Chapter 768: A three-person Shura field—how should you handle it?

Jin Li’s switch between "literary and martial" and "dynamic and static" conquered the actors in the crew who had been unconvinced by her.

As for the rumors about Jin Li in the crew, Director Chu was also perfectly aware of them.

In fact, today’s scenes were specifically arranged by him, just to let those actors know Jin Li’s capabilities.

For this, he even specially swapped the scenes of several actors, just to make Jin Li’s "seamless switching" state appear more obvious.

In the evening, he discussed the local details that needed to be modified with the screenwriter and mentioned this matter in passing.

Director Chu revealed a composure that suggested he had expected this long ago, saying: "I knew that since neither Jin Li nor Gu Cheng had participated in the pre-crew training, many actors would be unconvinced by them, and there would be some gossip in the crew."

Screenwriter: "I thought you would strictly manage the crew's discipline, making them focus more on acting instead of always gossiping."

Director Chu smiled: "I would like their discipline to be stricter, focusing their minds on filming every day without me needing to manage them."

"But there are so many people in the crew, it’s impossible for me to train them into an army. I am already satisfied with the current atmosphere of the crew; it didn't let down the two days I spent at the beginning training them to stand in military posture."

The screenwriter thought for a moment and said: "Your method is good; it can both showcase Jin Li’s ability and let some actors see the gap between them and the top actors."

He could see that Jin Li appeared to be an experiential actor on the surface, but was actually a technical one.

Many of her performances were imitations of other excellent actors, with a bit of her own personal understanding added in.

She hadn't formed a personal style in acting yet, but she was already moving in that direction step by step.

Jin Li’s acting couldn't be called outstandingly excellent, but it was much better than other new-generation actors.

Given the genre of their film, the requirements for acting weren't that high, and Jin Li’s acting could handle it.

The screenwriter didn't know what he thought of, and said: "With Jin Li holding down the fort for the actresses, I’m not worried. It’s just on the actors' side—with Gu Cheng and Bai Jiang both in the crew, will there be problems?"

Judging from the scenes, Bai Jiang was still the undisputed male lead, continuing the male lead’s personality from *Dawn 1*.

They had only changed the female lead of the second installment from Xu Ting to Jin Li, but the male lead hadn't been changed.

Yet Gu Cheng had previously acted in another special-effects blockbuster, *Desperate Counterattack*, which was also very famous in the industry, plus he and Jin Li were suspected to be a couple.

So, although the role Gu Cheng played couldn't compare to Bai Jiang’s in terms of screen time, his popularity in the crew could rival Bai Jiang’s.

It’s troublesome when actresses fight, and it’s not necessarily easier when actors fight.

It would have been fine if the screenwriter hadn't mentioned it, but as soon as he did, Director Chu laughed.

"Before the crew started filming, I also thought about this problem. One mountain cannot hold two tigers; both male stars have high popularity, and I was worried they would form cliques and factions in the crew."

"But when filming, I found that these two were very well-behaved. Like Jin Li, they filmed honestly, rested after filming, and didn't participate in any disputes in the crew."

"According to my observations, the relationship between these two actors in the crew is actually quite good; they gather together to discuss acting, and the atmosphere is good."

The screenwriter raised his eyebrows and said with interest: "The scale of the second installment’s filming is even grander than the first, and more actors were invited. I was worried there would be mishaps."

"But according to what you say, the atmosphere seems even better than when the first one was filmed."

Director Chu didn't know what he thought of, the smile on his face faded slightly, and he said indifferently:

"As long as the top actors don't act up, the crew’s atmosphere won't be bad."

Standing from the director’s perspective, he felt that the relationship between Gu Cheng and Bai Jiang was good.

However, in the crew that appeared calm on the surface but was actually surging with undercurrents, others felt that the conflict and contradiction between these two were already about to be put on the table.

Although the two male stars didn't swaggeringly say "I want more scenes, I want to change the scenes," they both looked quite hardworking and uncomplaining.

But in the eyes of other actors, it just felt like these two actors were competing.

It seemed like they were comparing their acting skills.

"Today Bai Jiang’s scene only took five minutes to pass, one take, and the director even praised him for filming well!"

"Gu Cheng’s scenes also pass quickly. Although not one-take, the scenes he has filmed so far are quite difficult, and filming a few more times can ensure the film’s effect."

"I saw Gu Cheng’s fight scenes. He is worthy of being the male lead of *Desperate Counterattack*; his martial arts scenes are very powerful. Bai Jiang isn't as good as him."

