China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 929 On-location Filming [Two-in-One]

Once you get into work mode, time flies by. From the moment I open my eyes in the morning until I go to bed at night, there are always endless things to do.

Filming schedule, storyboard and pacing revisions, actors' scripts, and so on—Sun Yi was working non-stop every day for a week. It wasn't until the indoor scenes for "Superman" were finished and preparations were underway for a group move to another location that he remembered…
It seems that apart from their daily bedtime phone calls, he hasn't seen his wife for a week.

I wonder how her preparations are going.

The next stage will be the filming of the action scenes for the movie. Originally, this part was planned to be filmed back in China using the special effects studio under the stars, in order to reduce the production cost of the film.

But as expected, an unexpected event still occurred.

Because the action scenes in the movie involve the old US military, such as requiring a large number of war machines, including various helicopters, tanks, and even the US military's active-duty F-22.

Americans are quite enthusiastic about showcasing the military's strength in movies, even if it's not shown as strength but rather being soundly defeated, it's no problem. Just pay more.

But when it came to Sun Yi, a problem arose; even adding money didn't help.

Since all the military equipment in the film are active-duty models of the US military, even though the operators are all hired from the active-duty US military, the US military still does not allow the special effects to be captured abroad. In other words, Sun Yi, as a Chinese director, can make the film, but the specific special effects capture and compositing must be done in the United States.

Generally speaking, modern special effects movies are divided into two shooting modes. One is simulation special effects, which, as the name suggests, involves compositing the entire shot on special effects software. The entire movie can be created in an office, such as Pixar's animated films, which are all shot in this mode.

Another type is live-action special effects, which means that the film is actually shot on location, and then special effects are composited using motion capture or scanning equipment, and finally the complete movie footage is created and presented to the audience.

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. In terms of realism, it goes without saying that panoramic effects are superior, since they are based on real filming.

However, when it comes to cost and time, it's hard to say; each case needs to be analyzed individually.

Because it involves actors' salaries and the expenses of the entire production crew, it's not necessarily true which is more expensive. For a large production like "Superman" with several hundred permanent staff, the production costs of the two shooting models are probably not that different.

Therefore, Sun Yi naturally chose to shoot on location for a more realistic effect and then use post-production special effects. However, he did not expect that the US military would be so stingy that they would not even allow the special effects to be taken abroad.

There was no other way but to film on location in the US, add special effects, and then send the rendering work back to Starry Sky Digital.

Fortunately, the digital field is located in the United States and can fully undertake the task of special effects compositing. Sun Yi is simply using one hand to take the other, changing the form.

Even so, he still felt that Americans were quite... or as they say in Northeastern dialect, stingy.

It's just an F-22, what's so special about it? Like it's some amazing thing. Wait two years, I'll go and film the J-20!

San Diego, California, is also translated as San Diego; call it whatever you like.

The film crew chose a small town 60 kilometers from the city center as the location for the actual shooting. There was a Warner Bros. outdoor shooting center there, which was perfect for the action scenes in the film.

"Final checks by all departments! Wire harness team, confirm load-bearing capacity and trajectory! Motion capture points, double-check the adhesion! Actors, how's it going, OK?"

Sun Yi held the walkie-talkie, his voice steady, but his sharp gaze swept across the film set.

Today marks one of the most crucial action scenes in "Man of Steel"—the first head-on clash between Superman Clark and Kryptonian Commander Fiora on the streets of a small town.

The role of Fiola, the exceptionally powerful and ruthless commander, is played by his newlywed wife, Liu Yifei.

Henry Cavill, who plays Superman, nodded solemnly.

Liu Yifei raised her hand excitedly, "I'm fine, director!" Her voice was filled with eagerness.

No wonder, since filming "Edge of Tomorrow," she has been away from the camera for almost half a year due to promotions, the film's release, her wedding, the Lunar New Year, and her honeymoon.

Although she hasn't reached the point of being obsessed with acting, she is still very passionate about it.

Especially since it's her favorite action movie, she's been eagerly anticipating it.

Seeing his wife in this state, Sun Yi was somewhat worried, and his brows furrowed slightly.

