Chapter 85

Time quickly arrived at mid-April 1999, and the filming of *The Matrix* was proceeding in a tense and orderly manner. Chen Tian's performance seemed unaffected by his Oscar win, and he remained in high spirits, immersing himself in the production, with daily shooting lasting up to eight hours.

If possible, he would have preferred to shoot for twelve hours straight. However, doing so would likely result in a lawsuit from the Hollywood Actors Guild, and the overtime pay for the crew would be a significant expense.

After completing the scenes inside the Matrix, the real-world scenes progressed rapidly.

"Spotlights ready, lighting team adjust the brightness to simulate normal daylight, and aim it at the operating table!"

Holding the megaphone, Chen Tian shouted to the lighting team. He then turned to the other side and raised the megaphone again, "Props team, handle the reflector, and hide the rope controlling the prop's movement better. I don't want to see it in the shot. Camera, adjust the focus, and make sure the wall doesn't appear in the frame! And whose coffee is that? Take it away quickly!"

Chen Tian, with his keen eyes, spotted an unknown object and shouted loudly.

A negligent makeup artist rushed onto the set, picked up the coffee cup, and apologized, "Sorry, my fault."

Chen Tian skillfully issued commands, directing the entire crew into action.

Since this was the final scene, Spielberg was also present, watching Chen Tian's command with his arms crossed. Chen Tian's role as director was undoubtedly competent, and the entire crew moved quickly under his direction.

After more than half an hour of busy work, the set was ready, featuring a meticulously designed operating table inside the spaceship. A heart rate monitor was placed on one side, and a bed was set up nearby. Chen Tian lay on the bed, surrounded by Kate, Laurence, and the only surviving team member, Tank. The makeup artist was still styling Kate's hair and applying makeup to her face.

Finally, after the makeup artist checked the final touch-ups and left the set satisfied.

"Attention all departments, final scene, prepare to shoot!"

"Lighting, props in place, director, can we start?"

Chen Tian didn't answer immediately, holding the megaphone and smiling, not too seriously, "Don't be too nervous, guys. Since this is the last scene, we should relax a bit. We have plenty of time."

A few light laughs echoed in the room, the atmosphere became a bit more relaxed, but the tension remained.

He then turned to Kate, Laurence, and the others, extending his hand, "Guys, last scene, want to give a high-five?"

"Clap, clap, clap." The three of them slapped hands with Chen Tian, smiling at each other.

Chen Tian nodded in satisfaction, signaling that they could start, and then closed his eyes, lying on the operating table.

"Everyone in position, ready, final scene, action!"

With the command, the cameraman, Eman, pushed the camera, controlling the lens's distance. This scene depicted Neo being trapped in the Matrix, defeating Smith, and then escaping. Unfortunately, Smith was indestructible. In the end, he shot Neo, who lay on the bed, his body twitching a few times to simulate the reaction to being shot, then lay still, his face as pale as paper.

The heart rate monitor's line began to flatten.

"Oh no!" Laurence's worried and anxious expression was vivid.

Eman controlled the camera, the lens steadily focusing on Laurence as Morpheus. A close-up shot showed Tank, who was tense and exhausted, watching the scene with fatigue, unease, and worry in his eyes.

Bloodstains appeared at the corners of his mouth and on his body, and his mind was a bit dazed. Laurence, playing Morpheus, had dry, cracked lips and a weary face from the torture.

"Cut!"

Everyone looked up at the director's chair in confusion, where Spielberg was talking to McCow.

Chen Tian raised his head, "What's wrong?"

"Lighting, the lights are too bright, control the brightness." This time, it was Spielberg speaking, and Chen Tian lay back down with reassurance. After a moment, they started filming again.

A prop technician signaled, and sparks crackled inside the spaceship, indicating an attack by the mechanical octopus. However, they couldn't launch the electromagnetic bomb because Neo was still in the Matrix.

Eman gently shook the camera, creating the effect of the spaceship trembling. Under the prop technician's control, objects fell, creating a busy and noisy scene.

