Huayu: I'm reborn, but you still force me to be a scumbag?

Chapter 542 You can go ahead
"Huh? He's sitting in the roadside shop? Chatting with the owner?"

Bai Bing's eyes widened in surprise.

That night, she was no longer the main character in the dormitory conversations.

Before she knew it, she and Jiang Yiyan were sitting next to Song Yi, listening to the girl recount her experiences of the day.

“Yes,” Song Yi said.

"Holy crap. Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap," Bai Bing muttered. "Looks like those rumors are true."

Then her eyes widened again, "And then?"

Song Yi said, "That's all, I'm done."

"It was just a chance encounter, and then Teacher Chen asked you if you wanted help, you said no, and then you parted ways?"

"Correct."

"Oh my! Not bad, not bad." Bai Bing said with a grin, "I knew it! Our group did so badly today, how come we got the highest score? Oh, I see. Xiao Tie, come here, give your sister a slap as a reward."

Song Yi smiled and stepped back slightly.

Bai Bing laughed and said, "Alright, alright, I won't kiss you. Look how scared you are. But hehe, it's great! With Teacher Chen appearing, the ratings will definitely explode. We can show our faces there, haha, maybe we'll become famous!"

Bai Bing looked excited, but Jiang Yiyan asked again, "Xiao Tie, did you manage to buy any pears in the end?"

Song Yi said, "No. I bought two and thought they were exactly the same, but she still said they weren't."

Jiang Yiyan laughed and said, "Even if you bought all the pears in Hengdian, she would still say they're not the same."

Bai Bing said, "Yes, she's just being a diva."

Song Yi asked, "But why? What are the benefits?"

Bai Bing laughed and said, "There are many reasons, too many to explain in a few words, but there are definitely benefits. At least after this incident, no one on set will dare to mess with her. The director certainly won't dare to cut her scenes casually. What was originally supposed to be a two-month shoot might now only take a month. Do you think it's more worthwhile to earn a few million in two months or 800 million in one month?"

Song Yi exclaimed, then frowned and said, "But, but..."

"But what is it?"

"...But then, what about the play?"

Bai Bing immediately laughed, shifted her position, and sat on Song Yi's bed. She put her arm around Song Yi's shoulder and said with a smile, "Oh, my good sister, there aren't many people as pure as you in the industry these days."

Song Yi forced a smile. "Really?"

Jiang Yiyan curled the corners of her lips and said indifferently, "Acting? These days, who doesn't want to make money as soon as they become famous? Acting is nothing!"

……

Although Song Yi knew that what Jiang Yiyan said was probably reality, it was still not easy for her to accept, especially since she had just graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and went directly to the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

However, for Chen Nuo, who had lived to middle age in his previous life, this was just an ordinary matter.

After a good night's sleep, he had almost completely forgotten all the complicated feelings he had experienced the previous night.

He got up very early today. Before Gulnazar could call him, when he arrived at the cafeteria, there were only a few people inside, and they were all staff members.

Normally, it would be quite good if these young trainees in their early twenties could get up at nine o'clock every day. The fact that they didn't produce two "babies" by the end of the whole show is probably thanks to the cameras installed in each room.

It's unrealistic to expect each of them to get up at six every day to practice their voice and lines like they did in school.

So, when he finished breakfast and went downstairs for a walk, thinking about how to film the scene today, he was quite surprised to suddenly hear someone making a loud, guttural noise.

I walked over and took a look, and immediately smiled.

The girl who bought pears yesterday is standing in the corner, facing the wall, practicing her singing.

However, he did not disturb Song Yi. He stood aside and listened for a while before turning around and leaving.

From that moment on, he decided to take today's recording more seriously.

……

The task assigned to him by the production team this time was to guide a group of people in remaking a scene from "My Blueberry Nights".

However, the content has been adapted by the show's scriptwriters. In addition to the scenes featuring the two main characters, Jeremy and Elizabeth, the supporting characters also have their own lines, making it a kind of ensemble drama.

