Chapter 152 Acting Class
Lu Yanhe thought about it carefully.
Before he transmigrated, he had read some news online, especially about the famously strict director Zhang Yimou, who was known for his high standards for actors' faces.
nature.
"Is it because a natural face can express any expression? It seems that people say that people with plastic surgery can't make many expressions."
"That's one reason. Another reason is that surgically altered faces tend to give the audience a distorted and lifeless visual effect," Zhang Ming said. "Ninety percent of a person's emotions are expressed through their facial features, especially on screen. Putting aside the lines, what a face looks like is innate. Some faces are naturally stunning, while others are plain and lack distinctive features. But we all acknowledge that any face can present its beauty from a specific angle. This is due to post-production enhancements. A surgically altered face is a face that has already been packaged. If an unaltered face is a blank sheet of paper, then an altered face is a sheet that has already been painted over. Of course, a director would prefer to use a blank sheet of paper."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"And it's the same for the audience," Zhang Ming said. "Most viewers won't analyze your performance level or whether you're likable or not. For them, it's just a show; they either like it or they don't. There's no reason, and you don't have a chance to explain. For a young actor, most of them can't really talk about acting skills. They can only say that they have the inherent qualities and a certain kind of talent. Whether they can move or attract the audience depends on these latter things."
Lu Yanhe seemed to understand, but not quite.
Zhang Ming: "At this point, the importance of authenticity comes into play. If you encounter a good director, they can capture your most attractive authentic self and present it on the screen. If you don't encounter a good director, no matter how good your own conditions are, you will still look like a pig's head on screen. That's the nature of the camera. It doesn't reproduce the original self 100%, but rather amplifies or ignores it."
-
Chen Ziyan returned to her office and contacted Luo Yuzhong's assistant, Mo Zhi.
Chen Ziyan: "Xiao Mo, has Director Luo been particularly busy these past few days?"
Mo Zhi said, "Sister Ziyan, Director Luo has been busy with the preparations for 'The Golden Era' these past few days. Filming will start next week, so he's quite busy."
“Okay, I was thinking that if Director Luo has time, I’ll take Xiao Lu to visit him again to see if Xiao Lu has anything to prepare in advance,” Chen Ziyan said. “It’s Xiao Lu’s first time acting, and I’m a little uneasy about it. I want to hear Director Luo’s opinion so that I can prepare early and perform better on set.”
Mo Zhi smiled and said, "Sister Ziyan, you're worrying too much. Lu Yanhe doesn't have many scenes. He'll only join the crew next month. He should memorize his lines as soon as possible. When he starts acting, Director Luo will give him good guidance. You know Director Luo is always very patient when training actors."
“That’s good. If you start filming next week, I’ll let Xiao Lu join the crew first when he’s free, so he can learn something on set,” Chen Ziyan said. “Will this be a burden for you? The main thing is that this kid has never been to a film set before and doesn’t know how it works. I’m letting him go there in advance so he can get familiar with it.”
“This…” Mo Zhi hesitated for a moment, “I don’t know either. I’ll have to ask Brother Hong. There are a lot of people in our film, more than a hundred staff members. I don’t know if Brother Hong would be willing to arrange one more person on set.”
"Brother Hong" refers to producer Liu Hong.
Chen Ziyan: "Okay, then I'll say hello to Liu Hong and see what he says. I wanted to ask you, if Xiao Lu goes there, will Director Luo mind?"
It's not that the director will be happy if everyone actively joins the crew early.
Just like Mo Zhi's reaction, an individual's enthusiasm may still be a trouble and burden for the whole team.
Mo Zhi: "Director Luo doesn't mind. He really likes hardworking and ambitious actors."
"I'm relieved to hear that." Chen Ziyan smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries with him before hanging up the phone.
Although Mo Zhi was just a director's assistant, he knew Luo Yuzhong very well.
If Chen Ziyan wanted everything to go smoothly and not to upset Luo Yuzhong for no reason, she had to maintain a good relationship with him and ask him about many things in advance.
She called Liu Hong again.
Liu Hong, of course, would give her face and readily agreed to let Lu Yanhe go and observe ahead of time.
