“What’s the most important thing in acting? Well, if you’re playing a taxi driver, then you need to act like a taxi driver. You need to appear bored, but also ready to gossip. What other characteristics can you think of? Understanding your role is the most basic thing in acting. Most importantly, you also have to bring your personal charms and special characteristics into your acting. With that, you not only become a taxi driver, but a taxi driver like no other.” Even though he was almost seventy, Leary’s voice sounded vibrant as he gave the lesson.
Rather than trying to tell the trainees how to act or what skills they had to master, Leary preferred to pass on a new, unique concept of acting.
Near the end of the lesson, Leary glanced over every student and smiled. “I used to have a friend. He was revered as one of this century’s most talented actors. When your acting can overcome skin color and cultural differences, then you can consider that as your greatest success.”
“Acting is an art, and there is never a limit to art,” Leary continued. “I hope all of you can go and watch some of Fiennes’ films. His passing was a great loss to the world. But I believe that he isn’t the last of the truly talented performers, I believe that there will be someone among you who will surpass him.”
Intentionally or otherwise, Leary met Tang Feng’s eyes as he spoke the last sentence.
Was that the end of the acting class?
Of course not.
“This is my first lesson to you all, but it is also the last lesson. For our next acting class, you will undergo a test. You will be put into an empty room and forbidden the use of any body language or script. You are only allowed to walk around. Along with your acting and your eyes, you will interpret and perform a song. I wish you all good luck.”
A test like that truly matched Leary’s style. He had made it sound so elaborate and dignified, in reality, the old geezer was just too lazy to do anything more strenuous.
The desire to laugh quickly won over the slight sadness Tang Feng had felt over not being recognized by an old friend. In his head, Tang Feng grumbled over the poker-faced old man who was putting up a serious act. He didn’t want to admit that he had been slightly moved when Leary had brought up his name.
They were friends before and they’d also be friends from now on.
He would put forth his greatest effort for his last performance in this training class.