"This isn't cool, man," Leviathan grumbled before naturally taking his seat opposite Mammon. "Why are they isolating us like this? Whose idea was it?"
The way he sat displayed his discontent and displeasure. His dissatisfied expression despite all the comforts encapsulated the envious nature of Leviathan.
About half an hour later, a staff member called for all of them. There was suspicion written on every one of their faces. They were already thinking like the seven princes, distrustful of each other.
The staff member led them to the makeup room, where the makeup artist and her seven assistants were waiting. They were joined by the hairstylist and his seven assistants.
'We are even dressing together now?' Averie thought. 'The director is going to make us hate each other, isn't he?'
The makeup was light for all of the characters, and hairstyles differed.
Lucifer's hair made him look prim and proper. Mammon's hairstyle helped him hide his sly and cunning. The dark spots under Leviathan's eyes made him look slightly unhinged. And so on.
They were dressed in designer suits, pricey leather shoes, and threatening dark coats.
In-Su Kim, Lucifer's actor, was the first to leave for his scene. And only fifteen minutes later, everyone else was called. While Lucifer acted, they would serve as spectators.
Averie liked that. Frankly, it was getting a little boring.
And so, the filming began.
***
Most of the first episode of Binsfeld's Seven Princes of Hell served to introduce the setting and the characters.
It was the very first scene of the show that In-Su Kim was currently shooting. It introduced Lucifer, the Head of the Binsfeld crime family.
It showed Lucifer's office, where he was discussing business with a visitor from the USA—a captain of the Altobelli family. It was the largest mafia family in New Jersey and one of the biggest organized crime syndicates in the world.
As the discussions progressed, they digressed.
The two talked about their families and lineage. And in passing, Lucifer mentioned how his father had come to Korea from Italy at a young age and raised the Binsfeld family from nothing.
"Now, we are the biggest mafia family in the entirety of Asia."
Toni Altobelli, the captain of the Altobelli family, chuckled.
"Is something wrong?" Lucifer asked.
"No offense, but a mafia family has to have a mafia surname."
"Our father was half German and half Italian, but he was raised in Napoli," Lucifer explained. "My brothers and I share the Italian heritage."
"A quarter Italian isn't Italian enough to be mafia, my friend," Toni Altobelli laughed.
But unlike his guest, Lucifer didn't find it amusing. It was insulting, and he found the offense unpardonable. Regardless, he kept his thoughts hidden.
Once the meeting was over and the man had left his mansion, Lucifer ordered his right-hand man to follow their guest and make sure he never opened his mouth again.
The poise and ease with which he ordered the hit on a captain of one of the biggest crime families in the world felt frighteningly eerie.
His prideful nature and authority indicated the strength of the Binsfeld family. His heavy gaze carried the absolute certainty that no one could touch him or his empire.
"Cut!" Director Lee yelled.
The cameras stopped filming.
"Perfect," he said to In-Su Kim after checking the footage. "No need to shoot again."
Director Lee liked having more footage, but he didn't have enough time to waste. On top of that, he couldn't wait to film other actors.
'He is good,' Averie thought while watching In-Su Kim.
"He is good, isn't he?" a familiar voice whispered.
Looking back, Averie found Hyerin.
'How long has she been there?' he wondered. 'She doesn't make any sound, does she?'
In-Su Kim joined them, still carrying the poise of Lucifer.
As others were also in character, none of the six complimented his performance.
The staff could sense the tension between them, and so, they stayed away. Other than their attendants, no one approached the main cast.
They were given chairs to sit on and water to drink, and that was as much contact as the staff could initiate.
The art crew rushed to change the set. They added the props and fixed the decorations. After about twenty minutes of set dressing and light adjustments, Belphegor and Beelzebub were called.
The next scene included the two conversing in a restaurant they co-owned.
Most of Belphegor and Beelzebub's scenes included them chatting while the former feasted vigorously and the latter relaxed.
These scenes provided exposition, foreshadowing vital events.
Once they were done, Leviathan was up. His scene was shot smoothly before the lunch break was called.
Averie wondered if they would be isolated for lunch as well, but his worries did not come to fruition.
Instead, he shared a relaxing meal with Hyerin. It was provided by trustworthy contracted set caterers, so the quality was assured.
Once the break was over, Mammon and Satan's scenes were filmed.
While the director was checking the footage, one of the staff members approached the AD and informed him that the backlot was prepared for the last scene of the day.
The backlot was an area adjoining most movie studios. It contained permanent exterior buildings or temporary set construction for outdoor scenes.
The backlot of LP Film Studios was only five minutes away from Studio A3 on foot, but it took more than an hour for the equipment to be moved and arranged.
The part of the backlot they were about to film imitated the historic districts of European cities. The brown and grey buildings were stuck closely together, parting for a stone street that was neither narrow nor wide.
The number of cameras involved was especially large.
Cranes were attached to the top of the buildings to capture overhead shots. Tracks were arranged, hidden under the awnings for tracking shots. A pair of cameras were being operated from the windows overlooking the street without sticking out.
The top of the buildings had rain machines installed—cleverly enough so as not to hinder the cranes while filming.
Shooting this scene was going to be complex.
"To simulate a dark rainy day, we need to shoot once the sun has set. I would have liked to rehearse this scene first," — Director Lee put his hands up in defeat — "but time is against us."
"We can't have any No-Good takes, if we are to utilize the natural light," the director explained. "The window for capturing this scene is short. You understand, right?"
"Of course," Averie answered.
This was his scene—the scene that would introduce Asmodeus to the audience.
"Good," the director remarked, a little on edge.
He left as the makeup artists did Averie's touch-up.
The rest of the cast hadn't left even though their shoot for the day was over. They were passionate actors, and they preferred to watch the scenes live.
"Is that allowed?" Averie asked Hyerin, who had secretly taken out her phone to capture videos of him.
"I don't know," she whispered, almost like a cautious child. "If I do it quietly, no one will notice."
"Just enjoy with your eyes."
"But it's your first shoot," she mumbled before begrudgingly putting down her phone.
Averie moved towards his position—an outdoor sandwich shop just around the corner of the street.
The quaint shop had tables with white parasols attached, and one of the chairs facing the street was marked with red tape.
Averie sat there. He made sure the umbrella provided to him was working properly and placed it on the table.
"Make it rain!" the director yelled.
The rain machines began spraying water, simulating a regular drizzle.
The skies were turning dark, and the sun would soon set.
Averie looked up at the parasol shielding him from the artificial rain.
'Who is Asmodeus Binsfeld?'
He was a man of few words and someone who refused to wear his emotions on his face. His actions showed glimpses of his inner self. But his eyes only ever showed his unbridled desires.
To the audience, he was a mysterious, vile man full of lust.
"Turnover," the AD announced.
After a second of complete silence on the set, he called, "Sound."
"Speed," replied the sound mixer.
"Scene 11, Animal, Take 1," the second Assistant Camera (AC) read, holding the clapperboard in front of the camera.
"Rolling," replied the first AC.
The second AC clapped the jaws of the slate shut, removing himself and the slate from the frame immediately.
"Action!" yelled the director.