I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

Bi Jia was speechless.

He even started to think it was some kind of prank, and that maybe a bunch of people would jump out from the back of the room and tell him he'd been tricked.

Holding the doctor's certificate, Bi Jia returned to her room.

In the sketchbook, there are drawings that Lu Ban has created based on the inspiration he has given himself these days.

Bi Jia carefully opened it.

Most of these paintings can make people feel dizzy, sad, and confused at first glance, but after looking at them for a while, they can bring a sense of peace to the soul.

While appreciating these paintings, Bi Jia's mind seemed to be directly destroyed by something, and then slowly rebuilt.

He was completely healed.

Bi Jia believes that if these paintings could be exhibited, they would surely liberate the weary souls of modern people and heal their wounded hearts.

Seeing Bi Jia discharged from the hospital, Lu Ban felt that he had rested enough.

He was discharged from the hospital.

Back home, Lu Ban turned on his computer.

On the hard drive, there lies a folder named "Springtime Without War".

Lu Ban clicked on it, and it was filled with videos.

The length and number of videos far exceed those of before.

He randomly clicked on one and saw a girl with smooth black hair and amber eyes. She was sitting quietly on a cushion, the moonlight shining on her face.

She stood up, picked up her longbow and arrows, and began to shoot arrows under the moonlight.

Then, I saw Lu Ban standing to the side.

Lu Ban turned off the video, and the cold, indifferent text of the system, which he hadn't seen in a long time, appeared in his field of vision.

[Career Development Tasks]

Sometimes, what moves the heart is more impressive than visual spectacle. Explore your inner self, reveal your past, and create a character that the audience will remember forever. You already have it in your hands, don't you?

[Task Requirements: Release works within a cinematic universe and win three world-class awards]

[Works that have launched cinematic universes: 0/1]

[World-class awards received: 0/3]

"He's just one step away from a Grand Slam; can he succeed?"

"A world-class award..."

Originally, Lu Ban felt that the previous income of 5 billion was already outrageous, and he had put in a lot of effort to achieve it. If this time he were to earn 10 billion, he would have no choice but to start manufacturing cars immediately.

However, the requirements for this mission are different.

World-class awards, that is, at least at the level of international film festivals, such as the Oscars, Golden Bear, Golden Lion, and Palme d'Or, are naturally out of the question. Lu Ban felt that at the very least, it had to be something like the Golden Octopus Award at the Miskatonic Film Festival to count.

"There's no way I can go to the student film festival anymore."

Lu Ban felt extremely regretful that those college students and new directors couldn't compete with him, which was definitely a loss for them.

Compared to box office revenue, award-winning films are actually on a different level than other elements such as box office success.

Simply put, it needs to be artistic.

Even the most commercial Oscars have political elements in mind. While many blockbuster films win Oscars, they are not many. Most of the winning films reflect a social issue or historical event.

Other awards are more artistic. Even though Lu Ban's film has such a high global box office, in the eyes of those arrogant judges, it is full of the stench of money and not worth mentioning.

Furthermore, Lu Ban, a director of commercial films that have achieved great box office success, may still face resistance from those in the industry who feel that he has made too much money and wants to embellish his reputation. After all, it is common for stage actors to look down on filmmakers, and for art-house filmmakers to look down on commercial filmmakers.

Such biases can also lead to subjective evaluations of films. After all, there's always something to nitpick. Even stepping out the door with your left foot first can get you fired, let alone film critics whose subjective feelings are so influential.

Lu Ban's desire to win an award seems simple, but in reality, it is fraught with difficulties.

"Anyway, let's work together."

After stretching his limbs, Lu Ban spoke to the air beside him.

Chapter 367 All Elements Complete

Since the employees are still on holiday, Lu Ban is only making preliminary plans and will officially start construction after the New Year.

He has been looking at many award-winning works during this period to draw inspiration.

Having made so many movies, Lu Ban still knows how to cater to people's tastes.

He briefly summarized some commonalities among the award-winning films.

For example, many movies deal with the topic of growing up, but not in the ordinary sense of growing up by reading, eating, drinking, and growing up. Instead, they depict growth that is tinged with pain and deviates from the normal path.

