Chapter 65: Filming the Real Ghost Shadow

  October 15, 1998.

  "Achoo!" Yī Fēi Yáng, who was cursed by someone, unfortunately let out a sneeze.

  Rubbing his nose, looking at the gloomy sky, "Damn Los Angeles, it's already so cold in October." Yi Feiyang shrank his head and continued to size up the "ghost mansion" in front of him.

  In America, there are many such haunted houses. To put it bluntly, there are many houses like this one that are desolate and uninhabited, shaking in the cold wind.

  This house is located in a remote area of Los Angeles, in other words, it's one of those places where birds don't even shit.

  This estate was introduced by Black Dad, who is the old man that helped Yi Feiyang rent five underground movie theaters.

  Hei Ren Lao Die heard Yi Fei Yang was going to film a ghost movie and patted his chest as he ran over to introduce the filming location.

  To be honest, Yi Feiyang was worried about the filming location at that time. Although "Ghost Shadow" seemed to be easy to film, there were still many requirements for the filming environment. At least, the location you chose had to have some atmosphere.

  Mrs. Lawrence's original residence was not feasible, the space was cramped and crowded, not to mention that whenever a shoot was about to take place, those Indian guys on the third floor would gather around to watch the commotion. Yì Fēi Yáng didn't have the mood to constantly clear the scene again and again.

  As for Yi Feiyang, this rented old building has no eerie atmosphere at all. Who has ever seen such an ordinary and unremarkable old building that can be used to film a horror movie?

  So Yifeiyang made up his mind to carefully choose the shooting location and would not ruin his own plan for the sake of saving a few small dollars.

  The black old man happened to bump into them at this time, and in one sentence, "I have the filming location you need here", he directly fooled Yiyang over.

  Looking at the desolate and bleak house in front of him, where no one but ghosts would want to live, Yi Feiyang was very satisfied in his heart, but he couldn't show it on his face. He turned around and said to the old black man, "Where's the landlord? I'd like to have a word with him."

  The black old man, with an attitude of doing good things to the end, quickly brought over the landlord and said: "This is the head of this house, Mr. Smith, you talk."

  Smith is a black man in his fifties, like Black Dad, with a weathered face etched with the twists and injustices of life.

  "Hi, hello, friend, I'm Smith." Black Smith seemed very friendly.

  Yi Feiyang shook hands with him.

  "Delighted to make your acquaintance, dear Mr. Smith. We are currently filming a play and hope to rent this old house of yours."

  "Oh, I knew that already, buddy. No problem, I'm a warm-hearted person, but it still depends on how much rent you can pay?" Mr. Smith winked at Yifei Yang with a mercantile glint in his eye.

  This Smith is really a misfire, should have become a prostitute, so good at seducing people.

  Someone made an impolite judgment.

  "Hmm, if I remember correctly, the rent here shouldn't be too high, right?" Yi Feiyang said, looking around at the desolate surroundings.

  "Ah, you're wrong," said Mr. Smith. "You think this place looks desolate, but actually, this building is the only one around here with a hundred-year history! It's an antique, and you can't judge its value by simple thinking! Besides, something very terrifying happened here - a father shot his wife and daughter to death, all three of them died. Some people even say that at midnight, you can still hear the ghostly howls of the father. Such terrifying stories are rare. Many film crews want to come here to shoot scenes, but I find it troublesome, so I've refused them one by one... Yes, I refused them. Oh God, for the sake of the black old man, why don't we do this: 30 bucks a day, and you can use my house as you like!"

  Yi Feiyang smiled and looked at Mr. Smith and Black Daddy, saying: "Isn't 30 US dollars a day too little?"

  Mr. Smith was stunned.

  The black old man who secretly took kickbacks was also stunned.

  What does it mean?

  Is it too little?

  Never seen anything like this before

  Yi Feiyang smiled and said, "In my opinion, this building not only has a long history but also many ghost stories that people can't imagine, so the price can't be so cheap! 30 yuan is too little, how about 60 yuan which is more suitable?"

  Blacksmith was stunned.

  The black old man was completely stunned.

  Too distorted, human life values.

  Originally intended to eat a discount, but look at Ye's lovely, how kind.

  Smith thought so too, "This doesn't seem quite right." Never seen anyone raise their own price before.

