The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 98: The second A-level talent! I won the family background award, my dad is going to be a late bloomer!

……

In fact, Lu Zhiyuan, Liu Shishi, and Xin Yukun have all watched this movie many times.

But every time they look at it, they will have a new mood.

"Haha, I'm on stage!"

"Teacher Yu, look at this image. Edward Hopper's use of light and shadow is full of a chilling style... He has integrated the artist's artistic conception into the film's imagery."

"This is Ayuan's unique skill!"

"It captivated the renowned director Li An. Even the most discerning Cannes judges couldn't give this film a bad review based on the visuals."

The movie begins with a very beautiful rural pastoral style.

The setting sun at 4 o'clock in the afternoon fell on the deserted fields. In the distance were the green Cangshan Mountains, and from time to time the crisp chirping of birds could be heard.

No one can say that Lu Zhiyuan slandered rural China in his films.

Because he photographed this rural area very beautifully.

There is no trace of that messy feeling or poverty.

At this time, the camera zooms out.

Xin Yukun rode an electric bike, slowly approaching in the sunset, facing the golden spots of light.

He approached the village, and when crossing the bridge, like a child, he deliberately pressed down a small puddle, causing the entire silent scene to shake slightly.

Combined with the bird calls in the movie, the atmosphere of the whole movie seems somewhat cheerful.

But, I don’t know what happened…

The audience found that after the camera turned, the atmosphere of the whole story suddenly changed.

The scene was originally very bright, but after Xin Yukun entered the village, the whole scene suddenly became a little cold and quiet.

The scene of the village chief's house, filmed through the gaps in the leaves, also became inexplicably eerie and terrifying.

It gives people a feeling of being spied on.

It felt like being stared at by something dirty. In short, it was very unsettling.

"Teacher Yu, in this cold and desolate scene, you gave the place where the village chief was repairing the pigpen a touch of warm color. It seems out of place and will inevitably draw people's attention to it."

“It’s called ghost feeling.”

"This pigpen is a key detail."

Xin Yukun boasted to Yu Feihong like a commentator: "Just by changing the tones in the picture, you can instantly put the audience into that atmosphere. This ability is amazing, isn't it?"

Xin Yukun couldn't do it himself anyway!

He estimated that there were not many people in the country who could give the audience enough atmospheric hints through changes in the color tone of the picture.

The most important thing about a suspense movie is the atmosphere.

Through color tone, we can give the audience psychological hints.

So cool!
If you have not received professional training, it is impossible to think of this level.

If the director doesn’t understand, expecting the art team to help you achieve these things... is simply impossible.

Art team, I’ve made these for you when I’m full and have some free time!
The main reason is that the people in the art team probably don’t understand it themselves.

……

Lu Zhiyuan did not make any changes to the plot of this movie.

Because this is a movie adapted from a real case, all the plots and logic are so meticulous that they cannot be changed.

Xin Yukun wrote the script perfectly.

Brother Kun often complained to Lu Zhiyuan that every time he watched the movie "Maze", a sense of déjà vu would emerge in his mind.

However, the scenes that emerged in his mind were far less beautiful than those taken by Lu Zhiyuan.

……

"Fuck, Teacher Tingmei!"

"So beautiful, so charming!"

"With a wife like this, you're still looking for a mistress? That cripple guy would fall to his death while taking a shit. He's definitely being punished by God!"

In this movie, Liu Shishi is a village girl whose dress is unremarkable.

Liu Shishi's main feature is her ethereal beauty in ancient costumes, which is completely ineffective in this kind of rural-themed film.

Only [Ni Hongjie].

A 30-year-old young woman doesn't need to dress up at all.

The femininity that emanates from the inside out, the peach-like charm of a young woman, instantly attracted the audience's attention with just a few glances.

In the following plot, Xin Yukun and Liu Shishi left the stage, and the plot vortex became the character of [Ni Hongjie].

Her lover [Baoshan] shouted that he wanted to kill someone for her.

