I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 519, I Want to Challenge Cameron

"His budget for Westworld alone could kill our Wesley's and Li Yun's Three-Body Problem combined," Zhang Dahuzi said helplessly.

Li Liguo, who was standing next to him, added.

"Let's add another one, 'Dying to Survive'."

Science fiction requires more than just a good script; it also needs money.

This is an insurmountable gap. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. The difference in results brought about by the difference in funding can truly induce a sense of despair.

A feeling of despair that cannot be overstepped.

With a top-notch script and cast, the resulting work, nurtured by a generous budget, is unparalleled.

Even considering the relationship between exchange rates and consumption, it's impossible to bridge this gap.

At this moment, Yu Mingsheng was only thinking about how he, as Wesley, would fight against Westworld, and he didn't really consider Li Yun's work.

If Li Yun's work were soft science fiction, it would actually be a contender, but unfortunately, Li Yun's work claims to be hard science fiction.

If they're genuinely just trying to ride the wave of popularity, that's fine.

It's unbelievable. If it's just riding the coattails of a hard shell to gain popularity, then that's actually a good thing. But if it's really just soft science fiction, then it still has a fighting chance.

Soft science fiction focuses on humanities and the relationships between characters, making it a genre where survival can be achieved within a small scope. However, hard science fiction emphasizes the construction of a world-building framework.

The social logic and contradictions involved.

This is why Yu Mingsheng is the most pessimistic.

Because he genuinely cares about hard science fiction.

Because he genuinely watches these kinds of works, he previously made a film disguised as science fiction called "Magic Phone".

It has a touch of science fiction, but it can't be called true science fiction.

Because creating a world, a sci-fi world, a world that exists in your imagination, is definitely not as simple as pale language. To convince the audience, you need not only a self-consistent worldview and system, a rich plot and characters, but also the most intuitive visual effects.

Indispensable.

Like a peerless martial art, both external and internal skills must be exceptionally outstanding to unleash its full potential, which is why various circles in China keep their distance from this subject.

You need to be both talented and wealthy.

Only then can a science fiction work be supported.

This is definitely not an easy task.

Science fiction is indeed a genre that can capture the world regardless of language.

But talent, money, and courage are all indispensable.

If any one element is missing, the end result will be a complete loss.

A heart full of passion flows eastward, only to end up with nothing.

However, even with talent, money, and courage, there are still more cost-effective options available.

Generally speaking, they wouldn't venture into the realm of science fiction or challenge areas where others excel.

Especially in the field of hard science fiction

Yu Mingsheng had this feeling that this time, he was going to force it.

It really is a case of Wesley going head-to-head with Westworld.

Will it win?

No, but at least.

Don't lose so badly.

At least one side, the audience and the science fiction association, can gain some positive reputation.

Yes, the Science Fiction Association has a great deal of influence over the achievements of domestic science fiction works. If we were to ask which of the various domestic associations has the most influence, then the Science Fiction Association would undoubtedly rank first.

This represents the "elite group" who enjoy watching this genre.

The "elite group" encompassing all science fiction themes represents the high-end segment of the domestic population.

These are elites who possess purchasing power, influence, hold official or business positions, or are highly skilled technical personnel; each has their own unique influence.

It can be said that this group represents the most affluent movie-going demographic in China.

The common people's tastes and the art they can appreciate are probably quite different.

It has high viewership among the general public.

It's easy to win awards when targeting the high-end group represented by the Science Fiction Association—especially since, despite the current state of science fiction in China, the resources represented by this association are very enviable!

However, Yu Mingsheng was also aware of his own limitations.

Soft science fiction that can appeal to ordinary audiences.

That's not bad, is it?

In Liu Shanhe's office at the August First Film Factory, Li Mo was chatting with the old factory director.

"Don't be so upset about losing, or you'll be so pessimistic."

"That being said, if we're being rational, Westworld is really impressive."