Trinity looked sad, lowering her head to embrace Neo, whose heart had stopped beating, tears welling up in her eyes, "Neo, I'm not afraid of anything anymore. The Oracle told me who I would fall in love with, and the one I love is the One! So you know, you won't die. You won't, because... I love you. Can you hear me? I love you!"

After saying this, she leaned down and kissed Neo's lips gently.

During the filming, Chen Tian had often guided Kate's performance, and now she had fully embodied the character of Trinity, cool and confident when needed, and tender and beautiful when required.

"Crack, crack" sparks flew, and in the background, the mechanical octopus's infrared cutting beams were visible.

Spielberg sat behind the monitor, watching the scene intently, his right hand unconsciously rubbing his chin.

"It's time for Chen Tian to react."

McCow watched the scene nervously, and Kong Yiji, sitting nearby, also focused on the screen.

"Ah!"

Neo's body, which had stopped beating, suddenly twitched, as if he had just resurfaced from drowning, gasping for air. "Neo in the Matrix should also be coming back to life," Spielberg thought, signaling Eman to move the camera closer. Eman quickly captured the expressions of Kate, Laurence, and Tank.

Kate's tears finally fell, "Finally awake, Neo."

Laurence was also shocked, turning to look at the heart rate monitor, which began to beat again. The computer data showed a rapid stream of green text.

Tank: "What happened?"

Laurence: "He's the One!"

...

In the final moment, Laurence pressed the button to launch the electromagnetic bomb, and Neo woke up, looking into Trinity's eyes.

"Cut!"

After the final shout, Chen Tian walked to the monitor, watching all the footage. He then discussed it with Spielberg, and everyone watched them, waiting for instructions. They couldn't hear what the two were saying, only that Chen Tian was talking non-stop, and Spielberg nodded occasionally, sometimes speaking.

Finally, Chen Tian stood up, waving the megaphone, and shouted excitedly, "Wrap!"

Upon hearing Chen Tian's words, dozens of crew members cheered. All the cast and crew, including the lead actors, laughed and cheered, clapping. Niu Yingying jumped up, throwing a piece of clothing into the air.

Kate also found Chen Tian, and they embraced. Everyone hugged each other, celebrating months of hard work and the birth of a movie.

Chen Tian's second film, *The Matrix*, had finally wrapped after five months of shooting.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work!"

Chen Tian raised the megaphone, turning the volume to the maximum, "These past few months working with all of you have been very fulfilling and enjoyable. Most importantly, through our joint efforts, Hollywood has gained another classic. Yes, I am proud to have been part of this film. In August, after August, we will let the world know that another classic has been born in our hands!"

That night, the crew held a wrap party at the hotel.

"Hugo, Laurence, thank you for your hard work. I've been quite demanding, but thank you for not complaining!" Chen Tian smiled, warmly hugging Kong Yiji, McCow, Spielberg, and the other directors and producers, then squeezed through the crowd to greet Hugo Weaving and Laurence.

The two smiled, and Hugo Weaving said, "Chen, a director's high standards are a sign of excellence. You are a great actor and a great director, and it was a pleasure working with you. I hope the film goes well, and there will be more to look forward to in the sequels."

"Ha ha, there will be!"

They had all signed contracts for three films, knowing it was a series. However, there were conditions: if the first film wasn't successful, the sequels wouldn't happen. "Trust me, the sequels will come soon, and you will be proud to have been part of this film!"

The crew wouldn't disband immediately, especially the cameramen, prop, and lighting teams, who would continue to work on post-production. If there were any discrepancies or continuity errors during the editing process, the lead actors would be called back for reshoots.

"Kate, thank you for your hard work!"

Kate smoothed her black hair, which she had dyed for the film, "No problem, you've worked hard too. It's good that it's finally over."

No words were needed; they looked at each other and kissed passionately, everything unspoken.

(Ps: It's quite awkward, I just asked for votes, and then got a harsh response. Oh well, let's take it in stride, and let things happen naturally. I won't aim for the Hanlin Academy anymore, just focus on writing.)

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends