Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 670 Tom Cruise's Dedication
The filming of Mission: Impossible 4 has begun, and the number of filming locations has set a record for Zhang Chen in his film career, with a total of six locations: Los Angeles, USA; Moscow, Russia; Dubai, UAE; Vancouver, Canada; Prague, Czech Republic; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After filming in Los Angeles for a few days, the crew headed to Moscow.

The story of "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" begins in a Moscow prison. Since the film was shot in a concentrated manner, with shots taken at the same location, Zhang Chen chose to start from Moscow.

The prison break scene was filmed in a real prison, but that was all.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol has three major scenes: the explosion in Moscow's Red Square, climbing the Burj Khalifa, and dragging a safe through the streets of Rio.

The latter two can be filmed on location, but the Moscow Red Square explosion is impossible.

Red Square is a place that the film crew couldn't possibly allow to mess around with. So, for this part, special effects had to be used.

However, pure special effects are not realistic enough to be convincing, so Zhang Chen chose a combination of real-life scenes and special effects, which is also the most popular approach in Hollywood at present.

The entire explosion scene will be filmed at the Canadian Film Park in Vancouver.

The Canadian Film Park is a film shooting base similar to Hengdian World Studios. The special effects team rented six studios there two months before the film crew and began building the set for this scene. This is a rare large-scale set construction in the history of film production.

Upon the arrival of the film crew, Zhang Chen met with Adeline immediately.

The visual effects supervisor for this film is still Edland. The two have been working together for a long time, and Edland is better able to understand the requirements put forward by Zhang Chen.

Adeline led Zhang Chen and the main cast on a tour of the soundstage, explaining, "The scenes shot here at the Kremlin are basically all recreated at a 1:1 scale."

He then led everyone to another film studio, where he explained the model set: "This is used to film the explosion scene in Red Square. The models are all made to a 1:100 scale. The art team conducted precise research and replication of the architectural details of the Kremlin, including iconic onion-domed churches, city walls, and towers."

To create a realistic sense of space, the model team meticulously designed the perspective and proportions of the scene, using various cinematic techniques to enhance the sense of depth and scale. The lighting team simulated the natural lighting effects of Moscow, including the angle and intensity of sunlight at different times of day, making the scene even more realistic…

Can you guarantee success on the first try?

"No problem, we've considered every detail. The debris and smoke generated during the explosion have been precisely calculated."

Starting from the second day, Zhang Chen, the main creative team, the special effects team, and the explosion team held constant meetings to refine every detail and strive for a perfect take.

For the first few days, they filmed some ordinary scenes. After the team had worked together more and more, they finally started filming the explosion scenes.

Filming scenes like the Red Square explosion is very complicated. Long shots require models to capture the physical effects of the explosion, which are then enhanced with CG effects in post-production to achieve a realistic effect.

Close-up shots require the construction of a 1:1 scale real set, with actors performing themselves, and then enhanced with post-production special effects.

An explosion scene can take up to a month just for the initial setup. If the filming goes smoothly and it's done in one take, that's fine. But if there are mistakes and it needs to be reshot, then the corresponding model has to be rebuilt, which wastes a lot of time.

In Studio 8, a miniature model of Red Square, replicated at a 1:100 scale, stands quietly in the center of a huge sand table. The onion domes of the Kremlin, the brick texture of the city walls, and even the miniature benches in the square are all exquisitely detailed.

Zhang Chen stood beside the model, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the members of various departments surrounding him: "There is only one chance to detonate the model. All departments, please confirm your status."

"The photography crew is ready!"

The director of photography's voice came through the walkie-talkie, and three high-speed cameras were pointed at the tower, the city wall, and the center of the square, respectively, with the frame rate set to 240 frames per second.

The lens was already firmly mounted on the special track, and the lens cap gleamed with a cold light.

"The props team has confirmed that the miniature explosives have been buried at the designated locations, the fuses have been connected in series, and the smoke generator's synchronous triggering device has been successfully tested."

The props team leader squatted down beside the model, giving a final check of the small components hidden in the cracks of the city wall, before standing up and dusting off his hands.

Zhang Chen glanced at his watch and gave a deep order into the walkie-talkie: "Attention all departments, 10-second countdown—10, 9, 8..."

The room fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the exquisite miniature model.

"3, 2, 1, detonate!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a soft "bang" was heard, and the Kremlin tower on the model burst into flames first, followed by a section of the city wall that "collapsed" with a roar. Small brick fragments flew everywhere, and white smoke quickly filled the air above the model, perfectly simulating the layered effect of an explosion.

