Chapter 718: *Dawn 2* Script: Too Standard Mediocrity

Beautiful and fashionable magazine covers, combined with infinitely excellent marketing, *Nian Hua*'s October issue exploded, becoming an inevitability.

This publication is very beautiful, Seeing Jin Li obviously likes it more, and specifically took photos to send to Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng: 【Like *Nian Hua*'s October issue?】

Seeing Jin Li: 【Like~】

Gu Cheng: 【Do you prefer taking ancient style photos?】

Seeing Jin Li: 【Should be, but changing clothes for ancient style is very troublesome.】

Gu Cheng: 【Find a time, let's go take ancient style art photos.】

Seeing Jin Li: 【Okay!】

The next day, Seeing Jin Li learned from Sui Sui Lingfang about *Counterattack*'s final results in the mainland.

—The global box office reached 4.8 billion, and this number is still being refreshed every day!

Sister Fang said: "Because the country has already taken *Counterattack* off the shelves, the media hasn't continued to track and report."

"But with the trend of the global box office, I think it shouldn't stop at 9th place."

Seeing Jin Li asked curiously: "What is the result of 8th place?"

Sui Sui Lingfang: "5 billion, 7th place is 5.5 billion."

Seeing Jin Li pondered for a while, "*Counterattack* is only 200 million box office away from 8th place. With the global sweep, this 200 million should be no problem."

"It's just that it's a bit suspenseful to be 5.5 billion away from 7th place. If there is no accident, it should be fixed at 8th place."

Sui Sui Lingfang said excitedly: "But even if it's just this result, it's very good. After all, from the beginning, we never thought that *Counterattack* could impact the top 10 box office in mainland film history."

From the beginning, everyone just hoped it could become a dark horse and win big with small costs.

Later, finding it more and more explosive, they began to have expectations, hoping it could break into the top 10 of the mainland box office.

As a result, after breaking into the top 10, they found that it had the potential to continue rushing up, and how many places it could rush to later was all an accident.

It's already very good to be able to rush to 9th place in mainland film history, and I didn't expect that there is hope to rush to 8th place.

Sui Sui Lingfang sighed: "After this battle, your reputation is completely played out."

"I don't have to worry about your film contracts anymore. Instead, I am worried about which one to help you choose. All good projects will be prioritized for you. This is the appeal of a 10-billion box office queen!"

Sui Sui Lingfang didn't know what she thought of, and said with some regret:

"It's a pity that *Counterattack* is a youth inspirational movie, and there is little room for your acting skills to play, so you should miss the major awards."

Seeing Jin Li smiled slightly: "There

Even if I can't win an acting award, "Counterattack" itself should be able to win many major awards as a film."

Sui Sui Lingfang let out a long breath and said in a slightly excited voice:

"'Counterattack' can't help you win Best Actress, but another film that might help you compete for the award has already been revised."

A flash of inspiration struck Seeing Jin Li, and she and Sui Sui Lingfang said it together: "'Dawn 2'!"

It has been a year since it was decided that "Dawn" would have a sequel, and the script has been polished for a year.

This is a true commercial blockbuster.

If filmed well, it won't just rake in box office revenue domestically; it could also achieve significant box office success globally.

This kind of film is a huge money-maker.

But they are often popular without being critically acclaimed.

So, after the excitement faded, Seeing Jin Li appeared even calmer.

"I haven't seen the script for 'Dawn 2' yet; I'll have to read it to know how the adaptation turned out. Besides, 'Dawn 2' is a commercial blockbuster through and through; in terms of commercialism, it's far stronger than 'Counterattack.'

With a subject as positive as 'Counterattack,' it was already difficult to win Best Actress; 'Dawn 2' will likely be even harder."

For films involving special effects, it is still somewhat difficult to convey complex inner character drama.

If you place the background in a specific environment and only show the characters' emotions, every actor would probably go off to act in horror films.

What else can bring out more emotional performance than a horror film?

But that's not how Best Actress awards are judged.

Especially domestic awards.

Chinese films prefer actors to use restrained emotions to express the complexity of a character.

Therefore, Seeing Jin Li didn't hold high hopes for "Dawn 2" from the bottom of her heart, nor did she favor "Counterattack," which had already achieved significant commercial success.

Instead, she favored "The Invisible Secret," a script that hadn't even finished being polished; this film was her trump card for winning Best Actress.

It's a pity that Yi Yi Media doesn't make films; otherwise, it would actually be better if it were filmed as a movie.

Between Best Actress in a drama and Best Actress in a film, the latter naturally carries more weight.

