Chapter 60
Seeing Li Wei's shocked face, Qiao Yi Qiao finally realized what he had just said.
"Hey, I'm not asking you to really jump off the building," Qiao Yiqiao quickly added, "I'm saying that we should find a way to actually film those few seconds of falling."
"Oh..." Li Wei was confused. "No matter what, I am willing to cooperate and try, but how do I do it specifically?"
Qiao Yiqiao answered truthfully: "We are also trying to find a solution for this."
Then he discussed it with Xiao He.
At first, his idea was to find a civilian aircraft, modify it, let it do free fall, and complete the filming during the fall.
Li Wei opened his mouth wide after hearing this: "Is this really possible?"
Qiao Yiqiao presented the theoretical basis and nodded: "Of course it is possible."
"But..." Li Wei was puzzled, "Is it really that important just for this one shot?"
Qiao Yi Qiao smiled and said, "Yeah, is it that important just for a shot?"
But he would rather do it.
Even though no one has ever filmed like this in the current Chinese film and television circles, Qiao Yi Qiao wanted to give it a try.
Not to mention that the price of shooting and doing special effects like this may be similar, but the effect will be much better.
Just for the "honor" of being the first to use this mode for shooting, Qiao Yiqiao also wanted to give it a try.
But it's not easy.
Because of China’s aviation control and other issues, the first option was basically passed.
In China, the use of civil aircraft must go through layers of approval, so it is difficult for them to have the opportunity to actually modify a small plane and then let it free fall in the air for a whole morning.
Even if it is approved, they still have to find pilots who are willing to accompany them in this attempt.
This is no small project and the time limit does not allow for it.
Qiao Yi Qiao quickly thought of a slightly simpler way.
Going to Southeast Asia to shoot?
After a day of external outreach, Xiao He also gave a negative answer.
Although aviation approval is relatively easy in many Southeast Asian countries, there are too few aircraft suitable for modification, and it is even more difficult to find suitable pilots.
Not every aircraft can perform this kind of weightless maneuver.
Qiao Yiqiao would never risk his own life and the lives of Li Wei and others.
It's too unsafe.
Finally, Qiao Yiqiao bites
He gritted his teeth and said, "Why not go to Country A to shoot?"
In the movie "Apollo 12", the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of Country A provided the crew with a weightlessness training aircraft called the "Vomit Comet". This aircraft later provided a filming environment for many crews.
After Xiao He found the information, he finally contacted the person in charge of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of Country A through layers of connections. The person was called Jonas.
Qiao Yi Qiao called him immediately.
"I understand your needs. In fact, many films have raised relevant needs with us," Yunus said. "But I'm sorry, Mr. Qiao, we have to reject your cooperation application."
Qiao Yiqiao was puzzled: "Why? Is it a budget issue or a schedule issue?"
"Neither. The main reason is that the 'Vomit Comet' is a valuable asset of our National Aeronautics and Space Administration," Yunus smiled. "It contains various technologies, and it is not convenient for us to rent it to people other than our citizens."
“…”
Qiao Yi Qiao had looked up information online before and knew that the Vomit Comet had once been loaned to people from other countries for use.
What Jonas is saying now is nothing but excuses.
But exposing such excuses will not bring any benefits. In short, the other party has made it clear that they will not lend the money.
What's more, the Vomit Comet has long been a retired aircraft.
To put it more bluntly, the tower is just a zero-gravity aircraft for training astronauts in weightlessness, and it does not include too many so-called high-tech technologies.
"All right."
Qiao Yi Qiao did not argue and hung up the phone angrily.
It looks like this plan is going to fail.
But it doesn't matter, just use green cloth, what difference can it make? Everyone uses it this way.
But Qiao Yiqiao is not the type of person who gives up.
What's more, he was a little annoyed by Jonas's attitude of "I can borrow from other countries but not from yours."
So, not long after hanging up the phone, he called the China National Space Administration directly.
He didn't even know which department to contact. As long as someone answered the phone, he would reveal his identity and state his purpose.
Many people who received the call were surprised to hear that he wanted to make a movie.
Soon, someone introduced him to the News and Publicity Center of the National Space Administration.
The person in charge of the latter is a female comrade named Li.
"Hello, Director Qiao Yiqiao, I have your request.
"We already know," Comrade Li said very kindly, "I will transfer your call to another of our staff members, whose surname is Hong and whose name is Hong Xia. She is in charge of a new project. I think she should know your needs, okay?"
The call was quickly transferred to Ms. Hong Xia.
"Hello, Director Qiao Yiqiao."
Qiao Yi Qiao greeted the other party again and stated his purpose.
