Chapter 26

 Chapter Twenty-Six: A New Approach to find materials

"Sketch script? You wrote it yourself?" 

Zhang Yiyang's face displayed an astonished expression. 

Knowing that there was a lack of language-based performances for the freshman welcome party, he had casually written one in a few days? Was he some sort of genius? 

This was something that couldn't be written in just three to five days! 

Comedy could be said to be the most challenging form of all art, and sketches were the most condensed form of comedy. So, those classic sketches were the result of top comedians wracking their brains. 

Many professional comedians couldn't come up with a well-received piece even after thinking for a year, and you claimed to have written one in just three to five days? 

That was just too exaggerated! 

Although Lu Zhixing had previously shown his talent for original songs, songs and sketches were quite different. Zhang Yiyang couldn't help but feel that this script might not be very reliable. 

But he still took it and started reading it carefully because, at the moment, the language-based performances in the Game Design School were full of holes, and he didn't have the right to be picky. 

Even if the script wasn't that good, what difference did it make? As long as there was a decent framework, they could gather other students and continually add various jokes and punchlines to gradually improve it. 

However, the more Zhang Yiyang read, the more shocked he became. He looked up at Lu Zhixing and asked, "Did you really write this?" 

Lu Zhixing nodded. "Yes." 

Zhang Yiyang was completely stunned. He read the script several times, especially some of the punchlines, and mentally visualized them. Then he realized that this script's quality was just too high! 

The humor was frequent, the structure was tight, and there was a sense of absurdity and contrast throughout. 

"Undercover Trainee," as the name suggested, was a story about an ordinary person going undercover in a talent show and exposing its dark secrets. 

There were three key characters: the undercover agent and the first and second-place trainees. In addition to them, there were many extras to play the other trainees on stage.

The entire sketch was divided into three acts: "Undercover Observations," "Espionage Drama," and "The Unveiled Truth." The transitions between these acts were marked by the trainees' "performances."

The plot roughly went as follows:

Two entertainment companies were fiercely competing, and one of them, Company A, launched a popular talent show called "Universe Trainees," which gained massive attention. In response, Company B pretended to send a group of trainees to participate in the same talent show, intending to expose its secrets and undermine their competition.

Company A quickly identified and eliminated all the suspected spies from Company B. However, one spy slipped through the cracks—a regular employee from Company B who knew nothing about the intricacies of talent shows and was brought in as a last-minute replacement.

Due to his unremarkable appearance and lack of talent, everyone assumed he would be quickly eliminated, so Company A paid him little attention.

This undercover agent was completely clueless about the ins and outs of the talent show. After entering the program, he unintentionally created many comedic moments. For example, when talking to other trainees, they all delivered long self-introductions. No matter how easy the dance was, he always pretended to be out of breath. He was highly sensitive to terms like "fans" and "leftover pork," observing all these aspects from the perspective of an ordinary person, creating a humorous contrast.

After surviving the first performance, the plot transitioned into the second act, "Espionage Drama." The undercover agent, still baffled about not being eliminated, began leaking information about the show. This information was successfully exposed, and the trainees started an internal investigation to find the mole.

The undercover agent had expected to be exposed but didn't anticipate that the top two trainees responsible for the investigation were not particularly intelligent. They made one mistaken suspicion after another, indirectly allowing him to escape scrutiny, making it to the second performance.

Following the second performance's interlude, the story entered the third act, "The Unveiled Truth." As more contestants were eliminated, the identity of the undercover agent became clearer. Surprisingly, due to his on-stage antics, he gained the affection of the audience, who began voting for him like crazy.

This left the top two trainees, who had initially suspected him, thoroughly perplexed. After a series of bewildering deductions, they concluded that they themselves were the moles. As a result, they confessed, causing the show "Universe Trainees" to lose its appeal completely.

In the end, the undercover agent, for no apparent reason, was embraced by fans and the capital, securing the first-place spot and hilariously concluding this absurd spectacle.

……

Lu Zhixing asked, "Senior, is this script acceptable?"

Zhang Yiyang was very excited, "Acceptable! It's more than acceptable! This script is just fantastic. Just thinking about it makes me find it interesting. There are so many comedic moments and punchlines. If we rehearse it well, the live performance will surely be a hit!

"But... it's quite sharp in its satire. However, that's okay; even if I have to persuade our faculty mentors tirelessly and use all my tricks, I'll make sure they approve this script!"

Skit is the art of satire, and to make people burst into laughter and leave behind some classic moments, it must be satirical. However, satire often becomes the primary reason why skits face limitations. Many event organizers choose less humorous skits to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Zhang Yiyang looked at Lu Zhixing, not expecting such a strong sense of attack beneath the seemingly gentle appearance of this junior.

