Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 504: A remake of "Water Margin"?
In the next few days, Zhang Chen was in seclusion, mainly enriching the storyboard of "2012".

He is aiming to release this movie during next summer, before the Olympics.

Counting back the time, there are only 13 months left, which is very tight.

He suddenly felt a little regretful that he had agreed to let Ren Zhonglun serve as the award presenter at the Shanghai Film Festival.

The Shanghai Film Festival is held in mid-June, so he won’t be able to start filming until late June at the earliest.

Half a month wasted in vain.

But I have already agreed, and it is difficult to go back on my word. All I can do during the remaining time is to perfect the storyboard as much as possible.

Sometimes, this thing is more important than pre-animation.

The more detailed the storyboard, or storyboard, is, the more intuitively the staff can understand the director's intentions.

It can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

At this time, Zhang Chen was drawing the special effects picture of the Los Angeles plate rising, one of the most shocking and iconic shots in "2012".

This kind of shot is difficult to express accurately simply by describing it in words, but it is much more intuitive when presented in the form of pictures.

What Zhang Chen drew was just a rough outline, including the angle, layout and position of each element.

Shots like this are definitely a combination of special effects and models.

Zhang Chen has asked the special effects company to make the corresponding hydraulic press. With the experience from "Pacific Rim", it is not difficult to produce it.

It's just bigger than before.

Not only here, the scene when the disaster first struck also used a hydraulic press to simulate an earthquake.

These shots will be shot in a studio in Hengdian.

Zhang Chen did this on purpose.

One is due to cost considerations.

If these things are produced and filmed domestically, the cost will be lower.

The other reason was his selfish desire to train the domestic team as much as possible.

In terms of hardware models, China actually has a great advantage.

The powerful industrial capacity determines that any kind of props can be produced.

It’s just that there was a lack of similar scenes in the past, so the necessary supporting facilities were lacking.

But if necessary, this can be organized quickly.

Currently, the special effects company under Zhang Chen specializes in this.

Another thing is CG special effects. This is not something that can be achieved just by having money. You have to get your hands dirty.

There are not many special effects companies in China engaged in this field, no more than 50, and 80% of them are small teams with less than 10 people.

For example, when BJ "Viewpoint Special Arts" took on the special effects of "Moment in Peking", the whole team consisted of only 7 people, using 3 computers to complete 200 shots, with an average production cycle of 3 days for a single shot, and the quality was only up to the "watchable" standard.

The project process is chaotic and there is no standardized division of labor. It is common for modelers to be responsible for rendering and compositors to manually adjust the color of each frame.

In 06, the flame effects of the Dragon Cult altar in "The Deer and the Cauldron" were repeatedly modified and finally presented as a "-cent flame".

This is also the origin of the "50-cent special effects".

When it comes to CG special effects, you can’t achieve everything in one go, you have to take it slow.

Zhang Chen has been consciously sending people to learn. Although the majority of the two films, "Pacific Rim" and "2012", were produced by Industrial Light & Magic, a part of them was also allocated to Cube.

The Cube has engineers who were sent by Zhang Chen from China to study.

Now, it costs him 8 million RMB to shoot a movie like "Pacific Rim".

Unfortunately, the total cost of "The Wandering Earth" was only 3.2 million yuan.

In terms of special effects shots, the two are actually similar.

Why is there such a huge difference in cost?
It is because domestic special effects have become popular and are no longer restricted by foreign countries.

As the cost of special effects goes down, the total production cost will naturally go down as well.

Zhang Chen prepared a lot of shot drawings similar to the one above.

After the crew started filming, Cheng Long could not join the crew immediately. He had to wait until "The Forbidden Kingdom" was completed and could join the crew around September.

Before that, what Zhang Chen had to do was to complete other shots as much as possible and give them to Industrial Light & Magic in advance so that they could produce the special effects first.

Just as I was thinking about this, my cell phone suddenly rang.

The sky is blue waiting for misty rain and I'm waiting for you

Smoke rises thousands of miles across the river

On the bottom of the bottle, the Han Li imitates the elegance of the previous dynasty

Just consider it as my foreshadowing of meeting you...

