After a sweet and happy New Year's holiday in New York, Wang Yang and Jessica returned to Los Angeles, where he also began working on the post-production of When Happiness Knocks.

The position of the editor of the film finally fell on Margaret Goodspeed, Wang Yang had an interview with her, she had an interview with her, she had the theme idea that the script wanted to express, and the touching place of the story, the rhythm and style of the movie, etc., all grasped what he wanted, and did not lose his own unique opinions;

After discussion, Margaret understood what Wang Yang meant, and she also agreed very much, that is, to tell the story according to the timeline-style single-line structure, except for Chris Gardner's time when he chased the hippie couple, recalling how he became the exclusive seller of the medical scanner in the San Francisco Bay Area, this time interlude montage, the whole movie is from Chris Gardner's point of view, according to the time push, to promote the story.

If it were to be segmented by Chris Gardner's residence, it would be living in an apartment, living in a motel, being homeless, and then being successful and the movie ends. The original version of "When Happiness Knocks on the Door", in the homeless part is about 30 minutes, compared to the real Chris Gardner father and son wandering for a year, as well as his change of heart, there is a bit of a rush at the end of the movie; Wang Yang doesn't know how its original editing material was filmed, but he combined Chris Gardner's true story and heart, and made some details to modify and add to the film, such as when Chris bathed his son in the church room, little Chris would say "Dad, you know what? You're a good dad." ”

At that time, Chris was confused and wanted to give up, but when he heard his son's words, he cried with his back on his back, he wanted to cheer himself up again, persistently pursue happiness, and let himself and little Chris live a good life.

When filming this set of shots, Will Smith's emotions completely exploded, and he didn't have to act at all, he reached the most ideal state of the experiential school, that is, he became that character. When Terry Smith finished saying that, his eyes turned red all at once, and he wept silently with his back on his back, and then he couldn't control himself and began to cry bitterly, swallowing his cry with all his might, his shoulders twitching incessantly. Originally, the script ended here, but to Wang Yang's surprise, at that time, Terry actually patted Will on the shoulder and said comfortingly: "Dad, don't cry, I know you are very hard, but I will be sensible." ”

This set of shots is very touching, no worse than the part where Chris cried sadly and dazedly in the toilet. In terms of editing, Wang Yang put this arrangement after little Chris lost his Captain America doll, and his comfort made the confused and irritable Chris Gardner firm his mentality, and the kind of mutual love and warmth between father and son will also reach the most important point in the movie here.

At the same time, he added some plots and scenes to the part of the homeless group, mainly around Chris Gardner's major change of heart, about dignity and obsession with dreams. The reason why he was able to get out of relief and become a full-fledged stockbroker was because he did not let go of his dignity, although he was so poor and destitute that he had to sleep in the toilet of the subway station and the bed in the rescue hall, he never let go of his dignity, which is also the difference between him and the homeless man who has lost himself and is numb.

"Marigot, there's also an inner monologue montage of voices here. ”

In the editing room, Margaret, wearing black-rimmed glasses, sat in front of the editing computer, holding the mouse, while on the computer screen, in front of a commercial building in Auckland, people were coming and going, and Will Smith was smiling at the red Ferrari sports car. Wang Yang stood next to him with the script, glancing at the computer screen, and reading the narration in the script: "I still remember that moment, all of them looked super happy, why can't I be full of happiness too?"

"Okay, then you need a few smiling shots. Margaret answered, and searched for the pile of materials in this set of scenes, and lined up the white-collar workers and passers-by who entered and exited the building.

There are a lot of such sound montages in "When Happiness Knocks on the Door", all of which are purely subjective voices, that is, Chris Gardner's narration or inner monologue, including "This part of my life is called taking the bus", "This part is called being stupid", etc., this kind of expression can quickly supplement the integrity of the story, such as Chris said "I only saw my dad for the first time at the age of 28"; It can also set off the inner world and character of the character, making his image more three-dimensional and plump, for biographical films, whether the image of the protagonist can be expressed clearly is very crucial.

