Taking Liu Yifei back to Northeast China for the Chinese New Year has sent the entire internet into

"fart!"

He Zheng's eyebrows immediately stood up.

"Is there anything in China that I can't direct?"

He slammed his hand on the table, making the two cans of cola shake a few times.

"You film the sword-flying scenes, I'll do the wire work for you!"

"You film gods and demons, I'll do the special effects!"

"Isn't it just a fantasy novel? Does it really have two more heads than a martial arts novel?"

Fang Yu wasn't in a hurry at all.

He swallowed the braised beef in his mouth and slowly extended two fingers.

"Director He, it's not that you can't film it."

"It can't be stored in two hours."

He Zheng frowned.

Fang Yu continued:

"When you make movies, you're used to telling a complete story in two hours."

"But in my book, there is the cycle of reincarnation in the six realms, destiny and karma, and dozens of important characters."

"Two hours? Forget about saving the world."

"I might not even be able to leave the starting village."

He Zheng was stunned for two seconds before finally realizing what was happening.

"Is this a TV drama script?"

"Yes, at least thirty episodes."

Fang Yu grinned.

"So, when you said you wanted me to play the male lead in your next movie, of course I was interested."

"But if I really had to choose between the two, I would still prefer to film my own story first."

The RV fell silent.

He Zheng leaned back in his seat, pondered for a moment, and then spoke:

"Then let's look at the notebook first."

"If your script is truly compelling, I can step down as director and give you the roles of executive producer and art director."

"I can get you the photography, lighting, and even Lao Zhao's action team."

Fang Yu paused his chewing for a moment.

This promise carries significant weight.

He Zheng raised his hand to stop him from saying what he was about to say.

"Don't be so happy yet, I have conditions."

Fang Yu put down his chopsticks.

"Please speak."

He Zheng stared at him, his tone becoming serious.

"If the script doesn't work, we'll put this project on hold for now."

"You'd better come and play the male lead in my next movie."

"Stop using your fantasy/martial arts dream as an excuse to push me away."

Fang Yu thought for a moment.

"What if a notebook would work?"

"If it's feasible, I'll accompany you on this new road!"

He Zheng answered without the slightest hesitation.

"And Lao Zhou also said that day that whatever you act in, he'll invest in it."

"We'll bring him along too."

At this point, He Zheng added:

"But let me make this clear from the start."

"If the script is bad, the film crew and investment are all empty talk."

Fang Yu nodded.

If "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" is to be successfully implemented, funding, production, distribution, and platform acquisition are all essential.

Starry Entertainment alone cannot support such a large project.

If the script impresses He Zheng first, and he brings in a film-level production team, with Zhou Yuanshan in charge of funding and distribution, then this project could truly come to fruition.

Fang Yu picked up the cola.

"OK."

"When I get back, I'll organize the outline and the scripts for the first five episodes and send them to you."

He Zheng nodded.

It's a deal.

Fang Yu picked up his Coke and clinked it against his.

"Okay, you can help me shoot a fantasy film."

"If the script doesn't work, I'll act in your next movie."

"It's settled then."

He Zheng also picked up his Coke and clinked it against his.

"become!"

After saying that, he stood up and pulled open the RV door.

The sunlight immediately streamed in.

"We'll talk about fantasy and martial arts later."

"Get these scenes filmed quickly and efficiently!"

……

2:30 p.m.

Studio 3 lights were turned back on.

The blower, track, and rocker arm are all in place.

A long confrontation shot begins; filming officially commences.

Amidst the ruins, the protagonist, played by Wu Zheng, wields a long sword and is covered in wounds.

Fang Yu, playing a reclusive swordsman, stood ten steps away, his black robes fluttering in the wind.

There were no lines or fight scenes in this scene.

The two people, separated by a withered leaf, exchanged glances.

What He Zheng wanted was a kind of silent tension where "all the words have been said, but the person hasn't uttered a single word."

These kinds of scenes look simple, but they actually put the actors to the ultimate test.

If you don't convey enough emotion, the shot just shows two people standing there, lost in thought.

If you give too much emotional input, it can easily escalate into a fit of rage, making you want to fight to the death on the spot.

The executive director had prepared eight to ten scenes for this one on the call sheet.

"All departments, prepare!"

The clapperboard fell.

Snapped!

Wu Zheng raised his eyes first.

Exhaustion, vigilance, resentment, and a deeply hidden desire for verification were all reflected in those eyes.

The wind swept past behind the broken wall, and Fang Yu finally looked up.

His face lacked any murderous intent, nor did it possess the sharpness he had when wielding the sword that morning.

Only silence remained.

Wu Zheng tightened his grip on the knife.

Their gazes met.

Behind the monitor, He Zheng subconsciously slowed his breathing.

ten seconds.

Twenty seconds.

The camera slowly pans along the track.

The wind whipped up the fallen leaves scattered on the ground, swirling and passing between the two of them.

Fang Yu shifted his gaze from Wu Zheng's face.

He turned around without pausing or looking back, and walked alone into the sky filled with fallen leaves.

"Click!"

He Zheng did not speak immediately.

He stared at the monitor and watched the footage again.

A few seconds later, he picked up the walkie-talkie.

"Pass!"

The executive director was stunned.

He glanced down at the number of shooting slots on the call sheet, then looked up at He Zheng.

Did you pass the first one?

He Zheng had already turned around and confirmed the next camera position with the director of photography, showing no intention of reshooting.

The executive director paused for a moment, holding the pen, before crossing out all nine lines that had been reserved for later.

The next shot of the silhouette was also taken smoothly.

Fang Yu filmed four takes for three scenes throughout the afternoon.

One of the retakes was because the microphone boom accidentally wandered into the frame.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Fang Yu's performance.

The production team had originally reserved two full days for Fang Yu.

No one expected that Fang Yu's scenes would be completely filmed just after 4 p.m. on Friday.

Not only did it not delay the schedule, it actually saved the production crew a whole day.

……

Five o'clock in the evening.

The setting sun cast a warm yellow glow on the upturned eaves of Xiangshan Film City.

Fang Yu has already removed his ancient costume and changed back into a black hoodie and jeans.

The hairspray on my head hadn't been washed off completely.

A few strands of hair stood up stubbornly, making him look as if he had just been struck by lightning.

He sat on the steps outside the photography studio, head down, replying to Liu Yifei's WeChat messages.

A voice message just happened to arrive.

Liu Yifei's voice carried a hint of arrogance.

"How's it going, Mr. Fang?"

"Did you get scolded by the director during your first acting role?"

"Did you ever have so many takes that you questioned your existence?"

Fang Yu burst out laughing after hearing this.

He looked down and typed out a line of text.

[All shots were done in one take; the director was full of praise!]

After thinking for a moment, he felt that the sentence wasn't powerful enough, so he added another sentence.

The production crew scheduled two days for me, but I finished filming in less than a day.

Director He is probably reflecting on why he wasted a whole day of work.

The other party replied almost instantly.

Wow! That's awesome!

It was followed by a clapping emoji.

Fang Yu stared at those three words, his mouth practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

Ten compliments from outsiders are not as effective as one compliment from your girlfriend.