Possessed 10 Million Actors-Chapter 16

In a studio at BDD Broadcasting Station, numerous veteran staff members hurriedly went about their tasks. Some were adjusting lights, while others maneuvered cameras.

Among them, a woman, though petite, displayed an unusual strength as she stood with her arms crossed, a furrowed brow accentuating her frustration. Consulting her wristwatch, she mumbled under her breath.

“7 minutes 26 seconds…”

After a moment of contemplation, she scrutinized her staff and addressed them with authority:

The staff, visibly tense under the oppressive atmosphere, listened intently.

“It took 7 minutes and 26 seconds to arrange the camera, set the lightings, coordinate the lines, and position the microphone in the studio.”

“···.”

“Are we shooting anything today? Will the sunset rise before we’re ready?”

Despite her calm tone, the mere sound of her voice sent a chill down the spines of the staff.

“S-sorry! Director!”

“Excuse me, does the camera operate itself?”

“No!”

“So is this inside or outside?”

The cold voice belonged to Eom Hyeryeong, the director of cinematography. She always initiated this routine before the commencement of any shoot.

The staff’s efficient collaboration had a purpose, primarily to sustain a high level of tension. In the unpredictable environment of a film set, a momentary lapse in focus could lead to serious accidents. Eom Hyeryeong’s commitment to maintaining tension was well-known among the staff.

However, acknowledging the necessity of tension didn’t make it any less challenging.

“···Humans can achieve anything if they work hard. And the pyramids were indeed created by humans.”

“Lord, I feel like I’m going to die. Was the camera originally this heavy?”

“I feel like I’m back when I was a freshman…”

‘Please. Someone, please save me. Anything is fine, just let me do something other than this…’

The continuous rehearsals seemed to be driving the staff to the edge. Observing their struggle, Eom Hyeryeong exuded an air of dissatisfaction.

“Tsk…”

Nevertheless, even she thought to herself, ‘This isn’t that bad.’ She found satisfaction in acknowledging, “The skill level of this staff is high.”

Suddenly, Jinseok came to her mind, catching Eom Hyeryeong’s attention.

‘How should I capture the feeling when filming him on the first day of shooting?’

Despite having detailed plans for filming Jinseok, those were just setups. No matter how meticulously you plan, the actual footage may diverge significantly from your expectations once the lights and camera are on the actor’s face.

‘The other actors are more seasoned, so I can gauge their general demeanor… but he’s a newcomer.’

Jinseok, with an audition video that sparked anticipation, possessed a distinctive quality in his acting that set him apart. Eom Hyeryeong eagerly awaited Jinseok’s first day of shooting.

‘With his good looks and acting skills, even a rough shot would turn out well, but that’s not an option.’

There was an actor Eom Hyeryeong coveted, one whose image she couldn’t afford to tarnish with casual filming. Despite the desire to video a shot before the shoot, it was an unrealistic wish.

Even as a seasoned cinematographer, she couldn’t summon actors at will. Despite being a rookie with no debut, she had something she needed to safeguard.

‘I’ll have to exert extra effort that day, no matter how challenging it may be. There’s no other choice.’

The moment when regret was sinking in for Eom Hyeryeong, about to dismiss the staff once more, a distinctive ringtone echoed.

‘Who could it be?’

Eom Hyeryeong reached for her pocket to retrieve her phone.

The caller ID displayed ‘Kang Jinseok.’

***

[This is the Director of cinematography]

A familiar, low voice emanated from the phone. Eom Hyeryeong took a deep breath to ease her tension, composed herself, and spoke with politeness.

“Ah, Director Eom Hyeryeong! Hello! This is Kang Jinseok! Did you have dinner? The weather is nice today! Sorry for contacting you on the weekend!”

[Is everything okay? Does something happened?]

Eom Hyeryeong’s voice sounded gentler than anticipated, granting Jinseok a bit of courage. He responded even more politely.

