This is the actor who most closely resembles He Tang in appearance since the filming of "I, Nameless" began.
Although the other actors did not specifically depict He Tang's appearance—after all, he was a character in a movie, not a real person—the moment the young man appeared before them, they couldn't help but think that if He Tang from the movie were still alive, he would probably look like this.
"Where did Director Li find the people?" Cheng Yuanzhou asked in confusion. "He probably went to Beijing Film Studio and Shanghai Film Studio to select actors, but he didn't find a single suitable one."
Not only were they not selected, but they also left behind a legend of being "ugly". Cheng Yuanzhou even heard a teacher from his alma mater complain that they were all students they had personally interviewed during the art exams, and that they were a group of good-looking kids. Where were they ugly?
When the person arrived in front of him, Cheng Yuanzhou couldn't help but sigh, "It's still Li Xiang, a seasoned director, who has a sharp eye for talent."
In terms of appearance, the newcomers he brought were indeed more outstanding.
“Isn’t that Ji Yan from ‘Wing’?” Supporting actor Xu Zeqing called out a name. Cheng Yuanzhou turned to him curiously, “Brother Xu, do you know him?”
“I knew his name was Ji Yan, and he was a contestant who debuted in an idol group.” Xu Zeqing looked enlightened. “By the way, they sang the theme song for our movie.”
Now they know where Director Li selects people from.
But even though they've come, can they act?
Filming for "I, Nameless" has been delayed for a while. The actors don't seem to mind, since the opportunity to work with a great director is rare. But with the production crew dragging on like this, burning through money, no one can withstand it for long.
“Our Director Li is quite good at training actors, and besides, He Tang’s role isn’t very long,” Xu Zeqing said with a smile. “Don’t worry.”
Cheng Yuanzhou wasn't as optimistic as him. Li Xiang was indeed good at training actors, but the crew had also sent several young actors to audition for the role of He Tang. Li Xiang then complained that they were too stiff and couldn't capture the feeling he wanted.
To some extent, Li Xiang is also a troublesome figure among directors, but even so, actors still try every means to get roles in his films. In any case, there are plenty of good-tempered directors, but only a handful in the director circle can truly bring out the most distinctive aspects of an actor and create classic films.
Such opportunities are rare and hard to come by.
...
Movie makeup is far less complicated than stage makeup. The makeup artist simply trimmed Ji Yan's eyebrows, cut his hair short, and paired it with the character's costume, and his fresh and clean look naturally came out.
"That's good enough, no need to pack anymore." Li Xiang nodded. "The lines are here, only eight lines in total. Memorize them this morning, and we'll start filming this afternoon."
Ji Yan was stunned: "Director, I've never acted before."
Li Xiang's attitude was as if he were a seasoned superstar actor who could finish filming in the afternoon and go straight home.
“Qu Mi should have already introduced the character to you. First, memorize the lines, and then try to understand the character yourself.” Li Xiang patted him on the shoulder. “This role is not suitable for someone with extensive acting experience.”
Ideally, they shouldn't be from a formal acting background either.
For the role of He Tang, Li Xiang came into contact with too many young actors with formal training. The formal training in this era is different from that in his time. Perhaps it is the standardized training that makes the young actors' acting style very crafty. He wanted a He Tang that would catch his eye, but what he saw were ten identical He Tangs.
Since the director had said so, Ji Yan had no choice but to obediently pick up the script and start reading. His luck wasn't too bad, because most of the scenes for "I, Nameless" had already been filmed, and there was nothing left to hide in the plot, so he got the complete script.
He Tang is a character with few scenes, appearing in the first half of the film. He is the senior of the male protagonist Wei Zheng and the guide who leads Wei Zheng onto the path of saving the nation.
Compared to the patient, brave, and wise Wei Zheng, He Tang is more of an idealist. He serves his country with his passion and his eyes always shine brightly when he imagines the future.
He Tang is also the reason why Wei Zheng, the male protagonist in the movie "I, Nameless," perseveres to the end.
The lines were short and easy to remember, but simply memorizing the lines was clearly not enough. Ji Yan silently read the character biography and then carefully looked at the scenes in the script where He Tang appeared, over and over again. This time, he was completely forced into the role and went into it without any preparation.
Ji Yan is not opposed to this kind of thing. According to his current habit, he cherishes every job opportunity and will try it first, regardless of the outcome.
While Ji Yan was reading the lines, Cheng Yuanzhou and several other main actors were also staring at him. They had all heard the conversation between Ji Yan and Li Xiang. All I can say is that Director Li Xiang is really bold.
...
When Ji Yan looked up again, there was suddenly another person in front of him. The other person did not disturb him until their eyes met, and then greeted Ji Yan: "I am Cheng Yuanzhou, and I play Wei Zheng in the movie."
Cheng Yuanzhou plays Wei Zheng as an adult. He doesn't have any direct scenes with He Tang in the movie, but He Tang appears in Wei Zheng's memories.
"Brother Cheng," Ji Yan greeted softly.