"The male lead is Jeremy, the female lead is Elizabeth, and there are also diners A, B, and C, a total of five roles. Does anyone want to play a role?" In the studio, Chen Nuo asked Bai Bing, Song Yi, Jiang Yiyan, Ren Jialun, and Zhang Ruoyun in front of him.

Bai Bing immediately raised her hand and said, "Teacher Chen, I want to play Elizabeth."

Chen Nuo nodded and looked at the other two girls: "What about you two?"

Jiang Yiyan said, "Teacher Chen, I also want to play this role."

Chen Nuo nodded, looked at Song Yi, and asked, "And you?"

Song Yi said, "I'm fine with either."

Chen Nuo suddenly remembered something from the past and couldn't help but smile.

Putting that aside for now, she asked the two boys, "Which of you two wants to play Jeremy?"

"I."

"I!"

Ren Jialun and Zhang Ruoyun spoke at the same time.

Chen Nuo said, "In that case, let's draw lots."

The result of the lottery was that Zhang Ruoyun would play Jeremy and Jiang Yiyan would play Elizabeth.

Bai Bing, Song Yi, and Ren Jialun play ABCs.

Quite coincidentally, Song Yi, like him back then, is also a B.

Roles assigned, let's begin.

……

This pineapple cake is really delicious.

It seems that review is quite reliable.

Hao Lei was carrying two boxes of pineapple cakes that her assistant had bought for her yesterday. She ate them as she went downstairs. When she left, both boxes were still full. When she got to the first floor, she threw an empty box into the trash can. When she looked up, she saw Zhang Ziyi and her two assistants smiling at her.

She smiled and waved the box in her hand: "Want some pastries?"

Although as mentors they don't stay with the trainees every day, and aside from recording one or two episodes a week, they can go wherever they want the rest of the time, over time, and being actresses themselves, this artsy mentor has become quite familiar with the other two big stars.

Especially Zhang Ziyi, who is not only amiable in front of the camera, but also down-to-earth off-camera. They often joke around and get along quite well.

Zhang Ziyi waved her hand and laughed, "I just ate. Hey, every time I see you eating, it looks so delicious to me, but when I eat it myself, it just tastes so-so. Why is that?"

The two walked out side by side. Hao Lei, with something stuffed in her mouth, mumbled, "It's probably because you have a strong sense of empathy."

Zhang Ziyi nodded and said, "Maybe. Oh, by the way, where are you going?"

Hao Lei laughed and said, "It should be wherever you go, I'll go."

Zhang Ziyi immediately laughed, "How did you know where I was going?"

Hao Lei said, "Look, Director Cai, Professor Chen, and Bingbing have all come out. They should all be going to the same place as us."

……

"Haha, I've seen the movies Chen Nuo directed, but I've never seen any movies he produced. Since I'm already here, I definitely have to go and see them for the first time."

On the minibus to the studio, Chen Gang said with a smile, "Especially since the program team arranged for him to watch 'My Blueberry Nights' this time. I often use this movie to teach my students at school. Although Chen Nuo's acting skills were not as refined as they were in 'Mother' at that time, the on-screen chemistry between him and that little girl Emma Stone was so natural that it was truly captivating."

“I also have high hopes for Emma Stone, this young actress.” Chen Gang paused and said with emotion, “She is definitely a talented actress, but it’s a pity that in Hollywood, where there is a certain disdain for art films, she has not been able to have a greater space to showcase her talents in the field of art films.”

Sitting next to him, Tsai Ming-liang smiled and chimed in: "Professor Chen, I think we should be glad that people in Hollywood don't care about those European awards, otherwise we directors who make art films would have even less of a chance."

Chen Gang was slightly taken aback, then said seriously, "Director Cai, you're exaggerating. Your films are competitive on a global scale."