After Sui Sui Lingfang spoke with Seeing Jin Li, she immediately had the script for "Dawn 2" couriered to her.

Seeing Jin Li received the script, studied it carefully, and felt it was a bit strange.

She had gone into the script with high expectations, but after finishing it, the feeling it gave her didn't quite meet the standards she had imagined.

Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what was strange about it, as she rarely watched doomsday films.

After seeking the director's permission, Seeing Jin Li took the script to Gu Cheng.

Although Gu Cheng isn't a doomsday film fanatic, he has definitely seen more movies than she has.

Additionally, Gu Cheng is also studying cinematography; perhaps he could give her a brand-new interpretation from a filming perspective:

Why did the director arrange and design this plot, how does he want to shoot it, and what about the visual sense he wants?

One reason Seeing Jin Li values this script so much is that this time, the character she plays, Ruan Ruanruan, is no longer the second female lead, but the bona fide first female lead.

In "Dawn 2," apart from the male lead appearing from time to time as a key figure,

the original female lead decided upon for "Dawn" has completely vanished; she was simply cut out, and in the characters' conversations, one only learns that she has gone missing.

In the apartment.

Seeing Jin Li waited until she finished her live-streamed study session in the evening before knocking on Gu Cheng's door.

The two apartments were right across from each other.

Gu Cheng opened the door and handed Seeing Jin Li a key.

"From now on, no need to knock; just open the door and come in."

Seeing Jin Li took the key but said, "That would be so embarrassing. What if you're doing something else and I barge in and disturb you?"

Gu Cheng closed the door and touched his forehead to hers.

"First of all, there is nothing I would be doing that would make me feel disturbed if you barged in; you can know everything about me."

"Secondly, you are my girlfriend. You must have me in your life, and I must have you in mine. We will adapt to each other until we are completely accustomed to each other's presence."

"And then—"

Gu Cheng lowered his eyes, staring at hers, his gaze deep.

He deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Actually, I want to give you all my bank cards, but I'm afraid you won't be willing to take them."

Seeing Jin Li gently bumped her head against his chest, pushing his body away a little.

"You guessed right; I am not willing to take them. This is money you earned; your money is yours, and my money is mine."

Gu Cheng wanted to say something, but Seeing Jin Li reached out and pressed her hand against his lips.

"I know what you want to say, but I don't think there's any need to be in such a hurry, and I don't think money should become an obstacle for us."

"Our views on money and values are different. I don't want to control you, and I don't want to be controlled by you."

Gu Cheng blinked. "Then let's each take a step back and switch to another way."

Seeing Jin Li asked curiously, "What way?"

Gu Cheng: "Let's set up a joint account. We'll deposit money into it every month, and we'll use that card for our respective living expenses."

"I think I'm actually quite easy to support; I don't need to spend a lot of money. My living expenses are about the same as yours. Don't believe me? Want to take a look?"

Seeing Jin Li stared at him for a moment and said with a smile, "Okay."

Gu Cheng couldn't help but kiss those bright eyes, gripping her waist.

In the mirror, they saw their reflections, like vines clinging to each other as they grew.

Everything was a matter of course, and beauty unfolded.

……

After all—

On the sofa.

Seeing Jin Li lay in Gu Cheng's arms and asked about the script for "Dawn 2."

"I always feel there's something wrong with this script, but I can't say what it is.

Structurally, it's a very standard commercial film; there doesn't seem to be anything to criticize."

Gu Cheng rubbed her waist, pondered for a moment, and said, "I think the problem might lie exactly there.

The script design for 'Dawn 2' is too standard; it's like a script produced on an assembly line, with the same structure as a popcorn commercial film, which is why it feels wrong to you.

Your subconscious believes it could be done more brilliantly, and you can't tolerate its standard mediocrity."

Seeing Jin Li suddenly understood.

"I've seen the movie 'Dawn.' Although I haven't seen your script, looking at the framework of 'Dawn,'

I can see what Director Chu wanted to express, as well as his first attempt at incorporating comedic elements.

So, the movie 'Dawn' wasn't a standard commercial film; it added a lot of personal philosophy that Director Chu wanted to express. This was his brand-new attempt.

Undoubtedly, this attempt was successful, but coming to the second installment, Director Chu has returned to his cautious self; he's not as bold as he was in the first 'Dawn.' He chose to return to the commercial film track he is more familiar with."

Gu Cheng changed the subject.

"But Seeing Jin Li, assembly-line standardization doesn't mean it's not excellent. The structures of many commercial blockbusters in the world are similar; they only differ in content.

