Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 50 Another heartwarming scene

The film was shot in Xiamen and Shanghai, and different things happened in the same place at different times.

Due to budget constraints, Zhang Jun was required to film all the scenes in one location to avoid having to return later.

Not only is going back and forth to different locations a waste of time, but it also costs a lot of money.

Wang Xueqi's scenes are all concentrated in Xiamen City because he has other film contracts. Zhang Jun prioritized filming his scenes so that he could finish filming as soon as possible.

"Cheer for the final match, everyone!"

When assistant director Ning Hao was shouting through a megaphone, Zhang Jun was squatting in front of the monitor, looking over and over the storyboard for the father-son beach scene.

Today's scene is Wang Xueqi's final scene, which is also the emotional core of the entire film.

Chen Xiu travels back to his childhood for the last time and spends a perfect day with his father at the beach.

"Teacher Wang, Lao Chen, let's go through the positions again." Zhang Jun stood up and waved towards the rest area.

Wang Xueqi has already changed into two sets of clothes.

One set is a casual shirt from 2005, which I'll wear for the table tennis scene later; the other set is a light-colored polyester shirt from the 90s, with the cuffs rolled up, ready for the beach scene.

The makeup artist is touching up his makeup, making his facial features look younger.

Chen Kun's condition was noticeably different.

He sat alone in a folding chair in the corner, his eyes closed, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees—a habit he had before getting into a heavy scene.

Today, he will first play a son who "deliberately loses the game," and then guide the audience to imagine him "traveling back to his childhood" through his performance.

"The hardest part is finding the right balance."

Zhang Jun walked to Chen Kun's side and lowered his voice: "You know that the game at table tennis was the last time you would see your father, but you can't cry."

Your sadness should be hidden behind your racket, hidden in every mistake.

Chen Kun opened his eyes and nodded: "I understand. It's a farewell, but not a final farewell."

"right."

Zhang Jun turned to Wang Xueqi: "Teacher Wang, it's the opposite for you. You instantly realized from your son's unnatural mistake that this was the last time you would meet."

Your reaction wasn't surprise, it was... a prepared calm.

Wang Xueqi took a sip of tea: "I understand. Father has been waiting for this day for a long time."

"Scene 89, Shot 1, Action!"

The cement pool table in the backyard gleamed under the lights as Chen Kun served, his movements somewhat stiff.

The first ball went out of bounds.

The second ball went into the net.

The third ball hit the net directly.

Wang Xueqi caught the ball that rolled towards him, held it in his palm, and his gaze towards his son underwent a subtle change.

That wasn't doubt, that was insight.

"Card!"

Zhang Jun looked up from behind the monitor: "Teacher Wang, your gaze just now was excellent. You switched instantly from a state of playing ball to a state of 'understanding,' and your timing was perfect."

Wang Xueqi waved his hand: "Following the logic of the characters, it would be strange if the father didn't see his son's behavior today."

The real challenge lies in the dialogue section.

Chen Kun should say, "I missed you, so I came back to visit," but his tone must imply, "This is the last time I'll come back."

Zhang Jun was not satisfied with any of the three takes.

"Old Chen, what you're saying is too sad."

Zhang Jun demonstrated himself: "Try to relax. The more relaxed you are, the more obvious the heaviness below will be."

It's like... saying goodbye with a smile.

Article 4, Chen Kun made adjustments.

He even smiled slightly as he delivered his lines, but his knuckles were white as he gripped the paddle, and his gaze lingered on his father's face for a second longer than usual.

In that very second, Wang Xueqi caught up with the scene.

He put down his racket, walked up to his son, and instead of questioning him, stated, "Is it... inconvenient for you to come back often in the future?"

Chen Kun's silence was the best answer; he didn't speak, but simply lowered his head slightly.

"Okay! This one's done!"

After Zhang Jun finished shouting, he added, "Teacher Wang's last dialogue scene before filming wrapped was perfect."

Applause erupted on set, and Wang Xueqi smiled and hugged Chen Kun.

