thanks to lilyjp of nbbbs.com
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credit kym of jerrybbs for the translation
On Leon Dai (1)
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On Leon Dai (2)
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Dai Li Ren ~ A Good Actor is also Creative
Interview : Zhang Jia Rong, Ou Pei Pei
Photography : Chai Jia Feng
In forth coming TV serial {The Hospital}, Dai Li Ren plays a driven and ambitious surgeon ~ Qiu Qing Cheng. In the show, he creates opposition and initiates drama competing in the power struggle and wielding manipulative tactics. In reality, he was closely involved in the productions as he has a vast experience in stage, movie performances and directing as well.
Through this interview, readers are able to peek into this astute actor’s angle in playing a character. His intense involvement in production and the sheer possibilities of our local cinematic property.
Not Only Just An Actor
Dai Li Ren said, ‘This is my first in trying to act a character with such depth. So I have also been more cautious.’
In comparison, a stage performance would need at most 2 months of rehearsals. A movie is about half a year but for ‘The Hospital’, he had put in 8 to 9 months of dedication. In the show, he plays the outstanding surgeon, Qiu Qing Cheng, who pits himself against another surgeon, Su Yi Hua played by Jerry Yan. Both the male leads have many an exciting scene together.
He is known to be fastidious about script selection. In fact, he rejected Director Chai Yue Xun’s initial invitation. The reason was that the character is not the type that he had in mind. A worry of his was that his perception of the character might be different from the actual. Yet Director Chai was adamant and waited a whole year for him. Thus after many communicative efforts, it paid off.
Equally demanding and a perfectionist in details, Director Chai understood Dai Li Ren’s multi-talents in writing, directing and acting. He gave Dai Li Ren more than 100% freedom in his acting. Changing all his lines, developing the other characters in reference to the novel and assisting in the conceptualizing the theme for the script. Besides these, he organized all the composition of the characters, many a time he gave advice to the Director during filming too. ‘If not for fear of interruption, I would love to help out at the Editing Room.’
Why would an actor need to take such trouble, to be involved in every aspect? Perhaps it is his determination to be creative and dedicated in the completion of the entire process.
‘Lines’ Are An Actor’s Creative Space
Whether it is the stage, movies or TV, Dai Li Ren will definitely have to change his own lines before he feels that he has done sufficient character preparation. ‘The script only provides a foundation. Since my early days in the Art Institute, I have understood that even if the script was by Shakespeare, simply memorizing by rote is really silly. There are disparities in the time setting, the nationalities and more importantly the actors are not the same so the acting and language expressions will not be similar. ’
‘This is when a good actor is needed,’ Dai Li Ren stated. ‘A good actor is also creative and he will be able to express the emotions suitable to character as written in the script.’
To Portray The Character From The ‘Doctor-Patient Relationship’
During the filming of ‘The Hospital’, Dai Li Ren was very much immersed in the character’s development and the scripting of the scenes. He emphasized that different doctors have various ways of treating sicknesses. This stems from their professional training. ‘The Internal Medicine and Surgical Departments are fundamentally different in their looking at illnesses. If considerations are not given as to how a doctor’s judgments would vary due to his professional training and the system on the whole, and how this in turn affects his character, how he faces problems then it is over-simplifying Good and Evil. The character would come across as flat and superficial. ’
‘I’ll use the crudest way to explain this. The two male leads – I play Doctor Qiu Qing Cheng who is stubborn and intrigued about ‘solving illness’. So his judgment might be viewed as cold and lacking in human concern. The Su Yi Hua played by Jerry Yan is just the opposite. He sees matters from a ‘human’ standpoint. He feels to cure illness, you must start from the person himself.’ In Dai Li Ren’s viewpoint, ‘There is no absolute Good and Evil. We are all the same. To live in this world, we each need to have a certain attitude, to believe that it is his own and to work hard at developing it. A bad guy like that would merit our attention and thus is worthy of our spending some time to try to understand him.’
Dai Li Ren doesn’t feel that Qiu Qing Cheng should be marked as the ‘Bad Guy’ in the show. ‘Though he might be embroiled in the power struggle but it is not because he is bad. Conversely in his mind, he has his own ideal, perfect world.’
He puts it plainly, ‘Be the power struggle in the medicine or corporate world, everyone would have a blue-print for their goals in their lives. So each would give their all to pursue and would step-by-step be closer to it in their minds’ ‘Beautiful, New World’. So I use this attitude to act out the character. Qiu Qing Cheng does not have ill-intentions and he never wanted to actually. That is why throughout the entire process he often feels very tired. From a certain angle, it is to enable things to be done in a better way. Yet compromise is necessary and in the end one has to ask, ‘What is the ideal world in your mind?’’
