Entertainment Reborn Rhapsody

Chapter 484: The First Step on a New Journey

With the launch of the project of "The Three-Body Problem", Shanhe once again fell into the familiar busyness. The intensive preparatory work such as polishing the script, forming a crew, drawing concept renderings, formulating shooting plans, setting up the set, etc. made him not notice the passage of time.

The year 2017 has passed by, and the Dog has once again driven away the Rooster and become the protagonist of the Chinese New Year!

The joy and festivity in the courtyard did not stay with Shanhe for too long. The uncertain unknown brought him not only pressure and anxiety, but also challenges and expectations. The long-lost creative passion made Shanhe find another completely different kind of satisfaction.

Shanhe's full commitment gave the entire team a boost, and the preparations for "The Three-Body Problem" progressed rapidly with the full cooperation of Chuhe Film and Television and sufficient funds.

The various progress in the preparations for "The Three-Body Problem" have been constantly reported by the media and appeared in front of the public.

"Shanhe invested a huge amount of money to build the Red Coast Base, and "The Three-Body Problem" shows its magnificent momentum!"

"Ye Wenjie is cast, Zhou Xun plays the leading role in a Shanhe film again after a lapse of ten years, and she says frankly that The Three-Body Problem is her biggest acting challenge!"

"Liu Ye and Hu Ge join the Earth Protector camp in The Three-Body Problem, playing Dashi and Wang Miao respectively, and are full of confidence in their roles..."

"Li Xuejian, Chen Daoming, and Gong Li announced that they will join the cast of The Three-Body Problem. The influence of Shanhe has created the most luxurious Chinese cast!"

"Star-Lord Heath Ledger officially announced that he will play the Adventist leader Evans. The Three-Body Problem has already aroused great expectations from the world before filming even started!"

...

In mid-June 2018, after more than half a year of preparation, the first season of "The Three-Body Problem" finally started filming at Chuhe Film and Television City in Beijing. Although Shanhe did not hold a press conference for the start of filming, the news of the start of filming of "The Three-Body Problem" still spread across global online media.

In the nearly six months that followed, the "Three-Body" crew traveled to almost every continent in the world. Although the main storyline is mostly set in China, the mountains and rivers have given it a broader global perspective.

From Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to the Panama Canal in South America, from Iceland in Northern Europe to the Louvre in Paris, from New York in North America to Hawaii, most of the shots of "The Three-Body Problem" were shot on location.

The entire crew underestimated how much importance Shanhe attached to the "Three-Body" series. During the filming process, his requirements were even higher than those of previous film shoots, and he often tried multiple times in one scene.

His temper is much more irritable than before. Except for a few actors of the older generation, everyone else has been baptized by Shanhe's venomous tongue, especially Liu Ye and Hu Ge. One is Shanhe's childhood friend, and the other is almost Shanhe's exclusive actor. Shanhe has no scruples when he criticizes them.

"Hugo, what I want is a mature and wise scientist, not a timid and timid boy. You have been acting for so many years, and you still want to be a traffic star. I am ashamed of you!"

"There's a death countdown in your eyeball instead of a pile of eye mucus. Why do you keep blinking? Are you trying to be cool? I really regret choosing you to play Wang Miao. If you can't do it again, I'm going to change you!"

...

"Liu Ye, Dashi is a veteran, but he is also an excellent policeman. He is a little rude, but not reckless. He is one of the smartest people in the entire "Three-Body Problem". Look at what kind of shit you played. How come you can't find your way after becoming an international movie star? Let me tell you, without sincerity and dedication, and trying to fool the audience, you will soon be nothing!"

...

Shanhe's abnormal attitude and anxiety made everyone confused. Several leading actors often complained about Shanhe's sharp tongue in private.
"Lao Hu, the Master has been a little weird lately. His temper is much worse than before. Even in the Moroccan desert, I've never seen him so anxious!"

"Who knows what's wrong with him? I've never seen him so impatient before. If you say it's just a TV show, even if the investment is big, it shouldn't be so important to him. I'm dumbfounded by his scolding!"

"Haha... this is the charm of Shanhe. Although he has achieved so much, he is always so sincere in his work. I admire him for this! When we were filming "The Sound of Wind", Zeng Li and I were both moved to tears by him. In the end, "The Sound of Wind" made us successful. Gu Xiaomeng became the role I am most proud of. Zeng Li even completed her career transformation with Li Ningyu. I have high expectations for the role of Ye Wenjie!"

