Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Fifty-Four: Can You Make a Film?

Facing Liu Hao’s flattery, Chen Jing offered a slight smile without engaging, simply saying, "Brother Liu, let’s run through the scene. After all, I don’t have much acting experience, so I’ll need you to guide me. If you see anything I’m doing wrong, just tell me directly."

Liu Hao nodded and replied, "Sure, no problem." Chen Jing having this mindset was for the best; it would make his own work on set much easier.

They rehearsed the scene a few times. To Liu Hao's mild surprise, Chen Jing's acting was actually quite good. He didn't break character even once during the rehearsals, which explained why he felt confident enough to star in and direct a film.

Chen Jing, not overthinking it, felt his state was right and decided to start filming immediately.

Ma Jun walked along the beach, picked up a ball, and threw it back to the little girl with some force.

"What now? What kind of games are you trying to play? Everything alright?"

"It’s such a beautiful sunny day today, I just thought I’d bring you out to soak up some sun."

"I didn't bring any swimming trunks, though..."

Wang Shumin watched Chen Jing, who played the role of Ma Jun, as he chatted with Zhang Guozhong with natural expressions. She nodded to herself; Chen Jing’s performance was spot on. Although it wasn't a difficult shot, the fact that a non-professional could pull it off in one take was quite impressive.

"Cut! Good, that’s a wrap." Wang Shumin gestured to Chen Jing.

Chen Jing walked over to review the footage and nodded with satisfaction. It was decent; as long as he didn't look out of place, it would do.

Next up was the dialogue scene for the three supporting actors.

Three consecutive takes were completed on the first try, allowing the crew to relax significantly. However, just when the staff thought they would finish the day's shoot early and head home, the first "NG" (No Good) occurred.

"Cut!" Chen Jing signaled to stop filming and shouted at Lin Ze, "What’s going on, Lin Ze? Is that what your lines were supposed to be?"

Lin Ze quickly smiled and said, "My apologies, my apologies. I memorized the lines wrong, I messed them up."

Chen Jing frowned. He didn't want to be too harsh, as it was only the first mistake.

"Fine. Pay attention, let’s go again."

But not long after the second take began, Chen Jing called for a halt again.

"Cut!"

"Lin Ze, what are you doing? Did you not memorize the lines? Do you even know what you're supposed to say?" Chen Jing expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Sorry, I suddenly had a blank moment. Could you give me ten minutes to brush up on the lines?" Lin Ze didn't dare to talk back, knowing the fault was his.

Chen Jing took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and said, "Take a ten-minute break. We’ll resume in ten minutes."

The ten minutes passed quickly, and the crew began filming again.

However, the third take didn't last long before another NG occurred. Chen Jing stopped it once more.

"Cut!" Chen Jing called the stop with a grim expression, and everyone on set could feel his displeasure.

Chen Jing took a deep breath, brow furrowed, and said, "Lin Ze, do I need to tell you what happened this time?"

This time, Lin Ze didn't back down. Instead, he stubbornly replied, "Young Master Chen, I don’t think there was anything wrong with my performance. You really didn't need to call a cut."

"Nothing wrong? Hahaha," Chen Jing chuckled, though not out of amusement. "Did you even read the script? What you just said was completely different from the lines in the script, and you're telling me there's nothing wrong?"

Lin Ze remained defiant. "Even if the lines weren't exact, the meaning was roughly the same. Is it really necessary to say it word-for-word? As long as the meaning is there, it should be fine."

"And that’s your excuse for butchering the script?"

Lin Ze was momentarily speechless, then retorted stubbornly, "I was just improvising. If I may, Young Master Chen, many times, unscripted improvisation ends up being the highlight of a film. For example..."

Just as Lin Ze was about to launch into a lecture, Chen Jing, having no patience for his nonsense, cut him off with a cold, merciless sneer. "Improvising? Are you the lead actor or the director? You’ve got quite the ego. Should I step aside and let you direct instead?" Chen Jing scanned the entire set and said in a low, firm voice, "I don't care if you think you're improvising or if you just think it doesn't matter how we shoot this. I’m telling you clearly right now: in my film, there is no need for such 'extras.' You are only to follow the script and deliver the shots I need. You don't need to worry about anything else. If you can't even do that, pack your bags and get out."