Therefore is the Ideal World still there in the minds of the characters? In the Realistic World, how would it be? Dai Li Ren ponders and adds, ‘I feel that Qiu Qing Cheng’s Ideal World is always existent. He wants to revolutionize the structure of the Medical World and so he needs greater capabilities and more power, So this is the beginning of the Power Struggle.’
New Break Through, New Possibilities
Starting from the character’s perspective, Dai Li Ren aims to protect and develop the character through making continuous changes. ‘When the production gets complicated and messy, how do I portray the character? It is extremely difficult. During filming when you alter certain things, you have to get the Director and others to accept the character’s changes and at the same time not affect the whole development of the show. Just this keeps one very busy.’ Dai Li Ren is thankful for the space to be able to do just that.
Having made so many attempts, how does he feel about the present and future of the Taiwanese TV scene? Does he have any views or expectations?
‘You should ask Director Chai this.’ Dai Li Ren laughs. He positively affirms Chai Yue Xun’s diligence. Many TV serials are shoddy and cannot compete with the Mainland serials. In fact they might not be anywhere in Asia as well. However Chai Yue Xun’s team insists on enormous capital backing and efforts to produce ‘The Hospital’. They sold the Japanese rights at a record price unprecedented in Taiwan. Even the 3 TV stations didn’t manage to reach certain areas and price, they could. Dai Li Ren extols, ‘Their hard work has caused everyone in the TV industry to open both their doors to them.’
Dai Li Ren ~ Chai Yue Xun’s Determination, Jerry Yan’s Diligence
Touching on Director Chai Yue Xun’s working style, Dai Li Ren is all praise. He laughs that amongst the many Directors that he has work with, Director Chai is the one who possesses ‘the most Japanese Samurai Spirit’. In his pursuit for perfection, he is almost to the point of punishing himself. Dai Li Ren observes, ‘To Chai Yue Xun, the entire production process is like a kind of fulfillment to a promise. Or perhaps it is like a way to fine tune oneself. He and Werner Jerzog are very similar in many ways - the kind that would move a ship over a mountain. You might say that he is wasting resources or is inflexible but it is this spirit that moves others. Every Director has his own style, yet he is one who is very sincere, very industrious and demanding on himself.’
When all eyes are on Jerry Yan, Dai Li Ren speaks frankly, ‘I have seldom seen an actor so hardworking, so earnest, hoping that he can do more and that is Jerry Yan. During the filming, it was evident how he got along with everyone, his communication with the Director and so on. After working with him for not too long, I felt that he is definitely an actor to be respected.
Cheng Pin Hau Du Issue 66, June 2006
thanks to lilyjp of nbbbs.com
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Credit Kym,jerrybbs.com
http://www.jerrybbs.com/bbs/viewthread.php...WGP5#pid1014604
In {The Hospital}, Jerry Yan Comprehends The Importance of Appreciation
Q1 : We heard that you spent a lot of time and effort preparing for the role. Mr. Hou Wen Yong also mentioned that you did a great deal of research. How did you understand and portray the character of Su Yi Hua?
A1: I recall that when I met the script-writer initially to discuss the character, Su Yi Hua, he brought out two photos. One was a little boy with a cheerful grin and the other was a white tower. He said that these represent Su Yi Hua and the White Tower so he is but an innocent little child. All of a sudden, I had a very intense feel for the character when I heard that. It was like I became Su Yi Hua during filming. I could feel how he had a simple life before he was unexpectedly pulled into the power struggle and lost the love of his life as well. In my portrayal, I have tried to transform myself into a real Su Yi Hua so that my performance can be true to life.
Q2 : Regarding your research for the performance, have you had any deep impressions or felt that any books were very helpful?
A2 : There are 2 books ~ [White Robe] and [A Surgical Doctor’s Training] .
Q3 : Most of actors had plenty of medical training before the shoot, could you talk about what left a deep impression on you during the training or maybe an interesting little story?
A3 : The Director and Big Brother Hou arranged practical lessons in surgery for me. The first was a brain surgery. When I saw how someone’s skull was cracked open, I was astounded. I really marvel at how incredible Medical Science is.
Q4 : Have you read Hou Wen Yong’s novel? Do you feel that the character is a great different from the original?
