Chinese Entertainment 2017: Starting from the Top Writers

Chapter 773: Chasing the Sun, Suppressing the Sea, and Creating the World
Time flies, June is gone in a flash, and we enter the hot July.

After the summer vacation began, netizens vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

Lin Li doesn't have any plans for this summer vacation?

He has not filmed any new works, nor participated in any variety shows. According to past experience, he should have announced what new movies he would shoot or what new dramas he would star in long ago.

But this summer, he didn't make any movement, as if he was just an ordinary college student, starting his summer vacation life.

As a result, the term "What is Nanjing University doing?" appeared on the hot searches on Weibo.

Netizens have speculated whether Lin Li is planning something big again. After all, the "Chinese Superhero Movie Universe" that he mentioned unintentionally before has made everyone look forward to it for a long time.

In fact, Lin Li was indeed preparing for this matter.

On the morning of July 7, Lin Li came to the company after a long absence and called together all the key personnel of Nanxun Culture to discuss the theme of "Chinese Superhero Movie Universe".

In addition to core members such as Xu Fei and Chen Chao, Chen Duling also participated in the meeting as the deputy director of the Film and Television Department.

In the conference room.

Xu Fei tapped his fingers three times, attracting everyone's attention.

The words "White Paper on the Global Superhero Movie Market in the First and Second Quarters of 2019" appeared beside him under the projector, and each letter was wrapped in a broken Marvel logo.

"The box office of superhero movies in the North American market fell 43% year-on-year, but Avengers 4 still broke the record for single-day box office this year."

“This shows that the market for superhero movies is still huge, but it lacks novelty and good works.”

"I think once we can gain a foothold in this market, Nanxun Culture will be invincible."

Xu Fei kept flipping through the pages with a determined expression.

Hot steam rose from the coffee cup in front of Chen Chao, and he slowly spoke after Xu Fei's voice fell.

"If we develop the trilogy according to the Marvel model, based on the idea in the previous meeting, the special effects feathers for Lei Zhenzi alone will cost 0.3 million."

"We at Nanxun Culture are not short of money, but if we do this, we don't know what the subsequent benefits will be. My suggestion is to focus on making one to test the waters. There is no need to launch three films at the same time, which would waste time and energy, and we don't know how the response will be."

"It's better to be cautious."

Chen Chao's well-reasoned analysis caused many people at the meeting to nod in agreement.

“What we lack is not IP, but narrative sovereignty.”

Wang Ye, the head of the special effects department that Nanxun Culture had just established, suddenly stood up. He turned on his computer and called up the model of the Bai Ze mythical beast, facing everyone at the conference table.

"While the Greek gods are still playing with family ethics, why can't we let the strange beasts from the Classic of Mountains and Seas protect modern cities?"

"I shouldn't worry about funding. My department is all about spending money. I think as long as we work hard on special effects and tell stories with Chinese characteristics, we will definitely have a place in this field."

"In recent years, audiences have been very disappointed with our domestic blockbusters. Fortunately, The Wandering Earth has saved some face for us. I think someone has to make this kind of movie, and as the most popular film and television company in China, I think it is most appropriate for us to do this."

"According to the previous plan, with an investment of 3 billion, we will definitely be able to achieve a stunning visual impact, and the audience will definitely be able to see our sincerity."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes full of excitement, as if he had already seen the day when they would succeed.

The financial director's silver earrings flashed a cold light, and she looked at him dimly.

"Do you know how many "Better Days" movies can be made with 3 billion? Investments must take into account the rate of return. If you only pay for a dream, the price is too high. You are talking about the best case scenario. If something unexpected happens, it will not only affect the reputation of our Nanxun Culture, but it will also be a loss that even we cannot afford."

"Superhero movies have always been Hollywood's strong point. They have a complete film industry and ecological chain, and our Chinese superheroes..."

"Dong dong~"

Lin Li's tapping on the table interrupted her words.

"In 1998, Titanic had an investment of 2 million and a global box office of 18 billion."

His voice was like sandpaper rubbing against sandalwood, with a certainty in it.

"The 30 billion we are spending now is not a gamble, but a ticket to a Chinese superhero movie."

Chen Duling's pen suddenly left an ink spot on the paper. She raised her eyes to look at Lin Li's serious face and slightly raised the corners of her lips.

She liked Lin Li like this, she felt that he seemed to be shining, which made her admire him.

She recalled that at two o'clock in the morning last night, Lin Li stood in front of the French window in the study with a plan in his hand. The moonlight shone through his shirt, outlining the curve of his spine, like an unfinished heroic statue.

