For science fiction novelists, as long as they have enough knowledge reserves, combined with boundless creativity and imagination, they can begin writing.
But making a science fiction film requires far more than imagination and creativity. It demands a solid foundation in film industry infrastructure.
Today, most Chinese-language films outsource their special effects shots to teams from Europe, America, or even Japan and Korea.
China does not have a proper talent development system, nor do investors want to pour money into what looks like a money-losing industry. As a result, there simply isn't enough accumulation or experience in the field.
Each of the four trainees had their own thoughts about what Gilbert had said.
The other three felt Gilbert didn't quite understand the situation of the Chinese-language film industry. But Guo Fan thought Gilbert's words were very reasonable—almost like a kindred spirit.
It's necessary to mention the state of the Chinese film industry at the time. Because of the malicious diplomatic incident caused by fake trainees, the entertainment industry had no choice but to undergo a round of cleansing.
The big boss's declaration that he would not recognize Beijing or Shanghai film circles, but only Chinese filmmakers, caused the Chinese film industry to experience a major upheaval.
The so-called circles were broken apart. But where there are people, there are factions, so new circles gradually formed anyway.
Since most of the previous financial backers were gone, the remaining filmmakers sought new outlets and eventually found new patrons: coal bosses.
It's not that coal bosses hadn't invested before—it's just that they hadn't been the mainstream.
The coal bosses never expected that suddenly they would become the biggest financiers in the Chinese film industry.
In addition, real estate developers seemed to find an opportunity too, and several real estate tycoons began entering the film business one after another.
As for those unwilling to cater to coal bosses and real estate moguls, they chose to strike out on their own.
Thus the film industry was divided into three camps. But unlike before, the new circles didn't have rigid barriers or harsh entry requirements. Overall, the industry became much more open.
Perhaps because of the fake trainee incident, in 2004 the number of projects launched in the Chinese film industry was severely insufficient. Many people couldn't get roles or put projects into production.
This was also why the easily persuaded coal bosses suddenly became honored guests in the film industry.
Without money and resources, everyone needed the support of coal bosses and real estate tycoons.
Coal bosses only wanted to make money, while also slipping their mistresses into productions and shedding their image as uneducated men. Beyond that, they didn't care much.
Real estate moguls brought in their business methods from property development, demanding performance KPIs and enforcing certain oversight.
As for the self-developing independents—no one knew what kind of projects they could actually put together.
This was the butterfly effect caused by Gilbert, pushing the Chinese film industry onto an unknown path. But history has strong inertia; in the end, it would probably still lead to the entrance of internet capital.
After visiting the set of The Jackie Chan Adventures, Gilbert returned to the studio.
Ivanka, who was always by his side, curiously asked: "Boss, I can tell you admire that Guo fellow. Why not take him under your wing to learn from you?"
Gilbert shook his head. "Ivanka, sometimes I need to avoid suspicion."
Ivanka immediately thought of certain unfavorable rumors about her father and instantly understood: "You're worried about people gossiping?"
"Exactly. These people—once they start biting you, they're just like dogs." Gilbert's tone was full of annoyance.
Ivanka covered her mouth with a laugh, pretending she hadn't heard Gilbert's complaint. She didn't dare respond—after all, she was only a small assistant.
By mid-February, Gilbert had finally completed all the post-production for The False, and had even cut several trailers ready for release.
The Jackie Chan Adventures 2 had wrapped completely. Gilbert attended the wrap party, congratulated the crew, and also bid farewell to the Chinese trainees.
Once they returned, the four had uncertain futures—it would all depend on their own effort and opportunities.
Li Bingbing came over with a toast and asked Gilbert a question: "Director, do you think I have a chance of staying in Hollywood for the long term?"
Gilbert replied that he wasn't sure. "Li, you must understand—staying in Hollywood for the long haul is not that simple.
You've seen Hollywood now. Look at Jackie, at how much effort he's put in.
Do you think you have any unique advantage?"
Li Bingbing thought for a moment and realized her hopes weren't high. Her only unique trait was being Chinese, but in Hollywood that was actually a disadvantage.
If Li Bingbing wanted to make it in Hollywood, learning from Lucy Liu would be a wise choice—though it was unclear if she'd be willing.
As for Zhang Ziyi, she had been doing extremely well these past two years. That year, she even had a lead role in Memoirs of a Geisha scheduled for release.
The press releases were overwhelming, calling it an A-list blockbuster starring Zhang Ziyi. But in reality, the role only came to her because many other actresses had turned the project down.
Although Memoirs of a Geisha was distributed by a Hollywood studio, it wasn't a genuine Hollywood production. Its box office prospects weren't expected to be very strong.
When bidding farewell to the four Chinese trainees, Gilbert offered them encouragement, and then spoke to Guo Fan alone.
"You have great potential. Once you return, keep your feet on the ground. Don't be impatient. Your chance lies in the future. Remember, the one who runs first doesn't necessarily win. The one who goes farther does."
