Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics-Chapter 4607 - 3686: Movie Plan (2)

"You want to make a movie?" Eddie said somewhat surprised, sitting at his desk in the studio. "Sorry, I'm not saying this isn't possible, I just didn't expect you to have such guts. You know, mutants who are discriminated against only make short videos at most, and the investment in films is much larger."

"Of course I understand," Strange nodded and said, "Mutants make short videos because it's better for them. Taking a route that appeals to the public makes it easier for ordinary people to empathize with them. But this is not suitable for magic; magic is more suited for an upscale approach."

"On one hand, magicians hardly undergo any changes in appearance. If I have to say, most magicians have quite good temperaments, each with their own advantage in image, unlike many mutants with defects in appearance who are more suitable to sell misery. Instead, a mysterious temperament is more likely to attract people's interest."

"On the other hand, in modern films, the largest investment is in scenes and special effects, and we can easily solve this. No matter what kind of special effects you want, we can create them. This greatly alleviates investment pressure and gives more autonomy to filming, making it very suitable for series films. What do you think?"

"I think it's not bad," Eddie nodded and said, "But I can only give you some advice; I can't guide film shooting."

"Why?"

"Firstly, I come from a journalism background, have self-taught photography, but don't understand professional lens knowledge enough. I have indeed shot documentaries and variety shows, but that's a completely different matter from movies. Especially with the fantasy-themed movie you're planning, it requires high-level lens expertise, which I'm afraid I can't fully handle."

"Moreover, I myself am also a superhero... uh, at least the host of a super symbiont. If I were to direct this movie, I would only look at the problem from a superhero's perspective, but you're trying to convey it to ordinary people, so it's better to find a director that's an ordinary person."

"I'm a bit confused," Strange said, "What's the difference?"

"My understanding of magic? It's Kamar-Taj, it's the New York Temple, it's the Cosmic Sorcerer, it's the Supreme Magician. That's because I'm one of you, so I've learned a lot. Precisely because I know too much, it's easy to narrate straightforwardly, introducing one thing just after another."

"But in the eyes of ordinary people, magic isn't like this; they think magic is something very magical. You can tell from the novels and games they've created; they have a longing for magic. Only those with dreams can create dreams for others. Do you understand what I mean?"

Strange thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Do you have any recommended directors?"

"Before you settle on a director, you need to find someone willing to invest first. I suggest you don't try to independently produce a film; it's best to collaborate with a movie company. Once you've negotiated with a movie company, find a screenwriter you like to write a basic script, then take the script to find a director, and together select actors..."

Eddie said many things, and Strange noted them all down. He then realized that making a movie wasn't as simple as he had imagined, even though they could provide the venue and special effects. The multiple complex links weren't like artistic creation, but rather like industrial production.

But Strange didn't intend to give up. As the saying goes, power has no vacuum, but actually, public opinion has no vacuum either.

When a new thing appears, someone has to define it. If you don't define it, others will, but that may not be the way you want it to be.

Now, many ordinary people have discovered the existence of magic but know little, and even have doubts about it. Strange had already seen some conspiracy theories trending online, not necessarily targeting magic intentionally, but where there's positive speculation, there's bound to be negative speculation.

Instead of letting these people define magic, it's better to stand up yourself and openly tell the public what magic is—of course selectively, trying to show as many positive viewpoints as possible. This also helps promote magical herbs.

Thinking about magical herbs, Strange had some ideas. An Eastern Great Nation had always had a laissez-faire attitude toward Kamar-Taj in the Himalayan Mountains, except for that time they helped a village with poverty alleviation. Strange hadn't had much interaction with them.

Strange actually liked this attitude. He knew very well that if Kamar-Taj were built in some Western Great Nation, he'd likely see all the U.S. Military's fighter jets varieties within three days, and he'd never get peace again.

Even though the other party doesn't take the initiative to interfere, it doesn't mean they have no thoughts on this. They have always approached the Hong Kong Temple, and anything is communicated through the Temple, showing their cautious and restrained attitude. But since magical herbs are going to be marketed, it indicates that the other party isn't very conservative either, so perhaps a direct dialogue can be attempted.

Thinking of this, Strange went to the Arkham Sanatorium. When he landed on the balcony, he heard Shiller narrating a modified version of 'The Big Bang Theory' to a teenager.

Strange couldn't help but roll his eyes. To deal with these teenagers, he could concoct any story, directly swapping Sheldon's name with Stark, making it your personal experience, right?

