80: Draw! Film Noir Directing Techniques?

After finishing dinner, his parents went to sleep in their room on the first floor.

He lay down in his second-floor bedroom.

In the corner of the bedroom, Xiao Bai curled up in its cat bed, sleeping peacefully.

Because when he left it outside, it kept scratching the door, so he simply let it in. Anyway, the master bedroom had a bathroom, and the litter box was placed inside it.

Chen Fang lay on the bed and opened the System Panel.

The upper right corner of the panel displayed—

[Negative Emotion Value]: 1.613 million.

The moment he opened it, it changed to 1.614 million. Clearly, the number was still rising rapidly.

Chen Fang clicked on the Mall.

The Mall had four categories: Items, Skills, Attributes, and Works.

There were many things, such as:

Grandmaster Level Horror Film Directing Technique: 1.5 million.

Grandmaster Level Singing Skill (Lively, Cheerful, and Passionate Direction): 1.3 million.

Grandmaster Level Acting Technique (Comedy): 1.2 million.

One Centimeter Height Increase Potion: 2 million.

Specific Character Immersive Experience Pill: 800,000... Each one was very expensive. He could exchange for them when necessary or urgently needed.

If there was no emergency, he might as well try the lottery draw.

Chen Fang rested his hands under his head, staring at the screen.

He saved up this much to prepare for the new company interview.

He had an interview at Tianji Entertainment tomorrow at two in the afternoon. Even if he needed to exchange for an ability for an emergency, 1.5 million would be enough.

He now had over 1.6 million, and the news of his clarification was still trending online. He should be able to gain another 100,000 tonight, right?

Let's do two ten-draws!

Please, Ancestors bless me, Bodhisattvas bless me, God of Wealth bless me—whoever is listening, please grant your blessing!

Except for the Matchmaker God. Lord Matchmaker God, please lend this year's red thread of mine to the God of Wealth to tie copper coins. But when the right time comes, please remember to take it back.

[•֊•꧞]

Chen Fang ignored it and gave a command in his mind, “System, ten-draw! Skip 'Thank you for your patronage.'"

[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained Advanced Directing Technique (Film Noir)!]

Chen Fang instantly grew excited upon hearing the four words "Directing Technique."

A director has more influence than an actor or singer and is more likely to secure investment opportunities. If he could film a blockbuster, he would take a huge step toward becoming Capital himself.

However, upon hearing “Film Noir” afterward, Chen Fang couldn't help but frown.

Film Noir is a special film style primarily categorized under detective or crime films, often focusing on topics like crime, betrayal, complex human nature, and moral corruption, with rather oppressive visual effects. Thriller suspense films like *Se7en* are considered modern Film Noir.

It's usable, but... System, can't you be a little more bright and cheerful?

I still want to be a lively and cheerful young man!

[It is in the prize pool, but the Host's luck is rather mysterious.]

Chen Fang sighed, “Another ten draws, same rules.”

[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained Specific Character Immersive Experience Pill (Knockoff Version) *1!]

He had just seen this pill in the Mall; it cost 800,000.

What the heck is this Knockoff Version?

[The one in the Mall costs 800,000. There's a reason why cheap things are cheap.]

Chen Fang clicked on the instructions for use, quickly scanned them, and soon understood its function.

Acting is a performance technique used to recreate an image.

But even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice.

Actors need to observe and understand a character before they can portray them.

Common characters didn't require this pill, but for roles he had no impression of in his mind, he could use the Experience Pill to help him quickly understand them.

Of course, he could also choose not to use it and observe on his own.

This pill was for emergency use.

After consuming it, he would rapidly experience the character's experiences and feelings within half a minute. However, the effect was more like observation, helping him replicate the character's state without the side effects of becoming too immersed.

As for the Knockoff Version, it could only be used in fields where acting skill reached Intermediate level or higher.

That meant it could only be used in the domains of Evil, Viciousness, Horror, and the Supernatural.

