Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 561 The Premiere of "The Message"
Zhang Chen visited the set of "Gravity," emphasizing sneaking into the village quietly and avoiding firing shots.

When staff members saw him and tried to greet him, Zhang Chen made a shushing gesture.

It's all about traveling incognito!
Oh no, he's approachable; we can't let his arrival disrupt the filming.

Within the filming area, Fan Xiaopang was suspended on wires, revealing his beautiful figure.

But what Zhang Chen found strange was that she was surrounded by LED screens.

In the director's area, Guo Fan was intently watching the monitor, unaware that Zhang Chen had walked up behind him.

Zhang Chen watched for a while and vaguely guessed the function of those screens.

"Click~"

Guo Fan focused intently on reviewing the playback, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh: "This shot is good!"

After he finished speaking, he realized that everyone was looking at him.

Then, they realized that everyone was looking at what was behind him, not at him.

Isn't this a trope typically used in horror movies?
Look back
"Director Zhang~"

Guo Fan jumped up suddenly; thankfully, it wasn't some demon or monster.

"Did you invent this system yourself?"

Zhang Chen patted him on the shoulder, showing more interest in the shooting system in front of him.

"Uh... well, we found that there were always problems with the lighting inside the space station during filming a while ago, so we discussed and came up with this solution with everyone."

Guo Fan began to describe the situation on set: "The lighting for the initial scenes in outer space was very simple. But problems arose when the scene moved inside the space station."

The space station itself has its own light source, which is easy to simulate, but the various displays inside have caused us a lot of trouble.

When the display screen changes, it causes changes in light, and when the light changes, the projection reflected on the actor will also change.

We simply couldn't afford to create this with special effects. After much discussion, we decided to just simulate a real scene.

The lighting inside the space station changes very frequently, so we simply used LED screens around the actors to simulate the environment inside the space station. This made it easier for the actors to perform.

"In post-production, you used chroma keying to cut out the characters, so that the lighting on the characters would be the most natural. Then you used special effects to complete the surrounding environment, and finally composited them into the same shot?"

Once Zhang Chen understood what Guo Fan and his team had done, he could easily deduce what they would do next.

Guo Fan chuckled and scratched his head: "Yes~"

"Well done. I don't think I've ever heard of this method before. Is it your own creation?"

Guo Fan scratched his head again: "Yeah, we figured it out together."

"Good, you've all learned to innovate. Here's what we'll do: you compile a list, and each person who participated in the innovation will receive a reward of 50,000 yuan, paid by the company. Also, include this robotic arm in the list..."

The robotic arm was also a filming method devised by Guo Fan and his team. The camera was fixed to the robotic arm and remotely controlled by a computer.

This method is mainly to address the filming requirements within the confined space of an escape pod.

LED + post-production keying is actually a clumsy method, but it is the most cost-effective of all methods.

Even if the solution were given to Zhang Chen, he couldn't come up with a better one.

The film and television industry has developed to the point where there are not many areas left for innovation.

Even if there is innovation, it is only minor innovation.

But micro-innovations are still innovations and should be encouraged.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; technological development is built up little by little in this way.

Film is the art of light and shadow; shadow refers to filming, and light refers to lighting.

Guo Fan's micro-innovation has at least provided a new approach for future space film shooting.

A reward is essentially a form of affirmation.

This is an affirmation of Zhang Chen's work attitude towards Guo Fan.

The issue of facial lighting is something that other film crews might not even notice.

But Guo Fan is meticulous and insists that details determine success or failure.

"Okay, everyone take a half-hour break. I brought some kebabs, come and eat!"

People usually don't come empty-handed when visiting a film set.

Some people treated others to drinks, some to bread, some to fruit, and this time Zhang Chen treated everyone to barbecue skewers.
The "Gravity" production team was a small team, with only a little over a hundred people, so two thousand skewers were enough.

He practically bought out all the barbecue stalls in the vicinity just to get those two thousand-plus skewers.

The staff thanked them repeatedly and went to get the skewers.

Zhang Chen and his group naturally didn't need to queue; their food was delivered to them.

Fan Xiaopang came over excitedly: "Why did you decide to visit the set?"

"Come whenever you want!"

Zhang Chen shrugged. He couldn't very well say it was because Yang Xiaomi was inconvenient.

As his status has risen, he has become increasingly careful about his private life, and he basically only dates acquaintances.

Too many people want to get into his bed, and even more want to ruin his reputation. He needs to be careful.
"How many have been filmed so far?"

"About half."

The group ate and chatted. The lamb skewers got a little cold and the taste wasn't as good, but everyone still enjoyed their meal.

