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

The following day, the atmosphere in the east courtyard of Qingyang Palace was solemn.

Around the "ginseng fruit tree," various protective pads and cushioning materials have been properly arranged, but an invisible tension can still be felt.

Director Yang called the core members together and reiterated the tone set the previous night:

"The core of today's scene can be summed up in two words: weight and emptiness after destruction."

The monkey's movements should be explosive and wild, but the camera shouldn't just follow him erratically. Focus on the tree, give close-ups of the roots and trunk, and capture the tree's "significance."

After knocking it down, don't rush to leave. Leave three seconds of silence; I want everyone on site to feel like they're holding their breath!

The experienced photographers exchanged glances and nodded, but their faces also showed a sense of challenge.

The idea is good, but its implementation will have to be a process of trial and error.

After the final preparations before filming were completed, Zhang Jinlai was tied with rope and roughly hung from a tree.

If Zhou Fangyuan were present at this moment and saw this scene, he would definitely be shocked!

The actual filming begins.

The first time, Zhang Jinlai roared and made pushing and shoving motions, combined with special effects to make it look like he was being bounced away.

But on the monitor, Director Yang shook his head, his face full of worry: "Something's wrong! The monkey is exerting its strength, but the tree isn't reacting..."

It's not that there's no reaction, it's that your camera didn't capture its reaction to the force it's bearing! Chongqiu! Give the middle section of the trunk a close-up of a rapid, slight tremor! Lao Liu! Delay the swaying of the branches and leaves in the canopy by half a second; it will make it appear heavier!

Adjust, then shoot again.

This time the tree reacted, but the "crack" sound prepared by the sound effects team was too crisp and loud.

"Too crunchy!" Director Yang called for a stop.

"This isn't a twig! This is a spiritual root! The voice should be muffled, deep, and have a feeling of bursting open from within! Add a touch of low grazing, like the sound of a boulder grinding together!"

They made adjustments on-site again and again, meticulously refining every detail.

Zhang Jinlai repeatedly erupted in emotions, which greatly depleted his physical strength. However, every time the director called "cut," he would immediately communicate with the action director and special effects props to see how to make the action and props more realistic.

Wu Guiling was also speaking from the sidelines, pointing hurriedly in various places, offering valuable suggestions.

Just then, external pressure arrived.

The loud noise and tense atmosphere ultimately attracted more tourists.

Although a cordon was set up and staff members tried to dissuade people, curious heads gradually gathered outside the courtyard wall and near the moon gate, and whispers could be faintly heard.

"What are they filming? A war?"

"Was that tree really damaged?"

"Excuse me, excuse me, I can't see!"

What's more troublesome is that two Taoist priests from Qingyang Palace who were on duty nearby were startled by the noise and quickly came over, their faces showing obvious concern and doubt.

Master Zhao was not present; another middle-aged Taoist priest was on duty.

He squeezed to the front and saw the "tree trunk" inside shaking violently. Despite the protection, his face immediately darkened, and he wanted to rush in.

Zhou Fangyuan, who was helping to maintain order, reacted quickly and stepped forward to block the way in front of the cordon.

He lowered his voice and hurriedly explained, "Master Liu, Master Liu! Don't worry! It's alright! It's fake, it's a prop!"

As you can see, we have placed a thick protective layer under the tree trunk. All the force is applied using proxies and models, so it will not damage the ancient tree in the slightest!

Director Yang is filming the most crucial shot. We can't interrupt him; if we do, the atmosphere will completely fall apart, we'll have to start over, and it will disrupt the ancient tree area for even longer!

Upon hearing this, Master Liu stared at Zhou Fangyuan, but all he could see on Zhou's face was a hurried expression and an unquestionable resolve.

He peered inside to examine the protective measures closely, then looked at the crew members who were completely absorbed in their "faking" the situation. His expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm:

"Keep your movements quiet! Don't make too much noise, you'll disturb the worshippers!"

"Yes, yes, we'll definitely pay attention to the last few shots!"

Zhou Fangyuan smiled upon hearing this, repeatedly assuring everyone, and then bowed to the several tourists craning their necks nearby:

"Comrades, the work here will be finished soon. Please step back a little and give us some space. Thank you for your cooperation!"

He was sincere, explained things clearly, and stood in the most crucial position.

Master Liu snorted and didn't venture any further, but he stood outside the line with his hands behind his back, keeping a close eye on the inside, clearly not feeling at ease until he saw with his own eyes that it was "safe".

With his presence and Zhou Fangyuan's persuasion, the crowd quieted down slightly, but remained gathered.

The current Journey to the West production team has not given up on recording sound on set.

The sound engineers looked grave.

Director Yang, who was on set, naturally noticed the commotion at the entrance.

But she only frowned more deeply and spoke in a deep voice through the makeshift cardboard megaphone:

"Don't let them get in the way! Fang Yuan and the others are blocking our way from there, let's hurry!"

The actors are all in good form, let's do it again according to the adjustments we just made! All departments, get ready!

The pressure seemed to fuel greater focus.

Zhang Jinlai wiped away his sweat, took a deep breath, and his eyes once again blazed with arrogance and anger.

The camera's red light came on.

This time, the explosion, the impact, the suppressed yet violent tremors in the close-up of the tree trunk, the dull, earth-shattering creaking sound, the heavy and slow tilting of the false canopy…

Every part fits together with unparalleled precision!

The "tree trunk," under the carefully controlled mechanism, crashed onto the thick protective pad with a heart-pounding slowness.

When a small patch of specially prepared imitation dust is raised.

As per Director Yang's instructions, there was a three-second period of absolute stillness and silence on set.

Only dust particles floated slowly in the light.

Zhang Jinlai stood there, panting heavily, staring at the "collapsed" tree.

All staff members held their breath.

At the entrance of the courtyard, Master Liu and the crowd of onlookers were stunned by the lifelike silence and forgot to utter a sound.

"good!!!!"

Director Yang suddenly stood up from behind the monitor, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement!

"That's the feeling! That's it! That's perfect!"

"Wow!" A wave of relieved cheers and applause erupted on set.

Zhang Jinlai collapsed to the ground, grinning widely.

Wu Guiling, who was watching from the side, slowly exhaled a long breath and put away her tense expression.

Outside the courtyard gate, Master Liu looked at the cheering film crew, then at the real ancient tree that was intact except for some fake dust.

A look of understanding and admiration finally appeared on his face. He shook his head and turned to silently disperse the tourists.

"Alright, alright, we're done filming. Everyone, please disperse and don't block the road."

Zhou Fangyuan also let out a long sigh of relief and laughed, feeling a layer of fine sweat on his back.

He looked at the excited crowd inside the courtyard, and then at the gradually dispersing crowd outside.

A storm, finally, ended perfectly, albeit without incident, on the tightrope between artistic pursuit and practical constraints.

Zhou Fangyuan had just breathed a sigh of relief when someone patted him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw it was Director Li.

"Fang Yuan, you did a good job stopping us just now, and your explanation was timely!"

Li Hongchang lowered his voice and spoke quickly: "Go and formally thank Master Liu again, and explain our filming arrangements for the rest of the time. There won't be any more major disturbances."

By the way, are there any relatively quiet corners in the temples or monasteries suitable for filming some dramatic scenes, which we'll be using in the next few days?

"I'll leave this matter to you to handle the communication; it'll be a safe bet."

"Understood, Director Li. I'll go right away."

Zhou Fangyuan nodded and immediately turned around to chase after the direction where Master Liu had left.