A4 : I liked it very much when I read it a long time ago. The script basically stays true to the novel. But The TV serial stresses more on the virtue of appreciation and so it is more heartfelt. The character of Su Yi Hua has a minor adjustment in terms of age, he is younger.
Q5 : Have you seen the Japanese version of ‘The Hospital’? If so, what are your afterthoughts?
A5 : I have not seen it.
Q6 : Could you talk about your relationship with the Director? After working with other Directors, in your own opinion, could you speak about the Director’s standards on the show, demands on performance style and other individual qualities?
A6 : It’s a luxury to work with Director Chai. Although it takes so much more time but it was all worth it. At times when I look at him, it was like I am looking into the mirror. Not that we are identical in appearance! It’s just rare to find someone who has the same undaunted demands on matters. I truly appreciate this. Director Chai is sensitive to the plot, the setting and arrangements of the characters, these are all necessary qualities of a successful Director!
Q7 : You’ve worked with Dai Li Ren, Wu Meng Da and many other actors, what is the most challenging or enjoyable moments? Would you like to share a few unforgettable stories?
A7 : Due to {The Hospital}, I feel so lucky to be able to work with so many experienced actors. Acting with them has inspired me like never before. Dai Li Ren plays my senior in the Medical School. We have many scenes together. I have always admired his acting and I was very excited that we are acting together. Actually before I met him, I’ve always thought of him as a very professional but serious actor. It was only after working with him that I discovered he was very humorous and quite a joker at times.
As for Wu Meng Da, I have seen many of his shows before. When I personally saw his performance for the first time, I was stunned by his outstanding performance. Even though he spoke Cantonese but you won’t feel that there is any language barrier. I remember a scene vividly. Big Brother Da plays a Surgical Chief who had lost his position and fell sick soon after. Su Yi Hua visited him in the hospital. In that scene, Big Brother really drew me into it and I felt I acted beyond my original expectations.
Q8 : When you were preparing for the role, would you use any character or actor as a model? Or would you follow certain aspects? Could you give an example?
A8 : Nothing special, just be natural.
Q9 : The filming of {The Hospital} has ended, do you feel that this experience has influenced you’re acting career in anyway? Any future wishes to handle any kind of challenging roles or theme?
A9 : In filming this show, I feel that it has absolutely exceeded any mere physical dimension. I have seen with my own eyes many real life and death situations. There might be a patient who had just passed away and yet over here is another baby born. This makes me feel how awesome Life is and I deeply understood how health and appreciation are very important.
It is a personal break-through to play this character. I had a totally different acting experience. But up till the end, it was really painful to be Su Yi Hua! When it came to an end, I joked with the Director, ‘I can finally be rid of Su Yi Hua!’ Ha ha!
Because this character is in deep turmoil, he was suffering in the power struggle. I hope that my next character would be more light-hearted in nature. A romantic love story or a comedy will do.
Q10 : How you feel that an actor can train himself on an everyday basis?
A10 : I feel that having a keen sense of observation is very crucial to an actor. I like to observe the people and things around me in my daily life. These will help in my renditions of different characters. I prefer a performance based on real emotions and not accustomed to contrived things. If there is time, I would like to look around overseas, there might be better choices and opportunities. I think that as an actor, the most feared are to lose the sensitivity of feel and a drained void within oneself.
Q11 : As an actor, you have been in the Taiwanese TV for a few years, how do you feel about the present and future of Taiwanese TV?
A11 : Since the success of ‘Meteor Garden’, Taiwanese TV had set a record throughout the whole of Asia. Many other TV serials have also been telecast in all parts of Asia. I feel that this is a good sign and opportunity. In fact, there are many exceptional people who work behind the scenes in Taiwanese TV. If only these can come together for a collaborative effort to produce a successful show, not just for the Taiwanese audience but for others as well. This is a dream that I hope to fulfill. I am very happy that ‘The Hospital’ has attracted loads of media attention and the audience’s enthusiastic concern. So I hope that everyone will like this show.
Q12 : Do you have a habit of reading normally? Does this influence your work in some ways?
A12 : Reading is a rather important pastime for me. I read during breaks in-between filming, long haul flights and before I sleep. The books I read vary widely. No limitations in terms of subjects matter. Reading has helped me a lot in work. I find that I am able to think objectively and is more clear-mined in my judgments of matters. My fans also know that I read so it feels nice when they often share good books with me.
Credit to lilyjp of nbbbs for original pic
OH!! this drama hasn't aired yet? But I saw a preview a few months ago and thought it aired already. August is when its airing...wow.
:: I LOVE Jerry~~~~!
