Filming has always been like this. Scenes that were agonizing yesterday become easy once the ideas are sorted out today.
When Lyman shouted, "Next scene, get ready," a murmur arose on the set. After such a long scene, it finally passed, so it was no wonder everyone reacted so strongly.
The filming went smoothly for the rest of the morning. There were no major issues anymore, and if there were minor ones, they could be easily resolved. They remained busy until noon when George reminded them to take a break and have lunch.
"Thank you."
George brought two boxed lunches and two cans of coffee, placing them on a makeshift folding table. The boxed lunches weren't extravagant, but they were still decent. After all, they saved a considerable amount of money on extras, so they could afford better meals.
While eating, they discussed future filming plans.
"In another two days, we'll be almost done here. When will the exterior scenes in England be completed?" Lyman reminded them.
"Don't worry, we have plenty of time. It won't delay the filming."
"Has the remaining filming budget been received?"
"We transferred another sum yesterday morning, and I will continue to follow up on that." René said, suddenly noticing a gaze directed towards them.
He smiled and said to Lyman, "Look over there, your little sweetheart seems to have something to say. Should you go and accompany her?"
Eva Green had also joined the cast today because she might have her scenes in the afternoon. Lyman followed the gaze and coincidentally met her eyes. A sweet smile immediately appeared on her face.
"No need, what did Jonathan say about my proposal?"
"He agreed, but for the upcoming close-up explosion scenes, he insists on using a stunt double."
"That's fine. It's already good enough to have the actors participate themselves. For the excessively dangerous scenes, it's normal for them to have concerns. We'll go with their approach."
"Okay."
They continued discussing the filming, while Eva stood dumbfounded, watching from a distance. However, even after the entire lunch break had passed, she didn't see any other actions from Lyman.
Suddenly, she felt like she didn't have much presence at all. The set was always focused on the necessary aspects of filming, and no one paid much attention to her. The same went for Lyman. He was incredibly focused on the filming and didn't let his attention waver. Since she had arrived early at the set this morning until now, they had only exchanged a polite greeting.
She said, "Lyman."
He replied, "Okay."
In his eyes, there was only this movie, and everything else could be set aside.
Eva finished her small lunch with a somewhat desolate feeling, turning away from Lyman's field of vision.
"How much film stock do we have left?"
"We have enough. Once we get to England, we'll purchase another batch. Don't worry."
Besides answering questions, René also paid some attention to Eva. As he watched her figure leaving, he suddenly said teasingly, "You just broke a girl's heart. You should go and keep her company."
"Why do you care so much? Have you taken care of everything on the set? Can we ensure the smooth progress of the filming plan?"
Facing Lyman's three soul-searching questions, René remained calm and attempted to argue, "I see how hard you've worked to get on the right track. I don't want you to go back to where you were before. Honestly, with the way you are, you won't have a girlfriend. I don't see you caring at all."
"I never thought about having a girlfriend. You understand, René? Also, stop meddling and take care of yourself. You act like you're already married, pretending to be experienced and lecturing with a bunch of clichés, but in reality, you're still single."
"Nonsense." René was struck where it hurt and immediately retorted, "I just didn't plan to settle down so early, unlike you."
"What's the difference?"
"Anyway, it's different."
René stubbornly stuck to his point, trying to establish a distinction.
"Tsk."
Lyman's response was just a merciless mockery. In fact, his heart was as clear as a mirror. How could he not know about Eva's little thoughts? From the beginning, he had defined the nature of this relationship as nothing more than a transaction. As for emotions, that was just laughable.
The afternoon shooting quickly began, featuring the scenes of the tank Fury and the marching troops engaging the enemy. Although the script set the time during dusk and continued into the night, due to on-site scheduling and other factors, Lyman decided to shoot during the daytime. After all, during post-production, they could adjust the background colors and insert shots to achieve a similar effect.
In fact, many nighttime scenes in film and television productions are shot during the day because daylight offers better lighting conditions and facilitates work. The solemn troops dispersed from both sides, infantry creating a path, followed closely by tanks. They cautiously encircled the retreating enemy soldiers...
