Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 184 Going to Hengdian

While other actresses born in the 70s and 80s were still looking for roles, Liu Yifei, who was born in the 85s, had already participated in film investment.

"I'm really lucky to have a great director."

"So you're a producer now?"

As soon as the news of the new movie was announced, it aroused discussion among other people in the circle. Most of the actors were female, and participating in capital investment was something they dared not even think about now.

"Mimi, you've worked with that person, what do you think of her?"

In the Legend of Sword and Fairy crew, Liu Shishi and Tang Yan asked Yang Mi.

"She debuted as a leading actress and starred in several Hollywood blockbusters. Compared to her, I am like an ugly duckling."

Yang Mi said this in a self-deprecating way.

Seeing that Yang Mi was not in a good mood, the two did not talk much.

“I don’t know when I can be in Director Gu’s movie.”

Tang Yan next to him said fantasically.

"Brother Hu hasn't even come up yet, how can it be our turn?"

Many people in the circle are talking about the cast of Gu Wei's new movie. It will be the first domestic movie after the ban on directors ended, and the key is that he will direct it himself.

This gimmick alone has been on the headlines recently and the popularity has never subsided.

Gu Wei also had his own ideas about letting Liu Yifei participate in the investment. The investment cost of this film is not high, and Liu Yifei's current salary in the industry has exceeded 10 million.

Instead of taking up a large amount of film remuneration, it is better to invest in the film and participate in the box office share in the later stage of the film.

...

"Director, the dogs for filming have been shipped over. There are sixteen dogs in total, ranging from sixteen months old to two years old."

The filming started on the 12th and the crew had already arrived at the shooting location in advance.

Chen Daoming, Zhang Kaili, Su Chang and Liu Yifei arrived in Hengdian three days in advance.

The crew had ample funds and directly booked the largest hotel.

"Warmly welcome Director Gu Wei to Hengdian World Studios."

When Gu Wei and his assistant arrived in Hengdian, they saw the banner at the gate.

This salary is indeed high enough, and it can be seen that the person in charge here is dedicated.

"Director Gu, thank you for your hard work along the way."

Not long after getting off the car, the person in charge of Hengdian came over with his men.

“It’s a bit too high-profile.”

Gu Wei pointed to the banner at the door, which he had not expected.

"Don't be too high-profile. It's rare for Director Gu to come here, so we welcome him very much. If the crew needs anything during the filming, just let us know."

...

Some people in the circle have started to act up again.

"Liwen Chiang teamed up with the director's wife circle to ban actress Zhang Jing from appearing."

It is said that when filming the movie "Peacock" a few years ago, Gu Changwei's wife Jiang Wenwen even visited the set in person with her child in her arms and slapped Zhang Jing twice with her own hands.

As for whether the matter is true or not, we have no way of knowing.

Later, when filming "Li Chun", the outside world speculated about the relationship between the three people, and all kinds of rumors were flying around.

What is even more meaningful is that when "Li Chun" was released later, Zhang Jingchu's scenes were cut out completely, leaving only the end credits.

"Jiang Liwen even called me and said she wanted to treat me to a meal."

In the hotel, after finishing a day's filming, Liu Yifei and Gu Wei were eating and talking about this matter.

"Isn't she joining forces with other directors' wives? Why is she inviting you to dinner?"

Gu Wei was a little confused, as the two of them were not ready to go public yet.

"Not only me, but also many others."

"Are you going then?"

"Forget it, filming is the most important thing."

In fact, Liu Yifei also dislikes this kind of person. He would have an affair with the director every time he filmed a movie, and he would never change despite repeated warnings.

"Ah."

Gu Wei nodded and continued eating.

If Liu Yifei also went, given her relationship with Gu Wei, Zhang Jing probably wouldn't even be able to stay in Hong Kong Island.

On the 12th, the crew officially started filming in Hengdian.

Early in the morning, on the constructed stage, Gu Wei unveiled the red cloth covering the camera and announced the start of the opening ceremony.

"Director Gu, are these the latest camera equipment purchased from Hollywood?"

Looking at some camera equipment that are different from traditional domestic ones, the reporter asked curiously.

“It is indeed new equipment, but it is not the most advanced one.”

Hearing this, not only the reporters but also other staff members showed interested expressions.

Taking this opportunity, Gu Wei told everyone something.

"The most advanced filming equipment currently is the 3D camera, which is what Director Cameron is using in his current film Avatar.

In addition, the same is true for the 3D version of "Titanic" that is being remade in Hollywood.

If nothing unexpected happens, this technology will change the way movies are shot and accelerate the rapid development of the industry.”

"Interstellar is in IMAX mode, not 3D."

As Gu Wei spoke, the term "3D mode" was deeply engraved in the minds of the people present.

The 3Dimax cinema chains of China Film Group and Wanda Film Group have been gradually rolled out, and the number of other cinemas in the country is also increasing.

With Gu Wei's deliberate promotion, the development of 3D cinemas in China has been much faster than in the past.

Unlike in the original time and space, an emergency symposium on the development of 3D technology was held under the dimensionality reduction attack of "Avatar".

After the opening ceremony, the crew entered the formal shooting, and the film is scheduled to be completed within two months.

"A Dog's Purpose" started filming in Hengdian today."

"All the main actors and actresses were present to participate in the opening ceremony."

"Director Gu talked about 3D technology and believed it would change the landscape of the film industry."

…The plot of the movie is not complicated, and there are many shots centered around dogs. The dogs sent to the crew are looked after by special personnel.

