Half an hour later.
Liu Tianchi returned.
Chen Feng had just stood up from his seat when he heard Qu Dan rush over dramatically, calling out in a cringeworthy, cutesy voice, “Teacher Tianchi!”
Liu Tianchi was startled.
Her expression was as if she had been frightened.
Chen Feng: “…”
Liu Tianchi quickly walked over, not really responding to Qu Dan’s ‘affectionate’ greeting, and directly asked, “How was it? Have you both read the script? Any questions?”
“Teacher Tianchi,”
Qu Dan quickly added, “I’d like to trouble you for some advice and guidance. Because for a character who is a victim of domestic violence, I… I don’t know how to grasp it.”
“Alright then.”
Liu Tianchi didn’t hesitate and directly waved Chen Feng over as well: “Both of you come here, I’ll tell you the backstory of this scene.”
“I don’t know if you’ve seen this show.”
“Even if you haven’t, it doesn’t matter. I’ll explain the character relationships and complex entanglements. To perform this segment well, you must thoroughly understand all the conflicts between the two characters.”
“Come on over.”
Liu Tianchi sat down in a chair.
Chen Feng and Qu Dan sat opposite her.
And so, the simple explanation began.
About ten minutes later.
Liu Tianchi clearly described the character relationships in the most concise language, then looked at Chen Feng and Qu Dan and said, “This segment is very powerful, with intense emotional outbursts.”
“So, it’s full of highlights.”
“As long as you immerse yourselves in it and empathize with the characters’ emotions, it’s actually very easy to achieve good results.”
“First, Chen Feng, your part is heavier, and the explosive point is with you.”
“Therefore, you must thoroughly understand the character’s inner world and try to imagine yourself as the abusive husband in the show.”
“Where do emotions come from? From your scene partner.”
“You must achieve one thing: as soon as you see her, you worry she’ll be flirting with other men. Your way of thinking must be twisted. Can you understand ‘twisted’?”
Chen Feng, sitting opposite, was refined and courteous at this moment.
And a smile always lingered on his face.
Like someone with excellent upbringing.
After listening to Liu Tianchi’s words, Chen Feng smiled and nodded: “I can understand.”
As soon as Liu Tianchi saw his smile, a shiver suddenly ran down her neck.
Why did this person’s smile resemble An Jiahe’s from the show so much?
That smile…
It was so fake.
There was a sinister feeling to it.
Liu Tianchi’s heart stirred, and she slowly said to Chen Feng, “Chen Feng, look at Qu Dan.”
Chen Feng turned his head and glanced at Qu Dan.
The smiling expression on his face seemed to vanish inadvertently.
It was replaced by a numb, chilling coldness.
Especially his eyes.
They were very… twisted.
Liu Tianchi was stunned.
Because for that kind of gaze, no matter how long she thought, she could only come up with the word “twisted.”
It sent shivers down her spine.
How could this be?
The key was, it hadn’t even started yet, not even a rehearsal, so had he already gotten into character?
It couldn’t be, could it?
Liu Tianchi was completely bewildered.
After thinking for a moment, she suddenly stood up and called out to Qu Dan: “Come with me, I’ll give you individual coaching.”
“That’s wonderful, Teacher Tianchi!”
The cutesy voice reappeared.
Qu Dan was overjoyed.
She hadn’t expected Liu Tianchi to truly ‘see her in a new light.’
It seemed listening to the director was correct.
If she was sweet-mouthed and acted a little spoiled, Liu Tianchi, as a fellow female instructor, would naturally favor her.
Now, she was even getting individual coaching.
Perfect!
Qu Dan’s confidence soared.
She followed Liu Tianchi to a distant corner and stopped.
“Qu Dan.”
Liu Tianchi looked at Qu Dan and asked in a low voice, “Let me ask you something. Do you know Chen Feng?”
Qu Dan was startled.
Did she know everything already?
Did she know about Chen Feng’s past as an extra in a film crew?
Qu Dan didn’t hide it and nodded directly: “Yes, I know him. Teacher Tianchi, actually, I’m currently filming an urban drama in Director Ma Jun’s crew. I play the female lead. That Chen Feng stayed in the crew for three days.”
“Indeed.”
Liu Tianchi said thoughtfully, “Tell me the truth, did you two have a conflict? Be honest, no need to hide it; this is also about finding your chemistry for acting together.”
Qu Dan hesitated for a moment.
She was a little confused.
How did she know?
But it didn’t matter anyway.
She might as well tell her.
After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong.
Qu Dan immediately recounted how the two had almost been opponents in the audition, and then how the crew had hired Chen Feng to be an extra, playing a chef.
After finishing, she quietly muttered, “I had some doubts about his performance as an Addict during the audition, Teacher Tianchi, you understand what I mean, right? Maybe he felt I infringed on him, and he cursed at me on set. But I didn’t take it to heart.”
Liu Tianchi: “…”
There was indeed a conflict between the two of them.
So, Chen Feng’s gaze was inspired by real feelings.
Three parts acting, seven parts real, perhaps?
That’s good!
This Chen Feng is very smart; he knows how to use the real conflict between them to cultivate his emotions—a very good technique.
Liu Tianchi breathed a sigh of relief.
She then briefly instructed Qu Dan, telling her some techniques for cultivating emotions and explaining the appropriate reactions in a domestic violence situation.
After explaining, the two returned to Chen Feng’s side.
Liu Tianchi smiled at the two of them: “Alright, a thousand words won’t do it; good acting still comes from rehearsing together. What do you two want to do? Want to spend some time memorizing lines first? Or just do a couple of run-throughs directly?”
“I’m fine with anything.”
Chen Feng smiled, indicating he didn’t mind.
That fake smile always lingered on his face, always giving people a slight chill.
At this moment, Qu Dan also smiled generously: “Teacher Tianchi, we can rehearse directly. I’ve memorized all my lines.”
Liu Tianchi: “…”
She didn’t have the heart to retort to her.
Qu Dan’s lines were only less than ten sentences in total.
The entire performance required her to express the atmosphere through body language and emotions.
Asking about lines was actually asking Chen Feng.
Oh well!
Since both agreed to rehearse directly.
Then let’s do it.
Liu Tianchi was pressed for time.
She couldn’t stay here indefinitely, so she was also eager to see the results of their rehearsal first, then give a few simple pointers and leave.
There was still most of the day for them to work together.
It shouldn’t be a big problem.
So, Liu Tianchi immediately stood up and clapped her hands: “Come on, both of you prepare your emotions. And, Chen Feng, control your range of motion, alright?”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Qu Dan suddenly said loudly, “No need.”
“What?”
Liu Tianchi was startled.
She turned back to her: “What did you say?”
“I said no need.”
Qu Dan, with a look of ‘bravery’ and ‘resolve,’ looked at Liu Tianchi and said, “Teacher Tianchi, Chen Feng doesn’t need to hold back. I hope he really hits me. He should hit me however he needs to. Just a little lighter, so I don’t end up bruised and swollen.”
Liu Tianchi: “…”
Qu Dan continued, “Teacher Tianchi, it’s alright. I don’t mind sacrificing for art. As long as it’s authentic, as long as the audience approves, that’s what I want. Even advancing or not doesn’t matter.”
Liu Tianchi: “…”
She really wanted to ask her who taught her these words?
They were so outrageous.
Then she looked at Chen Feng again.
Oh my!
A faint smile was actually revealing itself at the corner of his mouth.
That smile…
Was it a little cruel?