novellhall Chapter 226 The Essence of Method Performance [5000]
Chapter 226 The Essence of Method Performance [5000]
Chapter 226 The Essence of Method Performance [5000]
"Hey, Chen!"
Another voice interrupted.
It's Bradley Cooper.
You look to be in good spirits today.
He voiced Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Chen Xun remembered that in his previous life, he played Yondu's henchman in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and even became one of the main characters in the third movie.
Bradley was present throughout the filming.
He would read out Rocket's lines in real time and act with Chen Xun, helping them find the rhythm of interaction and emotional response.
Therefore, Bradley was very popular on set.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Bradley left.
Jennifer went to the side to eat something.
Now only Christine and Chen Xun were left.
A middle-aged man walked over with a wine glass in his hand, wearing a standard public relations smile.
"Mr. Chen, Ms. Stewart, good evening. I'm Richard from The Hollywood Reporter. May I have a brief chat?"
"Regarding your feelings about the Oscar nomination and your upcoming projects."
Chen Xun maintained a polite smile: "Thank you, but we're here to enjoy lunch today, so let's not talk about work for now, okay?"
His tone was gentle but firm.
In such situations, socializing is acceptable, but formal interviews should be avoided as much as possible; saying too much can lead to mistakes.
Richard nodded knowingly, "Of course, of course, have a pleasant evening."
Turn around and look for the next target.
"Well handled!"
Christine whispered in his ear, her breath brushing against his earlobe.
"I learned it from Robert!"
Chen Xun turned his head to look at her and noticed that her ears were a little red.
Chen Xun and Christine stood in a relatively quiet corner, enjoying this rare moment of reunion.
She could feel that the muscles in his arms were more defined than the last time she saw him.
"You were really sprayed with water from a fire hose that thick?"
Christine's fingers unconsciously traced a line on his forearm, her eyes filled with concern.
"Even more outrageous than that."
Chen Xun made an exaggerated shivering expression: "I feel like a potato being tossed around in a washing machine."
Christine chuckled at his words, but her laughter quickly faded, and her voice softened further: "I heard—about Warner—"
Chen Xun's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "Robert told you?"
"Hmm. You—"
Christine looked at him, not finishing her sentence, but the worry in her eyes was obvious.
"I'm fine!"
Chen Xun took her hand and squeezed it gently: "Some things can't be rushed. Let's finish what we're doing first."
At that moment, a voice with a British accent chimed in: "Excuse me, I hope I haven't chosen the wrong time, but I think it's never wrong to congratulate an outstanding colleague."
The two turned their heads and saw Daniel Day-Lewis standing to one side. The legendary actor was dressed today in a well-fitting dark gray suit, exuding a calm demeanor, and holding a glass of water in his hand.
He wore an almost shy smile, but his eyes were unusually deep, as if they could see through his appearance.
Chen Xun remembered this veteran actor. If he remembered correctly, this was the man in front of him who won the Oscar for Best Actor this year.
"Mr. Day-Lewis".
Chen Xun nodded in response.
Christine nodded politely in response.
"Just call me Daniel."
Day-Lewis waved his hand, his gaze falling on Chen Xun with curiosity: "I've seen 'Green Lantern' and some clips from 'The Hunger Games.' It's a very special performance, especially in 'Green Lantern,' the way you handled the character's identity transformation—it's not the conventional superhero path."
Chen Xun was somewhat surprised.
He never expected that this three-time Oscar winner, known for his immersive method acting and who rarely watches commercial films, would pay attention to his work.
"Thank you, that was a very interesting experience."
"interesting?"
Day-Lewis tilted his head slightly, as if savoring the word: "Yes, sometimes being interesting is more important than being right. It means possibility. I heard you're making a Marvel movie, playing a space rogue?"
"Yes, Peter Quill from Guardians of the Galaxy."
"A guy who listens to old songs from the 80s and steals things in the Milky Way."
