Chapter 623
Questioning Jiang Yang, Understanding Jiang Yang, Becoming Jiang Yang
Steam rose from the small bowl of noodles, blurring the face of the student opposite.
Tian Xiwei still had noodles between her chopsticks.
She tried to explain, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she realized that she couldn't explain it clearly.
How do you explain to someone who has never seen a monitor, never stood in front of a camera, and has no idea how a scene is filmed, what rhythm is, what emotional climax is, and what restraint and outburst are on and off camera?
A few words cannot bridge the gap between two worlds.
I feel a little down.
She put it more simply: "In my crying scene, I couldn't just cry too hard, I had to hold back, because close-ups would capture the details on my face."
This time, the muttering was even more direct.
With a touch of self-righteous indifference:
"Isn't acting just about crying as hard as you can? The more miserable you cry, the better."
"Still need to control it? What's there to control?"
Upon hearing this...
Tian Xi forced a smile and nodded.
I'm reminded of myself from a long time ago.
These are very layman's questions, straightforward doubts, which I've had before.
Without hiding anything, she turned around and approached Jiang Yang, tilting her head back and asking questions incessantly.
Jiang Yang explained it to her little by little.
That's when she realized that close-up shots magnify facial expressions.
Crying too hard will distort your facial expressions.
What truly touches people is the tears held back.
Jiang Yang taught her, guided her, understood her, and led her step by step from outside the door into the inside.
These classmates wouldn't ask her the same questions she asked Jiang Yang.
They just muttered something to each other in a low voice.
I listened and that was it. I didn't delve into it, wasn't curious, and didn't really care. After all, they weren't in this line of work.
There's no need to understand it at all.
In this small noodle shop, among this group of classmates who had endured three years of high school, she was the only one who would step into the entertainment industry in the future.
For others, filming is just a spectacle on television.
It's just a pastime to pass the time after meals.
Entertainment news that has nothing to do with my own life.
Even now, in the private room, people are saying they envy her, praise her abilities, and say she'll be a big star in the future.
It was just a polite remark.
Let's maintain a proper relationship as classmates.
There's also curiosity.
But they won't truly enter her world; mainly, they can't get in.
Not everyone has Jiang Yang to guide them.
Tian Xiwei tried to keep the atmosphere lively. After chatting for a few minutes, she spoke up again: "The sound engineer said our lines were too weak and difficult to fix in post-production. He told us to record them again with our voices lowered."
Upon hearing this, the people nearby exchanged bewildered glances.
Especially those students who had the best grades, were the most introverted, and would bury themselves in their books after class.
His face revealed an unmistakable bewilderment.
They never get to control the remote control at home.
Parents watch the news, family dramas, and health programs; the children can only watch along with them.
I was strictly controlled for three years of high school.
I rarely used my phone, didn't watch variety shows, and didn't follow dramas until after the college entrance exam. That was the first time I had the chance to watch something I liked.
They had absolutely no idea about sound recording, post-production, or whether the dialogue was fluent or not.
She listened attentively and tried her best to keep up with the conversation, giving Tian Xi a slightly awkward yet polite smile.
He nods mechanically from time to time and utters a soft "oh".
A girl wearing glasses, who usually ranked in the top ten of her grade, tilted her head slightly and said sincerely, "Oh? Do we have to film several takes? Don't we always get it right in one take on TV?"
The boy next to him immediately nodded in agreement, echoing, "Yeah, I thought actors just recited lines, smiled and cried in front of the camera, and that was it, it was so easy."
Someone else chimed in:
"Exactly, being a celebrity is so easy for you guys. You make money after filming a few movies. It's fun and not tiring at all."
"Yes, it's so comfortable to wear nice clothes and makeup every day, and to have people wait on you."
"Unlike us, who will have to take civil service exams, graduate school entrance exams, and work long hours, working ourselves to the bone."
The conversation was very relaxed and genuine.
There was no malice, no sarcasm.
These are just the simple, uninformed words of an ordinary student.
But every word gently pierced Tian Xiwei's heart.
Upon hearing this, she nodded and smiled, taking a sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment.
There are many things that cannot be said.
