Chapter 379 Career Line
"Xiao Chen, you need to turn your head more boldly. By the way, increase the horsepower of the blower here." Zhou Xiao looked at the screen in front of him and said with the walkie-talkie in his hand.
Chen, the actress in this commercial, Chen Zimin, the center of the green screen, flashed an OK sign to the camera. After hearing Zhou Xiao's "Start," this look back was even better than the last.
But this is just the beginning. In the advertising shooting stage, unless you are a top star and the shooting effect is sufficient in the first pass, and there is no need for other angles, you may be able to pass it in one pass.
Zhou Xiao's eyes never left the camera throughout the entire process. She needed to ensure the performance of the central character in the film, and also needed to remind and instruct the expressions and movements of the extras behind her.
"That's beautiful, let's do another take!" Similar voices echoed throughout the studio. After discussing the desired effect with Su Zanyue, the staff member assigned to her by Lizi, yesterday, everything went much more smoothly for Zhou Xiao today's shoot.
Under the large green screen, lighting becomes even more important. Thanks to meticulous arrangement and the high level of cooperation from the extras, Zhou Xiao's captured footage significantly reduced the burden on post-production.
A camera dolly was set up nearby, ready for action. Halfway through filming, once the extras involved in the scene had gathered near the lead actors, filming began on location.
The track car, which was programmed by Zhou Xiao and the staff, moved forward synchronously in front of the group actors at a constant speed according to her instructions, capturing the smooth and fluid dynamic images of the scene.
Su Zanyue, who had been following the situation in the monitoring room, was now staring intently at the footage on the monitor. She worked with many film crews, and she was almost always in charge of indoor shoots like the one for Particle Mobile. As she watched, Su Zanyue immediately gave her colleagues in the Publicity Department a thumbs-up.
Although they were using the same camera, Su Zanyue could clearly distinguish Zhou Xiao from the other photographers from the images they captured. Judging by the results, he truly lived up to his reputation as a top-tier photographer!
Su Zanyue felt relieved when she remembered that Zhou Xiao had been chosen quickly and decisively within the company, though she also felt a little regretful. Looking at the results today, if she had started working with him earlier, she would have fewer wrinkles on her forehead by now!
His super-keen perception and excellent communication skills are a powerful tool in the studio, as evidenced by the positive emotions maintained by the extras. Besides everyone's dedication, Zhou Xiao's words of comfort and encouragement during each retake also played a crucial role.
This is also why Su Zanyue likes to work with female photographers. Compared with some male photographers who like to take advantage of their seniority and boast about their skills and look down on others, female photographers tend to pay more attention to details and teamwork.
Even though Zhou Xiao only brought an assistant this time, she collaborated seamlessly with the crew and extras. In the words of Chen Zimin, who was filming the scene, Teacher Zhou treated them as serious actors.
Besides the leading actors and actresses in the commercial, the extras are there to set the mood. But even so, some of them are trying to show the camera the little tricks they designed for their characters, even when the camera doesn't stop for even a second.
Zhou Xiao is encouraging small movements that don't affect filming. Besides, some people's small movements are truly amusing. She leaves the choice to the post-production team, depending on whether they'll show them in one or two shots.
During the halftime break, when everyone was organized to rest, Zhou Xiao walked towards the monitoring room to check the video that had just been shot.
Inside the studio, Chen Zimin took the water from his agent and gulped it down. He then looked at the look of surprise on his agent's face with some confusion. It was even more exciting than someone who had won the lottery.
Chen Zimin is a full-time advertising actor and has appeared in many commercials, including some for major brands, such as the Particle Mobile phone he filmed today. But unlike actors in film and television, acting in commercials is different. Most actors are unlikely to become famous.
The agent beside her wasn't an agent in the popular sense; it was someone sent by the company she was signed to to communicate with her. The title of "agent" was just there to sound good in public.
She looked over with a puzzled look, and after hearing what the other person said, she choked on the water that she was about to swallow.
"Ahem... ahem." After finally calming down, Chen Zimin was still a bit incredulous. If his agent was right, the photographer shooting the Particle Phone commercial was actually Zhou Xiao, a top-tier photographer in the industry!
