Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 719 Appointment Letter: A Journey and the Rest of My Life
Interstellar is still running in theaters.

But it's obvious that its next public outcry will come when its box office numbers officially surpass those of Avatar.

Without a doubt, both inside and outside the industry, everyone tacitly acknowledged that that moment was inevitable.

More than a year later, the title of the highest-grossing film in Chinese film history is finally going to return to Chinese directors themselves.

Regardless, people in the industry feel a sense of pride in sharing in this achievement.

The confidence that such a record brings is visible to the naked eye.

However, with the arrival of December, the media still diverted some attention to the two blockbusters that had been bickering off-screen and on-screen.

Zhang Yimou faces off against Tsui Hark, and Zhang Weiping faces off against Yu Dong.

The Lunar New Year film season remains lively.

At that moment, Wu Chen received a call from Liu Shuaichen, Secretary-General of the 3D Stereoscopic Film and Television Industry Alliance.

"Director Wu, the 'New Energy Project for the Creation of 3D Stereoscopic Films in China' is confirmed to officially launch early next year. The appointment letter has already been issued."

"I thought it would be later," Wu Chen said, somewhat surprised.

He agreed to serve as the chief expert partly because it was an official invitation, which he couldn't refuse.

On the other hand, there's really no harm in giving yourself an official title.

"We can't delay any longer," Liu Shuaichen said solemnly.

"The leaders attach great importance to this plan. A one-month delay could be fatal if there are any setbacks at key technical points in the future."

Moreover, Director Wu, your film *Interstellar* truly amazed us all. Now is the perfect time to make it happen.

Liu Shuaichen was slightly surprised when this was mentioned.

Initially, after discussions among several departments, Wu Chen was chosen as the chief expert, although there was some internal debate about it.

However, in the field of 3D technology, Wu Chen is the only one who is truly at the forefront.

Everyone else was more than half a step behind. Even Li An from Taiwan, who had just finished filming "Growing Pain," was later than Wu Chen in the practice of native 3D.

Despite Wu Chen's young age, after discussions among the various departments, Wu Chen was ultimately chosen to serve as the chief expert.
But no one expected that Wu Chen's "Interstellar" would not only be a box office smash, but also present a stunning and unparalleled effect in terms of the display of native 3D technology.

"Alright, then I'll trouble Director Wu to come over on that occasion."

"fine!"

Wu Chen smiled slightly.

Such a major operation by the bureau in conjunction with several departments could not possibly be completely kept secret from the industry.

Soon, all sorts of rumors, both true and false, began to circulate within the circle.

"Have you heard? The bureau is going to team up with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to invest heavily in supporting the 3D industry!"

"It's not just about money! I heard they're also going to set up a talent training base, with subsidies for everything from equipment procurement to technology research and development!"

"Really? If that's the case, then making 3D movies will save a lot of money in the future?"

"Dream on! In the end, all the money from such a good deal goes into the pockets of those big companies. Small companies like ours are lucky to even get a piece of the pie."

Rumors always travel the fastest.

Huayi Brothers, CEO's Office.

"Brother, what do you think? I heard it's true?" Wang Zhonglei asked.

Wang Zhongjun sat in his boss's chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his eyes gleaming with the light of an old hunter.

“If so, Huayi Brothers must apply for it as much as possible.” His tone was resolute. “We will prepare whatever the higher-ups want.”

"If there are subsidies available, we must find a way to get our hands on them."

"As for talent, technology, and so on... those come later."

Wang Zhongjun is clearly an expert in this field.

Or rather, many companies in the industry are particularly adept at "raising money".

For them, the introduction of a supportive policy from above is like a piece of fat meat falling from the sky.

Their first reaction wasn't to think about how to use this lucrative opportunity to strengthen themselves and truly promote industrial development.

Rather, it's about how to get that piece of meat into your mouth as quickly and gracefully as possible.

Whether the meat was digested or excreted after eating it is another matter.

Get it first, then we'll talk.

