Chapter 63: Buried Alive

  As the saying goes, good things take time to polish, let alone shooting three movies in 17 days.

  October 13th, 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

  The filming location of "Buried Alive".

  There are many cities in the United States located in deserts, and the most famous one is Las Vegas. However, the crew of "Buried" didn't have such good luck to film in Las Vegas.

  They are in the northwest desert area of Los Angeles, where the climate is dry all year round. Looking around, whether it's houses or buildings, they're all very beautiful and tidy, like an oasis in the desert. Of course, these are all burned out with money.

  As a first-time director, Jack Black was honestly nervous. For him, it wasn't just about finishing the filming of "Buried" in the shortest time possible, but using this film to prove himself, which is what's most important.

  The Jews say: even a pig has its market price, let alone a person?

  So everyone has their own value.

  Fat Jack has been discriminated against since college. People ridiculed his fat, mocked his clumsiness. He was self-abased and lacked confidence, so he used that kind of nonchalant smile to pretend to be carefree and not take things to heart.

  But in reality, fat people also have spring, and fools also have ideals.

  Jack Black's ideal is to be a screenwriter and actor, able to hold his head high on stage and receive everyone's applause.

  But this ideal is so far away, due to his appearance problem, he can only hide behind the scenes and do some fragmented dubbing work, or sadly play some roles like clowns, fools, idiots, or morons.

  Why am I like this?

  Jack Black asked himself countless times.

  I'm no stupider than others, nor am I dumber. If there's a fault, it's just that I'm a little bit fatter than others.

  Oh God, is this really my punishment?!

  I refuse to accept this!

  Fat Jack said to himself.

  I want to prove myself, this big belly of mine is not a waste, it's talent!

  Now, dear Yì Fēi Yáng gave himself an opportunity, must seize it, yes, must seize it!

  Fatty Jack was more and more nervous when reminding himself solemnly during filming, and couldn't relax.

  But as the lead actor of this play, Jake Gyllenhaal soon discovered this problem.

  Gyllenhaal comes from a family of actors, his sister is an actress, his mother is a producer and his father is a director. So he's basically familiar with the process of filming and control.

  Gyllenhaal couldn't understand why Yifei Yang wanted to let this rookie who knew nothing and could do nothing be the director of this play, and even told himself privately to help him.

  Yi Feiyang and this fat man are probably good friends.

  The Chinese have always liked to talk about relationships, haven't they? Just like how they like to give gifts and red envelopes during holidays.

  At first, Gyllenhaal could tolerate the clumsy director, after all, they had just started working together and still needed to give each other some face. But soon, Gyllenhaal couldn't stand the slow shooting pace of the director anymore.

  Especially as the male lead of this play, many shots that should have been done in one take according to Gyllenhaal were repeatedly interrupted by this chubby panda.

  "Damn it! Here we go again!"

  "Oh God, does he even know how to take pictures?"

  "Is the camera on me okay, buddy? We're making a movie here, not doing some street interview!"

  ……

  In Gyllenhaal's view, the reason why he kept NG again and again was not his own fault, but this damn fatty who didn't understand the shooting angles and process at all. Yes, he is simply a fool!

  Poor Chinese Yi, actually chose such a director for this play!

  Finally, when filming was halfway through, the young and vigorous Gilren Hill could no longer bear it.

  "Damn it, how did you become a director? Are you capable of being a director? What kind of brain do you have?"

  Gyllenhaal yelled at director Jake Gyllenhaal.

  In an instant, everyone was stunned by this sudden scene.

  The male lead yelled at the director on the spot, unprecedented.

  It's really unexpected.

  Now that the words were out of his mouth, Gilren Hill also let go, having held back a bellyful of anger, and now he let it all out in a loud shout.

  "For crying out loud! Do you even understand what filmmaking is? Do you know how to stand in front of a camera and direct actors? Have you ever felt the thrill of having countless eyes focused on you? Have you fantasized about the thunderous applause and cheers from the audience when your film succeeds?! Do you know how to operate a camera, how to edit footage?! You don't! You're just a fat slob who's been pushed into this director's chair! Directing isn't that easy! So, pal, stop dreaming and go home to wipe your butt and sleep!" Gilren Hill bellowed out a string of words, then looked at Jack Black with disdain.

  Fat boy immediately - Blake was also blown up by Gyllenhaal's on-site explosion, even if he had a thick face, and was happy to pretend that nothing mattered, but at this moment, his face turned red and his ears were hot, and he wanted to drill into the ground seam.

  But it wasn't until half a day later that he came back to his senses. Damn it, I'm the director, how could I be scolded by an actor?!