“I have a personal video I need to shoot, but when I looked for a studio, all the good ones were fully booked… “I reached out to the director to see if she knows anyone who could help!”

[···.]

Eom Hyeryeong, upon hearing my explanation, remained silent. Though only a few seconds passed, my nervousness had me sweating profusely.

Her image was so formidable in my memory.

‘···Is she upset?’

Bracing myself for an apology, I received an unexpected response.

[If that’s the case, why go to a studio? I can take the videos. We’re at a broadcasting station now, so come over.]

“I apologize… really?”

[I’ll take the videos for you. Just come. You said it’s something that needs to be filmed.]

It was a completely unforeseen reply. I initially asked for a studio recommendation, and here she was offering to take the videos herself.

But if it worked, it worked.

“Yes! “I’m on my way!”

[How long until you arrive?]

“To···. “I think I can make it in about an hour.”

[Great. I will come back after eating with the staff, so please come to Studio A-1 on the 6th floor. You know where it is, right?]

“Yes, I know, but…”

What about the staff?

This was also unexpected.

“…But the staff? Are you with the staff right now?”

[Then should I film alone? Of course, I have to take videos with the staff. Anyway, see you in the studio.]

“Oh, yes! Of course! “I’ll leave right now!”

As soon as he answered, Eom Hyeryeong hung up. I held onto the phone for a long time even after the call ended.

In a daze, Seo Yeonsoo asked, “Oppa, who were you talking to? Who is the director of cinematography, Eom Hyeryeong?”

Only then did I come to my senses.

“Uh? Uh, that… Director of cinematography for <Dream of the Sun Rising>. “I asked just in case… so you’re saying that the college entrance exam video will be filmed by a drama cinematographer…?”

“Uh···. “How did it happen that way…?”

Seo Yeonsoo muttered quietly.

“···It’s a munchkin. The recommendation is from a current actor and a producer, and the video shoot is from a drama cinematographer… “There’s no way I can help.”

Seo Yeonsoo said something at quite a length. However, I couldn’t hear it well because of the surrounding game sounds.

” A Zombies Incoming?”

“It’s nothing. Ah! Can I go with you? I will tour the broadcasting station and give you advice on how to introduce yourself as you go. “Even though I look like this, I’m still a student at Seonguk University.”

Seo Yeonsoo said, squeezing her hands tightly.

With more earnest eyes than usual.

‘I guess you want to go to the broadcasting station… Well, I was really excited the first time I went.’

“It’ll probably be okay. The director of cinematography is scary, but she’s also kind. “I’m sure she’ll allow it.”

Seo Yeonsoo smiled brightly at my words and stood up from her seat.

“Go quickly.”

“That’s right. “I think we can leave right now.”

“But where are we going?”

In response to her question, I turned off the computer, put a chair in her place, and said,

“BDD Broadcasting Station.”

“···.”

“Why?”

Seo Yeonsoo muttered again inaudibly.

“Even a studio… a broadcasting station. Complete balance collapse…”

***

Seo Yeonsoo and I arrived a little earlier than our scheduled time and were looking around the studio that Eom Hyeryeong had mentioned.

Seo Yeonsoo was amazed as she looked at the camera placed in the studio.

“And···. “There’s a lot of filming equipment.”

“I know. “What on earth are they filming so that it needed this much filming equipment?”

At that time, the studio door opened, and numerous staff members came in.

There were many familiar faces. These were the staff members I had previously seen during the reading of <Dream of the Sun Rising>.

‘I knew there were staff, but I didn’t know there would be this many.’

Among them, cinematographer Eom Hyeryeong quickly approached. She exudes a presence that cannot be ignored.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Yes! First of all, thank you so much for helping me with the filming!”

“Hello. “I wanted to take your videos anyway.”

“Yes? “What does that mean…?”

“Don’t worry. So what are you filming? Settings vary depending on the type of videos being shot. So please explain in as much detail as possible.”