"What Xiao Zhou said is right. Think about it carefully. How much does this TV series mean to the Chinese film and television industry? This is the first Chinese TV series to be broadcast globally. It is paving the way for later generations and opening up a new path. Shanhe cannot help but attach great importance to it. He has a strong sense of responsibility. His pressure and anxiety are understandable. We must fully support him!"

"Teacher Li is really far-sighted. In this way, we are pioneers for the Chinese film and television industry. It's such a great sense of accomplishment!"

"I'll go talk to Shanhe later and give him some time to relax. He can easily make a TV series!"

Hu Ge turned his head and looked at Liu Ye.
"Liu Ye, how about we go together!"

"I don't dare to ask for trouble. You are his childhood friend, and only you should go there!"

"Look at your bear-like appearance, what is there to be afraid of?"

"He is a mountain eagle in the entertainment industry. Just ask anyone in China, who would dare to seek death when he loses his temper?"

"Liu Ye, you are such a daredevil. You are saying bad things about me behind my back again!"

"Hey, Master, your ears are truly amazing. I'm complimenting you!"

"Ha ha…"

...

No one in the crew understood that although "The Three-Body Problem" was a TV series, it was a brand new beginning for Shanhe at this time. The reason for the efficiency of filming in the past was that he had the memory in his mind as a foundation. Shanhe could quickly make assumptions and judgments, but now he has lost the advantage of being a reborn person, and everything requires more thinking and comparison.

The pressure Shanhe carried in his heart was greater than any other filming experience he had ever had. He couldn't fail, at least not now, because he had too much to bear. The more you get, the more you give. This is an eternal truth!

Shanhe has no other way to deal with the opponent, but to devote himself wholeheartedly and strive to do his best. He understands one truth, whether it is a movie or a TV series, the creator must first treat the filming sincerely, and the audience will treat the work sincerely!
As time went by, Gong Li, Li Xuejian, Chen Daoming and others finished filming and left the crew one after another, but Shanhe's high-intensity work continued until early December, and the first part of "The Three-Body Problem" was finally completed at the Panama Canal.

Not only director Shanhe felt relieved, but the entire crew also breathed a sigh of relief. Over the past few months, Shanhe had really squeezed the entire crew enough, and everyone was exhausted!
"Thank you for your hard work over the past few months. I'm not one to do things in vain. So, let's have the wrap party when we return home. Let's go to the Caribbean Paradise Island for a seven-day vacation first. I'll pay for all the expenses myself!"

"Oh, the boss is so generous!"

"Haha... that's one of the world's top resort islands. Thanks to the boss, we can enjoy the treatment of the rich!"

"Boss, can I get a discount?"

"Get lost, boss. Don't pay any attention to him! Let him buy his own plane ticket back home!"

"Ha ha…"

...

After returning to China, Shanhe didn't rest for a few days and immediately plunged into post-production. At Shanhe's request, the post-production of the entire series met the highest domestic standards.

The first season of "The Three-Body Problem" can be said to be the most expensive TV series in the world so far, without a doubt. This is a real 200 million US dollars, without a trace of water. You must know that the domestic purchasing power is much greater than that of Hollywood. China's 200 million US dollars production cost is comparable to Hollywood's 300 million US dollars, or perhaps even more.

Time flies. It seems like 2018 has just arrived, but it is over in the blink of an eye. The Year of the Dog has not even started barking, and the Year of the Pig is here again.

In the past year, Shanhe, a quick shooter, has rarely produced any works, but the Chinese film industry is not lacking in excitement.

"Happy Twist" has completely exploded, unmatched in the field of domestic comedy films, with the box office of "Shameful Iron Fist" and "The Richest Man in Xihong City" exceeding 2 billion yuan in succession, and Shen Teng and Ma Li have completely established their status as top-tier comedy stars.

Not only "Happy Twist", a new generation of domestic directors have also come to the fore. Films such as Rao Xiaozhi's "The Unknown", Su Lun's "Time Raiders", Huang Bo's "A Good Show", and Li Fangfang's "Ask the East and the West" have all achieved great success in terms of box office and reputation. Chinese-language films have seen a rare period of talent surge.

Of course, Chuhe Film and Television's dominant position remains unshakable. Both films that broke the 3 billion yuan box office were produced by Chuhe Film and Television.

