The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 92: Rich Girlfriend, It’s Really Cool
……

After the scene is set up.

As the heroine of this movie and the soul of the movie, Reba started her debut.

This scene is very simple.

Reba, who was operating the robotic arm to repair the prosthetic limb, suddenly frowned, her face turned pale, and she took out a syringe from the refrigerator.

Inside is a blue liquid, similar to a gene repair device.

Then, she aimed at her thigh and stabbed it. After a moment, she slowly exhaled, as if the potion had a healing effect.

These are all non-property performances, such as the robotic arms and blue liquid, which will be added in the post-production special effects.

"One more!"

"Reba, your expression just now was wrong."

"Ready Unit 2, aim at Reba's finger..."

As a new actress, it is impossible for Reba to perform such complex emotions or painful expressions.

Lu Zhiyuan had no choice but to use the old trick, the montage effect.

Focus on Reba's fingers and take a close-up.

Her fingers were digging into her pants so hard that her nails were about to dig into them... The audience only needed to take a glance to understand that Reba was definitely in pain at this moment.

Next, Reba's fingers slowly relaxed, accompanied by the sound of exhaling foul air... indicating that the medicine was taking effect.

"Okay, the finger picture is good."

"Next, let's add a side shot of the injection."

As long as it is not a fighting scene, Lu Zhiyuan, who has filmed "Maze", is already familiar with it. No matter how the actor's acting skills are, he can make adjustments on the spot.

"Show me the prop that vomits blood."

Seeing that Reba had also gotten into the mood, Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly and called for props to take a look at the scene where Reba was going to vomit blood.

In this movie, Reba's character suffers from a rare genetic disease.

There is no doubt that he will die.

Even in this cyberpunk age, genetic diseases are terminal illnesses.

So, Reba came up with a crazy idea to upload her memory and thinking logic into the AI ​​chip.

Conduct artificial intelligence training.

Once the intelligence of this AI chip reaches a certain level, it can be controlled through the Internet and become the mother of machines.

Create the so-called [new world]!
In this way, she has achieved cyber immortality.

“The consistency is a little off.”

Glancing at the fake blood prop, Lu Zhiyuan shook his head slightly and said, "Human blood has a viscosity of 4.5 cP. Remember to add some acacia honey to adjust it to about 4.3 cP, making it flow more like real blood. Don't always try to save trouble by using syrup."

"Boss, as you wish."

The person in charge of props nodded awkwardly.

How much easier is syrup?

Most directors wouldn't be so demanding about such a detail, but since Lu Zhiyuan had a special request, he had no choice but to comply.

……

For the next week, all the scenes were basically focused on Reba.

Reba is a newcomer with average acting skills, but she has good physical strength and is very hardworking. Under Lu Zhiyuan's training, her acting skills have improved rapidly.

In addition, Keanu Reeves and Tom Hiddleston also noticed that Reba had a close relationship with director Lu Zhiyuan. While watching the fun on the set, they would occasionally give Reba pointers.

During the filming of the movie, although Keanu Reeves and Tom Hiddleston did not have their own scenes, they came to the set every day.

"If the leading actress fails, no matter how hard we try, it will be useless."

Keanu Reeves secretly told Tom Hiddleston when they were on the set.

Tom Hiddleston agrees deeply.

After watching for a few days, his confidence grew.

"The director is paranoid enough, and the details are even more realistic!"

"Although I haven't made many films, as a viewer, I love these kinds of details! I didn't expect that our director, though young, knows so much!"

"Even those veterans on the set can't fool him!"

……

Unlike what Keanu Reeves and Dou Sen imagined, Lu Zhiyuan was not honing Reba's acting skills at all, but was waiting for the special effects shots from Industrial Magic Light.

"Hey buddy, the minimalist special effects have been sent to your email, remember to check it."

That morning, Lu Zhiyuan was in an apartment building not far from the factory ruins, filming the scene of Reba fighting with several cyborgs.

He suddenly received a text message.

Although he couldn't hold back his excitement, Lu Zhiyuan still finished the whole morning's work. During the lunch break, he took a look at the special effects shots of Industrial Magic Light.

"Not bad, it captured almost everything I imagined."

Although it is just a minimalist special effects shot, apart from the low resolution and a little lack of realism, basically all the necessary rendering effects are present.

It even has a bit of the sour texture sound effect of metal collision.

"Ayuan, what are you looking at?"

Xin Yukun finished his lunch outside and saw Lu Zhiyuan still in the shed, studying some picture.

He came over and took a look, and was stunned.

“Is this the scene we filmed in Bulgaria?”

Xin Yukun saw on the monitor that Tom Hiddleston was facing away from the door of the room, slowly replacing an energy block and inserting it into his robotic arm.

At this time, the picture gives a close-up of the face.

Tom Hiddleston looked ahead at the broken window, but a blue scanning aperture appeared in his pupils with a small red dot inside and a distance display.

It means someone is approaching from behind.

The next second, suddenly, with an inhuman movement, he twisted his arms 180 degrees backwards and grabbed Keanu's shoulders.

At this moment, time seemed to slow down.

Dust floated in the air, forming a particle-like fluid.

Keanu, who was behind, was suddenly attacked, but he didn't panic at all. Two golden Fermat spirals appeared in his pupils, and he calculated the optimal solution to the escape path!

But a red triangle appears in the system!
Indicates that it is impossible to dodge.

The best solution is to exchange injury for injury!
The performances of both of them were full of the calmness of mechanical life!

It looks like there is a different kind of coolness.

"I feel good."

"This type of action film is rare on the market."