  Yi Feiyang smiled, "What's wrong? 60 US dollars is already very low, calculated, you only need to pay me 5,000 US dollars, more than that, I don't want to take..."

  Smith was stunned again, what does it mean, got it backwards? It's not me giving you money, it's you who has to pay me rent!

  "Ah, no, dear Yi, it seems... you're the one who's supposed to pay the rent, how did it become Smith giving you money?"

  Yes, Old Man Smith was also bewildered, with a dazed expression, staring at Yi Feiyang.

  Yi Feiyang explained kindly: "Friends, have you read the latest newspaper?"

  "What newspaper, what does it mean?"

  "Oh, it's very simple," said Yi Feiyang. "Recently, the newspapers have been saying that various haunted houses and castles in the US are packed with people, and visitors are flocking to see them nonstop. Calculating at $10 per person, even an ordinary haunted house can earn $1,000 a day. Yes, $1,000! What are some of the famous haunted houses in the US? The Fox sisters' cottage?"

  Although the Fox sisters' cottage is not as well-known as other haunted locations, due to the haunting phenomena that occurred here and even spawned a belief system, it should be considered the most famous of all haunted cottages.

  "Or is it the Winchester Mystery House?" Yifei Yang said with a serious expression.

  In 1881, Sarah Wier, the widow of Oliver Wier, a well-known gunsmith, claimed she needed protection from all the malevolent spirits killed by Wier rifles. A medium suggested that she continually add rooms to her apartment in San Jose, California, to confuse and appease these spirits. She did so for 40 years, building over 100 rooms and staircases until her death in 1922. After her passing, it is said that her own spirit roams the labyrinthine apartment. Today, the apartment has become a tourist attraction and an eccentric monument to superstition and delusion.

  Faced with Easy's incredible idea, Mr. Smith and Black Daddy were both completely stunned.

  To be honest, in the United States, the Halloween industry has grown from $10 billion (approximately HK$60 billion) in annual revenue in 1996 to $80 billion (approximately HK$400 billion) today. Haunted attractions have transformed from seasonal activities to year-round events, which is not only due to the promotion of horror movies but also reflects Americans' innate fondness for thrillers.

  "Haha, so I'm saying, you only need to pay me $5,000 and I'll come here to film a movie. Yes, I can guarantee that it will be a horror movie that's so scary it'll blow your mind! With our movie being released, this old building of yours will become super popular! Everyone who sees it will ask where we filmed it. Oh God, when the time comes, I'll definitely loudly promote our collaboration relationship. Yes, I'm an honest person and I'll do just that!"

  Mr. Smith, as expected, was moved.

  Damn, how much is the rent for this house? It's not even guaranteed to be safe from natural disasters, and it might end up being a loss. But if it really becomes a haunted house... I can hardly imagine the future paved with gold and filled with US dollars.

  Let's just say that the American mentality of seeking novelty can attract a large number of tourists, and by then, they'll be making so much money from ticket sales alone that their wrists will go weak.

  Although Smith was black, his mind was brighter than anyone else's. In an instant, he had sorted out the pros and cons of the situation.

  To know that in the US, "ghost house" type of legends are very marketable, just look at the previous "Winchester Mystery House", not to mention other things, single-handedly tourism projects can earn tens of millions every year, for a small businessman like Smith, it's an unimaginable profit.

  "Cough, cough, you're absolutely right, dear Mr. Yi Feiyang. Yes, this is a genuine haunted house, and if you're willing to move in and film your 'Ghost Shadow Record', I'm sure it'll be a huge hit later on."

  "So your meaning is that you are willing to pay me $5,000?" Yì Fēi Yáng asked with some audacity.

  The old black man was thoroughly defeated by his shamelessness. He originally wanted to help an old friend, but didn't think... the opponent was too cunning.

  "Hmm, this matter, let's talk about it after your movie is released. If your movie really has such a strong promotional effect, don't mention $5,000, even if it's $10,000, I'm willing to pay! Yes, I promise God that I will definitely keep my word!"

  "Alright, dear Mr. Smith. I believe in your sincerity, so rest assured that through this play of mine, I will turn this house of yours into the most influential haunted house in American history!" Yi Feiyang stretched out his hand.

