radicalducati Chapter 214 Getting the Post-Production Special Effects Done
Chapter 214 Getting the Post-Production Special Effects Done
Lin Zhou connected the master tape of the film he had shot to the computer in the space by converting the format, turned on the computer, and the screen lit up instantly.
Opening the applications and folders, the massive amount of film and television special effects materials he had stockpiled before his transmigration were prominently displayed:
Gunfire sparks, bullet fragments hitting the wall, blood mist from being hit by bullets, shattered glass, flashes of light and smoke, shockwaves from exploding grenades, walls cracking, heavy weapon firing sounds, cars rolling, the screeching sound of tires rubbing against the ground...
It has everything, and all kinds are available.
More importantly, the computer also has several professional-grade post-production editing and special effects software installed.
These ubiquitous tools in later generations are considered revolutionary in the 1980s.
Given the filmmaking standards of this era, to film the final scene of the script—
The male protagonist, wielding heavy weapons, sweeps through the gang's headquarters.
The climax of the scene is almost a fantasy.
Live ammunition is not only dangerous, but the scene is also not impressive enough. At most, it's just a few fireworks and a few gunshots, which greatly reduces the impact.
But Lin Zhou's special effects are different from the current ones.
He possesses an aesthetic sense and editing approach that is more than a decade ahead of his time, as well as a cutting-edge technology that includes an entire library of source materials.
He put on his headphones, his fingers flying across the mouse and keyboard.
On the icy sea, the protagonist holds a stolen Black Star pistol, forcing the smuggler to set sail!
In the dimly lit, abandoned factory, the protagonist, armed with a rifle, frantically suppresses the enemy, bullets piercing the walls with countless holes!
On a street in downtown Hong Kong, a melon grenade traced a sharp arc through the air and burst into flames the moment it hit the ground!
The reinforced concrete on the walls was blown apart and scattered everywhere, shop signs collapsed with a crash, and a heat wave swept across most of the street!
Cars raced, drifted, and collided wildly on narrow roads, their tires screeching black smoke...
Scenes far beyond the comprehension of this era gradually took shape in his hands.
There's no exaggeration, no incongruity; every special effect is precisely matched to the actual footage.
The smoke and light from the explosion, the trajectory of the bullets, the spread of flames, and the shockwaves are all rendered with exquisite detail and realism.
Lin Zhou has worked in self-media, and is proficient in editing, color grading, sound effects matching, and special effects compositing.
With ample materials and a clear vision, he completed the work almost in one go. With such a high-quality post-production result, he didn't have to worry about cutting out or keeping certain parts.
He first saved the initial footage, and then during post-production, he directly deleted the unnecessary footage, keeping only the footage with added effects.
Then, some clips were selected from this movie, and a super exciting background music was added!
Lin Zhou sensed the time outside the space; it was already past five in the morning.
From yesterday afternoon until late at night and now until dawn, more than ten hours have passed without me even realizing it.
By the time he exited the project file and took off his headphones, the final climax trailer for "Hurricane Hong Kong" was completely finished.
He converted the movie's format back and exported it to his computer! The same went for the trailers. (This is cutting-edge technology—one-click movie creation!)
I exited the space and drew back the curtains in the study; it was still dark outside.
Lin Zhou looked up at the starry sky. There was no trace of fatigue from staying up all night in his eyes; instead, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
He suddenly realized the magnitude of the storm that would rage in Hong Kong and even the world when the film was released.
This is more than just a movie.
This is his grand opening gift to the history of world cinema, and also the path he paved for his film company's special effects technology to reach the top.
Because of staying up late, Lin Zhou used this excuse to rest at home for a few days.
He also used this excuse to tell the film crew that he had gone abroad to work on post-production special effects!
A week later, Lin Zhou felt the time was right. Instead of going to work at the Yuen Long Industrial Park in the morning, he took a car and had his driver take him directly to Zhonghua Film and Television Production Company, which had just been established by Zhonghua Group.
Although Zhonghua Film Production Company has not been established for long, it has already poached a group of the most experienced and skilled producers, directors, cinematographers and art directors from various film and television companies in Hong Kong.
Judging from the filming of the movie "Hurricane Hong Kong", the crew is indeed very well-equipped.
After getting out of the car, Lin Zhou carried the finished film with all the special effects already combined and walked straight into the company's conference room where it could be shown.
Zhang Manli, the film company manager, the director and assistant director of "Hurricane Hong Kong" and some behind-the-scenes staff were already waiting here, each with an expectant look on their face.
"President Lin, post-production..." Zhang Manli couldn't help but speak first.
Lin Zhou placed the box on the table and smiled faintly:
"Alright, all done."
"The reason I called everyone here today is to take a look at our first real big-budget production of the year – 'Hurricane Hong Kong'."
Several people went forward to help, and after a while, the lights went out and the projector lit up.
The opening credits slowly appeared.
At first, everyone watched with a normal attitude, since they had all seen the actual footage.
But when the male protagonist, played by Tony Leung, was preparing to smuggle himself into Hong Kong, the first gunfight broke out on the smuggling boat at sea, and the whole audience fell silent instantly.
After the male lead arrives in Hong Kong, a series of action scenes follow one after another!
The sound of bullets piercing the air is sharp and piercing, the debris from the exploding walls is clearly visible, and the flames from the explosion engulf the entire screen, creating an overwhelming impact.
When the movie was halfway through, the director suddenly leaned forward, his eyes wide open.
"These...these are the shots we filmed?"
No one answered him.
The only sounds in the conference room were the movie and everyone's increasingly heavy breathing.
When the final climax—the epic scene of heavy weapons sweeping through the gang's headquarters—exploded on the screen:
Flames shot into the sky, deafening roars filled the air, cars tumbled overboard, and a hail of bullets rained down like a storm.
Everyone who watched it felt their skin crawl and their scalp tingle.
This is hardly a Hong Kong movie.
This is a visual feast even more spectacular than Hollywood!
Zhang Manli covered her mouth, almost unable to believe her eyes.
Li Yaohua, the manager of the film and television company, was gripping the pen tightly with his fingers, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
The assistant director sat there blankly, his mind completely blank.
They were just filming simple action scenes, so how did Lin Zhou turn them into such a breathtaking blockbuster overnight?
Lin Zhou sat in the main seat, calmly watching the light and shadow of the future on the screen.
He knew very well that from this moment on...
The landscape of Hong Kong cinema is about to change.
The era of blockbuster films by China is truly coming, and it may even surpass Hollywood's special effects technology to become world-renowned.
As the end credits slowly rolled, the lights came back on.
The conference room was deathly silent for a full half minute before an uncontrollable gasp erupted.
"Chairman Lin... how did you achieve these special effects? They're simply the best in the world!"
"This is amazing! I've never seen a movie like this in Hong Kong before!"
"It's guaranteed to be a blockbuster when it hits theaters! Absolutely!"