"Oh, isn't that a coincidence?" Hong Xia said, "In fact, the new project I'm in charge of is the preparation of the my country National Space Administration's Film and Television Center..."
Then, Hong Xia began to speak.
It turns out that with the rise of science fiction films and television works in recent years, many film projects have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Space Administration. Therefore, the Space Administration also plans to set up its own film and television center like other departments to specifically handle these businesses.
Qiao Yiqiao felt this was very familiar, as the Ministry of Justice’s Libra Film and Television Center was also established in this way.
Now more and more national departments are willing to cooperate with the film and television industry.
"However, other film projects at most just want to hire some consultants to answer questions," Hong Xia smiled, "This is the first time I've seen a request like yours."
Qiao Yiqiao was not so sure: "Is it possible? If it's not too troublesome..."
Then he recounted the story of how he was rejected by Country A’s National Space Agency.
Hong Xia listened quietly, then said, "Oh, that's fine. I'll go ask for you."
She was in a bad mood and obviously didn't want people from her country to be treated like this.
…
Qiao Yiqiao thought the plan was a failure, but he didn't expect that Hong Xia would contact him just one day later and tell him the good news.
——Once you have found the plane, you can take photos anytime, even for free.
After hearing this, Qiao Yiqiao almost jumped up from his chair.
He hurriedly took Xiao He, Xia Longlong, the head of the camera crew and Li Wei to a mysterious place in the northwest of the motherland.
After getting off the car, they were picked up by Sister Hong Xia.
As for where they were, they themselves didn't know.
In short, we arrived at a small airport.
There is a plane parked at the airport.
"This is the zero-gravity plane, which is also used to train astronauts to react to weightlessness," said Hong Xia. "But this plane is very old and has been eliminated.
It is not available now, but its performance is still very good, just right for your shooting."
Qiao Yi Qiao didn't know what to say and kept thanking Sister Hong Xia.
Hong Xia waved her hand and said, "This type of aircraft is just sitting there anyway. If your experiment is successful, our film and television center can develop another business. However, please try not to reveal the situation inside when you are filming. As for the materials, we will review them once. Is that acceptable to you?"
Qiao Yiqiao nodded: "Of course."
Then they greeted the pilot and boarded the plane.
The cabin had been completely vacated, leaving only four or five chairs, and there was a very large space behind them.
Both pilots were middle-aged men with square faces. They looked very reliable, but unfortunately they spoke very little. They only told them that they knew how to fly later.
The photographer quickly laid out a green screen on the plane, and then Xia Longlong put makeup on Li Wei, put on a mask, and dressed him in Nuo opera costumes.
Hong Xia exclaimed: "Is this Nuo opera? The costumes are really beautiful. The things of our ancestors are really good. Thank you for being willing to film our tradition."
Qiao Yiqiao also said: "Tradition has its merits, innovation has its merits, and the space agency is truly remarkable."
"Haha, that's right," Hong Xia said with a smile, "Then we must cooperate well if we have a chance and shoot something that is both traditional and innovative."
"no problem."
Li Wei's makeup was done, and the cameraman also completed the final adjustments and secured himself in the cabin.
Everything was ready, so Qiao Yiqiao and his team fastened their seat belts and prepared to take off.
The plane took off normally. After about ten minutes of flight, the pilot turned around and said to them, "Okay. We will shut down the engine and start free fall. I will show you what weightlessness feels like. Please be safe."
Then the pilot walked up to the green screen.
The engine was shut down and the entire plane fell downward instantly. The pilot was seen floating in the air. About five seconds later, the engine restarted and the pilot stood firmly.
He looked at Li Wei: "Just don't be nervous, okay?"
Li Wei nodded: "I can do it."
Next, it was the first real shoot.
The pilot shouted from the front: "Ready."
Li Wei stopped.
"alright."
The plane fell down instantly, and Li Wei just "floated"
"He rose up, and hurried to keep his balance and complete the performance.
Qiao Yiqiao looked at the monitor and said, "One more."
It was the first time for Li Wei to shoot like this and he was a little nervous.
But the second time and the second time, it’s better than the last.
Qiao Yi Qiao was so focused on staring at the monitor that he had no time to care about anything else. He just let Li Wei experiment one by one.
Then, when he was at the eighth one, he suddenly heard a "ouch".
When I looked back, I saw that it was Xia Longlong who vomited.
The vomiting was very severe.
Fortunately, he had the habit of carrying wet wipes with him and he hadn't eaten anything in the morning.
He kept saying "I'm sorry" while wiping the floor.
Qiao Yi Qiao was about to comfort him, but he didn't know if it was because he had diverted his attention, he just felt his stomach churning.
