Lu Yanhe thought about it seriously.
Before he traveled through time, he had also read some news online, especially about the national director Zhang Yimou, who was famous for his strict requirements on the actors' faces.
nature.
"Is it because a natural face can show all kinds of expressions? It seems that people who have had plastic surgery can't make many expressions."
"That's one reason. Another is that plastic surgery faces can easily give the audience a distorted, lifeless visual effect," Zhang Ming said. "Ninety percent of human emotion is expressed in the facial features, especially on screen. Lines aside, a face's appearance is innate. Some faces are naturally stunning, while others are plain and featureless. But we all acknowledge that any face can reveal its beauty from a certain angle. This is achieved through artificial packaging, while a plastic surgery face is a face that has already been packaged. If a face without plastic surgery is a blank sheet of paper, then a face with plastic surgery is a sheet of paper that has been painted. Directors, of course, prefer to use a blank sheet of paper."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"It's the same for the audience," Zhang Ming said. "Most audiences won't analyze your performance or whether you're likable. They just like the show. If they like it, they like it. If they don't like it, they don't like it. There's no reason, and you don't get a chance to explain. For young actors, most of them can't be considered as having acting skills. It's all about their natural talent and a certain innate aura. Whether they can impress and attract the audience depends on these things."
Lu Yanhe seemed to understand but not quite.
Zhang Ming: "At this point, the importance of true nature becomes apparent. If you meet a good director, he or she will capture your most attractive true nature and present it on the screen. Without a good director, no matter how good your qualifications are, your filming will be like a pig's head. The camera is like this; it doesn't restore the true nature 100%, but rather magnifies or ignores it."
-
Chen Ziyan returned to her office and contacted Luo Yuzhong's assistant Mo Zhi.
Chen Ziyan: "Xiao Mo, has Director Luo been very busy these days?"
Mo Zhi said, "Sister Zi Yan, Director Luo has been busy these days preparing for 'The Golden Era'. Filming starts next week, so he's quite busy."
"Okay, I was thinking that if Director Luo has time, I'll take Xiao Lu to visit him again to see if Xiao Lu has anything to prepare in advance." Chen Ziyan said, "This is Xiao Lu's first time acting, and I'm a little nervous. I want to hear Director Luo's advice and try to prepare early so that I can perform better on set."
Mo Zhi smiled and said, "Sister Zi Yan, you're worrying too much. Lu Yanhe doesn't have many scenes and won't be joining the crew until next month. He should memorize his lines quickly so that Director Luo can train him well when he starts acting. You know how patient Director Luo is with his actors."
"That's great. If you start filming next week, and Xiao Lu is free, I'll have him join the crew first and learn on set." Chen Ziyan said, "Will this be a burden for you? The main thing is that he's never been to a set before and doesn't know how it works. I'll have him go over there early so he can get familiar with it."
"This..." Mo Zhi hesitated for a moment. "I don't know either. I need to ask Brother Hong. Our show has a large cast, with hundreds of crew members alone. I wonder if Brother Hong would be willing to have one more person on set."
Brother Hong refers to producer Liu Hong.
Chen Ziyan: "Okay, then I'll say hello to Liu Hong and see what he says. I wanted to ask you, if Xiao Lu went there, would Director Luo mind?"
It doesn’t mean that the director will be happy if everyone actively joins the crew early.
Just like Mo Zhi’s reaction just now, an individual’s positivity may still be a trouble and burden to the entire team.
Mo Zhi: "Director Luo doesn't mind. He really likes hardworking and motivated actors."
"I feel relieved when you say that." Chen Ziyan smiled and exchanged a few more words with him before hanging up the phone.
Although Mo Zhi is only an assistant director, he knows Luo Yuzhong very well.
If Chen Ziyan wants everything to be safe and not to inexplicably upset Luo Yuzhong, she has to build a good relationship with such people and ask them about many things in advance.
She called Liu Hong again.
Of course Liu Hong would give her this face and readily agreed to let Lu Yanhe go there to observe in advance.
