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

Chapter 383, Nothing More Than a Single Thought to Save the World!

Filming for "The Age of Awakening" has officially begun.
At this moment, Li Xuan had donned the distinctive large beard characteristic of Li Dazhao.

The first scene was filmed in Japan.

At this moment, Wang Jinsong glanced at Li Xuan's look and looked at the reference makeup photos.

A big beard, a Japanese school uniform
"The makeup and overall look are really spot-on."

"It's not just the makeup and styling that are accurate, even the overall vibe is spot on."

Liu Hewei looked at Li Xuan.

As an actor, one should judge based on their temperament and the way they portray their image.
This time, Li Xuan also surprised Liu Hewei a bit.
From 'Zhuge Kongming' to 'Li Dazhao'.

These two things clearly don't have much in common. What a monster! For a young actor to have such a level of performance.

There was no trace of the previous scene.

This reminded Liu Hewei of one of Li Xuan's former nicknames.

A thousand faces.

When watching his works, I didn't feel this much, but after acting with him once or twice, this feeling became exceptionally strong.

Li Xuan is truly a complete chameleon actor.
He's so young, yet he can already pull off such a versatile acting style.

As an actor
Liu Hewei truly admired Li Xuan. He admired him immensely.

Today we're filming Li Xuan's first scene.
The 'Age of Awakening' began with him

Starting with Li Dazhao
When he stood on the stage.

When his audience consisted mostly of students who had studied in Japan.
These students were indeed some "international students" or "prospective international students" that Han Ping had brought in. Hearing that they could act in movies and TV shows, he didn't even need to pay them; he just threw them over from the international department of the foreign language school.
at this time.

The camera was right above Li Xuan's head, looking directly at him.

"Wait a minute, don't move the camera away. Put everything in one shot, from me to the students."

Liu Hewei and Wang Jinsong, who were standing nearby, immediately understood what was going on.

This is a one-shot take.

An unprepared, one-shot sequence, pulled back to the very end.

There wasn't even a rehearsal.
With just one shot, it's clear they used a lot of funding and resources.
At least, that's what Liu Hewei thinks.

"They're really confident. China Film Group must have put in a lot of money on this, right?" Liu Hewei thought to himself instinctively. Even without rehearsals, they had the confidence to prepare for a single take. Even a movie star wouldn't have that kind of confidence.
From Li Xuan.

He became 'Li Dazhao'.

Speaking slowly into the microphone.
"Heaven has unleashed its murderous intent, war clouds gather, and the Japanese have seized the opportunity to force our Chinese nation to retreat. Students studying in Japan, now imprisoned in a foreign land, look back at our homeland with grief and indignation. Now that the nation is on the verge of collapse and our people are dying, there is no longer any hesitation. We must have the determination to burn our bridges. The usurper Yuan Shikai, attempting to restore the monarchy and become emperor, has brought the Republic of China to the brink of destruction; the traitor Yuan Shikai has signed the Twenty-One Demands, and the Chinese nation is in grave danger. Compatriots, the Republic is dying, Qingdao is about to be lost, compatriots, what do you say we should do?"

"The more critical the nation's fate, the more we must awaken the people's consciousness, invigorate the national spirit, and instill republican ideals in them; this requires overthrowing feudal ideology. Those who go against the tide of history will inevitably be swept away by the torrent of time."

A single shot shows Li Dazhao and the onlookers in the camera's view.

呈现
One shot, done.
The very first shot of the first scene was completed.
Liu Hewei was somewhat shocked, somewhat...
This has nothing to do with acting skills, techniques, or Li Xuan's strength in emotional expression; he simply immersed himself completely in the role and even perfectly portrayed that feeling.
This is the unparalleled sense of immersion.

He has completely become Li Dazhao.

He completely became the character.

The very first scene was filmed in a single, continuous shot.

This was definitely a rude awakening for the actors present.

At least for Liu Hewei.

This is a true demonstration of power.

A single shot zooms in all the way.

There was absolutely no loss.

This isn't because China Film Group is rich and powerful; there's only one very simple reason.

That means Li Xuan is really awesome.

This is the most straightforward and simple feeling.

At least in terms of creating a sense of immersion, Liu Hewei simply cannot achieve that.
but now.

It's impossible to do it in one continuous shot, but Li Xuan gave a speech like this.

The feeling that Li Dazhao had was flowing through Liu Hewei's heart; he seemed to have found the unique feeling that belonged to 'Chen Duxiu'.
This will allow him to fully adapt to the camera, that omnipresent camera that blends into the world.

