Chapter 103 – Immersion
“In 2010, on July 15th, the first scene of ‘Buried’… ” Rodrigo held the slate, standing in front of the camera, preparing to clap for the first take. However, before he could finish his words, he put down the slate and shouted at the group of mercenaries whispering nearby, “Quiet! Do you know what quiet means? Everyone shut up, even your breathing! This is in the middle of the desert, the scene of burying a life. There should be no sound here, except for Paul, there is no life here. So, shut up, all of you shut up! If you still want to get paid.”
Rodrigo’s emotions were somewhat exaggerated because of everything that he had experienced that day at the funeral company and he understood what true fear and despair are like. The mercenaries on set were actually chatting, which was utterly absurd.
Originally, some people still wanted to crack a joke, but after hearing the last sentence, everyone shut their mouths unanimously. There was only the sound of low breathing left on the scene, faintly audible in the air flowing through the warehouse.
Rodrigo turned around and glanced at the Renly lying in the wooden box. His anger was still not suppressed. “Step back, everyone except Eduard, take three steps back. The microphone can pick up your breathing.”
The mercenaries wore mocking and disdainful expressions, seemingly unconcerned with Rodrigo’s exaggerated reactions. The sound of their breathing was so faint that even if there were microphones sensitive enough to pick it up, it would be indistinguishable amidst the background noise of air movement. Rodrigo was clearly exaggerating. However, in this situation, they had to lower their heads under the eaves, exchanging a glance with each other before lazily and slowly stepping back a few steps.
After a short wait, Rodrigo picked up the slate again. “2010, July 15th, ‘Buried,’ first scene, first attempt.”
With his words, a crisp clap marked the beginning of the first scene.
Due to the unique nature of the film “Buried,” Rodrigo decided to shoot it in chronological order. Therefore, there was no particular or special scene to choose for the first one; it was simply the moment when Paul regained consciousness after being kidnapped. Regardless of difficulty, everything was to be completed according to the timeline.
Currently, the camera was fixed on the abdomen of Renly, then slowly locking the close-up shot upwards. After that, all surrounding lights were extinguished. The warehouse doors had long been closed, with sun-blocking curtains drawn, creating a stifling atmosphere in the air-tight space. Even the light had completely disappeared, and the sense of emptiness in the darkness spread slowly amidst the silence.
Making even the mercenaries, who had previously seemed inclined to joke around, fell into a genuine silence.
Eduard held his breath, focusing intently on the viewfinder in his hand, observing every movement within the lens. He didn’t want his breathing to become an excuse for Renly messing up the first scene. He was curious to see what tricks this guy could pull off.
In the darkness, a pitch-black darkness where nothing could be seen, there was absolute silence. Yet, if one listened carefully, a steady and prolonged breathing could be heard stirring the air, sounding as if… as if someone was asleep. This serene tranquillity even induced drowsiness, filling the entire world with peace.
Eduard couldn’t help but furrow his brow. The shoot had already begun. What is this guy doing? They are an independent crew; making a film costs money. Every second Renly delayed was wasting their precious funds. Could it be that the kid was asleep? Actually asleep? Otherwise, how could his breathing be so steady? This is… a joke.
“Uh.” Suddenly, his breathing became erratic, as if reflexively taking a deep breath, disrupting the rhythm of sleep entirely. Then, his breathing suddenly stopped, and that moment of silence froze the darkness completely. But it was only for a moment. Soon after, the breathing began to sound agonized, his struggle and suppression hidden within the increasingly chaotic breathing, slowly unfolded like an octopus extending its tentacles.
The emotions slowly surging within this quietude were not turbulent, yet they sent shivers down one’s spine, like the chilling air seeping in, unnoticed at first, but once goosebumps appeared, shivers followed suit, making one instinctively rub its skin to warm up.
Eduard couldn’t help but shiver.
Could it be a nightmare? A nightmare full of torment? Although there was only a change in breathing, everything felt so real, so real that it made his heart begin to contract.
“Huff… huff…” The breathing started to become heavier, to elongate, but as if obstructed by something, in the darkness, it could clearly be felt that he was exerting all his efforts, trying everything to make the breathing smooth, but it was so difficult. Then he began to cough violently, but even the cough was dull and arduous, the struggle spreading through every cell of his body.
When the cough subsided, his breathing quickened, as if he had finally awakened from his nightmare, and then he began to survey the surroundings. The chaotic breathing changed positions on both sides, seemingly searching for something, surveying something, but all these actions were futile, as nothing could be seen in this absolute darkness.
But at this moment, his breathing became extremely urgent, even faintly tinged with fear, and his muscles tensed as he was struggling, still, he gained nothing from that. The whole person heavily slammed onto an object, emitting a muffled sound.
This sound, accompanied by pain, made him stop struggling, with his breath disappearing instantly as if his throat had been squeezed.
tyu
I AM SO EXCITED. Also I love how Renley’s flaws are clearly shown. He is a gentle and kind person, who possesses an aura of pride and politeness because of his teachings as an aristocrat and is also witty and charismatic. He has a experience in dealing with people from young age and knowing how to restrain and control himself was taught to him.
But he is also rebellious and reckless, which is balanced by drive and purpose. He is someone who can immerse themselves wholeheartedly while focusing which can cause disdain from others.