Li Wei turned his head away, not daring to look at them.
"It's okay, just vomit more and it will be fine." The pilot in front comforted them.
But the two people who were feeling uncomfortable clearly saw the pilot smiling brightly.
Time is money, and Qiao Yi Qiao didn't care whether he wanted to vomit or not, and said to Li Wei, "Do it again."
Then the pilot did it again.
Then a few more came.
In the end, Li Wei vomited, and the cameraman also vomited.
Everyone in the group turned green in the face.
But Li Wei still managed to take a beautiful shot, his eyes blending reluctance, shock, regret, pity, sudden enlightenment and other emotions. His eyes are beautiful in themselves, and the red tail of his eyes after vomiting make him look even more charming.
After more than two hours of flying, they finally landed.
Hong Xia was waiting for them on the ground, but she didn't expect that these people would lie down on the ground as soon as they came out.
Hong Xia looked worried: "Are you all right?"
"It's okay..." Qiao Yiqiao breathed weakly, "Thank you very much... uh... thank you for giving us this opportunity... uh... we will definitely... remember this experience... uh..."
…
After a short rest, Qiao Yiqiao took Li Wei and others back to Yizheng campus.
At this point, all shots and scenes of the short film "Nuo" have been completed.
After the filming was completed, there was no wrap-up banquet or wrap-up ceremony.
The reward for everyone after finishing the filming was to sleep in the dormitory for a day.
Lian Qiao Yiqiao is no exception.
Although the original intention of the film industrialization was actually to make everyone less tired and have fewer things to worry about.
But after all, as it was their first time trying it out, Qiao Yi Qiao and the others were all exhausted.
However, this fatigue is very productive.
Qiao Yiqiao no longer needs to organize the materials after all the filming is completed.
In the entire shooting process, the most significant industrialization achievement is in the camera department.
During filming, after each shot is completed, the lens is connected to the on-site color grading department via the SDI data cable, and then the adjusted video signal is output to the video management department.
After the video management department numbers and stores the video materials, they are transmitted back to the scene via SDI and WI-FI for Qiao Yiqiao and the cameraman to review and review.
After the director and cameraman confirm the material, all relevant data enters the DMT (data management department), and is compiled into a file together with the on-site color grading and rough editing information. After encoding, storage, and transcoding, it is directly distributed to the subsequent editing, visual effects, DI color grading (Digital Intrmediate), and sound departments for delivery.
Every link is recorded, so even if there is a problem or data is lost in a certain link, it can be restored through the data of other links.
This process is repeated after each shot is taken, so Qiao Yiqiao no longer needs to wait until all the shots are taken and then confirm them one by one.
For the director, this saves a lot of trouble and makes the director's work more specific and timely, without the need for post-production.
The existence of on-site editing also allows the director to see the effect of the film in time after shooting, minimizing the possibility of reshoots and re-shoots.
Therefore, the data of the entire film has now been in the hands of Qian You and Xin Nan.
Qiao Yiqiao can now sleep peacefully.
More than a month of non-stop work, coupled with the final scenes shot on the airplane, almost drained all of Qiao Yiqiao's energy.
But looking around the world, even in Hollywood, where the film industry is highly developed, directors are so tired.
Not only was Qiao Yi Qiao himself extremely tired, but the entire director team was the most tired person on the entire set.
The entire director team consists of nearly ten people. In addition to the director himself and an assistant director, each department has its own assistant director - for example, an assistant director in charge of styling, an assistant director in charge of props, an assistant director in charge of on-site editing and color grading, and an assistant director in charge of the production team.
Actors, assistant directors in charge of extras, etc…
Most of the time during filming, Qiao Yi Qiao was only responsible for the pictures, while the assistant directors were responsible for communicating with various groups, delivering messages, and sometimes even directing the actors' performances.
For example, the problems with the props that occurred before were not actually mainly promoted by Qiao Yi Qiao, but the deputy director of props designed multiple plans early on, thus forming a process that has solutions no matter what problems arise.
Qiao Yiqiao often feels that his assistant directors are more tired than himself.
Not only do they have to think about many possible situations that may occur on the scene, but when there are no specific tasks, many assistant directors will also sit behind Qiao Yi Qiao and keep an eye on the situation on the scene with him.
During filming, there would occasionally be a "several shifts" situation. For example, for scenes with a large number of extras, sometimes N cameras would be shooting at the same time in order to speed up the progress.
Qiao Yi Qiao only needs to be behind the monitor, but it is the assistant directors who are on the front line and running around to ensure efficiency.
