coobybook Chapter 125 is being filmed.
Chapter 125 is being filmed.
The filming period for a movie usually takes several months.
If it's a low-budget campus art film, it may only need to be filmed in a limited number of scenes, and the actors are mostly newcomers or non-professionals. The personnel scheduling is relatively simple, and the filming cycle can often be completed in just a few weeks, or even less.
However, the difficulty of filming a big-budget film like "Asking the Immortals" is on a completely different level.
With a large cast, complex set construction, and a large demand for special effects, plus Bai Li's insistence on perfection, the filming period was significantly extended.
The weather is already starting to get cooler, and filming is only halfway done. Optimistically speaking, if everything goes smoothly, it is expected to be released during next year's summer season.
Bai Li wasn't in a hurry. Unlike other teams that were forced to shorten the filming schedule due to the pressure of recouping their investment, she, as the largest investor, had ample financial support and didn't need to worry about cost recovery. She could completely allow the filming team to proceed step by step and steadily.
In such a relaxed creative environment, the director's creative enthusiasm soared, and he was able to film more and more freely, fully displaying his talent.
Every time Bai Li went to the filming location, she would see that renowned director, who was highly respected in the industry and had won numerous special awards, passionately shouting at the top of his lungs, "Bravo!"
It seems like she's experiencing a second spring...
It must be said that this well-known director in the industry, carefully introduced by Longtao Entertainment, truly possesses extraordinary artistic talent. The images created by his lens are breathtakingly beautiful.
It is not a superficial, ordinary beauty, but a beauty deeply rooted in Chinese culture, full of Chinese aesthetic charm, a kind of art treasure that is like a carefully captured moment.
To capture that scene, the crew spent dozens of days waiting at the foot of the snow-capped mountain in Y City.
Waiting for clear skies, waiting for the mountain breeze, waiting for nature's bounty atop the snow-capped mountains.
Finally, at the break of dawn, Lady Luck smiled upon them.
When the first rays of golden sunlight pierced through the thin clouds and gently fell upon the snow-capped mountains, the whole world seemed to be illuminated.
Against a backdrop of golden mountains, sunlight filters through thin clouds, illuminating the glazed tiles of ancient buildings and refracting a dazzling light, creating a dreamlike and breathtakingly beautiful scene.
A group of young people, wielding swords, stood tall and agile, dressed in flowing robes that fluttered in the wind, like immortals descending from ancient mythology, exuding an otherworldly aura.
Beneath the golden peaks, they rode their gleaming swords like nimble birds, weaving through the clouds. The figures and the landscape blended perfectly, creating a breathtaking and magnificent panorama.
Only the big screen can fully capture the grandeur and magnificence of this magnificent scene.
When Bai Li received the master tape of this film, even without any special effects or post-production polishing, she was already deeply shocked by the raw footage alone.
The landscapes of China and the sons of China appear in the same picture, as if they possess a power that strikes straight to the heart.
It's even harder to imagine how dazzling this work will be after the post-production team's work.
This director's control over details is also exceptional, especially his passion for capturing subtle facial expressions and body movements, as if he wants to show the audience the inner world of the characters without reservation through the lens, reaching an almost demanding level.
Chu Xianxian's clear eyes became the director's darling.
As the young protagonist, Chu Xianxian's eyes need to convey unwavering faith, aspirations for the future, and fearlessness in the face of difficulties.
However, being a non-professional actor, he initially struggled greatly when faced with such demanding performance requirements that required close-up shots.
In every shoot, he tried his best to understand the character's inner world and find the right expression in his eyes, but he always fell short of it.
To help Chu Xianxian break through his acting bottleneck, the director launched a 49-day intensive training program, providing meticulous guidance to Chu Xianxian on everything from focusing his eyes and expressing emotions to every subtle change in his facial muscles.
Bai Li once witnessed the director "instructing" Chu Xianxian on set and was greatly surprised.
It's called "guidance," but it's actually more like...
--"curse roundly".
