Chapter 38: Campfire Party 2

  Most of those gathered around the bonfire were people from the film industry, and the topic quickly turned to films, especially the future development trend of films.

  "There's no question that special effects and post-production will take up a larger proportion in commercial films. Now, the $100 million investment in Terminator 2 seems very high, but I believe it won't be long before this number is surpassed." James Cameron said, taking a big swig of beer.

  "It will definitely be surpassed!" Ryan nodded in agreement at first, then said, "But that person's name will still be James Cameron."

  The people around him burst out laughing at the same time. Cameron didn't think much of it. "It's a great honor for the director."

  "That's a huge pressure for investment companies." Ryan seemed to habitually counter him, "Jim, trust me, one day you'll drive investors to jump off the building."

  The conversation then shifted to film technology, and the ladies, who were clearly amateurs, gathered together to discuss fashion topics.

  Thanks to his profession as a film projectionist in the previous life and the benefits of information explosion, Ryan, although he is completely an outsider in terms of expertise, occasionally throws out some views that will attract the attention of several others, especially his views on film technology, which often coincide with those of tech enthusiast Cameron.

  "I commissioned Industrial Light & Magic to create the opening of the film using CG technology. Although it's not yet complete, the effect will absolutely astonish everyone." The great director was also human and after drinking started bragging, "Do you know that less than three minutes of CG footage used up $75 million? Enough to remake Terminator 1 entirely."

  On the other side, Mario Kassar was almost covering his face and crying, those special effects cost a lot of money, it's bleeding his heart.

  "Jim, haven't you ever thought of making a movie to shake up the Oscars?" Anyway, it was just small talk, and Schwarzenegger changed the subject.

  "You're going to play the male lead and then go after the throne of the movie emperor?" Cameron was clearly joking.

  "Do you think that's possible?" Schwarzenegger asked rhetorically, knowing full well that the Best Actor Oscar was not something he would ever have to worry about.

  "Do you think the film academy would give best director to someone who only makes commercial films?" Cameron scoffed, "You're not suggesting I go make some boring art-house movie that puts people to sleep, are you?"

  "No, no, Jim." Ryan suddenly took over, "I think this is entirely possible."

  "Alright Ryan, I admit you have some unique insights into the movie, but do you understand the taste and standards of the film academy?" Cameron waved his hand disdainfully at him.

  "Of course!" Ryan shot back, "Like if you keep making sci-fi movies, you'll be as unpopular with the film academy as George Lucas, but what about making realistic commercial films?"

  Without waiting for a response, Ryan continued, "Yes, the old men of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are indeed stubborn and conservative, clinging to their so-called artistic banner, but that doesn't mean they won't bow down to commerce. Think about it, when a commercially successful film based on real events earns over one billion or even two billion dollars at the box office, will the Academy still ignore it? Will they dare to continue ignoring it?"

  "Oh God! Do you think I can make a movie that grosses over $1 billion, or even $2 billion?" Cameron laughed and shook his head.

  Ryan shrugged and shut his mouth, anyway, everyone just thought he was a child's words, laughing and joking.

  The loud and energetic music started, those who were drunk began to dance, many people gathered in an empty space, dancing wildly.

  With the encouragement of alcohol, and given that there were more men than women in the crew, naturally many people came over to flirt with Nicole, but under Ryan's influence, she wasn't interested in heavy metal music. Moreover, her personality had a lot of cold arrogance, even if on the surface she was polite, she would bluntly refuse people without being courteous.

  Ryan scratched his ear and honestly, these fast-paced heavy metal dance tracks were more like noise to him. What was even more infuriating was that someone in the crew who had drunk too much took advantage of their intoxication and loudly sang along. If they weren't close to the city, they might have attracted a wolf, and it would be a mother wolf at that!

  "Let's go back, Nikki." He really didn't want his ears to suffer any more.

  "You don't like?" Schwarzenegger leaned in.

  "Don't you think it's too noisy?" Ryan grasped Nicole's hand and shrugged.

  "Right, I remember you often play the guitar, why don't you perform a piece for us?" The one sitting next to Nicole was Linda Hamilton, who immediately recalled that the boy often carried his guitar and played it.

  "Quiet! Quiet!"

  Schwarzenegger's voice was full of energy, and he actually overpowered the music. He didn't ask Rhein for his opinion, and when the music stopped, he said straightforwardly, "Rhein will perform a guitar solo for us!"

  I didn't agree, okay?! Ryan pouted and was about to refuse when he suddenly remembered the song he had rearranged and rewritten lyrics for. Since it was for Nicole, why couldn't he sing it in front of so many people?

  Nikki's female assistant quickly ran to the boy's trailer, brought over his wooden guitar. When opening the guitar case and taking out the guitar, someone in the audience who knew their stuff exclaimed, "Taylor's handmade rosewood guitar, $70,000! Ryan is indeed a young rich man!"

