New Age Artists

Chapter 381 Domineering Shen Santong (33)

Xu Ke asked, "Is our film technology good enough? Should we cooperate with foreign countries to be on the safe side?"

Shen Santong dispelled his doubts: "It's enough. I have used multiple films to continuously train the project. It has not yet reached the international forefront, but it is still better than the Koreans."

"Especially for the Red Cliff project and The Shallows, which I finished shooting last year, our 3D technology accumulation is also at the forefront internationally."

"Our biggest advantage is our talent advantage. Last year, we had nearly five million college graduates."

"The efficiency is higher than outside. One year of work can equal three years outside. Labor is also cheap at this stage."

"I plan to invest 100 million RMB in this play, and if it goes well, it can exceed 100 million US dollars."

Shen Santong Inequality, 100 million RMB > 100 million US dollars.

Too confident.

Shen Santong's self-confidence, as he endorsed his achievements one after another, was extremely contagious and directly suppressed Xu Ke.

Shen Santong has specific requirements for special effects: "Special effects cannot be made for the sake of special effects. Special effects must be real. It is not the main creator who tells the audience from a high position: Look, I made special effects, this is a blockbuster."

"This is absolutely not okay."

"The reputation of blockbusters has been ruined among the audience. This year's Lunar New Year holiday gave it a boost, but it will soon become a bad reputation again."

"We made full use of the real scene, such as buildings and ships. We have preserved many scenic spots and historical sites, which can also be displayed."

"As for the scenery and costumes, they must be realistic and beautiful, consistent with the history of the time, and show the beauty of the costumes."

“And where CG is necessary, you have to be willing to spend time. For good results, you have to wait a year in post-production.”

"Reality and texture, if you do these two things well, the plot will be good and the movie will be good."

After discussing the technical issues of the film, Qian Yanqiu asked, "What do you think of the third draft of the script?"

Shen Santong said: "Very good, it meets my requirements."

"With the name of Di Renjie, the reasoning part cannot be simple, without layers and echoes."

“The truth cannot be revealed by the actors ‘telling’, but the audience should ‘see’ it through the actors and enjoy the mystery.”

“The third draft has the flavor, but Director Xu wants to get involved and turn it into a shooting script.”

At the beginning of the script, Shen Santong didn't let Xu Ke touch it.

Don't trust the scripting abilities of the license.

Now that the script has a framework, Xu Ke can join in as a director.

The "Babel" project is progressing rapidly.

Xu Ke asked, "In terms of action design?"

Shen Santong only asked for the general idea: "Design the action based on the script technology, and you will be in charge of the details."

"I just ask that you don't fight just for the sake of fighting. You have to fight beautifully and present a clean and sharp effect."

"Whether it's through action design or post-editing, it's up to you to decide. The final effect shouldn't be slow-motion or drawn-out."

I am allowed to write and draw, and I am satisfied.

Although Shen Santong is strong, he often only meets general requirements, leaving him with a lot of room for creativity.

Talking and talking.

Speaking of the key point, Shi Nansheng said: "In terms of casting, how much should we lean towards mainland actors and how much opportunities should we give to Hong Kong actors?"

Everyone was shocked. This was a sensitive topic as well as an important one.

There are not many directors who give mainland actors opportunities in film projects, especially celebrity actors.

Looking at the film industry, only Shen Santong and Feng Xiaogang were given opportunities.

In December last year, Chen Jiashang started filming "Painted Skin" with mainland actors such as Chen Kun, Xiaoyanzi and Zhou Xun as the protagonists.

This is the first time in four years since a Hong Kong director moved north that a mainland actor has been used as the lead in a blockbuster film.

It had a huge impact in the industry, and people are still arguing about it today.

Many Hong Kong filmmakers publicly criticized Chan Ka-Shang, saying he should not have set a precedent and was a sinner in the Hong Kong circle.

Some media have also questioned that mainland actors cannot carry the box office, that audiences do not like mainland actors, that they are "box office poison", and that they are not as good as Zhen Zidan in holding up the scene.

It's not just the Hong Kong media, the mainland media is even more aggressive.

Even though Shen Santong has repeatedly proved that mainland actors are no worse than Hong Kong actors, and Feng Xiaogang's "Assembly" also proved it, some media pretended not to see it.

Crazy attacks, questioning, and criticism, not treating mainlanders as human beings.

Shen Santong said bluntly: "The movie comes first. If this movie is to be outstanding, we must save enough money for post-production."

"The actual set design, costumes, and various expenses cost a lot of money."

"In order to save enough money for later production, the actors' salaries should be kept within 8 million, preferably within 5 million,"

Shen Santong did not say how many Hong Kong actors would be used, but the meaning was very clear.

Actors from Hong Kong can be used, but the price cannot be high and cannot exceed the salary line.

