novellhall Chapter 114 How did you do that? [4000]
Chapter 114 How did you do that? [4000]
Chapter 115 How did you do that? [4000]
finally come!
The real test is just beginning.
Action scenes can be handled by attributes alone, but creativity can add value.
But when acting in dramatic scenes with an actress of Keira's caliber, what matters is solid acting skills and emotional depth.
The filming location was moved to a replica of San Francisco's Chinatown.
The first scene is about Chen Xun obtaining the lamp ring and taking the initiative to approach reporter Lindsay Shaw for the first time, trying to confess part of the truth to her, but not knowing where to begin.
This scene is emotionally complex.
Chen Xun wanted to trust this intelligent woman he secretly admired, but he was also afraid of dragging her into danger.
He was both excited about gaining power and terrified of the inability to control it.
Lindsay, however, keenly noticed Chen Xun's unusual behavior.
Her professional instincts compelled her to uncover the truth, but the evasive answers from her seemingly ordinary programmer friend also filled her with an inexplicable sense of unease.
In the dressing room, Chen Xun looked at himself in the mirror.
A programmer's plaid shirt, slightly messy hair, and eyes that convey the joy of having just acquired skills and the uncertainty about his future.
He tried to activate his Level 3 emotional attributes, attempting to find that complex state.
Keira Knightley has already done her styling.
She was dressed in a smart shirt and jeans, with a trench coat over them. Her hair was neatly tied up, and she was holding a script full of annotations in her hand. She was quietly reading her lines in the corner and adjusting her breathing.
She has completely immersed herself in the role of Lindsay Shaw!
"All departments, prepare!"
The stage manager's voice came through.
The first scene is a conversation between the two outside a street corner coffee shop.
The sun was shining brightly, but the conversation was anything but lighthearted.
"Action!"
Chen Xun rubbed his hands together, his eyes darting around: "Lindsay, I've been encountering some strange things lately!"
Kayla tilted her head slightly, her reporter instincts kicking in: "Something strange? You hacked the San Francisco power grid?"
"Make it even more exaggerated than that!"
Chen Xun twitched the corners of his mouth, wanting to laugh but failing to: "I think I've found something incredible!"
"Cut!"
Director Martin called "cut," peeking out from behind the monitor: "Chen, your emotions here are right, but the expression is too strong. You need to add layers to your emotions!"
Chen Xun nodded.
He knew where the problem lay.
During the performance, he tried to express too many emotions at once, which resulted in a somewhat chaotic performance.
Kayla walked over: "Chen, you can try this—"
She began to share her experience.
[Emotional Control +7]
As Kayla explained, a purple attribute orb fell from her body.
Chen Xun absorbed it immediately!
His mind gradually cleared, and he quickly grasped the key points.
This is the difference in experience!
Chen Xun sighed.
Although he had previously played Fandral in Thor, the expectations for a minor supporting role are different from those for other actors.
After all, many supporting actors tend to use a stereotypical acting style. They only need to show the characteristics of the supporting actor to satisfy the director, or even feel that they are very outstanding!
But the main characters in big-budget productions are completely different!
Having never played the male lead in a big-budget production, Chen Xun found it difficult to grasp such complex acting techniques all at once.
This is like many supporting actors who give outstanding performances in movies, but when it's their turn to play the lead role, their performance is not as good as when they were supporting actors!
The second shoot begins.
Chen Xun's reaction changed when Kayla made the joke.
He was taken aback at first, as if he hadn't expected the other party to be so relaxed.
Then I really tried to explain it with a metaphor, opened my mouth, paused, and finally it turned into an extremely brief, helpless and self-deprecating twitch of the corner of my mouth: "More exaggerated than that!"
After he finished speaking, he subconsciously avoided Kayla's gaze and looked at his hand on the table.
"Cut! Great! This one's much better!"
Director Martin nodded in satisfaction.
Just as the director yelled "Cut," Chen Xun saw another blue attribute ball float out from Kayla's body:
[Precise control of micro-expressions and the gaps between lines +8]
Chen Xun was secretly delighted and immediately absorbed it!
An insight into how to convey complex emotions through subtle facial expressions and pauses in dialogue flooded my mind.
This is more practical than simple emotion theories!
During the subsequent filming, Chen Xun frantically absorbed the attribute orbs that fell from Kayla's body.
Lindsay pressed on relentlessly, cornering Chen Xun against the wall. Finally, he couldn't help but growl, "Because even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me! You'd think I'm crazy!"
This scene requires explosive power, while also revealing the vulnerability of an ordinary person who has just gained the ability.
When Chen Xun filmed the first take, his outburst was powerful enough, but the ending was a bit abrupt, and the transition was somewhat abrupt.
