Chapter 0009 Framework Adjustment
The reporters were both amused and bewildered, exclaiming, "That guy is quite a character"
Indeed, later on, when filming the sequel to "Unfriend," the director was changed, and the quality and reputation of the work were revitalized.
The most classic and simplest scare technique in horror films is the "Jump Scare".
It is not about abandoning sudden shocks, but rather about applying them judiciously
It is not to say that horror films exploring the issues of ghosts and deities seem clichéd; throughout history, there have been countless classic horror films on related themes. Just like "Carrie," even after half a century, the sudden appearance of that giant hand at the end of the film still possesses a shocking impact
The latter presents numerous issues
From the subjective standpoint of Lu Qian, what is the issue with "removing a friend" in an objective analysis
Secondly, the director
For Lu Qian, this "novelty" is already worth its weight in gold, ensuring that the film will not sink into the water and make a sound.
Either do not provide an answer if the conclusion cannot be self-justified, or leave a question mark in a mysterious manner, presenting an open ending that incites the audience to express their frustration while also prompting endless speculation
In a mature film market, audiences who have watched countless films are becoming increasingly discerning, making it more difficult to break their expectations. A slight oversight may lead to falling into a monotonous pattern, inevitably resulting in disappointment. Conversely, if one can interpret a hint of novelty amidst the countless clichés, then it is possible to stand out.
Approximately five days later, the excitement gradually cooled down, and no one paid attention to the developments of this news anymore. After all, the romance gossip between a new actress and a new idol singer lacked traction. In the blink of an eye, the name "Lu Qian" had already been forgotten by the public, and there was no longer a need for reporters to stake out the situation.
In the initial days, reporters followed the clues to locate Lu Qian's residence, waiting day and night at the entrance, hoping to catch Lu Qian off guard. However, no one expected that the reporters would be patient enough, and Lu Qian would be even more patient, remaining as silent as a ninja turtle, without making a single sound.
Rather, it is to say that the film did not provide any groundwork or clues, and abruptly attributed everything to supernatural forces in a nonsensical and confusing manner, which left the audience rolling their eyes—after spending the previous ninety minutes discussing science and reason, suddenly overturning everything in the last minute without explanation
However, in the end, the journalists still succumbed.
Firstly, the latter half of the story unfolds in a rather clichéd manner. In simple terms, the six individuals in the private chat room have all, whether directly or indirectly, participated in the "bullying" of Laura. They are all the executioners of Laura, who ended her life prematurely, much like in "Thirteen Reasons Why"
The journalists even began to doubt themselves, wondering if the information was incorrect or if they had positioned themselves at the wrong spot
It has been exactly two weeks since I was surrounded by reporters and terminated the contract with Liuguang Film Industry
Firstly, the concluding part is unable to justify itself, as the bizarre events created earlier are too absurd to be reasonably explained by common sense. Consequently, everything is unreservedly attributed to supernatural forces, as if all situations are beyond the explanation of science, no matter how outrageous they may be.
In Lu Qian's view, there is no issue with the former
Therefore, clichés are not the issue; how to present them is what truly matters
Classic, yet at the same time superficial, lacking in depth.
One after another, the reporters gradually withdrew
Lu Qian hopes to create his own style of "Unfriend," while also aspiring to produce a work that not only offers novelty but also possesses genuine high quality in "Unfriend".
Either provide relevant groundwork in the first half of the story to create an appropriate atmosphere, guiding the audience with a sense of mystery to prepare them psychologically
Perhaps perfection does not exist, but if one has already given up the pursuit of perfection, then it is naturally impossible to achieve the best
The first half of the film is undoubtedly outstanding, with a gradual build-up of suspense and thrill that firmly captures the audience's attention, slowly delving into the story. However, the second half falls into a rut, with the main issues manifesting in two aspects:
"Unfriended" is just that; the director employs a significant amount of "jump scares". After one or two instances, it becomes clichéd. While the scares may be effective, nothing remains after the film concludes
First, the script
It can be said that the director is satisfied with such an effect and shows no ambition for improvement
During the past two weeks, Lu Qian has locked himself in his home, secluded from the outside world, with his days and nights turned upside down, fully devoted to the re-creation of the script
Therefore, it is essential to strive for excellence in every aspect from the preparation stage, gradually refining each detail, and then assessing the heights that the final product can achieve.
However, a truly skilled director of horror films should combine "jump scares" with other scare techniques to create a thrilling atmosphere. James Wan, who established his position as a director in the industry through series such as "Saw," "Insidious," and "The Conjuring," is a very successful example.
Lu Qian watched as Ji Xu, who was seriously reviewing the script for "Dissolving Friendship," appeared slightly nervous
Lu Qian believes that the second option is very feasible and may even lay the groundwork for a sequel
This refers to the sudden appearance of something without warning, or a flicker, a sudden increase in sound, an explosion, a collapse, and so on. It could also involve someone tapping on the shoulder from behind, whispers suddenly reaching the ear, or a sudden sensation of breath on the neck, among other similar experiences
However, choosing "Unfriend" does not mean that Lu Qian will rigidly adhere to a set procedure
Since he has made up his mind to invest in the filming of a feature-length film, Lu Qian hopes to do his best, at least pursuing perfection within the limits of his abilities
The only activity was the continuous delivery of three meals a day and daily necessities by Jixu, and apart from that, not even a single hair of Lu Qian was seen
Clichés may be clichés, but the themes of "Everyone Lies" and "Do not neglect small good deeds, nor commit small evils" will never go out of style. "Unfriended" was released in 2014, and then the 2017 series "Thirteen Reasons Why" addressed the same theme of bullying in schools, achieving great success as well
Change is also imperative
This is not called a reversal, but rather a trick.
This is also a major aspect of Lu Qian's desire to make sweeping changes to the entire film, creating a thrilling atmosphere through lighting, set design, editing, and other cinematic techniques, so that even in the absence of any "scary" actions, the audience remains on high alert, with every hair on their body standing on end
When the movie ends, a terrible conclusion can severely impact the overall impression of the film—conversely, an extraordinary ending can enhance the film's value
As for Lu Qian, he was completely oblivious to the commotion and noise outside, fully engrossed in the script, and had rekindled his burning passion.
More surprisingly, later a reporter made a sudden return, not for the sake of news, but simply feeling frustrated and wanting to see what was going on with that fellow Lu Qian. In the end, it still came up empty, not capturing even a single finger.