Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 415 Shift in Focus of Revision, Wave of Asset Liquidation
In February, the chill of the morning still lingered in Beijing.

Sunlight slanted across the dark gray curtain wall glass, reflecting Stephen Chow's silhouette.

After greeting Han Sanping, he left the China Film Building first.

"It seems the result is quite obvious."

Watching Zhou Xingchi's retreating figure, Han Sanping gently shook his head, his tone neither surprised nor regretful, simply saying...

Wu Chen smiled and said, "Nothing in this world is ever perfect!"

"Then this script?"

"Let's put it on hold for now. Who knows, maybe Director Zhou will change his mind someday, or I'll find someone more suitable?"

After saying that, Wu Chen prepared to go back first. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and a smile appeared on his face.

"Mr. Han, if I were to ask you to act in a movie someday, you wouldn't refuse me, would you?"

Han Sanping was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into laughter: "Then you'll have to find me a good role. Besides, let's talk about this after I retire."

"Then I remember what you said!"

Wu Chen waved his hand and turned to leave.

Watching Wu Chen's retreating figure, Han Sanping murmured:

"Could Wu Chen really be telling the truth?"

To be honest, he couldn't think of what kind of role he could play, but if Wu Chen were to ask him to act in it, what kind of scene would it be?

He couldn't believe it.
Although Stephen Chow ultimately declined the invitation, Wu Chen did not feel particularly regretful.

In a sense, the real regret is not that the story has no one to act it out, but that the story was never born.

Once it's born, there's always a chance in the future.
He plans to complete the filing and registration process first after perfecting the framework.

But the focus of our work has now quietly shifted to adapting "1917".

While the pseudo-one-shot technique is highly technical, it wasn't actually created for the purpose of showing off skills.

Ultimately, film is the art of "storytelling".

Use it only when appropriate, and don't put the cart before the horse.
The film "1917" emphasizes that the transmission of orders must not be interrupted, so the camera must not "interrupt" either.
This also created a pinnacle of cinematography in the film industry, even surpassing "Birdman" in some aspects.

While Birdman shows that films have hidden editing, 1917 makes people feel that "time is space," and it truly allows the audience to immerse themselves in an "unedited" experience.

"We need to find someone who truly understands the story of the messenger from back then."

Wu Chen smiled, clearly indicating that adapting "1917" was not such a simple matter.

Western messengers traversed wilderness, trenches, and piles of corpses, while Chinese messengers marched through ravines, rivers, enemy-occupied villages, minefields, and snowy nights.
There are many stories about messengers during the War of Resistance Against Japan, but the real details and the truly moving parts cannot be found in imagination. They must be described word by word by people who actually experienced the battlefield.

Only in this way can he truly empathize and improve the story.

This is also why he and Han Sanping said they needed the August First Film Studio, because he needed veteran comrades who had participated in the War of Resistance against Japan or the War of Liberation, especially those who had served as messengers.

Otherwise, relying solely on him and China Film Group would require an enormous amount of effort.
The Oscars ceremony is about to take place this year. Although it's not as popular in China as it was last year, there are still quite a few predictions.

Of course, domestic audiences also had their doubts.

"What a pity, it doesn't feel the same excitement as last year at all."

"It was a rare treat to have time to watch on a Sunday, but aside from Wu Chen being an award presenter, there weren't any other surprises."

"."

On the 20th, Wu Chen appeared at Beijing Capital International Airport in a low-key manner, wearing a dark gray trench coat. Of course, as an award presenter at this year's awards ceremony, he could not escape the media's attention at this time.

"Director Wu, what are your thoughts on this year's Oscars? Will Heath Ledger's death affect the awards?"

"Director Wu, what are your thoughts on Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Director?"

Wu Chen paused, then smiled. "I haven't been paying much attention to the awards, so it's hard to predict, but there's a really good film this year, *Slumdog Millionaire*."

After saying that, Wu Chen did not respond to any other questions.

At the same time, on the other side of the capital.

Lu Xun sat in the company's conference room, looking at the news pop-up window that Wu Chen had "departed for Los Angeles," and finally let out a heavy sigh of relief. He then couldn't help but call Qin Hong to inquire about the test screening the day after tomorrow.

"The theaters and media have all been arranged, but I heard from Chairman Han that Jiang Wen requested an invitation letter," Qin Hong pointed out.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun's lips twitched slightly.

Damn it, Jiang Wen.
Qin Hong suddenly realized that Lu Xun had quite a few enemies.

I heard that he also fell out with Chen Kaige, but thankfully the other party didn't come.

"By the way, Mr. Qin, how's the screening of 'Nanjing! Nanjing!' in Japan going?"

When this was mentioned, Qin Hong's tone finally relaxed.

"The Japanese side is very proactive; they are actively negotiating the import of your film."

“Then we should hype it up at the right time.” Lu Xun’s tone was a little excited. “I think we can leak some information and let the outside world know that it’s going to be released in Japan.”

"Okay." Qin Hong nodded.

The interview about Lu Xun came out in the afternoon.

"We are still working hard to make copies of 'Nanjing! Nanjing!', but I would like to say that if it can be released in Japan, it will be a very historically significant exchange."

The film is not about hatred, but about not being forgotten.

Our communication with the Japanese side is going very smoothly, and I believe that our films will soon be available in Japanese cinemas.

"Coward!" Jiang Wen couldn't help but curse when he saw the report, which made Zhou Yun frown and scold him.

"He obviously only dared to show his face after seeing Wu Chen go to Los Angeles. Seriously, what did this guy film that makes him so afraid of Wu Chen?"

Jiang Wen was somewhat puzzled.

"I don't think so."

“You don’t understand Lu Xun. I’ve worked with him on a movie. I know his personality best. Japan has always been very reluctant to discuss this matter, so why are they so proactive this time?”

Jiang Wen thought about it more and more and felt something was wrong, so he pondered it carefully.

At that time, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

After resting briefly at his hotel, Wu Chen went straight to Frame Effects to check out the first trailer for "The Martian".
"Let's make some minor changes here. It won't take long. Let's cut the camera here, juxtapose the NASA footage with the Chinese footage, and then raise the sound level a bit."

In the evening, Jason Blum drove over himself.

The streets of Los Angeles were a bit quieter than they had been a few days ago, with signs saying "Sublet" or "Closed for Liquidation" posted on the windows of office buildings.

"Why does it feel a bit more desolate now?" Wu Chen asked, looking out the car window.

"A wave of bankruptcies and asset liquidations is coming." Jason Blum glanced around, a hint of relief in his eyes.

Wu Chen pondered for a moment and asked, "Are many special effects companies going bankrupt?"

“Second and third-tier VFX studios are basically unable to survive and are going bankrupt one after another.” Jason Blum said, then realized, “Wu, are you thinking of buying some equipment for your VFX company now?”

"Yes, I'd like to buy a cluster of high-performance rendering machines, preferably with accompanying technology patents and software plugins."

"The first one is no problem, of course. Many of these machines are auctioned off by the courts now, and you can get them if you act fast. But if you want the technology patents and plugins, you have to see if the studio developed them themselves. If they were bought, they have no right to sell them."

"Then please keep an eye out for it for me. It would be best if it comes with accompanying technology patents."

"no problem"

(End of this chapter)