Huayu Entertainment: Tianxian really wants to improve

Chapter 361 Master... no, Director Gu, I've got it!
"I'm going to patrol the film set. Why don't you come with me and see what's on set?"

Gu Bei called Guo Fan over, ready to give him a good show of his 'muscles'.

The production team of "Gravity" is top-notch, not only in the Chinese film industry but also in Hollywood.

He led Guo Fan to the Shenzhou return capsule first.

"Director Gu, may I touch it?"

Guo Fan asked, explaining that he had been craving this for a long time, looking at it through the window.

Gu Bei smiled, patted the sturdy guy, and gave him a demonstration: "This is the emergency return capsule from Tiangong-1, built one-to-one based on data provided by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation."

The non-disclosure agreement you signed before joining the film set was for this guy.

"No wonder it looks a bit different from the return capsules of other Shenzhou series."

Guo Fan's previous doubts were finally resolved. He looked around curiously and asked, "Director Gu, where is Tiangong-1?"

"It's on the computer in the special effects studio."

Gu Bei said with a smile, "The most important innovation of gravity is that we use simulation as much as possible in places where it can be simulated. So, apart from the return capsule returning to Earth, we used special effects technology for all the scenes in outer space."

finished,

Gu Bei led Guo Fan to the adjacent LCD photography studio:
"See this? This is the LCD studio that our crew invented, specially designed to simulate the light sources of outer space."

All the scenes in spacesuits were performed by the actors here, with their facial expressions then composited into their physical performances in an underwater studio.

"That's incredible!"

Guo Fan felt a chill run down his spine.

He originally thought that after working at Travel Channel for so many years, he had already gained some basic knowledge of film and television production.

But after arriving on the set of Gravity...

Only then did I realize that what used to be there was so rudimentary, it was like a cowshed.
The crew of Gravity, on the other hand, has already entered the space age, making them seem like they're from a completely different era.

However, this also caused a slight doubt in Guo Fan's heart.
He hesitated for a moment, initially hesitant to ask, but then he remembered what Gu Bei had said before, that he could ask him if he had any questions.

Finally, he asked, "But the lighting system is already quite sophisticated. Why use such a complex system just to pursue that last bit of perfection? Is it worth it?"

This question actually came from someone as detail-obsessed as you, Guo Fan. You've changed!

Gu Bei stopped and looked at Guo Fan with some confusion.

Guo Fan thought he had asked the wrong question, so he quickly added, "Director Gu, I didn't mean to nitpick, I was just curious."

"Your question is an excellent one, it even touches on the essence of science fiction."

Gu Bei smiled faintly.

That's true, after all, Guo Fan isn't even a director yet.
People learn by doing, and many problems are quite different from what you imagine when you don't confront them directly.

He explained to Guo Fan, "To answer your question about the lighting system, although the lighting systems used in traditional film shooting are already quite sophisticated, they are definitely not enough for the movie Gravity."

The primary light source in outer space is sunlight from a distant point in the sky, which is a hard light source.

The other part is reflected light from the Earth, which is soft light.

Of course, some of the reflected light from the moon also needs to be added.

To achieve this kind of lighting,

sure,

However, if the filming had to be done from a single perspective, as if it were filmed on the ground, the whole movie would have been extremely boring, like a stage play.

Alternatively, stitching together numerous shots into a series of long takes is cumbersome to film and doesn't produce good results.

To capture the dynamic lighting of a 360-degree panoramic view like that of outer space...

This necessitates the use of an LCD photography studio, similar to one where MiniLED screens are located on all sides, with the lighting controlled by a computer system to quickly switch between different lighting modes.

Or... let's just film it from space.

Guo Fan tried hard to understand Gu Bei's meaning.

He compared two images in his mind.

A system using traditional lighting,
Although the actress is floating in space, there is actually a virtual floor beneath her feet, and her performance is filmed from a fixed perspective.

Another approach is Gu Bei's current solution, which completely departs from the traditional film and television camera structure, allowing actors to rotate 360 ​​degrees, with the light rotating along with the actors just like in reality.

It seems... the latter is indeed the real space.

In the former case, space is just a backdrop.

The actors are simply acting out scenes from Earth in space.

