From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The rain fell gently, neither hurried nor slow. Amidst the soft rustling of the tires on the asphalt, Anson's voice arrived like a breeze through the forest.

"The most beautiful and moving part of music comes from the resonance and interaction between the performer and the listener. That's what makes music unique."

"Indeed, different performers often bring different charms to their interpretations and presentations. Similarly, different listeners experience different emotions."

"When listeners feel the rich and intense emotions within the music—whether sadness or joy, happiness or loss—and those emotions are released, only then does the music become complete."

"Otherwise, the performance is just a performance, a solitary appreciation of oneself."

Reese listened quietly, understanding somewhat, yet not fully. She wasn't even sure if she understood or not. That feeling of almost understanding was difficult to put into words.

Someone once said that when a person is immersed in their profession and fully committed, they will shine.

The same was true of Anson before her.

Although Anson possessed a handsome appearance, which was obvious to everyone, at this moment, Anson seemed different, possessing another kind of charm.

Unconsciously, Reese's thoughts were deeply immersed in Anson's words. Thoughts surged in her mind, but instead of answering her questions, they generated even more. Question marks popped up one after another, continuously thundering in her ears.

Reese looked at Anson, a confused smile on her face.

Anson laughed heartily—

He understood that the work of actors and singers were both artistic creations, but slightly different, especially in film and television.

On a film set, they couldn't see the real audience, nor could they imagine the expressions and feelings of the audience in the darkness of the cinema. They could only rely on their own understanding to give life to the characters.

But music was different. Those performances were synchronous, face-to-face, and direct. The atmosphere of the entire venue could infect the audience and also the performer. The interaction between the two was part of the performance.

That's why some concerts have audiences that are actively engaged, and the singer's performance is particularly outstanding. Other concerts are lifeless, and the singer's performance is bland.

This is also the soul of music. Truly excellent music should be a bridge between the performer and the listener, and the emotional resonance between them is the final piece of the puzzle that gives music its soul.

The key is, how should it be explained?

Anson thought for a moment.

"Have you seen Michael Jackson's halftime show performance at the 1993 Super Bowl?"

In 1993, Michael Jackson took the stage for the Super Bowl halftime show, the championship game of the American National Football League. That performance remains a classic, unprecedented and unmatched—

The songs performed and the performance process undoubtedly showcased the stage presence of this King of Pop. However, what was truly shocking was the opening.

After a feint with several "fake Jacksons," Michael Jackson appeared on the main stage, standing tall and upright in the center of the stage.

Completely still.

For a full ninety seconds, there was no music, no singing, no movement—nothing at all.

Michael Jackson remained in one position, standing still for ninety seconds.

However, the entire audience went wild. Cheers and screams escalated, and there was no lull in the ninety seconds. Instead, they became more and more irrational, more and more enthusiastic, and the rolling heatwave continued to rise.

This scene is a spectacle in the history of modern stage performance.

"…Of course, Michael Jackson didn't sing here, so it doesn't count as a performance. But what I mean is that the interactive relationship between the performer and the listener has a soul. Those connections and resonances can give the stage a chemical reaction, injecting life into the music."

"The same song can bring happiness to some and sadness to others because the memories and emotions carried by the music are different."

"Everything is like Michael Jackson's performance."

"The full ninety seconds of stillness, but because of the audience's response and reaction, it evolved into a classic. We can't hear the melody, but the melody is stirring deep in our souls."

"Otherwise, he would be standing there alone for ninety seconds, but no one would respond, and the whole place might even be silent. You can imagine the scene."

One second, two seconds.

Pfft.

Anson nodded, "Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become the Man in Black representing justice. He always hoped that his music could have power, and he always believed that the resonance between music and the listener could bring more."

"Remember?"

"On New Year's Day in 1960, Johnny Cash went to a prison to complete a performance."

"He believed in humanity and also in redemption. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes and get lost, but we should be given the opportunity to salvage and correct those mistakes."

"Some people rely on faith, some rely on the bonds of family or love, and some rely on the power of music. He believed that music had such superpowers, breaking bonds and truly touching the soul."

"He didn't think of himself as Mother Teresa, but he believed that music had magic."

Reese gently raised her chin, "Then what about June Carter?"

Anson smiled, "That's your homework, Reese."

Reese was speechless, slightly embarrassed, and showed a shy smile.

This was the real reason Reese brought up this topic. She had been trying to understand June Carter's music, June Carter's performance style, and the love between June Carter and Johnny Cash. All of this seemed unrelated, but in fact, there was an invisible connection that combined to create such a complex character as June Carter—

She wasn't perfect, she didn't exist to save Johnny Cash, she also had her own struggles and pain, she also had her own darkness and shadows.

However, it wasn't easy.

After roughly reading the script, they generally believed that this was an easy role to play. Even Reese's husband, Ryan Phillippe, thought it was simple.

But Reese always had doubts.

She spent a lot of time researching the role of June Carter, trying to figure out some performance clues, but she continued to hit a wall in terms of musical performance—

According to director Mangold's vision, musical performance was precisely a crucial part of the film. Not only did the actors need to perform in person, live performances, not lip-syncing and dubbing in post-production, but 100% live performances. Moreover, the actors needed to combine the character and the music stage, allowing the audience to feel the life force of the character from the music.

This was very difficult.

Reese had never found a breakthrough. She could only take it one step at a time, hoping to find inspiration and spark on the set.

She never expected that coming to pick someone up today would bring unexpected gains.

This was an absolute surprise.