High-speed cameras capture every detail:
The tilting trajectory of the onion dome, the patterns of the spreading smoke and dust, and even the fallen postures of the miniature "crowds".

The entire process took no more than 5 seconds, yet it was displayed clearly on the monitor as if in slow motion.

"Stop! Rewind!"

Zhang Chen strode to the monitor and pressed the replay button.

In the footage, the rhythm of the explosion, the density of the smoke, and the distribution of the debris were all just right, perfectly matching his expected visual effect.

He couldn't help but give Edland a high five and exclaimed, "Great! One take!"

The director of photography smiled and leaned closer: "This model is highly precise, the explosive points are calculated accurately, it's hard to make a mistake."

The props team leader also breathed a sigh of relief: "Thanks to the repeated simulations in the early stages, we practiced the detonation simulation no less than 20 times."

Looking at the perfect explosion scene on the monitor, Zhang Chen wrote in his notebook: "Model explosion scene OK, waiting for post-production compositing with the actors' live-action footage."

A burst of light applause rang out in the studio, both a celebration of the successful filming and an affirmation of the special effects team's professionalism.

The successful filming of each explosion scene is inseparable from the joint efforts of the special effects artists, engineers, physicists and architectural experts in the team.

The next day, a close-up explosion scene was filmed in Studio 6, not far from Studio 8.

The green screen was erected high, and the wire equipment crisscrossed in the air. The props team was busy adjusting the safety ropes for the last set of explosive devices.

Zhang Chen paced back and forth in front of the monitor with the script in his hand, then looked at Tom Cruise, who was warming up not far away, with a slight frown: "Tom, let's use a green screen for this explosion scene. You stand at the marked point, and the wire team will pull you along the trajectory of the shock wave. We'll then add smoke and debris effects in post-production, and the audience won't be able to tell the difference at all."

Tom Cruise stopped filming, walked over to Zhang Chen, and pointed to the explosion scene in the script: "Zhang, green screen can't capture real reactions. Think about it, when an explosion actually happens, the pupils contract, the breath stops, the body instinctively tenses up—these details can't be achieved with special effects."

He paused, then his tone became firm, “I need real explosive devices to feel the impact and heat up close. Only then can the emotions in the footage be alive.”

Zhang Chenmeng disagreed: "But that's too dangerous! Last time, the film crew next door only had a small-scale pyrotechnic effect, and someone got their hair singed by sparks."

This time it's a real explosive device. Even if the shockwave is off by 0.1 seconds, or the traction rhythm of the wire doesn't keep up, you could lose your balance and fall over!
We have safer motion capture technology; the post-production synthesized shockwaves can even calculate the precise arc of clothing movement, so there's no need to take the risk.

Tom Cruise shook his head, squatted down to pick up a piece of prop from the ground, and said with a serious expression: "Motion capture can accurately calculate the arc, but it can't accurately calculate a person's physiological reaction in the moment of life and death."

Do you remember the scene where I jumped off a building? It was precisely because I was standing on a real high platform, feeling my legs go weak and feeling the chill of the wind blowing into my collar, that the fear in the scene was so convincing.

This time was no different. Only when the heatwave actually hit my face and my ears were filled with a deafening roar could I make my most instinctive reaction—not a 'performed' stumble, but a genuine force that pushed my body backward.

He stood up, patted Zhang Chen on the shoulder, and said, "Trust me, the stunt team has already conducted five sets of simulation tests. The load-bearing capacity and cushioning devices of the wires have been doubled. I will maintain communication with the operator throughout the process."

He turned to the props team leader and said, "Adjust the dosage of the safety explosives to the minimum safe value, double the protective measures, but it must be a real explosion."

Well, stunt doubles don't really earn much money on Tom Cruise's film sets because Tom Cruise chooses to do many of the dangerous stunts himself.

Zhang Chen wanted to argue, but Tom Cruise grabbed his arm and said, "I know you're worried about your safety, but you have to believe me. In the previous films, I did all the filming myself for this level of scenes."

He pointed to the monitor: "Give me five minutes to let the props team check the protective gear one last time. We'll try one out—if it doesn't work, we'll replace the stunt double immediately. I'm not stubborn."

Zhang Chen saw the determination in Tom Cruise's eyes, and he really wanted to say that for film shooting, the lead actors really don't need to do dangerous scenes themselves.