Guo Fan's filming speed is not fast; he makes one movie every three months, which is only average.

As for the plot of Gravity, well...
This was actually Zhang Chen's quirky sense of humor. I wonder if, ten years from now, when their astronauts can't go home and need to rely on China, they'll remember this movie.

There were too many people around, so Fan Xiaopang didn't come over and make any advances, but her beautiful eyes darted around without any restraint.

The blatant provocation drew a response from Zhang Chen.

Not mentioning turning thirty is the greatest respect I can show you.

The so-called separation is better than a new marriage.

At night, Zhang Chen played the role of King Zhou of Shang, indulging in unrestrained and extravagant behavior.

During the cooldown period, Zhang Chen was ridiculed.

"Brother, I was wrong~"

"What's wrong?"

"I finally realized today that even a minute can feel quite long."

"Ah, roll, roll, roll~"

……

The Message premiere
The premiere was not hosted by Star Entertainment, but by China Film Group.

"The Message" is a patriotic film, with China Film Group as the main investor.

For this premiere, China Film Group invited almost every film company in the industry: Huayi Brothers, Orange Sky Entertainment, Golden Harvest, Eagle Entertainment, Galloping Horse Entertainment, Oriental Film Group...

The premiere was star-studded, and film company executives could be seen chatting together in the hall from time to time.

Li Ming of Xiaoma Benteng was chatting and laughing with several senior executives and Wu Baige, while Zhong Lifang, the second-in-command, stood alone in a corner, looking dejected.

Those who witnessed this scene couldn't help but smile; clearly, Zhong Lifang had been ostracized.

In another part of the hall, David Heyman was being interviewed by the media.

"I've always been interested in the movie 'The Message.' Ensemble casts are rare even in Hollywood, so I made a special trip here to see it for myself!"

David flattered without batting an eye; this guy was cunning, knowing that "The Message" was Zhang Chen's work, so he said all sorts of nice things and sang praises.

Who says foreigners don't understand the principle of "he who eats another's food is bound to him"?
The crucial point is that he hasn't even seen the movie yet.

This time, he came with a mission: to find out Zhang Chen's attitude toward Warner Bros. and to finalize the cooperation on "Inception" as much as possible.

Even if we don't start filming immediately, just having a cooperative intention is fine.

Despite being the producer of films like "2012" and "Pacific Rim," he isn't widely known in the Chinese media. But that's okay; someone can explain it to you.

When they found out that this old man was actually the producer of the Harry Potter series, they were immediately taken aback.

This is incredible!

Flashes went off one after another.

Foreign monks are better at chanting scriptures.

The media loves to hear this.

Zhang Chen had a rough idea of ​​why David was acting this way, but he didn't pay any attention to it; he was busy.

Dong Jianqiang found him and pointed to Li Ming and the others in the distance. Zhang Chen immediately understood and went towards Li Ming, while Dong Jianqiang walked towards Zhong Lifang.

"Mr. Li, thank you for attending the premiere of 'The Message'..."

While Zhang Chen was drawing attention, Dong Jianqiang also walked up to Zhong Lifang.

"Ms. Zhong, why are you standing here all alone?"

Dong Jianqiang asked the question knowing the answer already.

"It's nothing, it's quiet here~"

She didn't believe Dong Jianqiang knew nothing, but it didn't matter anyway; she didn't care if one more person laughed at her.

Knowing this was a rare opportunity, Dong Jianqiang skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Ms. Zhong is in charge of capital and financing at Xiaoma Benteng?"

"Yes."

"I heard that Ms. Zhong and Mr. Li had a very unpleasant falling out over company development issues. They have different goals and can't work together. Our Xingchen Entertainment is also planning to go public and urgently needs talent in this area. I wonder if Ms. Zhong would be interested in joining us..."

Upon hearing that she was being poached, Zhong Lifang instinctively looked in Li Ming's direction, only to find him talking to Zhang Chen. She immediately realized that this was a smokescreen by Xingchen Entertainment.

However, while she was still hesitating, Dong Jianqiang said again, "Ms. Zhong doesn't need to answer me right away. Just call me after you've thought it through. Here's my business card..."

After Dong Jianqiang finished speaking, he nodded and left.

On the other side, Zhang Chen, who had witnessed this scene, also ended his conversation and turned to leave.

Li Ming looked at Zhang Chen's back with suspicion, feeling that Zhang Chen had been acting strangely just now.

At this moment, his gaze swept over Zhong Lifang in the corner, only to find that the latter seemed somewhat absent-minded.

……

Fu Donglai is currently receiving congratulations from people at the Beijing Film Academy.

There were quite a few teachers from the Beijing Film Academy who came today, and everyone expressed their envy of Fu Donglai's luck.

