Seeing Drake relax his expression, everyone also let out a sigh of relief.
Renly didn't seem to notice this subtle change and continued with the previous topic, turning to Jennifer. "During the performance just now, both of us deviated from some of the script's details. I wonder how the effect turned out."
The scene just now appeared simple but was incredibly rich in depth, primarily relying on the actors' portrayal. There was a small detail in Jennifer's performance that successfully moved Renly:
Sam voluntarily knelt down on both knees, gazing up at Jacob. Even from this small detail, one could see that in this love, Sam was the vulnerable one. She wholeheartedly poured everything into it, longing for a response. She loved Jacob wholeheartedly, even willing to compromise.
This not only moved Renly but also Jacob.
Such small details couldn't be found in the script; the director hadn't given any specific instructions. The actors had interpreted it based on their understanding of the characters. In the memories, the Jennifer of the previous life hadn't done such a thing; now, it seemed many things were changing in this lifetime. Renly considered this a positive impact, but he couldn't be sure if things would proceed as planned, considering the fact that what he knew might not apply anymore.
"Very well," Drake nodded with certainty, then realized his disheveled state. The dampness on his cheeks hadn't been properly wiped away. He spread his hands helplessly. "Are you sure no one wants to hand me a tissue? Can we continue this conversation while looking at me like this?"
His self-deprecating remark prompted laughter from everyone, and the atmosphere on set lightened up again.
Using his sleeve to wipe his face, Drake continued, "For this scene, it was actually excellent, perfect. I really couldn't be happier with it. But Felicity, could you come over here for a moment?" Drake called out.
Felicity walked over, stopping beside Renly. They exchanged a glance, both showing smiles. The atmosphere was harmonious; their mutual understanding flowed naturally.
After experiencing the out-of-line behavior on the first day of night shooting and the intimacy and heat of the past few days of filming, there was still a hint of ambiguity between the two. Yet, they both reined in their impulses, attempting to avoid conversations and interactions outside of filming as much as possible. At present, their interactions were harmonious, and at least, not awkward.
"Based on this scene, we also need to make some adjustments to the previous scene. I mean, the scene at Heathrow Airport in London, where Anna and Jacob bid farewell. After the intense encounter just now, deep down, they both realize that they are gradually growing apart, walking on different paths, and that breaking up was the right choice. However, neither of them is willing to admit this fact."
From just now, Drake's thoughts had been sparked, his entire brain becoming active. His expression was tinged with melancholy yet excitement.
"So, after Jacob returns to Los Angeles, they go through another period of time, struggling desperately, and ultimately, helplessly choose to break up. We won't shoot this part, but I hope it can be reflected in the scene at London Heathrow Airport. The internal conflict and entanglement of knowing deep down that things have ended but not wanting to admit it. I need you to make some adjustments in the script rehearsals that follow. Is that possible?"
Drake said with enthusiasm, looking at Renly, then at Felicity, and finally at Jennifer, giving a smile as he answered his own question, "Look at me, of course, you all have no problems, right?"
This immediately prompted laughter among the actors.
"Wait here for a moment, let me review the scene we just shot and see if any additional angles are needed," Drake said, turning and heading towards the monitor, becoming busy.
Felicity followed suit, eager to learn. Honestly, during the scene just now, she hadn't observed it closely enough, yet she could still sense the intense emotions bursting forth. She needed to closely observe behind the monitor and study earnestly.
Renly initially planned to follow them, but he felt two scorching gazes on his shoulder. Even through his T-shirt, he could feel their heat. Turning his head, he saw Jennifer's stubborn yet excited gaze. "Your performance just now was excellent," Jennifer spoke.
Jennifer was telling the truth. As the counterpart in the scene, Jennifer could distinctly sense the delicate shifts in emotions, affecting her performance rhythm almost everywhere. For her, this was undoubtedly challenging.
Because she had to portray Sam's self-forgetful immersion in the intense romance, a young woman deeply in love who tended to overlook details and even misconstrue glances and actions. This meant her performance rhythm was inconsistent with Renly's commanding presence. Carrying on according to her own pace within Renly's powerful aura of acting wasn't an easy task. The act of squatting down, gazing up, was also a motion derived from Renly's performance.
