Panicked footsteps sounded. Matthew held his gun with both hands, aiming forward. Jessica Alba and the other actors were once again running toward him, pursued by zombies. However, due to her costume, Jessica Alba, despite being the female lead, was still inconspicuous among the crowd of actors.
Matthew quickly rushed forward. Seeing the zombies enter range, he immediately pulled the trigger.
Bang—
A crisp gunshot rang out, the blank cartridge producing an almost perfect sound effect.
The fastest pursuing zombie fell instantly, a large cloud of black and red blood mist exploding from the back of its head.
Subsequently, Matthew fired shot after shot. According to the lead actor's character profile, he was an elite police officer, and virtually every shot resulted in blood mist erupting from the back of a zombie actor's head.
This was the result of the crew's meticulous preparation. Zombies were extremely important supporting characters in this film, changing appearance across different stages. To create vivid and realistic zombies, Sean Daniel hired Special Effects Makeup Artist David LeRoy Anderson, a two-time Oscar winner for The Nutty Professor and Men in Black.
To realistically portray the appearance of death and decay, Anderson studied a large number of forensic books, crime scene photos, and traditional zombie legends. He gained detailed knowledge of the characteristics of human decomposition days, weeks, and months after death, broadly dividing the zombie decay process into three phases.
Phase One was very pale, with large amounts of fresh blood; Phase Two involved moist wounds, broken skin, and many contusions, mostly blue and green; Phase Three was the most severe, with bones beginning to show, dried wounds, and skin completely peeling off and turning oily black.
Corresponding differences were also observed in the blood across these three phases. For example, blood in Phase One was standard red and fluid, while Phase Two blood tended toward brown and was thick, and Phase Three blood turned into a black, oily substance.
Since the release of dawn of the dead back then, film technology has undergone a qualitative change, with many new technologies and materials emerging. Although the terrifying elements are the same, the crew can undoubtedly make the depiction more realistic.
Matthew shot down the fastest pursuing zombies, and the people rushing over were temporarily safe, but more zombies, attracted by the gunshots, came chasing after them.
According to the script's design, he needed to meet the approaching people, lead them back to the shopping center, and shut the iron door just in the nick of time before the zombies caught up.
Just as Matthew was about to meet up with the rushing crowd, Jessica Alba, while running, suddenly tripped over something on the ground,
her legs gave way, and she fell to the ground.
This scene was not in the script at all!
Zack Snyder glanced at the set but did not call cut. It was normal for actors to fall while running, and it was even more normal for someone being chased by zombies to fall in a panic in a movie.
Directors are often quick-witted people. Seeing Jessica Alba fall, Zack Snyder not only refrained from immediately calling a stop to the filming but instead wanted to see how the actors would handle it. He had not let the actors rehearse the scene before shooting, nor had he set too many rigid restrictions during filming.
As an actor, as long as the director doesn't call cut, you must continue, even if an unexpected situation arises.
This is one of the most basic filming rules, and Matthew, having filmed for several years, naturally understood it, so he rushed toward Jessica Alba.
Not only him, but even the minor actors playing insignificant supporting roles and the extras acting as zombies did not stop; those who should chase continued to chase, and those who should run continued to run.
Without an order from Zack Snyder, the main camera lens, which had been tracking Matthew, immediately swung to follow Matthew.
Jessica Alba fell unexpectedly, yet she neither cried out in pain nor proactively called for filming to stop, so the crew continued operating as normal.
Matthew reached Jessica Alba in two steps.
Although the subsequent action wasn't written in the script, Matthew's mind was clear: since Director Zack Snyder hadn't called cut, they should keep acting. With the zombies chasing them, he just needed to grab Jessica Alba and run.
Without a word, he helped Jessica Alba up and ran.
Jessica Alba stretched out her long legs, following Matthew. She knew that, like Matthew, she was definitely the focus of the main camera, and this segment of running wildly with the lead actor was highly likely to be used during post-production editing.
In the blink of an eye, she transformed from one of many mediocre roles into a female lead-like presence.
"Hurry!" Matthew shouted loudly. "You guys go inside first!"
Jessica Alba quickly ran toward the door. For some unknown reason, Alexandra Daddario, who was guarding the door, also rushed inside, colliding right into her. Jessica Alba was hit quite hard and had to steady herself against the door frame to avoid falling.
"Ah..."
Alexandra Daddario cried out, clutching her head.