Guo Fan nodded thoughtfully: "Similarly, it is because of this kind of shooting plan that we are able to expand the limits of shooting."

"That's right!"

Gu Bei nodded and led Guo Fan to continue patrolling the film set.

He continued addressing the previous question: "The essence of science fiction films is the fusion of science and art. My shooting plan is actually about exploring the limits of filming through science."

Have you noticed that, both domestically and even throughout Southeast Asia, there aren't many sci-fi blockbusters that fit the traditional public perception?

After thinking for a moment, Guo Fan nodded: "Is it because the domestic film market is not big enough that we can only make soft science fiction films?"

"Hard science fiction and soft science fiction are just different ratios of science and art."

Gu Bei shook his head slightly.

He used Guo Fan's favorite Gundam as an example: "Do you think things from the Gundam series could be realized in reality?"

Guo Fan shook his head decisively: "How could that be!"

When we were kids, we watched Gundam and probably thought it would be great if it could become a reality someday.

But when they grow up...
After learning physics,
You'll find that this thing is simply impossible to achieve in reality.

"What about Iron Man, which was released last year?"

Gu Bei asked again.

"It seems... that's probably impossible!"

Guo Fan hesitated for a moment. At first, he thought it was possible, but after careful analysis, he still felt it was impossible.

"Both are mechs, but neither is likely to appear in reality."

But judging from your reaction, it's clear that the general audience thinks Iron Man's armor is more realistic.

This is because Iron Man did a lot of work behind the scenes; every part of the entire suit was meticulously designed to ensure that it could be assembled in theory.

Even Jarvis's UI was custom-designed and underwent usability analysis.

Gu Bei told Guo Fan the behind-the-scenes story of Iron Man, "You know, Iron Man also comes from comics, and in the comics, it is as unrealistic as Gundam."

The reason why Iron Man became more realistic after it was made into a movie is...

It's actually related to the narrative style since the New Hollywood era. Hollywood will do everything it can to make these things as close to reality as possible.

If it's a drama film, they will do everything they can to recreate the style of the era in which the story takes place.

If it's a science fiction film, it will constantly incorporate scientific elements to ensure that as many viewers as possible believe that it's all possible.

"In other words, Hollywood's formula is to drastically add scientific elements!"

Guo Fan summarized Gu Bei's meaning.

"That's right!"

Gu Bei snapped his fingers, agreeing with Guo Fan's summary.

The ultimate example of this "extraterrestrial" approach is the Interstellar project, originally owned by Paramount but now by Rose Films, where almost all the scientific theories are closely related to reality. This is a science fiction film representing the culmination of the New Hollywood narrative model.

As for its artistic aspects,
It is love that has become one of the fundamental particles of the universe.

This artistic concept is actually quite soft science fiction, which is why it has become the most criticized aspect of the Interstellar ending.

Of course, Gu Bei really liked this concept, otherwise he wouldn't have sold himself to film Mission: Impossible 4 and redeemed the Interstellar project from Paramount.

Master... no, Director Gu, I've got it!
A hint of understanding flashed in Guo Fan's eyes.

He had never really known how to make a good science fiction film.
But after listening to Gu Bei's explanation,
So-called science fiction films are essentially a fusion of science and art.
Popular science fiction films are designed to bombard audiences with scientific information until they experience information overload.
Then weave a story that's good enough.

Pack all the information in.
That's it!
It doesn't seem too difficult!
at this time,

Gu Bei saw Liu Yifei and Liu Xiaoli arrive at the film set.
He greeted Liu Yifei with a smile: "Qianqian!"

"what's the topic?"

Liu Yifei jogged over.

She glanced at Guo Fan beside her, who looked excited; it seemed like good news!
Good morning, senior sister!

Guo Fan greeted Liu Yifei excitedly.

At the premiere of "The Message," he was still hesitant and reluctant to call her "senior sister."

Now, the more I call her "senior sister," the more natural it feels.
After all, there are so many people in the crew.

Gu Bei was only willing to guide him in these matters.
It's just because he and Liu Yifei are alumni!

As he became more and more aware of Gu Bei's talent in science fiction films, he increasingly wanted to get close to Liu Yifei. With this boss lady as his mentor, would he also have the opportunity to truly direct science fiction films in the future?

