I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 386, The Upcoming Sci-Fi Film

Filming for "The Age of Awakening" has wrapped.

At that moment, a system notification sounded in Li Xuan's mind.

[Attribute gained: Total health attribute +5%]

[Gain skill: Speech charisma: You will possess greater charisma, knowing how to persuade others and how to move them deeply.]

When these sounds rang out, Li Xuan felt a sense of disorientation.
Filming for "The Age of Awakening" has wrapped.

For Li Xuan, there was still a slight sense of melancholy; the feelings he had when he gave a speech at Peking University as 'Li Dazhao' were still lingering in his heart.
Overall health attributes.
Actually, if he hadn't appeared, Li Xuan wouldn't have paid much attention, but when the attribute points appeared, that feeling belatedly descended upon him.

I feel refreshed and invigorated.

It turns out that the filming he had maintained over the years had taken a toll on his originally healthy body, as he had been working day and night without a break in filming.

In every sense, I am still just an ordinary person, but I have a system that can replenish what is worn out in time. Other people's lives are reversed like this, which is really exhausting for their body and mind.

He even has a reputation as an "Iron Man" in the industry, and Teacher Wang even asked him to take care of his health.
Fortunately, there is a system.
To maintain one's health
After filming "The Age of Awakening," the timeline for winning the award, a year and a half later, is getting closer and closer.
Li Xuan thought to himself that he now had quite a few chips in his hand.
Maybe after making a couple more films, I can get into the award-winning process and finally be able to rest.

After showing "Source Code" again this year, we'll be able to delve into it.
That's about it.

"Source Code, a science fiction film"

At this moment, in her apartment in Beijing, Liu Lili looked at her daughter who had just returned from filming and said...

"It's almost the end of the year before we know it. How's your filming going?"

Liu Yifei paused for a moment before speaking.

"not bad."

"However, that is indeed Li Xuan's comfort zone, so there's no need to worry about anything going wrong. But places that aren't his comfort zone are debatable."

Liu Lili stated that she genuinely didn't think Li Xuan would have any problems with "The Age of Awakening".

It may not be good-looking.

But it is absolutely correct.
Yes, it's too stable.

When Liu Lili saw that her daughter was going to film this kind of project, she felt that it was an extremely 'safe' approach.

Projects like "The Age of Awakening" are destined to have a high minimum standard from the very beginning.

With its sound subject matter, lofty ideals, and Li Xuan's already formidable acting and directing skills, this film is destined to win awards.

However, the business world doesn't care about these things.
Especially in today's commercial market driven by the development of the internet age.
More foreign, commercialized products will appear here.
Online channels have expanded from the film market to television dramas.

The browser homepage is dominated by a deep blue hue, featuring a strangely shaped blue alien with outstretched arms, against a backdrop of fantastical mountains and magnificent jungles suspended in the air.

Avatar.

James Cameron.

These two names alone represent the highest level of the film industry.

From Titanic to Avatar.

—"Five hundred million dollars! Cameron redefines cinema with Avatar!"

Five hundred million dollars...

Liu Lili's fingertips paused on the touchpad.

And her own daughter, and the science fiction film she made that was released at the same time—Source Code.

The impression that film crew gave her was... small.

too small.

The production team for Li Xuan's "Source Code" was very small.
It was just the same train carriage, and what looked like a laboratory converted from a warehouse. There were only a few actors, and apart from his daughter and Li Xuan, there were hardly any familiar faces.

When Liu Lili heard about the investment from the "Source Code" production team, she was actually quite surprised.

With such a high budget, is it really possible to make a sci-fi film?
It wasn't that she didn't believe in Li Xuan's talent; on the contrary, it was precisely because she had witnessed how Li Xuan had risen from a newcomer to where he was today that she understood even more clearly that in the film industry, talent sometimes couldn't solve all the problems.

Especially in the realm of science fiction, it's a world built entirely with money.

Without top-notch visual effects, even the best ideas will only seem bizarre.

The internet does have similar low-special-effect movies.
Things that are jokingly referred to as "50-cent special effects"
"Mom said, 'It's a very good sci-fi movie.'"

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then said with a hint of excitement, "A sci-fi film that might overturn your understanding of science."

