novellhall Chapter 53 Favorability [-10]
Chapter 53 Favorability [-10]
The audition took place at a seemingly unremarkable film studio in Burbank.
The small Marvel logo at the entrance instantly made this place feel more significant.
Robert drove Chen Xun here, muttering to himself all the way:
"Relax, Chen. Just think of it as meeting an old friend. Director Branagh has a good impression of you, and that's your biggest advantage!"
"Remember what Isabella taught you, and how you've felt these past few days..."
Robert told Chen Xun not to be nervous, but he looked even more nervous than Chen Xun!
Chen Xun nodded without saying anything more.
He remained quite calm.
After all, we've done everything we could!
Now it's time to perfectly showcase the results of my training over the past few days!
Chen Xun was wearing a simple black training uniform, his hair was neatly styled, and he looked clean and tidy!
He wasn't wearing a complicated costume.
This was Isabella's suggestion.
She said that true charisma comes from the actor himself.
Upon entering the designated waiting room, I found several people already seated inside.
One of the men immediately caught Chen Xun's attention.
Joshua Dallas.
He also sported a simple hairstyle, with his golden hair tied back and wearing a retro-style belted coat, which certainly made him look very stylish.
The moment this guy sits there, he looks just like a warrior from Asgard!
Qiao Shuhua also saw Chen Xun. Their eyes met briefly, and they nodded to each other as a greeting.
Chen Xun saw the other person's favorability rating above their head: -10.
Chen found a corner to sit down.
He heard other actors waiting nearby whispering their lines.
Close your eyes.
Chen Xun began to repeatedly sketch the image of Vandal in his mind.
I drew upon the attributes I had absorbed over the past few days regarding demeanor, dialogue, and conviction, and prepared myself to enter the mindset of an Asgardian warrior.
after awhile.
The casting assistant came out and called Joshua Dallas by name.
Qiao Shuhua took a deep breath, stood up, and followed her assistant into the audition room.
Chen Xun kept his eyes closed to rest, but kept his ears open to the sounds inside.
The soundproofing wasn't very good; you could vaguely hear conversations coming from inside, and it sounded like wooden swords clashing!
It seems that Joshua's audition included a demonstration of physical abilities.
It's been quite a while!
About ten or twenty minutes later, the door opened again.
Qiao Shuhua came out with a smile on her face, looking quite satisfied with her performance.
He spoke a few words to the casting assistant and then left.
The casting assistant glanced at the list and called out, "Mr. Chen Xun, please prepare."
Chen Xun opened his eyes and stood up.
He didn't go in immediately, but paused at the door for two seconds, adjusting the angle of his shoulders and neck.
This is what Isabella taught us.
Subtle movements can instantly change a person's posture and mental state, transforming them from an actor waiting for an audition into the character themselves.
He pushed the door open and entered.
The audition room wasn't big, and there were a few people sitting in front of it.
Sitting in the very center is director Kenneth Branagh, next to casting director Sarah Finn, and someone who looks like an action director.
The camera was already set up and aimed at the open space in the center of the room.
"Good afternoon, Director Branagh, Ms. Finn."
Chen Xun greeted him in English with a touch of classical rhythm. His voice was not loud, but clear and steady. He also nodded slightly, his movements natural and reserved.
Director Branagh saw him and a hint of interest appeared on his face:
"Good afternoon, Chen. Are you ready?"
"Yes, director."
Chen Xun walked to the center of the room, where two wooden swords were placed for sparring practice.
He didn't ask "Where to begin?" nor did he wait for the director to yell "Action".
The moment he stood still, his entire aura changed.
His shoulders were naturally open, his chin slightly raised, and the modern feeling in his eyes suddenly disappeared.
Instead, there is a calm confidence in one's identity and abilities that comes with the passage of time.
He casually picked up a wooden sword, flicked his wrist, and the tip of the sword drew a smooth arc in the air.
It was as if the wooden sword was not a crude prop, but an extension of his body.
With just this simple action, combined with his gaze and posture at that moment, the air in the room seemed to freeze for a second.
Director Branagh, who had been leaning back in his chair, leaned forward slightly.
Casting director Sarah Finn stopped flipping through the documents.
The action director raised an eyebrow.
Chen Xun seemed oblivious to these changes, completely absorbed in his identity as Fandral.
He began his conversation with Ms. Sif in a low but magnetic voice, with each word ending perfectly, maintaining a classical charm while remaining natural.
When he spoke of protecting the glory of Asgard, there was no emptiness in his eyes, but rather a deep-seated sense of responsibility.
Next up is the training ground scene.
He spoke to the air as if Vostagg and Hogan were truly standing there, his tone carrying the familiar banter between brothers, yet his body language maintained the elegance of an aristocrat.
He even improvised a move of lightly parrying an enemy's attack with a wooden sword, so fluid it looked like he had rehearsed it countless times.
Finally, there is a monologue in response to the intruder.
He didn't shout at the top of his lungs, but instead kept his strength contained, his eyes firm, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying an unquestionable resolve.
When he uttered "In the name of my sword," his hand holding the wooden sword was incredibly steady, as if he were truly ready to shed his last drop of blood for the divine realm behind him.
Click!
Just as his emotions and beliefs reached their peak, he felt as if some kind of constraint within him had shattered.
A purple orb of light fell from his body:
[Elegant Aura +5]
This was the first time he had ever obtained such a high-level attribute orb.
absorb!
A powerful sense of strength surged through my entire body.
He found that as the attribute orbs were integrated, he became more immersed in the world, and even unconsciously influenced the people watching his performance to believe more easily in the world he had created.
The performance has ended.
Chen Xun slowly withdrew from his stance and deftly placed the wooden sword back in its original position.
The resolute look in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by calm, and he bowed slightly.
"My performance is over!"
The room was silent for a few seconds.
Director Branagh was the first to react, his face showing undisguised appreciation, and he even gave a light clap of applause:
"Excellent!"
"Chen, you've completely captured the essence of Fandral, not just his outward appearance, but also his inner pride and loyalty. Your preparation is impeccable!"
Casting director Sarah Finn was also nodding, quickly jotting something down in her notebook:
"A very convincing performance, Mr. Chen. Your action training and delivery of lines are impressive, especially the immersive feeling you conveyed—that's rare!"
Even the action director, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up:
"The choreography is excellent, powerful yet graceful—just like what Fandral should be doing!"
Chen Xun could see it clearly.
Director Branagh's favorability rating jumped from [45] to [55].
Sarah Finn's favorability rating also increased from the initial [30] to [50].
The action director's favorability rating is also [48].
Thank you everyone!
Chen Xun remained humble.
"Very good, Chen, you can go back and wait for news!"
Director Branagh said amiably, "We will discuss and reach a conclusion as soon as possible."
"Okay, director."
Chen Xun bowed slightly again and walked steadily out of the audition room.
The door closed behind him, cutting off the discussion inside.
Stepping out of the film studio, the sunlight was a bit too bright.
Chen Xun narrowed his eyes and exhaled.
I was highly focused every second I was inside, and now that I've relaxed, I can feel a thin layer of sweat on my back.
Rob's car pulled up immediately. He rolled down the window and asked eagerly:
"How is it?"
Chen Xun opened the car door, got in, and fastened his seatbelt: "I performed at my training level, and the director and the others reacted quite well!"
"How exactly?" Robert pressed.
Chen Xun repeated the comments from the others!
"Wow! That's a sure thing!"
Rob excitedly slapped the steering wheel:
"Especially director Branagh, he rarely praises people so directly during auditions! Looks like your intensive training these past few days hasn't been in vain!"