Generation Z Artists

Chapter 34 A New Journey

The next day, June 6th, Fang Xinghe put on his backpack, took a pen and paper, and set out on his journey again.

Taking advantage of the fact that college students had not yet gone on vacation, he took a green train for more than a day to the capital, Beijing, and then, with the help of Wang Yali, met Feng Yuanzheng at the People's Art Theatre.

"I know you, Xiao Fang. You are looking for me because..."

At this time, Feng Yuanzheng had not yet played the role that could be regarded as a childhood shadow, but he had already gone a long way in performing arts.

He is obsessed with acting, but is not out of touch with society. After listening to Wang Yali's introduction, he naturally knows that the young man in front of him is one of the two most popular talented writers this year.

Wang Yali watched from the side and she didn't understand either.

Fang Xinghe replied seriously: "Teacher Feng, I am very interested in performing arts. I would like to learn from you and learn the Grotowski actor training method."

"Huh?" Feng Yuanzheng was surprised. "You actually know the Ge family?"

"Know something."

Fang Xinghe nodded and explained, "I plan to study acting, and I found a lot of related books to read, which aroused my great interest in the Gage training method."

Feng Yuanzheng perked up and took the initiative to invite him to talk in detail: "Let's go find a quiet place and talk slowly."

The three of them asked for a small private room in the teahouse opposite the People's Art Theatre and began to communicate in depth.

"I'm not surprised that you want to learn acting. I also became deeply obsessed with performing arts for some superficial reasons."

Feng Yuanzheng observed Fang Xinghe carefully, with obvious scrutiny in his eyes.

"But I'm surprised that you chose the Grammar School among all the systems. Can you tell me why?"

Fang Xinghe was about to speak when Feng Yuanzheng added, "Tell me what you really think. This is also the first test."

Even so, Fang Xinghe still didn't need to think and could answer immediately.

"In my understanding, Stanislavsky's system focuses more on the training of lines, expressions, realism, and belief, and relatively ignores the body, but Grotowski's training is just the opposite. Grotowski's training focuses more on the development of physicality.

While both value experience, there are clear differences.

The Grammar School uses extreme training to provide the ultimate spiritual experience. Therefore, I personally believe that the Grammar School can better tap the potential of actors and enable us to gain stronger performance explosiveness.

I have a humble opinion formed through simple thinking: Smith and Greenwich have a basic identity. Far from being contradictory, the two can complement each other.

I hope to become a top actor, so I dream of integrating Chinese and Western styles. I can learn from the St. Petersburg style at any time, but you are the only successor of the Grammar School in China, so I can't wait to come to you and plan to start Grammar training in advance."

"good, very good!"

Feng Yuanzheng watched very carefully - he was not listening to what Fang Xinghe said, but observing the boy's expression.

The result made him very satisfied and he was delighted.

"Your judgment on the identity of the two is very insightful. Although domestic scholars are reluctant to admit it, the Stanislavsky system is indeed an open and unfinished system. Later generations have integrated and supplemented a lot of content on its basis."

Speaking of this, Teacher Feng's expression was a little lonely and a little resentful.

"Our domestic schools have been clinging to Stanislavsky's early theories, but now they are going further and further away. Not only has the theory stagnated, but performance teaching is also haphazard.

They call themselves experientialists and teach expressionists, but they use whatever is practical without knowing it.

I don’t mean that practicality is bad. As long as it can produce a good performance, everything is fine. But when your theory and your practice are out of sync, it is actually difficult for you to perform at your best. You will be full of craftsmanship…

Forget it, let’s not talk about others. Your understanding is very good, deeper than 90% of the acting students. I am willing to teach you.”

Feng Yuanzheng couldn't be more satisfied with Fang Xinghe. He could say those words at the age of 14. If he is not a genius, then who is?
Especially the compliment about the explosive power of the performance, which really touched his heart and he felt happy whenever he thought about it.

"You won't be disappointed, Mr. Feng."

Fang Xinghe raised his eyebrows slightly, and a kind of madness came over him, but he was mad but not arrogant. He stood up and saluted respectfully, performing the extremely rare Taoist bow. Feng Yuanzheng was very surprised: "Huh? Where did you learn this move?"

"During the winter vacation, I practiced martial arts at the Wudang Mountain Taoist Martial Arts Group, and my teachers taught me."

"Wow, you've learned a lot." Feng Yuanzheng's eyes lit up. "But it's a good thing to have practiced martial arts. It can effectively enhance your limb control, which will save you a lot of trouble in future training."

The new teacher never mentioned it, so Fang Xinghe had to ask, "Teacher, how is the tuition calculated?"

"What kind of tuition fee is this!"

Feng Yuanzheng waved his hands in dissatisfaction, his expression unhappy: "When I was studying in Germany, my teacher even reimbursed my living expenses. I am not very capable now, but it is still no problem for me to provide you with food and accommodation."

"No, Teacher Feng." Wang Yali finally spoke, "Let me take care of Xiaofang's life. Otherwise, it will be too much trouble for you."

However, Fang Xinghe refused them all.

"I'm staying at the hotel opposite the National Theatre of China. It's convenient."

When the two saw that his self-esteem was so strong, they finally gave up. However, Wang Yali took the lead and treated them to a meal of mutton hotpot from Donglaishun.

During this period, a particularly interesting episode happened - the girl at the next table recognized Fang Xinghe at a glance, even though he had already dyed his hair back to black.

The girl screamed, then looked at Fang Xinghe again and again...but she didn't dare to move.

In the end, Fang Xinghe took the initiative to smile at her and said, "Would you like an autograph?"

"Ah?" The girl was so surprised that she was stunned. After a while, she nodded vigorously: "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"

He was shaking all over, it was so exaggerated.

The girl was obviously older than Fang Xinghe, about fifteen or sixteen years old. Her parents were well-dressed and had outstanding temperaments. They seemed to be one of the earliest rich people in the country.

Maybe it was really fate. What she finally took out of her schoolbag was a copy of the May issue of Mengya. On the cover, Fang Xinghe's calm rebelliousness formed a sharp contrast with his current gentleness.

Fang Xinghe took her Parker pen and asked simply, "Name?"

"Ah? Ah! Wan Bao'er! It's the word for baby..."

The girl was inexplicably shy. Fang Xinghe felt a little familiar when he heard the name, but he didn't think much about it. He carefully signed the first TO signature given to an outsider in his life.

To Wan Baoer:

Thousands of brilliant colors are in full bloom as treasures. May your spirit be free, your will be noble, and you live the best version of yourself - Fang Xinghe.

When he put down his pen, the little girl looked like she was about to faint. She covered her mouth, her face flushed, and she looked like she didn't dare to breathe or she might scream at any moment.

"All right."

Fang Xinghe handed the magazine and pen back to her and smiled: "Go back and have a good meal. Thank you for your support."

The girl sat back in her original seat in a daze, and basically didn't move her chopsticks anymore, and she kept stealing glances at Fang Xinghe the whole time.

Wang Yali joked: "Look at my brother's charm!"

Feng Yuanzheng sighed: "Your acting career in the future... is so narrow that it's unbearable to watch. Forget it, be prepared to endure great hardships, and don't give up halfway through practicing."

"That can't be possible." Fang Xinghe was full of confidence. "You can come as you please. It can't be harder than practicing martial arts, right?"

Feng Yuanzheng smiled meaningfully and said nothing.

The next day, Fang Xinghe finally understood in pain why no one was learning Ge's...

However, he also truly realized that the Ge family was indeed a treasure, and this trip could not have been more well-timed.

(End of this chapter)