The song "Blue and White Porcelain" is gentle and melodious, very nice to listen to.

I picked up the phone and saw that the caller number was Dong Jianqiang.

Zhang Chen frowned. Everyone in the company knew that he was in seclusion these two days. Was there something urgent?

After the call was connected, Dong Jianqiang's voice came from the other end: "Zhang Chen, please come to the company~"

"what happened?"

"Ning Hao is back, and there is something wrong with him~"

Ning Hao?

Zhang Chen wanted to ask one more question, but since Dong Jianqiang called him, the matter must be complicated and it would probably be hard to explain over the phone.

"Okay, I'll leave now and be there in a minute~"

An hour later, Zhang Chen finally figured out the whole story.

Ning Hao was supposed to be filming "The Unknown" now, but after a month of filming, he suddenly didn't want to film anymore.

"What on earth do you think?"

There were quite a few people in the room at this time, including Ning Hao, Zhang Chen, Dong Jianqiang, Huang Bo and Xu Zheng...

Ning Hao looked miserable: "I just think the script of Nobody is not good. Compared with Racing, it is too different. I don't want to shoot it..."

"Are you throwing a tantrum just because you are not allowed to film 'No Man's Land'?" Zhang Chen's tone was a little cold.

"Not really, you all said it so clearly, how could I still be thinking about it, I've let it go a long time ago.

But I don't want to shoot "Nobody" either~
I feel like this isn’t my story.”

Ning Hao seemed to be stuck in a dead end.

At this time in the room, Dong Jianqiang remained silent, while the unknown Huang Bo and Xu Zheng on the other side did not dare to breathe.

Oh my god, is this how you usually talk to Director Zhang?

Zhang Chen was also a little speechless. If it was any other director other than Ning Hao, he would definitely spit in the other person's face, but the one who was throwing a tantrum was Ning Hao.

His good brother, must be spoiled~
"Forget it, if you don't want to shoot, then don't shoot."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Dong Jianqiang was surprised, but Huang Bo and Xu Zheng next to him also opened their mouths wide.

Can you do this?

Especially Dong Jianqiang.

When the crew starts filming, that means money.

He got angry halfway through the shoot and decided not to shoot anymore?

Then all the previous investment will be wasted.

Although Ning Hao made a lot of money for the company~
Although Ning Hao is one of the only three directors in China who is worth 200 million yuan~
That can’t be done either… Well, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal.

If you don’t want to shoot, then don’t shoot.

"Chenzi, I'm sorry, but I really can't take pictures anymore. I don't want to take pictures for even a minute..." Ning Hao was also a little embarrassed.

Zhang Chen waved his hand indifferently: "It's okay."

Dong Jianqiang next to him said at this time: "But if this is the case, we will have no movies to show during the 11th period. Otherwise, let's find another director to take over..."

He didn't know what Zhang Chen was thinking, so he could only tentatively offer suggestions.

Zhang Chen waved his hand and said, "No need, just keep it sealed. Maybe he will think it through someday and want to shoot it again..."

When everyone heard this, they were amazed. Director Zhang really loves Ning Hao.

It's all up to him.

"So what are you going to do next, just rest like this?"

Zhang Chen asked Ning Hao about his future plans, and Ning Hao shook his head blankly: "I don't know either."

Zhang Chen simply said: "I give you two choices, either come with me to Hollywood, my next movie is about to start shooting, and you can be my assistant director.

Otherwise, I will find you another script. You disliked the multi-line narrative of "Nobody", so this time I will find you a script that doesn't have a multi-line narrative, or even a type that you have never filmed before..."

Ok?
what is that?
Ning Hao also became interested.

"'Crack Drummer.'"

Zhang Chen announced the answer, but the answer was beyond everyone's expectations.

"The one with Jay Chou?"

Everyone has heard of this movie because at a press conference, Zhang Chen publicly called out to Jay Chou, saying that he had a movie about music and invited Jay Chou to be the leading actor.