The drama "The Golden Era" has long been targeted by major platforms, who are waiting to bid for it, because it is a new drama directed by Luo Yuzhong and has Jiang Yuqian as the female lead.
Director Luo is cautious and reluctant to sell the film so early, so he hasn't agreed yet.
Liu Hong has been busy with this matter recently. Although Luo Yuzhong is unwilling to sell now, Liu Hong still has to entertain many platform representatives and cannot neglect them.
Liu Hong answered Chen Ziyan's call and, remembering something someone had mentioned to him before, asked with a smile, "By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you, Ziyan. Why did you suddenly decide to sign Lu Yanhe?"
Chen Ziyan: "I think they have a lot of potential. I've taken a break for a while, and it's time to train some new people."
"He's really lucky. If you hadn't taken a liking to him, he would have already been kicked out of Xingyu Entertainment," Liu Hong said with a smile.
"Oh, you knew that too?"
"Yes, I'm quite curious. Is there something wrong with this kid that Zhou Ping'an is targeting him?"
"Zhou Ping'an is mentally ill; it has nothing to do with the child."
"Haha." Liu Hong laughed twice. "Zhou Ping'an is quite targeting Lu Yanhe. He even told me to let Cheng Hai play the role instead of Lu Yanhe. Although Cheng Hai is not bad, Director Luo has his eye on Lu Yanhe. He still won't let it go. He really thinks this role belongs to him and he can pick and choose."
Chen Ziyan: "Zhou Ping'an is dishonest, but the artists he manages are quite good; they all seem like good kids."
“There are more and more people in the industry who are eager for quick success and instant benefits these days,” Liu Hong sighed. “I really miss the old days more and more.”
“There were good things in the past, and there are good things now. The Golden Era is a big project, so you're under a lot of pressure. If you need my help, just let me know. We're old friends, and I'll do my best to help you if I can.”
"Oh, if you put it that way, then I won't hold back."
"Don't mention it."
"I do have something I'd like to ask you for help with," Liu Hong said with a smile.
"We just made it in time."
"Yes, what a coincidence," Liu Hong said. "A friend of mine wants to cast Shang Yongzhou in a film. Could you help me make the connection and introduce us to a meal together?"
"Let's skip the meal. Haven't you heard about Shang Yongzhou's personality? He's a total social phobia," Chen Ziyan said. "Give me the script, and I'll pass it on to him. Let him see if he wants to take it or not."
Liu Hong: "I've already given the script to him through someone else, but he didn't like it, so I want to talk to him in person again."
“Talking to him face to face is useless. If the script doesn’t move him, no matter how much you say, it’s pointless,” Chen Ziyan said. “Send the script to me and let me take a look. I’ll see if there’s any room for revision. If it can be revised to move him, then I’ll tell you. If there’s no room for revision, then you should find someone else quickly.”
Liu Hong: "Tsk, everyone knows he trusts you completely. I'm relieved to hear you say that. I'll send you the script right away."
"Heh, so it seems you came here from the start just to have me help you read the script, right?"
"I have no choice, true friend. I can only trouble you with this. I wouldn't bother asking an ordinary friend."
"knew."
Less than five minutes after hanging up the phone, I received a new email notification.
Chen Ziyan downloaded the script, printed it out, and planned to take it with her on the road.
She was going on a business trip that evening, flying to Jiangguang to discuss a collaboration.
-
After a morning, Lu Yanhe felt that his mind was full of things.
Zhang Ming said he came to teach him acting theory, but in reality, he was talking about understanding.
Lu Yanhe had absolutely no theoretical knowledge of acting. After listening to Zhang Ming's explanation, he finally had a vague impression of it.
At noon, Chen Ziyan took them out for lunch.
Lu Yanhe was also taken along.
During the meal, Chen Ziyan said to Zhang Ming, "You haven't acted much in the past two years. Do you not plan to join any more productions and just stay at the school to teach?"
Lu Yanhe was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, and dared not show his expression, so he silently lowered his head and ate his food.
Zhang Ming said, "I don't get any good roles anyway, so why bother?"
