Chapter 75

Chen Tiandu had promised to treat Yuan Heping to a drink, so he naturally wouldn’t go back on his word. In fact, he was also craving Chinese food. Having been in America for nearly two years, he still wasn’t used to American burgers and needed to find a decent Chinese restaurant every so often to satisfy his cravings.

In the past, he would go by himself, but now he just had a group of drinking buddies.

Chen Tiandu was delighted, and after a few drinks, he slurred, “When I make it big, I’ll definitely bring a good chef with me when I go out to shoot movies. No matter how good America is, it might not be suitable for Chinese people, especially the food.”

“You’re ambitious,” Yuan Heping toasted, “How long have you been looking for this restaurant? The Cantonese cuisine here is quite authentic.”

“I’ve been looking for a while. I found it when I came to New York to scout locations. After that meal, I knew I’d come back.”

Kate suggested, “I think British food is also good. You should try it.”

“Ha, boasting. Are you talking about the British ‘Stargazy Pie’?”

Kate rolled her eyes, “Alright, the whole world looks down on British cuisine, even the British do, but I’ve been eating it for over a decade.” Charley smiled, “I heard the director is quite good at cooking. Why don’t you treat us to a proper Chinese meal next time?”

Chen Tiandu’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned to look at her, only to meet Charley’s winking eyes. He cleared his throat and said, “No problem, Kate can vouch for my cooking.”

Kate looked at Charley suspiciously and nodded, “I didn’t expect his cooking to be so good, but it still can’t match his mother’s. Her Chinese food is the best.”

Charley was taken aback, her eyes slightly annoyed.

Chen Tiandu pretended not to notice and raised his glass to find Eighth Master for another drink, “Eighth Master, do you think I have a chance if I go to Hong Kong to shoot a movie?”

Yuan Heping looked at him in surprise, guessing that this wasn’t the main reason for his treat, “As long as you have money, anyone can go to Hong Kong to shoot a movie. But if Hong Kong people want to go out, and you’ve already established yourself in Hollywood, going back to Hong Kong to shoot movies would be a step backward, wouldn’t it?”

Chen Tiandu shook his head, “Eighth Master, you misunderstood. I’m not going to Hong Kong to develop, but there’s a script that’s very suitable for shooting in Hong Kong. I’ve never been to Hong Kong before, and everything I’ve heard about Hong Kong movies is secondhand, so I wanted to ask for your advice. Besides, the roots of the Chinese people are on the continent across the Pacific. Even if I do well in Hollywood, I’ll still go back to shoot a few movies when I have the chance, which isn’t a step backward. In this regard, I think we share the same goal. Aren’t you always dedicated to promoting Chinese martial arts?”

Yuan Heping looked at him, “You’re quite good, knowing where your roots are.”

He took another sip of wine and smacked his lips, “As a martial artist, my greatest wish is to promote martial arts. Hong Kong has people like Lau Kar-leung who stick to traditional martial arts, but Chinese martial arts need to have the determination to go out. The trend of Hollywood movies is getting stronger, and Chinese martial arts entering Hollywood need to be both practical and visually appealing. That’s my insight.”

Chen Tiandu nodded in agreement. When it came to the use of special effects in movies and the integration of kung fu and special effects, Yuan Heping, known for his real kung fu films, didn’t start with "The Matrix" as many people thought. In fact, Yuan Ping had been combining martial arts with special effects for 20 years, creating a unique genre of Hong Kong films—“spiritual kung fu films.”

However, back then, Eighth Master didn’t use computer special effects but traditional Hong Kong special effects, including smoke, wirework, magic, and acrobatics, which couldn’t compare to today’s technology.

“In Hollywood, with more special effects, the representation of martial arts is more visually stimulating, but the ‘fakeness’ is also more obvious. Although more and more foreigners love Chinese martial arts, they don’t understand the essence of it. We can’t just teach them how to fight; we need to teach them how to use it.” At this point, Eighth Master sighed, “In this regard, Li Lianjie is a role model. He has a deep understanding of martial arts and is a good example for martial artists.”

Chen Tiandu said, “I’m also a fan of his. I hope to have the chance to work with the Emperor of Kung Fu. But Eighth Master, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

“Ha ha, I’ve had too much to drink.”

