Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 496 Occupy the pit "2012"

When Zhang Chen and Edlan came out of Industrial Light & Magic, there was an extra mobile hard drive in his bag.

It’s not that I don’t want to use a more convenient USB flash drive, but the USB flash drive can’t hold it.

All the materials for the first version of the promotional video for "Pacific Rim" had to come from this 11-minute video.

"Edran, I'm very satisfied with the special effects of the shot. Should we celebrate?"

Zhang Chen is in a good mood today, so he plans to reward himself and this hero.

The work of a special effects director is very tedious. On the set, he is responsible for judging how all images and special effects are combined.

In the later stage, we also have to keep an eye on the special effects team to ensure quality and progress.

"You want to hold a party? There are ready-made party companies in Los Angeles. You don't have to worry about anything. I can help you contact the venue..."

"No, no, no~" Edlan obviously misunderstood.

"I mean, we should find a place to have something nice to celebrate..."

Zhang Chen hurriedly tried to stop them. He didn't know what these foreigners were thinking. They always liked to hold parties, and Zhang Chen didn't want to get involved.

"Oh, I forgot, you are Chinese, you Chinese always like to have a meal together when you are happy...

Speaking of dinner parties, I have a good place to recommend, would you like to try it? "

"what?"

"Come with me, it's not far from here~"

Edlan kept the topic in suspense, then led Zhang Chen through the streets.

Soon they arrived at the door of a restaurant. Zhang Chen looked at the sign of the restaurant speechlessly.

Lao Liu BBQ!

Looking at Edlan again, he looked eager to try.

"I remember when we were filming in Hengdian, you often treated everyone to this..."

Edland apparently still has vivid memories of filming Pacific Rim in Hengdian.

"Fortunately, you didn't bring me to some dumpling shop."

Zhang Chen clearly remembered that these guys’ favorite food when they were in Hengdian was dumplings.

"Of course I want to, but it's too expensive in the United States."

It seems that Edlan didn't have the nerve to criticize him properly.

So that night, the two of them lived a shameless and happy life of drinking beer and eating skewers.

Unfortunately, there is no fried clams, which is not popular abroad.

While Zhang Chen was complaining in his heart that the barbecue was not authentic, he continued to drink beer and eat skewers with Edlan.

Then, I saw several men and women in uniform handing out flyers from a distance.

What else do you say every time you hand out flyers to passers-by?
"What do those people do?"

Zhang Chen felt that the other party's behavior was very similar to those who persuaded people to join a religion.

If this happened in the country, he would definitely make a direct conclusion.

But this is a foreign country where religious beliefs are very common, so Zhang Chen didn't think it should be that serious.

Edlan didn't know either, he just guessed: "Maybe it's some gay association~"

This situation is very common in the United States.

The two continued to eat and drink, and the people continued to distribute it along the street, and soon they were near them.

An Asian girl walked towards them, obviously targeting the carefree Edlan and Zhang Chen.

"Here, cheers~"

Foreigners generally don't have the habit of toasting when drinking beer, but after staying in China for a while, Edlan also knows that this is how Chinese people drink beer.

But what is in my hand is a beer cup.

"Half, half~"

Edlan found a way out in a very Chinese way. Seeing that Zhang Chen had no objection, they both drank half a glass of draft beer.

"Yeah, that's powerful~"

Feeling the coolness of the wine flowing down their esophagus, they both burped involuntarily.

Then they looked up and found the Asian girl standing in front of them.

Not surprised!
Since the passers-by didn’t show any surprise after receiving the flyers, Zhang Chen knew that what they distributed was probably not radical.

"Gentlemen, I'm sorry to bother you. We are from the Doomsday Society. Do you know the Mayan prophecy?"

The girl said as she handed over two flyers.

When Zhang Chen took it, he saw words like "2012, the end of the world" written on it.

Without waiting for the two to answer, the girl began to introduce: "The five major predictions of the Mayan calendar are the demise of Mayan civilization, the invention of cars and airplanes, world war, the emergence of Hitler, and the end of the world in 2012.

The first four of the five prophecies have been fulfilled, leaving only the fifth.

