Chapter 205: Incomprehension.

The start of filming was confirmed for the first day of June.

It was an extremely tight schedule. According to Yu Seok, TW was already eager to get things moving and wanted filming to begin as soon as possible.

"The film division wants to ride the wave while the buzz around rising star Shin Yu Myeong and the joint appearance of Derek and Natalie is still hot. Meanwhile, the TV division needs the movie to succeed if they want to aim for season two of Casting Vote."

Nothing about Yu Myeong's daily life had changed much.

The only differences were that the rehearsal location had moved from the agency's practice room to the one prepared by the production company, Erchi had started attending rehearsals with them, and Kyler regularly stopped by to give directions before leaving.

Another difference was that ever since Yu Myeong presented his idea at their first meeting, Kyler had started asking far more questions.

"If we're filming this scene for the second time, I think it would be better to shoot the scenes Yu Myeong is in first, then have the camera follow the same movement path."

"Yes. The narration will be added in post-production, right? For the second shot, should I deliver the lines from outside the frame?"

"That would be best. It doesn't necessarily have to be Yu Myeong, but to capture Hetty's emotions, I think As's voice would work better."

"I'll do that."

"Also, I think handheld camera work (*a technique where the camera is held by hand while filming. It is used to create a sense of realism) would feel a little too chaotic. I think using a Steadicam (*a filming method where the camera is attached to the operator's body) would be better. A real person's vision would naturally shake quite a bit, but As is an alien, so a cleaner, more controlled movement would suit him."

"I agree with that, but... I have a suggestion."

Kyler lifted his gaze from the script.

"Rather than the shaking caused by movement, what if we incorporate the motions As intentionally makes into the camera work?"

"What kind of motions?"

"Tilting his head slightly or giving a small nod. Those subtle movements."

"Hmm... Is it for the sake of making alter A and alter B feel connected?"

Alter A referred to shots where As appeared on screen.

Alter B referred to shots shown from As's perspective.

Of course, the main shots they considered were alter B. The production company's perspective would probably be different, though.

"That is part of it. Sharp-eyed fans would notice those similarities with eagle eyes, and that alone would become a topic of discussion."

Yu Myeong explained to Kyler the discussion surrounding Where's Wally? that had become a hot topic after the release of Late Goryeo, Early Joseon, and Kyler looked deeply impressed.

"To that extent... That's an incredibly memorable story."

Kyler wrote down what Yu Myeong had told him in his notebook.

"Anyway, that's not the main reason. The real reason is immersion."

"Immersion... Hmm... Do those kinds of movements really help with immersion?"

"I want to give hints about the line that came right before."

"...?"

"If the voice carries a slight sense of confusion and the camera tilts slightly right after giving that hint, the audience will feel more like they're seeing things through their own eyes. Of course, the tilt can't be excessive."

"...For example?"

Yu Myeong held out his own script toward Kyler.

"The parts marked in blue here. If you apply them, you'll need to discuss the appropriate amount of movement with the cinematographer, so would you like to take a copy?"

It had only been a short time since he received the script, yet it was already filled with countless notes, leaving almost no empty space.

Especially with the blue pen, numerous key points had been marked throughout the script, and beside each point were detailed notes about As's movements and the thoughts and emotions those movements represented.

He already prepared this much?

That was the first time Kyler realized Yu Myeong was not simply a genius.

 <The Rivalry of Destiny? George vs. Kyler. New Films Begin Production at the Same Time. Will Release Dates Clash Again?>

"Haha, it only happened to overlap by coincidence. This project has been in preparation for a long time, and the casting was already completed. Surely our releases won't overlap as well. Director Kyler probably doesn't even have a finished script yet, while we are starting filming immediately and plan to move quickly so we can release it at the end of this year or early next year."

Derek listened to George's voice coming from the television and laughed incredulously.

"That's hilarious. A prepared project? From the person who offered me a casting proposal two weeks ago."

"Director Derek... received an offer?"

Derek had suddenly appeared at the rehearsal room and handed over a high quality lunchbox, making a point of mentioning that he had personally bought it from one of the best places.

They moved to the lounge, opened the lunchboxes, and turned on the television. That was when entertainment news about George began airing.

"It was before he knew I had taken the supporting role here. He kept contacting me, saying he really wanted to work together using the contact information we exchanged during Casting Vote. His ulterior motives were obvious, so I refused. Then he went after Owen."

"Ulterior... motives? Director George?"

Yu Myeong asked with a puzzled expression.

George, whom he had gotten to know over several months as a judge on Casting Vote, had always seemed like a generous, easygoing director with a hearty laugh.

His reputation among the contestants had also been excellent. Despite being a renowned Hollywood director, people said he treated even unknown actors kindly without discrimination.

But according to Derek's story...

Had that not been the truth?

"That man has an inferiority complex toward Kyler."

"...An inferiority complex?"

"You know the whole thing about them being rivals? The one who created that image was George himself."

"...?"

"Six years ago, when Kyler had struggled for a long time and was finally about to release his first film, it ended up opening on the same date as George's new movie, which was at the peak of his success. George had Richard Coleman as his lead actor, while Kyler had Miley Fillon."

At the time, Richard Coleman was one of the most sought after actors in the industry, and George was also at the height of his career.

Meanwhile, Miley Fillon had only appeared in a few works and had no experience as a lead actress, while Kyler was still an unknown newcomer director.

But against everyone's expectations, Kyler's Philosophia reached number one at the box office.

"It was incredible. Miley Fillon became one of Hollywood's most recognized actresses because of that one film."

"That movie... was truly impressive."