Waseda University, under the cherry blossom trees
"Yes! But the way out is not the old way. Only by finding a new way can China not perish."

What is meant by "old path"?

"Regime change, overthrowing an old dynasty and establishing a new one, the cycle repeats itself, this is the old way."

"So what is the new path?"

"I don't know! -- I'm looking for it. Shouchang, I admire your knowledge and talent. Would you like to search with me?"

"Finding a path to national salvation for China is my lifelong pursuit, Li Dazhao. I am willing!"

at this time.

Li Xuan and Liu Hewei locked eyes.

There's nothing on their minds, nothing else.

Only the other person you see.

Liu Hewei has almost 'forgotten'.

'Forgot' the fact that he was Liu Hewei
Ah, I wasn't filming a movie, I was in "The Age of Awakening," at Waseda University, meeting Li Dazhao.

Liu Hewei then 'woke up' for a moment in a daze.

This show...

At the beginning, this actor, who had "surpassed ordinary TV Kings of the past," was led by Li Xuan, and his words, speeches, and lines were all on his heels.
It wasn't Li Xuan who led me away.

It was Li Dazhao.

It was Li Dazhao himself.

And he himself was Chen Duxiu, a man who, along with Li Dazhao, was searching for a path to national salvation.

I'm not filming a movie.

I am searching for the path to save the nation.

He 'sinked' again and became Chen Duxiu.

Some things are clearer to outsiders, whether it's Wang Jinsong or anyone else, as long as they are still 'outside the play'.

Anyone in the entertainment industry can see just how much Liu Hewei, this "unknown TV King," was swayed by Li Xuan's rhetoric.

Even for Wang Jinsong, it was somewhat beyond his expectations.

He had never seen the filming of the new Three Kingdoms, but he thought that the scenes between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang in the new Three Kingdoms were absolutely wonderful, and he thought that Li Xuan was just lucky to have Liu Hewei.

After all, his portrayal of Liu Bei was truly excellent.

But now, the current situation seems to offer another possibility—a possibility that, in his view, absolutely explains the current situation.

That means it wasn't Li Xuan who was being led by the crowd; it was Li Xuan who was leading the way.

This is the real situation.
"He's so far ahead of you all on the path of acting. I don't even know how far he'll go in the end." Wang Jinsong looked at Luo Jin beside him, and at Liu Hewei and Li Xuan, who were currently clashing on set.
"Even a TV King of Liu Hewei's caliber has to follow the boss's lead. Can I really do it?"

Looking at Luo Jin, who was under immense pressure, Wang Jinsong pondered for a moment.
"Believe in yourself, you have already given so much."

At this time, Luo Jin consumed a large amount of calories in just fifteen days, making herself slightly chubby to adapt to the role.
But I still wonder if I'm qualified to play "him," if I'm qualified to play a role in Li Xuan's grand drama.
Really, am I qualified enough?
Luo Jin then asked himself this question.
But when Li Xuan entrusted his trust to me...
He felt a sense of heaviness.

"Actually... um."

Actually, Wang Jinsong didn't say anything more.
Without Li Xuan, Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin would both be promising talents capable of standing on their own in this era, but now their brilliance has been overshadowed by Li Xuan.

In other words, Li Xuan is too formidable. His formidable strength is unparalleled among actors of the same age.
As an actor, I could tell at a glance.
"Liu Hewei might not be a sure thing, but Li Xuan should be able to win the Best Actor award this time, based on his current performance."

At this moment, Wang Jingsong murmured...
The level of skill Li Xuan displayed was at the level of a TV King in the past. Whether he can win a real award in the most prestigious competition two years later remains to be seen, but his strength is beyond doubt.
Without a doubt, they possess extraordinary strength.

In this context, the performance of newcomers like Luo Jin, who are not weak to begin with, appears rather lacking.
Everything is revealed through contrast and comparison.
At least in this scene, Li Xuan's performance is perhaps only comparable to Huang Bo's, at least among actors of the same age and generation.
Looking back, his rivals were people like Huang Xiaoming and Chen Kun.
Nowadays, both Chen Kun and Huang Xiaoming are relics of the past.

The only actors who can rival Li Xuan are those from the older generation; otherwise, they simply cannot overshadow him.

"So, you don't need to worry too much about Li Xuan's performance. Just focus on your own performance, believe in yourself, and give it your best."

