Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 49 A Dramatically Modified Scene

Although "About Time" is a comedy, it is not a comedy that is funny for the sake of being funny; the focus is on its narrative.

Chen Kun is certainly not as good at comedy as Deng Chao, but Zhang Jun doesn't want him to show off his comedic skills; a natural performance is enough.

Today's scene is the main event, where Chen Xiu hears from his father for the first time the secret that the men in the family can travel through time.

Zhang Jun had seen the original movie, and the brilliance of that dialogue lay in how it made the earth-shattering secret sound as casual as "what to eat for dinner."

"Teacher Wang, Old Chen, let's go through it again." Zhang Jun walked over with the script.

Chen Kun wanted to say that he wasn't old, but considering that Zhang Jun was younger, it was fine to call him Old Chen.

Wang Xueqi was already sitting in the rattan chair, getting into character, holding a replica of a Qing Dynasty purple clay cup in his hand. Chen Kun stood in front of the bookshelf, trying to arrange several books from different angles to get a feel for the character.

"Teacher Wang, the key to this scene is..."

Zhang Jun squatted down next to Wang Xueqi: "You have to maintain a calm demeanor, like you're 'talking about the weather'."

Time travel isn't a secret to you; it's a family tradition, like repairing clocks or brewing fine tea.

Wang Xueqi nodded, his eyes already half-closed, a sign that he was getting into the zone.

"You can look at that family photo on the wall occasionally."

Zhang Jun pointed to the old photos on the background wall: "When you look at them, it brings back memories, reminding you of the afternoon your father first told you about this."

"Understood."

Wang Xueqi's voice was deeper than usual, already resembling his father Chen Huaiyuan's tone.

Zhang Jun stood up and casually touched the teapot on the small table next to him; it was cold.

"Why is the tea cold? Is this for people to drink?" He turned and yelled at the sidelines.

Assistant director Ning Hao immediately jumped up: "Props! Quickly change the pot! It needs to be scalding hot!"

While they were changing the tea, Zhang Jun turned to Chen Kun.

"Old Chen, you need to be clear about the layers in this scene."

Zhang Jun gestured with his fingers: "At first, I didn't believe it at all and thought my dad was talking nonsense. Then I realized he was serious, and that's when I started to waver."

When he finally explained the specific operational methods, you were truly stunned.

Chen Kun listened attentively, his fingers unconsciously rolling up his shirt cuffs. This was a little gesture he had designed for Chen Xiu, a habit of a somewhat bookish young man.

"I don't need you to act particularly funny."

Zhang Jun emphasized: "The humor in this film does not come from exaggerated performances, but from the absurdity of the situation itself."

The more natural and attentive you are to every word your father says, the better the effect will be.

"Could we design some small gestures to show panic?" Chen Kun asked.

"Yes, for example, when your father says, 'Close your eyes and think about going back,' you can subconsciously blink and then shake your head violently, as if trying to shake off this absurd idea."

Zhang Jun demonstrated: "This kind of unconscious imitation is more convincing than any lines."

Chen Kun nodded and walked to the bookshelf to begin his silent recitation.

"All departments, get ready!" Ning Hao's voice echoed across the set through the loudspeaker.

The lighting team made final adjustments to the diffuser by the window, making the afternoon light appear more relaxed. The sound engineer held up a pole and tested its position.

The clapperboard is raised: "About Time, Scene 27, Scene 1!"

"start!"

Chen Kun, who plays Chen Xiu, stuffs the last stack of books into the bookshelf, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

He turned around, picked up the purple clay teapot, and poured tea for his father.

Wang Xueqi, who plays Chen Huaiyuan, takes the teacup but doesn't drink it immediately.

He scrutinized his son, but his gaze was not that of a father looking at his son; rather, it was like that of a craftsman looking at an unfinished work of art.

"Xiao Xiu, you're twenty-three this year, right?"

Chen Xiu laughed and wiped his sweat with his sleeve: "Dad, are you forgetful? It was just your birthday last week."

Behind the monitor, Zhang Jun leaned forward.

Wang Xueqi had an excellent grasp of rhythm; the casualness with which he brought things up made it seem like he was just chatting about everyday things.

"Um."

Chen Huaiyuan took a sip of tea: "There's something your grandfather told me when I was twenty-three, and now I should tell you."

Chen Kun's reaction was subtle.

He was still tidying up the bookshelf, his hand frozen in mid-air. When he turned around, he had a smile on his face that said, "What kind of profound philosophy are you going to spout now?"

