Oh, um... Amisawa, do you have a minute? I want to ask you a few things about the film equipment...

Hm? What are you watching...?

Huh? Oh, this? It's drone footage.

The person took shots from a bunch of different angles instead of just from up above.

Yeah, and they took some really nice footage.

Isn't it amazing how much technology has advanced? Did you know that people started making motion pictures all the way back in the 19th century? It began with this device called a “cinematograph”.

Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to get sidetracked! Asking my dad about this stuff sorta lit this fire inside of me...

No, that's okay...

I can tell that you like cameras very much.

I'm also really interested in that, but...

Mind if I ask about the equipment...?

Hiyaaah!

Soda, what are you doing...?

Oh, I was just practicing for the film!

I've been going to this one judo dojo for a really long time, and the kids there said they wanted to see our film.

I see...

That explains why you sound so motivated.

Yeah, I'm going to do whatever it takes!

Get ready for some really cool fight scenes!

*Nod*

I'll be looking forward to those...

T-Tachibana...?

You've been staring at me for a while now. Is there something on my face...?

Hmm... No, it's not that.

Hey, Director, wanna go clothes shopping together sometime?

What?! Why...?

After watching you work, I kinda want to dress you up in some nice clothes, you know...?

U-Uhh, lemme think about it...

Hey, Kusanagi.

What can I do to become a better actor?

Huh? Wh-Why do you ask?

I tried recording a video of myself acting, but my delivery was a bit...no, really stiff...

I wanna go all out, especially for the last part! Can you teach me how to sound more convincing?!

Yeah, I wanna learn how to do that too.

The cast needs to be on top of their game for this film.

O-Okay.

I might not be the best teacher, but...

Don't say that!

Please teach us, Kusanagi!

A-Alright, so...

(We finally start shooting tomorrow...)

(We've been really busy until today, but I've had a chance to talk to everyone... I feel a lot more comfortable around them now...)

(I hope our shoot goes well...)

Wow... This is where we're shooting?

This is awesome...!

Just look at those cliffs! It's the perfect location!

Amisawa's group found it for us.

It really is an amazing location.

We finally get to start shooting!

This is so exciting! You memorized all of your lines, right, Akito?

Of course.

I'm not about to make a fool of myself.

You sure are pumped up. But that checks out!

Still, to think that you'd be chosen for the lead.

I mean, we didn't really have a choice...

I'm the only one who's more or less the same height and build as Soda.

Sorry, Shinonome...

If only my acting skills were a little better...

My brain and body sorta need to be doing the same thing, you know? My muscles do all the talking for me!

Yeah, I get that.

Also, no one's good at everything.

True... But the fight scenes are gonna be your time to shine. Do your best as my stunt double.

You're also playing an important role, Shiraishi... The girl who the hero saves... You have a lot on your plate, but I hope you'll give it your best.

Will do!

Alright, actors, once you've finished changing, please hurry on over here so I can start doing your makeup!

Oh, gotta go...!

See you in a bit, Kusanagi!

(We're really gonna start shooting soon...)

(I've had to learn a lot of new things for this, but I need to do my best as the director...!)

The lights and camera are all set, Director!

O-Okay, thanks.

(Now, the cast should be...)

We're good to go whenever!

(All ready to go...)

(We're starting with the scene where the girl gets attacked by the Dark Cooks and the hero comes to save her...)

(It's also the opening scene, making it a really important one... Ideally, we'll get this right and set the stage for the rest of our shoot.)

Okay, everyone... And...

Action!

“Huff... Huff...

I'm almost home...”

“But I'm so hungry...”

“Maybe if I had just a little... No, stop!

Mom's sick! She needs this more than me!”

“I'm almost there, Mom.

You'll get to have some food in a little bit...!”

(Shiraishi's doing a really good job...

She's still a little stiff here and there, but she isn't hesitating. That makes her sound really natural...)

“Hah hah hah!

Where do you think you're going, little girl?!”

“Oh, what's this?!

Your bag is full of... Food!”

“What a stroke of luck!

I guess this is what they mean by a duck carrying a leek!”

“N-No...! You're...”

“Bad luck, darling.

This food now belongs to the... U-Uhh...

The Dark Culinary Society!”

Cut!

S-Sorry, I forgot my line.

Yeah, and my voice sounded really shrill there for a second...

N-No, that's okay...

This was our first take after all.

(Still, what should I say to them...?

I don't think telling them to sound natural will help...)

Um, so...

Are you guys feeling nervous because we're actually shooting now?

Yeah... We practiced a ton, but this is for real now...

The thought of everyone at school seeing our film keeps overwhelming my brain...

Right...

(Wait, what if...?)

Then, why don't we take some deep breaths and relax... After that...

Let's try thinking about having more fun...

Fun?

Yeah. A lot of you are acting for the first time, so I'm sure you're worried about how you're gonna do and stuff...

But I believe the most important thing is to enjoy playing your characters...

We should enjoy playing our characters...?

Yeah... I know how you all feel since I lost sight of that once a long time ago, which didn't end well for me.

Kusanagi...

Yeah...

I think I know what she's talking about. But for now... We should all try to have more fun!

Okay!

Then, next take?

Yeah...!

Break time!

Don't forget to stay hydrated, everyone!

Phew...

(Our shoot's going pretty well.)

(I wasn't sure how things were gonna go at first, but it's been smooth. I really can't thank everyone enough for...)

Surprise!

Eep...!

S-So cold...!

Haha. We brought you some ice-cold juice. We had it chill specially for our dear director.

Huh? This is for me...?

Yeah, because you've been working the hardest out of all of us!

I don't think that's true...

But thanks. I'll gladly have this.

Great! Also...

This drink is a small token of our appreciation.

It is...?

Yeah, because...

We know our film's gonna be amazing now!

We put you in a tough spot when we asked you to become the director, but it's coming along really nicely now, don't you think?

Yeah, it totally is. Without her, this thing was probably doomed to become one of those really bad home videos or something.

Exactly. But you've been doing such an awesome job as the director... Our film's starting to look good, which is giving us even more motivation!

I-I've been doing a good job...?

Yeah, so...!

Let's see this through until the end and make our film an amazing one!

...

Yeah...

Let's keep doing our best. Together.