Chapter 0836: Explaining the Script (Part 1)

"There is only one kind of sickness in this world, and that is poverty."

Zhao Fusheng, holding the script, said to Fan Baobao, "So you need to first understand what this film is about and what it wants to express."

"But isn't that the male lead's business?" Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng blankly.

No matter how reluctant she was, Zhao Fusheng still ended up taking the script to explain it to her. After all, she was his girlfriend, and it wouldn't do to have her constantly criticized like that.

Besides, Zhao Fusheng knew that Fan Baobao's acting skills were indeed problematic.

This problem wasn't about her lack of effort; it was because she had just left school and still retained that academic polish. She was far from being able to effortlessly shape a character's personality.

That was why she asked such a question.

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and explained to Fan Baobao, "Whether it's the male lead or the female lead, they are all characters in this play. If you want to shape a person, you first have to place that character in a big framework, and this play is that big framework. So you need to first understand the character you're playing, then understand the character opposite you, understand?"

Fan Baobao nodded as if she understood.

It had to be said that when it came to acting, her talent was really average. If it weren't for her being pretty enough, she probably wouldn't even have had the chance to act in this play.

Even though she was his girlfriend, Zhao Fusheng dared to say that.

"Feelings between people are not simple addition and subtraction, adding a point for a good impression and subtracting a point for a bad one. Nor are they measured on a scale where good and bad can be weighed." Zhao Fusheng said to Fan Baobao, "So you first need to understand the inner state of this high school girl, and then you can portray her emotions."

Fan Baobao seemed to understand but not fully, blinking her eyes as she looked at Zhao Fusheng. Clearly, she had grasped some of her boyfriend's words but not all.

In fact, if someone else had said this to her, Fan Baobao would definitely have argued back, unless it was an authority like Director Wang Xiaoshuai, whose authority made her dare not refute. But even then, deep down, Fan Baobao still felt a sense of defiance.

But Zhao Fusheng was different; he was her boyfriend, truly her own person.

After all, others might have selfish motives for one reason or another, but Fan Baobao was sure that Zhao Fusheng doted on her one hundred percent.

In other words, it was a matter of trust.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled lightly. In fact, he could somewhat understand Fan Baobao's current state.

The biggest difference between idol actors and strength-based actors is that the former often don't need much acting skill; they are just a pretty vase. The director doesn't even need your performance to have any tension, as long as you can complete the basic tasks. As for differences like being calm and restrained or flamboyant, the director can't even be bothered to care. As long as there are box office results, ratings, and buzz, they can deliver.

But the latter is different. Many times, the significance of a strength-based actor lies in their ability to fully convey the director's intentions and the screenwriter's purpose for the entire play.

For example, in the film 'Wolf Warrior 2,' which grossed five billion yuan, it's a heroic action film promoting patriotism, and it's indeed well-made. But honestly, within the entire film, the one with real acting skills is 'Da Kang Shu Ji.' As for 'Tang Zhu,' well, he's responsible for being handsome. And the director and lead actor, 'Pin Ming San Lang,' is responsible for action scenes and being a hero.

This is actually the same principle as why there are always beautiful women in James Bond films.

In fact, the reason Wang Xiaoshuai agreed to let Zhao Fusheng come and explain the script to Fan Baobao was simple: he felt his temper was about to get the better of him, and Fan Baobao clearly knew Jiang Wen, so he might as well do Jiang Wen a favor.

During the filmmaking process, it's common for actors to struggle to get into character. Sometimes it's due to personal factors or external interference, other times because the actor's understanding of the role differs from the director's.

The key point is that the difference between film and television is that if the director and actor have a discrepancy in understanding the plot or character, during TV drama production, they might sit down and talk it over, then revise the script.

But in film production, such occurrences are rare.

The reason is actually simple: TV drama directors are often not very famous and are easily overshadowed by the actors' fame. In other words, big-name actors hold such high status that directors often have to yield.

In film production, however, such things rarely happen. If an actor is dissatisfied with the script, they can discuss it, but modifications are not allowed.

After all, film directors are a very tight-knit circle; they would never allow their scripts to be easily altered by actors.

You see, the significance of a role goes beyond the actor themselves; it affects the entire play.

"Your character is a beautiful high school girl from a wealthy family. She was originally Jian's girlfriend, but because Jian was too insecure to get close to her, she broke up with him. However, because of her, Jian and Gui get beaten up.

Your role is very important. I've read the script. The director uses your character's romantic relationship as a prop to symbolize the transfer of power.

His purpose is to highlight the status of power and systems in the minds of teenagers, and to emphasize the importance of power as a cause of cruel youth.

So in the end, you will have a conflict with the male lead, and then choose a boy with superb driving skills as your partner, understand?"

Zhao Fusheng carefully analyzed the character and the entire script for Fan Baobao.

"According to what you're saying, isn't this girl quite annoying?" Fan Baobao frowned, offering her own understanding: "I think what she does is wrong."

Zhao Fusheng laughed, thought for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "What she does isn't wrong; it's her own choice. Everyone has the right to choose their own life. You can't deny a person just because of their choice. When we act, we always like to say this person is bad, that person is good. But tell me, can good people and bad people really be so clearly distinguished?

Since it's acting, you must follow the logic of performance. How to portray the role is what you should consider, not whether the role is good or bad.

When you were in school, didn't your teacher tell you that if you encounter a bad role, you shouldn't take it?"

Zhao Fusheng's words were blunt. He felt it was his duty to make Fan Baobao understand what a true actor is and what true acting is.