In the evening, the rustic town seems more peaceful, and on the tree-lined paths, Wang Yang pedals a bicycle and moves slowly, rolling through the fallen leaves on the ground, looking at the ordinary and beautiful scenery around him, he feels very happy. After a month and a half of filming, the time came to the beginning of August, "Juno" will be finished tomorrow, and the crew will also leave the town, before leaving, he wants to visit the place again.

The tree is a hundred years old, isn't it? As he looked at the towering tree in front of him, the phone in his trouser pocket suddenly vibrate. Wang Yang stopped the bicycle, took out his mobile phone and looked at the caller ID, it was actually Robert Zemeckis calling, although the last time they connected the power was a week ago, it was he asked Robert for a question, but he is still a little unexpected, Robert rarely took the initiative to call him. Wang Yang answered: "Hello, Robert. ”

"Ha, young man, you didn't keep your promise. Robert Zemeckis over there still laughed heartily, and he said, "You told me that Juno was going to be released as soon as it was set, but now I'm learning from the media, December 22nd, right? Funny, we just bumped into it." ”

Wang Yang pushed the bicycle forward, smiled at the mobile phone and said: "Robert, we only decided last night, I originally wanted to tell you tonight, I'm sorry." Robert Zemeckis laughed on his phone, and he smiled helplessly: "Young, I've been worried about this since last year's charity dinner, and now it's come true, how did the newspaper write 'USC's new and old directors lock in the Christmas war' young man, do you just refuse to let me go, old guy?"

Knowing that he was joking, Wang Yang smiled and didn't speak, but he didn't have the idea of defeating Robert Zemeckis's new work "Desert Island Afterlife" in his heart. "Desert Island" invested 90 million, starring Tom Hanks, is a feature film that Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks collaborated again after "Forrest Gump", this movie started filming as early as January 1999, and stopped filming for nearly a year in order to let Tom Hanks lose weight, grow hair and find feeling.

There may be movies that do well at the box office, but in reality there is no such thing as a beat or a bad movie. However, "Juno" and "Desert Island Afterlife" were both released on December 22, and the media keen to create topics will naturally not let go of this good opportunity, especially Wang Yang and Robert Zemeckis are both directors of "USC", and Wang Yang has the nicknames of "USC's Avenger" and "Senior Killer".

This is not intentional by Wang Yang, there are considerations such as post-production and publicity plans, so it is scheduled to be released in the week closest to Christmas. On December 8th, the Christmas schedule officially kicked off, with Sony's 75 million investment in the adventure action film "Vertical Limit" released, Warner Bros.'s 65 million "Evidence of Life", the new line 45 million "Dragon and the City Down", and Sony's classic preparing for a small-scale test screening, directed by Ang Lee, and now the widely acclaimed Chinese film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

In the new week of December 15th, two more movies that cannot be ignored will be released on a large scale, Disney's 100 million animated film "Transforming into a King", Paramount's 70 million "Man 100%", one of the producers of this fantasy romantic comedy, is Matt Williams, the director of "Sweetheart", which made Mark Slimt laugh: "It's really lively now, just let him see how to shoot the little girl's pregnancy, my boss, no problem, right?" Wang Yang just rolled his eyes.

When the date came to the 22nd, countless new movies were launched in the market to test the waters in the form of test screenings, and naturally there were also direct large-scale releases, Warner Bros.'s 45 million action comedy "Pretty Undercover Pageant", Miramax's 54 million horror film "Dracula 2000", Universal's 60 million, Nicolas Cage's romantic comedy "Family Man", 20th Century Fox's 90 million "Desert Island Aftermath", and Flame's 15 million "Juno".