According to the Mayan long calendar, the world will be destroyed on December 2012, 12.

Our Doomsday Club was established to deal with the doomsday destruction. If you join the Doomsday Club, we will provide corresponding guidance and help, telling you how to build a doomsday fortress and how to collect supplies. The Doomsday Club will also hold parties regularly to facilitate members to exchange experiences with each other..."

It turns out to be this!
The two looked at each other, and Edlan spoke first: "Sorry, ma'am, we are not very interested in this. Besides, we don't want to build a doomsday fortress. That's something only rich people can do. I think you have come to the wrong place. Maybe Beverly Hills will be better..."

The girl didn't say anything when she was rejected. It was obvious that she had encountered such situations many times and was very experienced.

"Then I won't bother you two anymore~"

The girl said goodbye and left. Seeing that Edlan was about to hand the information back, she quickly refused: "No, I'll leave this to you two. There is our phone number on it. If you change your mind, we'll welcome you anytime..."

Watching the girl leave, Edlan shrugged and said, "Zhang, don't mind. This kind of thing is very common in North America. A group of like-minded people get together, then set up an organization, and then start to promote their own ideas. Most of those political parties have come this way..."

Edlan thought Zhang Chen didn't understand these things, so he explained them to him.

Zhang Chen asked curiously: "It's the end of the world, why don't you seem surprised at all~"

Edlan shrugged, "Should I be surprised?"

Zhang Chen smiled but said nothing.

"You are Chinese, so you may not know that the Mayan prophecy has been everywhere in our area for a long time. I meet people like those just now once or twice a month on average. Some of them may be true, while others are just scams. Anyway, I don't believe them..."

Zhang Chen thought to himself, how could I not know this, isn’t this “2012”?

"Why, do you have many shelters built here?"

“It’s not a lot, but it has always existed. It’s not necessarily because of the Mayan prophecy. During the Cold War, there were wealthy people who were afraid of nuclear war and built underground shelters for themselves. But they were all wealthy people. Ordinary people can’t afford to play such a game.

In the 80s, oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens built a concrete shelter underground on his ranch in Oklahoma. The shelter has 2.74-meter-thick walls that can withstand close-range nuclear explosions and is equipped with an independent power generation system and compressed food reserves.

In the 90s, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen invested in building his own ecological self-sufficient system on "Orcas Island" in Washington State, including rainwater collection, solar power generation and underground storage.

Recently I heard that the rocket silo in Alaska was also purchased by a mysterious person and is going to be converted into a shelter.

In fact, similar doomsday legends have always been popular in the United States. There have always been rumors among the people that the government is secretly building Noah's Ark, but only politicians and wealthy people have the opportunity to get tickets..."

Zhang Chen was amazed that the Mayan prophecy of the end of the world was so popular in North America. No wonder it had such a high box office in later generations.

In fact, it’s similar in China.

There have always been similar claims about the end of the world in 2012, but they are not mainstream and ordinary people don’t really believe them. They just treat them as a topic of conversation.

Come to think of it, these days, the United States is the world's only superpower, and its economy and culture are highly sought after.

Whenever there is any disturbance in the United States, magazines like Yilin will immediately transfer the information. It is not uncommon to hear similar statements in China.

"In fact, I think this is a good idea. I don't know if 2012 will be the end of the world, but I think if it is made into a disaster movie, it should have a good box office..."

Edlan's unintentional words directly opened up Zhang Chen's Ren and Du meridians.

Yes, if Roland Emmerich can make "2012", why can't I?

It’s just a pile of special effects, what’s so difficult about that!
"Zhang...Zhang?"

Seeing that Zhang Chen came back to his senses after being called twice, Edlan couldn't help but ask: "Dude, what are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about what you just said~"

"Which sentence?"

"The sentence about making 2012 into a movie~"

This time it was Edlan's turn to open his mouth wide: "Are you...are you serious?"

"why not?"

The subject matter is destined to be a big hit. Although it is a disaster film he has never made, he has already made "Pacific Rim" and knows how to shoot a pure special effects movie and what to pay attention to. It should not be difficult for him to shoot "2012".

