Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 98 Rehearsal Conflict

Zhang Qilin did not immediately refute.

He first glanced at Zhou Baocheng, then scanned the others around him.

Everyone's thoughts were practically written on their faces.

On the side of the curtain, Chen Mo stood with his arms crossed, leisurely waiting to watch the show.

Zhang Qilin knew that these people were waiting for him to speak so they would have an excuse to attack him.

Seeing that Zhang Qilin didn't speak, Zhou Baocheng's smile became even more amiable: "Xiao Zhang, don't overthink it. I'm not targeting you. Everyone saw your performance in the rehearsal hall, and it was indeed very good. But the stage is different from the rehearsal hall. The lighting and the overall picture all need to be considered."

"You're young and inexperienced, and there are some things you don't understand. We older folks are giving you pointers for your own good."

His eyes were filled with anticipation.

Waiting for the young man to speak up and refute.

The group worked together to educate him.

However, something unexpected happened to him.

"Teacher Zhou is right," Zhang Qilin said, his voice calm and emotionless. "I will pay attention next time."

Zhou Baocheng's expression froze.

They considered many possibilities.

Refutation, defense, silence —

The only unexpected thing was that Zhang Qilin would agree.

How was he supposed to respond to that?

How can we unite to educate him?

He couldn't help but look at the people next to him, who also looked incredulous.

Chen Mo, standing in the wings, was equally surprised. When he was instructing Zhang Qilin on the scene where he entered the room, the kid hadn't listened to a single word.

Why is he acting so strangely today? This isn't like the Zhang Qilin he knows.

They chose this strategy because they knew Zhang Qilin was not someone who would easily obey.

They thought that as long as they raised questions and Zhang Qilin dared to object, they could teach him a lesson for not understanding tradition.

To give the opponent a warning, let Zhang Qilin know that even if he gets the A-list spot, some positions are not so easy to hold.

However, Zhang Qilin chose not to do as they wished.

Chen Mo and the others exchanged quick glances.

Zhou Baocheng still had a kind smile on his face: "Since Xiao Zhang agrees, let's reshoot this scene."

Everyone walked this section again, and when it was Zhang Qilin's turn, he stopped at the same spot as before.

Zhou Baocheng, who was standing next to him, could see clearly and immediately said, "Xiao Zhang, why are you still stopping here? Didn't we just say we should be careful?"

The other actors had to stop again when they heard Zhou Baocheng's voice.

Yu Zhen, who plays Xiangzi, couldn't help but frown.

He knew that some veteran actors didn't like Zhang Qilin.

But as long as it doesn't affect rehearsals, he doesn't want to get involved in these things.

At this moment, Zhang Qilin's voice rang out, sounding quite sincere: "I'm sorry, Teacher Zhou, I was so engrossed in the role that I didn't pay attention to my footing. I'll be more careful next time we film. To avoid wasting time, let's continue rehearsing."

Seeing that Zhang Qilin had softened his stance a second time, Zhou Baocheng exchanged glances with the others briefly once again.

He then said, "No, this place is very important. The Beijing People's Art Theatre has always been known for its rigor, and we can't ruin its reputation. This place has never been..."

Zhang Qilin said, "Teacher Zhou, I have no problem with it, but I'm worried that making so many trips will take up too much of everyone's time."

Zhou Baocheng still wore that seemingly kind smile: "We can't ruin the reputation of the Beijing People's Art Theatre. This is a matter of principle. Xiao Zhang, if you really care about everyone, then take this seriously and don't make any more mistakes like this."

He was certain that Zhang Qilin's two consecutive concessions must be due to his guilty conscience. As long as he continued to apply pressure, he would definitely be able to embarrass him.

Some of the actors around began to have doubts.

While the Beijing People's Art Theatre does emphasize rigor, repeatedly reworking a single position like this is really going too far.

The actress playing Tiger Girl sighed inwardly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

She glanced at Zhang Qilin, then at Zhou Baocheng, but ultimately remained silent.

Yu Zhen was somewhat dissatisfied with Zhou Baocheng's actions, but he didn't feel comfortable saying anything.

He works at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and apart from performing in plays arranged by the theatre, he spends most of his time filming outside.

Therefore, he avoids matters within the Beijing People's Art Theatre whenever possible.

Zhang Qilin looked helpless: "Since Teacher Zhou says so, let's do it again."

So, everyone started reenacting the scene again.

When it was Zhang Qilin's turn again, he stopped in the same spot, exactly as he had been.

Zhou Baocheng's face instantly darkened, and he raised his voice to question, "Xiao Zhang, what's wrong with you? I've reminded you twice already, how come you keep making the same mistake? Are you disregarding the rules of the Beijing People's Art Theatre?"

The other actors looked at Zhang Qilin, some with sympathy in their eyes, while others were looking forward to a good show.

Seeing this, Chen Mo, who was standing on the side of the curtain, took a step forward, ready to lend a hand.

This time, Zhang Qilin no longer smiled, but looked at Zhou Baocheng seriously: "Teacher Zhou, after I got into character, I felt that Xiao Shunzi's steps should stop here in this situation."

"I understand your requirements for the rigor of the stage, but I also hope to start from the character itself and make the performance more real and natural."

Zhou Baocheng looked at Li Yuwen, who was playing Sun San, not far away, as if to say, "It's your turn."

Li Yuwen stepped forward: "Zhang Qilin, it's good to have ideas. Beijing People's Art Theatre has never opposed innovation, but you must understand that Beijing People's Art Theatre has its own traditions and rules. Teacher Zhou is not deliberately making things difficult for you, but is responsible for this play. You cannot ignore these traditions just because you have some ideas about the role."

