Nottingham lecturers in casting call for famous Chinese director's new movie

Move over Arnold Schwarzenegger. The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) has Gary Schwarz, who happens to be from the same home town as the Hollywood movie star-turned-politician in Austria.

Gary also trained at the same gym as Arnie back in Graz, and now, if his audition in Ningbo works out, he could be heading for celluloid success. 

While Arnie’s star has been on the wane, the good news for Gary is that China’s top movie director, Chen Kaige, is seriously considering him for a role in his next drama, Search.

Gary, a lecturer at Nottingham University Business School China, is under consideration for an appearance alongside glamorous Chinese actresses Yao Chen and Wang Luodan, who both play roles as journalists.

Chen Kaige, whose films are enormously popular in China and have a growing international following, decided to select international UNNC staff members for small parts and as extras in his new film after he used the University as a location last month.

This week he sent casting director Wang Chengrong to the campus, after calling for international staff to audition to appear as foreign entrepreneurs and their secretaries and extras for a banquet scene. 

The University’s lecturers rose to the challenge, with the request in particular capturing the imagination of the business school academics – no doubt because of the links with real-life entrepreneurs.

First up to be photographed was business-like Associate Professor of Finance, Dr Daniel Borgia, whose youthful looks and trim build belie his status as a grandfather. 

Co-author of a new book on doing business in China, “The Wild, Wild East: Lessons for Success in Business in Contemporary China”, Daniel immediately drew parallels between the messages in his work and those set to come out in the film about business risks.

Clearly impressing the casting director was Rory Perrott, an Irish artist who lives with his partner, UNNC teaching fellow Caroline Boehrer, in Ningbo.

“I have done this before. I did some commercial work in Ireland. I was in an ad for Murphy’s Irish Stout,” said the painter with movie-star looks.

Caroline, who has striking facial features and like her partner looks like she was born for a film set, was among the UNNC staff members hoping to crack the nod for a Chen Kaige film production experience. “I'd be interested in seeing a real film set. I want to be in this film to have some fun,” she said.

Others vying for roles that would include saying a few words included: Centre for English Language Education tutor Jonathan Tillotson, who looked slick in his overcoat and ready to play the part of a businessman who drives a hard bargain, and Spanish tutor Pablo Encinas Arquero, enthusiastic about a new challenge.

Chengrong said of the selection of hopefuls that they all showed great promise. Those who don’t make the grade for the roles that require some real acting, including some real lines, would most likely be offered roles in banquet scenes, he said.

Responding to concerns from business school teaching fellow Trevor Bayley about the storyline and how the reputations of the lecturers might come across to movie-goers, Chengrong said selected UNNC staff would all appear as good characters.

Gary, last in line for the casting session, wasted no time in doing a selling job – as you might expect from a business expert. Gary was an entrepreneur and business consultant before he moved to academia, he told Chengrong.

Aside from having the same birth place and gym instructor as Arnie, he also has a bit of Arnie’s name, he pointed out. “I have half the name – Schwarz of Schwarzenegger,” he said.

Responding to the question about what his acting is like, Gary quickly responded with three telling words: “I’ll be back.” Watch this space.

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Issued by The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

For more information please contact Jackie Hadland, Communications Officer, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China on +86 (0) 574 8818 0940, +86-134 2935 5876, jackie.HADLAND@nottingham.edu.cn|.

|Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham, described by The Times as “the nearest Britain has to a truly global university”, has award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia.

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, the first Sino-foreign collaborative university, was opened in 2004 with the Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, Professor Yang Fujia, as its founding President.

The University is committed to providing a truly international education for its 40,000 students, producing world-leading research and benefiting the communities around its campuses in the UK and Asia.

More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranked the University 7th in the UK by research power.

The University’s vision is to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health.

More information about our degree programmes at http://www.nottingham.edu.cn|.