How did I become famous?

Chapter 163 The Movie Finally Premieres

Chapter 164 The Movie Finally Premieres (Seeking monthly votes...)

In the end, Tom did not die a tragic death at Fang Bie's hands.

He traded his life for a chance to survive by communicating with Fang Bie about movies.

"Fang, have you decided what kind of movie you want to make in Hollywood?"

Fang Bie, with a plate of stir-fried vegetables in his left hand and a plate of shrimp and scrambled eggs in his right, asked, "Are you really that sure you can win the bet?"

"Of course I'm sure." Tom picked up a piece of green vegetable with his fork, put it in his mouth, and let out a long sigh. "Fang, I've been researching the Chinese film industry in detail lately. I even went to your film academy and talked with the professors. As a result, I discovered something interesting."

Fang Bie became interested: "Oh? What is it?"

Tom laughed: "Fang, do you know that in Hollywood, and even in the European film industry, there is no such thing as an art film?"

It's more of a genre film term.

Such as animated films, fantasy films, gangster films, science fiction films, westerns, sports films, suspense films, romantic comedies, courtroom films, epic films, etc.

Comedy films, thrillers, musicals, women's films, children's films, and even SQ films are all categorized.

This includes the superhero movies that Fang Bie "pioneered," which is also a new category.

In Hollywood and in the European film industry, there has never been such a thing as an art film.

No, it should be said that the term "art film" has never existed in the film industry outside of China.

They only talk about the film's artistic value, but never about how good art films are.

Do the three major European film festivals, Hollywood film festivals, and other film festivals of all sizes have awards like "Best Art Film" or "Best Commercial Film"?

No!

I don't know if there are any such awards in China.

He thought that there was a distinction between art films and commercial films abroad as well.

"Fang, your domestic 'film masters' like to play with formalism. When the audience doesn't understand it, they say your aesthetic sense is lacking. But the core of film is to tell a story to the audience. And the biggest problem with your Chinese directors is that they refuse to tell a story properly."

"I've spoken with some of your directors, and apart from Luo Zhang, many of them couldn't summarize their films in a single sentence."

"Then I audited a class at the film academy, and their screenwriting professor actually said in class, 'Art films can be illogical and storyless; they are films based on the director's personal feelings.' I really found it quite ridiculous."

Tom suddenly leaned forward, staring intently at Fang Bie: "Fang, remember this, a movie is first and foremost a commodity. It has to make money first before you can talk about anything else. Otherwise, it's not a movie, it's just a money-grabbing rubbish!"

Fang remained unmoved: "What does this have to do with me?"

"Fang, I know you! I know you better than you know yourself!" Tom activated his brain-filling technique. "You're actually an arrogant person, it's just that your arrogance is hidden deep inside! Your dream is definitely to overthrow Hollywood and lead Chinese films to rise! I know all that!"

Fang Bie: "???"

I didn't even know I was going to save Chinese cinema, how did you know?

Seeing that Fang didn't refute him, Tom said smugly, "Actually, after watching your 'Captain China' for the first time, I felt that you were a genius with extraordinary talent. After watching 'Shadow of Light' later, I was even more certain of my thoughts. Fang, 'Captain China' is your first film, right? And I heard that you didn't have any systematic training in filmmaking before?"

Fang Bie nodded: "That's right, what can we tell from that?"

Can you tell I just messed things up?

"Fang, after decades of summarizing in Hollywood, everyone has come up with a movie metronome. This is something that countless people have summarized by using industrial methods to analyze data such as box office, audience reviews, and audience psychology curves from countless movies."

Tom began talking about seemingly unrelated things: "For example, at the beginning of the movie, there will be a tense and exciting opening scene, which is mainly to attract the audience. It usually lasts about six to thirteen minutes."

"Then, around the 70th mark of the film, the protagonist is about to enter his most difficult period, when he has nothing left. This is where the audience's emotions are stirred up and suppressed, so that they can be released in a satisfying explosion later on."

"Twenty to twenty-five percent of the film will be dedicated to the final climax. The last five to ten percent will be used to wrap things up, leaving the audience with something to ponder. That way, they'll feel like they got their money's worth when they leave the theater."

Fang was truly shocked.

So even movie making has its formulas?

Thinking about it carefully, that's indeed the case.

In fact, when watching movies, everyone can feel the ups and downs. Most Hollywood movies start with a wonderful and exciting performance before the plot really begins. Then the protagonist has to start to have bad luck in the middle and later parts of the movie before finally having a comeback.

But in the past, people had a vague feeling, though it wasn't as direct as they thought.

Hollywood has turned them into an industrialized assembly line, which is quite impressive.

But what does this have to do with me, Fang?

Tom laughed: "Fang, that's why I said you're a true genius. Because you've never been involved in the film industry, yet you were able to find the perfect rhythm and formula in your very first film, forging your own path to commercial success in China."

