Military experts have provided many interesting suggestions for "The Apocalypse of the Future". For example, they believe that after 50 years, soldiers will no longer use grenades in combat. The launcher and ballistic launcher are the most effective ways, because the grenade's killing radius is too large and may reach 40 meters. If thrown with your hands, it will not only blow up the enemy, but also burp itself.

However, military experts often have different opinions, and even completely opposite opinions. For example, some experts believe that in fifty years, human soldiers are equipped with mechanical exoskeletons. This wearable device that assists individual combat can enhance individual combat capabilities and output greater power. But some experts think this is pure nonsense. This exoskeleton equipment is useless. Fifty years later, robot technology is so developed, so it is not enough to directly let the robot attack directly. What kind of human soldiers are there! Both sides have different opinions and almost fight.

In order to solve the problem of exoskeletons, Industrial Light and Magic invited experts from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2004, Berkeley released a lower limb exoskeleton (bleex). Berkeley adopts a charging solution for human walking movements. The power supply can last for 20 hours and the maximum load can reach 45kg. Now they are studying a new generation of products.

After hearing Zhang Ran and his friends' questions, Berkeley experts believed that practical mechanical exoskeletons would definitely be realized within 20 years. Then they used their imagination to conceive mechanical exoskeletons in fifty years. They believed that it would be a equipment that is relatively light in weight and super maneuverable, which can greatly improve the wearer's strength.

After integrating opinions from all parties, Zhang Ran made a decision on this issue.

In the movie "Apocalypse of the Future", some soldiers wear mechanical exoskeletons, but this mechanical exoskeleton is not as exaggerated as in the game. It only enhances strength but cannot directly enhance speed and protection. What increases soldiers' defense is a new type of bulletproof vest system. This bulletproof system is a new generation of bulletproof vest developed based on Kevlar materials combined with the latest nanotechnology, which can achieve full-body protection. The mechanical exoskeleton system and the bulletproof vest system have greatly improved the individual combat capabilities of soldiers.

Zhang Ran is a director who likes to use digital technology. If it were in the past, he would definitely be able to use CG, but this time in order to create the real sense of the movie, he asked to try to shoot what he could. The same is true for mechanical exoskeletons, which mainly relies on real physical models to express themselves. The actors will wear mechanical exoskeletons for performances, and the visual effects team will copy and enhance them later.

In order to meet Zhang Ran's requirements, Industrial Light and Magic found a model for Pier Buhana to design a mechanical exoskeleton. He participated in many science fiction movies and designed a suit for Nolan's "Batman".

Pier Buhana is a science fiction fan and a mecha fan, and is very excited about this mission. He quickly took out a design and excitedly found Zhang Ran to show his achievements: "I named this mechanical exoskeleton a cool name called Storm Assaulter. How do you see?"

Zhang Ran stared at the mechanical exoskeleton design drawings and found that it was a bit like the one worn by Tombe in "Edge of Tomorrow", but it was much lighter. He thought it was very good and praised: "It looks awesome!"

Pier excitedly introduced to Zhang Ran: "This mechanical exoskeleton is powered by battery and is equipped with four weapons. The right arm is equipped with an assault rifle and a grenade launcher. The left arm has a triple machine cannon, an automatic cannon on the right shoulder, and a 16-round grenade launcher on the left shoulder."

Zhang Ran opened his mouth and said, "The weapon system is a bit exaggerated. There are too many weapons. The right hand is a rifle and a grenade. There are three cannons with three launch tubes on the left hand. Can you put so many things on your arms? With a three-barrel cannon, how many bullets do you need? The mecha is so small, where do you put the bullets? In addition, this mecha is very thin. Can you install an automatic cannon on your shoulder to withstand the recoil?"

Pier didn't think so: "Director, this is the equipment that will be 50 years later. Robots have fought with humans. If you don't have a strong firepower, you can't beat the robot. Besides, how cool it is!"

Of course, Zhang Ran also hopes that his movie is cool, but his biggest pursuit of this movie is realistic and he will never sacrifice authenticity for the sake of coolness: "No, this seems too exaggerated and must be changed!"

As a designer, no matter how famous you are, no matter how creative your ideas are, as long as the director says it doesn’t work, you must modify it. Seeing that Zhang Ran said it doesn’t work, Pier immediately picked up a pencil and forked it on both hands of the mechanical exoskeleton, and smiled and said, “Okay, I understand what you mean, I will make it right soon!”

Zhang Ran patted Pier on the shoulder and said, "I want that cool and real exoskeleton! Please!" After that, he left the room and went to various other studios to check the corresponding situation.

When he came to the office of the gun and weapon designer, Zhang Ran knocked on the door and walked in. He saw Eric Nobi, who designed the rifle, sitting in front of the computer discussing the gun with someone, and asked, "How is the Eric gun?"

Eric heard the knock on the door, turned his head and saw Zhang Ran, stood up and smiled, "Robin, come and take a look!" Eric pointed to the display screen and said, "This is the Kusal-Crow pulse rifle I just designed. It is a single-soldier portable weapon designed for humans and large vehicles. The gun is light in structure, simple in operation, relatively small range, but has a huge power in the short range. It also has a set of anti-propulsion piston muzzle system, which greatly reduces the recoil; advanced capacitive storage equipment greatly reduces the weight of the gun, but therefore limits the widespreadness of the Crow pulse rifle; because the gun must be linked to the auxiliary power supply on the power mecha to be used."

