Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 475 Killing two birds with one stone

Inside the Beijing Film Academy's auditorium, the lights were bright, and every seat was taken; even the aisles and walls were filled with people.

The venue was packed with people, their whispers creating a dense buzzing sound.

In addition to the faculty and students, there were also many media reporters standing in the back row with cameras and recording equipment, their lenses already set up, quietly waiting for the lecture to begin.

As Liu Yifei followed Wu Chen into the venue, she saw Wang Jinsong waving at her from not far away, indicating that she should go and sit over there in the performance department.

"Is it really necessary, Lao Wang?"

"Alright, I know your acting department produces some talented people."

People from other departments were quite envious.

Wu Chen then sat down next to Mu Deyuan.

At this moment, Zhang Huijun slowly walked onto the podium and raised his hand to signal the audience to quiet down.

The scene quickly quieted down.

"Today, I'll just say a few words," Zhang Huijun said with a smile, looking down at the audience. "I'm sure most of you didn't come here to hear me speak, so I'll just go through the motions."

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience, instantly enlivening the atmosphere in the auditorium.

"As we all know, science fiction films are a relatively weak genre in China, but the development of the film industry cannot be separated from this type of film."

Today, we've specially invited your senior, Wu Chen, to talk about how a science fiction film should be made, from script planning and filming execution to post-production and final presentation.

Zhang Huijun scanned the entire room, his voice becoming solemn:

"The progress of the film industry cannot be achieved by slogans. As an important base for film education in China, Beijing Film Academy hopes that students can gain inspiration from Wu Chen's sharing. It also hopes that in the near future, more outstanding science fiction film talents will emerge from among you, allowing the Chinese film industry to truly stand on the international stage!"

Thunderous applause erupted in the arena.

As Zhang Huijun stepped down, Wu Chengang stood up, and applause surged up again.

Wu Chen walked slowly to the front of the stage, his gaze sweeping over the expectant faces below, and smiled faintly:
"thank you all."

The scene quickly quieted down.

"Today's theme is 'Science Fiction Films and the Future of the Film Industry'."

Wu Chen's gaze sharpened slightly, his voice steady and clear, "I think everyone may have different understandings of this topic, but one thing is the same—we all hope that Chinese films can have a more advanced and complete industrial system."

The students in the room picked up their notebooks and began taking notes.

"The film industry, on the surface, is a technical issue, but at a deeper level it's a systemic and procedural problem."

"In the entire industrial system, the biggest challenge in the process of making science fiction films is the creative end. Because everything is fictional and needs to be imagined."

Wang Honghai, the head of the Fine Arts Department, nodded frequently as he listened. He had a deep understanding of what Wu Chen was saying, because the elite team of the Fine Arts Department of Beijing Film Academy was working on the art project of "Interstellar".

As each CG draft was produced, he was truly amazed by Industrial Light & Magic's efficiency and production process.

Guo Fan listened with great interest, taking notes with great enthusiasm.

"My senior colleague said that science fiction scripts must be logically consistent with scientific principles."

"Wow, sci-fi directors have to know so much. They seem a bit different from ordinary directors. They even have to draw storyboards. Recently, we've been simplifying the storyboard tutorials."

"Post-production accounts for a huge portion of the budget. Doesn't that mean the film industry is becoming more industrialized, and the salaries of behind-the-scenes staff will rise?"

There were quite a few whispers from the audience.

For the next two hours or so, Wu Chen spoke eloquently.

It almost completely explains the process of making a real science fiction film, from conception to completion, with an industrialized narrative interspersed throughout.

The students nodded frequently, their eyes shining, while the teachers sighed and frowned often.

"According to Wu Chen, China's industrialization is indeed still insufficient."

"Not nearly there! You have no idea what I went through on Wu Chen's new project!" "If you do know, just catch up slowly. There's more funding now, and more visual effects companies in the industry than before. Before, we couldn't support so many; we had to outsource our limited visual effects work overseas."

It took Wu Chen a long time to finish his speech.

"I've said before that science fiction reflects today's predicaments. Today, I hope everyone remembers this: good science fiction is like a documentary filmed in the future. What we lack isn't creativity, but the ability to translate creativity into industry. So let's keep going."

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and many students' eyes welled up with tears.

When the Q&A session began, students eagerly raised their hands.

After calling out the names of several classmates, Wu Chen's gaze fell on a boy with glasses and a youthful face.

“Hey, you over there in the gray hoodie, come here.”

Guo Fan stood up, somewhat agitated but trying to remain calm:

"Senior, my name is Guo Fan. My problem is, if I have a science fiction story, I don't know where to start, and no one is willing to invest in this kind of film. What should I do?"

Wu Chen looked at him, remained silent for two seconds, and then said:
"What you can do now is to write your story in a way that no investor can find any flaws in, making it logically consistent, with distinct characters and a complete worldview."

Don't wait for submissions; first, write something that can move people. Once you've finished, you can contact me, contact Starry Night Pictures. We will carefully review every piece of work.

Guo Fan nodded emphatically.

"So, what do you think are the most pressing issues that the domestic film industry needs to address right now? How much potential does science fiction film have in China over the next ten years? How should the domestic film industry cultivate its own talent? And..."

To everyone's astonishment, Guo Fan asked a series of questions, and his companions pulled him along.

"That's about it, that's about it."

A burst of good-natured laughter rang out around him, and Guo Fan realized he had made too many mistakes, so he smiled awkwardly.

Wu Chen chuckled and said, "It's alright, your questions are all very good. We can continue the discussion privately later. Let the others ask first."

"Wow!"

Everyone immediately felt envious.

Guo Fan nodded excitedly.

A student in the back row asked, "Senior, if we want to work behind the scenes, such as in special effects or visual effects development, is there a chance for us to get into your projects?"

Seeing this, Wu Chen spoke up directly:
"I personally hope to offer some help to everyone, whether it's scripts, directing, or behind-the-scenes roles. As long as you have ideas and abilities, you can come to me or Starry Night Pictures. Our doors are always open."

This sentence completely ignited the atmosphere of the entire venue, with applause and cheers rising and falling, and many students' eyes shining with excitement.

Zhang Huijun and the others couldn't help but applaud.

Even after the lecture ended, small groups of people lingered in the auditorium, reluctant to leave.

Wu Chen kept his promise and sat in a corner to continue his low-key discussion with Guo Fan, surrounded by a group of students who were unwilling to leave.

Liu Yifei was talking with Wang Jinsong and others, glancing over from time to time with a smile on her lips.

At this moment, a bespectacled, frail-looking girl mustered up her courage and tried to squeeze in, but was obviously blocked by the crowd. She looked around anxiously and helplessly.

Seeing this, Liu Yifei took the initiative to walk over and asked gently, "What's wrong?"

The girl looked up, and upon seeing Liu Yifei, her eyes lit up with excitement: "Senior sister, I have an idea I'd like to discuss with the senior brother, but there are too many people."

"It's okay, tell me about it first."

The girl's eyes lit up immediately: "Really?"

"certainly."

"Senior, I'm from the Literature Department. My name is Bao Jingjing. I've serialized my novel 'Novel, or Guide' on Douban. Would you like to take a look?"

(End of this chapter)