What's more, there are such excellent examples before us, so can't we just copy them?
That’s great. I was just worrying about what subject to work with Jackie Chan on. Isn’t this a ready-made one?
"Zhang, are you serious?" Edlan confirmed again.

Zhang Chen did not answer but asked: "Edland, are you willing for us to cooperate again?"

"But...but it's a disaster film, it requires a lot of investment..."

"Those are not questions you should consider. You just need to answer me whether you are interested in this project and whether you are willing to fight with me again..."

Edlan's face flushed, as if he was infected by Zhang Chen's words. He suddenly picked up the remaining half glass of beer on the table and poured it into his mouth.

"Fight! Why not? This opportunity to be recorded in film history is in front of me, why should I hesitate~"

"Okay, let's do it again~"

"Yeah, fuck him~"

Edlan spoke a sentence in Chinese, and it was obvious that he had learned the essence of China after spending a few months in China.

The two of them high-fived each other, and then Zhang Chen suddenly thought of something: "But there is an important matter at hand~"

Edlan looked over in confusion.

"I need you to help me check the scripts registered with the Screenwriters Guild tomorrow to see if there are any scripts with similar themes. I'm afraid I'll run into someone else."

"Okay, I'll go to the union tomorrow as soon as it opens."

Edlan also thought this was true, and he also felt that Zhang Chen was not acting on impulse.

Three cups of draft beer, it shouldn’t be that necessary.

……

The next day, Zhang Chen received a call from Edlan.

"One good news and one bad news, which one do you want to hear first?"

Edlan sounded a little frustrated.

"Let me tell you the good news first."

"The good news is that I went to the Writers Guild today, and luckily, there were no registered scripts about the end of the world in 2012..."

"What about the bad news?"

"The bad news is, I heard that Roland Emmerich seems to be interested in filming related themes..."

"Just an intention?"

"Don't you feel hopeless at all?"

Compared with the former, Edlan felt that Zhang Chen’s reaction was more surprising.

“That’s Roland Emmerich!”

He emphasized once again, "If James Cameron is the king of science fiction films, then Roland Emmerich is the emperor of disaster films. Don't you know the status of "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow" in the field of disaster films?
He and we have the same subject matter, aren't you worried at all?"

"Don't worry," Zhang Chen's voice was calm, as if Roland Emmerich was just a passerby.

"Edlan, listen to me, it's no big deal. No matter how famous he is, it won't affect us. After all, the quality of the film still matters.

The only thing we have to do now is to start the project before it, release the film before it, and shoot it better than it.

Did you hear me, Edlan, I ask you, do you want to back off?"

As if sensing the confidence in Zhang Chen's words, Edlan was also encouraged.

"How could that be? Only a fool would quit. I also want to see how you defeat Roland Emmerich head-on..."

"It's not me, it's us~" Zhang Chen corrected.

"Yes, it's us." Edlan was no longer as flustered as he was at the beginning.

"Well, man, we have to seize the opportunity. Like you said, we have to approve the project and release the film before it does..." After hanging up the phone, Zhang Chen encouraged himself.

It's just Roland Emmerich, just do it.

His first work in the country was a direct rivalry with Zhang Yimou's "House of Flying Daggers", and he didn't seem afraid.

Roland Emmerich is nothing more than America's old trickster.

What a big deal.

His path to becoming a god is the same as that of Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang, Wu Baige, and Xu Ke. He is just another Roland Emmerich.

Even though the themes are similar, it's hard to say who will get hurt in the end.

Zhang Chen's confidence is not just mysterious.

In later generations, "Now You See Me" and "Olympus Has Fallen" had the same subject matter.

As a result, "Now You See Me" had a global box office of 2.5 million, and "Olympus Has Fallen" had a global box office of 1.7 million.

Looks like Roland Emmerich has won.

But the former costs 1.5 million, while the latter only costs 7000 million.

In terms of revenue ratio, the latter is the winner.

Otherwise, why did "Olympus Has Fallen" have two sequels, but "Now You See Me" never had any sequels?

So Zhang Chen did not lose because of the similar subject matter.

Zhang Chen is not inferior to Roland Emmerich.

