Entertainment: You're asked to make a graduation project, but you're asked to film Ultrama

Chapter 126: On the Filming Set and Dyna's New Song

The Chasing Light Film Studio in the suburbs of Beijing.

Three o'clock in the morning.

Most cities have fallen asleep, but this filming location, covering hundreds of acres, remains so.

The lights were still on, and the place was bustling with people.

Huge searchlights ripped the night sky apart, accompanied by the roar of cranes, the deafening sounds of explosions, and Gu Nan's shouts through a megaphone.

This is the filming location for "Ultraman Dyna".

Or to be more precise, it is "hell".

"Cut! What's with that wire work?"

I want the bird to be blasted away and tumble three times in the air, not hung there like a salted fish, dangling precariously!

Gu Nan held the rolled-up script in his hand, pointed at the action director in mid-air, and cursed loudly.

"Try again! Move the detonation point ten centimeters to the left, double the amount of earth! I want that dusty, suffocating feeling!"

Zhang Ye, who had just been put down to play Xin Feibiao, was covered in dirt and his mouth was full of sand, but he did not complain at all. Instead, he spat out the sand in his mouth with a "pui".

He shouted, "Director, I think my roll wasn't cool enough just now. This time I'll definitely roll even more smoothly!"

"Alright! Keep rolling around with that handsome body of yours! One more time!"

Gu Nan waved his hand.

Watching this scene, Chen Bo, standing to the side, clicked his tongue in distress: "Old Gu, you're really treating the actors like animals. They've been working three all-nighters in a row."

"no way."

Gu Nan took a swig of Americano. "To meet the schedule, we have to finish filming the first ten episodes of the TV version's dialogue scenes within two months."

Moreover, the pre-production of the theatrical version must be completed at the same time.

In this world, Gu Nan deliberately chose this "suicidal" scheduling in pursuit of the ultimate visual bombardment.

This is a "two-front war."

After all, Dyna's theatrical version of "Star Warrior" is also a major contributor to the character's growth and the plot's advancement, and it is also set in the middle of the TV series timeline.

Therefore, Gu Nan had to think ahead about how to handle the script for "Star Warrior".

As a film production, Light Chaser Animation Studios may lack sufficient experience in the film industry, which presents a challenge.

Perhaps, splitting it into two parts as the finale of Dyna's first season wouldn't be bad?

However, according to the original plan, "The Moving Fortress Cannot Float," which was the finale of the first season, was also a masterpiece among masterpieces.

It's a tough decision...

While pondering, Gu Nan glanced at his watch. "How's the props team doing? Are the Super GUTS fighter jet models ready?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to tell you."

Chen Bo smiled wryly, "The props team is going crazy. He's throwing a tantrum in Studio B."

Without saying a word, Gu Nan strode towards Booth B.

As soon as I entered the shed, I saw several people squatting among a pile of intricate fighter jet models, holding tweezers in their hands, their hair a mess like a bird's nest, and muttering to themselves.

"This is simply not scientific... a three-engine combination... an aerodynamic layout..."

Upon seeing Gu Nan enter, the group jumped up as if they had seen an enemy, pointing at the two-meter-long "Victory Eagle" model in front of them and accusing him.

"Director Gu! You're a monster! Do you know how many motors we ruined to achieve that 'Alpha's tail fin automatically deploying' shot you mentioned?"

"Smack..."

As they were talking, it seemed that one of the props in the back failed to activate...

"This is real footage! Not CGI!"

Gu Nan walked over and gently stroked the textured paint job on the fuselage.

In this parallel world, although the CG technology is also quite good, Gu Nan insisted on using a large number of miniature models for live-action shooting in the special effects parts, because the realistic light and shadow texture and sense of weight are incomparable to CG.

"Brother, I know it's difficult."

Gu Nan patted him on the shoulder. "But think about it, when that fighter jet roars across the screen, and all the mechanical structures deform and fit together seamlessly before the audience's eyes, isn't that mechanical beauty... worth it?"

The prop team members were stunned for a moment, and that scene flashed through their minds.

