r18novel Chapter 149 Filming Begins, Lin Zhou Takes on the Roles of Director, Screenwriter, Lead Actor, and C
Chapter 149 Filming Begins, Lin Zhou Takes on the Roles of Director, Screenwriter, Lead Actor, and C
The sandstorms at the Western Film City felt like they were going to peel off a layer of skin, but even more intense than the sandstorms was the tense atmosphere on set, so tense it felt like a string was about to snap.
Originally, it was thought to be just a childish game of "a rich second-generation joining the crew with his own money to please his wife," but after only one morning, the hundreds of seasoned veterans in the crew who were waiting to see the joke were slapped hard by reality.
Lin Zhou is no amateur! He's clearly a tyrant on set who's become a genius!
"Lighting crew! I want that subtle, backlit effect under the setting sun, not shoving spotlights directly in the actors' faces! Are you trying to film an interrogation scene? Take away the K4 boards and replace them with diffusion paper!"
"Camera! Camera two, are you having a Parkinson's attack? Keep the pan steady! I want that breathing-like shaking, not you dancing around like a disco!"
Lin Zhou, wearing a black baseball cap and carrying a script, moved like a ghost across the set. One second he was drawing up a complex lighting diagram for the lighting director, the next he was on the camera crane, personally teaching the cinematographer with ten years of experience how to find the right composition.
Several department heads who had originally wanted to criticize this "gold digger director" were now as docile as quails.
A true expert's skill is immediately apparent. The terminology Lin Zhou used was even more professional and sophisticated than theirs.
Finally, lunchtime arrived.
The staff distributed the boxed meals that had been ordered long ago. In this remote, desolate area, the food conditions were already poor, and with the delivery truck delayed on the road, the food had long since gone cold. The cabbages glistening with white oil and the rice as hard as rocks looked utterly unappetizing.
"Is this even fit for human consumption?"
A lighting technician stuck his chopsticks into his lunchbox and grumbled under his breath.
"There's nothing we can do but bear with it. Who told us to be stuck with such a messy production crew? We'll probably have to break up after a few days of filming."
Just as the resentment was about to become heavier than the endless yellow sand, a strange fragrance suddenly drifted over on the wind.
It was the aroma of hot oil frying scallions, ginger, and garlic, and the wonderful reaction of meat juices under high temperature, which forcefully entered everyone's nostrils and instantly awakened the dormant cravings in their stomachs.
"Holy crap, it smells amazing! Who's cooking for me?"
Everyone ran over following the aroma and saw smoke rising from the makeshift kitchen shed.
Lin Zhou had already taken off his windbreaker and was only wearing a thin T-shirt, with an apron tied around his waist from who-knows-where, and a large iron pot with a diameter of half a meter in his hand.
"Sizzle—"
A large spoonful of hot oil was poured over the bright red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, creating a loud popping sound.
"Come on, everyone! Stop standing there! Throw away that cold rice!"
As Lin Zhou skillfully stirred the bright red spicy hot pot in the wok, he waved to the group of dumbfounded staff outside.
"First day of filming today, nothing special, just plenty of food!"
"Braised pork belly, twice-cooked pork, a big stew—help yourself to whatever you want!"
At this moment, all traces of the director's authority and the investor's prestige vanished.
Hundreds of people pounced on them like hungry wolves.
When the first bite of the hot, tender, and chewy braised pork entered his mouth, the lighting technician who had just been cursing almost burst into tears.
"Waaaaah... This is so delicious! I've never had such good food on set in my life!"
"Director Lin! No! God Lin! From now on, wherever you point, I'll do it! If I don't do a good job with the lighting, I'll be letting this piece of meat down!"
With just one meal, Lin Zhou won over the entire crew with his culinary skills.
The previous perfunctory atmosphere was swept away, replaced by a sense of urgency and obligation.
Filming resumed at 2 PM.
With their food and drink plentiful, the film crew worked quickly and soon set up the scene.
This is a major event – Supreme Treasure's first encounter with Fairy Zixia.
It is also the soul of the entire movie.
Su Qingge changed into a light purple gauze dress, holding the bells from the purple and green sword in her hand, and stood in front of the reeds. The wind blew her long hair and the hem of her dress, making her look as beautiful as a painting.
Everyone held their breath, anticipating the diva's performance.
"Action!"
With the crisp sound of the clapperboard, Su Qingge moved.
She slowly turned around, her eyes cool and noble, exuding an ethereal, otherworldly aura. She nodded slightly to the camera and recited that classic line:
"Gods? Monsters? Thank you."
However, Lin Zhou, behind the monitor, frowned instantly.
"Click!"
He ruthlessly interrupted the filming.
"No! The emotions are off! Qingge, Zixia is lively, with a touch of mischief and innocence, not a Guanyin Bodhisattva standing on a pedestal! You're being too aloof!"
Su Qingge was stunned for a moment.
She's a recognized acting talent, and in all her years in the industry, she's rarely been called out for a "cut" on the first take. Especially in front of so many staff members, she must have felt a little embarrassed.
"Okay, I'll adjust it."
She took a deep breath, trying to relax.
"Action!"
the second time.
Su Qingge forced a smile and lightened her pace.
"Click!"
Lin Zhou's voice was even colder than before.
"That's a fake smile! There's no light in your eyes! You're playing a mischievous deity, not a kindergarten principal on an inspection tour!"
the third time.
the fourth time.
the fifth time.
Every time, it was stopped less than ten seconds after it started.
The atmosphere on set grew increasingly tense; even the wind seemed to have died down. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, each harboring their own doubts.
Director Lin is too ruthless!
That's Queen Su! She's his wife!
If it were any other director, even if the acting was a little lacking, they would have turned a blind eye to save face for the diva. But Lin Zhou was practically nitpicking, scrutinizing every micro-expression under a microscope.
A fine layer of sweat appeared on Su Qingge's forehead, and her face grew paler and paler.
The frustration of being repeatedly rejected was like a saw, tearing at her self-esteem.
"One more time!"
She gritted her teeth, her voice trembling with a hint of grievance.
This time, she felt she had given it her all, even mimicking Lin Zhou's tone when he was directing the play.
However, just as she finished her lines and looked expectantly toward the monitor...
"Snapped!"
A loud bang startled everyone, sending shivers down their spines.
Lin Zhou suddenly slammed the script in his hand to the ground, the pages flying everywhere, glaringly bright against the yellow sand.
He stood up from behind the monitor, ripped off his hat, and strode over to Su Qingge.
That face, which was always smiling, was now as black as the bottom of a pot, and his eyes were burning with raging anger.
"Su Qingge! Are you made of wood?"
Lin Zhou pointed at her nose, his roar echoing throughout the reed marshland, making people's eardrums ache.
"I want Zixia! A madwoman who dares to defy fate for love! An elf whose eyes can break hearts!"
"Look at the role you're playing now? A refined lady? Or a dignified diva?"
"Throw away your idol image! Drop your diva-like airs!"
"I don't care how many awards you've won before. If you can't bring Zixia to life in this movie, then go back to being a decorative vase!"
"Start over!"