Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 289 The Advisor: Of Great Significance

As expected, the Organizing Committee officially extended an invitation to the symposium.

Almost all the prominent figures in Beijing's arts and culture circles were on the invitation list.

During this period, rumors and speculations have been rampant, causing unrest and sparking much discussion.

Inside Ning Hao's studio, Liu Yifei was still communicating with Xing Aina and the others, while Wu Chen, after discussing some issues with the script, was already drinking tea in his office.

Ning Hao poured Wu Chen a full cup of tea: "You received the invitation, right?"

"Okay!" Wu Chen nodded.

"By the way, I heard that the Olympic Organizing Committee is planning to bring you into the Olympic Games' artistic advisory team," Ning Hao said in a low voice.

"Huh? Who said that? How come I don't know?" Wu Chen was taken aback. How come even he, the person involved, didn't know?

“I heard it from my teacher. He said that the Organizing Committee was preparing to supplement the artistic advisory team and asked Director Zhang who to recommend. Director Zhang immediately put you on the list.” Ning Hao smiled.

Wu Chen breathed a slight sigh of relief: "Luckily, it's not an organizational position, otherwise I don't know how I would manage to allocate the time."

The role of art consultant doesn't require too much time; it mainly focuses on creative solutions, making it a better fit for him than organizational roles.

"Nonsense, the Organizing Committee isn't stupid. You can't really utilize your strengths in organizational positions. But I heard Li An is also on this invitation list. When will I be able to get a small position?"

Ning Hao sighed, looking up at the ceiling with a rather forlorn expression.

Seeing this, Wu Chen laughed and scolded, "Want to work? Fine, I'll recommend you during the meeting. Every module needs a director."

"No, no, no!" Ning Hao waved his hands repeatedly to refuse. "If I go, I'll be exhausted. It's not your job, and besides, I have to help Yifei film 'Bad Genius'!"

"There's no rush with the script. Let's polish it a bit and let the screenwriters relax a bit, so they don't get too stressed," Wu Chen advised. Scripts actually require a lot of work and polishing. For example, many dialogues in the original version would need to be slightly adjusted or changed if the setting were changed to Hong Kong.

Writing a script is a mentally taxing task, and what he wanted was a high-quality production.

"I know, tsk tsk, he's really different with his girlfriend. If the outside world knew, they'd probably be so envious they'd cry." Ning Hao then teased.

After discussing the script, Wu Chen took Liu Yifei to Xingchen Pictures.

The employees were exceptionally enthusiastic about Liu Yifei, their future boss, with many administrative staff even asking her to sign their notebooks, creating a lively scene.

"Boss, you don't mind, do you?" The receptionist asked with a smile, holding up her notebook.

"You've already handed it to me, what do you want me to say?" Wu Chen said with a laugh.

When Zhong Lifang from Xiaoma Benteng learned that Wu Chen had returned to the company, she immediately came downstairs and they started talking about the TV series "Lurking".

"The director has already been chosen. Director Jiang Wei has always directed these types of films and is very experienced. We're currently in the casting stage." Zhong Lifang suddenly remembered something and asked:

"Mr. Wu, do you have any suitable actors you'd like to recommend? Director Jiang Wei says he's short of actors, so if you have any suitable recommendations, he'll invite them to auditions directly."

In reality, this is the investor's right: the right to recommend roles.

If all the actors are suitable, then it's definitely a matter of whoever has a better relationship with the actor, or if it's one of their own actors, then their own will definitely be given priority.

The difference between close and distant relationships is significant.

"Okay, I'll let Mr. Zhong know if there's a suitable one later."

"Ok."

After Zhong Lifang left, Wu Chen called Zu Feng directly. Zu Feng had already resigned from his teaching position and was now focusing on being an actor.

"Lurking" was a perfect fit for Zu Feng, and Wu Chen figured he should keep the talent within the family. However, the latter's phone went unanswered. Wu Chen thought for a moment:
"Senior sister, could you help me contact Teacher Liu Tianchi and ask her why I can't find Brother Feng? Also, please mention to Teacher Liu that there's a role in a TV series I'd like to play."

