With the BE SEEN Training Camp on the horizon, Final Jury President Li Shaohong, sincerely shared her thoughts with all young actors, encouraging newcomers in the industry to face challenges with resilience and to navigate towards their dreams with steadfast confidence.

At the final evaluation process that occurred earlier, the final jury committee, led by Li Shaohong and including Zhao Xiaoding, Mani Fok, Huang Jue, and Qian Zhongyuan, provided detailed answers to questions from the media regarding issues of concern to both the press and the industry.

Q: There's been a consensus in recent years that opportunities in the film and TV industry are becoming scarcer. Do young actors encounter more challenges when they first enter the field?

Li Shaohong: Yes. Based on the vigorous response to this year's BE SEEN Program applications, I feel that many participants regard this event as a self-promotional opportunity. It is intended as a fantastic way for them to display their talents to a broader industry audience.

Q: Is there a difference between observing actors via monitor and in person? How should actors navigate this?

Zhao Xiaoding: Film schools today offer acting classes that focus on screen acting. Screen acting is defined as the act of portraying characters in front of the camera, which differs greatly from stage acting. Stage acting is foundational; it allows actors to display their technique in a fixed environment. Conversely, screen acting occurs in a more complex dimensional space. In a theatrical setting, audiences often cannot see the actors' eyes due to spatial constraints. In film, however, different camera lenses allow for close-ups and other angles. A long focal length lens can zoom directly in on the actor's eyes, meaning this type of performance doesn't rely on physicality, differing greatly from stage performance.

Q: What's your take on young people today pursuing the “star dream”?

Mani Fok: In my view, many young actors might be lacking in the commitment needed to persevere. Over the years in my career, I have seen many young individuals who have pursued acting since childhood, and now, some are in their thirties. I truly respect their persistence. When I was younger, I lacked that persistence myself, largely because I believed actors face numerous challenges and hardships. As opportunities dwindle, how can they maintain their dream and strive to be good actors? How should they approach this? During their wait, many actors experience setbacks, and resilience varies from person to person. Therefore, I think it's essential for everyone to maintain a balanced mindset regarding themselves. For those who enjoy acting, if they have the right circumstances and a solid faith to continue, while passionately interpreting each script and role, they will surely find their moment to shine.

Q: The BE SEEN Program seeks to help more young actors gain visibility. “Being unseen” is a common predicament for many in the industry. What advice would you give to these emerging actors who have yet to catch the eye of the public? How can they shift their mindset during this challenging phase?

Huang Jue: They must come up with their own solutions. There are plenty of channels available today, such as the BE SEEN Program at the BJIFF. The internet also helps, as shown by personalities like Li Xueqin and Li Jiaqi, which proves that they have found their way to be seen. Today's actors have diverse ways to market themselves, unlike in the past when they waited for film crews to approach them.

Q: What factors do you consider most significant when evaluating actors?

Qian Zhongyuan: I take a viewer's perspective. My focus is on whether the actor can engage me through their character portrayal. If the emotions they express resonate with me and I can connect to their feelings, I deem that a successful achievement.

Q: What approaches can better unleash the potential of young actors?

Qian Zhongyuan: First of all, the feedback and advice from us jury members, especially from Director Li, can be very beneficial for these actors' performances. Moreover, I believe that actors must immerse themselves in life. They should deeply explore their characters and experience life, making more observations rather than retreating into their own inner worlds. Another suggestion is that actors communicate more with their peer - not only with fellow actors but also with directors, young screenwriters, and production teams. This kind of interaction can ignite many sparks of creativity.

Q: What suggestions do you have for young actors to better integrate into the industry?

Qian Zhongyuan: While acting may seem like a passive profession, I believe there are many ways for actors to take initiative in today's society. By making good use of social media and online platforms, they can increase their visibility and reach a broader audience.

Q: As a director, what do you see as the current challenges for young actors? How do you believe the BE SEEN Program can provide extra support compared to traditional professional training systems?

Li Shaohong: I believe that the profession of acting inherently involves being selected, so this isn't a recent difficulty - actors faced similar challenges decades ago. Therefore, it is important to create more opportunities for being seen and selected. With the decline in productions in previous years, there are fewer chances for actors. I believe the BE SEEN Program launched by the BJIFFis designed to help in this area by identifying and nurturing talented actors.

Q: How does the BE SEEN Program differ from reality-competition shows for actors in terms of its specific processes? What are your expectations for the future of the BE SEEN Program?

Li Shaohong: The difference is that reality-competition shows for actors are primarily entertainment-based, with goals and structures that are quite dissimilar to ours. The BE SEEN Program is specifically designed to assist actors in improving their craft. Our aim is to ensure that the actors we recommend are those who genuinely possess the skills and potential to excel in the industry and make a meaningful impact on society.

This year marks the inaugural edition of the BE SEEN Program, and its selection criteria, evaluation process, and expected outcomes are still in their early stages. I believe that after this first edition and through our evaluations this year, we will make continuous improvements. We hope to provide constructive feedback so that the program can offer real assistance to actors. Everything we are doing is not for show; it is intended to provide real support to these actors, allowing production teams, industry professionals, and society to recognize their true potential and improvement in acting. Ultimately, we aim for the performances presented on these four stages to reflect a high standard of talent, showcasing actors who are genuinely deserving of recognition.

Q: Is it the case that actors may face the risk of being eliminated or needing to change careers if they do not reach the A-list level?

Mani Fok: I believe that all actors experience pressures in life and must confront reality. In such situations, it's less about switching careers and more about juggling two or three different jobs. A good actor must learn to adjust their mindset; while it's fine to do other work temporarily for livelihood, a dedicated actor will never abandon their original dream.

Behind the insightful words of the five final jury members lies a shared sincerity - by acting as beacons, they transform their experiences into guiding light, helping young actors to move forward with greater confidence and courage. The future of Chinese cinema awaits its creation, and those who continue to walk with torches in the darkness will eventually find their own place on the silver screen among the constellation of illuminated stars.