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Day-Lewis nodded, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes: "It sounds like a colossal paradox, a remnant of an ancient Earth, cast into the vast unknown. How do you deal with the conflict between this inner solitude and the outward clamor?"
This question gets to the heart of Star-Lord's character.
Chen Xun hadn't expected this either.
What seemed like a simple greeting unexpectedly led to such a profound conversation.
However, Chen Xun did not refuse.
He also wanted to hear the opinion of the veteran actor in front of him.
I thought for a few seconds.
Chen Xun, drawing on his own experience and insights from clearing dungeons, said: "I think Peter uses noise, music, jokes, and the thrill of stealing to mask his loneliness."
"He's not putting on a show of happiness; he's just desperately trying to grasp anything that connects him to the past. So his humor sometimes seems overdone, and his adventures are sometimes silly, but his heart is empty."
Day-Lewis listened quietly without interrupting.
After Chen Xun finished speaking, he was silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Grasp the concrete things to fight against nothingness, and observe very accurately."
"When performing, don't just act out the noise. Let the audience occasionally, even just for a moment, glimpse the core of the mission through the cracks in the noise. That glimpse will make all the noise understandable, even moving."
His words were soft, yet they were like a key, precisely unlocking the valve that allowed Chen Xun to gain a deeper understanding of the character.
The attributes gained through [Immersive Sweep] are bones and muscles, and Day-Lewis's words seem to point out how to give this body a more realistic breathing and heartbeat.
Just then, Chen Xun clearly saw a dense, dark golden attribute orb quietly fall from Dai-Lewis's body:
[Gained: The essence of method acting]
[Insightful guidance from a legendary actor significantly enhances understanding and performance of the character's internal and external conflicts]
[Panel progress +5%]
A warm yet solid power spread through Chen Xun's consciousness. Unlike the sense of skill growth he felt when absorbing attribute orbs before, this was more like a broadening and deepening of his understanding of the essence of performance.
He could feel that his perspective on the characters seemed to have gained a deeper, more profound dimension.
"Thank you, Daniel."
Chen Xun's gratitude this time was even more heartfelt: "This has been a great help to me."
Day-Lewis smiled slightly, a smile that showed his approval of Chen Xun: "You saw it first yourself. Continue with your interesting attempts, Chen. This industry needs different voices and faces."
""
He raised his water glass, gently touched Chen Xun's glass, making a soft clinking sound, and then calmly turned and left.
Wow.
After Day-Lewis had walked away, Christine muttered to herself, "He actually came over to talk to you about acting? I heard he almost never talks to people off-screen on set."
Chen Xun was still savoring the conversation and the precious attribute fragment in his mind.
The progress bar jumped to 6% in an instant!
The harvest was enormous.
"Chen! Christine!"
Jennifer's voice rang out again as she returned carrying a plate with several golden-figure shaped chocolates and mini hamburgers on it: "Quick, before the photographer starts herding us together for a group photo like sheep, let's replenish our energy."
"I bet fifty bucks that someone will step on someone else's skirt or stand in the wrong place during the group photo later."
As soon as she finished speaking, a small commotion and suppressed laughter came from the other end of the hall.
The group looked in the direction of the voice and saw Annie, her face slightly flushed, saying to a young actress who had accidentally spilled some champagne on the sleeve of her dress, "It's okay, it's really okay!"
The actor looked like he wanted to disappear into the ground.
"See!"
Jennifer took a bite of her mini burger and mumbled, "One of the classic Oscar luncheon items, the embarrassing accident—I heard someone spilled a whole plate of caviar on a producer's bald spot last year."
Chen Xun and Christine couldn't help but laugh.
These glamorous celebrities, when they come together, are actually just a group of ordinary people who are nervous, embarrassed, and hungry, even without their glamour.
"Speaking of group photos!"
A cheerful voice joined in, and Hugh Jackman walked over. He looked to be in excellent spirits today, befitting his role as Wolverine, who had just finished the global promotion for *Les Misérables*: "I heard that this year's group photo is arranged alphabetically by last name? Does that mean I'll have to stand quite far back?"
