The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 102: Mastermind! Spend Hollywood’s money to promote your own people!
……

On September 16, "The Founding of a Republic" was released.

Lu Zhiyuan invited Xin Yukun, Zhao Shanshan, and Reba, and the four of them went to Wanda Cinema together to watch this year's domestic film box office champion.

"Nice shot."

“It’s very atmospheric.”

"During the meeting in the Great Hall, from the front row to the back row, such a large scene, I was able to capture almost every character's expression. The lighting and camera distance were controlled to perfection, making the characters and the environment completely integrated without blurring, and forming narrative symbolic meaning. This level of skill is quite impressive."

After praising "The Founding of a Republic," Xin Yukun couldn't help but mutter, "Of course, it's still a little behind our movies in terms of visuals."

The shooting level and picture style of "Founding of a Republic" are also first-class.

But Xin Yukun was with Lu Zhiyuan every day and was influenced by his aesthetic taste, so he could still find a lot of faults.

However, this movie is more than enough to kill "Red Cliff".

"It's not the same style, so you can't compare it like that."

Lu Zhiyuan was quite calm and modest.

"Realism is paramount in a grand historical setting, but within this scene, sufficient spatiality is retained. The camera occasionally gives close-ups of the characters. Although there are no lines, the atmosphere is already set to the extreme, and all the emotions are integrated into the picture!"

“The photographer and director are both very talented!”

As a director, Lu Zhiyuan never picks on actors' acting skills.

Because, so-called acting skills need to be matched with the scene.

When the atmosphere is set, the actors will naturally get into the emotions.

At this time, the director can use a variety of shot switching techniques, as well as post-production music synthesis and color matching to cover up the actor's acting flaws.

To put it bluntly, actors are just a blade of grass on the drawing paper.

negligible.

For Chinese-style ink paintings, whether it is small grass or towering trees, whether it is sloppy or exquisite, it will not affect the atmosphere of the entire painting.

The reason why the audience feels that the actors' acting skills are poor and out of place at some point is, to put it bluntly, that the director has not done the basic work well.

……

It was still early when we came out of the movie.

We found a cafe, sat down for a while and chatted.

"Ayuan, do you think Founding of a Republic will be a big hit at the box office?"

Zhao Shanshan asked a question seemingly casually, but in fact, she was staring at Lu Zhiyuan and looking at him very seriously.

"No problem at all!"

Lu Zhiyuan drank a cup of coffee and gave an affirmative answer without any doubt.

"Main-theme movies are always guaranteed to have box office success."

"In fact, many people have a misunderstanding that young people don't like to watch mainstream films. In fact, it's because the production is too bad."

"The film 'Founding of a Republic' brings together so many big stars, and it's set against a grand historical backdrop with many familiar events. The visuals are top-notch, and there are exciting historical scenes."

"I can't think of any reason why this movie should fail."

After hearing Lu Zhiyuan's words, Zhao Shanshan smiled slightly and agreed with the answer.

In fact, there is a similar saying in the industry that mainstream movies are not popular among young people... But now, the young director Lu Zhiyuan says that he also likes to watch mainstream movies.

You can say that Lu Zhiyuan has a weird temper and his emotional intelligence fluctuates... But there is one thing that even his haters cannot deny.

He has very demanding aesthetic standards for art.

It’s rare to make a mistake!

He said that "Founding of a Republic" will be a box office success, and it will most likely be a success!

"but……"

Lu Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment and said the word "but".

Oops!

When others heard the word "but", their PTSD instantly attacked and they became stressed out.

Xin Yukun was most afraid of Lu Zhiyuan saying the word "but".

Because, there will definitely be no good words coming next.

"Brother, don't pour cold water on me. President Zhao will be unhappy."

Xin Yukun secretly clasped his hands together and prayed silently, asking Lu Zhiyuan not to talk about the various details in the movie.

No one would be happy with such words.

"It's over, it's over. Brother Yuan's old illness has recurred. We have to run away quickly."

Reba has already started packing her things. As long as Lu Zhiyuan says something inappropriate, she will immediately pull Lu Zhiyuan away.

fortunately.

