Chapter 63 San Francisco

In China, director Zhang Yimou was selected to be the person in charge of the performance program for the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics.

Director Zhang has begun auditions at major art schools in preparation for the performance at this year's Athens Olympic Games closing ceremony.

The chosen ones become the lucky ones in the eyes of others. Director Zhang Yimou, the Olympic Games, and the world stage together attract the attention of everyone in the circle.

"Tang Yan."

"Shen Jiani."

As director Zhang Yimou selected the candidates, names were reported by the media one by one.

Each selected "Olympic baby" was given a detailed introduction. They all looked very good, in the style of Zhang Yimou.

Many netizens also made jokes and comments online.

In order to showcase Chinese-style performances to foreign countries, Director Zhang mixed together various cultures such as folk music, Peking Opera, and martial arts. In the eyes of Chinese people, it may lack novelty, but in the eyes of foreigners, it satisfies their imagination of China.

"During this time, I drove everyone crazy, just hoping to do the best."

Director Zhang spoke his true feelings in an interview with reporters.

Many people in China are also looking forward to Director Zhang's performance.

……

"Haha, this bald guy must be the actor who played Zhu Bajie!"

"It's really funny. The movie is good. It's quite interesting."

“A series of stories triggered by a lottery ticket.”

"Unlike traditional 'nonsense' comedies, this is a humorous comedy."

After the first day of the release of "Night Club", the word-of-mouth of the movie online has come out, and some netizens have posted comments.

"How many?"

"Director Ning, the movie grossed 210 million on the first day."

The assistant from China Film Group called and told Ning Hao the first-day ticket sales data.

"210 million, 210 million," Ning Hao repeated the number on the other end of the phone.

"Yes, Director Ning, the group predicts that the box office of this movie will hopefully exceed 10 million.

Congratulations to Director Ning."

The assistant of China Film Group said on the phone.

"Thank you, please."

Ning Hao hung up the phone with an excited expression on his face.

"Boss, the first day box office is 210 million."

10 a.m. San Francisco time, the crew of "The Pursuit of Happyness".

Gu Wei was filming on the set when he received a call from Wang Chen.

"Yeah." Gu Wei was busy filming and didn't chat with him much.

After the call, Gu Wei continued to immerse himself in the filming.

The film is set in the 80s. After 20 years of development, the city has changed with each passing day.

"Ryder, how's the communication going?"

On the set, Gu Wei looked at Reid and asked.

"Boss, they need compensation."

"The whole street?"

"Yes, boss, and we can't concentrate on our time. They need to do business and can't close the streets all the time."

Reid was reporting, and it could be seen that he was a little tired, especially since many of these merchants were Asians and from other countries, and it was very difficult to communicate with them.

"Well, hard work."

Rubbing his forehead, Gu Wei expressed that he understood and waved his hand for Reid to go and rest first.

In this movie, a considerable number of shots needed to be shot on this street, so closing the street was a must, otherwise the movie could not be shot.

Gu Wei asked the crew's logistics staff to restore the scene as much as possible according to the background of the 80s.

Gu Wei also made revisions to some of the bloopers in the movie and invited logistical personnel from Warner Bros. to help.

"Act 3, Shot 15, Begin."

In front of the camera, Will Smith was carrying a brown cloth bag and a medical scanner, and walked slowly out of the kindergarten. The Chinese at the door was sweeping the floor...

This arrangement is mainly to depict the general environment of Chinese immigrants in the 80s.

On both sides of the street, two cameras were shooting at the same time, one shooting a medium shot and the other shooting a close shot.

Gu Wei sat in front of the camera, staring at the viewfinder with a serious expression.

Will Smith's performance was seamless, and it was obvious that he had prepared in advance.

"Cut, this one passed."

Gu Wei shouted while holding the walkie-talkie.

For a moment, the crew relaxed and began to prepare props for the next shot.

The filming is proceeding in an orderly manner.

“If you have a dream, you have to defend it.”

On the basketball court, Chris said to his son.