Chen Zimin, who had originally felt particularly comfortable with today's filming, now felt his heart beating rapidly. Like many people who shoot commercials, Chen Zimin has always hoped that the commercials he shoots will one day make the public remember him.
And this opportunity seemed to be coming! Even if it didn't become a hit... Chen Zimin couldn't help but look forward to it when she thought of Zhou Xiao's words, "It's beautiful," during the photoshoot. In Teacher Zhou Xiao's eyes, I'm beautiful! But what about in front of the camera? Chen Zimin suddenly felt a tingling sensation all over his body, and then he was filled with energy!
From her agent's perspective, she watched helplessly as the young actor quickly completed his self-portrait after she revealed that today's photographer was Zhou Xiao. Chen Zimin's exuding confidence was so strong that she almost wondered if he had been suddenly replaced.
Many people at the scene were in the same situation as Chen Zimin. So during the subsequent filming, not only Zhou Xiao, but even Su Zanyue, who was watching the screen in the monitoring room, noticed something: why were everyone's conditions suddenly getting better?
"Hey, this is really weird. I've only seen people getting less energetic the more they shoot, but I've never seen anyone suddenly become more energetic." A staff member in charge of mechanical control muttered to himself when he saw this scene.
Next to him, Xue Xi, who was in charge of adjusting the lights, was filled with pride. During a break, she had been helping the other staff clean up the venue. As she passed by some extras, she heard her boss' name in their casual conversation.
Most of the people discussing this were young people, including quite a few foreigners who had come to China to make money. Zhou Xiao didn't even need an introduction; the excitement in their voices told everyone how famous he was in their circle.
Filming continued on-site, and as part of this commercial, the Particle phone's presentation was naturally a key component. The phone's sleek, beautiful design, its minimal black borders, and its rear camera were perfectly captured through multiple lens and angle switching.
"Are the petals ready?" Zhou Xiao said in a deep voice into the intercom, looking at the male and female protagonists looking at each other in the camera, as well as the audience who gathered around to watch the fun and cheer.
"I'm ready."
"put!"
At Zhou Xiao's signal, tens of thousands of rose petals poured down from above the studio. At that moment, the extras and leading actors all subconsciously looked up at the rain of petals falling from the "sky."
Even though they were surrounded by a green screen, everyone felt as if they were experiencing a beautiful dream when they personally felt the rain of falling petals.
Under the light, the white and pink glass back of the phone seemed to be faintly reflected with petals fluttering in the air. The two people holding their phones in the center of the camera were also embracing the romance and blessings of this moment.
Amidst the heartfelt exclamations of surprise from those around him, Zhou Xiao raised his pre-prepared camera to record this moment. Of course, this could be used later, or perhaps kept as a souvenir.
"Teacher Zhou Xiao, do you need to retake the photo?"
Amidst this romantic scene, Su Zanyue's voice rang out, somewhat inopportunely. However, this was a pre-planned plan. For this shoot, they had prepared three copies of the petals for the "Flower Shower" scene. Because the studio used a green screen, even if reshoots were necessary, the set wouldn't cost a penny more.
Zhou Xiao turned his gaze away from the camera and then moved to the extras who were still happily playing with flower petals. Because he had just called a halt, everyone was now playing without restraint.
"Let's go check out the results first," Zhou Xiao turned around and looked at Su Zanyue beside her, smiling. Although she thought this one take was enough, she was in front of the client, so she had to satisfy them first.
"Let's go!" Su Zanyue was now unusually excited. Besides completing the shoot, the more crucial thing was that today's shoot didn't take very long! Sure enough, Zhou Xiao was just as efficient and skilled as the rumors said!
In fact, Su Zanyue had been watching Zhou Xiao's footage from the monitoring room while she was filming. He was also struck by the beauty of the final scene. He only came back to Zhou Xiao now to reassure her.
I wonder if the two remaining bags of petals can be given to the newlyweds getting married today? On the way to the monitoring room, Su Zanyue inexplicably popped up this question in his mind.
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