...
Below the red text, Gu Wenhua added two more words in black pen: 【Ye Chu. Character Number One.】
This completely transforms the original villainous protagonist into a positive character.
Shang Yechu felt a subconscious displeasure. The original character of the protagonist in "The Rules General Store" was quite novel, but Gu Wenhua's alteration turned him into a generic, overused protagonist. It's fair to say that nine out of ten shonen manga protagonists are like that, and seven or eight out of ten movies are similar.
The protagonist's original highlights and memorable moments were gone, and Shang Yechu's interest in the character plummeted.
Actors certainly prefer to take on challenging roles with depth.
Out of respect for Gu Wenhua, Shang Yechu remained silent and continued reading.
Next comes the character of an unemployed hoodlum. Gu Wenhua retained the basic setting of an unemployed hoodlum, but added a few lines of red text next to it.
Muscular, completely brainless. Frequently makes mistakes and challenges the rules. Rude and annoying. Male, around 20-30 years old. Second lead.
This… this role has already been decided for Zhuang Sheng, but Gu Wenhua's revised character design has almost no similarities to Zhuang Sheng. Shang Yechu felt a vein twitch on her eyelid.
Next comes the persona of a computer programmer.
Gu Wenhua crossed out the words "genius computer programmer" and replaced them with "ordinary otaku," and wrote below:
[Completely lacking in common sense, knowing nothing except about animation. An introverted, timid, and submissive middle-aged man around forty years old. Character number three (often bullied by character number two).]
Next was “female white-collar workers,” which Gu Wenhua changed to “housewives.”
[A housewife around 30 years old. Feisty personality, often causes trouble. Likes to take advantage of others. Has abundant maternal love. Raises a young daughter. Role number four.]
Next to the housewife's name was a small bracket that simply stated her daughter's background.
[A little girl who stutters slightly. Ideally 6-9 years old, not very talkative. She can see things adults can't. Role number five.]
Finally, there's the character design for the female ghost. Gu Wenhua simply crossed out the long list of details about the female ghost and replaced it with a rather simple and straightforward line:
[Cannon fodder for trial and error. A flamboyant, superficial, and arrogant man. The more annoying, the better.]
All five members of the main group had their appearances completely altered by Gu Wenhua. Shang Yechu initially thought her character had been changed too much, but now it seems she was the one who had been changed the least. At least her age, gender, and intellect were preserved.
"Xiao Gu," Shang Yechu touched his neck, "why did you change it like this?"
Shang Yechu truly didn't understand. What was the benefit of changing the original group of able-bodied protagonists into a club of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled? Even just a few lines on paper revealed the detestable aspects of each character. Especially the frail, saintly protagonist—it would be a wonder if he didn't get torn apart by the audience after the show aired.
Recalling the rumors of his crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide, Shang Yechu added, "Please explain in more detail, I... I don't quite understand this."
Convincing Sheng Wenzhi wouldn't be easy, so Shang Yechu had to copy Gu Wenhua's homework.
Gu Wenhua showed no displeasure whatsoever, as if he had known all along that Shang Yechu would ask this question.
"Of course, it's for the sense of immersion and the feeling of exhilaration." Gu Wenhua pulled out a piece of white paper and scribbled those two words on it.
"Sense of immersion."
“Film characters are not just characters, but also lenses for the audience. There is a psychological concept called ‘projection mask’. The more open a character is, the stronger the audience’s immersion and desire to participate.”
Gu Wenhua pointed to the words "computer genius" originally written on the paper: "In the original script, these characters were all from the elite class, standing too high. They were fake, grandiose, empty, detached from reality, and alienated from the masses. How could anyone relate to such characters?"
A genius, a thug with superhuman strength, an elite white-collar worker, a female ghost. Shang Yechu recalled the main characters. It seemed that was indeed the case.
Gu Wenhua shook his head: "To be honest, I'm quite surprised. In this novel, only the protagonist is somewhat relatable. The rest of the characters are just containers for the plot. They're floating in mid-air, acting out model operas from a high place... This screenwriter gives the impression that he has never experienced life."
Suddenly, Sheng Wenzhi's image appeared in Shang Yechu's mind.
Isn't Sheng Wenzhi the same? Always living in his own world, talking to himself, doing what he thinks is right. When dealing with others, he always says "I think" or "You should," instead of truly understanding them.
Sheng Wenzhi is someone who lives in a glass case.
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