Chapter 420 Huaqiang Fantawild
“After talking about skills, let’s talk about attitude~”
"Who is the movie for? For the audience~"
"The audience is the one who pays real money to buy tickets, so as movie makers, shouldn't we respect the audience and even please the audience~
This is also the reason why I have always disliked auteur films and admired commercial films.
Commercial films please the audience, while auteur films essentially please themselves.
What I want to say is that I have never looked down on auteur films and art films.
You are free to direct however you like, but the prerequisite is that you don’t waste investors’ money.
People invest in your movie because of your reputation. What is the purpose? Is it to fulfill your dream?
People want to make money.
You made the film extremely boring, you felt happy, but the investors you cheated went bankrupt, are you really okay with it?
Therefore, my point of view has always been that for those directors who like art films, if you like to make art films, you can, please use your own money to make them, and don’t ruin the ecological environment of the entire film..."
After Zhang Chen said these words, the scene felt a little awkward.
Because whether it is China National Theater or Nortel, what they teach is actually the same European style, which respects art films.
Zhang Chen now clearly despises art films, a bit suspected of slapping them in the face.
"My fellow students, I don't have much to prepare today, just these. As per the old rules, the rest of the time is free to ask questions. You can ask any questions you have, and I will try my best to answer them..."
Originally, he was just going to have a brief chat with the directing department and photography department, but Zhang Chen didn't prepare much at all.
The people here are all his junior students, many of whom only have theory and have not practiced it. If you tell them too many profound things, they will not gain much understanding.
You still have to get started in the director's business. You can't teach it if you teach it. You can teach it once and for all.
When I heard that I could ask questions freely, the atmosphere below suddenly changed.
Someone immediately raised their hand: "Senior, I would like to ask about the relationship between the director and the producer or management~"
The question was asked by a boy with glasses.
Zhang Chen asked: "What specifically do you want to know, or have you encountered any problems?"
The boy with glasses pushed up his glasses and replied: "Actually, it's not me, it's a junior fellow student I know well who has graduated several years ago.
He is currently working as a TV drama director. I am an intern on his crew. Sometimes we chat together. I find that he is very distressed because the management always makes some excessive demands, such as inserting his own little girl. He doesn’t want to agree, but he doesn’t. I can't refuse, I want to know how to deal with this situation..."
The man with glasses sat down after finishing speaking. Zhang Chen smiled and looked around: "This is a very common conflict among film crews. In a film crew, the director is undoubtedly a very important role, but so are the investors.
Especially when the director is not well-known, the status of investors is actually higher than that of the director.
So what should you do if you encounter this situation?
Generally speaking, go to the producer first.
The producer is the representative of the employer and must consider the interests of the employer.
If someone wants to mess around on the set, it may affect the quality of the series, and the producers will definitely not allow it.
But this situation is in the context of a production crew with multiple owners. If there is only one owner, or the one who caused the trouble is the largest owner, then there is nothing we can do.
If this is the case, I would advise the director to behave.
You may think that if the quality of the series is affected, it will be the director's reputation that will be tarnished.
Don’t think so much~
For a new director, the most important thing is qualifications.
You have work experience and the dramas you participate in can be broadcast. This is your qualification.
No matter how good the filming is, if it can't be broadcast, then the qualifications will be in vain.
Reputation is of no use when qualifications are empty.
Of course, there is more than one way.
For example, you can try to train the people brought in by management. If the acting skills are really not good, you can also avoid them through technical means, such as using medium shots and reducing close-ups as much as possible~
As a director, you need to be flexible, and try not to fall out with the management. Before you grow up, capital is still king in the circle. ”
Hearing Zhang Chen's answer, some of the people below looked obviously disappointed. They probably didn't expect that Zhang Chen would make them give in.
Zhang Chen took in all this and said with a smile: "Why, are you a little disappointed? I feel that what I said today is not in line with my personality. Normally, I always complain about this and that. Why did I transform today~"< br>
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, the classmates all showed embarrassed smiles. Zhang Chen shrugged indifferently: "Of course I can do this because I have become famous, but it is best for everyone here not to do it.
Directors have a very low success rate, so everyone must seize any opportunity~
You will be famous if you are really successful, you are right no matter what you say. If you are not successful, then just do one thing, seize the opportunity, and become famous~"
What Zhang Chen said was all practical stuff, and someone below said in a low voice: "Ah, I really envy Senior Brother Ning Hao, he won't be embarrassed by the management~"
He sounded familiar, he seemed to be from the photography department.
Zhang Chen smiled and said: "Who said Ning Hao would not be embarrassed by the management?
Our company does not have many restrictions on him, but it is not impossible.
