Chapter 360 Chapter 360
On the video switcher, multiple sets of images were being filmed simultaneously. But after Zhou Xiao came in to direct, everything seemed to start to change.
The camera switching, which had been somewhat stiff, was now so smooth under Zhou Xiao's control that even the changes in actors were perfectly timed. For the photographer in charge of the stage camera, the instructions during the recording were exceptionally clear and precise.
Below the camera, Xiang Rui pounded his drums to the rhythm. The initial lag in the camera transition was a common problem for Du Huiyue and her team when choosing camera positions and lenses. Unfamiliar with each member's parts, the resulting image gave the impression of frantically searching for someone in a fog.
And what about Zhou Xiao's men? The moment the cymbals struck by the gun vibrated in the camera, the next second the scene seamlessly shifted to Lin Nan, whose fingertips were plucking the bass strings.
The echoing vibrations of the instruments and the well-timed zooms create an extraordinary visual and auditory experience for the audience. While NINE STAR's "Spring Echoes" performance primarily involved standing still, this didn't mean there was no movement.
So when the effective movements of all members were recorded by the camera and every line of the song could be accurately matched to the second, Shang Xia, who had been mumbling to Du Huiyue at the beginning, was now completely silent.
Du Huiyue noticed something: every shot and every frame Zhou Xiao switched to was so intense she couldn't bear to blink. If she were a NINE STAR fan, familiar with every member, she'd know this was the god-level director and god-level stage that fans crave. In other words, every shot on the screen was a valid one. And that's what fans wanted to see.
In the center of the venue, the song's final climax unfolded. As the fans on the stairs joined in the chorus, Ji Shao, center stage, played the final note. As his hand lifted from his guitar, the camera captured the chorus of NINE STAR's specially choreographed dance routine for this rock song.
The perfectly coordinated movements served as the finale. Unlike the previous scene, where the camera lingered on a single member's face, ignoring the ingenuity of everyone involved, this time the cut finally captured the entire performance.
The fifth recording session in the afternoon finally ended. I don’t know if it was because we had a short break before the recording, but everyone felt that the performance was very good this time, and they even felt like they were having a great time.
What's more, the fan-made extras are different from regular extras in that they cherish every rehearsal and recording session. The positive feedback from the fans gives the members in the venue a constant source of motivation.
When the staff on site said "take a break", although it was a bit confusing why they didn't continue recording, the fans quickly forgot about it. The cheers that had been suppressed were finally released at this moment!
Of course, this was just a break from cheering. After all, they still had to stay hidden to avoid disrupting NINE STAR's performance!
…
At the director's desk, after hearing the staff's instructions, Zhou Xiao prepared to go see the filming results. However, as soon as she looked away, she was slightly startled by the crowd gathered around her.
"Teacher Zhou," Du Huiyue's eyes sparkled. "The shots you cut are so good! I wonder if we can come watch them later!"
"Teacher Zhou, please put it down. We will definitely not disturb you!" These are the members of the photography crew who echoed Du Huiyue's words.
“…”
Everyone gathered there with a learning mindset. At first, some of them didn't understand why Brother Qiu had simply told them to turn to Zhou Xiao when they were unsure. But after watching him film the scene just once, everyone immediately understood.
Zhou Xiao had no problem with the station staff wanting to come and observe. They were just observing, and since this was their territory, she was here to help at Teacher Qiu's request.
After seeing Zhou Xiao nod casually, everyone present was delighted. Besides, anyone working as a photographer at the headquarters wanted to improve themselves. Learning more skills would be beneficial to their future.
Just as they were wondering how to behave in front of Zhou Xiao, Shang Xia, who had originally come with them, suddenly broke away from the group and appeared on the other side. When they saw what she was holding, many people silently muttered in their hearts, "Shameless!"
"Teacher Zhou!" Shang Xia, who had brought a laptop, said to Zhou with a smile, "Would you like to see the results I just exported? I brought them to you!"
…
Near the filming location at the camping base, Mao Sifeng, huddled in her tent, was staring intently at the cheering crowd. Sitting next to her were the members' assistants.
The atmosphere inside the tent was tense, having just concluded an internal "discussion" meeting. As NINE STAR's head manager, Mao Sifeng was a firm believer in safeguarding the company's interests. Of course, he knew how to defuse the anger of the members' assistants.