"Yes, I'll have the script sent to you by the screenwriter department soon. Take a look. The characters are simple and very suitable for Jay Chou, but the movie is a bit dark, I think it might suit your current taste.

Most importantly, this movie is very simple and should be finished in a month, which won’t delay its release in October…”

In the original time and space, Whiplash was shot in just 19 days. The box office of this movie in Europe and the United States is actually very average, but it is very popular in Asia, with 300 million US dollars in Japan and 1100 million US dollars in South Korea, but it was not released in mainland China.

After Zhang Chen said this, Ning Hao became more interested.

"Darkness-oriented?"

"Yes, that's why I haven't been in a hurry to shoot. It doesn't fit the style of our company. But in your current situation, it's just the right time to fight poison with poison..."

"My situation? What's my situation?"

"You can tell by looking at everyone's expressions."

Ning Hao looked again and saw Huang Bo and Xu Zheng staring at him like two fools, and suddenly became embarrassed.

Not long after, the script was sent over and Ning Hao read it word by word.

Zhang Chen's version of "Whiplash" has been appropriately localized.

The story is set in Hong Kong, and the characters are slightly changed.

In the original book, Mr. Fletcher is full of sweet talk and is simply a typical scumbag.

It may not be a big deal in the United States, but it is really unacceptable in Hong Kong.

It's not "Hot Teacher"~
In the original time and space, many viewers gave this movie a low score because of this.

Zhang Chen thought it was unnecessary.

If we force ourselves to stick to the original setting, it might not even pass the review.

After all, even swearing in TV dramas has only appeared in the past two years.

For example, grandma's legs or something like that...

Ning Hao read it very carefully. The movie roughly tells the story of Jay Chou, a freshman at the music conservatory who is determined to become the best drummer.

After joining the school band, he felt like he was on his way to his dream.

However, on the road to dreams, there is a biggest stumbling block, the band's devil coach He Bing.

Yes, when Zhang Chen was writing the script, he had even chosen the leading actors - Jay Chou and He Bing.

The names of the characters in the script are directly based on the real names of the actors.

"Of course, you decide on the specific roles, but I suggest that Jay Chou should invite Jay Chou..."

"But his acting skills..."

"Just take your time. At the beginning, King Liu was just trying to look cool. Besides, this movie doesn't require much acting skills. Jay Chou's role only needs one expression throughout the whole movie.

More importantly, Jay Chou's personality as a musical genius is very consistent with the role itself, and the audience will not feel any sense of incongruity when seeing him perform drumming.

If you change to another actor, can you guarantee it? "

Ning Hao was speechless.

I have to admit that this is true. In terms of personality, no one can match Jay Chou. Xie Bi Wang may be able to do it, but only barely.

Zhang Chen felt relieved when he saw that Ning Hao no longer objected.

There is actually another reason why he insisted on using Jay Chou, and that is the box office.

Jay Chou is one of the few singers with box office appeal. His movie "Slam Dunk" actually grossed over 100 million yuan, which many veteran actors cannot achieve.

What's even more exaggerated is "刺陵", a terrible movie like this, but it could have a box office of 6000 million. Seeing this result, I'm afraid many professional actors would cry to death in the toilet.

As long as Jay Chou joins "Whiplash", the basic box office base will be secured.

Although he really can't act.

"Devil coach, did you choose He Bing?"

“This is just the person I thought of when I wrote the script, it doesn’t mean you have to choose him.

In fact, it would be no problem to replace it with any veteran actor, Chen Baoguo, Wang Zhiwen, Chen Daoming, they can all easily handle this role, by the way, teacher Feng Yuanzheng is also good..."

"Okay, I'll take this movie~"

Ning Hao seemed to have made some kind of decision.

Zhang Chen said: "It's fine for you to take the call, but you must see it through to the end this time~"

"I promise I won't give up this time."

After getting Ning Hao's assurance, Zhang Chen looked at Dong Jianqiang again and said, "Then let's schedule Whiplash in the 11th slot, replacing the previous Nobodies."

"Ok."