At least the script must be reviewed and approved before filming can begin. This was the case with the previous "Stone" and "Racing".
Again, as a director, you must be worthy of your investors. If they spend real money to train you, you must also have the same serious attitude. ”
Zhang Chen originally wanted to tell the story of Ning Hao and "No Man's Land", but later he felt it was inappropriate and decided not to.
At this time, someone said: "Senior, can you tell us about the process of a science fiction film like "Pacific Rim", how to prepare, how to shoot, how to release it..."
"Yeah, yeah~"
After the man finished speaking, there was an immediate chorus of agreement.
"Well, this is okay~"
Zhang Chen also felt that something was inappropriate just now, and someone happened to change the topic.
He thought for a while: "In Hollywood, similar science fiction films generally follow the 727 principle, which means 7-8 months of preparation, 2-3 months of shooting, and 7-8 months of post-production.
The same goes for "Pacific Rim". Preparation takes a very long time.
Especially since this is the first science fiction movie in China, many supporting equipment are not available and need to be made by oneself or purchased from abroad...
Let me take "Pacific Rim" as an example. The filming of "Pacific Rim" required the use of a very large studio, which is not available in China and is only available at Pinewood Studios in the UK.
So, either I go to England to shoot it, or I make it at home.
The former is valuable, and the latter is equally valuable.
Fortunately, Hengdian Film and Television Base was willing to help us build a studio for free, so we decided to shoot in the country.
In the same way, the various mecha models used in the movie, the sci-fi cockpit and other physical effects needed to be re-created. For this purpose, I formed a special physical effects team.
Science fiction movies are different from conventional movies in that the scenes in them cannot be prototyped in real society.
Almost all require physical special effects or computer special effects to synthesize.
This requires thorough preparation in the early stage.
Before shooting begins, every mecha, every monster, and every shot needs to be determined, which requires a large number of split shots and concept drawings.
What the eyes can see is the basis for communication between the director and post-production.
According to our statistics, the entire film "Pacific Rim" has more than 4,000 special effects shots, which requires about 3,000 concept drawings, and the number of shot drawings may exceed 6,000. This is a very huge workload, and it depends on just a few people. It simply cannot be done.
This is only part of it.
After the shot drawings are completed, you still need to find an artist to draw all the shots into oil paintings.
With these images, the special effects artists can start modeling based on the paintings, and some parts even require rendering.
Every step is time and every step is money.
When the preparations are completed, shooting is the simplest. Just add the physical model and green screen, and a lot of work will be done in the later stage.
The bulk of the later stage is special effects synthesis. Although part of the work has been completed in the early stage, there is still a lot of work in the later stage.
This time also takes several months.
In this way, generally speaking, a year and a half has passed, so the schedule needs to be determined in advance, and how it will be released overseas also needs to be determined in advance.
In addition, if there are peripherals for the movie, they must be arranged in advance to cooperate with the publicity before the movie is released and the peripherals will be launched at the same time.
It’s very complicated anyway~”
Zhang Chen couldn't go into too much detail, because he encountered many problems and solved them temporarily. In such a large project, there are always unexpected things.
"By the way, I have another thing to do today. I want to recruit a group of volunteers.
As mentioned earlier, "Pacific Rim" has more than 4,000 special effects shots, more than 3,000 concept pictures, and more than 6,000 sub-shots. I need someone to help me complete these. It is best to be students from the directing department or the photography department. They have this ability. The basis of...
Are any of the students here interested? If you are interested, you can come to my crew for internship. Of course, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement..."
Zhang Chen just finished speaking, and immediately raised his arms: "I, I, I am willing~"
"I am willing too~"
"I'm going to do an internship~"
Are you kidding, "Pacific Rim", being able to participate in such a project is a dream for many people, what else is there to consider.
Zhang Chen waved his hand: "Don't be anxious, everyone. Let me say it first. This job is not as easy as you think, and you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. What you see and hear on the crew cannot be used during the contract period. Tell anyone, otherwise you will face huge compensation...
Of course I believe in the quality of our Nortel people, but for such a big project, you must first be a villain and then a gentleman. You don’t need to make a decision now. Discuss it with your mentor. If you are sure you want to come, just contact Xingchen Entertainment..."
After finalizing the matter, someone immediately said: "Senior, is there anything that other departments can do? Anything can be done..."
Zhang Chen still underestimated the appeal of "Pacific Rim" to young people.
These people knew that they had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the filming of science fiction films, and they were all eager to try it.
Zhang Chen smiled and said: "It really is~"
He looked at everyone's eager eyes and continued: ""Pacific Rim" is, after all, the first science fiction film in China. There will definitely be various problems encountered during the preparation and filming process. I would like to find a few people to help. , does nothing but records the various mistakes made by the crew. These are the mistakes made by the Chinese film industry from zero to one.
