บท 226: Performance aura
Felicity tried to react, but her mouth went dry, her face turned red, and her heart raced so violently that she felt almost suffocated. She wanted to escape, but her body remained frozen, able only to stare at those eyes. Bit by bit, her resistance melted away, like pure white snow bathed in the first rays of spring sunshine.
"Cut!"
Drake's voice rang out like a mosquito's buzz amidst the music, and with his voice, the music came to a halt.
Though his voice was soft, in Felicity's ears, it was akin to thunder, shattering her reality and the illusion like a disassembled Lego toy collapsing into fragments. She broke free from the overwhelming grip of the intense gaze, breathing in fresh air in gasps. She turned around in disarray, her back to Renly, attempting to regain her composure.
"I'm sorry, I apologize, it's my fault." Felicity raised her right hand in a submissive gesture, like an obedient student, and kept apologizing, "I just... uh... suddenly forgot my lines, I'm sorry. Give me a minute!"
Drake had initially wanted to inquire about what had happened, but hearing Felicity's explanation, he refrained from probing further. He turned to Jennifer beside him and asked, "Is it just me? Or is it true? I feel like Renly might actually have fallen for Felicity."
Jennifer didn't respond, as she hadn't heard Drake's words at all. In that brief two-minute performance, she could vividly feel the powerful stage presence of Renly.
There was no excessive force, no overly refined touch. It was just in the gaze between his brows and eyes, as well as in some habitual movements of his hands and feet, that he firmly grasped the rhythm of the entire performance. Whether it was the stiff entrance into the room, stolen glances, or the uneasy nuances, he portrayed the blossoming chemistry of youthful, tender, restrained, and impassioned love to the fullest extent, capturing the slow descent into the river of love. It was intoxicating to witness.
What the audience saw was not merely a young man in love but also a literary character named Jacob, with a clear and distinct profile.
Throughout the performance, Felicity's tempo was entirely guided into Renly's world. When she noticed his shyness, she couldn't help but smile. When she perceived his embarrassment, she quickly broke the tension. When she caught his furtive glances, the deer-in-the-headlights shyness and exuberant joy burst forth...
Most importantly, Renly's unintentional gazes, like adhesive, clung to Felicity. Especially those stolen glances into her eyes. This small detail might go unnoticed, overlooked without the director's capture, but the heartbeat between their brows and eyes was so heartwarmingly captivating.
The impromptu decision to abandon the script actually provided Renly with a wider space to perform. He infused the entire scene with his understanding of Jacob, shaping the rhythm and style uniquely his own. In every aspect, he transformed Jacob's emotions, infusing not only his character but the whole scene with the genuine, splendid, and moving process of falling in love.
The atmosphere between their brows and eyes surged, nearly inducing cries of amazement!
It's hard to imagine. In a scene that seemed to lack any focal point, dramatic conflict, or even much room for performance, Renly burst forth with astonishing acting prowess in every gesture and movement. His skill wasn't just rooted in solid acting foundation; he exhibited a masterful control over the rhythm of the performance.
Rhythm and presence, these were things only actors could feel, even directors struggled to articulate them. Yet for actors, during the process of performing, the other party's gaze, actions, and words could have an impact on them. This influence could be negative or positive, adding to the allure of acting opposite someone.
When faced with a true acting veteran, like Meryl Streep, no matter the role she played, the rhythm of her scene partners was easily swept into her well-established patterns. Her formidable presence was impossible to overlook.
If the scene partner was an inexperienced novice, they would be forced to follow along passively. The worst outcome would be a seriously unbalanced performance, turning the scene into a one-person show dominated by Streep.
But if the actor opposite Streep was another seasoned veteran, like Robert De Niro, then their presences would collide fiercely. The two would contend for control, creating a performance of sparks and strong confrontations that left viewers exhilarated.
Scene partners – this was one of the greatest joys of acting. A monologue provided the satisfying release of pent-up joy, while scenes with partners offered the pleasure of mutual exchange, restraint, and cooperation.
