Chapter 5 Bullet Time
Compared with the cool special effects scenes of later generations, what makes "The Matrix" more outstanding is its grand and advanced worldview. Even twenty years after the film was released, it is still the pinnacle of science fiction movies.

But this does not mean that the special effects scenes in "The Matrix" are bad. On the contrary, it gave birth to a great keyword in the history of film technology - "bullet time", which is super slow motion.

This special effects scene was later imitated in many movies, but from the perspective of people in the future, it didn't seem like a big deal.

But in the year when the movie was released, the viewing experience it brought to people was absolutely explosive, otherwise it would not have won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

Historically, the crew would accurately place 120 cameras, shoot at a scheduled time and sequence, input the images into a computer for post-processing, and then merge them with the background to get 360-degree smooth movements. In this process, motion capture and virtual photography are also used.

Of course, Jiang Heng has a super microscopic computer, so it won’t be that troublesome. It will be enough as long as the actors perform the corresponding actions according to his predetermined requirements.

In the newly built green screen studio, Jiang Heng patiently explained the play to Wu Yizu, Yuan De and others.

Jiang Heng plans to keep the most exciting scene in the film, where they dodge bullets on the rooftop, strictly secret as a surprise for the audience after the film is released.

The scene where the male protagonist awakens and can stop all the bullets by raising his hand is planned to be filmed first and the creative staff will be asked to see the effect.

"Then wait, you get up from the ground, they turn around and shoot at you, you can't hide, you have to raise your hands as if you can see the trajectory of the bullet!"

Wu Yuzu suddenly realized, "Wow, so amazing?"

Yuan De, who was standing by, wearing a suit and holding a prop gun, wondered, "Are they going to film how the bullets are coming?"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "I just want to film how the bullets come at me!"

Yuan De, the action director, was in a dilemma. He was not afraid of designing action scenes for others, but he really had no idea how to shoot bullets!
After thinking for a while, he said, "It has never been filmed before. In the Hong Kong film industry, the person who knows the most about special effects is Director Xu Ke. How about asking him for advice?"

Jiang Heng shook his head slightly: "That's not necessary. I know how to shoot it. Just do as I say."

Yuan De smiled bitterly upon hearing this. He originally wanted to say a few more words, but when he saw that Jiang Heng looked confident, he held back.

As for the actors who played the other two agents at the scene, they were just extras and couldn't say anything.

After all the staff on the scene were ready, Jiang Heng shouted "action!"

Wu Qizu, who was lying on the ground, stood up blankly. Yuan De and others who played the agents turned around, raised their guns, and pulled the triggers of the prop guns.

Wu Qizu did as Jiang Heng said, raised his hand and stretched out five fingers, without any panic on his face. His expression was like that of a wizard who was summoning something.

Yuan De and the others put down their guns in a daze. Although they were wearing sunglasses, they still looked shocked.

Wu Qizu stretched out his hand and grasped the empty space in front of him, as if he was grasping a bullet. He took a look and threw it on the ground.

He tilted his head to look at Yuande and others, then looked at the ground, as if all the bullets had fallen.

In the eyes of the staff on the scene, this segment was filmed inexplicably, but Jiang Heng felt that he had acted very well.

But in order to achieve better results, Wu Qizu, Yuan De and others were asked to do it again several times.

When the crew finished work at night, the cast and crew were talking about the scenes they had just filmed.

Yuen Wah said with a particularly gossipy expression: "Hey, you say, are these things he filmed good enough?"

Yuan De shook his head slowly. "I think it's terrible. In the Hong Kong film industry, it's OK to make some kung fu comedies, zombies, and gun battles, but special effects? Humph, I think by the time he finishes filming, he'll be bankrupt!"

Yuen Wah sighed slightly, "That's a shame, it cost a lot of money!"

Yuan De said: "He insists on filming like this and won't listen to any advice. What can we do? We have to pay him!"

Yuen Wah said: "That's right, we work for money, why think so much, the world is in a bad state, after finishing these two films, we don't know when we can start work again!"

The overall environment of Hong Kong films was not good in 97. Yuen Wah currently only has two film contracts, "The Matrix" and "Ma Yongzhen", and both are unimportant small roles. The pay can be imagined. He is really worried about the films and himself.

Although Yuan De had several film contracts as a martial arts instructor, he did not make much money.

Listening to my senior brother's complaints, I was also a little worried, "Hey, you said that there was hot money pouring in a few years ago, why is it suddenly not working?"

Yuen Wah said: "How would I know? Maybe I'm a little tired of it. Maybe it's really like what Jiang Heng said, the future is the era of special effects blockbusters!"