We must write down the mistakes we have made and then review them. This will help us continue to accumulate experience in film industrialization and let more students and colleagues use it.
After the movie is released, I will compile the entire production process of "Pacific Rim" and all the mistakes into a teaching material, which can also be regarded as an experience book. If anyone else in China wants to shoot science fiction themes in the future, they can avoid some detours~ ”
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, his image in the hearts of all the junior students immediately became taller again.
Zhang Chen wants to selflessly share his experience in making science fiction films. This is so precious. Everyone is studying film, and we all know the importance of Zhang Chen’s notes.
Applause followed, and even some leaders of the school applauded.
At present, in China, there is indeed no concept of a film industry.
And "Pacific Rim" is undoubtedly the beginning of the domestic film industry from zero to one. Zhang Chen's approach is really so selfless.
"There are not many people asking for it, maybe 20. Do you want to come?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a hand stretched out from below.
Just now it was only for the directing and photography departments, but now it is open to everyone, and there are many people who have signed up enthusiastically.
Seeing that there were too many people, Zhang Chen couldn't choose, so he could only say to Teacher Fu in the first row below: "Teacher, how about you help me choose these 20 people~"
Teacher Fu also knew his difficulty and nodded in agreement.
"Then I have a piece of advice for everyone here. I hope you will take movies seriously~"
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A new topic was changed and order was restored in the classroom.
"The story of "Pacific Rim" was actually in my mind before "Taken", but I didn't dare to shoot it at the time.
Do you know what I did first after I thought of this story?
I did a business feasibility analysis.
As I said just now, the starting point of a movie project must be to make a profit, so before shooting starts, I have to figure out whether the movie can be profitable and how to make it profitable.
Only after I achieved the results of "Hurricane Rescue" did people want to believe in me.
I did some calculations and found that to make "Pacific Rim", it would cost at least 100 million US dollars, which is 800 million Chinese dollars.
Among them, Xingchen Entertainment contributed 100 million, and Jiahe contributed 100 million. In other words, I contributed a quarter of the share. In addition, the film’s domestic box office depends on theaters, so China Film and Shanghai Film There is also investment. If you want global distribution, Hollywood companies must participate, so Warner is also one of the major investors...
In this way, the skeleton of the project is set up.
But after all, this is the first science fiction film project in China, and everyone actually has no idea.
Therefore, I must make some achievements before spending all the 100 million budget of Star Entertainment, so that everyone can see the possibility of the project's success, and then everyone will invest further money.
Investors' money is not blown by strong winds, and everyone is very cautious.
A contract is a contract, but if it is discovered that the crew is wasting money and the project has no prospects, these investors will withdraw their investment at any time.
Therefore, I advise future generations to take any film project seriously.
Be responsible for yourself, the crew, and your investors~
A good director must be one who allows all parties to make money~"
Zhang Chen tries his best to guide his juniors in a positive direction. He hopes that Chinese movies will take off in the future.
And he is not an alarmist, the crew of "Pacific Rim" did this.
How many people are watching such a big project?
China Film and Shanghai Film and Television are not the same.
Zhang Chen showed his attitude and prioritized using Xingchen Entertainment's budget. Those guys in the dark couldn't say anything.
The finances of China Film and Shanghai Film Group are all on the set. Everyone is watching whether Zhang Chen spends money carelessly and whether he spends his money wisely.
……
After the experience sharing, Zhang Chen returned to Xingchen Entertainment, and the finance department informed him that the money from Haixin Film and Television had arrived.
Zhang Chen's first reaction was, was Lao Li also at the sharing meeting just now?
But after thinking about it, I thought it was impossible.
Today’s sharing is limited to Nortel, and no outsiders are allowed in.
Zhang Chen originally just wanted to have a brief chat with the Department of Directing and Photography, but the school's arrogance in expanding the scope to the entire Nortel was a bit too much. If he dared to let people from other schools come in again, Zhang Chen would have to do a good job. Nor did Nortel prepare.
That can only explain that because Lao Li is really powerful, he usually doesn't talk about it, but uses practical actions to show his support.
……
In Hengdian, Mr. Xu also saw Zhang Chen's press conference video when he and his son were eating together, in which he especially thanked the Hengdian Group.
"How's the progress at the studio?"
Everyone was very grateful, and of course Mr. Xu also asked about the progress.
"The drawings of the new studio have been released, and construction has started in the past two days. The underwater studio is also being renovated. There should be no problem in completing it within the construction period we promised."