"Okay!" Liu Yifei, who was wandering around aimlessly, responded with a light laugh and dialed Liu Tianchi's number. At that moment, Liu Tianchi was in the theater watching Zu Feng's performance of "The Old Man of Beijing".

Liu Yifei's call caught her off guard, and she quickly left the theater before pressing the answer button.

"Teacher Liu, why is no one answering Mr. Zu Feng's phone when Wu Chen calls?"

"Him? He's acting in a stage play." Liu Tianchi smiled, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Did Director Wu need to see him?"

Wu Chen said he has a role in a TV series called "Lurking".

Upon hearing this, Liu Tianchi's eyes lit up immediately. "Thank you, Yifei, thank you, Director Wu. No problem, I'll accept on his behalf. I'll treat you to dinner another day, please don't refuse!"

"."

"All done!" Liu Yifei proudly showed Wu Chen her credit, looking like she wanted to praise her.

"Great!"

"Hmph, just going through the motions."

These days, the "Mars Rescue" project has also been quietly launched.

Wu Chen entrusted the newly formed technical advisory team to polish the scientific details involved in the script.

Domestically, China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group contacted engineers from the China National Space Administration and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation to form a scientific advisory team. In particular, the China National Space Administration was overjoyed to learn that the film was about interplanetary rescue.

In a spacious conference room in the Beijing space agency's office building, engineers gathered together, flipping through the first draft script prepared by Wu Chen's team while marking up points of doubt on a large screen.

The table was covered with thick stacks of Mars exploration data, mission blueprints, and data reports on China's rocket launch capabilities.

"Director Wu, your idea of ​​having astronauts drive directly across the Martian desert is theoretically possible, but we need to consider the frequency of Martian dust storms."

Martian dust storms can reach speeds of thousands of kilometers per hour, potentially exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. Ordinary vehicles can't withstand that; the design has to be perfect.

An engineer wearing black-rimmed glasses pointed to the projected image and spoke earnestly.

“Yes, yes, and there’s also the radiation issue,” another engineer added. “The radiation level on the surface of Mars is ten times that of Earth, so the protective suits need to have a special radiation layer; otherwise, it’s impossible to be exposed to the outside for a long time.”

"And this oxygen circulation setting."

The young engineer in charge of life support systems next to him held the script and said, "This part is a bit too idealistic. Most of the research on Mars oxygen circulation modules is still in the experimental stage."

I think we could refer to the carbon dioxide adsorption module of our manned spacecraft and combine it with the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell you wrote about.”

As Wu Chen listened, he took notes in his notebook and occasionally confirmed technical details with the engineers.

An older deputy chief engineer patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "Director Wu, feel free to ask me anything you don't understand. To be honest, this is the first time I've seen a director in our country willing to make a film about space. We have to contribute our share, no matter what."

"Thank you everyone, you've been a great help!" Wu Chen said sincerely.

For this film to be successful, a scientific advisory team is crucial, and because the script was altered, there are technical issues on both the Chinese and American sides.

Just then, Luan Enjie, the deputy director of the space agency, had just finished communicating with Han Sanping in the next conference room. When he saw Wu Chen come out, he immediately grabbed him, with a hint of expectation:
"Director Wu, will 'The Martian' be able to meet the timeline of the Shenzhou-7 mission?"

Wu Chen was taken aback, then smiled and said, "The Shenzhou-7 mission is scheduled for the second half of next year? We've just started the project, and to be honest, we can't guarantee anything from the script and preparation to filming and post-production."

"Next year will mark the first spacewalk. If it is successful, our country will become the second in the world to achieve this goal, which is of great significance to the country. In addition, your project is very meaningful and in line with our aerospace spirit."

However, if we can't make it in time, that's fine. We'll prioritize the quality of the film; we also have a lot of projects scheduled for the year after next.

"Director Luan, let's focus on the quality of the film. Don't ruin the quality of the work just to meet deadlines," Han Sanping said with a smile.

While catching up would indeed be significant, given his understanding of film production cycles, a year from production to post-production seemed far too rushed.
(End of this chapter)