Chapter 29: This Acting is Incredible

Little Steel Cannon and Xu Fan sat in the third row, while the first two rows were entirely occupied by directors from the Beijing Film Academy faction.

Watching Cao Yang speaking eloquently on stage, perhaps thinking of his own arduous journey, Little Steel Cannon whispered, "The kid is really lucky; the road for his films will be much easier from now on."

A smile hung on Xu Fan’s face, and she maintained her posture of looking up at the stage without moving, her voice drifting slowly to Little Steel Cannon’s ear, "Isn't it just a credited role? How much help can it really be to him?"

"That’s where you don’t understand. We insiders know what’s really going on, but with those two Silver Bears... it’s still very useful to borrow his prestige."

Little Steel Cannon paused for a moment when he said "Silver Bear"; he truly envied that thing so much—who doesn't have a heart that wants to become an artist?

Then he turned his head and asked Wang Zhonglei of Huayi, who was sitting next to him, "If the kid on stage is willing to be the credited director, would Boss Wang be willing to invest?"

Wang Zhonglei didn't even hesitate, "As long as he’s willing to take the credit, give him two experienced assistant directors and find a star from Xiangjiang to play the lead, it would still be very easy to make money."

Little Steel Cannon grinned at Xu Fan and shrugged his shoulders, wearing an expression that said, "See, didn't I tell you?"

Wang Sheng sat in the second row, right in front of Little Steel Cannon. He had also heard their conversation. He turned around and stared at Little Steel Cannon for over ten seconds with a look that said he was an idiot, then softly tossed out a line, "Just watch the movie."

Little Steel Cannon was stunned. What did that brat mean?

Xu Fan patted Little Steel Cannon’s arm, signaling him not to run his mouth; the first two rows were all people from the Beijing Film Academy faction, why provoke them?

On stage, it was Li Xiaoran speaking. Wang Zhonglei’s heart stirred, and he leaned toward Little Steel Cannon, asking, "This Berlin Best Actress title couldn't be fake, could it?"

Little Steel Cannon immediately understood Wang Zhonglei’s meaning. Was he trying to poach someone?

A Berlin Best Actress—the first one from the mainland—is recognized abroad, and it naturally provides a bonus for developing a career in Europe and America.

"If this could be faked, it wouldn't be so rare," Little Steel Cannon replied.

Wang Zhonglei stopped talking and fell into deep thought, wondering what kind of conditions he would need to offer to poach Li Xiaoran.

Last year, Wang Jinghua and Huayi partnered to establish the Huayi Talent Agency, which didn't have any top-tier actresses yet. If they could poach Li Xiaoran, they would have a figurehead.

At this moment, the interaction on stage ended, time was up, the cast and crew stepped down, and the movie began to play.

"Huh?"

As the plot progressed, Little Steel Cannon stared at the screen without blinking, and couldn't help but exclaim, this actor is acting really well!

If such an actor were given to him...

Little Steel Cannon felt a jolt. If he could work with an actor like this, could he also go to Europe and try his luck?

In an instant, he developed a strong feeling of "I could do that too."

At the same time, his doubts began to grow. Could such simple, fixed-position push-and-pull shots, so many one-minute or two-minute takes, or even the four-minute long take that used up an entire reel of film, really be shot by that brat Tian Zhuangzhuang?

It didn't look like it. No, it definitely wasn't.

He was all too familiar with the so-called Fifth Generation directors.

Each one of them thought highly of themselves, all considering themselves artists, and for every frame and every shot, they had unique pursuits; they would absolutely never use such straightforward long takes and large amounts of fixed push-and-pull shots.

These shots, let alone these so-called Fifth Generation directors, even the students at the Beijing Film Academy themselves would disdain to use them.

Yet, it was these simple and straightforward shots that managed to film a movie that made people "get into the story."

Little Steel Cannon analyzed for a moment and slapped his thigh, startling Xu Fan, whose eyes were red, next to him. He had found the reason.

The director had "taken a shortcut."

The director gave almost all the shots to the lead actress, using her emotions to drive the audience’s emotions. This movie didn't show the director’s skill in lens language, but in terms of inciting emotions, it was absolutely top-notch.

