Black Label [EN]: Chapter 281

Black Label Episode 32

The film crew, led by Tommy, quickly set up a beam projector inside the office.

“Shall we start right away?”

Jaesung nodded once in response.

“First, I think it would be most efficient to proceed in the same way as the previous shoots, following Ree around 24 hours a day and filming everything closely.”

The method of following the subject around 24 hours a day, capturing every situation and scene, had clear advantages and disadvantages.

On the one hand, it greatly increased the probability of capturing good scenes, but on the other hand, it escalated the ‘fatigue’ of both the crew and the subject.

From the subject’s perspective, it was easy to feel tired due to the camera watching them at all times, and this process was also burdensome for the crew.

Moreover, from the crew’s perspective, even after completing all the filming, the labor of reviewing a vast amount of footage followed.

“Are you okay with this?”

Jaesung answered Tommy’s question.

“I’m fine with it, but….”

Tommy eagerly replied.

“We’re fine too!”

It was a golden opportunity to solve the financial difficulties of ‘Power Film,’ a company that was established independently after leaving the broadcasting station.

In other words, it meant that they didn’t care at all about the total amount of labor increasing.

It was a golden opportunity to transfuse blood in the name of funds into a collapsing company, so they had no intention of questioning the conditions.

‘Moreover….’

If they successfully completed such a large-scale project, it was clear that other jobs would pour in.

They would be able to establish deals with various companies and major broadcasting stations that were impressed by the documentary.

“You’re passionate, aren’t you?”

“Of course!”

Tommy continued.

“Next, we’ve briefly summarized the color schemes and saturation levels we have in mind for the documentary.”

Several videos were played in succession, and….

“It’s good.”

The videos that were played had undergone editing that evoked a series of dreamlike feelings in the viewer, while not feeling too different from the original colors.

“I think this is an editing style that roughly matches this project.”

In that way, just like when commissioning a custom tailor, Tommy showed samples for various matters and made decisions by seeking Jaesung’s opinion.

“Now, we need to discuss the budget….”

Jaesung replied briefly to that remark.

“Free.”

Tommy asked back in a bewildered tone.

“Excuse me…?”

At those words, Jaesung tapped the armrest of the chair he was sitting on with his long fingers, repeatedly, “Tap, tap,” and continued.

“Could you focus solely on producing high-quality work, regardless of the cost?”

“Ah, yes….”

“First, I’ll give you a business card, so I’d appreciate it if you could handle the receipts carefully.”

Tommy replied quietly.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Then, he cautiously asked again.

“Still, what is the limit…?”

Jaesung asked back.

“Do you need a lot of budget?”

Silence flowed for a moment.

“Yes.”

Tommy suppressed the rising tension and began to speak his mind with conviction.

“As you know, the quality of video media is usually determined by the amount of capital invested, isn’t it? Movies, dramas, animations, documentaries, and so on….”

Jaesung gestured for him to continue.

“If it really doesn’t matter how much it costs, I want to pay attention to every little detail to create the best work. For example, starting with manpower, the quality of equipment, and the technical skills that will be invested in the editing process….”

Jaesung nodded.

“Yes, use it as much as you want.”

“But the amount….”

Tommy added again.

“Even if we try to handle it with a cheap amount, there will be no end to it, but even if we invest a lot of money, there will be no end to it….”

Then, he looked at Jaesung’s expression and added.

“First of all, let’s say that expensive equipment is rented through some local companies, and if the core personnel are paid a percentage of their wages depending on the success of the documentary, I think we can greatly reduce the initial investment….”

Jaesung was lost in thought at those words.

“I’m against both.”

Then he added.

“If we rent equipment, wouldn’t it be uncertain whether we can proceed freely?”

“If we coordinate the schedule well….”

“I don’t want to wait for rentals, no matter how expensive the high-priced filming equipment is.”

Although he didn’t know the price, he was sure that his time was more expensive.

“Also, I don’t think it’s an efficient choice to share the profits from a documentary that we’re making with our lives on the line with many people.”

“Then….”

“Instead, pay a satisfactory wage at the beginning and proceed in a direction where profits are not distributed in the future.”

Tommy immediately asked back.

“Yes, but in the case of equipment, I don’t think it’s an efficient choice to purchase it just for a one-off documentary production.”

Jaesung answered at those words.

“Okay, then let’s do this.”

“How….”

“I’ll acquire Power Film.”

Jaesung added again.

“We’ll have to continue making documentaries in the future, so if we acquire the equipment once, we can use it over and over again, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but….”

“If I had to pick one of the best things about making a lot of money, it would be that I don’t have to waste time worrying about cost-effectiveness.”

Jaesung drove the final nail in the coffin with his last words.

“I’ll match the amount you want, so could you prepare the documents and visit again by tomorrow?”

Tommy, who answered in a bewildered tone, “Yes…,” belatedly regained his composure and answered.

“I understand….”

In that way, the failing production company Power Film, founded by Tommy, was taken into Jaesung’s hands.

* * *

Several days later, everything proceeded.

First….

The issue of where the Power Film employees would stay was resolved.

“Ree, I mean, he feels much more cool and generous than I thought. Just the fact that he acquired the company and rented an entire floor of the hotel because of our accommodation issues….”