The owner of the convenience store [Da Zhuang] was very attentive and wanted to snatch the young woman away and buy paper money for her husband to rest in peace. He was probably thinking in his heart, don't worry, Teacher Tingmei, I'll take over.

Who would have thought that on the way back, [Da Zhuang] actually discovered that the person who was supposed to die was not dead!

He was so angry that he wanted to kill someone!
How to act out this psychological dilemma... is actually very difficult.

Lu Zhiyuan knew very well that ordinary actors could not perform such a complex expression.

So, his camera focused on the hand of [Da Zhuang] holding the stone.

His fingers clenched and loosened, exerted force, and hid, not daring to be discovered.

This montage effect allows the audience to clearly feel the character's inner entanglement and complexity at this moment.

I want to kill someone, but I don't have the courage.

If you want to risk your life for your beloved, you have to consider the risk of going to jail.

Who knew that when Dazhuang was hesitating... a funny scene occurred. Teacher Tingmei's husband went to the hillside to take a shit and actually lost his life.

This scene is probably the funniest part of the whole movie!
Lu Zhiyuan specially gave a long close-up of the tissue floating in the air.

Coupled with the phrase "Ouch, sh*t" and the sound of a heavy object rolling down a cliff, this sense of humor and absurdity instantly reached its peak.

Making the entire theater laugh softly.

The A-level talent that emerged from Ning Hao finally came into play in this movie.

……

The next plot changes again.

The vortex of the plot and the contradictions of human nature came upon the village chief.

[Village Chief Cao Gonggong] repairs the pigpen almost every day, which clearly hints to the audience that the body of the white tiger is hidden under the pigpen.

The village chief's trembling hands while smoking allow the audience to appreciate his inner complexity and the nervousness of pretending to be calm.

"Have you noticed?"

"The village chief never appeared from the beginning to the end. Are you trying to say that this guy has lost all his humanity?"

Suddenly, an audience member mentioned the village chief's shadow.

Yu Feihong couldn't help but turn her head and look at director Lu Zhiyuan.

I want to ask him if it was designed like this on purpose?
This little detail is quite interesting.

Xin Yukun and Liu Shishi next to them couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.

Because what this audience member said was completely contrary to what Lu Zhiyuan originally meant.

"Teacher Yu, have you ever heard the saying... [The color of love has no shadows; it should penetrate the soul like a church window!]"

Xin Yukun couldn't hold it in any longer and couldn't help wanting to show off some useless knowledge he had learned from Lu Zhiyuan.

"No."

Yu Feihong was a little confused.

There is nothing wrong with this sentence. Why do I always feel that Liu Shishi and Xin Yukun can't help laughing?
When she came to her senses, she suddenly realized something.

The color of love has no shades.

This means that the village chief's love for his son is like the stained glass windows in a church, full of light and without shadows.

But what the audience just said was that the village chief’s soul has completely degenerated and become inhumane!

"Ha ha!"

Yu Feihong suddenly understood something.

Sure enough, in art films, what the director wants to express and what the audience see are sometimes completely different things.

Even a completely opposite situation may occur.

"I told him at the beginning that no one could understand this kind of camera language."

"His set also uses the color style of 'Luncheon of the Boating Party,' imitating the style of the famous Impressionist painter, Renoir."

Xin Yukun explained a few things to Yu Feihong.

Although, the audience's understanding of this shot is completely opposite to what Lu Zhiyuan originally wanted to express.

But in fact, it has little impact on the entire movie.

This is also one of Lu Zhiyuan's greatest advantages as a director of art films.

He only puts his own ideas into the pictures, but he won't make random changes to the storyline.

After watching it, the audience will only feel that all his shots are particularly beautiful, with bright colors, high saturation, and clarity.

All the actors, under his lens, have a hazy filter that makes them look much better than their actual looks.

This guy Lu Zhiyuan is really good at taking portraits!
He used the unique effects of light and shadow to easily enhance the atmosphere of the entire movie several times.

