Ling Yichen and Jun Moran are struggling in the quagmire of casting for their new drama. Although they are eager to finalize the perfect cast as soon as possible, they are met with numerous obstacles. However, time waits for no one, and the countdown to the premiere is ticking away. They have to put aside their worries about casting and focus their energy on the preparations for filming, hoping to use the power of modern technology to pave a smooth road for this innovative drama.

Inside the well-lit preparatory meeting room, Ling Yichen, Jun Mozhan, and the core members of the crew sat in a circle. Each of them wore a look of fatigue and anxiety, yet their eyes shone with determination. Thick stacks of documents lay spread out on the table, covering various aspects such as scene design drawings, shooting schedules, and special effects technical solutions, silently testifying to the arduousness of this filming mission.

Ling Yichen broke the silence first, clearing his throat and picking up a set design drawing. He said, “Everyone, while casting is important, filming preparations cannot be delayed. Since our drama aims to create a stunning fusion of ancient and modern elements, the set design must be meticulous.” He then unfolded the design drawing, revealing a dreamlike ancient world before everyone's eyes. There were towering, mist-shrouded, mysterious mountains; strange streams flowing among jagged rocks, shimmering with light; and ancient, magnificent buildings inscribed with mysterious runes. “As you can see,” he continued, “these are our initial conception of the main scenes. To perfectly recreate them, traditional set design methods are far from sufficient; we must utilize modern technology such as virtual modeling and augmented reality.”

Old Wang, who was in charge of set construction, frowned and looked troubled: "Yichen, I know this technology is advanced, but our crew hasn't had much experience with it before. The learning cost and financial investment are not small. Take the virtual modeling software, for example. It's complicated to operate. Can we learn it on the spot? And those high-end equipment are expensive to rent. I'm afraid the budget won't be enough."

Jun Mo Ran gently patted Old Wang's shoulder, reassuring him, "Master Wang, there will definitely be difficulties, but we can't give up because of a few setbacks. I've already contacted several top technical consultants in the industry, and they've agreed to come and train us. We're also negotiating with the rental company about the equipment to try and get some discounts. Our show has a novel concept, and if the scenes are eye-catching, the subsequent profits will definitely be considerable. The initial investment won't be wasted."

Hearing Jun Mo Ran's words, everyone nodded slightly. Although they still had concerns, they also felt a surge of fighting spirit. Then, Xiao Li, the photographer, raised his concerns: "Even if the scenery can be arranged, lighting during filming will be a major challenge. The lighting environment in ancient times was unique. Some scenes require simulating the dappled light and shadow filtering through ancient trees at sunrise and sunset, as well as the eerie glow of a mysterious nighttime ritual. Traditional lighting equipment can hardly accurately reproduce these effects; even a slight deviation will distort the image."

Ling Yichen smiled slightly, seemingly prepared. He took out a few documents from the file bag beside him and handed them to Xiao Li: "Don't worry about that. I've researched some new intelligent lighting systems. They can automatically adjust the light intensity, color, and angle according to preset environmental parameters. Not only that, they can also capture the actors' positions and movements in real time through sensors to ensure that the lighting is always perfectly matched. Let's rent a few sets to try it out first. If the effect is good, we'll add it to the long-term equipment list."

Xiao Li took the materials, studied them carefully, and a look of surprise gradually appeared in his eyes as he nodded repeatedly. Just when everyone thought the technical issues related to filming were becoming clearer, Sister Zhang, who was in charge of costumes and props, spoke up anxiously: "You've all been thinking about the grand scenes and lighting, but our costumes and props aren't easy either! The ancient armor for the main character needs to be historically accurate, showcasing a heavy texture, while also being flexible and lightweight enough to allow for smooth and natural movements when the actors are making large gestures. And those mysterious props, like the ancient keys that can open the door to time, have complex manufacturing processes, and our current craftsmanship is unlikely to meet the design requirements. What are we going to do?"

Jun Mo Ran pondered for a moment and said, "Sister Zhang, during the preparation stage, I visited many research institutions and learned about some new materials, such as high-strength nanofibers, which are lightweight and tough. Using them to make the outer layer of the armor can ensure both sturdiness and flexibility. As for the mysterious props, we can use 3D printing combined with traditional carving techniques. First, we can use 3D modeling to accurately design the shape, and then have experienced craftsmen hand-carve the details. By working on both fronts, we might be able to overcome the difficulties."

Amidst lively discussion, a general plan for the filming preparations gradually took shape. But just as everyone was about to get to work, Xiao Zhao, the person in charge of special effects, rushed into the meeting room, his face pale: "It's terrible! The special effects company we contacted has changed their mind at the last minute. They said they've taken on a big project and don't have enough manpower to do the special effects on time. These special effects are the soul of the show! Many ancient mythical beasts and fantastical spells depend on them. Without them, our show will be greatly diminished!"

The news was like a bombshell, instantly causing an uproar in the conference room. Ling Yichen and Jun Mozhan's hearts sank. Special effects were crucial to the overall project, and changing teams at this critical moment was extremely difficult. Could the new team quickly get up to speed? Would the results meet their expectations? Moreover, special effects production was expensive, and their cash flow was already tight. Could they afford to find a new company?

But Ling Yichen quickly calmed down. He glanced at everyone and said firmly, "Don't panic, everyone. There's always a way out. I'll use my connections to re-select a special effects company. Let's hurry up and compare the plans and test the effects. At the same time, everyone should do their job and proceed with other preparations according to plan. We absolutely cannot let this show be canceled. We've put so much effort into it, we must make it a stunning debut!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, heading to their respective posts with a mix of trepidation and determination. On the filming location, technicians busily installed and debugged the virtual modeling equipment; in the costume room, tailors meticulously studied samples of new materials; in the prop workshop, 3D printers hummed, and veteran craftsmen meticulously crafted details. Meanwhile, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran tirelessly shuttled between various special effects companies, watching demonstrations and negotiating collaborations, racing against time to ensure the smooth start of their upcoming filming journey. What lay ahead remained uncertain, and everyone was giving their all to this unknown challenge.