Hollywood:Starting out as an MV director

As Zhang Ziyi finished her dance, she was left panting, her small face flushed from the exertion, making her look both tired and radiant.

However, hidden in her eyes were more than just exhaustion—they revealed unease and uncertainty about Ethan's reaction.

After waiting for several seconds without hearing anything, Zhang Ziyi cautiously raised her head and asked softly, "Director, how was my dance?"

Ethan nodded. "Not bad, Zhang. You've passed."

This was the final evening before the start of filming. From tomorrow, the production would officially begin.

"That's great." Zhang Ziyi's face lit up with a small leap of joy, and then she bowed deeply, her forehead touching the ground. "Thank you for your guidance."

"It's my job. But remember, if you don't meet expectations during filming, I won't show any mercy."

"Understood."

The next day, the crew officially started shooting. Ethan stood behind the camera, ready for the first scene, which featured the young version of Chiyo, played by Suzu Hirose.

This young actress had a lovely, vibrant charm, reminiscent of a lively fawn. However, on set, she appeared a bit shy—likely because she was surrounded by foreigners.

Dressed in a black-and-white checkered kimono and wearing small wooden clogs, she stood with her companions in front of a low wooden house.

The horse ranch had been completely transformed, with rows of low wooden houses, red and white lanterns hanging on the walls, and streets strewn with leaves.

With straw-matted walls and island-inspired totemic symbols, the set now resembled a living, breathing Japanese town.

Despite the short few months it had taken to build, anyone arriving at the set felt like they had stepped into an entirely different world.

While Suzu Hirose and her companions prepared for their scene, other actors stood by, observing.

This scene involved the largest number of actors and the most complex coordination in the film.

Chiyo and her companions would weave through the alleys and streets of the town, presenting the vibrancy of the era. This shot was crucial.

"Ethan, are you really going for a single take?" The assistant director, Rob, asked skeptically. Though he trusted Ethan's cinematographic skills and knew long takes were ideal for showcasing intricate environments, he still found it hard to believe.

The complexity of this scene far exceeded anything in Chicago, whether it was the lighting, crowd dynamics, or the actors' performances.

But Ethan was resolute. In the current era, long takes were among the most impactful and talked-about cinematic techniques. If executed well, they would captivate both audiences and critics.

Moreover, from a narrative standpoint, the scene was essential. It needed to make viewers feel like this was a living town, not just a cold, lifeless backdrop.

"So, every actor must be in their best form," Ethan said, picking up his walkie-talkie. "Are all departments ready?"

"Props team ready."

"Lighting team ready."

"Coordination team ready."

The coordination team was a new addition by Ethan, specifically to handle large-scale, multi-person scenes. After all, he couldn't shout instructions to such a large group by himself.

"Let's get started."

The crew member with the clapperboard stepped forward, and the actors, guided by the assistant director, prepared themselves.

"Scene 1, Take 1. Action!"

As the clapperboard left the frame, Chiyo and her companion began running forward.

On the monitor, Steven Spielberg, John Lone, and the other actors watched the scene unfold.

The camera slowly advanced down a sunlit street as the two young girls rushed into the frame, then turned right into a secluded alley.

The camera followed Chiyo as she ran from the sunlight into the shadows between the buildings. At one point, leaves drifted down from above, landing on the shoulders and hats of passersby.

Most of the men on the street wore suits with bowler hats and carried vintage leather briefcases, hurrying as if on their way to work.

Chiyo glanced back at the falling leaves but was urged forward by her companion. The two girls weaved through the crowd, the camera capturing the mist of morning meals, colorful skirts, and snatches of conversations.

They then ran through an alleyway. The camera elevated for an overhead shot of their backs, then quickly returned to ground level to follow them.

Finally, they reached a main street. The camera halted, revealing a wide view of the bustling town. In the distance stood a towering geisha house, while the foreground featured lively shops lining the streets.

"Cut!" Ethan called out.

Steven Spielberg immediately clapped in appreciation. "Fantastic shot."

John Lone nodded in agreement. "Although some of the actors' performances could improve, the shot itself is excellent."

Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi also felt that if every shot in the film maintained this level of quality, it might even have a chance at the Oscars.

However, Ethan wasn't satisfied.

"Props team, increase the number of falling leaves and use fans to scatter them more dynamically."

"Actors, stop looking at the camera! Five of you broke the fourth wall in that take. If it happens again, you're out."

"Chiyo's clogs are uneven—she nearly tripped. Fix them immediately."

After listing the issues, Ethan moved to the storyboard, which displayed an overhead view of the town and the planned route for the long take.

"Change the middle alley to this one. Add street vendors and hawkers."

"Got it," the assistant director said, heading off to relay the changes.

Thirty minutes later, everything was ready, and Ethan called for another take.

This time, Spielberg noticed a clear improvement in the scene's flow and visual appeal.

After wrapping up, Spielberg checked his stopwatch and found the take lasted three minutes. For a dialogue-free long take, it was impressive.

Yet, even though it was much better, Ethan insisted on a third attempt, striving for perfection.

By the fourth take, Ethan was finally satisfied, though it had taken the entire morning to achieve.

The following scenes progressed more quickly, especially those featuring Gong Li. She had captured the essence of her character, Hatsumomo, perfectly.

Her lines were delivered with a subtle undercurrent of jealousy and a barely-contained hysteria that was chillingly effective.

John Lone's turn came two scenes later in a pivotal moment where he and Chiyo meet on a bridge, planting the seeds of love in her young heart.

