Chapter 48

Please recommend me!

Although various problems with props and sets arose during the shooting, compared to the first two weeks, the production team was running much more smoothly. After a period of adjustment, the different departments gradually found a rhythm in their cooperation.

Most importantly, Murphy, the inexperienced director, was improving at an incredibly fast pace.

In the third week of shooting in the San Fernando Valley Basin, another young actress joined the crew. Her name was Emily, a temporary actress who was paid the minimum daily wage of one hundred dollars set by the actors' union.

This actress had only one scene, where she was brutally murdered by Jeff, the photographer played by James Franco, at the beginning of the film.

The crew also left the indoor setting for the first time. Murphy chose a small lake not far from the house as the shooting location, selecting a lawn surrounded by shrubs.

The crew was so basic that they didn't even have a dedicated makeup trailer. The actors had to get their makeup done at the house and then come over.

Moreover, Murphy wanted to use an overhead shot for the opening scene. The best effect would undoubtedly come from a crane shot, but renting a crane truck would be expensive. He decided to have a Ford car brought over and planned to climb onto it to shoot manually.

The shooting over the past two weeks had consumed a lot of funds. While achieving the desired effect, Murphy had to consider more practical expenditure issues.

The weather was excellent today, with a clear blue sky and ample light. A cool breeze carrying moisture from the nearby lake occasionally blew by, bringing a refreshing chill to the otherwise dry air.

Under Murphy's direction, nearly ten people in the crew were busy with their respective tasks. Paul Wilson and the other three interns, acting as laborers, transported film reels and equipment from the house to the shooting location.

The black Ford car had been modified by the prop master, Mia Suckley. A wooden and plastic platform was added to the roof, and Murphy stood on it, directing the crew's work.

Since the actors were still getting their makeup done at the house, he focused more on setting up the temporary shooting location.

There were two additional spectators this time. Bill Rosies, Carey Mulligan's agent, brought a friend, who was also the agent of the temporary actress. Murphy had just chatted with them and allowed them to watch the shooting. After all, his small crew and project didn't have to worry about spoilers or other troubles.

In comparison, being ignored was far worse.

"How is it?"

Standing at the edge of the shrubs at the far end of the set, Bill Rosies looked at Murphy and asked the middle-aged man beside him, "Mike, this is the one I told you about a while ago."

The man named Mike slowly shook his head. "How can I tell now? But..."

He thought for a moment and said, "He's very young, and youth often means inexperience."

"He is very inexperienced," Bill Rosies, who had been with Carey Mulligan on the set from the beginning, naturally saw the various problems encountered during shooting. "He's a complete novice and made quite a few basic mistakes at the start."

Mike curled his lips and shook his head again, seemingly not very interested in someone like Murphy.

"But his progress is astonishing!" Bill Rosies still looked at Murphy. "He can always pinpoint the problem immediately, find the fastest solution, and learn from his mistakes, rarely making the same mistake again."

"Let's see," Mike said, not willing to jump to conclusions. "We'll see."

Once the set was ready, they waited a bit. Makeup artist Jack Watson, along with James Franco and the temporary actress Emily, walked over. James Franco was still dressed in gray with glasses, while Emily looked incredibly pitiful, with bruises all over her face, a twisted mouth, and spots of blood.

Emily's makeup was outstanding. Among the few hired crew members, Murphy was most satisfied with Jack Watson. Unlike others with average abilities, he was the type who just hadn't had the right opportunity.

After giving James Franco and Emily a few simple instructions and checking with the various departments, Murphy began the test shoot. Due to the limited number of rehearsals, the test shoot wasn't very smooth. Murphy also needed to adjust the overhead angle. Finally, the Ford car was parked in front of the left side of the location where Jeff was committing the violence. From here, the camera could fully capture Emily's pitiful state lying on the grass.

Unlike before, Murphy used only black-and-white film for this shoot. Given that the victim was a minor, the content was too sensitive, and black-and-white film could better control the shooting's intensity.

The appearance of bruises and blood on black-and-white film and color film is completely different.

Emily was even younger than Carey Mulligan, and Murphy wanted to avoid the film being rated NC-17.

"Jack, touch up Emily's makeup."

After the test shoot, Murphy called the temporary actress over. While she was getting her makeup touched up, he instructed, "Emily, you need to beg more pitifully."

"Okay!" She hummed in response, as it was inconvenient to speak while getting her makeup done.

James Franco had only one close-up in this scene, and after such a long time of shooting, his performance was assured.

After Jack Watson finished touching up Emily's makeup, Murphy picked up the camera and shouted loudly, "Everyone, attention! We start shooting in five minutes."

Once the actors were in position and the crew was ready, Murphy adjusted the camera and called out, "Action!"

Standing on the platform on top of the Ford car, the camera lens was tilted down at a forty-five-degree angle, first focusing on Emily's pig-like face.

Her face was covered in blood and bruises, but even so, one could still faintly see her originally delicate and lovely appearance. Jack Watson's makeup skills were indeed impressive. This shot conveyed a message: Who could have beaten such a lovely girl into this state? How could anyone bear to do this to her?

"Help... help..." The girl's voice was weak and feeble, as if she could die at any moment. Only her bright eyes looked pleadingly ahead. "Please... please... please let me go..."

A large fist entered the frame and "struck" the girl's face. Then a man's figure appeared, turning his head toward the camera. His gentle face was twisted with an unusual ferocity. "This is the punishment for rejecting my advances!"

After saying that, he took out a utility knife and stared at the girl's throat...

"Cut!" Murphy called out, snapped his fingers at the driver's seat of the Ford, and said to Jessica Chastain, who was driving, "Move to the right front and shoot a few more takes."