As the saying goes, laymen watch the spectacle, while experts see the details.
Although Lao Liu, the fast-talking man, can't be called an expert, he has accumulated some experience over the years of criticizing domestic TV dramas and movies.
In film, when the protagonist appears, the director uses cinematic language, filming techniques, and various subtle hints that the audience might not even notice to guide them into identifying with the character. This is why in many films and television shows, once a character appears, the audience can immediately recognize them as the protagonist. It's not that the audience has a keen sense of smell, but rather that the director intentionally does so.
For example, in the opening of "Happiness Street," four or five characters have already appeared in just seven minutes. But the quick-witted Lao Liu immediately realized that the director wanted the audience to identify with the character Xiao Ye.
This discovery secretly surprised Lao Liu, the quick-witted man. In artistic works like movies and TV series, whoever can best draw the audience in is the true protagonist. Many films and television shows, although the credits list actor A as the lead, are actually filled with actors B or C who are second or third in line. The lead actor has the title and the name of protagonist, but not the actual lead role.
The moment Lao Liu saw the cast list for "Happiness Street," his first thought was that Ye Chu would likely play a character with a title but no real substance, while the true protagonist would be either the muscular man or the fat man.
It's no wonder that Lao Liu, the quick-witted one, thinks this way, because most movies on the market in recent years are indeed like this. Take, for example, Li Shuang, the leading lady of the Happy Potato Chips team; doesn't she often appear in these kinds of films?
Qingping Entertainment actually dared to present Ye Chu as the true protagonist, which immediately made Lao Liu, the quick-witted man, feel uncomfortable. He's a man, and naturally, he wanted to identify with the male lead. Someone like Ye Chu, more like the male lead's wife, seemed more suitable.
Thinking of this, the quick-tongued Lao Liu typed on his phone: "Choosing Ye Chu as the protagonist is a failed attempt."
After writing this sentence, the fast-talking Lao Liu felt that simply criticizing would be too deliberate, and he should write about some advantages to demonstrate his objectivity.
"The director's technique is very mature, unlike that of a newcomer with only one film. His performance is commendable."
This opening demonstrates a strong cinematic industry mindset, with mature audiovisual logic and a high level of completion.
Aside from romance films, which often feature a two-person show, most movies require ensemble casts. Furthermore, all the main characters must appear within the first fifteen minutes of the film—at least in the dialogue.
This requirement is a bit too demanding for beginners. It is already difficult to get a group of characters to appear together in just over ten minutes; to make each character stand out is even more difficult!
"Happiness Street" actually does a pretty good job in this respect. In just seven minutes, the deliveryman's roughness, Xiao Ye's bookishness and low socialization, Hong Jie's greed for cheap things, Ling Ling's childlike curiosity... Although some plots and jokes are too old-fashioned, the characters are indeed well-developed.
At least the beginning was acceptable. "But there are plenty of films that start strong but fizzle out," Lao Liu thought to himself.
-------------
Xiao Ye ran after her ticket. When she reached the entrance of a pedestrian street, the ticket seemed to have eyes; it changed direction and flew into the street.
The camera zoomed in on the archway of "Happiness Commercial Street." The entire street exuded a cheerful and lively atmosphere, with music playing continuously.
Xiao Ye stood at the entrance of the pedestrian street, slightly bent over, hands on his thighs, panting and trying to catch his breath. A classic image of an urban youth who neglects exercise.
Suddenly, the background music became urgent!
A ragged beggar shouted and ran towards Xiao Ye, waving his arms and legs excitedly!
"Wow! I'm so happy! I'm so happy!" the beggar shouted as he ran wildly toward Xiao Ye's direction, like a mad beast.
Xiao Ye was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously straightened up and dodged. The beggar rushed past her, creating a gust of wind.
Xiao Ye broke out in a cold sweat. When she looked back, the beggar had already disappeared!
In real life, Xiao Ye would probably have run home to her mother in fear. But movie protagonists have their own reasons for wanting to die, and Xiao Ye certainly wouldn't do that.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
