Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 30 The film crew wraps up filming

On November 25, 2014, Yanjing was shrouded in a layer of gray clouds, and the temperature plummeted from the heat of the day to the chill of early winter.

The Huairou Film and Television Base is located in the northern mountainous area of ​​Yanjing, where the temperature is lower than in the city center, with the actual perceived temperature ranging from -4℃ to 7℃.

The crew members wrapped themselves in down jackets, scarves, and gloves, and their breath quickly dissipated in the cold air.

A cold wind swirled around the film set, carrying withered leaves, and the makeshift shed made of plastic sheeting rattled loudly in the wind.

Meng Ziyi, wrapped in a down jacket, chattered uncontrollably: "Director, could we...achoo, wait until the sun is higher?"

Jiang Ye looked up at the sky.

The pale winter sun shone on the artificial cherry blossom trees, the plastic petals glowing with cheap fluorescent powder.

He rubbed his frozen fingers: "If we wait any longer, the light will be gone. All departments, get ready!"

The script supervisor claps the clapperboard with trembling hands: "Scene 387 of 'Go Princess Go,' Action!"

The blower roared, and Meng Ziyi's long hair and clothes flew up instantly.

Ou Hao approached with deep affection as per the script, but suddenly burst out laughing: "Sorry, director, she hit me in the face with her hair..."

A burst of laughter erupted on set.

"One more take!" Jiang Ye yelled at the top of his lungs, "Turn down the blower! Meng Ziyi, close your eyes and count to three before opening them!"

The third take was finally over.

When Jiang Ye shouted "Filming wrapped," the scene was quiet for a few seconds before erupting in cheers.

The props crew threw plastic petals into the air, and the stagehands hugged each other, laughing and crying.

Jiang Ye stood in front of the monitor, looking at the group of people he had been living with day and night for almost two months.

They were wearing pilling sweaters and had dark circles under their eyes from staying up all night. This must be the most shabby film crew in China right now, yet they produced the craziest scenes.

"Quiet!" He raised the megaphone, his voice slightly hoarse. "I know you've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

The crowd gradually quieted down, and dozens of eyes were fixed on him.

Jiang Ye suddenly felt a tightness in his throat.

“These past two months…” he paused, “we used expired cosmetics, wore costumes that cost 99 yuan with free shipping on Taobao, and there was only one meat dish in our boxed lunches.”

A few scattered laughs rose from below.

“But…” Jiang Ye raised his voice, “we filmed scenes that others dared not film! The wind machines were our special effects, the plastic sheets were our sets, and your talent is real!”

He saw assistant director Zhang Ming secretly wiping his eyes, and the script supervisor biting her lip.

"For the wrap party tonight, I've booked..." Jiang Ye paused deliberately, "...the food stall at the street corner!"

"Tch~" The crowd jeered, but they all laughed.

“However!” Jiang Ye pulled a stack of crumpled papers from his pocket. “This is Tencent’s letter of intent. If the number of clicks exceeds 100 million…”

He looked around at everyone and said, "I promise that my next film will make everyone here..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, looking at the expectant faces.

"You can add two chicken drumsticks to the lunchbox!"

Amidst laughter and curses, Jiang Ye was tossed into the air by the crowd.

He gazed at the azure sky and suddenly remembered that the weather was just as beautiful on the day the filming began.

……

As night falls, steam rises from the plastic awnings of the food stalls.

Jiang Ye, holding a beer, went from table to table offering toasts.

He deliberately changed out of his director's vest and wore the same crew T-shirt as the staff.

“Old Li,” he said, sitting down at the lighting crew’s table and pouring the lighting technician a glass of baijiu, “you’ve really worked hard this time. My uncle told me you’re a veteran in lighting and could have gone to work on ‘Mojin: The Lost Legend’.” Old Li’s rough fingers rubbed the glass: “Hey, it’s all the same where you’re working.”

“It’s different,” Jiang Ye said, clinking glasses. “The soft lighting effect you created with your desk lamp has a more sophisticated feel than professional lighting setups. Once our final film is released, I’d like to invite you to give a lighting lecture at the Beijing Film Academy.”

Old Li's eyes lit up, then he shook his head: "My unorthodox methods..."

“Unorthodox methods are precious,” Jiang Ye laughed. “Didn’t Director Zhang Yimou start by developing photographs? You should consider it. I’d like to try using real-life lighting and cinematography for my next film, and I need a master like you to direct the shots.”

Moving to the makeup team's table, several girls were fighting over the last piece of fatty beef.

Jiang Ye handed the canvas bag to team leader Linda: "Linda, the budget was limited this time, and your team had the hardest time."

Linda opened her bag and found a lipstick inside, the same shade she had casually mentioned during the location shoot last month.

“I’ve already mentioned it to the producer for the next project,” Jiang Ye said in a low but clear voice, “The makeup budget will be raised to the industry standard, so you won’t have to pay for foundation out of your own pocket anymore.”

The young men in the event crew were already quite drunk.

Jiang Ye joined in, carrying a bottle of wine, and first punished himself with a drink: "This time, moving the railcar was something I didn't think through."

"Director, please don't..."

"Let me finish," Jiang Ye waved his hand, "I've already reached a long-term cooperation agreement with the equipment company."

"If everyone is willing to continue working with me, each of the stagehands in our group will be given a walkie-talkie, so we won't have to shout anymore."

Screenwriter Xia was slumped on the table, drunk.

Jiang Ye helped her sit up: "Senior, the lines you changed for the Crown Princess cursing in the street, your literary skills are really profound."

Xia smiled, still a little dazed.

“I’ve negotiated with the producer,” Jiang Ye said, helping her put away her laptop. “Your name will be listed second as screenwriter. Once the royalties come through, you’ll be the first one settled.”

Finally, he stood in front of the table and tapped the hot pot.

"Everyone, these past two months..."

The noisy food stalls gradually quieted down, with only the hot pot still bubbling away.

“I know our production team is short on funds, and some people are paying out of their own pockets to buy materials.”

Jiang Ye's gaze swept over every face. "I will remember this kindness."

He raised his glass: "I dare not promise to make everyone rich right away. But as long as I, Jiang Ye, have a bite to eat, I will never let any of you brothers and sisters go hungry."

A sniffling sound came from the corner.

The group raised their glasses and clinked them together, splashing wine into the boiling hot pot and creating a cloud of white steam.

Jiang Ye tilted his head back and drank it all.

His company is just starting out, and to retain employees, all he can offer is emotional support and empty promises...

It was nearly midnight when the wrap party ended, and the streetlights cast an orange glow in the winter night.

Most of the staff have already left.

Only the actress's table still emitted crisp laughter, which sounded particularly bright in the cold air.

"Old Jiang!" Ou Hao grabbed Jiang Ye's neck and, with a slightly tipsy smell, whispered, "Did you see that? Teacher Meng changed into a knitted dress, and those girls from the performing arts department even changed their earrings to sparkly ones."

He winked and nudged Jiang Ye's shoulder, "Don't rush back to edit the film, let's continue the party!"

Jiang Ye followed the line of sight.

Meng Ziyi was bending down to help her senior adjust her scarf. Her fitted beige knit dress accentuated her slender waist, and a pearl hair clip in her hair shone brightly under the light.

The female students from the performing arts department had touched up their makeup at some point, and they kept glancing over here while chatting and laughing.

They were obviously waiting for them...

(End of this chapter)