  Ryan didn't use a pick, habitually strumming the strings to test the tone, looked at Nicole, and when her gaze fell on him, said, " 'Because of You', dedicated to Miss Nicole Kidman!"

  The melodious guitar sound rose, although this tune was not very suitable for the wooden guitar, but under Ryan's exquisite craftsmanship, the melody lost some sadness and gained more sentimentality.

  I won't make the mistakes I've made before, I won't let my heart be filled with pain again...

  Because of you, I learned to stay in a safe place and avoid getting hurt. Because of you, I tried to believe in others and get along peacefully with the people around me. Because of you, my heart has something to rely on!

  Ryan hasn't changed his tone, and his singing voice inevitably carries some childishness. Compared to the original version, his singing style is not rich enough, but it's more high-pitched, somewhat close to that British boy's version. Of course, it's not exactly the same as either of them, because he has added his own emotions into it.

  The lyrics have been modified in many places, such as the last "I felt afraid" changed to "my heart has something to rely on", and the meaning expressed by the lyrics is more like he encountered Nicole, bringing changes to his life, and fearing that one day she will leave him.

  What remains unchanged is the transmission of emotions, the shocking accusation, and the resonance of all people who understand or do not understand music.

  Watching Ryan sing with his eyes closed, how could Nicole not hear what he wanted to express? Although this song evoked a strong resonance in her, she didn't like the song.

  Because of this sad song, she thought of his past, returned to their encounter on the Star Avenue, and foresaw their future... separation!

  She suddenly felt a little annoyed, didn't know why, and wanted to stop Ryan from continuing to sing, but she endured it. When his singing stopped, she smiled and applauded.

  It has to be said that her acting skills are indeed superb in this life, and even Ryan, who is extremely familiar with her, did not notice anything unusual.

  Excellent songs always have the power to move people's hearts, even if this song is so strange, it doesn't prevent them from tasting the unique flavor in the music.

  As the song came to an end, thunderous applause erupted, seemingly able to shake the sky. Ryan couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth in satisfaction, when James Cameron, who always liked to make things difficult for him, suddenly shouted out, "Hey, Ryan, how about another one!"

  "Yes, Ryan, another one." The jeering voices rose and fell, with a strong sense of kicking someone while they're down.

  Ryan couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated, he had written many songs, but most of them were just fragments, and he felt that his voice was still changing, so he didn't bother to organize them. The English songs that left the deepest impression on him were almost all classics sung by female singers.

  Like the vast majority of people, young men and women tend to pay more attention to singers of the opposite sex. Moreover, compared with movies, he had already entered a new century for several years when he was concerned about the English music scene in his previous life.

  Is it going to be a male lead version of "Ultra Complicated"? I reckon I'll get killed by the yeast fans.

  Forget it, let's just start with an original song instead. Although I haven't finished writing it, I'll just sing as far as I've gotten and call it a day. That way, these troublemakers who are afraid the world will be too peaceful can just keep on stirring up trouble.

  The wooden guitar sounds again, the rhythm is much clearer, although it has a lot of country music style, but undoubtedly closer to pop, Rayn's humming voice is full of inspirational flavor.

  "Life is like climbing, the road ahead is always full of obstacles, people who never give up, with their heads held high, run forward until they reach the highest and most beautiful place..."

  This is a song with a style that is completely different from the previous one, but equally melodious. There are many music lovers in the crew, but they have never heard of these two songs before. Moreover, although the boy has not yet gotten rid of his childish voice and his singing tone seems to be somewhat flawed, the song performed by him has a unique flavor.

  Just as everyone was indulging in the song, when Ryan sang to the chorus part, the melody suddenly became disordered, and the guitar sound also lost its previous dynamic, starting to develop into chaos.

  Ryen let out a quiet sigh and stopped, facing the puzzled gaze that was looking over at him, he scratched his head and explained, "The melody and lyrics aren't finished yet, it can only be like this for now."

  What does it mean that both the melody and lyrics are still unfinished? The crowd was stunned for a moment, then someone with quick reflexes came to their senses.

  Arnold Schwarzenegger's mouth twitched slightly, "Ryan, don't tell me these two songs were written by you?"

  "Actually... it's really like that." Ryan hands the wooden guitar to Nicole, shaking his wrist with force. The previous song was modified with some lyrics and rearranged by him, while the next song is completely original, he is more confident than ever before.

  The people around who heard his voice almost simultaneously showed a look of astonishment, looking at him as if they were looking at an alien.

  They really wanted to ask, "Ryan, what else can you do?"

  The book has been officially signed, the cover is a problem, and I'm preparing to make it myself. Tomorrow, I'll resume my daily updates of two chapters ~~ Thank you everyone for your support! Please give me some collections and votes ~~