Chapter 375: You're Just a Little Bit Off

Cao Yang planned to divide the shooting of "Ties to the Seaside City" into two parts.

This film adopted a non-linear narrative structure, intertwining the male lead's past and present, forming a space-time interlacing effect.

This narrative method not only showed the male lead's trauma memories, but also hinted at his predicament of being unable to get rid of the past.

However, shooting definitely couldn't be in the order of the film's playback, nor could it be shot with the past and present intertwined.

Generally, it was shot according to scenes, which saved time, money, and energy.

Although Cao Yang was also shooting according to scenes this time, he shot them separately, and the node was before and after the accidental fire in the male lead's house in the film.

Before the accident, the male lead was an open-minded ordinary person.

At this time, it was the brightest color in the entire film, mainly in warm tones: light green walls, yellow clothes and bed sheets, and colorful towels and toys at home, etc.

After the accident, the male lead closed himself off, and the film began to become dull and oppressive.

The film's visual style was mainly in cold tones, with a large amount of gray, blue, and white tones creating a cold and oppressive atmosphere.

This color tone not only fit the film's theme, but also strengthened the male lead's inner loneliness and pain.

Cao Yang's intention to shoot separately according to this node also had a purpose.

There weren't many plots before the accidental fire, and the actors just needed to play normally; Cao Yang didn't plan to add an immersive experience to the actors when shooting this plot.

Specifically, when shooting this plot, he didn't plan to add an immersive experience to Cheng Long.

But in order to better interpret the male lead's state, for the later plot, Cao Yang was prepared to increase the "dosage."

The male lead's personality and emotions were severely split before and after; this film was already "depressed" and oppressive enough, and Cao Yang was worried that if he added an immersive experience from the beginning, it might really make Cheng Long schizophrenic.

So shooting in two parts was very necessary.

There were few plots before the accidental fire, and except for a scene of going to sea with his brother and nephew, almost all were indoor scenes.

This part of the scenes didn't need to be shot in Xiangjiang, and could be shot in the Youth Film Studio's studio; the room had already been arranged.

Because the requirements for this part of the plot weren't high, the shooting was very smooth, without too many difficulties.

Everyone was laughing and laughing, and it only took three days to finish shooting.

Currently, because the entire crew was almost all staff from the Beijing Film Academy, mostly old fixed teams, and even the twenty or so interns were all students from the Beijing Film Academy, there was no grinding and probing of other newly built crews.

And there was no such thing as intrigue.

And there was no phenomenon of fighting that would appear in some crews—most crews, after the director found photographers, lighting technicians, etc., these photographers and lighting technicians would recruit or bring their own people in.

Sometimes because of some small things, as long as one department's personnel had a conflict with another department's personnel, it would often evolve into a large-scale fight of the entire department.

This kind of thing was actually very common.

Cao Yang's crew definitely wouldn't have this situation; these old teams of his were either employees of the Youth Film Studio or teachers of the Beijing Film Academy; anyway, they were all from the Beijing Film Academy system, so of course, those things wouldn't happen.

From the first day Cheng Long joined the crew to shoot, he felt very relaxed, mainly because the crew's atmosphere was very good, which was undoubtedly very favorable for the film's shooting.

So after shooting these specific scenes in three days, Cheng Long was still thinking, the crew's atmosphere was really good; no wonder Cao Dao could shoot so many classic films.

Such a working environment could reduce too many troubles, so the director didn't have to waste too much energy on managing the crew's trivial matters.

"The subsequent shooting, I will definitely be able to complete it easily and happily."

Cheng Long made a beautiful wish.

After shooting these, many subsequent scenes in Xiangjiang, as long as they were indoor scenes or single-scene scenes, were all shot in the Youth Film Studio.

There were some scenes shot in Xiangjiang, not too many, and overall, there weren't as many scenes shot abroad.

The male lead was afraid of being reminded of the past, and also to escape; Cao Yang combined the opinions of the location manager and assistant director's field survey, and finally chose Quebec City in Quebec, Canada; this was also Hollywood's favorite shooting location.

The reason was, first, there were many studios here, and the labor cost was nearly half lower than in the United States; second, the tax credit preferential policy here was very large—at least 20% tax credit could be obtained.

If the local workers reached the minimum standard, there was an additional 16% labor cost tax credit.

Many scenes in "Inception," shot by Cao Yang, were shot in studios built in Quebec.

The cost of shooting here, overall, was lower than in England.

In addition, Quebec's climate belonged to a humid continental climate, characterized by extreme cold and heavy snow. The average annual snowfall here was as high as about 303 centimeters, making it one of the areas with very high snowfall.

Moreover, most of the time in Quebec, it would snow in late October, which also fit the male lead's working environment abroad.

What was to be shot next was the male lead's state after the accident, but Cao Yang didn't immediately add an immersive experience to Cheng Long.

As an actor cooperating for the first time, he always had to let him gradually feel that his success wasn't because his acting was really that good, but because of the director's guidance, explanation of the play, and appropriate training.

