Time passed by, the script reading entered its third week, with the cast members uniting and reaching the desired state for a script reading session. The disciplined routine seemed to transport everyone back to their student days before college.
The synergy between Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng has become increasingly seamless, blending together like drops of water merging into one another. Yu Cheng rarely falters in his performance, even excelling in scenes demanding extreme intensity and explosiveness, earning him well-deserved applause. The team admires this "newcomer" of a decade, without a hint of jealousy, acknowledging his talent that deserves greater recognition.
What defines a competent actor? Not just an actor, but a competent one. It seems Lu Cheng intends for Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng to provide an answer through their daily rehearsals.
Even during the script reading session, their level of preparation surpassed that of their fellow actors. For instance, while each actor made notes on the plot and lines before joining the cast, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng went a step further by creating a separate notebook filled with detailed character profiles for every individual in the script. They meticulously segmented and annotated each line of dialogue, sometimes using multiple methods of phrasing. Their annotations on events went beyond mere interpretations, focusing on logical organisation, character immersion, and delineating the shifts in characters' emotions and thoughts between events based on a logical approach.
Two individuals with contrasting personalities are seen in a different light once they step into the rehearsal room. While other actors envy or praise, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng simply shake their heads with a nonchalant tone, stating, "We are just following the methods of the older generation of actors."
Several decades ago, filming techniques were far inferior to today's standards, yet those movies and TV shows are repeatedly broadcast on television. Why? Because they are considered classics, as each actor at that time gave their all, transforming themselves into the characters they portrayed. Some are naturally gifted, while others rely on relentless hard work to succeed, but the most formidable are those who possess immense talent and still work harder than the average person.
They are the essence of the actors themselves.
In addition to script readings, actors also have to undergo two hours of intense physical training in the hotel gym to build muscle, a routine that Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng continue even after joining the production. Apart from the demands of their roles, the script includes scenes where they have to engage in bare-chested combat. Despite this, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng manage to wake up an hour earlier than others every morning, with a lively spirit, to hop on the treadmill for a morning run. Truly remarkable!
This weekend, the script reading was paused for two days as the lead actors went for makeup and costume trials. The character designs had been planned well in advance.
The design team initially created models based on the two male leads, adjusting them according to the novel's descriptions, and finally rendering the characters. However, the first set of designs that came out of this process was rejected by the screenwriter even before the script reading.
"It's not interesting to make adjustments to the characters based on the true human —— Fu Qiao and Song Ling," said Song Chunuan.
Consequently, following the suggestions and ideas of the screenwriter and director, the design team embarked on a second round of character modelling. They abandoned the images of the two original models and instead delved into the original work to unleash a two-dimensional imagination for modelling and costume styling. By this point, the main cast had been finalised, and the design team incorporated the actors into the two-dimensional character models that had already been built, adjusting them to match.
After numerous revisions to the models, a finalised version of all the main characters' appearances that satisfied everyone was eventually achieved. Subsequently, the makeup and props team worked tirelessly to create corresponding costumes, accessories, and props, completing all tasks three days prior.
On the final day of script reading this week, the last scene of the afternoon was about to be performed.
At this point, only a third of the plot had unfolded, characterized by a moment of silence before an eruption.
Fifteen years ago, the Interstellar Gender Alliance on Earth embarked on the development of the Human First and Second Gender Equality Protection Act, commonly referred to as the "First and Second Gender Act."
Throughout history, it took millennia to achieve some victories and fairness within the binary opposition of the human first gender, while the emergence of the second gender occurred only a century ago, leading to setbacks in gender social equality akin to feudal times.
During the drafting phase, the process was abruptly halted due to the forced intervention of the Capitalist Alliance, resulting from the collusion and trade between politics and commerce.
Since the Six Planets began operating, adopting a semi-socialist and semi-capitalist system to establish a society close to a "Great Harmony Society" in the interstellar realm. However, as the various planets developed differently, the inability of capitalism and socialism to coexist peacefully became evident, leading to escalating internal conflicts and tensions within the Six Planets and the interstellar sphere.
Ultimately, this boils down to a situation where no one respects the other, and where capital can oppress the common people. Similar to the sense of superiority carried by the white race centuries ago, leading to the unapologetic bullying and colonization of black and yellow people, this cycle repeats itself.
The news of the mandatory interruption of the ASGA is no secret across the universe. Its interruption has sparked various forms of street demonstrations in every corner of the Earth, leading to intense political struggles between socialist populations and capitalist elites. Special police forces have been deployed in cities to minimize civil unrest.
Despite efforts, casualties could not be avoided.
