Opportunities for newcomers
Over 1,200 applications were submitted for the casting of the film "Red Land" (directed by Le Van Kiet). Many familiar faces such as Lam Thanh My, Dinh Khang, Hao Khang, Huynh Thanh Truc... were present at the live auditions. Producer Hoang Quan said: “The support of well-known actors is valuable, but for this film, our greatest hope is to find an actress who is suitable for the image of the heroine Vo Thi Sau, rather than a box office star. Whether it's a new face or someone already very familiar, the suitability for the role is the top priority.”
Currently, major Vietnamese film projects such as "Saigon Female Commandos," "Close to Death," "Fire Zone," and "Turbulent Times" are all actively recruiting suitable candidates (casting). For large-scale projects, the casting process can last for months, even years. Thousands of applicants participate before finding the right person. "Flip Face 8" (directed by Ly Hai) once set a record by attracting over 5,000 people to its casting call.
A common thread in today's casting process is meticulousness and seriousness. To secure a role, many actors go through 4-5 rounds of casting, followed by months of in-person training before filming begins.
According to representatives of the "Last Empress" production team (directed by Bao Nhan - Namcito), the selected actors, in addition to acting training sessions, also had to participate in months-long training in court etiquette and skills. Similarly, in "Underground Tunnels: The Sun in the Darkness" (directed by Bui Thac Chuyen) and "Southern Forest Land" (directed by Nguyen Quang Dung), the actors also underwent rigorous and specialized training courses lasting for many months.
Vietnamese cinema is also seeing a positive sign: films without big stars can still achieve box office success. This change has helped young actors have the opportunity to showcase their talents, avoiding the difficulties they faced in securing roles before.
Director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh stated: “Previously, casting prioritized actors who could attract audiences to the theater, but now the most important thing is the ability to embody a character and deliver a realistic and emotionally rich performance. Therefore, when searching for actors for 'The Guardian of the Spirits: The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb,' I welcomed both newcomers and established stars equally.”
Personal reputation determines the role.
Besides acting ability and appearance, actors today also need many other soft skills: martial arts, dance, singing, playing musical instruments, sports , etc. In particular, many production teams even include the actor's personal life in the casting criteria to minimize risks, because if an actor is involved in a minor scandal, it can create a wave of protests and boycotts from the online community, negatively impacting the entire project.
Representatives from the production team of the film "Tay Son Seven Tiger Generals" shared that many characters in the film are associated with national heroes in history, so the personal lives of the actors are given special attention. Producer Hoang Quan agreed, stating that for films involving heroic figures and historical elements, the actors' personal lives should be prioritized. He argued that if an actor plays a good character but their personal life doesn't match, it will be difficult for the audience to accept their portrayal.
"Just one inappropriate word or action, and within minutes the whole country knows about it, causing very serious consequences. That's why actors who have decided to pursue this path must consider maintaining their personal image as a crucial factor. Production companies like ours are also tightening our criteria regarding personal privacy when selecting actors, because no matter how strict the contract is, when an incident occurs, heavy losses are unavoidable," said producer Hoang Quan.
The increasing strictness of film crews in casting shows that Vietnamese cinema is entering a more professional phase, where a role is not only based on fame but also on ability, suitability for the character, and professional reputation. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for young, serious actors to prove themselves.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phim-viet-khat-nguoi-hop-vai-post856814.html
