The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 151 Igniting the Divine Flame, Absolutely Shocking! Brother Yuan, you are my eternal god!
……

The plot inside the Ponte Tower.

Basically, this is the main storyline of the real-life events in the movie.

Originally, Lu Zhiyuan had planned to allocate a month for filming this scene because Hanikezi's acting skills might not meet the requirements.

But Harrison Ford performed so well that almost all the scenes were filmed in one take.

Moreover, as a veteran actor, he is very good at drawing inferences from one instance to another.

Sometimes, as long as Lu Zhiyuan makes a small suggestion, Harrison Ford can immediately turn it into an acting performance.

As a director, it's incredibly satisfying to encounter actors like this.

Think back to how much effort Lu Zhiyuan put into developing Hanikezi's acting skills and cultivating her realism in acting.
In contrast, Harrison Ford proactively addressed and resolved people's problems.

Lu Zhiyuan couldn't help but feel like crying.

Finding new actors is just asking for trouble and making things more difficult!
"No wonder, those big-name film directors in China all prefer to cast veteran actors. They would rather have a 30-year-old woman play a young girl than actually cast a young girl."

Lu Zhiyuan now understands them a little better.

No other reason.

The main advantage is that it saves time and effort.

……

"Honey, pay attention to details, pay attention to details."

“Living in a crime scene like Ponte Tower, you have to walk on tiptoe. When you hear a strange noise outside, you will instantly shrink your shoulders to convey a sense of fear to the audience.”

"When facing strangers, don't be too enthusiastic. First, look them over coldly. When talking to them, always keep your body turned to the side so that you are ready to run away at any time."

Hanikezi's lines and expressions were barely up to par.

But Lu Zhiyuan couldn't sense at all that she was a child living in this Ponte Tower environment.

Her eyes were filled with clarity and innocence.

Two hours of observation was far from enough for her to understand how many defensive behaviors would be instilled in the subconscious of a child growing up in such a dangerous environment.

Under Lu Zhiyuan's guidance, Hanikezi spent a long time, stumbling and struggling, but finally managed to get the details right and complete this part of the performance.

"Teacher, were you often beaten when you were a child?"

After get off work, Hanikezi looked at Lu Zhiyuan with some heartache: "Otherwise, how would you know so many details?"

"Little girl, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Lu Zhiyuan ruffled Hanikezi's hair, somewhat speechless: "As artists, we must have eyes that are good at discovering life."

"You need to observe more, think more, and summarize more."

"Life is like a play, you know?"

As soon as Lu Zhiyuan finished speaking, Hanikezi, who had already learned to answer first, immediately shook his head and said, "Otherwise, I would just be a little fool with an empty head and no artistic thinking."

This girl.

Although her acting is terrible, she's really cute.

She speaks wittily, her eyes darting around, like a little imp.

However, once in front of the camera, she froze like a quail, as if a Dementor lived inside the camera and could freeze her soul.

"As long as you know."

Lu Zhiyuan tapped Hanikezi's forehead and said, "Go back and pack your things. Tomorrow, we're going to Kashgar."

In the blink of an eye, I've been away for almost three months.

It's already the end of May.

Lu Zhiyuan planned to take the male and female leads to Kashgar to film a few more scenes, and then wait for news from Muztagh Ata.

"Teacher, after filming the snow mountain, do I still need to go to Yanjing to film green screen shots? I shouldn't need to go home before July, right?"

Hanikezi looked at Lu Zhiyuan with anticipation.

If I go home before July, wouldn't I have to go back to school for classes?

I do not want it!

"I know what you're thinking. You're lucky this time. You'll probably be on summer vacation right after you finish filming the green screen scenes."

"If you don't want to go home, you can spend a summer vacation in Yanjing."

“Reba will come over after she finishes her college entrance exams. You can ask her to show you around then.”

Urumqi is still quite chaotic lately, showing no signs of calming down. The streets are under strict control, and there's not much to do.

It is far less bustling and prosperous than a big city like Yanjing.

"Long live the teacher!"

Upon hearing Lu Zhiyuan's words, Hanikezi cheered with delight.

Her parents were busy taking care of her three-year-old brother and had practically left her to her own devices... It would be better for her to stay with Lu Zhiyuan.

Lu Zhiyuan, as a teacher, only had her as his apprentice.

My love for her is 100%!

Moreover, she has earned a lot of money in the past few months. Besides giving some to her parents, she still has tens of thousands of yuan in her own hands.

A 13-year-old girl with tens of thousands of yuan in pocket money in a bustling metropolis like Beijing—isn't that like entering paradise?
……

Kashgar.

