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

As soon as the word "Cut!" was uttered, the tension on set eased slightly.

The staff began adjusting the lighting and camera positions for the next scene, the first encounter between the master and apprentice inside the cave.

Zhang Jinlai put on his coat, chatted and laughed with the actor playing the child, and walked to the side to rest, still talking about the play they had just performed.

Soon, the next scene began filming, to fill in the missing parts of the previous scene.

Inside the cave, the art department had decorated it to create a completely different atmosphere.

Bodhi Patriarch sat upright on the Dharma platform, holding a whisk, his eyes slightly closed, his expression serene and profound.

The disciples on both sides, dressed in blue robes, stood solemnly and silently.

Although he did not open his eyes, the patriarch seemed to sense something, and slightly turned his head to give a slight nod to a boy standing beside him.

The boy understood immediately and walked out of the cave. He was the same boy who had just guided Wukong.

"Very good, this one is good."

Guan Yunjie slowly rose from the execution platform and stretched his shoulders and neck, which had become stiff from sitting for so long.

His gaze swept across the bustling scene and landed on Zhou Fangyuan, who was standing quietly not far away, still immersed in the atmosphere of the filming just now.

The young man was watching intently, his eyes filled not only with curiosity, but also with an expression of analysis and absorption.

Guan Yunjie's heart stirred, and he strolled over.

"Xiao Zhou," he said gently, with a hint of inquiry in his voice, showing no airs of a senior.

"I've been watching this for a while now. So, what do you think? Do you think this last one is correct?"

Teacher Zhou was somewhat surprised, and quickly regained her composure, replying respectfully but without any awkwardness: "I think it's just right, Teacher Guan, you portrayed kindness and restraint perfectly."

Guan Yunjie smiled at the praise, gave a modest reply, nodded, and then asked:

"Then look at the transition in atmosphere between the inside and outside of the cave. Inside it's quiet, while outside it's dynamic."

Zhou Fangyuan pondered for a moment, then pointed to the lighting at the cave entrance and the slightly pervasive mist: "I think the side-backlight at the cave entrance is well-used, illuminating the smoke in layers, like an invisible curtain."

Outside, the mountains and fields are vibrant with lively light, while inside, the candlelight is steady, casting a serene interplay of light and shadow.

When the boy opened the door, it was as if he had connected the two worlds, and the audience's curiosity followed Wukong into the cave.

In terms of rhythm, the movement of the monkeys outside makes the stillness of the patriarch inside seem even more weighty.

Guan Yunjie looked surprised upon hearing this. Zhou Fangyuan not only talked about the performance but also touched on photography and atmosphere creation, which exceeded his expectations.

Guan Yunjie's admiration deepened, and he laughed, "Well done, Xiao Zhou. You're not just watching the show; you're understanding the intricacies."

Director Yang said you're a thoughtful person, and he's right.

He extended an invitation in a sincere tone: "When we're filming my scene with Wukong later, could you keep an eye on things for me?"

I've been holding onto this "master" persona for so long that I'm afraid I won't realize how too rigid or unrealistic I am. You, as an observer, have the most direct experience.

Zhou Fangyuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart; this was undoubtedly a great trust. He solemnly replied, "Teacher Guan, don't worry, I will definitely take a close look. If I have any thoughts, I... I'll find an opportunity to tell you."

"Don't feel pressured, just treat it as a conversation." Guan Yunjie patted him on the shoulder with a hearty smile.

"Filming is something that everyone works together to perfect."

Just then, Li Hongchang, carrying a notebook and with a slightly furrowed brow, strode quickly from the temporary office and went straight to Director Yang, who was communicating with the cameraman.

The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, and Yang Jie's expression became serious.

Li Hongchang's voice faintly drifted over, saying, "...The phone rang...it means it would be best to...check out the progress...it might be an opportunity..."

Although they couldn't hear clearly, the slight seriousness in the tone and the word "opportunity" made several sharp-eared staff members nearby exchange glances.

The film crew was shooting in the mountains, seemingly isolated from the world, but it was never an isolated island.

Guan Yunjie also noticed the commotion over there. He glanced at it and whispered to Zhou Fangyuan, "It seems there's another story going on with Director Li."

Our film crew is lively both on and off set.

His tone carried a hint of knowing wisdom from someone who had been through it all, but not much worry; instead, it exuded a calm composure as if he had seen it all before.

"Alright, everyone get ready, let's shoot the next take!" The assistant director's voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention back to filming.

Zhou Fangyuan took a deep breath and stood behind the monitor in a position that wouldn't obstruct the view but would allow him to see the entire scene clearly.

He felt the weighty trust that Teacher Guan had placed in him, but he also vaguely sensed the new turbulence that the production team might face.

But at this moment, his gaze was clear and focused.

For him, the scenes before him are creating classics, while the turmoil off-screen is also nourishment for growth.

After filming wrapped, a joint interview by CCTV News and the Arts and Literature Department of Xinhua News Agency, which took place in the vegetarian dining hall, spread throughout the film crew like a gentle mountain breeze.

There was no grand welcome or preparation, and the filming schedule went ahead as planned, but everyone was on edge.

Because the work needs to be done more meticulously and thoroughly.

The interview is scheduled for the afternoon. They are expected to watch a scene being filmed inside the cave, and then visit the set and props.

Coincidentally, that morning, the props team and the special effects team were conducting the final joint testing of the key shot of the ginseng fruit tree "coming back to life".

Old Han and several team members stood around the meticulously crafted "tree trunk" and the small sapling bonsai, their brows furrowed.

"No, it's still stuck!"

He wiped his sweat, his words filled with anxiety.

"The saplings popped out at the right speed, but they were always a little crooked. In close-up shots, that 'natural growth' energy was lost!"

This is precisely the difficulty in implementing the plan proposed by Zhou Fangyuan.

Mechanical mechanisms can guarantee speed, but it is difficult to precisely control the subtle posture and shaking of the sapling after it is launched, and this is precisely the detail that determines whether "vitality" can move people.

Zhou Fangyuan was nearby helping to put away other props when he heard the argument and went over.

He squatted down and carefully observed the trigger point of the mechanism and the way the sapling was fixed.

"Master Han," he said, pointing to a very thin fixing tenon at the base of the sapling.

"Is it too hard here? The sapling gets locked up as soon as it moves, without any cushioning. It feels like it would be better to let it 'grow out with difficulty'."

Could you replace it with a small piece of elastic deer tendon or a rubber strip?

When the sapling "grows," there should be a slight tremor, like when it breaks through the last bit of resistance as it sprouts from the soil.

Old Han's eyes lit up: "Hey! That makes sense! Going out dead is just like being shot out with a slingshot."

We need to have some fighting spirit! Hurry! Go find a suitable rubber band!

With a solution in mind, everyone immediately split up to find materials for testing.

Zhou Fangyuan didn't leave either, helping to hand over tools and adjust the initial angle of the sapling.

They were so engrossed in this specific problem that they almost forgot about the afternoon's interview.