ECG -Chapter 117 The First Rehearsal

“What do you think about the [art of experiencing] and the [art of expression]?” After saying that, Guan Yuqi stared straight at Lin Hao with his bright, piercing eyes, not even blinking.

Lin Hao’s thoughts quickly turned over in his mind. In the fields of stage drama and film performance, the question of the nature of acting as an art had already been debated for more than 200 years.

The focus of the debate was exactly the question Guan Yuqi had just raised: Should actors perform by reproducing real emotions? Or should they rely on their talent and technique to create the outward image of a character?

The first was the [art of experiencing], also known as reproduction; the second was the [art of expression], also known as expression.

Lin Hao didn’t know which side Guan Yuqi supported. This was a two-choice question.

He didn’t want to guess Guan Yuqi’s thoughts and make a choice just to please him, saying something against his own feelings. At this moment, he only wanted to speak honestly from his heart. If his opinion differed from Guan Yuqi’s, then it could only mean the two of them were not destined to become master and disciple!

“Teacher Guan, I’ve only been exposed to knowledge about acting for a very short time, and my understanding is still very shallow. Everything I say below is just my personal opinion!”

Guan Yuqi nodded, indicating for him to continue.

“I believe that the reproduction of genuine emotions is a mirror—it reflects this world. But using acting skills to express something is a lamp—it can illuminate this world.”

Guan Yuqi remained expressionless and said nothing. Fan Gang felt that even his palms were beginning to sweat.

Lin Hao continued speaking confidently:

“Reproduction is based on the original form of life, while expression is carried out on the foundation of ‘reproduction.’ Therefore, I think there shouldn’t be such a debate, because only when objective reproduction and subjective expression support and rely on each other can they promote the development and improvement of art!”

“So I think the first thing is to master the techniques of expression, improve one’s acting skills. Only then will one have the ability to artistically reproduce the life one has experienced, felt, understood, and reflected upon, and fully devote oneself to the role!”

Lin Hao finished speaking. The water had also boiled, yet the office remained completely silent.

Fan Gang only understood acting superficially, but he leaned more toward the first idea—the art of experiencing and reproduction. As the saying went, an actor should become whatever they were acting; actors should immerse themselves completely into their roles.

Moreover, he knew Guan Yuqi was even more like this. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been called a “drama fanatic.”

Thirteen years ago, in a historical drama that became a nationwide sensation, he played an unlucky emperor. After finishing the role, he was depressed for more than half a year before finally managing to step out of the character.

Lin Hao’s words today—Fan Gang didn’t know whether the kid had cleverly dodged the question—but they basically meant that whether it was reproduction or expression, there shouldn’t be any argument between the two. They should rely on each other.

He wondered whether saying this would satisfy Guan Yuqi.

“Clap, clap, clap!”

Guan Yuqi started applauding, and Fan Gang finally let out a sigh of relief.

Lin Hao, however, remained calm and composed, his expression natural.

Guan Yuqi let out a long sigh.

“Back then, I was a firm supporter of the reproduction theory!”

Lin Hao wasn’t surprised at all. Instead, he looked at him even more calmly.

“As I’ve grown older, I’ve increasingly felt that this debate is meaningless! Lin Hao, you’re right. Build a solid foundation in acting, then devote yourself wholeheartedly to the role. In fact, acting is that simple!”

Lin Hao smiled.

“Thank you, Teacher Guan!”

Fan Gang laughed loudly.

“Yuqi, you’ve taken in such a good disciple today. Aren’t you going to treat us to a meal?”

“Damn!”

Lin Hao never expected that the usually so serious Guan Yuqi would actually swear.

A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Shouldn’t it be the student who invites instead?”

Lin Hao hurriedly said, “I’ll treat you tonight. The two of you mentors must drink until you’re completely satisfied!”

……

Another week passed, and it was already mid-March. Today was the first official rehearsal of [Black Fox].

Lin Hao received a call from his dad and talked for a while in the hallway before entering the room.