But his expression was so serious that his smile froze on his lips.

"The men in our family have some special abilities."

Chen Huaiyuan paused, as if carefully choosing his words: "We can go back to the past and travel through the time we have experienced."

"puff--"

Chen Xiu laughed out loud: "Dad, what sci-fi novel have you been reading lately? Or have you been losing too many chess games with Uncle Li?"

Zhang Jun cheered inwardly.

Chen Kun's smile was natural; it wasn't a loud laugh, but rather a helpless smile as if he felt his father was joking.

He even shook his head and continued tidying up the books, demonstrating through his actions that "I'm not buying it."

Wang Xueqi didn't take the joke. He put down his teacup, the bottom of which made a soft "tap" sound as it hit the wooden table.

"When your grandfather first told me, I thought he had dementia."

Chen Xiu slowed down his movements as he organized the books.

He glanced at his father furtively, his expression saying: Are you serious?

"It's very simple."

Chen Huaiyuan finally looked directly at his son: "Find a quiet place where no one is around, and look at an old photograph from home."

Stare at it, and recall a moment you want to go back to.

Then close your eyes, concentrate on thinking "go back," and when you open your eyes, you'll be standing on that day.

At this point, Wang Xueqi made a gesture that Zhang Jun hadn't planned.

He picked up the teapot, drew a line in the air as if demonstrating the path of "going", and then drew it back to represent "returning".

After doing this, he naturally poured himself a cup of tea and gestured to his son with the teapot, asking if he wanted some.

Chen Kun's reaction was brilliant.

He was completely stunned, his mouth slightly open.

When his father said "close your eyes," his eyelids actually twitched, and then he blinked sharply, as if he had suddenly woken up.

The book in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and he hurriedly bent down to pick it up, almost bumping into the bookshelf when he stood up.

"How...how did you get back?" Chen Xiu's voice was a little dry.

"Same."

Chen Huaiyuan said matter-of-factly, "But you have to come back before the time you first left."

If I miss it...

He suddenly laughed, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"When I was young, I once went on a date with your mother and forgot the time. I came back three days late, and your grandfather almost beat me with a feather duster, even though I am younger than him in biological age."

Some staff members on set couldn't help but chuckle, then quickly covered their mouths.

Chen Xiu was squatting on the ground picking up the scattered books when he looked up at his father. His expression was classic: shock, confusion, wanting to laugh but feeling he shouldn't.

He slowly stood up, unconsciously grabbing a handful of his hair, making his originally neat hairstyle a little messy.

"Wait! Dad, you mean... you might be younger than me now?"

Wang Xueqi blinked: "Theoretically, it's possible, but your grandfather set a rule: each time you time travel, you can't go beyond your actual age, otherwise things will go wrong."

Our family is already in enough chaos. Your great-grandfather and his brother once bumped into each other in the same timeline and almost thought they were going crazy.

"That's not right!" Chen Xiu suddenly found a logical flaw.

"Since we can travel through time, why not travel to those historically significant moments or to the side of historical figures?"

Or, could we use this opportunity to make a fortune?

"Well, this..."

Chen Huaiyuan explained, "I can only travel through my own life, only those moments that I have personally experienced and remember."

Therefore, I cannot change history, nor can I use my foresight to get rich.

Chen Xiu completely abandoned his composure. He stood there holding the stack of books, looking at his father, then at the old photos on the wall, and then back at his father.

Finally, he slowly walked to the chair and sat down, his movements as stiff as a robot.

"Card!"

Zhang Jun stood up from behind the monitor and clapped enthusiastically: "Great! One take!"

Applause erupted on set, and Wang Xueqi instantly snapped out of character, accepting the thermos cup handed to him by his assistant. Chen Kun remained seated in a daze, taking several seconds to recover.

"Old Chen,"

Zhang Jun walked over and asked, "That last scene where you sat down was particularly good, the kind where your legs felt weak. Was it impromptu?"

"I guess so."

Chen Kun laughed and said, "When I heard Teacher Wang say those things, I really felt my legs go weak."

Wang Xueqi slowly interjected, "I felt the same way when my 'father' told me about it back then."

The emphasis on the word "father" refers to the father in the play.

Zhang Jun watched the replay.

In the video, the father and son move in perfect sync. Wang Xueqi's calm narration contrasts beautifully with Chen Kun's gradual shock.

"Ten-minute break, touch up your makeup, then shoot close-up shots," Zhang Jun announced.