Lu Zhiyuan, along with Harrison Ford, reshot the scenes that were previously needed.

On the one hand, Hanikezi was instructed to study diligently under Harrison Ford.

With such a world-class actor by her side, if Hanikezi doesn't learn a few tricks from him, she might not have this opportunity again.

"Honey, what's this?"

"Grandpa, this is an old man's melon. It's especially sweet and delicious, and it's especially suitable for elderly people's teeth."

With Lu Zhiyuan's hints, and Harrison Ford's fondness for the adorable Hanikezi, it was all partly due to his own feelings.

As they went back and forth, the two acted just like a real grandfather and grandson.

When they're not filming, the two often go out shopping together and eat street food.

"Brother Yuan, all the equipment has been transported up there. Our people have set up a camp next to Black Lake. I've got three cameras, and we're filming day and night."

"Brother Yuan, I've sent you the materials. Take a look."

Su Lun and his filming team have been stationed by Black Lake for a week.

Black Lake sounds like it's at the foot of a mountain.

Actually, it is located at an altitude of 3700 meters.

For ordinary people, just walking a few steps in this place can leave them breathless.

Su Lun suffered from severe altitude sickness when he first went up there.

My head is throbbing, I can't eat, and the worst part is that at night, due to lack of oxygen, my central nervous system is disordered, and I can't fall asleep for no reason.

After two days of oxygen therapy, Su Lun gradually improved, but even so, all she wanted to do was complete the mission and get down as soon as possible.

Su Lun felt that his physical fitness was much better than Lu Zhiyuan's.

If Lu Zhiyuan stayed here for two days, he'd probably have to be sent straight to the hospital.

"Nice shot."

"But it's missing something."

Before Su Lun could even let out a wail, Lu Zhiyuan said, "Here's what we'll do, you can film two more shots for me."

"First, the snow-capped peaks of Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, and Jiubie Peak... the three great peaks of the Pamir Mountains are reflected in the lake, creating a magical landscape where snow-capped mountains, blue sky, and white clouds complement each other."

"Secondly, take a picture of the golden sunrise over the mountains."

"If you can get these two shots within two days, then bring the rest of the crew down."

Two days ago, Xin Yukun went up in place of Lu Zhiyuan, and when he came back, he was completely exhausted and is still lying in the hotel.

Lu Zhiyuan didn't know if Kun Ge had ruined himself in Japan a while ago, but the altitude sickness was indeed quite severe.

He wanted to photograph world-famous paintings, but he never intended to make things difficult for himself.

First, let Su Lun film the footage he needed. Then, he took the three main characters by helicopter to the Black Lake and spent a day filming the special light and shadow on the robot.

Then, we took a helicopter back directly.

He figured he could manage, at most a day.

"Brother Yuan, I'll do my best."

On the other end of the phone, Su Lun sounded a little weak, her voice less decisive and conveying a sense of powerlessness.

"Thanks a lot."

Lu Zhiyuan felt that simple words were not enough, so he thought for a moment and said, "When you get back, bring me a script yourself. If the script is suitable, I will invest in you to make a movie."

Upon hearing this, Su Lun immediately became excited, pounding his chest loudly: "Brother Yuan, don't worry, I will definitely be able to capture the footage you want!"

Su Lun is a talented screenwriter.

However, screenwriters have the lowest status in this industry.

Because everyone has been to school, knows how to read, and can even make up stories, so there's a lack of reverence for written language.

Even many semi-literate idol stars can nitpick at screenwriters, feeling that the writing is inadequate and demanding that they revise the script for them.

Writing and directing are the goals of most directors.

The key is not writing, but directing.

……

6 month 10 number.

everything's ready.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhiyuan finally got his second leading lady.

The college entrance examination had just ended, and Reba rushed over from home like a rocket.

Reba missed Lu Zhiyuan day and night after not seeing him for two months.

Upon seeing Lu Zhiyuan again at the hotel, regardless of the other people present, she rushed up to him and gave him a big hug.

"Reba, the college entrance exam must have been tough, right?"

Holding her in his arms, Lu Zhiyuan could clearly feel that Dilraba had lost at least five or six pounds, and her complexion was not as good as before.

really.

Preparing for the final year of high school is probably the most arduous task in the world.

In Lu Zhiyuan's memory, nothing was as tough as the senior year of high school, not even the 996 work schedule or the three-shift assembly line.

"Yes, it's especially tough."

Reba pouted, looking at Lu Zhiyuan with a wronged expression, her big eyes blinking, while a sly glint flashed in them.

I feel sorry for you.

Feel sorry for me!

