The bright sunshine no longer carries warmth. The morning and evening air is filled with a cold chill. Since entering December, Mumbai, the film capital of India, has entered a season with lower average temperatures. However, the filming work of the crew has not stopped. With more scenes being completed, the film has finally reached its final stage.
Lyman woke up earlier than usual today. He got out of his comfortable bed at 6 o'clock and got dressed. Outside the window, pedestrians hurriedly passed by in small groups. Even at this time, there were still many hardworking people. After finishing his morning routine, he hurried to the film set. There were only three shots left on the shooting schedule. It wasn't too much, but it also wasn't too little. As long as everything went smoothly, it wouldn't be difficult to complete them in half a day.
Sitting in his seat, while the crew was still setting up the shooting scene, Lyman held the storyboard and carefully considered if there were any areas that needed adjustments in advance. He also thought about the lighting, cinematography techniques, and camera angles...
It would be best if he had a good grasp of these details. He also had a rough impression of the actors' movements, gestures, and emotional expressions.
By 7:30, after the actors had finished their makeup and styling, they officially began shooting the final closing shots.
In the artificial rain scene, the first camera was positioned at the corner of the garden's roof, using a wide-angle lens to capture the clear sky after the rain. Lyman really liked the concept of this shot, symbolizing a crack in the director's firm heart. After the rain comes the clear sky, a great metaphor, isn't it?
"The second camera on the crane should lower the shooting angle and tilt it 15 degrees downward and to the right. Yes, just like that," After looking at the prepared actors, who were actually the dean and Rancho performing a two-person scene, Lyman reminded them, "After the artificial watering stops, the first camera should immediately capture a close-up shot by rotating 360 degrees around the scene."
In the tragic ending, the "antagonist" felt some regret amidst the series of actions by the protagonist Rancho. Is it cliché? Yes, very cliché, but it is the only shining moment in this educational dialogue, a glimmer of hope rising from the darkness. It can soothe the wounded hearts of the audience after watching the whole movie.
Compromising a little for the market won't affect anything. In the end, if this film can bring some educational reflections to the audience, it would be enough. After Lyman shouted "Action!" Boman Irani and Aamir Khan began their final dialogue.
"Why didn't astronauts use a pencil in space? I'll tell you the answer now."
"If a pencil tip breaks it'd float in zero gravity. Get into eyes, nose, instruments..."
Boman Irani excitedly said, "You're like this, Rancho. You cannot be always right, and others cannot be always wrong."
Afterward, he hung the space pen, symbolizing honor, on Rancho's collar and left alone in melancholy.
"Cut!"
After this shot ended, Lyman shouted loudly with a loudspeaker, "I announce that the shooting of "3 Idiots" is complete." He took a long breath, as the intense shooting had lasted for 58 days. This film had finally passed one-third of its journey.
Applause broke out, chaotic yet fervent. It wasn't just Lyman, the director, who had been tested and endured, but also the other crew members who had fought together. Amidst the cheers, Thomas gently put down the second camera he had been holding. George was still replaying the footage they had just shot. René, the production assistant, was joking around with the crew members. The actors headed toward the dressing room, casually taking off their costumes. After being soaked in artificial rain, they felt uncomfortable with their damp clothes. The lighting team and their crew were turning off lights, dismantling lighting boards, spotlights, occasionally chatting and laughing...
Lyman looked at the organized chaos on the set and felt a sense of emotion. His second work had finally wrapped up.
It was now December 23rd. Counting from early October, it took more than two months from pitching the investment to pre-production to completing the filming of this movie. During this period, he gained valuable experiences from various aspects and sources. For example, the selection and handling of shots, adjusting the actors' emotions and shooting plans, as well as budget and funding aspects. George always talked about these things, giving him new insights on how to save costs for the crew. He had become more mature and experienced as a director.
"Everyone, calm down and listen to me," Lyman shouted again through the loudspeaker. When everyone's attention was on him, he continued, "Clean up the set, and then we'll gather at the Mumbai Grand Hotel. Everyone in the crew is invited and can bring one friend or family member at most."
When the filming of "Buried" was wrapped up, Lyman didn't hold any celebration, nor did he mention anything about giving bonuses or similar gestures. It seemed quite cold and stingy. It was probably because the crew was facing financial constraints. However, things were different this time. There couldn't be such a lack of atmosphere.