Chen Fang opened the Mall and searched for the knockoff version of this pill. The item bar popped up a result: Price 200,000.

OK, not a loss.

Chen Fang yawned, turned off the screen, pulled up the quilt, and drifted off to sleep... Monday, May 19th.

The city's transportation system was packed with fish that only splash, dogs that guard the door, chickens that warn the monkeys, turtles that retract their heads, birds that stick their necks out, drums that signal retreat, grass on the wall, sticks that stir shit, barrels that hold food, donkeys from the production team, horses that ruin the herd, and chás that eat melons.

As well as a small number of tigers that guard the mountains, agile leopards, far-sighted eagles, and skilled wolves.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the Ben Biao rushed into their busy routines.

In a film and television city in the Capital.

The production team for *Actors, Please Take Your Stage Season 2* was bustling about in a cluster of ancient buildings, preparing to start filming in 20 minutes.

Guest mentor Wu Zhengxuan greeted the director, then walked to the rest area, where he met a man in his thirties. This man was the assistant to the Tianji Entertainment Artist Director. As a Horizon artist, Wu Zhengxuan was quite familiar with him.

"Assistant Cai, long time no see. You could have just told me over the phone; why did you make a special trip?"

Assistant Cai smiled and pulled out a chair for him. "I happened to have work nearby. Teacher Wu, we are interviewing Chen Fang this afternoon. But Teacher Liu, who was originally scheduled to assess his acting, is suffering from an upset stomach today. We couldn't find a suitable senior to help, and I remembered that you seemed to be heading to the company this afternoon? Do you have time to drop by and take a look?"

Wu Zhengxuan chuckled, "I am indeed going to the company this afternoon. I can do it. But didn't he debut as a singer? He mainly works in variety shows and music now, right? For acting, just a quick formality should be enough."

"Yes, but the Director means to evaluate how much acting potential he has and see if he can star in a few dramas to boost his market popularity."

"Alright, just send the time to my assistant."

"Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Wu."

"You're too polite."

...Meanwhile, not far from the filming location of *Actors, Please Take Your Stage Season 2*, was the set of an Ancient Costume Idol Drama.

Tang Chen said to a petite girl wearing an ancient style long dress, “Mengmeng, I'm going to the variety show crew next door to greet a friend. Call me if anything happens.”

Yu Mengmeng nodded, “Oh.”

“Can you be a little more polite? You need to learn manners on set.”

“Uh... then have a safe trip.”

“...” Tang Chen couldn't be bothered to say more to her. He waved his hand, signaling her to go back, and walked toward the entrance.

The more he saw those two airheads, Yu Mengmeng and Jiang Haotian, the more he wanted to quickly sign Chen Fang.

Chen Fang was famously good-natured, and Zhao Jin also said he had no airs. He was kind-hearted and knew how to comfort children. What a warm, worry-free, good student! Sign him up and let him be an example for those two brats!

Tang Chen arrived at the *Actors, Please Take Your Stage Season 2* production team.

At this moment, the production team was filming the “Mentor First Impressions” segment on location within the ancient architectural complex.

They had placed many props on this Chang'an-style long street, creating an ancient-style “Performance Street.” Fifty actors had to adjust their makeup and styling, choose a scene, design a character and plot, and perform an improvisation within half an hour. Half an hour later, the mentors would go to the complex, randomly watch the actors perform, and distribute 15 advancement cards.

Tang Chen was just about to go over and greet the producer when the phone in his pocket vibrated. He walked to the side to answer the call, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at Wu Zhengxuan.

Wu Zhengxuan was 60 years old this year, an elderly artist who was strict about acting requirements. Last year, when he first participated in the acting competition reality show, while other mentors gave gentle feedback, he delivered heavy blows when giving criticism.

Chen Fang had previously only played supporting roles in idol dramas, portraying the kind of “White moonlight Male God” who just stands there without needing to move much.

Having Wu Zhengxuan assess him... he hoped it wouldn't end in mutual unpleasantness.