"If you insist on this, what will others think? Those who know you will say you're too immersed in the role, but those who don't will think you're deliberately going against your seniors."

At this point, several actors around them also chimed in.

"Yes, Xiao Zhang, listen to Teacher Zhou more. He's a senior."

"Young people shouldn't be too self-righteous; they should respect tradition."

Zhou Baocheng's tone became more serious: "Xiao Zhang, stage experience isn't something you can gain just by reading the script a few times. The Beijing People's Art Theatre has a long-standing tradition of precise positioning in group scenes; it's not something you can just throw around randomly. Where are the other veteran actors supposed to stand if you stand like that?"

Zhang Qilin calmly stated, "I hold the traditions of the Beijing People's Art Theatre in high esteem, and I have always held all my predecessors in the highest esteem. But please allow me to venture a question: isn't the reason why traditions have been able to be passed down to this day precisely because they are constantly adapting to the changes of the times and continuously embracing new understandings and interpretations?"

He continued, "I am a newcomer, and my stage experience is far less than that of my seniors. However, I have put my heart and soul into understanding the character, which is no less than that of the teachers."

"The fact that Xiao Shunzi's feet stopped in this position in the current situation is a natural emotional reaction, and it is by no means my unfounded conjecture."

Zhou Baocheng said in a forceful tone, "Do you think you're the only one who's played Xiao Shunzi? Doesn't Chen Mo have a deeper understanding of this character than you? The Beijing People's Art Theatre has so many senior actors and so many years of traditional performance methods, how come they don't work for you?"

Zhang Qilin was not intimidated by Zhou Baocheng's imposing manner. He calmly responded, "Teacher Zhou, I have never questioned your and the other seniors' understanding of the characters. Just as there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's hearts, our performances are ultimately presented to the audience. The audience is the final judge, not any particular actor."

Seeing this, Chen Mo stepped forward and said seriously, "The traditions of the Beijing People's Art Theatre are the crystallization of the hard work of countless predecessors. How can they be easily changed? Zhang Qilin, don't think that just because you have some ideas, you can act recklessly. Today you broke the rules for Xiao Shunzi's position, do you want to overturn all the traditions of the Beijing People's Art Theatre tomorrow?"

Zhang Qilin looked at Chen Mo and calmly replied, "Teacher Chen, you are too kind. I never thought of overthrowing tradition. I only hope to innovate and break through on the basis of tradition. Everyone has a different interpretation of classic works. Only in this way can classics continue to radiate new vitality and better touch the hearts of the audience."

The kindness on Zhou Baocheng's face finally vanished completely, replaced by an anger that came from being offended.

He stared at Zhang Qilin, his voice deepening: "Fine, fine, the audience is the final judge? Little Zhang, are you saying that the judgment of us old guys doesn't count, and only the audience has the final say?"

These words are utterly hurtful.

Zhang Qilin immediately shook his head: "The audience's feedback is the ultimate test of a performance. As for the judges, I will of course listen carefully to the opinions of the director and you seniors."

Chen Mo chuckled softly, just loud enough for everyone around to hear: "Zhang Qilin, you changed Xiao Shunzi's position today, are you going to change Xiangzi's lines tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow, are you going to change Hu Niu's entrance?"

"What makes the plays of the Beijing People's Art Theatre so popular for decades? It's their respect for tradition. What makes you think you understand more than decades of tradition?"

Upon hearing this, the actors surrounding Zhang Qilin nodded in agreement.

However, the faces of Yu Zhen, who played Xiangzi, and the actress who played Huniu darkened.

They didn't want to get involved, but Chen Mo's words dragged them into it, which made them very unhappy.

Li Yuwen said, "Chen Mo is right, Xiao Zhang. We're not targeting you, we're just worried you'll go astray. It's good for young people to have ideas, but they can't go too far."

"I respect the opinions of my seniors," Zhang Qilin said, looking around. "But as for how to portray Xiao Shunzi, I only respect my inner feelings."

Zhou Baocheng was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he was about to speak again.

Then a shout came from afar: "If you're not filming, what are you all standing there for?"

Everyone turned to look at the side of the screen, where Director Gu Wei walked over with a gloomy face.

Assistant director Xiao Liu followed behind, his face flushed.

Director Gu Wei walked closer and glanced at the crowd.

Zhou Baocheng's face was full of anger, Zhang Qilin's expression was calm but stubborn, and the actors around him either echoed or felt helpless.

"What's going on?" Director Gu Wei's voice was deep yet extremely authoritative.

When Zhou Baocheng saw Director Gu Wei asking a question, he seemed to have found a pillar of support and immediately stepped forward and said, "Director Gu, this Xiao Zhang is too self-righteous. During rehearsals, he wouldn't listen to advice about the group positioning and insisted on doing it his own way, which has already wasted a lot of everyone's time. We want him to respect the traditions of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, but he just won't listen."

Director Gu Wei didn't immediately respond to Zhou Baocheng. Instead, he turned his gaze to Zhang Qilin and asked, "Zhang, tell me, what's going on?"

Zhang Qilin methodically explained his understanding of the character Xiao Shunzi and why he felt that in that situation, his foot should stop at that position to director Gu Wei.

After a moment of contemplation, Director Gu Wei said, "Xiao Zhou, I understand your commitment to tradition. The tradition of the Beijing People's Art Theatre is indeed our precious asset, but Xiao Zhang's idea is not without reason."

"You guys go through this scene once, and I'll be here to see how the overall presentation feels."