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

Chapter 388, A Groundbreaking Cinema, Unbeatable Special Effects Technology

Li Xuan also waited quietly at home for the scheduled time.

Well, it wasn't exactly a period of silence; we were running around, busy with things related to the film's release date.

As my first science fiction work, I still have to give "Source Code" a lot of importance.

Even Han Ping implied that no matter the outcome, he would give the strongest support to Source Code this time.

He rattled off some very encouraging words on the phone.
Praising oneself for one's immense courage, etc.
Although that's true, Li Xuan was still a little confused.
The results were indeed good. This time, China Film Group provided some additional publicity and promotion support, arranged a lot of offline promotions, and even contacted game companies to collaborate on advertising.

In this era, it can indeed be considered as a tremendous, even selfless, and pessimistic form of support.

"The main reason is that you've run into the same sci-fi genre as James Cameron's 'Avatar,' which is considered by many to be an attempt to challenge Cameron." Wei Ming looked at Li Xuan with a hint of teasing: "It's too much of a coincidence, which has actually increased the amount of attention you've received."

"It's not exactly a coincidence, but rather a kind of inevitability."

Li Xuan pondered this for a moment, and also hesitated.
"In recent years, Hollywood blockbusters have been popping up everywhere. If you don't clash with 'Avatar,' you'll clash with other projects. These days, it's really hard to avoid going up against a Hollywood blockbuster."

"really."

Wei Ming thought about it for a moment. Since last year, there have been blockbusters almost every year, special effects blockbusters, commercial blockbusters. Which year hasn't there been big releases of these kinds of things? Even Marvel movies are not something that ordinary commercial films dare to touch.
It happens every year.

Looking back, if you're really afraid of being restricted by schedules, then you won't have any schedules to choose from, and your options will be very limited.

Moreover, those less desirable time slots are occupied by top-tier directors like Zhang Yimou and Ma Xiaogang.

In this situation, 'escape' is the least useful option.

This is simply unavoidable.

There is no escape.

Wei Ming sighed at this moment.

"I understand now why you always seemed so impatient before. It's like a race; some people start early, some have better setups, and as they run forward, their advantage snowballs and rolls wildly."

The American film industry's rapid rise to prominence over Chinese cinema stemmed from its initial advantage; a quick start led to continuous progress.
The same principle applies domestically. Zhang Yimou and the Beijing entertainment circle are no exception; their dominance in the domestic market is a case of one step ahead leading to another.
Ultimately, this led to the formation of a monopolistic technology.

Especially in science fiction films, the technological gap and monopoly are simply insurmountable. Wei Ming had heard Han Ping talk about this before. Not only was he not allowed to watch the finished film of "Avatar" before it was released, but even the technology used and how it was delivered to the company were kept secret throughout the entire process.

Han Ping wouldn't tell anyone, but Wei Ming, as a 'friend,' is no longer considered an outsider.

This reveals the vulnerability of the head of China Film Group.

A kind of vulnerable emotion that she wouldn't even show in front of Jiang Wen.

The vulnerability I only show in front of my friends.

This person, theoretically the most powerful person in the Chinese entertainment industry, is vulnerable.

"That's why I'm in a real hurry."

Li Xuan also sighed softly.

We need it faster!
"Even if it's just for your health, Uncle, I have to try my best."

Looking at Wei Ming's increasingly plump body.
"Haha, don't worry, I have regular checkups now. Although the results aren't so encouraging, at least it hasn't worsened, and I have the money to delay these symptoms now." Wei Ming chuckled sheepishly, not feeling anything was wrong.

Li Xuan remained silent.

My uncle has a different understanding; he believes he has a better 'private doctor' of his own.

System, you promised that when I can 'transform' this circle, my attributes will be able to radiate to others.

I remember.

For many things
His own fame and fortune, his desire to promote his own things, his uncle's health—so many things were driving him forward.

Two years, no, it's been a year and a half now. In this time, what kind of works have I been able to produce, how far have I progressed my achievements, what awards have I won, and what have I gained after winning those awards?
The greater significance lies in
If one can use the title of "leading director of the seventh generation" as a stepping stone, what kind of resources can one leverage?