If you take the attention and expectation to remove the cost, then "Juno" is at the top. This is also the first time that Wang Yang and Flame Movies have fought in the cruel Christmas schedule, in a bunch of different types of blockbusters, there is no superstar with great box office appeal like Will Smith, and it is also an unsuccessful teenage pregnancy theme, which makes Mark Slimt feel a little worried, and Wang Yang's attitude is: "Do a good job in the movie, do a good job in publicity, do your job well, and let the audience decide the rest." ”

After some jokes, Robert Zemeckis said in a serious voice: "Young, there is actually one more thing I have to look for you, and it is this, you know that I am very passionate about the digital technology side of cinema. Wang Yang hummed, and he continued: "USC is now building a digital technology training center, which I took the lead on, researching technology in shooting, post-production, and stage effects, hey, this is the first such institution in the United States." ”

Wang Yang parked his bicycle and sat down on a long wooden chair on the side of the road, listening to Robert introduce the blueprint of the training center. He did know that Robert was a tech maniac, and that 1988's "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was a combination of live-action and animation using the latest technology, in which live-action and animation blended together to reinterpret the genre, which was a milestone, and he knew that another milestone would happen in the future, in 2004, when the first IMAX-3D feature film "The Polar Express" was released, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

But at that time, 3D and IMAX big screens were very rare, "Polar Express" was shown in theaters around the world, 3D and IMAX big screens combined were only 75, and the other 2000 were ordinary 2D screens, and in 2009, "Avatar", in North America alone, there were nearly 3000 3D screens, and IMAX giant screens were close to 200.

"I want to set up this training center because I believe that in the future, digital technology will play more and more roles in film production, and it can cultivate more film talents, hehe, it can be regarded as a contribution to film and USC. Robert Zemeckis over there smiled and asked directly, "Young man, are you interested in sponsoring some funds? ”

"Oh!" Wang Yang nodded without hesitation: "Okay, I'm very interested, and I'm very willing to contribute to the movie." He smiled and said, "And USC." "He really didn't hate his alma mater, the expulsion was just a mistake on the part of the school, and the USC School of Film and Television itself was not at fault, it was a place where all filmmakers studied and dreamed, where George Lucas graduated, Robert Zemeckis graduated...... She is a beautiful and kind maiden, not an ugly and vicious witch.

"That's great!" Robert laughed excitedly. Wang Yang thinks about personal and company finances, how much can he sponsor?

"When Happiness Knocks on the Door" After two and a half months of release in North America, it received a total of 203 million box office, and now there are less than 100 theaters still showing it, but the box office figure can be said to be settled; in July, it landed in overseas countries, there was no bizarre Waterloo, it did not disappoint anyone, it was also popular and sold overseas, the true interpretation of Will Smith and his son touched fans around the world, and has now swept down the box office of 150 million US dollars, although the momentum is very weak, but it still has a great chance to rush to the 180 million figure.

Its soundtrack album has also been released to the market, certainly not as popular as "Youth Musical", but it is expected to sell more than 500,000 copies of its steady sales, while DVDs will not be available until the end of the screening window.

Now the global box office of "When Happiness Knocks" is 353 million, roughly calculated, the flame movie can be divided into about half, that is, 176 million, which is enough to cope with the 5 million of "Memory Fragments" and the 20 million publicity expenses of "Juno", and it is enough to mention a small part of it as a sponsorship. Thinking of this, Wang Yang said to his mobile phone: "Robert, I sponsor 5 million for the training academy. ”

Although he knew that Wang Yang was not a stingy person, and at the last charity dinner of the Children's Fund, he sold 5 million yuan, which really scared many people, but this time, Robert Zemeckis was still a little surprised, this kid really "doesn't treat money as money" as the media commented. He couldn't help but be full of joy, and he admired the young man even more, and he smiled and said, "Wow, young man, that's amazing! Thank you, with 5 million, the training academy will become the top technical institution in the United States, and I can add a few more technical courses." ”

"Well, Robert, don't be polite to me if it's not enough, make the house the best it can be. Wang Yang said in a serious tone, his money comes from movies, and of course he has to return some dedicated to movies, and he smiled: "After the training academy is completed, I will also go there to take classes, I am too short of digital technology skills." Robert Zemeckis smiled: "You also like this?" Wang Yang stretched out his hand to pick up the fallen leaves, nodded and smiled: "Of course, I like realistic movies, but I have also longed to be able to make a 'blockbuster' like "Star Wars" since I was a child, and digital technology and IMAX-3D are obviously the future trend." ”

What director doesn't want to make blockbuster films? sci-fi, bizarre, ancient, modern superheroes...... A world full of imagination, a wonderful story, a group of characters with different characteristics, such blockbusters have always been his pursuit.