The superheroes in Marvel movies are about to take the world by storm, but the fighting scenes are basically child's play and certainly cannot compare to their realism.

"I'll take it to James to ask for a budget!" Xin Yukun instantly understood what Lu Zhiyuan was thinking when he asked him to come and see this special effect.

Special effects are too expensive.

It doesn’t cost much to actually take pictures.

Lu Zhiyuan has already omitted most of the scene special effects, retaining only the combat special effects. The funds here absolutely cannot be saved.

This is what action movies are about.

……

Los Angeles, Focus Features.

"An additional $2000 million? Impossible. Absolutely impossible! The most I can give you is $500 million!"

James is a stingy capitalist.

No matter how Xin Yukun tried to trick him, he would not give money easily.

Although the special effects shot brought by Xin Yukun is quite impressive and should be able to attract some action movie fans.

James has already raised his expectations for this movie.

But trying to trick him into increasing the budget?
impossible!
Don't even think about it!

"James, I forgot to tell you something. My brother, Ayuan, is now of an extraordinary status."

Seeing how stingy James was, Xin Yukun remained calm and sat in the office, leisurely drinking coffee.

"Kun, I know you. You're a big liar. No matter what you say, I won't be fooled easily."

James shrugged and said, "Continue with your performance."

Xin Yukun took a sip of coffee, pursed his lips, and said in a quiet tone, "Do you know what's going on behind the scenes of the Starry Sky company?"

James was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I have some understanding. I've asked someone about Miss Zhao, and she has a strong background."

"Besides that, there's Miss Jing, who's even more amazing. I heard she took a photo with our president when she was only seven years old."

"Kun, I understand what you mean. You all have great backgrounds and power."

"But this is Hollywood, and we're all serious businessmen. You can't use your country's tactics to get something from me."

"From a business perspective, you want me to increase the budget to $3000 million. That's impossible."

"Even if I wanted to agree, the Universal Pictures board wouldn't agree!"

"I can only give you another $500 million at most. Once you use it up, there won't be a cent left!"

James made his words very firm.

He knew that these directors who had transformed from art films had no idea how much they could spend, so he prepared $500 million early on.

Just wait for the time when Lu Zhiyuan will ask him for money.

However, Lu Zhiyuan was too ruthless, wanting to increase the budget by three times at once!

Doesn't this cost his life?

"James, I've been talking to you for a long time, why don't you understand?"

Xin Yukun shook his head, took a few cookies from James's table and ate them, his attitude was extremely arrogant.

James frowned slightly, but said nothing.

Xin Yukun wanted to bluff, but he would never be fooled.

"James, I originally wanted to get along with you as an ordinary person and keep a low profile, but you forced me to reveal my true identity!"

"Now, I solemnly inform you that Miss Jing has become my sister-in-law."

"James, you don't have to stare so wide. You look like a dead octopus. It's ugly."

"Yes, it's the kind of relationship you imagined... My brother Lu Zhiyuan is now Miss Jing's boyfriend. They bought a mansion and built a love nest. They are just waiting for him to finish filming this movie and come back to enjoy some sweet time."

"In fact, all my brother needs to do is call back and tell Miss Jing, 'Dear, I'm in trouble.'"

"Guess how much money the Starry Sky company will send me?"

“You can’t imagine how much money they can use!”

Xin Yukun opened his arms ostentatiously, then changed his tone, calmed down, and began to think for James.

"But by that time... how much of a share will Focus Features have left? Think about it, man."

James frowned, his mind racing!
The movie "Upgrade" will definitely make money.

Focus Features has internally estimated that the DVD copyright alone can sell at least 100 million copies.

In North America, a box of DVDs costs about 20 US dollars, which means there are 2000 million US dollars in it!
Taking into account the film markets of China and the United States, they internally estimate that this movie should be able to get a box office of 1 million US dollars.

The total amount in hand is about 4000 million US dollars.

The box office settlement in North America is slightly higher, about 40%, and it is slightly lower in China, but not by much.

In short, as long as the cost of this movie does not exceed 5000 million US dollars, it should be profitable.

Of course, there are risks involved.

"Kun, why are you telling me such important news now?"

James was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter and patted Xin Yukun's shoulder happily: "Lu, you've become Miss Jing's boyfriend, what a joyful occasion!"

"With a girlfriend like this to help us, our career will definitely be even more brilliant!"

As for why Lu Zhiyuan did not call Jing Tian to increase the budget, but instead asked Xin Yukun to come to him and ask for investment.

James can also understand.

A man's dignity!

As a Palme d'Or director, although Lu Zhiyuan has hooked up with a rich woman, he will never rely on her for money unless it is absolutely necessary!

I can't afford to lose this person!

But if Focus Features really stands idly by and is unwilling to increase the budget... then Lu Zhiyuan will have no choice but to go home and rely on this gigolo.

It’s better to go back and live off others than to starve to death outside.

"Kun, give me some time, three days at most, and I'll convince those old-timers on the board of directors to transfer the money into your account."

Focus Features really has no money.

Li An's previous film lost more than 2000 million US dollars, which caused James a lot of damage.

It’s not that James doesn’t want to support Lu Zhiyuan, he really is powerless.

But it's okay.

The parent company, Universal Pictures, has plenty of money!
"James, our crew has a limited budget. I don't want to stay in a cheap hotel for these three days..."

Your uncle's!

This guy is really shameless!
After hearing what Xin Yukun said, James almost knelt down in front of him.

After complaining a few words in his heart, James immediately put on a smile and gave away one of his VIP cards.

"Kun, the Hilton Hotel next door is waiting for you at any time."

(End of this chapter)