While the initial shooting has achieved excellence in the pursuit of details, the difficulty of the post-production department's work is actually increasing simultaneously.
With the previous experience of "When the Walls Collapse", Qiao Yiqiao was sure that he could no longer just focus on the editing.
What's more, after the pre-shot video, Qian You already fully understood the director's intentions.
But the reality is not much easier.
Because the short film "Nuo" focuses on information bombardment, there are a large number of shots in each scene, and fast editing and parallel montage techniques are often needed to convey information.
What's more, as a horror film, the editing of "Nuo" urgently needs to mobilize the emotions of the audience. Although Qian You is already an experienced editor, he still feels that it is challenging to face this short film.
The editing team is probably the smallest team in the entire crew.
There is only one main editor, Qian You, and two assistants.
What is presented to them is a huge amount of material. The amount of material in this 20-minute short film is almost equivalent to the volume of half a movie.
But there was only one month left for editing, which was much shorter than the normal film production period.
Thanks to the pre-shot video, Qian You had a handle.
He was present almost throughout the pre-shooting and formal shooting stages and knew exactly what the director needed.
On this basis, he also retained his own unique style and market-oriented
Consideration.
The final film after editing was 40 minutes long.
He knew that this length was absolutely not feasible.
Therefore, he did not hand this version over to Qiao Yiqiao, but edited it himself very hard.
Sometimes, he cried while editing.
Because he felt that the shots he took were so beautiful and he didn't want to give them up.
To do this, he had to delete a large number of performances by extras, retaining only the most essential, strangest and most beautiful group Nuo dance shots.
Many times, he would sit in front of the editing table for a whole day. It was not because he was lazy, but because he was weighing every shot over and over again.
In short, under such torture, he completed the film.
The final duration is 23 minutes and 32 seconds.
Successfully achieved.
While editing was moving forward, visual effects work was also ongoing.
Although Qiao Yiqiao did a lot of real shooting, both the smoke effect and the eerie atmosphere required strong and effective visual effects support.
The requirement given by Qiao Yi Qiao is very simple - to be as real as possible.
If a horror movie looks full of fake special effects, it won’t be scary.
But it is not easy to achieve authenticity in such a highly stylized film.
Fortunately, although the special effects are extremely difficult, the overall style is relatively unified. The most difficult part is the production of large scenes such as shops and streets.
In these scenes, it’s not just the weather and light that need to be considered, but more about the atmosphere.
What texture should the floor be? Should the breath from the actors be erased? Should their reflections on the glass be erased to create a spooky effect? …
These are all things that Xin Nan needs to consider.
The idea that visual effects are not just processed but created is becoming an increasingly prominent aspect of the filmmaking process.
In addition to the big scenes, the most difficult special effects were when the character played by Li Wei fell from the building.
As he fell from the building, the mask on his face shattered bit by bit.
This shot requires particularly delicate changes, taking into account the changes in light and shadow.
In short, Xin Nan and his team spent almost a week on this shot, from every piece of the mask to the changing texture of Li Wei's skin in the wind, every detail was drawn bit by bit.
She also especially thanked Qiao Yiqiao for being a real-life photography fanatic.
have
It was the live-action shot of them on the plane that gave their special effects a hook.
After the editing and visual effects are basically completed, the color grading work becomes relatively easy.
Again, this is mostly due to Qiao Yiqiao's insistence on on-site color grading.
The final step of creation is the sound of the entire film.
Sound consists of two parts: dialogue, sound effects and music.
There are almost no lines in "Nuo", so this part is easier to handle. The music is also done by Zhou Pipi, which is relatively easy. The difficult part is the sound effects.
Because there are many extras and props for live sound, the sound effects department conducts a large amount of foley recording every day.
In some scenes, there may be hundreds of audio tracks, which almost freezes the sound software.
Qiao Yiqiao’s requirements for sound are the same as those for visual effects, which should be “silent and subtle”, so that it can be terrifying.
In order to achieve this effect, the sound department also has to analyze every shot in the film - what are the physical space, on-screen space, off-screen space and psychological space of this scene?
Based on this analysis, the sound effects can be produced more effectively.
Sound is often the most easily overlooked part of a movie. When watching a movie, audiences usually don’t think that the sound of this scene is good, or that scene scared me. These are both very low-level.
What is finally presented to the audience must be an overall effect. The role of sound is to integrate and perfect this whole and bring everyone the best audio-visual experience.
Finally, after more than two months of post-production, the finished film "Nuo" was finally born.
And on this day, Director Zheng Mao also happened to come to visit the set.
So, Qiao Yi Qiao took Zheng Mao with him and walked into the screening room with great trepidation.
The first official screening of the film begins. !
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