"Hmm~"
Mr. Xu nodded. He felt more at ease with his eldest son, otherwise he would not have passed on the position to him.
"Then do you think we should build a science fiction film shooting base?"
This time the son stopped his chopsticks and said, "I think it's best to wait until "Pacific Rim" is released to see the effect. As Zhang Chen himself said, if he fails, I'm afraid the door to domestic science fiction will be closed~"< br>
Mr. Xu nodded and felt that his son was right: "Okay, let's wait and see."
……
At the same time, Zhang Chen also received a call from Chen Xi.
"Mr. Chen, what are your orders?" Zhang Chen joked with a smile.
Chen Xi's voice was also full of smiles: "You know, Storm Red is very popular in Hong Kong. Now many people are asking me to get the authorization of Storm Red. I think the peripherals of "Pacific Rim" will definitely be able to Big sale~”
"Well, but wait, now is not the time~"
All this was expected, and peripherals have always been considered, but the actual release will have to wait until the eve of the movie's release, which is considered to be a promotion for the movie.
"Also, our market value has increased again. It was 250 million before, and now it is 400 million~"
"Pacific Rim" held a press conference, and Storm Red became a household name overnight. Because Jiahe is also one of the investors of "Huan", the stock price has followed the trend.
You know, when Zhang Chen acquired Jiahe, Jiahe's market value was only about HK$80 million. Now, in just a short time, the market value has increased five times.
Now, it shouldn't be a problem to shell out 100 million.
Of course, it is not possible to invest in one go, but also in batches.
"Also, let me tell you, I signed a female artist to the company, and you promised me not to interfere~"
"Oh, it's all up to you, do whatever makes you happy~"
When he was at Xingchen Entertainment, Chen Xi wanted to engage in artist management business, but Zhang Chen didn't want to do it, so he cooperated with Shijiu Culture.
When Chen Xi took over Jiahe, the artist management business was one of the conditions. Zhang Chen decisively agreed and she would do it all by herself.
Chen Xi was very happy to receive a positive reply, and Zhang Chen suddenly became interested: "I won't interfere, but can I ask who you signed?"
He couldn't imagine any potential women in Hong Kong. It seemed that after 2000, Hong Kong actresses would cease to exist~
"Have you seen it?"
"Who?"
"Wen Yongshan~"
"Who?"
"Haven't you seen it?"
"How did you know?"
"Of course I heard it from Boss Yang. At that time, I thought, you will come to Hong Kong often in the future. It is not safe to look for you temporarily when you come here. I might as well sign one for you. This way, at least you will be bound by a confidentiality agreement. Don’t dare to mess around..."
During her time in Jiahe, she learned a lot about the bullshit here. All I can say is that there is no lower limit.
Chen Xi was also afraid that someone would break the news randomly, or simply record a short video, etc. Then Jiahe's stock price would collapse.
"I found someone for me in the name of the company... Mr. Chen, you have grown very fast during this period~"
"Where, where~"
"But would you be so kind?" Zhang Chen was seriously doubtful.
"Hehe, there is actually a reason why I am optimistic about this girl. Wen Yongshan is the only girl I have ever seen who is coquettish with heavy makeup and pure with light makeup. I think she has great potential for development..."
There was no appreciation in Chen Xi's tone, it was clearly...
Zhang Chen suddenly became worried: "Chen Xi, you are not that, are you?"
Chen Xi said angrily: "Fuck you, a dog can't spit out ivory from its mouth. I have another very important thing to do. Do you want to hear it?"
"Want to hear, want to hear~"
Chen Xi said angrily: "It's about share repurchase. When we acquired Jiahe, we had an agreement with Chen Guoqiang, who was second, and Li Chaoren, who was third, that when the market value reaches 4 times, we have the right to buy it out at the market price. For the shares in their hands, now that the conditions have been met, you can initiate a repurchase at any time..."
Zhang Chen, who was on the other end of the phone, immediately sat up straight.
This is really good news.
To acquire Jiahe, one must hold the controlling stake, otherwise it will only benefit others.
At that time, Zou Wenhuai helped make an agreement with Li Chaoren and Chen Guoqiang, agreeing that they could repurchase their shares if conditions were met within six months.
Unexpectedly, only a month later, the conditions were met.
However, Zhang Chen still needs to make some preparations to repurchase this.
While saying this, there was a knock on the office door.
"Please come in~"
At the door, Guo Fan stuck his head out and saw Zhang Chen talking on the phone, so he didn't dare to speak immediately.
Zhang Chen asked: "What, is something wrong?"
Guo Fan nodded: "Director Zhang, I found Mr. Liu Daoqiang you asked me to find for you~"
(End of chapter)