"In alphabetical order?"
Jennifer's eyes widened: "Does that mean I have to stand with Joaquin Phoenix? God help him be in a good mood today."
"I'm more worried about Ben Affleck,"
Bradley Cooper, who had somehow joined in, chimed in. He looked radiant and seemed to be enjoying the occasion: "Will he make some strange face during the photo shoot because he didn't get a Best Director nomination for 'Argo'?"
"I bet he'll keep smiling; his eyes can kill."
Jennifer made a firm promise.
These popular celebrities gathered together to chat about the Oscar process and gossip, creating a relaxed and genuine atmosphere.
[Industry recognition +8]
[Adaptability to top-tier social occasions +5]
[Hollywood inner circle relationships +3]
Several attribute orbs fell into the crowd.
These attributes, unlike acting skills, do not directly enhance acting ability, but they are related to his soft skills for long-term development in the industry.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the organizing committee staff began guiding everyone to the designated photo area.
The crowd began to move, champagne glasses were temporarily set down, and the sounds of hushed conversations and adjusting clothes rose and fell.
"Let's go, Peeta."
Jennifer stuffed the last bite of her hamburger into her mouth, patted Chen Xun on the back, and said, "It's time to take our priceless class photo of the Oscar nominees. Remember to smile, but don't smile too fake, or you'll look like hostages."
Chen Xun smiled, took Christine's hand, and followed the crowd.
Under the polite but unquestionable guidance of the staff, the crowd slowly moved toward the backdrop with the Oscar logo at the other end of the hotel banquet hall.
The champagne bubbles and relaxed conversation in the air gradually faded away.
A sense of tension replaced it.
As everyone knows, the group photo that will take place in the next few minutes will appear on the headlines of countless entertainment media outlets and on television news around the world.
Everyone is adjusting their own state and position.
Chen Xun moved with the flow of people, with Christine holding his arm.
He could feel some gazes beginning to fall on him, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
With a sense of rejection and indifference.
Several white male actors in their thirties and forties gathered a little ahead, talking in hushed tones and occasionally glancing in Chen Wen's direction.
Chen Xun recognized some of their faces; they were all seasoned actors who frequently appeared in various independent films or feature films. Their nomination or award resumes might not be as impressive as those of superstars, but they had a certain amount of influence in the so-called acting circle.
One of them was a man with brown curly hair and a thin face. Chen Xun remembered that his name was Eric Roberts.
She has played many gloomy characters.
He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor this year.
"What's he doing here?"
"The Hunger Games? That kind of teen movie?"
"Oh, that Chinese guy, he's been in the news a lot lately."
Chen Xun vaguely heard some conversations.
His expression remained unchanged.
But he knew perfectly well what was going on in his mind.
This is another side of Hollywood: a deeply ingrained local mentality, especially in certain self-proclaimed artistic circles, that harbors envy towards commercial success, particularly the commercial success of non-white actors.
They may feel that Chen Xun's nomination and popularity are more a result of the market, traffic, and emerging capital forces behind him, rather than pure performing arts.
At this moment, a figure walked to Chen Xun's diagonal front, blocking part of the view.
It's Vin Diesel.
His bald head was shiny, and he stood there casually with his arms crossed, talking to Paul Walker, but his position was just right.
Paul turned to Chen Xun with a smile and said, "Don't run away too fast after we take the photo. Fan said he knows a great hot dog stand nearby."
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Immediately after, Jennifer squeezed in as well. Seemingly oblivious to the subtle atmosphere, she naturally stood on the other side of Chen Xun and winked at Christine: "This line moves slower than the DMV. I bet my smile will freeze by the time we get to the front of the line."
Christine tightened her grip on Chen Xun's hand, tilted her head up, and whispered and laughed with him, their posture intimate and natural.
With Vin Diesel and Paul, two tough-guy friends with wide audience appeal and industry standing, as precedents.
