Chapter 424 - 281: Zog’s Armory Was Stolen?

Chapter 424: Chapter 281: Zog’s Armory Was Stolen?

"What?"

"When I was filming with Director Huan, we often had to redesign, change, and experiment with a single shot many times to figure out how to film it. But you seem to be completely sure about how to shoot every scene. How do you do it?"

Lavin’s eyes were filled with a thirst for knowledge.

"Hahaha, ah, well..."

Because he was just copying it all.

That was the truth of the matter, but Zog certainly couldn’t answer like that.

"It’s because before I shoot any scene, I completely map it out in my head. I establish the exact effect I’m looking for. During the actual shoot, I just have to follow the plan. It’s much more efficient that way."

Zog said with a straight face, patting Lavin’s shoulder with his claw.

"Visualize it ten thousand times, and you’ll shoot like a god. Huan is still too young. He needs more practice."

"So that’s how it is. That’s incredible."

Just as Zog finished putting on his act, the crew finished packing up the equipment, and the group set off for the city.

The entire shooting schedule was packed, with many scenes to film each day.

The scenes inside the police station were delayed, requiring several retakes before they were approved.

Using the workers as extras was a bit of a stretch. Even when the camera wasn’t focused on them, they would get nervous, making their movements awkward.

The more people a scene required, the more trouble there was. If even one person made a mistake, they had to start over.

’I have no idea how those directors who insist on filming huge scenes with tons of people, all in a single take, manage to do it.’

Thankfully, Zog didn’t have such lofty artistic ambitions.

With constant stops and starts, they cobbled together enough footage to edit the scene.

Lavin watched and learned from the side, but he felt something was a little strange.

’This is Mr. Zhuoge—the man highly praised by Director Huan, the recognized founder and pinnacle of the art of the Shadow of Evil—so why does he seem so relaxed and casual while directing?’

’He’s completely unlike Director Huan, who’s incredibly serious during shoots, tolerates no mistakes, often flies into a rage, starts cursing, and sometimes loses handfuls of hair over a single scene.’

’I get it now. So this is the legendary demeanor of a master?’

’Mr. Zhuoge is truly in a class of his own, so different from ordinary directors.’

’As for Director Huan...’

’He really is too young. He needs more practice.’

Once the scenes with the extras were done, Zog took advantage of the police chief’s availability. On other days, the chief had to be on the front lines leading officers against Magical Beasts, so Zog hurried to film all his scenes as Crawford, the female lead’s superior.

The shoot continued straight into the evening.

For the actors and crew, working more than ten hours a day was commonplace.

But was it hard work? Not really. It was certainly tough for the low-level actors, but those with even a little bit of fame couldn’t really complain about hardship.

They were served by a whole team of support staff, and their hourly wage was absurdly high.

Countless people would have loved to endure such "hardship," but they never got the chance.

That evening, Zog still didn’t rest. Instead, he prepared to shoot Buffalo Bill’s first appearance.

Since Lavin, who played Buffalo Bill, was present, he figured they might as well film his scenes first.

Conveniently, aside from the ending where he gets killed by the female lead, the character of Buffalo Bill never shared a frame with any other main characters, making his scenes perfect for shooting separately.

Buffalo Bill’s first appearance was late at night. He’d pretend to be struggling to move a sofa for his "move," luring over a female victim he’d been stalking for a long time, then kidnapping her.

The scene wasn’t complicated. It was just meant to show that Buffalo Bill had dark vision and that he paid close attention to the size of his victim’s clothing, hinting at the motive for his crimes.

The shoot went very smoothly.

The only thing was, Lavin was terrifying when he got into character, a stark contrast to his usual gentle and refined image. He seemed to have genuinely scared the actress he was performing with.

As soon as Zog yelled "Cut!", she scrambled away in terror, putting a considerable distance between herself and Lavin. She wouldn’t even let him get close when he tried to approach and apologize.

"Alright, alright, just take a moment to calm down. It’s no big deal. If you’re really left with some trauma, we can have an Elf Mage wipe your memory."

Zog said. It was already quite late.

"That’s a wrap for today! Great work, everyone. Head home and get some rest. We’ve got more to shoot tomorrow."

After he spoke, the crew members present all began to leave.

The shooting location for this scene was within the city, not far from their hotel. Those who lived locally had their travel expenses reimbursed, while Zog simply flapped his wings and flew away.

Lavin declined the offer from a female colleague who wanted to give him a ride home. Good looks brought benefits in all aspects of life.

Because he was usually quiet and had almost zero social life, no one walked with him.

He deliberately slowed his pace until, gradually, he was the only one left on the street.

Lavin glanced around warily. There was no one else.

Taking a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind about something, he broke into a run, heading in the opposite direction of his lodgings.

He was going to the Firearms Division of the Science and Technology Research Institute.

He had gone over what he was about to do many times.

’I have to do it.’

’For the sake of my millions of compatriots suffering from the ravages of war, I have to do it.’

Lavin, a refugee from Augustine City.

Compared to most of his compatriots, he was one of the lucky ones.

When his family heard that another large-scale conflict might break out between the Villain Kingdom and the city-state, they chose to flee their home. They were very lucky; the war began just as his family crossed the city-state’s border.