As the camera focused on Chiyo leaning against the bridge, surrounded by passersby, a well-dressed man suddenly stopped, turned back, and said, "Such a beautiful day—why aren't you smiling?"

The man stepped closer, crouching down. John Lone's refined face filled the frame, capturing Chiyo's gaze.

Chiyo shyly looked away, and John Lone smiled warmly. "Don't be so bashful. Everyone has their bad days."

When Chiyo turned her face back toward him, Ethan pushed the camera in, highlighting the tear in the corner of her eye.

Suzu Hirose, despite her young age, delivered a performance that rivaled seasoned actors. She perfectly conveyed the blend of confusion and unspoken emotions that made her character so endearing.

It was John Lone, however, who fell slightly short in this scene.

Just as Ethan was about to call "Cut," John raised his hand to pause the take.

"What's wrong?" Rob, puzzled, walked over. He thought the scene was excellent and couldn't understand why John wanted to stop.

"I feel my performance was lacking," John said frankly, turning to Ethan. "I need to adjust."

"No problem," Ethan said. He appreciated actors who could recognize and correct their own shortcomings.

A few minutes later, the scene was reshot. This time, John Lone was noticeably more relaxed. His expression and tone had a natural ease, as if he were simply chatting with a child on the street.

After buying Chiyo an ice dessert, he bent down and said gently, "For me, can you smile?"

Chiyo responded with a radiant smile, so bright it seemed to melt the hearts of everyone on set. The crew and cast couldn't help but smile back at her.

"Perfect! That's a wrap!" Ethan clapped as he walked over to Chiyo. The young actress tilted her head up, her smile even sweeter after the praise.

Turning to Zhang Ziyi, Ethan said, "You need to learn this smile."

"Smile?" Zhang Ziyi hadn't expected to receive a new task just from watching.

"Yes, because you're the grown-up version of her. This smile will be the most beautiful moment in the entire film, and you need to achieve this feeling."

"But I—"

"No excuses. If you can't do it, practice until you can."

"Understood."

Zhang Ziyi couldn't shake the feeling that Ethan was never fully satisfied with her performance. It was as if she was always a step behind, even compared to the child actors.

However, her determination wouldn't allow her to give up easily. It was that same drive that had brought her this far. She believed that, eventually, her skills would win Ethan over.

The filming of Memoirs of a Geisha continued progressing, but about a week later, a well-known celebrity suddenly showed up on set for a visit.

"It's Leonardo!"

"Oh my God, he's so handsome!"

"I can't believe I'm seeing him in person!"

Since Leonardo DiCaprio wasn't particularly trying to keep a low profile, many of the supporting actresses on set caught sight of the Hollywood heartthrob.

Of course, that title was only temporary.

"Is Ethan here? I need to talk to him," Leonardo asked with a polite smile, acknowledging the attention he was receiving.

"I'll find him for you right away!" one of the actresses replied enthusiastically before hurrying off to notify the crew.

Leonardo stood waiting, dressed in brown boots paired with a dark vest, exuding a sense of old-world charm. Last year, he had starred alongside Cate Blanchett in The Aviator, which went on to win five Academy Awards.

Unfortunately, none of those awards were his. He had only managed to secure a nomination for Best Actor.

The Golden Globes had been kinder, awarding him Best Actor, which elevated his status and income even further. But what he truly craved wasn't money—it was the elusive Oscar statuette.

This was his second nomination, yet the coveted prize still felt as distant as ever.

So when Ethan extended an invitation for him to participate in a shoot, Leonardo had accepted without hesitation and now found himself on set.

"Leonardo, over here." As these thoughts crossed his mind, he spotted Ethan up ahead and immediately approached him.

"This place looks amazing. Do you have a role for me?" Leonardo asked as he strolled through the Japanese-style streets, marveling at the setting. He realized he'd never worked on a film quite like this before.

Ethan spread his hands in mock regret. "Unfortunately, the only role I have for you would be as an invader."

"Well, in that case, I'll pass. A handsome invader like me would be too rare to believe," Leonardo quipped, making both of them laugh.

"Come on, let me show you the studio," Ethan said.

He opened the door to a room set up like a traditional Japanese tatami space, illuminated by an array of lights. No one else was present.

"Wow, this is really professional. But what exactly are we shooting?" Leonardo asked, stepping inside with curiosity.

"What are we shooting? Take off your clothes," Ethan replied without preamble.

"What?" Leonardo looked at him, startled. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I'm not. My photography exhibit's theme is the human form, so I need you to take off your clothes," Ethan explained, locking the door behind him. "Don't worry; there are no cameras here, and no one will see your naked body except me."

"Damn it. This is my first time stripping in front of a man," Leonardo muttered with a wry smile, feeling like he'd agreed to this far too impulsively.

"Well, it's my honor to be the first man in Hollywood to see Leonardo DiCaprio naked," Ethan joked, before adopting a more serious tone. "Hurry up—we're on a schedule."

"This whole situation sounds terrible, Ethan. I feel like you've hired me as some kind of escort," Leonardo retorted.

"That's your interpretation, not mine."

With the sound of clothing being removed, Leonardo stood under the lights, striking a pose reminiscent of a classical Greek statue. "Should I hold my arms like this to show off my armpits and muscles?"

Ethan gave him a deadpan look. "No. Put your arms down, and don't stick your butt out. I'm not into that."

"You're so harsh. Do you know if I struck this pose in a nightclub, everyone, men and women alike, would go wild for me?"

"I believe it. I really do. Now, stop sticking your butt out—my eyes!" Ethan groaned.

....

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