dognovel Chapter 620 Director Chen's Surprise Visit to Beijing Film Academy
Chapter 620 Director Chen's Surprise Visit to Beijing Film Academy
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Offstage, staff members who would act as audience members, hosts, and expert judges were all ready.
The audience seats were filled with young employees drawn from various departments of the station, serving as the audience for tonight's performance.
As the recording officially began, the program host, Wang Kai—also known as Uncle Kai—emerged.
He was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a shiny bald head, his scalp gleaming healthily under the light, and wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses.
He has voiced Optimus Prime in Transformers, the Beast Prince in Beauty and the Beast, and a series of other classic works.
He strode onto the stage, looking rather unremarkable.
But once he opened his mouth,
The deep, warm, and magnetic male voice flowed from the speakers, causing the young girls in the audience to scream in delight.
It is worth mentioning that,
The program "The Sound" is exclusively sponsored by "Kuai Shou".
The huge brand logo on the stage backdrop shone with an orange-red light under the lights, and the chopsticks logo was also printed on the chopsticks card that Uncle Kai was holding.
He was reciting the advertising slogan for Kuaishou as if following a procedure: "Use Kuaishou, watch 'The Voice,' and hear the most authentic voices..."
Inside the cubicle,
Gu Qing watched Uncle Kai read the advertising copy through the screen, but out of the corner of her eye, she keenly noticed...
The camera position directly facing me,
At the very instant the advertising slogan began, the camera subtly shifted its angle, moving away from his face and focusing on the empty sofa next to him.
After the advertisement is finished,
As the last syllable faded, the camera silently turned back.
It was obviously rehearsed beforehand.
The current users of Chopsticks are also suffering in silence, regretting their actions deeply.
In the early years, they handled all complaints.
If those videos that spread rumors about Gu Qing and infringe on copyrights were simply taken down honestly, how could such a behemoth have been forced out?
Currently, Adou's reputation has already surpassed Kuaishou's, and its user base is approaching it at a visible speed.
The two platforms occasionally engage in some simple and unpretentious business battles.
Today you release a press release accusing me of data fabrication, tomorrow I'll send a lawyer's letter accusing you of malicious competition.
But often, the chopsticks-wielding hands are utterly defeated.
There's no way to escape once you've offended the Gu family.
In the realm of online public opinion control, Gu Qing's fans are an invincible force.
Their organization, combat effectiveness, and hatred towards any platform that "bullied Gu Qing" were all at a chilling level.
Like Gu Qing, who was humiliated and forced by the behemoth Chopsticks, and thus turned to the unknown A Dou to confront and fight back.
This experience itself is the kind of satisfying, face-slapping story that the public loves to read.
Kuaishou lost countless users over two years, its brand reputation plummeted, and it finally decided to back down.
As the sole sponsor of the show, inviting Gu Qing to participate in "The Voice" was also a result of their strong advocacy.
First, they covet Gu Qing's traffic. As long as they can make money, capitalists will even sell the rope that hangs them.
Secondly, they intend to reach a settlement, and have offered a very high fee for the announcement, so high that even Gu Qing's business team was silent for several seconds when they saw the number.
The purpose of using chopsticks is very clear:
At the very least, remove Gu Qing from the picture, so that the Gu family won't be used as outside reinforcements to crush the competition during every major battle between the two platforms.
This is also the survival rule for big-name celebrities in the industry.
They rarely tie themselves to a single company; their goal is to cast a wide net and try to succeed in all areas.
Traditional film and television company resources, the three major film studios, Huangguotai, Yueliangtai...
If you offer good enough incentives, the highest bidder wins, so go for it.
Gu Qing had no reason to refuse the exorbitant appearance fee offered by Kuaishou.
Even Tencent and NetEase, their most classic rivals, have done their fair share of things where their game designers team up to exploit players.
For large companies, mortal feuds don't exist.
quickly,
After Uncle Kai finished explaining the four mysterious guests with virtual nicknames, the scene shifted back to the guest room.
Shen Mengcheng sat on the single sofa reserved for the host, turned slightly to the side, and first looked at Gu Qing in the center position before scanning over the other three guests.
