The birth of an actor

Chapter 64 An Uncomfortable Scene

Filming is actually a very complicated job. Adjusting camera positions takes time, actors need time to prepare, and even if the weather is not cooperative, waiting for suitable weather conditions takes time.

What might be a minute or two of footage in a TV series could be the result of a whole morning or even a whole day of filming on a production crew.

In the morning, Fan Bing didn't get to film her scenes.

They didn't even film many scenes in the morning.

It wasn't until a little after 11 a.m. that the crew finally finished filming the scene where Emperor Qianlong, along with his three children, saw Xiao Yanzi and Saiya whipping each other.

(Note: Xiao Yanzi and Saiya's scenes haven't been filmed yet.)

In other words, this entire morning was essentially a performance.

That is, Emperor Qianlong wanted Erkang and Saiya to marry, but Erkang refused, and the three children begged the emperor to find a way.

Just this one game.

As for the reason... it's actually quite simple.

The problem wasn't with An Xin, who was acting for the first time, but with Zhou Jie.

From Fan Bingbing's perspective, this guy... is a bit stubborn.

They had already advised him not to dwell on his performance in one or two scenes. And this guy actually listened and didn't ask the director to "do it again."

But in the next two scenes, his performance clearly changed style.

Sun Shuping asked him to "show Erkang's urgency, resistance, and reluctance." He did try to do so, but in the first two scenes that morning, he chose to make his nostrils flare, his chest heave violently, and his eyes dart around. However, after watching his own performance, he felt that Erkang should be more restrained, so he acted very calmly in the later scenes, only changing the script's "Erkang staring directly at the Emperor" into various other expressions.

For example, clasping hands in a fist and bowing, or kneeling...

It was fine at first, but Sun Shuping felt it wasn't right and asked him to adjust it. When he knelt down like that, he was completely out of sight on camera...

Then, when the scene was cut, Sun Shuping patiently explained the scene to him, helping him recall his performance. But after a while, their roles suddenly reversed, and he was now explaining the scene to the director.

Analyzing Erkang's mindset reveals things like, "Director, they are emperor and subject, Erkang can't directly contradict the emperor," or "Director, think about it, my performance makes sense..."

Sun Shuping was speechless.

Fan Bing was equally speechless, thinking to herself, "Brother, I've already advised you. Just do what the director tells you to do. It's just a few scenes, why are you being so stubborn?"
Didn't you see the Emperor glaring at you?

You wasted an entire morning on a few simple scenes.

But... she also discovered something.

That is, when Zhou Jie was expressing his opinion, whether it was Zhang Tielin, or anyone else, including An Xin who had just asked him to remind Zhou Jie, everyone was busy with their own things and had no intention of joining in.

As the two began trying to persuade each other after failing two consecutive scenes, An Xin had already sat down in the shade nearby, staring blankly at the sky.

Even Su Youpeng initially stood beside the two of them, looking thoughtful.

But gradually... he stopped pretending.

As soon as the two started arguing, he and his assistant stepped aside.

In a daze, Fan Bing seemed to understand something.

Zhou Jie only gave up when Sun Shuping bluntly stated, "I'm the director. You just need to perform according to my requirements. You don't need to worry about anything else. Have I made myself clear enough?"

So, Emperor Qianlong reunited with the three children and filmed the last two scenes.

The production crew had already arrived at the film set with lunchboxes.

It's time to serve dinner.

The film crew, who had only filmed one scene all morning, started eating lunch amidst this slow pace.

While eating, He Xiuqiong, who had left after watching the first scene, returned to the film crew.

Fan Bing nudged An Xin, who was quietly eating next to her:

"Eh."

An Xin turned her head and looked in the direction the girl was pointing her lip, and saw Sun Shuping and He Xiuqiong standing in the distance, talking about something.

He immediately looked away.

Then, He Xiuqiong walked to the monitor, stayed for about ten minutes, and then got up and left.

After everyone had finished eating, the woman called out Zhou Jie's name directly:
"Zhou Jie, come here for a moment."

……

"What do you think Sister He and Zhou Jie are talking about?"

Anxin, who was resting in the shade, heard this and shook her head slightly.

"do not know."

"I think he definitely needs to be criticized so that he doesn't delay the production schedule."

"Ah."

Anxin absentmindedly gave a reply.

The afternoon's scenes included Xiao Yanzi and Saiya's whip-fighting scene, as well as his own scenes with Saiya. He wasn't really in the mood to think about anything else.

"I think he's being too presumptuous. Just film it the way the director tells you to. Why be so serious about it? Although I think he has a point... Hey, do you think Zhou Jie is right?"

"Okay."

"...Why are you being so perfunctory?"

The girl was somewhat displeased and glared at Anxin.

Anxin scratched the edge of the wig on the back of her head; it was a little itchy there.

Seeing her eyes, his emotions temporarily rose from Fu Ertai's state, and he said:

"The truth is I don't care whether what he said is right or wrong. As mentioned in 'Six Lectures on Acting,' actors should be focused and dedicated to their roles. What others do or say is their business and has nothing to do with me."

"Yes, yes, yes, so you've read 'Six Lectures on Acting,' okay?"

