Chapter 262: The Banner and Risks of Science Fiction
That’s right, the science fiction blockbuster Liu Zhou is preparing to shoot this time is the famous "Growing Potatoes on Mars".

In fact, for Hollywood at that time, "The Martian" was not considered a science fiction blockbuster.

The total investment of this movie was only 100 million US dollars, but the male lead Matt Damon alone received a salary of 25 million US dollars plus millions in dividends.

The director and producer received a combined salary of 10 million US dollars.

Just the pay of these few people, plus the pay of other actors and producers, totaled 4000 million.

In fact, only 6000 million US dollars were spent on production. For a space science fiction film, how can it be considered a big production?

Moreover, the movie was later converted to 3D and IMAX, and money was spent on purchasing the copyright of the original novel, so the actual production cost was lower.

You have to know that the movie was released in 2015. If your production cost was less than million, how could you dare to call it a blockbuster?

However, if "The Martian" were released in mainland China today, it would definitely be a very hardcore science fiction blockbuster.

There have been science fiction films in China before. Although there were no grand scenes, they could still be considered science fiction.

However, the domestic film market later became sluggish, and there were no science fiction films, let alone science fiction scripts.

But in fact, science fiction has a very wide audience in China, as can be seen from the fact that science fiction novels are very popular.

Since the magazine "Science Fiction World" resumed publication in 1979, although it has had a bumpy road and has been suppressed, it has been developing better and better because it is supported by a large number of science fiction fans in the country.

During this period, several outstanding science fiction writers and many excellent works emerged in China.

But unfortunately, the domestic film industry does not have the ability to turn these excellent works into movies.

Whenever we see Hollywood science fiction blockbusters, we are amazed but never think of trying it.

Although there are various reasons for this, mainland filmmakers and film and television company owners have never thought that science fiction movies can be made.

Han Shanping is considered a visionary and capable filmmaker in China, but he is in the system after all, and he is also responsible for the jobs of tens of thousands of people in China Film Group Corporation, so although he has the will, he is powerless.

Other domestic film studios are neither willing nor able to do so.

As for some private film and television company bosses, they are indeed wealthy, but they may not be considered filmmakers at all, they can only be considered businessmen.

Businessmen are the best at weighing the pros and cons.

Why don't you make a good costume martial arts blockbuster that is sure to make money and take the huge risk of making a crappy science fiction movie?
You must be crazy!
Therefore, the mainland's science fiction films did not have a chance to be made until Han Shanping, before his retirement, gave a push and sent Guo Fan, Ning Hao and others to Hollywood to study. This led to the production of "The Wandering Earth", which gave a glimmer of hope to domestic science fiction films.

This is also the reason why Han Shanping was so expectant and excited when he saw Liu Zhou's intention to shoot a science fiction movie.

As for why Liu Zhou chose to shoot "The Martian", first of all, like the original version, the investment in this movie was not very high.

Secondly, this is a space science fiction, which is also a very popular type of science fiction in China.

The most important thing is, if Liu Zhou remembers correctly, a lot of things will happen in China from beginning to end next year, both good and bad.

One of the exciting things was the launch of Shenzhou VII, which marked a major step forward for China's manned space program.

And "The Martian" happens to be about the story of astronauts.

Nearly an hour later, Han Shanping closed the script and let out a long sigh of relief.

"You have a very good brain. You can actually write such a story. I think it will be very popular if it is turned into a novel."

“If I have time in the future, I will probably write a novel with the same title. Currently, we at Golden Harvest are planning a full copyright development plan.

For example, a popular movie will be developed into a TV series, novel, play or even a game, fully unleashing its profit potential.”

Liu Zhou has indeed arranged for Zhang Zhao to prepare for this matter. If "The Martian" is successful, it will become the first project to be developed with full copyright.

Besides, "The Martian" was adapted from a novel, and it is also a bestseller in North America.

It’s just that the original author hasn’t started creating yet, so Liu Zhou has no obstacles in making this movie.

"You capitalists are better at making money and have so many ideas," Han Shanping said with a smile.

"No, this is already a mature operating model in Hollywood. We are just giving it a try."

After making a little joke, Han Shanping put away his smile and asked seriously:

“Can this movie really be made?”

This is the first true science fiction film in China, and it is a space science fiction film, so he is still unsure.

Not only is the domestic technology level problematic, but also when it comes to filming scenes on Mars, the country doesn't know much about Mars, at least he knows nothing about it.

“Yes!”

Liu Zhou reaffirmed this, and then went on to tell Han Shanping the main reason why he made this film:

"Mr. Han, our Shenzhou 7 will be launched into space next year. I think we need a space movie like this. Even if it is a fantasy that may not be possible until many years later, we should have this imagination."

But Han Shanping was still relatively calm at this time. After listening to Liu Zhou's words, he thought more and said seriously:
“Liu Zhou, you should know that in China, at such a critical moment, aerospace movies are no longer just movies.

At this critical moment in the aerospace industry, if a space science fiction film is made well, it will definitely be a happy one for everyone.

But if it is not filmed well, it will become an accident. Don't pour cold water on the people of the whole country when the whole country is celebrating.

As a director, you will be greatly affected by that.”

"I understand. I thought about it before I wrote the script."

"The Martian" is a space film, and it tells the story of Chinese astronauts landing on Mars.

After Shenzhou VII is launched into space, if the footage is rubbish, who knows what will happen.

Not to mention abroad, even in China, when people are excited, if you make a terrible movie, you will be criticized to death.

But if he is not absolutely sure, Liu Zhou will not operate this project.

First of all, the story of "The Martian" is not bad, and as a science fiction film, some of the shortcomings in scientificity and rigor can be explained away.

