Chapter 235: Starting Up and Training the Newcomers

The 62nd Cannes International Film Festival has come to a close.

Only Lou Ye's work, *Spring Fever*, took home the Oscar Best Screenplay, making it the only Chinese film to win an award.

The films from Hong Kong and Taiwan were completely wiped out.

Such a dismal outcome left the media sighing; since Wei Jin, Chinese-language films have had almost nothing to show for themselves at Cannes over the past two or three years.

This also meant that such a grand event as the Cannes Film Festival had almost nothing to report on, which actually caused the media some distress.

However, Wei Jin soon solved this trouble for them.

The day after the Cannes Film Festival ended, the production team for *Passengers* began moving into the Digital Base of China Film Group.

This movement could not be hidden from the industry and the media; after all, there were still plenty of other film crews busy over at the Digital Base.

"Wei Jin's new film, *Passengers*, is about to start filming; the crew has moved onto the set."

"Main cast gathers in Beijing; *Passengers* is about to start filming."

"Newcomer actress Guli Nazha looks slightly nervous facing the camera."

China Film Group was also quite cunning this time, taking the opportunity to announce the release date for *The Hunt*, dropping it directly into early June. Taking advantage of the situation where Chinese films had suffered a total defeat at this year's Cannes Film Festival, they fiercely hyped up the popularity of the Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear film.

For a time, it really did attract the attention of many netizens and movie fans; Han Sanping felt he had won big. — May 28, China Film Group Digital Base, *Passengers* officially held its opening ceremony.

To avoid leaking the props inside the studio, the ceremony was held in a convention hall.

Han Sanping, Wei Jin, Wang Changtian, and representatives from the five major investors were all present.

In addition, the main creative team—Qiao Zhenyu, Gao Yuanyuan, Liang Jiahui, Lei Jiayin, Nazha—as well as the special effects crew from Shanhe Ink, were all in position.

By now, a large number of media had gathered at the scene; today's interview material was all sales revenue.

Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene was right, Han Sanping and Wei Jin exchanged a glance and announced that the opening press conference had officially begun.

"Director Wei, may I ask if this film, like *The Martian*, focuses primarily on live-action shooting and special effects?"

"No, all the filming for this movie will be completed in the base's largest studio. After all, it's a space sci-fi film; you wouldn't expect me to actually go to outer space to film it, would you?"

Wei Jin's words drew a burst of laughter from the scene.

"Director Wei, may I ask what the film is actually about?"

The script introduction for *Passengers* was too brief, and many media outlets were very curious; this was also the standard procedure for an opening press conference.

"This is a sci-fi romance film. It tells the story of two people sailing through the vast universe when the end of the world arrives, supporting each other and finding warmth in one another. Their greatest enemy is the spiritual loneliness brought on by the passage of a hundred years."

"Director Wei, may I ask if you will allow set visits during the film's production?"

"No, this production will adopt a fully closed management model. After all, all the shooting scenes are inside the studio, so naturally, we have to keep it confidential from the media; otherwise, what would the audience have to look forward to?"

Wei Jin said with a smile, then added another sentence.

"However, we will allow set visits for actors; after all, they won't be carrying cameras around with them, haha."

Since he needed to find quite a few people for cameos, besides those he invited proactively, Wei Jin planned to press-gang the rest. Whoever came to visit the set would be given a chance to experience a Hibernation Pod.

"Director Wei, may I ask why you chose Gao Yuanyuan as the female lead?"

Which newspaper is this idiot from? The question is too unprofessional.

Many media peers grumbled to themselves. Could Wei Jin possibly tell you that the two of them are having an affair? "Yuan Yuanjie is a very professional actress; her acting is good, and she is beautiful. It has been three years since we last worked together, and I think it's time to collaborate again."

As a mature man, Wei Jin certainly wouldn't miss any opportunity to make a statement.

"And I won't hide it from you all: when the script was being created, I used Yuan Yuanjie as the prototype. She is absolutely the most suitable choice."

Sure enough, after these words, Gao Yuanyuan was already beaming with joy; if not for the crowd, she would have given Wei Jin a French kiss right there.

The opening ceremony ended, and the media left the Digital Base one after another.

That afternoon, *Passengers* officially began filming.

At the same time, media reports appeared online.

"*Passengers* to be filmed under full lockdown; only actors allowed to visit the set."

"Wei Jin claims Gao Yuanyuan is the most suitable female lead in his mind."

"*Passengers* — A hundred-year journey of loneliness." — To be fair, the professional capability of Aerospace Science and Industry is truly no joke.

The "Nuwa" interstellar spaceship they designed for the film is full of a sense of technology, not a bit worse than what was in Wei Jin's mind.

Facing Wei Jin's praise, the people from Aerospace Science and Industry said with some emotion:

"President Wei, actually we are very willing to support domestic sci-fi films, especially space-themed ones, but so far, you are the only one who has come to us..."

Wei Jin couldn't help that; not everyone can play with big sci-fi blockbusters, and audiences might not necessarily buy it, having been fooled too many times.

