Chapter 567 Filming
On July 10, 2009, "Pacific Rim" officially launched in Beijing.
The crew has been preparing for this and has already rented a studio and set up a venue in the suburbs of Beijing.
This kind of special effects blockbusters are usually not shot in real scenes, but are shot in a studio using a green screen.
So you don’t need to go to the beach to play around, but just play house games in the studio.
Of course, in order for the film to have better effects, some real-life shooting is essential.
But this is the itinerary for the future. For now, we only need to stay in the studio in the suburbs of Beijing.
For example, Marvel's superhero movies are basically shot in a studio through a green screen, and there are few real-life shots.
Of course, this is because Hollywood has the corresponding film special effects technology to support this method.
However, the crew of "Pacific Rim" has already made an agreement with a Hollywood special effects company to be able to shoot like this.
Otherwise, without the support of Hollywood's special effects, if Wang Shu wanted to present "Pacific Rim", he would have to complete it through large-scale live shooting.
As a result, it will cost a lot of money, investors will definitely be discouraged, and ultimately it will be difficult to complete.
It’s not that Wang Shu doesn’t trust domestic film special effects technology, but that it’s really not possible at this time in 2009.
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On the day of the launch, whether it was Han Sanping, Ye Lin, Wang Changtian, or the heads of Warner and Fox, they all came. It was so lively.
Many reporters came to the scene to record and disseminate the footage of the opening ceremony.
Zhang Yimou likes to be secretive when making movies, avoiding the media and reporters.
In fact, Wang Shu is also like this, but not all of his movies are like this, but he is selective.
For example, this "Pacific Rim" has already established a path of hype starting from the casting, so there is no need to start filming secretly.
Relatively speaking, it is more suitable to make the startup ceremony louder.
Of course, the opening ceremony is the starting ceremony, and the shooting scene is the shooting scene.
The opening ceremony allows media reporters to come to do news. During the filming period, reporters are strictly prohibited from visiting the studio.
With the opening ceremony over, the filming of "Pacific Rim" is in full swing.
Chen Long plays the male lead, Zhang Hanyu plays the second male lead, Pedro Pascal plays the third male lead, and Mei Ting plays the female lead.
Because "Pacific Rim" is a co-production led by a Chinese film and television company, the male protagonist must have an oriental face.
The second male lead is set to be the top officer of the Pacific Rim Defense Force. This role is definitely not possible for a Western actor to play.
If Western actors participate, then it becomes the West leading the East.
Therefore, this role cannot be given to a Western actor.
Fortunately, Chen Long has worldwide popularity and box office appeal, so the second male lead was given to a Chinese actor, and Warner and Fox were also able to accept it.
Otherwise, if the male lead is not Chen Long, in order to balance the audience between the East and the West, either the male lead will be played by a Hollywood actor, or the female lead will be played by a Western actor.
Anyway, among the male and female protagonists, there should always be one.
It can be said that it was Wang Shu who invited Chen Long to star in this movie that allowed Mei Ting to play the heroine.
Because the choice of the second male lead is certain. Since it is the leading role in the film, it must only be played by a domestic entertainment actor.
When the choice of the second male lead is determined in advance, the first male and female lead will inevitably need to balance the global audience.
So, the male lead is Chen Long.
Otherwise, Warner and Fox will inevitably require a Hollywood actor to star in the male or female lead.
As for the third male lead, Pedro Pascal, Warner and Fox found him in Hollywood.
This kid made his debut in 1999 and has been doing soy sauce since then until he starred in the comedy film "IAmThatGirl" last year.
Wang Shu doesn’t know how Warner and Fox found this guy. He doesn’t have much to say now, but he will be quite famous in the future.
This guy starred in Zhang Yimou's blockbuster "The Great Wall".
He has participated in the TV series "Game of Thrones" and starred in the TV series "The Mandalorian".
He has also participated in movies such as "Wonder Woman 1984" and "Gladiator 2".
In the original timeline, domestic entertainment media said this about Pedro Pascal.