Zhang Chen truly offered unconditional support to Dong Lai.

Last year's "Getting Home" starred Zhao Benshan, while this year's "The Message" has been upgraded to an all-star cast.

What is an All-Star lineup?

Even minor characters without lines are played by celebrities.

Could Fu Donglai alone have such influence?
They're all here because of Star Entertainment.

Zhang Chen first went to the Beijing Film Academy for a look around, and then wandered around the venue.

Many people came specifically because of him, so Zhang Chen has to show up and show his face to show his gratitude.
"Director Zhang~"

"Director Zhang~"

Many people greeted him along the way, and Zhang Chen responded with a smile. He usually didn't linger, but he stopped at one place: Chen Desen. He was standing alone in a corner, seemingly lost in thought.

"Desen~"

"Director Zhang~"

Congratulations on the huge success of "Bodyguards and Assassins"!

"Bodyguards and Assassins" was released at the end of September, and its box office performance was quite good.

The film is actually quite good; although it's an ensemble piece, everyone delivers a solid performance.

The original timeline was just unlucky to have encountered Avatar.

This time, Zhang Chen brought it out ahead of time, and its fate was completely different.

Upon hearing the congratulations, Chen Desen couldn't help but smile, and humbly said, "I must thank Mr. Zhang for his guidance; otherwise, I wouldn't even have had the opportunity to direct..."

This comes from the heart.

He had been working on "Bodyguards and Assassins" for several years, and with various unexpected events, it almost died in the womb. It was Zhang Chen who invested in the film, which allowed it to meet the audience.

Zhang Chen knew that even without him, Chen Kexin would lend a helping hand next year.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. How's the preparation for 'Kung Fu Jungle' going?"

"Yes, we've already confirmed the schedules with Baoqiang and Donnie Yen, and filming will begin after the Chinese New Year."

When talking about the new project, Chen Desen's whole demeanor changed.

Zhang Chen nodded. Donnie Yen has two films next year: "Kung Fu Jungle" and "Ip Man 2".

"However, I've run into a little trouble right now, and I wonder if Director Zhang could help me out..."

Chen Desen looked at Zhang Chen with hopeful eyes, and Zhang Chen became interested as well: "What little trouble?"

"It's about Hu Jun. His portrayal of Yan Xiaoguo in 'Bodyguards and Assassins' was outstanding. I wanted him to make a cameo appearance as one of the masters in 'Kung Fu Jungle,' but he didn't seem too keen on it."

"why?"

Chen Desen gave a wry smile: "He said he's a fairly good dramatic actor and doesn't want to do action scenes anymore..."

"Hahaha~"

Zhang Chen could almost picture Hu Jun's expression when he said those words.

"Okay, I'll do his job."

Hu Jun possesses an innate aura of dominance, and his portrayal of Qiao Feng is hailed as the greatest Qiao Feng in history, perfectly capturing the demeanor and domineering presence of the leader of the world's largest gang.

He truly embodied what it means to be a great hero.

The premiere featured the screening of the full film.

Chen Guofu watched the movie quietly in the crowd.

"The Message" was a script he had his eye on, but unfortunately, Star Entertainment beat him to it.

Chen Guofu had read the original novel, and he compared the movie footage with the original text, discovering that there were many differences.

Although they are different, the quality of the films is top-notch.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Fu Donglai's "The Message" was indeed good.

He originally thought that a production by someone with an academic background like Fu Donglai would be a model opera, but it wasn't.

The Message has a very fast pace, and the psychological battles within the confined space are very exciting.

The parts about torture in the film are also quite refreshing.

Overall, Chen Guofu felt that Fu Donglai's version of "The Message" achieved a good balance in terms of story, pacing, commercial appeal, and mainstream ideology.

Hey~
He let out a long sigh.
Unfortunately, such a good script ended up in the hands of someone else.

Wang Zhonglei, standing next to him, was thinking about something else entirely.

Zhang Hanyu works for Huayi Brothers, but he played a major role in "The Message".

Despite the strained relationship between the two companies, Star Entertainment is indeed quite forgiving when it comes to casting.

Everyone assumed that Xingchen Entertainment was in this state because it didn't have its own actor management business, but Wang Zhonglei knew that Shijiu Culture was actually Xingchen Entertainment's artist department, and Zhang Chen had shares in Wang Jinghua's Shijiu Culture.

The quality of "The Message" is good, and with the popularity of spy dramas in the past two years, such as "Before Dawn" and "Lurking", people have become accustomed to this form of spy drama.

It is foreseeable that "The Message" will do well at the box office.

(End of this chapter)