"Since President Lin has said so, then we don't need to worry about spending money anymore. Let's just talk about how to do it."

Seeing this, Chen Chao smiled and reconfirmed the topic of the meeting.

“I propose to use Gonggong’s angry attack on Mount Buzhou as a metaphor for the contemporary geological crisis.”

"Ask the Chinese Academy of Sciences to be a consultant on particle effects for disaster scenes..."

A senior male screenwriter from Gangnanxun Culture made a suggestion in a very vivid way, but he was interrupted after just a few words.

“And then be accused by environmental groups of distorting myths?”

Chen Duling gently turned her wrist and tapped the table with her slender fingers.

“Mythology is not a universal socket into which any topic can be plugged.”

The scene suddenly fell silent. Chen Duling spoke, and what she said made sense, so they couldn't refute it.

The key point is that no one dared to refute it.

"Minister Chen is right. We can't get entangled with these departments. It's too troublesome."

Xu Fei rubbed his temple to smooth things over.

"The point is, we at Nanxun Culture don't need to rely on this kind of topic to attract attention."

The smile on Chen Duling's face when she corrected him was as sweet and sour as candied hawthorn.

Lin Li suddenly stood up, the hem of his suit slightly lifted, and walked straight to Xu Fei.

"The trilogy corresponds to the past, present, and future."

"Daily will tell the deconstruction of traditional mythology, Zhenhai will film the awakening of modern gods, and Chuangshi will do the Marvel style."

"Taking things easy is applicable to any event, as long as it is used well."

Lin Li smiled at everyone and spoke with high spirits while facing all the gazes.

When everyone heard Lin Li's speech, they were all slightly startled, and then fell into deep thought.

Lin Li's three seemingly simple plans actually contain a grand architectural vision for China's superhero movie universe.

Xu Fei was the first to react, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Mr. Lin's idea is brilliant. Starting from the deconstruction of traditional mythology, it can arouse the audience's identification with traditional culture, and then to the awakening of modern deity, it cleverly combines mythology with reality, and finally draws on Marvel's mature model to form a complete and layered movie universe."

Chen Chao also nodded, looking excited.

"Indeed, this gradual approach can make the audience feel familiar and fresh at the same time, but a lot of effort still needs to be put into the specific story and character creation."

After two years of experience, he has gained many unique insights into the film and television industry.

At this time, a young planner from the film and television department raised his hand, looking trembling.

"Boss Lin, how should the main characters of this trilogy be set? Should we select them from mythological stories like Shan Hai Jing, or create some new characters?"

He apparently spoke very little, but his words hit home.

Lin Li smiled at him with admiration on his face.

"Based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas, we explore characters with potential."

"A classic IP like Investiture of the Gods cannot be wasted."

"For example, Zhulong opens its eyes for day and closes them for night. What a powerful and mysterious setting."

"We can build a character around it, give it the mission of protecting world peace, and show different abilities and struggles in different eras." Since he chose to do this, Lin Li naturally made a lot of preparations and listed an example as soon as he opened his mouth.

Wang Ye from the special effects department slammed the table excitedly and looked at Lin Li in front of him excitedly.

"That's right, the special effects of Zhulong will definitely be super shocking! It has a huge body, and it radiates light all over its body. The airflow it creates when flying can also be processed with some cool special effects."

Although the CFO was concerned about the investment amount, he was also infected by everyone's enthusiasm at this time, and he couldn't help but speak up to remind them.

"Everyone's ideas are good, but we still have to consider cost control. For example, special effects characters like Zhulong need to be shocking, but they must also be within the budget."

"To be honest, just listening to it makes me feel like money is being burned."

She looked worried. Although it was not her money, this was what she did. Her scalp tingled just thinking about it.

A good-natured laugh rang out in the conference room. Lin Li and Xu Fei looked at each other, both with a hint of admiration in their eyes.

The meeting continued, with everyone discussing the details.

From the character's personality traits to the specific storyline, from the scene construction to the style of the music, every aspect has been carefully explored.

An art design manager said that in the modern scene of "Zhenhai", it is necessary to focus on the integration of traditional elements and modern technology.

For example, the protagonist of the god's awakening wears a high-tech battle suit with traditional patterns, and the battle scene can be set in a modern port city, where the ancient mythological power and modern technology collide to create fierce sparks.

Another senior executive made role suggestions, and they all believed that Chen Duling could fully play the role of the "goddess", which received strong support from the entire conference room.

Chen Duling did not pretend to be modest and said that as long as everyone thought it was okay, she had no problem with it.

