緬街：我和電影的第一次牽手

由華宇中國投資拍攝的電視劇《緬街》第一集已成功殺青!這部由好萊塢著名導演、編劇;曾推出紅遍全球的《小鬼當家》的斯科特·羅森菲爾特編劇導演,将面向美國的主流觀衆和大型播出平台和觀衆見面。

這部裡程碑式的電視劇備受矚目,因為它是第一部聚焦華人社區法拉盛的家庭電影劇,不僅故事的創作源泉來自緬街,大部分演員和工作人員都來自華人社區,他們既是《緬街》故事的主人公,又是這部劇集的創作者!

今天,讓我們一起聽聽《緬街》的女主角之一,一位移民二代——May的扮演者Blair Zhou,講述她如何從幕後創作走向台前,讓夢想成為現實。再來聽聽曾從事金融行業的牟博士,怎樣首次跨界嘗試電影制作,擔任制作助理(PA)和幕後攝影師的有趣經曆。《緬街》,讓他們夢想成真!

幕後故事(1)Blair Zhou(飾演角色May)

Blair(飾演角色May)

生活在美國,我們被教導要成為夢想家。從我們在新聞文章中讀到的白手起家的商界精英,到在電視上看到的堅定而熱情的主角,我們被潛意識地鼓勵不僅要有遠大的夢想,還要追随我們的夢想。

另一方面,我們也被教導,讓夢想成為現實是一項艱苦的工作,生活會阻礙你,這取決于你為你的夢想騰出時間。即便如此,大多數夢想也不是一個人能實現的。

我的夢想是成為一名演員。盡管上了多年的表演課,但這是我第一次大聲說出我的夢想——在過去,我隻覺得在白日夢的領域裡,用語言表達它似乎毫無意義和尴尬。我非常感謝緬街的一切。讓我離夢想又近了一步。因為這段經曆給了我信心,甚至可以大聲說出我的夢想。在這個項目中,周圍都是為夢想而奮鬥的人,我感覺我的靈魂在充電。

《緬街》講述的是法拉盛的華裔社區的故事,這部作品的演員和工作人員與拍攝地一樣多樣化:亞曆克斯,我們令人難以置信的化妝藝術家,來自泰國;卡羅琳,我們一絲不苟的攝影總監是法國人;傑西,我們的超級英雄服裝造型師,有韓國血統。在片場,你經常能聽到不同語言的來回呼喊,然而,從來沒有感覺到脫節,每個人似乎都對彼此有着無聲的理解,尤其是工作人員,他們每天的每一秒都在按計劃拍攝。

我有幸扮演的角色是梅,一位33歲的華裔美國人,她擁有一家成功的企業,但夢想着其他事情。她生活中的主要沖突源于她和母親Joy之間的關系。我認為母女倆的故事是關于移民和上一代父母的故事——用更簡單的話來說,是關于代溝的故事。作為父母都是移民的第一代人,這是一個貼近我内心的故事。事實上,試圖連接不同世代的故事永遠不夠多;這說明了每一代人都有自己的奮鬥曆程和裡程碑,以及我們應該如何對自己的家庭多一點理解。《緬街》的創作者都是才華橫溢、精通人情世故的人,我熱切地期待着随着故事的發展,梅會如何發展。

我等不及要看劇情發展了!阿曼達,我們的編輯,有她的工作要做!

我要感謝Jeannie和Scott為這個精彩而有話題性的項目所做的一切,我也感謝所有慷慨投入時間和資源幫助實現這一目标的人!特别是Melissa和Jennifer,他們不僅為我們提供了一個完整的拍攝場地,還提供了美味的食物!

真的,這個項目不僅承載了演員和工作人員的夢想,也承載了社區的夢想!———布萊爾

Living in America, we are taught to be dreamers. From the the self made business men and women we read about in news articles to the determined and passionate protagonists we watch on tv, we are subliminally encouraged to not only dream big but also follow our dreams.

On the flip side, we are also taught that making your dreams reality is hard work, that life will get in the way and it’s up to you to make time for your dreams. And even then, most dreams can’t be realized by one person alone.

My dream is to be an actress. Despite the years of acting classes, this is the first time I’ve said my dream out loud - in the past it felt solely in the realm of daydreams that it seemed pointless and embarrassing to verbalize it. I am so very grateful to Main Street for… everything. For allowing me one step closer to my dream. For giving me the confidence to even say my dream out loud. Working on this project, being surrounded by people all striving towards their dreams, it felt like my soul was being recharged.