And there's Jennifer Lawrence, the high-profile and outspoken Oscar-winning actress, by his side, as well as Kristen Stewart, his long-established partner.
The white male actors who had initially looked at them with disdain naturally lowered their gazes, turned back, and continued their conversation within their own small circle.
Even the whispers have decreased.
In Hollywood, personal connections and networks of influence are a language in themselves.
The people gathered around Chen Xun silently declared that he was not alone, nor was he someone who could be treated with contempt.
[Implicit support from industry standing +5]
[Composed Approach to Implicit Rejection +4]
The experience he gained in these situations also enhanced his ability to cope with complex environments.
Just as the staff began directing the first group of people to take their positions, Chen Xun saw Anne Hathaway emerge from the crowd on the other side, slightly hesitant.
She was wearing a simple black dress and had exquisite makeup, but there seemed to be a hint of fatigue between her brows.
She first glanced in the direction of the white male actors, then looked at Chen Xun surrounded by his friends, and paused in her tracks.
Chen Xun noticed her gaze, looked over, and gave her a smile that could be considered a greeting.
Anne seemed to have made up her mind. She took a slight breath, adjusted her expression, and walked towards Chen Xun.
"Chen, Christine."
Anne stopped a few steps away, her voice gentle, carrying her characteristic understated elegance: "Good evening!"
Good evening, Annie.
Chen Xun nodded, his tone natural.
Christine responded with a smile.
Congratulations on your nomination.
Annie looked at Chen Xun, her eyes filled with sincerity, but also with a hint of unspoken emotion, probably thinking of the potential collaboration on "Interstellar": "How have you been lately?"
She had previously considered offering online support to Chen Xun, but her agent stopped her, saying, "Luckily, he's filming a new drama."
Chen Xun's answer was simple, without mentioning any unpleasantness: "Was filming going smoothly?"
Anne tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that made her appear less tense: "The shoot was more tiring than I imagined. But it's great to see you get into the new project so quickly."
She said it very softly, but both of them understood the meaning behind it.
She was subtly expressing her disapproval of Warner's casting controversy and her appreciation for Chen Xun's ability to quickly find a new direction.
Her decision to come over and say hello is itself a statement.
For her, professional collaborations and personal relationships should not be hijacked by company decisions.
It is precisely because of this idea that she has been criticized by netizens, who believe that she is faking it.
"Thanks!"
Chen Xun accepted the offer: "The Guardians of the Galaxy are also very interesting, and quite challenging."
"You always manage to meet challenges."
Anne smiled, a smile that brightened her entire being: "Looking forward to seeing your Star-Lord. And—"
She glanced at Christine: "You two look good together."
After a few brief pleasantries, Annie followed the staff's directions to the front row of the photo area.
Her arrival and departure were both brief, but in the eyes of some observant people, this act itself conveyed a message.
At least those white male actors stopped looking this way.
The group photo session officially began.
Just as Jennifer had predicted, the process was chaotic and embarrassing.
Someone stood in the wrong place and was quietly corrected; someone slightly adjusted their posture to show the best angle in front of the camera, blocking the person next to them.
Some people even blinked subconsciously the moment the photographer shouted "Look here."
Chen Xun stood in the middle row, slightly to the left, as arranged, maintaining a polite smile.
The flashes went off in quick succession.
After the group photo was taken, the crowd dispersed again. It seemed that the real social time had just begun, or perhaps many people were already feeling tired and ready to leave.
Chen Xun and Christine chatted with Vin Diesel, Paul, Jennifer and others for a while, and agreed on a time for their next get-together.
It was already late at night when we left the banquet hall.
Once inside the car, Christine leaned on his shoulder.
The car drove away from the Hilton Hotel, leaving behind the dazzling lights and glitz and hustle and bustle.
The winding roads in Beverly Hills were quiet, with only the faint sound of tires rolling over the road.
Christine leaned on Chen Xun's shoulder, her eyes closed, her fingers unconsciously twirling a button on his suit sleeve.
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