The first scene to be shot today was an indoor scene, in the semi-basement where the male lead lived while working in Quebec; Old Tian, who played his brother, brought his son to see him, and bought him a sofa and other furniture.

The actor for the young "nephew" was the son of a teacher at the Beijing Film Academy; the age was appropriate, so Cao Yang used him.

As an audience, we might sometimes sigh that those so-called "star second generation" or "acting second generation," many started to play roles from childhood; this was unfair to other actors.

Or it was because his father or mother was so-and-so.

It was undeniable that his father or mother being so-and-so was part of the reason.

But there was another reason: these "second generations" whose parents were actors or stars might be able to let go and wouldn't be timid and at a loss, and would know how to walk, because they were influenced by what they saw and heard from childhood.

This saved the director a lot of trouble.

Child actors were often the most headache-inducing for directors, time-consuming and laborious; the more anxious you were, the more likely they would be at a loss.

"Old Tian, do you think he will be scolded?"

Gu Changwei hugged Old Tian's shoulder, nudged his chin towards Cheng Long, who was memorizing lines, and asked in a low voice.

"Nonsense, the subsequent shooting requires too many emotions and micro-expressions; him? It's not that I look down on his acting; he still has acting skills, but compared to Cao Yang's requirements, I estimate he is still two streets away."

Old Tian smacked his lips, and didn't hesitate at all when speaking.

Then, Old Tian seemed to have tasted the flavor, looked at Old Gu with slanted eyes, and asked: "Is the old boy knowing something?"

He brought his head close to Old Gu and said softly: "Is it that Cao Yang said there is no need to really shoot and waste film today? That kid hasn't done this once or twice; is it like this again this time?"

"You guess?"

Old Gu said with a smile.

"I guess a wool thread."

Old Tian muttered, and then said: "Cao Yang, that kid, is also strange; now digital cameras are popular, and they can save film, and many films are adopting them; why doesn't he like to use them?"

"Can the texture of that thing compare to film? Commercial films don't need so much texture, and it's okay to use them; art films look at contrast, texture, and color, so they must use film."

Old Gu retorted unceremoniously.

"Hey, I'm just saying, why are you retorting? I'm a Golden Lion director, can I not understand this? Do you know what a Golden Lion big director is? The one in front of you is."

Old Tian slapped Old Gu's hand off his shoulder and walked towards the dressing room swaying.

Although he knew that what was shot today might be "superfluous," the necessary process still had to be gone through; he couldn't let Cheng Long see that everyone didn't think highly of his performance and joined forces to "fool" him.

"Heh!"

Old Gu chased after Old Tian, touched him with his shoulder, and said: "Then do you know what two Oscars for Best Cinematography are? Do you know the number one photographer in Asia and the top five in the world? The one in front of you is."

After speaking, Old Gu raised his head and left on his own.

According to the plan, the first lens to be shot today was very simple.

The background was that the male lead was picked up by a girl in a bar; he didn't respond, and also had a conflict with two bar guests and had a fight; what was to be shot was the lens of him returning to his residence.

No lines; Cheng Long just needed to open the door and walk in with a blank face, then sit down; it was shot in two lenses, totaling only twenty seconds.

The information this lens had to convey was that the male lead's life was difficult, and he lived alone in a dim semi-basement.

How could the audience know this information?

The male lead walked in and sat down, closed his eyes, a static lens for ten seconds.

Behind the sofa where the male lead sat, there was a rectangular, very small, transparent window; this window was a bit high relative to the room, almost on the roof. In these ten seconds of static lens, outside that "high" small window that was opened, silhouettes kept walking past.

People walked past the window on the roof, so it could be known that this room should be a basement or something.

The lighting technician had already debugged the lighting, using the reflection of the TV and the natural light coming through the small window, creating a dim and lonely feeling in the room.

Of course, relying only on the reflection of the TV and the light outside the small window, the shot was definitely dim and unclear; the lighting technician added two yellow lights next to the TV to strengthen the TV's light.

"All departments prepare."

When the time came, today's shooting began.

The clapperboard recorded the scene and lens number, and clapped in front of the camera.

Cheng Long walked in, looking a bit tired, didn't take off his shoes, and sat directly on the sofa.

"Cut."

Cao Yang said, "Not bad, keep one."

Then he shot this simple lens again.

The next lens was the male lead falling into a deep sleep with the TV on, and through the movement of the characters' shoes outside the window, it could be seen that the male lead was in a semi-basement room at this time, and sleeping with the TV on made the male lead's loneliness and mystery more apparent.

Making the audience curious about what kind of things the male lead experienced that made his personality so withdrawn.

It could be seen that Cheng Long had tried his best to express loneliness and sadness; having acted in films for so many years, his acting was still okay; at least the feeling came out a bit.

These two simple lenses were shot, and the next to be shot was still the lens in this room, not the same scene as the two lenses above.

Old Tian should appear.

Then, those old people in the crew saw a familiar scene.

"Cut."

"Your heart is already dead; even if your brother brings your nephew from far away to see you, you can't reveal politeness and happiness, and a bitter smile won't do either."