Yuan De became more annoyed after hearing this, "Hey, let's not talk about that, drink!"

The two brothers didn't drive either. They walked out of the set and walked towards the restaurant arm in arm.

Over there, Jiang Heng was about to leave after organizing the film materials when he saw Li Meiqi wearing a beige suspender skirt. Her look was very similar to that in "Naked Weapon", bright and charming.

"You're wearing so little, aren't you afraid of the cold?" Jiang Heng said with a smile.

"Wearing leather jackets and leather pants all day long is giving me prickly heat. It's still hot now, so I just want to wear something cooler!"

Jiang Heng thought: "Then you can wear something cooler!"

"Would you like me to take you back to the hotel?"

As the only artist under the company, Jiang Heng treated Li Meiqi well. He still let her live in Kerry Hotel and rented a car for her to travel, but Li Meiqi often took advantage of Jiang Heng's car.

"You don't want to go back so early, why don't you go for a drink?"

Jiang Heng hesitated. As that special day approached, the security situation in Hong Kong had improved a lot.

But taking such a beautiful woman to the bar is still bound to cause trouble, so he just wants to make a lot of money quickly and avoid trouble.

"I have things to do tonight, so I can't drink too much. Why don't you come to my house? I have some wine in stock, so feel free to drink!"

"it is good!"

The two drove from the Clearwater Bay Studios to Jiang Heng's home in Causeway Bay.

It is said to be a thousand-square-foot mansion, but it is only 92 square meters.

But for Hong Kong residents, where the average housing area per person is less than 5 square meters, a house of 92 square meters can definitely be considered a luxury home, not to mention that it is located in Causeway Bay.

Li Meiqi had been here for some time and had some understanding of the property market in Hong Kong. After entering the house and looking at the area and decoration of the house, she couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect the house you live in is so good?"

Jiang Heng took a can of beer from the refrigerator and handed it to him, then opened one for himself and said with a smile: "It's nothing. One day, you will have a better and bigger house than this one, right?"

Li Meiqi took a sip of beer, looked at the night view outside the window and murmured, "Will it?"

Jiang Heng sat on the sofa, with a confident expression, "Believe me, you will be very famous!"

"You are more confident than me?" Li Meiqi sat in front of Jiang Heng, her bright eyes shining frighteningly.

"Anyway, just trust me!"

Jiang Heng put down the can, stood up and took out his father's treasured red wine.

Seeing him leave in a hurry, Li Meiqi smiled secretly.

Having already gotten the role of the heroine, she didn't have too many thoughts.

I just want to get closer to him. If the film doesn't work, I'll look for another opportunity. If the film is a big hit, it will help me get more benefits.

Not long after, Jiang Heng brought out a bottle of red wine, briefly recounted his history, opened the wine to wake him up, and then leaned back on the sofa to chat casually.

"You said last time that you would be shooting a set of special effects shots soon. Is it today's scene?"

"Yup!"

"So, what should we do?"

"Edit the footage shot today and send it to the special effects company. Let them do the post-production according to my requirements!"

"Is it that simple?"

"It's that simple!"

……

Of course, the production of special effects in reality is not that simple, it can even be said to be very troublesome.

But Jiang Heng's purpose was just to make money, and setting up a crew was more to cover up his tracks, so many steps were omitted.

As for time, the sooner the better. He decided to show the finished special effects shots to the main creative staff within a week at most.

To prevent everyone from becoming pessimistic and thinking that he will go bankrupt after finishing the filming.

The next day, Jiang Heng woke up from the sofa and there was no sign of Li Meiqi.

Just when he was wondering, he heard a sound from the kitchen. He walked over in a daze and saw Li Meiqi wearing his shirt and shorts and making breakfast.

"Sorry, I spilled some wine on my clothes and wore yours without your permission!"

"It doesn't matter. I can eat the breakfast you made. Not to mention wearing my clothes, even if I have to burn them as fuel, it's worth it!"

Li Meiqi smiled when she heard this: "I didn't expect you to have such a humorous side!"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "There are many things you can't imagine!"

After they had breakfast, Jiang Heng first sent Li Meiqi back to the hotel, and then drove to the set to continue filming.

Putting aside the advanced and grand worldview and the explosive special effects, the gunfights and action scenes in the original work are also extremely outstanding, thanks to Yuan Heping, the "world's number one martial arts director."

Although Yuande's level is not as good as Jiang Heng's, his knowledge is ahead of the times.

With the joint efforts of the two, a number of action scenes were shot brilliantly.

Especially because Yuan De and Wu Qizu both have martial arts skills, these fighting moves are faster and more fierce than the original.