Main Street is about the Chinese American community in Flushing, but the cast and crew are as diverse as the country it was shot in: Alex, our incredible make up artist, is from Thailand; Caroline, our meticulous director of photography is French; Jessie, our super hero of a wardrobe stylist, has Korean lineage. On set you could often hear different languages shouted back and forth, and yet, there never felt to be a disconnect, everyone seemed to have a silent understanding for each other, especially the crew, who were on the same page every second of every day.

The character I had the privilege of being is May, a 33 year old Chinese American who owns a successful business but dreams for something else. The major conflict in her life stems from the relationship between her and her mother, Joy. I think the mother and daughter story is a story about immigrants and first generations - in simpler words, about generation gap. As a first gen born of immigrant parents myself, this is a story near and dear to my heart. Indeed there can never be enough stories that try to bridge different generations; that illustrate how every generation has their own battles to fight and milestones to achieve and how we should be a little more understanding to our own family. The creators of Main Street are brilliant and worldly people and I eagerly await to see how May will develop as the story goes on.

I can’t wait to see the pilot! Amanda, our editor, has her work cut out for her!

I want to thank Jeannie and Scott for this wonderful and topical project and I also thank all the people who were so generous with their time and resources to help make this happen! Specifically Melissa and Jennifer who provided us with not only an integral location but also delicious food!

Truly, this project carries not only the dreams of the cast and crew, but also the dreams of a community!

Love,Blair

幕後故事(2):牟博士:通過一名新手制作助理的視角窺探《Main Street》的世界

電影制作的幕後世界對于大多數人來說總是充滿了神秘和吸引力。我在短片《Main Street》的拍攝過程中擔任制作助理(PA)以及幕後攝影師,這為我打開了通往這個充滿魔力的世界的大門。在經驗豐富的制片人和導演Scott Rosenfelt的指引下,我得以近距離觀察那些天賦異禀的藝術家如何在銀幕上施展魔法。

制作助理和幕後攝影師的職責與挑戰:

作為一名初次擔任的制作助理,我的任務包括促進各個部門間的溝通,并确保一切元素都完美到位。我很快體會到了“時間就是金錢”不僅僅是口頭禅,在電影拍攝現場,它更是一種生活原則。作為制作助理,我就像是整個團隊的觀察者和聽衆,努力預判和滿足劇組與演員的各種需求。

而身為幕後攝影師,我有機會記錄下那些未經修飾、生動真實的片刻。這一角色使我深深感受到每個部門的工作都需要無比的專注和熱情。

Figure 1筆者在片場拍攝幕後照片

解讀行話

在拍攝現場,就仿佛置身于一個有着自己獨特語言的異域。每當我身處我們的電影拍攝地,周圍都是一系列專業術語,這些術語指引着我們的制作進程。當有人要我拿一個“Apple Box”時,我知道他們指的是一種多功能的木制工具,有各種标準大小,可以用來擡高演員或設備。當有人喊出“Quiet On Set”,我知道必須立即保持安靜,因為我們即将開始拍攝。我等待“Camera Speed”和“Sound Speed”的指示,确保視聽設備都已經準備就緒。一切就緒後,“Rolling”這一宣告告訴我拍攝已經正式開始。我最喜歡的環節之一是“Blocking”,在這個環節,我們為演員在場景中的物理動作編排和彩排,而這也常常是我這個幕後攝影師(BHS)能夠抓拍的最佳時機。我經常在“Video Village”查看鏡頭,這是一個特設的區域,導演和主要工作人員可以在此查看實時攝像機畫面。當我聽到“Wrap”時,我知道我們已經完成了當天的工作或整部電影的拍攝。有時,導演可能會喊出“Movement”,以示場景中某個動作的開始。在更為公共的空間,我有時會被指派做“Fire Watch”,确保我們的設備安全,不會引起任何危險。而在拍攝現場,掌握和應對這些獨特的行話,對我來說就是日常工作的一部分。

協作的交響樂

在每一幀背後,都隐藏着數位幕後人員的努力勞動和精湛技藝:

導演之手:助理導演Bianca

Bianca作為助理導演,是整個制作流程不可或缺的中堅力量。她與Scott Rosenfelt攜手合作,不僅确保了拍攝進度得以精準執行,場景布置得井然有序,還讓演員們時刻準備好迎接自己的戲份。她在預見挑戰和設計快速解決方案方面的能力堪稱一流。在她的引領下,原本雜亂無章的現場轉變成了一曲充滿和諧與活力的創作交響樂。