"Guo Fan truly lives up to his reputation as a candidate recommended by the Beijing Film Academy. He genuinely loves science fiction films. I've already arranged for him to intern in the directing team of Gravity. I also hope he can train more people for the Chinese science fiction film industry."

Gu Bei smiled and said to Liu Yifei,

If this person isn't suitable, he might change his excuse.

But who can blame him when this person is Guo Fan, who will lead China's science fiction film industry in the future? Even if he lacks experience, his potential is already evident.

"That's great!"

Liu Yifei clenched her fist secretly.

What surprised Liu Yifei even more was that

A crisp and pleasant system voice rang in my mind.

【Ding! 】

The mission was successfully completed!
Liu Yifei was even more delighted.

She quickly looked at the light screen.
The system's task list has changed.

【mission completed! 】

[Task Name: Since We're Already Here (Completed)]

[Mission Objective: Recruit director Guo Fan to support the film (Successfully completed; Guo Fan joins the film's directing team; mission perfectly accomplished)]

[Task Reward: One random draw from the Entertainment Treasure House (perfectly complete the task, and the reward will be doubled)]

Successfully obtained!

Liu Yifei immediately broke into a big smile.

She waved to Gu Bei and Guo Fan: "Director Gu, Guo Fan, you two go ahead with your work, I'm going to the lounge now!"

"She's so much older than you, yet you actually accept calling her 'senior sister'!"

After they had gone some distance, Liu Xiaoli spoke to Liu Yifei.

"It's okay, it makes us seem closer, we're all alumni!"

After Liu Yifei entered the lounge, she blocked the door to prevent Liu Xiaoli from coming in. "Mom, why don't you go home and rest first? My place is very close to home."

"Okay, you keep taking pictures, I'll come over when I have time."

Liu Xiaoli thought Liu Yifei was still shy because of what happened that morning.

However, the China Film Digital Base is indeed very close to their home, only a little over half an hour's drive away, and it is far from the city center, so there is no traffic jam even during peak hours.

After Liu Xiaoli left...

Liu Yifei finally looked at the three chances to draw prizes on the panel.

Now system tasks are becoming increasingly difficult to trigger. It's best to complete each task perfectly in order to get the maximum of three chances to win the lottery.

Otherwise, one has to rely on the path of a comeback.
Just like last night,
Breaking his own National Day box office record earned him some acting credit.

Winning the box office champion during this year's National Day holiday earned me two acting points.

This kind of comeback can only be done once per slot, and there are only a few slots available each year.

"Start the lottery!"

Liu Yifei calmed herself down and chose to start the lottery.

[Do you want to use the random lottery chance of the entertainment treasure house (currently remaining number: 3)]

Of course!

[The Entertainment Treasure House has been lost, and the chance to win a prize will be replaced with attribute points]

[Lottery success, acting skills +1]

[Lucky draw success, singing skill +1]

[Lottery success, acting skills +1]

Liu Yifei was slightly surprised.
I never expected to get two acting skills draws even with such a high acting score.

Adding to the three acting points earned from last night's comeback,

My acting points have jumped to 85!
The personal information panel clearly displayed:

[Host: Liu Yifei]

[Age: 38 years old]

【Counterattack Points: Damaged】

[Physique: 95]

【Acting Skills: 85】

【Singing skill: 69】

[Entertainment Treasure Lottery Chance: 0]

Liu Yifei was somewhat happy.
Acting points exceeded 85.
For a one-woman show like Gravity, this was definitely a timely assist.

Although she had spent almost a year preparing for the filming of Gravity, thoroughly studying the entire script over and over again.

But gravity was almost entirely a performance she carried on her own.
Gu Bei is the sole director and screenwriter of Gravity.

Gravity is like the child between her and Gu Bei, so naturally, the more acting points she gets, the better!

"Da da da!"

While Liu Yifei was still happy,
There was a knock on her lounge door.
Liu Xiaoli, who had just been sent away, was standing at the door.

Liu Xiaoli said to Liu Yifei with a serious expression, "Qianqian, the nominees for the 46th Taiwan Golden Horse Awards have been announced!"

(End of this chapter)