Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 314 Filming wrapped, returning home
[Liu Yifei's appearance on the red carpet at the premiere of "Crazy Racer" was a huge success.]

[At the premiere of "Racing," Jiang Wen said in an interview: "This movie has a strong sense of social commentary, which I like."]

【.】

Media reports flooded in, with the amount of coverage about "Racing" more than doubling in just half a day.

With the film's official release, this popularity directly translates into enormous pressure on the box office of "Assembly".

The publicity team for "Assembly" immediately became alert and began to devise countermeasures.

Feng Xiaogang remained calm, smiling confidently: "Don't worry, let's see how much it does on its opening day. There's still plenty of room for two movies in the Lunar New Year season, one before and one after."

His film "Assembly" is about to break 150 million yuan, and 200 million yuan is almost a certainty. He will soon join the "200 million yuan box office club" and become the third person in the history of mainland Chinese films to achieve this milestone.

Thinking of this, he was in a good mood, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Wang Zhonglei could see that Feng Xiaogang was currently immersed in his sense of victory. He pursed his lips but didn't say anything more.

Although Feng Xiaogang's vision is not grand, it must be admitted that this movie has made real money. With box office revenue exceeding 200 million yuan, the copyright fees alone in the Asian region will be substantial.

Numerous positive reviews have appeared online, with laughter and word-of-mouth flowing in:

"You're spouting rhymes all the time, are you planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam?"

"Even if you're an assassin, you should love what you do."

"The underground CBD, the backyard of life, is no longer viable. Ning Hao's dialogue design is hilarious."

"Don't worry, the opening day box office will be pretty good, around ten million." Wu Chen reassured Ning Hao with a smile in response to his slightly apprehensive question.

"Ten million?" Ning Hao was taken aback. "Wouldn't that break a hundred million?"

"What, you really hope we don't break 100 million?" Wu Chen asked with a smile.

"If I could get a hundred million, hehe, then I'd be one of the top ten."

The fifth one

"."

Upon hearing Wu Chen's words, Ning Hao's mind immediately wandered, and he chuckled foolishly.

The next day, the box office figures for "Racing" were released: 10.2 million, just breaking the 10 million mark.

Production companies in the industry were immediately envious upon seeing these figures:
"I think the production cost of 'Racing' was only ten million?"

"This film has made China Film Group and Star Cinema a fortune; it probably didn't even earn as much as 'Assembly' when it surpassed 200 million yuan at the box office."

"."

Based on the opening day box office of "Racing" and current audience reviews, breaking 100 million is a certainty.

This low-budget film has generated considerable profits, making many people envious.

"Brother, what should I do?"

"Compete fairly, don't mess around. Movies like 'Racing' will have a hard time breaking 200 million. Without big scenes, the box office will drop much faster than 'Assembly' once pirated copies come out," Wang Zhongjun cautioned.

He didn't want to fall out with Han Sanping at this time, because Han Sanping might make things difficult for Huayi at any moment.

Although it hasn't reached 100 million yet, Ning Hao's status as a director with 100 million is already secured.

Han Sanping laughed heartily, dispelling the gloom of "The Warlords": "Ning Hao, congratulations, you've definitely got a hundred million."

"Chairman Han, congratulations to you too!"

"Have you told Wu Chen the good news? If not, I'll have someone call him specially."

"I sent the message, but it was the middle of the night there."

Ning Hao smiled broadly; he had finally made a name for himself this time.

Han Sanping's sudden remark left Ning Hao momentarily stunned.

"By the way, I heard you've been working on a new script lately, right? What genre is it? You've come up with new ideas so quickly."

"Hehe, Chairman Han, that script isn't mine; I polished it for someone else."

Ning Hao didn't know how the information from the studio had been leaked, but Han Sanping seemed to only have a vague understanding, so it seemed that someone had accidentally let it slip.
However, he certainly couldn't tell anyone; at least not until Wu Chen planned to announce it, the news couldn't be leaked from him.

"Just polishing for someone," Han Sanping said, hanging up the phone. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Who could it be?"

Han Sanping pondered for a long time but couldn't connect this matter with Wu Chen.

Wu Chen still has "The Martian" on his plate and is currently filming "Black Swan," so he definitely doesn't have the energy. "Did someone let it slip?"

"It should be, but not much is leaking."

