Chapter 58: Filming Bullet Time—Neo Gets Taken Down!

Chapter 58: Filming Bullet Time, Neo Gets Shot!

Days passed one after another.

The filming continued steadily.

Fortunately, Trinity’s foot wasn’t fractured. After five days, the swelling had mostly subsided, and she returned to the set.

As the movie neared its final stages, with more and more action scenes, everyone was tense, afraid of any mishaps.

Thankfully, everything proceeded smoothly, and the schedule remained on track.

On this particular day, the crew was given a day off.

Qin Feng finished arranging the set affairs and went to find Scarlett.

The two of them strolled along the streets of Sydney.

“Scarlett, where have you been shopping lately?”

“Many places, let me see… Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and the New South Wales Art Gallery.”

“That sounds wonderful. A vacation really is the best way to relax…”

“Qin, you don’t look so well lately,” Scarlett said, linking her arm with his.

“Really?” Qin Feng touched his face. “Maybe it’s the stress from filming. Every day brings new challenges.”

“But it’s alright. Once filming is done, things will be easier.”

“How many more days do we have?”

“About a week. Then all the scenes will be finished.”

“Hey, Qin Feng,” Scarlett looked at him earnestly, “do you still remember you promised me that once you became a director, I’d star as the lead in your big movie?”

“Of course I remember,” Qin Feng teased, playfully scratching her nose. “Don’t worry, there will be a chance. I’ll get you the best role.”

“Don’t trick me.”

“No way… but you’ll have to wait a bit. Probably the film after next. No matter what, my dear Miss Scarlett will be the leading lady.”

…

The outdoor shoot had entered its final phase.

Today’s scene was the iconic “bullet time.”

Visual Effects Supervisor Gaeta and Bill, head of Industrial Light & Magic, had spent a long time testing.

In the end, they decided to combine live-action with computer effects.

During the day, on a rooftop terrace.

“d023, scene 3, take 1! Ready… action!”

Medium shot: Neo and Trinity were locked in fierce combat against a group of soldiers.

Their movements were lightning fast, and in moments, they gained the upper hand.

The camera switched to the rooftop, where a helicopter hovered. The co-pilot was observing the battle.

An agent infiltrated the co-pilot’s mind, taking over his body.

A low hum—

The pilot trembled as the agent invaded.

The transformation between the two faces was achieved with CGI.

At that moment, Neo grabbed a gun, and Trinity seized a knife.

They worked in tandem, swiftly knocking down all the soldiers on the rooftop.

The agent descended from the helicopter.

Close-up: Neo sensed something, spun around, and fired dual pistols simultaneously.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The action flowed seamlessly.

The agent stood firm on his feet, his upper body dodging rapidly, leaving afterimages in his wake.

All the bullets missed!

…

The agent quickly regained his stance.

Neo was startled, shouting,

“Trinity! Help me!”

Close-up: The agent raised his pistol, aiming at Neo.

Bang—!

Slow motion began.

A bullet shot out, leaving a visible tracer.

On set, this effect was absent and would be added in post-production, but it had to be conveyed convincingly.

Neo’s feet were planted firmly as he swung his arms, his upper body leaning backward.

The slow-motion camera rotated around him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The agent fired continuously, the bullets passing through where Neo had originally stood.

The camera completed a full 360-degree rotation.

This scene had to be filmed twice: once outdoors to capture the setting and material, and once in the studio.

Close-up: Two bullets grazed Neo’s shoulder and thigh. He lost his balance and fell to the ground.

The fall was captured in live action.

He braced himself with both hands, trying to get up.

A figure approached—it was the agent.

Looking down at him contemptuously, the agent sneered, “Just a mere mortal.”

Suddenly, a gun pressed against the agent’s head.

The shot switched to Trinity, who aimed at him.

“Try dodging this.”

Bang—!

She fired instantly; the agent was shot in the head and flung backward.

As he collapsed, his face shifted again—back to the pilot’s.

Neo removed his sunglasses.

Trinity reached out, pulling him up, her face full of surprise.

“How did you do that?”

“What?”

“You dodged bullets like they did.”

“I’ve never seen anyone move that fast.”

“Not fast enough…”

Neo glanced at his wounded shoulder.

He noticed a helicopter parked nearby.

“Can you fly that?”

“Cut! Excellent,” Qin Feng’s voice rang out. “We’ll shoot several more takes.”

…

In the days that followed, Neo’s action scenes with Agent Smith were filmed.

Mostly inside an abandoned subway station.

They fought for a long time.

Keanu was no match for Smith, who pursued him relentlessly until he escaped into a residential building.

Two other agents followed closely.

When Neo finally pushed open a door with great effort,

Smith waited there, gun aimed at him.

Bang—!

Neo was shot.

He felt utterly dazed; he was not immortal.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!

Smith fired multiple shots; Neo slowly collapsed into a pool of blood…

He had been shot dead by Smith.

Meanwhile, in the real world, the spaceship was under attack by mechanical octopuses, and the situation was extremely dire.

Trinity looked at Neo’s true body slumped in a seat, tears welling in her eyes.

“Neo, I’m not afraid anymore…”

“The Oracle told me I would fall in love with someone. The man I love is the Savior.”

“So… you won’t die. You can’t die.”

“Because I love you. Do you hear me? I love you.”

The damaged spaceship erupted in flames.

Trinity kissed Neo deeply.

Finally, Neo responded—he came back to life!

The spaceship scenes had all been filmed earlier in the studio.

Up to this point, the storyline was fully connected.

In a hallway, Qin Feng held a walkie-talkie, his voice strong and clear:

“All departments, get ready. This is our final scene—filming Keanu’s resurrection, the Savior’s return.”

“Let’s get energized! Everyone, give it your best!”

The crew was ready.

“Okay.”

“Let’s go!” “Come on!”

“f045, scene 2, take 1! Ready… action!”

Neo rose from the ground.

Close-up: Smith sensed something strange and turned around.

The three agents stared at him in disbelief, nearly raising their guns at once.

Neo spoke softly, “No.”

The three fired frantically.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang…!!

Sparks flew.

The camera switched; Neo extended his right hand forward slowly.

The bullets, each leaving a tracer, approached—but mysteriously stopped right before reaching him!

The bullets and tracers would be added in post-production; the actors performed according to the animated previews.

All three agents were stunned!

Neo’s right hand plucked a single bullet suspended in midair and smashed it to the ground.

Crackling sounds followed.

In the next moment, all the bullets fell to the floor.

Offscreen voices:

Tank: “How did he do that?”

Morpheus: “Because he is the Savior!”

Close-up: Neo slowly lifted his head.

According to the animation preview, his perspective shifted.

In his eyes, everyone and everything transformed into lines of code—

Rows upon rows of glowing green code!

(End of chapter)