When the movie finished, Xu Fan was still immersed in the emotions brought by the lead actress. Little Steel Cannon had already confirmed in his heart that this was definitely not shot by that brat Old Tian.

It was unclear where it started, but applause began to ring out, growing louder and louder until, for a moment, the applause was thunderous.

Wang Zhonglei next to him let out a breath, easing the emotions brought on by the movie, and looked at Little Steel Cannon, saying, "This doesn't even look like acting."

"Awesome!" Little Steel Cannon added.

Anyone present with any discernment would likely no longer doubt that the film was shot by Tian Zhuangzhuang. This was a typical auteur film, with very distinct characteristics.

"The director is only a junior?" Wang Zhonglei asked again.

"Awesome!" Little Steel Cannon repeated. Wang Zhonglei’s heart was burning; this time it wasn't for Li Xiaoran, but for Cao Yang, who was still a junior. If he could win him over, Huayi would have another trump card in its hand.

Milk Tea Liu took three or four minutes to recover from the faint, sorrowful mood, but there was still melancholy and loss in her heart.

She couldn't let it go—the scumbag director actually didn't go find the lead actress!

Even the final apology and the tearful repentance were just the lead actress’s dream!

She couldn't help but think of herself. Back then, wasn't she just like the lead actress, her heart full of her master, waiting for him to... even the dreams she had were the same as the lead actress, but in the end, there was still no result.

"Does he miss me the way I miss him?"

Milk Tea Liu murmured.

"What?"

Huang Lei was stunned for a moment; he had also been infected by the lead actress’s emotions, and had only vaguely heard Milk Tea Liu say something.

"Nothing."

!

Milk Tea Liu suddenly felt that this face, which had looked handsome before, had actually become somewhat repulsive.

Compared to a director who could shoot such a delicate and emotional film as *On the Beach at Night Alone*, he really had no substance at all, just an empty shell.

Why did you reject such a good movie?

Why did you reject such a good movie on my behalf?

Why did you reject such a good movie on my behalf without me knowing?

Do you know that this movie is like it was tailor-made for me!

Do you know that if I had played the role, I could have performed that same visceral feeling!

Do you know that if it weren't for you acting on your own initiative, I would be a Berlin Best Actress right now!

It’s over!

We are over!

The cast and crew began to take the stage, and the applause, which had just begun to subside, grew loud again.

Once the applause stopped, according to the previous procedure, they began to draw lucky fans to give them autographs; this was also a necessary part of the touring premiere event.

Only through interaction could the audience have a sense of participation.

Cao Yang was chatting with a group of directors from the Beijing Film Academy. Some people’s doubts had vanished, and those who knew some inside information suddenly realized—no wonder he could gain the favor of Teacher Situ; the person really had talent.

Of course, many others still felt that the kid was just damn lucky to have encountered Li Xiaoran’s god-tier performance; if someone gave them a Li Xiaoran, they could also bring back a few major awards.

"Cao Yang, your film’s emotional rendering is very good, and there is humanistic concern, but in terms of lens language, it is still too rudimentary. Practice more; you must think more, learn more, and practice more."

Chen Kun patted Cao Yang on the shoulder and reminded him, "You are still young; don't get complacent just because you won two Silver Bears, and even less should you be arrogant. Otherwise, even if the teachers don't say anything, as your older brother, I will definitely have to lecture you."

Cao Yang responded with a smile, "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I have been studying lens language recently, and in the next movie, I will definitely let you see progress."

Just as he got away, Li Xiaoran pulled over someone with a soft appearance and introduced him, "Director Cao, this is my close friend Chen Kun. He really wants to meet you. He has taken great care of me and introduced many resources to me in the past."

"Director Cao, hello, I am Chen Kun."

Chen Kun bowed slightly and shook Cao Yang’s hand, saying, "Thank you for taking care of Xiaoran. Back in the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, she was especially loyal and took great care of me."

"Hello, Chen Kun. Thank you for taking care of Xiaoran as well. You are one of the actors from our school who has developed very well in the last two years—a popular idol."

"I don't deserve the praise, I don't deserve it. I hope to have the opportunity to work with Director Cao."

"There will be opportunities."

Thank you, brothers, for the monthly tickets and recommendations. Thank you, I bow in gratitude!

(End of chapter)