Chapter 336
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 336
Chapter Title: A Director's Challenge
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From 0-Years-Old Superstar Chapter 336
“Ah. Freely.”
Davis Garrett looked as if he’d been struck on the back of the head with a hammer. Seojun and the other actors' eyes widened in surprise before understanding dawned, and they burst into laughter.
It was lunchtime after the morning shoot.
The cast and director of [The Survivors] had gathered at one table.
In response to Davis Garrett's question about how he'd suddenly come up with the idea for a 'director's cut,' Director Jeffrey, looking a little embarrassed, shared the thoughts that had been on his mind lately.
Andrew, still young, listened with a blank expression, seemingly unable to comprehend any of it, but the other actors wore looks of understanding. Vanessa Olson, in particular, whose name was less known than the other three actors, nodded repeatedly.
“That’s right. There are times like that. A project you’re really drawn to, but you just know it won’t be a box office hit. It’s a bit daunting even now, so imagine what it was like as a newcomer.”
It was during her busy rookie days when she had to make her name and face known to many. The best choice was to appear in a hit film that would introduce her to the public and increase her chances for the next role.
“The problem is, even if you go that route, there’s no guarantee of success.”
Everyone agreed with that sentiment.
Davis Garrett stroked his chin with a sour expression.
“But that wasn't directed at you, Director.”
“Haha. I know. It’s just that those words struck a chord with me.”
Director Jeffrey smiled and continued.
“Still, don’t you think my interpretations have been pretty good lately?”
“That’s true. The number of scenes where Davis and Jun act according to the script without a word has increased, hasn’t it?”
At Milan Chelan's remark, Vanessa Olson let out a small laugh.
“When that happens, they both look kind of frustrated after the shoot is over.”
Somehow, that hit a little too close to home.
Davis Garrett and Seojun darted their eyes around, met each other’s gaze, and burst out laughing.
“It’s because I’ve never met a director like this. Usually, they either just accept my input or reject it outright. This is the first time a director has brought a revised script, discussed it, and then revised it again.”
“It’s a bit disheartening when the director’s interpretation of the character is better than mine.”
Everyone erupted in laughter at Seojun’s comment.
“But normally, an actor’s job is to follow the script. This kind of filming is a first for me. Should I be glad that not many of my lines have been changed?”
“Exactly. I can’t do this kind of thing.”
At Milan Chelan’s words, Vanessa Olson threw her hands up. Andrew, who had been munching on his lunch and listening to the adults’ conversation, thought for a moment and then shot his hands up too.
“Me too!”
The young actor's cuteness made everyone laugh once more.
“I’ve set a new goal for myself.”
“A goal?”
The actors, having finished their meal, tilted their heads at Director Jeffrey's words.
“It’s to create a work so perfect that Davis and Jun can’t change a single letter.”
As he said this, Director Jeffrey Rodox's eyes gleamed.
Oh.
The actors looked back and forth between Director Jeffrey, Davis Garrett, and Seojun with surprised expressions.
At the challenge thrown before him, Davis Garrett’s eyes lit up.
“It won’t be that easy, Director.”
“I know.”
For a director and an actor to work together again, the director's synopsis had to be chosen by a production company, and then it had to appeal to the actor. On top of that, creating a 'perfect work' on the first try was difficult, so it would take several attempts.
No one knew how long that would take.
Director Jeffrey smiled brightly and continued.
“But you both plan to act for the rest of your lives, don’t you? And I’ll be making movies for the rest of mine. We have plenty of time.”
At those words, Davis Garrett looked stunned, as if he’d been dealt a blow, before breaking into a cheerful laugh.
“Yes. You’re right. In that case, I will wait with pleasure.”
As Davis Garrett and Director Jeffrey smiled at each other, only Seojun looked awkward, his eyes darting around.
*Hmm. I usually just act according to the script…*
This situation with [The Survivors] was a special case.
*Improvising was fun, but in other projects, there’d hardly be a co-star who would accommodate it like Davis.*
Even if he were to ad-lib, Seojun had no intention of doing it the way he had during the filming of [The Survivors].
*Well. Still…*
“I’ll be looking forward to it too, Director.”
Curious about the work Director Jeffrey would create with his vow to make a perfect piece, Seojun decided to stay quiet so as not to dampen his enthusiasm.
*A good script♪ A good script♪*
He found himself humming.
***
After the talk of a 'director's cut,' the set of [The Survivors] had completely transformed.
“If time is the issue, solve it with money…!”
Director Jeffrey had said as much when making his request to the head of the planning team, who readily agreed.
And so, the number of cameras surrounding the set doubled compared to previous shoots.
Half of them were for the theatrical release, while the other half were for the director’s cut. Of course, that could change during editing.
“So many cameras… I can’t get used to this.”
“Tell me about it. But the actors are focusing so well.”
It was an unfamiliar sight even for the staff working in Hollywood.
“It feels like there’s nowhere to hide on set, doesn't it?”
Cameras were pointed not only where the actors stood but also at places they didn't, which were just part of the background. This meant the art team had to put even more effort into restoring the sets than before.
“Did you hear they’re building an extra set for each one?”
“An extra one?”
“Yeah. Since it takes time to restore a set after it collapses, they’re building another one. They can film here, and while it’s being restored, they’ll shoot on the other set. They even hired more art team staff to make them identical.”
“...But that requires not just the set, but the machinery too.”
“I know. They said they’ve already procured all the equipment.”
“Wow…”
The speed was enough to draw automatic admiration.
***
“Ready, action!”
A silence of unknown duration settled over the underground space.
No.
It was impossible to tell if this was underground or above ground. Sometimes they walked as if on flat terrain, other times they crawled up steep inclines. And sometimes, they carefully descended.
Just north.