It was precisely at this time that the Interstellar Immigration Bureau established contact with the Earth branch of the Interstellar Gender Alliance. Prior to contacting the Earth branch of the Interstellar Gender Alliance, the Immigration Bureau conducted gender perception tests on twelve trainees. The test consisted of only two subjective questions:
Does a person's primary gender determine their social skills and abilities,?Does the emergence of the second gender in humans represent the strengthening of Alphas, the mediocrity of Betas, and the subordination of Omegas?
The Immigration Bureau submitted all responses unchanged to the legislative committee responsible for gender allocation, thus revealing their intentions. Following the implementation of the FSGA, the Immigration Bureau's alphas will lead the first battle for gender equality protection between the first and second genders.
The successor of the IIB has taken on the responsibility of "upholding the first line of interstellar security" and following in the footsteps of their predecessors. However, in the face of the rule that is ingrained in the blood of every successor, there is also a most basic and fundamental rule —— respecting the right of every citizen of different races, genders, and beliefs to legally immigrate.
Therefore, strictly adhering to and enforcing Articles 1 and 2 of the Declaration of Human Rights, and tirelessly defending the rights of every race, gender, and belief group is something that the IIB has been vigorously promoting. Even without the existence of the Gender Alliance, the initiation of the Gender Equality Defense Battle as an Alpha identity is part of their plan.
This matter, known only to the Committee and the Immigration Bureau Committee, remains undisclosed.
Upon arriving at Darwin Planet, Yu Yue and Ji Chen quickly adapted to life on the planet. Following the previous Immigration Enforcement Officer system, the Immigration Bureau Committee holds routine monthly space video conference reports with them at the end of each month. After the meeting, the IBC members asked the two to stay.
Two personnel dressed in uniforms entered the meeting room, their badge levels indicating a certain degree of authority. After a brief exchange of glances between the leaders, the Chairman of the IBC assigned a new task to Yu Yue and Ji Chen.
"Yu Yue and Ji Chen, Immigration Enforcement Officers of Darwin Planet, affiliated with the Earth division of the Interstellar Gender Alliance and the Interstellar Immigration Bureau, are hereby given the following new task."
The task details appeared on the space video screen:
Initiate the Gender Equality Defense Battle between the first and second genders as Alpha identities.
Yu Yue and Ji Chen couldn't help but exchange a glance before looking at the top leadership team on the video screen.
"Why an Alpha?" Yu Yue inquired. "Throughout the past century, equality battles like this have always been led by Betas or Omegas."
"Because the social management system established by Interstellar from the beginning has never changed the gender bias and discrimination in planetary society. Whether first or second gender, only the male Alphas deemed strongest by the public can step forward. Only then can males and females, Betas and Omegas, not be constantly scrutinized by this society dominated by patriarchy and male alphas. They won't be judged or scrutinized based on external factors like skin colour, attractiveness, or age, won't be mocked for being beta, or stereotyped as weak and reproductive tools for being omega. Only when we step forward can they have more rightful social and expressive opportunities, rights, and protections in this interstellar space. Only then does this interstellar have a hint of meaning."
The one providing this explanation wasn't the leadership across the screen, but rather Ji Chen by Yu Yue's side.
After Ji Chen spoke, there was a pause before he asked, "But why are the two of us leading this?"
He never doubted his own strength, but he knew there were individuals more formidable than him in this interstellar realm.
"What are the two most important rules in our interstellar community?" The committee chairman didn't rush to give them the answer.
In unison, they replied, "First, respect every citizen of legal immigration regardless of skin colour, gender, or beliefs; second, collectively defend the first interstellar security line."
"Very well," the committee chairman produced two answer sheets. "These are your responses in the gender perception test."
Their answers had a striking 95% similarity.
"You twelve were selected not just as executive trainees but as the best candidates to kick off this defence battle," the Gender Committee official continued after the IBC chairman. "Among the six groups, we analysed each group's overall abilities, teamwork, and this answer sheet. You are the top choice. The key difference between you and the other five groups is that you exhibit no sense of superiority for being a male or a strong Alpha, and you show great empathy towards others."
"That is the main reason."
A few moments of silence passed, then Yu Yue and Ji Chen simultaneously clenched their fists over their hearts. "Darwin Planet Immigration Executives Yu Yue and Ji Chen will wholeheartedly complete this mission."
Everyone understood the enormity of this task, yet no one backed down.
Applause filled the reading room as an impromptu performance without any physical props. Through their eye contact and dialogues, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng transported everyone into that interstellar world effortlessly. The seamless understanding between the two as they locked eyes seemed as if they had spent a decade training together - marvellous.
At that moment, Song Chu chuckled warmly, feeling even closer than with an aunt. She quickly messaged Lu Duo: "Incredible performance by Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng, they need to collaborate soon! They are truly amazing! "