Volume 3: Taking Roots 2016 Chapter 729 Right Now
However, while Guo Fan and Zhou Dongsheng were being affectionate with each other, there were other people in the box after all.
Especially for Xu Ruoan, who has just returned to her old business and taken over the film and television investment business of Dongsheng Group, this is the time when she is eager to show her talents.
It would be fine if she wasn't there, but she was right there, watching her boss Zhou Dongsheng "go astray". If she didn't do anything...
When the time comes to reckon, I'm afraid I will be held responsible.
After all, the subject of Chinese science fiction films is like a forbidden zone agreed upon by everyone in the Chinese film market, and not many directors dare to touch it from the beginning to the end.
The so-called science fiction is nothing more than fantasy based on science. There is no doubt that the latter is undoubtedly one of our strengths.
After all, it is well known that human fantasy cannot be "fabricated out of thin air", but must be based on a certain foundation to realize the fantasy.
In short, it is impossible to create something out of nothing, but it is possible to create based on existing conditions.
The former undoubtedly belongs to the realm of God, while the latter is within the reach of human beings, which is commonly known as creativity.
The foundation of fantasy is often based on cultural heritage. Looking around the world in this regard, we have an unparalleled advantage.
Whether it is the only surviving of the four ancient civilizations, or the various myths and legends that embody the fantasies of countless generations of people.
Looking at the world's cultural landscape, two distinct cultural systems have been formed between Eastern and Western civilizations. There is no doubt that it is no exaggeration to say that we occupy nine out of ten of the Eastern civilization system.
It’s just that the objective laws of history tell us that nothing can remain eternal, whether it is the change of dynasties or cultural changes, this process is irreversible.
During the modern industrial revolution, Western civilization, which laid the foundation for the scientific system, successfully came from behind and surpassed others, and gained the right to speak in the field of science.
When you have the right to speak and the dominant power, you will naturally have the ability to redefine the rules of the game. If you don’t have the power to overturn the table, then you have no choice but to follow the rules of the game.
With the support of the scientific system's discourse power, the Western civilization system has come from behind and gradually spread throughout the world, forming a cultural system centered on the West.
Among them, as a carrier of cultural output and consciousness confrontation, movies seem like a microcosm of the world and also follow the same rules of the game.
Ultimately, film is about storytelling, a creative process, and the foundation that supports this story is always based on the endless nourishment of reality.
When you have the world's number one national power as a support, no matter how outrageous the movie story you tell is, all your actions seem objective and reasonable, whether it is saving the world or destroying the world...
This is the realistic basis on which fantasy depends. Without this realistic basis, fantasy would be like empty words, empty and boring , and even the most basic interest of fantasy would be lost.
Just like the "Emperor's Golden Hoe"!
This is why science fiction themes have become a tacit consensus in the Chinese film market that everyone avoids talking about, because they lack a realistic basis.
If you choose to imitate, you will often fall into the dilemma of the imitator, that is, "drawing a tiger but failing to achieve the desired result, you end up drawing a dog", such as saving the world with personal heroism...
When a different race appears on the big screen, you will naturally feel a sense of incompatibility. As a typical example of "drawing a tiger but end up drawing a dog", our neighbor, Ah San, has obviously chosen a path to the end, and is going further and further on this path...
As we say, everything depends on "the right time, the right place and the right people". If there is neither the right time nor the right place, and you try to do something by force, it is called going against the will of heaven and you will be struck by lightning.
Generally speaking, people who are struck by lightning do not have a good ending.
Therefore, it is understandable that no one has chosen to challenge the subject of science fiction movies from the beginning to the end. In other words, this is called "not yet the time."
As for when this opportunity will come, it is obviously an unknown.
At least in Xu Ruoan's opinion, this time has not come yet, at least not now, so...
"Ahem, Boss, how about you reconsider this? Our Dongsheng Group has only a short history in the film and television investment industry. We have just started and have chosen to invest in science fiction themes. This step is a bit too big..."
Xu Ruoan put forward his opinions very tactfully, trying to stop his boss's irrational behavior.
After all, a bystander can see things more clearly. In Xu Ruoan's opinion, his boss was too easy to talk to. He agreed to invest with just a few words? This was too hasty.