Then the special effects technology used in this movie is not particularly advanced, mainly the surface of Mars and several shots in space.

Finally, with Liu Zhou's current level, he can't make this movie well, so he should just quit the circle. He deserves to be scolded when the time comes.

"Liu Zhou, you may not know that after Shenzhou 3, the whole world is watching us. If something goes wrong, not only our country but also foreign countries will be unfriendly. Are you really sure?"

Liu Zhou also understood Han Shanping's concerns. If the project really failed, Liu Zhou would certainly be scolded, but Han Shanping might not be able to bear the anger of the media and the public behind the scenes.

But Han Shanping would have to endure the wrath from above, which might have an impact on his career. "I'm sure!" Liu Zhou reaffirmed.

Han Shanping leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette for himself, took two puffs, and in the smoke looked at Liu Zhou, who had a determined and confident look on his face.

Thinking of Liu Zhou's achievements step by step, Han Shanping gritted his teeth, took two more deep puffs, then put out the cigarette butt and said firmly:

"Done!"

Although there will be serious consequences if the film fails, if it is successful, it will be a great achievement and will also be a great boost to the mainland film industry.

Perhaps during his term of office, domestic science fiction films will really be able to slowly gain ground.

So Han Shanping still chose to trust Liu Zhou. He was willing to take the risk.

Moreover, Liu Zhou is the only person in the mainland who is capable and willing to invest in science fiction films, and he doesn't want to disappoint others.

When Liu Zhou heard Han Shanping utter these two words forcefully, a smile appeared on his face.

"Boss Han, don't worry, I won't let you down."

"I know, but now is not the time to be happy. You should understand what risks we need to take for this project. So, what kind of help do you need to make this movie?"

At this time, Liu Zhou also put away his smile and said seriously:
"First of all, we definitely need the cooperation of the space agency, including the production of all technologies and related spacecraft models, and we also need videos of past rocket launches."

"anything else?"

"I still need all the top art, sculpture and prop masters from China Film Group, whether they are working or retired. If they are not enough, I will hire people from other studios."

"Why do you need so many artists and props?"

“I don’t plan to use special effects for the surface of Mars, but to shoot it live.

In the public's impression, most of the terrain on Mars is a desert with gravel and sand dunes on the surface, so I plan to find a place in the west to build a large area of ​​​​real Martian surface.

At that time, we will ask the experts from the space agency for guidance and the artists for assistance to produce the plan and three-dimensional images of the surface of Mars.

Not only panoramas, but also local scenes including canyons, hills, volcanoes and even craters are produced.

Then the engineering team will do the construction, and finally the carving and prop masters will complete the details.”

If it were in the United States, and so much manual labor was required, the producers would definitely choose to use special effects.

But in China, labor is not expensive, and using physical special effects directly is not only more cost-effective, but the filmed scenes are also more realistic, and the effect presented in the movie is much better.

On the other side, Han Shanping saw that Liu Zhou was so well prepared, and his confidence was boosted. He then said:

"anything else?"

“Maybe we need to apply for a supercomputer.”

“Does it require a supercomputer?”

"Yes, the most important special effect of The Martian is post-production rendering, but neither our special effects studio at Golden Harvest nor Hualong Digital at China Film Group Corporation have enough computers for rendering."

As mentioned before, rendering is the most time-consuming process, and it is time-consuming, not technically difficult.

Using a supercomputer can greatly reduce the calculation time.

The later film "The Wandering Earth" was able to be filmed well and with a short production cycle because it used cloud rendering.

Originally, 500 shots in the film were given to a special effects company in South Korea, but they said: We will be able to deliver the results in a few years.

Finally, the producers found Huawei and used cloud computing for rendering.

The earlier "The Return of the Great Sage" was also partially rendered by Ali Yun.

But now without cloud computing, we can only use supercomputers.

Han Shanping couldn't help but frown when he heard this. The first two requirements were okay, but applying for a supercomputer was indeed a bit difficult.

Weather forecasting, aerodynamic experiments, engineering physics, oil exploration, seismic data processing...all of these require supercomputers.

It is said that the reason why my country can release weather forecasts for the next five days is because of the use of supercomputers.

Although it's not quite accurate.

And there are a large number of institutions and units waiting to use it.

But now that we have made up our minds, we have to do it no matter how difficult it is. If China Film Corporation is not qualified to step in, then we can just let the higher authorities step in.

Anyway, this project has to be reported to the higher-ups later.

"No problem. I can contact the National University of Defense Technology. Is there anything else?"

"temporarily unavailable."

Seeing that Liu Zhou did not make any more requests, Han Shanping finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was really worried that Liu Zhou would make some difficult requests again.

"If not, then I have a request."

"You say."

“You need to write the script in more detail, especially the plot about the astronaut protagonist. You can write a special biography for it so that the people in the space agency can understand it more clearly.

In addition, you'd better make a shooting plan first, so that it will be more convenient for me to report to them.

And you should also use your connections to try to get this project approved as soon as possible.”

Domestic censorship is not decided by the film-related departments. If other departments are involved in the film and they think it is not acceptable, then it will not pass the review.

Therefore, for the project "The Martian", the most important thing is the approval of the space agency, otherwise everything else will be in vain.

"no problem!"

The two discussed for a while and then Liu Zhou left.

He now seems to be back to the time when he was filming "My Sassy Girl". Although he is a little nervous, he is full of enthusiasm and excitement.

So he wanted to go back immediately and complete the entire project plan for "The Martian".

On the other side, after Liu Zhou left, Han Shanping picked up the script of "The Martian" and went out.

(End of this chapter)