Reminiscing about the glory of the six-year-old child
Dating back to 1982, director Yang Jie received an invitation from CCTV to direct a TV series "Journey to the West", which is known as China's first mythological masterpiece. Such a major project makes Yang Jie know that the responsibility is heavier than Mount Tai.
She understands that the precise shaping of the core character of Monkey King will have a decisive impact on the success of the entire work.
Therefore, in the selection process of the crew, Yang Jie regarded the actor of the role of Monkey King as the top priority. She has put in endless enthusiasm and dedication, looking forward to finding an excellent actor who perfectly presents the image of the wise, brave, clever and lively "Monkey King".
After many inquiries, Yang Jie quickly locked down two leaders in the monkey opera industry - Li Wanchun, the "Monkey King" of the Northern School, and Zhang Zongyi, the "Monkey King" of the Southern School. Their monkey opera skills are at their peak, and they are unparalleled in their time.
Yang Jie is determined to win them.
In the end, Zhang Zongyi's beloved son Zhang Jinlai was honored to play the role of Monkey King. Although Yang Jie has doubts in her heart, because Zhang Zongyi seeks a role for his own son, it seems to violate the tradition of the opera family of "promoting the virtuous and not avoiding relatives".
However, in desperation, she had to reluctantly accept Zhang Jinlai.
On the eve of the start-up, Yang Jie specially visited Zhang Jinlai's residence. As soon as he stepped into the door, he saw Zhang Jinlai's face full of disdain, holding a hot water kettle in his hand, looking tired.
Although Yang Jie recognized Zhang Zongyi's promise on the surface, her heart was full of doubts, doubting whether she had made the right choice. How can a pampered boy who has been pampered since childhood deduce the image of a wise and brave Monkey King? However, casting has entered the programmatic stage, and once it is determined, it is difficult to change.
Yang Jie could only silently pray that Zhang Jinlai would not destroy this masterpiece she had worked so hard for.
2. Review Yang Jie's arduous journey of finding the "Monkey King".
The origin of all this can be traced back to that crucial moment in 1982. At that time, CCTV decided to readapt and shoot China's first mythological masterpiece "Journey to the West" and put it on the TV screen.
As the soul of the director team, Yang Jie shouldered this arduous and glorious mission.
She knows that if this TV series wants to be widely acclaimed, the key is whether it can perfectly shape the image of the protagonist of Monkey King! As the "Monkey King" who coexists with wisdom and courage on the way to learn from the scriptures and is mischievous, the actor must deeply show his personality traits and impress the audience.
If the performance is not handled properly, I am afraid that the whole play will become a joke.
As the saying goes, "Under the reward comes great responsibility". In order to find the most suitable actor to play the Monkey King, Yang Jie racked her brains and scrutinized repeatedly. She first focused her attention on the leaders of the northern and southern factions of monkey opera, Li Wanchun, the "monkey king" of the northern faction, and Zhang Zongyi, the "monkey king" of the southern faction.
After being introduced by others, Yang Jie first came into contact with Li Wanchun. When they first met, she was deeply attracted by his eyes that were as smart as "fiery eyes". With the full support and careful planning of CCTV, Li Wanchun also gladly accepted the invitation to participate in the play.
However, just as he was about to start filming, he suddenly made a ridiculous request - he insisted on using the "hook face" method to play the Monkey King.
Faced with this situation, Yang Jie refused without hesitation. She questioned: "What is the difference between hooking a face and opera? Isn't that a departure from the purpose of our TV shooting?" After some fierce debate, the door to negotiations between the two sides was finally closed, and Li Wanchun had no choice but to choose to withdraw.
Seeing such a rare opportunity being lost in vain, Li Wanchun, who was full of regret in his heart, decided to recommend his son Li Xiaochun to Yang Jie, hoping that he would be able to take on this important responsibility.
However, Li Xiaochun has never received professional training in monkey theater and is clearly not up to the task.
After losing the choice of the northern faction, Yang Jie could only turn his attention to Zhang Zongyi, the representative of the southern faction. However, a serious practical problem lies in front of him - Zhang Zongyi was over sixty years old at the time, and his physical strength must be difficult to withstand such a long shooting cycle.
After learning of Yang Jie's intention, Zhang Zongyi did not hesitate to invite her to his student class to select a suitable candidate.
Yang Jie was looking forward to witnessing the wonderful performance of Liu Jianyang, known as the "Monkey King of Jiangnan", but Zhang Zongyi was worried that his position would be threatened, so he kept silent about it.
In the end, Yang Jie could only take a list of students and leave with doubts.
For Zhang Zongyi, who has entered his prime, this CCTV re-shooting of "Journey to the West" is undoubtedly the last important performance stage in his life. How precious is it that he was able to pass on the protagonist role of China's first mythological masterpiece to his own descendants? What a glory? His heart was both stirring and full of anticipation for the end of his life's work.
When Zhang Zongyi was in regret, Yang Jie's visit brought him a hint of opportunity. If you can recommend a successor who is qualified for this job to play the Monkey King, what a huge honor it will be!
So, Zhang Zongyi decided to temporarily adjust the plan and decided to let his son Zhang Jinlai emerge.
