At the gates of the Beijing Film Studio, Wang Xihai, 43, waits to be called. Wang has already been in 10 movies and seven television programs. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Mong Xianglong, 22, practices his moves in front of the gates of the Beijing Film Studio. He has already been in five movies and hopes to do more. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
At the gates of the Beijing Film Studio, Wang Xihai, left, plays checkers with a friend to pass the time. Wang has already been in 10 movies and seven television programs. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
After waiting a few hours, a man gives up and decides to go home. He will try another day to land a role in the movies. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Fan Xing, far left, moved to Beijing in hopes of becoming an actress. She waits with the other hopefuls at the gates of the Beijing Film Studio. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
