"How are we doing with preparations? Have all the equipment been checked?" Chen Tianming shouted into his megaphone.
"Checked and no issues," Yang Huanyang gave an okay gesture. "Director, are we really not using stunt doubles this time?"
Chen Tianming paused for a moment, then shook his head. "No need. These moves are quite simple. And I just saw that Miao Miao and Fang Yan Huan are doing quite well. No need for doubles."
"Understood, Director Chen."
As the two spoke, Fang Miao Miao and Fang Yan Huan, their makeup and costumes done, walked over.
"You two, get on the wires," Chen Tianming said, gesturing for the crew to help them with the rigging. "If there are any problems, let us know. These scenes are crucial. We can take our time. The most important thing is quality and your safety."
"Understood, Director Chen. Don't worry."
Fang Miao Miao simply nodded.
"Good. Now, unauthorized personnel, clear the set," Chen Tianming said, hurrying towards the monitor.
"Scene ten, action."
As Chen Tianming's voice faded, Fang Miao Miao and Fang Yan Huan got into character.
"Fang Yan Huan is doing well this time, not falling behind. Good, good."
"Hmph, I told you, the previous takes weren't Yan Huan's normal level. Look at my Yan Huan when she's serious, so good. Ahhh, I really want to post the footage I recorded in the group chat for my sisters to fawn over. My Yan Huan is so beautiful."
"Are you crazy? We all signed confidentiality agreements. If you leak videos or photos, aren't you afraid the director will come after you?"
"Cut! Cut!" Chen Tianming's head popped out from behind the monitor.
Fang Yan Huan stopped her actions and looked at Chen Tianming in confusion. "Director Chen, was there a problem with me?"
"You cut in on the dialogue. Didn't you know?"
Fang Yan Huan paused. "Did I? Director, I thought those two lines should be spoken consecutively. If Chen Yao had time to speak, wouldn't that make me seem afraid of Chen Yao?"
Chen Tianming frowned, thinking about the first scene of the day. He patiently explained, "Not cutting in on her lines proves that Ruo Lan isn't afraid of Chen Yao. Those are two completely different things."
"Ruo Lan is completely unafraid of Chen Yao. In her eyes, Chen Yao is a villain who is bound to die. If you cut in, it makes it seem like Ruo Lan is afraid of Chen Yao, afraid of Chen Yao becoming stronger, and that's why she's so eager to have Chen Yao die by her hand. Do you understand?"
Fang Yan Huan lowered her head, chastened. "I'm sorry. I thought I had a good idea. After all, Director Chen, didn't you say we should immerse ourselves in the characters and the plot? After I immersed myself, this is how it felt."
Chen Tianming: "..."
So, does this mean she's not going to change? Was everything he just said a waste of breath?
"Then what do you want?"
"I actually feel the dialogue here is a bit unreasonable. Chen Yao is already at her last gasp, and Ruo Lan hates Chen Yao. Why shouldn't she gloat?" Fang Yan Huan argued with Chen Tianming. "I actually think Fang Miao Miao shouldn't have any lines in this scene."
Chen Tianming: What kind of character was she trying to turn his female lead into?
"Director Chen, I think Yan Huan is right," Wen Wenlan said, walking over. "It's not necessarily bad for Yan Huan to make this change. It can make Ruo Lan's emotions more intense."
"Miao Miao, what do you think?"
Fang Miao Miao smiled and nodded. "Sure, less dialogue. That sounds great."
Chen Tianming looked at Fang Miao Miao with a sense of disappointment, as if she were not living up to her potential. Then, he waved his hand dismissively. "Fine. Since you've all decided, I won't say anything else. Let's start shooting."
With Chen Tianming's command.
Fang Yan Huan quickly got into character, pointing her Tang sword at Chen Yao, who lay on the ground. "You, how did you become like this?"
Chen Yao remained silent, a smirk playing on her lips as she looked at Ruo Lan with a half-smile, then glanced up at the sky.
"Why did you kill so many people? I knew you were bloodthirsty before, and I even thought about guiding you onto the right path. I didn't expect you to kill him too."
Chen Tianming watched the footage on the monitor, his brow furrowed so deeply it could trap flies. "She can't even steal a scene properly. I'm truly impressed."
"Director Chen," Yang Huanyang offered a wry smile. "You've done your best."
"Move the camera to focus more on Fang Miao Miao," Chen Tianming sneered. "After all that dialogue, she's still not as good as someone who didn't say a word. Greed knows no bounds."
Yang Huanyang made a gesture, signaling the camera operator to adjust.
Wen Wenlan, being an old hand in the acting industry, understood immediately and was displeased.
"What are you going to do?" Cui Mantong stopped Wen Wenlan.
"What's it to you?"
"If you're going to complain about the camera, I advise you not to," Cui Mantong met Wen Wenlan's gaze fearlessly. "Anyone with eyes can see who the winner of this scene is."
Only that fool Fang Yan Huan, reciting a long passage of fabricated dialogue all by herself, and still not performing as well as Miao Miao, who said nothing.
"Yan Huan is just unfamiliar with the role."
Cui Mantong rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Honestly, do you believe what you're saying? Fang Yan Huan has starred in several TV series as the female lead. She even has one called 'Hua Jin' in hand. And look at Miao Miao, her progress is obvious."
"Wen Wenlan, I won't say anything about you protecting your Fang Yan Huan, but that doesn't mean you can walk all over Miao Miao."
"I don't intend to target Fang Miao Miao," Wen Wenlan said unhappily, her brow furrowed. "We're family now."
"Then shut up," Cui Mantong said impatiently. "Watch carefully, learn from it, and observe Miao Miao's acting. Even if it doesn't significantly improve your acting, it will definitely be beneficial."
Wen Wenlan opened her mouth, but in the end, she stood frozen, watching Fang Yan Huan stiffly finish her "solo performance."
As Ruo Lan swung her sword down, and Chen Yao rolled on the ground a few times, Chen Tianming finally raised his megaphone.
"Cut. This scene is over."
Fang Yan Huan, seeing that she had done it in one take, nodded with satisfaction. She knew it; she was very talented at acting. She had only practiced for a few days and already impressed everyone.
She wondered if she would win an acting award later. Alas, this film was a bit niche, so winning an award was still uncertain. She would have to look for films that were easier to win awards for later, otherwise, her acting talent would be wasted.
"Miao Miao, let's do a few more takes of your rolling scene."
Fang Miao Miao nodded, returned to her starting position on the ground, and began to roll.
Again and again.
She watched as the surrounding crew members, initially impatient, became mesmerized, their eyes fixed on her small figure tumbling in the desert.
Until her arms were red from the searing hot yellow sand.
"Thank you for your hard work. This scene is finished."
The staff members quickly stepped forward to help Fang Miao Miao up.