That evening, Ning Hao specifically told Wu Chen, "The script for 'Bad Genius' should be mostly polished by the end of this year."

"Well, it doesn't matter. It'll be announced later anyway. I'll take a look when I get back."

Wu Chen nodded, and after finishing his call with Liu Yifei, he focused on preparing for filming. The crew was scheduled to wrap up filming tomorrow.

June 12, afternoon.

Wu Chenzheng repeatedly reminded the photography team, special effects team, and props team about the upcoming filming arrangements.

At this time, five high-speed cameras specially transferred from Paramount were already in place, covering the main shooting angles and safety blind spots.

"When Kayla's fingertips touch the mirror, she will quickly take half a step back, and then a group of special effects dolls will continue to complete the static action of 'touching the mirror,' which will then trigger the device."

We needed to ensure Kayla's safety, but this also created a seamless transition between the "fingertip touch" and the "shattered mirror" on camera.
Don't get it wrong, this scene can only be done once. If it's wrong, it will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to recreate the shot.

"OK!"

"No problem, director. We've done many tests, and the safe distance has been calculated."

The special effects team gave an OK sign.

"Okay, let's get ready." Wu Chen stood up and stood behind the monitor, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand, his gaze focused and calm.

"Mirror effects activated, three, two, one—Action!"

Kayla's fingers lightly touched the reflection of her fingers in the mirror.

In that instant, the special effects team's shattering device detonated precisely: Bang!
All the mirrors shattered instantly, and thousands of shards of glass, like sharp crystal petals, drifted slowly through the air.

The high-speed camera, filmed at an extremely slow speed, magnified the fragmentation and flight to the extreme, with each lens clearly reflecting Kayla's different expressions and postures.
The scene is particularly stunning under different lighting conditions.

A strange light flashed in Wu Chen's eyes.

There was silence at the scene and everyone held their breath.

As the last lens fell to the ground, Wu Chen slowly raised his hand and said, "Cut! That's a wrap!"

"Thank you all for your hard work over the past three months. The wrap party tonight is very lavish!"

Paramount acted swiftly; while Wu Chen and others were still at the wrap party, mainstream Hollywood media outlets had already begun reporting on it.

Even in China, people know that Wu Chen's "Black Swan" has finished filming, and many media outlets have written articles to report on it.

"I have some editing work to do, so I can't go back until tomorrow. There's no need for me to come over; the Golden Globe Awards will most likely not be able to hold a live awards ceremony."

“Crystal?” Jason Blum asked casually after Wu Chen hung up the phone.

Wu Chen nodded slightly.

"This year's Golden Globes is such a shame. It seems none of the nominated actors are willing to cross the picket line, and I hear they'll lose at least tens of millions of dollars in revenue."

Jason Blum sat to the side, watching Wu Chen edit "Paranormal Activity," and then said.

"That's alright, not too many." Wu Chen smiled, his fingertips lightly tapping on the keyboard, and "Ling Dong: Ghostly Records" was completely completed.

The two watched the edited version again, and Jason Blum's eyes lit up.

The overall horror effect is much stronger than before.

"Paramount, Universal, and Lionsgate are all options; let's see which one is interested and willing to lower their publishing fees."

"Should we tell them you're a good candidate? Using your name will appeal to them more, but if CAA knew you were behind it, they'd probably regret not selling more."

Jason Blum couldn't help but chuckle mischievously.

The following day, despite being bundled up tightly, Wu Chen was still stuck at Beijing Capital International Airport.

"Director Wu, your film 'Black Swan' has finished filming. What do you think of Keira Knightley's performance? Compared to Liu Yifei's version of 'Black Peony,' has 'Black Swan' met your expectations?"

"I heard that the Golden Globe Awards may not have a live awards ceremony this year. Director Wu, what do you think? Is the news true?"
What do you think of Feng Xiaogang's "Assembly"?

"Both of them performed very well, and I am very satisfied with them." Wu Chen hurriedly responded to the media interview while walking. "It has not yet been confirmed whether the Golden Globe Awards will cancel the live awards ceremony. Jorge Camara, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is still doing everything he can to resolve the issue. As for the final outcome, I don't know."

I haven't had a chance to see Director Feng's "Assembly," but congratulations to Director Feng on entering the 200 million yuan box office club!

Not long after he got into the car, news of Wu Chen's return to China spread throughout the entertainment industry.
(End of this chapter)