A safe home away from home for young aspiring actresses

Inside the 9-square-meter room stood two bunk beds, and every corner was filled with racks of clothes, books and all sorts of sundries. An old lady rose from a bed and motioned for the girl to rest on it. The lady, Ma Junzhen, 60, is "granny". For about 15 years, hundreds of aspiring applicants for the Central Academy of Drama have come to stay with her. More...

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Competition for spots in arts programs	Getting a first foot in	Screening culture

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The tough testing process is for high school hopefuls who want to get on a university course that will set them on a path to becoming actors, TV presenters, musicians, dancers and painters. Competition is fierce and the chances of success are slim, with experts warning that even those who are accepted face a struggle to find regular work after graduation. More...

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