But when to be tragic, when to be satisfying, and how the sense of satisfaction should progress—they have already explored a set of formulaic processes."

Seeing Jin Li pondered: "So you mean this script is actually excellent, and I just have too high expectations for it."

Gu Cheng nodded: "But that's only the first layer of what I want to express."

"You should also have heard the second layer: Director Chu didn't choose to continue breaking through, but retreated to the track he is more familiar with.

But he has been operating on that track for many years, and the audience is already accustomed to his style. If he doesn't make a breakthrough, the box office for this film probably won't surpass the first one."

"And my opinion is that I actually have the same thought as you; I believe the script could be made more excellent, rather than being a production that leans toward being formulaic."

Gu Cheng thought for a moment and proposed his ideas more specifically.

"In the first installment, Director Chu wanted to reach a wider audience and also wanted to compete for the Spring Festival slot.

Although it didn't end up being released during the Spring Festival, the comedic elements he integrated gave many viewers a fresh feeling, making them feel he was boldly attempting a breakthrough.

Moreover, he integrated them just right, adding some warmth to the cold doomsday, although this warmth looked more like a kind of ironic mockery.

Comedies are all tragedies in the end; his humor also carried a tragic core, giving the film a bit more depth. The first installment wasn't a pure commercial film."

"I think in the second installment, he should continue the approach of the first, adding a few comedic elements to increase the film's depth.

But once comedic elements are added, the plot needs to be adjusted.

So I'm just proposing an idea; you are the lead actor, and how this drama is performed and whether it is changed depends on you."

Seeing Jin Li considered it carefully. "I think you're right. I hope this series can go further, rather than just blindly continuing the plot of the first installment and acting as a shadow."

"I will think about it carefully and then communicate with Director Chu."

Gu Cheng touched her head and pinched her ear.

"It's already very late; hurry up and sleep. We have to get up for an 8 AM class tomorrow."

"Okay."

Seeing Jin Li was just about to get up when she was pulled back by Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng said in a low voice, "It's quite cold today, and I didn't turn on the heat. Help me warm up."

Seeing Jin Li laughed. "Fine."

She was completely embraced in Gu Cheng's arms, feeling extremely secure.

Suddenly, she grabbed the hands resting on her legs and threatened, "Didn't you say you were sleepy? Hurry up and go to sleep."

Gu Cheng laughed in a low voice. "Mm, sleep."

Between being half-asleep and half-awake, Seeing Jin Li seemed to hear Gu Cheng's nagging.

"I'll warm the bed for you from now on."

She thought to herself, other people need to turn on the heat in winter, but she might need to turn on the air conditioning.

After finishing her 8 AM class, Seeing Jin Li contacted Director Chu and expressed her thoughts.

She thought for a moment and added, "Actually, the character Ruan Ruanruan doesn't necessarily have to be the protagonist of the second installment; she is more suited to leaving a sense of suspense and driving the story forward.

If you use a brand-new protagonist, you might be able to continue the style of your first installment."

Director Chu said in a deep voice, "I understand all your thoughts; I'll consider it."

Seeing Jin Li hung up the phone, having no time to think about Director Chu's complicated mood.

And it wasn't until a week later that she received another call from Director Chu.

This time, the news Director Chu gave was quite shocking.

"You're right; the character Ruan Ruanruan isn't suitable to be the female lead of the second installment; she's better suited to leaving a sense of suspense. So, I plan to use a clone created from Ruan Ruanruan's tissue fluid as the protagonist of the second installment.

You will continue the conceptual style of the first installment, while Ruan Ruanruan and the male lead will appear at critical moments."

Seeing Jin Li thought about it and felt this idea was good.

"Director Chu, I hope to see your new script as soon as possible; I think this is more interesting."

November arrived.

The Seeing Jin Li fan meeting, which Dawn Entertainment had kept secret for a long time, finally began its promotion.

Dawn Entertainment posted the news directly on their official blog:

【November 9th, Seeing Jin Li's fan meeting! We'll see you all in Jinnan (city)!】

When the news spread, many netizens were watching online; they also wanted to pretend to be Seeing Jin Li's fans to sneak in.

【What kind of place is Jinnan? I've never heard of it. Won't it be too remote?】

【It's a city in need of poverty alleviation; Seeing Jin Li is kind-hearted and chose a new city.】

【Can non-fans sneak in too? How do I sign up? And it was announced so suddenly; shouldn't it have been announced half a month or a month in advance?】

?? The past is all a prologue, and the future is full of promise. May everyone carry the high-spirited spirit of "fresh clothes and angry horses" and embark on a new journey in the new year! Happy New Year's Eve!