  Smith hesitated for a moment and then shook hands with him.

  Behind him, the old black man slapped his forehead, "Oh God, what a cunning fox!"

  Originally came to help old friends earn rent, ended up losing money!

  ……

  "Achoo!" Yi Feiyang let out another sneeze, suspecting that he might have actually caught a cold, or else been cursed by someone again.

  It's hard to be a good person nowadays.

  Doing some good deeds can also make people think you're a bad guy.

  He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his nose fiercely, then beckoned to the people around him, "Start moving equipment, prepare for filming, get ready to start shooting at any time!"

  It's already October 15th now, and the time left for myself is getting less and less.

  Next to Yì Fēi Yáng, there were Cindy, the photographer, Charlie, the lighting engineer, and Mickey, the makeup artist. The three of them followed Yì Fēi Yáng's instructions, moving various filming equipment, cameras, lights, props, and other miscellaneous items inside while secretly sizing up this two-story villa that was older than their grandmothers.

  In the wilderness, it's surprising to have such a magnificent villa. Especially when crows perch on nearby tree trunks from time to time, making eerie cries, the atmosphere of horror and surprise becomes even thicker.

  "Not to mention anything else, this Chinese boss's skills are not covered. Look, buddy, found a great shooting location." As a photographer, Cindy gestured with her hands to describe the shooting angle, praising.

  "Yeah, horror movies need this kind of atmosphere, by the way, guys, have you seen that Stephen King's 'Rose Red'? The haunted house in there is about as eerie as this building." said makeup artist Michi.

  "Hmm, I've seen that play you mentioned, it's just an adaptation of the Winchester Mystery House... But anyway, do you guys think this old building really has ghosts?" asked Charlie, the lighting engineer, with some concern.

  "Don't think nonsense, we're here to film, not to catch ghosts. And later, when you meet the director, that is, dear Director Yi, you must take care of your mouths and don't talk nonsense." Cindy reminded.

  "You guys don't know, buddy, those Chinese people are superstitious, they like to worship gods during the New Year, and even when there's nothing going on, they like to worship that red-faced god, God, it's really hard to understand them, their beliefs are too chaotic... Anyway, I heard this is one of their taboos, don't mention ghosts or spirits! Alright, let's go in."

  ……

  "Ah-choo!" Yi Feiyang, who was visiting the room, let out another sneeze. The dust around him swirled, and he covered his nose, coughing as he said to the person beside him, "Sweep this place clean, how can people live here?"

  Filming takes at least a week, in such a dusty place, how can I stand it.

  This time, Yi Feiyang's crew members are not many, roughly as follows:

  Director, Screenwriter: Yi Feiyang

  Photographer: Cindy

  Lighting Technician: Charlie

  Makeup Artist: Mickey

  Starring: Anne Hathaway, Mrs. Lawrence, Billy Boy, Black Sister Katie and others.

  Adding a few more miscellaneous assistants, there were no more than fourteen or fifteen people in total.

  After a thorough cleaning, the old building looked much brighter. Standing on the balcony of the second floor, Yiyang gazed down and saw the overgrown backyard full of weeds.

  "Wow, it's great! It has a strong 'Curse of Oakwood' feel to it." Yì Fēi Yáng said excitedly.

  Originally, this "Paranormal Activity" wears the cloak of a pseudo-documentary, but the content being filmed is actually the story of "The Grudge".

  If I remember correctly, the scene selection of that play in my previous life was also a desolate building and a residential area overgrown with weeds. Compared to it, the place I chose myself has an even more terrifying atmosphere.

  Just as Yi Feiyang was happily surveying the desolate surroundings, suddenly, a crow flew out from the treetops with a loud "caw", its black shadow shooting straight up into the clouds, startling Director Yi.

  "I'm scared, there really can't be ghosts here, right?! People all say that seeing crows is inauspicious..."

  As a Hongkonger, the superstition towards ghosts and gods is generally stronger than that of mainlanders. Otherwise, the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong wouldn't be so prosperous, nor would the incense offerings to Guan Gong be so popular.

  Although Yi Feiyang was not really afraid, facing this situation, he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive in his heart.

  "I hope this shoot goes smoothly and successfully." he thought.