A major headache for me in August has been having my lectures recorded by professionals in the Chaoxing Studio. What if I have slips of the tongue? What if my mind goes blank? How should I behave to look natural in front of a camera? What should I wear? How should I do my hair? Where to place my hands? The biggest obstacle is my teeth braces. Will I mumble with my braces on? Should I take them off? But there's still the gap left by an uprooted frontal side tooth. Will I look funny with that hole? ...
All sorts of questions plagued me as the day of shooting approached. Last night, I did not even finish the lecture notes until 8:30. Suddenly, I remembered that I should get my hair done and my eyebrows trimmed. Then I rushed to the beauty salon. But all four salons in my neighbourhood had been closed because of the tightening of pandemic control. Oh well, so be it!
Before going to bed, I went over the lecture notes, but still, two sessions were left undone. Anyway, good sleep outweighs everything. Let it be!
After a restful night, I wake up around 5:30 am. I shower and pack the necessities, some bread and fruit, and head to the studio around 6:10 to avoid the morning rush hour.
It's just 6:50 a.m. when I arrive at my destination in Baoshan District, far from home. Sitting in the car, I have a quick and satisfying simple breakfast and then enter the building. Except for the janitor, no one is there but me. Facing the bathroom mirror, I brush my teeth, dye my grey hair with a black pen, trim my eyebrows clumsily, put on heavy makeup, and wait for the staff to get to work.
Showing up early saves me congestion and reduces anxiety, which has always been a good habit of mine. Around 8 o'clock, someone finally shows up. I am warmly welcomed and enter the cool Chaoxing studio. In the locker room, I change into my uniform. What luck that I am obliged to wear the uniform！ Otherwise, I would have to rack my brains over what to wear.
After a while, the cameraman shows up. He is an easy-going young man. I describe my worries to him and he responds with extreme friendliness. His reassuring manner and gentle tone put me at ease. Immediately, I no longer feel as nervous as before. Then my recording assistant arrives, she helps me with the portable microphone and applies some powder onto my shiny face. Then she fixes my hair with some pins. Luckily I missed getting my hair done last night; otherwise, it would be a waste again. In front of the camera, a lecturer's hair has to be neat and clear.
First, I am asked to rehearse for a few minutes. As the camera counts down, "3 – 2 - 1," I am so nervous I can even hear the loud pounding of my heart. I wonder if the microphone can capture the sound of my heartbeat. After the rehearsal, the cameraman praises me by saying, "Your performance is better than 90% of the other teachers. If you can maintain that style, you rock!" His recognition gives me so much strength and confidence. All my fear and nervousness are gone. Full of passion, with vivid facial expressions and appropriate gestures, I finish recording 10 sessions of 130 minutes of lectures without a hiccup. Every time the camera says "Ready? 3-2-1!" I am instantly energized.
My assistant and cameraman are both pleased with the high efficiency. They say that I am the most prepared compared to my colleagues and have accomplished so much in just one morning. They booked the studio for me for 2 days, but I did everything in one morning.
They ask me to have some lunch before departure. I prefer to take the lunch box home because I am so excited that I do not feel hungry at all.
As I drive home, the traffic is extremely light and smooth at noon. After a relaxing lunch at home, I take a long, good nap.
Believe me. Whenever you face a challenge, just do it if it's worth it! In reality, things aren't as difficult as they appear to be.