Make suspense movies more suspenseful.

When taking portraits, he would find the right angle to make the other person look particularly beautiful.

Especially when Teacher Tingmei [Ni Hongjie] appeared, the atmosphere of the whole picture became charming and wonderful.

Teacher Tingmei has invincible charm. Even in a small mountain village, her every frown and smile is full of seduction.

What the hell...

Which small village is it?

There is actually such a peerless young woman like Teacher Tingmei!

It is estimated that Teacher Tingmei’s husband, Chen Zili, is worried that he will die soon if he stays in the village every day and hangs out with Teacher Tingmei day and night.

So, he went out to find his mistress to detoxify himself.

pity.

Teacher Tingmei still made his legs weak, and he couldn't even stand up while taking a shit, and fell to his death.

But yes.

Who wouldn’t feel weak at the knees after marrying Teacher Tingmei?
The director's camera language and hints, the choice of Ms. Tingmei to play this role, and the shot of her husband falling to his death due to weak legs... it's so reasonable!
……

An hour and a half later, the movie ended.

The last scene of Lu Zhiyuan was a bird's-eye view from a high altitude, which was intended to hint to everyone that his story unfolded from the perspective of the "Old Man Sun" who was burned to death at the beginning.

The whole movie gives people a feeling that there is an invisible force manipulating this absurd and weird feeling.

But it's a pity...

Listening to the audience's comments, you can tell that they don't care at all what this shot is about.

Mouthful of it.

【Teacher Tingmei has a great figure! 】

[Teacher Tingmei, why didn't you come to the premiere today? ]

[Teacher Tingmei, are you married? I envy her husband! Is he also weak in the knees?]

Really served!

People who don’t know might think that this movie is about some pornographic scenes.

Sure enough, yellow is men’s favorite color.

Why didn't the emperor choose other colors for his dragon robe? It's because the ancients discovered this pattern long ago!

……

"Xiaolu, congratulations, this movie will be a success."

After watching the movie, Yu Feihong finally understood why she had failed.

After watching "The Heart Labyrinth", she summarized it.

Compared with his own films, "The Heart Labyrinth" has three major advantages.

1. The plot of the movie.

In terms of the plot, this movie has no logical loopholes, and the many twists and turns are amazing. The plot structure is extremely sophisticated.

Among all the domestic movies, the plot structure of this movie is the best.

Second, the movie’s images.

It is exquisite to the extreme. Every shot is like a painting. The color matching and atmosphere rendering are all perfect.

Even though she was a picky person, she couldn't handle it better than Lu Zhiyuan.

After all, she's only semi-professional.

Lu Zhiyuan is a master when it comes to colors!
Third, the diversity of film elements.

In addition to the strong suspenseful atmosphere, this movie also has funny elements and even some awkward scenes that everyone likes to watch.

After watching the movie, the name "Teacher Tingmei" has been lingering in Yu Feihong's mind.

If this movie is a hit, it’s basically because of these three elements.

Yu Feihong feels that her film only has half an advantage.

Only the movie scenes can be briefly mentioned.

As for the movie's story itself, she personally liked it very much.

However, in terms of structural sophistication, it is not particularly impressive, it is just more aesthetically pleasing and sentimental.

Some people may like her style, but it is obvious that people who like this style may watch this kind of movie quietly at home, but will not buy tickets to the cinema to support her!
I guess it’s the same for fans of “The Heart Labyrinth”.

This kind of movie should be able to sell for a good copyright price in North America and Europe, because it can be made into a beautiful collector's edition DVD and watched quietly at home.

Look at it over and over again.

However, if we calculate the box office once it enters theaters, it is unlikely to be too high.

"Teacher Yu, let's work together next time if there's a chance."

Yu Feihong should have no rivals in the field of middle-aged and elderly literary goddesses.

If I want to make a movie and need a role as an artistic mother, Yu Feihong is the best choice.