Moreover, for the purpose of managing their condition during filming, he had booked all the employees’ rooms as suites or higher.

Not only that?

He rented an entire penthouse, where a night’s stay costs millions of won, for the filming crew to use as their base.

“Isn’t it more surprising that he bought the whole company….”

Also, as promised in advance, he paid Power Film approximately two billion won in Korean currency [approximately 1.5 million USD] and purchased 51% of the shares, rescuing them from financial difficulties in one fell swoop.

“He’s a benefactor, a benefactor….”

Tommy muttered quietly and rummaged through the box….

“Have you checked all the equipment?”

At his question, the production company’s employees began to carefully re-examine the amount of expensive filming equipment that Jaesung had purchased.

“Yes, it’s perfect.”

Jaesung had even purchased a lot of equipment that was not needed for this filming, and considering the issues of moving and transportation, he had even shipped it to the US headquarters.

“I feel like my destiny has changed….”

Tommy muttered lowly and looked out the hotel window.

The morning of the first day of filming was dawning.

Soon, he muttered, “Good…,” for a moment.

“Okay, let’s check if the equipment we’re going to use today is working properly and leave right away.”

He began to prepare for the first filming.

* * *

At the same time.

“What is dis [this]?”

Yul, who woke up much earlier than usual, seemed to have discovered the camera installed in the living room among the cameras installed throughout the house and was wandering around.

“Are you really okay with this?”

The production company had asked to install cameras in the house.

Thanks to Ashlyn’s readily acceptance, the installation had already been completed.

Jaesung was worried that Ashlyn might feel uncomfortable because of him.

“It’s okay.”

“Really?”

“Did you forget?”

She shrugged her shoulders and answered.

“I’m someone who used to work in front of the camera, right?”

Jaesung nodded once at those words.

“I see….”

Ashlyn’s main job was a model.

Belonging to Victoria’s Secret….

She was a successful top model.

“Appa [Dad], what is dis [this]?”

Jaesung answered briefly to Yul’s question.

“You know what a camera is, right?”

“Ung [yes], it’s for taking pictures.”

“Yes, this is also a camera.”

Yul, who answered once, “I see,” continued to speak to the camera.

“Hello. I’m Yul. I’m a good child who never picks sides and never eats unhealthily. Nice to meet you.”

Jaesung burst into laughter.

“It seems like she resembles her mother much more in that she’s not awkward with the camera?”

“You don’t find it difficult to be in front of the camera either, do you?”

Jaesung replied again at those words.

“Then we must resemble each other moderately.”

Jaesung headed to the front door.

“I have to go now.”

“Okay, have a good first day of filming.”

He went straight to work, but….

Yul was still busy talking to the living room camera.

“I can’t live like this….”

Ashlyn shook her head as she watched the scene.

* * *

That evening, the first filming ended successfully.

In fact, all the filming consisted of….

A short interview lasting a few minutes.

After taking a personal interview scene explaining the purpose of the new brand Cardo, all they did was capture Jaesung’s daily routine.

“Are you leaving work now?”

It was close to midnight.

“Yes, I have to move early tomorrow morning.”

Tommy answered at those words.

“Then, may I stop by your house for a moment?”

“To my house?”

“Because of the tape replacement of the cameras that have been installed.”

Apparently, they were trying to replace the tapes every 24 hours and pick out useful scenes from the footage taken every day.

“Yes, you can.”

In that way, Jaesung and Tommy went home together, and….

“I’ll just collect the tapes and go back right away.”

Tommy, who had stepped into the penthouse where Jaesung and his family were staying, immediately collected all the tapes and inserted new tapes.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

In that way, the first day of filming passed without incident.

No….

Jaesung’s day ended like that.

“Now, I have to monitor it….”

On the other hand, Tommy had the important task of monitoring all the footage taken today.

* * *

Tommy, who had returned to the filming crew’s base, sipped on an energy drink and began to look through the scenes he had filmed today.

“Good….”

In the case of the footage filmed while following Jaesung, he was able to quickly finish monitoring it because he had recorded the time whenever he captured an important event or a useful scene.

However, in the case of the videos taken by the cameras installed in Jaesung and his family’s residence, he had no choice but to skip through them in 5-second increments at 1.5x speed.

“Will it be over before dawn….”

Tommy, who was monitoring all the scenes captured by all the cameras on the screen at the same time, suddenly tilted his head and said, “Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

The production company’s employees began to gather.

“No, it seems like it’s Ree’s daughter….”

Tommy muttered again.

“She’s so cute.”

Yul was sitting in front of the living room camera and constantly saying something.

– This is my friend, the teddy bear.

– Daddy bought it for me.

– I always sleep with Yul.

The employees answered in agreement.

“That’s right, she’s a beauty, maybe because she resembles her mother?”

“Come to think of it, Ree is also handsome.”

It was then.

“Huh?”

Tommy muttered again.

“Is there anyone who would hate such a cute child?”

“Excuse me? Out of the blue?”

“No, rather, wouldn’t everyone be at a loss for what to do because she’s so cute?”

“Maybe?”

Tommy continued to speak.

“This is it….”

Then he shouted.

“This is it!”

A brilliant idea came to mind that would be a supplementary means of success.