After a round of performances, director Li Shaohong spoke.
"I find this format very novel, as I haven't participated in this type of variety show before."
"Nor have I watched a performance in such a setting."
"I was ultimately drawn into it."
Guo Xiaosi: "The acting method is completely different from our films. The reason I say this is that for films and television dramas, everything is shot scene by scene."
"After a segment of dialogue is delivered, the camera position usually changes. We refine it meticulously, shot by shot."
"However, the performance just now, in my mind, was essentially a one-take performance."
As Guo Xiaosi finished, the audience erupted in applause.
Guo Xiaosi, with a smile, continued, "Following up on this topic, I have to mention some points that I feel are regrettable."
"What the audience sees is close to what the director sees, which is akin to a film."
"But your performance was that of a stage play. The two performance systems are different. I believe the first thing both actors need to overcome is their 'performance vanity.'"
"When performing in a play or on stage, with every tear shed or every cry unleashed, you can clearly feel whether the audience sighs."
"This often leads stage actors to become immersed in this performance vanity."
"But film and television dramas require restraint; they actually need you to pull back, to suppress, to be delicate, to delve inward."
...
Although Guo Xiaosi was a new director, he spoke about acting with the confidence of any seasoned director, and his insights were very pertinent.
Sha Yi: "Next up is Director Guo Xiaosi's group."
Guo Xiaosi: "The two actors are Guo Junchen and Dong Li."
"Oh wow!!!"
A burst of applause and cheers filled the venue.
The scene they filmed was titled "Cry Me a Sad River."
This film was also adapted from Guo Xiaosi's novel.
Everyone watched the performance intently.
Afterward, the actors returned to the stage.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you to our supporting actor, Ren Min."
"Please, audience, take a brief rest."
After Ren Min was invited offstage, only Guo Junchen and Dong Li remained on stage.
The audience applauded.
Then came the evaluations from the directors.
Li Shaohong: "During the performance, I noticed quite a few audience members screaming."
"This shows their performance resonated with them."
"I watched the shots from multiple angles and knew this actress had been in this film, so I felt her portrayal was the most invested."
"As for Dong Li, you never looked into your partner's eyes. You were acting internally; you had no eye contact with your scene partner."
At this moment, Li Chengru, who had been sitting next to Su Han, crossed his arms and seemed restless.
Li Chengru leaned towards Su Han and whispered, "Can you hear what they're saying?"
Su Han shook his head.
Sha Yi immediately noticed the situation with Li Chengru and asked with a smile.
"Teacher Chengru, I see you and Teacher Su Han have been chatting."
At that moment, all eyes turned to Li Chengru.
Li Chengru smiled slightly.
Su Han knew that Li Chengru was about to unleash something powerful.
"Watching this here, I feel as if I'm sitting on pins and needles, with thorns in my back. I didn't hear any of the lines they spoke."
"Not hearing clearly is a major pitfall for actors."
Everyone in the venue gasped, looking at Li Chengru with shock.
"Have you practiced your lines for over a decade?"
"Have you practiced for one year, two years, or three years?"
"Let's not even talk about immersion."
"Works, patriotism, loyalty, righteousness – there's so much we need to convey."
"Are the young people of today only watching high school students fall in love?"
"A boy embraces a girl, walks towards her, and then the audience erupts."
"Then what is the point of our stage?"
Li Chengru's words plunged the venue into an awkward silence.
"I don't know if the directors on stage can bear this, but I personally find it quite uncomfortable."
"So this is a bestseller, is it?"
"This is what constitutes a bestseller."
"I have to ask, when this generation rises, what kind of education will they have received?"
Li Chengru's words struck directly at Guo Xiaosi, hitting him where it hurt.
This put Guo Xiaosi in a very difficult position.
The actors backstage, witnessing this, couldn't help but gasp and tremble.
The audience also held their breath for Guo Xiaosi.
"If I have to say something, I'll tell the truth."
"Okay, thank you, thank you, Cheng, Teacher Chengru."
Sha Yi hadn't expected Li Chengru to be so blunt and quickly tried to stop him.
"See, you're trying to stop me?"
"Hahahaha!"
"Director Kai, please say a few words."
Sha Yi, to consider Guo Xiaosi's feelings, first called on Chen Kaige.
But before Chen Kaige could speak, Guo Xiaosi interjected.
"I think there's no need for Director Kai to speak first; I'll go first."
Because of Li Chengru's speech, everyone in the venue had fallen into a tense state, which had only just begun to ease.
But with Guo Xiaosi's opening, the situation escalated once again.