Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

After a sudden downpour, the temperature in Hengdian seemed to be pushed up sharply by an invisible hand, and suddenly warmed up.

The equipment was successfully recovered without causing significant delays. However, the three million yuan cash shortfall caused by accountant Zhou's embezzlement and the expenses for redeeming the equipment still need to be covered.

Just as Guo Fan was calculating how to scrape together the money, Starlight Group extended an olive branch again, expressing its willingness to invest an additional ten million.

As expected of Miss Jing's company, Guo Fan suddenly felt that being forced to act by a sugar daddy wasn't so unacceptable after all.

......

The filming project was able to continue.

today,

The scene to be filmed is a farewell scene from the drama – Mei Changsu bidding farewell to Xiao Jingrui at the pavilion.

Mei Changsu in "Nirvana in Fire" has some Conan-like traits, sending others to their deaths every day.

However, this scene is also regarded by many fans as one of the classic segments that showcase the humanistic spirit and depth of the characters in "Nirvana in Fire".

It has no sword fights, no court intrigues, only two former friends torn apart by fate and choices, and a farewell where beneath the calm surface lies a turbulent undercurrent.

The filming location has been set up, and the lighting, photography, and sound departments are conducting final checks and adjustments.

Director Guo Fan held the storyboard and discussed the main camera setup for this scene with Qi Yue.

"I sat here when the machine was turned on," Qi Yue said, pointing to a stone bench on the right side of the pavilion. "Jing Rui came in from this side and stood at the entrance of the pavilion, in this spot."

He had Jiang Jinfu stand still. "The opening dialogue will mainly use medium shots to capture our facial expressions and body language."

Guo Fan nodded, walked to the edge of the pavilion, beckoned the photographer in charge of the main camera position to come over, and pointed to a corner of the pavilion's pillar:

"Keep the main camera still, framing Mei Changsu and Jingrui's backs. But when Jingrui starts walking, after about three steps, I want this camera position."

He then pointed to a fixed camera position that had been set up to the side, aimed at the shadow of the pillar and the spring light in the distance, "Give us a close-up—shoot the shadows of the two people on the ground."

"shadow?"

Having just finished her makeup and listening in, Jing Tian couldn't help but repeat the sentence in a low voice out of curiosity.

She only had one scene as Princess Nihuang today, but she still came early to see how Qi Yue and Jiang Jinfu would act.

After the setup was complete, Guo Fan went to discuss lighting arrangements with the lighting team, while Jing Tian quietly approached Qi Yue.

"Brother," he addressed Qi Yue, using the title from the drama.

"Director Guo, isn't this design a bit too complicated? I've seen many directors shoot this kind of film before, and they just use one camera on the left to film you, one camera on the right to film Jiang Jinfu, and then a panoramic camera to capture the whole scene. In the end, the editor can cut it however they want, right? Why do you need to design a separate camera position to film the shadow? And why do you have to time it at the 'three steps' point? It's too much trouble."

After reciting his lines, Qi Yue glanced at Guo Fan, who was diligently checking the angle of the shadow camera, and spoke calmly:

"You think it's troublesome because you only see 'taking pictures'. What we're doing is 'telling stories with the camera'."

"The multi-camera coverage and post-production editing approach you mentioned is an assembly line, a basic operation to ensure 'there is something usable.' It often prioritizes efficiency and can indeed produce acceptable products. But what 'Nirvana in Fire' wants is not 'acceptable,' but 'high-quality.'"

Qi Yue gestured for Jing Tian to look at the side camera angle, which was already aligned with the light and shadow on the ground: "Why is it a shadow? Why are there three steps?"

"First, precise emotional moments," he explained. "Multi-camera shooting allows for free combination in post-production editing, but the editor's judgment and the 'decisive moment' captured by the director on set to serve a specific emotion may not be entirely consistent."

"Designing the close-up of 'shadows separating after three steps' was to capture the precise visual moment during filming when the friendship was completely severed and time and space began to malfunction. This shot was not an option, but a must; it is one of the core images that sets the emotional tone of the scene. The final result of the director designing and supervising the filming himself is worlds apart from the result of him telling the editor to 'find a suitable shadow shot.'"

Jing Tian listened intently, her eyes glued to the screen. The incompetent directors she had encountered before only knew how to yell "Action" and "Cut," and at most, they would discuss the scene and decide which take to use.

Now she finally understands that a true creator and director may have already mentally rehearsed the final scene countless times before filming begins. Every camera position, every movement, and every ray of light and shadow may have been carefully considered and serve the purpose of that final "expression".

Meanwhile, Guo Fan's side was already ready.

"Final confirmation from all departments—"

"Actors, take your positions—"

"Scene 65, Scene 1 of *Nirvana in Fire*, begin!"

The clapperboard rang, all distracting thoughts vanished, and Jing Tian quickly left.

Qi Yue slowly raised his eyes and looked at Xiao Jingrui, who was standing at the entrance of the pavilion with a simple bag on his back.

"Jingrui," he paused, as if the name weighed as heavily as Mount Tai, "I used the cruelest method to reveal all the truth, without considering your feelings, or our...friendship."

Xiao Jingrui did not respond immediately, but stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the hazy spring scenery outside the pavilion.

"Yes. I was very sad because you did that."

Then, he changed the subject, his tone revealing a maturity and insight beyond his years: "But I am, after all, no longer a self-righteous child."

"I understand. Everyone has to make choices. You chose what you valued and gave me up. That's just your choice."

"If I were to harbor resentment simply because I wasn't chosen, wouldn't there be far too many unforgivable things in this world? After all, no one is obligated to put me first or prioritize me. No matter how much I wish, I cannot force it."

Guo Fan, watching from behind the monitor, nodded slightly, his eyes unblinking. This kid has clearly put in a lot of work behind the scenes.

Inside the pavilion, Mei Changsu swayed almost imperceptibly upon hearing these words.

"Jingrui... since we met, you have been completely sincere to me, but... but I have treated you like this."

Xiao Jingrui looked at him, and suddenly smiled softly, almost with a sense of relief.

"I treat you this way because I want to. If I can get the same sincerity in return, that would be wonderful. If not, I have nothing to regret."

After speaking, he straightened his clothes and bowed solemnly to Qi Yue.

"Thank you, Mr. Su, for coming to see me off. I... take my leave now."

He didn't look at Qi Yue again, turned around, and walked steadily towards the outside of the pavilion.

The main camera steadily framed Qi Yue sitting in the pavilion and that receding figure.

From the side, that special camera position quietly started up, focusing on the two clear shadows cast by the sunlight on the bluestone slab.

Jing Tian held her breath and stared intently at the monitor.

In the scene, Xiao Jingrui's shadow, following his own steps, slowly and steadily moved away from Mei Changsu's shadow.

First, the shadows of their clothes separated, then their entire figures... Two shadows that had perhaps stood side by side or sat opposite each other in many scenes, now completed a silent and irreversible farewell in the silent lens.

The camera then slowly pans up, fixing on Mei Changsu's profile.

He gazed into the distance, something in his eyes utterly extinguished, yet a faint flame of blessing flickered within them.

"Although there is little fairness in this world, I hope... you can always keep this childlike heart."

"Great! Perfect, this one's done!"

Guo Fan's excited voice rang out. The room fell silent for a second, then erupted in heartfelt applause.

It's not just for the actors' brilliant performances, but also for the director's precise and poetic shot design.

Jing Tian breathed a long sigh of relief, looked at Qi Yue in the distance, and felt even more certain that her choice this time was correct.

This was a team unlike any she had ever encountered before.