After the patient left, Strange climbed in through the window. Shiller found himself caught plagiarizing but wasn't guilty, shook his head, and said, "Half of them are here to chase stars, they just want to know my daily life with superheroes. 'The Big Bang Theory' is almost finished, I still don't know what to make up in the next one."

"Why don't you just tell the truth?"

"Tell them what? That you guys can fill out a psychological assessment report for four to six hours? Or that you complain about the consultation fee being too high and wish I wouldn't charge anything to see you for free?"

"Have you considered," Strange sat on the desk and said, "that your psychological assessment report form is too long, and your consultation fee is indeed too high?"

"What are you here for?" Shiller looked up from his paperwork and asked.

"I want to make a movie."

"Oh."

"Hogwarts!"

"Hiss... I told you not to mention its name," Shiller said, "What's up now?"

"I'm planning to shoot a similar magic movie, just as a way to showcase how wonderful magic is and clear out some of the conspiracy theories online. But since I'm not a professional, I plan to collaborate with someone."

"Who are you looking for?"

"China."

Shiller paused, put down the document in his hand, and looked at Strange, "Are you serious? They have the strictest film censorship system in the world."

"But they also want to promote magical herbs," Strange shrugged, "Worst case scenario, I'll finish filming and let them do the editing themselves, that should be fine, right?" freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"That's not impossible," Shiller thought for a moment and said, "You could arrange a role for someone on their side and then insert some magical herb advertisements, that might attract investment from them."

"Rather than investment, I need a professional team, not a film crew, but a team that knows how to operate a movie. I don't understand any of this."

"Then you probably need a commercial and legal advisory team to help solve issues other than filming, like how to release in different countries, achieve good returns, and coordinate publicity. I can ask around for you, but can't guarantee I'll find one."

"That works. Also, do you have any recommendations for a director?"

"Chris Columbus?"

"Home Alone? You think it should be a children's-themed movie?"

"Not exactly, but the novels you saw in the High Tower, which were later made into movies, were directed by him."

Strange was a bit speechless but still had to ask, "How did he do?"

"Pretty well. If you want to see it, you can check it out in the High Tower. Generally speaking, he laid a good foundation for that series, though it may be a bit childish. But kids are always more endearing than teenagers, and Home Alone's success proves that."

Strange thoughtfully nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go watch the movie you mentioned first."

Soon, Strange arrived at Shiller's Tower of Thought. There was a dedicated theater here for screening various movies. Shiller evidently had a deep impression of that series, with a high level of detail reproduction. Strange watched four films in one go, agreeing with Shiller's judgment.

"I really still like Magic Stone the most," Strange said, "Even though the magic setting is rather naive and doesn't speak of any grand truths, the depiction of Hogwarts is very well done. I'm sure many kids will hope for an owl to deliver their acceptance letter after watching it."

"Of course, Columbus is a great dream maker. They spent a lot of effort to show a beautiful magical world. Surely, it's difficult for Muggles, but for you, it's much simpler."

"No, I very much dislike the term 'Muggle,'" Strange frowned and said, "It sets magicians and ordinary people against each other, but that's not the case at all. Magicians don't care about bloodlines, I was an ordinary person myself, wasn't I?"

"No problem, you can set up a bloodline theory antagonist and refute them in the movie. This should help bridge the gap with ordinary people and let them dream of becoming mages one day."

Strange nodded and added, "I really think school is an excellent theme, it can attract young people very well, and they are the main force in spreading online discourse. If this movie becomes popular among the youth, it saves us a lot of publicity effort."

"But it's better not to have a boarding school," Strange said with a bit of disdain, "What age are we in, still doing church schools? Just set it as a regular school, attend during the day and go home at night, that way you can expand the storyline outside school."

"I think that works," Shiller said, "After all, in our world, there's no such thing as a wizard confidentiality law. Images of wizard portals are everywhere, you even attended the star ship launch ceremony, nothing to hide."

"What about the location? I feel it can't be filmed inside Kamar-Taj, compared to the movie I just saw, Kamar-Taj is too plain, not enough to spark interest, just the altitude alone is daunting for many."

"Here's a thought," Shiller smiled, "Building a real multiverse magical school would be challenging, whether it's opposition resistance or the environmental concerns we worry about, all would take a long time to resolve."

"But if the construction is merely for movie scenes, there would be fewer issues. Local residents would welcome it, because if the movie becomes popular, it'll become a tourism resource, boosting the local economy. Senators wouldn't have any reason to oppose it."

"That's right, in their eyes, environmental slogans are just that, slogans. But if it truly boosts the local economy, that's tangible political achievement... Wait, you had this planned long ago, didn't you?"

"Spur of the moment, spur of the moment..."