The drama "The Golden Age" has long been targeted by major platforms, waiting for bidding, because it is a new drama directed by Luo Yuzhong and Jiang Yuqian is the heroine.
It’s just that Director Luo was rather cautious and didn’t want to sell the show so early, so he didn’t agree.
Liu Hong has been busy with this matter recently. Although Luo Yuzhong is unwilling to sell it now, Liu Hong still has to entertain many platform parties and cannot be negligent.
Liu Hong answered Chen Ziyan's call and remembered something someone had mentioned to him before. He smiled and asked, "By the way, I have something to ask you, Ziyan. Why did you suddenly decide to sign Lu Yanhe?"
Chen Ziyan: "I think they are quite valuable to train. I've also been taking a break for a while, so it's time to train some new people."
"He is really lucky. If you hadn't taken a fancy to him, he would have been kicked out by Star Entertainment." Liu Hong said with a smile.
"Oh, you know all this?"
"Yeah, I'm quite curious. Is there something wrong with this kid? That's why Zhou Pingan is targeting him."
"Zhou Ping'an has a mental illness, it has nothing to do with the child."
"Haha." Liu Hong laughed twice. "Zhou Ping'an is quite against Lu Yanhe. He even told me that Cheng Hai should play the role instead of Lu Yanhe. Although Cheng Hai is not bad, Director Luo has his eyes on Lu Yanhe. He still won't give up. He really thinks the role is his and he can pick and choose."
Chen Ziyan: "Zhou Ping'an's intentions are not good, but the artists he mentors are pretty good. They all seem like good kids."
"There are more and more people in the industry who are eager for quick success and instant benefits now." Liu Hong sighed, "I really miss the old days more and more."
"The good times were back then, and the good times are back now. 'The Golden Age' is a big project, and you're under a lot of pressure. If you need any help, just tell me. We're old friends, and I'll do my best to help."
"Oh, if you say that, I won't be polite."
"You're welcome."
"Now I really have something I want to ask you for help with." Liu Hong said with a smile.
“Just in time.”
"Yes, what a coincidence." Liu Hong said, "A friend of mine wants to find Shang Yongzhou to act in a play. Can you help me connect him and introduce him to dinner?"
"Forget about the meal. Haven't you heard about Shang Yongzhou's personality? He's a complete social phobia." Chen Ziyan said, "Give me the script and I'll pass it on to him. He'll decide for himself whether he's willing to take it or not."
Liu Hong: "I've already sent the script to him through someone, but he didn't like it, so I wanted to talk to him in person."
"It's useless to talk to him face to face. If the script doesn't impress him, no matter how much you say, it's useless." Chen Ziyan said, "Send me the script and I'll see if there's room for revision. If there's a chance that it can impress him, I'll tell you. If not, find someone else."
Liu Hong: "Tsk, everyone knows that he trusts you. I feel relieved when you say that. I'll send you the script right away."
"Heh, it seems like you came here from the beginning just to ask me to help you read the script, right?"
"I can't help it. True friends, I have no choice but to trouble you with this favor. For ordinary friends, I wouldn't bother asking for this."
"knew."
After I hung up the phone, within five minutes, my mailbox indicated that I had received a new email.
Chen Ziyan downloaded the script, printed it out, and prepared to take it with her on the road.
She had to go on a business trip again in the evening and fly to Jiangguang to discuss a cooperation.
-
After a morning, Lu Yanhe felt that his mind was filled with a lot of things.
Zhang Ming said he came to teach him acting theory, but in fact, he was talking about a kind of understanding.
Lu Yanhe had no theoretical understanding of acting at all. Only after listening to Zhang Ming's talk did he have a vague impression.
At noon, Chen Ziyan took them out to eat.
Lu Yanhe was also taken along.
During the meal, Chen Ziyan said to Zhang Ming, "You haven't been acting for the past two years. Do you plan to stay in school and teach instead of joining a production?"
Lu Yanhe was a little surprised when he heard this, but he didn't dare to show any expression. He just lowered his head and ate silently.
Zhang Ming said: "I can't get any good roles, so why bother?"
