The Legendary Road of Star Shadows Duo

Ling Yichen, a modern movie star, unexpectedly transmigrates to the ancient entertainment industry after an accident. Reborn, he is determined to rewrite his destiny.

In a theater troupe, he ...

Chapter 64 Cultural Exchange Activities: Sharing Experiences

As their performing arts careers flourish and their charitable endeavors receive widespread acclaim, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran have become increasingly aware of their unique value as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. They frequently appear at various international and domestic cultural exchange activities, wholeheartedly sharing the valuable experience they have accumulated along the way, and contributing to the deep integration, inheritance, and innovation of diverse cultures.

At a highly anticipated international cultural exchange summit, elites gathered in a warm yet solemn atmosphere. Ling Yichen and Jun Moran, as special guests, dressed in attire that blended Eastern elegance with modern fashion, steadily walked onto the stage, instantly attracting the attention of the entire audience. Jun Moran spoke first, her voice steady and approachable, launching this journey of sharing knowledge and insights with her speech entitled "The Path of Performing Arts: Exploration and Gains in Cross-Cultural Interpretation."

"When first stepping onto the international film and television stage, cultural differences are like a towering mountain looming in front of me."

Jun Mo Ran recalled his initial confusion and awkwardness when dealing with Western acting styles. He mentioned that when he auditioned in Hollywood, the Western actors' extroverted, direct, and highly expressive acting style was very different from the Eastern tradition of emphasizing introverted and subtle emotional expression, which left him feeling lost for a while.

"Only then did I realize that in order to gain a foothold in the international arena, I had to break away from conventional thinking and study the Western performance system in depth."

He detailed his days and nights studying Western acting theories such as those of Stanislavski and Brecht, and analyzed the techniques used by actors in classic Western films to externalize the psychology and physical movements of their characters to the extreme. For example, in an Oscar-winning film, the lead actor used exaggerated facial expressions and large-scale body movements to firmly grip the audience's heart during emotional outburst scenes, which was completely different from Eastern acting habits.

Ling Yichen picked up the conversation and shared his practical experience in blending Eastern and Western aesthetics during the filming of "Star Legend".

"This film is a cultural melting pot. During filming, we had to highlight the charm of Eastern culture while also catering to Western visual and narrative preferences."

Taking the character portrayal in the film as an example, he said that the Eastern scholar he played had a calm temperament and reserved emotions. The action design could be cleverly adapted to the fast pace and powerful feel of Western action films, and the fighting scenes could be integrated with the agility and elegance of Eastern martial arts. Every move had both Eastern poetry and the "exhilaration" of Western movie watching.

"We also put a lot of effort into the dialogue. We need to grasp the logic and emotional rhythm of the Western language when delivering English dialogue, while also incorporating Eastern humility and subtlety. Only by finding a balance can we make the character real and vivid."

When discussing the challenges of cross-cultural collaboration, the two exchanged a knowing smile, reflecting on their experiences. Jun Mo Ran recounted a minor incident on an international film set caused by cultural differences: a group scene was temporarily rescheduled due to a Western holiday, initially catching the team, accustomed to a fast-paced filming schedule, off guard. However, this experience allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural connotations of family reunions and rituals behind Western holidays, leading to improved understanding, more flexible responses, and ultimately, stronger teamwork. Ling Yi Chen added that the different perspectives of Eastern and Western actors on their roles often spark wonderful interactions. Western actors focus on individual character development, while Eastern actors emphasize the character's place within a collective or family network. Through these exchanges, they inspire each other, broadening their interpretive dimensions. For example, when discussing a family drama, the Western perspective emphasizes individual emotional expression, while the Eastern perspective delves into the subtle emotional expressions maintained by family bonds, resulting in a more layered and nuanced narrative.

During the interactive session, cultural professionals from various countries actively asked questions. A European director inquired about how to cleverly integrate elements of traditional Eastern culture into a modern story framework. Ling Yichen answered with his idea of ​​adapting the Chinese myth of "Jingwei Filling the Sea," preserving Jingwei's indomitable spirit and placing it within a science fiction interstellar exploration setting. He suggested using alien oceans and mysterious energy to revitalize the ancient legend and cater to global audiences' preferences for science fiction and inspirational stories. An Asian screenwriter asked about the "secret" to creating scripts with Eastern themes for the Western mainstream market. Jun Mo Ran pointed out the key to tapping into universal emotional resonance, such as using Eastern family ethics as a blueprint, focusing on parent-child reconciliation and sibling affection, and using delicate emotions and intricate plots to transcend national borders and evoke shared human emotional experiences, making it more easily accepted by the West.

In domestic cultural exchange settings, they focus on integrating local traditions with international standards. In university art lectures, they share their experiences of drawing inspiration from traditional opera for performance. Ling Yichen demonstrates Peking Opera stage steps and gestures, explaining their role in controlling character demeanor and conveying emotions, encouraging students to immerse themselves in the rich soil of national culture. Jun Mozhan analyzes the pronunciation and melodies of Kunqu Opera lyrics, illustrating their unique appeal in film and television dialogue. Regarding international reach, they emphasize telling Chinese stories in a global language, using films like *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* and *Hero* as examples. They analyze how these films, relying on stunning visuals and the core spirit of martial arts, and employing international narrative techniques, ignited a global craze for Eastern martial arts, inspiring young creators to inherit and innovate, pushing the boundaries of tradition.

From international summits to campus lectures, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran, through their sharing sessions, have dispelled the fog surrounding cross-cultural practices in the performing arts, sowing the seeds of hope for cultural integration. They have enabled Eastern culture to sail far across the world's cultural seas on the sails of film and television art, while also allowing excellent Western concepts and techniques to take root and flourish locally. This two-way exchange is building a magnificent landscape of diverse cultural blossoms.