Yet, Renly was only twenty years old, with "Like Crazy" being just his second major screen project. Forget being a "veteran", he couldn't even be called a "seasoned actor". How could he possess such seasoned and skilled acting techniques? Not to mention Felicity, even Jennifer, an observer, could sense the natural flow of energy exuding from him. It was as if all thoughts were entranced by the performance, unable to look away, forgetting even to breathe.
Fortunately, this scene wasn't a confrontation; it was a budding romance. After Felicity blended into Renly's stage presence, though slightly overshadowed, she didn't disrupt the overall balance. Instead, their interactions smoothed and harmonized the flow and growth of love, creating an atmosphere that transitioned seamlessly and effortlessly.
It could be said that Renly had filled this scene with content and meaning, far exceeding the weight carried by the script itself, extending beyond the characters, the love, and even the film's thematic ideas. Such mastery was truly astonishing!
This brought Jennifer back to her work from last year, "Winter's Bones".
In that performance, she felt a distinct sense of mastery, an uninhibited fluency, and the whole act flowed seamlessly, reaching the pinnacle of her understanding of acting. After the film screened at the Sundance Film Festival, it garnered countless praises. Some even dubbed her a "genius girl", believing she could secure an Oscar nomination for her performance.
Jennifer couldn't deny feeling a sense of self-satisfaction. After all, she was only nineteen years old and already receiving such affirmation. For the start of her acting career, this was nearly perfect. However, now Jennifer realized she had been limited in her perspective. Forget the grandeur of Hollywood, just the presence of Renly before her was enough to inspire her admiration.
For her, expressing her understanding of a character through acting was already a limit in itself. As for driving the rhythm of a scene, even bringing fellow actors into her own stage presence, that was completely unimaginable. She wasn't certain how wide the gap was between the two, but she knew one thing: she wanted to catch up to Renly!
The fervor within her began to blaze, her blood reached boiling point, and her eyes radiated with dazzling brilliance. She admired Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro. More precisely, she revered those actors who used their performances to reshape the world of cinema. She respected those who pushed the boundaries of acting to the utmost.
And now, she had a new goal: Renly Hall! In comparison to seasoned veterans like Streep and De Niro, Renly felt like a more realistic near-term objective.
Jennifer was becoming impatient, eager to act in a scene opposite Renly. Taking part in "Like Crazy" was undoubtedly one of the best decisions she had made in her career.
"Jennifer? Jennifer?" Drake couldn't hold back any longer. He tapped Jennifer's shoulder, interrupting her urge to scream and shout in her chest. Turning towards him, Drake inquired, "Is it just me? What do you think?"
Jennifer's gaze once again fell upon Renly. Felicity had turned and sat on the edge of the bed, calming her turbulent emotions. Renly, however, remained cross-legged in his spot, deep in thought. It was as if he had entered a realm of his own, impervious to the outside world. Even the abrupt interruption earlier hadn't affected his performance rhythm.
"It's not just your imagination. In that moment just now, Felicity truly fell for Renly," Jennifer affirmed resolutely, then shrugged. "Or maybe it's more accurate to say, who wouldn't fall for him?"
Drake fell silent, reflecting on her words. Yet Jennifer didn't give him much time to ponder. She continued, "Director, may I offer a suggestion as an actor?" Drake was approachable, without hesitation, he nodded in agreement. "When we resume filming, remember to capture the nuances of Renly's performance. His hand movements, footwork, the corners of his mouth, especially his gaze. His eyes elevated the content of the entire scene."
Why did the performance of the same actor vary greatly across different projects? Aside from the script and the role itself, the actor's on-the-spot artistry played a significant role. In the same scene, some directors favored medium or wide shots, amplifying the actor's body movements. Others preferred close-ups and tight shots, where facial expressions became crucial. Some directors opted for backlit or profile shots, where lighting and shadows influenced the performance's enhancement or reduction.
In essence, actors were responsible for performing, while directors recorded and presented. But if the director didn't present it properly, even if the actor gave their all, the audience wouldn't feel it.
Drake nodded, affirming, "I know, that's my plan and the focus of this film. But was there anything particular in Renly's gaze just now?" As a director and a man, Drake's thoughts were far from delicate.
Jennifer patted Drake's shoulder, and with a significant tone, she said, "You're not a woman, you wouldn't understand."
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