Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 490, Section 488: Standing on the Platform and Visiting the Set
Even at the tail end of August in Beijing, the embers of summer still linger.

But when Wang Sheng's flight landed at Los Angeles International Airport, he was greeted by the crisp, cool air of early autumn, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate.

This trip to Los Angeles was purposeful and tightly scheduled.

One reason is to show support for the Sino-US co-production "The Pursuit of Happyness," which will be released in mid-September.

This film is a collaboration between Disney, Shanghai Film Group, and Shengying Media. Wang Sheng personally directed the film and was deeply involved in the script and post-production. However, Jamie Foxx, the lead actor, was still considered a "potential star" at the time and not a box office guarantee. The film's overall budget was below average in Hollywood, and the marketing and distribution expenses were even more strained.

In the world of Hollywood, a place of fame and fortune, without the support of superstars and massive marketing budgets, it's easy to imagine how difficult it is for an art-house, realistic, inspirational film to stand out from the crowd.

Wang Sheng's trip was to use his newly crowned "Oscar winner for Best Visual Effects" and "miracle director of 'Night at the Museum'" titles to boost the film's profile and attract attention.

Secondly, he visited the set of "Twilight," which had been filming for several weeks.

This was a crucial project in which he insisted on bringing in Chinese actors and setting the female lead as a Chinese-American, despite opposition from many others. It was also Fan Xiaopang's first real breakthrough into mainstream Hollywood productions, and it was related to the success or failure of his globalization strategy and the overseas expansion plan of the "Shengying Group" artists. He had to keep a close eye on it to be at ease.

"Mr. Wang, welcome back to Los Angeles." The person who came to pick him up was Robert White. This shrewd middleman was now even more respectful to Wang Sheng. Wang Sheng's series of dazzling operations and successes in Hollywood had long made him regard him as a god.

Wang Sheng nodded slightly and got into the Cadillac armored sedan that White had arranged. Inside the car, his assistant had already handed him the schedule for the next few days.

The promotional schedule for "The Pursuit of Happyness" was packed, but the types of content were relatively limited.

There were no overwhelming outdoor billboards, no expensive Super Bowl ad slots; the focus was mainly on interviews with a few influential print media outlets, several radio talk shows with a large elite readership, and a small but high-profile industry screening.

The publicity strategy is clear and pragmatic: it focuses on word-of-mouth, targeting film critics and Academy members in the lead-up to the Oscars, and attempts to achieve big results with a small budget through solid film quality and a moving story.

Wang Sheng had no objection to this.

He knew where the film's potential lay.

From a "God's-eye view," the path to the original's success is clearly visible. In this version, with his "optimized" script and precise direction, Jamie Foxx and young actor Tyler James Williams' performances are even more impactful, and the film's realism is more cohesive.

He is confident that as long as the target audience goes to the cinema or the key judges see the finished film, word-of-mouth will naturally spread.

The following day, Wang Sheng threw himself into the intense promotional activities.

In the Los Angeles Times interview room, he changed into a well-tailored dark gray Tom Ford suit, exuding a calm and reserved demeanor, quite different from the fantastical commercial vibe he displayed during the "Night at the Museum" era.

"Director Wang, as we all know, you achieved great commercial and technical success with 'Night at the Museum.' Why did you choose to direct a relatively heavy, artistic realist film like 'The Pursuit of Happyness'?" Senior film critic Kent Jones posed the first question.

Wang Sheng leaned forward slightly, placed his hands on the table with his hands crossed, and said in a calm but firm tone: "For me, film is not just a visual spectacle and an entertainment product, but also a medium for recording the times, conveying emotions, and exploring human nature."

"The Pursuit of Happyness" tells a story about love, responsibility, perseverance, and dreams, with a universal core.

Regardless of cultural background, the spirit of never giving up in the face of adversity and the deep affection between father and son resonate with audiences. I hope that through this film, I can convey warmth and strength to the viewers.

He cleverly avoided direct comparisons, instead emphasizing the emotional value of the work itself.

"What do you think of Jamie Foxx's performance? He didn't seem to be the first choice for the role." Another question followed.

"Jamie is an extremely talented and explosive actor," Wang Sheng praised without hesitation. "He was completely immersed in the role of Chris Gardner, capturing every subtle moment of the character struggling in despair and upholding his dignity in adversity."

I believe his performance will move every audience member. Choosing him was a joint decision made by me, Disney, and Shanghai Film Group; we never doubted his ability to deliver.

In a live broadcast on NPR (National Public Radio), Wang Sheng used more emotional language to describe the details of the filming process, sharing Jamie Foxx's experience of sleeping on the streets to experience the role, and how Taylor Swift's innocent performance touched the entire crew on set.