When Eom Hyeryeong asked, the staff around her focused on me. They all were looking at me with sparkling eyes.

I don’t know if it was my mood, but everyone was very welcoming to me.

‘Is it because we’re filming this weekend… ‘As expected, they are very kind people.’

When I saw their bright expressions, I gained a little confidence. So I spoke in a slightly brighter voice.

“I’m planning to go to college this year. So, I have to video my self-introduction and free performance.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the surroundings became quiet for a moment. Everyone seemed a little perplexed.

Even Eom Hyeryeong, who had been expressionless the entire time, looked dumbfounded.

“Well, so. Do you want me to film a video for your college entrance exam? Is that it? Could it be that the video you had to personally film was for a university entrance exam?”

Her voice trembled. Fortunately, she didn’t seem angry, although a bit embarrassed.

“Yes! You’re right!”

As I confirmed it again, Eom Hyeryeong covered her face.

“Under… No, I said I would take the videos, so I will take the videos…”

Unlike Eom Hyeryeong’s initial reaction, the other staff members continued to have bright expressions. It seemed like she didn’t mind filming anything.

After a while, cinematographer Eom Hyeryeong, who had returned to her usual expression, shrugged her shoulders and said.

“Well, okay. Anyway, I wanted to capture various aspects of Jinseok. No rough shots. “I will take care of everything from filming to editing, so be prepared.”

Then, she immediately turned around and instructed the staff to do something.

The staff moved quickly according to Eom Hyeryeong’s instructions. They looked like soldiers preparing for battle.

‘It’s really neat.’

While observing the staff, Eom Hyeryeong inquired, “So, how are you planning to introduce yourself?”

“Oh, that’s it…”

She continued by gesturing towards Seo Yeonsoo, who stood a step behind, looking anxious.

“I was discussing it with this friend earlier, and I wanted to talk about why I started acting and how I have lived my life so far.”

“It’s ordinary, but it’s okay. “Is there anything written separately?”

“Yes. “Here it is.”

I retrieved a piece of paper from my bag. It was a self-introduction script carefully placed to avoid wrinkles.

“I’ll read it.”

Eom Hyeryeong took the script, glanced over it, and then tilted her head as if something was missing.

“Hmm···. “It doesn’t have much impact, does it?”

Seo Yeonsoo flinched at her words. The self-introduction script that cinematographer Eom Hyeryeong was reading had been edited by Seo Yeonsoo.

She inquired, looking at Seo Yeonsoo, who stood behind her, “Who are you? “He’s a pretty friend, but is she your girlfriend?”

“No. she’s a friend who works part-time with me. My friend is majoring in acting at Seoguk University, and she said she wanted to check out the broadcasting station, so I brought her here. sorry.”

Eom Hyeryeong took turns looking at me and Seo Yeonsoo. Then she smiled slightly and addressed Seo Yeonsoo.

“Are you okay? “More than that, did you write this?”

“Oh, no. Jinseok oppa writes it all and I just… “I just edited it a little bit.”

Eom Hyeryeong nodded and responded.

“Okay. It was well written, but something was a little disappointing. “I’m not the right person to evaluate the writing, though.”

At Eom Hyeryeong’s words, Seo Yeonsoo gave me an apologetic look. Of course, I didn’t mind it at all.

“Are you okay? “I appreciate your effort.”

“Still···. Sorry. We have to fix it again…”

At that moment, a disheartened Seo Yeonsoo hesitated to speak.

“Well then, can I take a look? “I’m pretty good at editing, too.”

A familiar voice came from behind me.

“Uh? Writer? “What’s going on here…?”

“I stopped by because I had some business to run, and when I heard that Jinseok was here, I came to say hello. Long time no see. “How have you been?”

He looked back and found that Lee Yuna, the rising star writer of <Dreams of the Rising Sun>, had stepped forward to offer help.

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