Wang Jinsong patted Luo Jin on the shoulder, telling him not to feel inferior.

When you see a giant, chase after it.

Just fine.

Luo Jin nodded.
Just try your best to catch up.

Even if I can't compare to Li Xuan, at least I shouldn't embarrass him.

Don't embarrass him.

At this moment, Luo Jin also went to watch Li Dazhao's play.

How I "awakened".

I watched him awaken.

The Age of Awakening.

觉醒
It was almost evening when the shoot started, and the sky looked so gloomy it seemed like it was about to collapse.

"Director Li, the weather forecast says there will be a heavy rainstorm tonight, and our outdoor shoot..."

The script supervisor next to him came over, looking troubled.

"A torrential downpour?" Li Xuan's eyes lit up immediately. He looked up at the roof, as if he could see through it to the dark clouds outside. "Wouldn't that be even better? A natural downpour would be even better."

After filming the scene with Chen Duxiu.
Li Dazhao immediately became 'Li Xuan'.

There is no Liu Hewei here, only Chen Duxiu.
To outsiders, Li Xuan was still Li Xuan, and Li Dazhao was still Li Dazhao.

These are 'two people'.

A few people are not used to Li Xuan's filming style, but those who know Li Xuan well, such as Wang Jinsong, know that Li Xuan's mental state has always been excellent.

Occasionally, there will be 'two people'.

“Good rain. Let’s get ready for the next scene. Luo Jin, come here. Just come over here, follow the script and your feelings. Don’t worry about this scene.”

Li Xuan knew that Luo Jin had struggled with this scene for a long time, but after a pause, he still said, "Don't be bound by feelings, don't be bound by control. Sometimes you can't control the character or the feelings, so try to let your feelings control you."

"Um"

At this moment, Luo Jin looked at the torrential rain falling from the sky.

His eyes were also somewhat dazed.
Looking at the script
The scene in the script is very simple...
—On the streets, amidst the torrential rain, impoverished vendors braved the downpour to sell their wares; human traffickers openly sold children; homeless people begged in tattered clothes; and warlords charged through the streets on horseback… But only [he], clutching a newly published copy of "New Youth," walked against the flow of traffic.
Luo Jin seemed to understand.

What does it mean to awaken?

What is meant by the Age of Awakening?
At this moment, Luo Jin seemed to know.

How should this scene be filmed?

Don't try to control your feelings; try to let your feelings control you.

This is what my boss told me.

Trust this feeling.

Start.

It entered the frame.

In those eyes, there was confusion, pain, and anger, but even more so, there was an inextinguishable, vibrant hope!
He ran past rickshaws overturned in the mud, past beggars huddled under the eaves shivering, and past passersby with hurried, indistinct faces.

The whole world was swaying in the wind and rain, but he was running against the wind and rain with all his might.

Sometimes I look back.

Take a look at what's behind you.

Then it continued its relentless, counter-current journey.

It was nothing more than a single thought to save the common people.

Only.

Passed in one take.

Wang Jinsong was watching this scene on camera at that moment.

This shot was also filmed in one take.

It went by so smoothly without any obstacles at all.

Even many veteran actors couldn't achieve this; a single shot could produce such an effect, but Luo Jin did.

Or perhaps it was under Li Xuan's leadership that he achieved it.

And there was that scene where they came walking on water.

From an outsider's perspective.

Who says Li Xuan only knows how to express his emotions?

Who says he only uses the most radical emotions to express himself?

His skill output is clearly at its maximum.

He had no idea what would happen after this edited segment was produced.

How good can the effect be?
At this moment, Wang Jinsong sincerely hoped that the person in charge of editing would not shirk their responsibilities.

We absolutely must make sure this scene has the right effects!
And there's one last scene today.

Li Xuan and Chen Duxiu's play
"Look, Shouchang! The dilapidated temple is leaking, and the Buddha statue is getting soaked—"

Even gods can't protect themselves, so why should they receive offerings from mortals?

The lives of ordinary people are as worthless as grass; let us create a new world together!

"Brother Zhongfu, I, Li Dazhao, hereby pronounce my verdict on you—"

You are sentenced to life imprisonment: locked in an ideal cage!
Sentence me to beheading with reprieve: My head will be offered as a sacrifice to the new party flag!

"Let the mountains and rivers clear the way: I'm coming!"
Let the Yellow River and the Yangtze River bear witness: It has been established!

(End of this chapter)