While Liu Lili listened to her daughter's excited expression, her heart pounded with anxiety.

A game-changer?

but
Liu Lili paused for a moment before speaking.

"Science fiction films aren't like 'Buried,' where you can get away with low-budget productions."

"Um"

The story sounds interesting and novel.

A cycle of eight minutes.

There are only a few scenes.

More importantly, how should that so-called "source code" system be presented?
Hollywood science fiction and my low-budget science fiction
But reason and experience told her that this time, Li Xuan was facing Hollywood's technological barriers and the film industry's overwhelming force.

This is no longer a gap that talent can bridge.
Even Liu Lili felt that Han Ping was giving Li Xuan random tasks; Li Xuan was making a sci-fi film, why wasn't he given more resources?
She always knew what Han Ping wanted, and what he wanted to break through some of the 'blockades', but then again...
If you want a horse to run, you also need to let it eat grass!

How can a low-budget approach present 'science fiction'? Losing visual effects would be devastating.

“Li Xuan is different.”

Liu Yifei said softly, "Brother Li, his works are never the same. Mom, you should know that the special effects blockbusters he makes aren't necessarily better."

“Yes, Cameron is different.”

Liu Lili knew what her daughter meant.

The Forbidden Kingdom truly proves that Hollywood productions don't necessarily equate to 'excellence'.

But Cameron is different.
The box office king, Titanic.

This time, they've brought Avatar with them.

It was a complete and utter domination.
Both overseas and domestically, everyone is focused on Avatar. At this time and in this release window, domestic science fiction films seem like insignificant little things.

Huayi Brothers, Chairman's Office.

Wang Lei leaned back in his large executive chair, tapping his fingers absently on the table, but his gaze was fixed on the poster on the computer screen.

A giant blue alien against a backdrop of magnificent alien scenery.
Avatar.

So true.

This blue-headed alien.
"This year's Lunar New Year film season has ended ahead of schedule." Wang Lei's voice was devoid of emotion, as if he were stating a given fact.

Wang Haiyang, who was standing next to him, also looked on with a helpless expression and said.

"It's not just over, it's a massacre."

"Our films, 'If You Are the One 2' and 'Aftershock,' were released a month earlier than planned, and it seems we made the right decision. If they had clashed, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Wang Lei nodded.

"If You Are the One 2" is their major production this year, achieving both critical and commercial success. However, he knows in his heart that if this film were placed within the range of "Avatar," it wouldn't even leave behind any bones.

This isn't a competition between movies.
Cameron and Ma Xiaogang.

Second in China and first in the world.

"We've also been in contact with Avatar, haven't we?"

"They won't even let us in the door."

"Hmm, not surprising at all."

Wang Lei remained silent.

It wasn't that we hadn't considered contacting overseas film and television investors, but they all treated us like dogs.

"I heard that the special effects in Avatar were amazing. Cheng Shilong and Jet Li both said they were incredible." Wang Haiyang recalled asking Cheng Shilong and Jet Li about it before.
When they were filming "The Forbidden Kingdom," these two international superstars were invited to watch the filming of "Avatar." It had a profound impact on them. He wasn't quite sure what the specific impact was.

"Regardless of how good it is, what about Zhang Yimou's side? Wasn't 'A Simple Noodle Story' supposed to challenge box office records?" Wang Lei asked casually.

Wang Haiyang gave a wry smile.

"They changed their tune a long time ago. Now their propaganda is 'giving the audience more choices.' Who dares to challenge Cameron? That's not a challenge, that's suicide. Even the best in the country wouldn't dare."

There was a brief silence in the office.

This is Hollywood, this is James Cameron.

He didn't even need to come in person; his name alone, along with his $500 million production cost, was enough to clear out the entire Chinese film market.

Everyone tacitly avoided this release window. Domestic films and Hong Kong films alike moved up or down the schedule, respectfully giving up the most lucrative piece of the pie.

“Hollywood… we just don’t have that kind of industrial foundation.” Wang Lei picked up his teacup and took a sip of bitter tea.

"In the end, visual cinema comes down to industrial strength."

Wang Haiyang nodded in deep agreement, scrolling through the latest film schedule with his mouse.

"Indeed, look, in December, apart from Avatar, everything else is just some minor stuff."