"Teachers, have you decided who will go first?"
Shen Mengcheng asked, his voice clear and friendly.
As a top star, Gu Qing was naturally the final act, so there was no need for her to remind him.
Everyone knows this.
"Which of us three should go first?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yiwei and A-Jie leaned out of their respective sofas almost simultaneously and turned their heads to look at Dr. Qu, who was sitting on the other side in the middle.
Dr. Qu also subconsciously turned his head to look at the person next to him.
However, there was nothing beside him.
"..."
Dr. Qu slowly pulled his neck back, his expression somewhat frozen.
"Teacher Qu, please go first."
Shen Mengcheng clapped happily, gently patting his chest with both hands.
"I...I'm a little nervous, I have too many lines."
As the camera began recording, Dr. Qu's previously arrogant and smug face in the lounge instantly lost its sharp edge.
He reached out and tugged at the hem of his suit jacket, looking down at the paper in his hand filled with lines, his voice tinged with humility, as if trying to decline.
He didn't want to be the first to step forward and become cannon fodder.
The first person to go on stage will get less screen time, as the audience's attention hasn't fully focused yet, and the judges haven't gotten into the swing of things.
Having worked in this industry for so many years, he understands all too well the impact of the order of appearance on the entertainment value of variety shows.
"How about I go first..."
Ah-Jie felt that he was a junior and believed he should take the initiative to sacrifice.
"No need, Tianlin was just teasing us. He has a PhD and a high level of education, so memorizing things will be a piece of cake for him."
Zhou Yiwei smiled and reached out to hold A-Jie down.
"I... am only so-so at remembering things."
Dr. Qu's smile was about to fade. "If we're talking about good memory, it has to be Xiao Gu. His memory is just too amazing."
It feels like it's a shame he's not pursuing a doctorate.
"A doctorate isn't something you can get just by having a good memory, Tianlin, you're being modest."
Gu Qing dared not get involved in this mess.
He quickly deflected the compliment, saying, "I can't pass the doctoral entrance exam, Tianlin, please don't joke with me."
"Okay, I'll go first."
With such praise from the top influencer, Dr. Qu was finally complimented.
He stood up from the folding chair with a swagger and walked to the microphone standing in the center of the stage.
"Come over here and help me adjust the microphone."
Dr. Qu first cleared his throat a few times, then turned his head to signal the staff to lower the microphone a few centimeters.
He half-squatted down and began dubbing the first classic scene.
The first clip Dr. Qu selected was Huang Bo's "Crazy Stone".
In the original film, Huang Bo's character, Hei Pi, falls into a manhole cover, covered in dirt, and calls for help to rescue him.
A thick, humorous local dialect from the director's accent burst from the microphone:
"Hey, hey, Doug, I...I'm locked in a well!"
As a local from Qingdao, Dr. Qu handled the situation with great ease.
He perfectly captured Huang Bo's pathetic yet hilarious, anxious yet powerless roguishness, imitating him flawlessly.
Laughter echoed throughout the audience.
"sharp."
Gu Qing couldn't help but applaud.
A very good actor, with solid acting skills, strong delivery of lines, and a good sense of humor.
He insists on being obsessed with falsifying his academic credentials and likes to show off his qualifications in front of the media every few days.
You're not Ma Jiaqi, why do you have to create a persona of a top student?
unfortunately,
Dr. Qu is not one to be praised.
The following two dubbed segments:
Zhang Yi in "The Qin Empire II: Alliance" and Little Ma in "A Better Tomorrow" are rather unremarkable.
When he was paired with Little Ma, he not only lacked any sense of chivalry, but he also couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The entire segment ended abruptly.
The applause from the audience was sparse, a stark contrast to the laughter he had when he dubbed the first clip.
When Dr. Qu walked back from the microphone, his smile was a little dry, but he still tried to maintain his composure, wiping the fine sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief as he walked.
The second round,
Zhou Yiwei took the initiative to stand up from the sofa.
The three dramas he voiced were: "Dong Cunrui", "Mei Lanfang" and "My 1919".
The range of roles is extremely wide.
