She adjusted the colors, tweaking the blues and yellows to make the morning light look more vibrant. The slight haze in the background was enhanced to make the sunlight seem like it was filtering through the trees. With just a few tweaks, the entire scene came alive.
Next, she worked on the audio. The voices sounded flat, with background noise from the wind. Using the software’s basic audio tools, she balanced the levels and added a subtle reverb to give the dialogue more depth, as though it were truly echoing in the morning air.
As for the effects, Ruby decided to add a soft glow around the actors’ heads to mimic the way sunlight might naturally create a halo effect. It was a simple trick, but it made the scene feel magical, perfect for a fantasy.. no.. sci-fi movie.
Finally, she moved on to yesterday’s battle scene. This one required more work. She started by brightening the sun in the background, giving it a dramatic golden hue to emphasize the time of day. The fake blood looked like red paint, so she adjusted the saturation and contrast to make it look more realistic.
The magic ball that had looked like a random glowing sphere was reimagined. Ruby used the software’s limited particle effects to make it shimmer and pulse with energy, giving it a dynamic, otherworldly feel. The debris flying around in the battle was enhanced to create a sense of chaos, and she slowed down certain shots to add tension and drama.
Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard, her focus intense. Ruby didn’t notice the time passing as she worked. She was completely in her element, transforming raw footage into something that could captivate an audience.
By the time she finished, the screen displayed two completely different scenes—one filled with warmth and life, and the other brimming with drama and intensity. Ruby leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
Outside, Lyra was still waiting for Ruby to come out defeated. But Ruby wasn’t planning on losing.
"I know she’s just spouting nonsense," Lyra said, her voice dripping with disdain. She crossed her arms and glanced at her friend. "There’s no way she knows anything about filmmaking processes. Even we struggled when we had to learn everything through proper courses."
Her expression twisted further as she sneered. "And look at her! What experience could someone like her possibly have? Walking in here like she knows it all, when she probably can’t even differentiate between a lens and a filter."
Her friend chuckled, nodding along. "Exactly! It took us years to understand editing, lighting, and camera work. How can someone with no background suddenly come in and do better than us? She’s just bluffing to make herself look good."
Lyra smirked, leaning in closer to whisper, "Just wait. She’ll come out embarrassed, tail between her legs, and Director Sylvia will regret wasting her time on this Witch."
Another witch, overhearing them, joined in. "Honestly, I think she’s just a thief pretending to know something. The fact that she was caught near the set proves it! She probably thought she could make some quick money by talking big."
The group snickered, their laughter filled with malice. Lyra, feeding off their energy, added, "I can’t wait to see her mess up. Director Sylvia’s going to lose her mind when she realizes she trusted the wrong person."
Sylvia leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the edge of her script. Her sharp eyes shifted to Ara, who stood hesitantly by the entrance of the tent, clutching a pile of documents.
"Ma’am, why did you trust that unknown woman?" Ara asked again, her voice soft but filed with curiosity. Her round face was clouded with doubt, her yellow robe slightly crinkled from her nervous fidgeting.
Sylvia glanced toward the open flap of the tent, where she could see some crew members laughing and whispering, no doubt making jokes about Ruby’s capabilities. She let out a slow breath, her gaze hardening as she looked back at Ara.
"Sometimes," Sylvia began, her tone firm but thoughtful, "you don’t need credentials or a fancy background to recognize potential. I trust my gut, Ara, and my gut tells me there’s something about her."
Ara frowned, unsure. "But ma’am, she doesn’t seem—"
Sylvia cut her off with a sharp wave of her hand. "Her clothes may be cheap, and her appearance simple, but her aura isn’t something you see in someone from a village. The way she walks, the way she carries herself—it’s not ordinary." Her eyes narrowed as if recalling something. "She’s hiding something. And I’d rather give her a chance than regret missing out on someone talented."
Ara hesitated, still unconvinced. "But ma’am, what if she’s just bluffing? What if she—"
"What if she’s not?" Sylvia countered, her voice calm but commanding. She leaned forward, her piercing gaze meeting Ara’s. "What’s the harm in giving her one chance? The worst that happens is she fails, and we move on. But what if she surprises us?"
Ara bit her lip, unsure how to argue further. Sylvia wasn’t someone who made decisions lightly, and if she trusted her instincts, there was no convincing her otherwise.
"Let her work," Sylvia said firmly. "If she’s as capable as she claims, we’ll see it soon enough. And if she’s not... well, I’ll deal with that too." She smirked slightly, leaning back in her chair again.
Ara nodded slowly, still doubtful but unwilling to question further. "Yes, ma’am," she murmured before stepping out of the tent.
As Sylvia watched her leave, her thoughts lingered on Ruby. There was something about that witch—something unusual. Sylvia wasn’t sure what it was yet.
Ruby leaned back in her chair, letting out a deep breath as she stretched her arms. Hour of work had left her back slightly sore, but a sense of accomplishment warmed her. Her long white hair fell over her face as she moved, and she absentmindedly pushed it aside, her red eyes focused on the screen.
—To be continued...🪄