novellhall Chapter 26: That Damn Acting Skills
Chapter 26: That Damn Acting Skills
"This is too difficult."
The makeup artist, with her delicate fingers, looked at Guan Shengbai in the mirror with a troubled expression.
"With such a beautiful face, how could the director be so cruel as to make me look ugly?"
Guan Shengbai sat in front of the makeup mirror, looking at the male makeup artist behind him who wore black-rimmed glasses and spoke with a hint of coquettishness. A twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The filming is now in its second half. Although his role is small, director Ding Cheng requires him to complete the costume fitting and test shooting today.
No one expected that things would get stuck at the makeup setting stage.
"The director said your character can't be too eye-catching."
The makeup artist picked up a foundation brush, touched it a few times on Guan Shengbai's face, then put it down, then picked it up again, and then put it down again.
"But your bone structure, your features, your skin... no matter how much makeup I use, I can't cover it up."
He reached out and gently lifted Guan Shengbai's chin, looking him up and down, his expression growing increasingly troubled.
Guan Shengbai's face is angular yet handsome, and his phoenix eyes are the finishing touch.
Just by standing in front of the camera, you can draw everyone's attention without needing any lighting.
Ding Cheng's task was to portray Guan Shengbai as ugly.
Not just ordinary ugly, but the kind of ordinary that you wouldn't notice if you threw it into a crowd, preferably with a touch of roguish, street-smart vibe.
The makeup artist has already tried three different looks.
Firstly, by applying thicker foundation to darken the skin tone, Guan Shengbai actually exuded a wild and rugged beauty when he stood in front of the camera.
The second time, he messed up his hair and added a few greasy bangs, making him look like a down-on-his-luck nobleman.
The third time, they simply put a fake stubble on him, and the resulting look, combined with his features, somehow created a story of a prodigal son returning home.
"No way, no way, you're just trying to ruin my job."
The makeup artist threw the brushes on the table, put her hands on her hips, and looked utterly dejected.
Guan Shengbai looked at his face in the mirror, which had been tormented for almost half an hour, and suddenly spoke.
"Teacher Zhang, how about we try a different approach?"
The makeup artist was taken aback.
Guan Shengbai picked up the black-rimmed glasses on the table, put them on his nose, and looked at himself in the mirror.
"Just give me a basic makeup look, maybe even a more refined one. Then just add a pair of glasses."
"Exquisite?"
The makeup artist thought she had misheard.
"The director wanted something unassuming, you want me to make it exquisite?"
"right."
Guan Shengbai took off his glasses, turned to the makeup artist, and spoke calmly.
"If the director asks, just say it was my idea and that you won't be the one to take the blame."
The makeup artist hesitated for a few seconds, looked at Guan Shengbai's sincere face, and finally nodded.
"Fine, it's your own request anyway. But if the director gets angry, don't blame me for not warning you."
Guan Shengbai smiled and turned back to the mirror.
The makeup artist changed her tools and began applying makeup to him according to the usual procedure.
The foundation was applied lightly and evenly, the eyebrows were slightly trimmed, and even the lip color was given a subtle tint.
In less than twenty minutes, a makeup look so exquisite it looked like it was for a magazine cover shoot was completed.
Guan Shengbai picked up the black-rimmed glasses, put them on, examined himself in the mirror for a moment, and then stood up.
"Let's go."
The makeup artist followed behind him, carrying her makeup case, her heart pounding with anxiety.
He really didn't know how to explain if the director got angry later.
You can't exactly say that you were convinced by this newcomer's few words.
The two walked through the corridor and turned into the filming location.
The bar set has been set up.
Neon lights cast ambiguous shadows on the dark red wall.
Behind the bar were all sorts of bottles of liquor, and bar stools leaned crookedly against the bar, with a deliberately created smell of tobacco and alcohol in the air.
The extras were already in place, sitting in twos and threes in the booths, some pretending to drink, others talking in hushed tones.
