A few days later, at the music video set.
Geon arrived at the set a bit earlier after receiving the concept of this song from Manson in advance. He sat in the makeup chair, looking over the concept bundled with information about the song.
There was a boy in a rural village.
In the small village where the boy lived, only a few people were living harmoniously. However, one day, a band of thieves invaded the small village, and everyone in the village died. The boy, seeing a cold blade plunged into his mother's warm chest right before his eyes, trembled as he hid in the barn his mother had tucked him away in.
As the thieves retreated, a flock of crows descended upon the bodies of the village people, tearing apart his mother's corpse. Around the same time, the boy emerged from the barn and retched. With despair mixed in his eyes, just then, an angel with radiant golden wings descended before the boy.
The angel reached out to the boy, and as the boy held the angel's hand, they departed to a place filled with light.
The boy, who blindly followed the angel that saved him, grew up to become a proud warrior guarding the sacred Eden. But more devoted to the fallen than the creator who made him, the boy eventually fell to hell following the corrupted one.
Amid an unavoidable battle, the angel perished, and the boy's rage turned toward the one who killed the angel. With his soul banished, he wandered the land of sin beyond the threshold of death. Endless cycles of battles and the perpetually dull right to immortality made the boy endlessly weary.
Only later did he realize that the entity who saved him wasn't an angel but the owner of the place he once lived in. Dreaming of returning to the place filled with light, the boy, now turned into a high-ranking demon of hell due to the eons-long war, yearns to return to the place where the trumpet sounds echoed.
Geon nodded thoughtfully.
"A sad story indeed. Gamagin, the demon."
"You're here early."
Geon turned in surprise at the voice coming from behind.
"Director Tim Burton? What brings you here?"
Tim Burton, clad in a grey suit and brown trousers, sat on the adjacent chair.
"I'm here. Why, should I not be? Why'd Manson hire a different director for his music video when there's no one better suited than me? So, I volunteered," Tim replied.
"Oh, really? So, this time, are you acting in the director's movie instead of providing music?"
Tim smirked.
"I wanted to shoot you too, as Kay mentioned. Manson boosts your fame, and I film you. Win-win, right? Haha."
Geon chuckled as he held up the papers he had.
"Did you also see the concept, Director? It's about the Great Demon Gamagin."
Taking the papers from Geon's hand, Tim replied, "Of course. I'm the director here. I've got the entire concept planned out. Just do as I say; I'll finish it in six hours."
Geon exaggeratedly flopped to the side.
"Whew! Six hours?"
Tim raised an eyebrow at Geon.
"Some directors shoot for a week. Six hours is pretty significant, you know?"
While Geon and Tim bantered, a petite, freckled redhead woman approached.
"Hello, Director."
Tim furrowed his brow in a questioning manner.
"I'm Catherine from the special effects team. I'm here for Kay's makeup."
Tim finally smiled and stood up from his seat.
"Ah, yes? Then, please. Don't forget to add a bit of red around the lips and eyes," he said as he moved away to check the location.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Catherine, the one who'll be doing the special effects today. Heard a lot about you. Turns out, the rumors were true," Catherine said, admiring Geon.
"Rumors? What kind?" Geon asked, slightly amused.
"Rumors about how Kay, the music director, is an incredibly handsome man," Catherine replied, touching Geon's slightly raised eyebrow.
"Such rumors? Haha, that feels good," Geon chuckled.
Looking at Geon's reflection in the nearby mirror, Catherine said, "I'll definitely transform you into a beautiful angel."
Raising one eyebrow, Geon asked, "Not a devil?"
Brushing his hair while taking out the brush, Catherine replied, "The first scene will be before Kay becomes an angel. Just an ordinary but incredibly beautiful boy. That's your role in the initial shooting."
A moment later, the costume manager brought a faded green outfit resembling what poor peasants wore in medieval times. Geon checked the clothes; they seemed worn out, with frayed ends. After wearing the outfit, he searched for shoes.
"Uh, no shoes?"
The costume manager, scratching the hem of Geon's top with scissors, replied, "Yeah, you won't be wearing shoes, Kay! I'll do makeup on your feet too!"
"Catherine rushed over to Geon's feet, heavily made up as if covered in dirt. After a while of makeup, Catherine stood up and shouted, 'Here, K.C. #1? Makeup's done!'
A man who seemed like an assistant director immediately approached, 'K.C.! Come this way.'
As Geon followed the assistant director, a bustling set filled with numerous cameras and lights came into view. It seemed like the first shoot took place on a grassy hillside, with no elaborate sets in sight. As Geon pushed through the crowd, female staff members who saw him murmured in amazement.
"Wow, it's really him?"
"See? Catherine mentioned it when she went to get coffee. It's no joke."
"He looks so handsome. How can a guy look like that?"
Geon, caught up in the busy atmosphere of the shoot, didn't pay attention to the people around him. He just approached Tim Burton, who was checking the shot from the main camera, and said, 'Director, I'm here.'
Tim Burton, who had been talking with the main camera director, turned to look at Geon and blinked, then shook his head slightly, saying, 'Wow ~ with that makeup, you really look like an angelic youth. Do you always look like this?'