“Just accumulate experience slowly. That’s how acting is. You have to accumulate experience before you can take off when the opportunity comes. Look at Zhang Zhiwen, who suddenly became a sensation two months ago with the movie ‘Hongzhou.’ He only became famous at the age of forty, but he still managed to make a name for himself, didn’t he?” Chen Ziyan said to Zhang Ming. “Don’t be discouraged. You’re only thirty years old.”
"It's not that I'm disheartened, it's just that there aren't many roles to play. The ones that do come my way are all very ordinary little roles, and I'm not interested in them," Zhang Ming said directly. "I feel like it would lower my status to play those roles."
“If you stop acting, won’t you put yourself on a pedestal? No one will ask you to play small roles in the future, knowing that you look down on them, and no one will ask you to play big roles either, thinking that you’ve stopped acting,” Chen Ziyan said. “You’re a good actor, you’re just lacking opportunities, just wait patiently.”
Lu Yanhe listened to their conversation and felt somewhat puzzled.
Since Chen Ziyan thinks Zhang Ming is a good actor, why doesn't she become his agent?
Industry insiders say that whoever Chen Ziyan sets her sights on, she can make them famous.
With such a wide network of connections, can't Chen Ziyan help Zhang Ming find some good roles?
These questions arose in Lu Yanhe's heart, but he didn't voice them, listening silently.
Zhang Ming: "Forget it, I might as well just be a teacher. It would be embarrassing to play a minor supporting role."
"You're just too ambitious," Chen Ziyan sighed helplessly.
After lunch, Zhang Ming went home by himself.
Chen Ziyan gave Lu Yanhe a ride back to the company.
As expected, Chen Ziyan took the initiative to speak, bringing up Zhang Ming's matter, "Are you a little confused? Why is it that Zhang Ming is a teacher in the Performance Department of Beijing Arts University, but it seems like he doesn't have any opportunities to act?"
Lu Yanhe nodded and hummed in agreement.
"He was just too proud, and that's what got him into trouble," Chen Ziyan said. "After graduating, he stayed on to teach at the university. He had a good opportunity and played the male lead in a big director's new film, but he didn't become famous. He continued to play male leads and supporting roles, but his opportunities were not good, and the films he acted in never became popular. After two years, no one asked him to play male leads or supporting roles anymore. Because he had been playing important roles since graduation, he was too proud and refused to compromise. He wouldn't take small roles either, and eventually, he was gradually forgotten by many people, and no one asked him to act anymore."
Lu Yanhe suddenly realized, "So that's how it is."
"Actually, I've told him many times not to dwell on the fact that he's always been the male lead or second male lead. If you have acting skills, just act well, and you'll be seen again someday. Take Zhang Zhiwen, whom I just mentioned. He didn't graduate from a professional acting school. He worked hard as an extra for many years, gradually getting roles with lines. Later on, he played villains, third male leads, and fourth male leads. This time, he finally starred in a drama called 'Hongzhou,' which became a huge hit, and he became famous as well. In the entertainment industry, who becomes famous and who becomes famous is unpredictable. It's a mystery. If you're not famous or famous, just act honestly. Don't let opportunities slip by. Being too ambitious will only harm you."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
“I’m telling you this too. You’re young now, and you’re starting out acting in a film directed by Luo Yuzhong. But there aren’t many directors in this industry who can reach Luo Yuzhong’s level. Don’t let your success in ‘The Golden Era’ make you arrogant and look down on other opportunities,” Chen Ziyan said. “Otherwise, Zhang Ming is a prime example. You can see how good he is as an actor just by looking at how he was able to stay on as a teacher right after graduation. But if you can’t adjust your mindset, no matter how talented you are, it’s useless, understand?”
"Hmm." Lu Yanhe didn't expect that this was still a call to action against him.
He smiled and said, "No matter how ambitious I am, I can't be ambitious when it comes to acting. I don't know anything about acting, I don't know how to act at all."
“There’s no need to be so self-deprecating. You’ve impressed Director Luo Yuzhong with just one audition; that’s your skill,” Chen Ziyan added.
"Oh." Lu Yanhe thought Chen Ziyan was quite nice. She was afraid he would become arrogant, but also afraid he would underestimate himself. She really had the heart of a mother hen, and her heart was full of concern for him.
