Chapter 261: Fighter Jet

As the chaotic footsteps echoed, Matthew aimed his guns forward while Jessica Alba and other actors once again dashed towards them, fleeing from zombies. However, Jessica Alba, despite being the lead actress, remained inconspicuous among the group due to her outfit.

Matthew rushed forward to meet them, firing his gun as soon as the zombies came into range.

Bang—

The crisp sound of gunfire rang out, with the blank rounds creating a near-perfect gunshot effect.

The fastest pursuing zombie fell, a burst of dark red blood mist exploding from the back of its head.

Matthew continued firing, embodying the elite policeman persona, with nearly every shot resulting in an actor playing a zombie bursting a cloud of blood mist from their head.

This was the result of meticulous preparation by the crew. Zombies were crucial supporting characters in the film, evolving through different stages. To create vivid zombie images, Sean Daniel hired David Leroy Anderson, an Oscar-winning special effects makeup artist known for his work on "The Nutty Professor" and "Men in Black."

To realistically portray death and decay, Anderson delved into forensic books, crime scene photos, and traditional zombie lore, understanding the decomposition stages of the human body days, weeks, and months after death. He broadly divided zombie decay into three stages: the first stage is very pale with lots of fresh blood; the second stage shows moist wounds, skin breakdown, and many bruises, mostly blue and green; the third stage is the most severe, with bones exposed, wounds dried, skin completely peeled off, and turning dark black.

According to these stages, the blood also varied, with the first stage having standard red and fluid blood, the second stage's blood tending towards brown and very thick, and the third stage turning into a black oily substance.

Since the premiere of "Dawn of the Dead," film technology has significantly evolved, introducing numerous new techniques and materials. While the horrifying elements remain the same, the crew could now achieve a more realistic depiction.

After downing the fastest zombies, the people rushing over were temporarily safe, but more zombies, attracted by the gunfire, came.

According to the script, Matthew was to meet the incoming people and lead them back to the mall, closing the iron door just as the zombies caught up.

Just as Matthew was about to meet the oncoming group, Jessica Alba, caught by something on the ground, stumbled and fell.

This wasn't in the script!

Zack Snyder glanced at the set but didn't call cut. It's normal for actors to fall while running, and in the context of being chased by zombies, such a fall is even more plausible.

Directors are often quick thinkers. Seeing Jessica Alba fall, Snyder didn't immediately halt the shooting, opting to see how the actors would handle it. He hadn't had the actors rehearse the scene and didn't set too many restrictions during shooting.

As long as the director doesn't call cut, actors must continue, even if unexpected situations arise.

This is one of the basic rules of filming. Having acted in movies for several years, Matthew understood this well, so he rushed to help Jessica Alba up.

Not just him, but even the extras playing minor roles and zombies kept going, chasing and running as scripted.

Without Snyder's directive, the camera following Matthew immediately shifted to capture the moment.

Jessica Alba's accidental fall, without screams of pain or calls to stop the shoot, meant the crew continued as normal.

Matthew reached Jessica Alba in two strides.

Although the script didn't cover what followed, Matthew knew exactly what to do. Since Snyder didn't call cut, he continued the scene, leading Jessica Alba away from the approaching zombies.

Without a word, he helped her up and ran.

Jessica Alba, keeping up with Matthew, knew they were the focus of the main camera. This segment of running with the male lead was highly likely to be used in the final edit, elevating her from one among many to a lead-like presence.

"Quick!" Matthew shouted, "Get inside first!"

Jessica Alba hurried towards the door, where, inexplicably, Alexandra Daddario was also running inside, colliding with her. Jessica was hit hard but managed to stabilize herself against the door frame, preventing a fall.

"Ah…"

Alexandra Daddario cried out, holding her head.

Snyder frowned slightly but still didn't call cut. In the context of a zombie chase, such incidents didn't seem out of place.

Zombies' footsteps approached, and Matthew, fully immersed in the survival struggle, pushed Alexandra Daddario inside the side door before turning back to punch an attacking zombie in the head.

The actor playing the zombie, having trained for such moments, fell in sync with Matthew's punch.

But more zombies followed.

This scene was entirely off-script, but Matthew, accustomed to action scenes, knew group scenes couldn't always follow the script or set directions. He turned and kicked Jessica Alba, who was still by the door, pushing her inside before knocking down another zombie and rushing in himself.

Alexandra Daddario immediately closed the door, which barely shut before being hammered by zombies from the outside.

Then, Snyder's voice came from outside, "Cut! This take is good!"

Matthew first looked at Alexandra Daddario, then at Jessica Alba, but said nothing, opening the iron door to exit.

"Your improvisation in the last segment was brilliant!" Snyder greeted Matthew, "You handled the unexpected perfectly!"

"Thanks!" Matthew waved back at Snyder.

He turned to see Alexandra Daddario and Jessica Alba coming out behind him, the latter still rubbing her buttocks, clearly pained by the kick.

Was Jessica Alba's fall accidental? Was Alexandra Daddario's collision unintended?

Many might think so, but Matthew, with his unique way of thinking, didn't see it that way. Yet, he didn't voice his thoughts; such occurrences are too common in Hollywood.

Matthew approached Alexandra Daddario first, asking, "Are you okay?"

He knew his strength, having exerted quite a bit of force when pushing Alexandra.

Alexandra looked up, smiled, and shook her head, still sparing with words.

Matthew gently patted her arm before turning to Jessica Alba, "Sorry, I got too caught up in the scene, only thinking about…"

Before he could finish, Jessica Alba brightly said, "It's okay, it's all for work."

Matthew feigned relief, "Then I'm relieved."

Kicking is easier than punching, and his words weren't entirely false; he really did get caught up in the improvisation.

"Outdoor scenes are done!" Snyder commanded, "Let's move inside for the next shot."

He busied himself directing the crew inside the mall, and Matthew prepared to follow, noticing some tension between Jessica Alba and Alexandra Daddario. Stepping between them, he felt responsible for looking after Alexandra, as promised to Helen Herman, and knowing she was friends with Amanda.

If Jessica Alba's fall wasn't accidental…

Matthew suddenly considered that Alexandra Daddario might not be so innocent either, her collision with Jessica Alba perhaps just a lack of experience. After a few years in Hollywood, she could become a formidable force.

The crew's publicist approached, signaling to Matthew from afar, and later said, "Some media are visiting today. Sean wants you to do an interview."

Matthew, always cooperative, agreed, "No problem, call me when we wrap up."

Not

icing Alexandra Daddario, whom Matthew had formally introduced as his friend, the publicist decided to include her, "Miss Daddario, join us."

"Me?" Alexandra showed surprise, "Really?"

She had only had a minor role in "Underworld" and had never done a media interview.

"Of course," the publicist assured her, "Don't leave after wrap; I'll come for you and Matthew."

Jessica Alba had been eagerly watching, expecting to be included in the interview with Matthew, as she was nominally the lead actress. But the crew hadn't arranged for her participation, and the publicist left after speaking with Alexandra.

Matthew didn't linger, heading inside the mall with Alexandra following.

Jessica Alba cursed under her breath as they left, disparaging Alexandra with harsh words.

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