Many films bear the distinct mark of a particular era, reflecting the changes of a larger time through the depiction of characters within a small context.

Some films focus on special groups of people, depicting their lives, joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

Many movies don't have a complete ending, or everyone suffers a terrible fate at the end, leaving a sense of regret and delivering a punch to the heart.

There are also some experimental films that have won awards through special shooting techniques, photography skills, or content.

In terms that most people can understand, commercial films are like steamed buns and fried dough sticks, soy milk and steamed bread, rice and noodles—most people like them and enjoy them.

These art films, experimental works, and art forms are like fermented mung bean juice: some people love them to death, while others avoid them at all costs.

For more than 90% of these movies, many people wouldn't want to watch them just by seeing the title.

As for the remaining viewers who can press the play button, no more than 30% can watch the whole thing without falling asleep.

Even fewer people would find it enjoyable after watching it.

While those blockbuster films are criticized as worthless, these films are instead hailed as masterpieces.

When someone complains that they don't understand it or that it's not good, enthusiasts will retort, "Don't you understand the value of being an artsy youth?"

Lu Ban didn't quite understand.

But he has great respect for these films.

Because if we judge the quality of a film solely by its box office and commercial success, then many niche films, art films, and experimental films would never be made, and the techniques, skills, and cinematic language developed during their production would remain unknown to the public. This, in turn, would lead to increasingly boring commercial films.

Just like breakfast, if you eat too many steamed buns and fried dough sticks, it's not a bad idea to try soy milk once in a while.

He quite likes drinking soy milk.

Lu Ban felt that "All Quiet in Spring" had a pretty good foundation as an art film.

It depicts growth, reflects the times, features special groups, and has an imperfect ending.

The elements come together.

Having confirmed this, Lu Ban then checked the review schedule.

These film festivals hold their reviews around the summer holidays, and the latest submission deadline is May. This time, Lu Ban really doesn't have much time.

Fortunately, he doesn't need to worry about box office numbers or complicated promotions; he just needs to make a good movie.

To be honest, from this perspective alone, Lu Ban felt that the difficulty level was actually lower.

Previously, whether it was videos or movies, a larger audience and more viewers were needed, so he did not include any restricted scenes or plots.

But this time, he doesn't need as many spectators; the judges' satisfaction is enough.

That means you can completely let yourself go.

In just three days, before New Year's Eve, Lu Ban had already completed the drawing of all the storyboards.

The story's theme and background are the same, mainly focusing on Lu Ban and Amber's journey, experiences, and growth, forming a structure similar to a road movie.

What do you think of this place? Should we use the first option or the second?

Lu Ban pointed to a storyboard draft on the screen and asked.

"Wang!"

Leica made a sound, but it was unclear whether it was a compliment or a rejection.

Lu Ban glanced at the gray mist to the side.

The gray fog has been swirling since it started, without any change.

"What do you think?"

He glanced again at the blue doll under the bed and the hair beside it.

The blue-haired doll shrank back, its hair remaining perfectly still.

"I'm in a difficult position because none of you are offering any suggestions."

Lu Ban scratched his head.

Finally, he decided to ask his air friend.

"I feel like this is too direct for the audience. Will they be able to accept it?"

Lu Ban looked at the air around him.

After a moment, he nodded.

"You said it yourself, so I'll go with this plan."

Lu Ban continued checking and organizing the storyboards.

Lunar New Year's eve.

Qin Tiantian did not return to her hometown this year. As a qualified receptionist at Jijing Media, she chose to stay in Jiangcheng for the Spring Festival.

At Lu Ban's home.

A cloud of smoke billowed up, fogging up the living room windows.

Lu Ban wiped the glass in the mirror, making it clean, but soon a thin layer of fog covered it again.

The TV was playing a special program before the Spring Festival Gala started. Outside, the sounds of fireworks and firecrackers, children playing and laughing could be heard from time to time, and occasionally the clattering of pots and pans could be heard, creating a strong festive atmosphere.

Lyca was curled up on the mat on the floor, dozing off.

A cloud of gray mist swept past the mirror and then disappeared into the air conditioner.