Of course, he wouldn't dare say that out loud.
If Chen Ziyan heard the words "old woman," she would probably roll her eyes at him a hundred times.
“Oh, Sister Ziyan, there’s something else I forgot to tell you,” Lu Yanhe said. “Last night, Li Zhibai said that Chen Biqiu invited him to dinner tonight and asked me to come along.”
"Chen Biqiu, the producer of 'Let's Camp Together,' right?" Chen Ziyan nodded. "Sure, let him meet you. It would be great if you could record one or two episodes of this show; it's quite popular."
"Mm." Lu Yanhe nodded.
Chen Ziyan: "I'm going to Jiangguang on a business trip tonight, and I won't be back for the next two days. You and the two teachers should focus on your studies."
"good."
-
In the afternoon, Lu Yanhe met another of his teachers.
He Shuyi.
She was also a teacher with a lot of experience in teaching acting. Lu Yanhe didn't know her and hadn't seen her much, but she immediately took him to rehearse the scenes in "The Golden Age".
Lu Yanhe was still in a daze when He Shuyi led him through the act again and again.
"wrong."
"Let's start over."
"I'm nervous."
"It's so fake."
...
Lu Yanhe was getting a bit overwhelmed and said, "Teacher He, I'm not prepared. Can I think about it for a bit first?"
He Shuyi smiled and put down the script, saying, "Do you think I'm too fast, not giving you any time to prepare before you just jump right in?"
Lu Yanhe nodded hesitantly.
That's really too fast.
He Shuyi said, "I did it on purpose."
"ah?"
“I just want to see your most instinctive way of acting,” He Shuyi said. “I don’t want your carefully considered performance, that’s all fake. I want the real thing, the so-called real hearing, real seeing, real feeling, which is a person’s most direct reaction. The character you are going to play is not complicated, it’s all about emotional presentation, so just give the most authentic emotional presentation.”
Lu Yanhe nodded blankly.
“Let’s try again now,” He Shuyi said. “Throw away all your thoughts, just follow my rhythm, and give the most direct response.”
Lu Yanhe nodded and put down the script.
If Zhang Ming is a romantic theorist, then He Shuyi is a pragmatist.
Her infectious energy was immense. She repeatedly interrupted Lu Yanhe's performance, only to pull him back into the act, gradually dismantling his anxieties, embarrassment, shyness, and reluctance to fully engage.
After an afternoon, Lu Yanhe felt as if he had been completely drained.
...
He Shuyi's first class ended at 5:30 p.m.
Lu Yanhe sat on the ground with his eyes glazed over, his face pale.
Acting is actually physically demanding.
He spent the whole afternoon following He Shuyi, constantly reciting lines and rehearsing positions, accompanied by occasional roars and shouts... This emotional outburst, which was not in the script at all, was repeatedly asked by He Shuyi to be given to Lu Yanhe, allowing Lu Yanhe to switch between wide-ranging emotions. All I can say is that the rhythm was incredibly intense.
He Shuyi went to chat with Chen Ziyan.
"What a capable kid," He Shuyi praised with a smile. "I didn't expect him to last this long. I thought he would have given up an hour ago."
Chen Ziyan looked through the glass wall of the rehearsal room at Lu Yanhe, who was sitting on the floor lost in thought, and smiled, "Take it easy too."
"The first lesson was to test his limits," He Shuyi explained. "Although he has no acting experience, he is indeed talented. He can switch emotions very decisively and is very resilient."
"After all, she is a newcomer who was chosen by Director Luo."
"You have a sharp eye! No wonder you chose this newcomer," He Shuyi said.
Do you think he has the potential to succeed in the future?
"He has excellent qualities, but whether it will work out depends on luck."
Chen Ziyan nodded.
“He is different from the Wen Minglan you asked me to teach before,” He Shuyi said. “Wen Minglan was still a bit burdened and always a little reserved. He… trusted me in just one afternoon, and later he completely opened up. This kind of quality, as long as he meets a good director, will shine with incredible brilliance.”
(End of this chapter)
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