Liu Lulu's words made Levi realize he had made some mistakes: no matter how well-written science fiction novels are, equating them with real science is difficult.
It is almost impossible to make a completely accurate science-fiction movie.
But her words also made Levi understand something: science fiction is still fantasy after all, and since it is fantasy, it cannot be entirely consistent with reality.
What he should pursue is not hard science fiction that is entirely in line with objective reality but pay more attention to the inner spirit of science fiction.
"We need to continue to work on the cosmic environment that needs to be simulated. Don't stop in this regard. I can arrange other things."
After thinking about it, Levi made a decision: the computer special effects production can still continue now.
They cannot give up the requirements for the movie just because it is impossible to be completely consistent with reality.
As for the storytelling that doesn't meet the standards, just ask the physicist and Liu to discuss it. Liu Cixin is not a stubborn person, and he probably won't have much objection to this.
"I have no opinions on anything else. There is only one question: If a Korean film company asks us to produce special effects, can we take over their work?"
'Since we are a special effects company, we always have to work.'
Although Levi provided funds for them to conduct research, since they are working in South Korea, they must also consider whether they should accept some jobs in South Korea.
"I don't think they will ask you to do much. The investment in Korean movies is not large. Although the cost of our special effects company has been reduced, it is still not something they can afford. If they find you, you can work on it if you want, and if you don't want to, just don't pick it up."
Levi thought for a while and spoke. He really didn't know how to do business in South Korea. Special effects companies moved here because consumption in South Korea was lower, and because the Korean government is now vigorously supporting the film industry and taxation is heavily tilted, the special effects companies here have indeed reduced their costs.
But no matter how much the cost is reduced, this is still a Hollywood team. The level of investment in Korean films is still difficult to catch up with.
Korean filmmakers are quite pragmatic. They know that they have limited financial resources, so what they do is find topics from an ethical perspective rather than pursuing blockbusters.
"However, if a Chinese film company is looking for you, you'd better notify me in advance."
Levi thought of something else: companies in South Korea probably won't give too much business to Levi's company, but there is no guarantee for that in China.
If Levi remembers correctly, after the Oscars this time, China will usher in the era of blockbusters, and they also have a great pursuit of special effects.
In his memory, many people in the Chinese entertainment industry look to South Korea to produce special effects. Now that Levi has placed his special effects team here, he might also have some contact with them. This might be an entry point to get more contact with them.
"Okay. I will finish my work." Liu Lulu nodded and said nothing more.
The matter with the special effects company ended just like that. This is a dollars-to-burn work that requires continuous investment and will not see results for a while.
However, Levi believes that there will always be output as long as there is input.
***
It's a good thing the movie he is filming now doesn't require too many special effects.
Lost in Translation was a very simple movie, two months in the making. By mid-November, Levi had returned to the United States with his team, just as he imagined.
If he wants the film to be released at the end of December, there will be absolutely no problem.
However, what Levi didn't expect was that Alexander found him just after he came back, and when he saw him, he explained his request directly.
"Nick, I hope your new movie's release date will be postponed."
This request made Levi frown: It will be next year if he has to postpone the Christmas schedule. It's not like Alexander doesn't know why he wanted to shoot this movie.
Why did he suddenly make this request?
"Some things happened while you were away from the United States... The main thing was the discussion about your new movie."
Alexander explained his reasons: it only took Levi two months to produce it. This movie was criticized by many media in the United States: Yes, Levi is indeed an outstanding director, but his production speed is astonishing.
"Levi should cherish his hard-earned reputation and not squander it like this. In the first half of the year, he just filmed a classic. Then, he spent two months filming a movie in the year's second half. This attitude toward movies will make people lose confidence in him."
No one believed that Levi's movie was carefully produced: it took two months and was shot in Japan, so how could it be anything good? Most people think this is just a game created by Levi during his trip to Japan. The purpose of shooting this is not to make a good movie at all.
"What's the big deal with such a statement? There are always negative voices before any movie is released, right?"