Zack Snyder frowned slightly but still did not call cut. Against the backdrop of a zombie chase, these actions didn't seem abrupt; rather, they were quite normal.
The sound of zombies approaching from behind reached them. Matthew didn't think too much, seemingly fully immersed in the struggle for survival in the apocalypse. He gave a strong push with his left hand, sending Alexandra Daddario staggering through the side door. Then he turned around and punched the head of a lunging zombie.
The actors playing zombies had all undergone some training beforehand. Seeing Matthew's fist approach, they immediately cooperated by falling down.
But more zombies chased after them from behind.
This scene was nothing like the script. Matthew, accustomed to action scenes, knew that group action sequences couldn't strictly follow the script and settings. He turned around and kicked Jessica Alba, who was still dazed by the door, right on the butt. Jessica Alba immediately tumbled inside. He turned back, knocked down another pursuing zombie, and then rushed through the door himself.
Alexandra Daddario immediately closed the door. As soon as the iron door shut, a series of "clanging" impact sounds rang out.
Then, Zack Snyder's voice came from outside, "Cut! That's a take!"
Matthew first looked at Alexandra Daddario, then at Jessica Alba, but said nothing. He pulled open the iron door and walked out.
"Your performance in the final segment was excellent!" Zack Snyder said immediately upon seeing Matthew. "Your handling of the unexpected situation was perfect!"
"Thank you!" Matthew waved toward Zack Snyder.
He turned his head to look at Alexandra Daddario and Jessica Alba, who had come out behind him. The latter was still rubbing her butt, clearly having been hurt by the kick.
Was Jessica Alba's fall an accident? Was Alexandra Daddario's collision with Jessica Alba unintentional?
Perhaps many people would think so, but a guy with a unique thought process like Matthew didn't see it that way. However, he had no intention of saying anything about it; such things were too common in Hollywood.
Matthew turned back and first approached Alexandra Daddario, asking, "Are you okay?"
He knew he was very strong, and the push he gave Alexandra Daddario had required considerable force.
Alexandra Daddario looked up at him, smiled, and shook her head, still speaking very little.
Matthew gently patted her arm, then went over to Jessica Alba and said, "Sorry, I was completely in character just now. I was only thinking..."
Before he could finish, Jessica Alba said with a bright expression, "It's fine, it's all for the sake of work."
Matthew deliberately adopted a relaxed demeanor. "Then I feel relieved."
It was easier to exert force with his foot than his hand, and what he said wasn't entirely false; he truly had been immersed in character during the latter part of the improvised scene.
"That's it for the outdoor scenes!" Zack Snyder commanded. "Now we move to the next location."
He was busy directing the crew to move inside the shopping center. Matthew was also preparing to leave when he suddenly noticed some tension between Jessica Alba and Alexandra Daddario, so he stepped forward and stood between them.
Regardless, he had promised Helen Herman to help look out for Alexandra Daddario, and Alexandra Daddario was also friends with Amanda.
If Jessica Alba's fall wasn't an accident... Matthew suddenly thought that Alexandra Daddario was probably no pushover either. The collision with Jessica Alba... she likely just lacked experience. After a few years in Hollywood, she would probably become a fighter jet among planes.
The crew's Publicist approached them at this moment, waving at Matthew from a distance. After reaching them, he said, "A few media outlets are visiting the set today. Sean wants you to give them an interview."
Matthew was always cooperative regarding work, and immediately replied, "No problem. Just call me when we wrap up today."
The Publicist saw Alexandra Daddario next to Matthew, recalling that Matthew had formally introduced her as his friend. Wanting to curry favor with the lead actor, he added, "Miss Daddario, why don't you join too?"
"Me?" Alexandra Daddario showed a hint of surprise. "Really?"
She had only played a small role in Underworld previously and had never been interviewed by the media.
"Of course it's true." The Publicist reminded her, "Don't leave after we wrap. I'll come find you and Matthew."
Jessica Alba had been watching the Publicist expectantly. Although her role was technically only a supporting female role, she was nominally the female lead. Since the media was visiting for interviews, the crew should have arranged for her to appear alongside Matthew.
The crew clearly hadn't made such arrangements. After giving instructions to Alexandra Daddario, the Publicist turned and walked away.
Matthew didn't linger either and entered the side of the shopping center. Alexandra Daddario glanced at Jessica Alba and quickly followed him.
Seeing the two of them leave one after the other, Jessica Alba cursed again, using a swear word starting with "B": "Ugly woman with fake eyes and fake breasts!"