A scene might require many takes, and filming until 3 or 4 a.m. is common.
I didn't know that people wear summer clothes in winter and cotton-padded coats in summer.
Shivering from the cold, yet still smiling; suffering from heatstroke, yet still maintaining a positive mood.
Whether the dialogue is smooth or not, and whether the audio is clear or not, will affect whether a scene can be used, whether it will be criticized, and whether it will cause the whole crew to have to redo it.
Behind the phrase "post-production is difficult to fix" lies the fact that actors have to work long hours again, suppress their emotions, and repeatedly find their footing.
What they didn't know was how many times she practiced in front of the mirror, endured being scolded by the director, secretly cried, and learned from Jiang Yang bit by bit, all while suppressing her tears and lowering her voice in front of the camera.
These are things that laymen cannot see.
Most people in this industry are just looking for fun.
Filming is fun, easy, and makes money quickly; being a star is very comfortable.
They were talking about technical stuff, which I didn't understand and didn't want to understand.
The hardships, pressures, struggles, and growth experienced are invisible, imperceptible, and unnecessary for others to experience.
Tian Xi opened her mouth slightly, but suddenly didn't want to explain anything anymore.
I remember that midterm exam.
I saw Jiang Yang in the examination hall at that time.
Jiang Yang's classmates gathered together to compare answers and discuss their scores.
Jiang Yang stood quietly by the window, neither participating nor interrupting.
At that time, she thought he was aloof, and even had a slight feeling that Jiang Yang was just putting on airs.
Now she understands.
At that time, Jiang Yang probably couldn't fit in with his classmates either.
Unconsciously... questioning Jiang Yang, understanding Jiang Yang, becoming Jiang Yang.
"Yeah, it's not as complicated as I made it out to be. I was just rambling, so please don't take it seriously." Tian Xi smiled and said, "Most of the time, it's just for fun. Filming is actually quite relaxing."
A chorus of agreement immediately erupted around the table: "I knew it! It'll definitely be fun!"
"Don't forget us when you become a big star!"
"If we see you on TV in the future, our whole class will cheer for you!"
The excitement is back.
Laughter erupted.
I understand how Jiang Yang felt back then.
I heard someone asking about Jiangyang's situation.
Tian Xiwei softened her tone: "He's doing quite well now. He's not unconventional anymore, he's more stable than before, he takes things seriously, and he always cares about the people around him."
His words were sincere and natural.
The students at the table listened with shining eyes, occasionally chiming in with a comment. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful, full of the relaxed energy of teenagers getting together.
After dinner, the group, laughing and joking, went to a karaoke bar in the county town.
Push the door open and go inside.
The lighting was dim, the walls were a bit old, the edges of the sofa were worn white, and the sound system was very ordinary.
Tian Xiwei stood in the corridor, occasionally hearing off-key singing from the next private room.
It was a completely different world from the shopping mall in Yiwu that Jiang Yang had taken her to before.
It was to meet three musicians and also to celebrate Hao Chun's birthday.
When discussing cooperation, one should look for opportunities and be mindful of the occasion.
The decor is exquisite, the private rooms are spacious, and beverages, wine, and fruit platters are all provided.
It was mainly Zhong Shujia who paid the bill, making the class of the establishment very clear.
At the time, she didn't care whether the environment was good or bad. She was only focused on helping out, singing, making an impression, and spending more time with Jiang Yang.
However, nowadays, people don't mind that this place is simple.
The people sitting next to me were my classmates, all ordinary students who didn't have much extra money.
The point of going out to have fun is to enjoy the lively and carefree atmosphere.
No need to put on airs, no need to worry about appearances.
He smiled naturally as soon as he entered the room, picked up the microphone, and joined in the cheering.
Requesting songs, grabbing the microphone, and singing along randomly.
Someone requested an old song, and everyone hummed along, creating a lively atmosphere.
Halfway through the song, someone suddenly held up a microphone and asked Tian Xiwei, "Xiwei, you and Yang Chaoyue are colleagues, have you ever heard her sing 'Calorie' live?"
The room fell silent after those words were spoken.
All eyes were on her. (End of Chapter)