As a seasoned film model enthusiast and tokusatsu fan, that scene had a fatal impact on them.

"Hold……"

The props team leader cursed and squatted back down. "Give me two more hours, and I'll readjust the landing gear's hydraulic system."

After calming the restless crowd, Gu Nan didn't go directly to Studio C, but instead turned a corner and went into the temporary recording studio next door.

There, music director Lao Zhao and his team were scratching their heads over a pile of sheet music.

The music of Ultraman Tiga has already reached legendary status. With such a masterpiece preceding it, what should Ultraman Dyna do?

The music team faced immense pressure in inheriting that grandeur while showcasing the characteristics of the new era.

"Hasn't it been decided yet?"

Gu Nan pushed open the door and entered, looking at the discarded drafts scattered all over the floor.

"Director Gu, we've tried several versions, but it still feels like something's missing."

Old Zhao took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. "I wanted to do something different with rock music, but I was afraid it would be too noisy and lose that heroic spirit."

Gu Nan didn't respond, but instead played out the several versions they had already produced for appreciation.

Half an hour later, Gu Nan finally finished appreciating all the versions.

Although Gu Nan had already retrieved the sheet music for the various instruments in the song using the phone in his mind, the charm and lyrics could not be perfectly replicated simply by copying it once.

Finally, he produced a version that was most similar to the one from his previous life.

"No need to try anymore, just follow this direction. One is the theme song, which needs to be energetic and have the momentum to break through everything; the other is the ending theme, which should be rock-based but also have warmth, reflecting the inner side of the warriors."

Old Zhao and several arrangers immediately surrounded them.

The theme song started playing again.

WOW~WOW~DYNA♪

Justice blossoms in abundance ♫ Dyna! ♪

True love, Runchensha♫ Dyna! ♪

Light shines throughout the world!

Dyna♫

Look at the earth, who has caused her sorrow?

Even the sky has lost its light.

In the darkness, who has shrouded hope?

Flash! Piercing through endless sorrow! ♫

Miracle! A miracle shatters despair! ♪

Strong! Courage brings the power to overcome anything! ♫

The stars twinkle ahead, guiding the way to the future.

A new light ♫ dispels confusion♪ descends upon me. ♫

Unstoppable! ♪

WOW~WOW~DYNA♪

With strength still intact, fighting spirit bursts forth.

Dyna! ♪

Firm in our beliefs, without a trace of falsehood! ♫

Ultraman! Dyna! Dyna! ♪

……♫

……

Next came the end credits song.

The classic "I Just Want to Protect You"...

A gentle breeze caresses the blue sky and the past.

The courage in my heart remains burning with sincerity.

Dreams will eventually shine!

Even with tears in my eyes, I still keep running forward.

A red hope ignites in the distant land ♪

Hey! Hey! ♫

Chasing the sun! ♪

Radiant light ♪ You are my faith ♫

I just want to protect you by my side♪

Let the stars shift and the world change ♪ Let the world be unpredictable ♫

All I want to do is protect your face♪

Shout it out loud♪ Go crazy in this moment♪

I will not surrender even if the world ends.

Wow, wow, wow, flying against the wind ♫

Love makes the world forever warm♪

……

When the last note fell, the recording studio fell silent.

Several young arrangers were even somewhat dazed, as if the simple melody contained an urge to cry.

Gu Nan smiled. He was just a porter; the real masters were the ones from the original world.

But as long as we can recreate that feeling in the world using Chinese, it's all worth it.

……

Having resolved his musical concerns, Gu Nan rushed to Studio C without stopping.

A major scene is being filmed there—the handover of the human body between the old and new generations.

This scene is part of the core plot of the theatrical version of "Star Warriors" and is also a "nostalgia bomb" specially arranged by Gu Nan.

The set is the interior of a passenger spaceship traveling in space.

Daigo was dressed in a mature casual outfit. Thanks to the makeup artist's efforts, it seemed that time had indeed left some marks on his face, making him look more composed than during his "Ultraman Tiga" era.