After a moment of silence, Liu Shanhe said, "There's no chance of winning. The only slight chance is to take a piece of their flesh and prevent them from winning so comfortably. It's a pity, it's clearly just a seedling in the early stages of science fiction."

Even the most arrogant person wouldn't think that their current "Wesley" project is a match for "Westworld".

For Liu Shanhe, the "Wesley" project was in its "budding" stage.

One pioneering effort, one budding of science fiction.

Nothing grows all at once; it's a gradual process, step by step, from a tiny sprout to a sapling, and then to a fully grown tree. It takes time.

A process of growing up

Starting from scratch, we strive to catch up.

But it seems that time waits for no one, and time has no intention of waiting for them.

When it first emerged, it faced competition from works like "Westworld," and even more, it was directly imported into television and broadcast on television.

It seems that the rules were introduced too "quickly," which has drawn opposition from the industry, and some have even been quite strong.

But Liu Shanhe knew that such a policy change was not unfounded, nor was it a plan or change made on a whim.

Domestic science fiction had already "taken its first steps" when he was young.

Moreover, national policies also restrict the entry of foreign works.

But in the past twenty years, what we've gained is that various circles have reaped the benefits in their own fields and suppressed the latter from a position of superiority within their own circles. They are experts at internal warfare but incompetent at external warfare.

The works that go global are either those with ulterior motives or those that achieve commercial success; there are very few.

Even now, the impression of Chinese films overseas is still based on older generation filmmakers like Cheng Shilong and Yuan Jinbao. They have no impression of new films and new filmmakers in the new era.

Hong Kong's entertainment circle is now weak and dying.

There was no significant feedback from within mainland China.

Now that everything has been fully liberalized, it's not as bad as it seems like everyone is facing imminent disaster.

Therefore, Liu Shanhe did not harbor any resentment.

There's plenty of time; it's no wonder you haven't grown during this period.

You can't blame anyone else.

"So," Li Mo said softly, "a fair and just situation is inherently unfair."

Therefore, Liu Shanhe was quite at ease.

This time, the battle between the "Sprouts" was disrupted by an enemy from the sky.

遗憾

At this moment, Li Modu spoke.

"Actually, I can give my son some hope."

"Well, it would be best if it were on par with my 'Wesley' series."

Liu Shanhe is confident in "Wesley's Story". If "The Three-Body Problem" can be even closer in quality to "Wesley's Story", that would be the best outcome.

If the budding seed isn't destroyed this time.

that would be nice.

However, Li Mo closed his eyes and did not speak further.

He didn't mean they were evenly matched—

Rather, it transcends...

Is it really possible to surpass it?

Right now, in January.

This year has already been determined.

Online, this year is being defined as a "great year for science fiction".

Cameron's Avatar, which is currently in production, is generating buzz even before its release. The $7 million film is only the first installment.

Even before its release, Avatar 2 had already been greenlit.

This unprecedented move has even led to the development of a sequel.

Even without knowing whether the first part was completed, the investors have already produced a second part.

The name Cameron is a guarantee.

Starting with Westworld in January, the domestically produced Wesleyan and Three-Body Problem seem to be just supporting characters—yes, most people in the science fiction community believe that these two are just supporting characters.

However, his popularity remains strong even on the internet for these two domestically produced works.

In the ranks of directors and producers of domestic films.

These are all top-tier.

Li Yun's *The Three-Body Problem*, Li Liguo, Zhang Dahuzi, and Yu Mingsheng's *Wesley*.

In previous years, having such a few top-tier talents air at the beginning of the year would have been like celebrating the New Year.

Well, now that January is over, it's really time for the Lunar New Year.

For film and television enthusiasts, it's truly like celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Even if there are fewer good dramas at the start of the year than in previous years, it's still acceptable.

Several top-tier ones.

But this year's start.

There is also an enemy coming from the sky.

The landscape suddenly became one superpower and many strong contenders.

Many people also feel sorry about it.

