Chapter 846 - Can Be Better

Laila pointed at the screen showing the footage that had just been shot, "Christian's anger isn't enough. Your expression is okay, but your body language isn't keeping up."

She gestured with her hand across the screen, only showing the area below Batman's neck, "You see, if we only see your body, can we still feel that you are trying to extract information about the most important person to you from a notorious villain?"

Christian frowned. After her comment, he indeed saw his shortcomings, "I need to think about it."

Laila nodded, "Take five minutes to gather your thoughts."

Five minutes? In this situation, even ten times the time might not necessarily lead to better results.

Nolan subconsciously imitated Laila's chin-scratching motion and replayed the scene twice. If it were up to him, the previous scene would probably have been approved already.

Christian's expression was good, clearly conveying his anger through his face, eyes, and voice. Roy's performance was also outstanding; to him, the previous scene was a good set of shots.

However, it was evident that Laila was not satisfied with their performances. Was this the reason she was more successful than him?

Nolan couldn't help but imagine himself in their shoes. If it were him, how would he help Christian understand better?

Christian was also contemplating the same thing, trying to add more expressions of anger through body language. What actions should he incorporate? Should he increase his strength or the range of motion of his arms?

After five minutes, only a minute of new footage was shot before Laila called for another pause.

For Christian, consecutive NGs (no good, meaning failed takes) were not common.

Laila called him over again, "Still not enough. Christian, do you know what I see? I see that your hands and feet are tied!" She glanced at her watch, "It's almost lunchtime; think about it during your meal."

Christian nodded, "Okay, I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for," Laila looked at him, "You are an excellent actor, and my expectations of you are high, do you understand?"

"I understand, thank you, Director," he thanked sincerely.

He had been scolded by Laila before when he NGed, and at that time, Roy had joked that he was lucky. Because if it weren't for being an actor she favored, he wouldn't have the opportunity to be scolded. And those scolded by her, without exception, had greatly improved their acting skills, like him and Theron, 

an actor and an actress, enough to blind a lot of people.

The current situation is similar. It was clear that Christian had hit a bottleneck, and if he could break through it, his acting skills would greatly improve!

But how should he do it? The actions he had just taken to increase the range and strength of his movements did not meet the director's requirements. So what should he do?

During this lunch, Christian ate absent-mindedly, and even after finishing, he didn't know what he had eaten.

"Hey buddy, your expression is too scary," Roy sat across from him, holding his unfinished lunch, "Still haven't figured it out?"

"Yes," Christian's brows furrowed tightly, "The director said my hands and feet were tied. What does that mean? Do I need to increase the range of my movements more, or shout more?"

Roy thought for a moment, "Since she thinks your hands and feet are not open, then it should be that. But I don't think she means the range of your movements when she says not open."

Christian's brows furrowed even tighter, "If you were Batman, what would you do?"

"Probably give Joker a good beating," Roy shrugged, "Batman is the Dark Knight; I think he's no stranger to beating people up."

"I just..." Christian wanted to say that he had also taken action, but just as he was about to blurt it out, he stopped himself.

That's right, he had hit him, but had he really hit him seriously?

Seeing that he seemed to have an idea, Roy didn't interrupt him but continued to sit next to Laila with his plate.

"Laila, do you want Christian to beat me up hard?" Roy was not surprised that he had understood this first, "You're right. I think he can do better."

Roy agreed with her view, "Christian is indeed very good. He will understand your meaning after a turn." But did she forget that she wanted someone to beat her fiancé? "Aren't you worried that I'll be beaten to a pulp by him?"

"It's okay. I believe that the skills you have cultivated over the years will not let you be easily injured."

"..." Roy was speechless. He also felt that he wouldn't be injured, but why did he feel so depressed when she said it?

Just as he was about to seek some benefit for himself, Laila suddenly changed the topic, "Roy, your performance this time is just passable, you know?"

"Me?" How did her fire burn onto him? Thinking about it, Roy still earnestly asked her for advice, "Where is it lacking?"

"Why can't Christian release his hands and feet?" Laila looked at him, "Don't you think it's because you haven't completely made him see you as the Joker?"

Roy's pupils suddenly shrank. Yes! If his acting was so good that Christian saw him as the Joker, wouldn't he be afraid to get into the scene and let go of his actions?

"You mean I haven't done enough?"

Laila nodded, then shook her head, "What you did was okay too. But in my opinion, there are still areas for improvement. If it were someone else performing at that level, I would be satisfied. But with you, I can only say it's acceptable. Christian's performance now just proves this; he subconsciously remembers you as Roy Seasonstar, not the Joker, when filming, so he can't completely let go to perform." Beating an Oscar-winning actor indeed has quite an impact on an actor's psyche.

Roy lowered his head and, after a while, looked thoughtfully in Christian's direction, "I know what to do now."

There wasn't much Laila could do to help him with his acting; all she could do was give a hint, and he needed to understand more on his own. As for how much he could comprehend, she believed he would give himself a pleasant surprise.

To be honest, her demands were indeed too high. If it were other directors encountering Roy's performance, they would be very satisfied. But not her, she felt he could do better.

Let me see where your limits lie! Laila smirked quietly where he couldn't see her.