From combat heroes who sacrificed themselves to blow up bunkers, to Peking Opera stars who dressed as women, and diplomats who delivered impassioned speeches at the Paris Peace Conference.
"Brother Wei, you know this trick too?!"
When Gu Qing heard Zhou Yiwei speak with a soft and melodious Shanghai accent, her eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm going to report these hidden tricks of the teachers to the principal."
"Little Gu, your opera singing is much better than mine, you don't need me to teach you."
Zhou Yiwei helplessly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
He was telling the truth.
I only know a basic Peking Opera tune, which I use purely for filming.
Compared to Gu Qing, they are simply far inferior.
When it was time for A-Jie to do voice acting, he also showcased three of his representative works.
The moment he opened his mouth, the atmosphere in the entire recording studio seemed to change.
A young boy's voice—clear and pure.
Youthful voices – calm and warm.
The domineering CEO's voice is deep and glamorous.
She can also play multiple roles, demonstrating superb skills and a beautiful voice.
As a top voice actor, he captivated the female audience members at the scene, who practically screamed themselves hoarse.
"This control of aura... No wonder they say that everyone has their own area of expertise."
This is better than any teacher he has ever encountered!
After listening to the first segment, Gu Qing took a breath and felt a sudden pressure. She lowered her eyes, her brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze fell on the script as she focused on getting into character.
Dr. Qu, who had initially dismissed the matter, now looked rather displeased.
"I knew it was a huge disadvantage to go first. The audience wasn't even in the right mood, and the judges weren't even excited yet. Now I'm the worst one!"
He complained inwardly, tapping his fingers faster and faster on his knees, but stubbornly refused to believe that he was less skilled than others.
"Come on, please welcome our last guest: the cool race car driver, who will bring you the first classic sound: 'Farewell My Concubine'!"
As soon as Uncle Kai finished speaking, the audience, who were already amazed by A-Jie's voice, erupted in another wave of gasps.
The judges, who had just put away their recording pens, sat up straight again.
"Farewell My Concubine"—this timeless classic by director Chen is known to everyone here, and no one has not seen it.
The role of Cheng Dieyi carries such weight in the history of Chinese-language cinema that no actor dares to touch it lightly.
"Go for it, Xiao Gu."
"Go, Teacher Gu!"
Zhou Yiwei and A-Jie spoke up to cheer each other on almost at the same time.
Gu Qing stood up, gently placed the script on the sofa, and nodded slightly to them without saying a word.
He walked to the microphone, closed his eyes slightly, and his chest rose and fell gently with his slow and steady breathing.
"They really are like newborn calves that are not afraid of tigers, daring to even match 'Farewell My Concubine' with it?"
Feeling neglected, Dr. Qu watched Gu Qing walk towards the microphone, a barely perceptible hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
He leaned back heavily into the folding chair and spoke in a tone that was half-joking and half-serious, "Xiao Gu, you're not planning to date my brother, are you?"
"Shh—Tianlin, keep your voice down, Xiao Gu is getting into character."
Zhou Yiwei's thin eyebrows furrowed slightly as he reminded him to stop.
"You dare to lecture me?!"
Dr. Qu cursed inwardly, "I'm a PhD! A PhD!"
In front of the camera,
He could only nod awkwardly, swallowing back the resentment that had risen to his throat.
The guest room fell silent again.
All eyes were on the young figure standing in front of the microphone, his eyes slightly closed.
The off-white stand-up collar shirt gleamed with a soft ivory sheen under the warm yellow light, and the slender figure was accentuated by the smoky gray trousers, making him appear exceptionally tall and straight.
Standing in that spotlight, he looked like a handsome and elegant gentleman who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting.
On the large screen on the stage,
Scenes from "Farewell My Concubine" begin to play.
For many viewers who have seen the film or clips, the famous scenes they know from "Farewell My Concubine" are nothing more than:
The tragic love story of Xiang Yu and Yu Ji.
The ambiguous and entangled scene of Cheng Dieyi and Duan Xiaolou stroking each other's faces in the dressing room
The embrace and confrontation between Cheng Dieyi and Juxian in that cramped room.