Looking at the picture playing on the screen, those white-collar workers and passers-by were walking around with a smile at the speed of slow motion, Wang Yang frowned, let Margaret broadcast it a few more times, and said, "Do you think it's a little too slow?"

The so-called slow motion is to increase the shooting frequency of the camera to 24 frames per second, such as 48 frames per second, but the normal speed of the film projection is 24 frames per second. The part of Keanu Reeves dodging bullets in "The Matrix" is super slow-motion "bullet time", which reaches 12,000 frames per second, and there are of course not that many sets of shots on the computer now, just 96 frames per second.

"Well, maybe. This needs to be combined with the speed of the narration, as well as the soundtrack. Margaery clicked the mouse, adjusted the frame rate to 72 per second, and asked, "How is it now?" Wang Yang looked at it again, thought about the speed of Will Smith's voice, and the atmosphere of this group of shots, and said: "The two smiling white-collar workers in the front will be reduced by a few more frames, and Chris will increase back a few frames with a smile in the back, give it a try." ”

Margaret nodded, adjusting the editing software, this kind of adjustment of the frame length of the shot is not the point of her and Wang Yang's argument. Seeing a passerby on the screen, she suddenly remembered something, and said with a smile: "Young director, this girl seems to be your girlfriend?"

"Yes. Wang Yang shrugged his shoulders with a smile, Jessica inside hurried over with a sweet smile, Will Smith next to him looked up with a smile, Wang Yang said with a smile: "Believe me, it's not for her to add a few frames later." Margaret said with a smile, "Of course, otherwise you can let her play a role? ”

Hippie girl?Wang Yang's eyes appeared in front of the quiet freckle girl, that character Annie played very well, especially when Will Smith turned away, she looked at the scanner on the ground with a greedy look, so that people knew at a glance that she was going to steal the scanner. Thinking of when he said "very good" at that time, and then Anne's face was full of joy, he couldn't help but smile, the girl who plays the hippie girl is the best now!

After spending the whole day in the editing room, it wasn't until late afternoon that Wang Yang finished his day's work and drove home. At the dining table, looking at her smiling face, listening to her beautiful voice, and tasting the fragrant food, Wang Yang only felt that the tiredness on his body was swept away, probably this is the warmth of home.

"Jan, I was shopping with Erin today, and she told me a piece of news. Jessica's voice was full of disbelief, she opened her eyes wide and said, "Guess what?" Wang Yang took a bite of the pie in his hand, frowned and pretended to think, and immediately smiled: "Hmm...... I can't guess, is she pregnant? Oh my God, Zachary is going to be a father!"

After countless efforts and countless rejections, Zachary tried his best to use his magic weapon, and under Wang Yang's "guidance", before the filming of "Youth Musicale 2" started, he miraculously moved Erin Iris, and the two also came together.

"No, she's not pregnant. Jessica rolled her eyes with a smile, and said mysteriously: "But......" She paused and said in surprise: "They have been planning to get married recently!" Wang Yang's eyes suddenly widened, and a mouthful of pie almost burst out, he tried his best to hold back, swallowed uncomfortably, coughed and said anxiously: "No, what are you kidding? Get married so soon?!!!!" Jessica shook her head lightly with a smile, and said, "There is no time, they are just planning now, maybe a few years later, right?"

What the...... Wang Yang closed his eyes, inexplicably relieved, and then laughed, and said funny: "Jesse, you scared me to death, I thought they were going to get married in a week or a month, please!"

"But they already have a plan. Jessica said softly, looking at Wang Yang opposite, her eyes showed a faint envy and longing, and her lips pursed slightly, as if to say, "But we don't have a plan!" Wang Yang couldn't help frowning, marriage plan? It's too early to say this, right...... He glanced at Jessica, shrugged his shoulders, and smiled at her, "Then we should also make a plan? Get married in five years?"

Seeing that he didn't look excited, knowing that the plan he said was just coaxing himself, Jessica's interest in her heart suddenly dissipated, her face was sullen, and she said in a stiff tone: "No, forget it, there is no plan!"

