I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 255, Liu Weiqiang: Why does it smell like Du Qifeng?

Repaying that favor is one thing.

But whether or not one approves of the script is another matter entirely.

At least for now, he doesn't think the script for "Buried Alive" can hold an audience's attention for more than an hour.
In his experience, it is a very simple art film that focuses on character development, and at least three characters are needed to make up a complete work.

Otherwise, if there's only one character on screen, their performance will be as thin as a piece of paper.

"It's great that you have this idea. I wish you a pleasant shooting trip."

This time, the props needed to bury people alive were used to make seven coffins.

Used for shooting from various angles.

At this moment, Li Xuan arrived at the scene, and all the props and equipment were in place.

Li Xuan also saw the work group that Liu Dehua had helped him find.

They are all familiar faces.

It turns out to be the crew from "Infernal Affairs".

Even Liu Weiqiang is here.

This top director from Hong Kong surprised Li Xuan somewhat.

Quite unexpected!
"Director Liu!"

"No need to be so formal, we've known each other for a long time. I'm not here as the director this time; you're the director and actor. I'm just the director of photography."

At this moment, Liu Weiqiang smiled and said, "Don't forget, I'm famous for my camera angles."

Liu Weiqiang's filming experience was rather unique.

He was never an actor; he was a photographer who turned director and has always been on the front lines, acting as a commander.

Compared to actors, those with backgrounds in photography or directing tend to focus more on color and storyboarding, as well as artistic language. Actors, on the other hand, tend to focus more on immersion and the character itself.

In a sense.

The director and cinematographer are more extreme in their approach, focusing on color, shot composition, and lighting.

These elements are used as a means of expression.

In fact, Liu Weiqiang has always had a theory.

A point that piques my curiosity.

That's an actor who really immerses himself in the role.

There's also the formal school of his methodology.

When a director combines methodology and immersion, can they achieve greater excellence in expression?
He actually found the topic quite interesting.

At least that's what he thinks.

If Li Xuan can learn something from this, that would be quite good.

However, Liu Weiqiang still felt...

A person's energy has limits, or rather, a person's learning ability has limits.

Not many exceptional talents can both act and direct.

Both are done exceptionally well.

God is fair.

If you close the door, you'll open the window.

But we won't open your doors and windows.

This is a very obvious and simple truth; there are no such absurd things in this world.

Liu Weiqiang still had some selfish motives. If Li Xuan really messed up this time and joined Yingyi Entertainment, it would be equivalent to joining the Hong Kong capital camp.

In that case, many times, the problem ceases to be a problem.

Based on emotion and reason.

He would rather Li Xuan's movie fail.

Although this is 80-90% likely.

Of course, the director of photography this time is genuine. He will do his best to assist in this shoot so that he can at least feel at peace with himself and have a clear conscience.

A portion of his works represents his own thoughts and ideas.

That is, death is not the final hell.

The hell of the soul is truly endless.

He doesn't want to owe anyone anything.

Even if I don't have high hopes for him this time, I will still do my best to assist him.

All I can say is that this script is more suited to being a short skit.

Rather than a complete movie.

At least that's what he thinks.

"What a pleasant surprise! Liu Weiqiang actually came, the master of storyboarding!"

With Liu Weiqiang's guidance, he mastered techniques in scene composition and photographic sound and light.

At this moment, Li Xuan no longer dwelled on external things.

To bury oneself alive, body and soul.

I've been preparing for this work for a long time.

This is definitely a tough battle in terms of acting skills.

To watch someone perform for an hour and thirty minutes, with your emotions fluctuating accordingly, and for someone to evoke those emotions, is quite a challenge.

In his previous life, this film propelled Ryan Reynolds directly to the position of a leading man in Hollywood.
He needs the help of acting skills.

Otherwise, the script is just a castle in the air.

It's also a meaningless thing.

At this moment.

Li Xuan once again.

He lay down in this coffin.

For others.

It is a 'prop'.

But for Li Xuan, it was a truly terrifying coffin that buried his life.
After lying down, I gave instructions to the cameraman and got completely into character.
'I'

Mr. Li, a truck driver who crosses the border to transport fruit (real fruit!), travels between China and Vietnam. He has a loving wife and a family that, in the 2000s, can afford to provide his family with durians.

Although the China-Vietnam border is very dangerous.

But for the sake of the family's livelihood.

He was willing to bear the danger.

This time, however, luck wasn't on their side.

caught.

He was buried in a coffin.

A cell phone with only half battery left.

A snake.

That's all there is.
The camera captured a bewildered face.

I feel somewhat lost and bewildered by everything around me.
Who am I, and why am I here?
At this moment.

The phone rang at that moment.
The people over there are traffickers from the Golden Triangle.

Only then did Li Xuan, inside the coffin, realize why he had been kidnapped.

It's because you're too honest.

We've always been a law-abiding fruit transporter, but you won't help us transport the most profitable fruit in our Golden Triangle region.

It was precisely this law-abiding behavior that made the local gangs very unhappy.

If a peddler like you doesn't help me transport goods, how am I supposed to get my goods into China?
"50, 50 in ransom. Here's your phone number. You can call the Chinese government or your family. We only care about money, not people. Remember that."

It was a call from terrorists on the other end of the phone.

This moment made Li Xuan feel as if he had fallen into an abyss.

That kind of fear.

That kind of suffocation...

At this moment, Liu Weiqiang looked at Li Xuan in front of him with great surprise and shock.

Her acting skills have improved compared to then.

He felt this was perfectly normal and beyond question.

But this is such a huge improvement!

Compared to that year and that day.

They are completely different from what they were before.

That sense of immersion, that familiar feeling.

That definitely felt like Li Xuan's feeling.

The immersive experience of being there, of being there in person.

He is quite remarkable in this respect. In "Infernal Affairs", his immersion was so great that it drew the entire crew into the film.

And then, at this very moment, the qualities he displays.

The suffocation and despair of a person in a confined space.

Feel the same.

It can even be conveyed.

That look.

Especially eye contact.

At this point.

It was as if he were seeing an old friend.

I saw that person who was arrogant and conceited, never worked hard, never honed his acting skills, and yet relied on his purest talent to reach the position of Best Actor.

He is a born genius.

A person who, simply by relying on their physical talents, can reach a level that others can never reach in their entire lives.

Liang Chaowei.

Li Xuan also possesses the same talent for gazing into the eyes.

Not the weaker kind.

It's the same style.

The same.

At this moment, Liu Weiqiang was completely captivated by that look in his eyes.

A truck driver who was buried alive.

The remaining battery power is the lifeline.

The remaining lighter fluid is what gives us light.

"Don't worry, we'll come to rescue you. Stay in position, we'll actively try to rescue you, please don't panic."

The first emergency call was dismissed as a joke. Three precious minutes were wasted.

I was buried alive, I don't even know where I am, how can you expect me to provide an accurate location? But if we don't provide an accurate location, the police can't respond (helpless).

It wasn't until the second phone call that they reluctantly believed it, providing details about the specific signal location, whether it was within the border, and words of reassurance.

Don't panic. We have studied someone in a similar situation to you, and we have experience in rescue operations.

Don't worry, it's okay.

The soothing words even put Comrade Li Xuan at ease.

Liu Weiqiang also felt that his emotions had relaxed.

On the other end of the phone was Huaxia, and the warm, reassuring voice gave one a sense of security.

It seems there's a glimmer of hope.

Yes, people in our country certainly won't leave this unattended.

Hope has been rekindled.

There is hope of rescue.

I can go out.

Unknowingly.

Liu Weiqiang was also completely immersed in this feeling, and was completely attracted by Li Xuan.

damn it.

Li Xuan was the one who came up with this script.

He really is a genius.

If this trend continues, it seems quite possible that this work could actually last for an hour and thirty minutes.

One entirely by Li Xuan.

One person dominates the entire rhythm.

"I felt very uncomfortable filming with him."

"I understand how you feel."

During filming, even the seasoned cast and crew of "Infernal Affairs" were involved.
In fact, for the production crew, there are all kinds of people they've worked with before.

I've seen plenty of immersive actors over the years. Back in the day, Anita Mui and Cheung Kwok-wing were examples of this kind of immersive acting; once they got into character, they were completely absorbed in their roles.

It's very difficult to break free from that.

Generally speaking, this kind of person is not suitable to be a director.

Or perhaps they are not suited to directing and acting; once they get into one role, it is difficult for them to take on another.

The actor who is immersed in the role is "autistic".

A director needs to "direct" and "communicate".

Based on Li Xuan's current immersive style, he is indeed not very suitable for the position of director.

But just like Li Xuan always manages to shock Liu Weiqiang.

At that moment, Li Xuan seemed to have split into two people.

Li Xuan, the character he plays, lies in this coffin, filled with fear and helplessness, a sight that tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who sees him.

There's also Li Xuan, who, as the director, directed the camera and made the camera position rotate and move rhythmically.

They were like two different people.

They each performed their own tasks and actions without affecting each other's actions.

Like two people with schizophrenia.

Two people sharing the same face.

Let whoever needs it go online.

This strange and bizarre feeling.

Which one is the real Li Xuan and which one is the character Li Xuan?

Liu Weiqiang felt that the strange feeling made it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

It was Li Xuan who was able to actually immerse himself in the role while simultaneously directing.

Do the left and right hemispheres of the brain control the body separately?

How bizarre and freakish this is!

He actually used this method to act as both director and actor, independently and without interference from each other.

A little bit crazy.

But it seems to actually work.

It's fucking useful.

This is a unique filming experience.

At this point, Liu Weiqiang no longer wanted to leave the film crew.

He was completely captivated.

The actor is Li Xuan.

But there's a contradiction here.

He wasn't even a member of the crew, but Liu Weiqiang simply waved his hand and said, "That's alright, I'll just be listed as a member of the crew."

As a result, Liu Weiqiang actually became the director of photography for "Buried Alive," which even other members of the crew found unbelievable.

This is a top-tier director from Hong Kong.

Just the fact that he's listed as a figurehead is enough to attract a lot of attention.