Geon grinned, 'Do I? Hehe.'
Watching Geon, surrounded by bright smiles from Tim Burton and the crew, Tim asked, '... Cut.'
Geon stopped smiling and looked at Tim Burton, 'Was it okay, Director?'
Tim Burton got up quietly, 'Maybe we won't need CG. Wait.'
Sitting near the main camera, Tim Burton shouted, 'Getting ready to go! Lighting director! Angle the light over K.'s left side! There! No, a little to the left! That's it! Ready for the shoot. Camera OK? Ready, action!'
After Geon finished his scene, Tim Burton stood up without a word, 'O.K. Moving on to the next #1? #2! We'll shoot immediately at the cabin studio, so all camera crew, move! Lighting director! Adjust the light through the gap in the wall where K. is looking outside. We'll shoot in 5 minutes, hurry!'
Geon observed Tim Burton's directorial skills, always swift and efficient, with a new sense of appreciation. Catherine, who had approached hurriedly, fixed Geon's slightly messy hair due to the wind and whispered, 'Amazing! I've never seen a director say "O.K." in one go.'
Geon asked casually while walking, 'Oh, is it not usual to shoot multiple times?'
Catherine replied casually, 'Not multiple times. When I was in Pirates of the Caribbean, they shot Keira Knightley staring at the sea on the dock for three hours. It was a three-second scene in the movie. This kind of quick scene is unprecedented.'
Geon shrugged, 'Ah, it's a music video, not a film, so it makes sense. It's not a very crucial scene.'
Catherine followed Geon, continuing to fix his hair, 'Hmm, I have a feeling today's shoot will break records in terms of speed.'
Catherine's hunch was spot on.
That day, Tim Burton wrapped up the shoot at the fastest pace in his life. Of course, scenes with Manson singing were yet to be shot separately, but as Geon had the lion's share of scenes, over 70% of the music video was completed.
Ironically, despite spending over an hour and a half on makeup to transform into an angel or demon, Geon ended up spending the entire day sitting in the makeup chair. There were even rumors among the crew that in the scene where Geon, turned demon, raised his hand to give battle commands in front of a green CG background, instructions were given to lessen the makeup and reveal Geon's original face.
As these stories circulated and gained traction, they were embellished and relayed to the press."
The next day,
Geon visited the studio where Manson's band was filming a scene singing. Since Tim Burton, who had been invited to his house, had to go for shooting, Geon had no other choice but to stay alone in the empty house. Tim Burton sat in the director's seat with his chin resting on his hand, watching the band members getting their makeup done. Geon sat next to Tim, holding a guitar and playing the sheet music of Manson's new song, 'Sad Devil Gamagin.'
As Geon read through the lyrics at the front of the sheet music, he thought to himself.
"The feeling of the lyrics and the feeling of the song are different. What was the inspiration behind it?"
Geon read the lyrics on the first page of the sheet music.
There was a boy so beautiful
The day when the curse was darker than darkness
Lucifer reached out to the boy.
The boy went to heaven with Lucifer
The angel boy wanted to be happy for everyone
One day, the fallen Lucifer said, Let's go with me
Come with me, let them fall
lead them out of His light
now is the time to forget him
Geon took out a pen and checked the sheet music while pondering.
"The lyrics seem to talk about the boy's sadness in the A part, and in the Savi part, it seems like Lucifer is speaking to the boy. But why are the notes marked on the sheet music all gray? What emotions does this unclear and confusing piece aim to evoke in the listener?"
As Geon focused intensely on the sheet music, Tim Burton, who was sitting beside him, watched him intently.
Tim subtly gestured and called Manson, who was getting his makeup done quietly. When Manson saw Tim, he pointed at Geon with his finger. Manson then called Twiggy, who was doing makeup next to him, with a slightly surprised expression.
"Twiggy, look over there. Kay is looking at the sheet music and seems to be planning something, judging by the pen in his hand."
Twiggy Ramirez, with long, dreadlock-permed hair, looked at Geon with an even more eerie expression. He might have felt a blow to his pride as the composer, but Twiggy's expression seemed oddly pleased.
"Manson, what if Kay arranges this? Shall we not re-record it?"
Manson nodded emphatically, as if it was obvious.
"Sure, why not redo it if he allows."
Manson expressed his gratitude to Twiggy for making this tough choice. In the past, Twiggy had left the band in 2000 due to musical conflicts with Manson. Even after Twiggy returned to the band in 2009 following Manson's commercial failure, their success wasn't impressive. However, Manson was grateful for Twiggy's return as a solid ally, always treading carefully with him.
As Manson received makeup while chatting with other members, he discreetly put his index finger on his lips. Tim gestured to the assistant director, pausing the playback of the new song inside the set. As Geon continued modifying the sheet music, the set grew eerily quiet, with all eyes fixed on Geon's pen movements.
Unaware of this change, Geon continued with his thoughts.
"To convey the emotions suggested by the lyrics, besides the characteristic chaos of demons, black representing gloom, and blue signifying sadness should mix in. If it were me, I'd create a beautiful arpeggio at the start of the A part, leading into the sadness in the lyrics, followed by chaos in the first Savi. How would it turn out if I make these changes?"
