In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 2 Two-Layer Isolation Method

"Who told you to talk nonsense? Apologize right now!" Wu Guoqiang's voice trembled.

The director finally agreed to let his nephew work on the set, but this one sentence could easily offend someone. People like them can go or not with just a word from someone else.

Before Qin Xuan could speak, Wu Guoqiang had already bowed and approached Wang Peter: "I'm so sorry, Director Wang! This kid just came from the countryside and doesn't know the rules, so he interrupted. Please don't take it to heart!"

Peter Wang ignored him, staring at Qin Xuan, and took two steps forward: "Say what you just said again."

"What I mean is to use a double-layer light and shadow isolation method, using a set of special lights arranged in a panel array to shine on the entire green screen from multiple angles, ensuring that the green screen is clean and shadowless. This layer of background light serves the purpose of keying," Qin Xuan said calmly.

“Double-layer light and shadow isolation method?” Peter Wang repeated the term; it was quite novel.

"Yes, and then we set up a second canvas between the shooting area and the green screen, and used high-powered spotlights to simulate the effect of sunlight from above."

This idea was novel, and Wang Peter looked thoughtful.

Wu Guoqiang listened intently, though he didn't quite understand what his nephew was saying about lighting design. But he knew his nephew was just a farmer from the countryside.

How could a farmer in the countryside possibly know anything about lighting? If it causes delays and wastes manpower and resources, not to mention the unbearable consequences of delaying filming.

The film crew's daily shooting cost easily exceeds one million yuan, a sum that an ordinary person could never afford in a lifetime.

“Director, supervisor, he’s just a kid. He hasn’t learned lighting. Don’t listen to him.” Wu Guoqiang remained respectful, trying to defend his nephew.

"You're saying he hasn't studied lighting design?" Peter Wang asked, his tone tinged with doubt.

How could someone who hasn't studied it know about the double-layer light and shadow isolation method, yet speak of it so eloquently? Experts can see the details; Qin Xuan explained it, and everyone understood.

"Yes, I just came from farming in my hometown. How could I have learned such advanced things?" Wu Guoqiang was honest and didn't seem to be lying.

"Farming?" Peter Wang's voice involuntarily rose a few decibels as he sized up Qin Xuan.

Bao Dexi also pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and scrutinized Qin Xuan, which was both surprising and unbelievable.

He was wearing a coarse linen short-sleeved shirt, revealing his sun-darkened arms, and dark blue trousers with patches. He was not short, and his face had the wheat-colored skin typical of rural youths.

But his eyes were surprisingly bright, without the slightest trace of timidity, unlike the maturity one would expect at his age.

Such an appearance and temperament seemed out of place on him, yet it appeared on one person. It's just that Qin Xuan had just come from the countryside and hadn't yet shed his simplicity and naivety.

"Where did you learn all this from?" Peter Wang asked curiously.

"I usually like to read books about filmmaking, and I can figure it out by myself." Qin Xuan didn't want to explain too much.

"You'll figure it out after a bit of thinking?" Peter Wang was genuinely a little embarrassed. What was he, after studying for decades?
He said, "Let me test you. With this isolation method, there must be enough space between the green screen and the camera, otherwise there will be shadows. How many meters do you think is appropriate?"

Qin Xuan looked around the green screen space and estimated, "Six to ten meters, I guess. I need to measure it with a ruler to get a specific figure, so I can't give a precise answer."

“Okay,” Peter Wang knew the question was a bit too demanding, so he changed it to: “Then what material do you think should be used to isolate the second layer of canvas?”

"Butterfly cloth or tracing paper. If using tracing paper, it must be taut. If it is loose and wrinkled, the light will be uneven. Since this layer of light illuminates the performance area, light shields need to be installed on the lights to cut off the light and prevent the light from shining onto the green screen."

"We also need to hang black flags between the filming area and the green screen, where the light travels, to ensure that no shadows fall on the green screen." Qin Xuan's thinking was clear.

It can only be said that he is very familiar with it, as if he does it often. This is because in his previous life he learned about various lighting equipment from his uncle and later became a lighting technician. In addition, green screen shooting is commonplace in his later life, so he already has many advanced and mature solutions.

After all, green screen shooting is very convenient, as it does not require various location transitions, saving time and effort.

Green screen technology is still becoming more widespread in this era and has not yet reached the point where it is indistinguishable to the naked eye. In recent years, only Transformers has been made so impressively, and it was released this year.

Avatar wasn't released until 09, after many years of development, and it improved the filming technology of Hollywood and even the world, representing a revolution in filmmaking.

Green screen effects are not simply about cutting out the figures; they require perfect blending of light and shadow to create a realistic effect. Otherwise, it just looks like a "cut-out of a baby" – obviously fake.

Therefore, some of Qin Xuan's filming plans are outdated by today's standards.

To put it simply, even Zhang Yimou should learn from him; at least he knows how to shoot 3D films, whereas Zhang Yimou probably only knows what he's heard of.

Wu Guoqiang listened in disbelief, wiping the sweat from his forehead. When did his nephew learn these things?
Although he didn't know how to design lighting, he did know about the materials used in the arrangement, and his nephew could describe everything in detail without any hesitation.

Peter Wang and Peter Pau exchanged glances, confirming that this man was truly talented. Peter Wang then asked, "Do you also know about what kind of lighting fixtures to use?"

"Use space lights or LED lights to illuminate the green screen array. These two types of lights generate little heat and consume little power. Simulated lighting can be achieved using high-power softboxes and HMI spotlights, with softboxes being the best option," Qin Xuan said.

Hearing this, Peter Wang thought for a moment, then lowered his head and discussed something with Peter Pau.

"Xiao Xuan, stop messing around. We can't afford to take that responsibility." Wu Guoqiang also lowered his voice, not wanting his nephew to show off.

Qin Xuan remained calm and patted his uncle's hand to reassure him.

He doesn't do that kind of work; he wouldn't actually move those light cables and stuff.

“Your idea is good, but the final result may be very different.” Peter Wang was not willing to take the risk.

After all, it's just theory. If it doesn't work out when it's time to film, we'll have to redo everything and rearrange everything, which is extremely troublesome.

Lighting is a very complex system engineering project that requires the cooperation of multiple departments, including art, electrical engineering, and photography, and there can be no mistakes.

You also need to leave enough space for the photography equipment and make sure it doesn't face the camera lens; every aspect needs to be taken into account.

Otherwise, why are some special effects good while others are obviously photoshopped? It's because the on-site lighting setup plays a significant role.

Poorly designed lighting effects will still result in flaws, even with professional post-production computer work.

If he had nothing else to do, he would really like to give it a try, since he had never tried this approach before and it would be good to learn. It's not really feasible right now.

“If you don’t use my solution, you don’t have a better one right now. My solution can perfectly solve your concerns, and it’s even more cost-effective,” Qin Xuan volunteered.

He had just overheard their conversation; Peter Wang was still pondering it due to power limitations.

These words were spoken to both Peter Wang and Peter Pau.

"Young man, don't speak too confidently, or you'll be proven wrong later," Bao Dexi told him to take it easy.

(End of this chapter)