Birth of an actor

After a short trip to London, the crew of "Sense and Sensibility" came to Devon.

They will stay here for a long time, because several important scenes in the movie, such as the Saltron mansion where Nolan Manor was filmed, the stone bungalow that the Dashwood family later moved into, and the wedding of the two couples. The country church and other filming locations for the wedding were all in Devon.

In the script, there is a scene where shepherds are shot on a rainy country meadow, in sharp contrast to the bright and gorgeous Nolan Manor at the beginning, highlighting when Mrs. A huge shift in living standards when living in a stone bungalow.

It happened to be raining lightly in the sky in the morning, so this scene was moved to today to shoot.

Ang Lee is a director who has high requirements for film images and likes to pursue perfection. After watching the filming process of the film's landscape images, almost everyone in the "Sense and Sensibility" crew came to this conclusion.

Because it was just taking pictures of a flock of sheep, Li An spent most of the day, from the time the breakfast was just over until the afternoon tea was about to start.

Either he was dissatisfied with the light or the atmosphere, and he was even picky about the shape and formation of the flock.

However, the more Ang Lee chooses, the more the sheep will not cooperate with him. The weather in Devon County is currently cooler, and the temperature has risen compared to the previous period, but it is not too hot. It is very suitable for people to go out for an outing. For us, each of them is covered with thick wool, and the wool cannot be cut off for the sake of the beauty of the camera. Almost every sheep is hot and irritable.

——On a certain day during the filming, some "delicate and frail" sheep in the flock were fainted by the heat.

'With such a picky director, at least we don't have to worry about him ruining Austin's masterpiece! Some of the actors in the crew who are prejudiced and suspicious of Ang Lee because of his Asian identity think reassuringly.

But more people are both puzzled and complained: "Keep improving to the point of being a bit picky, are all Asians like this?" '

Most of those who have the former idea are actors who are very concerned about the quality of the film, and those who have the latter idea are basically lighting, photography and other staff.

But no matter how much I hope the movie can be shot perfectly, it is impossible for these people to learn from Ang Lee, who devotes all his energy to work in his personal time. As soon as the afternoon tea time arrived, the actors and staff all Stopped the work at hand, found a place to rest, drink tea and chat.

Afternoon tea is inseparable from the life of the British. More than [-]% of the crew of "Sense and Sensibility" are from the British Isles, so at this hour, the Queen can't expect them to work obediently.

Only Ang Lee and a few of his Taiwanese assistants stayed near the camera, studying the shots taken today frame by frame.

When he saw that he was free, William walked over with a few cups of freshly brewed black tea—in order to cater for the taste of Li An and others, neither milk nor sugar was added—after dividing points for everyone, he began to share Ang Lee asks a question.

After listening carefully, Ang Lee began to answer, and sometimes asked William a few questions back. This question-and-answer mode existed between William and Ang Lee not long after the filming started.

The scope of their chats is also very wide, most of which are in-depth interpretations of the script and the original work of "Sense and Sensibility", or the British traditional culture in the [-]th century, which are beneficial to filming. After they become more and more speculative, they also talk about Asian culture and Hollywood movies, as well as international cuisine.

Several Taiwanese assistants listened with gusto—William and Ang Lee used Chinese when chatting.

At the beginning, they were extremely amazed at William's Chinese proficiency and his understanding of Chinese culture. They even joked that if William went to Taiwan's literary and art circle to develop, it would be no problem to be an anchor.

These Taiwanese assistants have a good impression of William, because he is the first leading actor in the entire crew to show great kindness and closeness to Ang Lee and his assistants.

——When the other white actors and staff joined the director Ang Lee's team, almost all of them cast suspicious and strange eyes.

Although Ang Lee was strongly invited by Columbia to join the group, his directing was the result of a multi-party compromise:

Columbia Corporation valued Emma Thompson's Oscar-winning actress title, and was very interested in the film script written by the other party, which is said to be similar in style to "Howards End", so it invested in "Sense and Sensibility", hoping that this film can provide The company brought in several Oscar nominations.

Emma Thompson hopes that the script written by her painstaking efforts can be restored to the greatest extent, instead of being changed arbitrarily by the director. She wants to be the most powerful person in the entire crew except the producer, so Columbia has found her Talented but not well-known in Hollywood, Ang Lee will naturally respect the latter's opinion when facing a big-name protagonist and screenwriter.

Ang Lee wants to gain a foothold in Hollywood, but he has only made Chinese films before, and it is unlikely that any film company would dare to entrust him with full responsibility for English films. Therefore, he is willing to make "Sense and Sensibility" because he wants to accumulate experience for the future. Make more Hollywood movies to accumulate capital.

