I am Really a Superstar

The next day.

The news had spread around the world.

The American media: “Zhang Ye’s high-stakes bet with Hollywood!”

The UK media: “An impossible-to-win bet!”

The Japanese media: “A production cost of nearly 200 million USD?”

“The Korean media: “The most expensive animated film in history will soon be produced!”

The Indian media: “Zhang Ye paints himself into a corner!”

The French media: “Hollywood directors express that they’re under no pressure!”

The Chinese media: “Zhang Ye’s written challenge to Hollywood?”

The matter got blown up even further. Fueled by the deliberate encouragement from the international entertainment industry and media outlets, this bet turned the world upside down. Some nosy people even made the bet into a contract and posted it onto an authoritative media outlet so that everyone could bear witness to the wager.

Someone even started a poll.

“The Hollywood directors will definitely win!”

“Haha, obviously.”

“There isn’t a need to vote. Zhang Ye will lose for sure!”

“Is there even a need to vote?”

“Anyone with brains should know that Hollywood animated films will never be able to win against Hollywood live-action movies even if a 100 or 200 years pass.”

“We don’t even know if Zhang Ye can complete production of his animated film by the end of the year.”

“Yeah, the production cycle of an animated film usually takes up to a year or two to finish.”

“If he can’t finish making the movie this year, he won’t be able to release it for screening, which means he’ll lose the bet.”

“Pfft, why does everyone say that he will lose?”

“Are you expecting otherwise? Do you think that anyone really expects him to win?”

The outcome of the poll was decided very quickly.

But the results still surprised many people.

Votes for the Hollywood directors: 95%

Votes for Zhang Ye: 5%

So there were actually people who felt that Zhang Ye could win!

…

Wilson’s studio.

“There are people who voted for him?”

“Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter.”

“There really are a lot of idiots out there.”

“I guess those votes are all from his Chinese fans.”

“There’s no need to worry about him. We just have to make sure we do well on our own movie and let the box office do the talking.”

“Yeah, let the box office do the talking.”

“We’ve already started filming our movie and will wrap up production in less than three months. Star Moon was acquired just two days ago. Counting the time that they’ll need to get the project initiated, raise the funds, and get the screenplay sorted out, it would be considered very good if they can start production in two months. However, I’m quite sure they won’t be able to finish making the movie by the end of the year.”

…

Tony’s film crew.

“Director, the preparations are in order.”

“Alright, let’s start filming next week.”

“We’re definitely going to hit a new record at the box office.”

“Yeah, everybody is confident about that.”

“Everyone, let’s take the filming seriously. We have to let the Chinese know exactly what makes a Hollywood movie. It’s not something that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come to Hollywood and make.”

…

Director Becky’s studio.

“Is there any news about Zhang Ye’s movie?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Hur hur, they’ve only arrived in Hollywood for two days. I’m afraid they’re still far from making any progress on the preproduction stage of the animated film.”

“It’s impossible to make a good animated film without three to five months of preproduction.”

“This bet that we have with him does make us seem like bullies.”

“There was no way around it. The Chinese guy asked for it.”

“Come on, let’s get prepped for the shoot.”

…

Director Flanders’s studio.

“We have to hurry.”

“Yeah, many of the other movies are about to start filming.”

“We were a little late in initiating the project.”

“It’s alright. Don’t you know who Director Flanders is? Our director is well-known for being the fastest worker in Hollywood. The screenplay should be finalized within the next few days.”

“That quickly?”

“Haha, as expected from Director Flanders.”

“In all of Hollywood, no one dares to compete with us on the speed of making a movie.”

“That’s right. Especially not for a production like an animated film whose process can be excruciatingly slow. Even the character design process can take over a month to complete, hahaha.”

…

At this moment.

Many of the Hollywood directors were also giving their best.

For those who accepted Zhang Ye’s bet, some were already into the initial stage of filming, while others had already completed their preproduction work and received the initial funds to begin production. They had much more time to prepare than Zhang Ye did. Some of them had already received the confirmation for their projects several months ago and had started casting and booking locations. As such, their progress was much faster. When they did not see any activity coming from Star Moon Animation Studios, every one of them laughed without making any comments. They understood very well what was going on. Even though most of them had not made an animated film before, they were still considered industry insiders and knew what an animated film production entailed. The production cycle of a project like this could simply be described as horrendous. This was also the reason why many directors were unwilling to work on an animated film.

The screenplay would take at least a month to complete.

The character designs would take at least two months to work on.

There was also a need to design the sets for the scenes.

And outsource the soundtrack to professionals.

Coupled with the frame-by-frame drawing and production work, an animated film could take up to a year or two to complete, so how could they possibly finish it within the year?

The Hollywood directors were in a good mood and didn’t seem worried at all.

Many of the media outlets were also fanning the flames. After interviewing the Hollywood directors who made the bet with Zhang Ye regarding the progress of their movies, many of these Hollywood-based reporters deliberately went over to Star Moon Animation Studios to interview them on their progress. A majority of the reporters headed there with the mindset of seeing a joke, but upon getting feedback from the company, these reporters were all dumbfounded. Every single one of them who went to Star Moon Animation Studios walked out with a bewildered look!

Finally.

Breaking news exploded onto the scene.

Star Moon Animation Studios announced the title for its latest animated film, Frozen.

The progress of the animated film production: midway!

…

America.

“What?”

“Midway into production?”

“Holy fuck!”

“They’re already in the middle of the production cycle?”

“How can they be this fast!”

“Is that guy taking off?”

…

Japan.

“What?”

“How is that possible!”

“The screenplay has been finalized?”

“The character designs are already done?”

“The set designs have been completed?”

“They’ve cast the voice actors already?”

…

The Hollywood directors.

“Jesus Christ!”

“Is that dude on steroids?!”

“What do they fucking mean by midway through production?”

“Our project started half a year ago, but we aren’t even midway into production. How many days has it been since their project started?”

…

China.

“Pfft!”

“Hahahaha!”

“The fastest draw, Zhang Ye, has appeared again!”

“The work efficiency of this fellow is always leaving the world in shock!”

“Some foreigners had claimed that Zhang Ye would definitely not finish making the movie by the end of the year. At that time, I just laughed and said nothing. If this fellow gets serious, will you believe that he’ll finish the animated film by next week?”

…

The media.

The industry.

People around the world.

Everyone was terrified!

They’d seen a movie getting made quickly before, but they’d never seen one getting made so fucking quickly!

You just arrived in Hollywood three days ago, and the animation studio was only acquired three days ago by the Chinese businessman. After initiating the project yesterday, you’re already midway through the production by today? The screenplay? The character designs? The set designs? The music? The voice actors? All of the preproduction work was already complete?

At this moment, even Director Flanders, who had been hailed as the fastest worker in Hollywood, was dumbfounded. What the fuck! Who exactly is the fastest draw around here!?