China's wannabe actors chase careers, dreams in Beijing hotel

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The wall in the hall of the Piao Home Inn is full of paper ads looking for actors and actresses for the latest film and TV series projects.

Actor He Qiwei auditioned for a role in the Piao hotel on Wednesday, preparing for the role for considerable time.

"I have been reciting the lines," He says. "They are long and very difficult to memorize. Every gesture, every movement matters."

He, 28, is not a greenhorn in the industry. He has already landed several roles in a number of Internet films, although none have yet been broadcast.

In December, he was given a role in an Internet film, which was shot in Zhejiang's Hengdian, dubbed China's Hollywood. The experience was tough.

"I had to jump into a cold river in the freezing air," He says. "As I had to shoot the film for the entire day, I had to wear my wet costume all day long."

He said that after getting involved in a new play, he usually sleeps 3 to 4 hours day.

"Shooting is quite hectic, and an Internet film is usually shot in less than 20 days, so you should always be ready," he says.

In his spare time, he goes on live-streaming websites to broadcast his life to his fans.

"I can play the piano, and my fans love it when I play different music," he says.