During a break, Kayla whispered to Chen Xun, "Try not to collapse immediately after you yell. Pause for half a second, and let your eyes instantly change from anger to an empty sense of powerlessness. Then let your shoulders slump down. The transition from anger to powerlessness, that moment of blankness is very important."
Another attribute orb fell from Kayla: [Rhythm of Emotional Outburst and Convergence +9].
Chen Xun absorbed the information and felt that his control over intense emotions had reached a new level.
Filming begins on the second take.
After he shouted that line, his eyes suddenly went unfocused at the peak of his anger, as if even he himself felt the absurdity and despair of his own words. Then the energy that had been supporting him suddenly dissipated, and he showed a deep weariness.
"Cut! Perfect!"
Director Martin applauded.
There is also a relatively quiet scene where the two are strolling through the streets at night, and Chen Xun finally reveals part of the truth, albeit haltingly.
This scene requires a lot of eye contact and subtle body language.
Chen Xun discovered that when Kayla listened to her opponent, she didn't just listen.
Her eyes will change.
From exploration to surprise, then to reflection, and finally to a firm determination.
She would also subtly adjust her posture. For example, when Chen Xun mentioned a dangerous situation, she would unconsciously take half a step closer as a protective gesture, but her expression remained that of a reporter.
These details are easy to overlook without careful observation, but they contribute to the authenticity of the characters and the gradual development of the relationships.
Chen Xun acted, learned, and secretly observed as he went.
He used his level 3 [eye expression] and [facial expression] attributes to the fullest extent, striving to match Kayla's delicate performance.
[Narrative depth through eye contact +7]
[Complementary body language and dialogue +6]
Chen Xun absorbed the attribute orbs that fell from Kayla's body without making a sound.
The day's filming has come to an end.
Chen Xun felt even more tired than if he had been filming action scenes for three days straight.
It's not physical fatigue, but the mental exhaustion from intense concentration and digestion.
When they finished work, Keira Knightley walked up to him, her eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.
"Chen, I've worked with many actors, but you're very special."
Her British accent was more pronounced when she was tired.
Before Chen Xun could react, she continued, "Your learning speed is abnormally fast. A method I suggested this morning, you were able to use it even better than I suggested this afternoon!"
She paused, her grey-blue eyes fixed on Chen Xun: "How did you do that?"
Chen Xun was taken aback, then said, half-jokingly, "Maybe it's because I'm afraid of not acting well, so I'm listening very carefully."
He half-jokingly said, "Acting opposite you is very stressful. If I don't learn quickly, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up!"
Kayla chuckled at the answer and shook her head: "It's not just about being serious, it's a talent, an understanding and optimization of one's instinctive performance ability."
She patted Chen Xun's arm: "Keep it up, it's so much fun acting opposite you!"
After saying that, she turned and left.
As Chen Xun watched her retreating figure, the favorability rating above his head subtly changed:
Keira Knightley's favorability +4, current favorability 62
Rob had just finished his work and came to visit the set. Seeing this scene, he leaned over and whispered, "How was it? Did you get completely overshadowed acting alongside an Oscar-caliber actor?"
Chen Xun let out a long sigh of relief: "I wasn't completely crushed, but it felt like I attended an intensive master-level crash course; my progress was incredibly rapid!"
Time flies when you're on set!
Chen Xun's growth rate is astonishing!
He felt like he was a different person.
He subconsciously checked the system panel:
[Acting Skills Attribute Panel]
Dialogue: Lv3 (210/600)
Limbs: Lv3 (488/600)
Emoticon: Lv3 (198/600)
Eyes: Lv3 (230/600)
Mood: Lv3 (595/600)
Tempo: Lv3 (155/600)
Aura: Lv3 (180/600)
During this period, Chen Xun has been absorbing attribute orbs on set, and his emotional attribute is just one step away from being upgraded.
And what we're shooting today is one of the scenes with the highest emotional intensity in the entire film.
Chen Xun fully confesses his identity to Lindsay and asks for her help. The two confirm their trust and feelings for each other during the crisis.
The difficulty of this scene lies in the fact that it requires the actors to simultaneously convey a gradual progression of emotions amidst an extremely tense plot.
From the trepidation of confessing, to the resolute determination in the face of danger, and then to the vulnerability and closeness after surviving the ordeal.
While applying makeup, Chen Xun closed his eyes and repeatedly considered the emotional moments in his mind.
His near-Level 4 emotional attribute allows him to more precisely analyze and rehearse these complex feelings.
The film set has been transformed into a back alley of Chinatown at night.
The lighting creates a damp and chilly atmosphere.
There were police sirens in the distance.
Director Martin is confirming the movement trajectories of several key shots with the director of photography.
Kayla was also ready.
