The Best Director - Chapter 436

Chapter 436: Chapter 436: Prominent Figures

“Miraculous Yang is here at the scene to support Troy, and he seems to be in a great mood!”

The bustling Pasadena was enveloped in darkness, with the Rose Bowl stadium that could accommodate 94,000 spectators surrounded by fans and tourists, making it impossible for water to trickle through. All around, temporary amusement and shopping facilities had been set up, filled with a merry New Year atmosphere; inside the gigantic stadium, there wasn’t a single empty seat. Looking from a distance, one could see the deep crimson of USC and the burnt orange of UTA, with ninety-four thousand spectators cheering for their respective teams, and flashes from cameras lighting up constantly all around.

The ABC channel was live broadcasting this Rose Bowl showdown. On the vast green field, players from both teams were engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with USC’s offense pushing forward yard by yard and UTA’s defense striving to block them. The game had reached a stalemate while the referees deliberated, and the live camera panned to the audience. There, on the television screen, was Wang Yang wearing a deep red T-shirt, chatting and laughing with a young woman wearing a USC cap. The woman’s smile was charming, but she wasn’t Jessica—what was going on?

“Wow, wow, wow! Who is this beautiful lady?” exclaimed commentator Todd Harris, clearly surprised and excited. Keith Jackson joked, “He knows this game is being broadcast nationwide, right?” NFL Hall of Famer and legendary quarterback Dan Fouts said with a laugh, “Please, Yang!” Holly Rowe chuckled cheerfully.

No way, Miraculous Yang was blatantly dating a beauty on air? Watching fans couldn’t help but feel anxious—it couldn’t be! Before the commentators could say anything more, the camera suddenly zoomed out. “Shh—” The fans immediately hissed in annoyance. Damn the camera angle, it turned out Jessica was also sitting there, along with Joshua, Alexis, and others. One glance and you could tell they had all gone to watch together. But who was that beauty? What movies had she been in?

“Oh, no mistake, it’s definitely Wang Yang.” Keith Jackson’s comment elicited laughter from everyone; they obviously didn’t need to waste words introducing who Wang Yang was—who in America didn’t recognize him? The camera switched to show the situation on the field, with USC at an advantage, the two sides prepared to continue the game, and then cut back to Wang Yang in the stands. He clapped his hands together then crossed his arms, turning his head to say something to Jessica with a smile. Todd Harris said, “Miraculous Yang wouldn’t want to leave disappointed.” Dan Fouts added, “If they want their championship story on the big screen, these young guys from the University of Southern California need to step it up.”

All evening, whenever the camera captured the audience stands, Wang Yang’s figure was always in frame. The four commentators said several times, “Yang Wang, Again!” “How many Oscars do you think he’ll take home this year?” “His new movie has taken the crown again.” “Yes, my kids are crazy about him, haha.”…

It seemed that this super personality who was ranked first in TIME magazine’s Top 10 Most Influential People of 2005 was going to maintain his popularity in 2006; and in TIME magazine’s “2005 World’s Most Influential 100 People” list announced in April, his ranking would definitely hit a new high.

This game was extremely fierce and exciting, fully living up to the expectations of the media and spectators before the match, providing all viewers with one of the greatest confrontations in UCAA football history. Under the crazy shouts of the crowd, the Longhorns trailed the Trojans 26 to 38, with just the last 120 seconds of the game left! All USC supporters were already celebrating the victory within their grasp. UTA had to score at least two touchdowns to take the lead—the game was decided already, wasn’t it?

“Vince Young!—!!” “It’s Young again!!! Oh! Unbelievable, he has scored a touchdown!!!” Almost suddenly, the whole Rose Bowl stadium erupted. The four ABC commentators shouted frantically, a miracle unfolding! UTA, under the incredible performance of quarterback Vince Young, scored two touchdowns to earn 13 points (6 points for a touchdown, plus a one-point conversion), overturning the score 39 to 38 to lead over USC! And Vince Young himself scored the second touchdown with just 19 seconds left on the clock!

Over 90,000 spectators had already risen to their feet, with USC fans looking bewildered and UTA supporters’ shouts shaking the heavens. Next up, UTA opted for a two-point conversion, charging the line again from the three-yard mark!

“Yang, Yang, Yang, Yang!!… Vince Young does it again!!” Several commentators were so excited they were nearly in tears. The miracle unfolded completely! Vince Young successfully scored the 2 points, and with just 8 seconds left in the game, UTA secured the victory at 41 to 38! Keith Jackson roared madly, “Today, he’s the magical Yang——!!!”

There wasn’t enough time left! Amidst deafening shouts, the Longhorns, under Vince Young’s miraculous leadership, staged a stunning comeback in the last 120 seconds—overturning a 12-point deficit to win by 3 points over Troy, successfully defending their Rose Bowl championship!

