Huayu: Tianxian Qianmeng

In fact, because "The Haunted House" was a small-scale production, Ling Yuan was able to film it in a rented apartment.

However, renting an apartment is problematic for two reasons: firstly, I haven't found a suitable one in the short term, and secondly, I'm worried about complaints from the upstairs and downstairs neighbors. After all, filming in an apartment would involve a lot of walking around, and often we need to film in the middle of the night.

If we scare the elderly, wouldn't we be scolded to death? And if something bad happens, and they try to extort money from us, the compensation might exceed the total investment.

Therefore, Ling Yuan still chose Huairou Film and Television Base.

This place is more professional, won't disturb others, and has all kinds of equipment and facilities.

Returning to a familiar place, my state of mind was completely different.

This time, he is a novelist, screenwriter, male lead, director, producer, investor... with multiple identities.

Although directing and acting in the show is a bit troublesome, it's not a big problem.

"Dim the lights here a bit more. I want that feeling of being startled awake in the middle of the night, in complete darkness!"

"Props: DV camera battery confirmed to be fully charged! Make sure the stand is secure!"

"Dandan, when you wake up, make your breathing even more erratic, like you've been completely stunned!"

Ling Yuan's voice was not loud, but his reasoning was clear. His eyes swept across the scene, revealing the sharpness of a newborn calf.

The photography, lighting, and props were all rented from the Huairou base by him, and many of them were veterans he had worked with when filming "The Story of Jin Fen" and "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

Everyone looked at this young man who had just played a simple-minded monk on camera, and now he had become a director giving orders. In addition to the novelty, there was also a bit more seriousness in everyone's eyes - this kid is serious!

Wang Luodan, wrapped in a sexy nightgown and with messy hair, sat on the edge of the bed, trying to get into the mood.

She glanced at the DV camera mounted on the bedside table and muttered under her breath, "Yuanzi, this show of yours... there's not a single ghost in it, it's all based on my 'intuition'?"

Recalling the descriptions of "strange noises," "doors opening by themselves," and "the blankets being pulled" in the script, Wang Luodan felt a little uneasy, yet also excited.

"It's all about the 'feeling'." Ling Yuan walked over, patted her shoulder, and grinned. "In horror movies, what you can't see is the scariest. Just imagine there's something really moving around in the room. The camera can't capture it, but you know exactly what's there. Maximize your expressions, your eyes, your breathing!"

Ling Yuan's script was not a direct copy of the original film, but rather a slightly modified version, making the plot more dramatic and richer than the original work.

In fact, there have been many films imitating "Paranormal Activity" in later generations. After all, once a film becomes a hit, many others follow suit. However, in this life, Ling Yuan is the first.

Moreover, having watched many similar films and combined the strengths of various works, his current script is far superior to that of his previous work, "Spirit: The Ghostly Chronicles."

This is the "advantage of being a latecomer".

It came later, but it was the first to act.

Huang Shengyi and Jia Nailiang were waiting in the next room, playing friends who came to visit but found something was wrong. At the same time, several supporting actors, including Zhu Yawen and Zheng Luoxi, were also on set watching and waiting.

Jia Nailiang peeked out from the door frame and said, "Brother Yuan, did we use up all the budget for this show on a DV camera? We even saved on special effects makeup!" He made a face on purpose.

Ling Yuan grabbed an empty water bottle and pretended to smash it: "Get lost! This is art! A mockumentary, you know? It's all about realism! When you come in later, don't act, just pretend you really found Wang Luodan was about to go crazy with fear!"

"Understood!" Jia Nailiang pulled his head back.

"Action!"

The studio fell into a deathly silence, with only the faint red light of the DV camera emitting a soft glow.

Wang Luodan curled up on the bed, breathing rapidly, her eyes wide with terror as she stared intently at the dark corner.

Suddenly, she sat bolt upright, her chest heaving violently, as if an invisible hand were gripping her throat, making suppressed "hoarse" sounds. There was no scream, only a silent terror spreading through her.

It must be said that Wang Luodan is quite capable. Although she is only a sophomore, she already has the demeanor of a veteran actress.

