Returning to the 82 Mountain Village: An Encounter with the Journey to the West Film Crew at the Beg

On the other side, the art team opened the supplementary materials box they brought from the village, found some brighter gold and green silk fabrics, and hurriedly draped them over the throne and several stone platforms in the main scene.

They then carefully embedded some glass shards coated with reflective paint into the crevices of the rock face.

The lighting technician carried heavy lighting equipment and adjusted the angles to make the newly set up props reflect and shimmer with a light that would lure monkeys, instantly adding a touch of dreaminess to the rough set.

During a break in the rehearsals, the costume team and Mr. Wang quickly finished dressing the actors.

Wearing the hood, I felt a bit of oxygen deprivation in the cave.

Zhou Fangyuan felt his vision suddenly narrow, his ears ringing, and his breathing becoming more difficult.

Next, they put on furry gloves, a onesie made of monkey fur, and specially made claw shoes.

The entire outfit was thick, heavy, and not breathable; one could feel stuffy and hot in no time.

I couldn't help but think to myself: How can I make it more breathable?

He stood up, stretched his somewhat restrained limbs, and turned to look at his other monkey companions.

Ma Dehua was being helped to adjust her white monkey hair headgear, and her face was also made up to highlight her age with wrinkles, so she was playing the role of a white-haired old monkey.

He noticed Zhou Fangyuan's gaze and blinked almost imperceptibly through the hood.

His eyes held the veteran actor's focus and enjoyment of the monkey show.

Meanwhile, Liu Xiaoling Tong Zhang Jinlai had already finished dressing up.

His face was covered with short brown hair, and to be honest, compared to his final image in later films, he now does resemble a wild, untamed stone monkey more closely.

His eyes and expressions were still trying to capture that state between a monkey and a spirit, but he was trying a little too hard and had not yet achieved the natural charm of the Monkey King that he later achieved.

He stood to the side, knees slightly bent, repeatedly practicing the wary and curious expression of the first person to peek into the hole.

"Stone Monkey, get ready!" Director Yang shouted.

His expression and demeanor were indeed somewhat stiff, like a gangster boss.

He barely made it through with Director Yang's repeated warnings, "Jin Lai, watch your monkey-like manner!"

"Monkeys, prepare!"

The lighting was mainly concentrated at the entrance and the central throne area, while other areas were dimly lit.

Several smoke artists, armed with rudimentary tools, attempted to create a thin layer of mist around the lens, but the effect was clearly limited.

Seven monkey spirits crouched down in the shadows behind the entrance decorations.

Zhou Fangyuan squatted at the front. He could hear his companion's heavy breathing and the buzzing sound inside his hood.

"3, 2, 1, Action!"

The stone monkey Zhang Jinlai first poked half his body into the low cave entrance, his eyes quickly scanning the area, and he let out a low, tentative hiss.

This appearance is more like that of a wary hunter in the mountains, rather than the later Monkey King with his golden eyes and domineering presence.

Immediately afterwards, Ren Fengbo waved his hand forcefully!

Zhou Fangyuan took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort caused by the hood, and was the first to let out an excited shout.

"Oh oh oh ah ah---"

With a push of its hind legs, it was the first to rush back!

His movements were not simple running and jumping, but rather a leaping posture that mimicked the forelimbs of an ape providing slight support.

Upon entering the cave, one's gaze is immediately drawn to a cluster of glittering "gems" in the foreground.

Driven by pure curiosity, it lunged forward, its furry paws reaching for the point of light.

As he moved, the other six monkeys behind him were instantly affected and rushed out, squealing and shouting.

Ma Dehua, playing the white-haired old monkey, suddenly paused for a moment, then his movements became slightly slow, with a steady, inquisitive air about him.

The younger monkeys were more lively, shoving and bumping into each other.

Some jumped onto the rocks to look around, and the cave was instantly filled with the restless and vibrant atmosphere of the monkey troop.

Following his positioning, Zhou Fangyuan lunged at the "gem" and immediately turned around, bumping shoulders with a monkey actor who was leaping over from the side.

He then made a confused face, scratching his head, before his gaze was drawn to the throne in the center. He quickly climbed closer, using both his hands and feet.

Finally, along with several other monkey spirits who had arrived first, they gathered around the throne.

He raised his hairy face and looked up at the high stone seat, his eyes filled with awe, longing, and pure joy.

Director Yang Jie watched the footage on the monitor, becoming more and more delighted with each viewing.

When Zhang Jinlai, playing the stone monkey, excitedly and cautiously sat on the throne, and then imitated a kingly gesture by shaking his hands, Ren Fengbo shouted, "Okay! Stop!"

Li Lingyu quickly took the water and brought it to the actors.

Only then did cameraman Wang Chongqiu dare to laugh out loud.

Director Yang Jie immediately stood up from the small stool in front of the monitor, his face showing undisguised surprise.

She didn't look at the main character, the stone monkey, first; instead, her gaze fell on the group of monkey spirits who were still slightly panting, especially Zhou Fangyuan, who was surrounded in the middle.

"Great! This feels right!" She raised her voice a little, with the excitement unique to a director. "Xiao Zhou, come here for a second."

Zhou Fangyuan and the other monkey spirits relaxed a bit and gathered around.

The heavy hoods made their breathing sound labored.

Director Yang looked at Zhou Fangyuan and asked directly, "How did you come up with those strange screams when you first came in?"

"That's just right! It instantly brings out the fresh, lively spirit of wild monkeys!"

It was very hot inside the cave. Zhou Fangyuan raised his hand to wipe his sweat, but then realized that wearing the claws was inconvenient, so he put it down again.

He then explained in a casual tone:

"Director Yang, I was just thinking that a group of monkeys who had never been into the cave before would be both surprised and delighted, and would inevitably make some noise to call out to their companions, as if they were trying to embolden themselves."

I've seen monkeys in the mountains; when they discover something unusual, they react with a startled, squealing noise.

Ma Dehua, who was playing the role of the white-haired old monkey next to him, burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"You're absolutely right! Just now, who could have tolerated it? If I weren't playing an old monkey, I would have jumped around with you guys!"

His words amused the other young actors playing the monkey spirit, who began to chatter amongst themselves.

"Absolutely! The moment Comrade Zhou shouted that, I knew it was on the right track! Just follow suit!"

Li Lingyu couldn't help but laugh and said, "When I was watching from the side, it felt like as soon as Comrade Zhou let out that strange scream, you all ran forward like crazy, as if you had received a signal."

"Yes, yes, it felt like I suddenly let loose, it didn't feel like acting, it was like I really became that monkey!"

The atmosphere suddenly became lively, with everyone still immersed in the unrestrained performance and excitedly chatting.

The focus naturally returned to Zhou Fangyuan, praising him for setting a good example.

At this moment, assistant director Ren Fengbo stroked his chin and offered a different perspective.