"Take it slow. Domestic sci-fi started late, but there will definitely be opportunities in the future. Anyway, I have film plans in this area for the future, and I will definitely come to Aerospace Science and Industry for help again."

Wei Jin wasn't lying; he really did have quite a few sci-fi themed films in the pipeline.

"That sounds great. President Wei, as long as you speak up, we will definitely provide technical support." "Then it's a deal. It all has to reach this level, otherwise I'll go find your leaders, haha."

After two collaborations, the relationship between Wei Jin and this person in charge at Aerospace Science and Industry was quite harmonious; joking around was harmless.

"Rest assured, we will definitely make you satisfied."

The few producers gathered together to chat for a while, and then Wei Jin brought up the real business.

"Everyone, shall we shoot the cameo scenes today? President Wang, Han Dong, you all have no problem with that, right?"

Wei Jin felt that there was no time like the present. All four major investors could be given a shot; anyway, with so many Hibernation Pods, how many seconds are actually kept in the final film will depend on the post-production editing.

"Haha, that sounds great. Brother Wei, I haven't been on camera yet. My first time is going to you, so remember to make me look good..."

Wang Changtian was all smiles, very satisfied with this move by Wei Jin.

"Alright then, to be honest, I haven't made a cameo in a film for a long time. What do I need to do now? Just lie inside?"

"President Wei, we'll take your lead."

The people from Wanda and Aerospace Science and Industry followed suit.

"That won't do, everyone. First, please trouble yourselves to change into the clothes designed by Aerospace Science and Industry. Hey, floor manager, come over and take these people to change."

Wei Jin shouted to the logistics team with a smile.

Several people happily followed the staff to change into their costumes; truth be told, they were feeling a little excited inside. —— Inside a massive studio at the China Film Group Digital Production Base.

"Alright, everyone come over. Let's start with a script reading session. If you have any thoughts on the script or interpretations of your characters, take this time to share them."

Script reading was a mandatory task for Wei Jin before every film shoot; although it might delay things by a day or two, sharpening the axe would not delay the work of cutting wood, and it would definitely improve the efficiency of the subsequent filming.

Soon, the several actors began to gather around, but they were all very reserved, and no one spoke up.

"Hmm, Nazha, you are a newcomer, you go first."

"President Wei, I don't understand."

Nazha's mind was a complete blank at this moment; she didn't know what to say, or what she could say.

"What are you playing?"

Seeing the young girl looking silly, Wei Jin began to guide her.

"An artificial intelligence."

"Then what should an artificial intelligence be like?"

"."

Faced with Wei Jin's question, Nazha simply crashed; how the hell would I know what an artificial intelligence is like? Technology hasn't even reached that point yet.

"Nazha, you need to be clear about your positioning. Although you are in human form in the movie, you have no emotions. Expression management and lines become particularly important. You need to act out the feeling of a robot, for example..."

Wei Jin patiently explained the scene to Nazha; after all, she was his own artist, and it was her first time acting, so he still had to take care of her.

Following Wei Jin's explanation, Nazha nodded repeatedly from the side with a very serious expression on her face. She knew very well in her heart that there were quite a few first and second-tier actresses outside who were coveting her role.

"Nazha, you must understand, although this role doesn't test acting skills too much, the screen time is very high. For you, it is a rare opportunity. If you act it well, it will definitely be very brilliant, and the audience will surely remember you."

Seeing that Nazha was listening attentively, Wei Jin felt that at least her attitude was quite good, and he began to pump her up without realizing it.

"But conversely, if you can't even handle a role like this, you might find it very difficult to have opportunities in the future..."

"President Wei, I will definitely act well."

In fact, after more than half a year of training, Nazha did have a certain foundation in acting, but her theoretical foundation was a bit weak, and she couldn't express as much as Wei Jin.

"Nazha, don't be too nervous when filming. Director Wei generally doesn't scold people."

Qiao Zhenyu lived up to being a warm-hearted big brother and began to encourage the young girl.

"Zhen Yu, the way you say that, has Yifei been scolded to tears any less?"

Lei Datou and Qiao Zhenyu were also old acquaintances, so he spoke up to tease him. He remembered very clearly that when filming *Those Years*, Liu Yifei was almost scolded to the point of doubting life.

"Ahem, that's different. The character requirements are different. Nazha, relax, this role is not difficult."

"Mm, I will work hard."

The boss's words were very clear; this time, the opportunity was given as an exception. If she couldn't hold onto it, her future resources might shrink. Nazha had already seen the prosperity of the entertainment industry, and she didn't want to remain unknown.

"By the way, you are about to take the college entrance examination. Can you keep up with your academic studies?"

Regarding this matter, Wei Jin was also a bit helpless; he would still have to give the young girl a few days off when the time came.

"No problem, President Wei."

Nazha's tone was very confident. For the past six months or so, apart from attending acting training classes, she had been reviewing her schoolwork. She wouldn't dare say how well she would score, but getting into an art college was absolutely no problem.

First update of the day, wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance!!

(End of this chapter)