This isn't the era of Jackie Chan anymore; actors no longer need to risk their lives. But Tom Cruise insists.

But Tom Cruise definitely wouldn't listen.

Successful people are generally stubborn, and stubbornness also means that they don't listen to advice.

Zhang Chen glanced at the team that was on high alert in the studio and finally nodded: "Okay, but two conditions must be met—first, the blasting point must be at least ten meters away from you, and you must wear a cooling vest under your protective suit; second, I will personally monitor the blasting controller, and I will call a halt immediately if there is any abnormality."

Tom Cruise grinned and patted his chest: "Deal."

When filming actually began, the atmosphere on set was extremely tense. Tom Cruise was already strapped in with invisible wires, and the stunt team members stood by, holding their breath and waiting.

As soon as the command "start" was given, an explosion rang out, and thick smoke instantly filled the air. The wire operator precisely coordinated with the force of the shockwave and gently pulled the rope.

Zhang Chen stared intently at the monitor, and could even feel a distinct shockwave rushing towards him from outside the lens. His heart instantly jumped into his throat.

Tom Cruise staggered a few steps as the explosion's aftershocks were pulled along by the wires. His body instinctively curled up slightly before quickly straightening up, but his face showed no panic. Instead, he precisely portrayed the shock and determination that the character should have. Every physical movement was perfectly integrated with the wires' pull, without any sense of incongruity.

"Ka! Perfect!"

Zhang Chen was the first to react, shouting excitedly and then leading the applause.

Thunderous applause erupted instantly. Staff members put down their equipment and clapped enthusiastically, while others whistled.

Tom Cruise unfastened his harness, wiped the dust off his face, and walked towards the group with a smile.

The props team leader quickly stepped forward and handed over a towel, exclaiming, "Tom's dedication is truly admirable! He had to cooperate with the wire work while also withstanding the impact of a real explosion. Anyone else would have given up long ago!"

Zhang Chen patted Tom Cruise's arm and said sincerely, "You win. This shot is even better than I imagined. The realism that comes from the bone is something that green screens can never capture."

The applause around them grew louder and louder.

The scenes in Moscow were filmed over 15 days, after which the crew moved to Dubai.

As the Emirates flight slowly landed at Dubai International Airport, the desert sunrise outside the window was painting the sky a golden orange.

Zhang Chen straightened his suit jacket and led the core members of the Mission: Impossible 4 crew down the gangway. To everyone's surprise, a welcoming team of white Mercedes-Benz cars was already waiting on the tarmac, and standing at the front of the team, dressed in a traditional white Arab robe and with a hearty smile, was Prince Rashid.

"My old friend!"

Prince Rashid strode forward and embraced Zhang Chen in broken Chinese, saying, "We've finally been waiting for you!"

His attendants quickly stepped forward to take the crew's luggage, while the prince patted Zhang Chen on the shoulder warmly.

Zhang Chen also hugged him, saying, "Your Highness, how is your injury? Oh, that's not what I wanted to ask, but rather your fans in China asked me to inquire..."

Rashid was injured during a game segment on the last episode of "Running Man" but insisted on not quitting, which was praised by netizens and earned him a group of Chinese fans.

During the filming of "Mission: Impossible 4", Zhang Chen would post two updates every now and then. When he learned that the crew was going to move to Dubai, some fans immediately thought of Rashid.

Rashid was delighted to hear that he had Chinese fans: "My Chinese friends are so enthusiastic!"

He laughed and spun around on the spot, "I'm fully recovered! Thanks to the Chinese miracle doctor you arranged back then, my life is completely unaffected now!"

The two looked at each other and smiled; their recent trip to China was a cherished memory for both of them.

That evening, Prince Rashid hosted a grand welcome dinner for the film crew at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

The banquet hall was brightly lit, with crystal chandeliers reflecting dazzling light. Dubai's elite, dressed in gorgeous attire, gathered together—including members of the royal family, high-ranking government officials, business tycoons, and representatives from the cultural world.

When Prince Rashid led Zhang Chen onto the main stage, the entire audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

"Today, I want to introduce my best friend to everyone, Zhang Chen, a famous director from China!"

The prince raised his champagne glass and announced, "His new film, Mission: Impossible 4, will be filmed in Dubai. I hereby announce that the Dubai Royal Family will fully support the filming of this movie. We will provide top-notch support in terms of locations, security, and logistical resources!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the audience.

