Editor: Atlas Studios
"Yeah, what do we do now?" The assistant director was deeply frustrated as well. This young actress was an important part of their upcoming shoot, with substantial scenes, and was quite significant.
In fact, their current filming location was primarily for the young actress’s scenes.
The production team specifically scheduled her scenes during the winter break to avoid interfering with her schooling.
"Go and ask if anyone can quickly recommend a young actress." Ning Yi took out half a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offered one to the assistant director, then lit one himself and squatted on the ground to smoke.
He rarely smoked, only indulging when under significant stress.
The assistant director had no time to smoke; he tucked the cigarette behind his ear and went to inquire about young actresses. Ning Youguang had two big oranges in her hands, given to her by a villager’s wife, intending to share one with her dad.
After looking for him, she saw her dad smoking with a troubled expression.
"What’s wrong?"
She didn’t directly give her dad the orange, but carefully peeled it before handing it to him.
"Just a little trouble, already being resolved." Ning Yi discarded the cigarette butt, took the peeled orange from his daughter, "It’s really sweet."
"What kind of trouble? Can I do anything to help?"
Ning Yi instinctively wanted to say there’s nothing she could do, but someone intercepts the conversation halfway.
"Yes, you can."
"What can she do?"
"A young actress, eight years old. Isn’t that ready-made?"
This person had come over after hearing the assistant director say the young actress couldn’t make it tomorrow.
"..."
Ning Yi was stunned.
Letting his daughter act was something he had never considered.
After a while, he frowned and said, "Our little darling isn’t an actress."
"Which young actress is a professional? They’re all honed over time. Your daughter is so smart, I think she can do it."
"The young actress to play Xue Fei can’t make it?" You Guang understood her dad’s predicament after hearing this.
"Her mom said she’s sick," the person explained, "but we’re here mainly for her scenes."
"You want me to play Xue Fei?" You Guang split her orange in half and gave some to this person.
"Are you willing? If you don’t, we’ll suffer a huge loss." This person looked at Ning Youguang with a troubled expression as they accepted the half-orange.
"Don’t try to guilt-trip me."
"Do we need to guilt-trip you? It’s truly a disaster."
Ning Yi quietly ate his orange on the side, staying silent.
He felt very conflicted, knowing the suggestion was feasible, and that if his daughter could act, it would undoubtedly resolve the crew’s crisis immediately.
But he didn’t want to force his daughter, even slightly against her will.
A desperate future, the world seemed like a huge ruin, with desolation and gloom as far as the eye could see, and human civilization nearly obliterated in the catastrophe.
In a situation of extreme resource scarcity, survivors used all means necessary, and horrid scenes of cannibalism occurred frequently, making the world a living hell.
The protagonist, computer engineer Zhou Yi, brought his daughter back to eight years ago when the apocalypse first struck, from such a devastated world.
The city’s destruction loomed near. Zhou Yi knew he and his daughter would die, knew many would perish, but he still hoped to find a warm refuge for humanity before death.
You Guang played his daughter, Xue Fei. She had few scenes in the whole movie, yet she was essential.
She was a genius girl who, during Zhou Yi’s mission to save humanity, greatly aided her father with her high intelligence.
This is the background and Xue Fei’s character setting in the film "Before Death."
Either don’t do something or do it the best you can.
Since Ning Youguang decided to help her dad over this hurdle by playing Xue Fei, she quickly focused on studying the script to immerse herself in the role and do the best job possible portraying Xue Fei.
The crew members were understandably concerned about the director having his daughter play Xue Fei.
But seeing little You Guang’s serious and responsible attitude, they temporarily buried their concerns.
Soon, You Guang and the male lead, Zhou Yi—her father in the movie—faced their first scene together.
The actor playing Zhou Yi was 34 years old, surnamed Yan, with the full name Yan Ji Dao.
In a previous life, Yan Ji Dao shot to fame by winning the best actor award with the role of Zhou Yi, and he became instantly popular in the entertainment circle. He later took scripts only from famous directors and major productions, was chauffeured in luxury cars, and was constantly surrounded by countless bodyguards, assistants, photographers, and lighting technicians, making him hard to meet for ordinary people.
In this life, he was still an unknown actor who had played extras and insignificant roles in many productions before.
Getting the chance to play the lead in "Before Death" was a stroke of luck for him, even if it meant working with an inexperienced director like Ning Yi and receiving minimal compensation. He was particularly grateful to Ning Yi.
Since being cast in the role, his sole focus was making this movie a success.
Moreover, he was especially attentive to the film’s shooting and production.
He had memorized the script inside out even before joining the crew.
After joining, when he didn’t have scenes, he mostly stayed nearby to watch recordings or observe others acting, showing himself to be a very serious, responsible, and dedicated actor.
Yan Ji Dao undoubtedly had a talent for acting.
His presence in front of the camera was very different from his everyday demeanor. Usually silent, introverted, and not good at socializing in life, he became captivating and almost radiant when in character.
Physical appearance aside, Yan wasn’t professionally trained; he entered the industry purely out of interest. Despite having unrefined acting skills, he often brought novelty and tension to performances.
Those with inadequate acting skills did not particularly want to play opposing roles against someone like Zhou Yi, as his acting was not easy to match.
The director’s daughter was shooting her first scene with Yan Ji Dao, and honestly, everyone was quite concerned for little Youyou.
However, after a few private rehearsals with Youyou, Yan Ji Dao unexpectedly appeared relaxed, even slightly eager.
His attitude left others puzzled.
Winter in Guangxi wasn’t cold, and this particular day was nice, with temperatures over 20 degrees. Against the backdrop of a sunset sky full of vibrant clouds and distant, impressively beautiful mountains.
A little girl in a white dress holding a green crocodile stood on the dusty hillside, looking from afar at the young man shouldering a simple bundle preparing to descend the mountain, coincidentally turning back to say goodbye. They exchanged a glance, then simultaneously nodded to director Ning Yi.
Ning Yi stepped back a few steps, returned to the monitor, adjusted the angle, and gave the clapperboard a heavy look, his expression serious. All surrounding staff fell silent, and filming began.
"3... 2... 1... action!" 1314