The survivors were inching their way northward, following the needle of a compass.
Raymond Wish, who found and forged the path, led the way, followed by Cynthia Lindberg, Jackson Miller, Ian Weaver, and Lee Hyunwoo.
“...You have a family outside.”
Jackson Miller glanced back at the boy who had gone to the rearmost position, which could be the most dangerous. Lee Hyunwoo, who had insisted on not moving unless he was at the very back, seemed to have a bit more life in his pale face. He looked slightly better, but it was still worrying.
Ian Weaver, holding Jackson Miller's hand tightly, also kept looking back. He wanted to walk with Lee Hyunwoo, but he obediently held onto Jackson Miller's hand.
Unaware of their gazes, Lee Hyunwoo followed the survivors, keeping a slight distance.
It was then.
A massive tremor shook the ground.
No explosion was heard, but the shockwave seemed to have reached them. The unstable surrounding walls trembled as if they would collapse.
Especially.
The area behind Lee Hyunwoo looked particularly precarious.
“Forward!”
At Raymond Wish’s voice, Cynthia Lindberg and Jackson Miller immediately headed forward.
Ian Weaver, who happened to be looking back, tripped on something and fell. Jackson Miller, who was holding his hand, momentarily lost his balance. Their clasped hands separated.
“...!”
Simultaneously, a pillar collapsed between Jackson Miller and Ian Weaver.
A moment later, and they would have been crushed.
CRASH!
BOOM! CRASH!
A wall of rubble formed before the eyes of Ian Weaver, who had fallen forward. With wide, startled eyes, Ian Weaver looked up at the growing wall.
Just then.
Two hands reached out and lifted the terrified Ian Weaver.
Ian Weaver turned his head. He saw Lee Hyunwoo, biting his lip to keep from panicking in the midst of the shaking.
Lee Hyunwoo bit his lip so hard it might bleed, trying not to lose consciousness.
It hurt. It hurt so much he could cry.
But Lee Hyunwoo remembered the warmth that had been beside him.
He remembered the voice of the child who had spoken to him when he had only pushed everyone away.
“...Mister!”
The passage was already blocked up to Lee Hyunwoo’s chest.
Beyond the wall, he could see the three adults with frantic expressions.
“Mister!”
Jackson Miller, whose eyes met Lee Hyunwoo’s, quickly extended his hand. Ian Weaver was pulled over the pillar by Jackson Miller’s hand. In the eyes of Ian Weaver looking back, a sense of relief washed over Lee Hyunwoo’s face.
As Ian Weaver made it over the wall,
RUUUMBLE!
The surroundings crumbled.
The wall separating Lee Hyunwoo from the survivors had already reached his chin.
Rumble.
The sounds coming from behind him were ominous.
The pain in his lip faded as chaos consumed his mind.
His breathing slowly grew ragged. The pounding sounds and vibrations were driving him mad.
His whole body trembled, making it impossible to keep his balance.
He placed a hand on the barricading wall to support himself. Through his blurry vision, he saw his own mangled hand with its split and broken nails.
Beyond the cold wall.
Just as his mom and dad had disappeared, he too would…
A pitch-black darkness slowly gripped his feet, crawling up his ankles and legs. A thick, sticky fear swallowed Lee Hyunwoo, and—
“What are you doing?!”
A loud voice boomed, and something suddenly entered his vision.
Lee Hyunwoo’s eyes shook violently at the sight of a dirt-covered hand extended through the falling dust. His gaze followed the hand upward. Unlike the front, which was blocked by the collapsed ceiling, a narrow space had opened up above.
His vision, narrowed by panic, hadn't seen it.
But that gap didn't look like it would last long.
“Get out this way!”
The owner of the hand was not Jackson Miller, nor was it Cynthia Lindberg.
It was Raymond Wish, his face contorted.
Seeing those fiery eyes in his blurry vision, Lee Hyunwoo instinctively reached out and grabbed Raymond Wish’s hand.
Back then.
It was the hand that had so desperately wanted to reach his mom and dad.
***
“He saves him.”
“Haha.”
Davis Garrett laughed at Director Jeffrey’s comment.
“He gets out.”
“Hahaha.”
Seojun, too, now quite accustomed to it, deflected with a laugh.
The staff and cast, having seen this many times during the filming of [The Survivors], shook their shoulders, trying to suppress their laughter.
Originally, Lee Hyunwoo was supposed to be isolated and left alone.
*I guess it couldn’t be that simple.*
Director Jeffrey crossed his arms and immediately started planning the next scene.
He was so used to the two actors' improvisations that he no longer needed to press his hand to his forehead.
“! I’ve got a great idea. Let’s shoot the close-up shots right away and then film the director’s cut version!”
At Director Jeffrey’s words, the cast and crew began to move. While the actors got their makeup redone, the staff prepared the second set that had been built in the studio.
“Ah, Director. My leg hit the pillar at the end.”
Seojun said, standing among the staff who were dusting him off.
As he was pulled over the wall by Raymond Wish's hand like a caught fish, Lee Hyunwoo’s leg had brushed against a collapsing pillar.
The set pieces that could come into contact with the actors were made of soft material, despite their appearance. Even if he had been too slow to escape, he would have only felt a slight pressure.
Director Jeffrey nodded at Seojun’s words.
“So Lee Hyunwoo’s leg is injured… right or left?”
“Left.”
“Left. Check.”
Having noted the situation, Director Jeffrey and the actors prepared for the next shoot.
***
Time passed, and it was late February.
[Hollywood Actor Lee Seojun, Returns to Korea!]
[Filming for the Movie ‘The Survivors’ Wraps Up!]
[When Will Bear Round's ‘The Survivors’ Be Released?]
Having finished all the filming for [The Survivors], Seojun returned to Korea.
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