Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 612 The Clash of the Three Kings: Who Will Shed the Last Drop of Blood?
As Wu Chen and his team's flight pierced the clouds and flew across the Pacific Ocean, a new wave of public opinion had already been stirred up in the domestic media and film and television industry because of their expedition.

Without exception, the entertainment headlines on major portal websites were replaced with photos of Wu Chen, Liu Yifei, and others at the airport.

"Eight nominations for 'Black Swan,' three technical nominations for '1939,' Chinese director Wu Chen and his team are once again vying for the Oscars!"

"Airport Report: Wu Chen Expresses Confidence in 'Black Swan,' Says He Respects All Competitors!"

"Liu Yifei will attend the Oscars as a member of the cast of 'Inception', joining Wu Chen at the ceremony!"

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Film and television forums were abuzz with discussion, with many film critics and industry insiders speculating on the possibility of Wu Chen's trip.

"It's hard to say about the awards now. The King's Speech won the Producers Guild Award, but then The Social Network and Black Swan took it away."

The entire battle situation is now very unpredictable.

"Of course we hope Director Wu can win, but right now the entire Hollywood reporting is in a state of chaos. This year's class is the most unpredictable ever; the waters are very murky."

After Wu Chen rushed to the awards ceremony, a large number of award predictions have been released.

However, if we were to say which place in China had the highest expectations for Wu Chen's trip, it would undoubtedly be the Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

Among the eight nominations for this year's Oscars, "Black Swan" was nominated for Best Director and Best Cinematography.
Wu Chen's other work, "1939," was also nominated for Best Cinematography.

This means that there is a "double insurance" for the Best Cinematography award – two films directed by Wu Chen are nominated at the same time.

Both the director of the two films, Wu Chen, and the cinematographer of "1939," Park Song-il, graduated from the cinematography department of the Beijing Film Academy.

This is of paramount importance to the entire photography department.

The atmosphere in the photography department office was as lively as a festival.

"In my opinion, we should at least bring back an Oscar for Best Cinematography this year, right?" Deputy Director Xu Bin said excitedly, his face flushed, holding a large tea mug. "It would be best if '1939' won it!"

That one-shot design is textbook-level! If we win an award, we can climb even higher in the global art school rankings next year.

Upon hearing this, the other teachers in the office burst into good-natured laughter.

"Hey, Lao Xu, you still need to keep a low profile, a little more low profile." Department head Mu Deyuan waved his hand, signaling him to tone it down.

As Wu Chen's teacher, although he was equally excited inside, he still had to maintain a composed demeanor on the surface.

He glanced at the throng of people outside the window and said to Xu Bin:

"By the way, today is the preliminary exam for the photography department, and you'll be hosting it. There are many candidates, and the situation is quite varied, so please keep a close eye on things and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Okay, okay, leave it to me, don't worry." Xu Bin readily agreed, but couldn't help muttering, "What's there to be afraid of?"

The other day, during the celebration of "Love is Not Blind," didn't those people from the literature department also show off?

The directing department has been a bit silent, but that's alright. Can't we at least be happy?

The recruitment event at the Beijing Film Academy this year was incredibly popular.

More than 20,000 candidates from all over the country flocked to this top film academy, just to compete for those precious spots that numbered less than a few hundred across several departments combined.

The admission requirements for the photography department have always been strict, and the number of students admitted is extremely small. This year, they even plan to admit only one small class, less than twenty students.

Even so, it still attracts countless young people to apply.

Looking at the large lecture hall filled with energetic and nervous young faces, Xu Bin felt a surge of pride. He cleared his throat and walked onto the podium.

"Class, please be quiet for a moment, I have a few words to say first."

Xu Bin's voice was loud and powerful, instantly drowning out the noise in the classroom.

"Welcome everyone to apply to the Cinematography Department of Beijing Film Academy! Our Cinematography Department has a long history and has produced many outstanding talents."

Photographers who graduated from our department have shouldered half the burden of China's film industry!

He paused, then changed the subject, a hint of undisguised smugness appearing on his face.

"Let's not talk about the distant past, but about the recent past! Yesterday, your seniors who just graduated last year, Wu Chen and Park Song-il, boarded a plane to Los Angeles."

Why go? Because of this year's Oscars, our photography department has two nominees for Best Cinematography out of five! "Black Swan" and "1939"! Both are their works!
So, students, bring out your best!

Xu Bin's words were like a powerful stimulant, instantly igniting the entire classroom!
The candidates below the stage, who had been pale with nervousness, now had shining eyes and were breathing rapidly, as if they could already see their glorious future with various awards in their hands.

They looked at their competitors around them, their eyes filled with fighting spirit, wishing they could rush into the examination room immediately and snatch up the less than twenty precious spots in the photography department this year!

Xu Bin was very satisfied with the effect of his speech.

However, while the photography department was buzzing with excitement, the atmosphere in the waiting area for the directing department not far away was rather subtle.

Many teachers and students in the directing department heard Xu Bin's extremely powerful voice.

"Look how smug the photography department is. Anyone who didn't know better would think they own the Oscars. They're so arrogant they've lost their bearings," a young directing professor said sourly.

"I won't listen to you, you're just a bastard chanting scriptures!"

Another teacher simply covered his ears.

Meanwhile, after a long flight of more than ten hours, Wu Chen and his group's plane landed smoothly at Los Angeles International Airport.

The moment the cabin door opened, California's unique, slightly dry sunlight poured in.
The group bypassed the bustling terminal and went directly through the VIP channel to a waiting Cadillac, heading straight to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

After settling everyone in, Wu Chen and Liu Yifei returned to the villa.

The awards ceremony isn't until tomorrow evening, so they have more than 24 hours to rest and adjust to the time difference.

Rebecca Sarkin had clearly timed it perfectly; the call came right on schedule.

"Wu, this year's Hollywood is a complete mess, a pot of boiling porridge. Nobody can predict tomorrow's awards."

Wu Chen smiled upon hearing this, not surprised at all.

Although he wasn't physically present, he frequently read news from Paramount and Hollywood reports.

The collaboration between "Black Swan" and "The Social Network" naturally salvaged the situation, preventing Weinstein from turning the tide completely.

However, the other side did not let their two films go either.

All sorts of dirty and scandalous information, whether true or false, is being exposed.
Wu Chen glanced at the newspaper on the table, which he had taken from the airport.

The headline above is from The Hollywood Reporter: The Most Unpredictable Endgame in History.

Variety used a more vivid metaphor:
[A Clash of Kings: Who Will Shed the Last Drop of Blood?]

(End of this chapter)