Her look today is a bit like a battle-damaged version.
A battle-worn look!
His trench coat was dusty, and a few strands of his hair were loose, but the determination in his eyes remained undiminished.
Upon seeing Chen Xun, she nodded as a greeting, then lowered her head to look at the script, her lips moving silently.
Chen Xun felt that this woman was somewhat indifferent.
Although their relationship is fairly good, they have a lot to talk about every day.
However, Kayla's favorability rating kept increasing very slowly.
Chen Xun did not insist on this.
He's not driven by lust; he's not to the point where he has to sleep with every woman he sees.
However, since the favorability rating was clearly displayed before his eyes, he decided to try and win her over.
It's like playing a game.
Director Martin came over and said, "This scene is the emotional climax of our entire film. Chen, you're not just explaining the setting here; you're laying bare your fears, responsibilities, and trust in this woman in front of her."
"Kayla, your reaction needs to progress from journalistic skepticism to shock at the surreal, then to an investigative drive driven by professional instinct, and finally to a more humane choice!"
"You chose to believe him not just because the story was bizarre, but because you saw the inherent kindness and sense of justice in this person!"
"clear!"
Chen Xun and Kayla responded almost simultaneously.
"Action!"
The sound of the clapperboard fading.
Chen Xun leaned against the damp brick wall, his breathing becoming rapid.
He looked at Kayla, who was standing a few steps away. The light from the streetlamp shone from the side, casting a shadow on her face.
"Lindsay!"
Chen Xun's voice was a little hoarse: "What I'm about to say might seem crazy to you, but I need you to believe me, at least let me finish."
His eyes held pleading, fear of being mistaken for a madman, but deep within was a resolute determination to gamble everything.
This is his new understanding of complex emotions after absorbing the attribute orbs that Kayla dropped earlier.
Kayla did not speak immediately.
She scrutinized Chen Xun, her gaze sweeping from his flustered eyes to his tightly clenched right hand, and then back to his face.
Her expression gradually shifted from initial wariness to a reporter's instinctive curiosity, her brows furrowing slightly.
"you say!"
Her voice was calm, but her body was tense.
Chen Xun took a deep breath and began to tell his story.
From the accident in Chinatown, to the appearance of the ring, to the training on Planet Oa, and then to his awareness of the approaching threat to Earth.
His narration was sometimes fast and sometimes slow; he would pause when he got to parts that were hard to understand, and he would unconsciously lower his voice when he talked about fear.
This isn't a long recitation of lines; it's the real state of an ordinary person trying to explain their bizarre experience to another ordinary person.
As Kayla listened, subtle cracks began to appear on her face.
The reporter's rationality led her to try to find logical flaws, but the man's current state...
A complex look in his eyes, a trembling voice, and a faint, inexplicable light emanating from Chen Xun's hand.
All signs were challenging her perception.
"There's something coming to Earth. I don't know what it is, but it's dangerous. I feel like only I can do something about it, but I don't know how—"
Chen Xun's voice choked with emotion.
It wasn't a sob, but rather the helplessness and fear of being crushed by immense responsibility, yet having no choice but to shoulder it.
Just then!
Chen Xun felt something inside him "buzz" as if it had broken through a threshold.
His understanding and control of the two extreme emotions of "fear" and "responsibility" reached a new level at this moment.
It wasn't just a performance; it was about truly putting yourself in that position and experiencing the weight of that responsibility.
A golden attribute ball actually fell from his body!
[Emotional attribute experience +15]
Chen Xun absorbed it immediately!
Almost simultaneously, a system notification flashed through my mind:
[Emotional attribute upgraded! Current level: Lv4 (10/800)]
A surge of heightened emotional awareness and control over one's emotions instantly coursed through the body.
Chen Xun felt as if he could control more complex emotions and precisely control their outbursts.
The helplessness I felt while choking back tears just now felt even more real and profound.
He could even vaguely sense the subtle manifestation of this emotion in his voice and facial muscles.
The camera zooms in, focusing on his face in a close-up.
Tears didn't fall, but her eyes were red-rimmed, and her lower eyelids were trembling slightly uncontrollably—a physiological reaction as she desperately suppressed the urge to break down.
It was several times more realistic than he had imagined!
Kayla was clearly struck by that moment.
The doubt in Lindsay's eyes completely vanished as she played the role.
Instead, there was sympathy for Chen Xun and a certain fluttering emotion.
She instinctively took a step forward, reached out her hand as if to touch him, then stopped, her voice strained: "Chen Xun—you—"
The entire performance was perfect!
The staff standing around seemed to be drawn into this emotion as well; several young women had reddened their eyes and were trembling slightly.
The director seemed to be impressed by the two actors' performances and hesitated to call "cut" for a long time!
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