His voice stopped abruptly, as if someone had grabbed his neck.

"Hmm?" Wang Lei looked up at him.

Wang Haiyang's expression was strange. He pointed at the screen as if he had discovered something incredible.

"Mr. Lei, come and look at...this..."

Wang Lei frowned and moved closer.

In the corner of the movie schedule, right next to the release date of "Avatar," there is a small, almost inconspicuous entry.
Title: Source Code.

Genre: Science fiction, suspense.

Director: Li Xuan.

"Li Xuan?" Wang Lei was stunned; he even thought he was seeing things.

He rubbed his eyes and checked again.

That's right, it's Li Xuan.

Wang Lei's first reaction was: "He doesn't know who Cameron is?"

Li Xuan would never do that.

From the high-stakes, low-budget film "Buried Alive" to his steady, methodical approach, every step he took was terrifyingly solid. Then came "Nanjing Photo Studio," a fierce battle against "Nanjing! Nanjing!", and finally, "Hidden in the Dust," which suppressed the scar literature and art films of the sixth generation of directors.

To go head-to-head with Cameron's Avatar.
It's another movie of the same genre.

Wang Haiyang swallowed his pride.

"I heard the budget for this movie was quite small."

"How much?" Wang Lei had no idea when Li Xuan had made a science fiction film.

"Twenty to thirty million Chinese yuan"

"Um, this number is perfect for a science fiction film."

Wang Lei was somewhat taken aback.

Avatar made $500 million, and that's in US dollars.

This is less than a fraction of what others earn.

A sci-fi film made with 30 million RMB was released at the same time as a sci-fi behemoth costing over 3 billion RMB.
Wang Lei's mind went blank; he didn't even know what words to use to describe this behavior.

Arrogance? Foolishness? Overestimating one's abilities?

None of these seem sufficient to describe it.

Doesn't he realize that by doing this, even if you are Li Xuan, the box office will be completely drained?
"I get it..." Wang Haiyang suddenly slapped his thigh, "This is a publicity stunt! President Lei, it must be like this!"

"They know they can't win, so they simply stick to it, using minimal cost to grab the most attention! Then the media will report, 'Chinese science fiction dares to challenge Hollywood.'"

If I had to choose, this would be the most reliable answer.

Wang Lei shook his head.

“Li Xuan is not that kind of person.”

His expression turned serious.

If it were any other director, he might have actually believed it was a staged accident.

But Li Xuan... he could feel the arrogance in this young man's bones even through the screen.

If he goes up, it means he's really going to fight.

Use 30 million to fight 3 billion.

Thinking of this, Wang Lei suddenly felt a strange and complicated emotion.

For a fleeting moment, he actually felt a little...admiration.

Yes, I admire you.

In an era where everyone worships Hollywood and avoids Cameron, there is still such a reckless young man who dares to rush in with a small knife.

Regardless of the outcome, this courage alone is something that these pampered "big directors" in the industry can't match.

"This kid..." Wang Lei muttered to himself, looking at the name on the screen again, somewhat dazed.

His relationship with Li Xuan was that of old rivals.

He had dug countless pits for Li Xuan, starting from his student days, and had been targeting this unruly enemy.

From wanting to subdue him, to discovering that he was completely uncooperative and then targeting him with all their might.

Even when he finally gambled with him, he ended up losing face and money all by his own actions.

All of this was done by Li Xuan.

These are all things he is capable of doing.

Later on, Wang Lei didn't really make a move against him, because the Beijing elite circle took action against him themselves.

The result was the emergence of the sixth and seventh generation of directors.

They all suffered at his hands.

And now he is in this very place.

Cameron is preparing to release his own film during this period.

It's definitely not fair to say that Li Xuan is making a challenge.

Because no matter what, the option of Li Xuan challenging Cameron is absolutely impossible.

But to put it another way...

If a film dares to be released during this period, it will definitely face competition.

Despite being under such pressure, they still chose to release the film.

"A domestic sci-fi film? That's interesting."

At that moment, Wang Lei felt...

If you want to pay attention to this movie.

Then I'd like to take a simpler perspective.

From an audience member's perspective.

What's the verdict on Li Xuan's movies?

(End of this chapter)