19: Tianlong starts filming

With the filming of demi-gods and semi-devils about to begin, Big Beard Zhang arrived at the production crew.

He also learned that Big Beard Zhang had been traveling to various Demi-Gods film studios these past few days.

For this single Demi-Gods television project, he collaborated with multiple locations to build Demi-Gods City film studios for tourism. He was carrying out his money-making scheme to the very end.

"Xiuwu, the reporters might ask you questions at the opening press conference later. Be careful," Zhou Xiaowen specifically came over to remind him.

"Thank you, Teacher Zhou," Li Xiuwu thanked him. Zhou Xiaowen truly cared about him, which was why he took the initiative to come and warn him.

"You're welcome. Just watch your words in front of the media."

During the recent start of the school year, the Beijing Film Academy had gained quite a bit of prestige among various art schools by using Li Xiuwu's reputation as the top scholar.

During this period, Li Xiuwu represented the Beijing Film Academy to a certain extent. Wang Jinsong had personally called to ask Zhou Xiaowen to give Li Xiuwu more guidance and care.

"I understand, I'll be careful," Li Xiuwu nodded in agreement, sensing the importance Zhou Xiaowen placed on this.

Zhou Xiaowen left after saying a few words; he was quite busy with the filming about to start.

"Director Zhou is too good to you." Yifei was jealous. She had been standing right next to Li Xiuwu, but Zhou Xiaowen hadn't said a word to her, even though she was also a student at the Beijing Film Academy.

Li Xiuwu nodded in acknowledgment; Zhou Xiaowen had indeed been very good to him during this time.

"You should also be careful later. You're playing Wang Yuyan, and I doubt the media will pass up the chance to interview you," Li Xiuwu reminded Yifei.

Yifei stared at Li Xiuwu with wide eyes.

"Xiuwu, please look after Xixi a bit later." Liu Xiaoli also realized the issue and instinctively instructed Li Xiuwu.

"No problem, Auntie. I'll keep an eye on her."

The opening press conference began shortly, and the media reporters had already set up their cameras.

Led by Big Beard Zhang, everyone went onto the stage together. After some impassioned speeches, the media was allowed to conduct free interviews.

"Student Li Xiuwu, could you tell us how you obtained this role?" a media reporter interviewed him.

Li Xiuwu was undoubtedly the most talked-about among these actors. Although he was a newcomer, who could ignore the fact that he was the top scholar of the college entrance examination with a perfect score who had rejected Tsinghua and Peking University?

In this era, celebrities were still not as respected as scholars.

A top scholar rejecting top universities to go into acting was a highly trending topic. During this time, Li Xiuwu had become a prime example of someone "going astray."

"Several Yu Mins invited me to audition after seeing the video of my art exam at the Beijing Film Academy. I was also very surprised to get this role. Since the Yu Mins trust me, I will definitely work hard to play the role of Duan Yu well," Li Xiuwu replied.

The media reporters frowned; they wanted a more sensational answer.

"Student Li Xiuwu, what made you give up prestigious schools like Tsinghua and Peking University to choose the Beijing Film Academy? Many scholars say you've gone astray. What's your take on that?"

"Tsinghua, Peking University, and the Beijing Film Academy are all excellent institutions in their respective fields. I don't believe studying art is going astray. Enriching the leisure time of the general public is also a very important job."

"Everyone, today is the press conference for Demi-Gods. Let's not get off-topic. Time is limited, and each actor can only be asked two questions."

The media reporters were still unsatisfied and wanted to continue, but they were interrupted by Zhou Xiaowen.

Seeing that both questions were directed at Li Xiuwu and that he had answered them well, Zhou Xiaowen decisively cut off the interview.

"Liu Yifei, as a non-professional newcomer, how did you become the actress for the female lead, Wang Yuyan?" After a round of interviewing other actors, a reporter turned to Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei answered with a clear mind, showing no restraint in front of the reporters and responding graciously.

"First, I am not a newcomer; I have already filmed a television series that hasn't aired yet. Second, I am not non-professional; I am a student in the Class of 2002 Performance Department at the Beijing Film Academy."

"How do you interpret the character of Wang Yuyan?"

