The Best Director

Chapter 137: On the Set

“CUT!” With Annie Fletcher’s shout, the cinematographer shut off the camera, the sound technician turned off the long microphone… Jessica, Scarlett, and Annie-Darren, who were performing on set, all stopped as well. Fletcher smiled and said, “That was really good…” Standing by her side, Wang Yang, clad in a T-shirt, frowned slightly and looked at the three girls, saying, “Wait, Annie, I think something’s not quite right.”

Annie Fletcher’s brows furrowed instantly as well, and she felt a sense of stuffiness in her heart. She turned her head to look at him and said, “Hmm? But I think they performed quite well!”

After Jessica finished the promotional release for “High School Musical 3,” the production of “Sweetheart,” which was ready to go, officially began filming. Wang Yang also temporarily put aside his work on ”District 9″ to supervise the script for a few days, ensuring certain shots and performance styles. Today was already the third day. The filming of “Sweetheart” naturally included both indoor and outdoor scenes, all of which would be completed in Los Angeles. The scene they were shooting in the studio at that moment was a dialogue showcasing the different character charms of the three girls.

Seeing the producer and director once again disagree, the crew members and extras around them silently stood in place, waiting — while Jessica, Annie- Darren, and Scarlett could all sense that something was off, as they noticed that this time, Annie Fletcher was frowning and speaking in a weighty tone, seemingly a bit impatient.

“No, all three have problems — they haven’t dug deep enough into the appeal of this scene,” Wang Yang shook his head, his attention entirely focused on the girls, explaining, “Jessie, when you’re encouraging Annie, can you not be so sweet? Please, rough up your voice a bit, bring out your boldness!”

Jessica, dressed in a light blue denim suit and wearing several layers of metal bracelets, looking cute, nodded and said, “Okay, I got it.” She took a deep breath inwardly, feeling a bit nervous. These past days, she had heard his familiar set instructions again, which were as clear as ever and even more conducive to getting into character. She could distinctly feel his exceptional talent and passion for directing, far outshining Sara, Annie, and some of the directors she had worked with as a child, even him from the “High School Musical” days.

She was happy and proud about this and working with him was the most enjoyable thing; yet, at the same time, she bore even more pressure — she wanted to earn recognition and praise, not wanting to lose too much to that woman…

“And Annie, you’re somewhat hesitant and timid, but you know in your heart that you long to become brave. You have to portray that,” Wang Yang said to Annie-Darren, who looked plain yet beautiful. He then turned to Scarlett, clad in a black leather jacket and pants, and said, “Scarlett, be cooler! You’re very disdainful, you think Jessica is just wasting her time…”

“Yang,” Annie Fletcher called out to him and repeated, “I don’t see any problem. They have their own understandings, why can’t we let them be free?” Wang Yang stopped and looked at her, nodding with a smile, “Yes, you’re absolutely right. I also absolutely know that, an actor’s personal interpretation and shaping are very important. But Annie,” he smiled gently, murmuring softly, “often, we have to guide them in a certain direction, they can’t veer off track.”

But what about those camera shots, those other performances… Annie Fletcher covered her forehead, looking at the cameras around her, the lights, and all the equipment, as well as the many people, she felt increasingly upset and annoyed, raising her voice a bit, “But I think there’s no problem! I need it to be this way, I…” Her own ideas were always being changed, for various reasons… This was her first film as a director, and she knew she should listen more, but was she really cut out to be a director?

Wang Yang was taken aback and then realized that this normally humorous and straightforward woman’s attitude was somewhat different, seemingly… He remembered the on-set quarrels between directors and producers he had witnessed a long time ago, which started over a basic disagreement before escalating to red-faced shouting, vile cursing, and then almost coming to blows…

“I don’t know, maybe I’m really not cut out for this,” Annie Fletcher spread her hands, sighing again, “You’re the one who made me the director, but now you won’t let me do anything, I don’t know.” The crew members knew what was happening, and the more experienced ones weren’t surprised — such things happened in almost every film crew. Jessica suddenly clapped her hands and said with a laugh, “Hey, why don’t we take a break first, I’ll tell a joke, alright?”

They indeed needed a break. Wang Yang nodded, “It’s almost noon anyway, let’s call it a morning.” He looked at Annie Fletcher and said, “Annie…” Annie Fletcher gave him a forced smile and apologized, “I’m sorry, I got a little out of hand. I just, just need to think calmly for a bit.” Then, she nodded to everyone with a smile and was the first to leave the set.