The first song they were going to rehearse today was Cui Gang’s “Rock on the New Long March Road.” He gripped the microphone tightly with both hands, clearly feeling a little nervous.

Lin Hao picked up the E-flat alto Selmer saxophone from the stand, then hung it around his neck. Wu Xiaozhou curled his lips and muttered, “You really know how to play it?”

These past few days, everyone had come here every night to practice the six songs. Only Lin Hao had hardly shown up.

At first, when he saw this saxophone, he thought it had been bought for Cui Gang. But when Cui Gang said he didn’t know how to play it, everyone was stunned.

At the time, Fatty Meng saw the brand on the saxophone and clicked his tongue in amazement. “Damn, a French Selmer? That costs forty or fifty thousand yuan!”

They knew that in Cui Gang’s song “Rock on the New Long March Road,” there were saxophone parts in both the intro and the interlude. At first, they guessed that Lin Hao was planning to invite someone from the wind instrument department to help out. But after a few days, they realized something was wrong, because that person never appeared.

Later, Cui Gang said that Haozi was probably the one playing it, but everyone found it hard to believe. Was Lin Hao really capable of playing that many instruments?

But Cui Gang said, “That freak’s trumpet playing is even better than mine. Why would playing saxophone be anything surprising?”

They didn’t expect that on the very first day of official rehearsal, he really would put the saxophone around his neck.

“What are you staring at?” Lin Hao rolled his eyes at them. “Hurry up and start!”

Fatty Meng struck the drumsticks. After four counts, the simple yet powerful music began.

After eight measures, Lin Hao’s saxophone came in, and everyone was startled.

The sound was hoarse and sharp, full of flavor. He really could play—and he played it this well!

After the saxophone solo ended, with the rhythm of the electric guitar in the background, the five people—Lin Hao, Fatty Meng, Wu Xiaozhou, Boss Gao, and Yan Xiaoqi—shouted toward the microphones in front of them:

“One, two, three, four—”

Cui Gang came in:

“I’ve heard of it, but never seen it, twenty-five thousand li…”

“Stop!”

Cui Gang had only sung a few lines before Lin Hao called out.

Everyone looked toward him. Lin Hao frowned and began thinking.

Cui Gang’s voice was fine, and his pitch was especially accurate, but he lacked the spirit of rock music.

What troubled Lin Hao was that this kind of awareness was something that could only be understood, not explained.

Cui Gang felt extremely uneasy. He didn’t know what he had done wrong, but Lin Hao just stood there frowning and didn’t say anything.

After a long while, Lin Hao finally spoke:

“Old Cui, I told you before. This song reflects a kind of confusion, hesitation, as well as the yearning and pursuit of freedom. Besides that, the lyrics also show concern for and criticism of the current state of society.”

“Read the lyrics carefully again. It uses a solemn history to express a rebellious spirit, while also taking part in a playful mockery of so-called traditions. So when you sing, your attitude is missing that sense of cynicism and criticism.”

The less Lin Hao explained, the better. After he finished explaining, Cui Gang became even more confused.

Wu Xiaozhou shouted, “Haozi, why don’t you sing it once?”

Fatty Meng also said, “Yeah, that works. Show us how it’s done!”

Lin Hao thought about it, then nodded. Looks like this was the only way.

Even if Cui Gang couldn’t understand it right now, at least he needed to imitate it properly first. As for that rock-and-roll spirit, it would require slowly refining it. Lin Hao believed that it wouldn’t take long before he had his breakthrough.

The intro sounded again.

When Lin Hao opened his mouth and sang the first line, Cui Gang immediately felt chills running down his back.

That voice was actually exactly the same as his own.

Although Lin Hao’s voice was slightly hoarse, every word was full and clear, powerful and forceful. That sense of strength and rhythm made listeners feel their entire bodies filled with movement.

Lin Hao hadn’t even reached the interlude yet when Wu Xiaozhou made a mistake. Right after that, Little Sister Chu played the wrong chord, and then Yan Xiaoqi followed.

Lin Hao had no choice but to stop.