Chapter 52 – Flip-flops (1/2)
When Chaos Street wanted to start filming again after three years, there were many things that needed to be adjusted.
In terms of styling, fashion and even colloquial language. They couldn’t just use everything they had already filmed three years ago, there were many aspects that didn’t match anymore. For example just look at mobile phone models. The ones that appeared on TV three years ago were not the same as the ones currently used. There were a lot of embedded marketing that had to be removed.
Also the actors. People’s figures had changed a lot in three years. So the ones that couldn’t match up with their images from three years ago had to be reshot. Fortunately Chaos Street had a case-by-case episodic nature. Each case was solved separately and there wasn’t too much connection between them. So after doing an analysis, over half of the scenes already shot could still be used.
Of course they didn’t have to be so meticulous. If they wanted they could use some editing techniques to roughly push things through. However this was Bai Lang’s first drama after his comeback, and his behind-the-scenes patron Qiu Qian had already given his orders that everything had to be done to the highest standard. There was no need to consider the budget. Thus the resources they had on hand was very plentiful. Even after the entire drama finished shooting, it was still carefully analyzed to make sure everything was done perfectly.
However the crew wasn’t changed. The director was still the one from the beginning, Qin Gang. When Qin Gang heard that this drama was to resume filming, he didn’t hesitate to make out time for it. When Chaos Street was cancelled the first time around, he was definitely the most disappointed one among the crew.
{T/N: The director for Chaos Street was called something different in a previous chapter… guess author forgot. Not important.}
Actually around 80% of the crew members shared Qin Gang’s sentiment. Back then from the director, to the producers and actors, there were actually a lot of very talented people gathered. They excited and inspired each other, they all took out their passion and put it into their work. The momentum and force in drama was very strong and they all wanted it to be the very best.
That was why when they heard that the character Luo Zai, who deeply represented the spirit of the show, was to change to another actor, even though they could understand it logically, emotionally they found it hard to accept.
Because Bai Lang had created this Southern accent himself, he could swear profusely one second and in the next become quiet, cultured and beautiful. Only he could reconcile these two extremes and gave to this role a unique and unmatched realism and fascination. It really made him unforgettable. If the second half was changed to another person, then no one had confidence that the original flavor could be maintained.
Some of those who were most poisonous accused Bai Lang for not being professional. Some of them even thought he was being fake for pretending to be so concerned for his patron. However when they went to receive their pay, it was very generous. However everyone’s heart was still filled with regret.
Three years later when they wanted to resume filming, from the biggest director to the smallest staff member, the new owner Total Entertainment contacted every single person, not one was left out. The ones that wanted to come back, came back. Only the people who weren’t willing were changed out. This type of very meticulous planning and consideration allowed the three years later Chaos Street, which had 80% of the same faces, to create almost the exact same setting as before. The feelings between the people and their cohesiveness was unchanged.
Of course at the very beginning, Bai Lang organised a celebratory feast. He invited over a hundred people and even personally made a few dishes to express his apology. Even Qiu Qian and Qiu XiaoHai made an appearance to support Bai Lang. They expressed their genuine and sincere gratitude that the crew was able to “lend” Bai Lang to them for these three years and their family of three pass a difficult time of trial together.
Since that even the big boss Qiu was able to lower his head and speak in this manner, the unhappiness in most people’s hearts dissipated a lot. They went into filming with light hearts and pride. Within this harmonious and sympathetic atmosphere, Bai Lang successfully begun filming Chaos Street again.
***
“Cut! OK!” Qin Gang sat on the director’s seat, slapped his knee and yelled out loudly. “We will film scene 7 this afternoon.”
When the staff heard the director’s orders they immediately started moving. They dismantled the background set, retracted the electrical cords, organised the set pieces etc etc. There were also a team of three that rushed towards one of the corners of the street set of Chaos Street.
In that corner, Bai Lang raised himself up from the dusty and muddy street. His movements were very unsteady and immediately frightened Sun XiBin who was next to him. “Aiyo Brother Bai, are, are, are you alright ah?” He hurried to help him up.
Bai Lang steadied himself and looked around. The strap on his flip-flop had broken. “I’m fine. My shoe is broken. Thank you.”
The team of three immediately reached Bai Lang’s side. The young person in the lead immediately supported Bai Lang. “Big brother Bai, please sit down and rest! I will immediately test your blood pressure!”
Bai Lang was already used to these kind of exaggerated reactions. He only smile and raised his foot. “I’m fine, it was just because of the shoes.”
The most muscular of the three young people immediately started yelling. “Xiao Wang! It’s your damned shoes again ah! How many pairs has it been now!? This time big brother Bai almost tripped ah!!”
When Xiao Wang, who was responsible for the set pieces, heard that he jumped up. “What!? Again! I, I’ll change it immediately. Ai ai ai, if I knew I wouldn’t have bought them from X country. How come the quality is so bad ah!”
