Chapter 323 Filming

There were only two cameras, a rare item, in the second-hand market.

After some consideration, Xia Zhizhi chose a Bolex P18 from Swiss Bolex. This machine was only put into production and marketed in the 1960s. This machine is about 80% to 90% new, with all functions working normally. It is not too big and comes with two tripods.

This machine can only record video but not audio. There are machines with both video and audio recording functions abroad, but the price is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

For an amateur like her, this stage is sufficient for the time being.

The camera used 8mm film. Ah Ju said that there was a stock of it in Xia Zhizhi's space, enough to last for a long time, and he had counted it before.

After hearing what Ah Ju said, Xia Zhizhi felt relieved and let Ah Ju carry the box containing the camera back home.

As soon as I got home, Xia Bangguo and Zeng Zelan were both home.

Seeing Xia Zhizhi, Zeng Zelan immediately came up to her and kissed her: "Oh, grandma's Zhizhi is finally back. Grandma missed you so much."

Ah Ju put the box down, and Zeng Zelan then noticed that Ah Ju was carrying something, and asked, "What did our Zhizhi buy? Is the money enough?"

Xia Zhizhi opened the box and took out the camera to show off: "It's enough, I bought this camera. Grandma, when we go out to play in the future, I will record it for you!"

Zeng Zelan laughed so hard that she couldn't close her mouth: "Oh, grandma is already an old lady, why bother recording a picture? Our Zhizhi is pretty, record more."

She touched the camera lovingly and praised, "Our Zhizhi is really amazing. She even knows how to use a camera!"

This thing is difficult for those who don't know how to do it, but it is not difficult for those who know how to do it.

For people who have never had any detailed experience with these things, being able to operate some delicate instruments is very impressive in everyone's eyes.

The two grandparents chatted affectionately for a while, and after dinner, Xia Zhizhi used the excuse of being tired and needing to rest, and went back to her room early. Then Ah Ju also secretly climbed through the window and came into her room.

The two entered the space, Ah Ju maintained the machine, and Xia Zhizhi went to take a shower.

After taking a shower, Xia Zhizhi studied how to use the machine.

Compared with the tedious editing in the later stage, the operation of the camera is very simple. Turn it on to record and turn it off to stop. It tests the photographer's personal composition perception and aesthetic ability.

After Xia Zhizhi studied it for a while and then practiced it by shooting a roll of film, she was able to get the hang of it.

This thing is extremely expensive. If she hadn't bought it for free, she really wouldn't have been willing to spend so much on it.

When Xia Zhizhi was sleeping, Aju was still working overtime diligently to develop photos.

The next day she slept until noon, washed up and had her meal. Zeng Bangguo's guard took the things that Ah Ju had packed for her and sent her to the army.

She distributed the photos she took for everyone first. Xia Zhizhi's aesthetic sense was unquestionable. After receiving the photos, everyone showed a look of surprise.

Xia Zhizhi took photos purely out of personal interest and did not tell anyone at the beginning that she wanted to pay for it.

But after some discussion, the comrades in the art troupe decided to give all the money to Xia Zhizhi according to the market price for taking photos. After all, they had taken so many photos and it cost a lot of money. How could they let the little girl pay for it all by herself?

Comrade Liang Nianci suffered the most.

Xia Zhizhi took a thick stack of photos of her, connecting one frame after another. She pinched a corner and fluttered them, which was a continuous dance posture of raising her hands and jumping.

Liang Nianci looked at each photo one by one, and then flipped through them together. She loved every one of them.

The female comrades in the art troupe passed the copy around to each other, and everyone found the idea very novel.

He could not help but exclaim in amazement and praise Xia Zhizhi highly.

Xia Zhizhi was extremely happy.

The most pitiful one is Liang Nianci. Her legs were so weak from jumping when taking photos, and her flesh was aching when she took out money.

That amount of money would make any normal person feel dizzy when seeing it.

After paying, Liang Nianci put the photo against her chest and said with a painful look on her face: "I finally understand what it means to be the most difficult to accept the kindness of a beautiful woman."

She felt that the more this kind of thing happened, the better, but she was unable to bear it more than once.

Many other comrades in the art troupe were tempted at first, but when they saw the price, most of them had to back out.

Everyone was in pain and happy, except Xia Qingqing who was not very happy.

She was jealous. Why couldn't her sister take pictures of her? She also had some savings.

Xia Zhizhi whispered something into Xia Qingqing's ear, and Xia Qingqing became happy.

When it was time for the evening performance, Xia Zhizhi went to check out the lighting in advance and discussed with their group leader. Without affecting the performance, she built two ladders for herself to use during the recording process.

When the time came, the auditorium was packed and the host began to announce the program.

That's the content of the shows these days.

Solo (singing red songs), chorus (singing red songs), dancing (accompaniment of red songs), playing red songs, and two small stage plays.

Xia Zhizhi didn't plan to record the entire process because it would take too much film and the landlord didn't have enough left over, so she was reluctant to do that.

She chose a stage play about a female hero in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and started recording.

The protagonist is her own sister Xia Qingqing.

The story is always the same, which is about fighting wits and courage with the enemy and ultimately achieving victory.

Xia Zhizhi had seen them rehearse this story several times and knew every move by heart.

Before the show even started, Xia Zhizhi had already found a good position. When the scenes changed, she quickly moved with the camera. The continuity of the story depended on post-editing, and she had only one goal, which was to highlight the beauty of her dear sister.

At the end of the story, everyone thought that the female warrior played by Xia Qingqing had died, and they were grieving. Then Xia Qingqing showed up and everyone was reunited.

Xia Qingqing was on stage soon. Looking at her fair and tender face, Xia Zhizhi rubbed her hands on the floor and said, "Sister, wait a moment."

Xia Qingqing thought there was something wrong with her outfit, so while she was fixing it, she turned around and asked her, "What's wrong, Zhizhi?"

Xia Zhizhi rubbed her black claws on Xia Qingqing's face, but she didn't rub it evenly. After she was done, she urged Xia Qingqing: "Sister, hurry up, it's your turn. When you walk three steps onto the stage, remember to look at the camera."

Xia Qingqing looked at her sister's dark claws and felt numb. There was not enough time now, and she couldn't go downstairs to wash her face. She could only go on stage with a face full of dust.

Xia Qingqing is a person who has a lot of idol baggage. She is in great pain inside, but she still has to force a smile on her face to have a happy reunion with other actors.

Xia Zhizhi controlled the camera to capture Xia Qingqing's micro-expressions.

Hmm...very good.

There was a complex feeling of grief for the comrades who had sacrificed their lives, yet joy at the victory of the war, a mixture of sadness and joy, with a forced smile.

Quite appropriate.

After the curtain call, the other warriors applauded. Xia Zhizhi found Xia Qingqing in the backstage with a camera and shook her arm vigorously: "Sister, call a car to take me back, hurry up!"

She has to go back and edit the film overnight!