Tsai Ming-liang shook his head and smiled, "Thank you for your kind words, Professor Chen. However, I am genuinely a little worried about the future of Chinese-language art films. You in mainland China may be doing alright, because Professor Chen Nuo has repeatedly won awards on the international stage, which gives you a lot of confidence in art films. This year, there are many film projects being shot in mainland China. But in other places, especially Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, we haven't won any major European awards for many years, so people's morale has declined. Especially now that the Venice Film Festival has changed its chairman, I'm worried that Professor Chen Nuo's current brilliance may not have a successor in the future."

While cracking open a pistachio, Hao Lei laughed heartily, "It's okay if there's no successor. Teacher Chen can just go again, no one's stopping him! Who says that winning the Grand Slam means you can't compete again? No way, right? If you ask me, if Chinese films are really discriminated against there and can't win awards, we'll send Teacher Chen to see if those European judges dare to disrespect him."

"Hahahahaha-"

Hao Lei's words immediately filled the carriage with laughter, and the atmosphere instantly became relaxed.

Even Zhang Ziyi, who had been expressionless and rarely spoke, curled her lips into a smile that was hard to decipher.

However, no one knows what Zhang Ziyi is thinking at this moment.

The drive from the hotel to the photography studio took about twenty minutes. The judges, all big names in their respective fields, chatted and laughed all the way, and before they knew it, they had arrived.

As soon as he got out of the car, he saw that two other minibuses were already parked in the parking lot. Chen Gang smiled and said, "It seems they all arrived first."

Hao Lei tossed a bunch of nut shells into the trash can with a clatter, then said, "They're not stupid. Even if they don't get to act in it, it's always good to come and learn and listen to something."

Chen Gang rubbed his hands together and said, "Let's go, let's hurry up. I'm really curious about how Teacher Chen will direct the play."

So the group quickened their pace.

The studio that the production team arranged for Chen Nuo was a 1:1 recreation of the scene from the movie "My Blueberry Nights".

As soon as the judges entered, they saw all the contestants gathered around the monitor area, a dense, dark mass. At the same time, a somewhat annoyed voice came from inside the room—

“Zhang Ruoyun, I’ve told you several times, don’t act like me. The Jeremy you see is someone Wang Jiawei modified the script and lines on set based on some of my personal traits. You’re not me, so your performance will sound very awkward.” “Why have we started so early? Hurry up!” Chen Gang exclaimed excitedly.

Hao Lei quickened her pace as she followed behind. The students who were surrounding them greeted the mentors as they saw them arrive.

"Professor Chen."

"Teacher Hao Lei."

"Director Cai."

"Sister Ziyi."

"Sister Bingbing".

Hao Lei walked over and stood next to Jing Tian. Listening to the mentors exchanging pleasantries with the students, she casually asked, "What's wrong? Why is Teacher Chen getting angry?"

She and Jing Tian had been in a lot of contact lately, and their tone was very intimate, because Jing Tian had bought a year's worth of classes at her newly opened acting class.

Jing Tian greeted her first before saying, "Zhang Ruoyun can't achieve the effect Teacher Chen wants."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's happened several times already, and Teacher Chen is getting angry."

"Are you angry?" Hao Lei asked with a surprised laugh.

"Correct."

Just then, the producer who had been reprimanding the actors earlier rushed back. Sure enough, he didn't look too good. When he saw the mentors, he forced a smile, nodded, and greeted them. Then, without saying anything more, he plopped down in front of the monitor, picked up the walkie-talkie, and said, "Director, let's start. Let's do it again."

"ACTION!"

At the director's command, Zhang Ruoyun began acting on the monitor screen.

He stood behind the counter, holding a phone, pretending to answer a call, and said while mixing drinks:
"Hey, what? Sorry, I don't know that name... We have so many customers every night, I can't possibly remember them all. Or, could you tell me what he likes to eat..."

He chuckled and said cheerfully, "How about this, you give me your phone number, and I'll call you when I see him..."

This is the opening scene of Blueberry Nights, where Jeremy receives his first call from Elizabeth, who asks him if he saw her ex-boyfriend having dinner with another woman.

Facial expressions, voice, movements...