Zhang Ran stared at the rifle on the display screen and looked at the technical parameters of the rifle again.

Weight: 2 kg single shot

First speed: 5-8 km/s

Muzzle kinetic energy: 19-30 megajoules

Effective range: 2-5 kilometers

Launch rate: 1-1200 rounds per second (single, combo mode)

Bullet Specifications: 22mm Caliber Non-Explosive Armor Piercing Bomb

Zhang Ran frowned and said, "The overall appearance is OK, but the gun seems to be a bit too realistic, giving people the same feeling as the current gun. You think the gun fifty years ago and the gun are quite different in appearance and craftsmanship. I think it is a little bit sci-fi and a stronger sense of industrial design!"

Eric also smiled and said, "A little more science fiction, I know, you will see a new gun soon."

Zhang Ran turned to look at Jack Kerouac, who was in charge of robot design, and asked, "Jack, how is your robot?"

"The Apocalypse of the Future" requires a lot of design, with more than a dozen guns alone. In addition, there are tanks, armored vehicles, various aircraft, and various models of robots. Each type requires pictures and texts and requires detailed settings. Therefore, what Zhang Ran has to do every day is walking around between groups and departments, looking at the concept maps designed by everyone, solving their questions, and putting forward his own opinions and suggestions.

Although the third act of "The Apocalypse of the Future" will be adjusted, the scenes of the movie are generally fixed and will not change much. After Industrial Light and Magic decompose the current script, it concluded that there are more than 900 special effects shots, and the entire movie includes 46 sets, including 25 exterior and interior scenes.

The special effects shots and scenes in "The Apocalypse of the Future" are not many, but their complexity is far better than ordinary Hollywood blockbusters, especially the two war scenes, which are more complex than imagined, involving thousands of soldiers, as well as numerous tanks, armored vehicles, and robots. Zhang Ran asked for long shots to shoot. In order to meet his requirements, Industrial Light and Magic has begun software development.

In fact, large-scale special effects movies like "The Apocalypse of the Future" often involve software research and development. Many effects need new tools to realize, and these tools require research and development from the R&D department. The biggest problem of Tiangong Chongcai is the lack of R&D capabilities; and this is the reason why the production cycle of Hollywood blockbusters is relatively long.

While the designers of Industrial Light and Magic are busy designing weapons and scenes, art director John Mayer is also drawing conceptual pictures of the movie. The drawings are mainly to determine the overall style of the movie and set a tone for the movie.

Zhang Ran chose John Mayer as the artistic director of the movie, largely because he liked Edward Hope's paintings. Zhang Ran hoped that "The Future Apocalypse" was the tone of Hope's famous painting "Looking in the Far", with light coming in from a low angle, leaving behind a strong shadow all over the wall, clean and clear, quiet and transparent, filled with silence, alienation, and an inexorable sense of destiny.

Just as Zhang Ran was busy preparing for the early stage of the film, Jonathan Lauran, the head of the Los Angeles branch of the Irish Film Association, came to him. Jonathan is also the vice chairman of the Irish Film Association. His main job is to match and help American film companies in Ireland filming and filming.

After Jonathan revealed his identity, he said directly: "Mr. Zhang, I watched "The Colonel's Saber". I believe it will be an excellent science fiction war movie. This movie should be the best choice for shooting in Ireland. I suggest you shoot in Ireland!"

After Zhang Ran revealed that the movie he made was a war between people and AI, American netizens were confused, while domestic science fiction fans immediately guessed it was "The Colonel's Saber", and then this article was quickly translated into English and spread quickly on the Internet. Now almost everyone who follows this movie knows what the story "The Apocalypse" tells, and it is not surprising that Jonathan knows it.

Zhang Ran was a little surprised when he heard the other party invite him to film in Ireland. He had never been to Ireland and could not find any reason to film in Ireland: "Ireland is too far away for us!"

Jonathan smiled and said: "The Irish government has subsidies for all films shot in Ireland. Movies can receive a maximum tax refund of 20% on the first day of the filming, with a maximum limit of US$10 million. In addition, the Irish Film Association will invest $1 million to assist in filming."

In fact, Zhang Ran has considered the location of the movie, and even considered taking the crew back to China to shoot. If Lin'an's Oriental Hollywood project can be discussed in a short time, can the location of the location be placed in Lin'an? This will be a good publicity for Lin'an for the entire project.

However, Zhang Ran finally gave up this idea. There are many extras in "The Apocalypse of the Future", and they are all foreigners. Where can I find so many foreigners in Lin'an? It is impossible to bring hundreds of extras from the United States to Lin'an to film, right?

Zhang Ran shrugged and said, "We are planning to film in Canada. I have filmed in Canada before, and they also have tax refunds, and the tax refund is even higher!"

Jonathan knew he could not compare tax refunds with Canada, but he also had an advantage that Canada could not match: "I heard that the US Department of Defense refused to provide you with help, and the same treatment would definitely be given in Canada. If you go to Ireland to shoot and hire workers in Ireland, the Irish government can provide a unit of about 500 people to assist you in filming."

500 real soldiers! Strong enough and well-trained! Definitely better than finding 500 extras, and cheaper!

Zhang Ran immediately said: "Mr. Luo Lan, this reason is very good. I was convinced by you!" 8)
Chapter completed!