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

Chapter 381, From "Boy" to "New Youth"

Beiping Film Academy.

"The weather in Beiping is really cool. It's already this season before we know it. We're getting closer and closer to that big prize. I'm so envious. You can still go out and film movies."

Tian Zhuang watched as Wang Jinsong packed his things, preparing to go to the film set for shooting.

Wang Jinsong was slightly surprised.
"Why are you so concerned about this?"

"Of course." Tian Zhuang smiled slightly and looked at Wang Jingsong: "This is known as the most prestigious award in history. Winning one award is equivalent to winning three awards in the past. Under such circumstances, anyone who can win one can be basically confirmed as the leader of their generation. Even those of us who have retired to teaching positions want to pay attention to this award and see if any of our students are among them."

"Haha, the same goes for my own students," Wang Jinsong laughed.

"Your acting department has produced many talented individuals over the years, each shining in their own way. And then there's Li Xuan, such an incredibly strong performer." Tian Zhuang sighed slightly, "It's a real pity he didn't choose our directing department. If he had stayed with us, his achievements might be even greater now."

"Indeed, I guess you could say it's my luck. Meeting Li Xuan as a student is truly the greatest stroke of luck of my life."

Wang Jinsong smiled slightly and did not deny it. Having Li Xuan as a student was actually his good fortune, including being invited to play the role of the president of Peking University.

Actually, I felt quite a connection to it while reading the script.
Teaching and nurturing people – cultivating talent for the next generation, teaching and nurturing 'new youth'.

It's just that those great people had a broader vision, while our vision and starting point are rather narrower.
"Actually, we are also at the forefront of the times. Our works, actors, characters, and the ideas they convey can change and influence the thinking of young people. That's why I really like the work 'The Awakening Age.' Even Mr. Han from China Film Group likes this kind of work with the right ideas. So no matter how the final product turns out, whether it's good or bad, it will have an audience and support."

"It sounds like you're saying that Li Xuan's work took shortcuts?" Wang Jinsong said, stroking his chin.

"There's definitely some element of taking shortcuts, that's undeniable, but being able to find shortcuts is a unique skill in itself. Besides, he already has the experience of being in the comfort zone of 'The Young Pioneers,' so another solid award-winning film isn't a bad thing; it could even be considered a good career plan. Following this path, his direction for improvement is very clear. Apart from a little bit of self-indulgence in making a sci-fi film as a reward, this step is very farsighted, at least in terms of winning awards, it shows absolute foresight."

Tian Zhuang smiled slightly as he looked at Wang Jingsong.

Wang Jinsong neither confirmed nor denied this.

Use 'correct ideas' as a steady support.

Bombarding in with ideological 'violence'.

"I can predict one thing: within 10 years, he will become a top director, perhaps even on par with directors like Zhang Yimou."

“I think so too. But there’s one thing, Mr. Tian, you might be a little biased.”

"What is it?" Tian Zhuang was taken aback, not expecting Wang Jinsong to have any way to refute him.

"He's not someone who likes to stay in his comfort zone; he's responsible for playing the role of Li Dazhao."

Tian Zhuang was stunned. It wasn't him he was playing?
They gave this role, which was within their comfort zone and where they were likely to achieve good results, to someone else.
Is he that confident?

"We're leaving now. Wait for our good news, and we'll treat you to hot pot when we get back."

At this moment, Wang Jinsong felt a little emotional, realizing that he was about to return to the film set.

Having not acted for so many years, I wonder if I've become rusty.
We can't let the students look down on us.

"Zhang Ruoyun, are you ready?"

"Ready, teacher?"

"Well, Li Xuan specifically asked for you, so don't waste this opportunity." At this moment, Wang Jinsong looked at this green student. He wasn't even a student of Beijing Film Academy, but a student of Fu Biao Film Academy, which had a cooperation with the Continuing Education College of Beijing Film Academy.

They are even less prestigious than those in vocational colleges.

Li Xuan was also there when he gave a speech, and he immediately took a liking to Chen Yannian and cast him as the actor.
The risk was a bit high, but it also made Wang Jinsong appreciate Li Xuan even more.