Hao Lei looked at Zhang Ruoyun on the monitor and thought that, objectively speaking, this vocational school student from Beijing Film Academy was definitely talented. In such close-up shots, he showed an extraordinary sense of acting. From his eyes to his movements, it was definitely quite good for a solo performance.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Suddenly, a voice interrupted Hao Lei's thoughts.

The director on set immediately yelled, "Cut!"

Then, the man sitting in front of him stood up, and the crowd immediately made way for him. Without saying a word, he strode out again.

Less than a minute later, his voice could be heard again from the scene.

"Still not right!"

“Teacher Chen…” Zhang Ruoyun spoke this time, but his voice was very soft, “I think I did a good job.”

Hao Lei, who has also worked as an actress, could hear the grievance in Zhang Ruoyun's tone.

Generally speaking, when an actor speaks like this on set, it means there's really no other way and they can only hope the director will point out a solution. If it were an actor with a more fiery temper, like the teacher Yang who asked someone to buy pears yesterday, she probably would have already said, "If you're so good, then you do it," and then just walked away.

Although Zhang Ruoyun clearly didn't dare to back down, he was obviously completely stunned.

At this point, the person who is producing for the first time is really not a qualified producer or director. He can't find the right words to explain to the actors. So what will he do?
Hao Lei tugged at Jing Tian's sleeve and whispered, "Let's go."

Jing Tian hesitated for a moment, then followed her.

As soon as I lifted the curtain, I heard him say:
"Never mind, I don't know how to explain it either. Just watch, I'll act it out—"

Upon hearing this, the trainees who were waiting by the monitor immediately started shouting all at once: "Let's go, let's go, let's go see!"

Then, with a whoosh, everyone ran towards the scene.

Hao Lei and Jing Tian were ahead of the crowd, and when they arrived at the venue, they saw someone starting a demonstration.

Hao Lei has watched the movie "My Blueberry Nights" at least eighty or a hundred times.

In her acting class's internal courses, this film is often used as a model for students to study and analyze.

It can be said that this opening performance, like the scene in Days of Being Wild where Tony Leung changes clothes, is something she can replay frame by frame in her mind.

So, she noticed at first glance that the man's acting was completely different from what was shown in the movie.

In the movie, when Jeremy answers the phone, he leans against the counter, his tone languid and somewhat perfunctory. But here, Chen Nuo portrays it differently.

His expression softened, his tone became more restrained, and he spoke with great politeness, not in English, but in a slightly broken Beijing accent.

As for why this is the case?

Why isn't he playing the carefree New York college student from the original version, but rather a polite and courteous coffee shop waiter from Beijing?

Needless to say!
He's imitating Zhang Ruoyun from Beijing!

He used Zhang Ruoyun's style to create an acting style suitable for Zhang Ruoyun, and then performed it in front of Zhang Ruoyun.

It sounds like a tongue twister, but this matter is indeed like a tongue twister.

Although Hao Lei thought Zhang Ruoyun's performance was quite good just now, looking at this magical scene now, it was obvious that the man wasn't serious at all, but just giving instructions and acting casually. She was stunned for a moment, then sighed.

Looking around, I saw Chen Gang with a half-smile, Cai Mingliang touching his bald head in silence, Zhang Ziyi with a calm expression, and Li Binbing... Hmm? What's going on? Why does this feel so strange?

Turning back, watching the man on the monitor quickly and skillfully portray the Beijing coffee shop waiter as if he were about to step out of the camera, he said to Zhang Ruoyun, "Just do it like this."

Hao Lei raised the corner of her mouth and said to Jing Tian beside her, "I think if Teacher Chen becomes a director in the future, no actor in his life will dare to say to him, 'If you're so good, then you do it.' If he really does it, that actor can probably take a break."

……

In this scene, Zhang Ruoyun wasn't the only one giving Chen Nuo a headache.

Bai Bing and Jiang Yiyan's acting was equally unbearable, especially Ren Jialun's—what kind of freak was he? If they had known he would act like this during the audition, they would have told him to get lost long ago, okay?

Even Song Yi, whom he previously thought was quite good... well, she's just so-so.