“Best——Team——Ever!” “Best——Team——Ever!” UTA fans, flushed with excitement, chanted wildly, taunting their opponents. This sprang from before the game when two ESPN analysts, Mark May and Kirk Herbstreit, ranked this USC Trojan team second in their selection of the best college football teams of the past 50 years; also, a large section of UTA fans started chanting: “Magical Yang! Magical Yang——!” This was praise for Vince Young and a mockery of USC.

Under a rain of confetti, the sky above the stadium was filled with fluttering paper, and the UTA team personnel on the field hopped and jumped around in celebration. Faced with this scene, the USC fans were at a loss for words—what on earth! What happened to this year’s Rose Holiday? A once-in-50-years torrential downpour, followed by this.

“It’s just a game,” Wang Yang said, hands on his head, though he felt very frustrated, he couldn’t help but admire this legendary battle, telling everyone, “There are wins and losses, and you never know what’ll happen next.” Nancy frowned and sighed, “But right now, it’s disgusting.” Joshua was full of emotions, “Oh my God! This is definitely one of the greatest games ever.” As a Houstonian, Alexis wasn’t at all downcast. After the excitement, her pretty face beamed with a smile, and she said, “This is the most spectacular football game I’ve ever seen.”

Despite having lived in Texas for a while as a child and still having a Texas accent, Jessica was not pleased in the least, especially upon hearing those “Magical Yang” shouts, which only made her more tense. She cursed, “To hell with this!” Knowing what upset her, Wang Yang wrapped his arm around her shoulders, smiling, “Who likes being called by someone else’s nickname? They’re fools, and they will indeed cheer for me, time and again! Forget the past.” Jessica calmed down a bit at his words. Looking at his exuberant smiling face, she smiled and nodded firmly, “They definitely will!”

“See you next year!!” That’s when Joshua suddenly shouted, “Will you even be able to come back to the Rose Bowl stadium, idiots?!” Alexis gave him a glance, while Nancy and a few others just shrugged.

It wasn’t just the live audience that went crazy, television viewers all across America did too! Highlights of the game and the miraculous last-minute 15-point comeback were quickly uploaded to YOUTUBE and exploded in popularity, with Keith Jackson’s “Today, he’s the magical Yang!” becoming an eternal classic in commentary history.

According to Nielsen’s post-game ratings summary, this year’s Rose Bowl hit a historic high with a 21.75 viewership rating, and there were 93,995 spectators in attendance as well.

On December 9, 2004, the NBA witnessed “T-Mac’s moment,” where Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in 35 seconds, leading the Houston Rockets to a miraculous comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Rockets star Yao Ming said, “A miracle like this will only happen once every 100 years”; now ESPN has dubbed the miracle created by Vince Young as “a once-in-500-years event.” When UTA returned to Texas with the Rose Bowl and BCS championship trophy, naturally, they received the warmest welcome—especially offensive MVP Vince Young. Yang’s hometown of Houston quickly decided that every January 4th would henceforth be known as “Vince Young Day.”

Yang suddenly became a sensation across America, and his number 10 jersey sold out almost overnight, creating an intense storm! The owner of the Rockets, Alexander, also invited him to watch the Rockets vs. Kings home game on the 12th and even offered to give up his own prime seat—front row center court—for him.

Having been a loyal Rockets fan since childhood, Yang, amid the frenzied pursuit of reporters, said in countless interviews that Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming were his favorite Rockets players, “I really like Yao Ming’s style of play; he’s Houston’s second Hakeem Olajuwon. I haven’t had the chance to meet or talk with Yao Ming, but I hope to have that opportunity in the future, to become good friends and wish him and McGrady can once again win the NBA championship for Houston.”

When asked how he felt about the media and public referring to him as “Magical Yang,” the 23-year-old Vince Young, who hadn’t yet celebrated his birthday, said, “People have been calling me that since I was in high school, and I’ve gotten used to it; it’s a compliment, I suppose.” Another reporter asked, “What do you think of Wang Yang?” He replied, “I really like his movies; I can say I’m a fan of his. ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ is my favorite; the story has always encouraged me.”

In the past, the first thing Americans would think of upon hearing the name “YOUNG” would definitely be Young Master Yang, and the second would still be Yang Wang; now the first response remains the same, yet for countless people the second has become Vince Young, undeniably sharing some of the limelight.

However, “Magical Yang” is one of a kind, and no fan base, especially Vince Young’s, is willing to create confusion or believe that he could vie for or unsettle the ownership of the nickname “Magical Yang.” Not even the most hardcore, craziest “Yang fans” would be so foolish as to think it possible, despite him currently being the brightest sports star in America. Just what kind of crazy miracles did Magical Yang create at his age? What grand career? It’s countless; anyhow, that year he became the youngest Oscar winner for Best Director and perhaps soon the second. So people prefer to call Vince Young by his old nickname VY, rather than MY.