"Cut! Stunt performers, get ready." Lyman shouted through the loudspeaker.
The main actors immediately stepped back, and several body doubles with similar physiques put on corresponding costumes and took their positions. Next were the scenes of close combat between the two sides, involving mortar shells, incendiary bombs, and phosphorus bombs...
These extreme props were not actually meant to be used. While they were genuine objects, the gunpowder used was specially made for the production. They produced the desired effects without significant power. To simulate the visual effects of flying ammunition and exploding shells, the pyrotechnic team also set up explosives in various locations.
"Thomas, don't shoot the actors head-on. Capture them from behind, and also, mobilize another camera to capture the scene where the house collapses after being hit by a shell."
Then, Lyman checked the dummy provided by the props team to see if it was suitable. "It's good. We'll use it for the second act later."
This dummy was meant to simulate the intense flames engulfing a soldier hit by a phosphorus bomb. While Lyman valued realistic filming, he didn't want any accidents to happen to the stunt performers. The use of props was necessary in such cases.
After giving these instructions, he entered the nearby house that had been set up. The shooting location was in the small town where they rested and lived. The administrative personnel in charge of the town had been informed and agreed to today's filming.
This house was a place where a bomb would explode. It was a temporary structure built by the crew using materials, so although it appeared habitable from the outside, there was nothing inside, not even decent furniture. After checking everything, Lyman walked out of the house. Four cameras had been set up according to the regulations.
The stunt performers were fully equipped and ready. Although the pyrotechnic team was highly professional, with extensive industry experience, safety precautions were also in place.
Another half an hour passed, and with the confirmation from the heads of each department, the set preparation was declared complete. Lyman stood behind the monitor, holding up the loudspeaker.
"The set is clear?"
"Set is cleared."
"Extras?"
"Everything is arranged."
After confirming these details, Lyman turned to the pyrotechnic team and said, "Follow my instructions and start detonating the explosives gradually."
"No problem."
The script supervisor came forward, holding the slate and loudly announced, "Scene 36, Act 1, action!"
Once the enemy soldiers were spotted, the commander raised his hand, and the relevant tactical orders were immediately relayed. Fury slightly adjusted its cannon, and the sound of the shell being loaded was perfectly recorded by the internal recording equipment...
"3, 2, 1."
"Detonate."
As Lyman gave the command, an empty shell was fired from the tank, and the rising white smoke witnessed it all. An invisible current activated the explosives installed inside the house, and a loud explosion suddenly resounded. Against the backdrop of orange-red flames, the house, hit at its southeast corner by the bomb, instantly disintegrated, with countless fragments flying in all directions. A large amount of rubble and brick debris rained down, while the remaining structural frame of the house stood firmly.
"Second round, get ready..." The cannon aimed again. "Detonate."
Finally, the entire house collapsed. The two forces began to engage in direct combat...
In fact, shooting such scenes was exhausting. Not only did it create chaotic on-set logistics, but the shooting itself was intermittent. Because while stunt doubles could replace the main actors for unexpected dangers in consideration of the real explosives that were used, they couldn't mimic the actors' faces.
So, once the camera needed to switch, the stunt doubles had to step down, and the main actors had to step back in for close-up shots. During this time, the dangerous combat scenes couldn't be filmed.
Hastily capturing the facial expressions, the main actors quickly retreated again, and the stunt performers calmly continued the shooting...
In short, it was troublesome.
But it had to be done this way. The representative from the third-party insurance company, the great Jonathan Gavin, was watching closely. If there was a possibility of a dangerous shoot, he could come and veto it, requiring the use of stunt doubles.
Lyman understood. After all, Allianz not only provided a guarantee for the completion of the film but also had to take responsibility for personal insurance coverage for some of the main actors. If they were injured or there was an accident on set, then apologies would be in order, and they would face significant compensation. That's why they had to shoot in this meticulous way. The main priority was to ensure the safety of the actors. If they were to get injured and it disrupted the shooting schedule, it would be disastrous.
Time flew by, and two months had passed. "Fury" was gradually reaching the end of its filming.