After Cheng Yuanzhou sat down, Ji Yan realized that the other party had come to explain the play to him. Ji Yan glanced into the distance and sure enough, Li Xiang was looking in their direction.
Cheng Yuanzhou talked about the most basic things in filming, such as how to move and how to look at the camera. As for acting skills, that was the responsibility of director Li Xiang.
Ji Yan had been on stage before, but had never acted before. Acting was a novel experience for him, and he listened attentively, taking notes of everything Cheng Yuanzhou said.
After noon, in the afternoon, He Tang's scenes officially began to be filmed.
The story is set on a university campus, where He Tang is explaining progressive books to his fellow students. He symbolizes ideals and passion in the film, and his words are particularly infectious.
As soon as Ji Yan sat down, Li Xiang gestured for him to change his position: "You're in the wrong spot. You can't get a clear picture of his whole face like this."
"It's a bit difficult for someone who's not an expert to film this." Seeing this, Cheng Yuanzhou and Xu Zeqing discussed in hushed tones, "At this rate, will He Tang's scenes be finished this year?"
In terms of the length of the film "I, Nameless", He Tang is not an important character, but Li Xiang is happy to spend time on this role. However, Cheng Yuanzhou feels that Ji Yan, who doesn't even have a sense of the camera, is unlikely to meet Li Xiang's requirements.
He's a blank slate, how can this movie be filmed?
Just as Cheng Yuanzhou was about to say something to Xu Zeqing, the other gently nudged him: "Look!"
Cheng Yuanzhou looked up, only to witness an utterly unbelievable scene—
Ji Yan, who just moments ago couldn't even find the camera, now had the illusion that He Tang was right there.
When interpreting the book, the other person's eyes were bright and pure, completely lacking the bewilderment he felt at first sight. On the contrary, perhaps because he had no acting experience, his pure side became the pure side of the character He Tang.
He Tang is a progressive young man.
To some extent, this character only sees the bright future; he doesn't need to pay attention to the darkness or see the perilous future. But precisely because of this, he doesn't need to be portrayed as complicated; it's enough for him to shine.
"Tell me, is this acting skill or innate talent?" Xu Zeqing exclaimed.
"Whether it's acting skills or natural talent, this is quite impressive."
Most people simply cannot do that.
At first glance, Cheng Yuanzhou even suspected that Ji Yan had studied acting before, but there was still a sense of immaturity in the details of Ji Yan's performance. However, when combined with the character of He Tang, it did not seem out of place at all.
Li Xiang didn't call a stop, so Ji Yan continued acting with confidence.
He actually approached the character of He Tang with the same mindset he had when singing. He thought about what he would do and what he would think if he were He Tang. When it came time to perform, he would silently repeat to himself that he was He Tang countless times, and the performance would naturally continue.
In Ji Yan's eyes, He Tang is a ray of light.
The scene following the lecture is the scene where He Tang is arrested.
He was the young master of the Chamber of Commerce president's family. When he was arrested, his family had already prepared gold bars and silver dollars to ransom him, as long as He Tang was willing to admit that he had chosen the wrong path.
But He Tang was unwilling.
On his way to the execution ground, He Tang still had a smile on his face, just like he did at school. But if He Tang at school was a handsome young man whose smile could win the hearts of girls, at this moment, his smile was still open and pure. Did he not know that he was heading to the Yellow Springs?
He knew.
He could have chosen not to die, but he still chose to die for his bright ideals and his unwavering beliefs.
Just like the infectious power of the song "Fly," He Tang is also a very infectious character.
Before his execution, his family members tried to persuade him: "One more person like you makes no difference to the revolution, and one less person like you makes no difference either. Why are you so foolish?"
He Tang gently hugged his parents: "Some things always need to be done by someone. If I do it, then more people will be willing to do it."
At this moment, he was still an innocent young master under his parents' wings, but he chose a path full of thorns.
The previous segment was pure; this segment is fearless.
Ji Yan's performance in this scene was somewhat stiff because he hadn't fully grasped the character's psychology. Li Xiang gave him enough time to think it over, and filming resumed once Ji Yan felt he was ready.
Ji Yan used his break time to think about the character He Tang again.
No one is unafraid of death, but there are always those who are willing to die for their ideals.
The more he studied the character, the more he understood him. He Tang was a character in the movie "I, Nameless". There were countless characters in the movie who were similar to him but different from him. These people had different backgrounds and family circumstances, but their goals were always the same.
When filming resumed, Ji Yan once again immersed himself in the role of He Tang. He allowed himself to become He Tang more deeply, and thus, the fearlessness of the young man in the face of death was fully displayed in the shot.
He Tang in the film is beautiful. He died in the prime of his life. His death would make anyone feel sorry for him, but it was because he did this that Wei Zheng came into being, that countless successors came into being, and that the country had a bright future.
Ji Yan's last scene is He Tang walking with a smile in the school—in Wei Zheng's memory, He Tang is just as she was when she was young.
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