Chapter 401: Creating a Personality for Zuo Qingfen
I smiled and said, "Yes, you are very civilized. You have chosen the path of acting. No matter how famous you are, if you don't have any roles to play, you will just sit there and eat your fill."
Monkey said, "That's true. Those with jobs rely on their salary, and those without jobs are even worse off."
I said, "Farmers can work in the fields, workers can do their work, but actors can't carry heavy loads on their shoulders or lift anything with their hands. The audience is our bread and butter. For actors without an audience, even food and clothing become a problem."
So, many actors are now shooting videos and using TikTok, driven by financial necessity. After all, only one percent of top performers don't have to worry about making a living. Most actors, like workers, only earn money when they work.
Given the current situation, we should put aside our pride and join the online performances of ordinary people. We should use the internet to attract a group of fans. To be honest, since the birth of TikTok, some ordinary people have acting skills that are no worse than yours.
Zuo Qingfen turned her face away and smiled. Monkey asked, "What are you laughing at?"
She said: "You look down on TikTok, but if you go on it, you'll see that everyone is an actor. Their acting is so lifelike."
I said, "My words may not be popular with you, but the trend of the times cannot be stopped by anyone. Perhaps there is a way out if you put down your pride."
Monkey Brother was a little indignant: "Do you want someone like Captain Gu, who has won the Plum Blossom Award, to do a live broadcast?"
"I can't make decisions for Captain Gu. I can only speak about the general situation of the world."
Zuo Qingfen said, "Captain, I'll invite a few people. You stand in the middle and we'll form a choir."
Captain Gu said, "Okay."
Monkey Brother said: "It's not that I don't watch Douyin at all. I also went into Xiang Ping's live broadcast room and took a look. Oh my, she was singing and shouting: Give me a flower, support me, come on, big brothers. It's so cheap."
I burst out laughing and said, "Brother Monkey, the internet is a place that dissolves the sacred. You think you're an actor, but ordinary people may not like to watch your videos. They might like to see forty-year-old ladies doing weird things."
Monkey sneered.
I don't want to argue with him. This kind of person is just as arrogant as Boss Hu. He thinks he's a big shot, and the internet is about making everyone a big shot. He has no idea of the trends of the times, or maybe he's just pretending to be asleep and can't be woken up.
Captain Gu said, "There's one advantage to chatting with Brother Wan. He speaks with reason and evidence. We really need to put aside our pride. You see, many celebrities are writing articles online."
Zuo Qingfen said: "The funniest person is Mr. Xu from the troupe."
Director Gu explained to me that Teacher Xu was an old screenwriter in their troupe and was highly respected.
I nodded.
Zuo Qingfen continued, "Teacher Xu, inspired by his daughter, also posted online, focusing on scriptwriting. He was enthusiastic at first. With both income and reader praise, he began serializing his work."
Then someone left a message saying they'd "let it grow fatter before we see." Teacher Xu flew into a rage and scolded the person online for not respecting elders. The two exchanged insults. Teacher Xu was so angry that he smashed his phone. He then scolded his daughter for coming up with a bad idea and humiliating him.
Captain Gu laughed and said, "He was thinking about the pigs they had to fatten up before slaughtering them during the Spring Festival. He felt insulted."
Zuo Qingfen said, "Yes, how would others know you're a celebrity and old? And if they knew, netizens wouldn't be polite. It's just like what Professor Wan said: the internet deconstructs the sacred."
Monkey's expression grew increasingly grim. He stood up and walked outside, then came back in and clasped his fists at me. "Teacher Wan, someone just called and I had something urgent to do. I'm really sorry, I'll be leaving first."
I also stood up and said, "Okay, you're busy."
Brother Monkey waved to Captain Gu and Zuo Qingfen again and left.
The three of us looked at each other and knew why Monkey Brother wanted to leave.
Zuo Qingfen said indignantly: "The days when he would go to nightclubs and tell jokes in karaoke halls are over. But now he is putting on airs.
I think Mr. Wan hit the nail on the head. He's very objective. When I watch Douyin, I feel like some people's acting talent is just as good as professionals. It's just that their image, body shape, and other aspects don't meet the requirements of an actor."
Captain Gu said, "Brother Monkey and I were good friends. I wanted to invite him to have a discussion with Brother Wan. But he showed no mercy and walked out midway."
I said, "Captain, don't worry about it. Everyone has their own pursuits. But..."
"But what?" Zuo Qingfen looked at me.
"But I drew a portrait of him. Three years from now, I'll be on Douyin, just like Xiang Ping, shouting, 'Friends, give me a flower! I, Monkey Brother, have at least millions of people who know my name. Why am I so unpopular with you now?'"
Captain Gu laughed heartily and asked, "Is it really like this?"
I smiled, because there were some things I really didn't dare to say.
Zuo Qingfen said, "Teacher Wan, Director Gu is already famous, and the movie she starred in will undoubtedly win an award. Please give me some specific suggestions."
I thought about it and said, "You'd better create a character similar to Li Qingzhao and become an online talented woman."
She smiled slightly, and Captain Gu urged me, "You have to teach her how to build it."
I said, "Qingfen has two advantages. One is that she looks pure and clean. But I don't know if she is pure in heart."
Zuo Qingfen rolled her eyes at me.
I continued, "As for a talented woman, she doesn't need to be alluring or sexy; she just looks intellectual and elegant. That's her physical advantage. Secondly, she's also talented."
Therefore, she did not have to compete with others in singing and dancing. She just focused on reciting ancient poems and analyzing their artistic conception.
It might not be very popular in the early stages. It might even be a little quiet. But with persistence, over time, it will attract a loyal crowd. Of course, that's not the main point."
"What's the main thing?" Zuo Qingfen asked hurriedly.
"Do you have perseverance?"
"have."
"Well, then, read poetry. Don't read it just for show. Read it for real. If you get into it, you can take another shortcut to becoming an internet celebrity."
"Teacher Wan, you always split a paragraph into several parts. It keeps me on suspense."
Captain Gu laughed and said, "It's called the art of speaking. Movie hosts often do this—now the champion is announced. He's... he's... he's Wan Shan Hong."
"You really took ancient poetry to heart. If you sign up for the Chinese Poetry Competition and win a place, you'll be famous. If you don't win, your Douyin video will be popular."
Captain Gu clapped his hands and said, "Teacher Wan's vision is still superior. This is quite suitable for you."
Zuo Qingfen didn't react for a long time, as if she had won the championship in a poetry competition.
Captain Gu said, "Why don't you thank Teacher Wan?"
Zuo Qingfen said to herself: "Can I do it?"
"Whether you succeed or fail depends on your own efforts. Captain Gu won the Plum Blossom Award because of his own hard work. Think about it carefully. If you want to change your destiny, learn from Captain Gu."
Captain Gu encouraged him, "Why not? Yiwei lacks perseverance. If she marries a rich man, she'll be just like everyone else in a few years. Xiao Xie changed her career and became a museum guide. Of the three of you, you're the only one left. I hope you'll have something great."
"Okay, Mr. Wan, Captain, I'll try."
Captain Gu said, "The first day of the new year is particularly meaningful. Let's go downstairs to eat."
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