novelraw Chapter 587 - 256. [The Summer of Dew]
Chapter 587 - 256. [The Summer of Dew]
...Before the official filming began, Director Chen said to Wanxia, who sat beside him, "Feel free to voice any opinions and thoughts directly. Don’t worry about offending anyone. I appreciate young people who dare to speak up."
In the Gu Family, this girl is quite influential now.
Wanxia curved her lips into a smile, "Alright."
In the first scene, Shen Weiyi, dressed in a white long dress, was to awaken on a princess bed adorned with flowers. The director’s requirement was that the atmosphere should feel naturally fresh with a hint of appropriate femininity.
Wanxia watched the monitor seriously, "I think Miss Shen’s expression is a bit... stiff."
Director Chen nodded in agreement and repeated into the intercom, "One more time."
This shot was taken a total of sixteen times before Director Chen was satisfied with the effect.
In the second scene, the setting was a nighttime atmosphere. Shen Weiyi had changed into a deep V red dress, her long black straight hair was now styled into big waves, and the necklace on her neck was replaced with one of understated luxury.
The scene was set for Shen Weiyi to sit in front of the dressing table and apply lipstick in front of the mirror.
The director’s requirement was: alluring but not vulgar.
After three takes, Director Chen asked, "How is it?"
Wanxia rested her chin on her hand, her eyebrows, as if painted with ink, gently furrowed, appearing somewhat dissatisfied, "Hmm... how should I put it, it seems to be missing something."
Since her debut, Shen Weiyi had always maintained a pure and graceful style in front of the camera. Even in several big-production films she participated in, her roles were of this type.
Obviously, it didn’t have the alluring but not vulgar feel that the director wanted.
Director Chen called his assistant over, "Go tell Miss Shen that she needs to dress up to meet a lover. Her gaze should be more alluring, and also, pull the neckline of the dress down, let the strap naturally slide below the shoulder in the direction of the camera."
He spoke very bluntly.
There is a qualitative difference between a singer crossing into acting and a professional actor.
The assistant respectfully agreed and quickly ran over to deliver the message to Shen Weiyi.
Of course, he wouldn’t tell her exactly what the director said. Though the meaning remained the same, he was more polite, courteous, and indirect.
After all, she’s currently a very popular artist with the Gu Family.
The director was not afraid of offending people, but these small fry could not afford to lack tact.
Shen Weiyi nodded, "I understand."
Perhaps the more she cared, the worse her condition became. Even after more than ten takes in a row, the director was still not satisfied.
When removing the lipstick for Shen Weiyi, her manager carefully wiped it off, "It’s peeling."
The matte color of the fiery red lips had to be completely removed each time, and after multiple wipes, her lips began to bleed.
Shen Weiyi’s expression did not change much. With outsiders present, she never showed a hint of negative emotion or exhibited any diva personality.
"Hand me the water cup, I want a drink."
...
"Cut! Again."
"No, one more time!"
"Again!"
...
It was filmed over and over, but this part never satisfied the director.
It was long past lunchtime, and a faint weariness spread across everyone’s face, including the lead actress Shen Weiyi.
The manager handed a cup of hot water to Shen Weiyi, discreetly glancing at Wanxia sitting by the director’s chair while fixing Shen Weiyi’s makeup and hair, whispering in complaint, "It was clearly good already. Why is the director so demanding?"
That Ji Wanxia clearly knows nothing, yet keeps finding fault as if looking for flaws in everything.
The most infuriating thing is, no matter what she says, there’s a bunch of people flattering and agreeing with her, along with the director’s endless "again."
Isn’t this bullying!!!
Shen Weiyi’s lips were already numb; from the outside, they still appeared perfectly red, but only she knew the subtle pain.
Every time a new take was shot, the lipstick had to be removed, and with too many repetitions, they had become raw.
When a staff member passed by, she said something impeccable, "This is the brand’s first commercial to enter the mainland, so it must be refined to perfection."
Everyone who heard Miss Shen say this praised her with a thumbs up.
When there was no one around, Shen Weiyi looked up and coldly glanced at her manager, "Watch your words. I don’t want to hear such things that could offend the director again."
The manager pouted and responded with a sullen ’Hmm.’
Shen Weiyi picked up her skirt and walked gracefully to the director, politely saying, "Excuse me, director, I need to go to the restroom."
She did not look at Wanxia beside her, as if the other person did not exist.