Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 409: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (2)

When Park Sun-Jae declared that he could no longer work with him, Lee Tae-Sik glared and fumed. "Director Park, what did you just say?"

"I told you. I can't work with you anymore."

"Why?"

"You've been ignoring the storyboard and filming however you like. Honestly, I can't even tell if this is my movie or yours anymore."

Lee Tae-Sik raised his voice. "Listen, Director Park! Are you just following your wife's advice and trying to ruin this movie? Do you know how much money is at stake here?"

"I do. That's why I'm being careful."

"Then listen to my advice! Don't cling to that useless storyboard!"

"That 'useless storyboard' was created by me!"

As the argument between the head director and filming director escalated, Shin Jong-Ki raised his hand. "What are you two doing in front of me?"

In response, Lee Tae-Sik spoke up as if he had been wronged. "Mr. Shin, this is unfair. I came here to help this greenhorn director at your request, and now I'm being humiliated like this?"

"Enough. First, you should apologize for what you just said before we even discuss work."

Lee Tae-Sik frowned. "Excuse me?"

"I'm talking about your comment about Director Park following his wife's advice. That was over the line. Isn't Chief Ahn the production chief for this film?"

Lee Tae-Sik reluctantly replied, "Fine. I'll apologize for that."

"Not to me. To Director Park!"

Turning to face Park Sun-Jae, Lee Tae-Sik said begrudgingly, "Director Park, I think I went a bit overboard. I'm sorry... about that."

The slightly calmer Park Sun-Jae replied, "I'll accept your apology."

Then Shin Jong-Ki addressed Park Sun-Jae this time. "Director Park. Disagreements like this happen all the time during filming. You're both adults, so make up and focus on the movie. You know how tight the screening schedule is."

Park Sun-Jae let out a short sigh. "I understand. But from this moment on, I need a promise from Mr. Lee that he will not direct on his own again. If he agrees to that, I see no reason to continue fighting."

At that, the previously subdued Lee Tae-Sik's voice rose again. "Director Park! If this movie flops, will you take responsibility? You want me to just keep quiet when my name will be in the credits too? If you want a yes-man filming director, go find someone else."

Park Sun-Jae furrowed his brows. "It seems we can't reach an understanding. Fine. I'll find someone else."

Seeing Park Sun-Jae remain firm, Lee Tae-Sik turned to Shin Jong-Ki. "Mr. Shin. You asked me to come here ready to hole up in this lodge, but I can't do this anymore. I'm done here."

"Hey! Are you two seriously doing this right now?" Shin Jong-Ki yelled.

Lee Tae-Sik turned away without answering. "Hey! Camera team, pack it up! We're not needed anymore."

The camera crew hesitated before responding. "B-but Mr. Lee..."

"What is it? Didn't you hear me? Or do you not want to work with me anymore?"

Most of the four-person camera team had worked with Lee Tae-Sik for years. Naturally, they followed his lead rather than Shin Jong-Ki's and began packing up their equipment.

The dumbfounded Shin Jong-Ki exploded in anger. "What are you people doing? How are we supposed to shoot without a filming director?"

"Didn't you hear what Director Park said? He doesn't need me!" Lee Tae-Sik retorted.

I couldn't stand by any longer. It was time for me to step in. "Mr. Shin."

Shin Jong-Ki turned to me. "What is it, Team Lead Jung?"

"Let's stop trying to mediate this situation."

Shin Jong-Ki frowned in frustration. "Why are you acting like this too? You should be trying to calm things down."

"How can Mr. Park get the visuals he wants in this situation? It would be better to bring in someone else," I remarked.

"But who's better than Director Lee in the current film industry?"

At that moment, I pointed to Woo Dong-Ho, who was gathering equipment near Lee Tae-Sik. "Right here."

Shin Jong-Ki blinked in disbelief. "What? This young man?"

I nodded. "Yes. He's young, but he has plenty of experience."

Then, I turned to Woo Dong-Ho and asked, "Mr. Woo, would you consider taking charge of the camera?"

"M-me? Are you serious?"

"Yes. I've seen all the films you've worked on. They're all outstanding."

As I listed Woo Dong-Ho's past achievements, Shin Jong-Ki's frustrated expression began to shift. A viable alternative had presented itself.