The set fell completely silent. No one dared to cross Chen Jing in this mood.

Seeing no one spoke, Chen Jing looked at Lin Ze and asked expressionlessly, "I’ll ask you once more: can you follow the script properly?"

Lin Ze stood there, face flushed red. He hadn't expected Chen Jing to berate him so severely over such a small matter. But he didn't dare to argue any further; he knew Chen Jing was serious. If he kept messing around, he would likely be kicked off the set as an example. The consequences of that would be dire.

With no other choice, Lin Ze forced a smile and said, "I can, I can. Since you’ve said so, Director, I will definitely follow the script."

Chen Jing frowned slightly and said coldly, "From now on, call me 'Director' on set. Take another ten-minute break, then we film again." Without another word to Lin Ze, he went to consult with assistant director Wang Shumin regarding the rest of the schedule.

Elsewhere, Liu Manqiang and Wang Zhou, who didn't have scenes at the moment, sat near the logistics area, having witnessed Chen Jing’s outburst.

Wang Zhou whispered to his junior brother, Liu Manqiang, "Young Master Chen still lacks experience as a director. Managing a group of old veterans on set isn't as simple as he thinks." In Wang Zhou's view, a director had to be able to "command" the crew, otherwise, few actors would bother to perform properly.

Liu Manqiang, however, disagreed. He shook his head and said, "Senior brother, you are all underestimating Chen Jing. Even though I haven't spent much time with him, I get the feeling..." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Chen Jing is not a simple man. You all think he only knows how to sing and write songs, but his talents go far beyond that."

Seeing his senior brother remain skeptical, Liu Manqiang sighed. "Senior brother, have you ever met an actor who, in their first time acting, never once had an NG—and I'm not talking about background extras?"

This question finally caught Wang Zhou’s attention. "Are you talking about Chen Jing?"

Seeing Liu Manqiang nod, Wang Zhou said in disbelief, "How is that possible? If that's true, it’s either because the director had low standards, or the role was too simple."

Liu Manqiang shook his head. "Remember when I told you I was on Director Zhang Qishan’s set and he added scenes for me? Chen Jing was there too, and Director Zhang specifically added a role for him. Not counting the simple short shots, there was a one-minute take—a scene where his character sacrificed himself—and he nailed it in one take."

Wang Zhou was genuinely shocked. He knew Director Zhang Qishan well; his standards for acting were notoriously high. If Chen Jing could pass under Zhang’s scrutiny in one take every time, he clearly had real talent.

However, being a good actor didn't necessarily mean one could be a good director.

Wang Zhou frowned. "Even if he can act, it doesn't mean he can manage a film set. You and I both know being a director isn't that simple. It’s not something just anyone can do."

Liu Manqiang fell silent. He knew that too, yet in his heart, he truly believed Chen Jing could make this film a success.

There was one thing he hadn't told his senior brother: on the set of *Bloody Battle at Gushan Ridge*, the person who discussed camera angles with Director Zhang the most was Chen Jing. In some cases, Zhang even took Chen Jing's advice. Could someone who couldn't direct contribute like that? Liu Manqiang watched Chen Jing in the distance, discussing plans with the assistant director, and he already had his answer.

Ten minutes later, the cameras rolled again. This time, Lin Ze didn't dare cause any trouble, and the scene was completed very smoothly.

"Cut!"

Chen Jing reviewed the footage, felt it was perfect, and announced, "Okay, that’s it. Everyone pack up, we’re moving to the next location."

Hearing that they were moving on, Liu Hao looked at Chen Jing in surprise. After a moment, he walked over and asked, "Director, moving on so soon? Shouldn't we shoot a few more takes for safety?"

Chen Jing understood what Liu Hao meant. Usually, when filming, a crew would try to get extra shots of every scene just in case. It prevented the need for costly reshoots if they realized during editing that they lacked coverage.

However, that problem didn't exist for Chen Jing. Every shot he wanted was already edited in his mind. He just needed to recreate the film from his memory exactly as it was. He didn't need any redundant footage.

Chen Jing shook his head at Liu Hao. "No need. These shots are enough. Let’s move on to the next one."

Seeing Chen Jing ignore his advice and insist on moving on, Liu Hao sighed to himself. "A novice is a novice, with no experience in directing or filmmaking. Oh well, if we need reshoots later, we'll just have to come back."