The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1127: Fleeting
The first 12-minute-and-30-second shot, including preparation time, was completed in just 20 minutes; the second 5-minute-and-30-second shot wrapped up in an impressive seven minutes.
Both sequences were executed flawlessly in a single take, with only minor adjustments in between. There were no errors, no reshoots—just seamless, uninterrupted execution. The entire crew could feel the accomplishment in the air, and the final footage left them in awe.
As the shooting wrapped, all eyes turned to Alfonso.
Renly, Rooney, and most of the crew remained in their positions. Leaving would be cumbersome, and they had to be prepared for any necessary reshoots. Instead, the director's team and special effects crew huddled behind the monitors, waiting for Alfonso's final verdict.
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Alfonso straightened up, touched his chin, then raised his right hand, forming an "OK" gesture. At the same time, he declared, "Perfect!"
A roar of cheers erupted across the studio. It wasn't just the completion of a complex long take; it was the triumph of groundbreaking cinematic technology. The elation, the relief, and the sense of history being made sent the crew into a jubilant frenzy.
It almost felt as if the film had been completed right then and there.
Renly and Rooney, still strapped into their harnesses, were unable to move freely. Their excitement was reduced to muffled slaps against their suits, making dull "thud" sounds. Reflexively, they exhaled excited cheers, but the moisture fogged up their helmet visors, instantly obscuring their vision.
Helpless, they stood still, waiting for the fog to clear. As their visibility gradually returned, they caught sight of each other's bemused expressions. Around them, the crew continued celebrating, seemingly oblivious to their predicament.
They exchanged a knowing glance—one of shared exasperation and amusement. Then, as if on cue, they burst into laughter. It was a moment they would never forget.
The celebration lasted less than three minutes before the crew refocused. While this first long take had been the most challenging hurdle of the production, the work was far from over. The completed scene accounted for only 18 minutes of runtime—barely a fraction of the full-length feature.
Renly and Rooney remained in their harnesses as the production manager stepped forward to outline the next scene's setup. The abrupt return to structure and planning felt jarring.
For the past eleven days, they had been immersed in a relentless cycle of reshooting the same sequence over and over. The absence of new material had rendered the production manager's role nearly obsolete. Now, his presence signaled a shift back to conventional filmmaking, an adjustment that felt strangely unfamiliar.
"Edward, I hate to interrupt," Renly interjected with an apologetic smile.
Edward Brett paused, attentive.
"Would it be possible to take a five-minute break before we dive into the next scene? I need a little… gentleman's privacy."
A beat of silence followed. Then, Rooney chimed in, catching on. "Actually, Edward, I need a little lady's private time as well."
The realization dawned on her—amid the excitement of nailing the long take, she had completely lost track of time. She also needed a moment to review her upcoming lines. With the relentless repetition of the previous scene, their usual preparation rhythm had been thrown off.
Edward hesitated, confused by the sudden request. As a non-actor, he hadn't considered the logistical nightmare of performing in full space gear for hours on end. Still, he nodded. "Of course. No problem."
As he walked off, his mind churned. Had he done something wrong? Had Renly taken offense? Still puzzled, he sought out Nathan for clarification.
"Did I mess up just now? Did I offend Renly?" he asked in earnest.
Later, when Renly heard about this, he didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. On one hand, Edward's honesty was endearing; on the other, Renly's reputation as a workaholic seemed to be solidifying with every passing day.
With the first scene wrapped, the entire crew needed time to readjust. Departments across the board—from set design to lighting to special effects—recalibrated to align with Alfonso's vision. Even though the film was being shot chronologically, each scene required meticulous coordination.
Fortunately, Renly and Rooney quickly regained their footing. Within half an hour, they were back on set, fully immersed in their roles, ready to dive into the next sequence.
The momentum built rapidly.
One day. Two days. The filming pace accelerated beyond expectations. With the most technically demanding scene behind them, the crew found their rhythm, executing each shot with newfound efficiency.
In just a few days, Rooney's character arc neared its conclusion.
Today, they would film one of the film's most pivotal moments—Alex's self-sacrificial decision to save Ryan. After this, Rooney would only have one scene left: Ryan's final moments and hallucinations before death.
Renly and Rooney had discussed this scene at length, wanting to inject deeper emotional weight into Alex's decision. They hoped to strengthen the bond between the two characters, ensuring Alex's sacrifice resonated with the audience.
The scene unfolded in a moment of sheer desperation. In the wake of a catastrophic collision, Ryan and Alex clung to the remains of a destroyed space station. The impact had severed their connection, leaving them adrift in the void.
Ryan, by sheer luck, managed to grasp a handle on the station's outer shell. But Alex, propelled by the explosion, hurtled uncontrollably into space. Instinctively, Ryan grabbed hold of a tether still attached to Alex, halting her trajectory just in time.
However, the force was too great. Instead of stabilizing, the momentum threatened to pull them both into the abyss. The strap around Ryan's ankle, their last anchor to safety, began to slip. If Alex didn't let go, they would both be lost.
In a split-second decision, Alex loosened her grip.
A choice with no alternative. Either Ryan lived, or they both perished.
As she drifted away, swallowed by the infinite darkness, her face remained calm—resigned, yet at peace. The finality of the moment weighed heavy.
This was the scene they had to bring to life today.
A scene that would define the film's emotional core.