The Best Director

Chapter 81 Gold Rush?

After spending a sweet and happy New Years holiday in New York, Wang Yang and Jessica returned to Los Angeles, and he also began to devote himself to the post-production work of "When Happiness Comes Knocking".

The job of film editor finally fell to Margaret Goodspeed. Wang Yang had an interview with her. She wanted to express the theme of the script, and the moving parts of the story, the film In terms of rhythm, style, etc., he has grasped what he wants without losing his own unique insights; in addition, the two have already cooperated once, and they are familiar with each other's temper, so there is no need to worry about problems when getting along, so Wang Yang hired her.

How to cut this movie? After the two discussed, Margaret understood what Wang Yang meant, and she also agreed very much, that is to tell the story according to the single-line structure of the time axis, except that when Chris Gardner chased the hippie couple, he recalled that he was How to become the exclusive sales of that medical scanner in the San Francisco Bay Area In addition to the interlude montage this time, the entire movie is based on Chris Gardner's perspective, advancing the story according to time.

If you look at where Chris Gardner lives, it's an apartment, a motel, homelessness, success, and the end of the movie. In the original version of "When Happiness Knocks", the homeless part lasts about 30 minutes. Compared with the real Chris Gardner and his son who have been homeless for a year, as well as his change of heart, the end of the movie is a bit rushed Wang Yang didn't know how the original editing material was shot, but he combined Chris Gardner's real story and mentality, and made some detailed revisions and additions. For example, when Chris bathed his son in the church room, Little Chris would say "Dad, you know what? You're a good dad."

At that time, Chris was confused and wanted to give up, but when he heard what his son said, he wept behind his back. He wanted to cheer himself up, pursue happiness persistently, and let himself live with little Chris. Have a good day.

When shooting this set of shots, Will Smith's emotions are completely outburst, and he doesn't need to act at all. He has reached the ideal state of experientialism, which is to become that role. When Terry Smith finished that sentence, his eyes turned red all of a sudden, and he turned his back and wept silently, and then he couldn't control himself from crying bitterly, trying to swallow the crying, and his shoulders kept twitching. The original script ended here, but to Wang Yang's surprise, Terry actually patted Will on the shoulder at that time, and said comfortingly: "Dad, don't cry, I know you have worked hard, but I will be sensible." .”

This set of shots is very touching, no worse than the scene where Chris weeps sadly and dazedly in the toilet. In the clip, Wang Yang put this arrangement after little Chris lost the Captain America doll. His comfort made the confused and irritable Chris Gardner firm up. The mutual love and warmth between father and son , will also reach the climax of the movie here.

At the same time, in the part of his homeless group, he added some plots and shots, mainly around Chris Gardner's big change of heart, about dignity and persistence to dreams. The reason why he escaped relief,

He became an official stockbroker because he did not let go of his dignity. Although he was so poor that he had to sleep in the toilet of the subway station or the bed in the rescue hall, he never let go of his dignity. The tramp difference.

"Marigot, there's also a monologue-like sound montage here."

In the editing room, Margaret, wearing black-rimmed glasses, is sitting in front of the editing computer, holding the mouse. On the computer screen at this time, people are coming and going in front of a commercial building in Oakland, and Will Smith is watching with a smile. with the red Ferrari. Wang Yang was standing next to the script with the script in his hand, looking at the computer screen, while reading the narration in the script: "I still remember that moment, all of them looked super happy, why can't I also be happy Woolen cloth?"

"Okay, then we need a few shots of smiling faces." Margaret responded, and searched through the pile of materials for this group of scenes, including the smiling shots of white-collar workers entering and leaving the building and passers-by.

There are a lot of such voice montages in "When Happiness Comes Knocking", all of which are purely subjective voices, that is, Chris Gardner's narration or inner monologue, including "This part of my life is called taking the bus", "This part is called being silly" and so on. This kind of expression can quickly supplement the integrity of the story, such as what Chris said "I saw my father for the first time at the age of 28"; The inner world and personality make his image more three-dimensional and plump. For biographical films, whether the protagonist's image can be clearly expressed is very critical.