The complicated background created Ang Lee's complicated identity: a "rented" director.

Contribute your talent, but don't need to contribute your opinion.

And this identity has been known from the beginning.

Coupled with the different cultural barriers that exist in different nationalities, since the filming of the film "Sense and Sensibility", there have been various miscommunications between the director and the actors.

For example, many leading actors in the crew are too big-not to say that the actors are playing big names, but in the "producer-centered system" of Britain and the United States, big-name actors may not dare to easily offend the producers, but they certainly will not How much respect do you have for a "rented" director? When they have a disagreement with the director, they must prefer to stick to their own opinions rather than listen to the director's words, and they have grown up and lived in Taiwan with a "director-centered system" for most of their lives. Ang Lee hopes that actors can shoot according to their own wishes.

On the first day of filming, 35-year-old Emma Thompson played Elena Darthwood, who was only 19 years old in the original novel. Emma, ​​who only wore light makeup, did not look young and beautiful in the camera. Ang Lee blurted out: " Can you not look so old?", which made Emma Thompson feel very hurt.

Except for Emma Thompson, the rest of the crew are also very difficult to deal with. Ang Lee has been making movies in Taiwan before. The authority of directors in Taiwanese movies is great, but in Hollywood, his qualifications are too shallow So much so that now some big-name actors and photography lights in the crew, as soon as they have their own ideas, they come to Ang Lee to propose, as if they have the right and ability to instruct Ang Lee.

In order to defend his authority, Ang Lee had to concentrate on raising his vigilance and argue with everyone who tried to challenge him.

Under such circumstances, it is really sweet to have a leading actor who not only does not dictate to his director, but also humbly asks for advice and adjusts his performance according to his requirements.

That's right, Ang Lee was talking about William Bradley, a smart, hardworking, low-key, cheerful, and handsome young man who was different from other Americans he knew.

At the beginning, the British actors in the crew rejected this young American as if they didn’t like him, but William didn’t care, as if he didn’t feel the unwelcome at all, he was happy every day He talks to everyone, thinks about his role seriously, and concentrates on meticulousness when performing. He can't see the rudeness and debauchery that many young people in the United States have.

Over the past few weeks, many people in the crew have become very familiar with William Bradley. They will call him "America's Sweetheart" in person, and they will also praise him when discussing behind his back: "William is a very good young man with both British politeness and American warmth."

Li Ang also has a good impression of William, and this kind of affection has been accumulated over time, with a solid foundation and will not disappear easily.

So when William put forward his views on the plot of a script, Ang Lee turned the plot in his mind, and pointed out in a very gentle tone: "Your idea is very good, but the design of the hunchback does not need to be planned at the beginning. It shows that Edward Ferrars was still the heir of the family when he first appeared on the stage. Although he has been oppressed by his powerful mother for a long time and has many worries, he grew up in a comfortable and wealthy environment and did not suffer much setbacks. At this time, he is still optimistic and positive, full of hope for life, so his posture must be very tall and straight when he walks. As for the hunchback, I think it can be put into this scene, that is..."

Afternoon tea time ended, and the rested staff came back one after another.

The flock of sheep is gnawing grass leisurely under the big tree in the distance.

The equestrian instructor walked over with a vigorous thoroughbred horse. William put on his riding clothes, got on the horse handsomely with the help of the equestrian, and ran around the surrounding grass several times.

Because there are many scenes of men running horses in the movie, riding courses are one of the subjects that every actor must learn after joining the group. Although he grew up in the United States where the equestrian culture is not strong, William’s riding courses It's extremely fast, and now he can run as well as Alan Rickman.

"Do you need a substitute?" the assistant director asked him while holding a horn from a distance.

"No need, thank you!" William shouted in response, then turned his horse's head and ran towards Nolan Manor in the sunset.

The steeds crossed the grass, over the big trees, and the frightened sheep scattered to avoid them, but they still ran very steadily.

With the help of the pulley cart, the camera followed closely to shoot.

The equestrian stand-in praised: "This young man's riding skills are good."

Ang Lee stared at the camera for a while, and said decisively: "Let William run again, and take a long shot of his side face and front face respectively."

After some trivial horse racing and outdoor shots, William waited for his first important scene: Edward Ferrars' grand appearance at Norland Manor.

This is the film's first positive portrayal of Edward Fellers, who has been mentioned only in public conversations.

And this plot is arranged very cleverly, so that as soon as Edward appears, he will show his character to the fullest through his speech and behavior.

