Guo Xiaoyuan aims to become a renowned actress. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Guo Xiaoyuan, who has been enjoying her first year of acting since graduating from the Central Academy of Drama, holds the dream of starring as a strong serious character who will live on in the memory of her audience.

The 22-year-old has made a specialty of starring in funny roles since completing a three-year college course during which she majored in performance.

"I love funny roles that give people a good laugh and help them to relax after a tiring day or week," she said. "Comedies are a really good choice for young actors and actresses who want to improve themselves because it is not easy to make people laugh."

But the rising star wants more.

"I hope in the future I can star in a role that will be remembered by the audience, just like Hong Kong actor Leslie Cheung did in the famous movie Farewell My Concubine," she said.

Cheung's devotion to the movie as well as the persistence of Cheng Dieyi (the character played by Cheung in the movie who devoted his life to opera) has been an inspiration to the young actress.

"It really takes a lot for someone to be an actress. Sometimes, you need to be keen on acting to master it. I hope I can be that good." And she has a lot to say about famous figures who graduated from the same modest but important school she did.

"My school is small but it has nurtured many great stars. The class of 1996 includes Zhang Ziyi, Liu Ye and others. Zhang was lucky to be chosen by Zhang Yimou but it was not enough for her to be an international star. It was her role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, actually as a replacement for another actress, that brought her international fame."

She said luck is not enough to become a successful actor or actress. "An actress also needs to be very hardworking. Zhang has a lot of talent and the right basis to grasp her opportunities. Young actors and actresses need to be well-prepared all the time so they can embrace opportunities when opportunities arise," she said.

Guo, who chose to conduct the interview in a quiet caf, is the focus of attention from onlookers as she speaks. Smiling broadly as she speaks, she says she has enjoyed her life as an actress that began in a drama when she was a 10-year-old child.

"When I was a little girl, I loved acting because it was fun. Now I have a better understanding of it. As an actress, I can experience the different lives of different people." Guo said while she still enjoys her career as an actress, she is determined to establish herself more deeply in the profession.

Q & A

Q: What drew you to acting?

A: I loved acting from an early age and came to it completely naturally.

Q: What do you think is your best production?

A: My best will always be the one I want to star in next.

Q: Have you mapped out your future as an actress?

A: I plan to establish myself first and then perfect my profession, just as my teachers taught me when I was in school.

Q: What will you do to ensure you maintain your fame?

A: I will take steady but slow steps when establishing my career, rather than rushing toward quick fame. Also, I will do more reading to gain a profound background in art, while learning from others, so my acting can become vivid.

Q: What is your standard for a good movie?

A: A good movie has to have a wonderful plot - a suspenseful story with an unexpected ending. Additionally, a good director is necessary.

Skilled actors and actresses are also required to fully expand the characters.

Q: What has been your hardest experience as an actress?

A: Losing weight, for sure. For one role, I lost almost eight kilograms.