"Act slowly, that's what acting is all about. Only with accumulation can you soar to the top when the opportunity comes. Look at Zhang Zhiwen, who suddenly became a big hit two months ago with the movie 'Hongzhou'. He didn't become famous until he was 40, but he still made a name for himself, didn't he?" Chen Ziyan said to Zhang Ming, "Don't get discouraged, you're only 30."
"It's not that I'm discouraged, it's just that there aren't many roles to play. The ones I'm offered are all very ordinary, small roles, and I'm not interested in them," Zhang Ming said bluntly. "I'd feel cheap if I did."
"If you don't act, won't you be putting yourself on a pedestal? No one will ask you for small roles in the future because they know you look down on them. No one will ask you for big roles either because they think you're done acting." Chen Ziyan said, "You're a good actor, you just lack the right opportunities. Just wait and see."
Lu Yanhe was a little confused when listening to their conversation.
Since Chen Ziyan thinks Zhang Ming is a good actor, why not be his agent?
People in the industry say that whoever Chen Ziyan sets her sights on will become famous.
Chen Ziyan has such a wide network of contacts, can't she introduce some good roles to Zhang Ming?
These questions arose in Lu Yanhe's heart, but he didn't say them out loud. He just listened silently.
Zhang Ming: "Forget it, forget it. I might as well just be a teacher. It's embarrassing to play a minor supporting role."
"You are just too ambitious." Chen Ziyan sighed helplessly.
After lunch, Zhang Ming went back alone.
Chen Ziyan took Lu Yanhe back to the company.
As expected, Chen Ziyan took the initiative to talk about Zhang Ming. "Are you confused? Why is Zhang Ming a teacher in the Acting Department of Beijing Academy of Fine Arts, but doesn't seem to have any acting opportunities?"
Lu Yanhe nodded and said "hmm".
"He was just too ambitious, and it was his own fault," Chen Ziyan said. "After graduating, he stayed on as a teacher at the school. He had good luck and played the leading male role in a new play by a big director, but it didn't become popular. After that, he kept playing leading and supporting male roles, but his luck wasn't good, and the plays he starred in never became popular. After two years, no one wanted him to play leading and supporting male roles anymore. As for him, he kept playing important roles after graduation, and he was so ambitious that he refused to compromise and even refused to take small roles. Later, he was gradually forgotten by many people, and no one wanted him to act anymore."
Lu Yanhe suddenly realized that this was the case.
"In fact, I have told him many times that he should not dwell on the fact that he has always been the No. 1 or No. 2 male lead. If he has the acting skills, he should act well. There will always be a day when he will be noticed again. Just like Zhang Zhiwen I just mentioned, he did not graduate from a professional college. He played supporting roles seriously for many years, and gradually got roles with lines. Later, he played the villain, the No. 3 male lead, and the No. 4 male lead. This time, he finally starred in a drama called "Hongzhou". When the drama became a big hit, he also became famous. In the entertainment industry, who will be famous and who will be famous is unpredictable. It is a kind of metaphysics. If you are not famous or famous, just act honestly and don't miss any opportunities. Being too ambitious will only hurt you."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"I'm telling you this too. You're young now, and your first acting role is directed by Luo Yuzhong. But there aren't many directors in this industry who can reach Director Luo Yuzhong's level. Don't let your complacency stem from your performance in 'The Golden Era' and disdain other opportunities." Chen Ziyan said, "Otherwise, Zhang Ming is an example. His acting prowess is evident from the fact that he was able to stay on as a teacher right after graduation. But if you can't adjust your mindset, no matter how talented you are, it's useless. Do you understand?"
"Yeah." Lu Yanhe didn't expect that this was still a hint to him.
He smiled and said, "No matter how ambitious I am, I can't be ambitious about acting. I don't know anything about it. I don't know how to act at all."
"There's no need to be so self-deprecating. You were able to impress Director Luo Yuzhong with just one audition. That's your ability," Chen Ziyan said again.
"Oh." Lu Yanhe felt that Chen Ziyan was pretty good. He was afraid that he would become proud, but also afraid that he would belittle himself. He was really worried about her like an old mother, and he loved her very much.