The system resources are within the domestic circle. How much influence can these resources, when accumulated, have?
At the China Film Group headquarters, Han Ping and Jiang Wen were keeping a close eye on the current public opinion.

The online praise for "Source Code" has gone to an extreme; it's blatant attempts to undermine it with excessive praise.
"These people in Beijing's elite circles are losing face again," Jiang Wen said, clicking his tongue as he looked at the news reports.

Han Ping was also at a loss after listening to Jiang Wen's words.

Praising someone to death is a hundred times more vicious than directly smearing them.

If you directly criticize him, the audience might have a backlash and sympathize with Li Xuan instead.

But now?

The entire internet is praising it, calling "Source Code" a beacon of hope for Chinese science fiction, and praising Li Xuan as a lone hero challenging Hollywood. They're also emphasizing the promotion of terms like "science fiction" and "special effects."
They've elevated people to such an unbelievable level.
The plots of both films are debatable, and since they haven't been released yet, no one really knows how they will turn out.

But when it comes to special effects, it's 'inevitably' inferior to Avatar.

According to Han Ping's understanding, foreign special effects blockbusters are far superior to domestic ones in terms of technology, and Avatar is superior to them in terms of technology.

The investment amount is also positively correlated. Currently, the price in China is at least three times higher to reach a barely acceptable level, making it impossible to compare in terms of special effects.

If audiences pay money to see a "savior," only to find it's a low-budget film in the theater, the disappointment will be devastating.

"They've gone dirty, and they've even made it fancy." Jiang Wen stubbed out his cigarette, his tone full of mockery.

"Ever since Li Xuan came out, their dignity has vanished." Han Ping pinched his brow, his voice hoarse.

Han Ping recalled.

Ever since Li Xuan came out, these old hands in Beijing's elite circles have been constantly causing trouble, both openly and secretly sabotaging him.

They used to fight hand-to-hand, but now they've gotten smarter and are using others to do their dirty work.

Using the audience's voice to kill Li Xuan's heart.

“Let’s go, stop thinking about it, it’s come to this,” Jiang Wen stood up, “Let’s go see how awesome Cameron’s special effects are.”

Han Ping sighed and stood up as well.

There's a dedicated screening room inside the China Film Group, and it's just the two of them there right now.

This is also the only "privilege" China Film Group has of "Avatar"—being able to watch it earlier.

Walking down the empty corridor, Han Ping felt even more gloomy.

"Do you think that kid Li Xuan knows about this?"

"Him?" Jiang Wen said calmly, "But he won't care. Even if it's Cameron, even if he uses all these tricks, he won't care. Because he is Li Xuan, a shrewd Li Xuan who studies his own [content]."

As shrewd as they may be, this time their opponent isn't some sixth-generation director or a financial tycoon.

It's James Cameron.

It's the entire film industry.

The two entered the screening room and sat down in the middle.

The staff handed over two pairs of 3D glasses, which were quite heavy.
"Hey, it's pretty stylish." Jiang Wen held it in his hand and weighed it in his hand. He looked a little comical after putting it on.

The lights went out.

The big screen lights up.

After the familiar 20th Century Fox intro, the scene cuts to a gaudy jungle.

Initially, both of them approached the matter with a critical eye. Han Ping wanted to see exactly where the five hundred million US dollars had been spent.

Jiang Wen wanted to see just how capable this so-called "God of Cinema" really was.

But ten minutes later.

When the floating mountains of Pandora appeared before them in such an illogical yet vivid way, their initial scrutiny vanished completely.

In the screening room, only the two of them remained, their mouths agape almost simultaneously.

Jiang Wen subconsciously leaned forward, as if trying to reach out and touch the large rocks floating in the air.

Han Ping gripped the chair armrests tightly, his hands turning white from clenching them.

This is not a special effect.

This is fucking magic!
Those glowing plants, those strange flying beasts, that blue-skinned, cat-like alien…

Every detail is frighteningly realistic.

