This is what Su Ze touched the most after reading the script.
The love at that time was dull and even a little boring, but it was so firm and moving.
What attracts Su Ze the most in The Age of Awakening is that it allows the audience to see another side of heroes: they sacrifice their roles as good husbands, good fathers, and good sons, and even sacrifice their own lives, in exchange for a bright road for the people of the country.
It is precisely because of their flesh and blood, reluctance and concern that their sacrifices demonstrate their greatness.
I will die without regrets, even if thousands of people die, I will die!
Of course, it’s not just the script. Lin Hongtong said that the creative team started construction at the beginning of the year and has now built more than 340 scenes and even reconstructed the Red Building of Peking University at a scale of 1:1.2.
In order to restore the dusty old capital city a hundred years ago, more than 800 tons of soil were transported.
We are far away from that era of war and chaos, but this drama spares no effort to bring us closer to the times and characters.
This is the sincerity of the team!
Two days later, I met Zhang Yongxin. He was very enthusiastic. Because they both graduated from Chinese drama, we got to know each other quickly.
"Hey, actually it's very difficult to write this kind of historical drama. If you don't write it well, it's easy to end up like before, where the whole thing is just a historical plot assembly line."
Zhang Yongxin sighed: "For example, the military alliance and the Three Kingdoms that I have filmed have long been poorly filmed. The good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. It is too difficult to arouse the audience's interest."
Of course Su Ze agreed, but I have to say that after reading the script of The Age of Awakening, if it were not a historical drama, I would have thought it was a cool novel.
The screenwriter knows this well and follows the trend of history, setting up many obstacles for the protagonist. From the initial dilemma of founding a new youth magazine, to the confrontation between old and new culture, to Zhang Fengzai's bureaucratic suppression, and entering the climax of the Paris Peace Conference
.
The journey of Cheng Duxiu and Li Dazhao almost followed the pattern of upgrading and fighting monsters.
Contradictions and obstacles appear one by one, and the protagonist group resolves them one by one. It feels like brothers overcoming obstacles and déjà vu!
"I plan to add some life flavor. This is also the experience I learned from fighting in Changsha." Zhang Yongxin said frankly without hesitation: "For example, when Li Dazhao's family eats dumplings, they will drool because of the delicious food, and they will also be hungry because they have no money.
abdomen."
“The more down-to-earth the historical figures who look tall are made, the better!”
Su Ze smiled. As expected of the director of the military alliance, he has something.
I studied Zhang Yongxin before coming here. The director is good at the details and metaphors of the shots, a bit like Xin Yukun.
Whether it's a drama about poverty alleviation like Ma Xiangyang goes to the countryside or a historical war drama about military alliances, Zhang Yongxin has grasped it very well, and the word-of-mouth ratings prove everything.
"Lao Kong speaks very highly of you. I have never heard him praise someone so highly in all the years I have known him!"
Zhang Yongxin looked at Su Ze and remembered that Kong Sheng was full of praise for his good acting skills, dedication, love of learning, and ability to endure hardship...
Not at all like the poisonous-tongued director from before!
This is also the reason why he went through so much trouble to invite Su Ze to play the role of Li Dazhao. Needless to say, Yu Hewei knows everything about the role after working together for so many years, so Cheng Duxiu can be trusted to leave it to him.
As the second male lead, or basically a dual protagonist, Li Dazhao plays a very important role. Although The Age of Awakening is a group drama, Cheng Duxiu and Li Dazhao are the main perspective of the audience.
For example, Cheng Duxiu, the founder of the New Culture Movement, was a foodie who could never be forgotten.
When he first appeared on the stage, he was as hungry as a ghost and secretly ate the Japanese bento that others had not had time to eat. After eating, he made an impassioned speech on the spot, and was eventually removed from the group chat due to his excessive language.
When I went to a restaurant with my colleagues, while chatting about my work at the "New Youth" magazine, I feasted on the old Beijing hotpot mutton, and I did not forget to introduce to everyone the hot pot eating method that was popular among the working people at that time.
For example, Li Dazhao returned to China after studying abroad at Waseda University for three full years. When he returned home for the first time, his children, who had almost no impression of their father, thought that there was a bad guy at home?
Listening to the director's narration, Su Ze had a deeper understanding of the script. After working with so many excellent directors on so many works, he slowly learned to change his perspective and think from the director's position.
If I were the director, how would I want the actors to act?
There is no shortage of talents in China. In the past, the reason why the main theme was not good-looking was just because we didn't pay attention.
Especially in the past few years, main theme TV series and Chinese comics have been enthusiastically sought after by young people, and everyone rushes for updates like a fan, even if there are no popular stars in them.
Such as the love between mountains and seas, such as the battle in Changsha, such as the peaceful war in Peiping, such as the great rivers...
It fully proves the fact that no matter what the subject type is, as long as the filming is good and enjoyable, the audience will just shout that it is so good!
In Su Ze's view, if the main theme is to be good-looking, the key is how to resonate with young people.
Imagine that even in China, which was so confused in the past, and in a difficult and extremely dark environment, there was still a group of people who were determined to transform the old world and awaken a new country. They were not afraid of anything, misunderstanding, or ridicule.
Even gave his life.
Isn't this the living Naruto One Piece?
Listening to Su Ze's explanation of his understanding of Li Dazhao, Zhang Yongxin truly understood that the dignified Kong Sheng was indeed not lying.
It has only been two or three days, but you have already thoroughly studied the character?
Have you even read history?
When meeting such a good actor, what kind of bicycle does the director need?
Three days later I joined the team and met Yu Hewei. Although it was our first time working together, he was very enthusiastic.
"Hello, Teacher Su Ze, I am Hou Jingjian, I am playing the role of a leader. Please give me your advice."
"Hello, teacher, I am Xia Dejun. I will play Cai Depei this time and I will study hard with you."
"Hello teacher, I am Zhang Wanyi, I play Cheng Yannian. I like your work very much and hope to give you some advice."
"Teacher Su, I am..."
Looking at the other actors who were obviously of the same age but took the initiative to say hello to Su Ze, Yu Hewei felt helpless. Even though he was young, calling him "teacher" definitely didn't hurt.
Feitian Golden Eagle is a double movie star, and will he win another international best actor this year?
Even I can’t seem to compare with it!
Su Ze has long been familiar with this kind of situation. Although the entertainment industry is powerful, it still respects those with real strength. Especially excellent crews. The strong ones are always represented everywhere.
After being polite, everyone formally read the script, assumed their respective roles, and began to stimulate discussions. At this time, there were no seniors or juniors, only roles.
This is also a fair stage that most intuitively proves the strength of the cast and crew. Experts will know if they are good as soon as they take action. There are many things that you don’t have to act, and you will know the level just by listening to your understanding of the role.
Don’t be afraid of designing too much, just be afraid of thinking too little!
Listening to Su Ze's understanding of Li Dazhao, everyone understood why he was able to get to where he is today. All the details and emotions sounded like only four words:
Moving clouds and flowing water!
Especially young actors, they know that Su Ze is very strong, far stronger than anyone of his age, but when they really face it...