Zhang Ye, who plays Asuka, is wearing the Super GUTS team uniform and still looks very young.

"Action!"

As the clapperboard clapperboard slammed down, the surrounding staff instantly held their breath.

In the shot, Shin Asuka stands in a botanical garden full of flowers on Mars.

At that moment, Daigo walked over.

He didn't spout any grand theories; he simply stood quietly beside the birds, gazing at the same starry sky.

"I was once just as confused as you, wondering why we were fighting, and what we were fighting for."

Su Zhe's acting skills were on full display at this moment; his voice was gentle yet possessed a power that could penetrate the heart.

Zhang Ye turned his head, his eyes gradually shifting from confusion to surprise, and then to an indescribable feeling of being touched.

"I used to really wish someone could tell me."

"Mr. Ogu..."

"But in the end, I found the answer on my own."

Daigo smiled and patted Asuka on the shoulder. "Human problems are for us to solve ourselves, just like we have to find the answers ourselves!"

At this moment, there was no rousing background music on set, only subtle changes in the expressions of the two people.

Xia Youwei, who was playing Lina in a cameo role, watched this scene and her eyes unconsciously reddened.

She came specifically to visit the set. Although she didn't have many scenes in the theatrical version, she was still deeply moved by this scene of "passing on the torch".

"Click! Perfect!"

Gu Nan shouted excitedly. This journey was going so smoothly; the chemistry between the two of them was simply amazing.

"call……"

Su Zhe breathed a sigh of relief, instantly transforming from "Senior Daigo" back into the joking Su Zhe. "Zhang Ye is quite something. I almost couldn't handle that look he gave me just now."

Zhang Ye scratched his head sheepishly and chuckled, "It's all thanks to Teacher Su Zhe's excellent guidance. When I looked into your eyes just now, I really felt like I was seeing Ultraman Tiga, and I got goosebumps all over."

"Alright, enough with the mutual flattery."

Gu Nan glanced at the schedule. "Su Zhe, don't remove your makeup yet. Let's move to Studio A; we need to reshoot a few close-up shots of you piloting the Divine Eagle there. Zhang Ye, get ready; the main event is coming up—the transformation!"

Upon hearing the word "transformation," the atmosphere on the entire set instantly turned tense.

For the Ultraman series, the design of the transformation animation is its soul.

Tiga's transformation is sacred; he holds the Spark Mirror to his chest, and light bursts forth.

And Dyna...

"I don't want elegance."

Gu Nan held up a prop called "Flash Sword" and personally demonstrated it to Zhang Ye, saying, "Dyna's transformation should have a 'burst' feeling!"

You have to hold this thing high above your head, maybe even swing it around a bit, and then yell "Dyna!" like you're going to rip the sky apart!

Zhang Ye took the flash sword and took a deep breath.

After this period of training, he has fully immersed himself in the role of Shin Asuka.

That somewhat reckless yet incredibly passionate young man seemed to have taken up residence within him.

Lights in place. Fans turned on.

"Action!"

The camera zooms in.

Zhang Ye suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze burning with fierce intensity.

He pulled out his flash sword from his pocket, and without any hesitation or fancy moves, swung it into the sky with all his might!

"Dai-na!!!"

The roar was broken.

But that's exactly the effect Gu Nan wanted!

A powerful flash of light instantly illuminated the entire photography studio, making it as bright as day.

"Okay! Passed!"

Gu Nan excitedly clenched his fist.

The filming ended at six in the morning.

Everyone slumped into chairs in the rest area, holding steaming hot boxed lunches in their hands. They were all exhausted, but their spirits were unusually high.

"Director Gu, this footage will be absolutely explosive when edited."

The editor watched the playback while eating, marveling at it.

"Especially this transformation, the overwhelming vitality it exudes is completely different from Tiga's."

"Yes, Tiga is a mountain, steady and reliable; Dyna is the wind, free and unrestrained."

"Audiences are tired of gods; what they need now is a hero who is like a friend."

On this day, in the studio of Chasing Light Pictures, that powerful shout still echoed—

"The real battle is just beginning!"