  "What did you say? Bastard! Who are you, what qualifications do you have to judge me? Damn it, you're just an actor, right? A guy who was brought back by our company to shoot a film! I can kick you out immediately! Yes, bastard!"

  Fatso was like an enraged young bull calf, and he let loose a torrent of abuse at Gyllenhaal.

  "What was that you just said? Yeah, I'm right, I'm a new director and I don't know what it's like to stand in front of the camera, I have no experience making movies, nor have I ever been welcomed by audiences. But let me ask you, was Spielberg born knowing how to make movies? Was Lucas born to be a director?! Since I, Jack Black, have been pushed into this position today, I'm confident I can do my best! But what about you? What kind of crappy actor are you? Who has ever seen a lead actor like you who doesn't follow orders and yells at the director?! Oh, damn God, you're making me so angry, do you know that?! I want you to get out, start getting out now! Our 'Buried Alive' crew doesn't need you anymore!"

  Fat Jack's voice grew louder as he spoke, and the more he spoke, the more confident he became.

  Yes, I am the director, who am I afraid of?

  "Hah, you said it! From now on, buddy, I, Jake Gyllenhaal, swear to God, this play is not going to be shot!" Jake Gyllenhaal said, and was about to leave when he was held back by several colleagues from the crew.

  "Let's take a break, everyone!" said the photographer. "I think we're all getting a bit tired, director, why don't we take a rest?" The photographer asked for Jacky Cheung's opinion.

  Jack Black waved his hand indifferently and the crew temporarily dispersed.

  As people dispersed, Fat Jack finally let out a sigh of relief and sat down on the empty ground with a thud, staring blankly as he thought about things.

  "Is it really that hard to be a director? Damn it, how can I even control one actor?" Fatso muttered.

  Then he remembered what Yi Feiyang said when he appointed him as the director of "Buried".

  "Your name is Jack and his name is also Jack, I hope you two 'JJ' can bring me a miracle!"

  This conversation is still fresh in my memory and remains on my mind.

  But now, I've actually had a falling out with someone who has the same name as me. Yes, we've completely fallen out!

  They almost came to blows in front of the whole crew.

  Fat Jack felt a chill in his heart, it seemed that he couldn't finish this play after all. That damned bastard, not considering others at all! Didn't he understand that this was someone's first time directing? It was inevitable to have some problems, why did he have to yell so loudly? Damned bastard, really damned!

  Fatso is getting desperate, his first time directing and it's going to be a stillbirth?!

  He dialed Yifei Yang's phone with a somewhat depressed mood, simply hoping that he could understand himself and send someone else to direct this play. In short, he was not going to make it.

  But when he called and told Yiyang about what had happened, Yiyang simply said, "When you start something, you have to see it through to the end. Even if the film you're making is a total failure, I won't blame you! Just keep working hard, as long as you persist, that's already a victory over yourself!"

  Yi Feiyang's words were very plain and didn't have much encouragement, but Fat Jack heard them and his nose turned sour, and tears almost flowed out.

  Nothing else, just because Yi Feiyang unconditionally trusted him!

  A hero will die for his friends!

  Fat Jack Black didn't know this old Chinese saying, but he had such an unusual idea in his mind.

  Yes, I won't be negative, I won't admit defeat!

  This is my first play!

  This is my first chance to prove myself as a director!

  I won't give up now!

  Yes, absolutely not!

  The fat man clenched his fists and pounded them heavily on the ground.

  ……

  October in California's desert, climate change is particularly evident.

  Shooting during the day under the scorching sun, but at night, it suddenly became cold and windy.

  The desert, which was originally steaming with heat, seemed to have turned into a vast icy tundra, swallowing up the scorching heat in one gulp, only to be replaced by bone-chilling cold.

  Kilner Hill sat on the prop coffin with his legs dangling, staring at the sand blowing up in the distance.

  The fine sand danced in the wind, and in the hazy night color, it was like a rising yellow gauze fog, which was particularly eye-catching.

  Gyllenhaal took a deep drag on his cigarette, not quite understanding why he hadn't left yet - was it that he didn't want to leave the crew or did he still hold out hope for that annoying idiot of a director?

  Yes, I'm no longer a kid, why am I still so hot-headed?

  Gyllenhaal asked himself.

  The cigarette butt disappeared in the darkness of night, like his fluctuating heart.

  Just then, footsteps sounded from behind.

  The rustling sound is getting closer and closer.

  "Hey, Jack," it was the voice of Fat Director. "May I sit down?" He said very calmly, not at all like they had just quarreled.

  Gillen Hill nodded, and Fatso sat down beside him on the coffin, fiddling with a dry grass in his hand.

