The snowy scenes in "The General's Orphaned Daughter" were few, and if this year was missed, they'd have to wait until next.
Director Li naturally hoped to finish filming the snowy scenes quickly, inevitably growing impatient.
Publicly reprimanded, Su Meiyi was mortified. Despite her grievances, she could only repeatedly apologize, "I'm sorry, Director, let's do it again."
After the prop master clapped the board, Meng Jingwei and Tang Wanxing began their acting. This take went smoothly.
Next were the fight scenes for the three of them. With the martial arts director and assistant martial arts director guiding them, filming proceeded smoothly.
"Alright, Wanxing, you can rest. Let Xiaotian take over the remaining scenes," Director Li instructed.
Xiaotian was a stunt double, a girl who had grown up in the Shaolin Temple, exceptionally hardworking and diligent.
Tang Wanxing nodded slightly, looking at the approaching stunt double Xiaotian. She walked over, "Xiaotian, right? I'm really sorry, I'm on my period. Otherwise, I wouldn't have you work so hard."
The stunt double, Xiaotian, smiled and shook her head, "Sister Wanxing, please don't say that. It's my honor to be your stunt double."
"Thank you for your hard work."
Tang Wanxing reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Xiaotian's forehead, "Good luck, try to get it in one take."
"Thank you, Sister Wanxing, you're so kind." Xiaotian smiled sweetly, then asked, "Can I take a photo with you?"
"Of course, you can." Tang Wanxing's smile was amiable, making her seem approachable and without any celebrity airs.
After the two took a photo together, they began filming.
The fight scene involved Ning Lanyan and Zhao Ru attacking Qi Yuying on the shore. Qi Yuying was kicked by Zhao Ru, and with a backflip, she landed on a flat-bottomed boat on the lake. Ning Lanyan also leaped up, her movements graceful as she landed on the boat. The fight continued on the boat, and she cut the boat in half with her sword, causing Qi Yuying to fall into the water.
As the third female lead, Su Meiyi, who played Zhao Ru, took the opportunity to deliver a fierce kick to Meng Jingwei. However, Meng Jingwei seemed to have anticipated Su Meiyi's attempt at retaliation. The moment Su Meiyi's toe touched her clothes, Meng Jingwei executed a swift backflip, landing directly on the flat-bottomed boat from the shore.
Suspended by wires, Meng Jingwei was as light as a swallow, landing steadily.
The camera cut, and the stunt double Xiaotian also leaped, stepping on the railing and flying towards the lake. Being suspended by wires, her landing on the boat was not forceful, allowing her to stand firmly with ease.
"Cut!"
As the director called cut, the surrounding staff burst into applause.
Director Li walked to the railing with a smile, holding his megaphone and saying, "Very clean and sharp. You and Xiaotian are indeed seasoned performers, you make things so easy."
The difference in the audience's perception between fight scenes performed by professional martial arts actors and those created with special effects was stark.
Nowadays, the film industry favored idol stars, and their productions relied heavily on special effects and post-production, cutting corners and becoming unwatchable.
Seeing Meng Jingwei being praised, Su Meiyi clenched her fists in anger. She had finally found an opportunity to get back at Meng Jingwei with a few kicks, but Meng Jingwei's agile reaction allowed her to dodge.
Because their real-life circumstances were adversarial, and the characters they played at that moment perfectly blended with their emotions, the scene was passed smoothly.
"Prop department, get ready. The next scene is the water submersion," Director Li announced through his megaphone, then shouted to the crew, "Turn on the heaters in the warming tents quickly, and the rescue team should also prepare."
The upcoming scene was a major one, a winter water submersion, presenting extremely high difficulty and intensity for the actors.
Tang Wanxing stood to the side, holding a cup of brown sugar water in her hand...
No, to be precise, she held a cup of coffee in her left hand but told those around her it was brown sugar water, as she'd informed everyone that she was "on her period." Her right hand clutched a hand warmer, and she was wrapped in a down jacket, appearing frail and delicate.