Looking at the picture played on the screen, those white-collar workers and passers-by were laughing and walking around in slow motion, Wang Yang frowned, asked Margaret to play it several times, and said, "Do you feel a little too slow?"

The so-called slow motion is to increase the shooting frequency of the camera to above 24 frames per second when shooting, for example, 48 frames per second, but the normal speed of movie projection is 24 frames per second. There is slow motion; the opposite is fast motion. The part of Keanu Reeves dodging bullets in "The Matrix" is the super slow motion "bullet time", reaching 12,000 frames per second; of course, there are not so many shots on the computer now, only 96 frames per second That's all.

"Well, maybe. This needs to be combined with the speech speed of the narration and the situation of the soundtrack." Margaret clicked the mouse, adjusted the frame rate to 72 per second, and asked, "How is it now?" Wang Yang looked After thinking about Will Smith's voice speed and the atmosphere of this group of shots, he said: "The two smiling white-collar workers in the front will reduce a few frames, and Chris will raise his head and smile and increase a few frames in the back." , give it a try."

Margaret nodded, and the editing software was making adjustments. This adjustment of the frame number of the shot was not the point of argument between her and Wang Yang. Seeing a passerby on the screen, she suddenly remembered something, and said with a smile: "Young director, this girl seems to be your girlfriend?"

"Yes." Wang Yang shrugged with a smile. Jessica inside hurried past with a sweet smile on his face. Will Smith next to him raised his head with a smile. Wang Yang said with a smile: "Believe me, more A few frames are not for her." Margaret smiled while operating: "Of course, otherwise you can let her play a role? That hippie girl's age, I think it's quite suitable."

Hippie girl? The quiet girl with freckles appeared in front of Wang Yang's eyes. Anne played the role very well, especially when Will Smith turned around after finishing the commission, she looked at the scanner on the ground with a greedy look in her eyes, which made people feel happy. It was obvious from a glance that she was going to steal the scanner. Thinking of when he said "very good" and Annie's happy face, he couldn't help smiling, the girl who plays the hippie girl is suitable!

The editing room stayed all day, and it was not until the evening that Wang Yang finished his day's work and drove home. What greeted him at home was Jessica's smiling face and the already prepared dinner. At the dining table, seeing her smiling face, listening to her nice voice, and tasting delicious food, Wang Yang felt his tiredness was swept away. And Kong, probably this is the warmth of home.

"Yang, when I was shopping with Erin today, she told me some news." Jessica's voice was full of disbelief, she opened her eyes wide and said, "Guess what?" Wang Yang bit his hand He frowned and pretended to think, and immediately smiled and said, "Hmm... I can't guess, is she pregnant? Oh my god, that guy Zachary is going to be a father!"

After countless efforts and rejections, Zachary used a magic weapon, and under Wang Yang's "pointing", before the filming of "High School Musical 2" started, Eileen Iris was miraculously impressed. also came together.

"No, she's not pregnant." Jessica rolled her eyes with a smile, and said mysteriously: "But..." She paused, and said in surprise, "They're planning to get married soon!" Wang Yang's eyes widened suddenly, A mouthful of pie almost spewed out, he tried his best to hold back, swallowed uncomfortably, coughed and said anxiously: "No way, what are you kidding? Get married so soon?! When?!" Jessica smiled lightly Shaking his head lightly, he said: "There is no set time, they are just planning now, maybe a few years later?"

What... Wang Yang closed his eyes, heaved a sigh of relief, and then laughed out loud, feeling very funny, and said: "Jessie, you scared me to death, I thought they would die in a week or a month. Getting married, please!" After a few years? What are you planning to do so early on? And does it work?

"But they already have a plan." Jessica said softly, looking at Wang Yang on the opposite side, her eyes were filled with envy and longing, her lips were slightly pouted, as if to say, "But we don't have a plan! "Wang Yang couldn't help but frowned. Marriage plan? It's too early to say this... He glanced at Jessica, shrugged his shoulders, and smiled along with her: "Then we should also make a plan? Get married in five years?"

Seeing that he didn't look excited, and knowing that the plan he said was just coaxing herself, Jessica's interest dissipated immediately, her face was sullen, and her tone was blunt: "No, forget it, I don't have any plans!"

