Chapter 80: The Special Effects Company

The 29th, a bright and breezy day.

Outside the great hall, nearly a hundred media outlets had gathered, cameras of every size packed in tight.

From nine in the morning, the red carpet had seen a steady stream of guests.

First-tier and second-tier stars kept coming, and the major film and television companies had all turned out.

"Is that Liu Liu Dehua?"

"Yes."

When Hu Ge and the others arrived, they saw a group from Hong Kong Island just heading in.

Yang Yang Shoucheng, Jackie Chan, Liu Liu Dehua, Tony Leung…

One sedan after another pulled up, then drove off.

Wang Wang Zhongjun led the Huayi contingent onto the red carpet.

Feng Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Zhang Hanyu, Li Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun, Deng Chao…

Xie Nan and Liu Yan, who had appeared in "Painted Skin."

Jiang Wen, Jia Jia Zhangke, Gu Gu Changwei, Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang, Ning Hao…

Quite a few directors from the industry had come today, because very few people in the country had ever shot hard-core sci-fi, and everyone was very interested.

One after another, people walked the red carpet and entered the great hall, where there were even more people, including quite a few foreigners.

…………

Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, dressed youthfully and prettily, drew plenty of eyes as they walked into the great hall.

"Lin Nan and the others haven't arrived yet?"

"The crew will definitely be the last to show up."

Liu Liu Yifei explained. In fact, Lin Nan had set out earlier than they had, so he should be somewhere else right now.

As Han Han Sanping, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Wang Wang Changtian and several other big-name producers entered, the crowd swelled even more, with greetings flying back and forth nonstop.

Outside, Lin Nan and the seven-member crew stepped onto the red carpet.

Chen Chen Baoguo said he had only had a cameo, so he wouldn't walk with them, and went into the great hall early instead.

Miss Jing Tian's heart was pounding. It was her first time walking a red carpet with Lin Nan, and this film would be the most eye-catching entry on her résumé.

The media's cameras flashed wildly, and a large crowd of fans had gathered at the outer edges.

Entering the venue, everyone sized up the crew.

"Lin Dao, wishing you a box-office smash, hahaha."

"Lin Dao, it's all on you now."

…………

The premiere officially began.

The seating today was also very carefully arranged.

The first and second rows were for the Space Administration, the Film Bureau, the major film groups, a host of film and television companies, and the top directors.

The third and fourth rows were for first-tier stars and above — Jackie Chan, Liu Liu Dehua, and the rest.

Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang were seated in the third row, right next to Zhou Xun and the others.

Hu Ge, Yang Mi, Tang Yan and the rest were much further back.

Many people paid close attention to these seating arrangements; what they signified was obvious.

"Who's that person I've never seen before, sitting in the second row?" Yang Mi asked in a low voice.

"You really are out of the loop — that's Director James Wan," Hu Ge said, joking.

"The one from Lionsgate?" Tang Yan caught on at once.

"That's him."

Yang Mi nodded, then turned her gaze forward again.

In the third row, the youngest were Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, along with the still-green Miss Jing Tian on stage.

Yang Mi felt she was no worse than them; glancing at Tang Yan beside her, who even had more film resources than she did, she knew she really couldn't stay at Rongxinda any longer.

"Everyone will find out in a bit — I really was called by Lin Dao Nan to plant potatoes. He wanted the most authentic setting…"

Hu Jun took the microphone and described his own "harrowing ordeal"; he had even packed up those bags of potatoes and taken them home to eat, not wasting a single one.

The interviews with Ceng Li, Liu Ye, Huang Huang Xiaoming and Zhang Yi were equally smooth and polished.

When it was Miss Jing Tian's turn, the young lady was probably genuinely a little worked up.

"I'm very, very grateful to Big Brother Lin Nan for giving me this chance. On set I was clumsy, everyone took good care of me, and Big Brother Lin Nan taught me so much…"

The most important segment was the film screening.

The terrain of Red Cliff was perfect for a Mars-themed shoot.

Everyone in the hall began staring fixedly at the big screen.

The plot unfolded: the Mars crew ran into a storm, and Hu Jun, the botanist, was accidentally left behind.

A self-rescue, Mars farming operation began.

"You can actually do it like that?"

"The visual effects are amazing…"

Murmuring started below; people from the Space Administration and the Film Bureau were nodding at each other, exchanging remarks.

"Could we pull off something like this? Forget it…"

Although many film and television companies found "The Martian" stunning, they had absolutely no desire to try it themselves — the cycle was too long, the cost too high, and whether it would succeed was anyone's guess. Not worth it.

Quite a few directors laughed and shook their heads; they couldn't pull off something like this. Lin Nan was genuinely impressive this time.

When the two-hour film ended, the front rows were the first to break into applause.

The person from the Film Bureau picked up the microphone.

"Everyone here is in the film and television industry, and we also hope that you can produce more quality films and commercial blockbusters.

A big-budget sci-fi film like 'The Martian' is very beneficial to the industry.

If any company is willing to continue exploring this field, the Film Bureau will definitely take an encouraging and supportive stance…"

Many people were still immersed in the film they had just watched — that vast, boundless expanse of space, the dazzling, stunning special effects…

A crowd of film professionals were all envious of 'The Martian' before their eyes, but if you asked them to actually do it themselves, that would be another story entirely.