"It's good that the exam is over. I'll have no regrets for the rest of my life."

Lu Zhiyuan put Reba down and took her to a restaurant for dinner: "Let's celebrate properly tonight. What would you like to eat? It's on me."

All you ever do is treat me to meals!
Do you know what I want to eat most is you?

"Brother, do you know what the Chinese composition question for this year's college entrance exam is?"

On the way to the restaurant, Dilraba deliberately brought up the matter of the Chinese composition.

"I do not know."

Lu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Reba chuckled and said, "The material for the essay seems to be about a kind of tropical ornamental fish that can only grow to three inches in a fish tank, but once it is put into the ocean, it can grow to a foot long in two months."

"Oh."

Lu Zhiyuan nodded: "The environment has a huge impact on a person's growth. This material is probably trying to express that idea, right?"

Lu Zhiyuan also deeply agrees with this principle.

"Brother, if I hadn't met you, I might be dancing in a song and dance troupe now, or I might be studying some preparatory course and then taking the college entrance examination. My life would still be uncertain, and I wouldn't know what to do in the future."

Dilraba is confident that she will get a high score on the Chinese essay section of this year's college entrance examination.

Because she felt the same way.

"You were born to be a big star. Don't doubt yourself. Even without me, you can reach heights that many people can only dream of."

Lu Zhiyuan could sense Reba's admiration and gratitude towards him.

There's really no need for that.

Even without him, Dilraba would still be very successful.

He simply accelerated the process.

Moreover, he also had his own selfish motives.

After all, Dilraba has already proven in another timeline that with her looks and personality, she could definitely become a top star.

"Of course."

At this moment, Reba showed no modesty whatsoever, but instead nodded confidently: "After all, I am a mountain in Altay. Of course, I will reach a height that others cannot reach."

Haha!

There's a mountain in Altay, and I don't know who gave Reba that nickname.

Absolutely amazing.

The two walked toward the restaurant, chatting and laughing.

For some reason, Lu Zhiyuan particularly enjoyed being with Dilraba; it was very relaxing, and he didn't have to think about so many messy things.

"Brother, I know what you're thinking."

Seeing a slight smile on Lu Zhiyuan's lips, Dilraba suddenly spoke, giving Lu Zhiyuan a mysterious look before nodding slightly.

He whispered, "Me too."

how about it?
Isn't that combo amazing?

No matter what the other person is thinking, just stare at them for two seconds, then lower your head shyly and say, "Me too," and they'll be completely dumbfounded. It can make an introverted, shy person blush, their heart race, dopamine levels spike, and they'll unknowingly fall in love with themselves.

Haha!

I'm such a genius.

……

Unfortunately.

Su Lun didn't get the two shots that Lu Zhiyuan wanted.

Ultimately, Lu Zhiyuan decided to take matters into his own hands.

The next morning, no, it should be early morning.

Around 4 o'clock.

Xin Yukun rented two helicopters and took Lu Zhiyuan and the three main characters directly to the camp by Black Lake.

"Brother Yuan, why did you come in person?"

Before dawn, Su Lun heard a loud commotion outside and groggily walked out.

Seeing Lu Zhiyuan get off the helicopter, Su Lun immediately woke up and looked at Xin Yukun with a hint of reproach: "Brother Kun, why didn't you stop him?"

Lu Zhiyuan is good in every way, except that his health is a bit poor.

During regular filming, Lu Zhiyuan would be exhausted simply sitting behind the camera and watching the footage.

In contrast, Xin Yukun and Su Lun are busy with so much work for him every day, arranging venues and coordinating the work of various groups. They are working non-stop, but they act like nothing is wrong.

But Lu Zhiyuan, despite his fragility, is a key contributor to their entire project.

Filming for "Real Steel" has been going on for three months, and the entire crew understands one thing: protect our director. As long as he delivers consistent output, we're guaranteed to win this round.

Although he's fragile, his artistic taste is absolutely amazing!
While he may not deliver every game with godlike moments, he consistently dominates, earning admiration and respect with his consistent performances.

"12 hours."

"I've looked it up. Generally, altitude sickness will gradually show up over 6 to 12 hours."

"I'll shoot all the footage I need during the day, and then leave before sunset."

"So that altitude sickness can't catch up with me."

Lu Zhiyuan told Su Lun not to worry, to get to work quickly, to finish filming the two shots he wanted, and then to leave immediately.

Improve efficiency!

"Okay, Brother Yuan."

With things having come to this point, Su Lun could only grit her teeth and accompany Lu Zhiyuan on one last crazy adventure.

Next, Lu Zhiyuan took over from Su Lun and began using a walkie-talkie to direct all the working groups.