After "Detective Chinatown 1" broke the 2 billion box office, "Detective Chinatown " continued to make progress and broke the billion box office in China in two months. Bai Yuxia has become the leader of the new generation of Chinese commercial directors, and the Chinatown duo of Wang Baoqiang and Tang Xiaoyu has become popular all over the country again.

Especially Tang Xiaoyu, the continuous success of "The Fortress of Devil City" and the "Detective Chinatown" series has made his commercial value climb to the peak. To the surprise of the public, Tang Xiaoyu has begun to prepare for his first directorial work. The teachers and directors of the Film Academy have high expectations for him and even regard him as "the second Shanhe"!
The remaining one is the box office dark horse "Dying to Survive". This Chinese version of "Dallas Buyers Club" has received rave reviews and has made a comeback all the way, eventually closing with an astonishing box office of 3.2 billion yuan. Its influence in China even exceeded that of Shanhe's "Dallas Buyers Club". Wen Muye suddenly emerged and became famous overnight!

This year, the total box office of Chinese films exceeded 60 billion yuan, reaching an unprecedented peak. What is regrettable is that Shanhe, the leader of Chinese-language films, was missing.

In the 2019 Spring Festival, "The Wandering Earth" finally arrived after three years of preparation, shooting and production.

Without any surprise, "The Wandering Earth: Earth Crisis" swept the Spring Festival box office, and the box office exceeded 2 billion yuan during the seven-day holiday. Everyone understands that after Shanhe and Ning Hao, another 4 billion director is about to be born, and Guo Fan has become the leader of the next Chinese science fiction blockbuster. It must be understood that this is only the first film in the "The Wandering Earth" series.

The Chinese film market has thus entered its peak of glory, and global media are discussing a question: What will be the ultimate potential of the Chinese film market? Can it surpass North America in one fell swoop and become the world's largest film consumption market?

Shanhe looked at the media reports online and offline, lowered his head and smiled bitterly. Soon, a sudden accident will sweep in, and the global film industry will enter a freezing period, and China will be no exception!
In June 2019, after nearly two years of production, the first season of "The Three-Body Problem" was finally completed. After watching the entire film with the senior management of Chuhe Film and Television, Shanhe finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally taken the first step on the new journey, and fortunately, this step should be above the passing line.

Others present did not think so. They were all applauding and cheering for the first season of "The Three-Body Problem". Is this still a Chinese TV series? It feels no worse than a big-budget science fiction movie!

The plot is full of tension. From the first episode, the confusing plot is very attractive. As you continue to watch, the grand background, complex human nature, and real scenes come to you one by one, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and fantasy. There is no doubt that this is a wonderful adaptation!

After receiving the news, TV network media giants such as Netflix, BBC, and CCTV could not wait to send representatives to watch this long-awaited series in the internal screening room of Chuhe Film and Television.

Three days later, Netflix, BBC and CCTV-8 simultaneously announced the broadcast time of the first season of "The Three-Body Problem" to the world. The first season of "The Three-Body Problem" will be broadcast simultaneously in China, North America and Europe on July 7.

This news surprised the long-awaited audience, and they left messages and discussed it online.

"Shanhe's new work is finally here. I missed it so much after not seeing it for two years!"

"CCTV Channel 8 actually premiered The Three-Body Problem. What a pleasant surprise! Shanhe is really very respectful. I am looking forward to July 7th!"

"Hua Xia Qiu never disappoints, and this time will be no exception. I plan to upgrade my Netflix viewing package. Hua Xia Qiu's science fiction works must be watched in 4K ultra-high definition to be enjoyable!"

"I have read the original novel of The Three-Body Problem. To be honest, it is very difficult to adapt it. Hua Xiaqiu is the most suitable candidate. He was able to film Young Yi so perfectly, so The Three-Body Problem should be no problem at all!"

...

As soon as the news came out, before the series was even aired, it brought huge benefits to Netflix, BBC and CCTV-8!
Netflix's global subscriber base surged in June, and the news even caused Netflix's stock price to climb by three percent.

The BBC also welcomed a peak in orders across Europe, while the advertisements in CCTV-8's prime time in July triggered a bidding spree among many domestic companies. There are too many bidders and too little meat, so price is not an issue. What we want is the advertising space during the "Three-Body" time slot!
(End of this chapter)