The people around him sniggered. “Hahaha, Xiao Wang you’re stupid ah. Why are you trying to save money on the shoes!? Haven’t you seen how much is left in the budget? Boss Qiu would love it if you spent more money!”
The young staff member’s face was very wronged. “But this style is very hard to pick. It can’t look too luxurious. Do you want Luo Zai to wear gold flip-flops ma!”
Everyone laughed again and began discussing if they should stick these shoes together with 3 second glue.
Even Qin Gang got involved. He ordered that they would buy out all of these shoes in the stores so he could pick carefully.
At the same time someone took out a new pair of shoes, bent down and placed it by Bai Lang’s feet to let him change. All the people around Bai Lang seemed to be treating him as respectfully as if he were the film emperor. Even the other male lead Sun XiBin picked up Bai Lang’s discarded broken shoes and actually started examining it.
The regular crew members were all used to the above scenes. However some people who had just joined the set couldn’t watch it at all. {T/N: There’s guest actors every episode/case.}
In one corner stood a beautiful and pure looking young girl. She crossed her arms and complained, “I’ve really never seen such a big shot before. Isn’t the way everyone is treating him a bit over the top? The atmosphere on this set is horrible.”
Fei Hong who was standing beside her heard her. Slowly she moved her glance over the girl’s body. Even the simple movement of head carried with it a seductive feeling. Compared to the young girl’s pretty and pure feeling, she seemed much more mature and regal.
The girl who spoke felt Fei Hong’s glance. She haplessly blinked her eyes. “Aren’t I right Sister Hong? That Bai Lang doesn’t have fame or popularity, the last time he appeared was over three years ago. All of these people are revolving around him, isn’t it because of Mr Qiu? And he treats it as though it’s only natural. His skin is really too thick.”
Fei Hong looked at the girl up and down, then she smiled slightly. “Then what would you do?”
“Me?” The girl paused.
“Yes,” Fei Hong looked towards Bai Lang’s direction. “If you were treasured by Mr Qiu to this extent, what would you do?”
The girl’s pure and clean features became flushed. “If, if it was me, I definitely wouldn’t create this much trouble for others.”
The blush on her face seemed to express that she had secretly thought about this possibility before. Laughter passed through Fei Hong’s eyes. She had nothing to say to this kind of small-hearted jealousy, so she turned her head and walked with big strides towards Bai Lang.
The fifth arc of Chaos Street was the story of a big star who, after being stalked, sought help from the police. Originally this big star was supposed to have been played by Su Quan. After three years, the gender of this big star was changed from a man to a woman. The production team contacted Fei Hong whose popularity was continuously on the rise. That’s why Fei Hong appeared on the set of Chaos Street. And the young girl who had been standing beside Fei Hong was called Xu XinPing, she played Fei Hong’s assistant. She was a popular newcomer who had come on the scene in the last half year.
When Bai Lang saw the still casually dressed and not changed into her costume Fei Hong walk towards him from far away, he wanted to stand up but was pushed back into his seat by the stern young person who was taking his blood pressure. Bai Lang could only use his mouth to greet her, “Ms Fei, it’s been a long time. Sorry that I can’t stand.”
“It’s been a long time.” Fei Hong smiled. “It’s fine, don’t worry. I only came to say hello. This show will definitely become popular so I’m very honored to have the chance to participate.”
“It’s the director who chooses the people, not me.” Bai Lang smiled to. “Also, these words should be spoken by us. Thank you for your warning last time.”
“Anyone who has a clear head would have acted the same way as me.” Fei Hong’s smile faded slightly. “However it’s only a shame that I wasn’t able to really be of any help.”
“No matter what, thank you for trying.” Bai Lang said sincerely.
When she saw Bai Lang’s expression, Fei Hong tilted her head. She suddenly said, “Actually, long before that, actually you were the one who warned me.”
Bai Lang was surprised. “I warned you?”
“You said that, you wanted to be a person who other people who learn to respect and think about before crossing.”
Bai Lang paused then smiled. “These few years, you’ve done much better than me.”
“I have confidence that you will definitely catch up.” Fei Hong raised her eyebrow. She elegantly reached out hand. “Please guide me.”
This time Bai Lang successfully stood up. He took Fei Hong’s offered hand and shook it. “Please guide me.”
Fei Hong’s face and palms both became warm. She smiled beautifully. But just as she wanted to say something, she saw from the corner of her eye, Qiu Qian walking towards them from far away. She paused then withdrew her hand. She made her goodbye and left.
Qiu Qian reached Bai Lang’s side with big steps. He took of his sunglasses and frowned. “Do you not feel well?”
On the table next to him was a blood pressure checker that had clearly just been used.
“Just a routine check.” Bai Lang patted Qiu Qian and changed the subject. “Come with me to wash my face. It’s hot.”
Qiu Qian wasn’t satisfied. He immediately swept his glance over the young person who had been measuring Bai Lang’s blood pressure just now.