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

The third scene, in which the monkey spirits surround the stone monkey and shout "Monkey King!", was also filmed.

The topic shifted from the strange shouts to various ideas for the actual filming.

"When we start filming, could you make this monkey fur a little thinner and more breathable? It's making me get heat rash."

"These monkey suits definitely need to be modified. These are just a few samples that were rushed out. When conditions allow in the future, we will make more and make all kinds of them."

The costume maker was left behind in the small mountain village, Wang Xichong promised everyone on his behalf.

"We'll have to work on the lighting later. This cave should have a bit of an ethereal feel; the lighting is too harsh right now."

As Zhou Fangyuan listened to everyone's discussion, the exquisite scenes in the final cut of the film couldn't help but come to mind.

He thought for a moment, then cautiously added:

"Director Yang, Assistant Director, teachers, I have another idea... Could we add more climbing to our monkey troop's activities?"

Real monkeys can't stay still; they always like to climb up any place with varying heights and shapes.

Could we add some depth to our set design? For example, we could add some fake vines that we can grab onto, like on the rock wall over there or in the middle of the cave.

"We don't need to catch every single monkey, but having one or two swinging around up there would enhance the three-dimensional feel of the cave and the energy of the monkey troop, wouldn't it?"

Director Yang's eyes lit up, and he turned to the art director, Lao Xiao, and said, "Write this down! Comrade Xiao Zhou's idea is great!"

When designing a set, we can't just create a flat, two-dimensional landscape; we need to create an environment where monkeys can live! We need to consider this aspect carefully during the actual set design!

She looked at Zhou Fangyuan approvingly.

"Comrade Xiao Zhou, you have a lot of ideas about the play."

Everyone chimed in, and the discussion became even more heated.

The sky was already beginning to lighten, and the commotion inside the Wave Moon Cave had temporarily subsided.

The set and props needed to be organized and stored away, and the equipment had to be carefully loaded onto the truck. Everyone hadn't had much rest, but their spirits were high due to the successful test shoot.

Director Yang rubbed his sore neck and walked over to Zhou Fangyuan, who was helping to disassemble the lights.

Her voice was no longer the same as when she first came to the cave; it was now somewhat hoarse.

"Xiao Zhou, thanks to you this time. You did a great job with the directions, loading and unloading, and the scene just now."

Zhou Fangyuan responded, but his hands didn't stop working.

As Director Yang looked at the young man before him, the idea in his mind became clearer and clearer.

She was a decisive person and asked directly, "I see you as a calm and capable person, and you also have a knack for acting."

"Our crew is currently traveling all over the country and needs all sorts of people, including suitable actors. Would you be willing to come with us and finish filming Journey to the West?"

"Of course, this means you'll have to leave home and travel around with us, which will be tough."

Zhou Fangyuan stopped what he was doing, and the crew members next to him also stopped what they were doing.

He didn't answer immediately, but instead thought about leaving his hometown, the images of his mother and younger sister working hard flashing before his eyes.

Although he was reborn and knew that Journey to the West would eventually succeed, opportunity and risk, novelty and responsibility, were like two streams converging and colliding in his heart.

Director Yang didn't urge him, but waited quietly.

She had seen too many people either overjoyed or hesitant to accept such an invitation, but the young man's silence and thoughtfulness made her feel that he was reliable.

Finally, Zhou Fangyuan raised his eyes, his gaze regaining its usual spirit, but with a hint of determination in its depths.

"Director Yang, thank you for thinking so highly of me. I need to go back and talk to my family about this. If they agree..."

"I'm willing to stay with the crew and do my best."

"good!"

Director Yang Jie's eyes revealed approval.

"It's time to discuss it with your family. We'll wait for your news as soon as possible. Let's go back to the village to rest today and leave tomorrow morning to catch the train back to Beijing."

The return journey was much smoother, the weather was nice, and the crew was able to return via a shorter route.

Now Zhou Fangyuan, the local, didn't need to look after the road anymore. He was arranged to rest on a cart, leaning closely against Li Lingyu.

When the convoy arrived at the village entrance, it was still slightly light. Zeng, the production assistant, hurriedly called for a fire to be lit and a meal to be cooked. After cooking all night, hot porridge was the best way to soothe the stomach.

Smoke rises from the chimneys, blending with the orange hues of the evening.

Zhou Fangyuan went home first, and when he pushed open the familiar wooden door, his mother was busy at the stove.

"Honey! You're back!"

When the younger sister saw him, her eyes lit up, but then she remembered something and pouted.

Zhou Niang's face showed both relief and a hint of worry.

"It's good that Fang Ya is back. I can tell you about your sister. She refuses to go to school, saying it's too expensive..."

So that's what it was for.

Zhou Fangyuan ruffled his little sister's hair: "Tell me, why don't you want to go to school?"

The younger sister lowered her head, looking somewhat embarrassed: "What's the use of being literate... We need to save money at home so I can help out."

Looking at his younger sister's appearance, Zhou Fangyuan felt a pang of sadness, but his tone remained gentle and firm.

"Girl, I heard from Guo that I didn't have the means before, and I only learned to read by myself from my father."

If you go to school and learn skills, your future prospects will be brighter. You can go to the town or even the city and see a wider world, instead of being trapped in the mountains for your whole life.

Don't worry about the money, I'll take care of the pot.

"Is there anything you can do..." the younger sister muttered softly.

Zhou Fangyuan straightened up and solemnly said to his mother and younger sister, "Mom, sister, I was just about to tell you something."

"Director Yang wants me to work with them on a film. The pay is better than working in a theater troupe, and I can also broaden my horizons... I want to give it a try. I might have to go to many places, and the first stop is Beijing."

"The capital city?!"

The mother and younger sister exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

In this era, the capital city was a place as distant and sacred as the ends of the earth for people in remote mountain villages.

"Yes, the capital." Zhou Fangyuan nodded.

"I get paid and have room and board when I work with the crew," Director Yang said. "I'm considered an actor on loan from the troupe, and I also receive some subsidies from the troupe every month."

Once I've established myself and saved up some money, I'll take you to Tiananmen Square to watch the flag-raising ceremony and see the portrait of Chairman Mao.

"I can still send money and things back home in the future. My younger sister's school fees and the family's extra money will all be covered."

Before the two could respond, he turned to the younger sister.

"Little sister, you must study hard. Once I can read, I can write to you from outside and tell you about things outside the mountains."

Zhou Niang's eyes instantly reddened, a mixture of joy and reluctance. She trembled as she held Zhou Fangyuan's hand.

"Good, good... My son is doing well, he can go to the capital... Go ahead, don't worry, you've grown up, you've chosen your own path, just go for it, don't worry about home, your mother is still capable, and your sister is sensible too."

Go out now, everything will be alright, don't overexert yourself.

The three of them felt tears welling up in their eyes and instinctively hugged each other tightly, their shoulders trembling, a thousand words stuck in their throats.

The family's reaction was more supportive than expected, and Zhou Fangyuan felt relieved. However, this relief also brought with it another responsibility.

After explaining things to his family, Zhou Fangyuan remembered that he also needed to inform Director Yang, so he went out.

After leaving the house, he saw Li Lingyu's busy figure and, for some reason, wanted to call out to her.

Comrade Li!