No one knew how much time had passed when the applause started trickling in.
First one person, then two... and then more and more, everyone was staring in amazement at Aurelia Shaw, still not fully out of the "life-and-death play" they had just witnessed.
Caleb was the first to snap back to reality, enthusiastically waving his arms as he walked over, seemingly wanting to embrace Aurelia. However, when he got closer, his arm suddenly froze, something flashed through his mind, and awkwardly, he withdrew his arm, saying in a serious tone, "Well done, very good, keep maintaining this form."
"Mm." Aurelia nodded, her gaze somewhat dazed.
Her emotions hadn’t completely come out of the role; her chest was filled with bitterness, and the pain in her heart made her nose tingle, uncontrollable tears sliding down from the corners of her eyes, down her cheeks still stained with dried blood, making her look as if she had just gone through a life-or-death struggle, with a mournful and tragic look that tugged at one’s heartstrings.
Caleb patted her shoulder, instructing the staff to come and help clean her up, "Take a good rest, today’s scene was performed very well."
Aurelia’s eyes flickered, a smile appearing on her face for Caleb, "Thank you, Director Fan."
Caleb rarely gives praise, and as someone considered half a newcomer, receiving his commendations meant she had gained his recognition.
She couldn’t use the same tactics with Titan Jennings as with Caleb. Caleb was a real director, a major producer; she could only earn his approval with her acting skills.
Aurelia followed the staff, wobbling as she walked away. Her crew assistant was a fresh graduate, and having just witnessed the scene, had become a small fan of Aurelia’s, chattering non-stop in her ear about how great her performance was.
Caleb watched Aurelia leave, then turned to glance at Eleanor Spencer, who was standing stunned in place. His face darkened as he strode over.
Called out, Eleanor Spencer snapped out of her daze and upon seeing Caleb, quickly pulled a gentle smile onto her face, softly saying, "Director Fan."
Caleb’s eyebrows relaxed, his expression softening somewhat, "This scene was still performed quite well, but... there are minor flaws that you need to pay more attention to, especially not getting distracted during a performance."
During the scene with the ordinary folks, Eleanor had lost focus. He hadn’t expected that Aurelia, as a semi-newcomer, would have such excellent acting skills. An actor’s superb acting can help their scene partners quickly get into character, inspiring potential they themselves may not have perceived. However, conversely, an actor with high-level skills can also exert pressure on their counterparts, leading them to "forget how to act."
Especially when there is a significant disparity in acting abilities.
In repeated takes, without the other’s awareness, the pressure surreptitiously builds up. Even a seasoned actor with extensive experience can, under the immense pressure brought about by the other’s superb acting, ultimately "forget how to act."
This condition might only affect an actor for a few hours or days... in severe cases, the actor might never act again.
Caleb hadn’t expected to witness the effects of "acting trauma" firsthand, especially in a newcomer playing a minor role. None of today’s popular actors could deliver a performance to such an extent, because it not only tested acting skills but also how deeply an actor loves the craft of acting.
"Don’t think too much about it, go back and rest well." Caleb gave a somewhat sympathetic pat on Eleanor Spencer’s shoulder.