Lu Zhixing silently sighed in his heart, but what can he do? He's playing the role of a "campus superstar who despises evil." He couldn't portray this character well without some bite.

"Is there a possibility that this script won't pass the faculty's review?"

Zhang Yiyang pondered for a moment, "Well, I can't guarantee it. I can only say there might be some risk, but Yan Wei and I will do our best to convince the faculty mentors.

"Of course, for a safer approach, we can also prepare two language-related acts for this event. 'Undercover Trainee' can go first, mainly taking a satirical route for uproarious laughter. After that, we can present another act that's more uplifting or relatively conventional. It would be great if it could carry an educational message to balance things out. This way, no one can find fault with our performances.

"But you don't need to worry about that. We'll figure out the supplementary act. You've already helped us tremendously, so just focus on maintaining your condition and getting ready for your performance on the night of the welcome party."

Lu Zhixing paused for a moment and said, "In that case, I've actually prepared a script that's relatively conventional. It's not exactly a skit, nor is it a stage play. I can't specify its genre precisely, but it can be performed at the welcome party."

He looked up at the projection equipment overhead, "Especially if we utilize these projection devices, it should create a nice stage effect."

Zhang Yiyang's mouth hung slightly open, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Is this some kind of cheat code? Is it even possible?

An ordinary freshman, in such a short time, has consecutively created an original song and two script drafts?

Is he even human?

No, it's not Lu Zhixing who's cheating; it's me who's getting the cheat codes! The heavens must have known that Yan Wei and I were struggling with the welcome party, so they sent this game-breaking assistance!

Zhang Yiyang was on cloud nine. Is this what it feels like to hold onto a big leg? Is this the feeling of effortless victory?

Enjoying victory without even trying, it's blissful all the way!

"However, this script, although written, still needs some post-production. In a couple of days, I'll bring the materials and rehearse with you all," Lu Zhixing added.

Zhang Yiyang nodded eagerly, "No problem, whatever you say, we'll rehearse it that way!

"By the way, for the actors in 'Undercover Trainee' in this script, do you have any ideas, junior? Currently, we have two language-related acts, one cross-talk and one skit, but it seems like none of the main roles in this script match up with them. Should we choose from the new first-year students or seek help from the older students?"

Lu Zhixing explained, "Actually, the three characters in this script all have real-life prototypes – my three roommates."

"Ah?" Feeling suddenly called out, Liu Bo, who had been rather unnoticeable until now, looked up, his face full of confusion.

Lu Zhixing nodded, "That's right, the undercover agent in this script is tailor-made for you. As for the other two not-so-bright talent show contestants, they are based on Lv Yixiao and Zhao Haoyan."

Zhang Yiyang was thrilled, "That's fantastic! We'll leave this script to your dorm then!"

However, Liu Bo felt somewhat awkward, "Hey, Lu Ge, you can't be serious, right? I've never acted in a skit before..."

Lu Zhixing patted his shoulder, "No worries, do you think others have acted in one before? During rehearsals, I'll provide you with comprehensive guidance.

"That settles it. Take the script back with you and work on convincing Lv Yixiao and Zhao Haoyan.

"Just use your 'priority mate selection' argument."

Liu Bo froze in place, "But..."

"No 'buts'," Lu Zhixing interrupted him. "Aren't you constantly thinking about becoming famous throughout the whole school? I promise you, after performing this skit, you'll not only be famous throughout the school but might even go viral on the internet.

"That's the final word."

Lu Zhixing didn't give Liu Bo any more time to hesitate and turned to leave.

……

This time, during the visit to the Science Hall for venue inspection, Lu Zhixing suddenly thought of a completely new possibility.

Buying materials directly from the points store was indeed quite expensive. So, what if he used his classmates for motion capture and took assets from them?

Wouldn't that significantly reduce the point consumption?

Take "In Your Eyes" as an example. In this game, there weren't many main characters, perhaps just three or four people. If he had his classmates rehearse these roles and combined it with the projection equipment on the Science Hall stage, he could not only bring this performance to the welcome party but also capture existing motions for the game.

Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

With this idea in mind, Lu Zhixing once again went into seclusion.

He began creating scenes according to the game's flow, mainly using the "home" template he had acquired earlier. He collected bits and pieces from the real world to produce most of the game's scenes.

These scenes could be used directly as materials for stage projections. Combined with the power of projectors and holographic projection, they would provide the audience with an unparalleled visual feast!