"Don't let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish anything, including me."

The father looked at his son with a firm gaze of encouragement.

As a father, Chris sets an example for his son.

The success rate of the internship at the stock company was only 5%, and there was no salary during the internship, but Chris still persisted. In order to survive, the homeless Chris had to take his son to a shelter. His attitude towards life infected everyone around him.

"cut!"

Gu Wei shouted softly.

After hearing this, Will Smith instantly lost focus on filming his scene.

"Gu, how is it?"

"Very good, you perfectly portrayed the image of a strong, brave, and never-give-up father."

Gu Wei was not stingy with his praise at all, and of course, what he said was true.

"Will, what a great performance. I was watching from the side and was moved."

Reid's slightly red eyes proved that he was telling the truth.

"Will, do you need to take a break?"

"No, Gu, let's continue!"

Will Smith is in good shape right now and wants to finish shooting this scene right away.

"OK!"

"Is the prop team ready?"

Gu Wei turned and looked at the staff next to him.

"It's alright, Director."

After receiving a positive response from the staff, Gu Wei nodded and continued filming.

"All departments, get ready and start filming the next shot."

...

On the set, Will Smith was in really good shape today, and the shooting of the next few shots went smoothly.

"Okay, let's stop here for today. Everyone go back and rest early and continue tomorrow."

Gu Wei looked at the time and said to everyone in the crew.

"Okay, director."

Everyone in the crew responded.

"Gu, see you tomorrow."

Will Smith finished speaking and left the set with his son.

Back in the hotel room, Gu Wei called the computer and saw many emails inviting him to a cocktail party.

Among them, Warner and Universal Studios received the most emails. The two companies have made big moves this year and released many movies.

Gu Wei opened the email and started reading.

"Cows", "The Great Desert", "Kelly Party"?
"What is this? I've never heard of it before." Gu Wei muttered as he browsed the emails.

Gu Wei suppressed his patience and continued to scroll down.

"Troy", starring Brad Pitt, is a movie that left a deep impression on Gu Wei. Even while filming on the set, he heard many people talking about it.

The huge investment, the luxurious cast (even the small supporting roles are played by big stars), and the continuous coverage by the Hollywood media have made it the most anticipated epic blockbuster of the year before it is released.

"If it doesn't work, let Reid go there on behalf of the company."

Thinking of this, Gu Wei didn't want to read them one by one. He turned off the computer and got up to wash up.

...

The next day, on the set of "The Pursuit of Happyness".

"Gu, did you have a good rest last night?"

Will Smith looked in good spirits and asked with a smile on his face.

"Not bad, Will."

Gu Wei opened his mouth and replied.

The crew members began to get busy, preparing for the scenes that needed to be filmed today.

Will Smith sat on the set, muttering to himself, as if he was preparing for today's scene.

After a while, when everyone was almost ready, the stage manager prepared to clap the board.

When Will Smith nodded to Gu Wei, he decisively signaled all the staff, picked up the intercom and shouted:
"action!"

The filming also began.

"When I was a kid, I got an A in history or something, and I felt like I could be anything, but in the end, I didn't achieve anything."

This shot is the male protagonist's solo scene, and Will Smith's expression is slowly changing.

In the afternoon, the crew's working hours start at two o'clock and end at six o'clock, leaving plenty of rest time for others at noon.

Of course, there are special circumstances where the filming crew needs to work overtime, and Gu Wei will also pay additional overtime pay.

...

"Gu, I think we can make some adjustments here..."

In the hotel conference room, a day of shooting had just ended.

Will Smith said as he looked at the storyboard of the script.

After listening to this, Gu Wei nodded and also thought that some adjustments could be made.

In the crew, the daily shooting is not boring, as Will Smith is the absolute protagonist of this movie.

Sometimes after the shoot, I would discuss with Gu Wei and give him some appropriate suggestions. We all got along pretty well.

...

　If you have extra monthly tickets and recommendation tickets, please give some to me. Thank you!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)