Aren't actors and directors all passed down and cultivated from generation to generation?
Li Xuan.

He had the air of a leader in his circle.

This has nothing to do with talent or ability. A great soldier may not become a general, and a great general may not become a leader.

In these aspects alone, Li Xuan has already surprised people greatly.
This time, Wang Jinsong is not worried either—just as Tian Zhuang said, "The Awakening Era" is like a shortcut, a shortcut to heaven. For Li Xuan, who is good at direct emotional output, this is a very good subject.

He understands Li Xuan and feels that "The Age of Awakening" can be more "stable" based on "The Young Students".

From youth films to the transformation of 'new youth'
He has also grown up.

From a boy to this young man vying for supremacy.

A young person capable of competing and changing everything.

"I've developed a range of acting roles, but the pressure has increased."

At this moment, Luo Jin looked at the script in his hand with a wry smile—"The Age of Awakening," the script for "[him]."

There were some minor complaints along the way. We hadn't even finished filming "Parasite" in Hong Kong, and we were already back in Beiping to film the TV series "Awakening Age".

"Me too, I turned down all other projects to prioritize filming our boss's work."

"Remember to wear sunglasses later."

"I forgot, we're at least celebrities."

Zhu Yawen belatedly put on her sunglasses.

"Ever since our movie 'New World,' the label of 'conjoined twins' seems to be stuck with us," Luo Jin said with some emotion. "This time, in 'The Age of Awakening,' we're still 'brothers.'"

“Yeah, you play [him] and I'll play [Zhou]. They're comrades-in-arms on the revolutionary road, so we're really not lacking in immersion—our boss is still a genius, always able to come up with excellent scripts that we feel are right for us.”

Zhu Yawen remarked that this experience truly made him understand what it meant to be moved.
The ability to master these scripted characters alone is something they cannot do on their own.
"We also filmed 'The Young Students' before, and this time it can be considered a reunion of most of the cast and crew. It was our graduation play at Beijing Film Academy back then, and now it's 'The Age of Awakening'."

Luo Jin sighed softly, and Zhu Yawen beside her felt the same way.
From the pure student cast of "The Young Pioneers" to the TV King of "The Awakening Era," the diverse cast of young actors is truly remarkable.

With more and stronger resources, we can use those resources to compete.

This is a work worthy of competing for the 'throne'.
At this moment, Zhu Yawen smiled.

"Let's go to the film set, to our 'Awakening Era'. We're not the same as we were yesterday, maybe we can even 'compete' with the boss. Especially you, Luo Jin, you focus more on dramatic scenes while I focus more on martial arts. This time, it's up to you two to compete for the top spot."

"Um"

Luo Jin nodded.

Because of you, boss, I am who I am today.

But because I am where I am today, I must give it my all—my all-out effort to catch up with your strength.
The production team for "The Age of Awakening" quickly arrived, starting with Luo Jin and Zhu Yawen, then Liu Hewei, and finally Wang Jinsong and the two newcomers he brought.

Looking at the two young and apprehensive faces of Zhang Ruoyun and Zhu Longyi, whose scripts were still soaked with sweat despite it being winter, Li Xuan smiled slightly.

"Don't be nervous. Just act like you would in class. Just do what the teacher says and try to understand it. I'm sure you young people can understand young people."

"I can!" Zhang Ruoyun raised her head at this moment.

Li Xuan looked at him.

You could feel the fervor and adoration deep in his eyes.

"I will do better." Zhu Longyi said calmly at this moment, looking at Zhang Ruoyun next to him with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Li Xuan understood this puzzling situation perfectly.

He must be wondering why Professor Li...

We need to bring in this "unorthodox" approach.

I still have doubts about his background.

Educational background discrimination is a valid issue.

"Whether an actor performs well or not, who is good and who is bad, it's all about acting. Words alone are useless," Zhang Ruoyun retorted with a smile.