Shi Nansheng suggested: "How about asking Liu Dehua to play Di Renjie? He has box office appeal, so it's worth it even if it's a little more expensive."

Shen Santong did not deny it directly: "If five million can be hired, this part can be overspent."

Shi Nansheng looked at each other in bewilderment: "Even if it's a friendship price, it's at least 15 million." Shen Santong couldn't help but sneered and shook his head, "Then it's not suitable."

The friendship price is 15 million, and he is being taken advantage of?

Liu Dehua cannot play Di Renjie.

It's not that I have a problem with him, but he really has no acting skills.

Liu Dehua’s performance in the original version was very poor and he didn’t look like a detective.

Until the end of the story, he had completely failed to integrate into the role of Di Renjie.

It was Liu Dehua from beginning to end, and had nothing to do with Di Renjie.

What's even more disgusting is the plot.

From beginning to end, I couldn't tell how Li Bingbing's Shangguan Jing'er and Liu Dehua's Di Renjie fell in love.

Deng Chao’s character Pei Donglai cares about Li Bingbing more than Liu Dehua.

When Shangguan Jing'er chases the enemy, Pei Donglai will say "Be careful!".

Even when I can't see her, I still miss her.

In the movie, it was Li Bingbing who took off his clothes as soon as he saw Liu Dehua.
The first scene she saw Liu Dehua was when she stripped naked and seduced him.

The result was described by Liu Dehua as "neither male nor female".

In the end she even sacrificed her life. After being seriously injured, Liu Dehua sent her to the palace by horse, but did not take her for treatment.

Shangguan Jing'er was carried in front of Wu Zetian and died after she asked the question "Have you ever loved anyone?"

Is there any difference between this plot and Hollywood's treatment of the Tokyo University actress?

Domestic films, however, face the same gaze and discrimination as Hollywood.

It's not that unbelievable, it's within expectations when you think about it.

The combined beauty of Wandao and Hong Kong Island is even more amazing than Hollywood.

Except for Liu Dehua, the acting of the original version is okay.

Li Jialing and Deng Chao both performed well, especially Deng Chao, who brought Pei Donglai to life with just his eyes.

What limits the actors' performance is the stupid plot.

The producer from the locomotive said, "How famous is Director Chen? His salary is less than one-tenth of Liu Dehua's. He is well-known and his acting skills are also very good."

Shi Nansheng took a step back and said, "His box office appeal is not good, how about Tony Leung Ka Fai?"

Shen Santong made the final decision: "Di Renjie gave it to Director Chen."

Shi Nansheng said: "Big movies need big-name actors to have appeal."

The current understanding of a blockbuster is that it must have blockbuster actors. Shen Santong ignored this argument and said domineeringly: "I will be the producer of this movie, which is the biggest box office appeal."

"Even if you put the four kings of Hong Kong together, and stack them all together, can their movies sell for 400 million or 500 million?"

"This drama should give more opportunities to newcomers and more fresh faces on the big screen, so that the audience won't be so surprised when they see the same faces again. They've seen enough."

Shen Santong was not polite. He glanced at Shi Nansheng and looked around at everyone: "This is a 100 million yuan investment. Whoever fails to meet the requirements will be kicked out."

“This play will be the same no matter who is involved!”

If Xu Ke fails to meet his requirements, he will leave.

Shi Nansheng is not the key either.

After all, it was Shen Santong who was giving Xu Ke the opportunity, not the other way around.

Within the industry, but not outside the industry.

People outside the industry may think that Xu Laoguai is still a big shot, but he is really not good enough in the industry.

Several films have failed in a row, with only the status of a star but no actual ability.

Shen Santong never thought that he could make people obey him just because he invested money and had good results to back him up.

The struggle for interests is a naked struggle.

It is impossible to be harmonious. It is naive to fantasize about harmony and unity.

Shen Santong does not rule out the possibility that Liang Jiahui could play Di Renjie, as his acting skills are so good that they were not fully utilized in the original version.

But when "Painted Skin" was released, Hong Kong filmmakers were very concerned and hysterical.

Both Wu Yusen and Shi Nansheng care very much.

In the past and present, whether it was Cao Cao or Liu Bei in Wu Yusen's "Red Cliff", director Chen's name was not used, even though Wu Kebo invested in "Red Cliff" and Wang Jinghua invested in Chengtian.

They have a line, just like when Chen Jiashang wanted mainland actors to play the leading roles, Wu Yusen broke down and opposed it, publicly saying that he wanted to use the mainland market, funds and actors to promote Hong Kong's stars.

Zhang Fengyi and You Yong are good actors, but they are more of actors and cannot threaten the big male protagonists in Hong Kong.

Director Chen felt that he was a threat, so he suppressed him tightly.

Since you care so much, Shen Santong insisted on letting Director Chen play the role!

(End of this chapter)