  Neither of them said anything.

  That withered grass in Fatty's hands kept changing its shape and form, and soon it was woven into a grass-colored cicada.

  The fat man waved the "cicada" in his hand back and forth, looking at Gyllenhaal who was smoking, sniffed, then opened his mouth: "Can I have one too?"

  Ji Lun Xi did not answer, after a moment, he patted his body, and pulled out a pack of cigarettes...

  Fat Jack pulled out a cigarette and seemed somewhat embarrassed to ask Gyllenhaal again, "Buddy, can I borrow another light?"

  Kilren Hill handed him the cigarette butt.

  The fatty pinched the cigarette butt, lit his own cigarette, and then handed it back. He took a deep drag on the cigarette, gazing at the coffin under his buttocks with emotion: "Huh, I didn't think it would be so cold here. If only I could lie in this damn coffin and have one too!"

  Kilorn Hill ignored him, his gaze wandering into the night sky.

  Chubby thought it was boring and said: "Your posture of looking up at the starry sky is really cool."

  "Is this why you came here?" Gilren Hill finally spoke up.

  "Oh no, I was going to say... we're both not kids anymore, yeah, that's what I meant!" Fatso chuckled dryly.

  "What's more..."

  "Sorry... for today!"

  Damn it, for this play, the fat man went all out.

  "What you said is right, I really don't have much directing experience! Yeah, like a fool, many things are uncertain! I need your help, buddy, need you to come back, need you to remind me, really!"

  Jiren Xi didn't expect Paozi's attitude to change so quickly and was taken aback.

  Fatso puffed heavily on his cigarette and said, "I really want to finish this play, no matter if it's good or bad! Although I still don't understand why dear Yi wants to entrust such an important responsibility to me, a useless guy like me!"

  "From college to now, I've never done anything well. Don't laugh when I say this, but I grew up in the midst of others' ridicule - they mocked my weight, my clumsiness, called me a fool, an idiot... I endured all that, but now, I just want to seize the opportunity that belongs to me! Yes, buddy, my opportunity! The one I've been waiting for with such difficulty!"

  Chubby's eyes moistened. Then, he fell into Gilead Hill's arms.

  Kilren Hill was thoroughly stunned.

  Chubby's tears and snot flowed horizontally, "Please, just help me out! Let's work together to make this play a success, okay?"

  Jiren Xi suddenly came to his senses, and his first reaction was to immediately push this dead fat man out of his arms.

  "Hey buddy, don't be like this, you're making things difficult for me..."

  "No, you didn't promise me, I won't get up!" The fatty said shamelessly.

  Girren Hill pushed several times, but couldn't push the fat man away, and his physical strength was really too heavy.

  At this time, voices of crew members came from a distance.

  Gyllenhaal was afraid of being seen in this state, "Alright, I'll answer you, get up quickly, you damned guy!"

  "Haha, you said it!" Fatso burst out laughing.

  Giraffe Hill, speechless.

  Since everyone has opened up, there is no need to cover anything up anymore.

  After all, they can still sit together after a quarrel, all for the sake of filming.

  Gyllenhaal considers himself a good actor.

  The fatty thinks he wants to be a good director.

  Yes, since everyone has ideals, why not work together hand in hand?

  Quarreling will only make people laugh at you, won't it?

  Then in the following time, the two of them frankly and openly chatted with each other.

  Fat Jack said that when filming this play, he himself looked at Edgar Allan Poe's.

  Edgar Allan Poe is America's greatest detective and the king of horror. In the field of horror, he is absolutely the best. Not to mention his works such as "The Black Cat", "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Pit and the Pendulum", which are simply the most terrifying masterpieces.

  However, what Baozi is studying recently is actually Edgar Allan Poe's most famous work "The Fall of the House of Usher", because it is the first horror story to describe a person being buried alive.

  Chubby hopes to draw inspiration from this film. What's the difference in feeling about being "buried alive"?

  After hearing what Fatso said, Gyllenhaal couldn't help but pause for a moment, because he had also been reading it recently and was a die-hard Edgar Allan Poe fan.

  It's rare for two people to find a "common language", especially when this common prophecy is beneficial for filming.

  So the two of them started chatting, talking about "The Fall of the House of Usher", discussing "Stop Breathing", discussing Edgar Allan Poe's sorrow and mystery, discussing how to shoot the play "Buried Alive" and how to handle it.

  Time slowly passed by, familiarity and tacit understanding began to gradually merge together.

  Under the night sky

  The desert here

  No longer cold.

  Accompanied mom to the hospital for a check-up, update is late, please forgive me.