A project like this isn't something you can pull off just by saying you support it. You need that kind of boldness — mishandle it and you'll definitely lose your shirt.

And when it comes to special effects, you can only send money abroad.

"Lin Nan's film is really impressive — no wonder he spent two years on it."

Watching Shu Chang said quietly to Liu Liu Yifei.

"Naturally, Princess Princess Xixi."

……

The main creative team once again gave interviews, and this time they had a lot more to say.

"Lin Dao, what are your box office expectations for this film?"

That question made everyone present prick up their ears.

"To be honest, this project was thrown together at the last minute back then. But since we gritted our teeth and finished it, in terms of the box office, we expect it to be worthy of two years of effort — let's set a new record."

Lin Nan said with a smile, and applause broke out below once again.

"A new record? Then Lin Dao, have you considered the break-even issue? After all, the current record is only about twenty million higher than the cost of 'The Martian.'"

"We had originally planned to announce the copyright transaction price of 'The Martian' at the premiere. Let me tell you all about it now."

The moment the words fell, every person from the film and television companies perked up — this was what they had been most concerned about during this period.

"At the beginning of the month, we took the film to Venice. The European and North American rights were both sold, for a total transaction price of fifty-five million US dollars.

We have already recouped our costs."

Lin Nan said with a smile on his face, his tone resolute.

Watching the shocked expressions on those faces below, Han Han Sanping was very satisfied.

"May I ask Lin Dao, how much did the pre-roll advertisements for the film sell for?"

"The total fee for the two accompanying advertisements was exactly ninety million…"

A lot of people started sucking in cold breaths — that meant 'The Martian' hadn't even been released yet, and it had already made over a hundred million!

Banquet time.

Lin Nan was surrounded layer upon layer, and every question was about special effects.

Liu Liu Yifei saw that Lin Nan was very busy, so she didn't go over to disturb him.

"I'm planning to build a company and slowly cultivate my own people."

"A special effects company?"

"Yes."

Everyone's gaze at Lin Nan became a little off — like they were looking at an idiot.

"Lin Dao, this kind of thing isn't like making a film. Our foundation is too weak. This requires burning money for a long time to train people, and the results are completely unpredictable…"

Lin Nan could tell that these film companies had absolutely no intention of doing their own special effects — they thought things were fine just as they were now.

A bit of a conversation going nowhere.

Liu Liu Dehua came over with a wine glass.

"Lin Dao, the film was amazing. You really should have told me back then — what a pity."

Liu Liu Dehua wore a look of regret.

"Brother Hua, you're too kind. The future is still long, isn't it?"

"It is long. Then I'll be waiting for Lin Dao's film invitation."

As he spoke, Liu Liu Dehua raised his glass, and the two clinked them.

Lin Nan felt a sense of near-relief. 'The Martian' had weighed on him for a full two years. Once this film finished its run, he absolutely would not touch sci-fi again in the short term — the pressure was too great.

In the distance, Lin Nan saw Wen Zairen surrounded by a group of domestic actors, including Yang Mi. These people were really ambitious.

Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang seemed to be chatting with those two from Enlight.

The news online was already being updated.

"'The Martian' Copyright Sells Big, No Break-Even Pressure."

"Not Yet Released, Profits Already Over a Hundred Million…"

This premiere was a great success. The news that leaked out could better stoke the audience's desire to watch.

Near the end of the event, Lin Nan and Wen Zairen had a quick meeting.

'Happy Death Day 2' would still be divided according to the ratio of the previous film; the latter could go find Tom to sign the agreement.

After a whole day, it was still exhausting.

Lin Nan leaned back in a garden chair, stroking a cat.

Liu Liu Yifei handed over a glass of orange juice. "Here, get some vitamins…"

"Thanks."

"How is it? Sweet or not, big brother Lin Nan?"

Killing intent!

A life-or-death question!

…………

The next day, a flood of news about "The Martian" dominated the headlines.

Netizens were all discussing how long it would take for this film to break the record set by the terrible movie "Red Cliff."

What the industry cared about most was Lin Nan's plan to establish a special effects company.

Some supported it, some were just watching the spectacle, but the vast majority thought Lin Nan was a bit arrogant and aiming too high.

Why mess with special effects when he could be a perfectly good director and owner of a film company?

"Do you really have this idea?"

"Yes, I've had it for a long time. I think the domestic industry really needs to take this matter seriously; we can't have the special effects for blockbusters always done abroad.

The bigger the commercial film, like "Painted Skin" or "The Martian," the more special effects it has.

The domestic market will surely get better and better in the future; won't we end up working for others then?"

Han Han Sanping nodded; Lin Nan's words indeed made a lot of sense.

"Then go ahead and do it. If you encounter any difficulties, come find me. People say I'm domineering, but for something that truly benefits the industry, China Film Group will definitely support it."

"Yes, then thank you, Chairman Han."

Setting aside everything else, when it came to the development of the film industry, Han Han Sanping had never been vague.

Major cinema chains began preparing for the film's release; "The Martian" on the 1st was the top priority.

As one of the producers, Wanda had already raised the screening rate for "The Martian" to 50%, though this was done privately.

China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group, being state-owned enterprises, couldn't do that, but they still carried out "micro-management."