Chapter 92: The Special Effect is too Late, How about a True Dragon Instead? (Part One)
As early summer approached, the weather started to get gradually hotter.
And the filming of God Slayer was also drawing to a close.
Cao Zheng could be said to have fully exerted his genius directorial skills, completing the main part of the movie in less than two months.
Once the sample came out, Bi Yuntao was dumbfounded as he watched himself on the screen.
Could it really be him, the one whose performance, though not very dazzling, was deemed satisfactory?
It turned out that he, too, could act well in a movie.
As Bi Yuntao continued to watch, he couldn’t help but have tears well up in his eyes.
Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder.
When Bi Yuntao turned around, he discovered it was Xue An.
“You did a good job!” Xue An said with a slight smile.
Bi Yuntao cried even harder, but this time, it was out of fear.
He had developed a profound psychological shadow over Xue An; the mere mention of Xue An’s name, let alone seeing him, would make him tremble all over.
“I… I didn’t dare…” Bi Yuntao stammered, trembling.
Cao Zheng said at this moment, “Mr. Xue, the main shooting is now complete, but post-production and special effects rendering are the most time-consuming. I’m afraid we won’t make the deadline!”
Cao Zheng was worried about this very issue.
The storyline of God Slayer was not complex, but due to the many mystical scenes involved, the special effects were the main attraction.
Moreover, Cao Zheng had heard that the War of the Gods movie had already wrapped up and was undergoing final adjustments.
If they didn’t hurry, they might truly miss being part of the same release schedule.
Xue An nodded, and at that moment, Han Yao came over with a pale face.
“I just contacted several top special effects companies in the industry. Either they have no time, or they dare not take the job!”
Cao Zheng became very anxious upon hearing this, “How can it be like this? Even if they don’t have time, we could raise the price to purchase their services, right?”
Han Yao shook her head with a wry smile, “I’ve already offered the highest price in the industry, but still, no one would take it.”
Cao Zheng frowned; this phenomenon was clearly very abnormal.
No one would refuse to earn money.
That left only one explanation—someone was sabotaging them from behind.
At this time, Qin Yu also spoke somewhat helplessly, “I contacted several companies overseas. Although they were willing to take it, the delivery time would be even longer.”
This conundrum was laid out before everyone.
The expressions of many crew members began to show signs of despair.
This was not the same as lacking actors or facing other difficulties.
Special effects production is highly specialized work, and there are only so many companies that can do it. If none of them were willing to take on the project, then they would indeed be at a complete impasse.
“It must be the Xie Family! They’re definitely behind this!” Han Yao angrily gritted her teeth.
Qin Yu was silent.
It wasn’t hard to guess; business is like this—once you become enemies, it’s a matter of life and death.
But having already come halfway only to discover a seemingly insurmountable mountain ahead would dishearten anyone.
However, just when everyone was at a loss, Xue An said indifferently, “What special effects are the most labor-intensive?”
Cao Zheng, frowning, replied, “Everything else is manageable, but particularly the several mythical creatures are difficult, especially the Golden Dragon mount of the female lead in the latter part of the movie. It has the most screen time and is the most time-consuming.” Xue An smiled, “Well… I do have a method!”
“What method?” Cao Zheng’s eyes lit up.
Xue An glanced at the Pekingese playing happily with his two daughters in the distance and said lightly, “If the special effects can’t be done in time, then let’s use a real one!”
The film city at night was very quiet.
Inside the largest sound stage, Cao Zheng, Han Yao, Fan Mengxue, and others looked at the Giant Dragon towering in front of them and were all stunned.
“Is this… the latest technology?” Cao Zheng asked with a face full of confusion and excitement as he reached out to touch the scales of the Golden Dragon.
“So lifelike!” Cao Zheng exclaimed.
The Golden Dragon glanced at Cao Zheng disdainfully.
Just a mortal, only slightly better than an insect.
If it weren’t for the master’s orders, it would never allow such a mortal to come close.
“It can move, too!” Cao Zheng said as if he had found a new and exciting toy.
Meanwhile, Xue Xiang and Xue Nian were giggling. “Silly Uncle Cao, Xiao Sha is alive, of course it can move!”
“Alive?” Cao Zheng didn’t catch on immediately, but as he realized what they meant, his expression gradually petrified.
“This… this dragon…” Cao Zheng stammered.
Xue An nodded, “Yes, this dragon… is real!”
Not just Cao Zheng, but also Han Yao and Fan Mengxue turned pale.
That was a dragon!
The totem of Huaxia, a creature that existed only in myths and legends.
They had never imagined such a thing could truly exist, let alone see it with their own eyes.
However, Han Yao and Fan Mengxue quickly regained their composure.
In their view, it was normal for any number of miracles to happen around Xue An, even if he pulled out a golden cudgel the next second and declared himself to be Sun Wukong.
Both would believe it.
“How about it? Isn’t it more useful than special effects?” Xue An asked with a faint smile.
Cao Zheng nodded vigorously, continuously marveling, “No special effects can match the real thing! I believe when this dragon appears in the movie, it will definitely cause astonishment.”
“But… there are many demands for filming a movie. Can it… understand human speech?” Cao Zheng worried about the intelligence of the Giant Dragon.
Before Xue An could speak, the Giant Dragon looked down at Cao Zheng, its large dragon eyes filled with annoyance and disdain.
Claiming the noble Giant Dragon couldn’t understand human speech?
Such a foolish insect!
Cao Zheng felt a chill run down his spine and quickly offered a conciliatory smile. “Please, Lord Dragon, don’t be angry. I was just joking. If that’s not an issue, we can start filming now!” “Wait!” Xue An said.
“What’s up?” asked Cao Zheng.
With a smile, Xue An said, “Didn’t you mention that there are a lot of special effects that need to be made? Why don’t we use real performances for them?”
“How is that possible? Many of those special effects involve all kinds of ghosts and gods…”
He didn’t finish what he was saying.
Because under everyone’s gaze, Xue An formed a strange Dharma Seal with both hands and lightly chanted, “The myriad shapes… come forth from the heart! ”
Countless points of light spread from Xue An’s hands, then took the shape of various ghosts, gods, and mystical beasts.
All of these ghosts, gods, and mystical beasts were lifelike, and their movements very natural.
Cao Zheng was completely amazed.
Can movies be made like this nowadays?
To film a dragon, a True Dragon descends.
To film immortals, pick any from a roomful of Immortals at your leisure.
Is this really making a movie, or is it Immortal Cultivation?
In fact, only Xue An knew that these ghosts and gods were just illusions condensed from magical power.
With his current strength, he was far from able to summon these ghosts and gods.
If he could recover to just one percent of his previous strength, a single command could summon the true forms of all these gods and ghosts.
However, these illusions were certainly impressive enough for making a movie.
At the very least, they were streets ahead of any special effects..