Then there's that classic line about a morbid obsession:
"If we agree to be together for a lifetime, it's not a lifetime if it's less than a year, a month, a day, or an hour!"
That obsessive and melancholic tone was an image that had played repeatedly in the minds of countless people. As guest audience members, they naturally knew that Gu Qing was the next person they would be dubbing.
Many female viewers were already blushing and their hearts were pounding, cupping their cheeks in their hands, ready to fall in love.
however,
The screen didn't cut to the dressing room, nor to the two faces covered in greasepaint, nor to Duan Xiaolou.
The scene suddenly shifts to the courtyard where the characters learned their skills in the early stages of the film.
That dusty, smelly late Qing Dynasty opera troupe.
A young boy with a shaved head and a few stubbles on his scalp was using his small hands to grip a rough hemp rope, pressing his stiff body little by little against the soft ground.
An old master with a white beard was leaning over and staring intently at him, his deeply lined face filled with an irresistible pressure.
"Ah...why is it this clip?"
"At least give us an adult brother—is this 'Farewell My Concubine'?"
"I wanted to see the tragic love story of Cheng Dieyi and Duan Xiaolou! Why is it here?!"
The audience was very disappointed, and whispers spread from the back rows to the front.
In the guest room, Gu Qing opened her eyes.
Suddenly, his eyes held a layer of timidity, vulnerability, yet a stubborn refusal to bow down.
Gu Qing slightly raised his chin, his lips moved gently, and a youthful voice, with a touch of operatic charm, slowly flowed from the microphone.
"I am a man—not a delicate woman..."
The voice was very soft, yet every word carried a stubborn, unwavering conviction.
He considered himself a man, and his voice carried a hint of confusion and grievance when he sang this line.
"Um--?"
The white-bearded master let out a deep, cold snort from his nose, his eyes wide like copper bells.
The groan, accompanied by a close-up of the man-eating creature, echoed in the theater, the oppressive feeling pressing down through the screen, causing several young girls in the audience to instinctively shrink back.
“I…I am a man…and not a delicate woman…”
Xiaodouzi's voice became softer and weaker, with a tremor at the end.
From having her extra six fingers chopped off by her own mother while she was pinned to a chopping board, to being resold to this drab theater,
Faced with the intimidation of adults, the helpless little bean trembled slightly on the rope with its thin body, but its stubbornness refused to dissipate.
"Clap clap-"
Little Bean's tender palm was struck hard by the ruler.
The sound of the wooden planks striking flesh was loud and crisp, echoing throughout the stage and the booths through the sound system.
"You were born a beautiful woman!"
The master scolded him angrily, his voice booming from the depths of his throat, carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"I...I was born a man!"
"I told you you were wrong—I told you you were wrong—I told you you were wrong!!"
The scene shifts to young Douzi being locked in a dimly lit room by his master, with wooden planks falling like raindrops onto his thin back.
The camera didn't capture his face, only his back as he huddled in the corner, and the muffled, choked groans he let out.
Zhou Yiwei's expression was serious, and his lips were slightly pursed into a straight line.
Ah-Jie gasped, his face showing reluctance, his gaze shifting back and forth between the figure on the screen and in front of the microphone.
"You're really good at this, aren't you?!"
Dr. Qu, who had been watching the show, fell silent.
The murmurs from the audience subsided.
Everything fell silent, except for the sound effects of the boy being brutally beaten on the screen.
They felt an inexplicable sense of oppression, as if an invisible stone had been quietly placed on each of their chests.
“I…I was…I was…”
What are you?
The master leaned close to Xiaodouzi's ear, his voice suddenly becoming gentle and patient, and slowly began to guide him.
Little Bean knelt on the cold ground, his thin body covered with bluish-purple bruises.
He sobbed, his voice filled with shattered helplessness and utterly empty bewilderment.
His eyes were empty and lifeless as he stared at the dark and gloomy courtyard ahead. His lips moved for a long time before he finally mustered his last bit of strength to utter a murmur:
"Yes...yes, he is a man..."
The voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as soft as a strand of hair broken by the wind, so soft that the microphone almost missed it.
But it truly floated out of Gu Qing's throat and into the ears of everyone present.
"Hmph, keep fighting!"
"Clap clap-"
Several shots flashed across the big screen so fast it was dazzling, but no matter how the shots were cut, Xiaodouzi was still being forced to be beaten.
When the brothel owner heard Xiao Douzi utter the word "man" again, he coldly snorted and turned away.
The entire theater scrambled to appease him, the master humbly begging for forgiveness.
"Open your mouth! I told you to open your mouth! Why did you say something wrong? Why did you say something wrong? Huh!!"
The theater's senior apprentice grabbed Little Bean by the collar, angrily pulled him in front of him, and shoved his pipe into his mouth.
The little bean with blood on its lips...
Or perhaps it's 'Cheng Dieyi', with blood on her lips, fragile and pure, her face streaked with tears, slumped in a pear blossom chair, the last glimmer of light in her eyes dimmed.
suddenly,
She rose with a smile, her fingers delicately forming a delicate gesture. Her posture softened from stiffness, and she moved with graceful steps. Her eyebrows arched, and every smile and frown was captivating.
"I am a delicate young woman, not a young man; this little nun is only sixteen... in the prime of her youth..."
The screen fades to white, and the scene ends.
Gu Qing placed her hands on the stand, her forehead, glistening with cold sweat, lightly touching the microphone. She closed her eyes tightly, her breathing becoming slightly heavier through her lips and nose.
He finally understood why his 'brother' couldn't move on...
If an actor truly immerses themselves completely in such a role, who can easily step out of it?
This is a form of torture, both mentally and physically!
……
To facilitate the dubbing recording, the production team prepared clips by quickly splicing together footage from various scenes.
Many viewers hadn't even had time to savor each frame before their eyes inexplicably welled up with tears.
That feeling of tenderness and pity rushed into my heart through the purest visual form.
"Cheng... Cheng Dieyi was smiling at the end, but why do I feel so scared?"
"I suddenly feel like... Cheng Dieyi doesn't really love Duan Xiaolou..."
"Cheng Dieyi has forgotten whether he is a man or a woman..."
A judge sitting in the front row took off his glasses and pressed his fingertip to the corner of his eye. "Gu... the race car driver is a really good match."
She had watched "Farewell My Concubine" dozens of times, but the scene just now gave her a strange illusion.
She wasn't listening to the dubbing; she was watching the original film.
The images on the screen and the sounds in my ears blended together perfectly, without any gaps.
Gu Qing's vocal variations, emotional shifts, and years of opera practice made it impossible for the audience to notice that he was out of character.
The re-presentation of a classic is incredibly powerful.
"Farewell My Concubine" remains a masterpiece of art among all films and television works worldwide, a true gem in the seventh great hall of art.
This is the only work.
No matter how abstract Director Chen's style may be, or how bad his later films may be, they will still leave a significant mark on the history of world cinema.
"A Qiu—!"
An elderly man who was reading in his study suddenly sneezed loudly for no apparent reason.
"Who is speaking ill of me?!"
……
Inside the cubicle,
After Gu Qing finished speaking, it was completely quiet for a while.
Only Shen Mengcheng had tears welling up in his eyes.
"Little...Little Gu, are you alright?"
Zhou Yiwei's heart jumped into his throat.
As he looked at Gu Qing, who was still leaning against the microphone stand with her eyes closed, countless chilling images flashed through his mind.
He has seen too many young actors who have embodied their roles so deeply that they can never truly escape them.
The character Cheng Dieyi is different from ordinary characters; he is an abyss, easy to jump in but difficult to climb out.
Zhou Yiwei leaned forward anxiously, his hands already raised.
"Professor Gu Qing, your dubbing was superb!"
Ah Jie, however, was very experienced. His voice rose slightly by half a tone.
It's not the kind of loud noise that's abrupt, but rather a brightness that's just right to draw people's attention.
He was the first to applaud.
Zhou Yiwei immediately realized what was happening and quickly joined in, clapping his hands vigorously.
"That's amazing, Xiao Gu, you're incredible!!"
