novellhall Chapter 314 The Director Who Loves Begging
Chapter 314 The Director Who Loves Begging
Chapter 313 The Director Who Loves Begging
"This is our most advanced virtual shooting system to date. We have created a full 3D preview of the scenes in the script using the UE engine in advance. When the actors perform in front of a green screen, they can see the final special effects in real time, without having to imagine them out of thin air."
Gunn introduced the situation from the side, his tone tinged with pride.
Jackie Chan's attention remained focused on the equipment and the on-site procedures.
He would stop every now and then to touch the materials of the set, ask about the frame rate parameters of the motion capture, and even chat with the on-site special effects director about the technical details of virtual shooting.
He can explain everything in detail, from the standardized process of building real-life sets to the production logic of pre-production special effects, and the technological iterations of motion capture.
The questions raised were precise and professional, and even a special effects supervisor with more than ten years of experience nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.
"I didn't expect Mr. Jackie Chan to be so knowledgeable about the technology of the film industry."
The special effects director couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Jackie Chan smiled, his tone serious: "Those who work in this industry can't just know how to fight; they need to know how to shoot with a camera, how to do special effects, and how to use technology."
"I've been learning ever since I came to Hollywood to make movies in the 1980s. The Hollywood film industry has been developing for almost a hundred years, and there is really a lot to learn about this standardized process."
While everyone was looking at the interior of the spaceship, Jackie Chan pulled Chen Xun aside and looked at the busy staff in the studio. He said with a touch of emotion, "Look at their system. From script development and pre-production previews to filming and post-production special effects, it's all a standardized process, with each step closely linked. There are almost no major mistakes."
"Our domestic film industry is still in its early stages of development. Many film crews are still using a workshop-style approach to filming, which is far from ideal."
He patted Chen Xun on the shoulder, his eyes filled with expectation: "Xun, you now have Hollywood resources, an Oscar title, and you understand this industrial system."
"When we go back to China, we have to bring these things back with us. Chinese films can't always rely on actors and directors working alone. We need to have our own complete industrial system in order to make truly good films that can go global."
Chen Xun's heart stirred, and he nodded.
The emergence of "The Wandering Earth" in its previous life truly ushered in the era of industrialization of Chinese cinema.
Now he has the opportunity to get involved and push the process forward.
"Don't worry, Master."
Chen Xun looked at him and said, "I have already invested in a science fiction project in China. I want to try to bring Hollywood's industrialized process to China."
"Once we finish filming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 here, let's go back together and slowly work on this project."
Jackie Chan's eyes lit up, and he patted his arm with a smile: "Great! With you saying that, your master will work with you!"
As the two were talking, Gunn rushed over excitedly, holding a tablet that showed a preview of the final effects for Planet Ego: "Jackie Chan, Chen, take a look! This is the scene we just adjusted for Planet Ego. What do you think?"
"If there are no problems, we'll go with this final version!"
Jackie Chan and Chen Xun leaned over for a look, exchanged a smile, and nodded in unison.
As the sun sets, the lights in the studio come on one by one, illuminating the spaceship's metal hull and reflecting dappled light.
Gunn has finalized all the filming details.
The system was scheduled to be turned on a month later.
However, we can start rehearsing now.
Inside the Marvel Studios in Atlanta, the lights were blazing.
In front of the green screen, Chen Xun, wearing Star-Lord's iconic red leather jacket and holding the Elemental Gun, was rehearsing his scene with Jackie Chan, depicting their first meeting as father and son.
The two stood at the marked point, going over their lines line by line, meticulously refining every detail, from a glance to a raised hand.
Jackie Chan's character, Ego, was a gentle, smiling god father one second, and then he lightly patted Chen Xun's shoulder with his fingertips.
The next second, most of the warmth in his eyes vanished, leaving only calculation, and even the smile in his tone carried a hint of aloofness.
That single change in expression made Gunn, standing behind the monitor, jump up, clench his fist, and shout, "Perfect! That's it! Mr. Jackie Chan, you're amazing!"
Chen Xun couldn't help but laugh and replied, "Master, that one look from you gave me goosebumps."
"Acting with you went very smoothly!"
Jackie Chan softened his demeanor, smiled, and patted his arm: "If you can handle the role, then I can naturally let loose too."
During this period of preparation, the entire Marvel team was amazed by the tacit understanding between the two.
I originally thought Jackie Chan would need a long adjustment period.
But he not only quickly grasped the character, but also had a seamless interaction with Chen Xun, and even the action scenes were perfectly complementary to Star-Lord's style.
Gunn remarked to Kevin Feige more than once that bringing Jackie Chan into the film was like giving it a soul.
Just then!
Chen Xun's phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
He took out his phone.
It's Guo Fan!
Chen Xun greeted Jackie Chan and Gu En, then went to a quiet corner to answer the phone.
As soon as I said "hello," Guo Fan's excited voice came from the other end of the phone, accompanied by the clattering of keyboard keys, clearly indicating that he had stayed up all night again.
"Chen Xun! Congratulations! Congratulations on your return to 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,' and on the addition of Jackie Chan! I saw the news this morning and was so excited I couldn't sleep all night!"
Chen Xun leaned against the wall, chuckling and teasing, "Director Guo, it's three in the morning in China, isn't it? Staying up all night revising storyboards again?"
"Hey, I'm used to it."