The girl rolled her eyes, then quickly changed the subject:
"After adjusting the camera positions for those shots this morning, the image was a bit blurry. Should you mention it to Sister He?" "Do you think my performance was satisfactory?"

"Well, from my perspective, there's no problem. But it's different. I was off-camera, but in the shot, after you took that step back, the camera went out of focus. Su Youpeng is really... He's already short, and the director still likes to put him in the middle... Oh dear, the director is so rigid. Why didn't he just put you and Zhou Jie together? Instead, he made you two stand on either side like door gods..."

She started rambling on and on, but after talking to herself for a while, seeing that Anxin wasn't saying anything and her eyes were somewhat vacant, she suddenly fell silent.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

"Yeah, I'm listening."

"Then give me some feedback... What are you thinking right now?"

"..."

Anxin remained silent for a while, then suddenly shook her head:
"uncomfortable."

"...Are you suffering from heatstroke?"

Seeing the girl's somewhat anxious look, he rolled his eyes.

What month is it?
Heatstroke?
"It's not that I'm physically unwell, it's just a feeling. Actually... I quite agree with Zhou Jie's ideas. The character's inner world is a very complete curve. He wanted to show in the play the estrangement between the ruler and his subjects, the closeness between elders and juniors, and the struggle between his beloved and his country. It's a very complete curve of inner activity. I agree with that feeling."

But the director disagreed.

Just like when I stood before the Emperor with my sleeves folded, it was because the two sons of the Fu family were renowned throughout the capital for their dashing and romantic nature. As a subject standing beside the Emperor, I should, in principle, be more respectful. However, being too respectful would lack intimacy. So, when Yongqi spoke, I stood with my sleeves folded and slightly turned to show that I was listening… I felt there was nothing wrong with that, but the director still made me take a step back.”

"Uh-huh……"

"What makes me uncomfortable is this feeling, that the director... is just telling a story, but not giving the actors any room to perform."

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I meant. He even corrects you on a single line. And don't tell me you didn't notice, his treatment of Su Youpeng is completely different from your treatment of Zhou Jie; he's all over him."

Hearing this, An Xin shook her head slightly:
"But as he said, the director has the final say on the interpretation of the script. Besides, I'm just a newcomer, why be so picky? So, at this point, my goal is simply to meet his requirements. I won't argue with him or anyone else, I'll just finish filming as soon as possible and go back to school."

Fan Bing thought it made a lot of sense, nodded subconsciously, and made that plan in her mind.

But she still asked:
"Then do you think we should talk to Zhou Jie?"

"First, he's older than us. Second, he's a professionally trained actor. Third, who are we to judge him? Do you remember what Grandpa Ye told us before he left?"

"...Follow the boss's lead in everything, avoid causing trouble, don't get involved in disputes, don't be swayed by human nature, and keep to yourself; this is the way to survive."

"Ah."

Seeing that she still remembered, he nodded in relief.

But the girl shook her head slightly:

"Does it feel... a bit too mercenary?"

"No, this is called maturity."

An Xin, who understood the significance of those words better than the girl, shook her head slightly and looked at Zhou Jie, who was walking in with He Xiuqiong in the distance with a tense expression. She said in a low voice.

……

No one knows what He Xiuqiong and Zhou Jie discussed.

But in the afternoon, when he finished filming the scene where Saiya saw Erkang and immediately hugged Erkang's arm, he no longer used any "restrained" expressions. Instead, his eyes darted around, and he was breathing heavily, looking nervous and uneasy.

Sun Shupe was extremely satisfied.

Said directly:

"This one's done, next one. Don't worry, get ready."

"Ok."

Anxin glanced at the ramp set up behind the machine station and responded.

Before filming began, Cao Lihai found him and repeatedly told him to jump hard and be careful not to bump into the camera...

He understood, and after going over the movements to be shown with the action director, he took a running start, jumped, and cleared the camera high with his arms outstretched and legs bent, accompanied by the count of "3, 2, 1".

Crows fly!
After landing precisely in the designated spot, he turned gracefully, whip in hand, and gave a slight smile to his side and behind him.
"Saya, if you want the whip, then catch up with me."

"OK. Next."

Hearing Sun Shupei's words, he nodded and stepped aside.

A hint of regret flashed in his eyes.

Just as he told Fan Bing, he felt uncomfortable acting in this role.

He agrees with Zhou Jie's understanding of Er Kang and firmly believes that, as stated in "Six Lectures on Acting," the character played by an actor must indeed have a complete emotional arc.

Only in this way can we resonate with the audience.

In the scene just now, according to his own design, after he landed, although he turned around again, his eyes were supposed to have a change.

At first glance, he should have looked at Er Kang.

She looked at her brother, and then at Saiya, who was clinging to his arm.

Then, after making the decision to "sacrifice himself" in his heart, he transformed from a resolute man into a dashing and debonair playboy.

That was after he decided to make a sacrifice to fulfill his brother's and Ziwei's relationship, just like a male displaying his feathers, attracting Princess Saiya.

Finally, he extended an invitation, urging Saiya to chase after him as he departed.

This is what makes a complete "Fortaire".

pity……

He didn't do that; instead, he followed the director's instructions to "make the landing look better."

That's all that was accomplished.

Perhaps, just as he said to the girl.

This is what maturity is all about.

(End of this chapter)