Because it was in the studio and the shoot was to continue in the afternoon, the crew didn’t need to pack up the equipment, so they dispersed. Wang Yang watched as everyone left, frowning and asking himself, “Am I being too meddlesome? Am I a terrible producer? We should talk… What now?”

“Yang, it’s okay.” Annie Darren smiled as she passed by him, and Wang Yang smiled back at her, “I know.” Scarlett also passed with a small smile; Jessica came over, took his hand, and said with a laugh, “Do you want to hear my joke?” Wang Yang immediately smiled and nodded, “Of course, I’m all ears.” The 11 o’clock morning sunshine was bright, and the two walked hand in hand down the shady path outside the studio, spotting a paparazzi team in the distance snapping photos. Wang Yang glanced at her and asked earnestly, “Do you think we’ll start rumors?” Jessica couldn’t help but laugh out loud, tilted her head, and snuggled up to him, saying with a laugh, “Yes, definitely, we’re way too close to each other.”

Both of them chuckled, but the joke couldn’t erase or pretend the earlier incident on set hadn’t happened. Recalling the previous days’ discussions about the storyboard and his recent role as an on-site producer, Wang Yang’s expression gradually calmed down, and he asked another question, “Jessie, do you think I’m a lousy producer?”

“I certainly don’t think so!” Jessica tightened her grip on his hand and smiled at him, “I know you work hard and want everything to be the best; Annie is also working hard. You’re all doing it for the movie, it’s just that you have different opinions, which is normal.”

Wang Yang shrugged, realizing that trying too hard can sometimes backfire. He said, “I know it’s normal, but it’s really bad. What I hate the most right now is arguing, luckily, there was no fight just now…” He scratched his head somewhat perplexedly, “Annie has always been cheerful, I always thought she had no objections, so why did she suddenly act like this today?” He furrowed his brow and said, “Has she been putting up with me?”

“Yang, I don’t know if that’s the reason, but from what I know…” Jessica hesitated for a moment but still whispered a few words into his ear. Hearing her words, Wang Yang let out an “oh” and said, “I didn’t know she… of course, I didn’t know!” Jessica looked up at the clear blue sky and continued walking, swinging his hand as she spoke, “Women can get quite moody at times. Last time I got upset over nothing, sorry.”

“I don’t remember that.” Wang Yang smiled, truly unable to recall the incident. Maybe her bouts of anger were too minor? His thoughts returned to Annie Fletcher, “This is just a precipitating factor. I can feel that she’s really frustrated, and it’s not necessarily dissatisfaction with me, but…” He suddenly remembered something and shook his head, “I’ve put too much pressure on her, mentioning several times how ‘Sweetheart’ should be this or that… I always tell her to relax, but I never say anything positive, always adding pressure.”

He had thought Annie Fletcher, being a 35-year-old mature woman, would surely know how to handle these situations better than a young man like himself, but it was her first time directing, and the excitement and nerves should be unparalleled… He then imagined if Annie were him, how in these past few days on set, the microphone had been snatched away repeatedly, even if it was his debut film, regardless of who the other person was, whether they were right or wrong… The director is supposed to be the ultimate authority on set, and he had indeed been too meddlesome.

“I shouldn’t be directly telling you actors how to play the scene, making this demand and that; it adds more pressure and anxiety on the director…” His face bore a contemplative expression. He should present any suggestions to Annie and let her handle them instead of stepping in to do it directly. Reflecting on this, he couldn’t help but say self-deprecatingly, “Jessie, I haven’t done a very good job as a producer.”

“Don’t be like that, it’s your first time as a producer.” Jessica comforted him with a pinch to the palm of his hand, “And some things can be resolved by talking them through, it’s not a big deal.” Wang Yang smiled and nodded, “Yeah, you’re right. Thank you, I now understand what I should do!” Upon hearing this, Jessica flashed a toothy smile and said mysteriously, “Well, let me give you another tip: women love to receive recognition and praise. Give Annie a few compliments, and she won’t feel any pressure.”

Wang Yang looked at her and said with a laugh, “Wow, what about you? Are you the same way?” Jessica shrugged and laughed, “Of course.” He stopped walking, looked her up and down, and said with a laugh, “Then I really should compliment you, you beautiful, adorable, considerate girl!” Jessica tried to keep a serious face but couldn’t help laughing, “Am I that good?”

“Look at that!” Wang Yang gave no answer, instead, turned to shout at the paparazzi ahead, “Buddy, make it a good shot!” Then, he looked down and gave her a fierce kiss on the lips, laughing, “Now we’re definitely going to spark rumors!”

Jessica rolled her eyes with a laugh, looking at his face, her heart filled with sweetness and joy. (To be continued)

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