Geon continued to amend the sheet music as he envisioned. Slowly, the sheet music transformed from all gray to a blend of black and blue, depicting gloom and sadness. He turned to the next page to see the lyrics for the B part.
The boy wandered through the bounds of death, on the earth full of sin, with the soul expelled.
The endless battle and the unstoppable boredom of immortality have made the boy oblivious.
The boy told Lucifer, is this right?
"This part seems to truly capture the blend of sadness and chaos."
Geon's pen moved again. With these revisions, the sheet music evolved from start to finish. Though he didn't sing, Geon played the guitar riff. Twiggy, who had been fixated on Geon's chord-strumming fingers, whispered to Manson, looking slightly surprised.
"Manson, Kay seems to just be adding one more finger to our chord. Will a single note change anything? It sounds heavily distorted."
Manson, still fixated on Geon, nodded with a hint of honesty.
"It seems like it, you know? He's a genius. Looks like we're almost done, let's join in."
As Manson and Twiggy approached, Geon, playing the guitar, looked up.
"Oh, Mr. Manson, Mr. Ramirez."
Manson laughed and extended his hand.
"Haha, why so focused? Mind if I join?"
Geon looked apologetic seeing Manson's hand.
"Oh, that's... I'm sorry, I got carried away, didn't I?"
Twiggy stepped forward, tilting his head toward the sheet music.
"Nah, just curious, really. Let's have a look, okay?"
Geon seemed to push the music sheet as if admitting defeat, catching Tim Burton's eye, who chuckled softly before speaking.
"You're still clueless, huh? Who you really are."
Glancing at Tim Burton, Geon raised his chin as Manson, lost in the music sheet, looked back and forth between Twiggy and himself.
"Manson, Twiggy. You guys planning to shoot in this makeup and set?"
Manson, glued to the music sheet, looked up at Tim Burton.
"Huh? Isn't that the plan?"
Tim Burton maintained his chin-resting pose and continued, "What do you think is the reason for your underwhelming success? Is it the music? That might be part of it, sure. It's quite different from your early days."
Twiggy asked Tim Burton, "Is there something else bothering you, Tim?"
Tim Burton, still resting his chin, withdrew his hand and raised his index finger.
"Know what your issue is? Your cliché."
Twiggy responded with a slightly saddened face, "I know, it's the unoriginal, typical stuff. We're trying to break away from Marilyn Manson's cliché too."
Tim Burton tapped the camera monitor with his finger, saying, "Those trying to break clichés are in this set with this makeup?"
Geon withdrew, looking around the set. Gray, dim lights spread across the floor like a snowfield, odd, leafless trees stood sporadically. He turned to see Manson and Twiggy, both sporting Manson's signature makeup of purple lipstick and heavy eyeliner on their pale faces.
Manson, wearing an unjust look, shrugged his shoulders, saying, "This is our Marilyn Manson style, Tim. Devilish and decadent vibes. You know the origin of our band's name, right?"
Tim Burton rested his chin again, stating, "Yeah, a combination of sex symbol Marilyn Monroe and serial killer Charles Manson. It's about decadence and violence, your band's essence. So?"
Manson gestured to his attire and makeup, saying, "That's our essence. That's why we dress like this."
Tim Burton glared at Manson, "I might not understand music, but I know your music videos. This set, that makeup. How different is it from the 'The Nobodies' music video released in 2000?"
Twiggy nodded, saying, "Similar. So, what do we do? Dress up as angels?"
Tim Burton clicked his tongue, teasingly saying, "Angels? Quite fresh. Those who dressed as demons, if they dress as angels, who'd find that fresh?"
Manson, with a displeased look, asked, "Then what?"
Tim Burton leaned back comfortably in his chair, saying, "Cliché. You really want to break it? Not in music, that's your pride. Visually."
As Manson and Twiggy nodded simultaneously, Tim Burton leaned forward, saying, "Try being ordinary. No makeup. Wear a neat suit."
Initially surprised, Manson and Twiggy exchanged looks before nodding in agreement.
"Is that okay?"
Tim Burton snapped his finger, saying, "If it is, let's get to it. Redo your makeup. I'll take care of the set."
As Tim Burton stood up, Manson grabbed his shoulder, "Wait, Tim. Give us a moment."
Tim Burton, with a creased brow, watched Manson sitting still and said, "Kay. Can we use the song you arranged?"
Geon, slightly surprised, looked between Twiggy and Manson. Twiggy nodded, supporting Manson's request.
"Yeah, it felt better than the original as soon as I saw the sheet. If we release the album as it is, we'll fail again. You'll regret this moment."
Manson leaned in, locking eyes with Geon, who was taken aback.
"If we fail this time, we might not get another chance. If you allow, let Tim remake the set while we re-record. We need the MR for the music video shoot."
Geon looked to Tim Burton, who nodded and squinted his eyes.
Finally, as Geon signaled his approval, Tim Burton grinned and said, "Alright, let's go for the recordings! I'll smash and rebuild the set."