Post-Production

In the afternoon, Li Xun unexpectedly received a call from Dai Ying's mother.

"Little Li, Auntie actually found a place for you. It's in the same building as Yingying's apartment, but hers is on the 9th floor, and this one is on the 5th. When can you come take a look? Housing in this area is quite tight, you don't want someone else to snatch it up."

"Thank you, Auntie Liu. I appreciate you going to the trouble. Should I come over right away?"

"Alright, I'll send you the agent's number then."

After hanging up, Li Xun set out on his delivery scooter. Not long after he rode out, he received a call from Dai Ying.

"Director Kong is at Liehuo Film and Television Post-production Company doing editing. Go assist him."

Li Xun asked, "What use would I be at post-production? I've never dealt with any of that before!"

Dai Ying said, "Time is really tight this time. Young Bao Qingtian needs to be released before the Lunar New Year. We ideally need to finish all post-production within three days and aim for an official release three days after that. Director Kong thinks that with you there to discuss things, it might go faster."

At the same time, in an editing room at Liehuo Film and Television Post-production Company in Jing City, editor Chen Yuanli was working diligently. Director Kong Teng sat beside him, and they occasionally discussed things.

Chen Yuanli stretched widely and turned to Kong Teng. "Director, you should rest. Rushing post-production won't help; the workload is just what it is. Even if you don't sleep for three days and three nights, you might not finish all the post-production. If you absolutely must finish everything in three days, it's not impossible. You could just outsource the whole thing and set a deadline, but the final quality might not be guaranteed."

Kong Teng picked up a can of cola and took a few gulps to clear his head. He then said, "There's no choice; the higher-ups are placing too much importance on this deadline. Oh, a helper will be here soon. Once he arrives, maybe our speed can increase a bit more."

Chen Yuanli asked curiously, "Director Kong found reinforcements? Did you invite some big shot from the editing world? I'll have to learn a lot from them!"

Kong Teng chuckled, "What big shot from the editing world? I've asked the screenwriter for this show. I think he might be able to help a bit."

Chen Yuanli asked, "The screenwriter? Has he worked in editing before?"

Kong Teng shook his head. "I haven't heard of that."

Chen Yuanli laughed. "So he's an outsider. How can he help? It'd be good if he doesn't make things worse!"

Kong Teng also smiled and shook his head. "I don't know what I was thinking at the time. I just inexplicably felt that with him here, the speed might increase. Then, inexplicably, I asked President Dai for someone. Thinking back, I must have been out of my mind from being so busy!"

"How did Director Kong get out of his mind?" Li Xun said with a smile as he walked in, having just heard the word "out of his mind."

Kong Teng stood up and introduced them. "Editor Chen, this is the screenwriter Li I just told you about, Li Xun. And this is editor Chen Yuanli."

"Hello, Editor Chen!"

"Hello, Screenwriter Li!"

After a short break, the editing work resumed.

This was Li Xun's first time experiencing editing work, and he was curious about everything. He didn't say much at first, mainly familiarizing himself with the workflow.

During this time, Kong Teng would discuss things with Li Xun for a bit, then with Chen Yuanli for a bit. Time passed without them realizing it.

An hour later, everyone stood up to stretch. Those who needed to use the restroom went, and upon returning, they continued working.

During this period, Chen Yuanli remarked, "It does seem a bit faster, but finishing all post-production in three days? I still think it's very difficult!"

Kong Teng nodded. "If it really doesn't work out, we can edit and release two episodes first."

"Can you cut about 15 frames from this section and move it to..."

Li Xun suddenly interjected.

After observing for a while, he had a good grasp of the communication style between Director Kong and the editor. Now, he had some ideas forming in his mind, so he imitated their approach, combining it with the images in his head, and offered his suggestions to the editor.

The editor glanced at Director Kong, who nodded.

The editor then proceeded to operate according to Li Xun's request.

The effect seemed quite good.

"Try cutting two seconds from before this part where Bao Zheng crawls under the table, and remove the entire shot of him looking towards Gongsun Ce!"

Kong Teng nodded approvingly from the side.

As soon as Li Xun finished speaking, he immediately understood the purpose behind Li Xun's suggestion and the effect he wanted to achieve. However, if he had to come up with it himself, he might have taken several minutes to give the editor the same suggestion.

"Cut about ten seconds from the beginning and end of this section; too many shots are being used!"

Chen Yuanli no longer sought the director's opinion. After Li Xun made a suggestion, he started editing.

Having been an editor for a long time, they could tell whether someone else's suggestion was good or made sense.

Chen Yuanli had extensive experience. Often, as soon as Li Xun made a suggestion, he would instantly grasp Li Xun's true intention and the desired effect.

Gradually, their collaboration became more seamless, and the editing speed increased accordingly.

Two hours later, about a dozen staff members from Liehuo Post-production Company had gathered at the entrance of the editing room.

They had heard that Chen Yuanli was having an exceptional day and had come to witness it.

To avoid disturbing the work inside, they kept their voices low while discussing.

"Damn, this is an insane level of performance, the legendary 'million-dollar editor'?"

"Flowing like water, a feast for the eyes!"

"He's truly amazing!"

"Yeah, why haven't I heard that Old Chen had this skill before? This is truly eye-opening! Old Chen is truly underestimated!"

"That wasn't Old Chen I was just talking about!"

"Not Old Chen? Then who do you think is good?"

"Who do you see directing Old Chen?"

"Him? Isn't that guy the screenwriter? I heard today is his first time touching editing?"

"How come he seems even better than Director Kong?"

"This person can't possibly be touching editing for the first time, can he? Look at how he's directing, he's so skilled!"

"Exactly, it's like he has a complete finished film in his head. This isn't editing, even copying wouldn't be this smooth!"

Director Kong Teng, standing nearby, was also stunned.

He had asked President Dai to call Li Xun over to offer him advice.

He had previously believed that Li Xun was the person in the entire crew, besides himself, who was most familiar with Young Bao Qingtian. He felt his claim to be the most familiar was absolutely justified, as every piece of footage, every shot, was filmed under his direction.

But now, he had to admit that perhaps when it came to familiarity with this web drama, he, the director, might truly only rank second.

"Editing can be played like this?"

Kong Teng, who had been in the film and television industry for over twenty years, had his understanding refreshed.

"How is that kid's brain wired!"

"It's like he really has a finished film in his head that he can call up at any time, it's incredible!"

Meanwhile, Chen Yuanli, who was executing Li Xun's instructions, also seemed to enter a state of profound immersion.

He had never felt so exhilarated before.

Everything was so smooth.

Today's exhilarating performance gave him a deeper understanding of the essence of his work.

He felt as if he saw the direction for his future career.

Two days later, Li Xun and Kong Teng appeared in Dai Ying's office.

Dai Ying looked up at them and said, "If it absolutely can't be finished, can we do it two episodes at a time? Can the two episodes going live tomorrow be completed on time?"

Kong Teng and Li Xun exchanged a look and smiled simultaneously, "Yes!"

Dai Ying nodded, "Two more episodes will go live the day after tomorrow, everyone, don't slack off!"

Li Xun and Kong Teng stood there smiling, neither of them speaking.

Dai Ying asked curiously, "What are you two smiling about?"

Kong Teng said, "The post-production work for the second unit is all done."

Dai Ying froze for a moment and asked, "Done? How so fast?!"

Kong Teng glanced at Li Xun and said, "Why did you send me a monster!"