通過她的卓越表現,我認識到了一個事實——這一點也得到了我們的制片人/導演Scott的強烈認同——在“助理導演”這一頭銜中,“助理”二字實在是對職責的輕描淡寫。盡管許多人可能将這一職位視為僅向導演提供幫助或“輔助”,但實際上,助理導演的角色在整個制作結構中具有重大意義和責任。助理導演對拍攝現場的順暢運作至關重要,他們協調場景、管理時間表,促進各部門間的溝通,并确保遵守安全協議。他們的職責不僅僅是“輔助”,而是深入到電影制作過程的精細管理之中。

Figure 2Bianca(右)在跟導演制片人Scott讨論片場事宜

視覺的捕捉者:攝影導演Caroline

Caroline,作為我們的攝影導演,是那位才華橫溢的藝術家,将劇本的文字巧妙地化為令人震撼的視覺效果。她為每個場景精準設定了攝像機角度、燈光和動作,完美地呈現了故事的核心情感。Caroline對于細節的敏感度和對美感的追求,在《Main Street》的影像叙述中起到了決定性的作用。

而且,Caroline的影響力并不僅限于攝影導演的職責範圍内。她帶領并教導了團隊中的年輕成員,分享她深厚的經驗,并鼓勵他們用電影的方式來感受和解讀這個世界。她常與演員耐心交流,确保他們對于每一個鏡頭背後的意圖有深入的理解和舒适的體驗。

制作過程中,有一個特别難忘的瞬間是在黃金時段精心策劃的日落鏡頭。Caroline對這一畫面的構想近乎完美,她預見在晚霞為天空渲染出夢幻的色彩時,一架飛機正好劃過,為整個畫面帶來更多的生動和動感。這一鏡頭展現了Caroline獨特的藝術眼光和她實現電影魔法的精湛技藝。

Figure 3Caroline在操作攝像機

當然,實現Caroline的這些視覺藝術,離不開焦點助手的辛勤付出。這個角色雖然經常被低估,但其實他們的工作要求極高的專注和精準度,特别是在複雜的鏡頭中。他們實時地調節鏡頭焦點,确保每一次的拍攝主體都清晰醒目。這種工作強度很高,稍有不慎便可能毀掉一個完美的鏡頭。但他們對細節的關注和與Caroline的緊密合作,使得每一個鏡頭都達到了令人贊歎的藝術和技術雙重完美。

音之韻律:聲音混音師Ada

在電影拍攝的熱鬧現場中,聲音混音師Ada是一個關鍵角色,确保音頻的完美與影像的卓越相得益彰。她不僅與導演和攝影導演緊密配合,更精準地調整音響設備,保證在不破壞視覺美感的同時捕獲真實純淨的音質。每個場景都會帶來各自的難題,而Ada的專長在于巧妙地應對這些挑戰。

Figure 4全套“防風”武裝的Ada(右)與執行制片人裔錦聲博士在片場合影留念

在喧嚣的街道畫面中,Ada展現了她的巧思,成功地從混雜的背景聲中分離出清晰的對白。在室内的安靜畫面中,她的精湛技巧甚至能捕捉到角色輕柔的低語或遠處的鐘聲。對于戶外的場景,如風聲或經過的車聲等變數可能影響音質,但Ada已有所準備,利用專業的防風罩或巧妙地放置麥克風來克服這些難關。

Ada的貢獻遠不止于設備調整與技術運用。她與演員深入合作,确保在需要時引導他們調整音質,以最高标準捕獲他們的表現。她所展現出來的,不僅是對可能的聲音問題的敏銳預判,更是在問題真正出現之前的迅速應對。

Ada每天在片場的表現,都體現了她對此項目的深深熱情和專業才華。她前瞻的策略,搭配其出色的合作能力,确保了《Main Street》在視覺之外,同樣擁有一個音頻上的完美演繹。

掌控細節:線制片人Panita

Panita,作為我們的線制片人,是《Main Street》背後的物流大腦。從管理預算,與供應商的協調,到确保每個部門獲得所需的資源,她應對的不僅僅是職責,更是一場挑戰。面對每日新的問題,她展現出的不隻是保持拍攝正軌的專業能力,更有對這部電影的無限熱情和承諾。

許多人可能隻注意到銀幕上的閃光,但真正讓這些閃光成為可能的是幕後的細緻努力。Panita與各個部門,無論是服裝、布景,還是設備和餐飲,都保持着緊密的聯系,确保所有事務都在預算的預期内得以完成。她的存在,使得電影的藝術創作和财務實際之間達到了完美的平衡。

她所展現的超群的組織和多任務處理能力,使整個制作過程流暢而高效。無論是監督設備的搬運,确保道具的及時到位,還是照顧到片場工作人員的實際需求,Panita都做得遊刃有餘。