The dog breed is the Chinese pastoral dog, which is a native breed in China. The Akita dog in the island country is a breed that was improved after the pastoral dog was introduced into China.

"Xixi, stop playing with the dog and adjust your mood. We're about to start filming your scenes."

Looking at Liu Yifei and Su Chang, Gu Wei shouted helplessly.

The protagonist played by Chen Daoming is a professor at a university who teaches music to college students. He takes the train to and from get off work every day.

One night, when he passed by the station, he picked up an Akita puppy. Parker looked around but couldn't find the dog's owner. He could only find the station manager and wanted to put this cute Akita dog there, waiting for its owner to claim it.

But the management told him that if no one claimed it the next day, he would have to send it to the animal shelter.

The male protagonist felt soft-hearted and couldn't bear to see the dog become homeless.

In the camera, Chen Daoming's expression was very gentle as he looked at the puppy.

"As expected of a veteran actor, his acting skills are beyond reproach."

Gu Wei sat in front of the monitor and said while looking at the camera.

This movie is composed entirely of soothing scenes, with no action scenes, which really tests the actors' performance.

"Click, take a five-minute break, and then come back later."

"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Chen."

As Gu Wei shouted, the assistant brought tea and handed it to Chen Daoming.

"Director, how is the effect?"

At this time, Chen Daoming had not yet removed his makeup. His hair was gray and his face was full of wrinkles from applying makeup.

"Has Teacher Chen ever had a dog before?"

Looking at Chen Daoming who came over, Gu Wei asked.

"That's not true."

The other party shook his head and explained.

"When we're shooting later, you can be more reserved in your expressions. The way you look at animals and people should be slightly different."

"No problem, Director. I'll adjust it."

Five minutes passed quickly, and the filming continued...

"All departments, get ready and start."

...

Lu Chuan's "Nanjing! Nanjing!" is still in the process of being submitted for review. It has lasted for two months, but there is still no news.

Gu Wei learned from Han Sanping that the higher-ups were cautious about this movie.

I heard that Lu Chuan is still begging for help, even asking his father to come out.

In China, there are many movies released in November.

Among the imported films, "Quantum of Solace" was the first to land in major domestic theaters.

Following closely behind is "Taste of Men and Women", a drama film directed by Jin Ming and Gong Gu, starring Ni Dahong, Zhao Ke, Li Yixian and others.

Then there is the Hong Kong movie "Witness", a police and gangster film directed by Lin Chaoxian and starring Xie Chuzi, Zhang Jingchu and Zhang Jiahui.

The movie still flopped at the box office, but I heard that the movie was nominated for the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan and the Academy Awards in Hong Kong.

In Hollywood, apart from the 007 series.

The latest to be released is "Twilight" (also known as "The Vampire Diaries"), and Kristen Stewart does look sweet.

Reid even called Gu Wei specifically to mention her, but he didn't know whether the two knew each other.

Brother Chen Kai recently won the "Kurosawa Akira Award" at the Tokyo Film Festival with "Mei Lanfang".

Now he is full of confidence again, and the news of winning the Golden Bear in Berlin next year has also spread.

Compared with other crews, the atmosphere on the crew of "A Dog's Purpose" is particularly harmonious.

The modern urban background makes it convenient for filming. Reporters visit the set from time to time and they are received very amicably.

...

Han Sanping didn't take Gu Wei's words to heart.

So, he turned around and invested in this movie, with Hong Kong's Wong Jing as the screenwriter and director.

Starring Liu Dehua, Xu Jiao, Barbie Hsu, Fan Binbin, Ma Jingwu, Tang Yifei, Fan Shaohuang, He Junxiang, Zhang Li and others.

"Future Police", a science fiction police and gangster film produced by China Film Group, has officially started shooting.

It is said that the investment is as high as 1.5 million yuan, and many big names have gathered. It is promoted as a domestic science fiction blockbuster, creating a domestic version of "Interstellar".

"Is this true? Director Gu's sci-fi blockbuster cost over a billion yuan, but this movie only cost 1.5 million yuan. There is no comparison between the two."

"Wang Jing is directing it, but I don't think it's reliable. Has he made a science fiction blockbuster?"

...

As soon as the movie promotion came out, it was ridiculed by netizens. With so many stars invited and a cost of over 100 million yuan, it is estimated that more than half of the cost was accounted for by the actors' salaries.

"Boss Han, you're really quick."

Gu Wei, who was filming in Hengdian, called Han Sanping after seeing the news online.

"Haha, then the special effects will be produced by Xingchen Films. Your company's products are trustworthy."

"No problem. You get what you pay for. As long as the price is right, the special effects will be fine."

Of course we have to make money if there is money to be made. Besides, Xingchen Film and Television is only responsible for the post-production special effects, and the quality of the film content has nothing to do with it.

At the same time, another so-called domestic science fiction film, "Robot", also officially started shooting at the Xixi Wetland in Ningbo.

The film announced that it had an investment of 5000 million and was directed by Hong Kong director Stephen Chow.

Sun Li, Alex Fong, Hu Jun, Gan Wei and others joined the cast.

This "Robot" is known as "the first robot movie in China."

Of course, for audiences who are used to watching robot movies made by Hollywood, it is difficult to have high expectations for science fiction robot movies made by domestic directors.

"Anyone can make a science fiction film, but with only 5000 million dollars invested, it's not enough to make special effects."

"I don't have high expectations for movies directed by Hong Kong directors. Just hearing the title gives me the feeling that it will be a flop."

...

(End of this chapter)