Chapter 140

Han Han Shanping was almost an unavoidable figure in many Chinese entertainment novels in later times.

From taking office in 1999 to stepping down in 2014, all film practitioners couldn't avoid dealing with him.

During his tenure at China Film Group, the domestic box office increased from 810 million to 21.8 billion.

As for the role he played and the degree of importance in this process, it was a topic of different opinions.

It inevitably returned to the argument of whether the times make the hero or the hero makes the times.

But it was undeniable that Han Han Shanping indeed personally experienced, witnessed, and promoted this brilliant and magnificent industrial development process.

To be more conservative, at least this China Film leader followed the trend and did not play a negative role in the more than ten years of the domestic film industry's blowout.

For Lu Kuan, he defined Han Han Shanping more as a collaborator.

Because they had the same simple goal: to lead the industrialization of domestic films with commercial blockbusters, and to attract more audiences into cinemas with commercial blockbusters.

Lu Kuan also invited Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang today to be a foil; the latter's recognition of him was no less than Zhang Zhang Yimou's, whom he had collaborated with, and he didn't hesitate to provide help for Lu Kuan to form a special effects company.

The two arrived at the China Film Group located at No. 25 Xinwai Street, Haidian, and entered the deputy general manager's office under the guidance of secretary Chengsheng Gao.

Han Han Shanping was not facing the floor-to-ceiling window like a master of the world, nor was he sitting at his desk with the airs of a leader.

This deputy general manager of China Film with a flat top and a black suit was sitting by the sofa holding a teacup, looking at the two people entering the door with a smile.

"Chairman Jiang, Little Lu, welcome!"

The three shook hands and greeted each other, sitting down on the sofa together with Gao Gao Chengsheng, the atmosphere quite relaxed.

It seemed they had forgotten the unpleasantness of the last failed cooperation.

"Little Lu, you can give everyone surprises every day."

Han Han Shanping teased with a smile.

"What does Director Han mean by that?"

"First beheading Yan Liang in Hong Kong, then killing Wen Chou in Taiwan; it's all spread as a joke in the streets, haha."

"Where, just a small misunderstanding, not worth mentioning."

Lu Kuan also picked up his teacup and blew on the boiling water, smiling modestly.

Gao Gao Chengsheng joked: "Director Lu, ever since such a person who can toss things up appeared in the country, we who watch the fun are very happy."

"Hehe, Lu Sheng is quite good, at least he pulled down the average age of our line, otherwise dealing with a group of old men all day is quite boring."

Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang also participated in the teasing.

He didn't know Gao Gao Chengsheng's purpose in saying this; saying Lu Kuan could toss things up could be derogatory or a joke.

Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang saying Lu Kuan was young was also a preventive measure for the recklessness he might show in front of Han Han Shanping.

Han Shanping didn't talk much and got to the point: "Lu Kuan, I heard from Little Gao that you are interested in the technology and talent of Hualong Digital?"

The young director smiled modestly: "I am a newcomer to the industry and have some immature ideas. Please give me some advice, Director Han."

Han Han Shanping laughed heartily: "Haha, excessive modesty is pride."

The flat-top took a long breath, leaned back on the sofa leisurely, and asked with a smile: "Lu Kuan, do you have a plan for the next film after *Shoplifters*?"

Gao Gao Chengsheng hardly spoke on the side, watching the old leader pay so much attention to this young director today; it was obvious he had taken a fancy to him.

It must be that the participation in the low-cost *Shoplifters* wasn't enough, and he had started thinking about investing in the next film.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang also had the intention to ask, Lu Kuan smiled: "I am preparing to shoot a science fiction film for the next film."

As soon as this was said, the whole room was shocked; the three looked at each other, speechless for a while.

The 1999 *The Matrix* brought a great shock to domestic audiences; when domestic films could have decent science fiction films and when the national football team could enter the World Cup became two major clichés.

By the time the national football team successfully crossed the line at the lucky Wulihe in 2001, the audience had long since stopped holding hope for the future of domestic science fiction films.

Just as Lu Kuan said when buying the draft from Liu Liu Cixin, the science fiction atmosphere in the country was too poor now; some science fiction writers couldn't even satisfy their basic needs, let alone science fiction films.

It could be said that throughout the 1990s, the science fiction film atmosphere in the mainland was broken.

In 1992, Hong Kong director Xu Ke's *Wicked City* also had more supernatural elements than science fiction elements;

The 1995 *Sixty Million Dollar Man* and others were nonsensical science fiction comedies, which were hard to be on the elegant stage compared to orthodox Hollywood science fiction works.

In the millennium of later times, due to the limitations of special effects and light and shadow technology, and the resistance and conservatism of investors, domestic science fiction films were basically in a state of extinction.

More were adopted in the DVD distribution method, circulating among niche fans in the way of cult films.

"Lu Kuan, how did you have this idea?"

Han Han Shanping was very puzzled by Lu Kuan's decision; making a science fiction film at this time point was not as good as throwing money into the water, at least you could hear a sound.

Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang also persuaded: "Yes, Lu Sheng, the special effects level required for science fiction films is too high. There are not even a few decent special effects companies in the country now."

"A few?" Han Han Shanping shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Now there are only two companies in the country that can barely do some special effects. One is our China Film's Hualong, and the other is Shanghai Film's Digital. They are also basically eating government-subsidized rice, and their craftsmanship cannot be compared with Hollywood companies."

