Four Hundred and Forty-One - Let Us Work Hard and See You Again!

The entire small auditorium was extremely quiet at this time, with only Wayne's voice echoing. Everyone was listening to his speech carefully, including George Lucas who was sitting next to the podium.

However, what he didn't know was that in addition to the father of Star Wars sitting on the stage, there were also two well-known alumni of the University of Southern California sitting in the corner of the audience. They came this time and were also influenced by George Lucas. invitation to attend the alumni gathering.

The two men were very low-key, both wearing peaked caps, and curiously stared at the young man speaking on the stage.

"Robert, what do you think he wants to express?" A man whose baldness could not be covered even by a peaked cap looked at his companions and asked in a relaxed tone: "I don't believe he is just showing off that he has a good wife." Father."

Robert Zemy Jones, who was standing next to him, thought for a moment, then lowered his voice and muttered: "Maybe he wants to tell these children how to enter Hollywood is the right way."

Ron Howard nodded and turned his attention to the front again. At this time, Wayne walked back to the center of the podium with a self-deprecating smile on his face.

"I think many classmates will be confused. We are not as lucky as you, and we don't have a good father who will pay for your own movies." His words once again caused a burst of laughter, but this time he did not laugh along, but put away his With all their expressions, he carefully looked around at everyone in the audience.

The laughter in the crowd gradually subsided, and Wayne looked at them seriously and said: "The specific methods I will talk about below are applicable to most students. I hope you can remember them carefully. If you are ready, I am Speaking of preparations to seize the opportunity, first of all, what you need to do is to throw away the script that you think is exquisite and patiently conduct market research.

If you want to make your own plan, research how many cameras will be used? How many millimeters of film will be used? Where can I save money on filming locations? How many actors does the crew need? How much does it cost to get paid? How many people are needed behind the scenes? Even down to how many lighting engineers there are? How many assistants are there? How many people are there in the prop team? How many people are hired as temporary workers, etc.

The purpose of all this is to first make a detailed estimate of the production costs. Note that this is just the beginning of all work. Then you have to do market research based on the project you are producing, give the film a clear positioning, and lock in your audience. Of course, what I mentioned is just a simple process, and the work you have to face is much more complicated than this.

After you have done everything you can, record it all and make a complete, detailed, and highly feasible project plan. The last thing you have to do is to take your project plan with you and go get investment. Believe me, if you do everything I say, the probability of getting investment will definitely be higher than if you just mess around with a script. Dozens of times.

I believe some people must be very confused now, aren’t these things that producers should do? I am a film director and have never done anything like this. What I want to tell you is, go learn, go try! "

Wayne thought about this for a while, and in order to increase his persuasion, he began to use himself as an example. "Some people ask me why I can achieve continuous success. I can tell you that getting sufficient investment before each start of shooting is the biggest reliance on my ability to concentrate on my creation. Maybe you think that what you need to be a successful director is Creative talent and talent?

It seems that there is nothing wrong with saying this, but the summary of my personal experience is that if you want to be a successful director, the most important test is your ability to find money, otherwise everything will be in vain. I believe many people have heard that some directors are still rushing around to invest in their first feature films more than ten years after graduation. The method I will tell you now can effectively reduce this time cost. . "

Before attending this speech, most people thought that Wayne would be like those successful alumni, talking about the philosophy of success on the podium, and perhaps talking about the difficulties on the road in a show-off manner.

What's surprising is that he didn't talk too much about his own experience, but instead gave a specific method that seemed to be achievable by everyone.

After Wayne said this, he deliberately stopped his speech to give the students who were taking notes carefully time to digest. "Okay, finally I want to tell you, if you still can't do what I just said, then listen to the teacher in a down-to-earth manner, find your own position down-to-earth, and go to the crew for an internship after graduation. You are also a Not a bad choice.

Just like me, I always keep in mind the teachings of Professor Andreessen Horowitz. Movies must first be accepted by a wider audience. Only when you are accepted by mass movie fans can you be qualified to consider the so-called art! Because of these teachings, I once overturned my plan for my first feature film and successfully chose to make "Happy Death Day".

