On the evening of December 30, the TV series "Apocalypse" was launched on iQiyi in episode 3. This TV series stars Huang Xuan and Wu Yue. Based on the plot content currently online, it should become a hit drama in the near future. why? Because it is rare for current TV dramas to put "storytelling" first. This "Apocalypse" can be regarded as a work that respects the storytelling principle of TV dramas.
Storytelling, there are true stories and false stories. For example, the currently airing "The Three Brigades" must respect the principle of "true story" - the main line of the story must be true, the characters' behavioral motivations must also be real, and the story twists must meet the requirements of reality. Such a "true story" is not easy to write. Therefore, the TV series "Third Brigade" was thrown into the street because of nonsense.
For another example, there are also fake stories. Many of our popular dramas, fantasy dramas, immortality dramas, etc. are all typical fake stories. As soon as they come up, we clearly tell the audience that our drama is just fabricated. Don't look at reality and reality. , just have fun. In this kind of drama, no one usually takes it seriously.
There is another kind of story, which is fiction based on reality. "Record of Apocalypse" is a typical example of this. It is based on the history of the construction of the northern border defense line of the Ming Dynasty, including the court operation system of the Ming Dynasty, etc. - for example, the Jinyiwei system. These realities make it easy for the audience to feel that the story told next is true. However, the following story is fictitious and filled with strange powers and chaos.
Once the foundation of historical reality is established, this TV series can be fictionalized. When we were children, many old people told stories in the same way as "Record of Apocalypse". Therefore, I estimate that many viewers will have a familiar taste after watching this TV series - isn't this the story of strange powers and chaotic gods told by my grandma under the moon? Yes, no need to hesitate, this TV series is a story about strange powers and chaotic gods. You can call it a "ghost story".
As soon as the male protagonist arrived in Liaodong, there was a lot of suspense content waiting for him. It was all suspense, making the audience very puzzled and looking forward to how the mystery would be revealed later. I assert that after the mystery of this TV series is finally revealed, part of the mystery must be brought by "zombie". Of course, there are no zombies in our domestic dramas yet. In this TV series, maybe monsters or "aliens" will be used instead?
Remember, the answer to this TV series is that zombies are only part of it. The other part must be the chaos on the border caused by the civil strife in the Ming Dynasty. This is actually another step from fiction to striving for realism. This kind of "strive for realism" is not true realism, but uses the content of the court to enhance the fictional parts, making the fictional parts look and sound real. Storytelling means telling the false to be true, so that the listeners and viewers believe it to be true.
How to tell the false to be true is a test of the ability of the storyteller (screenwriter). The biggest feature of storytelling in the TV series "Apocalypse" is that it is told with a straight face and a serious look. The advantage of this way of telling is that the narrator is too serious, and the audience has to become serious too. Stone from other mountains. To tell a ghost story, you have to be startled. If you tell it with a smile, the audience may not be able to get involved.
The straight-faced way of telling stories in "Apocalypse" is worth learning from many young screenwriters. A TV series about fighting monsters and zombies is not serious enough in itself. However, as long as the narrator is serious enough, the audience will get involved and feel that what this TV series is about is real, and everyone can even be there. Its environment.
In terms of shooting, Lu Yang’s image quality is still very good. This kind of shooting also deliberately looks for suspense and thrilling elements. Therefore, in the beginning of this TV series, there was a lot of night scenes. Under the bright sun, it is easy to weaken the sense of suspense. The darker the picture, the more foggy it becomes. In other words, this "Apocalypse" seems to be more suitable for Mist Theater.
Huang Xuan's performance is also aimed at seriousness.Huang Xuan is a good actor, he can act both seriously and with a smile. This time, in "Record of Apocalypse", he looked serious. In this story, the more serious the male protagonist is, the easier it is for the audience to "fall into the trap". Therefore, if the play is successful, half of the credit can be given to Huang Xuan.
Wu Yue's performance is similar to Niu Gao's performance to Yue Fei. Yue Fei is very serious, so he needs a funny person by his side. This kind of role matching relationship is also similar to the relationship between Jiang Wen's character and Ge You's character in "Let the Bullets Fly". In "Apocalypse", Wu Yue's superficial role is to amuse the audience so that the audience will not be too serious. At the same time, when the plot encounters obstacles in the development, he will help.
Zhang Rongrong, I'm sorry, I can't appreciate this appearance, especially the appearance in the play. "Apocalypse Strange News" chose Zhang Rongrong, probably because of Zhang Rongrong's rather peculiar appearance. Giving him a different look can increase the appeal of this type of TV series. Therefore, everything in "Record of Apocalypse" is aimed at looking good. This is a typical fast-paced commercial drama with a strong story. It can fire. (Text/Ma Qingyun)