After confirming that all preparations were correct, Ang Lee picked up the loudspeaker and shouted: "Action!"

As soon as this magical word was uttered, in the magnificently decorated reception room, several old British actors who were still laughing and chatting in low voices immediately sat up, without making a sound to each other. The unfamiliar and embarrassing atmosphere is rendered very well.

…↓The following is the plot of the movie. For the convenience of narration, descriptive language is used…

Edward Ferrars was to be a guest at the house of his sister, Fanny, who was duly mistress of Norland Park.

In Nolan Manor, out of courtesy, all the hosts waited for the guests in the reception room, but not everyone was as happy as Fanny.

Mrs. Darthwood, who had just lost her husband, was dressed in black, and she was very preoccupied, sitting on a chair in the reception room with no expression on her face.

Her second daughter, Marianne Darthwood, sat and glanced at her, but her face was not heavy, but she looked into the distance with bored eyes.

The new hostess of Nolan Manor, John Durthwood's wife, Fanny, hugged a pet dog, sitting proudly at the place closest to the door with her chin up. A hostess, Mrs. Darthwood, took it to heart, and Fanny had been planning to drive Mrs. Darthwood and her three daughters out of the manor.

John Durswood was a henpecked gentleman. He sat facing the door with a very regular posture, and looked at his wife's face from time to time, in case the other party had any orders at any time.

Elena Darthwood is the most sensible and calm one. She is neither as sad as her mother nor as heartless as her sister. Instead, she sits at the desk and writes to inquire about renting a house. Prepare for later life.

The butler opened the door and reported: "Mr. Ferrars has arrived."

A handsome young man with deep hair and blue eyes appeared from behind the butler, and walked briskly in front of everyone, but sensitively noticed the almost tense atmosphere in the reception room, so he immediately slowed down and armed himself with impeccable politeness whole body.

Fanny stood up affectionately, first briefly introduced Elena and the others, and then introduced to the Dashwood family in a proud tone: "My younger brother, the heir of the Ferrars family, Edward."

Edward glanced across the reception room, and bowed to everyone with a nearly perfect manner.

"Please sit down." "Please sit down." Fanny and Mrs. Darthwood said together, pointing to the seat beside them.

The former mistress of Nolan Manor and the current mistress looked at each other, and they refused to give in to each other.

The atmosphere in the reception room became very awkward again.

In the end, Margaret Darthwood, who didn't know where to hide and refused to see the guests, provided them with an excuse to ease the embarrassment. Everyone talked about the whereabouts of the naughty little girl, trying to pretend that the embarrassment just never happened .

Edward was an understanding young man, and he quickly changed the subject with everyone.

At this time, Marianne Darthwood asked very bluntly: "Do you still like the view from your window, Mr. Ferrars?" Her tone sounded like accusation.

Elena gave Marianne a shocked look at her rudeness.

Mrs. Darthwood also glanced at her daughter, but did not reprimand her.

The four women surnamed Darthwood felt a little resentful at the moment, because Fanny announced this morning that the ten-year-old Margaret would give up her room to the guest Edward.This is declaring her sovereignty over Nolan Manor in a brutal and straightforward way.

So it was no wonder that Marianne had taken a liking to Edward, Fanny's brother, who was about to take the guest from her sister's bedroom, at this moment.

However, Edward seemed not to see Marianne's hostility and provocation, and still said in a very gentle tone: "I like it very much. Your stable is very beautiful and well-maintained."

Everyone in the meeting room was stunned, because the window of Margaret's room should be facing a beautiful lake.

Fanny hugged the pet dog and asked suspiciously.

Edward said very frankly: "I was originally taken to the room with the window facing the lake, but soon I found out that it was the master's room, and I was a guest, so I asked the servant to take me to the guest room. It's nice too, it's comfortable there."

The heir of the Ferras family's eyes were as clear as lake water, full of kindness, intelligence and consideration.

Marianne lowered her head in shame.

Mrs. Darthwood and Elena showed emotion and admiration: Fanny intentionally let Edward live in the master room, which not only allowed her younger brother to enjoy it but also embarrassed Mrs. Darthwood, but Edward had a clever insight into Fanny's plan, and he took the initiative to let Edward live in the master room. To evade, he asked to live in a guest room, extinguishing the imminent war between the two masters of Nolan Manor in the bud, and then pushed all the responsibilities onto himself, so that Fanny couldn't find an excuse even if she wanted to criticize.

At this moment, Mrs. Darthwood, Elena, and Marianne all looked at Edward with great affection——Edward Ferrars is a delicate, considerate, and noble gentleman!

—Of course, very, very handsome.