His English is fluent and precise, sometimes humorous and sometimes profound, showcasing the charm and communication skills of an international director.

The content of these interviews and talk shows quickly spread through print media, radio, and the nascent online media.

Keywords such as "Wang Sheng's new film 'The Pursuit of Happyness'", "A heartwarming turn from the director of Oriental Miracle", and "Jamie Foxx's Oscar-worthy performance" have begun to circulate among some cultural elites and film fans.

While its fanfare was far less than that of commercial blockbusters with marketing budgets often exceeding tens of millions, it at least successfully ignited initial interest among its target audience.

After finishing the first round of promotion for "The Pursuit of Happyness," Wang Sheng immediately set off for the filming location of "Twilight," located on the border of Oregon and Washington states—a place with year-round rain and dense forests that perfectly matched the atmosphere of the town of "Forks" in the novel.

The film crew rented a hotel on the edge of a small town as a temporary command center. When Wang Sheng's convoy arrived, director Katherine Hardwicke and several producers were already waiting at the door.

Hardwick is a passionate and detail-oriented female director who cherishes the opportunity given to her by Wang Sheng, while also holding a degree of awe for this young Eastern investor and project manager.

“Mr. Wang, welcome to the set!” Hardwick greeted him, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.

"Catherine, how's the filming going?" Wang Sheng shook hands with her, his gaze already fixed on the forest scene where lighting was being set up in the distance.

"Overall, it went smoothly. The actors were all very dedicated, especially Fan. She worked very hard and adapted very quickly," Hardwicke quickly replied, leading Wang Sheng into the film set.

The film set was located in a tall redwood forest, where the air was filled with the scent of damp earth and plants. Artificial fog flowed slowly through the forest, creating a mysterious and oppressive atmosphere.

The scene currently being filmed is the first in-depth conversation between Chinese-American girl Bella (played by Fan Xiaopang) and her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen (played by a newcomer actor chosen by Wang Sheng based on his memory) in the forest, where Edward reveals his vampire identity and demonstrates his superpowers.

Wang Sheng stood quietly behind the monitor, watching Fan Xiaopang on camera.

She wore a simple sweater and jeans, befitting her character, with her long hair flowing down her shoulders, and her face bearing the aloof, curious, and subtly uneasy expression characteristic of Bella.

Acting opposite the pale, handsome, and inhumanly striking "Edward," her reactions were subtle and accurate, her eyes conveying both the thrill of attraction and the fear of facing unknown dangers.

"Cut!" Hardwick called out, quickly walked over to Fan Xiaopang and the male actor, and whispered instructions on the scene, adjusting their positioning and emotions.

Wang Sheng did not disturb them, but simply observed quietly.

He could see Fan Xiaopang's focus and pressure.

Leaving her familiar domestic environment and taking on such an important role in a completely unfamiliar cultural background and industrial system was a huge challenge for her.

But judging from her current performance, she has withstood the pressure and is working hard to immerse herself in the role.

During a break, Fan Xiaopang saw Wang Sheng, his eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over, his face showing undisguised joy and a hint of barely perceptible dependence.

"Why are you here?" Her voice was low and slightly breathless, clearly indicating that the scene she had just filmed had taken a toll on her mental energy.

"Just dropping by to see you, and also checking out my investments." Wang Sheng said casually, handing her a bottle of water. "How's it going?"

Fan Xiaopang took the water, took a small sip, and took a deep breath: "The pressure is quite high, and the language barrier is still a bit difficult, but Director Hardwicke is very patient."

She paused, her eyes regaining their resolve, "But it feels great, just like when I first started out, everything was starting from scratch, very challenging and exciting."

Wang Sheng nodded slightly: "Remember this feeling. Infuse your current feelings of 'entering a new world'—strangeness, tension, and excitement—into the character of Bella. She is just an ordinary person who has entered a supernatural world."

"Yes, I understand." Fan Xiaopang nodded vigorously.

Wang Sheng then turned to Hardwick, who was walking over: "Catherine, I think Bella's reaction when she saw Edward demonstrate his speed could have included a little more physical discomfort, such as slight dizziness or an instinctive half-step back, rather than just visual shock. This would better reflect the instinctive fear humans have when faced with supernatural forces."

Hardwick thought about it carefully and then agreed: "Excellent suggestion, Mr. Wang. We'll shoot another take following this approach later."

Wang Sheng spent most of the day on set, watching the filming of several key scenes. Occasionally, he would offer specific optimization suggestions based on a "God's-eye view," addressing both the performance and the camera language and atmosphere.

Every time he spoke, his words were meaningful and to the point, which made Hardwicke and the main creators of the production team increasingly convinced.

……

(End of this chapter)