Caught in Affairs with Superstar

A film critic once exaggeratedly said that when Zhou Yun sheds tears on camera, no one else needs to act.

What does that mean? It means that once Zhou Yun starts crying, the audience will only stare at her and won’t look at anyone else.

It’s pointless for others to perform.

Of course, this statement is an exaggeration.

However, it also indicates that everyone holds Zhou Yun’s crying scenes in very high regard.

For Chen Zhuo, watching Zhou Yun act and cry on TV or the big screen is completely different from seeing it in person; it’s two different concepts.

Chen Zhuo was utterly confused and didn’t know what to do.

Wen Bing called "cut."

He held a loudspeaker on the slope and said, "Zhou Yun, that take was good, let’s do another one for safety."

Chen Zhuo glanced back at Wen Bing.

Thinking to himself, what is that?

He didn’t understand what Wen Bing was saying at all.

Wen Bing also gave Chen Zhuo a thumbs up, saying, "You did well, your expression was spot on."

Chen Zhuo looked puzzled; he wondered what he had done to be "spot on" with his expression.

Liu Yun had already walked up to help Zhou Yun wipe away her tears with a tissue.

Zhou Yun said, "My eyes are still wet, let’s do it again later."

Wen Bing: "Alright, just call us when you’re ready."

Chen Zhuo hesitantly looked at Zhou Yun, wanting to ask something but didn’t dare to.

Zhou Yun noticed and asked with a smile, "What’s the matter?"

Chen Zhuo shook his head, not knowing what to say.

"Were you startled?" Zhou Yun asked.

Chen Zhuo finally nodded, agreeing with a hum, "I didn’t expect that you would cry just like that."

He had an embarrassed smile on his face.

Zhou Yun laughed.

"That’s because it’s your first time filming, your first time on set," Zhou Yun said, "You’ll get used to it gradually."

Chen Zhuo said, "I also don’t understand why the director praised me just now."

"It’s because your reaction was very pure and genuine," Zhou Yun explained, "Do you know why we’ve never told you what we’re going to shoot? Usually during filming, the director will tell actors how to perform the next scene, but has Director Wen Bing ever said anything like that to you?"

Chen Zhuo nodded.

"I actually felt a bit strange, not knowing what I was supposed to do."

Zhou Yun said, "Because you are not a professional actor. If we told you what to do and then you performed it, the result might seem forced. That’s why I discussed with the director and decided not to tell you what’s needed. We wanted your most genuine reactions."

Chen Zhuo nodded with a semblance of understanding.

Zhou Yun: "In this film, there’s no need for you to play a specific character; just be yourself as you usually are."

Chen Zhuo responded with a hum and after a while, asked, "Is acting always like this?"

Zhou Yun thought for a bit and said, "Not entirely. Most of the time, actors do have to play a character, like my crying earlier. I wasn’t crying on purpose; I was portraying the character who, while saying those words, thought of her deceased boyfriend and thus cried. Of course, acting isn’t just about faking it; the best approach is to immerse yourself into the role. Once you’re in that state, whatever you do would be correct."

Chen Zhuo said, "That sounds complicated."

"Don’t worry, you don’t need to understand all of this. Simply put, acting is a feeling," Zhou Yun told Chen Zhuo, "This time you’re just helping us string together some scenes in the film. If you get the chance to actually play a character in the future, you can gradually figure it out."

Chen Zhuo asked in surprise, "Will we have such opportunities later?"

"There will be, depending on your choice whether you want to do it or not," Zhou Yun said, "But regardless of your decision, you still need to finish your studies and attend college."

Chen Zhuo gave a shy smile.

"I’m only good at studying."

Zhou Yun felt a bit calmer and her mood had stabilized.

She turned to the people on the slope and said, "I’m okay now."

"Alright, everyone get ready," Wen Bing raised the loudspeaker.

Everyone went about preparing what they were responsible for.

Zhou Yun shot another take.

This time, Zhou Yun didn’t let her tears fall; her performance was more restrained and subtle, with all the emotions captured in a fleeting moment of distraction in her eyes.