"Cut."

"Do you know the phrase 'heart like still water'? Your heart is cold; your brother cares about you and wants to buy you a sofa and other furniture; you have to show an indifferent attitude."

"Cut."

"The tone of speaking cannot fluctuate, and there must be a look of keeping people at a distance."

"Cut."

"Pay attention to the tone of speaking... forget it, let's rest for half an hour."

After Cao Yang finished speaking, the entire crew breathed a sigh of relief.

Those twenty or so students who came to be assistant interns thought Cao Yang was the kind of director with a very good temper for the first few days; they didn't expect that when he was strict, his requirements for the lens were so harsh.

That was Cheng Long, the number one film star of the Chinese, actually being cut again and again.

Old Tian also breathed a sigh of relief, sighing in his heart, acting with people is really tiring; next time I won't play such a role again.

Eh?

Old Tian suddenly remembered that the last time he cooperated with Cao Yang to shoot "Empty House," Cao Yang, that kid, seemed to use himself to establish prestige, and scolded himself bloody in front of so many staff and actors.

Good kid, it turns out that as long as I act in your play, you either use me to establish prestige, or use me to accompany you to establish prestige, right?

Cheng Long also breathed a long sigh of relief.

This feeling... how many years have I not felt it.

Even in Hollywood, no director dared to treat himself like this; of course, because they were all commercial films, no director would require it so strictly.

The smooth shooting of the first two days made him think it would continue; he also thought his acting had grown a lot over the years, and shooting art films could be so smooth.

Where did he think that he was happy too early.

NG again and again, also made Cheng Long doubt himself; could it be that he really wasn't that material, and couldn't meet the requirements of shooting art films?

But he had also shot art films before!

But thinking that this was Cao Yang's art film, he was a bit relieved.

If Cao Dao's art films didn't require such strictness, how could every one win major awards?

Strict?

Strict is right.

Cheng Long constantly encouraged himself; since Cao Dao chose him, it proved that under Cao Dao's guidance, he would definitely be able to perform the state of the male lead.

However, the reality was that he started the journey of NG again and again.

After a day of shooting, his eyes were dull, his eyes were without light, he sat foolishly on the ground, and began to doubt life.

Could it be that I really am not suitable for shooting art films?

Could it be that I can never meet Cao Dao's requirements?

Could it be that I... have no acting skills?

"Cao Dao, I, I..."

Cheng Long stopped Cao Yang, his tone stumbling, and he didn't know what to say.

Cao Yang looked at Cheng Long's state, thinking that the torture was... no, thinking that the experience should be about the same, he should have some doubts about his own acting and self-cognition.

Don't say that a person won't doubt himself after success; it depends on who you compare with.

If it were an ordinary director who dared to torture Cheng Long like this, he would have exploded long ago.

But who is Cao Yang?

He is a super big director who can win awards after shooting art films, and can win box office after shooting commercial films, and is a director who has never missed a shot; would there still be actors who doubt such a director's vision?

When such a director was always successful, even super superstars like Depp and DiCaprio wouldn't doubt it.

Therefore, when such a director thought your performance was not in place, even if it was Cheng Long, he would only find reasons in himself.

Cao Yang waved his hand, signaling Cheng Long to talk while walking with him.

"Your biggest problem now is that although you might understand the script and know the protagonist's situation, you can't perform that kind of sorrow and desolation."

Cao Yang paused and continued:

"This is actually my fault; according to previous habits, I would explain the play to actors for at least a month and a half before formal shooting, but this time because the protagonist is you, you have acted for so many years, I originally thought you could..."

Speaking of this, Cao Yang stopped.

Cheng Long listened, lowered his head somewhat ashamed.

Both moved and ashamed.

Cao Dao thinks highly of me, but it seems he overestimated my acting, resulting in the current situation.

"Cao Dao, it's not your fault, it's all my fault; it's that I didn't meet your requirements, it's that I... sigh!"

Cheng Long's previous complaints turned into shame, and he couldn't help but lower his head again.

"It's okay, your acting is already very good, really."

Cao Yang patted Cheng Long's shoulder and comforted him.

The more Cao Yang said this, the more ashamed Cheng Long felt.

"Cao Dao, I... I'm sorry, it's that I added trouble to the crew, it's that I added trouble to you... what should I do now? How about... how about the crew pauses first, you continue to... explain the play to me; don't worry, I will bear the losses caused by the crew's suspension."

Cheng Long patted his chest and said sincerely.

Cao Yang looked at him, and indeed didn't see any meaning of joking; he really thought so.

"It's not that troublesome; I said, you actually... are still not bad; how about this, I will explain the character to you for two hours later, as well as the theme and connotation of the film.

Then, don't stay up late; lie directly on the bed after I finish, recall the content I explained, ponder repeatedly, and I believe you will be able to master it."

Cao Yang patted Cheng Long's shoulder and sighed: "What you lack now is that little bit of mastery; believe me, you will definitely be able to do it; as long as you do as I say, you will discover tomorrow, so that's how it is!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 376 =====