As the discussion deepened, the atmosphere in the conference room became more and more heated.

Everyone seems to have seen a superhero movie universe full of Chinese characteristics slowly unfolding before their eyes.

Chen Duling has been listening carefully to everyone's speeches and occasionally puts forward some unique insights.

She has a quick mind and can always look at problems from different angles, bringing new inspiration to everyone.

Lin Li looked at Chen Duling's performance in the meeting, and nodded frequently without disguising his admiration.

Time passed quietly in the heated discussion, and before we knew it, the sky outside the window had darkened.

Lin Li looked at his watch and found that it was already long past the end of get off work time.

"Okay, let's stop here for today's discussion. Everyone has worked very hard, but our ideas are becoming clearer and clearer. Next, each department will come up with specific plans based on the direction of today's discussion."

Lin Li looked around at everyone and said with a smile.

Everyone nodded and packed up to leave.

Chen Duling also sorted out her documents and was about to get up when Lin Li walked up to her.

"Let's go together. You did an excellent job in the meeting today."

Chen Duling met his gaze with a faint smile, and the tip of her straight nose wrinkled coquettishly.

"Thank you, Mr. Lin, for the compliment."

Lin Li smiled and shook his head slightly.

The two walked out of the conference room side by side. When they passed the office area, they found that many employees were still working.

Nanxun Culture offers generous remuneration and does not encourage overtime. Most of these people are voluntarily working to catch up on certain tasks and are very focused.

Walking out of the company building, the city is brightly lit at night.

Lin Li pulled Chen Duling to the back seat of the car. Wang Bao, who had been waiting there, opened the door and the two got in.

There was a faint scent of leather in the car, and Chen Duling let out a comfortable sigh as she lay down in the back seat.

"It's been a busy day today. Thank you for your hard work."

Chen Duling looked at him, nodded slightly, and let out a breath.

“Today’s meeting was very fruitful, and it felt like everyone was looking forward to this project.”

"Of course, I am looking forward to it too."

Her eyes were sparkling and her hands were placed on her chest, like a little girl making a wish.

Lin Li smiled at him, then turned to look at the night view outside the window.

"I have always hoped to create a superhero movie universe that belongs to China, so that the whole world can see the charm of our culture. Although this project is full of difficulties, I believe we will succeed."

"after all……"

He paused and turned back.

"I am Lin Li."

He raised his voice and smiled, raising his eyebrows.

This smile is indescribably free and unrestrained.

Chen Duling looked at Lin Li's profile. The light and shadow of the street lamp flickered alternately on his face, adding a bit of mystery and inexplicably attracting attention.

"I believe that, too, Ali. I will do my best to support you."

"You are Lin Li, you are Nan Xun, you will definitely succeed."

Chen Duling pursed her thin lips and said with a firm look.

"Ah."

Lin Li raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek, nodding slightly.

The car drove slowly, left the bustling city, and headed straight towards the villa halfway up the mountain.

After about an hour, they arrived at the villa halfway up the mountain.

Before the click sound of the door closing faded away in the air, Lin Li's back was already against the cold security door.

They didn't even look at each other, but their breathing suddenly heated up in the cramped space of the entrance.

The turning happened simultaneously.

As soon as Chen Duling's fingertips touched the edge of the cabinet, Lin Li's palm covered the back of her hand.

As their lips touched, the ticking of the quartz clock in the room suddenly became deafening.

Lin Li tasted the mint flavor of her lipstick and felt her eyelashes brushing across the bridge of his nose, causing an itch.

The entrance mirror reflects two overlapping silhouettes.

When Chen Duling stood on tiptoe, her scattered hair caught on Lin Li's watch, and he took the opportunity to hold the back of her neck in a familiar position as if he had repeated it thousands of times.

The night wind leaked in through the gap in the bay window, and the camellia petals on the coffee table fell down, landing on the title page of the script that Chen Duling had forgotten on the sofa.

Amid the entangled breath, the syllables that escaped from Lin Li's throat were pushed back by Chen Duling.

Her nails, stained red, dug into the folds of his shirt at his shoulder blades, like grasping the sails of a boat drifting in a rainstorm.

At a certain moment, their eyelashes trembled at the same time, and they saw each other in each other's pupils.

When the corridor sensor light came on again, the bracelet on Chen Duling's wrist hit Lin Li's belt buckle, making a clear sound.

The moment Chen Duling held onto the cabinet, Lin Li couldn't wait to rush forward.

"No~"

Accompanied by a heart-stirring moan, the long night began.

(End of this chapter)