Most importantly, she is young and beautiful.

Ling Yuan stared intently at the monitor, his palms slightly sweaty. He whispered to the director of photography, "Pull in! Get a close-up! Shoot the tremor in her pupils! Yes, just like that!"

"Talking but not revealing" is all about playing with fire.

The entire film is like a meticulously designed game of hide-and-seek. The camera always follows the home DV camera, and the shaky perspective, rough image quality, and dim lighting keep the audience firmly in the shoes of the young couple.

There's no jump scares with blood and gore, no monstrous demons with blue faces and fangs, only objects that move mysteriously in the dead of night, eerie whispers captured in recordings, and the actors' genuine reactions as they are tormented by unknown fears to the point of collapse.

Ling Yuan demanded that everyone act in the documentary "with a straight face".

Wang Luodan and Ling Yuan play a couple in the drama who live together. Sometimes, there are inevitably some ambiguous scenes, such as lying in the same bed and making some intimate gestures.

However, since this is a horror movie, the ambiguity is toned down.

The two of them solemnly analyzed the "paranormal phenomenon" in front of the camera, and the panic beneath their forced composure was more terrifying than any scream.

This film was completed in just five days, less than a week, a truly swift and decisive effort!

Ling Yuan already had a clear picture in his mind, so he gave decisive and efficient instructions.

She also benefited from her experience working on the sets of "The Story of Jin Li" and "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

After filming, Ling Yuan took everyone to have a hot pot meal of mutton. This is one of Beijing's local specialties and a representative of Northern-style hot pot. It is known for cooking mutton slices in a copper pot over charcoal fire with clear water and serving it with sesame sauce and other condiments.

"If it does well after the film's release, we'll celebrate!"

Ling Yuan took the film and returned to the Beijing Film Academy.

The school has a ready-made editing room, so we should make use of it.

After a flurry of work, a rough cut was produced, but Ling Yuan felt a little apprehensive.

After all, it's a horror movie. Will they be able to get the "Dragon Seal" (a special permit for film production)?

I hadn't worried about it before, but now that it's happening, I'm a little uneasy.

"Let's go see Teacher Cui."

If you're still undecided, go to the teacher—after all, he's still a proper student.

So, Ling Yuan carried the gifts and went to Teacher Cui's house.

It's Chinese New Year, but school hasn't started yet, and the teachers aren't at work.

"Look at you, you could have just called me if you needed anything, why did you bring a gift?" Teacher Cui was very hospitable and brewed some good tea to entertain him.

The teacher and student started chatting.

"Xiao Ling," Teacher Cui said, rubbing her temples, "you've got guts! Filming a horror movie?"

Ling Yuan's heart tightened: "...Teacher Cui, is there a problem?"

"I need to watch the film first. It's not convenient at home. Let's go to school."

So the two of them took a taxi and rushed back to school.

In the editing room, after watching the film, Teacher Cui couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Well done, Xiao Ling, you filmed it quite cleverly. You only showed the story, without revealing anything, and you captured the atmosphere perfectly. There was no bloodshed or violence, and you didn't promote feudal superstition. It just used people's psychological fears."

"Although regulations are strict now, it's not to the point where people are terrified of ghosts. Your film can totally be reported as a 'thriller/suspense'! Focus on the documentary process of 'a couple investigating mysterious phenomena with a camera,' and downplay the 'supernatural' label. With a little more attention to editing, blur a few shots that might evoke superstitious associations, and it shouldn't be a problem!"

After receiving Teacher Cui's feedback, Ling Yuan felt relieved: "Thank you, Teacher Cui!"

For the next few days, Ling Yuan was busy submitting applications for review.

This is the most crucial and indispensable step after filming is completed.

After passing the review and obtaining the "Film Review Decision Letter", a "Film Public Screening License", also known as the "Dragon Seal", is required.

Only after obtaining the "Dragon Seal" can the film be promoted and released in theaters.

The process was naturally extremely cumbersome, especially since, unlike later generations, there was no paperless office work.

Fill out forms, hand in master tapes, write instructions...

Ling Yuan ran back and forth, piling up a stack of materials.