The director genuinely cared about Chu Xianxian, but he also genuinely scolded him.
Even Bai Li thought it was too strict, fearing that Chu Xianxian wouldn't be able to handle it.
But Chu Xianxian persevered.
He humbly accepted all the teachings and practiced repeatedly. Often during breaks in filming, he would stand alone in front of the mirror, adjusting his eyes and expressions over and over again.
Moreover, to Bai Li's surprise, Chu Xianxian and the director had a good relationship.
One second Chu Xianxian was being scolded mercilessly, the next second he was squatting next to the director eating a boxed lunch, chatting and laughing, and even laughing when he was kicked.
Bai Li breathed a sigh of relief and remarked, "Luckily, Chu Xianxian is an optimist..."
After countless refinements and honing, Chu Xianxian successfully mastered the charm that unconsciously emanated from his eyes.
The boy transformed overnight; his eyes, filled with unwavering conviction, were naturally captivating.
Bai Li heard that now, after filming, Niu Kulu Shi Wei Xian Xian occasionally gets praised by the director.
But the person who surprised the director the most during filming was Zhang Yu.
Initially, when the director heard that Zhang Yu was going to play the complex role of Ye Shang, although he knew that Zhang Yu had shown good acting skills in his previous works, the multifaceted nature of Ye Shang and the high level of emotional complexity in "Asking Immortals" still made the director have doubts.
After all, Zhang Yu was just a newcomer, and he found it hard to believe that a newcomer could portray Ye Shang, a character who was both cold and warm, ambitious and struggling internally.
Such a role is a huge challenge even for veteran actors, let alone for a newcomer.
However, he soon realized that Zhang Yu was no ordinary newcomer.
The director was already impressed with Zhang Yu from the very first scene.
Perhaps to test Zhang Yu's skills, the first scene was a challenging solo performance for him.
This is Ye Shang's internal struggle between the pinnacle of power and the bottom line of morality.
This scene doesn't involve intense fighting; it relies entirely on the actors' facial expressions and delivery of lines.
In the cramped and confined room, the dim, yellowish light flickered, as if it might go out at any moment.
Ye Shang sat alone at the antique table, with a confidential document concerning the life and death of countless people spread out in front of him. The paper was yellowed, as if it carried a heavy history and responsibility.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, producing a dull, rhythmic sound that made one's heart tighten with each tap.
Ye Shang frowned slightly, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly. The camera slowly zoomed in, focusing on his eyebrows and eyes. The struggle and entanglement in his eyes were clearly visible, as if you could see two voices clashing fiercely deep inside him.
In his long monologue lasting several minutes, Zhang Yu seemed to merge with Ye Shang, conveying his emotions through subtle changes in expression and nuanced delivery of lines.
The author vividly portrays Ye Shang's inner conflicts, capturing the essence of the character perfectly. Every glance and every breath seems to carry Ye Shang's soul, vividly depicting the difficult choice between the temptation of power and moral conscience.
The director stared intently at the monitor, his eyes wide with surprise and admiration. He couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "Cut! That's the feeling!"
Originally, it was thought that Zhang Yu's outstanding performance in one scene was just a coincidence and an accident. Unexpectedly, he had just gotten into the zone. In the subsequent filming, his performance became more and more brilliant. Every scene in the later part of the filming made the director feel excited and thrilled.
It's been a long time since I've seen an actor with the potential to be a Best Actor.
Unlike Chu Xianxian's still somewhat immature acting skills, Zhang Yu's acting skills have developed into a unique style and reached a level of consummate skill. His precise grasp and delicate portrayal of the character have reached a height that many veteran actors who have been in the entertainment industry for many years can only dream of.
Therefore, the director often praised Bai Li highly when she visited the set, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Where did Mr. Bai find such a treasure?
Bai Li was well aware of Zhang Yu's abilities, so she wasn't surprised by the director's praise. She was filled with anticipation for what amazing future her sharpest "sharp blade" would have.