Shin Jong-Ki asked. "So you're saying this film will be fine if we entrust it to him?"

I replied, "Yes. I'll take full responsibility. Mr. Woo has already served as the filming director for over three short films."

Shin Jong-Ki nodded. "Hmm. If Team Lead Jung guarantees it... fine, I'm on board."

Then, he looked at Woo Dong-Ho. "Are you up for taking the role of filming director? I'll compensate you at the level of a three-year veteran."

"Uh, I... well..." Woo Dong-Ho stuttered.

"What's the problem? You'll be treated according to your ability."

The entire camera crew frowned at the sudden proposal. Promoting the youngest member to the position of filming director seemed like an insult to the more senior members.

However, I wasn't choosing based on seniority but skill.

That's when Lee Tae-Sik raised his voice and confronted Shin Jong-Ki. "Mr. Shin, are you seriously going through with this? Who does that talent agent think he is..."

Shin Jong-Ki's expression turned cold as he glared at Lee Tae-Sik. "Who is Team Lead Jung? He's the person I trust the most when it comes to box office success!"

"W-what does that mean..." Lee Tae-Sik stammered.

Shin Jong-Ki simply ignored him and continued, "And another thing, Director Lee. Do you think I'm some pushover? When I try to mediate the situation, you're supposed to compromise appropriately!"

Shin Jong-Ki was no ordinary figure. He was the CEO of the second-largest Korean film distributor company and a member of the LT Inc. conglomerate. As such, he was someone most wouldn't dare to challenge.

Only then did Lee Tae-Sik realize the gravity of the situation and his face froze. He finally understood that his career with LT Entertainment might be over if he kept this up.

"M-Mr. Shin, that's not what I meant..."

"Enough. Don't say another word."

Shin Jong-Ki cut him off and turned back to Woo Dong-Ho. "You've heard everything. Are you willing to take on the role of filming director?"

Woo Dong-Ho replied cautiously, "I lack experience... but I'll do my best."

"If Team Lead Jung recommends you, you're not lacking. Just focus on supporting Director Park. That's all I need."

"Yes, sir! I'll keep that in mind."

Woo Dong-Ho also glanced at me and bowed his head.

Meanwhile, Lee Tae-Sik, unable to contain his anger, stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

Bang!

The old door of Cheonwang Mountain Lodge rattled loudly.

Afterward, the rest of the camera team hesitated before gathering their equipment and following Lee Tae-Sik out.

Thud.

Shin Jong-Ki snorted in irritation before addressing the remaining staff. "Alright, that's enough. The situation's over, so let's get back to work. Isn't the schedule pretty tight?"

"Yes, sir!"

The staff snapped out of their daze and returned to their stations.

***

Woo Dong-Ho walked toward the Steadicam that Lee Tae-Sik had left behind.

A Steadicam was a specialized piece of equipment designed to stabilize the camera during filming, using shock absorbers and a gimbal to prevent shaking.

With the original camera team gone, Woo Dong-Ho, now the filming director, was trying to put on the vest with the special mounting rig by himself.

Some staff members moved to help him, but I stepped in first to assist.

"Ah, thank you."

"No problem, Mr. Director."

"Director? But I'm just a cameraman..."

"Didn't you hear what Mr. Shin said earlier? From now on, you're the filming director for Jiri Mountain."

"Sigh... this feels overwhelming. I've never worked on something this large before..."

"It's just a bigger budget but everything else is the same. Stick to the Jiri Mountain storyboard and there's nothing to worry about."

Woo Dong-Ho nodded with the gear securely strapped on. "True, the storyboard is excellent. Alright, I'll do my best. And, um... thank you."

I smiled. "You're welcome. By the way, would you mind if I recommend someone to assist you from behind?"

In a tight space like this, focusing solely on the camera while maneuvering with the Steadicam could be dangerous. That's why a Steadicam operator always needed an assistant.

"Of course, please do."

With Woo Dong-Ho's permission, I immediately called Deok-Bae over. This was a golden opportunity for him to closely observe Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo's performances.

Deok-Bae set down the tablet he had been holding and walked over. I instructed him to place his hands on the filming director's waist and explained further.

"While filming, Mr. Woo won't be aware of his surroundings and could trip. Keep your hands on his waist and stabilize him. And while you're at it, carefully watch Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo's performances."