The countdown to the premieres of "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" and "The Flowers of War" has begun.

The two films even had their premiere dates clashing sharply.
This has left many industry professionals who have to travel between the two locations feeling quite speechless.

Wu Chen, naturally, also received two invitations.

Zhang Weiping, shamelessly, used Zhang Yimou's name to make the invitation.

On one hand, he knew Wu Chen wouldn't give him a second thought. On the other hand, the title "Zhang Yimou" was far more useful than his own.

Wu Chen, of course, wouldn't fall for it and even made a special phone call to Zhang Yimou.

The latter directly refused him. Anyway, things had already come to this point, and he and Zhang Weiping would inevitably part ways after this film.

Yu Dong, on the other hand, called personally to extend a strong invitation.

"Mr. Yu, I'm really sorry, I can't go. I have personal matters to attend to during those days," Wu Chen said with a smile, politely declining.

Others might not dare to disrespect Yu Dong, but he is an exception.

And indeed, he wasn't lying.

The engagement date was drawing closer, and he didn't want to waste time on these pointless social engagements.

"Well, that's a real shame. I was just thinking of letting Director Wu take a look at our 3D film and see how it turned out." Yu Dong laughed, then changed the subject, seemingly trying to find out something.

"By the way, Director Wu, are there any plans in the industry recently regarding 3D?"

Yu Dong, after all, came from China Film Group and was close to the system, so he was better informed than others, and he was also good at thinking and analyzing.

In his view, if this action really happens, Wu Chen, as an absolute pioneer in the domestic 3D field, is very likely to know some inside information in advance.

"Haha, Mr. Yu, you've asked the wrong person," Wu Chen said, trying to evade the question.

"Hey, Director Wu, you always get the news earlier than us."

Yu Dong hung up the phone with a hint of doubt. He then called his secretary.

"Xingchen won't be attending the first table of guests for the premiere. Please rearrange the guest list."

"Okay, Mr. Yu."

The secretary respectfully withdrew. She knew that her boss attached extraordinary importance to this premiere.

This is no longer a simple movie screening; it's a battle of pride.

At that moment, Wu Chen received a phone call from home.

Yuan Xiaoqin and Wu Yangming took turns speaking on the phone.
In their eyes, engagement is no less important than marriage; although it may seem like just a ceremony, it is an extremely important moment in life.
"Don't worry, Mom. Sisi and I are writing the invitations; the handwriting is neat and tidy, and we've already sent some out. Oh, and about the relatives..."

"Yes, we've got that done. You said you didn't plan to invite too many people this time, so we didn't write too many names, just our closest relatives," Yuan Xiaoqin replied on the other end of the phone.

After hanging up the phone, she nestled on the sofa as usual, watching a Cantonese drama on TV, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

"Old Wu, tell me, have we completed more than half of our mission in this life? Our son is getting engaged soon."

After that, it's about getting married and having kids..."

Their generation has always had very simple ideas. Their entire lives, besides work, revolve entirely around their children.

They rarely think about themselves.

"It should be soon." Wu Yangming looked out the window, feeling inexplicably lost.

But when he saw the fleeting look of melancholy in Yuan Xiaoqin's eyes, he immediately changed his mind.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Cheer up! Our son has achieved a lot, and his career is thriving. Now, he's getting married soon, which is wonderful news!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiaoqin immediately came to her senses, and with a sigh, a relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Yeah, I don't know what happened just now..."

As the two were talking, a bright moon, like a silver plate, slowly rose into the sky.

The night in Foshan's old town is very quiet.

The city lights seemed too dazzling, obscuring the moon's gentle glow.

But from some unknown corner, a dazzling firework suddenly burst forth, exploding violently in the night sky, as if celebrating the myriad lights of the city.

The light, in an instant, illuminated the old arcade building, and also the smiles and expectations in the eyes and brows of the parents.

Perhaps for children, parents can only accompany them for a part of their lives;
But for parents, their children are the rest of their lives.
(End of this chapter)