"Three cameras were used. One camera was locked onto the three main characters, while the other two were switched to wide-angle lenses to capture the panoramic view of the lake and snow-capped mountains."

"Now, with 30 minutes until sunrise, move the camera to the east side of the lake and wait for the sun to rise."

"remember!"

"Find the right angle, aim at the lake surface. What I want is the double gold mountain that exists alongside reality, reflected in the lake."

After giving the filming instructions to the production crew, Lu Zhiyuan turned to look at the three main characters.

"Don't just stand there, hurry up and go to the lakeside, stand with the robot, and show that excited state."

On the way here, Lu Zhiyuan had already told them that this scene didn't require too many complicated emotions.

Just smile happily.

Harrison Ford, there should be a spirit conveyed in your smile.

Hanikezi, on the other hand, needs to let go of all her burdens and inner barriers, and show the pure and innocent smile of a 13-year-old girl, radiating youthful energy.

Dilraba, the AI ​​assistant, knows all the truth and the ending of the story, and then she reveals that meaningful smile.

This scene doesn't require a high level of acting skill.

It was much easier to shoot than the scene on Weizhou Island.

The key lies in the effect of light and shadow.

That depends on whether God will be on your side.

……

"Brother, why do you have to take this picture of the sunrise?"

It's only 6 a.m.

To film this scene, Lu Zhiyuan and his team got up at 4 a.m. today, quickly ate breakfast, and then took a helicopter up.

If Lu Zhiyuan hadn't given them a lot of money, those two helicopter pilots wouldn't have been willing to risk going into the dark.

Xin Yukun felt unwell all over; it seemed like he was experiencing altitude sickness. He suddenly had an urge to collapse and be carried back.

"You won't ask this question in half an hour."

Lu Zhiyuan didn't want to explain to Xin Yukun.

The sunrise over Muztagh Ata is an epic dialogue between light and snow, a truly divine moment on the Pamir Plateau.

He had the good fortune to see it once in another time and space.

Its breathtaking beauty surpassed his understanding of natural landscapes, and he inexplicably felt an urge to burst into tears.

……

Time passed slowly.

The crew members yawned and rubbed their eyes every now and then.

We were woken up very early in the morning; almost no one had slept well.

But this is the last scene, just bear with it and we'll wrap up filming soon.

Everyone could only give the big director face.

……

On the silent, desolate wilderness.

The bluish-gray sky hung low, and in the distance, Muztagh Ata seemed to be sleeping in a cobalt blue shadow.

The outline of the snow-capped mountain resembles the silhouette of a reclining giant, which is awe-inspiring.

At this moment, the Milky Way's starlight in the sky had not yet completely faded away, and the handle of the Big Dipper was pointing towards the snow-capped peak, as if locking in the coordinates for the golden light that was about to appear.

"coming!"

Suddenly, a layer of salmon-pink glow appeared on the eastern horizon.

Immediately afterwards, a cold white spot of light appeared on the top of the snow-capped peak, like the first divine fire lit by the gods.

The surface of Black Lake was still shrouded in a misty fog.

The snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake resemble giants sealed away for millions of years, waiting for a ray of light to awaken them from darkness and chaos.

"Look closely, this is the coronation ceremony of God!"

In the distance, the eastern sunlight ignited the snow-capped peaks inch by inch from the darkness.

Lu Zhiyuan looked at Xin Yukun beside him and told him to pay attention.

This may be the only time in his entire life that he has witnessed such a sacred moment.

At this moment, heaven and earth awoke, and all things revived. Atop the snow-capped mountain, a dazzling golden light, like that of an incandescent light bulb filament, burst forth instantly.

Visible light particles bounce off the ice crystals.

The golden light cascaded down like a waterfall of molten gold.

Glacial fissures have transformed into flowing golden veins.

At the intersection of light and shadow, a unique spectacle resembling a golden tsunami was formed.

"This……"

Not only Xin Yukun, but the entire crew, as well as the three main characters, were all incredibly shocked.

For a moment, they seemed to have suddenly lost their ability to speak.

A thousand words welled up in my throat, but I couldn't utter a single one.

"Some magnificent things can only be truly appreciated by standing between heaven and earth in person!"

"Next, please join me in taking on the romantic onslaught of the universe and nature with our insignificant bodies."

Lu Zhiyuan sighed a few times and stepped forward to examine the robot's lighting effects in the camera lens!
In that instant, the golden light transmitted from the snow-capped mountain, like divine fire, imprinted itself on the robot's steel exoskeleton.