The beach scenes were filmed at Xiamen Beach, and the crew rented an area and cleared it out. Time was tight; all shots had to be filmed before sunset.

Nine-year-old actor Zhang Shucheng was very lively, circling around Wang Xueqi and asking all sorts of questions: "Grandpa Wang, are you really going to carry me on your back later?"

"Call him uncle."

Wang Xueqi teased him, "I'll be very young in the movie later."

Zhang Jun pulled Zhang Shucheng aside: "Shucheng, do you remember the hardest part?"

You are playing Chen Xiu as a child, but at this moment, Chen Xiu's adult soul is inside your body.

So sometimes, you need to look at 'Dad' differently.

"Why is it different?"

"It's like... you know you won't see him again soon, and you want to see him more often and remember what he looks like."

Zhang Jun patiently explained, "But you can't say it out loud, because you're still a child. You can only express yourself through your eyes and by holding him for a while."

The young actor nodded as if he understood but not quite.

Actually, he wasn't the only child actor in the cast; there was also Chen Xiu and Su Man's eldest daughter, played by Meng Ziyi.

When the casting process was underway, Meng Ziyi's parents brought her to audition because she had loved acting since she was little. Her parents' thinking was that it would be great if she got cast, but if she didn't, they would completely shatter her dream of becoming an actress.

However, to everyone's surprise, Zhang Jun decided to cast Meng Ziyi after just one look at her smile.

In Zhang Jun's words, "She reminds me of my younger sister when she was little, just as well-behaved and adorable."

Meng Ziyi's parents were shrewd; upon hearing this, they immediately urged Meng Ziyi to recognize her brother.

"Why aren't you calling me 'brother' yet?"

Meng Ziyi, still somewhat bewildered, called out "Brother" in a clear, innocent voice. Zhang Jun gave a strange smile but didn't reject the address.

Back on set, the scene turned out surprisingly well after filming began.

When Zhang Shucheng handed the stone to Wang Xueqi during the skipping scene, there was indeed a focus in his eyes that was beyond his years.

Wang Xueqi skipped a beautiful stone across the water, completing a five-skip jump. Zhang Shucheng cheered and jumped up, then picked up a stone and imitated the move by throwing it.

He turned to look at Wang Xueqi, his eyes sparkling.

The water play was improvised.

The script only described "father and son playing in the sea," but Wang Xueqi actually carried Zhang Shucheng on his back and walked towards the waves.

The child's arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, and his face was pressed against his back.

For a few seconds, Zhang Shucheng didn't speak, just lay there quietly. The camera zoomed in, and there was a glint of water in the child's eyes, whether from seawater or tears, it was hard to tell.

"Card!"

Zhang Jun stared at the monitor, took a deep breath: "This one... is very good, really good."

The final scene is a conversation on the beach, as the sun sets and golden light spills onto the sea.

Zhang Shucheng asked, "Dad, if one day I grow up to be older than you, will you still remember today?"

Wang Xueqi turned to the side and looked at the child.

His answer was completely off-script; he reached out and touched the child's head, his voice so gentle it didn't sound like acting.

"Yes, every second I spend with you today, right now, will be remembered clearly by Dad and kept in the warmest place in my heart."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a few seconds.

"Cut! Teacher Wang, that's a wrap!" Zhang Jun stood up and shouted.

The crew erupted in thunderous applause, giving a round of applause to Wang Xueqi, this outstanding actor.

While clapping, Ning Hao said to Guo Fan, "An excellent script and an excellent director give birth to the best performances."

If this movie doesn't succeed, I'd eat shit without hesitation!

As Guo Fan responded, he watched Zhang Jun's retreating figure, a ripple of emotion stirring within him.

As the assistant director, he had already read the entire script. To be honest, he was deeply moved and brought tears to his eyes by this heartwarming script.

"This is not just a simple romantic comedy, but a superb model of family warmth and father-son affection!" Ning Hao added at the end.