"We are all from the same hometown, so stop being polite."

After watching the movie, Yu Feihong's heart was broken and she went home to heal.

She originally wanted to see how explosive "The Heart" was and why it won the Palme d'Or. After watching it, she found that the movie was indeed amazing.

She can't compare to the plot.

She can't compare to the picture.

There were other elements in there that she hadn't even considered.

The most important thing is that other people spent 300 million to shoot the film, but she spent 4000 million, which is more than ten times the cost, but the result is nothing compared.

She felt like she was just a waste!

……

After the premiere.

Lu Zhiyuan and his group returned home.

After a while, several film reviews appeared on the Internet, most of which praised the movie "The Heart Labyrinth" for its ingenious plot structure.

Like dominoes, every reversal causes the plot to collapse, but it is also logical.

People who like this type of movie are simply obsessed with it.

"Ayuan, all the professional film reviews online are praising you. There are basically no negative reviews."

"Those third-rate tabloids also took advantage of the traffic and started digging into Teacher Tingmei's story... Do you think Teacher Tingmei's husband will be overwhelmed?"

Xin Yukun is also very concerned about this issue.

Sure enough, yellow is men’s favorite color.

"Brother Kun, please be careful at home. Be careful not to let Reba hear it and affect your glorious image."

Since Lu Zhiyuan didn't chase them away, Reba shamelessly stayed at Lu Zhiyuan's house with Xin Yukun. Anyway, she had nothing to do.

It was already very late, but the two of them didn't sleep and just chatted in the living room.

Because they have to wait for the first day's box office.

“Here it comes, the first day box office is out!”

"500 million!"

After midnight, the two were chatting when Xin Yukun received a call from Zhao Shanshan.

"500 million, not bad."

When Lu Zhiyuan heard this, he was actually quite happy, which was far beyond his expectations.

Based on the 10 times of the first day's box office, it is likely to be the final box office. Doesn't this mean a box office of 5000 million?
Considering that September is the domestic protection month.

It is estimated to win the weekly box office championship.

"Damn, it's only 500 million."

Xin Yukun was a little dissatisfied.

He remembered Ning Hao's "Crazy Racing", which had a box office of more than 800 million on the first day, and the other party also encountered a half-price sale on Tuesdays.

There are also people like him who use student tickets and get discounts on top of discounts to go to the movies.

If it was released on Friday, the box office of that movie would probably have doubled.

What the hell!
They worked on this movie for a long time and it swept all the European awards, but when they returned to China, they couldn't even beat a junior like Ning Hao!

"Brother, you have to work harder!"

Xin Yukun patted Lu Zhiyuan on the shoulder.

It’s really embarrassing for the Palme d’Or director that he can’t even suppress Ning Hao.

If this goes on, how can he go out and flirt with female celebrities this month under the guise of Lu Zhiyuan?
"Just be content."

Lu Zhiyuan was speechless in response to Brother Kun's greedy mentality.

You have to know that in another time and space, without my own involvement, this movie was released in 2015. It was shot by Brother Kun himself, and the box office was only over 1000 million.

Now, it is released 6 years ahead of schedule, and the box office is estimated to reach 5000 million. Lu Zhiyuan feels that he has performed at a god-level!
"How much money can I get?"

"Assuming the box office is 50 million, the settlement will be around 18 million. We will split the profits 50-50 with Starlight, and we can still pocket 9 million."

"Combining the company's original 1000 million, we now have about 2000 million in cash."

After finishing the calculation, Xin Yukun turned to look at Lu Zhiyuan and said, "There's this special effects technician from Industrial Magic Light who we're in contact with, the yellow-haired guy named Schwarzschild. I want to poach him and set up a special effects company for us. What do you think?"

With 2000 million in the account, it should be enough to set up a special effects team, find a leader, and set up the team.

The most important thing is that this special effects team has to develop a special application software for robot movies.

Without special effects support, their robot universe would simply not be able to continue.

