Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 309 A Chill in the Crotch

Hollywood operates on a very strict project-based system, especially for big-budget or medium-to-large-budget projects. Whenever additional scenes are involved, especially medium-to-large scenes, it is necessary to communicate with the producer/production company first.

Additional scenes will incur extra costs and extend the construction period, as they involve a series of tasks such as scene setup, scheduling, personnel, lighting, costumes, makeup, and special effects.
If this were in the country, Wu Chen could just casually suggest something and the producer would immediately get to work.

However, in Hollywood, even Wu Chen, Spielberg, or Cameron have to submit applications according to the established procedures first.

Of course, production companies usually prepare backup plans in advance for these kinds of requests.

It's normal for new ideas to emerge during filming, and the production company will reserve some for that. Paramount, in particular, has worked with directors like Cameron and knows all too well the unpredictable situations that can arise during filming.

Wu Chen had already thought through the scene in the past two days, and then called Paramount: "Rebecca, you should check your emails. I need a new scene to make a breakthrough in visuals and structure."

"Understood, I just checked and have already instructed them to create a budget model."

Rebecca Sarkin agreed without hesitation.

"Black Swan" was originally an Oscar contender with extremely high potential market value. Without involving major plot twists, they should try their best to meet the director's creative needs. Moreover, after seeing Wu Chen's scenes and the added scenes, she could feel the potential contained in the visuals just from the materials Wu Chen provided.

If filmed well, this might become a "classic memory point" of "Black Swan".

"By the way, Wu, because of the Writers Guild's strike threat, Hollywood might be a bit disrupted these days. If there are any problems on set, please contact us immediately."

"OK!"

Wu Chen wasn't too surprised to hear this, because the rumors had been circulating for the past two days, and even though the crew was in New York, everyone was talking about it.

The next day on set, Keira Knightley saw Wu Chen arrive alone and asked, "Wu, why isn't Crystal here today?"

“She went back,” Wu Chen replied with a smile.

“What a pity, I was planning to continue discussing this with her,” Keira Knightley said with a regretful expression.

"By the way, will the Writers Guild strike affect the Screen Actors Guild?" Wu Chen glanced at the set, where preparations for today's filming were still underway, and asked casually.

"Yes, they are organizing hundreds of Screen Actors Guild members to participate, but there are rules that prohibit demonstrations at filming locations, and members are not allowed to interrupt or attempt to interrupt any filming."
Therefore, theoretically we shouldn't be greatly affected.

"That's fine."

Wu Chen nodded. As long as it doesn't affect things too much, it's fine. He knows this strike is going to last a long time. He doesn't want to be in a situation where he can't finish filming "Black Swan" for several months.

However, this strike is beneficial to him because he is a member of both the Directors Guild and the Writers Guild.

If the screenwriter wants a higher salary and bonuses, he will definitely be the beneficiary.

However, at this time, a group of screenwriters in China were very envious of this.

"What nonsense are these Hollywood screenwriters spouting? They say they've never been valued in Hollywood and are demanding higher salaries and bonuses? They're already asking for more, okay?"

"Holy crap, the screenwriters are even trying to get a share of the revenue from DVDs and online downloads. I find this demand utterly absurd."

"Damn, why don't we give it a try?"

"Try it? Try it and you'll die."

"."

Domestic screenwriters didn't even make a ripple; the initial sparks were extinguished.

On the other hand, "Lust, Caution" saw its box office soar after its release on the first day of November, even breaking the opening week box office record of "Black Peony".

[Lust, Caution's box office surpasses 40 million yuan, exceeding the opening week record of Black Peony and setting a new high for art-house films!] [Lust, Caution's box office is expected to break 100 million yuan, surpassing Black Peony.]

Tang Wei creates a legend in the entertainment industry.

Domestic news reports continued, and the topic's popularity soared once again.

“Effie.”

Liu Yifei had just returned to China from New York when she was caught by reporters at the airport.

"You're still here?" Liu Yifei was taken aback.

“We originally wanted to wait for Ms. Jiang Wenli and Director Gu, who were returning from Rome after winning an award, and their flight was around this time. But we were so lucky that we caught you. We saw in foreign reports that you went to New York to visit Director Wu on set, right?”

The reporters asked questions as they walked.

Seeing this, Liu Yifei also chimed in to boost the reporters' sales figures: "Yeah, that's right."

What are your thoughts on Li An's "Lust, Caution" surpassing Wu Chen's "Black Peony" at the box office in its opening week?

"Huh? I just got off the plane and picked up a newspaper to read," Liu Yifei said, startled and blinking.

The reporters who were lying in wait were stunned and didn't react for a moment. Then they couldn't help but laugh and continue to ask, "We wanted to ask what your opinion is."

"That's great. Box office numbers are meant to be surpassed."

Liu Yifei replied with a smile, saying she wouldn't fall for these questions.

At this moment, Jiang Wenli and Gu Changwei also came out, and many reporters surrounded them.

The two were taken aback when they saw Liu Yifei, and then Jiang Wenli took a few steps forward first, "Yifei."

"Congratulations to Sister Wenli on winning two Best Actress awards," Liu Yifei said with a smile.

Because Jiang Wenli first won the Best Actress title at the Tokyo International Film Festival, and then won the Best Actress title at the Rome International Film Festival.

"To be honest, I envy you."

Jiang Wenli smiled, but when she thought about how Wu Chen's film alone could win Liu Yifei the Best Actress award at Cannes, while Gu Changwei was the one promoting her, she glanced back at Gu Changwei who was walking up behind her and immediately got angry.

Gu Changwei felt that this woman was really fickle; she had been in a good mood on the plane just now.

The reporters naturally seized the opportunity and asked a series of questions.

"Oh, you mean you ran into Director Gu and Sister Wenli?" After returning home, Liu Yifei let Wu Chen know she was safe and sound, and casually mentioned what happened at the airport.

"Yeah, but I feel like Sister Wenli is a bit disgusted with Director Gu. Hmm, but if you act like that with Director Gu, hmm, you'll know how to spell a typo."

Hearing Liu Yifei's threat, Wu Chen chuckled and said, "So how should it be written?"

"Be careful when you sleep at night," Liu Yifei said, grinning.

Wu Chen felt a chill in his crotch and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Xiang Zhuo just told me that they've found someone to make the theme song for 'Painted Skin' and are planning to find someone to sing it. Can you ask Liangying if she's free?"

"Liangying, I'll ask her later, it should be fine."

(End of this chapter)