Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 676 Feeling Uncomfortable, Troubleshooting

The first trailer for Interstellar was like a depth charge, creating a massive wave in the global internet.

Domestically, the situation was no exception, with movie fans going on a wild party.

"Wu Chen's visual imagination is amazing! How did he come up with that wormhole image?"

"This is real hard science fiction! I can already smell the budget burning brightly! Every frame is wallpaper material!"

"What's going on with that planet with its towering waves? My God, just watching the trailer made my palms sweat!"

"."

In the cinematography department office at the Beijing Film Academy, everyone was gathered around a computer, repeatedly playing the trailer and discussing it endlessly.

"Old Mu, what do you think of this trailer?" Li Wei pushed up his glasses and looked at Mu Deyuan.

"How would I know?" Mu Deyuan shook his head, but a smile he couldn't hide was on his face. "These things are far beyond what we can teach."

Even if you asked me to make a sci-fi film like this now, I couldn't do it.

Sometimes, when students are too outstanding, there is both pride and a slight regret as a teacher that I can no longer impart knowledge, teach skills, or resolve doubts for them.

However, it is certainly a good thing if the student surpasses the teacher.

"Don't even mention you. Our entire cinematography department, plus the directing department, with so many graduating classes, it's not easy to make a film like this."

"Yeah, but you know what, it definitely has a strong science fiction vibe."

"Nonsense! Wu Chen's movie cost nearly two hundred million US dollars in total, how could it not be enough!"

After discussing it for a while, everyone looked quite happy.

Just then, Xu Bin, who was standing to the side, seemed to remember something and suddenly asked:
"By the way, Lao Mu, did you tell Wu Chen about that matter?"

"Not yet." Mu Deyuan waved his hand. "I think there's no need to say anything. He probably wouldn't care about such a small matter."

"This is no small matter; it's something that will go down in film history. Our photography department is one of the best in the world."

Meanwhile, the organizing committee of this year's Golden Rooster Awards was holding an internal meeting.

Of course, the so-called organizing committee is mostly made up of the same old faces from within the film association.

Many people's eyes were drawn to Kang Jianming, who was sitting at the corner of the conference table.

"Old Kang, how's things going with Wu Chen?"

"All I can say is that I've done my best." Kang Jianming cleared his throat and immediately replied, "Wu Chen agreed and said he would consider it. He'll give us an answer in the next couple of days."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

"Yes, he really did say he'd think about it."

"How could it be fake? I went to Xingchen Pictures myself!"

Kang Jianming said somewhat irritably.

These bunch of scoundrels do nothing but point fingers and gossip behind people's backs.

Now, I have to rely on myself and swallow my pride to ask others for help.

"It has to be you, Lao Kang!" someone immediately flattered. "Go talk to him in person, and then put the leader's label on him. I guess Wu Chen won't have the nerve to refuse him outright."

"Haha, actually, we're giving him a lot of face. Back in the day, only Zhang Yi received this treatment. What a pity, that traitor!"

"Since that's the case, I think we should take advantage of the current popularity of 'Interstellar' and release this news to the public now!"
"That way, the attention we get for this year's Golden Rooster Awards has increased dramatically!"

"."

This idea was immediately approved by most of the people present.

However, as Kang Jianming listened, his brows furrowed tightly.

Damn it, these people are just causing trouble for him!
"Isn't that a bad idea?" he quickly stopped him. "After all, Wu Chen hasn't officially agreed yet. It's safer for us to wait for his reply before making an announcement."

"Hey, Lao Kang, you're being too cautious. 'Thinking about it'—that's practically a 20/20 agreement! Announcing it sooner or later is pointless; just announce it now, when the hype is at its peak!"

That afternoon, Rao Shuguang, the secretary-general of the China Film Association and an important member of the organizing committee of this year's Golden Rooster Awards, accepted a joint interview with several mainstream media outlets in an official capacity.

In the interview, he first praised the brilliant achievements of Chinese-language films at this year's Venice Film Festival and Wu Chen's award.

Then, he changed the subject and began to promote the upcoming Golden Rooster Awards.

"We are delighted to see that outstanding young filmmakers like director Wu Chen are constantly bringing glory to Chinese-language films on the international stage."

Our Golden Rooster Awards have always been committed to discovering and recognizing outstanding works like "1939" that possess both artistic value and a strong sense of national pride.

We believe that this year's Golden Rooster Awards will be a star-studded film extravaganza, featuring a collection of outstanding works. We also eagerly anticipate seeing director Wu Chen in Hefei.”

Rao Shuguang's words were extremely clever.

Although he didn't explicitly say that Wu Chen was confirmed to participate in the Golden Rooster Awards, his words strongly implied this.

Wu Chen was still in the company office, reviewing several documents related to the promotion of "Warm Thirty Days" when Jiang Wen called first.

"Sure. You've decided to go to the Golden Rooster Awards without making a sound?" Jiang Wen asked slowly on the other end of the phone.

"Huh? I'm still considering it. How did you know?" Wu Chen was completely confused.

"Holy crap! The Golden Rooster Awards organizing committee has already announced it to the public!"

Jiang Wen was also taken aback, but then he immediately realized, "Wow! They made the decision for you in advance! Hehe."
"It's alright, go ahead. I'll go this time too!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen immediately felt very uncomfortable.

Originally, this wouldn't have been a big deal.

If he is really going, it wouldn't hurt for the other party to let some word out beforehand.

But he hadn't even thought it through yet, and hadn't given an answer, so how did the news spread?
Several phone calls came in quick succession.

Besides Jiang Wen, Ning Hao and others also spoke with a hint of surprise in their voices.

Online, netizens were surprised by the news and engaged in heated discussions.

"Wow! That's rare! Wu Chen is actually going to participate in this year's Golden Rooster Awards?"

"If '1939' were to enter the competition, there would be virtually no suspense in winning the Best Picture and Best Director awards, right?"
"So, wouldn't this year's Golden Rooster Awards result in several ties, or even three ties?"

"Hey, if a golden hen lays many eggs, but not many, is it still a golden hen? It's standard procedure, stay calm, stay calm."

However, if we're talking about who's the most unhappy right now, it has to be Feng Xiaogang.

He was in his office, muttering and cursing incessantly.

"Damn it! How did he end up at the Golden Rooster Awards?!"

This year, he was preparing to compete for the Golden Rooster Award with his most acclaimed work, "Aftershock." But then, "1939" suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Wouldn't that mean he's completely finished?
Whether in terms of artistic achievement, awards, or even the political correctness of the subject matter, he simply cannot compete!
"Damn it, what bad luck! I knew it, nothing good ever comes from where Wu Chen is!" Feng Xiaogang cursed incessantly.

If Wu Chen and Zhang Yimou had participated in fewer domestic awards, he would have had a good chance of winning an award every few years.

After all, he was the only one who actively participated in almost every session.

If he isn't given an award, he'll dare to curse in front of the media.

Those old-timers on the judging panel still have some sense of face to them.

But now.
Just as industry insiders were still discussing how the competition landscape for this year's Golden Rooster Awards would change;
The following morning, an official announcement released by the Golden Rooster Awards organizing committee suddenly drew the attention of everyone in the industry once again.

"This year's film festival has established a low-budget film award for the first time, open to films with a production cost of less than 800 million yuan."

The news caused an uproar in the industry!

(End of this chapter)