"Got it, hyung."

Though nervous, Deok-Bae placed his hands on Woo Dong-Ho's waist.

Once preparations were complete, I turned to Park Sun-Jae. "You can start filming now, Mr. Park."

Park Sun-Jae nodded and began issuing commands. "Alright, let's do this."

***

The lighting and sound teams resumed their setups.

With Lee Tae-Sik gone, Park Sun-Jae looked slightly tense since any mistakes now would rest squarely on his shoulders. However, that was the essence of a director's job—to bear the weight of every decision made on set.

Taking a deep breath, Park Sun-Jae gave the next instructions. "Alright, let's begin Scene 33."

At that moment, Woo Dong-Ho raised his hand while adjusting the camera.

Park Sun-Jae looked at him curiously. "Yes, Mr Woo?"

"Um... I'd like to lower the light levels a bit. Is that okay with you?"

Apart from filming, the filming director also managed lighting, props, and sometimes even costumes. This was why the role was considered second in command on a film set.

As the young filming director spoke up, everyone on set took notice. After all, the previous filming director, Lee Tae-Sik, had been dismissed for overstepping his boundaries.

However, Park Sun-Jae agreed readily. "Go ahead as long as it doesn't interfere with the storyboard."

"Thank you. Please let me know if I ever stray from your vision."

"Understood."

With a brief exhale, Woo Dong-Ho's gaze sharpened as he began issuing commands starting with the lighting team. "Could we dim the lights just a bit? Mr. Park?"

"Dim them?" the lighting director asked.

"Yes. According to the storyboard, this is supposed to be a tense moment. But the lights feel too bright. Could we lower it by about ten lux?"

The lighting director smiled with interest. "Ten lux? That's easy to fix in post-production."

"But that's not all."

"Oh? Then what else?"

"Please add two or three more pieces of firewood to the hearth, just enough to blend in a slight red hue to the lighting."

When the youngest member of the camera crew, who had previously been handling cables, began issuing commands like a seasoned director, everyone was visibly impressed.

Woo Dong-Ho pointed out that the actors' costumes were too pristine and requested that they be made slightly more disheveled. As a result, even more murmurs of admiration spread throughout the set.

The lighting director turned to me with a grin. "Team Lead Jung, you really know how to pick talent, huh?"

I smiled. 'Pros recognize pros.'

Since then, the lighting director fully acknowledged Woo Dong-Ho as the new filming director. "Lighting team! From now on, follow Mr. Woo's instructions immediately! Man-Ho, add one piece of firewood at a time and check if the tones match what Mr. Woo is aiming for."

"Yes, sir!"

"And what's the props and costume teams doing just standing around? Didn't you hear Mr. Woo's instructions?"

"Yes, sir!"

With Woo Dong-Ho's detailed directions, the anxiety caused by Lee Tae-Sik's departure quickly dissipated.

Soon, everything was ready.

Park Sun-Jae looked excited as he gave the signal. "Let's begin. Scene 33. Ready~ Action!"

Then, he quickly locked his gaze on the monitor.

Just as I had expected, the footage captured by Woo Dong-Ho was entirely different from what Lee Tae-Sik had filmed. Not only did he fully embody Park Sun-Jae's vision, but he also enhanced it with his creative touch to intensify the storyboard's sense of urgency.

'As expected of Woo Dong-Ho,' I remarked inwardly.

The difference in quality on the monitor was undeniable.

The elated Park Sun-Jae gave instructions happily. "Fantastic! Mr. Woo, please zoom in for a tighter face shot. Yes, that's perfect."

Woo Dong-Ho adjusted the camera to capture close-ups of the actors' faces.

The escalating tension between the protagonist and the main antagonist was vividly captured.

Trembling eyelashes, tense jaw muscles with clenched teeth, and the slow, deliberate movement of cracked lips forming words were perfectly filmed.

Thanks to Woo Dong-Ho's precision in capturing every subtle detail, the sharp emotions of Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo were conveyed with stunning clarity.

Switching the filming director had been a masterstroke, allowing me to save Jiri Mountain and my actors' careers. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

At that moment, Ahn Yoo-Joo glanced at the monitor before turning to me with a wide grin and raising both thumbs.

She mouthed the words: "Thank you, Mr. Jung!"