However, just when Guo Fan and Zhou Dongsheng were having a loving relationship, there was someone else in the box after all.
Especially for Xu Ruoan, who has just returned to her old job and taken over the film and television investment business of Dongsheng Group, this is the time when she is eager to perform.
It would be okay if she wasn't there, but she is here now, and she is watching the boss Zhou Dongsheng "go astray". If she doesn't do anything...
When the time comes to settle accounts in the fall, I'm afraid I won't be able to absolve myself from the blame.
After all, the subject matter of Chinese science fiction films is like an agreed-upon forbidden area in the Chinese film market, and not many directors dare to touch it from beginning to 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, as we all know, people's fantasies cannot be "fabricated out of thin air", but must be based on a certain foundation to realize the fantasies.
In short, it is impossible to create something out of nothing, but it can be created 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 at the world at this point, we also have an advantage that is second to none.
Whether it is the only survivor of the four ancient civilizations, or it is the collection of various myths and legends that have crystallized the imagination of countless generations of people.
Looking at the forest of world cultures, two distinct cultural systems have formed between Eastern and Western civilizations, and there is no doubt that among the stones of the Eastern civilization system, we have a monopoly of nine.
It’s just that same sentence. 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.
In the modern industrial revolution, Western civilization, which laid the foundation for the scientific system, successfully overtook the country from behind and gained a say in the scientific field.
When you have the right to speak and dominate, you will naturally have the ability to redefine the rules of the game. If you do not have the power to overturn the table, you have no other choice but to follow the rules of the game.
With the blessing of the voice of the scientific system, the Western civilization system has come from behind and gradually radiated around the world, forming a Western-centered cultural system.
Among them, as a carrier of cultural output and ideological confrontation, movies seem to be a microcosm of the world, and they also follow the same rules of the game.
In the final analysis, movies are storytelling and a creative process, and the foundation that supports this story is always based on the continuous nourishment of reality.
When you have the world's largest national power as support, no matter how outrageous the movie story you tell, 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 exists, and without this realistic basis as a basis, it is just like empty talk, empty and boring, and even the most basic interest of fantasy is lost.
Just like the "Emperor's Golden Hoe"!
And this is why science fiction themes have formed a tacit understanding that everyone avoids talking about them in the Chinese film market, because it lacks a basis in reality.
If you insist on imitating, it is often easy to fall into the imitator's dilemma, that is, "painting a tiger will not turn out to be an anti-dog", such as saving the world with personal heroism...
If a different race of people appears on the big screen, it will naturally give you a sense of incompatibility. And as a typical example of "drawing a tiger as an anti-dog", Brother Asan next door has obviously chosen a path to darkness.
Going further and further on this road...
According to our words, everything depends on "the right time, the right place, the right people, and the right people." If there is neither the right time nor the right place, and you do it by force, it is called going against the will of heaven, and you will be struck by lightning.
And generally people who are struck by lightning don't have a good ending.
Therefore, it is understandable that no one has chosen to challenge the theme of science fiction movies from beginning to end. In other words, this is called "it's not yet time".
As for when this opportunity will come, it is obviously unknown.
At least in Xu Ruoan's view, this time has not come yet, at least not now, so...
"Ahem, boss, why don't you think about it more carefully? Our Dongsheng Group has relatively little experience in the film and television investment industry. We chose to invest in science fiction themes when we just started. This step is a bit too big..."
Xu Ruoan put forward his opinions very tactfully, trying to stop the boss's irrational behavior.
After all, all bystanders know, in Xu Ruoan's opinion, his boss is too talkative, so he agreed to invest in just a few words? This is too hasty.
For a moment, Xu Ruoan even felt that his knowledge had been subverted. Did the boss talk about this in his previous investments?
The first two film projects can at least 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 it is a new director, it cannot help but have two famous directors to assist in the production. Rounding it off is equivalent to two full-level bosses bringing a trumpet to refresh the Novice Village achievement...
The first two projects are within a reasonable range, but what about this project?
A newcomer who has just stepped out of the novice village, are you ready to challenge a world-class BOSS that even the full-level players can only look up to?
Why do we need to make a science fiction movie? Isn’t this thing itself sci-fi enough?
When Guo Fan heard this, he could not help but sober up from the drunkenness he had pretended to be. After all, the cooked duck had already reached his mouth. If it flew away, wouldn't all the previous efforts be in vain?
So Guo Fan was anxious. He finally managed to fool the financial owner into opening the door, but he was just about to finish the job. When he was about to speak and continue...
Unexpectedly, Zhou Dongsheng was the first to say: "Hey, Mr. Xu's words are wrong. Have you forgotten how I built Dongsheng Group step by step?"
"If I had chosen to follow the path that others have taken from the beginning, I would never have had the opportunity to achieve what I have achieved today..."
When Xu Ruoan heard this, he quickly said: "Of course I know this truth. I have watched the chairman's interview with "People" several times..."
Having said this, Xu Ruoan seemed to have opened up his mind, as if he suddenly realized, "So, what the chairman means is that this is also an investment in seizing young people as a future context?"
Zhou Dongsheng couldn't deny it and showed a smile that said nothing.
Although he just said it casually and did not think about it at all, after all, Zhou Dongsheng was already proficient in talking nonsense.
But who would take to heart all the awesome things he has boasted about? Zhou Dongsheng had already forgotten all about it, but he didn't expect Xu Ruo'an to be very good at making amends.
Therefore, Zhou Dongsheng couldn't help but cast a slightly appreciative look at Xu Ruo'an and nodded.
Xu Ruo'an was immediately encouraged to become the person in charge of film and television investment, but in the final analysis, he was still an extension of the boss's will, rather than a talker who could make decisions on his own.
Otherwise, the group would not be called Dongsheng Group.