"After that, George Housley became strangely obsessed with beating Kyler. He started looking into Kyler's upcoming projects, taking actors who were already planned for his casts, and most importantly, he always timed his releases to coincide with Kyler's."

"Something like that happened..."

The generous laugh George had given while patting his shoulder came to mind.

Yu Myeong thought he had seen quite a lot of people, but the depths of human nature were impossible to know.

"Director George is already talented enough. Why would he go so far..."

"Exactly. The interesting part is that it isn't because he lacks ability. Humans really are diverse, aren't they? Remember when he joked during Casting Vote that he wanted to stop good actors from going to Kyler? Everyone laughed and thought it was just a joke. I think he meant it."

Yu Myeong felt a slight chill.

"Actually, I never told Kyler this, but that was one of the reasons I appeared on Casting Vote. Someone like me or Natalie was difficult for George to manipulate. If they had been easier targets, he probably would have tried something to eliminate you, Yu Myeong. Though I doubt it would have worked."

"Did you become a judge because you were worried Director Kyler would be disadvantaged?"

"Wanting to make a movie with that guy was the biggest reason."

Derek grinned.

"Then the fact that he approached Derek means..."

"He knew Kyler and I were friends, and he tried to tempt me by saying, 'Wouldn't you like to compete against Yu Myeong and Kyler at the same time?' He was so good at identifying people's desires that I almost fell for it. In the end, he found someone similar enough."

"Owen Whitfield...?"

An actor Yu Myeong liked.

The charming actor who had sat beside him at the gathering Derek brought him to and had spoken to him so kindly.

Was he also the same kind of person as George...?

"Forget what I said about similar. Owen isn't that petty. It's just that rather than choosing works that are fun to act in, he chooses works that look like they'll sell well. In that sense, they have something in common. His desire for success at the box office is stronger than his desire for the work itself."

"Hmm... Is that so..."

"Either way, if those two are going up against you, they won't be easy opponents. Owen has enormous public support, and George has a pretty sharp eye as a director. Well, that's exactly why he's so conscious of Kyler.

I'm sure they'll come at this side with everything they've got."

When Derek subtly tried to intimidate him, Yu Myeong smiled and answered.

"Well, it's not like 'we' are easy opponents either, right?"

At those words, Derek burst into laughter.

Apparently, he liked the confidence of a rising Hollywood star who casually grouped himself and Derek together as "we."

 Click.

Yu Myeong clicked on the email with an excited heart.

Mimicry_final.doc

The completed script for Mimicry.

Kyler had said that the script could still change significantly depending on the actors' performances, but regardless, this was the core of the film.

Its starting point.

Whirring, whirring—

Warm sheets of paper quickly emerged from the printer.

How will the story continue from here?

Seeing the ending of a story that had already begun was always thrilling.

Yu Myeong carefully reread the first act he had seen before.

As: "You... play the piano in a very unique way, don't you?"

Hetty: (Her body trembles against her will.) "Hello? Uh... Why am I like this..."

As: "Are you okay? You're not sick or anything, are you? I'm As Predator."

Hetty: "I know. Is there anyone at our school who doesn't know you?"

He moved on to the second act.

Hetty: "Stop making that expression. Show me the real you."

As's smile disappears, revealing his expressionless face. Hetty trembles unconsciously under the overwhelming presence surrounding him.

As: "Are you going to... tell me to leave now?"

Hetty: "...No. Because I love you. But I want an explanation."

ㅡ

As: "Sis, since you're a psychiatrist, let me ask you something. How can she... do that?

Even though there's no chance of being acknowledged, she doesn't give up and says she only needs to get a little better every day, then she plays the piano. Even after seeing someone like me, she says she'll accept me because she loves me. I've analyzed and understood people, but she always produces results that fall outside the sample. How is that possible?"

ㅡ

As: (Talking to himself) "She can't be near me... She'll be in danger."

ㅡ

Hetty: "You never loved me in the first place."

And then the third act.

As's monologue.

"At first, she was nothing more than a sample error. A slightly strange value that stood out because it deviated from the norm. But when I realized that her 'difference' meant accepting countless losses, that she refused to listen to the voice telling her to prioritize her own comfort, that she remained upright without wavering, something I had never felt before began to emerge inside me.

I wanted her to never change, and I thought I would be willing to sacrifice myself for that."

Something transparent fell from Yu Myeong's eyes.

Those tears were not merely a reaction to a good piece of writing.

They came from somewhere much deeper.

Miho...

Had Kyler truly been able to see his essence?

Yes.

If he were to talk about his own essence, how could Miho possibly be left out?

When he had only seen the first act, he had wondered if it was merely a coincidence.

But after receiving the completed script, he knew for certain.

The relationship between As and Hetty represented the relationship between Miho and himself.

On the night when Miho threw herself in front of the tyranny of the Celestial Realm and blocked it,

she had spoken of her own sacrifice as if it were nothing.

She treated what she had lost as something unavoidable and even volunteered to provide the help Yu Myeong needed for his own benefit.

Just as humans gained meaning to As because of Hetty,

Miho's attitude toward him had gradually changed as well. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Interest became concern.

Concern became support.

At some point, Miho had become his family, his companion, and his greatest teacher.

Was this... how Miho felt too?

He savored each and every line written in the script again.

If Kyler had sensed both his past self and Miho through him and written this script because of that,

then when he memorized the lines, repeated his rehearsals, and performed on the actual set...

would he be able to understand Miho's feelings even a little more?

To do that...

—Misunderstanding—

Yu Myeong wrote a single word on the very last page of the script.

For understanding to exist, misunderstanding had to come first.

Understanding the feeling of being unable to understand humans.

That was the first task Yu Myeong set for himself.