Zhang Chen was not afraid at all of going to war with the other side.

Zhang Chen was very sure that as long as his "2012" could be released first, the latter would not cause any waves.

For disaster films of the same type with similar investments, it is hard to say whether one film can beat another.

Everyone relies on large-scale special effects. The investment is similar, which means the special effects are also similar. How big a difference can there be?
When two disaster films with similar themes are released one after another, the one that comes out first will definitely gain the advantage.

The audience saw "2012" for the first time - Wow, it's amazing! Earthquakes can be filmed like this, this is a disaster movie!
Then half a year later, another movie "2012" was released, and the audience was no longer so impressed.

Another destruction of the White House?

Another collapse of the Golden Gate Bridge?

Another earthquake?

Isn’t this just a replica of the previous “2012”?

Even if Emmerich comes up with something new, it can only be an upgraded version at best.

The audience will not be amazed, but will just feel a sense of déjà vu because they have seen it before.

Therefore, it is important to release it in advance.

The first step to release a film early is to get the script ready and reserve a spot.

What if Emmerich changes the subject and doesn’t make “2012”?

Then there is even less to worry about.

The most amazing thing about "2012" is not how great the movie itself is, but the concept of "the end of the world in 2012".

The Mayan prophecy promoted by the media is equivalent to free publicity for the movie.

No other movie in the world can achieve this level of publicity, not even "Titanic". It is no exaggeration to say that it is known to everyone.

In terms of special effects, among disaster films of the same type, it is hard to say how much better "2012" is than "San Andreas".

Both are special effects blockbusters. In addition to earthquakes, the disaster types in "2012" also include tsunamis, but the story may not be as exciting as "San Andreas".

"2012" weakens the personal perspective and is all about the macro perspective and the community of human destiny.

"San Andreas" is all about personal perspective, saving the wife and daughter.

In comparison, the latter is more likely to resonate.

If he could choose, Zhang Chen would prefer to shoot "San Andreas".

But in the end, he chose "2012".

There are two reasons:
One is Cheng Long.

He was not cast in "Taken" because his story with Xiao Long Nu did not fit in with the character setting in the movie.

"San Andreas" has the same plot, a father saves his daughter.

The character still doesn't match.

The second reason is because of the Mayan prophecy.

Zhang Chen stubbornly believes that if "2012" was just an ordinary disaster film about an earthquake and tsunami, the box office would definitely not exceed 5 million.

It's similar to "San Andreas".

But in the end, the global box office was 7.9 million. So where did the remaining 2.9 million come from? It must be related to the Mayan prophecy.

As for how much role Laura Emmerich's reputation as a master of disaster films plays in the film, Zhang Chen believes that it is at most 5000 million.

Therefore, the "2012" slot must be occupied.

Zhang Chen looked up a lot of information last night. The '2012 Doomsday Hypothesis' was first proposed in a book by American writer John Major Jenkins.

He believes that the end of the Mayan Long Count (the winter solstice of 2012) combined with the galactic alignment phenomenon could trigger a civilizational change.

This view combined ancient Mayan wisdom with modern astronomical phenomena, attracting the interest of Western readers in mysticism.

In fact, there has never been any doomsday prophecy in the "Long Count" of the Mayan calendar.

The Mayan prophecy is a prophecy system of the ancient Mayan civilization in Central America about time cycles and cosmic cycles. People are talking about the end of the cycle.

The "Long Count" starts on August 3114, 8 BC, with every 11 years as a large cycle.

December 2012, 12 (the winter solstice) is considered the end of this cycle and marks the beginning of a new era.

There is no record of the 'end of the world' in Mayan documents (such as the Dresden Codex), but rather an emphasis on rebirth and transformation after the end of the cycle.

Then this 'end of cycle' was misinterpreted.

This is also thanks to the American media that likes to stir up trouble.

CNN, Fox News and other media have reported on topics related to the Mayan prophecy, and some programs have packaged them as "unsolved scientific mysteries", exacerbating public anxiety.

In order to gain traffic and attention, all media are hyping up the concept of "2012 Doomsday".

The standard approach is to create news if there is no news.

