That character will be elevated in that instant.
But Gu Yixue said, "You are more suitable for Huang Shan."
Liang Shi: "..."
Liang Shi felt that Gu Yixue didn't understand her well enough, but she was happy to take on the role.
And, trust Gu Yixue's vision and judgment.
Actors sometimes lack the keen insight into their roles that directors possess.
Moreover, Liang Shi had a motto as an actor: never play Liang Shi.
This is a very important point.
An actor should embody the character they portray, rather than portraying themselves as everyone they play.
She readily accepted Gu Yixue's suggestion, and before she could say anything more, the others came in one after another.
Sun Chengcheng arrived first. She was wearing a white turtleneck sweater with a beige long coat, looking pure and lovely, especially her light brown eyes.
It's just colored contact lenses.
Because Liang Shi had met her before, her eyes were the kind that were dark in color, very bright and energetic.
Two other people arrived after her, one named Qi Tang and the other named Tang Zui.
Their names are quite coincidental; the two look different, yet each has their own unique charm.
As soon as Sun Chengcheng came in and saw Liang Shi, she immediately showed a look of disgust.
But when he saw Gu Yixue, he put away his disgust and greeted her with a smile: "Hello, Director."
Gu Yixue nodded slightly and said expressionlessly, "Let's look at the script first."
Gu Yixue was cool for getting straight to the point, so while waiting for them to read the script, Liang Shi read it again.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Sun Chengcheng burst into tears. Wiping away her tears and sobbing, she asked Gu Yixue, "Director, why is it a tragedy?"
Gu Yixue: "..."
Seemingly surprised by the question, Gu Yixue paused for two seconds before coldly replying, "I like it."
This is also Gu Yixue's first tragic ending work.
Before Sun Chengcheng could even compose herself after wiping away her tears, Gu Yixue asked, "Who are you planning to play?"
Without hesitation, Sun Chengcheng answered, "Huang Shan."
Gu Yixue: "..."
Two seconds later, Gu Yixue said without room for doubt, "You will play Guan Qingmin."
Sun Chengcheng: "?"
She glanced at Liang Shi instinctively, her expression unfriendly.
Liang Shi didn't pay any attention. She lowered her head and continued reading the script, but when she glanced at Sun Chengcheng, she gave her a very contemptuous look.
It's based on understanding Zhao Xuning's style, so the effect should be quite good.
Because Sun Chengcheng stopped crying immediately.
Sun Chengcheng asked Gu Yixue, "Director, why?"
Gu Yixue paused again: "There's no reason."
Sun Chengcheng: "..."
Chapter 148
Gu Yixue is very straightforward, to an alarming degree.
Perhaps it's because he became famous at a young age and has always held a high position, so he does things based entirely on three words: "I like it."
Just like how she uses newcomers, writes her own scripts, and directs her own films.
Gu Yixue's answer to Sun Chengcheng was also very straightforward, and the air became quiet after she finished speaking.
The other two girls were also newcomers who hadn't acted much. Their faces still showed a sense of naivety. They were just kids fresh out of school and had never seen anything like this before. They looked at each other and lowered their heads at the same time.
Sun Chengcheng paused for a moment and then said, "But I think Huang Shan and I are quite compatible."
Gu Yixue looked at her, sized her up for a few seconds, and said, "I think you have a distorted self-perception."
Sun Chengcheng: "..."
“Huang Shan has a lot of scenes.” Gu Yixue saw through her thoughts at a glance and bluntly pointed it out, “But Guan Qingmin can become the white moonlight.”
“They are all characters I created.” Gu Yixue sat there, her cool, indifferent eyes sweeping over everyone present. “There is no preference for any one of them; everything serves the plot.”
Since she's already said that, it would be ungrateful of Sun Chengcheng to argue back.
Sun Chengcheng was quick to apologize to Gu Yixue in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Director Gu, I just really love this script."
“I like it very much too,” Gu Yixue said, “but actors should have their own self-positioning.”
Sun Chengcheng pursed her lips, looking embarrassed.
Gu Yixue tapped her fingers on the table. “I can understand that you’ve never acted before and can’t find your place, so I’ll help you find it. But… don’t make me waste my time on this kind of thing.”
The sound of fingers tapping on the table was rather heavy.
After a moment, Gu Yixue stopped, and the room fell silent.
She spoke softly, "Qi Tang, you play Chen Ruo; Tang Zui, you play Guan Li."