Packing NINE STAR on CCTV was a success that the company spent a lot of resources and connections on. Under this premise, Mao Sifeng naturally felt that these assistants were a bit too short-sighted, but this is the disadvantage of the relationship between assistants and artists.
They didn't even consider that if the news leaked out, their chances of appearing on CCTV would be in doubt. For the members, this was a perfect ticket to mainstream entertainment and a key achievement for Huayao.
Of course, there was a purpose behind all of this gathering. They were planning to visit the director later to see the filming results. Since it was CCTV, they had even brought along a signed NINE STAR album as a token of their gratitude.
"Old Chen, the last time Xiao Shao was filming at the main station, did you see anyone familiar on the scene?" Mao Sifeng shouted to Chen Shenju, who was standing under a tree outside and had been watching the filming scene.
Apart from anything else, this time, Chen Shenju was really the one who had to help. The other assistants envied him, but they all had a bond with the members they were following, so there wasn't the kind of intrigue and scheming seen in other agencies.
Chen Shenju, standing under a tree, held an unlit cigarette in his mouth. When he heard the call from the tent, he didn't move his phone. After nodding, he said to Mao Sifeng concisely, "I'll take you there after the filming is over."
Although he disliked the company's actions, Ji Shao was still at Huayao, so Chen Shenju could still do a good job of superficial work. Furthermore, going to find out about the stage effects would also be helpful to Ji Shao.
…
When the on-site staff called for assembly again, NINE STAR and their fans, who had already finished recharging their energy, returned to their respective positions.
With the awakening and ending of the guitar sound, and with Zhou Xiao ensuring that all three lines were in place, the whole day of rehearsal and formal recording finally came to a successful conclusion.
However, while it seemed to all the staff at the venue that the concert was over, the members who had packed up their instruments in the center of the venue had not yet said goodbye to the fans in front of them.
Zhou Xiao was the first to notice something was wrong. The reason she knew how to present a stage better than CCTV directors was not only because of her skills, but also because of her familiarity with Ji Shao and his troupe.
During today's filming, Zhou Xiao was on-site the entire time, filming, recording, and admiring the performance. So when Du Huiyue and the others asked her to film, even the first take was enough to show how comfortable she was with the job.
At this moment, the camera is capturing the members gathered together, discussing something. And in front of NINE STAR, fans, knowing the recording session is over, are looking at them with reluctance.
After a brief discussion, it seemed that there was a result.
Zhou Xiao saw Ji Shao in the camera, bending over to take out the microphone from the prop box, and then handed it to Wu Yanyan who came to the center of the group.
"Ahem," the dry coughing sound was transmitted to the fans at the scene through the microphone. Wu Yanyan held up the microphone and said, "First of all, on behalf of NINE STAR, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the staff who have worked so hard to prepare the stage during this period!"
As if realizing something, the atmosphere at the scene began to grow tense. For some reason, the fans still standing on the stairs began to feel their hearts beating wildly the moment Wu Yanyan opened her mouth.
Wu Yanyan on the stage continued, "Secondly, it's the extras standing in front of us..."
Before he finished speaking, faint sobbing could be heard from the audience. Although Huayao was brazenly using the extras as a gimmick to guide the fans of each company into a sales battle.
But for the fans who got this spot, after a whole day of rehearsal recording, they only dared to let out the suppressed cheers when the staff announced a break or the end of the rehearsal.
Wu Yanyan, captain of NINE STAR, fell silent because of the sobbing in the arena. Ji Shao and Chu Cheng, who were standing beside him, immediately patted his arms, silently giving him strength.
"We are very grateful for your help throughout the day. I wonder if you are free and would like to accept our invitation to participate in tonight's event..."
The overwhelming cheers once again drowned out Wu Yanyan's words, leaving the staff on the scene somewhat bewildered. They naturally had no idea about, and paid no attention to, Huayao's handling of the extras quota.
But when they heard what Wu Yanyan said, they couldn't help but be shocked. Although they knew that these extras were likely fans, after all, the crash of the mini program they used to register had given them a headache for a long time.
But, these NINE STAR kids are pretty good! Anyway, this is the first time that an artist has invited extras to join a recording session.
Beside the venue stood a group of assistants including Mao Sifeng and Chen Shenju. Everyone was feeling complicated at the moment, feeling both relieved and having an indescribable feeling.
This proposal was put forward by the members together at noon, and was finally agreed upon by Mao Sifeng after consulting with the senior management.
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