vstars Chapter 200 Audiovisual Degradation, The Death Knell of the Old Era
Chapter 200 Audiovisual Degradation, The Death Knell of the Old Era
The network loading progress bar slowly climbed forward under 2G signal.
The reporter kept refreshing the page, his fingers pressing hard, until finally, the homepage of CCTV Movie Channel's official website popped up.
The headline, which was originally dominated by various patriotic films, has now been replaced by a highly impactful poster.
On the gray, icy wasteland, a massive, suffocating heavy transport vehicle rolls across the icy road, the ice shards kicked up by its wheels rushing to the front of the screen, almost bursting out of the frame.
At the very center of the poster, there is a line of cold, hard metallic lettering.
Behind-the-scenes footage of the industrial aspects of "The Wandering Earth".
The reporter clicked on the video link.
There was no melodious background music, nor any beautiful empty shots.
The video opens with a dull, heavy metal impact sound.
The scene then cuts to the next scene.
The actual set of Shougang Third Factory appeared on the screen.
The camera is handheld and shoulder-mounted, and the slight shaking brings out a strong documentary feel.
Lin Qingqiu, wearing the 60-pound metal exoskeleton, struggled to climb the inclined steel plate.
Each breath was heavy and labored, and sweat slid down his cheeks, hitting his breastplate and splashing out tiny droplets.
There's no lightness from wire work here, no graceful floating in the air; only the stiffness and strain caused by physical gravity.
Then, the screen flashed.
Integrate semi-finished special effects rendered by Weta Digital.
The massive planetary engines spewed out blinding blue plasma beams that shot straight into the sky.
The ground shook, and the glacier broke apart.
The 120-ton transport vehicle drifted across the ice field, its tires rubbing against the ice, sparks flying all the way.
This 60-second clip has no plot or dialogue, only a direct and intense audiovisual bombardment.
The sounds of heavy industrial gears meshing, hydraulic valves venting, and wind and snow howling intertwine to create a symphony of steel.
The reporter stared at the phone screen, forgetting even to catch his breath.
A moment later, he looked up at the trailer for "A Better Tomorrow" playing on the large screen in the banquet hall.
Zhang Man was still gracefully dancing in the bamboo forest, her long sword creating beautiful sword flowers.
Just a minute ago, he thought the scene was beautiful enough.
But after watching that rough and hardcore heavy industry clip, the martial arts scene on the big screen suddenly lost its weight, floated up and became a rootless colorful silhouette.
A buzzing vibration emanated from all parts of the banquet hall.
More and more reporters pulled out their phones, and the screens were filled with incoming calls and text messages.
Editors-in-chief from various media outlets were urging their reporters on the front lines at almost the same time.
Forget about those martial arts movies, go dig up some juicy tidbits about "The Wandering Earth"!
"A note personally approved by General Manager Han of China Film Group, released online without warning—this is the national team getting involved!"
"Heavy industry science fiction, the first of its kind in China! Hurry up and write your article to grab the headlines!"
The reporters below the stage stopped whispering to each other. The sounds of keyboards clicking, chairs being moved, and hushed phone calls mingled together, creating an undercurrent of anxiety that quickly spread through the banquet hall.
Li Jianguo, standing to the side of the stage, quickly sensed that something was amiss.
He frowned and beckoned his assistant over.
"What's going on? What's all that noise downstairs?"
Li Jianguo leaned close to his assistant, his tone heavy and somber.
The assistant, sweating profusely, handed him a laptop with both hands.
"Mr. Li...you can see for yourself."
Li Jianguo lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the screen.
On the screen was that sixty-second preview clip.
He watched the planetary engine emitting blue light, watched Lin Qingqiu's weightless performance with real weight, and watched Weta Digital's incredibly realistic special effects rendering.
His jawline tightened, and his hand gripping the champagne glass tightened, the transparent glass making a soft cracking sound as his palm pressed against it.
As a bigwig in the cinema industry, he knew all too well what this behind-the-scenes footage meant.
This is a dimensional reduction attack.
For decades, the highest industrial standards of Chinese films have basically remained at the level of wire work and explosives in martial arts films.