Before the movie "The Great Wall" was released, the audience may not know anything about the name Pedro Pascal. Due to the release of "The Great Wall", everyone will definitely be aware of Matt Damon's gay character in the movie. Friends, I was deeply impressed by Tovar, who was good at fighting bulls and beheading gluttons, and who was good at making jokes through literary comparisons.
Pedro Pascal has a "standard" Latin face, with a big nose, a small mustache and deep Sichuan lines between his eyebrows, giving him a more classical look.
In the movie "The Great Wall", he grew a beard and a scar on his eye, making Tovar full of wildness and fierceness.
Although he plays a supporting role in the film, Pedro perfectly interprets the character's arrogant and funny character.
In the TV series "Game of Thrones", Pedro Pascal has the unique charm of the "Red Viper".
This guy, after "The Great Wall", starred in several high-scoring American TV series such as "Narcos", "The Mandalorian" and "The Last of Us".
In terms of movies, there is no improvement.
It was precisely because there was no improvement that Marvel took a fancy to him and chose him as the leading actor in "Fantastic Four: The First Step".
In the studio, the crew was preparing. Mei Ting approached Wang Shu and said with a strange and surprised expression: "This is my first time shooting a movie with a green screen."
She is an actress in a TV series. She has been shooting mostly in studios or in film and television cities. I have only heard of this method of shooting with green screens as far as the eye can see and no real objects. , but I have never experienced it as personally as I do now.
Although domestic green screen shooting has been used by many crews in the past few years, most of them are only used when shooting movies, and the technology is not very mature.
So relatively speaking, large-scale green screen shooting crews like Wang Shu’s without physical objects are relatively rare.
"Actually, it's nothing strange. Hollywood already has mature photography skills for this thing." Wang Shu responded with a smile.
He is not kneeling down to Hollywood, but telling the truth.
Hollywood began to enter this field in 1940.
With the development of sixty-seven years, not only the techniques of green screen shooting have become very mature, but also the computer special effects have been developed.
It is precisely because of this that Marvel was able to complete the filming of superhero movies such as "Iron Man", "Captain America", "Spider-Man" and "Doctor Fantastic" in the studio and put them on the big screen. .
"I've never been to Hollywood, and I haven't seen much of it in China, so I don't know much about it," Mei Ting said softly.
Wang Shu heard the words and immediately explained to him thoughtfully: "Let me tell you, green screen shooting is a film shooting technology that uses a green background to create transparency so that it can be used in post-production. Replace the background. ”
“However, there are still some skills to choose during shooting. ”“For example, choose a uniform green screen. The background, preferably a neutral green to avoid chromatic aberration in post-production, makes sure the green screen is flat and has no wrinkles or bumps to avoid creating shadows in the frame."
“Another example is lighting correctly.”
“When shooting with a green screen, lighting correctly is very important.”
“You need to ensure that the light hits the green screen evenly to avoid shadows or shadows. Reflective. ”
“Usually use a soft light source or a reflector to get a more even lighting effect. ”
“Also maintain a certain distance.
“This keeps the subject at the right distance from the green screen to ensure the background is clear and large enough to be replaced later. Too close or too far can cause the background to be opaque or blurry.”
“Also Pay attention to shadows and reflections. ”
“Because shadows and reflections may affect the effect of green screen shooting, it is necessary to avoid strong shadows and reflections and ensure that the light between the subject and the background is even.”
“If the adjustment is not good during shooting, you can use a visor or reflector to control the light.”
“In addition to these, you must also maintain shooting stability.”
"This is to prevent camera shake. Using a tripod or other stabilizer to keep the camera stable will help ensure that the picture is clear and smooth, and reduce the difficulty of post-processing."
"Just like the one in front of us The camera is stabilized with a tripod.”
After hearing this, Mei Ting rolled her eyes and said, “Even if you don’t shoot with a green screen, you will use a tripod to stabilize the camera, okay?”
By this, she does not mean that all cameras are stabilized on tripods.
Unlike before, there are usually several cameras on set.
Some shots were shot with a camera mounted on a tripod, and some shots were shot handheld.
