Chapter 0511: On Acting

"Zhao Fusheng, what's with that look?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's expression, Zhou Yun felt a bit embarrassed and said nothing, but Fan Bao was blunt and asked directly.

He was her boyfriend, so of course she dared to say anything.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled and blinked. "Nothing. I think your school teaches really well."

"Huh?"

The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Fusheng realized he might have said something wrong.

Because the atmosphere in the room instantly froze. Even though it was August, he felt as if he were in the dead of winter.

He gave an awkward smile and looked at his girlfriend. "Um, Bao, have you two eaten? If not, let's go out to eat?"

Having woken up too late, it was already noon by the time he got home.

"Don't give me that. You're clearly looking down on our acting, aren't you?" Fan Bao was unmoved and glared at him, her expression saying, "If you don't explain yourself today, you're not getting back in bed."

Zhao Fusheng sighed and said helplessly, "Actually, I didn't mean anything else. I just think that the lines you two just read were just too..."

He paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "Too awkward."

Yes, awkward.

He felt the word was apt. From an audience's perspective, while the dialogue itself was cringeworthy, their clumsy acting made him even more uncomfortable.

Having spent time with Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong, and having seen various introductions to acting styles in the entertainment industry, Zhao Fusheng had some understanding of acting.

That's why he felt this way.

"What do you know? This is called representational acting," Zhou Yun didn't speak, looking unconvinced, but Fan Bao had no such qualms and shot back.

In her view, she and Zhou Yun were just rehearsing lines the way their teacher taught them—it was perfectly normal.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "You always talk about representational, method, and experiential acting. Actually, I think acting schools aren't that complicated. For example, experiential acting is about becoming the character. If you play a student, you must become a student. If you play a cop, you must make yourself hate all criminals and show your truest self. It's not what you call spending a few days at the grassroots to experience life and then claiming to be an experiential actor."

Fan Bao was taken aback. She wanted to refute him, but on second thought, she felt his words made some sense.

Experiential actors really do become whatever they play, just as Zhao Fusheng said.

Seeing Fan Bao lost in thought, Zhao Fusheng smiled. He had another point: most experiential actors are naturally gifted, relying on talent. For instance, Andy Lau is very diligent, but unfortunately, he's the type who can't fully immerse himself in a role, so he can't be an experiential actor.

"Then what about method acting?" This time it was Zhou Yun who asked, looking serious, clearly moved by Zhao Fusheng's words.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged. Since he had already said so much, he might as well continue. After all, his knowledge came from others.

"Method acting is a technique. For example, substitution. If you play a lovestruck person but have no feelings for the actor opposite you, simply imagine him as your first love—then it's easier to get into character, right?"

"Representational acting is even simpler: you step out of the character's framework and shape the character in your own way. Many top domestic actors use this method."

Zhao Fusheng spoke at length. When he finished, he found Fan Bao and Zhou Yun staring at him in astonishment.

"Zhao Fusheng, you're something!"

After a long pause, Fan Bao blurted out.

Then she walked up to him, pinched his face and legs, making him wince, and muttered, "Right, it's still my idiot boyfriend. How come he seems like a different person?"

Zhao Fusheng ignored her teasing and looked at them seriously. "Art is actually very interesting. Have your teachers ever told you that all roads lead to the same goal? Whether experiential or representational, the ultimate aim is to make acting more natural and characters more vivid. Just like singing well doesn't mean you have to hit high notes all the time; technique is just an aid."

"I get that," Fan Bao raised her hand happily. "Our teacher said acting is the ability to perform—basically whether the character fits the play's vibe."

Zhao Fusheng nodded and said no more.

Actually, he had another point: early fame isn't good for actors or directors. Actors need life experience, directors need accumulation. Becoming famous too early isn't beneficial for either.

Of course, if one only wants to be a star, that's fine.

Like some domestic stars—such as Big Foot Mi Mi or Hairdo Xiao Lu—they became famous young, drifted through various crews, and ended up with acting skills that leave people speechless.

They can still be stars and coast along.

Um, and there's that National Daughter, whose Mary Sue acting is both amusing and frustrating. The spark she had as a child is almost gone.

Zhao Fusheng didn't want Fan Bao to become like that, because he knew she loved acting, being a star, and being an actress.

Fan Bao and Zhou Yun were truly shocked by Zhao Fusheng today.

For example, it's like someone you know who's always quiet suddenly becomes a eloquent speaker overnight—the jarring contrast is bound to astonish.

That was Zhao Fusheng now. They had thought he was just an advertising expert—neither Fan Bao nor Zhou Yun doubted that.

But just now, he had given them a lesson, spouting truths even their teachers and professors could hardly articulate. How could they not be amazed?

Especially Fan Bao. If not for the fact that this was still the same guy who wouldn't fight back when bullied, she might have thought she had known a fake Zhao Fusheng all along.