Because of these teachings, I filmed and produced the world-famous "Joker", and with these same words, I filmed and produced "Batman: Begins." This shows how important it is to listen to the teacher's words. If you ask me now, what is the secret of continuous success, I will tell you again, you must listen to the teacher, because that is very likely to make you a billionaire! Thanks! "

As Wayne's words fell, violent applause immediately erupted in the small auditorium. Hundreds of students below stood up. Regardless of whether they agreed with him or not, they all gave their own applause and screams at this moment. .

Professor Andreessen Horowitz on the side also stood up from his chair, clapping his hands with a bright smile on his face. George Lucas, who came with him, clapped and looked at Wayne thoughtfully. Naomi Watts and Nina, who were off the stage, were also applauding along with the students.

"Do you think it's feasible?" Robert Zemeckis applauded, looked at his companions, and whispered, "What if you were a newly graduated director and used the method he just said? "Ron Howard smiled bitterly and shook his head, and also whispered: "I imagined it myself. If I don't know anyone in the industry, this kind of person can do the producer, project initiator, screenwriter, and director. The method may be the most suitable way for novices to struggle, and it is also the way that can best impress production companies or investors.”

They all know that it seems like anyone can learn this method, but there are many difficulties to be faced in the early work, and in many places some luck is still required.

In fact, even if Wayne gave a specific method, I am afraid that not many students can do it, because no one will tell them that a successful producer is more important than being a director who can only make films. It requires talent and extremely high overall quality.

The applause gradually stopped, and the two famous directors who had been hiding in the corner for many years were also preparing to leave the small auditorium with the students. There was plenty of time at the alumni gathering in the afternoon to get to know the young man, and even sit down and chat together to exchange ideas about each other. Experience in film shooting and production.

"Mr. Greenberg, is it difficult to create? Why do you always have so much inspiration?"

Just as everyone was about to leave, a crisp female voice rang out, attracting everyone's attention. You know, although similar speeches include answering questions, there is no such arrangement today. The girl's sudden question made everyone turn their attention to the center of the podium again.

"Ha, is it difficult..." Wayne looked at the white girl and repeated her question. "The so-called creation actually requires you to always be curious about the world. My method is to maintain your curiosity and desire to explore, and then continue to work hard for it."

Seeing that the students who were about to leave stopped, he simply walked to the edge of the podium and raised the microphone again. "I know everyone wants to be successful, and that's why you come and listen to me speak. But unfortunately, I don't know what you need to do to be successful, and I can't teach you how to be successful.

But I can tell you that if you really want to chase success, don’t be afraid, don’t be confused, just keep moving forward, keep moving upward, and don’t stop, then at least you can be guaranteed to get closer and closer to the so-called success. Listen, the reason why geniuses in the eyes of humans are outstanding is not because they are superior to others, but because they have made continuous efforts.

It’s not the end of the world if no one invests in you. The length of film you shoot and practice in private is the necessary preparation for anyone to transform from an ordinary person to a master. Yeah, my mother used to be a producer and writer, and my father used to be a movie company owner, so good genes, huh?

But talent is the most indispensable thing in this world. You should have all heard or watched "The Matrix", which became a hit this summer. What you have seen is that director Zack Snyder is currently very popular. Yes, he has all the talents of a successful director, but no one. I saw him studying and working with self-discipline and hard work on my crew for many years.

So gentlemen and ladies, no matter whether you choose to enter the film and television related industries after graduating from here, no matter whether you are confused about your development after graduation, no matter whether you only have a few dollars in your pocket, boldly find something you love. , It’s something worth spending a lifetime to work hard for. Let’s see you after we work hard! "

"boom!"

After Wayne finished his last words and bowed slightly, thunderous applause erupted in the small auditorium. The young people did not scream or whistle this time, only applause that lasted for a full five or six minutes, even at the door. The security personnel ran in to check the situation, but then backed out inexplicably.

"Dear, I think..." Linna, a white girl who was reading the newspaper before the speech, walked out with her boyfriend and leaned on his shoulder, saying, "I think I understand why you admire me. Wayne, go back and help me rent the video tapes of his previous movies, I want to watch them carefully."

"No problem." The boy smiled and nodded.

"Hey, dear, I believe that you will become a great director like him in the future." The girl kissed the boy on the face, leaned into his ear and encouraged, "That must be very cool!"