Chapter 187: Sci-Fi Film

Zhang Zhang Yimou's "The Thirteen Women of Jin Ling" had already been filming for over four months.

Today the crew announced publicly that male lead Bell's scenes were already wrapped.

Additionally, the "Thirteen Women" crew officially opened set visits to the media. Simply because the remaining scenes were less than a month.

The visiting media reporters swarmed in, so many it was like a small-scale media meet-and-greet,

Lin Nan even admired Zhang Zhang Weiping's promotional methods.

At this kind of occasion, he directly hung up over a dozen banners, with words of thanks to Bell written on them.

When accepting interviews, it was all praise and commendation.

"He came to the country to film without bringing an assistant, came alone — this is something worth all domestic actors learning from."

"Bell is very dedicated. Our contract was a 12-hour workday, yet four times he accepted overnight rushes without complaint, only joking that we should have the late-night snack ready…"

……

After finishing interviews on set, Zhang Zhang Weiping even saw him all the way to the airport, watched Bell board the plane before turning to leave "reluctantly," with the media tailing the whole way.

Within the industry, those who couldn't stand it, those envious, those sour, those saying Zhang Zhang Weiping was putting on an act — they were everywhere.

"Over two million a day in pay, and he only pulled a few night shoots — does that warrant all this praise?"

"This is way too much fanfare. If you didn't know, you'd think they were seeing off an elder, not sending off an actor."

"Producer Zhang only acts this way toward big foreign stars. Toward domestic ones, heh…"

……

When it comes to hype, Zhang Zhang Weiping really does have his ways.

The industry's attention was thus all drawn to "Thirteen Women."

…………

With the last two Hollywood blockbusters releasing, May was about to end in the blink of an eye; the tiger was about to eat its fill and leave the stage.

"Lin Dao, can the promotion for 'Painted Skin 2' begin now?"

Ur Shan rushed over to the company, and the very first thing out of his mouth was about promotion.

Fair enough — the promotion for "Wu Xia" had also started over a month in advance, and "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" had been underway even earlier.

These two films, the former releasing on July 4th, the latter in late June, were both direct competitors of "Painted Skin 2."

Wang Jing's "Fortune Inn" seemed to also be late June, but Lin Nan felt none of these posed much threat to "Painted Skin 2."

"Then notify China Film, Western Film, Ning Film, and Wanda — let's start running promotion."

Lin Nan nodded and said, starting promotion over a month in advance was just right.

The distribution and promotion of "Painted Skin 2" was handled by China Film.

The next day, Zhou Xun, Huang Huang Xiaoming, Ceng Li, Zhu Zhu Yawen and others received the notice one after another.

The promotion for "Painted Skin 2" officially began.

First posters and behind-the-scenes footage, then short clips and interviews, with occasional trips to other major cities.

In no time, the media was full of "Painted Skin 2" news and shots of the main cast.

"White Vengeance" crew.

Yang Mi was feeling a bit uneasy at this point.

She was also an actress in "Painted Skin 2" — the third female lead.

The "White Vengeance" crew had originally agreed that when she had no scenes, she could leave the set to participate in film promotion.

But in the end, her company flatly refused, prettily calling it staying focused on filming, not splitting attention, or it would seriously affect her performance state on set.

Such a high-exposure opportunity, gone just like that — Yang Mi was more or less reluctant.

"Director Yue is right too. You're just the third female lead to begin with; the selling point of this film was never you. Even if you went, could you steal the spotlight from Zhou Xun and Huang Huang Xiaoming?"

Ceng Jia offered some comfort, then added: "Just focus on filming 'White Vengeance.' When this film releases, you'll be different — the female lead of a 200-million-cost historical epic!"

Hearing this, Yang Mi's mood instantly improved a lot.

Right — "White Vengeance" had received additional investment, already reaching 200 million.

"Oh right, you can post on Weibo every day to promote 'Painted Skin 2'…"

Ceng Jia's eyes darted, and she came up with an idea for Yang Mi.

Even though she couldn't go to the "Painted Skin 2" promotion events in person, she absolutely couldn't lack participation — buzz was necessary.

"Mm, good idea!"

Yang Mi's eyes lit up as she nodded and said.

…………

June hadn't even arrived yet, and the July blockbusters had already begun their promotion war.

This made the film circle feel a long-absent tension, even giving off an atmosphere of an impending box-office battle.

Ur Shan and the main cast shuttled back and forth between major cities, appearing on shows, and were sometimes asked why Lin Nan hadn't come along.

Almost everyone shook their heads, saying they didn't know — only Zhou Xun cracked a joke.

"Lin Dao is probably busy preparing his next film right now, haha…"

Once Zhou Xun said this, everyone exchanged glances, a glint flashing in their eyes.

Don't say it — that really was possible!

…………

That film with 300 million in investment, Jackie Chan's self-directed, self-written, self-starring "CZ12," held its start-of-production press conference.

Jackie Chan's film touched on the issue of cultural relics lost overseas, and the authorities above gave great support.

Lin Nan took time to attend the scene and saw quite a few big names.

Director Tong of the Film Bureau, the deputy director of SARFT, cultural affairs leaders, the heads of several state-owned film groups were all there…

This lineup is quite something!

"Back when you had the premiere for *The Martian*, the lineup was no smaller than this — and there were even leaders from the Space Agency there!"

Han Han Sanping looked at Lin Nan and tossed out a teasing remark.

"Haha, seems like it." Lin Nan said with a smile.

Jackie Chan's influence in the international film world is no small matter, and for him to film a subject like *CZ12*, the higher-ups were very full of praise.

"Director Han, the China Film Digital Production Base should have some spare soundstages, right?"

Lin Nan leaned in toward Han Han Sanping and suddenly asked.

That place is a key national project supporting the film industry — covering eight hundred mu, with an investment of several billion.

Setting everything else aside, those sixteen international-grade large soundstages alone are one of a kind in the country.

The largest of them even reaches five thousand square meters.

Han Han Sanping's eyes lit up the moment he heard Lin Nan's words.

"Yes there are — if you ask, there absolutely are!"

Han Han Sanping was waiting eagerly for what Lin Nan would say next, but after the latter gave a nod, he just shut his mouth?

Quite a few people around them glanced over. Han Han Sanping noticed this and didn't press further, putting on an air of nonchalance.

After the entire launch event wrapped up, the two exchanged no more words.

When the crowd dispersed, Han Han Sanping finally tossed out a line: "Your new film — you're planning to shoot it there?"

Lin Nan nodded. "I have that idea."

Hearing this, Han Han Sanping could roughly guess the rest.

The new film would involve special effects, and there'd be no shortage of shots — otherwise Lin Nan wouldn't be thinking of going to the China Film Digital Production Base.

The two got into their respective cars and left.

Sitting in the car, Han Han Sanping thought it over and muttered:

"*The Martian* was shot in '06. Five years have passed now — this time it should be a sci-fi film, right?"

…………

"It's a sci-fi film. This time I'm having Guo Fan assist me…"

Lin Nan said softly as he drove.

After finishing *The Martian*, he had decided not to touch sci-fi films again in the short term. Now that so much time had passed, it was about time.

Besides, the grand Sky Works Colors was a perfect match for sci-fi films.

Back at the villa, Lin Nan plunged straight into his study.

He had to polish the script as soon as possible, so he could start organizing people and preparing the film.

There's no small amount of pre-production work for a sci-fi film!

I'm really not in the zone today — that's all I can manage.