Lu Zhiyuan didn't say anything unpleasant, but hesitantly said, "However, Founding of a Republic may have a siphon effect on the box office of other films, and may even directly affect this year's National Day box office!"

At this point, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Shanshan's face also returned to a smile: "What do you mean?"

The stars are shining, and there are not many movies released during the National Day holiday, so it won’t affect them, so they can just watch the situation with a smile.

"It's a simple truth: the audience has limited money in their pockets."

Lu Zhiyuan first gave his conclusion, then looked at the people present and asked a very tricky question: "Do you know what the per capita disposable income in China is this year?"

Zhao Shanshan thought for a moment and said, "I think it's around 2?"

Because of her family environment, she has some understanding of this matter.

Xin Yukun and Reba were not interested in this at all. They just stared at each other without saying a word.

"The economic data for the first half of this year has been released. The per capita disposable income of urban residents from January to June was about 8500 yuan. For the entire year, it was about 17000 yuan."

"This is still the disposable income of urban residents."

"If we average the disposable income of rural residents, this figure will be even lower."

After making this conclusion, Lu Zhiyuan began to split the income of these people.

"Take urban residents as an example. The average monthly income is about 1400 yuan, of which 400 yuan goes to rent, 500 yuan to eat, and 300 yuan to travel and communications."

"Based on this calculation, a young person with normal work experience would probably have less than 200 yuan left over each month. The actual figure could be even lower."

"Because I haven't calculated the cost of medical treatment, dating, and socializing with friends."

"In other words, the pocket money these urban residents have for watching movies is almost entirely saved from their regular spending."

"According to a survey report, the average price of movie tickets nationwide this year is 36 yuan."

The average price is 36 yuan!
Compared to the monthly surplus of 200 yuan, it is extremely expensive!
With this 200 yuan, you need to see a doctor, go to dinner parties, and have a love relationship... How much money can you save to watch a movie?

I watched "The Founding of a Republic" this month, and I will definitely have to tighten my belt next month.

I guess this is the only movie I'll watch this entire year.

"If revenue doesn't increase, then the overall Chinese box office won't increase either... That's why we have to target overseas markets!"

"That's why all those movie studios want to make blockbusters."

"It can even explain why some art film directors have to go to Europe to compete for awards!"

After counting the money in the young man's pocket, Lu Zhiyuan came up with the ultimate answer.

Why can we only make blockbusters in this era?

Because the market crowding-out effect of blockbusters is too strong!

After watching the blockbuster movies, young people have no money to watch ordinary movies.

In this era, it’s not because comedies are bad, youth romance movies are bad, or no one watches mystery and suspense movies.

But it’s because no one has the money to support these movies.

Among these movies, assuming that the box office is similar, if the audience can only choose one movie to watch... which one would they choose?
Of course, choose to watch a blockbuster movie!
Because, for the rest of the comedy movies, mystery suspense movies, and youth romance movies, you can find pirated copies online!

In this era, pirated products are updated very quickly.

After a movie is released, high-definition pirated copies may be available within less than a week.

You only need to wait a few days and you can save 36 yuan immediately. Why not?
"Insufficient economic income and high ticket prices are the reasons why our box office has been unable to grow. It's not a problem of not having enough good movies!"

Lu Zhiyuan would still find the movie "Nightclub" very interesting even if he rewatched it 10 years later.

But in this era, it can only get a box office of just over 1000 million.

It’s not that the movie is bad, nor that the audience doesn’t like it.

If you don’t believe it, you can do a survey online.

In 2009, how many people watched a pirated copy of this movie in a university dormitory with a few roommates gathered around a computer?

Definitely a lot!

The reason why this movie did not do well at the box office is that young people have no money in their pockets.

"Ayuan, every time I chat with you, I suddenly have an epiphany."

Zhao Shanshan likes Lu Zhiyuan particularly because Lu Zhiyuan always looks at problems from a different perspective than others.

When he looks at a problem, he never assumes a preconceived position or brings in personal emotions. He analyzes phenomena coldly, like a robot.

Then, from the most basic perspective, we can get the truth.

The reason why those directors choose to make blockbusters is not because they like making blockbusters.

It’s the market’s choice!

