Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 673: Chapter 487: Filming Begins (Part 2)

So, filming began.

Hou Mengjie was a very meticulous director.

He seemed to already have a clear image in his mind of every scene, in this regard, he was somewhat similar to Xue Qin. But he was different from Xue Qin—Xue Qin knew what kind of feeling she wanted, while he knew exactly what he wanted each scene to look like. This meant he had high demands for every scene being shot.

Not just the set design, for instance, if an actor misstepped, he would notice, halt the filming, and reshoot.

His requirements made every actor feel uncomfortable at the beginning.

Because these actors were all naturally talented. Talented players often liked to improvise, and each take would be different.

If they had worked with Wen Bing, they might have been very much to Wen Bing’s liking, because Wen Bing was the type of director who would say, ”You go ahead and shoot, give me a surprise, that’s great, although I had something else in mind before, I now like this improvisation of yours better” a go-with-the-flow as long as you perform well, I’ll get excited with you kind of director.

If they worked with Kang Xin, they might also be favored by Kang Xin, because Kang Xin was the kind of director who would say, ”You kids go play, however you play, you can’t escape from my grip” a director with an easygoing, self-assured plan.

Even if they worked with Xue Qin, they might still be favored by Xue Qin because Xue Qin was the kind of ”Dare to mess up, are you courting a scolding? Act like that again! Reshoot! Keep reshooting! That last take was actually quite good, can you give me another one? Can you give me something other than that awkward, wooden smile? Just ruined a perfectly good pot of porridge! Reshoot—good, now it’s right! This take will do!” a stern onlooker to your antics kind of director.

But it was a pity that they met Hou Mengjie.

Hou Mengjie was probably the type that would say, ”Even though you performed well, it’s a shame it’s not what I was looking for” kind of director.

Once he had decided on the scene he wanted, then all actors had to obediently cooperate with him to capture that scene.

Zhou Yun was someone who could adapt to directors, but even she felt somewhat intimidated and hesitated to act freely when she first started filming with Hou Mengjie.

Because she was afraid that if she got into the groove, she wouldn’t match what Hou Mengjie wanted.

The actors had some complaints.

However, since the movie had just begun, everyone had issues but did not express them directly; they held them back.

Privately, complaints had already started.

Zhou Yun had stumbled upon these conversations twice. She knew what they were complaining about, but whenever she approached, they would stop talking and switch to another topic, purposely avoiding her.

Zhou Yun found it somewhat amusing in her heart. But she also knew why they were avoiding her. That time they gathered together and talked about her and Yao Yuanfeng which she walked in on, and after that, neither had spoken to the other. During filming on set, once in character, they put aside all distractions and immersed themselves in their roles, but as soon as Hou Mengjie called cut, they would turn away without a word.

Everyone in the crew could see the rift between her and the others, but they were seasoned and skilled, used to clashes between actors, accustomed to seeing it not as a novelty.

Zhou Yun was happy to be left alone, enjoying her peace.

Her relationship with them wasn’t great, but fortunately Meng Ran and Gu Huaichun were also in the same film base, staying in the same hotel, so she still got to meet up with them from time to time.

Gu Huaichun was quick-minded and perceptive, she didn’t ask anything, but Meng Ran was not as observant, once directly asking: ”Sister Xiao Yun, why don’t I ever see you hang out with your crew?”

Zhou Yun smiled and said, ”We’re not very close.”

Meng Ran made an ’oh’ sound, sensed something from Zhou Yun’s tone and didn’t ask further.

All beginnings are hard, but Zhou Yun felt this wasn’t just a beginning issue. The estrangement between them and her was evident, but Zhou Yun didn’t think they truly got along with each other. Behind the scenes, jostling for position, wrestling for power never stopped. They were all of similar age and full of pride, talented and ambitious in acting, none willing to be outdone by others, not even Zhou Yun. They were all unyielding.

Zheng Xiaojue had heard from several people the disparaging words they had for each other.

It was the most intense set Zhou Yun had ever been on.

Not a bit of the lively joy of young people gathering.

But Hou Mengjie seemed unaware, never addressing it.

After filming for a few days, everyone gradually got used to his style of shooting, finding a familiar rhythm.

This day, Zhou Yun had to film a fight scene with He Xuran.

Up to this point in the story, an argument breaks out between the two, neither willing to back down, resorting to a fight typical of worldly society.

Under the martial master’s guidance, Zhou Yun and He Xuran rehearsed the routine several times, thinking there were no issues, and began the official shoot.

The first take, Zhou Yun and He Xuran went through the fight.

Hou Mengjie found their fight too robotic, lacking thrills, and called for a second take.

Zhou Yun and He Xuran fought once again, Zhou Yun’s hand holding the sword was numb.

Hou Mengjie said, ”No, the expressions are too fierce, not good-looking.”

Zhou Yun: ”...”

Internally, she complained, as if they were filming a Fantasy Series, expecting them to look good while fighting.

Then the third take.

This time she was halfway through the fight when she accidentally slipped and fell.

The fourth take, He Xuran for some reason intensified his strikes.

Stirred by him, Zhou Yun also increased the intensity of the sword play.

Two blunt swords clashed, ringing metallically.

Suddenly He Xuran’s sword came down three inches lower than it should have, and Zhou Yun, not reacting in time, was struck by He Xuran’s sword squarely on the knuckles of her middle and ring fingers.

Zhou Yun cried out in agony.

He Xuran was startled.

The whole set paused for a moment.

Tears immediately welled up and spilled from Zhou Yun’s eyes, a completely instinctual reaction.