinees could also bring their own musical instruments and play and sing on their own. The lines were the content prepared in the examination hall. The examinees were only given a five-minute time limit to test the examinees’ memory and script foundation.
The final performance test also had different themes. It required drawing lots to determine the content of the performance, and then a few teachers would evaluate it.
After this exam, only about 10% of the candidates would enter the final interview stage.
Wen Nian had practiced these skills for many years in her previous life. She was quite confident.
When she walked into the examination hall, Wen Nian saw the cap-wearing teacher who had been frightened by her last time. That person had not changed his clothes and hat. Wen Nian could not see his face clearly, but she still looked at him apologetically.
On the other hand, Wen Nian had prepared the song “Wonderful U” for the vocal exam. There was an old piano in the corner of the examination hall. After Wen Nian gave her exam number, she walked over.
Because the piano is not easy to move, other candidates would bring other instruments or accompaniment. Surprisingly, no one chose the piano, as it was easy to make mistakes due to nervousness. However, Wen Nian was different. She knew that getting into the Film Academy was just a turning point in her future life. If she could showcase her abilities to the teachers present, it would increase her chances of getting more acting opportunities in college.
After taking a few calming breaths, she gradually lifted her hand. The melodious tones of the piano, coupled with Wen Nian’s gentle and captivating singing, resonated throughout the examination room.
Wen Nian was not good at singing, but as an actress in her previous life, there was nothing else besides singing and dancing in every commercial performance. Instead, she could complete the performance calmly and did not even play a single note wrongly.
In the subsequent acting assessment, Wen Nian’s talent truly shone. Drawing a scene from “Dream of the Red Chamber,” she enacted the dialogue between Jia Yucun and a servant. In her previous life, she had portrayed this character in an unflattering manner to vie for attention in a popular variety show. To prepare, she had dedicated over a week to intensive practice before participating in the show.
At that time, observers were fixated on watching a beautiful girl depict an ugly character, unaware of the intense effort she had invested.
Had any other candidate drawn this dialogue, they would likely have found it overwhelming. The partly classical language of the dialogue proved challenging to articulate, especially considering the need to incorporate the setting and character’s personality.
Upon discovering that she had drawn a scene from “Dream of the Red Chamber,” Zhao Zhi, seated in the middle, exhibited a twitch at the corner of his eye. Yet, a glint of anticipation also sparkled in his eyes. This young girl probably hadn’t even read “Dream of the Red Chamber,” let alone act out the scene. Merely delivering the lines without stumbling would be an accomplishment.
To their astonishment, Wen Nian spent five minutes meticulously reviewing the script. When the exam began, she set the script aside and immersed herself in the performance.
Wen Nian, a beautiful young girl, suddenly transformed into a serious-looking man. She straightened up, adjusting an imaginary beard, and spoke in a composed voice, flawlessly reciting Jia Yucun’s lines.
The lines were powerful, articulate, and devoid of any mistakes. Several teachers couldn’t help but express satisfaction through nods.
Upon completing the four lines of Jia Yucun’s dialogue, Wen Nian swiftly transitioned to a submissive expression, leaning slightly forward as if reporting to a formidable master beside her. Her face assumed a fawning expression.
Her shift between the two roles was seamless, oscillating between a scheming and calculating expression and a flattering demeanor. Combined with Wen Nian’s excellent delivery of the lines, several teachers nodded approvingly.
Although it looked like the conversation between the two of them was only four to five hundred words, even an experienced actor would not be able to memorize such lines in five minutes. Many teachers felt that Wen Nian must have read “Dream of the Red Chamber” before and had an amazing memory.
However, Wen Nian knew that in her previous life, it had taken her seven to eight days to memorize this!
Actually, the script test only lasted for two to three minutes, but a few teachers exchanged glances and saw their approval of Wen Nian. Sun Zhi, who was sitting in the middle, was even more overjoyed. He had really earned a lot by coming to be an examiner for his alma mater for free this time!
In the preceding dialogue assessment, Wen Nian had already infused elements of performance, making her subsequent acting the eagerly anticipated highlight for the teachers.
Similarly, the performance assessment involved drawing lots. However, when Wen Nian glimpsed the content, she found herself momentarily stupefied.
“Topic 7: Rebirth. In your past life, you weathered hardships and, on the brink of death, seized an opportunity to return to high school.
Performance content: Candidates, please perform how you feel after your rebirth..”