HuaYu: A Great Director Starting with Dream of the Red Chamber

Li Yan underestimated Ding Xiaoxiao.

He was initially worried that this girl, taking on a major role for the first time, might suffer some losses due to the complex "unspoken rules" or interpersonal relationships within the production crew.

Unexpectedly, with the help of Zhang Qiang and his gang of seasoned veterans, she managed to organize the film crew very well.

In particular, it is known that the veteran artists of Beijing People's Art Theatre are mostly accustomed to doing things themselves and do not like to use assistants.

So early in the morning, Ding Xiaoxiao arranged a brand-new business vehicle and prepared hot water and pillows.

They comfortably brought the three elderly people, Guo Fumin, Li Guangfu, and Lü Zhong, to the bottom of the tenement building.

The job was done exceptionally well!

……

On set, in a corner behind the monitor.

Naza followed closely behind Ding Xiaoxiao, as if he had entered the Grand View Garden, his eyes darting around.

"Young Miss..."

She tugged at Ding Xiaoxiao's clothes:

"Isn't it a bit too quiet here? I heard them say that filming is always noisy, and there are even directors yelling at people through megaphones, right?"

Ding Xiaoxiao raised her chin, pointing to the soundproof and non-slip mat on the ground, and the equipment boxes stacked neatly in rows and columns:

"See? This shows we're professional! We're aiming for awards, unlike the group you're talking about."

Naza, seemingly confused but impressed, exclaimed, "Young lady, you're amazing! You know everything!"

"That's right, don't you even know who trained me?"

Ding Xiaoxiao appeared smug, but she was actually a little nervous inside. No one had seen her yell at people.

"Don't make a sound later. Watch how the veteran actors perform, especially Teacher Lü."

She quickly changed the subject, gesturing with her lips to the old lady who had just entered the film set.

Lu Zhong was dressed very simply today, holding only a script and a thermos in her hand.

As soon as she got out of the car, she subtly glanced around the scene.

Quiet, orderly, and each person performing their duties.

Even the chairs prepared for the elderly had thick cushions added.

Extremely...rule-bound.

"Interesting." Lu Zhong nodded to himself.

At least in terms of professionalism, this small production crew is probably more meticulous than the "big production" she just finished filming.

Li Yan quickly stepped forward, his attitude respectful:

"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Lü, Teacher Li, and Teacher Guo."

Lü Zhong squeezed his hand:

"Director Li, right? If you're in a hurry, let's not stand on ceremony. I'll go check out the positions first."

Guo Fumin waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop with the nonsense. This is my first time acting and I'm playing a dead person. It's bad luck! I'm going to get my makeup done."

This made Li Guangfu burst into laughter. "Finally, I can see just how brilliant your theoretical approach really is!"

As he spoke, he casually moved a small stool and sat down next to the monitor.

They said they came to see Guo Degang make a fool of himself, but actually they were also there to help Li Yan maintain order and keep the atmosphere calm.

After all, the acting skills of Sister Lü are not something that most young people can handle.

With him around, things might turn out differently.

……

Half an hour later, everything was ready.

This scene is the climax of the entire film:

The scene between Li Yan, the fake blind man who slipped and fell in a pool of blood at the murder scene, and Lü Zhong, the old woman who had just committed murder.

"The scene was quiet."

Power on

"Scene 23, 1 shot, 1 take, action!"

In the dimly lit living room, Li Yan fell heavily to the floor.

Sticky blood plasma smeared all over his body.

Immediately afterwards, Lü Zhong strode over.

Upon seeing the scene on the ground, his brows furrowed instantly:

"How could you be so careless!"

She hurried a few steps, reaching out to help Li Yan while speaking in a stern and unyielding tone:

"There's paint on the floor! Get up quickly, take off your clothes, I'll wash them for you!"

Imposing and awe-inspiring.

"Click!"

Li Yan's voice suddenly rang out.

Calling for a halt right from the very first move?

The scene froze for a moment.

Lü Zhong also stopped what she was doing, somewhat surprised.

She's acted her whole life, and it's rare for a young director to cut her scene on the very first take!

"What? Director Li thinks the emotion isn't strong enough? Want it to be even fiercer?"

She looked solemn, waiting to see what the young man was about to say.

"It's not that it's not enough, it's that it's too much."

Li Yan took the bundle of tissues that were being handed to him tremblingly, wiped his hands, and organized his thoughts:

"Teacher Lü, with your current approach, the audience can immediately tell that this old lady is a ruthless character. What I want is contrast."

"Contrast?"

"Yes, it's a kind of eerie kindness."

Li Yan helped Lü Zhong sit down in a chair and explained earnestly:

"You just killed your spouse, and you can turn around and open the door as if nothing happened. This shows that you have extremely strong mental fortitude."

"When dealing with a blind person who doesn't know you've killed someone, your tone should be gentle and caring."

"Because of calm and uncertainty, your expression should be blank, or even expressionless."

"A voice like a kind grandmother, an expression like a cold-blooded killer—a character like that would definitely send chills down the audience's spine!"

Lü Zhong crossed his arms, his eyes slightly narrowed, and the more he listened, the more feasible it seemed.

Most directors only pursue visual impact and emotional outbursts, but this young man wants to play with human nature and psychology.

And then there's the ending of the whole film...

"This will be interesting to perform," Lü Zhong nodded slowly, with a hint of appreciation:

"Okay, I'll try it this time, as you said, and be your grandma for once."

……

"Action!"

Li Yan fell down again.

This time, the steps were light and slow.

Lu Zhong walked up to him, her face expressionless.

"Ouch!"

The sound was drawn out, tinged with a hint of sympathy:

"I told you to wait for me to help you in, how could you be so careless? Did you hurt yourself?"

The gentle tone of his voice, coupled with his expressionless face, sent a shiver down the spine of everyone watching the monitor.

"This paint is imported, and it won't come off if you wait too long. Be good, take off your clothes quickly, and Grandma will wash them for you."

She spoke softly, but her hand grabbed Li Yan's collar.

The camera zooms in, giving Li Yan a close-up.

He is now "blind," unable to run or resist.

All he could do was pray that the old lady would be kind enough to let him go.

He stood up, trembling, his face pale.

"Thank you... thank you, but no need..."

"How can that be? I'll be done washing soon."

Lu Zhong interrupted him, her voice still carrying a smile.

She had already swiftly and decisively stripped off his coat.

"Don't be shy with Grandma, take it off, okay~"

Li Yan's body remained stiff.

He started taking off his clothes.

Jacket, shirt, pants...

One by one, until only one pair of boxer briefs remained.

The old tenement building was somewhat cold and damp.

Li Yan stood naked in the center of the living room.

Right next to that old grand piano, opposite it, was Professor Guo, who died with his eyes wide open in disbelief.

He was terrified, struggling to suppress the trembling that was running through his body.

But within the image, there is also a fragile and eerie beauty.

"Oh My God……"

The two people who were staring intently at the monitor were now wide-eyed and instinctively covered their mouths.

"Young lady,"

Naza nudged Ding Xiaoxiao with his elbow and asked in a very low voice:

Are you cold? I'm a little cold.