Wang Yang frowned and put down the pie in his hand, looked at her and said seriously: "Jesse, I just don't think it matters if I have a plan or not, I'm a man of action, if we suddenly want to get married one day, we will run to the auditorium immediately, it doesn't take much planning." He looked around with his hands spread out and smiled warmly: "And we are very good now, home, two-person world, sweet...... I feel like we're married. ”

"Hmm...... Sorry, I'm fine. Jessica smiled far-fetched, and sighed secretly, it was all good now, she didn't want to lose, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose, she just liked to have a plan, then she would have a greater sense of security.

"Jessica......" Wang Yang obviously felt that she was still very unhappy, but she didn't know what to say, and tried to ask: "Let's make a plan, right?" Jessica shook her head and smiled: "No, I'm really fine." With that, she lowered her head and nibbled on the pie in her hand. Wang Yang smiled helplessly and continued to coax her: "I think we will definitely get married earlier than Zachary and Eileen." Planners will always change their plans, and there will be ...... for whatever reason."

Wang Yang coaxed her for a long time, but in the end he didn't let her fully agree, but finally put the matter aside, and laughter resumed at the table. After dinner, Jessica cleaned up the dishes and kitchen, and Wang Yang wanted to help, but received a long-lost call from Jon Fittimmel.

"Hey, Jon, what's the matter?" Wang Yang came to the rattan sofa in the living room and sat down, removed the pillow, leaned on the sofa, and smiled at the phone: "You haven't called me for a long time, there must be something." ”

Jon Feltimmel's voice came from there, and he laughed and said, "Young, it's about the dividends of "Ghost Record 2", the money will be credited to your account in a few days, do you want to come to Lionsgate to see the specific data of the box office?"

"Ghost Shadow 2" was released in North America for 2 months, and finally received a box office of nearly 35 million, if you add the overseas market that has not yet been released, and the future DVD revenue, it is enough to recover the cost and make a small profit, but Wang Yang's 20% after-tax box office dividend is really not much.

"Just send the data file to my mailbox. Wang Yang said very indifferently, he is not afraid that Lionsgate will hide the box office, Lionsgate's reputation has always been very good, and "Ghost Record 1" makes so much money, Lionsgate has never owed a penny, not to mention a little dividend in "Ghost Record 2"? He explained: "I have been busy with the post-editing of "When Happiness Knocks on the Door" every day recently, and I can trust you. ”

"Wow, it seems to be another blockbuster movie!Jan, when will we be able to work together again?" Jon Fittimmel once again reminded him of the old words, and after Flame Films announced the plan for "When Happiness Knocks on the Door", he immediately contacted Wang Yang to ask about the possibility of cooperation, but Wang Yang finally declined him. Immediately, he heard Wang Yang say, "Jon, I don't have much chance for the time being, hmm, do you have any ideas for making "Ghost Record 3"?"

Jon sighed helplessly, and said self-deprecatingly: "You know, this sequel is not a success, we messed up, and the popularity accumulated from the previous work has been squandered, so ......" He laughed a little, and said: "But if you are willing to direct "Ghost 3", we are very happy to invest." ”

"Come on, my schedule for this year is over. Wang Yang smiled and comforted him: "Jon, I'm sure you'll be able to find a new "Ghost Record" soon, this is Lionsgate's strength, isn't it?" Jon over there smiled and said "Yes", "It's the Sundance Film Festival in a few days, and we're going to try our luck and see if there's any "Ghost Record." Are you going?"

Wang Yang was slightly stunned, and then reacted, looking at the date, this year's Sundance Film Festival is indeed about to open! This is an important festival for independent films, held in Park City, Utah on January 18 every year, for 11 days, when the time, countless independent filmmakers bring their films to participate, hoping to be appreciated by the film companies, and countless film companies will also go to Park City for a Bole trip. In the days when "Ghost Shadows" was seeking to be released, these film festivals were the last way back in his mind.

"Well, of course, we're going to join in the fun. Wang Yang thought about the company's finances for a while, and he could probably buy a two-part independent movie, and he smiled: "Maybe you can find some treasures." ”

Jon Philtimmel laughed and said as if seriously and jokingly, "Don't let me know what movie it is, or I'll definitely grab it from you." ”

(To be continued)