A few days passed in a flash, and Jiang Heng felt that he could produce the finished special effects scene shots.

When they arrived at the set that day, Jiang Heng took out a notebook from his bag and said to Wu Yizu, Li Meiqi, Yuan De and others who had gathered around him, "The special effects company has sent over the finished footage. Everyone, take a look and see if there are any changes!"

When everyone heard this, their hearts were in their throats.

Even though I didn't have too many expectations for this movie, it was made with great effort after all. Who wouldn't want the movie to sell well so that they can get some credit for it?
Yuan De, as the action director, had a lot of say. He rubbed the big bald head with his hand and said, "Hurry up, open it and take a look. I can't wait any longer!"

Jiang Heng picked up the mouse and clicked on a video file on the desktop, only to see that the green curtain of the original shooting scene had turned into a dark wooden wall panel. Not only was the texture clear, but also mold spots could be seen on it.

"hiss!"

Several people gathered around the notebook gasped.

They were all people who participated in the on-site shooting and still clearly remembered the scene at that time. They also imagined the rough appearance of the post-production shots produced by Jiang Heng, but they never imagined it would be so realistic.

“Are all foreign special effects so advanced?”

Yuan Hua said this subconsciously, but no one answered.

Because the video on the computer was playing the scene where the agents (anti-virus programs) played by Yuan De and others were shooting together, but countless bullets stopped in front of the male protagonist.

It would have been fine if it had just made the bullet stop, but what surprised everyone even more was that the translucent trajectories were clearly visible, as if the male protagonist had really stopped the bullet.

This shot was very short, less than a minute, but it left everyone stunned and unable to react for a long time.

Especially the main creators like Wu Qiuzu, Yuan De, and Li Meiqi, who originally always felt that this film had no hope, are now full of confidence!
"Director Jiang, are the special effects of this standard throughout the entire movie?" Wu Yizu suppressed his inner excitement and asked softly.

The moment he saw Jiang Heng nod, Wu Yizu couldn't help but make a cheering gesture.

He is a Chinese American who has watched too many American special effects movies and science fiction blockbusters.

I originally thought that "The Matrix" was advanced and grand in conception, and now that I see shots that are not inferior to American special effects blockbusters, I am even more looking forward to the performance of the film after it is released.

Li Meiqi covered her mouth gently, and looked at Jiang Heng with more admiration and excitement in her eyes, and felt that the future was more promising.

The appearance of special effects shots shocked the morale of the entire crew and also caused quite a stir in the Hong Kong film industry.

The reason is simple. Hong Kong is too small, and the Hong Kong film and television industry is too small, so many things can spread within a day.

Not far away, Liu Zhenwei from the "Ma Yongzhen" crew heard that Jiang Heng had made a very cool and realistic special effects shot. He was stunned for a while, took a deep puff of cigarette and said: "No matter how cool the picture is, it has to tell a good story. In terms of film pictures, who can be better than the King of Sunglasses (Wang Jiawei)?"

Hearing what he said, Yuen Biao, who was originally happy for his fellow apprentice, calmed down and said with a wry smile, "That's true, but since we can make cool special effects shots, I guess we won't lose money!"

Liu Zhenwei wanted to say "That's hard to say", but then he thought that saying so would be an insult to his good brother Wang Jiawei, so he held back.

But he said: "In Hong Kong, the quality of the film is one thing, but if you want to make money, you have to look at the distribution. Even though Fist of Fury was so good, it only made over 1600 million!"

Yuen Biao nodded upon hearing this, "I hope everything will have a good outcome!"

……

At Yongsheng Film Company, Xiang Huasheng, who had just recovered from a serious illness and was preparing to make a comeback, was sitting in his office reading documents when the phone beside him suddenly rang.

Xiang Huasheng picked up the phone and listened for a while. "Is there such a thing? Special effects blockbusters require a lot of investment. Do you know who the financial backer is? If you don't know, go check it out and give me an answer as soon as possible!"

After hanging up the phone, Xiang Huasheng stood up and walked to the window, looking at the scenery outside, feeling emotional.

As the last overlord of the Hong Kong film industry, Yongsheng Film Company is already on the decline.

Firstly, he had a serious illness a few years ago and had to rest for too long. Secondly, the contracts of his directors Stephen Chow and Andy Lau expired, and director Wang Jing started his own company, so there has been no good work produced for a long time.

If the so-called Jiang Heng can really make a special effects blockbuster comparable to Hollywood, we can cooperate with him.

Thinking of this, Xiang Huasheng made a phone call, "Make an appointment with Jiang Heng for me, and tell him I want to treat him to a meal!"

(End of this chapter)