At the beginning, this team could take on some small jobs by relying on Xingguang Canlan.

In addition, I can also help them with the movie "Upgrade" and do some special effects for the leftovers.

For example, Reba’s robotic arm.

Also, there are some luminescent materials in Reba’s laboratory.

Train the team first.

Otherwise, if we want to shoot "Real Steel" next time, we will have to go to Industrial Lighting, and the cost will probably be tens of millions of dollars.

Xin Yukun really doesn't want to let those foreigners make this money!
"Just make the decision."

Brother Kun was very thoughtful and Lu Zhiyuan had no other opinions.

……

"The Maze" was released on Friday and received good reviews, taking in 500 million at the box office.

Saturday was a rest day, and word of mouth began to spread. There was help in promoting the film online, and a lot of people came to watch it. The box office also increased significantly, reaching 600 million.

The box office continued to rise on Sunday, reaching a record high of 750 million.

In three days, the box office grossed a total of 1850 million!
"Ayuan, congratulations, you won the first weekly box office championship!"

"Besides, Sister Tiantian will be back tonight... I'm going to take Reba and leave first!"

Jing Tian was about to come back, so Xin Yukun changed his tone and stopped calling her "A Tian's sister-in-law". He went back to using the exclusive title for the eldest lady.

"Then I won't send you off."

The Land Rovers that Brother Kun drives are all under Jingtian's name.

The young rich woman gave him too much, and Xin Yukun had already betrayed him a long time ago. He was still pretending in front of her, and she regretted not taking her out to have fun.

It would be strange if Lu Zhiyuan believed him.

"Please ask a skilled aunt to come and clean the house."

After Xin Yukun and Reba left, Lu Zhiyuan called a housekeeping company to help clean the room, and he took the opportunity to go out for a meal and a walk.

This community has beautiful scenery and is home to many celebrities.

For example, Zhao Wenzhuo.

In the future, it seems that Zhao Liying will also move here.

After visiting the community a few days ago, Zhao Shanshan thought the environment was nice and was considering buying one.

In this way, Lu Zhiyuan will be surrounded by the Zhao family.

"Ok?"

Lu Zhiyuan finished his meal outside and took a leisurely walk.

The autumn evening breeze is not as hot as the summer one, and it feels cool when it blows.

He liked this feeling very much.

But at this moment, a familiar and mysterious sound of mechanical rotation appeared in his mind.

——[Congratulations on completing an outstanding challenge. Your film, "Maze of the Heart," took first place at the domestic box office this week, helping Tingmei teacher Ni Hongjie become an overnight sensation and the undisputed king of the beautiful young woman category!]

——[Award: A-level talent: Yu Feihong's elegant and artistic temperament.]

WTF?

Yu Feihong's elegant and literary temperament... What's the use of this thing for me?

really!

You shouldn’t have too high expectations for the rewards you get from the domestic movie box office.

Lu Zhiyuan sighed and thought of this talent as a gift for free.

After all, "The Heart Labyrinth" had helped him get an S-level talent of [Quentin] before, so this time it was just a waste utilization and he couldn't ask for too much.

——【Warning, system failure! 】

——[The system has detected the player's artistic temperament, which is that of an S-level extraordinary master, and automatically overrides Yu Feihong's A-level elegant artistic temperament. The system will reselect talents for the player.]

——【Warning lifted, fault repaired, system operational again.】

Lu Zhiyuan was stunned when he heard a series of system prompt sounds in his mind.

His own artistic temperament turned out to be that of an S-level extraordinary master?
No one had told him this before.

However, he was still very happy to be certified by the system.

After a few seconds, the system prompt sounded in his mind again.

——[Congratulations to the player for receiving the reward: A-level talent: Yu Feihong's outstanding family background!]

what?
real or fake!

OMG!

My dream is coming true!

I'm going to be a second-generation success, and my dad is going to be a late bloomer!

(End of this chapter)