Down in the audience, Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie exchanged a surprised and delighted look; they hadn't expected Zhang Chen to have such extensive connections in Dubai.

It's worth noting that both of them are world-renowned superstars, but Prince Rashid's attitude towards them was merely polite. However, his attitude towards Zhang Chen was completely different; he treated him with the same warmth and sincerity as an old friend.

By the way, Angelina Jolie just flew from Los Angeles to Dubai to meet them.

She didn't have any scenes in the Moscow segment, so she joined the crew from Dubai.

After the dinner, Prince Rashid invited Zhang Chen, Tom Cruise, and Angelina Jolie to visit his private mansion.

The convoy traveled on Palm Island and arrived at a sprawling Arabic-style palace half an hour later.

Pushing open the jewel-encrusted gate, a huge fountain square comes into view, where the water changes shape in sync with Arabic music.

The interior of the mansion is even more magnificent, with precious oil paintings and Arabian carpets hanging on both sides of the corridor. A sculpture made of pure gold is placed in the center of the living room, and various antiques and works of art are displayed in the corner display cabinets.

The prince enthusiastically introduced each piece of the collection to them, from Persian porcelain to Renaissance manuscripts, as if they were his own treasures.

Tom Cruise couldn't help but whisper to Zhang Chen, "Zhang, you're really amazing! To be able to get the prince to value you so much!"

Julie nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Zhang Chen. They finally realized that the Chinese director's influence in the international film industry was already considerable.

The crew was pressed for time, and Zhang Chen only had one night reserved for social obligations.

The next morning, the crew went to the Burj Khalifa for a site inspection, accompanied by Prince Rashid.

At this time, the Burj Khalifa was completed, but it was not yet open to the public.

As the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa has extremely strict security measures, but thanks to the prince's coordination, the film crew was granted exclusive access throughout the entire process.

Zhang Chen, along with the action director, safety consultant, and photography team, inspected each floor, focusing on the exterior facade areas planned for the climbing scenes.

He lay on the glass curtain wall, carefully observing each anchor point that could be used to secure the safety rope, and occasionally discussed with the safety consultant: "How is the load-bearing capacity here? We must test it repeatedly to ensure Tom Cruise's safety."

Afterwards, they inspected the rooftop helipad and elevator equipment, leaving no detail overlooked. His philosophy was that action scenes could pursue excitement, but safety was always the top priority, and every step had to be foolproof.

With all external conditions met, Tom Cruise began his climbing training the following day.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai best embodies the memorable theme of "Mission Impossible," making it the highlight of the entire film.

To prepare for this highlight moment, Tom Cruise set up a climbing wall in his home long ago and trained every day.

However, the training environment is different from the real environment, and Tom Cruise must familiarize himself with the actual exterior of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Upon learning that the film crew needed some time to familiarize themselves with the situation, Prince Rashid generously agreed to set the opening date of the Burj Khalifa after the filming was completed.

Tom Cruise donned professional climbing gear and nimbly climbed upwards in a specially designated training area at the Burj Khalifa.

Despite being over fifty, he still maintains excellent physical fitness, his fingers gripping the rock points tightly, his steps steady, and every movement precise and powerful.

The group members gathered below, occasionally letting out gasps of amazement.

Zhang Chen stood in front of the monitor screen, staring intently at every detail on the screen, occasionally reminding him through the walkie-talkie: "Brother Tom, pay attention to the angle of your left hand and adjust your breathing rhythm."

When Tom Cruise successfully climbed to the top of the training wall, the crowd erupted in cheers. Zhang Chen went up to him and gave him a high five: "That was great! But tomorrow we'll increase the difficulty and simulate the wind conditions during real filming."

Meanwhile, the photography and special effects teams were also working hard.

The director of photography and his team set up various types of cameras to test the shooting effects at different focal lengths. They also prepared special image stabilization equipment to ensure the stability of the footage when shooting at high altitudes.

The visual effects supervisor, holding the design drawings, discussed with Zhang Chen how to combine live-action shooting with post-production special effects: "Director, here we can use green screen technology to overlay the city panorama to make the scene more stunning."

Zhang Chen pointed to the markings on the drawing: "This angle is good, but we need to pay attention to the connection of the lighting. The special effects must be perfectly integrated with the real scene, and the audience must not be able to see any flaws."

The entire crew was immersed in a busy yet orderly work atmosphere, with everyone preparing for the moment of official filming.

(End of this chapter)