The lighting crew is adjusting the final lighting positions, the camera crew has already laid out the tracks, and the production assistant is checking the call sheet in the corner.
Jackie Chan sat on a high stool in front of the bar, already changed into his costume.
Dressed in dark, dirty casual clothes and sporting a buzz cut, he certainly looked quite different from his usual roles.
Liu Ye was standing on the other side of the bar, rehearsing lines with the executive director, occasionally making a gesture.
When Guan Shengbai walked onto the set, Ding Cheng was squatting in front of the monitor, discussing camera positions with the director of photography.
"Director, Ms. Guan's makeup is done."
The makeup artist whispered a message, her voice tinged with guilt.
Ding Cheng raised his head and his gaze fell on Guan Shengbai.
Then he frowned.
"Makeup artist!"
Ding Cheng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an overwhelming anger, and the noise on the set quieted down a bit.
"You're ignoring what I say, aren't you?"
The makeup artist opened her mouth, her face turning bright red, and subconsciously glanced at Guan Shengbai.
Guan Shengbai took a step forward, blocking the makeup artist, and bowed slightly to Ding Cheng.
"Director, please don't blame Teacher Zhang, it was my request to do it this way."
Ding Cheng's brows furrowed even more.
Looking at the young man in front of him, a surge of anger rose within him.
He's been in this industry for decades, working his way up from a lowly production assistant to a director. He's seen all kinds of actors.
In recent years, the film and television industry has become increasingly entertainment-oriented, and those young artists who have been promoted by capital are as delicate as porcelain dolls.
They wouldn't let us play ugly, wouldn't let us go without makeup, and even had to use eye drops for crying scenes.
In Ding Cheng's view, Guan Shengbai in front of him was probably the same kind of person.
Relying on her good looks, she felt that "making herself ugly" would affect her image, so she dared to disobey even her own arrangements.
Ding Cheng's first impression of Guan Shengbai was actually quite good.
This kid arrived at the film set in the early hours of the morning, half an hour earlier than the time on the call sheet.
He sat quietly in the corner reading the script, neither playing on his phone nor putting on airs.
He greets everyone politely, and he even knows the names of the crew members.
But now it seems that it was nothing more than a show of politeness.
Out of respect for the production company and Zeng Jia, Ding Chengqiang suppressed his anger and patiently spoke up.
"Xiaobai, right? You've read the script too. Zheng Xiaofeng's character isn't just a simple bartender; he's responsible for the plot twist at the end of the play."
So he can't be too conspicuous, you understand what I mean?
He spoke in a relatively calm tone, but the displeasure on his face was almost palpable.
Everyone else on set noticed the commotion.
Jackie Chan sat at the bar, holding a prop drink in his hand, his gaze sweeping over them discreetly.
Liu Ye also stopped rehearsing her lines with the director, leaned against the bar, and watched the scene with great interest.
In the nearby rest area, Jin Tian and Gulnazar were sitting together waiting for their scenes.
Jin Tian had already done her makeup, with a red wig in a very flamboyant style on her head, and she was wearing a cheap leather jacket with messy temporary tattoos.
But even that can't hide her natural beauty.
Gulnazar didn't have much of a role today; she was just there to watch the fun.
Both of them heard Ding Cheng's angry question and turned to look at Guan Shengbai.
Jin Tian frowned slightly, as if she was worried about something.
Naza closed the script, a hint of confusion flashing in her big eyes.
Guan Shengbai, who was at the forefront, stood in front of Ding Cheng, his expression unchanged.
"Well, the makeup artist has already tried out several different looks for me..."
Guan Shengbai folded his hands in front of him, his voice slightly higher-pitched, without any exaggerated winking or gesturing, yet a effeminate quality naturally arose.
"...I was also afraid of wasting too much time, so I thought I'd show you the sample and see if this works~"
"I said you... hey!"
Ding Cheng was already about to glare and get angry, but after seeing Guan Shengbai's current state, he suddenly paused.