The key point is that he's not a directing major and hasn't learned how to instruct others. The only person he's ever instructed is Tong Liya, and that kind of instruction isn't appropriate here.

Since he didn't have any clever words to guide these actors who were dissatisfied with him, every time he tried to talk to them, it felt like he was talking to a brick wall. It was something that was very simple, but these people just couldn't do it.

As a result, he had to demonstrate for them again and again, not only for Zhang Ruoyun and Ren Jialun, but also for the three female actors.

He was exhausted after a whole day of work.

So when the on-set director, Fei Long, yelled "Cut! That's a wrap!" and came over, saying in an admiring tone, "Teacher Chen, if you become a director in the future, I reckon people like us won't be able to make a living this way," Chen Nuo smiled but didn't want to say a word.

The price of being serious is really too high.

Afterwards, those five idiots who had exhausted him all day came over, thanking him profusely, leaving him speechless. If he really wanted to say something, he just wanted to tell them all to change careers and stop ruining the entertainment industry for the audience.

Zhang Ruoyun and Song Yi seem to have filmed a TV series together later on? What was it called again? It was quite popular. But for someone in their early twenties, this is the level they're at? No wonder Li Er is so worried about the future of Chinese films; it seems Professor Li's concerns are not unfounded.

However, in front of several actors around his age, and even Jiang Yiyan who was a few years older than him, he couldn't be too direct out of politeness. In the end, he could only say with a hint of helplessness, "You guys need to work harder. Honestly, I feel that your performance today was worse than Yang... Liu... even me. What are we going to do?"

The group of people were stunned.

Bai Bing said, "Teacher Chen, I didn't expect you to have such high expectations for us."

Chen Nuo almost blurted out his true feelings, but when he finally managed to pull back, he said the wrong thing. He could only shake his head, wave to Gulnazar and Linghu who were waiting on the side, and leave.

As they watched his retreating figure walk out of the studio, the remaining trainees all breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Ruoyun stretched and shouted, "Awesome!"

Ren Jialun also laughed and said, "It was so cool! I just watched the replay, and I couldn't believe it was me acting. I acted so well! Professor Li would definitely give me a thumbs up."

Bai Bing rolled her eyes.

Song Yi also found it a bit funny.

These two are really shameless.

Just now, he was acting all timid and hesitant in front of everyone, barely able to speak properly, even having to mimic Teacher Chen's rhythm when delivering his lines. But now that everyone's gone, he's immediately starting to rave about it in front of us!

If the camera hadn't recorded Mr. Chen instructing them, the two of them might have shamelessly claimed that this was their own level of skill.

Ren Jialun noticed the expressions on the girls' faces, chuckled, and said, "Bai Bing, Song Tie, you two acted well too. And Sister Yan, if you ask me, your performance as Elizabeth was definitely no worse than Emma Stone's. If you went to Cannes, you could win Best Actress! It's a pity that Sister Hao Lei and Sister Zi Yi left after watching for a while, otherwise, they would definitely look at you with new respect!"

Jiang Yiyan smiled and said calmly, "Was that an act by me?"

Ren Jialun said, "Oh, if it wasn't you who acted, then who was? Teacher Chen said we acted well." After saying that, he looked around and said, "Alright, alright, let's go quickly, don't keep them from getting off work. Come on, come on, I'll treat you tonight, let's find a place to have a good meal."

Song Yi said, "You guys go ahead, I'm not going."

Ren Jialun said, "Hey, let's do it together! We all filmed a great show today. When it airs, it'll definitely be a sensation. I'm so excited just thinking about it. We have to celebrate!"

Song Yi said, "I'm really not going. I'm going back to watch TV."

"TV? What TV?" Zhang Ruoyun asked curiously.

Song Yi said, "The Scar of the Sky from the Xuanyuan Sword."

Upon hearing this, Bai Bing immediately exclaimed, "Yes, yes, yes! Helian Cang is going to appear tonight! Let's go, Tiezi, let's go eat first! Then we'll go back and watch TV!"

(End of this chapter)