For a moment, Xu Ruoan even felt that his own understanding had been overturned. Was this how his boss negotiated all his previous investments?
As for the first two film projects, at least they can be said to have some basis. The box office performance of the first film, "Wolf Warrior 2", was not bad, and the market is also optimistic about the sequel.
As for the second project, although the director is a newcomer, he has two famous directors to help supervise the production. If you round it up, it is equivalent to two max-level bosses coming with a small account to refresh the beginner village achievement...
The first two projects are still within a reasonable range, but what about this project?
A newcomer who just walked out of the Novice Village is ready to challenge the world-class boss that even the max-level players can only look up to?
Why do we need to make a science fiction movie about this? Isn’t this thing itself science fiction enough?
When Guo Fan heard this, the drunkenness he had pretended to be sobered up a little. After all, the cooked duck was already at his mouth. If it flew away, wouldn’t all his efforts be wasted?
So Guo Fan was anxious. He finally managed to trick the sponsor into speaking, and he was just about to open his mouth. When he was about to continue talking...
Unexpectedly, Zhou Dongsheng was the first to speak: "Hey, Mr. Xu, what you said is wrong. Have you forgotten how I built Dongsheng Group step by step?"
"If I had chosen to follow the path others had taken from the beginning, I would never have had the opportunity to achieve what I have today..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Ruo'an quickly said, "Of course I know this truth. I have read the chairman's interview with People magazine several times..."
At this point, Xu Ruoan seemed to have a new idea, and he looked as if he had suddenly realized something. "So, the chairman is saying that this is also an investment in the future of young people?"
Zhou Dongsheng could not deny it and smiled a smile that said it all.
Although he just said it casually and didn't think about this at all, after all, Zhou Dongsheng has already become a master at talking nonsense.
But who would take the boasting they made to heart? Zhou Dongsheng had already forgotten about it, but he didn't expect Xu Ruoan to be so good at making up for it.
Therefore, Zhou Dongsheng couldn't help but give Xu Ruoan a look of slight appreciation and nodded.
Xu Ruoan was immediately encouraged. Even though he became the person in charge of film and television investment, in the final analysis, he was still an extension of the boss's will, rather than a person who could make decisions on his own.
Otherwise, the group would not be called Dongsheng Group.
So although the position has changed, the original intention as a subordinate remains unchanged. It is still very important to understand the boss's thinking and prescribe the right medicine.
Combining the elements of the "People" interview and following this line of thought, Xu Ruoan suddenly felt that he had a different perspective.
What the audience sees, of course, is only the movie, but as a behind-the-scenes worker, you will naturally see more factors beyond the movie. The light and dark between the front and back of the stage are complementary to each other and neither is indispensable.
"No one dared to make science fiction movies before because we didn't have the strength. But in the chairman's opinion, all conditions are ripe now and we have the possibility to give it a try..."
Xu Ruoan followed his train of thought and expressed his ideas.
"Compared to the revenue from other conventional film projects, this kind of pioneering feat will certainly bring considerable returns once it succeeds. Even if it fails, we are the first to try it..."
Although I don’t know how Xu Ruoan came to this conclusion, at least it is similar to Zhou Dongsheng’s idea.
"That's right. And to this day, there is still no science fiction film in Chinese cinema that truly tells our own story. It's really a pity."
"I think it's time for a movie that tells the story of our Chinese sci-fi romance. The future is now!"
Zhou Dongsheng simply followed Xu Ruoan's words and continued to blow it. Unexpectedly, Guo Fan, who was standing beside him, became so excited.
"That's great. It's easy to earn money but hard to find a soulmate. I didn't expect that today, Guo Fan, I finally met someone who shares the same ideals as me. I must toast to Mr. Jay again!"
As he spoke, he had already filled a cup, then he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. Then, as if he didn't find it enough, he poured himself another cup and drank it all in one gulp again.
Xu Ruoan hesitated to speak. In her opinion, this reason was too idealistic and a bit untenable. At least it did not conform to the most basic business intuition.
When it comes down to it, the essence of the film market is still a commercial market, isn’t it?