"But Gu Cheng’s literary scenes can't compare to Bai Jiang’s; his emotions aren't as rich as Bai Jiang’s."

"Could it be that the plot of the character Gu Cheng plays isn't as rich as Bai Jiang’s to begin with, which is why he can't compare? I think Gu Cheng’s acting is actually much better than Bai Jiang’s!"

After filming for a week, Jin Li heard this gossip from Chen Qin.

The protagonists of the gossip had long since changed from her to Gu Cheng and Bai Jiang.

Jin Li shook her head, feeling that this group of people was still too idle to have time to care about the gossip of two big stars.

Chen Qin said happily: "Gu Cheng is your boyfriend in reality, and Bai Jiang is your official match in the play."

"Wait, stop, Bai Jiang’s official match isn't me. In the first part, the person the male lead liked most was Su Yuxuan, played by Xu Ting."

Chen Qin blinked: "But everyone won't think so. They default to the male and female leads being together."

"What’s more, there wasn't much emotional development in the first part. It’s normal for the male lead to have a good impression of Su Yuxuan first, and then have a better impression of the supporting female character Ruan Ruan more than ten years later."

Jin Li: "……You’re right, but I’m a clone in the second part, and I’m not called Ruan Ruan, but Ruan Tang."

Chen Qin said excitedly: "That’s not important, as long as that’s what they think."

Jin Li helplessly supported her forehead, suddenly feeling a bit fortunate that they weren't filming her scenes with Bai Jiang and Gu Cheng yet, otherwise she would have to appear in this gossip news again.

However, not appearing now doesn't mean not appearing later.

Chen Qin gossiped secretly: "Sister Jin Li, in the crew, the Ruan Tang you play clearly has a better impression of the male lead played by Bai Jiang, but Gu Cheng’s character also has a good impression of you. How will you handle this three-person Shura field?"

Jin Li said speechlessly: "I won't handle it. I’ll act however the script is written. Am I the kind of actress who likes to change scenes?"

Chen Qin said regretfully: "You are not."

Jin Li spread her hands: "So don't ask me this question. I didn't think that much when filming."

Filming is very busy every day. Although she and Gu Cheng are in the same crew, because their scenes don't overlap much, they are currently filming individual lines.

So they can't communicate every day.

Don't look at them being in the same crew; the words they say every day aren't as frequent as their communication on WeChat. They can only chat during lunch breaks and evening breaks.

But wanting to chat face-to-face is also a bit difficult.

The crew is crowded and noisy. After meeting once or twice, they both felt it was inconvenient, as if they were being watched.

They have been discussing recently whether to change their chats during rest time to video calls.

Others do that for long-distance relationships; their "same-crew relationship" isn't necessarily easier than a long-distance one.

That night, Jin Li video-called Gu Cheng and brought up the gossip about him and Bai Jiang.

Gu Cheng had already learned about this gossip from his assistant today and said helplessly:

"I don't know where they saw that I was competing with Bai Jiang. Judging from filming experience, he has filmed more movies than me and previously filmed *Dawn 1*, so he understands Director Chu’s style and rhythm and adapts faster than me."

"If I compete with him, the one who loses will only be me."

He changed the subject, "Our relationship is good. Recently, some scenes have overlapped, and I will ask him to discuss the script. Bai Jiang is willing to give me pointers."

Jin Li recalled the clips she had filmed with Bai Jiang before and couldn't help but nod:

"His acting is much more mature than when he filmed the first part. He has put a lot of effort into character understanding, and his physical fitness has also improved a lot, but his handling of special effects is still a bit stiff. You are better than him in this regard."

After all, Gu Cheng had just finished filming a special-effects blockbuster not long ago, and he was more familiar with special-effects handling than Bai Jiang.

Gu Cheng also said: "I also feel that his character understanding is good, so I discuss the script with him and ask him about his thoughts on my character."

"Combining his thoughts, I have a newer understanding of the character I play. Fortunately, Director Chu’s filming isn't that jumpy. Although the scenes arranged every day are also arranged according to the venue, the filmed plot can generally follow the order."

If Director Chu arranged the scenes too chaotically—filming him working in the laboratory in one scene and filming him sacrificing himself in the laboratory in the next—the emotional progression wouldn't be this fast.

At this time, it tests the actor’s acting skills.

The perception of emotion is always a subject that actors cannot bypass.

In this regard, Jin Li has a unique advantage.