Dr. Qu exclaimed in surprise, giving an exaggerated thumbs-up, then immediately covered his mouth in shock, "Oh my god, did I swear? Teacher, this part has to be cut out!"
Gu Qing opened her eyes and heard Dr. Qu say, "That's really awesome," and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly involuntarily.
The lingering sense of desolation in my chest lessened somewhat.
He then began composing the second piece: "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".
A clear and gentle voice flowed from the microphone, carrying a touch of youthful infatuation and a hint of scholarly elegance:
"Fairy Sister...why do you live all alone?"
"If the fairy sister could say a word to me, Duan Yu would die a thousand or ten thousand times, it would be like ascending to paradise, filled with boundless joy..."
The passion and certainty in his voice are very attractive to women.
But Gu Qing knew that his voice still carried a trace of sorrow that hadn't completely faded when he was dubbing Cheng Dieyi.
They can't quite detach themselves from their roles like Zhou Yiwei and A Jie do; a single shot can completely change their emotional state.
Dr. Qu: "And me?"
By the third paragraph,
Gu Qing also paid homage to A-Jie's "The King's Avatar" by adding Ye Xiu's famous line: "Take a year off, then come back."
"Little brother, your voice sounds just like Teacher A-Jie's!"
Shen Mengcheng was crying a while ago, then gushing over a guy, and now she's switched to fangirl mode again. "Seriously! When I closed my eyes and listened, I almost thought it was Teacher A-Jie dubbing it himself!"
"Do I sound a lot like Teacher A-Jie?"
Gu Qing paused for a moment, then moved the microphone a few inches away from her lips.
"Xiao Gu, you really do look alike. It's just that Teacher Zhang's voice is a little more mature than yours, while yours is clearer."
Zhou Yiwei smiled and nodded.
Ah Jie lowered his head shyly, wanting to say something humble, but he felt that no matter what he said, it would be like trying to claim kinship with a top celebrity.
After that,
The recording of the program proceeded smoothly as usual.
During the intermission, Teacher He sent a WeChat message to ask about the recording. Gu Qing replied "Great!" and Teacher He immediately responded with three thumbs up.
unconsciously,
When the final round of the "Voice Show" arrives,
The program team arranged for four guests to recreate classic scenes from "Nirvana in Fire".
The set needed to be set up, makeup needed, and costumes needed. The stylists and makeup artists were busy backstage, applying makeup to the four guests one by one.
While waiting backstage, Gu Qing's mind drifted back to Shen Mengcheng's words, "Your voice sounds just like Teacher A-Jie's."
He turned and walked through the busy staff, finding Ah-Jie adjusting his costume in front of a mirror in a corner:
"Teacher A-Jie, I have a new drama called 'Three Lives Three Worlds,' which is not yet finished in post-production and needs dubbing."
Gu Qing walked to his side, offering an expectant invitation: "I will play two roles in it, both the older brother and the younger brother."
However, to create a sense of depth in a performance, one needs not only acting skills but also vocal variation.
The role of the older brother requires a more composed and mature voice. Do you have any free time available? Could you help me voice the older brother?
"If possible, I would also like to learn dialogue and dubbing techniques from you. I can pay the tuition fee in advance—would it be convenient to exchange contact information?"
As Gu Qing spoke, she gestured for her assistant to bring her phone.
"To dub your character, Mr. Gu?"
Ah Jie's eyes widened. Without a second's hesitation, he opened his mouth and blurted out...
"I'm free! I'm not working!"
"I dare not presume to teach you dubbing, Teacher Gu. You are a proper professional with formal training, while I learned it on my own. How could I dare to say that I can teach you?"
Ah Jie said earnestly, "If you have any questions about dubbing, just let me know. I'm online every day."
Able to voice the character Gu Qing,
That's the best form of advertising!
After recording the program around 7 p.m.,
Gu Qing didn't have much time to rest either, as he had to set off immediately for the capital to visit Director Chen at his home.
Before parting,
"Xiao Gu, you can look forward to this weekend, the school has prepared a surprise for you."
Before leaving, Zhou Yiwei unusually kept everyone in suspense.
"Did the Beijing Film Academy prepare a surprise for me?"
……
...(End of this chapter)