Then your second film, *The Shadow of Light*, made an even greater breakthrough, breaking free from the constraints of the film metronome—something only true film masters can master, and you achieved that in just two films.

That's why he would consider Fang Bie as his biggest future rival.

Because Fang Bie is not his match now, but he can't wait until Fang Bie matures in twenty years.

He was already old by then.

Fang didn't speak; he was deep in thought.

Tom asked, "Fang, what are you thinking about?"

Fang Bie snapped out of his reverie: "I was wondering where they'd go after the movie. By the way, Tom, could you recommend a safe place to go to the beach where you live?"

After all, it's a "beautiful sight."

Fang Bie didn't want to become a corpse in the "scenery".

Tom paused for a moment, then began, "Saipan."

"Huh? Why not Hawaii? Is Saipan cheaper?"

"Saipan is safer, at least the police officers there don't have to wear bulletproof vests."

"Hawaii police wear bulletproof vests? Aren't they afraid of heatstroke in that heat?"

"It's better to get heatstroke than to get shot."

Most of the tourists on Saipan are Chinese and people from the southern part of the peninsula.

Hawaii, huh?

Pearl Harbor is located in Hawaii.

Fang nodded.

This is the place we've decided on! After we finish things up in China, we'll take everyone to Saipan for a vacation!

Tom looked up: "Fang, about going to Hollywood."

"We'll see, I'm not really interested."

Tom didn't say anything more.

He had already decided that once the movie's box office results came out, he would reveal their bet!

At that point, you won't be able to avoid going even if you want to!

"What movie should we watch first?"

"Captain America, Your Name, The Grandmaster, in that order."

"Ticket? Done, the company will reimburse you."

"Absolutely!"

At 10:30 p.m., Wang Ming met with a friend of his, lawyer Fang Tangjing, at the mall.

The two of them plan to watch all three movies tonight.

There's no other way; as young people, spending New Year's Eve this way is a very reasonable and logical thing to do.

Neither of them had a girlfriend, so it was perfectly reasonable and logical for two happy bachelors to agree to go to the movies together to avoid loneliness.

Do you think Captain America can surpass Director Fang's two films?

Wang Ming pushed up his glasses: "First of all, unless the difference between movies is too great, it's hard to tell which is good and which is bad. Just looking at the box office? I don't think that's reliable. Secondly, those two movies weren't directed by Fang, so why care so much?"

Audiences only care about one thing when watching a movie: as long as the movie is good, that's enough.

After dawdling for a while, the movie theater on the sixth floor officially started admitting viewers at 11:50 p.m.

Wang Ming and his companion followed the crowd into Hall Number One.

This theater wasn't the one the film crew chose for their roadshow, so as usual, they first showed trailers for other movies and some GG (Goblin).

Soon, ten minutes passed, and the theater gradually went dark.

The dragon emblem makes its debut.

The movie has officially begun.

At Hengdian Cinema, two figures, one fat and one thin, stealthily moved to the first row.

They took off their hats, but their masks were still on their faces.

Fortunately, the lighting was dim, and not many people recognized them.

These two are Liu Mang and Wu Kai, the directors of "Your Name" and "The Grandmaster," which are also being released tonight.

"Fatty, is it really okay for us to come see Captain America?"

Liu Mang whispered, "We're just gathering intelligence! Besides, Lao Nie and his men are keeping an eye on things over there, so what are you panicking about!"

"I'm not panicking," Wu Kai explained. "I just think you're a bit too confident. Can the two of us really beat that Tom? He's known as the 'Hollywood Tyrant'!"

"What's there to be afraid of! With Lao Fang's script and ideas, I'm in a very safe position right now!" Liu Mang said.

But his constantly shaking legs betrayed his nervousness.

"I'll watch the movie first, and after I get back, I'll create a fake account and write a review criticizing it!"

Wu Kai asked a question: "What if his movie is exceptionally good?"

"..." Liu Mang said fiercely, "Hey skinny monkey, why do you have to boost others' morale while diminishing your own? Even if you're not confident, don't you have faith in Lao Fang's script?"

"No, not exactly."

"Stop making noise! What's all the noise about! If you want to argue, go outside and argue! Can't you just watch the movie quietly?"

Suddenly, a man speaking in a local dialect opened fire from behind.

He's been putting up with those two bastards for a long time!

Muttering and whispering, can't a person watch a movie?

Just then, the lights went out, and the dragon emblem was brought out.

The two looked at each other and fell silent.

Having pieced together part of the plot, I'm about to start messing around with Fang Bie's next movie.

I was deeply saddened when I saw the news of a senior colleague's passing a couple of days ago.

I don't dare to stay up too late for the time being.

Let me rest for a few days, and I'll start with 6 to 7000 words a day.

Once you've calmed down, you can gradually increase the speed. Thank you everyone.