與此同時,她出色的人際交往技巧也助力了電影的順利拍攝。她與各種供應商和合作夥伴建立了深厚的關系,确保了我們總能得到優質的服務和及時的支持。并且,作為制片團隊與執行制片人之間的溝通紐帶,Panita确保每個人都明确目标,并緻力于實現共同願景。

當我們面對突如其來的挑戰,如天氣變化或突發的日程調整,Panita總是能迅速調整策略,确保拍攝進度不受影響。在電影制作這場精确到每一個細節的舞蹈中,Panita就如同那位精準的舞者,确保每一步都走得恰到好處。得益于她的專業與熱忱,創意團隊得以心無旁骛地投入到他們的藝術中,從而使《Main Street》成為了一部精心策劃、精湛執行的作品。

總結感想

在《Main Street》的片場,我所得到的不隻是工作的經驗,更多的是對電影制作深入的洞見和學習。從每位團隊成員身上所體現出來的協同工作、創意火花和技術熟練,都深刻地塑造了我對制片的全新認識。正如有句話所說,“一個好的電影來源于一個優秀的團隊”,在電影的世界裡,真正的魔法來自于那些為夢想付出,為情感流淚,為藝術而生的團隊成員。

Behind the Scenes: A Glimpse into the World of "Main Street" Through the Eyes of a First-Time PA

The bustling world of film production has long been shrouded in mystery for those outside the industry. Serving as a Production Assistant (PA) and Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) photographer/videographer on the set of the short film "Main Street" provided me with an invaluable firsthand glimpse into this mesmerizing universe. Under the seasoned guidance of producer and director, Scott Rosenfelt, I was privy to the intricate dance of the many talented individuals who make magic happen on screen.

The Realm of a PA and a BTS Photographer

As a first-time PA, my responsibilities varied from facilitating communication between different departments to ensuring that everything was in its rightful place. I quickly learned the phrase "time is money" wasn\'t just a saying; it\'s a way of life on set. Being a PA means being the eyes and ears of the production, always anticipating the needs of the crew and cast.

Simultaneously wearing the hat of a BTS photographer/videographer, I had the unique privilege of capturing the raw and unfiltered moments behind the camera. This role provided an added layer of appreciation for the meticulous attention to detail required in every department.

Decoding the Jargon

Being on set is like being in a different world with its own language. On any given day on our film set, I\'m surrounded by a flurry of unique terms that guide our production flow. When I’m asked to bring someone an "Apple Box," I know it\'s a versatile wooden tool we use, available in various standardized sizes, which can elevate either actors or our equipment. If someone calls for "Quiet On Set," I immediately fall silent, knowing that we\'re about to start filming. I wait for the signals of "Camera Speed" and "Sound Speed" to ensure both our visual and audio gear are rolling and ready. Once everything\'s set, the declaration of "Rolling" tells me recording has officially begun. One of my favorite parts is "Blocking," where we choreograph and rehearse the actors\' physical movements in a scene and this is often the best time for me, a BHS person to squeeze in some shots. I often find myself checking the shots from the "Video Village," a special area where our director and key crew members can view the live camera feed. And when I hear "Wrap," I know we\'ve either concluded our day or finished the entire film. Sometimes, a director might call out "Movement" to signal the start of a particular action in the scene. And in more public spaces, I\'ve been assigned to "Fire Watch," ensuring our equipment is safe and not causing any hazards. Navigating this unique lingo is all in a day\'s work for me on the set.

A Symphony of Collaboration

Behind every frame lies the hard work and expertise of several key players:

The Guiding Hand: Assistant Director Bianca

Bianca, as the Assistant Director, was the backbone of the entire production process. Working in tandem with Scott Rosenfelt, she ensured that the schedule was maintained, scenes were set up efficiently, and actors were ready for their cues. Her ability to preempt challenges and devise quick solutions was unparalleled. Under her guidance, chaos transformed into a harmonious symphony of activity.

From her exceptional work, I\'ve learned—and this is corroborated by Scott, our producer/director—that the term "assistant" in "assistant director" is quite misleading. While many might perceive the role as being a mere support or “assistance” to the director, in reality, the position carries significant weight and responsibility within the production hierarchy. The assistant director is pivotal in ensuring the seamless operation of the set, from coordinating scenes and managing schedules to communicating between departments and ensuring safety protocols are upheld. Their tasks extend far beyond mere \'assisting\' and delve deep into the intricate management of the production process.