The audience has no money in their pockets, so when they come to the cinema, after some consideration, they will only choose to watch blockbusters!
What a sharp analysis!
wonderful!

"so what should I do now?"

Zhao Shanshan also wanted to make a blockbuster movie, but she couldn’t find a suitable director at Starry Sky.

Lu Zhiyuan had his own work, and the other party had already entered Hollywood. Zhao Shanshan couldn't pull Lu Zhiyuan back and let him return to China to shoot historical blockbusters. "Wait for economic development."

“When the young people have money in their pockets.”

"When they get tired of all the Hollywood visual effects blockbusters."

"Domestic films rooted in local culture and depicting local life will rise completely."

Probably have to wait until 2012.

"Lost in Thailand" has broken the 12 billion box office mark, becoming the first domestic film to top the box office, opening a new chapter!
The power of one person is simply not enough to shake the times.

Because the economy is a complex chaotic body.

Many seemingly random problems, which appear disordered on the surface, are caused by nonlinear interactions within the economic system.

Not to mention ordinary people, even experts in this field don’t understand the real operating mechanism.

The film-related industry is part of cultural development.

These things, as the construction of spiritual civilization, must be rooted in the economy.

In a word.

The common people have no money, so it’s useless to say anything.

……

Zhao Shanshan left with a complicated expression.

The problem Lu Zhiyuan talked about was too big, and it was not something she could easily change.

However, according to Lu Zhiyuan's description, as long as there are no problems with the domestic economic development, it will not be long before domestic films will replace Hollywood films and become the mainstream of the domestic box office.

This surprised her a little.

Lu Zhiyuan is so optimistic about domestic films?
She also thought that Lu Zhiyuan, like many great directors, admired Hollywood, liked Hollywood's industrialized processes, and liked American superheroes.

It turned out not to be.

This guy simply wants to make money from the other party's market!
interesting.

Disguised so well.

James from Focus Features and senior executives from Universal Pictures thought Lu Zhiyuan was another Li An who liked to play cross-cultural narratives.

She originally thought so.

It turns out that it is not the case at all.

Lu Zhiyuan's goal from the beginning to the end was to spend Hollywood's money and then go to Hollywood to make money!

This trick of using a chicken to lay eggs is really amazing!

"I really like him more and more!"

"Everything is fine."

"I was saying that... I had already secretly hinted to Brother Kun that if the budget for the movie 'Upgrade' wasn't enough, I could invest a little bit myself, but Brother Kun refused."

"It turns out that he doesn't want us to take risks."

Thinking of this, Zhao Shanshan felt inexplicably moved.

Lu Zhiyuan was afraid that they would be cheated by Hollywood.

Using Focus Features' money and Universal Pictures' money, whether they make a profit or a loss, they won't lose money...it doesn't matter whether the movie fails or becomes a hit.

At least, Lu Zhiyuan was able to bring out the heroine Reba.

Simply accomplishing multiple things with one stone!
This guy is such a wise guy!

……

"Reba, get out of the car, don't dawdle. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

The two grown men first sent Reba home.

Reba hesitated, looked around, and wanted to stay at Lu Zhiyuan's house for a night, but was kicked away by Xin Yukun.

After closing the door, Xin Yukun drove to Lu Zhiyuan's house to stay for one night.

Tomorrow morning, they will fly to Weizhou Island to continue filming the movie "Upgrade".

There was no outsider in the car.

In addition, Xin Yukun went to a car modification factory a few days ago and asked someone to check it from beginning to end to confirm that there was no surveillance equipment in the car.

Make sure the content of the conversation between two people will not be known by a third person.

Xin Yukun then chuckled, raised an eyebrow at Lu Zhiyuan, and said in an ambiguous manner: "Brother, you have good taste. Gao Yuanyuan is a good lover."

Lu Zhiyuan's heart suddenly trembled.

What the hell?

You installed surveillance cameras in my house!
Gao Yuanyuan only came here once, how did you know about this?

Although he felt a little strange in his heart, Lu Zhiyuan remained calm on the surface and said lightly: "Brother Kun, I don't know what you are talking about."