"And what about the finish line?"
"There is no finish line on this road…"
Gilbert left behind a deeply meaningful remark, one that Guo Fan was still pondering even as he boarded the plane back home.
He thought to himself: this was Gilbert urging him to persist in the directing profession, to never give up, to always move forward—hence there was no finish line.
On the plane, Li Haoyang was still chatting with Guo Fan about what to do after returning, and which company to join.
"My dad already arranged it for me. Things are really lively back home right now, projects everywhere. Why don't you come with me?" Li Haoyang offered warmly.
Guo Fan politely declined. "No, Haoyang, I plan to go home and rest for a while first."
Li Haoyang didn't press. "OK, once you're rested, come find me. Call me."
"We'll see," Guo Fan replied with a smile.
In truth, he already had a plan in mind. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of the genius director Gilbert. With graduation and study already behind him, Guo Fan intended to directly direct a film of his own.
Moreover, he believed he had a good chance, because the so-called circles had been broken apart, and it was now the era of the coal bosses.
If he could persuade a coal boss to invest, wouldn't he then have the opportunity to direct independently?
So said, so done. After returning home, Guo Fan rested for a while, mainly to write a detailed project outline.
After going to Hollywood, Guo Fan couldn't say he had learned much else, but he had learned the workflow of Hollywood film production.
Hollywood films are not made as an artistic creation process; the entire filmmaking process is more like running a construction project.
The producer is the overseer, the director is the foreman, the crew are the bricklayers and laborers, and the actors are like the steel and concrete.
So the project proposal Guo Fan wrote wasn't just a script—it was a complete project plan.
With this innovative project plan, and with the introduction of his good friend Liu Ji, Guo Fan quickly met a coal boss.
At the Riches Nightclub, the pot-bellied Boss Wang had his mistress in his arms, and even called two girls over to drink with Guo Fan and Liu Ji.
"Come on, drink…" Boss Wang was bold, wanting to toast right away.
As a sturdy man from Shandong Province, Guo Fan might lack in other things, but when it came to drinking, he wasn't afraid.
After three rounds of drinks, the coal boss and Liu Ji had already groped the girls several times, but the girl beside Guo Fan was still neat and proper, her eyes filled with a trace of resentment.
But Guo Fan had no time to bother with her—he was there to secure investment.
Meanwhile, Liu Ji was still introducing things to Boss Wang. "Boss Wang, you've read the project plan. I can guarantee, you won't find a project better than this in the film industry."
Boss Wang still had doubts. "I know the project is good, but aren't you too young? Look at young Guo here—not even twenty-four yet.
As the old saying goes, a beardless mouth can't handle serious business."
"You're right, Boss," the mistress chimed in. "If young Guo were a bit more mature, you'd have already invested."
Liu Ji grew anxious. "Boss Wang, age isn't the problem. Think about the world-famous director Gilbert. He directed his first film when he was only twenty-one!"
Before Boss Wang could respond, the mistress sneered: "Oh please, you think young Guo is Gilbert? That man is a genius."
Liu Ji and Guo Fan exchanged a glance. Guo Fan signaled not to, but Liu Ji felt there was no other way—he had to tell a little lie.
"Boss Wang, you know Guo Fan studied in Hollywood for half a year. But do you know whose crew he studied with?"
"Whose crew?"
"Director Gilbert's crew. Guo Fan was a student of Director Gilbert—personally praised by him."
Guo Fan wanted to explain. "No, Boss Wang, Liu Ji—"
But before he could finish, Liu Ji cut him off. "Boss Wang, let's set another time to talk. Think it over carefully—this is a great opportunity."
With that, Liu Ji pulled Guo Fan out, not even giving him the chance to explain.
Outside, Guo Fan was upset. "Liu Ji, how could you do that? I've never been on Director Gilbert's crew."
"Oh, come on," Liu Ji said dismissively. "What does it matter? As long as Boss Wang believes you have, that's enough."
"But borrowing someone else's name to gain opportunities is highly unethical." Guo Fan wanted to go back in and clarify things to Boss Wang.
But Liu Ji blocked him. "Why are you so rigid? Can't you be flexible?
At worst, once you achieve success, even if Director Gilbert learns of it, it'll reflect well on him. He won't expose you."
Seeing Guo Fan still unhappy, Liu Ji added: "The idea was mine. If anyone ever blames us, you can push it all onto me."
At this point, Guo Fan sighed. "You're trying to help me, I know. How could I let you take the blame? Fine, fine. At worst, I'll work myself to the bone to make this project succeed."
"That's the spirit," Liu Ji said, sounding like an elder giving advice. "Old Guo, remember this—every shining story on the road to success is worth being told.
Believe me, once you succeed, your so-called teacher-student bond with Director Gilbert will become a celebrated tale."
"Let's hope so," Guo Fan reluctantly accepted.
.....
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