It was as if this wisp of the divine essence of heaven and earth had been infused into the robot [Qin Palace Guard]!

"Now you know why I came here to film this scene, right?"

"This is called the Divine Fire Igniting Ceremony!"

Lu Zhiyuan was very excited to have captured this shot.

Most importantly, the two cameras captured the moment simultaneously, and the effect was absolutely stunning.

Quentin Tarantino's violent ritualistic style!

He didn't need to use that move!

He borrowed the violent ritualistic feel of this S-class event and transformed it into a sacred ritualistic feel that was uniquely his own!
Later, when paired with music of rumbling steel, this single shot will probably send chills down your spine!

An absolutely iconic scene!

……

"Brother, I have a problem with my eyes."

“I was illuminated by divine fire, and now, even when I close my eyes, I can still see the burning snow-capped mountains shimmering before my eyes.”

Xin Yukun is a staunch atheist.

But at this moment, he began to waver.

After all, once you've truly witnessed a miracle, it's hard to remain so steadfast in your convictions.

"Don't worry, the gold saturation exceeds the color gamut of human displays, and the retina will experience visual persistence under strong light stimulation."

"Rest for a day, you'll feel better tomorrow."

Lu Zhiyuan offered a few words of comfort, telling Xin Yukun not to worry too much.

However, before descending the mountain, Xin Yukun still kowtowed devoutly in the direction of the snow-capped mountain.

……

on the way back.

Lu Zhiyuan and his group left first by helicopter.

Su Lun led the main force to bring the equipment back.

To film this one shot, Su Lun endured hardship and suffering on the snow-capped mountain for a full week.

I just captured that divine moment, and it almost made Su Lun cry.

"Mom, I never want to make movies again!"

"Some people come into this world just to crush mortals like me!"

Su Lun had been secretly skeptical of Lu Zhiyuan's crazy idea of ​​coming to an altitude of 3500 meters to photograph the snow-capped mountains.

Although Lu Zhiyuan has reduced the difficulty.

Originally, Lu Zhiyuan even wanted to bury the robot in the snow and ice and then have the staff dig it out.

Later, when no one else was willing to do the job, he understandingly gave up.

Even so, the fact that someone was transporting a 1.5-ton robot up to an altitude of 3500 meters still left Su Lun speechless.

But just now...

Su Lun suddenly understood Lu Zhiyuan.

Not only did she understand, she even wanted to kneel down and kowtow to Lu Zhiyuan!
Brother Yuan, you will always be my god!
……

on the way back.

On the helicopter, Xin Yukun's eyes felt a bit better, and he smiled at Reba next to him: "Reba, do you know Prometheus?"

Dilraba nodded: "I know. What's wrong?"

Xin Yukun smiled mysteriously: "In the last movie, 'Upgrade,' you were just a false god, sacrificing yourself to AI. But in this movie, you've truly become a god. You are Prometheus!"

"Prometheus, by inserting a fennel stalk into the flames of his sun chariot, brought fire to humankind. This act completely changed humanity's primitive way of life, making cooking, heating, and tool forging possible, and laying the foundation for human civilization!"

"And you, with your magic wand, guided the heroine and her grandfather to the summit of the snow-capped mountain, where you ignited the [Qin Palace Guards] with divine fire."

"You helped humanity resist the monster army, found the Oedipus Rex who was willing to sacrifice himself, and preserved the spark of human civilization!"

amount.

Still saying this?

Reba looked at Xin Yukun with some confusion, feeling that he was trying to fool her.

Xin Yukun chuckled softly, looking to the side. His head began to throb; the altitude sickness, though delayed, had reached Lu Zhiyuan.

He began to explain the deeper meaning behind Lu Zhiyuan's character design for Reba.

"Prometheus, because he stole fire from the gods, was chained to Mount Caucasus by Zeus. Every day, his liver was eaten by a giant eagle, and it would regenerate at night, thus enduring the torment in a cycle."

"Think about your own role. Because of working with AI and cybersecurity, your soul is trapped in algorithms and programs. You can only act as a guide every day, watching others pursue their dreams. How painful is that?"

"If you can't find the chosen one, you'll have to do the tutorial quests over and over again, endlessly repeating this painful cycle!"

"You still say you're not Prometheus?"

It seems so!

After Xin Yukun's analysis, Reba suddenly developed a strong admiration for Lu Zhiyuan again!

As expected of the person I like!

So artistic!

A teen action movie has so many metaphors!
If Brother Kun hadn't explained it, I would have thought that my character was just a simple tool!
Unexpectedly, I am an AI character with divine abilities!

that's nice!

I knew it! I knew you liked me the most!
(End of this chapter)