"Yes, that's what you have to do. Play dumb. No matter who asks, just say you don't know."

Xin Yukun had expected Lu Zhiyuan's denial.

Only a fool would admit to such a thing.

While waiting for the red light at the intersection, Xin Yukun didn't ask any more questions. He took out a document from the glove box and threw it to Lu Zhiyuan.

"See for yourself."

Xin Yukun sighed repeatedly and let out a sigh.

"Sister Chaoling, you're amazing! Your father graduated from Tsinghua University and is a leader in the aerospace sector. Your brother also graduated from Tsinghua University and is an IT engineer."

"Not only is she intelligent, she's also very good-looking."

"Perfect genes indeed!"

After expressing his feelings for a few moments, Xin Yukun asked Lu Zhiyuan to quickly open the information.

"Take a look! This is Gao Yuanyuan's brother's profile. He's currently engaged in robotics research and is the chief solutions expert for a high-tech company!"

Lu Zhiyuan took a few glances at the information Xin Yukun threw over. It contained information about Gao Yuanyuan's brother and some information about their company.

He suddenly thought of something and looked over in confusion: "Brother Kun, you didn't trick Brother Gao Yuanyuan, did you?"

"You guessed right. But only half right."

Xin Yukun shook his head and put the information back into the glove box. He looked at Lu Zhiyuan with envy and jealousy: "I wasn't the one who tried to trick Gao Yuanyuan."

"The truth is, Gao Yuanyuan called me and said he knew I was looking for a relevant company and wanted to collaborate. His brother's company happened to be doing research in this area, and he thought we could collaborate."

After saying this, seeing Lu Zhiyuan's calm expression, Xin Yukun almost wanted to stop the car on the side of the road and kneel down to Lu Zhiyuan.

Brother, you are really awesome!

He is still looking for people to fool around. What companies in China are engaged in robotics?

After searching for a long time, I didn't find many.

Who would have thought that Gao Yuanyuan, the goddess from a family of academic elites, would come directly to the door and bring her brother-in-law along.

In addition, Gao Yuanyuan even gave a hint.

If her brother-in-law is not enough, she can contact her old father and find some related business in the aerospace department, which should be able to help.

The goddess is throwing herself at him and actively seeking cooperation.

Brother-in-law, father-in-law, please help!
How could he refuse?

Xin Yukun wanted to agree on the spot and begged Gao Yuanyuan not to leave. I am still single. If you need a man, you can choose me.

Lu Zhiyuan thought about it, then shook his head and said, "It's better to refuse...her intentions are not pure."

She doesn't want to work on the robotics project, she just wants to mess with me!
"Brother Yuan, don't be willful!"

Upon hearing this, Xin Yukun immediately became anxious.

"I know Gao Yuanyuan is a sugar-coated bullet to you. But how about this: you eat the sugar coating and then you can fire the bullet back."

"As long as you are as steady as a rock, she can't eat you."

"But if you refuse... I have to say first that I can't find a better partner!"

In the past half month, Xin Yukun has contacted countless people, trying to trick them into collaborating on developing robots.

Very promising.

But not everyone is qualified to work in the robotics industry.

First of all, there must be support from a research and development team, preferably a university.

Most people don’t have this skill.

Brother Gao Yuanyuan is simply the perfect partner.

As the chief solution expert in the IT industry, he has mastered all aspects of robot programming.

Gao Yuanyuan's father is the leader of aerospace engineering, and there are many high-tech talents in his field. If there are any technical difficulties, the difficulty will be instantly reduced a lot by cooperating with each other.

Where can he find a better partner?
"Just this once, never happen again."

Lu Zhiyuan thought about it and really couldn't find a better partner.

"Brother Yuan, thank you for your hard work."

"By the way, let me remind you that although Gao Yuanyuan hasn't made it big in the entertainment industry, she's quite good at small business and is actually worth quite a bit of money."

"You said it yourself. When we start a business, we must always look for rich women!"

"I'm just following your principles."

Haha!

Lu Zhiyuan, my good brother!
Gao Yuanyuan is giving it to you every day, can you hold yourself back?
come on!

As long as you take this step, good days are waiting for us!

(End of this chapter)