"Hey... what are you doing..."
Ding Cheng frowned and circled around Guan Shengbai.
Guan Shengbai then turned his head and glanced at Ding Cheng.
"Eh... hiss..."
The person was still the same, without any special makeup, just wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses.
Even her tone of voice wasn't affected or effeminate, but that feminine charm emanated from every gesture.
The exquisite makeup that Ding Cheng found so irritating just a moment ago now looked exceptionally "fitting".
"Hey! That's actually quite interesting... What are you thinking?"
"That's right, director. The character Zheng Xiaofeng is actually responsible for delivering the punchline in the 'plot twist'."
What could be more unexpected for the audience than me looking like this?
Director Ding Cheng listened to his words, his eyes shining with a hint of light.
Undoubtedly, Guan Shengbai's words and the "setting" were exactly what Ding Cheng had in mind.
In fact, according to Guan Shengbai, the script of the movie "New Police Story 2013" is somewhat weak.
The whole story is somewhat similar to a large-scale live-action murder mystery game.
Many of Jackie Chan's action scenes are conveyed through the medium of "flashbacks".
In this aspect, the director wanted to balance Jackie Chan's box office success in action films with the dual "redemption" of the protagonist and antagonist, showcasing the so-called brilliance of humanity.
I also wanted to add a twist at the end, to create a suspenseful and exciting feeling that would make the audience think, "Oh! I see."
However, on the original timeline, this plot twist at the end is a complete mess.
An NPC who only appears for a few seconds at the beginning, a character with no memorable traits, suddenly jumps out and tells everyone that he is the villain's sister's boyfriend, and that the villain's sister's cause of death was not murder, but suicide, blah blah blah.
The main point is that this "boyfriend" looks just like an ordinary person on the street. Compared to the "sister" played by Gulnazar, it's like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung.
The director did manage to create a completely unexpected twist for the audience.
But it didn't evoke a sense of amazement like, "So that's how it is?"
Instead, it's a sense of astonishment: "This actually works???"
This explains why the film achieved considerable commercial success at the box office after its release, but fell short in terms of critical acclaim.
It really started strong but ended weakly.
"That's interesting! Xiaobai, let's do as you say and see how many we get..."
Ding Cheng clapped his hands, signaling for the lighting and photography.
"Hey! You're doing alright, kid!"
Liu Ye, who had been watching from the sidelines for quite some time, suddenly appeared behind Guan Shengbai and patted him on the shoulder.
Guan Shengbai turned to look at him.
"Holy crap! Don't look at me like that, act normal, act normal..."
Liu Ye jumped back half a step, waving his hand dismissively with goosebumps all over his body.
Clearly, Liu Ye was a little overwhelmed by Guan Shengbai's lingering affectionate gaze.
Tsk, Old Ye doesn't even realize that he himself came from the role of "Lan Yu" back in the day.
I don't know if he's overcorrecting or what...
Guan Shengbai smiled and raised an eyebrow, instantly transforming from the "feminine" type back into the "sunny" boy who made people feel comfortable and likable.
Even Jackie Chan, who had been watching the show from the sidelines for a long time, came over with a kind smile, patted Guan Shengbai on the shoulder, and offered a few words of encouragement.
At the same time, his destiny was also revealed to Guan Shengbai.
Name: Qiao Feng (Jackie Chan)
Destiny: Twin-Bone Divine Dragon
Favorability: 20%
Strategy level: 0%
Relationship: Friendly
Note: Utterly fierce and resolute, they fortified themselves with their flesh. Dragons fought in the wilderness, their blood black and yellow. In the end, righteousness came first, and they were no longer in control of their own destiny.
[Destiny]: Twin-Bone Divine Dragon
[Level]: ★★★★☆
[Type]: Vajra Type - Physical Skill System
"His bones are like a dragon's, extremely strong and fierce. He proves the Dao with his body and fights with his life."