When the male protagonist first connected to the "Avatar" and ran wildly through the forests of Pandora, the overwhelming speed and freedom made Han Ping feel like his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

He had completely forgotten that he was sitting in a movie theater.

For a moment, he felt as if he had become that running blue giant, the wind blowing against his skin and the ground beneath his feet trembling.

Time seems to have slipped away.

The two-hour movie felt like it was over in the blink of an eye.

As the end credits rolled and the lights in the theater came on, Han Ping and Jiang Wen remained seated, motionless.

They slowly took off their 3D glasses.

The world before my eyes instantly transformed from that magnificent Pandora back into an ordinary movie theater.

A huge sense of loss hit me hard.

"damn it……"

After a long while, Jiang Wencai managed to squeeze out these three words through gritted teeth, his voice terribly hoarse.

He turned his head and looked at Han Ping, who was equally distraught.

"Old Han"

Jiang Wen's expression had never been so serious.

"It's very difficult to surpass these kinds of talents."

Han Ping didn't say anything, but felt a chill run down his spine, and the cold air rushed straight to his head.

"Even you, who likes Li Xuan the most, have asked this question."

"Well, after all, I didn't expect the special effects to be so explosive."

Han Ping felt the same way at that moment.

His mind was buzzing, filled with those articles online praising "Source Code".

[Li Xuan's latest work as a rising star]

A lone hero challenging Hollywood's dominance, a story of both special effects and compelling plot.

[An epic sci-fi blockbuster featuring a stunning showdown, a significant leap forward for Chinese sci-fi, a massive investment and production!]

……

An epic showdown?
Han Ping just wanted to curse.

This is hardly a duel.
This is like trying to poke an interstellar carrier with a fire poker!
He used to think Li Xuan had backbone, that he was standing up and bumping into a rock.

Now he understands.

This isn't like hitting a rock; it's like jumping into a shredder!
After watching Avatar, every word in those praising articles became a knife, not just aimed at Li Xuan, but held directly to his neck.

Audience expectations have been skyrocketed; what they want to see is a sci-fi film that can rival Avatar in terms of marketing and distribution.

But what can Source Code offer them?
It is absolutely not comparable to Avatar in terms of visual appeal.

Han Ping could imagine how angry the audience who felt "cheated" would be after the movie was released.

That feeling of being elevated to a pedestal and then kicked into the mud...

"It's over," Han Ping muttered to himself, his palms sweating. "It's all over now."

Zheng Long and his gang used a brilliant tactic of cutting off their own supply lines.

They didn't even have to lift a finger; they just had to lift Li Xuan high up and wait for the angry audience to tear him apart.

Jiang Wen looked at his pale face and fell silent.

He had always thought highly of Li Xuan, believing that the kid could always pull off unexpected miracles.

But today, faced with this "miracle" created by Cameron, he felt uncertain about Li Xuan for the first time.

Is talent really useful in the face of such an absolute technological gap?

The technological gap is so huge it's almost explosive.

On the same track.

They will definitely die without a burial place if they touch them.
"no!"

Han Ping suddenly stood up.

The expression on his face was somewhat distorted.

He was a promising talent that Chinese cinema had finally managed to produce, a truly hopeful individual!
Jiang Wen was taken aback by his sudden action: "President Han, what are you doing?"

Han Ping pondered for a moment.

He pulled up that name from his contacts.

"I need to call Wei Ming and ask him to persuade his nephew."

Han Ping took a deep breath, as if he had made a tremendous decision.

"It's not too late to withdraw the application now. I will pay part of the penalty for breach of contract, but it's still better than losing everything and damaging my reputation and money."

Han Ping dares to guarantee that Avatar will be able to completely siphon off its reputation and box office success in just one day.

The extent of this box office output can be described as 'unbeatable'.

They had no idea that a film could be born in this era.

Or rather, this work has already ushered in a new era for his mother.

Jiang Wen didn't say anything.

However, they already knew the answer to Han Ping's phone call.
"We can get ready to watch 'Source Code' now."

(End of this chapter)