Chapter 0837: Talking About Acting (Part 2)

In a sense, acting is a profession like no other.

In life, each of us plays our own role; from this perspective, we are all actors. But that said, being a good actor is not easy. After all, an actor cannot, like an ordinary person, play only one role for a lifetime.

Acting, after all, is a profession.

The reason performance is called an art is ultimately because a performer can reinterpret their role.

That's why people say art comes from life but is higher than life.

There are many kinds of actors, but it's generally agreed that a good actor must first have talent for acting—like Zhou Xun and Xia Yu, who already had remarkable acting skills at a young age. Second, they must be able to draw inferences. For example, if you're playing a traffic cop, you should at least know how to direct traffic. Otherwise, what you portray will become a mishmash.

An actor's growth, in the end, is a continuous process of learning.

For a young actor like Fan Baobao, the road ahead is still long.

"Then, what should I do?" Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng hesitantly. She really wanted to play the role well, but she worried about failing to meet the director's requirements.

"Nothing much, just don't be nervous and play yourself," Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said. "But you need to restrain your emotions, be more reserved. Think about it: this character's love story is the opposite of ours. You and I grew up together, so we don't need to overthink—laugh when we want, cry when we want. But she's different; everything she does must be held back."

"This girl's heart is delicate and sensitive, so the feeling you convey should be subtle and understated."

Zhao Fusheng summed it up, then looked at Fan Baobao: "Remember, this is the person you're playing, not your true self. Just hold back your own emotions."

He said this because he worried Fan Baobao might get too immersed in the role and be unable to detach.

Acting itself is an emotionally rich profession; if one cannot quickly break away from a role, it can lead to psychological issues. Many actors suffer from mental illness—that's no secret.

No individual in this world can exist alone without any meaning.

The acting profession often depends on talent; the greater the talent, the higher the achievement. But don't forget, no matter how great the talent, one must ultimately return to reality.

If one can't distinguish between acting and reality, the final outcome is predictable.

An excellent actor must experience the process of entering and exiting a role. Whether life is like a play or a play is like life, often the actor must grasp it themselves.

"I'll give it a try."

Fan Baobao was silent for a moment, then said to Zhao Fusheng.

She knew Zhao Fusheng meant well, though she didn't fully understand his words. But Fan Baobao felt she had grasped part of it.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and was about to leave when he found his sleeve tugged by Fan Baobao.

"What's wrong?" He looked at her oddly, not knowing why she stopped him.

Fan Baobao stared at Zhao Fusheng: "Didn't you promise me you wouldn't come?"

Before filming, the two had agreed that Zhao Fusheng wouldn't interfere with Fan Baobao's shooting this time, wouldn't cause trouble on set, and would let her undergo the ordeal herself.

But now Zhao Fusheng showed up, and Fan Baobao was truly surprised.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly: "It's not my fault. I wasn't planning to come, but Old Jiang insisted on visiting, and I couldn't very well refuse. After all, he came to see the director, so I had to come along."

Fan Baobao looked at him suspiciously: "Really?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded honestly: "Of course it's true. But I did miss you, so I followed along to see you."

Sweet talk doesn't always need to be complicated. Honeyed words may move people momentarily, but simple, unadorned words truly leave a mark.

Sure enough, Fan Baobao was startled, then blushed slightly, lowered her head, and whispered, "I miss you too, actually."

Though she was determined to hone her acting skills, Fan Baobao was still a young woman. Being criticized by the director all day was hard on her.

If not for Zhao Fusheng's presence, she would have gone off to cry alone as usual.

"Alright, if you're too tired, take a rest." Zhao Fusheng said softly, looking at her.

To be honest, he really felt for Fan Baobao. For a girl with little acting experience to take on an art film with such high demands on acting was no easy task.

This was just the beginning. Zhao Fusheng knew that in the film "Seventeen-Year-Old Bicycle," Zhou Xun also had a role. In other words, Fan Baobao was about to act opposite a powerhouse.

To put it bluntly, if Fan Baobao was a novice leveling up in this film, Zhou Xun was a veteran who had already changed classes, just making a guest appearance.

The contrast would be particularly stark.

Thinking of this, Zhao Fusheng felt especially sorry for his girlfriend. She finally got a lead role, only to act opposite a boss-level actor like Zhou Xun. With such luck, she might as well buy a lottery ticket.

"Hmph, don't underestimate me. The director said I've made great progress lately."

Fan Baobao lifted her head and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged. Since she was so confident, he didn't want to discourage her. He figured he'd call Zhou Xun later and ask a favor.

That was for later. Since they were on set, they didn't have much chance to talk. Fan Baobao went back to touch up her makeup, and Zhao Fusheng returned to Jiang Wen and the others.

"Finished so soon?" Wang Xiaoshuai asked in surprise.

"Why didn't you chat a bit longer?" Jiang Wen grinned slyly, winking at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes, ignoring his teasing, and looked at Wang Xiaoshuai: "She has a good foundation, but she's still too academic. You need to polish her slowly."

He paused, then added: "Or find someone to mentor her, and she'll be fine."

"Hmm, in that case, I do have someone in mind." Wang Xiaoshuai's eyes lit up at Zhao Fusheng's words. He smiled and said, "As it happens, Zhou Xun agreed to help out with this film. I think she'll do."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said nothing, but Jiang Wen was startled, then looked at Zhao Fusheng with an odd expression.

Zhao Fusheng touched his nose and pretended not to notice.