Guo Fan's tone carried a hint of awkwardness typical of a science and engineering student. He then changed the subject cautiously: "Professor Chen Xun, I'm calling you here because—I have a favor to ask of you, something I'd like to discuss. Is it convenient for you?"
"You said it's nothing."
Chen Xun's tone remained gentle.
He knows Guo Fan too well!
The fact that he made a special overseas call, and was so hesitant, must mean it was about "The Wandering Earth".
Guo Fan took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision: "Teacher Chen Xun, you see, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is still in the pre-production stage and hasn't officially started filming yet, right? I'm thinking—"
He paused, and when he heard no response from Chen Xun, he continued, "I'd like to bring our core creative team to your film set for a while."
He paused, then quickly added a reason, speaking much faster, like a student afraid of being rejected by the teacher: "Mainly because our preparation for 'The Wandering Earth' has reached a critical stage. This is the first time we've made a hard science fiction film, and we really only have a superficial understanding of Hollywood's mature film industry system."
"You have Marvel's top-notch production team on your end. From virtual filming and motion capture to set construction and pre-production special effects, everything is top-notch in the industry."
"We want to learn from them properly and see how their process works. Otherwise, if we try to figure things out on our own, we're too likely to take the wrong path."
These are the honest truths from the bottom of my heart.
When filming "The Wandering Earth" in its previous life, the entire team tackled the tough challenges bit by bit, without any domestic experience to refer to, and encountered countless pitfalls.
The virtual shooting process alone took several months to refine.
For Guo Fan and his team, the opportunity to directly learn on the set of a top Marvel project is like a windfall.
Chen Xun hadn't even had a chance to speak.
Guo Fan spoke again on the other end of the phone, his tone even more embarrassed, his voice lowered several decibels, perfectly embodying the essence of a beggar: "And also—"
"Professor Chen Xun, as you know, our project funding is really tight."
"After you finish filming here, are there any discarded equipment, unused props, or even unused green screens, motion capture suits, lighting equipment, etc."
"If Marvel doesn't need it anymore, could you perhaps give it to us, or we'd be happy to buy it at a low price?"
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"There are also leftover steel and sheet materials from set construction, workstations that the VFX team doesn't use, and even UE engine project files and virtual shooting workflow manuals."
"If you have any spare parts, please reserve them for us! We don't mind if they're old or inconvenient; we'll take them all as long as they're usable!"
He got more and more excited as he talked!
The earlier awkwardness vanished, replaced by a strong desire for equipment and technology.
Even Chen Xun could imagine that Guo Fan's eyes were shining like light bulbs on the other end of the phone.
This guy really knows how to beg for alms.
He hasn't even started filming yet, and he's already eyeing the crew's equipment and technology.
But this is Guo Fan!
He was willing to swallow his pride and beg for donations everywhere for "The Wandering Earth".
In his past life, he was able to persuade Wu Jing to act for free and even invest 6000 million yuan of his own money. He could travel all over the country to film and television bases to borrow props and equipment, and the entire crew had to tighten their belts to make the film.
It's perfectly normal for someone to make overseas calls to beg for alms from Chen Xun these days.
Chen Xun couldn't help but smile, but his heart was filled with emotion.
It was this person, so persistent as to be almost obsessive, who managed to create "The Wandering Earth," igniting the first year of Chinese science fiction.
"I thought it was something big. Is it really just this little thing?"
Chen Xun's tone was very relaxed, and he readily agreed: "No problem, you can bring your team to learn anytime you want."
"I'll talk to Gunn and give you the green light on set the whole time. Whether it's the studio, the special effects team, or the art department, whichever department you want to learn from, I'll connect you with them and have their leaders personally teach you, no problem."
Guo Fan on the other end of the phone instantly held his breath.
He originally thought that Chen Xun's willingness to let them enter the film set for a distant look was already a huge favor.
Surprisingly, they gave it the green light from start to finish and even had Marvel's professional team provide instruction.
This isn't learning; it's practically a private training course!
"Teacher Chen Xun, are you serious?"
Guo Fan's voice trembled.
"Would I lie to you?"
Chen Xun smiled and continued, "And the equipment and props you mentioned, I'll take care of that too. Marvel updates its equipment quickly when making superhero movies, and a lot of equipment is only used once and then left idle. Also, most of the steel and sheet metal that are taken down after the set is built are just disposed of as scrap."
"Once the film is finished, I'll keep everything usable for you, pack it up and ship it back to China, and you won't have to spend a penny."
"And there are also the virtual shooting project files, process manuals, and technical information for the UE engine that you mentioned."
"I'll have the special effects team prepare the complete set for you, and I can even have them give your team a week of specialized training so you can use it as soon as you get back."
"The Wandering Earth" is a project I invested in.
In his previous life, Guo Fan's abilities had been validated by the market, so Chen Xun naturally helped him whenever he could.
Upon hearing this, there was complete silence on the other end of the phone. Several seconds later, Guo Fan's voice, choked with tears, came through, so excited she was almost incoherent: "Teacher Chen Xun, thank you so much! I—I don't even know what to say!"
"You really saved our lives! Our entire team will always remember your kindness!"
He knew all too well the value of these things.
A set of top-tier Hollywood virtual shooting workflow materials, along with professional team training, is something you can't buy in China even if you have the money.
Those unused filming equipment and building materials can save the already tight film crew at least tens of millions of yuan in costs.
Chen Xun's words not only saved him from several years of detours, but also directly laid the foundation for the filming of "The Wandering Earth".
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