Time really waits for no one; the Chinese entertainment industry has been given so much time to develop.

Apart from the top-tier ones, the rest are all second- or third-tier.

"The polarization is really severe. There are either top-tier individuals who dare to face challenges head-on, or cowardly individuals who simply throw out second- or third-rate scraps to get by."

At this moment, Wu Hai, as an ordinary spectator, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he watched everything unfold before him.

It's so hard to choose!

In the three works.

For the average viewer, they'll probably go see "Westworld," since the West is undoubtedly stronger than China in the field of science fiction.

Wesley's novel and The Three-Body Problem were born at the wrong time.

Or, to put it another way, if it was born earlier.

How wonderful that would be.

Of course, the feedback from ordinary viewers was very genuine, and Wu Hai heard it clearly and thoroughly.

Li Yun in "The Hidden Corner" is awesome.

Li Yun in "Dying to Survive" is also amazing.

One superpower and many strong powers.

We chose the one from Yichao.

Of course, for Wu Hai, "The Three-Body Problem" is a work that he can support to some extent.

at this time.

Li Yun took a break from his busy schedule to prepare for the upcoming "Three-Body Problem".

The publicity wasn't exactly lukewarm; with the excellent previous work as a backing, its popularity soared.

This is Li Quan's third work.

but.

Li Yun also realized that his popularity was only within the realm of "domestic products."

If it were really put together with Westworld.

Most people would choose foreign works.

This is a kind of reality.

Li Yun found it somewhat laughable and exasperating. Theoretically speaking, even without "Westworld," the production of other domestic dramas would have faltered.

The King of Dramas' second installment.

There was also the powerful planning from the August First Film Studio.

Everyone else, seeing this lineup, also backed away.

"Do you know what? Right now, the industry's assessment of you is one of schadenfreude—a feeling that 'the tallest tree in the forest catches the most wind'—a mixture of fear and jealousy."

Li Yuxuan then took a small sip of light tea.

I remember the last time I visited Li Yun's house, I drank inferior tea. This time, I brought some of the best tea from his home.

"I can clearly see that they both fear me and hope that Western works can destroy me."

Li Yun smiled slightly and said, "It's not just me; works from the August First Film Studio receive the same treatment, right?"

The August First Film Studio, representing state-owned productions under the national system, also wielded considerable influence.

"Yes, their works receive the same treatment."

At this moment, Li Yuxuan clicked his tongue and said.

"It's a pity. If Westworld had come a little later, it would have truly been a feast for the eyes in Chinese science fiction."

Li Yuxuan had no doubt about Li Yun and the August First Film Studio's work, and firmly believed in the quality of these two works.

The real pity is that there was no room for growth.

This is the most regrettable part.

The budget for Westworld looks like a figure that can drive people to despair.

A number that leaves no room for resistance.

Is this really the kind of data that a TV series could generate?

Unbelievable, this is truly insane.

All one can feel is this despairing gap.

People are willing to invest this money in it.

This nonchalant attitude is also incredibly stressful.

This level of funding is truly hopeless.

At this moment, Li Yun leisurely sipped the fine tea that Li Yuxuan had brought.

Good tea.

Gentle and dignified.

"So, Uncle, should I feel hopeless?"

"That's not it."

Actually, Li Yuxuan wanted to comfort Li Yun in advance.

Li Yun is currently at the height of his career.

He is already a pillar of the Chinese film and television industry.

But the more powerful and valiant their position, the more I feel...

Stay calm.

We need to stay calm.

You need to cultivate the right mindset. Li Yuxuan believes that the more talented you are, the more arrogant you become.

The easier it is to become despondent.

But at this moment, Li Yun was smiling excitedly.

"Isn't this great? When Westworld also falls to me, people won't think I'm crazy when they hear I'm challenging Cameron."

At this moment, Li Yuxuan felt as if he had misheard something.

"You want to challenge Cameron?!"

(End of this chapter)