As a director, he needs the actors to maintain a state of excitement so that they can express what he requires.

But everything has its limits. Getting too excited isn't good either, especially during action scenes where injuries are most likely to occur.

Sun Yi initially intended to maintain his composure as a director, but after a moment's hesitation, he couldn't overcome his inner turmoil, took off his headphones, and walked over.

This is my wife. If she gets hurt or injured, I'll be the one who feels the pain.

All the staff on set, except those who were busy with their own work, turned their attention to Sun Yi.

Filming has been officially underway for a month, and the people at Starry Sky Entertainment, needless to say, seem to be self-promoting. However, the Warner Bros. staff have visibly shifted their relationship with Sun Yi from a purely professional one to one of genuine respect.

The reason is simple: his skill. Whether it's storyboard design, scene arrangement, or even minor issues with lighting and cinematography, Sun Yi can pinpoint them accurately.

Once or twice was fine, but after nearly a month, the Warner staff had completely given up on Sun Yi. Whenever they were on set, they were always watching Sun Yi and waiting for the director's orders.

Sun Yi noticed everyone's gaze, but he had already walked past, and he couldn't just turn back without doing anything.

He first stood in front of Henry and checked him over from head to toe again, asking, "How's it going? Everything's alright?"

Cavill was stunned. He had never seen the director care about him so much before. The staff had checked it three times, but the director still had to check it himself!
He replied excitedly, "No problem, thank you, director!"

Sun Yi nodded calmly, as if it were a rational business transaction, before turning to Liu Yifei.

As a wife, how could Liu Yifei not understand her husband?

This whole thing is clearly an attempt to show concern for oneself, but with so many people around, one feels embarrassed and chooses a roundabout way to achieve their goal.

My husband is such a jerk, so obsessed with saving face!
Liu Yifei pursed her lips, suppressing a laugh. Sun Yi also felt a little awkward, as if he had been caught having an affair. After a slight adjustment, he returned the girl's gaze with a serious look, completely silencing her laughter.

At the scene, Liu Yifei wore a Kryptonian dark-themed armor that clung to her skin, the contoured design perfectly outlining her slender yet powerful figure.

Her originally smooth, long hair was tightly tied back, and her pretty face was adorned with a cold, aloof makeup. Sensor patches on her forehead and temples, used for post-production special effects, did not diminish her beauty; instead, they added a strange, futuristic, warrior-like technological feel. These patches were for use with the helmet that would be added later.

Several wire technicians who had followed her were carefully conducting a final check behind her. Three slender yet sturdy steel cables, one main and two auxiliary, were connected to her specially made vest.

According to the design, Liu Yifei's armor was supposed to have a cape, but she couldn't wear it during filming. The same goes for "Superman" Cavill; he only had a Superman suit with his underwear on the outside, without a cape.

All the capes need to be added in post-production special effects.

It's not that the production team was short of money and didn't provide capes for the two actors; rather, capes are uncontrollable, especially during high-speed wire work. If they cover the actor's face, that's one thing—we can just reshoot the scene. The biggest concern is that the cape might get caught in the steel cables and slings during high-speed movement, causing a safety accident. Therefore, actors don't wear capes during these kinds of special effects shoots.

Back to the set.

Ignoring the fact that the wire technicians were starting to smile slightly, Sun Yi personally adjusted the connecting buckle at the back of her neck, then patted his own neck and asked softly, "How are you? Do you feel any problems? Is anything uncomfortable?"

Liu Yifei pursed her lips, thoroughly enjoying Sun Yi's concern at this moment. During work hours, she felt a thrill of having an office affair.

Of course, she must have known that Sun Yi was worried about her cervical spine.

Liu Yifei turned her head back and forth in front of Sun Yi, making several large movements, and then looked at Sun Yi with a "Honey! No problem, awesome!" expression.

"Okay." Sun Yi nodded, and added with some concern, "Be careful, that flying side kick later will be very fast, and the centrifugal force will be considerable."

Liu Yifei raised her eyes, her beautiful eyes still filled with excitement, but her overall state had calmed down considerably thanks to Sun Yi. She nodded emphatically, "Don't worry, I've practiced all the moves many times, nothing will happen."

