1979 Golden Age

"It's a small business, and the situation is difficult. Please forgive me."

Chen Qi did not hesitate and continued: "For a pair of adult actors and a pair of child actors, the total price should not exceed 100,000 US dollars. The children must be accompanied by guardians, and we have to be responsible for their food and accommodation?"

"Of course!"

"That's even more cost-effective. The budget of "Orphan" is up to 2.5 million Hong Kong dollars. Please take the trouble to help me choose. It must be good and cheap."

"Okay, I'll try my best!"

Jessica agreed.

Chen Qi was helpless. He had never been to the United States, so it was not easy to start metaphysics. Moreover, it was too early. The Hollywood stars he knew were either still young or already famous.

Without field investigation, it would be difficult for him to cast remotely, and he could only rely on Jessica's ability.

The cost of "Orphan" was shared by the two companies, the copyright was shared, and the profits were also shared equally. Chen Qi played the role of screenwriter + planner + producer, and the specific execution was all done by Great Wall's people.

He and Fu Qi trusted each other.

According to the historical trajectory, Fu Qi and Shi Hui would work for 10 years before retiring, which was enough for them to make a career.

To be honest, although some people kept dragging him down, there were also some people helping him, which made Chen Qi not alone and able to move forward with strength.

…

Jessica stayed for one night and flew away the next day.

Washington.

In a beautiful big house, 56-year-old Chen Xiangmei was writing at her desk, wearing a well-cut Chinese jacket, a huge ring on her left hand, and a string of crystal round pearl necklaces around her neck.

In her old age, she had closer exchanges with the mainland, and served as a special consultant to the China National Tourism Administration, a senior consultant to the TV department of the Chinese Film Critics Society, and so on. In 2015, she was awarded a victory medal of the War of Resistance against Japan in the Great Hall of the People.

No matter what she did when she was young, she was later listed as one of us.

"Madam!"

"Ajuan is back!"

Chen Xiangmei called Jessica's Chinese nickname, and Jessica didn't dare to say anything. She reported to the director: "I went to meet the people introduced by Mr. Liao and learned about the details of the film."

"Oh? How do you feel?"

"Very innovative, unexpected."

Chen Xiangmei was slightly surprised and said: "It's rare that you can give this eight-word evaluation. Tell me quickly, how is it innovative?"

Jessica roughly talked about "Orphan's Grudge". After listening, Chen Xiangmei also smiled: "I thought that mainland films would have to go through at least ten years of exploration before they could get rid of political narratives. I didn't expect that there would be a pioneer now.

But think about it, if it wasn't for an outstanding person, my uncle wouldn't recommend it to me."

"Madam, what is the intention of Mr. Liao personally promoting this matter?" Jessica asked.

"It's nothing more than wanting to use movies to build a bridge to promote cultural exchanges between China and the United States, and it would be best to connect with Taiwan. The mainland intends to ease relations with Taiwan, and movies are a good channel of communication. I have many old friends in Taiwan."

The reason why Chen Xiangmei is important is that she can talk to all parties.

"Then to what extent should we help?"

"Didn't he make a request? Just do it according to the request, and don't go beyond this scope."

"Okay, I got it!"

…………

Los Angeles.

Hollywood has been fully revived and opened a new era. The local box office volume has increased year by year.

A few years ago, 20 million could make it into the top ten of the year, and now 40 million is the minimum. Last year, there was a movie that broke 200 million and two that broke 100 million. This year is the same. The champion has long been locked by "Indiana Jones", which made 210 million US dollars.

And it has created a classic IP series.

Lucas and Spielberg have risen rapidly and are the two most popular directors. The former has "Star Wars" and the latter has "Jaws" and "Indiana Jones". It is said that they are preparing an alien movie called "E.T. The Extraterrestrial".

All this has nothing to do with Ed Harris, who is now 31 years old.

Holding two paper bags full of bread and cheese, he strode into an ordinary apartment building and entered the house he rented with his girlfriend. Los Angeles is very expensive, and they are all small actors. It is not easy to afford the rent.

Ed Harris was born in a middle-class family. He used to be an athlete and has a macho temperament.

After playing supporting roles in movies and TV series for several years, he has made some progress now. Some low-cost B-level movies have asked him to be the leading actor. The salary is not high, about 10,000 US dollars.

This makes him feel satisfied and thinks that his career is developing well, but recently he has received a very strange invitation, which makes him quite entangled.

"Ed?"

"Haha, you bought food too, I bought some too, look!"

His girlfriend Amy Madigan came into the house one after the other, holding up two paper bags and laughing. He also laughed, went over to kiss her, and then made dinner together.

The two are in a very stable relationship and are considering getting married.

During the meal, Ed Harris said, "I have something to discuss with you."

"I have something to tell you too!"

"Then you go first!"

"My agent brought me a very magical invitation today, Hong Kong, do you know Hong Kong?"

"Yes!"

"A Hong Kong company asked me to film, of course they didn't ask me directly, but through some American connections, anyway, you know. I also received the script, to be honest, it's actually pretty good, and the money is also high, a full 20,000 US dollars..."

Ed Harris felt more and more strange as he listened, and couldn't help interrupting: "Is it a horror movie?"

"How do you know?"

"An adult pretending to be a little girl?"

"You can't?"

Ed's mouth twitched, and he nodded fiercely: "You have just said everything I want to say."

"Oh, how is this possible? We both received a movie from Hong Kong... No, no, no, let me sort it out... We are a couple, and we are both actors. It just so happens that there is also a couple in the script, so why did they just find us?"

Amy analyzed it like this, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.

Ed also felt that it was about the same, and said: "Then should we take it?"

The two were entangled.

Hollywood actors don't like to go to other places to film, let alone Hong Kong, so Hong Kong films want to invite Hollywood actors, and the price is higher, including the cost of traveling across the ocean.

After studying for a while, they decided to take it.

The main thing is that they can go together, just as a public holiday.

Ed Harris, you may not be familiar with his name, but you will definitely know him by his face. His representative works include "The Rock", "The Truman Show", "Enemy at the Gates", "Westworld", etc.

His girlfriend Amy is not well-known in China, but she has also won the Golden Globe Award and been nominated for an Oscar.

Of course, this is all in the future. Now they are just small actors.

So far, the cast of "Orphan" has been confirmed:

The male lead John - Ed Harris, the female lead Kate - Amy Madigan, the little girl - Qiu Shuzhen, she lives in the British Church Welfare Home, so her English name was Esther at first. Later, her identity was exposed and we learned that she also had a Japanese name.

Volunteer - Liu Xuehua.

Director - Tsui Hark!

Screenwriter/planner/producer - Chen Qi!

(My waist really hurts, so I won't update today. I'm one chapter short. There will be four more tomorrow.)