Zhou Yun asked in surprise, "But the director is Kang Xin, isn’t his high demands a good thing for actors?"
"Some actors don’t think the same as you. They even feel that, after all, it’s just a TV series, why such high demands are necessary, and they complain that the director is too demanding."
At this point, Song Chi paused suddenly.
Someone was passing by.
After the person passed, he said, "You’ve been on the set all day, go back and rest."
Zhou Yun said, "I have nothing to do in the hotel, it’s boring, I’d rather watch you guys act on set."
However, by evening, the scene planned to be shot at night could not be filmed due to some issues.
Kang Xin had no choice but to move forward a night scene with Zhou Yun and Song Chi.
It wasn’t indoors, but in a small courtyard.
As dusk fell, Song Chi stayed in the courtyard preparing and boiling medicines, and Zhou Yun, having just recovered from a serious illness, walked out from indoors, sat at the doorway, and had a conversation with Song Chi.
From a scheduling perspective, it was a simple scene.
But from a performance perspective, it was a difficult scene.
The scene rested entirely on two actors.
Initially, Kang Xin wanted Zhou Yun to shoot this scene after she had been on the set for a while, partly because he originally thought Zhou Yun was a new actor whose acting skills might not support this scene. And also because the scene relied solely on both characters and required the actors to be more familiar with each other. Now there was a gap in the schedule, and Zhou Yun happened to be on set, and after yesterday’s performance, her acting had exceeded Kang Xin’s expectations, so Kang Xin felt it was worth a try.
If the result was not good tonight, they could reshoot it later.
Suddenly notified, Zhou Yun had to rush to do her makeup.
Li Li was tasked and panicked; he had not anticipated reapplying makeup today.
Zhou Yun reminded him, "What we’re shooting today is after recovering from a serious illness; it doesn’t need to be morning."
Li Li nodded, saying, "Okay."
After a long time, neither Li Li nor Zhou Yun was pleased with the makeup.
Li Li removed Zhou Yun’s makeup again and suddenly paused, having an idea.
"Why not try going barefaced?" Li Li suggested, "It’s already evening. In this kind of lighting, a bare face almost looks the same on camera."
When night fell completely.
Zhou Yun arrived in the courtyard.
The track had been laid; the lighting team was adjusting the lights.
Kang Xin was explaining the scene to Song Chi.
Kang Xin saw Zhou Yun, waved to her and said, "Perfect timing, you’re here, come join us."
Zhou Yun walked over.
Kang Xin said, "This scene is crucial, it sets the stage for the tragedy that He Mu and Liu Rusu can’t be together, and it’s also what prompts Liu Rusu to leave He Mu later on. Zhou Yun, remember, all your emotions are hidden inside, and every time an emotion surfaces, your first reaction should be to not let Song Chi find out. In this scene, you don’t even have a chance for an ’unspoken word.’"
Zhou Yun asked, "Director, I’m a bit confused, should I act as if nothing happened?"
"Not that nothing happened, but that everything is happening inside your heart. In this scene, the more subtle and restrained you are, the better the scene will look."
Zhou Yun seemed to understand but not quite.
Kang Xin wasn’t satisfied.
Kang Xin said, "Prepare a candle and have Zhou Yun hold it. Film a shot of her holding the candle coming out. Zhou Yun, after you sit down later, just place the candle at your feet."
On Song Chi’s side, there was a brazier, and on Zhou Yun’s side, there was candlelight.
After reviewing the lighting, Kang Xin decided to have other staff members withdraw, leaving only the cameraman and a few others who were essential to be present.
The courtyard emptied suddenly.
Kang Xin took Zhou Yun around to go through the motions, meticulously telling her how to walk at each spot and how the camera would capture it.
Everything ready, Kang Xin returned to monitor behind the camera, lifting the intercom, "Let’s get ready for the real shot."
Song Chi, playing He Mu, was fanning the fire with a small fan.
On camera, the courtyard was pitch-black except for the small bundle of fire that shone.
Song Chi’s face was illuminated, handsome and youthful.
Unmade up, barefaced, the firelight cast real shadows onto Song Chi’s features.
On the other end, Zhou Yun, holding a candle, walked to the doorway, glanced at Song Chi in the courtyard, paused for a moment, and then stepped over the threshold.