Then the Mayan prophecy of 'the end of the world in 2012' became popular and spread widely around the world.

After all, the current United States is the representative of advanced productivity, and its culture is also considered to be the most advanced and is sought after by bootlickers all over the world.

In Europe, relevant remarks have been circulated so widely that everyone knows about it.

Even as far away as the East, it has spread to a considerable extent, which shows how exaggerated the lie of this century is.

But these just save publicity resources.

Zhang Chen locked himself in his room and spent a day and a half writing the first version of the script.

This script doesn't require much detail, it's mainly for plot purposes.

First of all, the name '2012' must be occupied.

The second is those famous scenes: the Yellowstone volcano erupted, the Golden Gate Bridge broke, the White House was flooded, the Hoover Dam collapsed, the Sistine Chapel frescoes cracked, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro collapsed, the Himalayas were flooded...

Not a single iconic shot was missed.

Then I quickly registered with the Screenwriters Guild and mailed the manuscript to myself.

The moment he received the package in the mail, Zhang Chen finally felt relieved.

In case of a lawsuit, the date on the postmark can be used as evidence to prove that Zhang Chen's version of "2012" was earlier than Emmerich's.

He must prepare for the worst. Lao Luo may not do so, but he must be cautious and judge others by their own will.

……

Fan Xiaopang finally arrived in Los Angeles, but she did not contact Zhang Chen immediately, but contacted Edlan instead.

This woman is very smart. When Zhang Chen comes to North America to check out the special effects, he definitely cannot do without Edlan, the special effects director.

"Zhang is doing something big recently. He is exhausted and is resting..."

Fat Fan asked about Zhang Chen's recent situation, and Edlan answered like this.

"Big deal? What big deal?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you. I know you are very familiar with him, but I still can't tell you. If you want to know, it's best to ask him in person."

This guy has been in Hollywood for most of his life, and he’s still pretty tight-lipped.

"Okay, then I'll go ask him myself. So, can you tell me where he lives?"

Edlan thought for a moment and gave an address.

After filming in China for three months, he knew the relationship between this woman and Zhang Chen very well.

……

Zhang Chen was indeed exhausted. It took him a day and a half to write the script, in English.

Even if he copied from the original in his mind, he was exhausted.

So he is sleeping soundly now.

Then, I felt as if I was wrapped in a ball of warmth.

A familiar feeling came over me, and I opened my eyes blearily, and saw that familiar figure.

A long-awaited release, and then falling into a deep sleep again.

When he woke up again, he found Fat Fan sitting at the table watching the computer, and the 11-minute clip of "Pacific Rim" was playing on the computer.

"So it really is you. Just now, I thought I was dreaming..."

Fat Fan turned around: "Are you awake?"

While speaking, his tongue deliberately circled around his lips.

"What did you dream about?"

Zhang Chen showed a look of reminiscence: "Well, I can only say that eloquence is not only an art, but also a skill."

"Tsk, you're still being ungrateful after getting such an advantage."

At this time, the 11-minute movie clip was finished.

Zhang Chen stood up and leaned his upper body against the head of the bed: "How do you feel?"

"It is so stunning that it cannot be overstated. Pacific Rim will definitely become another classic for you..."

"This honor belongs to you, too."

Fat Fan came up to Zhang Chen and kissed him on the forehead, "You gave me this opportunity."

After hesitating for a few seconds, he said, "You should have guessed why I came..."

Zhang Chen nodded: "I guessed it. You should have seen the script in the computer, right?"

Fat Fan nodded: "I didn't mean to do that, but I was too curious at the time. However, I know the rules and won't say anything nonsense."

Zhang Chen shrugged indifferently.

Fatty Fan asked tentatively: "Is the male lead Cheng Long?"

Zhang Chen nodded again.

"What about the heroine? Do I have a chance?"

"What do you say?"

Fat Fan excitedly picked up Zhang Chen's head and kissed him on the forehead again.

Zhang Chen raised his head from his suffocation: "But let me make it clear first, the pay won't be high."

"Ah, you're deducting my salary~"

"What are you withholding? Didn't I just give you billions?"

"You~"

(End of this chapter)