Audiences have become accustomed to this aesthetic and this weight.
But this time, Chen Yan brought Hollywood-level heavy industry audiovisual technology directly to China.
This kind of rough, heavy visual style, with its mechanical and violent aesthetics, has a powerful impact on domestic audiences, enough to shatter existing market perceptions.
Once audiences' appetites are spoiled by this kind of heavy industrial science fiction, who would still be willing to spend money to go to the cinema to watch a few people flying around in the sky?
"That's impossible."
Li Jianguo's voice was squeezed out from between his teeth.
"I've shut down the film processing plant, so where are they going to get sample footage to edit behind-the-scenes clips? Where are they going to get the data for Weta Digital to do special effects?"
The assistant swallowed hard.
"I just had someone check the customs documents, and it's Lin Shufen."
As he said this, his Adam's apple bobbed again.
"She used smuggling channels to transport Chen Yan's film to Tokyo overnight for processing."
Li Jianguo slammed his laptop shut.
Lin Shufen.
This woman, who had been begging for food in the underground channels, dared to jump out at this moment and stab him in the back.
The trailer for "A Better Tomorrow" finished playing on stage.
Director Zhang picked up the microphone, ready to answer reporters' questions.
According to the procedure, at this point, a reporter should stand up and ask about behind-the-scenes stories and gossip about the actors.
But the audience remained silent.
Dozens of reporters had their heads down, some typing on their phones, others writing articles rapidly on their laptops.
Finally, an entertainment reporter from Sina.com stood up.
"Director Zhang."
The reporter held up a recording pen and spoke directly.
"A teaser trailer for director Chen Yan's 'The Wandering Earth' was just released online, showcasing a remarkably high level of heavy industry production."
He paused for half a second, then moved the recorder forward an inch.
"As a representative of the Fifth Generation directors, what are your thoughts on this new film industry model?"
"Does 'A Better Tomorrow' still meet the expectations of today's audiences in terms of its audiovisual aspects?"
Director Zhang stood there, stunned.
He had no idea about any behind-the-scenes footage.
Li Jianguo strode onto the stage and snatched the microphone.
"Today's press conference will only discuss 'A Better Tomorrow'."
His face was ashen, yet he still clung to his last shred of dignity.
"I have no comment on any other unrelated questions."
"This press conference is now adjourned."
Thank you everyone.
After he finished speaking, he turned and left the stage, his steps quick and hurried.
Reporters immediately swarmed him, flashes went off wildly, and microphones were practically poking Li Jianguo in the face.
"Mr. Li! I heard that the five major cinema chains have joined forces to block the film printing channels for 'The Wandering Earth.' Is that true?"
Does China Film Group's full support for Chen Yan signify official suppression of cinema chains?
"Was 'A Better Tomorrow' moved up to the Mid-Autumn Festival release date to avoid competing with 'The Wandering Earth'?"
One question after another came crashing down on me, so densely packed that I had no chance to breathe.
The security guards pushed the reporters aside and escorted Li Jianguo backstage.
Li Jianguo sat down on the sofa in the lounge and loosened his tie.
His proud industry barriers were torn open with a huge crack in the face of absolute audiovisual shock.
He dialed Zhou Man's number.
"Issue a press release immediately!"
Li Jianguo roared into the phone.
"They said that behind-the-scenes footage was a computer-generated hoax!"
"They say his production team ran out of funds!"
On the other end of the phone, Zhou Man's voice was filled with despair.
"Mr. Li... can't send it out."
She paused for a moment, as if reviewing a message she had just received.
"China Film Group has issued a strict order to completely block all articles that smear 'The Wandering Earth' on the internet."
"Public opinion is now out of control."
Li Jianguo's hand dropped, and the phone slipped from his palm, landing on the thick carpet.
The death knell of the old era has already tolled.
He stared at the phone with the cracked screen on the carpet, the last glimmer of light in his eyes fading, leaving only a cold, lifeless gray.
A moment later, he looked up at his assistant, his voice hoarse.
"Go, contact the people in Tianjin for me."
Tell them it's time to get to work.