After a morning of intense observation, the actors clearly witnessed Lu Cheng's meticulous approach to script analysis - emotions must be captured, dialogues understood, characters dissected, events deconstructed, and seamless collaboration between actors established; each aspect must meet the standards. Only by exerting such efforts at this stage can a unique spark be ignited during filming. Lu Cheng's unwavering dedication to the film was unmistakable.
In the afternoon's second act, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng engaged in a compelling scene.
Yu Yue and Ji Chen set off for the Darwin star. The cockpit underwent upgrades, with different control panels on the left and right sides, requiring the two immigration officers to cooperate seamlessly during flight.
"Have you ever thought that we two make a good team?" Yu Yue asked.
Ji Chen replied emotionlessly, "No."
Yu Yue tilted his head and said, "I have."
Ji Chen's hand paused on the control panel, and he asked quietly, "What do you mean?"
"Don't you think we complement each other well?" Under their helmets, Ji Chen pursed his lips, understanding Yu Yue's implication.
Among the twelve, they were top-notch but not flawless. Their cooperation, however, was unparalleled and unbeatable. Through ten years of military training combined with elite development, numerous battles and sparring matches, in the last two years, many had established fixed combat partners, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses with perfect coordination, except for Yu Yue and Ji Chen.
Yu Yue and Ji Chen, with contrasting personalities and equal overall strengths, were the two most exceptional individuals among the twelve, yet whether in the initial years or the final years of training, they remained transient partners, seemingly unaffected by their teammates. Being at the top did not equate to perfection; it was merely an approach to perfection, always carrying flaws and imperfections that were hard to detect. Once discovered, it could prove fatal.
However, these two individuals, in their very first sparring match, managed to uncover each other's almost imperceptible weaknesses. Ironically, each one's Achilles' heel happened to be the other's unstoppable force. Over the past decade, their weaknesses had evolved beyond that label, and strangely, whenever they faced each other, the power dynamics remained unchanged.
Ten years ago, just before the borders of various planets were closed and the freeze period began, they - individuals of different skin colors, cultures, beliefs, from different planets - were selected by an algorithm. Twelve were secretly transported to the headquarters of the Interstellar Immigration Bureau on Earth.
In fact, there were twenty chosen ones, but when informed about the life and possible future ahead, eight did not sign the highest level of confidentiality agreement. This group of pre-departure and entry enforcement officers trained in a "military + elite" model was the highest secret of the Interstellar Immigration Bureau back then.
These officers do not represent an identity, a race, or a country, but rather the security assurance within effective ranges between interstellar lines and the safety guarantee for citizens on the responsible planets. In times of interstellar conflicts, the first responders are not the military alliances of planets, but these officers.
Reflecting on the ten years spent in the training camp, Ji Chen lightly chuckled, "Indeed."
Under the helmet, Yu Yue couldn't see Ji Chen's smile, but imagining it with his eyelashes, it must have been beautiful.
Yu Yue called out, "Ji Chen," and said, "When you are surrounded, I will stand behind you with the unwavering strength to sweep away the millions of enemy troops." Yu Yue knew a bit about Ji Chen's past. Born on Yanlang Planet, Ji Chen immigrated to Haze Planet with his mother, then was secretly brought to Earth and now received orders to go to Darwin Planet.
His twenty-two years of life had been transient, with no permanent residence, no real home; he seemed invincible, but beneath the armour, there was confusion and panic about where he truly belonged. Even though he hid it well.
"So, partner," Yu Yue extended a hand in the air, "let's rely on each other."
Ji Chen glanced at Yu Yue's slender fingers, the scar left in his palm from where Ji Chen had cut him, and involuntarily sealed their partnership with a palm-to-palm touch.
The spacecraft is about to land on the surface of Darwin Planet. Yu Yue and Ji Chen simultaneously took out their walkie-talkies to contact the surface contact station on Darwin Planet.
"Interstellar Immigration Bureau, sc-K899, surface, please respond."
"IIB, sc-K899, surface received."
"The IIB dispatched Immigration Officer Yu Yue to Darwin Planet ——"
"Ji Chen ——"
"Requesting landing."
"Surface received."
"SC- K899 landing on Runway T3."
"SC- K899, Runway T3."
The first scene between Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng came to an end. Some actors below quietly applauded, not for anything else, but because Yu Cheng caught Zhong Shao's scene.
The director stood with hands clasped in front of his chest, leaning against the back of the chair, his gaze on this part of the original work, silent. Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng stood at the centre, brows slightly furrowed.
Looking up at Lu Cheng and Song Chunuan, Zhong Shao said, "No, it doesn't feel right."
Zhong Shao didn't say where it didn't feel right, but Lu Cheng and Song Chunuan understood.
"Yu Cheng, what do you think?" Lu Cheng asked without raising his head.
"I'm too stiff, Shao ge isn't relaxed enough..." Yu Cheng was pondering a word that could express it clearly when he heard Zhong Shao say on his own, "You can be more like a cheeky monkey."
Song Chunuan covered her mouth with the script, Zhong Shao, you don't have to be so harsh on yourself, can't we say 'be more relaxed' instead?
"Rough words, but sound advice."
Song Chunuan: "..." I can't even argue with that?!
With determination, Lu Cheng gestured towards Yu Cheng and Zhong Shao, asking, "Why don't each of you share your thoughts?" The director exuded confidence.
"Ji Chen's upbringing was quite tumultuous, lacking a sense of security. When he first entered the training camp, he carried a melancholic demeanour. It was only after a decade of rigorous training, with remarkable achievements witnessed by all, that he began to exhibit positive emotions. Although subtle, Ji Chen considered the other eleven team members as close as family during this time, emphasizing the importance of teammates but struggling to express his own emotions."
"A subdued emotional state does not equate to coldness in speech, which does not align with Ji Chen's current stage." Contrasting Yu Cheng's detailed character analysis, Zhong Shao's approach was much simpler, "throughout the entire story, Yu Yue's personality remained relatively consistent, characterized by a lively and straightforward bravery."
Clearly, both individuals serve as exemplars for understanding the script and character development.
Lu Cheng, without further ado, simply stated, "Action again."