Talking about ideals is the boss's privilege. As a subordinate, I still have to focus on reality and do something more practical.
However, at this moment, after a few drinks, Guo Fan was a little drunk even if he was not pretending, and he began to talk incessantly about his own imagination of the sci-fi romance that belonged to China.
Xu Ruoan, who originally had no expectations for this story, couldn't help but listen to it.
For those who have long been accustomed to the Western cliché of saving the world by one's own strength, or the spaceship faction that abandons the earth and finds another home...
This bold idea of trying to run away with the entire planet with the power of an ant is really too... fantastical!
But it also reveals the romantic sentiment unique to Chinese culture, just like Yugong moving mountains and Jingwei filling the sea, naturally revealing the core of our culture.
Compared with the wandering thinking that originated in the West during the Age of Navigation, we have been rooted in the land of China from beginning to end. Our deep-rooted feelings of home and country are undoubtedly more ancient and still flow on this land.
The idea of using this as the basis for a science fiction film is indeed refreshing, bold, and groundbreaking.
As Guo Fan continued to talk, Zhou Dongsheng also joined the discussion. After all, he had seen this movie more than once. He had also seen the sequel that once again opened the door to science fiction.
Therefore, one can undoubtedly have a say in the magnificent worldview and various novel ideas revealed in it.
Compared to Guo Fan, a disciple who has just entered the door of deception, Zhou Dongsheng is now considered a master in the art of deception.
Combined with the advanced information gap he had, it was enough to fool Guo Fan into a state of confusion.
At the beginning, it was Guo Fan who was telling his own story, but in the end, even Guo Fan could only listen.
Not to mention Guo Fan, Xu Ruoan was dumbfounded. What? It seems that you invest to fulfill your own dream, right?
If this is the case, then in Xu Ruoan's opinion, the gap of "commercial motivation" has been completely filled, and the loop has been closed.
After all, Zhou Dongsheng is rich now, and it is more than enough for him to spend money on his dream.
Anyway, it’s not like you’re suffocating your dreams.
Guo Fan couldn't help but said with admiration: "I didn't expect Jay Chou to be a science fiction fan. You must have read Mr. Liu's books many times. You actually have so many personal interpretations..."
"How about you take on the job of screenwriter? I think you are totally capable of doing that!"
After Zhou Dongsheng's deception, Guo Fan's deception gene was aroused, and he wanted to pull Zhou Dongsheng into the group.
"That's possible. It would be even better if I could play a cameo role or something!" Zhou Dongsheng said with a smile.
I couldn't help but think, maybe this is how the "empty-handed Wolf Warrior" came about? But this famous scene will probably never happen again in this lifetime.
Maybe in the future, this version will become "making money out of nothing"?
"Really? That's great!" Guo Fan was overjoyed. He seemed to have not expected that the big boss Zhou Dongsheng would be so easy to talk to.
It was so effortless that he succeeded in fooling people. Do I have a talent for this?
Guo Fan couldn't help but doubt himself. It seemed that he would have to continue to work hard in this area in the future.
"Not only that, if the crew is short of people, I will recommend a few to you then. How about Andy Lau? We can use any big name we can..." Zhou Dongsheng continued to deceive.
I can hear that Guo Fan is distracted. Happiness comes too suddenly. When have we ever fought such a prosperous battle?
Guo Fan even started to wonder if he was dreaming or if the big boss in front of him was playing a joke on him.
However, Guo Fan still said seriously and honestly: "I think we should spend the budget as much as possible. After all, if we want to create a qualified science fiction theme, both props and special effects will cost a lot of money..."
After talking about his lofty ideals, Director Guo returned to reality and began to bring the topic back to more practical things.
Ultimately, isn't it all about money?
But this problem is no longer a problem for Zhou Dongsheng at the moment.
The current Dongsheng Group, relying on the empire built by Zhou Dongsheng, has too much money to spend even if it is just living off its old capital.
"Of course, money is not a problem. I just don't know how much shares Director Guo has left?"
"No matter how much is left, my Dongsheng Group can take it all in one gulp." Zhou Dongsheng waved his hand and said generously.
