Chapter 14 That's all for today, goodbye
The atmosphere of sunset is different from that of sunrise, at least it is very obvious in the camera.
The light of sunrise is light blue, with a mysterious and quiet feeling. And the light of sunset, after a day of hustle and bustle, the air is dusty, and the scattered sunlight is orange-red, warm and earthly.
If it were in the hands of a very particular director, perhaps the sunrise and sunset scenes could not be shot together. But Ronald, who was a true disciple of Roger Corman, the successor of the master of fast shooting, and the temporary director of low-cost exploitation films, had no such concerns at all. Finally,
after 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the sky began to darken, and the magic light that filmmakers love most was about to come again. The staff and actors have returned to their positions, and the director of photography has been lying in front of the viewfinder for a long time, and finally gave an OK signal.
Ronald took a deep breath and issued an order.
"Recording?"
"On."
"Camera?"
"Full speed."
"Ms. Voronov?"
"I'm ready." "
'High School Life' Scene 135, first shot, first take!"
"Action!"
Ronald no longer gave the command with all his might at the beginning of the morning, but was much gentler. Perhaps his throat was tired from shouting too much, or perhaps he was a little reluctant to give up these last two shots.
Mary Voronov, who played the headmistress, began to walk towards the camera with her head held high. Behind her were two followers, one fat and one thin, who were complete clowns. On both sides were two sexy beauties, Chris and Mara.
Ronald still gave them another chance to appear on camera. The two changed their clothes and dressed up as ordinary students, but their dance and posture were still very sexy, and they stood out even in the medium shot.
However, Mary was the one who appeared in the front shot, while the two beauties were only in the side shot. When Mary passed by them, the audience's attention would be focused on Mary.
Actors attach great importance to their screen time. Only by performing well can the director and editor show mercy and keep more of your scenes.
Mary Voronov is great, it seems that the camera can fall in love with her. Ronald hid behind the camera to watch her performance, and his eyes were attracted to her involuntarily. I think after the film is finished, the audience in the cinema will be like him, and will look at her face for no reason.
Why is that? Maybe it's because the composition puts her in the middle? Maybe it's because she is taller? No, PJ Soules and Dae Young have also enjoyed this treatment, but they seem to lack this magic.
It should be Mary's energetic expressions and movements? It looks very real, and people will always react to real expressions and movements. Anyway, this Mary has something, Ronald thought to himself.
"Cut!"
There is only one shot left.
"I want a panning shot, two people walk from left to right in front of the camera, and then the camera keeps following. Kate, played by Dae Young, is a little unhappy after being punished by detention, and Liv, played by PJ, keeps comforting her, making faces, playing music, and jumping all the way forward. Keep following, walk past the tree, and keep moving forward until I call a stop."
Having understood Roger Corman's secrets, Ronald came up and gave specific instructions.
The camera was aimed at PJ Soles and Dae Young on the grass. At the beginning of the shot, the two stood in the east, with the sun shining on their faces, looking youthful and lively. Then the two slowly walked to the west, with the setting sun shining obliquely on them, outlining a golden outline, inexplicably a little sad. It just fits Kate's mood change after hearing the punishment. If the direction is changed, the two people are backlit in the close-up at the beginning, and the light is direct when they walk away, which is inconsistent with the mood of the whole scene.
Ronald is a little proud, it seems that I still know a little about the use of light, which is his foundation as a portrait photographer. Watching the two actors gradually walk away, Ronald's heart is also a little sad, and the days of this temporary director are coming to an end.
"Cut!"
Director of photography Dean Conti indicated that all the scenes had been taken, and Ronald picked up the bullhorn:
"Everyone, I announce that today's scenes have been filmed."
After a pause, Ronald resumed his assistant's tone and began to announce the shooting schedule for next week:
"Now we are done, and we will have a day off tomorrow. The call-up time the day after tomorrow is 07:00 am, and the group assembly time is 08:00. The location is Mount Carmel High School, 7011 Hoover Street. The map is attached to the notice the day after tomorrow. Those who go there for the first time can familiarize themselves with it first. This high school has been closed, so when you arrive at the school on Monday, don't be surprised to find that there are no students and teachers."
"Oh, by the way, thank you everyone! Thank you for your cooperation today!"
Everyone began to leave, and Ronald walked over to thank the director of photography Dean Conti alone. He wanted to shake hands with Dean.
But Dean pulled him over and gave him a hug. "Ronald, you did a good job. You did a good job, kid." After saying that, he patted his back hard.
Ronald thanked several actors individually, including Assistant to the President Gail, Script Supervisor Jenny, Makeup Artist Gigi, and Dance Director Siana. Finally, it was Jim's turn.
"Hi, Jim, great job today!"
"You too, Ronnie."
The two hugged each other tightly.
"You go first, Ronald. I'll stay to watch the camera crew load the equipment, and I'll sign the actors' work orders."
Usually, this is the job that the first assistant director directs the crew assistants to do. Jim knew that Ronald was very excited and tired today, so he took the initiative to do these chores.
"Come together, it's just a matter of 10 minutes."
...
The two began to watch the camera crew pack up their equipment. When they finished packing, the location shooting of Van Nuys High School was officially over.
"Where is Ronald?"
Roger Corman's voice came from the school gate behind them.
"I'm here, Mr. Corman."
"Ah, good. I was worried that you had left. I'll help load the film onto the car later."
"Okay, Mr. Corman."
The film needs to be developed before it can be shown. "Rock and Roll High School" uses MGM's "Metro Color" laboratory, which is cheaper than the "Seven Arts Color" used by big companies. In order to save money, Roger Corman does not develop samples every day like the big crews, but twice a week. Today is the day for developing.
Ronald and the red-haired photography assistant moved the film into the trunk of the crew's van and greeted the driver Chris. Chris came back from the hospital in the afternoon and heard about Ronald's temporary director. He stretched out his hand from the cab and shook hands with him. After
Ronald moved the film, Roger Corman and the driver Chris gave him some instructions and asked him to follow them to the laboratory, and then got into his BMW. He stuck his head out of the cab and said to Ronald, "Ronald, before 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, you and Jim will come to the New World office to see the developed samples."
The samples were originally for the director, assistant director, producer, actors, director of photography, etc., and the assistants were not qualified. This was the first time Ronald had the opportunity to see them.
Roger Coleman's BMW drove out of the school gate, accelerated and turned left onto Victory Avenue, and the van followed.
Ronald turned around and walked towards his "Volkswagen Hare" and saw Jim starting his Harley motorcycle. Ronald often joked that it was "Hardly Move".
The quality of the motorcycle was worrying, and it always broke down and didn't move. But Jim knew a lot about mechanics, and small problems were not difficult for him.
Before getting on the car, Ronald looked back at the gate of Van Nuys High School, and his mood was just like the song played by Dancing Finger Siana...
"I'm electrified all over,
and the current is accumulating.
I'm losing control
because you've electrocuted me, and
I've been "electrocuted" by your eyes
..."
It was a long day. But no matter how long the dream is, it will come to an end...
That's it for today, that's it, goodbye.
(End of this chapter)