The Greatest Showman #1104 - New Challenge

Renly stood still, his gaze scanning the behemoth in front of him. He was struck not only by awe but also a deep sense of confusion. How would the filming work? How would he perform in such an environment? How could the camera possibly capture it all?

In the center of the vast open space stood a massive transparent box. It was about two stories high but surprisingly narrow—only about three meters across. It resembled an oversized London street phone booth, except the walls weren't red. In fact, "transparent" didn't quite do it justice. While it looked clear from a distance, a closer look revealed the walls were made of mesh.

Once inside, Renly realized what they were looking at: it was an LED screen. The walls were lined with a dense grid of LED bulbs, covering the entire structure.

"Lightbox," Renly murmured to himself, finally understanding the name.

Timothy Webb, standing at the entrance of the lightbox, spoke up, "There are a total of 1.8 million LED bulbs here. Depending on the shooting needs, the intensity and angle of the lights can be adjusted. Once the folding door closes, all the staff will be outside, and the performance space will be entirely yours."

Renly walked closer to the door, and the space inside gradually came into focus. At the center was a simple white basket—a bit like the kind you might find at an amusement park. It could swing and sway. Beneath the basket was a rotating base, allowing it to spin 360 degrees. The base rested on a cross-shaped track, enabling both horizontal and vertical movement. Several camera racks were scattered throughout the facility, positioned for different shots.

Above, near the entrance, hung a robotic arm identical to the one Renly had seen earlier. It had flexible joints and dense gears, allowing it to move freely in all directions. From the top-down perspective, it could provide the camera with different angles.

There were other large instruments outside the lightbox as well. One, in particular, resembled a Russian turntable, complete with several handles fixed on a circular base. Actors could stand on it and simulate the iconic poster pose from The Da Vinci Code.

Renly's eyes lit up. It was as though he had encountered a new toy—he wasn't entirely sure how to use it, but he couldn't wait to try.

He could guess how it all worked. Different equipment would be used for different scenes, simulating various situations. The LED bulbs would adjust the lighting, while the robotic arms would control the camera's angles. The whole setup was designed to create the illusion of weightlessness through visual effects.

In his past life, Renly had marveled at the realism of Gravity as an audience member. Now, as an actor, he would experience it firsthand.

Rooney, sensing Renly's thoughts, spoke up, "What was it like for the actors during filming?" Her question mirrored Renly's concern. "I mean, with the basket moving—how does the spatial change between the actor and the camera work?"

Renly nodded, adding, "Can the basket spin at high speeds? Or is it just the camera moving?"

"Movement is relative," Renly mused, thinking aloud. "If only one element is moving, it wouldn't create enough of a high-speed effect. But if two elements move in different directions simultaneously, you get the sensation of speed, like when two cars are heading toward each other on a highway."

Alfonso responded, his voice calm but precise. "The basket can't rotate quickly. We can tilt it up to a maximum of forty-five degrees. Beyond that, there's a risk the actor could fall, and we can't afford that."

He stepped inside the lightbox and demonstrated by shaking the basket gently. "During filming, the basket moves both horizontally and vertically. The maximum tilt is forty-five degrees in either direction, but the speed isn't fast—it's more about changing perspectives."

He then pointed to the two robotic arms above. "The movement and impact come from the two IRIS robotic arms. They simulate relative displacement. If the actor's body tilts too much, gravity could cause facial congestion, which would ruin the shot and disrupt the sense of weightlessness."

Timothy, who had been standing by a console, spoke up. Without saying much, he activated the robotic arm, which shot toward the basket at an incredible speed. Just before impact, the arm stopped, barely a hair's breadth from the basket. Renly and Rooney both jumped, startled by the sudden movement.

Alfonso remained calm, explaining, "All movements are controlled with double insurance—computer and manual control. We can achieve accuracy to within a millimeter. For collision shots, the actor stays still, while the robotic arm completes the impact."

Alfonso turned to Renly, his eyes gleaming. "In one of the scenes, the camera will rush at you at forty kilometers per hour and stop just three centimeters away. You'll have to stay completely still. Can you do it?"

Renly couldn't help but laugh at the intensity in Alfonso's eyes. It was clear the director was eager for the challenge. Renly exchanged an amused glance with Rooney before answering, "I'll try my best. But I'll need to control my physiological response. It's like free-standing rock climbing—your muscles will shake at first, but once you get used to it, the adrenaline takes over."

Rooney chimed in, her tone playful, "Maybe you'll need a cup of coffee to stay steady. You're going to be up there for a while."

Renly chuckled softly, then turned to Alfonso. "Is it okay if I try it out myself? I'd like to sit in the basket and test the effect—get a feel for the shooting process. If possible, you could set up the cameras, and I'll get used to how it feels."

Alfonso didn't respond right away. He exchanged a glance with Timothy, and the two appeared to silently discuss it. Renly couldn't help but notice the massive cost of the equipment—the 1.8 million LED bulbs alone must have cost a fortune. "Sorry if this request is too much," he said, a bit self-conscious.

"No, no, not at all!" Alfonso waved him off with a broad smile. "In fact, we've been waiting for you to join us. We need to test the shot, and you need to find your performance rhythm. We all need to feel out the picture. Not just me and Timothy, but Emmanuel as well. We've been waiting for this moment."

He paused, then added, "It's just… well, I'm not sure about your state. You did just arrive from a long flight today, after all."

Renly waved it off. "Don't worry about me. I'm good to go. The jet lag is no problem."

Alfonso grinned. "Well, then let's get started!"

Timothy's cheerful voice came from behind him, excited by the momentum. Renly noticed Rooney's eager gaze and turned to her just as she spoke, "You go first, then it's my turn."

Renly chuckled softly. "Maybe you'll need a coffee to keep you awake while you wait." Rooney rolled her eyes at him, and the two shared a laugh before Renly stepped forward, ready to step into the lightbox.