**Chapter 37: Fully Satisfied**

Boiling.

Tense.

Deadlock.

The air in Studio 24 was slightly thick, like amber, layer upon layer building up, completely freezing this moment in time.

Countless gazes, mixed with emotions of anticipation, nervousness, curiosity, and excitement, weighed heavily on Michael's shoulders.

Michael could feel this energy too.

This was a good sign.

In Michael's view, the audience was smart—they could sense the atmosphere on set through the screen, especially in a sitcom.

If the atmosphere on set was tense or filled with frequent mistakes, the humor and jokes would inevitably feel heavy, and the delivery of the intended effects would suffer significant losses.

But today, the entire set was relaxed and comfortable; not only was the filming going smoothly, but the chemistry between the actors also brought unexpected results.

Whether it was the director, the actors, or the other crew members, everyone was more at ease and more invested in their work, which doubled the quality of the shoot.

Far beyond expectations!

Michael couldn't find a reason to nitpick.

"Cut!"

Michael suddenly stood up. Despite being nearly fifty, with gray starting to creep into his hair, his passion for work remained high and boiling.

"Perfect!"

Michael shouted, and with a wave of his hand, there was a commanding energy and joy in his movements, a triumphant smile quietly creeping up his face.

Then—

Boom!

With a single word, it was as if a magical seal had been lifted, and the energy in the room burst out.

One by one!

The figures in the audience seats spontaneously stood up, without needing any prompting from the set assistants. They eagerly, almost irrationally, released all the energy they had been holding in.

Driven by pure impulse, they clapped, cheered, and whistled, using every ounce of strength to vent their passion and excitement, creating a frenzy that instantly swept through the studio, allowing everyone to freely and joyfully immerse themselves in it.

Clap clap clap!

Roar roar roar!

The applause and cheers climbed higher and higher, switching to party mode in an instant.

The entire room was boiling.

Indeed—

*"Friends"* truly deserved its title as the most influential and beloved sitcom of its time; the audience's investment and resonance were fully evident at this moment.

Even Michael was a little taken aback.

This wasn't Michael's first time directing *"Friends,"* but it was the first time he had felt this unique atmosphere on set. Everything felt different.

Turning around, Michael was met with the vibrant and lively faces of the cast, radiating life even if their features and expressions weren't entirely clear. The joy and happiness they exuded, however, were unmistakably vivid and straightforward.

Unconsciously, Michael's own smile widened.

Then.

Removing his headset and stepping away from the monitor, Michael walked towards the actors.

"Cut," he had called, signifying a temporary end to the current scene. The transition was made from the coffee shop entrance to the iconic yellow sofa in the conversation area.

Firstly, it provided a natural point for editing.

Secondly, the next scene required a reset of the camera positions and a change in shooting mode.

Thirdly, the previous scene would need to be re-shot in close-up. Although sitcoms typically require minimal camera movement and editing, maintaining the audience's visual engagement still necessitates some thoughtful design.

That's why Michael had planned to stop the shooting here.

In the world of TV and film production, scenes done in one take are rare, even rarer are those without hidden cuts—where multiple long takes are seamlessly stitched together. This is a hallmark of a mature production industry, offering flexibility. Yet it also distinguishes TV and film from stage plays, where continuous, unbroken takes aren't necessarily the goal.

Only a few technical perfectionists insist on achieving a true one-take scene under special circumstances:

For example, Alfonso Cuarón's *Children of Men* in 2006.

Or Joe Wright's *Atonement* in 2007.

But here and now?

Despite the smooth flow of the current shoot, there was no need for it in a sitcom.

Michael would still set up additional camera angles to shoot a few more shots, ensuring dynamic cuts in the post-production stage to keep the visual energy high.

For a sitcom, long, unbroken shots could feel too dry.

Of course, while continuous shooting wasn't necessary, the smoothness of today's shoot was something else entirely—so far, things had gone remarkably well.

"Great, very great!"

Michael didn't hold back his applause, offering praise to the actors.

"David, I always knew you were good, but your performance just now was exceptional—the camera caught your impromptu reaction perfectly."

"It looks like everyone's in top form today; maybe we can wrap early."

"Here, I'd like to give a special shout-out to Anson."

Suddenly, all eyes were on Anson—not with jealousy or malice, but with a kind of curiosity, observing and exploring.

"Your performance was excellent, the rhythm and timing were spot on. Especially that moment when you almost collided with David—your handling of it was flawless."

As soon as Michael finished speaking, the others chimed in.

"Yeah, I almost thought we'd need an NG there."

"Your quick reaction was outstanding."

"That energy was almost on par with Matthew's, haha."

"Totally natural, no hint of hesitation."

"Did you guys see David's face? I nearly broke character! Luckily, David pulled it together just in time, but that scene was hilarious."

"Anson, are you sure this is your first time acting?"

The chatter was loud and chaotic, but eventually, all eyes returned to Anson.

Anson had to admit, he was at a loss for words.

This really was his first time acting, and the exhilarating, immersive feeling was like a rollercoaster—not just thrilling but wonderfully surreal.

Before he could even process the rush of emotions from the first "cut," he was swept into the seamless banter among this group of seasoned friends and colleagues. Their conversation was so tightly woven that there was no room for him to jump in, leaving him overwhelmed and full of questions.

It felt like a sudden summer downpour, drenching him completely without warning. Before he could even react, the rain stopped, and the sun came out, leaving him suffocated in the thick, humid air.

Whew.

Finally, a brief pause allowed Anson to collect himself. He looked up, meeting everyone's gaze, and spread his hands wide, "Alright, cards on the table. The truth is, I'm a genius actor. In my past life, I starred in over thirty films and won so many awards my hands got tired."

One second, two seconds—

The room erupted into laughter.

And not just any laughter, but an unrestrained, all-out laugh that matched the celebratory atmosphere of the studio, growing even more infectious.

Matthew affectionately patted Anson on the shoulder, his brows and lips full of warmth, "You're almost as funny as me."

Seeing this, David Schwimmer also playfully hit Anson on the other shoulder, laughing heartily.

Anson spread his hands, feigning innocence:

"See? I told you the truth, but you still don't believe me. What can I do?"