482: Chapter 482 Wrap-up Party

Lin Chuyan really hadn't expected that this matter would cause Weibo to crash again.

But since things had reached this point... he could only put it behind him.

"Let's go, the wrap party is waiting."

The wrap party was being held inside a villa at the mountain estate.

The format was all about 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'—following the local customs.

The food consisted of Western cuisine, seafood, and desserts.

A band was also arranged at the venue to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Of course, it had to be a jazz band to fit the elements of la la land.

The venue was decorated quite well, with la la land-themed ornaments in many places, such as photos of the film sets, retro and vibrant wall color combinations, and they had even brought the male lead's car from the film to the site—a 1982 Buick Riviera.

This was a famous failure in Buick's history; it took 15 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, and it didn't sell cheaply either.

In short, the cinematic atmosphere of the wrap party tonight was top-notch.

When Lin Chuyan arrived at the scene, this was the kind of place he saw.

"Sister Man, with you around, I'm so worry-free."

"Ha! I'm just helping you spend money to hire people to set it up, it's nothing."

"Humble, far too humble."

As the general producer, Producer Zhang Man not only received a salary but would also participate in the profit-sharing, yet Lin Chuyan felt this money was well spent.

Producer Zhang Man checked her phone: "The guests have arrived."

"Alright, let's go, let's go receive them."

Regarding the guests, first, Lionsgate, one of the investors of la la land, had sent people over.

To be honest, they hadn't been very attentive to this film at the beginning, but after visiting the set a few times and chatting with Lin Chuyan, they went back and re-evaluated the status of la la land.

This is what is called 'seeing is believing'.

Lin Chuyan welcomed them in, and both sides had a good chat. The main content was naturally centered around the film, but this time they talked about production, release, and screening arrangements.

A consensus was finally reached: production must be fast so that the film would have sufficient scheduling options, and as for the screening, it would depend on the quality of the film.

The other side didn't forget to paint a picture for Lin Chuyan: "Lin, as long as the film quality is good enough, screening won't be a problem, there is no upper limit. You know, due to special reasons, in the next year or so, there won't be many blockbusters here in Hollywood. This is your opportunity, you must seize it."

Lin Chuyan nodded and smiled in agreement.

As for whether it was just empty talk, it didn't matter. After all, they had invested in this film too; they would prosper together and suffer together. It was useless to talk big now; when they saw the finished film, they would naturally know what to do.

In addition, Colleen Bell, the Executive Director of the California Film Commission, who had met with Producer Zhang Man before, also came.

Colleen Bell was a white woman, and her main purpose for coming this time was to see Lin Chuyan, thank him for his support of the Hollywood film industry, and express the wish that "he would come often in the future"...

As for this, whether to come often or not depended on what the system would give next...

However, Lin Chuyan naturally agreed immediately, and by the way, asked her "if there are any preferential policies for filming here in the future"...

Unexpectedly, there actually were!

Colleen Bell nodded: "Currently, Hollywood is going through a 'difficult time.' How to rebuild our economic environment after the fires has become a top priority for Los Angeles and even California. In this regard, the governor has proposed increasing the film incentive fund from $330 million per year to $700 million. Lin, I can guarantee you: your next film will definitely be able to enjoy subsidy benefits."

Even a mosquito is meat, so Lin Chuyan didn't stand on ceremony with the other party: "Thank you, this news is very important to me."

Lionsgate had come, and official personnel had come, so naturally, the local media had all come as well.

And it would be a lie to say the media wasn't curious.

Lin Chuyan had blocked a highway for three days to film, a matter that had made it into the local papers at the time... so many people were already waiting to ask questions.

As for the questions, "you're good, I'm good, everyone is good" was impossible. Regardless of whether you felt it was targeted or not, it would definitely be quite sharp.

Next, they followed the procedure.

For the opening remarks, Lin Chuyan let Producer Zhang Man, as the general producer, go on stage to speak for him.

The content summarized how everyone worked together to complete the work during the filming process, and finally thanked all the crew members for their contributions.

Only then did Lin Chuyan take the stage. As the screenwriter, director, and male lead of the film, he began to accept media interviews.

Reporter: "As a Chinese director, you are using jazz to tell a Los Angeles love story. Are you worried about being questioned for cultural appropriation?"

Chinese identity, jazz, Los Angeles story, cultural appropriation. A bombshell right from the start.

Producer Zhang Man heard this question from the stage and started to get nervous: Oh my, couldn't you ask something like "what does it feel like for a couple to film together?"

Just as she was thinking this, Lin Chuyan was already answering: "When Mozart composed 'Rondo Alla Turca,' no one demanded that he must come from Istanbul. Art is a common language for humanity. la la land presents the sweetness and pain that every dreamer will experience. Let's put it this way: the sun above your head not only illuminates the Hollywood Bowl, but also illuminates the glazed tiles of our Hengdian in China. Hello, reporter friend, simply put, we share the same blue sky."

Producer Zhang Man was shocked: Damn, a perfect answer?

She had seen many illiterate top celebrities; if this reporter's question were switched to someone else, it would be a fatal blow.

Forget about such questions; those people could barely stutter through simple questions like "what feelings did this role bring you."

Awesome, Producer Zhang Man relaxed.

The reporter continued to ask, with an equally sharp question: "3,000 scripts are thrown into the shredder in Hollywood every year. Why do you think your debut work can gain recognition from North American audiences?"

Lin Chuyan said resoundingly: "I noticed you mentioned a word: debut. In my opinion, this is not a derogatory term. In fact, the audience will linger for a wild rose, but will not look at a plastic flower bush for even a second. My debut carries thorns; every frame stabs at the content that Hollywood's assembly-line scripts dare not touch—the la la land I filmed is a musical that no one in Hollywood dares to film today."

If it wasn't inappropriate, Producer Zhang Man would have wanted to applaud.

Hollywood's superhero movies are getting harder and harder to watch these days; it really isn't what it used to be. Is Lin Chuyan calling out the assembly line directly?

Damn, why are you so awesome? Are you not giving them face? Won't they be angry?

Next question!

Reporter: "You insist on creating entirely in English but have an Eastern face. Will this affect the credibility of the Acting?"

Lin Chuyan smiled slightly: "Hollywood does have a habit of labeling souls by eye color. As long as it is an Eastern face, it is either an emotionless martial arts master, or they are given exaggerated makeup. Please remember one thing: when the lens is aimed at the tears in the eyes of an Easterner, it records the emotional temperature shared by humanity. In addition, I must point out one thing: I think you should understand what the title la la land means. If Hollywood is no longer a place of dreams for everyone, that is the most pathetic thing, that is the problem, isn't it?"

The reporter couldn't respond to this; they were almost talking about racial discrimination. Also, what did the last sentence mean? Was he questioning the 'American Dream'?

Hell! This young director in front of them, if nothing else, isn't his rhetoric a bit too sharp?

But he did answer very well, and they had to admit that.

And after admitting it, the feeling that arose was admiration.

Regardless of how the film was shot, at least on this point, he had won the respect of these people.

But the reporters suddenly thought of something else: Right, wasn't it said that Chinese people are very humble? This doesn't look like it at all!

Since the wrap party had reached this point, the Hollywood media reporters finally enjoyed the same treatment as the netizens in China—being retorted to the point of feeling very uncomfortable.

Producer Zhang Man was already amazed on the stage: The questions asked by these foreign reporters were much fiercer than those from the domestic side, yet Lin Chuyan not only countered perfectly, but the name of the movie la la land appeared in every answer?

Director Lin, you truly are you! You really know how to promote!