Hearing Wang Yang say IMAX-3D, Robert Zemmy Giston agreed: "3D is definitely the trend of the future, and when I finish the work of "Desert Island", I think I will prepare a 3D movie with IMAX film throughout the whole process, Yang, this is an epoch-making thing!"

Wang Yang snorted, he wanted to wait until the time was ripe in the future, and he had the ability and interested ideas, he would also make an IMAX-3D movie, but he only knew a little about ordinary special effects technology now, and he really needed to go to the training academy to take classes. Robert laughed again, "But that may be years away, and I still have to work on technology." So young man, if you want to 'kill' me, an old guy, take advantage of "The Rest of My Life on a Desert Island"!" Wang Yang couldn't help but smile and said with a smile: "Okay, old guy, on December 22nd, fight to the death!"

The two laughed and talked for a while before ending the call, Wang Yang got up and got on the bicycle, pedaled and continued to go forward. After stepping on the road for a while, I saw the back of a short-haired girl in the distance in front of me, and seeing the familiar clothes, Wang Yang shouted loudly with a little confusion: "Hey!" The girl looked back, and sure enough, it was Natalie Portman.

Wang Yang came to her side on his bicycle, stopped the car, looked at her and smiled: "You also come out to visit this town?" Natalie nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, but I use it to go." Wang Yang jumped out of the car with a smile, held the handlebar and pushed forward, he looked at Natalie next to him, although it is unlikely, if there is an ambush of paparazzi nearby, and the current scene is filmed, it will definitely make a big fuss again, but it doesn't matter what about him.

"It's so fast, 'Juno' is going to finish tomorrow, and I remember the embarrassment you made when you came to the café that day. Natalie kicked the fallen leaves on the ground, smiled, and said, "It's over here, I'm going to Sydney to shoot "Star Wars Episode 2" again, whew, interesting summer vacation." ”

Wang Yang looked at her and said, "Natalie, I'm afraid it will take up some of your semester time." You don't need you for the pre-publicity plan of "Juno", but when the publicity enters the release stage in December, we need to do some program interviews or something, but at that time the semester is almost over, I don't think it's a big problem, right?"

"Oh, I know. Natalie pursed her lips, a hint of self-deprecation flashed across her face, and waved her hand, "Skip class, miss class! What about Harvard, I'm going to be a bad girl anyway." Wang Yang smiled with interest: "Bad girl?" Natalie looked into his eyes and suddenly smiled: "That's right, bad girl......! Hey, tell me a vulgar joke!"

"I'm running out of stock. Wang Yang smiled, and when he saw that she was serious, he frowned and thought: "Okay, I'll think about it, don't ......" I don't know why, he would think of "The Rest of the Desert Island" in his mind, and then he thought of a joke, so he said: " And there was, in a shipwreck, ten sailors and a beautiful maiden drifted on an island, and ten days later the girl committed suicide because she was ashamed, and ten days later the sailors buried her body because they were ashamed, and another ten days later the sailors dug up the girl's body, again because of shame. ”

Natalie thought for a moment, and suddenly understood the meaning of the joke, she poofed, and laughed, "You're really ...... Lewd, disgusting, vulgar, I'm going to vomit, haha......" Although this joke is not explicitly vulgar, it is not the type of rap, but the meaning behind it can be said to be extremely vulgar. She leaned back with a smile, clutched her stomach, and almost laughed breathlessly: "I like it, another one!"

Wang Yang shook his head and said with a smile: "In view of your situation, it is still not possible, I am afraid that you will die of laughter." Natalie looked at him a few times, finally stopped laughing, and her voice was still a little trembling and said, "Everyone thinks that the 'shy little girl' is me, and I used to think so, but I, everyone is wrong, this bad girl is me, 'Hey, Natalie, how are you?' can finally come out and exhale." She laughed a few more times, slowly calmed down, looked at Wang Yang and said, "Brother, thank you, you made me really realize myself, you said, 'Release the other side of you', this is the other side of me." ”