After saying that, she seemed unable to resist, deliberately leaning slightly towards her husband, a smirk playing on her lips, her voice low and carrying a unique touch of coquettishness, "But you're here downstairs watching over us, so everything will be fine!"

again!

Who understands? She's dressed in a dark style, yet she's making such an innocent and adorable face!
Sun Yi couldn't hold back any longer and could only cough quickly. "It's good that you're okay. Remember the technique for generating power: tighten your core and keep your leg muscles taut. Imagine yourself as a bullet being fired. It's about power and speed, not elegance."

"Understood, Director!" Liu Yifei winked playfully, then quickly adjusted herself. In front of Sun Yi, she got into character in no time, her eyes turning cold and ruthless, as if she were truly the Kryptonian elite warrior who viewed Earthlings as ants.

OK!
Sun Yi returned to the director's monitoring booth, put his headset back on, and checked each group one last time.

The shooting officially started.

"Action!"

As soon as the clapperboard sounded, the script supervisor quickly left.

The wire technician gestured a countdown towards the two actors on camera, indicating that the stunt motor was about to start and that they should prepare their bodies.

321!

"Shh!"

As the wire harness motor started, Liu Yifei's body was instantly pulled by a tremendous force, flying horizontally at a speed beyond human comprehension, and crashing violently into a "wall" made of lightweight foam material!
"Bang!" "Timber," "bricks," debris flew everywhere.

The second unit inside the room immediately followed, showing a close-up of her landing.

Liu Yifei's movements were clean and swift. The moment she landed, she used her waist and abdomen to generate power, barely swaying. She then pushed herself up with her back hand and performed an incredibly fast tactical roll to her feet, her eyes scanning the "battlefield" ahead warily.

This series of movements possesses both superhuman strength and the fluidity and precision of a top-tier warrior.

"Cut! Great! Wire crew, get ready for the next shot. Yifei, keep it up!" Sun Yi's voice came through the loudspeaker, full of approval.

Liu Yifei took a slight breath, pursed her lips excitedly, and nodded in Sun Yi's direction.

The next scene is about to begin.

As "Superman" appeared on screen, Liu Yifei narrowed her eyes slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled up very subtly, with a hint of amusement. As the wire motor was activated again, she charged towards "Superman" like a cannonball.

Cavill was pulled sideways by the wire, but unexpectedly, Liu Yifei made a change of direction in mid-air that defied the laws of physics, performing a 180-degree side kick that landed heavily on his chest.

Cavill planted his feet firmly on the ground, and the wire carried him backward at high speed, as if to dissipate the force, sliding for dozens of meters before slowly coming to a stop.

"Cut! Very good!" Sun Yi watched it again on the monitor and gave his approval.

The following shots are even more complex, depicting Fiora using supersonic movement and hand-to-hand combat skills to take down multiple "US soldiers" in succession. This required a seamless integration of wire work, motion capture, and live-action filming.

Moreover, the cooperation among the actors was extremely high. Apart from the extras playing "US soldiers," Liu Yifei was the most exhausted.

She was suspended high in the air, performing various gravity-defying maneuvers: instantaneous high-speed sprints, sudden stops, high-altitude changes of direction, and fierce flying kicks.
Steel cables whizzed around her as workers nervously operated the machines, controlling her movement.

Her movements in the air were sometimes like an arrow released from a bow, sometimes like a light swift, and there was even a sense of teleportation, which perfectly showcased the superpowers and fighting aesthetics of the Kryptonian commander.

In the original work, this scene consisted of three people: Fiora, played by Liu Yifei, and a Kryptonian "big guy" warrior. The two of them beat up Superman together. Sun Yi changed the script and made his wife play the entire scene, taking on the main role.

The effect will definitely highlight my wife, but it's also really hard work.

To complete the filming better and faster, Sun Yi kept a close eye on the monitor the whole time, not missing a single detail.

"Unit Two, zoom in! Capture a close-up of her face! Yes, that's the feeling of disdain and indifference!"

"Wire B Group, increase the speed by another 20%! I want the ultimate sense of speed!"

"Motion capture cameras, keep up! Make sure all markers are clear!"

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(End of this chapter)