Only after truly experiencing the performance as a counterpart could one feel how delicate and vivid Renly's acting was. All those emotions hidden between his brows, the tangled pain and the restrained struggle, carried a heart-stirring force without being explicitly spoken. It seemed like nothing was said, yet it was as if everything had been expressed.
This made Jennifer's emotions surge, full throttle!
Renly chuckled lightly, "I've benefited just as much." This wasn't just a polite remark.
In the scene just now, Jennifer actually had very little room to maneuver. It was merely a brief scene for Sam's entrance, providing context for her relationship with Jacob. However, Jennifer's utilization of the space caught Renly's attention.
In the process of performing, an actor's attention often remains focused on themselves—expressions, movements, lines, postures, and so on—making them prone to overlooking spatial dynamics. Especially in the realm of film, these contrasts in space between actors, between actors and the theme of the shot, constitute part of the performance.
For example, taking a seat in a chair—whether it's at the lower left corner of the frame, establishing the spatial arrangement; right in the center of the frame, equally dividing the visual space into two; or occupying the entire left side of the frame, leaving the middle and right side, conveying a sense of visual oppression.
Often, this detail is presented by the director, so actors tend to overlook it. However, in reality, the shifts in position between actors and changes in emotions impact the overall performance, especially in confrontational scenes.
This small detail alone was enough to reveal Jennifer's acting talent.
"I'm already looking forward to shooting the next scene," Renly said with a smile.
Yet, unexpectedly, Jennifer raised her chin slightly, her gaze subtly flickering. "I'm already looking forward to our next collaboration."
After speaking, Jennifer walked towards the direction of the monitor. She needed to reevaluate her performance in the scene just now. Under Renly's dominant presence, her acting might have been somewhat raw.
In essence, while Renly's performance felt in control and adept, she relied on her natural talent to burst forth with emotion. Without ample refinement, her emotional expression might come across as monotonous and overt. Sam happened to be this type of character, so Jennifer wasn't overly concerned. But what about when she encountered different styles, different types of roles in the future?
Watching Jennifer's retreating figure, the corner of Renly's eyebrow lifted slightly. He pursed his lips with satisfaction. To receive such recognition from the rising star of the new generation acting, could this be considered indirect affirmation?
As for the challenges ahead, well, he'd just wait and see. He wouldn't stand still or sit idly waiting for fate. He was always ready for more acting showdowns, even somewhat impatient for them!
Renly followed Jennifer's footsteps, reaching the back of the monitor to review his performance.
The filming of "Like Crazy" went remarkably smoothly. Renly, Felicity, and Jennifer—the trio of actors—were on fire. It was as if each person had been spurred on by a stimulus, diligently studying each scene and every line. They strived to fill in every blank in the script, and the atmosphere on set was exceptionally fervent!
Not only did the shooting progress meet expectations, but the Los Angeles portion of filming was completed within the five-day schedule. What was presented was truly gratifying, and Drake couldn't have been more content.
Then, the entire crew headed to the airport for the final scene shoot. This was the largest investment "Like Crazy" had made since its commencement. They arrived at Burbank Airport, spending $3,000 to lease two hours of time, only for a corner of the airport.
The most ideal location for this scene, of course, would have been the Los Angeles International Airport. However, it was clear that the crew couldn't afford that. While Burbank Airport was private, it was sufficient to meet Drake's requirements. Besides, it was far cheaper than renting a studio.
Undoubtedly, this was the biggest challenge the crew had faced since the production began. Time constraints were one aspect, and the use of temporary extras was another. The crew couldn't afford the funds for reshoots. They had to complete all the filming quickly and with high quality; otherwise, all their previous efforts would sink into a quagmire.
Luckily, the actors were truly dedicated. Before the time constraints kicked in, they managed to complete all the shooting smoothly, successfully concluding the Los Angeles part of the shoot, leaving the entire crew elated.
However, this was only the relatively simpler part. The following filming in London would be the most arduous and challenging.
After wrapping up the shoot, Jennifer escorted the crew to Los Angeles International Airport, seeing them off on their flight to London. She, however, remained in Los Angeles and didn't accompany them.
If London could maintain this pace and quality, Drake estimated they could wrap up within two weeks.