Gu Cheng thought of something and said hesitantly: "My scenes will probably take more than a month to film. I found that Director Chu’s filming style is very different from Director Zheng’s style."

"Director Chu’s style is more commercialized, with a template that can be applied, while Director Zheng has a strong personal style and will always focus on details."

"I admire Director Chu’s filming style very much. What do you think if I go to Director Chu’s side to help with chores and learn when I’m not filming?"

Jin Li: "You are a directing major after all. While cooperating with various big directors, you can also learn a lot. No matter what you think, I support you."

Gu Cheng’s mind settled, and he smiled.

"I am an actor and have a certain degree of fame. If I really follow the director to do chores, I feel I will have some idol baggage and won't be able to let go of my status."

"But I don't want to miss such a rare learning opportunity. Knowledge from books is shallow, and one must practice to truly understand it. I want to learn directing knowledge as soon as possible."

"Whether it’s Director Chu or Director Zheng, in terms of practical ability, they are actually more powerful than professors in school."

He paused and said: "I couldn't make up my mind immediately, but with your support, I feel much more settled. Starting tomorrow, I will do this."

Jin Li asked with a smile: "Can you let go of your idol baggage?"

Gu Cheng sighed lightly: "I have to let it go even if I don't want to. You have never fallen behind in your schoolwork and can even apply for national-level scholarships."

"Since I have signed up for the directing major, I must be responsible for this major. Otherwise, you will graduate as an 'excellent student,' and I will just be an ordinary graduate. How embarrassing that would be!"

Jin Li didn't expect that it was because of her that Gu Cheng was so attentive to his studies.

Her eyes rippled, and she encouraged: "Then you have to work hard. I have innate talent in philosophy, and if you want to counterattack, you have to put in more effort."

Gu Cheng said "En" with a solemn expression.

Jin Li is running with all her might, and he cannot hold her back.

No sooner said than done.

Once Gu Cheng makes up his mind, his execution is very strong.

Early the next morning, he came to the crew. The floor manager greeted him and asked curiously:

"Why are you here so early? I remember you don't have any scenes this morning."

Filming is very tiring and busy. Except for when they first start filming, actors will be too excited and stay in the crew all day.

After this excitement passes, let alone big actors, many small actors only appear when it is their turn to film that scene and will not arrive at the crew two or three hours in advance.

And Gu Cheng, Jin Li, and Bai Jiang appear only when it is their turn from the beginning and do not stay in the crew for too long.

This is not because the bigger the star, the bigger the airs.

It is because it is actually not a good thing for these stars to stay in the crew too much, as it will cause interference to other actors and staff.

Because they are quite famous, once they arrive at the crew, they must send two or three staff members to follow them, serving them hand and foot.

Why waste crew resources?

Isn't it better to let these people go out and help the crew more?

In addition, not showing up too much can also reduce a lot of trouble.

Some small stars will come up to get close and keep saying nice things as soon as they see big stars, which makes those big stars very annoyed.

Don't underestimate the desire of small stars to become popular. Those small stars didn't have a chance before, but now that they are in the same crew, isn't the opportunity to make friends with big stars here?

Even Jin Li stays in her RV more when she is not filming.

The greater the star’s fame, the more it is destined that they cannot be too approachable in the crew, which will cause many issues.

Gu Cheng said: "I am here to observe others filming."

The floor manager nodded, didn't say anything more, and opened the schedule in his hand to take a look.

He scratched his head. Strange, no big actor is filming in the morning, so what is there to observe?

Eh, wait, Bai Jiang has a literary scene at ten o'clock. Could it be that he came for Bai Jiang?

Who said that Gu Cheng and Bai Jiang have a good relationship and are not competing?

Isn't this just competing!

I have to say, this is a wonderful misunderstanding.

As soon as the crew started filming, Gu Cheng went to Director Chu’s side.

Director Chu entered a working state, his expression was relatively serious and relatively silent.

He glanced at Gu Cheng, saw that he wasn't in the way, and ignored him, continuing to focus on watching the camera screen.

After filming for about an hour, Director Chu realized what was going on.

During a break, he looked at Gu Cheng and said meaningfully: "Are you trying to steal techniques?"

Gu Cheng quickly raised his hand and said: "No, Director Chu, I’m just here to learn lens language, so I can know what kind of expression is the most beautiful under what kind of lens!"

Director Chu said "En-heng" and asked again: "Do you understand it, just staring there all the time?" ===== CHAPTER 777 =====