Chapter 8: Filming

Cheng Sheng immediately took everyone to the prepared set.

However, he did not start filming right away. Instead, he first discussed the shooting details with the crew, gathered all the actors with lines to study the script, and helped everyone familiarize themselves with the history of the late Sui and early Tang dynasties.

After the props and costumes were delivered, Cheng Sheng also had the troops put on their gear and practice the momentum of a cavalry charge.

Another week passed, and with the help of two assistant directors, the shooting details were finalized, and every actor had memorized their lines.

Formal filming began.

"Teacher Fu Dalong, are you ready?"

The first shot was of Yang Guang enjoying himself.

"Ready, Director."

Fu Dalong nodded at Cheng Sheng, who was standing behind the camera.

"Teacher Zeng Li, do you have any questions?"

Zeng Li was a senior from the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama (Zhongxi) and had been recommended by President Xu Xiaozhong to play Empress Xiao.

As a former campus belle of Zhongxi, Zeng Li was the perfect choice to play Empress Xiao.

Dressed in a phoenix robe, Zeng Li tucked a strand of her long, fake hair behind her ear, looked at Cheng Sheng in a daze, and parted her red lips to say, "Ready, Director."

Wang Zhi and Tong Yaya, who were playing palace maids, stared nervously at the camera.

They had originally wanted to audition for Princess Pingyang, but they weren't chosen by Cheng Sheng. However, Cheng Sheng did give them the roles of palace maids.

The two women weren't disappointed; after all, it was normal not to be selected, and they had been mentally prepared for it.

"You two, don't be nervous, and don't keep staring at the camera."

Cheng Sheng saw their nervousness at a glance and spoke up immediately.

"Sorry, Director, we won't do it again."

Tong Yaya apologized repeatedly.

"Hmm." Cheng Sheng nodded, then summoned his panel and clicked on "Immersive Experience."

He applied a buff to all the actors on set, hoping that everyone would perform beyond their usual capabilities.

An invisible wave swept over them. Fu Dalong, Zeng Li, and the others suddenly froze, as if they truly were Yang Guang and Empress Xiao.

In this moment, they had forgotten their identities as actors.

Fu Dalong had completely transformed into the cruel and hedonistic Yang Guang.

"Senior Brother Liu, are you ready?"

The school had selected an exceptionally capable assistant director for Cheng Sheng named Liu Meng, a senior who had graduated from the directing department last year and was serving as the executive director for this film.

In 2003, Liu Meng wrote his first military-themed novel, *Leave the Last Bullet for Me*, which won the All-Army Literature and Art Award.

In the future, he would go on to direct a series of military-themed TV dramas, including *I Am a Special Forces Soldier*.

"Ready, no problem."

"Camera!"

"Ready."

"Sound!"

"Ready."

"Attention all units, action."

The clapperboard snapped, and the first shot of the first scene began.

This film had many palace scenes, most of which were shot out of sequence.

The camera focused on Fu Dalong, who was playing Yang Guang.

Under the influence of the Immersive Experience buff, Fu Dalong's portrayal of Yang Guang was perfect.

If they weren't on a film set, many of the onlookers would have thought they were truly seeing Yang Guang.

"Empress..."

"My beloved concubine..."

Watching Yang Guang indulge in extreme pleasure, embracing Empress Xiao and the imperial concubine played by Zhang Yixin, everyone applauded Fu Dalong's acting.

It was just too damn realistic.

Soon, everyone discovered another terrifying thing.

The actors in front of the camera seemed to have had an explosion of acting talent; not a single person made a mistake.

How was this possible!

Many of them were students from the school, and this was their first time acting.

Yang Chao, who had followed them to the set, was also dumbfounded.

Although he was a teacher in the directing department and didn't know how well the acting students performed, this performance beyond their usual level truly surprised him.

If every student from Zhongxi was like them, then Zhongxi would be heaven-sent.

He vaguely felt that everyone in front of the camera had become fully immersed in their roles.

Yang Chao frowned; he didn't know if being this immersed was a good thing or a bad thing.

If it was good, it would make the filming go smoothly, but if they were too deep in character, it would take a great toll to come back out.

Cheng Sheng was also very shocked. He hadn't expected the Immersive Experience buff to be so powerful, allowing people who had never acted before to get into character so quickly.

Seeing the actors perform beyond their limits, Liu Meng was very excited. He didn't even let them turn the camera, preparing to shoot the entire scene in one take.

"Good, cut."

As the shot ended, Cheng Sheng clapped and shouted.

He then canceled the Immersive Experience.

Fu Dalong and the others quickly regained their senses.

Fu Dalong, Zeng Li, and the others were all confused. They felt as if they had had a dream where they transformed into Yang Guang and Empress Xiao.

But after waking from the dream, they had completely forgotten the details.

"Teacher Fu Dalong, your performance was excellent," Liu Meng said, giving a thumbs up to the bewildered Fu Dalong.

"Senior sister, you were amazing."

A Zhongxi student praised Zeng Li.

"Yaya, Wang Zhi, you were great."

"Senior sister Yixin..."

Everyone who finished filming listened to the praise from those around them, all of them feeling lost; they didn't know what had happened.

Cheng Sheng smiled; this was the power of the Immersive Experience.

Other actors found it hard to come out of character, but when they got into character under the Immersive Experience, as long as the buff was canceled, the actors would wake up quickly without any side effects.

"Director, there are reporters outside who want to come in and interview you."

As Cheng Sheng was preparing to shoot the second scene, a crew member trotted over and said.

"Reporters!"

Cheng Sheng frowned.

Back when news first broke that he was making a movie, reporters had wanted to enter the school to interview him, but he had been too busy and refused.

He just hadn't expected that even after coming to Hengdian to film, the reporters would follow him here.

If he didn't accept the interview, the reporters would keep lingering outside the set, which would likely affect the upcoming shooting schedule.

After thinking for a moment, Cheng Sheng said to Liu Meng, "Senior brother, you handle the second shot. I'll go out and deal with those reporters."

"Alright."

After Cheng Sheng left, Liu Meng temporarily took over his position.

Stepping out of the set, Cheng Sheng saw several reporters being blocked outside by crew members.

"Hello, Director Cheng, I'm a reporter from *Entertainment Weekly*... I wonder what your thoughts are on Director Feng's comments online?"

"Hello, I'm from... Many people are now questioning the source of your funds. Do you have any explanation?"

"Director Cheng, is this movie a front for money laundering?"

"Many people don't think highly of your film. What are your thoughts on this?"

"As a newcomer director, why did you want to make a historical film? You should know that this type of film is quite heavy."

"According to leaks from insiders, you went to Xishan on Qingming Festival and met with many coal bosses. Was this money invested by these coal bosses? Or are the coal bosses trying to use this opportunity to enter the entertainment industry?"

"..."

Seeing Cheng Sheng, the reporters rushed over and bombarded him with all sorts of questions.