But these are all real, tangible buzz.

It costs money to have a famous director's name credited.

Then there's a legitimate reason to watch "Buried".

This script isn't without its flaws; it's a very complete structure. If it were a stage play, it would have a very complete structure, and it's even quite interesting overall. The biggest problem, however, is that it's a one-hour and 30-minute film, and its length dictates that.

Trying to hold the audience's attention by yourself is an incredibly difficult task.

But looking at Li Xuan's performance now.

That complete emotional fluctuation.

He really is Wei Zhaojun himself!
They can express even the slightest emotional fluctuations.

Subtle emotional fluctuations are one of Tony Leung's signature skills.

And this camera position, this shooting angle.

"What's his relationship with Du Qifeng? There's a hint of his influence in the filming."

At this point, Liu Weiqiang was already obsessed with his curiosity about Li Xuan.

Whether as an actor or as someone who has good intentions towards fellow directors and junior colleagues.
His shooting style is quite unique.

It's as if you can see his own shadow, and also the shadow of his former colleagues.

Especially the cold and aloof feeling of Du Qifeng, it can't be said to be an imitation, but the essence of the camera angle and lens is captured, giving him the feeling that Du Qifeng is right in front of him, it's exactly the same.

There is absolutely no difference.

Is this Du Qifeng's original physical body?
The filming progressed very quickly.

There was only one person involved. If you had to name a few, there were only a few camera positions and locations to adjust. The entire setup and filming were done here.
A scene of one person and one coffin.

From the protagonist, truck driver 'Li Xuan', through his repeated calls, from hope to despair, from the peak to the trough, through each leap...
When I called the transportation company, they said they needed my employee number and that it wasn't working hours, so it wouldn't count as a work-related injury—during this precious call, they were just shirking responsibility instead of trying to find Li Xuan.
Calling the transportation company is completely useless; the only recourse is to seek help from the domestic police and national security.

At first, the other party took it as a joke when they called the police, but they eventually realized what was going on.

Sorry, I don't have the necessary permissions to find your coordinates. We need to write a report and request approval from higher-ups—please wait a moment, I'm still waiting for my supervisor's signature; the procedures can't be neglected.
I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush! No matter how anxious you are, we need to find the leader and the official seal first. And we can't report to higher levels without going through the proper channels; that's against the rules.

Just a moment, it'll be quick!

The soothing female voice on the other end of the phone told Li Xuan not to panic and to wait for rescue!

How can I not be anxious?

How can I not be anxious!

The phone battery was decreasing one bar at a time, and so was the flashlight, so the light it emitted became weaker and weaker.

The oxygen I breathe here has become even less.

In the midst of a bitter struggle.

In this struggle
I'll wait.

I can wait
I need to drive the car back; I need to see my mother, my wife, and my children.
It could be said that Li Xuan's 'despair' and 'will to survive' were equally overwhelming; everyone on the set could feel this deep-seated survival instinct.
And the emotions were always rising—finally, after being reported up the chain of command, the protagonist finally saw hope.

This relieved Liu Weiqiang.

The National Security Bureau, with higher authority, is involved in the rescue! Although they can't locate a signal in a foreign country, they have already located the group that kidnapped him and can immediately organize a rescue team.
This time, Li Xuan's hope was rekindled once again.

And this time, the hope is extremely strong!

"He's saved!"

This is a clear signal that a rescue operation has been initiated.

Although the flashlight beam was flickering, the oxygen here was getting thinner and thinner, and the phone battery was getting lower and lower.
But this shot in the arm brought the emotions to their peak!
At that moment, the sounds of the raid on the group of kidnapped terrorists came from the other end of the phone. Gunshots, screams, commands, and various other sounds rang out. Finally, Li Xuan heard a familiar voice shouting "Surrender!" It was one of the people who had kidnapped him.

The domestic security authorities have indeed found the person.

Li Xuan felt it getting darker and darker inside, and his head was getting dizzier and dizzier, feeling vulnerable from the lack of oxygen.

But Li Xuan still smiled.

They were talking on the other end of the phone.

We've found you!

We've started digging!
We've spotted you!

We've rescued you!
Wait a moment.
Li Xuan was stunned. The expected light did not come; all he saw was darkness.

I.
I am beyond saving.
at this time.

The sounds from that side plunged Li Xuan into the deepest despair.

We've rescued you. Your name is Liang Yue, right?

no.

No.
My name is Li Ming.

Indeed, some people were saved because of this, but not themselves, but others.
There was silence on the other end of the phone—which finally culminated in a single sentence.

I am sorry.

I'm so sorry.
At this moment, Li Xuan remained silent for a moment, without shouting, said thank you, and then hung up the phone, looking at the battery level turning red and the flashlight becoming increasingly dim.

I made the last two phone calls.

The first call was to my wife—Wife, I will always love you, and love our little girl.

The second one was a call to my mother—Mom, I love you.

After making those two phone calls.

The phone battery completely died, and the flashlight battery also ran out.

Inside a dark coffin.

In the silence.

There was only one person, and the sound of their breathing gradually faded away.

(End of this chapter)