Seeing Han Han Shanping stop talking, Lu Kuan analyzed: "Director Han, science fiction films have a huge driving effect on the development and perfection of the film industry chain."

"The 1980s *Star Wars* series created and perfected the production and operation system of special effects films for Hollywood, and also established its own special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic."

"In the 1990s, the US special effects industry went a step further, completed the visual transformation of digital technology, and swept the world with *Jurassic Park* and *Titanic*."

"Director Han, the logic behind this is that blockbusters with high investment and large input drive the development of the entire film heavy industry. Their special effects companies are also learning while doing, constantly perfecting."

Han Han Shanping shook his head: "The special effects of *The Twins Effect* that you bet with Emperor were still taken to MPC in the UK to do. You want to shoot a science fiction film now; I'm afraid you will contribute all your profits to the special effects company."

"Director Han, I want to start a special effects company myself." Lu Kuan smiled lightly.

"I have entrusted a friend to poach some talents from Taiwan's Xiji Animation. In January next year, Sundance invited *Whiplash* to participate in the non-competition unit, and I am also preparing to go there to dig for some special effects directors in Hollywood."

It was another earth-shattering statement; even an old veteran like Han Han Shanping who was used to storms and waves couldn't help but be shocked again and again by this young man who "spoke wildly."

A special effects company could be said to be an industry that needs to burn money for a long time, especially in an era like the beginning of the 21st century when the gap between Chinese and Western special effects levels was huge. Establishing a special effects company in the country would face very realistic problems:

No work to do!

The era of domestic film blockbusters had just begun, and foreign countries had great industrial demand.

But as a Chinese special effects company that is not well-known, what virtue and ability do you have to grab orders from special effects giants like Industrial Light & Magic, MPC, and Weta Digital in the US and the West?

Han Han Shanping sighed leisurely; if he knew the saying in later times that taking too big a step would pull the egg, he would definitely give this sentence to Lu Kuan without hesitation at this time.

Han Han Shanping and Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang were both industry leaders; their vision and mind were not only on the one-third of an acre under their feet.

They were also paying attention to industrial development and industry trends.

In the minds of this generation of filmmakers, being able to push Chinese films and Chinese culture to the world, and being able to build and perfect our own film industry chain, was a cause worth fighting for.

Seeing that everyone had a serious expression, Lu Kuan smiled: "Special effects are the trend of the future. Not only will science fiction films use them, but the entire film and television industry will deal with special effects in the future."

"Although the gap between our special effects level and that of the US and Western countries is large, it is not an insurmountable chasm."

"For example, the software Houdini and Maya software currently used abroad can be bought directly and used. There are also some motion capture and visual control equipment that are mainstream in the industry."

"In fact, this line is a typical technology and talent-intensive industry. I plan to find a knowledgeable special effects director, and then find a dozen production staff to first form the studio, and use the following science fiction film to practice while fighting!"

Lu Kuan's idea came from Base FX, which was headquartered in Beiping in later times.

In 2002, American director Chris Bremble, in order to find a post-production special effects department for his *Deep Sea Rescue*, had no choice but to bite the bullet and do it himself after searching in Beiping to no avail, establishing Base FX.

Listening to Lu Kuan's confident plan, Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang, Han Han Shanping, and Gao Gao Chengsheng were speechless for a while.

Han Han Shanping sighed leisurely, then lit a cigarette.

"Gao Chengsheng, do you remember the time we went to the capital for a meeting in the winter of 1993?"

Han Han Shanping was touched by the young director's firm expression: "I remember, Director Han."

"That year, the output of domestic films was halved, the number of audiences was one-third less than the previous year, and state-owned factories everywhere were in a stalemate."

Gao Gao Chengsheng also narrowed his eyes, because Han Han Shanping's sigh seemed to have been dragged into that cold winter of domestic films.

"Representatives of various state-owned factories were complaining at the meeting. The leader asked me to speak, and I didn't know what to say, so I had to use the leader's words to encourage everyone."

Han Han Shanping seemed to have a ruddy complexion, and then turned to Gao Gao Chengsheng and smiled: "Gao Chengsheng, do you remember what I said?"

Gao Gao Chengsheng said solemnly: "You said, our task is to cross the river, but we cannot cross without a bridge or a boat. If we don't solve the problem of the bridge or the boat, crossing the river is just empty talk."

When the 41-year-old Han Han Shanping finished saying this and went to the capital again, he had already become the director of the Beiping Film Studio, and everyone knew the story behind it.

"Hahahaha, that's right."

Han Han Shanping stood up abruptly, changing from a flat-top leader trapped in a soft sofa to an industry leader who truly possessed the demeanor of a leader of Chinese films.

"Where is Chang'an? It's just under the horse's hooves!"

"You, a young man, have such demeanor and mind; we should support you!"

Han Shanping arranged: "You can talk to the people in Hualong Digital that you take a fancy to yourself. They can stay or leave as they please; I won't force it!"

Lu Kuan smiled and agreed, solving the last major event of his trip.

Those who follow the Dao have many helpers; those who lose the Dao have few.

People who really do things can always walk together with people who do things.

Along the way, whether it was Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang, Jiang Jiang Zhiqiang, Gao Gao Chengsheng, or Han Han Shanping, whom he visited for the first time today, they all admired his persistence in film art and his mind in industrial development.

The so-called straight heart is the dojo; that's about it.

(End of chapter)