Wang Yang frowned and put down the pie in his hand, looked at her and said seriously: "Jessie, I just don't think it's important to have a plan or not. I'm a man of action. If one day we suddenly want to get married, we will run away immediately." Going to the auditorium doesn't require much planning." He spread his hands and looked around, then said with a warm smile, "And we are fine now, home, two people's world, sweet...I think we are already married."

"Well... sorry, I'm fine." Jessica smiled forcedly, and secretly sighed, even now that everything is beautiful, she doesn't want to lose it, and she can't imagine what it would be like if she lost it. Just like to have a plan, so she will have a great sense of security.

"Jessica..." Wang Yang obviously felt that she was still very unhappy, but he didn't know what to say, so he tried to ask, "Let's make a plan?" Jessica shook her head and said with a smile, "No , I'm really fine." After that, she lowered her head and gnawed at the pie in her hand. Wang Yang smiled helplessly, and continued to coax her: "I think we will definitely get married earlier than Zachary and Irene. Planners will always change their plans, for any reason..."

Wang Yang coaxed her for a long time, but he didn't get her to fully agree in the end, but he finally put the matter aside, and the laughter resumed at the dinner table. After dinner, Jessica cleaned up the tableware and the kitchen. Wang Yang wanted to help, but received a long-lost call from Jon Filtimer.

"Hi, Jon? What's the matter?" Wang Yang came to the rattan sofa in the living room and sat down, pushed aside the pillow, leaned on the sofa, and smiled at the phone: "You haven't called me for a long time, there must be something thing."

The voice of Jon Filtimer came from over there, and he said with a chuckle: "Jan, it's about the dividends of "Ghost Story 2". The money will be credited to your account in a few days. Come to Lionsgate to see the specific box office data?"

"Ghost Story 2" was released in North America for 2 months, and finally received close to 35 million at the box office. If you add the overseas market that has not yet been released, and the future DD income, it is enough to recover the cost and make a small profit, but Wang Yang's 20% after-tax box office dividend is not much.

"Just send the data files to my mailbox." Wang Yang said indifferently. He was not afraid that Lionsgate would hide the box office. Lionsgate has always had a good reputation. Besides, "Ghost Story 1" made so much money. Money, Lionsgate has never defaulted on a penny, not to mention the small dividend of "Ghost Story 2"? He also explained: "I have been busy with the post-editing of "When Happiness Comes Knocking" every day; and I can trust you."

"Wow, it looks like another blockbuster movie! Jan, when will we be able to work together again?" Jon Feltimer once again repeated the old saying, Flame Movie announced "When Happiness Knocks on the Door" After making the plan, he contacted Wang Yang immediately to inquire about the possibility of cooperation, but Wang Yang later declined him. Immediately, he heard Wang Yang say: "Jon, there is no chance for now, well, do you have any ideas about making "Ghost Story 3"?"

Jon gave a helpless oh, and laughed at himself: "You know, this sequel is not considered a success, we screwed up, and the popularity accumulated in the previous work was squandered, so..." He laughed and said again: "But if you are willing to direct Ghost Shadow 3, we are more than happy to invest."

"Come on, my schedule for this year is over." Wang Yang smiled and comforted him: "Jon, I believe you will be able to find "Ghost Story" soon, which is the strength of Lionsgate. Isn't it?" Jon over there said "yes" with a smile, and said, "The Sundance Film Festival will be in a few days, and we are going to try our luck to see if there is "Ghost Story" . Are you going?"

Sundance? Wang Yang was startled for a moment, then realized, looking at the date, this year's Sundance Film Festival is indeed about to open! This is an important festival for Chinese films. It is held in Park City, Utah on January 18 every year for 11 days. At that time, countless famous filmmakers will bring their films to participate, hoping to be appreciated by film companies; And countless film companies will also go to Park City for a bole tour. In the days when "Ghost Story" was seeking distribution, these film festivals were the last resort in his mind.

"Well, of course, we will also join in the fun." Wang Yang thought about the company's finances for a while, and he might be able to buy one or two pornographic movies. He said with a smile: "Maybe we can find some treasures."

Jon Filtimer laughed, and said in a serious and joking way: "Don't let me know what movie it is, or I will definitely snatch it from you."