"Also, please help contact the actors, especially Jay Chou. He has been so popular in the past two years, his schedule must be full. Our drama will take at most one month. Talk to him to see if he can make some adjustments..."

As far as I can remember, Jay Chou has been producing works continuously in the past two years.

"Secret" and "Slam Dunk"...

That’s an average of one movie per year.

Half a day later, Dong Jianqiang replied that Jay Chou was currently filming "Slam Dunk" and it would be completed this month.

Very good!
The schedule is just right.

"I have basically agreed with him. He will come to attend the Shanghai Film Festival in half a month, and we will discuss the details then..."

Zhang Chen nodded. With Jay Chou, they were basically halfway to success.

In fact, it’s okay to accompany Ning Hao to be willful for once, he can afford the compensation.

The main reason is that he doesn’t want Ning Hao’s hard-earned reputation to be ruined.

The previous film, "Cars", grossed over 200 million, while the next film, "Whiplash", grossed less than 10 million.

By then, the media will definitely use the most vicious language to attack Ning Hao, and "running out of ideas" is probably the most civilized way to say it.

Zhang Chen didn't want Ning Hao to suffer such an unexpected disaster.

Oh, I'm really worried about it.

After the report, seeing Dong Jianqiang standing there without leaving, Zhang Chen looked up and asked, "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

Dong Jianqiang nodded: "Yes, it is true."

"Then you say~"

Zhang Chen put down his pen, stopped the work at hand, and listened formally to the other party's request.

"Did you know that Hualu Baina and China Film Group are planning to remake Dream of the Red Chamber?"

Zhang Chen nodded: "Yes, I heard someone talking about this backstage at the press conference a few days ago."

"I heard that Gao Xixi is also preparing for The New Three Kingdoms. He is backed by the Production Center of Communication University of China and Xiaoma Bengteng..."

"Well, so what?"

Zhang Chen thought he was worried that these dramas would affect their dramas, but there was no need to worry.

Both "Wulin Waijia 3" and "The Disguiser" are sequels to hit dramas and have no worries about sales.

However, he was wrong. Dong Jianqiang asked, "What do you think of us filming the New Water Margin?"

There was light in his eyes at this moment.

Zhang Chen was shocked: "You want to remake the Four Great Classics?"

Dong Jianqiang nodded: "If others can remake it, why can't we?"

Yes, if others can remake it, why can't we?

Of course we can.

With Zhang Chen's current status, as long as he says he wants to remake "Water Margin", there will definitely be Chinese companies that will come to him.

The key is that Zhang Chen doesn’t want to.

Why don't you want to?
Because he doesn't like "Water Margin".

Among the four great classics, Water Margin is the most misinterpreted one.

In fact, none of the so-called Liangshan heroes are good people.

It cannot be said that there are no good people, but there are certainly not many.

Most of them are robbers, bandits, murderers, and rapists.

As long as you haven't killed anyone in there, you are considered innocent.

The so-called "acting on behalf of heaven" and "robbing the rich to help the poor" are just excuses for themselves to commit legal robbery.

Zhang Chen still remembers the shock he felt when he first read "Water Margin" in his previous life, especially when he saw Li Kui in it. How could he be called a hero?
A hero who kills anyone he sees?
I always thought that everyone in Liangshan was a hero, but it turns out they are just a bunch of rubbish.

He's not even as good as Chen Haonan.

I don't understand how it became one of the four great classics.

Isn’t this a textbook on rebellion?

For stuff like "One Hundred and Eight Generals", it's the halo of the Four Great Classical Classics, otherwise the TV series wouldn't have passed the review.

He was a million times unwilling to remake "Water Margin".

Even if you know you can definitely make money, you are still unwilling to do it.

Why is it certain to make money?
That is inevitable.

As long as the four great classics are filmed, there will be no worries about sales.

But if he were to choose, he would rather film "Three Kingdoms" or "Journey to the West".

But "Three Kingdoms" is already in preparation, and "Journey to the West" is actually more suitable for adaptation into a movie rather than a TV series.

(End of this chapter)