This director only directs blockbusters.

I got back to my accommodation after 10 p.m.

Yang Ning took a shower, lay on the bed, and went through today's schedule with her eyes closed.

Funding secured, contracts signed, team expanded, next week we're heading to South Africa...

My mind was still racing when my phone suddenly vibrated.

It wasn't a text message; it popped up automatically in the system interface.

[Host detected to have completed all trials in the "Newbie Village": First blockbuster "Purple Cloud Era" successfully released and gained market recognition; investment for the second blockbuster "Dragon Shield Crisis" fully secured]

[Congratulations, host, you have officially entered the "Professional Director" stage]

[System upgrade in progress...]

Upgrade complete

[New Features Unlocked: Enhanced Special Effects and Knowledge Transfer]

[Note: Each time the host completes a movie, they will receive one "Special Effects Upgrade" opportunity. During the upgrade, the system will optimize the visual effects of the movie to achieve the ideal effect in the host's mind.]

At the same time, the system will provide a complete package of special effects technology information (including algorithms, processes, parameters, and detailed case studies) based on the film's requirements.

[Important Note: The technical resource package will be available upon completion of the film and can be shared with team members. Mastering it will permanently enhance the team's technical capabilities in this field, enabling them to develop their own technical system.]

[Current available upgrade attempts: 1 (to be used for "Dragon Shield Crisis," to be used after the movie is completed)]

Yang Ning stared at the screen, stunned for a few seconds.

Then he laughed.

This is what he really needs.

It's not a one-off visual enhancement; it's a technology that can be preserved and passed down.

He recalled those years in his previous life, how many times he had been held back by technology, and how foreign special effects companies had demanded exorbitant prices. If he wanted to do something new, they would simply shut him down with a "we can't do that."

Now, I can make these things myself.

He tapped the screen.

[Dragon Shield Crisis Effects Upgrade Count: 1 (To be used)]

[Upon completion of the film, you can choose to use upgrade attempts. The system will then perform a comprehensive optimization of the film's special effects and generate a corresponding technical data package.]

[Technical Resource Package Direction Preview (Based on Current Scenario Analysis):]

1. High-speed vehicle chase special effects system (including physical collision simulation, tire smoke algorithm, and live-action and CGI fusion technology)

2. Helicopter cableway pursuit synthesis technology (including dynamic matching, particle system docking, and unified lighting and shadow)

3. Container moving maze physics engine (including large-scale object collision calculation and real-time rendering optimization)

4. Urban street scene augmentation tools (including crowd duplication, building extension, and depth of field processing)

Looking at these options, Yang Ning had a clear idea of ​​what to do.

These technologies are exactly what Dragon Shield needs most.

Once filming is complete, an upgrade will be implemented, taking the film's special effects to a new level. Simultaneously, with access to complete technical documentation, Han Duoduo and Liu Yong will be able to truly master these core capabilities.

In the future, when I need to film similar scenes, I won't have to ask for help.

He closed the interface, picked up his phone, and sent a message to both Han Duoduo and Liu Yong:

"Come to the studio tomorrow morning, I have something important to discuss."

Han Duoduo replied instantly: "What's up?"

"We'll talk about the special effects for 'Dragon Shield' when we get here."

Liu Yong replied even faster: "Okay."

---

The next morning at eight o'clock, when Yang Ning arrived at the studio, Han Duoduo was already waiting at the door.

"Director Yang!" Her eyes lit up. "What's up? Is there another new project?"

"Let's go inside and talk."

Liu Yong also arrived, carrying a jianbing guozi (Chinese crepe).

Yang Ning called the two into the conference room and closed the door.

"You two are the core of the special effects for 'Dragon Shield'," he said. "From now on, you need to work on the technical solutions for several key scenes—high-speed chases, helicopter pursuits, and the container maze."

Han Duoduo nodded: "We're already looking into these things."

"That's not enough," Yang Ning said. "I want you to dig deeper. Not just 'how to do it,' but 'how to do it better than others.'"

"Once the film is finished and post-production is complete, I hope we can take the special effects for these scenes to the next level."

Liu Yong scratched his head: "Director Yang, you just bring this up like that? Without new technology to support it, it's going to be tough if we just try to tough it out."

"There will be new technologies," Yang Ning said, "but not now. Later on, I'll try to acquire some new tools and methods. You'll have to be able to handle them then."

Han Duoduo's eyes lit up: "Director Yang, do you have some connections?"

Yang Ning looked at her and said, "Just assume it exists. But the premise is that the preliminary work must be done properly. Not a single frame of the actual footage that needs to be shot can be missed."

Not a single piece of data can be missed. Only then will we be able to utilize the new technologies available.

"Understood!" Han Duoduo nodded vigorously.

Liu Yong also became serious: "Okay, then I'll communicate more with the photography team during this period and record all the data for building the model."

Yang Ning stood up and walked to the window.

"Once this film is finished, you'll have a lot more knowledge than you do now." He turned to look at the two of them. "By then, our special effects team won't just be able to 'do it,' but will be able to 'teach others how to do it.'"

Han Duoduo clenched her fists.

Liu Yong grinned.

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

In March in Beijing, the wind still carries a chill, but the sunshine is already warm.

Yang Ning knew that the most difficult part of this journey was over.

Next, we just need to make the product step by step.

Make it something that others can't do.

...............

As soon as Yang Ning arrived at the training base, he heard noises coming from inside before he even got out of the car—the screeching of tires against the ground, someone shouting "One more lap!", and the clanging of metal against metal, as noisy as a vegetable market.

The gatekeeper recognized him and waved with a smile: "Director Yang is here? Come on in, these kids are practicing really hard."

The training ground has undergone a complete transformation in the past two months. The exterior walls of the old factory buildings have been painted dark gray and covered with exaggerated graffiti, making it look like you've stepped into a comic book world at first glance.

There were seven or eight cars parked at the entrance, some of which were modified in a very imposing way, with tires so wide they could be used as boats.

As Yang Ning walked in, the first person she saw was Nicholas Tse.

This guy was sitting in the driver's seat of a silver Mitsubishi EVO, with the window rolled down, wearing sunglasses, and with a "keep away" expression on his face.

Standing nearby was the thin Chen Wei, who quickly greeted him upon his arrival: "Director Yang!"

Nicholas Tse took off his sunglasses, got out of the car, and walked over. He was tanned like a charcoal briquette after two months apart, and although he had lost weight, his eyes looked much more steady.

"How's your training going?" Yang Ning asked.

"Not bad." Nicholas Tse pointed behind him. "Drifting, tail-sliding, and jumps—I've mastered the basic moves. It's just that there are a few more difficult moves that I need to work on."

"Shall we show it to you?"

Nicholas Tse turned and got into the car. The engine roared, and the car sped off.

It drew a beautiful arc on the track, and as it drifted, a puff of white smoke came out of the tires, and the air was filled with the smell of burning rubber.

The car circled back, and Nicholas Tse got out, dusting himself off: "The venue is too small. When we get to South Africa, I'll show you what real racing is all about."