"Infatuated, simple, cultured. Having lived on an island for a long time, she has little contact with outsiders and lacks social awareness."

..."The auspicious hour has arrived. Bow to Heaven and Earth." The opening press conference ended, and everyone arrived at the film set.

The "Three Sacrifices" had already been laid out here. Three one-meter-long incense sticks were lit. Behind the incense burner was a camera covered with a red cloth.

The actors and staff of the production crew held three sticks of incense in their hands.

Li Xiuwu felt it was a bit strange how modern things like filming a movie and ancient superstitions like worshipping gods blended so naturally.

Holding the incense, he followed the others in bowing once to each of the four directions and three times to the camera.

A ten-thousand-round firecracker crackled and popped, and confetti cannons shot into the sky.

"demi-gods and semi-devils, Scene One, starting now."

Li Xiuwu was personally present at the filming site, watching the production crew operate and learning how to act.

The first shot was relatively simple, starting with a solo shot of Xiao Feng for good luck.

"Cut! It's a wrap." As Zhou Xiaowen's voice fell, everyone burst into applause.

After having an opening banquet in the evening, the production crew officially began filming.

Li Xiuwu's scenes weren't filmed starting from his first appearance in the series. His first scene was drinking with Xiao Feng in a restaurant.

Li Xiuwu changed into his period costume. He had a tall, straight posture and handsome features. He tidied up his appearance.

"Is Duan Yu ready?" Director Yu's voice came over.

"I'm ready." Li Xiuwu walked over with measured steps, and everyone's eyes lit up.

White robes with wide sleeves, elegant and graceful—what a fine young gentleman in a chaotic world.

The eyes of many women in the crew lit up.

"Not bad," Yu Min also nodded in praise. With this appearance, the audience would surely be satisfied.

Yu Min explained today's scenes and points of attention to Li Xiuwu.

"Whatever you do, don't look at the camera. Act as if the camera doesn't exist. You must have a sense of conviction for the character." Since it was Li Xiuwu's first time filming, he had to give these instructions multiple times.

"Okay, Director Yu." Li Xiuwu nodded. Over the past few days, he had been watching others act and had received some guidance from Zhou Xiaowen.

He sat at the production's wine table, ready to start filming.

[Detection: Host is casting an illusion. Charm Aura activated.]

Li Xiuwu felt a change in the aura around him, but he couldn't quite describe it.

"Good!" Behind the monitor, Zhou Xiaowen couldn't help but shout. Beside him, Zhao Jian also couldn't help but look at the monitor.

"He was born to be an actor," he couldn't help but say.

Sitting there, Li Xiuwu looked like an ancient swordsman who had accidentally wandered into the present.

"Action!" Yu Min shouted, and filming began.

Hearing the start, Li Xiuwu naturally grabbed the wine pot, poured himself a drink, drained the bowl in one gulp, and then observed the various walks of life in the restaurant.

He saw Xiao Feng, and his gaze focused.

"Waiter," he spoke, his voice light and gentle.

"Coming!" The extra playing the Waiter ran over.

"That gentleman's bill is on me."

"Alright!" The Waiter glanced back at Xiao Feng and raised no objection.

Next, members of the Beggar's Sect ran in, and the scene shifted to Xiao Feng's side.

"Over-the-shoulder shot, keep Duan Yu in the frame." Li Xiuwu had no lines; he drank wine with a free and easy manner, serving as the foreground of the shot.

Although the focus of the shot was Xiao Feng and the Beggar's Sect members, Li Xiuwu, at the edge of the frame, drinking wine with unrestrained grace, had already caught people's eyes.

"Cut!" Yu Min's voice came over.

"It's a wrap. Excellent."

Yu Min was very happy. He had been prepared to film ten or twenty takes, but he hadn't expected it to pass in one go.

This newcomer truly was born to be an actor. Sitting there, he had a natural aura; he looked good no matter how he was filmed.

"Wow, you actually passed in one take!" Yifei looked at him with shining eyes.

When she first started acting, she had been scolded until she cried. She hadn't expected Li Xiuwu to be so amazing.

"Is that so? I didn't feel like acting was that difficult," Li Xiuwu said.

Yifei gave him a big eye-roll.