The director and his film crew happily rode the cable car from the platform down to the ground.

  The props team had already assembled most of the props needed for the shoot.

  There were ferocious-looking beasts like dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pythons.

  But upon closer inspection, they reeked of plastic, and it was obvious they were fake.

  "Director, the props are almost assembled. Where should we put them?" the props team leader asked.

  The director waved his hand, laughing, "No need, the film's already done!"

  "Done... done?" the props team leader stammered. "The props weren't even used. How did you finish filming?"

  "Oh!" the director said casually, "We happened to run into a few wild animals during the shoot, so we had the actors interact with them. Surprisingly, it went quite smoothly!"

  The props team leader glanced back at the mountains.

  Being on the edge of the bustling Riverdale, those mountains probably didn't have any special wildlife. Finding a wild boar would be considered lucky.

  "Director, you have no ambition!" the props team leader said, disgruntled. "What's so great about filming a few wild boars?"

  His whole team had been working for so long, assembling all sorts of prop beasts!

  And in your eyes, they're not as useful as wild boars?

  You say we don't need them, and that's it?

  "Wild boars?" the director chuckled. "Use your imagination a little!

  "Think bigger!"

  "Did you run into wolves, by any chance?" the props team leader gasped. "I can't believe there are wolves in these mountains!"

  Before he could finish, the entire film crew burst into laughter.

  The film crew's foreman walked over, patted his shoulder, and laughed, "You're thinking too small. Guess again!"

  The props team leader furrowed his brow, racking his brain.

  Not wild boars.

  Not wolves?

  Could it be bears?

  The props team leader's eyes widened as he thought of this, marveling at the crew's luck for encountering a bear during the shoot!

  Just as he was about to ask the others for confirmation, the raft carrying the three actors slowly approached the shore.

  The director walked straight over, but before he could offer words of comfort and thanks,

  Hayden, with bloodshot eyes, glared at him, and a pig-like scream echoed throughout Starlight Amusement Park.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "I'm going to kill you!"

  The director immediately sensed something was wrong, stammering, "Hayden, direct your anger properly! You ended up like this because of the props, not me!"

  "Where's the props team?" Hayden shouted murderously.

  "Here!" the props team leader raised his hand.

  Hayden led the charge, with Leon and Ava close behind, all three flexing their muscles and heading straight for the props team leader.

  Taking the opportunity, the director took off running.

  Hayden, being tall and burly, grabbed the props team leader, angrily asking, "Was it you who put dozens of crocodiles in the water?"

  "Crocodiles?" the props team leader was dumbfounded. Having lived in Riverdale for so many years, this was the first time he'd heard that there were crocodiles in Riverdale.

  Leon sneered, "You're really thoughtful. You managed to get a few of the few remaining giant pythons in the world to use as props!"

  "Dozens... dozens of meters long?" the props team leader was stunned.

  "Explain to me what's going on with the eagles and the wolf packs!" Ava rained down a flurry of punches.

  Hayden and Leon didn't hesitate to join in!

  "Hold on a minute!" the props team leader shouted as he ran, "What are you talking about!"

  "Dozens of crocodiles and giant pythons dozens of meters long, how could I possibly get those..."

  "Even Hollywood film companies don't have that kind of budget. These giant beasts are created using special effects. How could we use real ones!"

  Ten minutes later, both sides finally realized they had fallen for the director's divide-and-conquer strategy.

  So the bruised and battered props team leader joined the three, and the four of them set off in pursuit of the director.

  Meanwhile, the director was already in a taxi, looking back at the scene, patting his chest with lingering fear.

  "Damn, good thing I ran fast!"

  The director took a taxi back to the studio, imported all the footage into the computer, and began editing day and night.

  Fortunately, he was only planning to shoot a short film this time, so the workload was relatively small.

  First, he kept all the scenes from when the three encountered the crocodiles to their breakdowns, then cut out some of the dialogue that would distract the audience, added some special effects, and finally rendered it.

  After some time, the director finally finished the product!

  ————

  Work: River Escape

  Director: Director

  Actors: Hayden, Leon, Ava

  Synopsis: Three people are trapped in a primeval forest due to an accident and finally escape in a thrilling adventure.

  ————

  The director simply edited the work information and uploaded it to the school's review library.

  All directing students must upload their work to this review library before graduation.

  The school will then form a review board composed of many professors to evaluate the students' works.

  If a student is found to be slacking or passing off inferior work, they will be penalized with delayed graduation.

  Conversely, if excellent work is discovered, the school will recommend the student and their work to major entertainment companies.

  This is like a ladder to success for newly graduated directing students.

  That's why the director was desperate to make a good film, even watching the actors in danger, he didn't give up filming.

  After successfully uploading the work, the director entered an anxious period where he couldn't eat or sleep well, eager to know the results of his work's review.

  ......

  After a period of waiting, the director's work finally caught the attention of the professors.

  In a conference room at Riverdale Academy of Arts, three members of the review board sat side by side, watching the screen showing the works of various directing students.

  The three professors came from different departments. The professor from the directing department was named Chad, and the professor from the acting department was named Ethan.

  The last one was Professor Hayden from the photography department.

  "Now we're going to watch a work made by a student named Director."

  "The subject matter is disaster-themed, called 'River Escape', starring Hayden, Leon, and Ava."

  Professor Hayden looked at the work information and said to the other two professors.

  "Oh, my three students are acting in it." Professor Ethan was surprised.

  "Oh?" Professor Chad smiled and said, "I'm casting for a movie, and I need some supporting actors. How are their acting skills? If they're good, you can recommend them to me."

  Professor Ethan chuckled and said, "The three of them have poor grades in their acting courses. There are many other good talents in the acting department. I'll recommend a few to you in a couple of days."

  "Okay, it's settled then." Professor Chad nodded.