From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“Harris, focus on the upper body or the lower body?”

Summoned into action, Anson grabbed the reflector without a second thought, standing beside the camera to work as a photography assistant, and skillfully cut to the chase.

Harris glanced at Anson, realizing that this actor had some understanding of other crew work, but he didn't have time to praise Anson at the moment.

“…The ceiling.”

Harris gave an unexpected answer.

Anson looked at the ceiling, pondering silently:

Bouncing the light off the ceiling would allow the light to fall naturally and softly, making facial expressions more distinct, and the transitions between light and shadow would also be more delicate.

However, this was just his own guess. After all, he wasn't a professional, and the specific effect still needed to be confirmed through the camera.

Undoubtedly, this was an interesting thing:

If an actor could understand the creative intentions and working methods of the lighting, camera, and director, just like when he joined the "Friends" crew to study the costumes, perhaps the actor could convey emotions to the camera more clearly and accurately.

So, this should be considered the representational school?

That is, the acting method originating from the academy system, different from the method acting and experiential acting schools that require complete immersion in the role, letting the director capture the shining moments of the performance; instead, interacting with the crew members before starting the performance to construct the outline and context of a character?

Sure enough, filming is a fun thing, full of surprises every time!

Although his brain was running at high speed, his attention remained focused—

Anson carefully observed the interaction between the actor and the camera.

Harris, who was in charge of the camera, paused slightly. He could notice the subtle changes in the reflector, allowing the entire sense of space presented by the lens to undergo subtle changes, and a delicate aura quietly spread throughout the frame.

Involuntarily, Harris also held his breath, pouring all his energy into the lens.

It was different from what he imagined… completely different.

This scene, as seen by the rest of the crew—not just Harris—stirred up ripples.

Alex Frost looked at Anson with surprise, then turned to look at Eric Deulen beside him, trying to elicit some response.

Goddamn it, that's Peter Parker!

Getting an audition and learning that he was going to be in a movie was crazy enough; but it turned out that he was co-starring with Peter Parker!

Just imagining it, Eric's frantically beating heart almost stopped working. He couldn't sleep all night, tossing and turning like a pancake, and as he thought about it, a smile couldn't help but creep onto his face, like an idiot.

After all, Eric was just an ordinary middle school student living in Portland, a little shy and introverted. His life had nothing to do with movies, Hollywood, or the Vanity Fair. He had never dreamed of having any connection with Hollywood.

But now?

Not only did he see Peter Parker up close, but he was also able to watch Peter Parker perform!

Eric had to use all his strength to control the urge to scream.

Alex looked at the dumbfounded Eric, anxiously looking around, but couldn't find anyone to share his joy with, so he could only nudge Eric with his shoulder.

Finally!

Eric reacted and turned to look at Alex, their eyes met—

Crazy! Crazy! Still crazy!

Alex: Did you see that? Did you freaking see that just now? Anson actually picked up the reflector! Just one word from the photographer, and the superstar of the universe unhesitatingly picked up the reflector and took on the responsibility of a photography assistant. Is this real? And he's so focused on studying the lighting, God, what's going on?

Eric: That's Peter Parker! Ahhh, that's Spider-Man! I'm filming with Peter Parker, pinch me quickly!

Although the meanings conveyed by the two people's eyes were completely different, it didn't hinder the two people's crazy celebration party at all.

To be precise, the entire crew was filled with a unique atmosphere. Whether it was Gus or Anson, the very act of a film crew entering the school was exciting.

When the crew entered the school, the excited students were slightly disappointed, "That's it?"

A team of a dozen people was simply a makeshift crew; if it weren't for Gus's reputation and the school's confirmation, there would be reason to suspect that this was a fraud gang.

But the disappointment was only temporary. When the crew began casting and learned that Anson was playing the lead role, this ordinary middle school went crazy again, and even now they still couldn't believe that things were really happening.

In short, "Elephant" officially started filming—

Gus didn't rush to immediately start the work of selecting actors, but listened to Anson's opinion, slowed down, and waited for three days.

In Gus's vision, there was no script, no lines. The camera tried to capture a normal daily life of this middle school. The students were usually like this, and they were the same in front of the camera, without any modification.

Then, Anson, this outsider, might be highlighted all at once.

Obviously, this was not in line with the original intention.

So Anson thought that he should experience life in the school for a few days in the style of method acting, integrate into the atmosphere of the school as much as possible, as an observer and also as a participant.

Gus chewed on it carefully and immediately agreed—

Gus also hoped that he could observe the daily life of the campus as an observer. His standard for choosing actors was authenticity, as close to the character as possible.

But there was a key point to note here: mockumentary, that was not a real documentary. The movie had a story, the characters had a task. No script did not mean no plot. Presenting the image in a documentary style did not mean that the director had no artistic creation, and it did not mean that Gus was really carrying a camera and wandering around the campus.

Naturally, Gus needed to choose actors based on the character image in his mind and conceive the plot of the movie based on their daily lives.

Movies originate from reality but are higher than reality. The process of filming is the process of artistic re-creation—

Ninety percent of reality, plus ten percent of artistic processing and creation, breaks the boundary between reality and art, and finally completes a unique movie.

So, Gus and Anson "lurked" in the school.

Gus was worried that Anson might expose his whereabouts, but he didn't expect Anson to really dye his hair blonde, like the radiant blonde hair of Apollo.

Gus thought Anson was crazy.

Unexpectedly, it was precisely this eye-catching blonde hair that became the best cover. When people saw Anson for the first time, they saw that blonde hair. Even if they thought he looked familiar, the visual impact of the blonde hair was too strong, so they subconsciously denied that it was Anson.

Even after the casting was over, someone asked,

“Where’s Anson?”