Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 232 Cooperation, Returning Home

The day after the Oscars ceremony is usually a crucial day for the film crew that won Best Picture.

Morning TV interviews, industry authoritative interviews, media follow-ups arranged by the Oscars, cover shoots for magazines such as Time and The New Yorker, and more.

During this period, Universal Pictures will also be holding a second celebration meeting.

At 3 p.m., Wu Chen finally found some free time to meet with James Wan in a balcony tea room at the Beverly Hotel.

The early spring sunlight streamed through the gray-blue lattice window, casting its glow on the wooden tabletop. James Wan smiled as he accepted the script from Wu Chen.
"This name... 'Lurking'?"

"Yes, you can translate it as 'lurking' or 'infiltrating,' but I think 'lurking' is more appropriate. It's a film where the sound is scarier than the visuals."

Wu Chen smiled and agreed, gesturing for the other person to look first.

James Wan nodded, turning the first page while muttering to himself.

A family of five moved into a house far larger than their needs, and life was harmonious and happy. Then, strange things began to happen in their home little by little.
Upon seeing this, James Wan began to frown slightly. As a director familiar with the formulas of horror films, he had already guessed what would happen next.

This is a typical haunted house horror story. According to the formula, the protagonist will definitely have a final showdown with the evil spirits and ghosts in this house.

"If that's the case, then there's nothing interesting to watch. Please don't do that."

James Wan thought to himself, "This is typical American horror. It's not that this kind of script is bad, but there are just too many horror movies of this type. It's so many that people are sick of them."

Horror movies that lack originality are unlikely to be successful at the box office on Halloween.

However, considering that the other party is now an Oscar winner for Best Picture, he felt that the script probably wouldn't go that way.

Sure enough, in the next second of the script, the protagonist suddenly backed down and moved away.

From this point on, the story deviated from the usual formula and ultimately led to an unexpected yet logical ending.

A light shone in Wen Ziren's eyes as he looked up at Wu Chen:
"Only one person died?"

"Hmm, do horror movies need a lot of people to die? I don't think so." Wu Chen leaned back in his chair, leisurely enjoying the scenery around him.

Los Angeles, being the city of sunshine, certainly has its advantages.

I was incredibly busy this morning and at noon. I finally had a little free time. After finishing this matter and giving a brief speech in coordination with the external propaganda department, he has to go back to China.

"Wu, it's a good thing you don't specialize in making horror movies, otherwise I might not have anything to eat."

After reading it, James Wan couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

As one of the few directors who can blend Eastern and Western horror elements, how could he not see the excellence of this script?

If Asian horror films, represented by China, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, are often good at creating a terrifying atmosphere, a single sound effect can often scare people so much that they dare not breathe, they belong to the "emotional school".
Horror films from the US and Europe often emphasize visual horror, with gory and terrifying scenes that can scare people so much they wet themselves; they belong to the "kidney-stimulating" genre.

However, "Lurking" is a "sandwich" work that blends Western ghost stories with Eastern fatalism.

"How is it? Does it suit your taste?" Wu Chen asked with a light laugh, withdrawing his gaze.

"Of course, I like its concept. What's the approximate production budget?"

James Wan breathed a sigh of relief. Giving him this horror film to direct didn't discredit him; on the contrary, it would further solidify his position in the horror film market.

"Two million dollars, I think that should be more than enough."

“That’s more than enough. I don’t think we need that much. You know I’m usually very frugal when making movies,” James Wan grinned.

"It's been a pleasure working together. As per industry standards, I'll offer you an extra 5% of the profits, bringing your total to 15%. However, for any future sequels, I'd like you to have priority in directing. Unlike Hollywood producers, I generally don't interfere with projects; you'll have a great deal of autonomy."

"No problem, happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

By the time I finished talking with James Wan, the sun was already setting. There was a celebration banquet at Universal that evening.

After spending three days in Los Angeles and conducting a brief interview with the publicity team, I hurriedly left Los Angeles.

"Are you coming to pick me up?" Wu Chen heard a clear, pleasant voice on the phone while he was waiting for his flight. "Yeah, what's wrong with me coming to pick you up? Do you have some secret you're hiding?" Liu Yifei's lips curled up slightly, and a smile crept into her eyes.

"Okay, thank you for your trouble, driver. Aren't you afraid of being exposed?"

Wu Chen agreed without hesitation.

"What am I afraid of? Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to wear. Compare that, you are wearing something now."

"Shall we get your foot checked tomorrow?"

"what?"

Liu Yifei's mind didn't quite register what she said, but then her pretty face flushed slightly, and she spat out a soft sound, though so softly that Wu Chen couldn't hear what she said at all.

The flight landed in the morning.

Beijing Capital International Airport was as bustling as ever.

Wang Changtian had already told him that a lot of people were waiting for him to land, and there were too many people to keep it a secret.

Wu Chen simply faced it calmly, but as soon as he stepped out of the international arrivals gate, a barrage of flashes from the heavy glass doors rained down on him.

Reporters nearly filled the entire arrival lane, and the railings on both sides creaked from the crowd.

"Director Wu, congratulations on winning the Oscar for Best Picture! What are your thoughts on this award...?"

"Director Wu, what is your view on the international impact of this authorship controversy?"

"Director Wu, what are your next plans? Will you continue making films in Hollywood, or return to China?"

"Director Wu, what do you think are the best ways for Chinese filmmakers to better integrate into the international mainstream?"

Countless questions came one after another. Amidst the barrage of questions, Wu Chen nodded and smiled politely, selectively responding to a few, before quickly leaving under the guidance of the staff.

"Hey, it seems like Brother Chen is back today, right? Xiang Zhuo, didn't you go to pick him up?" Park Song-il asked, tilting his head in the dormitory.

“I asked, and Brother Chen said I didn’t need to answer, and I don’t know who he called.”

Xiang Zhuo stared intently at the computer screen. The production of "Painted Skin" had been handed over to him and Chen Guowei. Although he had experience before, this kind of fantasy project was still a test for him.

"Oh, I guess it was my senior sister who went to pick him up. I wonder if Brother Chen will be back today. It seems like all the teachers are waiting for him. I also want to see what that little golden statue looks like."

Park Song-il muttered to himself.

Inside the car, Liu Yifei's face was already flushed, and the lipstick on her lips had faded considerably.

"Oh no, what if someone sees us in the parking lot?" Liu Yifei's eyes were still a little watery as she gently tapped Wu Chen's shoulder.

"How could that be? This is one-way glass. Let's start it up and go back to school. I bet the teachers have been waiting for a while."

"By the way, isn't Scarlett Johansson in great shape?"

Liu Yifei, who was driving, suddenly asked a question, which startled Wu Chen in the passenger seat for a moment before he realized what was going on.

These photos were definitely taken by the media during his time in the world of fame and fortune.

Wu Chen looked at Liu Yifei's slightly upturned lips and smiled: "It's alright, not bad."

"Humph!"

"I'm a little worse than you, okay?"

"Nonsense. I don't believe it."

"Well, you're quite self-aware."

"Wu Chen."

(End of this chapter)