The sun disappeared behind the only tall building nearby. Jessica Chastain walked along the cracked asphalt road towards a gathering of people at the intersection ahead. Reporters and paparazzi, hiding in the surroundings, spotted her and quickly turned their cameras to capture the scene. Jessica paid no attention to them, her focus entirely on the exterior film set ahead, where sounds of gunfire indicated an action scene was being shot.
"Hello, we're filming here," a security guard suddenly appeared and blocked her way. "Please stop."
Jessica Chastain halted, saying, "I'm here for a visit. I called Ms. Gal Gadot earlier."
The security guard pressed his intercom, spoke a few words, and then said, "Please proceed, Ms. Chastain. But be aware the crew is filming."
"I know," Jessica replied politely. "I won't disrupt the shoot."
She walked a bit further and saw some people standing on the periphery watching. She stopped and joined them.
Just as she had heard, the crew was indeed filming a gunfight. She could see a scar-faced Robert Downey Jr. hiding behind a car, shooting at an approaching group under the cover of a bald-headed man, urging his comrades to leave quickly.
Jessica Chastain looked around but didn't see Murphy. After a closer look, she found him behind an old 35mm film camera, apparently shooting the scene himself.
"Cut!" Murphy's loud voice echoed across the set, reminiscent of the old days. "Robert, you're in a gang war, hide yourself properly, you're not Iron Man now!"
Jessica watched as Murphy gathered Robert Downey Jr. and a few other actors around, seemingly explaining the scene. She couldn't hear what he was saying from where she stood.
Seeing Murphy fully immersed in his work reminded Jessica of the times when she was his assistant. Despite his success, he remained as dedicated and focused as ever, showing no sign of complacency.
Jessica admitted to herself that she had misjudged Murphy. Her poor choice back then had led to a bumpy career. Reflecting on the early days of "Hard Candy," Murphy had shown qualities of a successful person even then. She wondered, "Why did I ignore those signs?"
Since those early days, Murphy had always displayed a spirit of adventure. He never said "impossible" or "unfeasible." Even when facing enormous challenges, he remained steadfast. Despite the pressure and frustration, he maintained a cool head, viewing himself as an independent entity within the crew, ready to critique and advise those who erred.
Jessica recalled Murphy telling her at the start of "Hard Candy," "Once we embark on this adventure and start filming, nothing will stop me! The only way to stop me is to kill me!"
At the time, she thought he was joking or being arrogant. But later, she realized he truly meant it—he would never let fate out of his own hands.
Filming paused, and a crew member informed Jessica she could now enter the temporary set. Led by an assistant director, she approached one of the cameras.
"Hi, Murphy."
From a distance, Jessica waved. "Is the filming going well?"
Murphy looked up, smiled warmly, and said, "Long time no see, Jess."
Jessica walked over and gave Murphy a light hug. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
"I've got five minutes," Murphy replied. "Time is tight. I have to finish all the shots by the 20th of next month, or 20th Century Fox will kill me."
"You're always so strict with yourself," Jessica smiled.
Murphy shrugged slightly. "Without strict demands, I would lose my drive."
Given the crew's tight schedule, Murphy didn't have much time to chat. He asked, "How's your collaboration with Megan Ellison going?"
Although his collaboration with the Ellison siblings had become infrequent, they remained in close contact. Megan Ellison, unlike her brother David, was more astute. Besides investing in Murphy's films, she had made profitable investments in other independent films.
From this perspective, Megan Ellison was a competent independent film investor.
"Not bad," Jessica replied, deciding to be honest. "Megan recently got a new project about SEAL Team Six and Bin Laden. She's considering me for the lead role, directed by Kathryn Bigelow."
"Congratulations," Murphy smiled. "That topic has a lot of potential if done well."
They chatted a bit longer before Jessica checked the time and excused herself. "I won't keep you any longer."
"Alright," Murphy replied as the crew resumed work. "If you need anything, call Bill."
Watching Jessica leave with an assistant, Murphy returned to his filming duties. The gunfight scene was complete, and though they hadn't changed locations, the next scene would be shot inside a low building beside the intersection.
Murphy headed to the building's entrance where Philip Lashell was setting up a camera, and David Robbie was busy arranging the lighting inside.
"David!" Murphy called, "Make the lighting cold and hard, dark!"
David Robbie poked his head out from behind the door and gave an "OK" gesture.
This scene required a long take, with only Robert Downey Jr. acting. Murphy wanted to convey Diego Ross's anxiety and anger, thus designing this shot.
Upon learning that the Catholic priest who had abused him was promoted rather than punished after parents reported him, Diego Ross concluded that the world was inherently evil.
To survive in such a world, he had to be even more ruthless.
The next shoot would portray Diego receiving this news and undergoing a mental transformation.
Murphy initially stood outside, looking in to better observe the entire scene.
After a while, he called Helena Espora, pointing to the wall facing the door, and said, "I remember there's a large 'Fallen Angel' painting in the props. Hang it here."
After instructing the art director, Murphy saw Robert Downey Jr. approaching, fully made up, and entered the building with him.
Inside was a small lobby with stairs leading up. The staircase was old, with a decorative post at the bottom of the railing.
Murphy stood by the post, telling Robert, "During the shoot, you'll be pacing due to anxiety, but always stay within the frame of this wall."
"The 'Fallen Angel' painting?" Robert asked, having overheard earlier. "Got it."
"And," Murphy pointed to the post's ornament, "In any still shot, make sure the ornament is pointing at your head."
Though unsure of Murphy's reasoning, Robert nodded earnestly, "No problem."
Murphy patted Robert's shoulder, "Familiarize yourself with the blocking. Manage your stops and starts."
He then stepped outside to check on the camera setup.
Once everything was ready, the shoot began.
Following Murphy's instructions, Robert stood between the door frame and door. The shot framed a complete leading line, which in film guides the viewer's gaze to the intended subject.
This technique, learned from cinematography, subtly directs the audience's focus.
In this shot, the "Fallen Angel" painting on the wall would draw the viewer's eyes to the door frame. Through the open door, the line would lead to the main character, emphasized by the decorative post pointing directly at Robert's head.
Filming on the streets of Los Angeles posed no significant difficulties for Murphy. The only challenge was managing the lighting.
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