Therefore, although the position has changed, the original intention of being a subordinate remains the same. It is still important to understand the boss's thinking and prescribe the right medicine.
Combining the elements from the "People" interview and extending this line of thought, Xu Ruo'an suddenly felt that he had a different view.
Of course, what the audience sees is only the movie, but as a behind-the-scenes worker, you will naturally see more factors other than the movie. The relationship between light and darkness in front of and behind the scenes is complementary and indispensable.
"No one dared to make a science fiction movie before because we didn't have the ability. But in the chairman's view, the conditions in all aspects have matured, and we have the possibility to give it a try..."
Xu Ruoan followed the train of thought and expressed his thoughts.
"Compared with the income brought by other conventional film projects, the rewards for this pioneering feat must be considerable once it succeeds. Even if it fails, we will be the first to eat crabs..."
Although I don’t know how Xu Ruoan came to this conclusion, at least it is very similar to Zhou Dongsheng’s idea.
"That's right, and to this day, Chinese movies have not yet had a science fiction movie that truly tells our own story. It is really a pity."
"I think it's time to create a movie that tells the story of our unique Chinese science fiction and romantic feelings. The so-called future is now!"
Zhou Dongsheng simply followed Xu Ruoan's words and then blew it again, but he didn't want to make Guo Fan beside him excited.
"That's great. It's easy to find out the news. Unexpectedly, I, Guo Fan, finally met a like-minded person today. I must give another toast to Jay Chou!"
While he was talking, he had already filled a glass, and then he raised his head and drank it all in one gulp. Then he seemed to feel that it was not too satisfying, so he poured himself another glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Xu Ruoan hesitated to speak. In her opinion, this reason was too idealistic and a bit untenable, at least not in line with the most basic business intuition.
The film market, in the final analysis, is still a commercial market, right?
Speaking of ideals is the boss's prerogative. As a subordinate, you still have to focus on reality and do something more practical.
But at this moment, Guo Fan, after drinking a few drinks, was a little drunk even if he didn't pretend to be, and he couldn't help but start talking about the sci-fi romantic feelings that he imagined belonged to China.
Xu Ruo'an, who originally had no expectations for this story, couldn't help but fall in love with it.
For those who have long been accustomed to the Western cliché of saving the world by oneself, or the spaceship faction abandoning the earth and looking for another home...
This bold idea of trying to run away with the entire planet with the power of ants is really... fantastic!
But it also reveals the romantic feelings that are unique to Chinese culture. Just like the Foolish Old Man moving mountains and the Jingwei filling up the sea, it naturally reveals the core of our culture.
Compared with the wandering thinking of the West who made their fortune in the Age of Navigation, we have always been rooted in the land of China, and our deep-rooted feelings of family and country are undoubtedly more ancient and still flow in this land today.
The idea of using this as a basis to create a science fiction movie is indeed refreshing, bold and avant-garde, and very groundbreaking.
As Guo Fan kept talking, Zhou Dongsheng also joined the discussion. After all, he had not only watched this movie once, but also watched the sequel, which once again opened the door to science fiction.
Therefore, they undoubtedly have a lot of say in the majestic world view and various novel ideas revealed in it.
Compared to his disciple Guo Fan who just entered the door of deception, Zhou Dongsheng today can be regarded as a master of deception.
Combined with the advanced information he possesses, it is enough to fool Guo Fan into confusion.
At first it was Guo Fan who was telling his story, but in the end even Guo Fan could only listen.
Not to mention Guo Fan, Xu Ruoan was dumbfounded, what? You invest in love to realize your dream, right?
If this is the case, then in Xu Ruoan's opinion, the gap in "commercial motivation" has been completely filled, and the loop is closed.
After all, Zhou Dongsheng is now very wealthy and can spend huge sums of money on his dreams, which is definitely more than enough.
It’s not like you’re suffocating on your dreams anyway.
Guo Fan couldn't help but said with admiration: "I didn't expect that Jay Chou is also a science fiction fan. You must have read Mr. Liu's books many times, and you actually have so much personal understanding..."
"How about you take a job as a screenwriter? I think you are completely qualified!"
After Zhou Dongsheng's deception, Guo Fan's deception gene was activated, and he directly wanted to recruit Zhou Dongsheng into the group.
"This is possible, it would be better if I could have a guest role or something!" Zhou Dongsheng said with a smile.
It also flashed through my mind, maybe this is how "fighting wolves with empty gloves" came about? But this famous scene will probably never happen again in this life.
Maybe in the future, this version will become "Empty Glove Dongsheng"?
"Really? That's great!" Guo Fan was overjoyed, as if he didn't expect that the big boss Zhou Dongsheng was so easy to talk to.
You succeeded in deceiving him effortlessly. Do you have a talent in this area?
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 introduce a few more to you. How about Andy Lau? We will use whichever big name..." Zhou Dongsheng continued to cheat.
It sounds like Guo Fan is distracted. Happiness comes so suddenly. When have we ever fought such a rich battle?
So much so that Guo Fan wondered if he was dreaming, or was the big boss in front of him making fun of him?
However, Guo Fan still said honestly and seriously: "I think it is better to spend the budget as much as possible. After all, if you want to create a qualified science fiction theme, you have to spend a lot of money, whether it is props or special effects..."
After talking about lofty ideals, Director Guo also returned to reality and began to bring the topic back to more practical things.
At the end of the day, isn't it still a matter of money?
And this problem is no longer a problem for Zhou Dongsheng now.
The current Dongsheng Group, relying on the empire built by Zhou Dongsheng, already has too much money to spend even if it rests on its laurels.
"It's natural. Money is not the problem, but I don't know how much share Director Guo has left?"
"No matter how much is left, our Dongsheng Group can eat it in one bite." Zhou Dongsheng said boldly with a wave of his hand.