“ABC has given Magical Yang too much screen time, and that has resulted in Vince Young getting a lot, a lot of screen time,” a USC fan said superstitiously. Such playful theories abound, anyway, Magical Yang is the one blamed for losing, for whatever he did or whatever mistake he made… What exactly is it? Fan Dmitrijus-B joked, “I guarantee that Vince Young’s story won’t be made into a big-screen movie or commercial because he has offended all the directors.”…

The week of December 30th to January 5th has come to an end, and “500 Days of Summer” successfully retained the North American box office champion title in its second week of showing, raking in $65.54 million in 3401 theaters (+51), averaging $19,270 per theater, with a -42% box office momentum, soaring the North American total box office to $179 million.

“The Chronicles of Narnia” placed second with $40.14 million (averaging $10,419 per theater); “King Kong” took third with $37.32 million (averaging $10,290 per theater); this week “Brokeback Mountain” expanded to 332 theaters, maintaining a strong performance with an average of $25,004 per theater. After adding $8.3 million, the total box office rose to $20.88 million. Although it has yet to premiere in any overseas markets, it has already made a big topic worldwide. In Hong Kong, China, “Brokeback Mountain” is the talk of the town, and the term “Brokeback Mountain” has gradually become synonymous with homosexuality.

And “500 Days of Summer” is also the talk of the town. The indie freshness style has never lacked a market in East Asia, plus it’s a Magical Yang movie! Add to that promotions like “Young Master Yang’s Explosive Love-life” and “Young Master Yang’s Heartbreak Healing Secrets,” one can imagine just how frenetic the market is, though there is still some time before its release.

“500 Days” is China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan’s New Year’s movie for this year, scheduled to hit theaters in mid-January. What if it’s a low-budget indie movie? What if it’s an unconventional romantic comedy? With Magical Yang, there’s box office! And its debut in the UK, Australia, and other places was also formidable. It was beaten by “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “King Kong” in its second week, but with an overseas box office already at $81.47 million, as it gradually expands to more regions, analysts predict that breaking $100 million or $150 million is no problem.

“We will achieve even greater accomplishments!” At the previous annual dinner of Flame Entertainment, Chairman Wang Yang ambitiously declared on stage, eliciting thunderous applause from the several hundred Flame employees in attendance. They didn’t have to wait long, and neither did the media and the fans!

This weekend, Flame Entertainment Group suddenly announced on its official website that it would further expand its global film distribution business. As a first step, it established “Flame Film Distribution Companies” in France, Brazil, and Singapore, which would be directly responsible for the distribution of Flame films in those regions in the future.

One in Europe, one in South America, and one in Asia—it was clear to the industry at a glance what Flame’s ambitions were. It aimed to gradually enter and take over overseas film distribution rather than cooperate with local distributors for box office revenue sharing or sell distribution rights. These three subsidiaries were just the first step; once it established a mature marketing and distribution system locally and started profiting, the next steps might be Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Argentina… Flame’s presence would be seen in all accessible markets.

As an independent film company, opening three overseas subsidiaries in one breath and attacking three regions was indeed in keeping with Flame’s audacious style. This meant that Flame needed to start from zero in those countries: setting up offices, recruiting staff, and so on. But for the financially robust Flame, this was not a problem at all. Several capable managers from the distribution department were promoted to CEO of the overseas subsidiaries and began their new roles with a positive and willing attitude.

“Flame acquires Newmarket.” — Yahoo Entertainment. After the first spark of the New Year, the second spark suddenly ignited! Flame Entertainment Group successfully acquired Newmarket Capital Group! Flame’s founder Wang Yang, CEO Mark Strong, and Newmarket co-founders William Tyrer and Chris Ball jointly announced the news. Neither party disclosed the specific acquisition price or plan, but it was certain that Flame’s film library had grown by more than 200 titles!

At the same time, top executives from Newmarket joined Flame. It was understood that some staff members, if willing, could transfer to work at the overseas subsidiaries; others were within the scope of layoffs. Several key personnel expressed their optimism about the future. William Tyrer said with joy, “We will not lose the tradition and philosophy of Newmarket, because Flame Films has already realized them. It’s an exciting change.” Chris Ball also expressed excitement, “Flame and Newmarket are an ideal match. We are like getting married, and we will never divorce.”

“Who’s next?” The news sent shockwaves through the film industry. Newmarket wasn’t an obscure little company and it was in fine financial and operational health when it was suddenly swallowed up! The rise of Flame was unstoppable.

It’s still all about film affairs! In the wake of the shock, media like The Wall Street Journal and Flame fans couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. Is that all there is? So far, Flame has shown no intention of venturing into the music business, instead focusing on this year’s Sundance Film Festival on its official website.

Who knows if they might surprise us? In any case, perhaps influenced by some, the number of YouTube users creating songs for Wang Yang and covering songs to catch the attention of this superstar has increased, with some generating modest views and others recording quite a bit of popularity.

As time gradually moved closer to January 9, the halfway break in awards season suddenly intensified, all because one of the important weathervanes, the 11th Critics’ Choice Awards (BFCA), was about to announce the winners list, and the 18th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (CFCA) would also reveal their selections on the same day. “Brokeback Mountain” or “Firefly”? (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to Qidian () to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)