At the moment when he met Yang Jie at the train station, Zhang Zongyi specially brought his son to attend. This kind of behavior undoubtedly gives people the impression that "those who are close to them must be virtuous", and the meaning is self-evident.
Zhang Jinlai has been learning martial arts and monkey opera under his father's strict teaching since he was a child, and is undoubtedly the most qualified heir.
Zhang Zongyi hopes to win Yang Jie's favor by demonstrating it himself.
As expected, when Yang Jie saw this energetic young man, her heart couldn't help but be touched. A handsome and vigorous young actor is the best candidate to interpret the role of Monkey King.
Moreover, this role also requires physical strength and endurance for a long time, but Zhang Zongyi is already old and frail, and it is difficult to be competent. In comparison, Zhang Jinlai is undoubtedly the most ideal choice.
Yang Jie secretly thought to herself, if Zhang Zongyi was still young, she would definitely invite him to play this role without hesitation. However, time flies, and now I can only settle for the next best thing and choose Zhang Jinlai.
When saying goodbye to Zhang Zongyi, Yang Jie repeatedly asked about the whereabouts of Liu Jianyang, the "Monkey King of Jiangnan", eager to meet and compare with him. However, Zhang Zongyi kept his mouth shut, avoided the important and trivial, and never revealed any information.
Later, Yang Jie suddenly realized that Zhang Zongyi did this out of selfishness. He was worried that once Yang Jie saw Liu Jianyang's demeanor, he would turn his attention to others, thus missing the opportunity to play the leading role for his own flesh and blood.
Therefore, he did everything he could, just to let his son show his talent alone.
With no choice, Yang Jie was forced to temporarily adopt Zhang Jinlai to play the role of Monkey King. For Zhang Zongyi's flattering and humble behavior, she was full of disdain and contempt in her heart.
However, in her heart, she also has to admit that Zhang Jinlai is undoubtedly the most suitable choice.
A young and promising young artist with a deep understanding of opera and outstanding talent is simply the best candidate for the lead role in this TV series. What's more, the progress of the entire crew has seriously lagged behind, and if the protagonist cannot be locked as soon as possible, I am afraid that he will be severely reprimanded by his superiors.
After careful consideration, Yang Jie finally gritted her teeth and made Zhang Jinlai the first candidate for the role of Monkey King.
In the following series of interviews and assessments, Zhang Jinlai's performance was excellent. Although there were occasional mistakes, he was always able to accept Yang Jie's guidance with an open mind and quickly make corrections.
In Yang Jie's view, he is like a knowledge-seeking, modest and courteous young man, and soon Zhang Jinlai was officially hired and devoted himself to the shaping of the role.
Once he seized this rare opportunity, Zhang Jinlai immediately went all out. He studied Sun Wukong's lines and movements in depth, and never complained even in the face of difficult stunts.
When Yang Jie saw this, she couldn't help but admire his professionalism even more.
However, Yang Jie still had a trace of worry in her heart. After all, can a rich boy who has been pampered since he was a child really be able to consistently and perfectly interpret the image of the wise and brave Monkey King? It is difficult to completely change people's personalities, so are you too rash in choosing candidates? If something goes wrong during the shoot, all the effort will come to naught.
As the old saying goes, "Under the great reward there will be a brave man". Yang Jie is still nervous about this crucial decision she made. Can a young master who is accustomed to being pampered really be able to make outstanding achievements for the TV series? She can only pray silently not to disgrace this work that has poured countless hearts and souls.
Fifth, Zhang Jinlai's tenacity and extraordinary professionalism
Yang Jie's inner worries quickly dissipated, all thanks to Zhang Jinlai's firm determination and tenacious perseverance after the start-up.
Zhang Jinlai, who was once arrogant and domineering and doted on by his family, unexpectedly faded the immature traces of his noble son under the earnest teachings of the crew, showing the professional demeanor that a professional actor should have!
The first few months of filming were the most difficult and difficult. The site is simple and the conditions are difficult, and safety hazards are everywhere. However, Zhang Jinlai never had the slightest complaint, and he silently interpreted the firm belief in his heart with his own actions.
He was no longer seen carrying a kettle, nor could he be heard dissatisfied with the environmental facilities, nor could he be seen in his arrogant gestures to strangers. Zhang Jinlai devoted himself to this role, and under the careful guidance of the director and his brothers, he quickly integrated into the collective life of the crew.
Sometimes, he would practice his lines and movements alone in the middle of the night; Sometimes, he even competes with the team members in order to deeply understand the inner characteristics of the character of Monkey King.
Even in the face of arduous stunt scenes, he never cried out that he was tired, but gritted his teeth and persevered.
The hard work of the crew, this young man can be said to have tasted it all. However, he seems to have forgotten the comfort of his home and the splendid bedding, and only has an endless love for his artistic career.
In just a few months, Zhang Jinlai completely got rid of the vain shell of a rich child, showing the perseverance and perseverance of a veteran actor.
Whenever she sees him going all out on the set, Yang Jie is always full of emotion. From initially skeptical of his character to now full of respect for his artistic pursuits, she has personally experienced and witnessed the rebirth and growth of Zhang Jinlai.