Zhu Longyi, who was standing next to him, picked up the script without responding. He bowed respectfully to Li Xuan and then began to imitate his character, Chen Qiaonian.

At this point, Li Xuan had arranged for everyone to copy and read the script together.

That way you can find time to look at your character's doujinshi.

Li Dazhao. That big beard.

Try to get closer to the 'image' of the great man.

During this period, Li Xuan also read many people's books, including the works of Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, and Lu Xun.

"Diary of a Madman", "Youth", and "Selected Excerpts from New Youth".
Use these things to fill yourself up, and then it's time to use the system's simulation.

System simulation is the final step.

Although using the system allows you to immerse yourself in the role and imitate it, the difficulty of the script increases.

Now, in the era of "Awakening," I want to truly understand and experience the feelings within it.

It's just a simple simulation of their lives.

It's still too frequent and lacking.

More is needed.

Try to become like them, and understand them.

It is different from "The Young Pioneers".

juvenile.

youth.

It should be the story of them after they left school as teenagers and grew into young adults.

This is a story from when I was a 'new youth'.

To understand their thoughts, to feel their intellectual trends
The core idea of "The Age of Awakening" is the principle of "saving the country," which emphasizes loving the country and serving the nation.

Remember these things
At this moment, Li Xuan became completely absorbed in the experience, and this was the first round of immersion.

When Yuan XX signed the humiliating Twenty-One Demands, I was far away in Japan.

I heard, saw, and smelled these things.
"Me" far away in Japan.

They listened to that humiliating treaty that ceded Qingdao to the enemy.

That emperor.

The restored emperor.

They still harbored that unrealistic dream.

He just wanted to fulfill his imperial dream.

Imperial power is a damn corrupt thing. As long as one can maintain ownership of the country, even if it means sacrificing some territory, it's just a small matter.

So this is anger.

The anger that an awakened "I" with a sense of national identity can feel.

No, that's too arrogant.

Even without "awakening".

Even if I am a commoner.

I could also feel the humiliation and anger of losing sovereignty and national dignity.

That feeling was absolutely real.

At this moment, Li Xuan picked up a 'newspaper'.

A newspaper from the past.
Shuntian Times.

The front page headline, printed in striking boldface, read: "Imperial Ultimatum: Government to Recognize Some Provisions of the Twenty-One Demands."

The ink on the prop newspaper was printed very roughly.

But the words "national humiliation" seemed to carry warmth, making Li Xuan's fingertips tremble.

He wasn't looking at a prop.

He felt as if he were sitting in BJ in 1915, on a cold afternoon.

Outside the window was a gray, gloomy sky, and all I could hear were numb crowds.

What he holds in his hands is the bleeding wound of this country.

A bone-chilling coldness spread wildly upwards from the soles of my feet, along my spine.

He felt his blood congealing little by little.

why?
Why are our 400 million compatriots left to be slaughtered by others?

Why can't this great nation even protect its own borders?

What are those people dressed in long robes and mandarin jackets doing sitting in high places?
Where are those intellectuals who read the classics and spout benevolence and morality?

Li Xuan's breathing became heavy.

He felt as if a huge rock was lodged in his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.

He wanted to shout, but no sound came out.

He wanted to smash everything in front of him, but he didn't even have the strength to raise his hand.

A tremendous, boundless sense of powerlessness completely engulfed him.

Is this... how Li Dazhao felt at that time?

No.

wrong.

If he were merely powerless, if he were merely in despair, he wouldn't be Li Dazhao, who proclaimed, "With iron shoulders bearing the burden of righteousness, with skillful hands composing literary works."

Beneath that chilling despair, there must be something else.

What is it?
Li Xuan closed his eyes.

That bone-chilling cold flowed through his body, eventually converging at his heart.

Then, with a loud "boom".

The ice was ignited.

That wasn't a warm flame.

It was a black, furious flame that could burn the soul to ashes!

To hell with gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility!
Screw being submissive!

Creating a new one? It's useless, really useless.

Just as Chen Duxiu said.

We cannot, as we have done in the past, simply demolish and build a new one.

We want to.