——Core Physical Skills——
【Dragon Spine Iron Bones】
Effects: Physical strength surpasses that of ordinary people, with significantly enhanced resistance to blows. Can break through physical limits under extreme conditions, performing actions impossible for ordinary people. Each time a serious injury is sustained, the precision of martial arts skills increases by 10% upon recovery.
—Characteristics of Destiny—
A desperate gamble
When filming high-risk stunts, one enters a state of "selflessness," fear disappears, and instinct for action is maximized. Every stunt performed personally leaves a deep impression on the audience, doubling the positive word-of-mouth.
[The Leader of the Group]
He was highly respected on set, and his every word and action served as a model. Those who worked with him were passively encouraged to be more dedicated, while those who slacked off or acted like divas would feel inexplicable moral pressure.
—Defects in Destiny—
[Extremely rigid yet easily broken]
As I get older, old injuries accumulate. On rainy days, the pain in my joints becomes unbearable. After the age of sixty, I experience an injury or illness every three years, and the recovery period lengthens year by year.
Righteousness comes first.
It's difficult for me to refuse requests from relatives and friends. I will do my utmost to help anyone who asks for my assistance out of "friendship" or "loyalty."
Looking at the generous and magnanimous, still dashing and energetic, true big brother of the entertainment industry.
Then I thought that about two or three years later, after Uncle Long suffered that blow, his hair and beard turned completely white, and he looked more than three or five years older.
Even Guan Shengbai couldn't help but recall the young master Chen he met on the set of "Tiny Times" and compare him to Uncle Long in front of him.
It's a classic case of a tiger father begetting a rat.
……
……
Soon, filming proceeded as scheduled.
Guan Shengbai's scenes in the bar are actually quite few, just a handful of shots.
A few lines of dialogue with the protagonist, a few close-ups of bartending, and a brief appearance in the ending twist sequence.
However, due to his adjustment in his role's mindset, the bartender character, who was originally just a background character, suddenly gained a sense of presence.
In an instant, this character, who only had a few seconds of screen time, was brought to life.
Ding Cheng became more and more satisfied as he watched the footage on the monitor. When they got to the last take, he didn't even call "cut." Instead, he had the cameraman shoot a few more shots of Guan Shengbai working behind the bar.
"These clips can all be edited into montages or even behind-the-scenes footage."
He whispered something to the executive director next to him.
After all, as a Jackie Chan film, the behind-the-scenes footage is an essential part of its essence!
When the last shot was filmed, the assistant director called "Cut off the clock." When Guan Shengbai walked out from behind the bar, the assistant director was already waiting beside him.
"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Guan."
The assistant director was holding a call sheet.
"It's like this, next we'll need you to change into a different outfit so we can take a couple's photoshoot with Nazha."
Guan Shengbai took the filming schedule and glanced at it.
The words "couple's photoshoot" made him subconsciously raise an eyebrow, but he didn't ask anything, he just nodded.
"Okay, I'll go change my clothes first."
The assistant director breathed a sigh of relief and quickly waved towards the makeup team.
Gulnazar, who had been "lurking" in the corner, had also stood up from the rest area.
She was wearing a light-colored dress today, and her long hair was braided into loose braids that hung over her shoulders. Standing there, she looked like a lily that had been carefully placed in a corner.
Her role was similar to Guan Shengbai's; both were supporting characters.
She plays the villain's sister in the movie, appearing only in a few scenes during flashback sequences. Her role is to provide an emotional anchor for the ending twist.
But now the director team clearly wants to use a set of static photos to supplement the character relationships that were not developed in the movie.
By showing the audience the young couple's "past" in the end credits or promotional materials, the persuasiveness of the ending twist can be increased.
Guan Shengbai withdrew his gaze and followed the costume team staff into the changing room.
Meanwhile, Nazha watched Guan Shengbai walk into the dressing room, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes...
For some reason, she was secretly looking forward to the upcoming filming...