Seeing Zhang Hanyu listening carefully, Wang Shu replied helplessly: "You are right, I just said that this method will help reduce the difficulty of post-processing."
< br>“Because green screen shooting is just shooting, post-production is required to complete the movie.”
“In post-production, appropriate software needs to be used to replace the green screen with the required background.”
“Make sure to choose the correct color matching and transparency settings to blend seamlessly with the original background, and apply other effects and adjustments as needed for the best visual effect.”
“Also, when shooting with a green screen, details are very important, and you need to ensure that elements such as props, costumes and makeup are distinguishable from the green screen colors to avoid confusion in post-production.”
“I don’t understand.” Mei Ting shook her head, indicating that she didn't understand.
Wang Shu looked at Zhang Hanyu, who also shook his head and said: "I don't quite understand either."
Wang Shu sighed and said: "When green screens become popular in our country in the future, you will understand. ”
“I’m telling you so much now mainly to help you better adapt to the shooting process.”
Since there is no real thing in green screen shooting, it is very important to set a plan in advance and conceive the final scene before shooting with green screen.
Whether it is a concept design drawing or a storyboard.
In short, it is necessary to determine which parts of the scene are real shots and which parts are virtual synthesis.
In other words, actors need to know which parts of the scene actually exist and which parts were added during post-production.
If the scene is quite complex with several layers of green screen, a clear instruction manual containing every detail needs to be established to help the crew and actors quickly understand it.
Even so, in some cases, it is still necessary to use real props for actors to refer to.
Tennis balls are usually hung on the green screen and serve as visual reference points for the actors.
Therefore, in the green screen scene of "Pacific Rim", actors such as Mei Ting and Zhang Hanyu did not just stand up and act casually, but they had to pay a lot of attention to it.
It is necessary to perform as if there is a real thing when there is no real thing.
If it is a panoramic lens, the requirements are higher.
Of course, if the actors understand the principles of green screen, then the performance will be smoother.
If you don’t know much about it, you will have to worry a lot.
Wang Shu is now trying his best to help Mei Ting and Zhang Hanyu understand the principles of green screen shooting, so that they can adapt faster and reduce the difficulty of shooting.
Although Zhang Hanyu starred in the movie "Assembly", "Assembly" was not shot through a green screen, but relied on on-site shooting and the reproduction of actual battle scenes.
So, he doesn’t know much about the process of green screen shooting and what needs to be paid attention to.
Moreover, some actors need clear scenes and interactions with each other in order to brew up emotions and complete the performance.
If it’s a green screen, it’s difficult to get into the zone.
For example, Liu Tao is such an actress.
So, her acting skills are average, and she can never get into the film industry if she wants to.
In the original timeline, she had a performance in the TV series "The Legend of Miyue" that was praised for her excellent performance.
However, this performance was ridiculed by many people. If it were included in a movie, the director would shake his head after watching it.
Even conventional performances are not suitable for movies, let alone green screen shooting in movies.
Generally, when shooting in front of a green screen, actors need to rely on imagination to complete the performance, because there are no actual scenes and props, everything depends on the actor's imagination and control during performance.
This kind of performance without physical objects is more difficult.
Because actors need to accurately grasp the scale of movements, rhythm of lines, positioning and facial expressions, etc., these require actors to have higher performance skills and stronger control capabilities.
Therefore, green screen shooting tests the actors’ acting skills even more.
This is usually reflected in two aspects.
One is the lack of physical performance, and the other is the grasp of details.
For the former, in front of a green screen, actors need to rely on imagination to complete their performances, which requires them to have stronger imagination and performance control.
For example, in "Special Forces Fire Phoenix", the actors need to show scenes of sweating a lot, but in fact they are just standing in cotton-padded jackets to present the effect through performance.
In the latter case, in front of a green screen, actors need to pay more attention to details, because every detail will affect the final special effects.
For example, the range of movements, facial expressions, etc. need to be very natural and real.
And this is back to the fact that some actors need a physical environment and actors to play together in order to prepare their emotions and enter the state to complete the performance.
Green screen shooting, there is no such thing.
(End of this chapter)