Page 98 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 9-12
“Let’s do it,” he’d agreed. “Two takes. We can sort it all in post.”
Even though it wasn’t a normal crew, there was a whole crew present. Collin had called in Ash, who had called in Ellisandre and Alice, who now ran makeup. Richard and Émeric were on cameras with Ash as their gopher. It had been an absolute boon to find out that Émeric’s skills extended to photography and lighting. He’d worked with them for all the stills they’d done earlier. Mi Hi was beside herself with Émeric’s work and taking as many lessons from him as he was available to give. They were giving him credit with a pseudonym, but he was accepting credit. Jun had insisted. The winning argument: the members of 5N were professionals and had to give credit to someone.
Ellisandre and Damian were keeping track of costuming. Gigi was controlling the sound system and running choreo. This was the most input 5N had ever had, and Gigi was a gem to work with. They were pulling from her, and she was pulling from them, creating something entirely new.
“Ready?” Gigi called.
Jun took his pose, Yohei and Geun spread out behind him and Su-jin and Jaewoong did the same just in front of him to either side. “Ready.”
The rest called out the same.
The sound of “Raw” filled the Parsonage attic. The ground beneath their feet was mostly clear, but debris lay all around them. A hard, killer beat rumbled through the floor. The click, click of the beat counter came through loud and clear in Jun’s earpiece. He rolled with it, letting it fill him up.
Kick. Kick. Kick. Fist to shoulder. Kick. Turn. Face camera. Close up. Kick. Turn.
It’s raw, the way you let me bleed
It’s Ah! The way you cut me, see!
Spread hands, turn, body roll. Turn.
Before you I was a seed.
Germinated on their greed
Now I bleed
Back lean. Hands down his body. Side to side.
And you let me be
A perfect wound, a fallen free
Ah!
Full body fall. Flip.
Pain so sharp I finally breathe
With the last words, Jun wiped his hand across his face, spreading the black dye hidden in his palm. He smeared it across his lips, staining his lips and cheek. He looked left and right. Around him, the others had done the same to different parts of their bodies.
“Cut.” Émeric called out. Gigi hurried over to his screen to see the replay.
Jun dragged in a deep breath. Alice ran up with cloths to clean away the dye.
“All right, one more take, guys,” Gigi said, jogging back. “I liked most of that.”
Jun nodded. They got back to work.
They taped the last section in the sanctuary of the Church. It looked different than the last time he had been inside now that there were signs of work starting. There were marks on the walls and a few pieces of safety equipment. The floor had been swept in places.
They were taping the entire song on each set. Later, in post, they would choose which pieces would be used when.
Jun climbed up on the altar. Alice and Geun dumped rubble from the room around his feet. He took his stance, feet apart, hands down by his hips, fingers spread and palms toward the camera. This was a part that only he would be in. The others were also being filmed on their own in various places in the sanctuary.
He closed his eyes, going over the lyrics. Even though they would use the track from the studio recording for the sounds, his lips had to match the lyrics.
“Mi Hi, give it to me again?”