"You're welcome, do you need to celebrate?" Wang Yang smiled and pressed the air horn of the bicycle, making a beeping sound. Natalie also reached out and pressed a few times, and in the beep, she smiled at the corner of her mouth: "You know no, I chose to study psychology, half of the reason is that I am interested in the characteristics of human mental activity, and the other half is because I want to figure out myself." Now that I'm doing Juno, I know it all, man, and I want to say it's the best movie I've ever played. So please edit it well, the soundtrack...... All things, please make it my pride, don't ruin it. ”

Looking at her serious look, Wang Yang stopped, nodded heavily, and grinned again: "I promise not to lose to "Sweetheart Yiren". Natalie seemed to raise her eyebrows dissatisfied, and said, "Is this the only one?" Wang Yang smiled: "Then it's ...... Whoever mentions Natalie Portman's films in the future, he first thinks of "Juno", and "Killer Leon" comes second. ”

"Ok, this sounds good, beating my 13-year-old self, what have I done in the past 6 years?" Natalie sneered amusedly, suddenly looked at Wang Yang, frowned and asked, "Seriously, you won't really be my fan, right?" Wang Yang said with a serious face: "You're right, big fan, crazy fan! You should go and see, my room is full of posters of "Killer Leon", but the people on it are Jean Reno. ”

Natalie's voice was long, "Oh, Natalie who plays Matilda is like a fallen elf, right...... Natalie, I think she will be the Oscar for Best Actress in the future!" Wang Yang smiled embarrassedly, looking up at the gradually darkening sky, Natalie smirked: "The last blow!

"Not really, because I still think, oh, just after 'let's go.'" As for the previous ......" Wang Yang shook his head in disgust, and read in a sharp voice: "Oh, Natalie who plays Matilda is like a devil who has rushed out of hell!" Natalie shrugged her shoulders indifferently and said, "The latter sentence is also very good, so when do you think I will win the Oscar for Best Actress?"

Wang Yang looked at her with a smile, 2011? That is another future world in my mind, but the future has changed, and now this world, who knows. "I don't know, maybe ten years from now, maybe next year with Juno," he said. But don't worry, you'll get it. After a pause, he laughed and said, "Then people will exclaim, 'He knew when he was 14 years old, he was a prophet.'" ’”

Natalie spread her hands and said, "I'm also a prophet, I said that you will win the Oscar for Best Director in the future, it's so simple!" Both of them laughed, she suddenly patted the bicycle pushed by Wang Yang, and said with great interest: "Hey, stop pushing, let's drag racing!" Wang Yang asked suspiciously: "How do you race?" She replied: "You drive, I'll be behind, or I'll drive, you're behind." Wang Yang looked at the back of the car and said, "There are no seats in the back." Natalie said, "Stand." ”

"Nope. Wang Yang rejected her idea, although he and Natalie are very good "brothers", but there is always a difference between men and women, such an intimate act is not suitable, and if he is photographed by the paparazzi, how can he explain to Jessica? He smiled: "No, there is no tail, dangerous." ”

"What a coward!" Natalie pouted her lips in disdain, and said, "Feel sorry for you!" Wang Yang gritted his teeth, just like Marty in "Back to the Future", with a cold face, and said: "No one dares to call me a coward!" Natalie smiled and suddenly said loudly: "Give me the bike!" Before the words fell, she snatched Wang Yang's bicycle with both hands, pushed a few steps and rode up agilely, pedaling quickly with both feet, shouting: "Lets-go!"

Seeing her rushing forward like a bicycle flying, Wang Yang reluctantly ran up and chased behind, and said: "Hey, that's my bicycle! Don't you use it? Slow down, I can't keep up with the ......" Natalie in front of her pedaled at a steady pace, holding the handlebar with her left hand, raised her right hand high, raised her middle finger, and shouted with a smile: "Wow! bye!"

"Hey, you devil, give me back the bike!" Wang Yang shouted, seeing her raise her middle finger with her left hand, he couldn't help laughing and scolding: "Crazy!" He slowly slowed down, panting slightly and looking at Natalie who was getting farther and farther away, until she disappeared around the corner of the tree, he smiled and shook his head, this guy is so hateful!

He laughed to himself, "So what now? Okay, lets-go!"

(To be continued)