It has been 7 years since the official film and television adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem" was announced.
Recalling the project from preparation to broadcast, Cai Jia, the producer of "The Three-Body Problem", felt that it was a very lucky thing to be able to participate in this work. "Three-Body Problem" screenwriter Tian Liangliang feels that this project belongs to the ceiling level, and she hopes that when the soil of domestic science fiction becomes more fertile, the drama version of "Three-Body Problem" can become a grain of sand in the soil.
Recently, Deepin Entertainment (ID: shenduwenyu) talked to "Three-Body Problem" producer Cai Jia and screenwriter Tian Liangliang to listen to their search and innovation in the creation of "Three-Body Problem".
Cai Jia: Seven years of life dedicated to "The Three-Body Problem"
Cai Jia's first impression of "The Three-Body Problem" was fixed in the Xidan Book Building in Beijing during her college days, when it was still the era of offline bookstores. Here, Cai Jia got his first "Three-Body Problem" novel. "So when I heard that the company had the opportunity to adapt "The Three-Body Problem", I specially found out the book from home and asked Teacher Da Liu to sign it there."
In the main creative team of "The Three-Body Problem", there are many book fans like Cai Jia. She recalled, "Watching the clips of the mixed cut at the viewing meeting, many members cried, and everyone felt too shocked. Cai Jia in the book fan period felt that the bridge of "the whole universe flashes for you" in the book was the most touching, and the real completion of this project, the sense of fatalism of the characters in the story of "The Three-Body Problem" and the determination to never give up at any time brought her infinite touch.
Looking back at the production process, the script of "The Three-Body Problem" did not determine its current temperament at the beginning. In the online drama market in 2016, there have not been real science fiction dramas in China, and the presentation of science fiction special effects is also a new field. "I remember there were more than 20 versions of the adaptation alone. Because the core personnel of Linghe's screenwriting team have always been there, they have persisted for many years, and as we study more and more thoroughly, our grasp of "The Three-Body Problem" has become clearer and clearer. "At the time, this adaptation seemed very adventurous. In 2017, at the creation meeting attended by the platform, copyright owner and original author Liu Cixin, the main creators decided to closely follow the story line of the original work, and also determined the creative tone of returning to the original work.
As a producer-centered team model in the industry that adheres to the screenwriter-led and the director's deep participation, Linghe Culture also applies its existing production management experience in "The Three-Body Problem".
Recalling the process of script creation, Cai Jia felt that it was a great challenge to reproduce the scientific theories in the world of "The Three-Body Problem", and how to understand the science fiction logic in the novel has gone through a long process. "In the early stage of script creation, ten questions will be raised because of querying one question, and there are also professional terms that I don't understand. It's funny, but it's also torturous. ”
To this end, the main creative team actively consulted scientific experts in related fields during the preparation period. "Our largest conference is probably more than 30 scientists. People from various departments carefully ask scientists questions, and then repeat them with scientists in a way that we understand, repeatedly confirming the scientific elements in the play. ”
In 2019, "The Three-Body Problem" officially entered the filming preparation period. When choosing a visual effects team, it coincided with the relatively mature development of the domestic special effects production industry. Cai Jia said, "At that time, we screened the excellent visual effects teams across the country and divided the special effects work of "The Three-Body Problem" according to the experience and volume of different special effects companies. ”
The extensive use of motion capture technology is a highlight of the series, and it is also a new attempt by Linghe Culture in the production of the series. "After putting on the mov-cap suit, I can't talk or move, and I need to scan 360 degrees, which is easy to feel dizzy in the studio environment. In addition, the three-body game is a lot of use of motion capture technology, both the production cycle and the cost are a great test. ”
Among them, the amazing three-body game part was created by the team using scanning motion capture technology. Referring to the reasons for choosing to use motion capture technology instead of live-action shooting supplemented by special effects production, Cai Jia said, "The main creative team hopes that the audience can understand the entire three-body world through the three-body game, and believe in the three-body people portrayed in the play. In fact, the big coffee figure presented in the play also brought a lot of surprise to the audience.
Tian Liangliang: Adapting "The Three-Body Problem" requires enough patience
"I've got to do a big job, I'm going to write the best sci-fi drama." This is the truest thought in Tian Liangliang's heart after receiving the adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem". However, as the work progressed, Tian Liangliang fell into a confusion for more than a year. In 2016 and 2017, we tried many versions. Because we don't have a model to refer to, and we don't know how to change it. ”
In Tian Liangliang's view, the writing of the novel "The Three-Body Problem" is very restrained. The style formed by this implicit expression makes the adaptation of the series much more difficult. "For example, what impressed me was the part of the game where the Trisolaran was torn into two companion stars. The game is not directly depicted in the book, but the apocalyptic fear experienced by the Trisolarans can be felt. As you dig more and more, you can feel the power of the book. Therefore, in the process of creating the series, Tian Liangliang and the team discussed many times, hoping to show this plot.
Recalling more than 20 versions of the script, Tian Liangliang found common ground. "Every version is digging for characters. Whether it is to enlarge a certain side of the character or find the relationship between the characters, the core is always to fall on the characters under realistic techniques and on the basis of restoring the original work. ”
Therefore, the partnership mode of the two protagonists Wang Miao and Shi Qiang in the play has become the main structure of the plot, starting from the death of a scientist, not to unfold a criminal investigation plot, but to lead the audience to understand the world of the three-body problem step by step. "It's a lot like a puzzle, looking for something that fits in the different versions, piecing it together at the end, finding the last path."
"The Three-Body Problem" is an important work in Tian Liangliang's career. In her opinion, the characteristics of "The Three-Body Problem" are destined to force every creator to show 100% patience. This is reflected in the fact that the psychological journey of the characters needs to be thought out very clearly in advance, and after completing the script, the director also needs to be patient enough to present all the scientific details. "The work "Three-Body Problem" itself is a subject matter cut from a scientific point of view, so the creator must also use rigor and patience to complete it."
The growth brought by "The Three-Body Problem" to Tian Liangliang is subtle. "After finishing The Three-Body Problem, I felt like I was going to pay more attention to detail than before. Secondly, the special effects of "The Three-Body Problem" account for a very heavy proportion, and it is necessary to understand the way these picture special effects are presented, the degree to which they can be achieved, and in the future creation, more consideration will be given to the art and setting in advance from the screenwriter's point of view. ”
As a landmark work in Chinese science fiction, "The Three-Body Problem" is not only a successful attempt, but also a shot in the arm for the industry.