Eighth Master smiled, “Your question isn’t really a question. I’ve already answered it. As long as you have money, you can shoot whatever you want. In the past, Hong Kong movies might have been chaotic, but now that Hong Kong has returned, those dark practices won’t work anymore. So, whenever you want to come to Hong Kong to shoot a movie, just give me a call.”

Chen Tiandu was pleased, “Hey, thank you very much. I’ll definitely trouble you when the time comes.”

Yuan Heping was speechless.

Chen Tiandu knew that every place has its own system, and even in the open Hong Kong, there are established patterns that money alone can’t overcome.

In mainland China, the hierarchy is emphasized, and unless you’re a superstar, you have to respect the director. In Hong Kong, most filmmakers are not from film schools, and they value face. For example, the lighting technician is often called "Light Master," and if you offend him, he can mess up the lighting, causing significant losses to the production, at the very least requiring a retake. The same goes for the cinematographer; no matter how well the actors perform or how well the director handles the overall production, if the cinematographer doesn’t put in the effort, the shots won’t be good.

If Chen Tiandu wanted to shoot a movie in Hong Kong, it would be best to have a local connection.

Occasional relaxation couldn’t stop the production from continuing.

“Camera… lights… extras… are you ready!”

Chen Tiandu was also made up and ready to shoot.

This scene was a training sequence where Morpheus trains Neo to enter the Matrix, involving over a hundred extras.

Holding a microphone in one hand and waving a script in the other, Chen Tiandu walked around, seeing that all the other staff were focused and waiting for his orders, suddenly feeling like a commander about to lead his troops into battle.

“Director’s camera, okay!… Reflectors, okay!… Makeup, okay!…”

On the other side, Lawrence, who was playing Morpheus, gave an OK sign. Receiving reports from all around, Chen Tiandu nodded in satisfaction and raised the microphone, shouting, “Alright, everyone, final check on the actors’ positions. This scene has a lot of people, so I hope everyone is alert and doesn’t make unnecessary mistakes. When we start, the extras should walk in the opposite direction. When you see me, you should look hostile and bump into my shoulder as you pass. Is there anyone who doesn’t understand?”

No one answered, and Chen Tiandu waved his hand, handing the microphone and script to Kong Yiji, preparing to shoot.

“Scene 78, training sequence, take one, action!” The clapperboard was set, and the camera started.

The crowd of extras began to move, with Lawrence playing Morpheus walking ahead, hands behind his back, turning to look at the camera, “The Matrix is a system, Neo.”

Chen Tiandu followed closely behind, with people constantly bumping into his shoulder and giving him strange looks, as if the whole world was against him.

The gesture of walking with hands behind his back was suggested by Chen Tiandu to Lawrence. He told Lawrence that Morpheus needed a signature move to highlight his identity, something the audience would remember. Lawrence tried many gestures and finally settled on the one from the original.

He was a seasoned actor and quickly got into character, saying, “The entire system is our enemy, but you are inside the system. What do you see? The office workers, teachers, lawyers, and craftsmen you see are narrow-minded and are the ones we need to save. But if we don’t act, they remain part of the system, which means they are our enemies. You must understand that most of them don’t want to be saved. Some are even numb and completely dependent on the system, and will even defend it to the death. Are you listening to me, Neo, or are you distracted by the woman in red?”

The camera followed them, and two other cameras moved on tracks, making subtle sounds.

“I’m just…” Neo tried to explain.

“Look again,” Morpheus suddenly pointed behind him.

Neo turned around, and a gun was pointed at his head, making him flinch and try to dodge.

“Hold it!”

“Whoosh!”

The entire world, including the red-clad woman who had just walked by, froze.

“Cut!”

Assistant Director Hancock shouted, interrupting the shoot. Chen Tiandu frowned, as at least ten people had lost their balance and fallen. “I’m sorry, director, it was my fault. I lost my balance and fell when I heard the sudden shout.”

Chen Tiandu smiled helplessly, clapped his hands, and shouted, “Alright, everyone, I know it’s difficult to suddenly stop while walking. So, let’s reshoot this scene. Everyone, get into position and don’t move.”

This shot wouldn’t be perfect in one take, as the post-production would need to freeze the two pigeons that had just flown by.

The second take went much better, with no one making a mistake. It was clear that the actors recruited from the American Actors Guild were of high quality, even the extras.

“Very good, cut!”

Chen Tiandu reviewed the shot and approved it.

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