The roles were assigned concisely, and then they were asked to read the script again before the meeting got on track.
When it comes to interpreting characters, no one can compare to Gu Yixue.
Every line in the script has been meticulously crafted. If you look closely, you can discover the connections between the beginning and the end, and you will be amazed by it unexpectedly.
Gu Yixue showed no impatience with these relatively inexperienced actors.
On the contrary, when they asked serious questions, Gu Yixue answered them very seriously and responsibly, helping them understand the characters, the emotional turning points of each character, and their actions during the climax of the event.
Parts that seem illogical at first glance will prove to be able to withstand rigorous scrutiny after repeated readings.
Liang Shi had a few more problems. First, she had more scenes than others, and second, she read the script one more time than others.
The discussion with Gu Yixue was more like a reasonable exploration of the possibilities for the role.
The character of Huang Shan is quite controversial, especially in the scene where she shoots herself at the end.
However, after discussion, Liang Shi also came to approve of Gu Yixue's original version.
The meeting lasted for nearly an hour, which is relatively quick.
Gu Yixue has always been decisive and efficient in this regard.
After the meeting, Gu Yixue mentioned the start date, which was the day after tomorrow morning, and that the opening ceremony would be held directly there.
Sun Chengcheng, having acted before, naturally knew that the script reading meeting was followed by the opening ceremony. When she heard that Gu Yixue had scheduled a day in between, she asked in confusion, "Why is it the day after tomorrow?"
Gu Yixue paused, then said, "I have something to do tomorrow."
A simple and unpretentious reason.
Sun Chengcheng had nothing to say.
Gu Yixue didn't lower her standards for them just because they were newcomers. She required them to memorize their lines before filming started, and she would take care of all the details and camera presence for them.
She said her crew was small, so they couldn't accommodate them in many ways.
When filming, it's work, and no one should slack off. Once filming is over, you can relax; she won't care.
The hotel I stayed at was just across the street, so it was quite close.
The hotel was quite nice; it was one of the few places on set that was willing to spend money on the actors.
No one had any objections, so Gu Yixue asked everyone, "Anything else going on later? Shall we go eat?"
Liang Shi spoke first: "I'm fine."
Xu Qingzhu is away on a business trip, and she has nothing to do when she gets back.
Sun Chengcheng said it was nothing, and the other two exchanged a glance, knowing that Gu Yixue was inviting them to dinner, so they agreed in unison.
//
Of the five people, only Liang Shi and Gu Yixue had a car.
Qi Tang and Tang Zui were a little intimidated by Gu Yixue, so they chose to ride in Liang Shi's car.
Sun Chengcheng disliked Liang Shi's face and naturally chose to sit next to Gu Yixue.
In the car, Gu Yixue asked Sun Chengcheng, "Do you have a grudge against Liang Shi?"
"No," Sun Chengcheng said. "We didn't know each other before."
"Your eyes don't lie." Gu Yixue said as she turned the steering wheel. "Also, why did you and Liang Shi delete each other's contacts?"
"Don't you think her personality is awful?" Sun Chengcheng frowned and retorted. "She said she's married and told me not to like her. She's incredibly narcissistic! It's normal for me not to like her, isn't it? It would be abnormal to like her!"
Gu Yixue recalled the details of her interactions with Liang Shi, and after a moment said, "No matter what you two are like in private, don't bring your emotions to the camera."
"Okay, Director." Sun Chengcheng was still relatively compliant even with Gu Yixue's help.
Gu Yixue treated everyone to dinner at a Cantonese restaurant. It wasn't a big place, but it was very crowded.
It wasn't even lunchtime yet, but the first floor was already more than half full.
The waiter led them to a private room on the second floor. After Gu Yixue went in, she lit a cigarette and gave the menu to Liang Shi and the others. Liang Shi then gave it to the two younger girls.
The two girls were trembling with fear, and a little hesitant to order, but they still gritted their teeth and ordered a few dishes.
In the end, it was Sun Chengcheng who made the order.
It was only when ordering food that Liang Shih remembered that Sun Chengcheng was from the South, and Cantonese cuisine was her hometown food.
Gu Yixue smoked by the window, with her back to them. After she finished, she wiped the smoke off with her hand before returning to her seat.
My throat was a little dry from just finishing a cigarette, and I asked in a hoarse voice, "Finished?"