Capturing the Vision: Director of Photography Caroline

Caroline, our Director of Photography (DoP), was the visionary who translated the script\'s words into compelling visuals. With every scene, she determined the camera angles, lighting, and movement to best capture the essence of the story. Her eye for detail and aesthetics played a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative of "Main Street."

Furthermore, Caroline’s leadership extended beyond her immediate role as DoP. She mentored junior members of the crew, sharing her wealth of knowledge and inspiring them to see the world through a cinematic lens. On several occasions, she would patiently discuss her choices with the cast, ensuring they felt comfortable and understood the vision behind each shot.

One of the most memorable moments during production was a meticulously planned sunset shot during the golden hour. Caroline had envisioned the shot with the utmost precision, ensuring that as the radiant hues of the evening sky created the perfect canvas, an airplane would seamlessly glide through, adding dynamism to the composition. This intentional and well-executed shot showcased Caroline\'s ability to visualize, plan, and capture cinematic magic.

Integral to Caroline\'s efforts was the focus puller, whose dedication and precision were paramount in bringing Caroline\'s visualizations to life. The focus puller\'s task, often underappreciated, requires immense concentration and impeccable timing. They adjust the lens\'s focus in real-time, ensuring that the desired subject remains sharp and clear, especially during complex tracking shots or scenes with significant depth of field. This role is of paramount importance in achieving the desired mood and clarity for each shot. A slight error can ruin a take, making the focus puller\'s role both demanding and crucial. Their meticulous attention to detail and synergy with Caroline ensured that the visuals were not only stunning but also technically flawless.

The Unseen Pulse: Sound Mixer Ada

In the dynamic environment of a film set, Ada, our Sound Mixer, played a crucial role in ensuring that the audio quality matched the visual brilliance. She was consistently in sync with the Director and the Director of Photography, positioning her sound equipment to capture the audio without intruding on the visual frame. Every scene brought its unique challenges, and Ada\'s expertise was instrumental in navigating them.

On bustling street sequences, she ingeniously isolated dialogues from the cacophony, ensuring the actors\' voices were crystal clear. In quiet interior shots, her meticulous setup captured even the subtlest sounds, be it a character\'s soft whisper or the distant chime of a clock. For outdoor scenes, unpredictable elements like wind or passing vehicles could have disrupted the audio. But with Ada\'s proactive measures, such as using specialized windshields or positioning microphones strategically, these challenges were seamlessly addressed.

Ada\'s presence on set was more than just about equipment and technical know-how. She collaborated closely with the actors, guiding them on voice modulation when needed and ensuring their performances were captured in the best auditory quality. Her ability to anticipate potential sound issues and address them before they became problematic was invaluable.

Every day on set, Ada showcased not only her expertise but also her unwavering commitment to the project. Her proactive approach, combined with her collaborative spirit, ensured that "Main Street" had a pristine audio quality that perfectly complemented its visuals.

Holding the Strings: Line Producer Panita

Panita, our Line Producer, was the logistical anchor behind "Main Street." Managing the budget, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring every department had the resources they needed were just some of the highlights of her vast responsibilities. With each day presenting a new set of challenges, her ability to keep the production on track, both financially and logistically, showcased her expertise and commitment.

While many see the glamour on screen, it\'s the diligent work behind the scenes that makes it all possible. Panita was constantly in touch with various departments, from costumes and set designs to equipment and catering, ensuring that everything aligned with the allocated budget. Her role was pivotal in making sure that the production\'s needs met its financial constraints without sacrificing quality.

Panita\'s exceptional multitasking skills were evident in how seamlessly the production moved forward. On any given day, she might be overseeing the transportation of equipment, coordinating the arrival of props, or ensuring the crew had the necessary amenities on location.Her interpersonal skills played a significant role in the film\'s smooth operation. Building strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, she ensured timely deliveries and quality services. Furthermore, Panita served as a vital communication bridge between the production team and the executive producers, always ensuring alignment on goals and expectations.

When unforeseen challenges arose, be it weather-related disruptions or last-minute schedule changes, Panita\'s proactive approach minimized delays and kept the momentum going. In the intricate dance of filmmaking, her role was crucial in ensuring every step was perfectly coordinated. Thanks to her relentless dedication, the creative team could delve into their craft without being bogged down by logistical concerns, making "Main Street" a well-executed cinematic endeavor.

Final Thoughts

Serving on the set of "Main Street" was more than just an experience; it was an education. The complex web of coordination, creativity, and technical prowess showcased by each member of the crew left an indelible mark on my understanding of filmmaking. As the saying goes, "it takes a village," and in the world of film, it takes a passionate, dedicated, and talented crew to bring stories to life.