Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 100 Research and commendation, a double act?

Wu Chen handed the script of "Black Swan" to a domestic agency for registration, and finally received news that "Black Swan" had successfully completed the registration procedures of the Hollywood Writers Guild.

Then he found Jason Blum.

Jason looked at the script, his expression instantly becoming complicated, and then he called Wu Chen:
"Wu, you want to use this script as a test? Why don't we do it ourselves?
I think we can all do it even if we sell everything we have! "

Wu Chen smiled and explained, "This script is indeed good. I did have the idea of ​​filming it at first, but unfortunately, a second script was derived from this one."

"I understand, the final chapter of your trilogy!"

Jason sighed deeply, still feeling it was a pity, but his professionalism allowed him to quickly get into work mode.

The next day, he brought Wu Chen the production cost estimate.

"If you cut costs to the bone, you could probably finish the film for less than $10 million, but I don't recommend that."

Jason unfolded the budget sheet and explained each item to Wu Chen. "The biggest variable for this play is the actress. If we hire a good actress, the cost will rise to $15 million."

"Okay, help me put it out and see!" Wu Chen nodded. The cost was about the same as he thought.

"Give me a week," Jason said seriously, "but like I told you last time, don't get your hopes up too high."

"Ok!"

Wu Chen was not in a hurry either.

A few days later, on the morning of February 28, in the conference room of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television building, a faint scent of tea floated in the air, and sunlight streamed in from the window, making the table glow dimly.

The conference table was full of people.

Gu Changwei from the "Peacock" crew, producers Dong Ping and Wang Hong, as well as several key members of the crew were present.

There is only Wu Chen on the "Buried Alive" side.

The others were the presidents of major art colleges in Beijing and some senior professors in the cultural field. Of course, the heads of several major state-owned and private film and television companies in the industry were also here.

Sitting in the main seats were naturally several leaders of the General Administration.

The theme projected on the wall is: "Looking at the international breakthroughs and cultural output of Chinese-language films from the Berlin awards of "Buried" and "Peacock"."

Tong Gang held the teacup and laughed softly:
"This meeting is mainly to summarize the experience of Buried and Peacock in Berlin, and to discuss how Chinese-language films can expand internationally and export their culture. Let's talk about it. How about starting with the protagonist? Director Gu, please share your experience first."

Gu Changwei spoke first and whispered:
"I think the reason 'Peacock' won the Grand Jury Prize is that its realism is deeply rooted. Our Chinese stories, told in detail and slowly, are understandable even to foreigners."

An old professor from Renmin University nodded immediately and said, "Yes, Berlin likes this kind of solid narrative."

A professor from CAFA started his comments on the composition: "Gu's cinematography for The Peacock still deserves a lot of credit, but he also needs to improve the overall aesthetic of the picture."

Gu Changwei's words were simple, but they hit the point directly. Other experts echoed him and started a discussion combining academics and film practice, from realistic narrative to photographic aesthetics.

Wu Chen just kept listening without interrupting.

Tong Gang then looked at Wu Chen and whispered, "Director Wu, can you also tell us how you won these two awards for Buried? Share them with everyone."

At this moment, everyone's attention was suddenly focused on Wu Chen.

"Finally, I don't have to listen to Zhang Huijun's pretense this time."

The principals of the Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Dance Academy, Communication University of China, Beijing Academy of Drama, and the Central Academy of Chinese Opera leaned back in their chairs comfortably, intending to listen to what Wu Chen had to say.

Anyway, they can't learn from it.

I've heard Zhang Huijun bragging so much lately that I'm tired of it. As long as that old guy doesn't speak, I feel extremely comfortable.

Wu Chen looked at everyone and said with a smile, "To be honest, we were lucky to win two awards this time." "Pah, why don't we have such luck?"

When Wu Chen said this, many people cursed in their hearts. Han Sanping glanced at the people around him with a strange look on his face and couldn't help laughing.

“In fact, I think the internationalization of Chinese-language films is not about cutting the feet to fit the shoes, but about finding the narrative code.

Take "Buried" for example. Its core story is not complicated, and it can even be said to be an extreme genre film, but what did it rely on to gain so much attention in Berlin?
It is the sense of immersion created by the images, the instant feedback of the audience's empathy, and the kind of experience that once you are involved, you cannot extricate yourself.

Buried Alive uses a coffin to contain the common existential anxiety of the East and the West.

"That makes sense!" Many old professors nodded slowly.

This is true because existential anxiety is shared.

"Of course, there's more to the success of 'Buried' than just this one reason." Wu Chen looked up at Zhang Huijun and said softly, "When 'Buried' was filmed in fifteen days, everyone was skeptical and doubted the quality of the film."

“Well, there were indeed a lot of doubts at first!”

"It's inevitable. No one expected that a complete movie could be shot in 15 days and then go straight to Berlin."

Both sides were whispering to each other. When Wu Chen's "Buried" was completed in 15 days, it caused a lot of discussion. The media in Taiwan and the mainland even quarreled about it.

Of course, the former has now become a coward, and has kept silent, directly expressing silence.

“In fact, I knew there would be such doubts when I was filming, but I still did it without hesitation.

Because when I was preparing for my first film, my teacher Mu Deyuan told me: Just go for it boldly, the school is your backing, what are you afraid of?
When I made my first film, there were also many doubts within the school, but Principal Zhang overcame all objections and allocated funds for me."

Zhang Huijun coughed, then took up the topic steadily, his lips curled up uncontrollably: "Wu Chen, let's just talk about this in private.

The school strongly supports and encourages students who want to do things. After all, young people need to go out, and how can the school hold them back?

To be honest, we didn’t help much with Buried Alive.”

"?"

Xu Xiang and the others who were originally leaning on their seats were stunned.

No, you two must have colluded with each other and are acting as a double act.

They can't learn from other things, but this one seems to be something they can really learn from. Isn't it just about giving money and support? But can a Wu Chen emerge?

However, senior professors from Renmin University and CAFA didn't think too much about it and nodded in affirmation:
"The teaching effect at Beijing Film Academy is excellent. We really need to give strong support to young people, otherwise there will be no outstanding talents."

"."

Tong Gang also nodded in approval: "The existential anxiety in Buried is indeed universal, and Director Wu grasped this very accurately.

Norinco has always been very supportive of young people, and everyone can learn from them and exchange ideas."

In fact, this kind of seminar can't really produce anything. The success of each film is difficult to replicate, especially when the domestic film industry is not mature.

So it later became a commendation meeting, but the original commendation was for the crews of "Buried" and "Peacock", but now the Beijing Film Academy was also included.

After the meeting, Zhang Huijun felt very refreshed, his eyes were full of smiles. He thought that he would not be able to speak many times in the meeting, but he did not expect that.

Just when I was about to stand up and ask Wu Chen if he wanted to go back to school together, I looked up and found that Wu Chen had already started chatting with the leaders of Shanghai Film Group, Changchun Film Studio, Forbidden City Pictures, Poly Huayi, etc., and was collecting business cards.

Zhang Huijun looked at this scene and felt relieved.

Han Sanping, who had just finished talking about some serious matters with Tong Gang, saw this scene and hurried over.

Damn, do these people want to take advantage of me, Han?
(End of this chapter)