Levi asked in confusion. This question made Alexander shake his head, "If it's just these words, then there is no issue. However, because your shooting time was too short, there are many theories now, all speculating about your intention in shooting this movie."
"Isn't my intention just to let Theron win the award? This is to let others know it's not a big deal, right?"
Hollywood directors have a tradition of cooperating with beautiful women, and there has never been a shortage of lace stories in this regard. Even if someone sees this, what's the big deal?
"But the problem is, the media doesn't think so," Alexander shook his head. "They think you are preparing to block Soderbergh."
"Block?" Levi was surprised.
"His movie Traffic will be released in December this year." Alexander shrugged, "Soderbergh is also aggressive this year. Just a while ago, when he was interviewed, he said his movie would be better than yours. Therefore, many media speculated that you hurriedly shot a movie in two months just to impact his movie."
This statement made Levi stunned.
He understands that Soderbergh said his movie is better: both are making gangster movies. Levi's film was released early in August, and Soderbergh's movie is still in production. At this time, some media would definitely ask him how his film was, and Soderbergh would never say that his level was not as good as others, which would naturally provoke a conflict between the two parties.
It's normal for people to compare the two movies, but why do people think he wants to thwart Soderbergh?
"In August, they thought about stopping you. Since they did this, the media naturally thought that you would take revenge. Who asked you to shoot your movie so fast? You can shoot a movie in two months. No matter how you look at it, It's intentional."
"This is really an injustice to me. When did I have this thought?" Levi said with a bitter smile.
Of course, he is not trying to intercept Soderbergh: Using a literary and artistic film to thwart commercial films, how can anyone think this?
"But the problem is, it's not what you think, but what the media thinks. In the eyes of the media, you are doing this just to block him, and people will also focus on the box office of these two movies. If the box office of your movie is not as good as his, then the trouble will be big."
Levi understands the trouble Alexander said: after December, it will be the awards season, and during the awards season, people always like to compare various movies.
If his movie does not do well at the box office, and the media plays up the fight with Soderbergh for a long time, then the film will suffer greatly.
For other movies, it would be okay to suffer a little loss, but this movie was produced by Levi to compete for awards for Theron. If it was hit by public opinion and couldn't win the award, that wouldn't be good.
Moreover, Levi believed that the media would be unscrupulous in attacking The Departed by belittling the box office of his movies and boosting the Traffic.
This should be the reason why they promoted it like this: After thinking about it for a while, Levi understood: It seems that after the first wave of war in the summer passed, they started the second wave.
This time, the war they started was even smarter. There is no way to avoid it, and moreover, there is no way to win.
"Otherwise, your movie will be postponed to January?" Alexander asked, "If it misses the Christmas schedule, it will be fine."
"If it is postponed to January, how can we still compete for the Oscar?" Levi shook his head.
He doesn't want to schedule it next year.
There will be A Beautiful Mind in next year's schedule. The female character in that movie can also be regarded as a supporting actress. It's hard to say who will win.
As for the heroine... Theron, If you're not black, don't join the fun next year.
Moreover, if the release of his movie is postponed, then the media will definitely say that he is afraid - this kind of publicity does not cost money.
"The media is so unscrupulous," Levi muttered and frowned.
This is a very difficult problem to solve. Even he can't make a romance film that can surpass Soderbergh's at the box office.
After all, the investment in his movie is low, and the planned box office is just over 10 million. On the other hand, Soderbergh's movie is a high investment, and the box office is expected to be in the hundreds of millions.
No matter how talented he is, he cannot reverse this situation.
"Yeah, no matter how we say it's not for blocking, they don't believe it anymore." Alexander also said dispersedly.
Levi shook his head and said nothing. For a while, he couldn't think of any good solution.
However, Levi, who was browsing on Alexander's desk, suddenly saw another document. This document gave him a sudden inspiration.
"Alex, maybe we can really stop them." Levi picked up the file, "Tell me, how is the production of 'The Grudge' now?"
*****
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