The "3 Idiots" crew had EuropaCorp as their major investor, with a filming budget of €6M. There was still around €700,000 left in the account. As for post-production work, they had a dedicated post-production studio to handle it, so there was no need to worry. Therefore, it was necessary to have a wrap-up banquet. It not only promoted camaraderie among the crew members and facilitated future collaborations but also helped relieve stress and dissipate any lingering gloom.
After all, a bunch of people had come to India, a country with less favorable living conditions, to work together for two months. They had been eating porridge every day, and the environment, climate, and culture were completely different from their own circles. Even for those with good temperaments, it was inevitable that some complaints would arise in their hearts.
When they heard that the celebration was going to be held at the Mumbai Grand Hotel, and that they could bring their family members or friends along to enjoy the food and drinks, the set suddenly became lively. Their actions became more efficient, and they couldn't wait to finish the cleanup and head to the hotel. Some of them had already taken out their phones to call their family members. Of course, this group mostly consisted of the local Indian crew members who had assisted with the shooting. The French members of the filming team didn't have much attachment to this and, at most, found some local professionals for certain services, as George had mentioned to Lyman.
In consideration of others, Lyman decided to allow them to bring their friends or family members to the celebration.
...
At the Mumbai Grand Hotel, Lyman had reserved two medium-sized banquet halls and organized a buffet. The menu mainly consisted of local Indian specialties, French cuisine, and, of course, seafood, which was essential for a buffet.
After the core members of the crew finished serving themselves, they gathered around a table, drinking and boasting, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Director, here, have a drink. I hope the film will be a huge box office success."
"Lyman, I'll have a drink with you too, hoping for a smooth path for your future directing career."
"Let's all drink together."
"..."
For the local Indian crew members, this was just a short-term job. After the wrap-up party and the completion of the film, there would be no further connection with Lyman, and they wouldn't dwell on any feelings of "separation". So they raised their glasses together with Lyman but didn't linger. After receiving their wages, they would go their separate ways. They had a carefree attitude about it.
On the other hand, the French crew members were more enthusiastic. Almost all of them wanted to have a drink with Lyman individually. They understood better that befriending a director, especially one backed by EuropaCorp, would be beneficial for them. "Director... cheers..." As a result, it didn't take long for Lyman to end up drunk and unconscious.
The crew members, who were hardworking people earning a living at the bottom rung, were generous drinkers. Lyman's tolerance for alcohol had also been tested before. After all, drinking sessions were common in his previous life, and he had developed a good alcohol tolerance. But he couldn't withstand the continuous rounds of drinks offered to him. Refusing to drink would be impolite, and he couldn't show favoritism by only drinking with René, Thomas, George, and Dhiren Kumar. That would be a form of discrimination, categorizing people into different tiers.
The consequence of accepting all the drinks that came his way was that he was the first to fall on the battlefield. It wasn't until it was dark outside that the wrap-up banquet ended satisfactorily, with everyone feeling satisfied with the food and drinks. Lyman finally had a chance to return to the hotel. With a flushed face, he sat in a taxi and headed back with René and Thomas.
With their support, Lyman stumbled into the soft bed. It was then that he regained a bit of consciousness. Struggling to sit up, he took a sip of water, finally managing to suppress the churning in his stomach. He had never indulged himself like this before, so it was foreseeable that tonight he might not get a proper rest. Despite not having vomited yet, he still had that feeling, and it wasn't pleasant to endure.
Looking at the night view outside the window, the moon hung high in the sky, but there were no stars to be seen. The dazzling city lights illuminated everything beneath, and the flow of traffic on the streets hadn't stopped.
It was over. The filming of "3 Idiots" was finally complete. However, unlike most crew members who could take a break, Lyman would soon be approached for the film's post-production work. He still had things to do.
The churning in his stomach continued, and his brain, caught between drunkenness and sobriety, felt uncomfortable. Finally, when he couldn't hold down even a sip of water, Lyman rushed to the bathroom and vomited.
After vomiting, he felt much better.
He washed his face, stimulating his brain. Then he lay back down on the bed. Once the post-production work was done, he would welcome new collaborators in France and his second film would be released.
How wonderful! He was content with such a life. To be able to continuously shoot the films he wanted, infusing them with his own thoughts and ideas. For a director, it was a constantly fulfilling endeavor.
He hoped that his future would be even better. Keep going, Lyman!