Of course, he didn't dare say this out loud.
If Chen Ziyan heard the word "old lady", she would probably roll her eyes at him a hundred times.
"Oh, Sister Zi Yan, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you." Lu Yanhe said, "Last night, Li Zhibai said that Chen Biqiu had an appointment with him tonight. He wanted me to go with him."
"Chen Biqiu, the producer of 'Let's Camp,' right?" Chen Ziyan nodded. "Sure, let him meet you. It would be great if he could record an episode or two of the show. It's quite popular."
"Yeah." Lu Yanhe nodded.
Chen Ziyan: "I have to go on a business trip to Jiangguang tonight. I won't be back for the next two days. You should study hard with the two teachers."
"good."
-
In the afternoon, Lu Yanhe met another teacher of his.
Ho Shu-yi.
She is also a teacher with a lot of experience in acting teaching. Lu Yanhe didn't know her and had never seen her before, but she took him straight to rehearsing the scenes in "The Golden Age".
Before Lu Yanhe could come to his senses, He Shuyi led him to perform again and again.
"wrong."
"Start over."
"Nervous."
“That’s so fake.”
…
Lu Yanhe was a little overwhelmed when he got to the back, and said, "Teacher He, I'm not prepared yet. Can you let me think about it for a while?"
He Shuyi put down the script with a smile and said, "Do you think I'm too fast and didn't give you any time to prepare, and just let you come straight away?"
Lu Yanhe nodded hesitantly.
It's really too fast.
He Shuyi said: "I did it on purpose."
"ah?"
"I just want to see your most instinctive acting," Ho Shu-yi said. "I don't want a carefully considered performance; that's fake. I want the real thing. The so-called genuine hearing, genuine seeing, and genuine feeling—a person's most direct reaction. The role you're about to play isn't complex; it's all about emotional expression, so just give the most authentic emotional performance."
Lu Yanhe nodded blankly.
"Now, let's do it again," He Shuyi said. "Throw away all your thoughts, just follow my rhythm and give the most direct response."
Lu Yanhe nodded and put down the script.
If Zhang Ming is a romantic theorist, He Shuyi is a practical doer.
She was very contagious. She interrupted Lu Yanhe's performance again and again, and then grabbed Lu Yanhe to continue, breaking down his various concerns, embarrassment, shyness, and inhibitions bit by bit.
After an afternoon, Lu Yanhe felt as if he had been drained.
…
At 5:30 in the afternoon, He Shuyi's first class ended.
Lu Yanhe's eyes were blank as he sat on the ground, his face pale.
Acting is actually a physical job.
He spent the entire afternoon following He Shuyi, constantly reciting lines and moving around, accompanied by occasional roars and shouts... This emotional outburst, which was not in the script at all, was repeatedly given to Lu Yanhe by He Shuyi, who asked Lu Yanhe to switch between a wide range of emotions. One can only say that the rhythm was too sour.
He Shuyi went to chat with Chen Ziyan.
"What a capable child," He Shuyi praised with a smile. "I didn't expect him to hold on until now. I thought he would give up an hour ago."
Chen Ziyan looked through the glass wall of the rehearsal room at Lu Yanhe, who was sitting on the floor, relaxing. She smiled and said, "You should take it easy too."
"In the first class, we tested his limits," Ho Shu-yi explained. "Although he had no acting experience, he was certainly talented. His emotional transitions were crisp and he was very resilient."
"After all, he's a newcomer that Director Luo has taken a fancy to."
"You have a sharp eye. He is worthy of being the newcomer you have chosen." He Shuyi said.
"Do you think he can succeed in the future?"
"I have good qualities, but whether I can succeed depends on luck."
Chen Ziyan nodded.
"He's different from the Wen Minglan you asked me to teach before," He Shuyi said. "Wen Minglan still carries a lot of baggage and is always a little bit restrained. He... trusted me in just one afternoon, and then he completely opened up. This kind of quality, if he meets a good director, will burst into incredible brilliance."