China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 714 Director Feng is ready to take action
Beijing, Huayi Brothers Film and Television Media Co., Ltd.

Against a background wall hung with a beautiful landscape painting in ink, Wang Zhongjun is carefully polishing the beeswax in his palm, wearing a glove on one hand and holding a beeswax brush in the other.

"Xiaogang, it's not that the company doesn't want to invest in you. You've seen the facts. It's that the higher-ups didn't approve it. There's nothing I can do about it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zhongjun blew on the beeswax in his hand, then gently picked it up and placed it in the sun to observe it carefully.

The beeswax in your hand looks like a shining gem under the sunlight. Its delicate texture emits a warm glow, showing its nobility and mystery.

Wang Zhongjun smiled with satisfaction, put the beeswax into an exquisite velvet bag, and then took off his gloves.

"Xiaogang, if I remember correctly, the company had already decided to invest in you eight years ago."

"3000 million, 03 million in 3000 was not a small amount. But it didn't pass the review, and two years later, the company increased the investment amount to 8000 million. This is enough to show how much the company values ​​you."

"But the script was rejected again. What did they say? Oh, yeah, 'Why do you have to shoot these upsetting things when there are so many good and positive things?' I would say, why don't we just shoot a commercial film? Who can resist money?"

"I'll be in charge of the next movie. I'll give you two more points. I'll talk to Zhong Lei right away and ask him to draw up the contract."

"Oh, goodbye, goodbye, wait a minute."

Feng Xiaogang waved his hand and quickly stopped Wang Zhongjun who wanted to make a phone call.

"Mr. Wang, I'm going to be honest with you today. I didn't make this movie for the money at all."

“That’s what I’m pursuing as a film director.”

Hearing this, Wang Zhongjun was stunned for a moment, then he immediately recovered and nodded with a smile:
"Yes, yes, yes. Don't be surprised if I pursue Xiaogang. After doing business for a long time, it's inevitable that he will be tainted with the smell of money."

Wang Zhongjun smiled on the surface, but he had actually started cursing in his heart.

What a bullshit pursuit! Are you jealous of Sun Yi who won the Best Director and Best Picture awards at the Academy Awards for "New World"? Why are you talking so high-soundingly?

The director's pursuit
Early this morning, Feng Xiaogang suddenly rushed into Wang Zhongjun's office without any prior notice and started to talk nonsense to him.

Moreover, no matter how much persuasion he had, he refused to leave. His words and actions made it clear that he wanted to make art films and he also wanted to win awards.

The book was "Revisiting 1942", which was prepared ten years ago.

By the way, the preparation experience of this movie is just as bumpy as the story in the book.

It tells the story of the summer of 1942, when Henan suffered a once-in-a-century drought, followed by a locust plague. There was no harvest in the summer and autumn, and the people had to leave their homes to escape the disaster in order to survive.

It is a novella of the same name written by the writer Liu Zhenyun based on the memories of the previous generation and reports from foreign media - "Revisiting 1942".

In fact, this novel was not the first one Feng Xiaogang saw.

It was the writer Wang Shuo who recommended the novel to Feng Xiaogang and strongly persuaded him to adapt it into a movie and put it on the big screen.

After reading the novel, Feng Xiaogang was deeply moved by its content and thought it was a very good subject, so he came up with the idea of ​​adapting it into a movie.

By the way, Director Feng was still very courageous ten years ago.

He acted immediately and after much persuasion, he finally obtained investment from Huayi and began preparations for the film.

The first thing is the script.

Strictly speaking, "Revisiting 1942" should be considered a documentary novel. It does not have a strong story and is not suitable for direct adaptation to the screen.

Feng Xiaogang brought in Liu Zhenyun and Wang Shuo to revise the script specifically to present the historical events in a compact plot format.

The script was ready, and with the funding promised by Huayi, I thought everything would go smoothly.

Unexpectedly, the film was stuck again during review.

Just called back directly.

"The tone is gloomy and does not reflect the goodness of human nature. It is too negative!"

Feng Xiaogang didn't believe it and revised the script three times, but each time it was rejected at the review stage, the reasons were all similar.

At this point, he finally became discouraged and disbanded the film preparation team. The first planning of "1942" ended in a whimper.

However, a year later, Feng Xiaogang filmed "A World Without Thieves", which achieved very good results both at the box office and in terms of word of mouth. His own fame also grew. At this time, his desire to film "1942" was rekindled.

Due to his previous success, Feng Xiaogang's position in Huayi was further improved.

This time, he got a budget of 8000 million from the Wang brothers, more than double the amount.

But just when he was feeling high-spirited, the script was rejected again during review.

However, although the result is still the same, there is a difference in the treatment.

This time the tone clearly turned into one of well-intentioned advice.

“Why do you have to film these upsetting things when there are so many good and positive things?”

But the result is still the same, I can’t take the photo.

The newly formed crew announced its disbandment again, and the film "1942" was aborted again.

Since then, Feng Xiaogang has basically given up on this idea and has almost given up on it.

But unfortunately, Sun Yi suddenly emerged in the film and television industry. Within a few years, he had become a nationally renowned excellent director, and even surpassed him, the king of the Lunar New Year period, in the box office of commercial films.

I thought that was it. In Feng Xiaogang's own words, "Everyone comes from somewhere."

As for the box office, it just comes when you say it.

Unexpectedly, Sun Yi broke out completely this year. Not only did he win the Best Screenwriter Award in Hollywood, but he also won the "Grand Slam" at the Academy Awards.

You know, when Feng Xiaogang blasted the Hong Kong circle and the Academy Awards in the first two years, it was because his "If You Are the One" did not win any awards at the Academy Awards, and he felt that he was being targeted.

Sun Yi has now been slapped in the face.

In addition to the previous "Aftershock" and "If You Are the One 2" at the end of last year, the box office and reputation were overshadowed by Sun Yi's "Pacific Rim" and "New World".

He couldn't swallow this humiliation and had to prove himself, so this time he thought of "1942" which had been shelved for a long time.

You know, the reason why this movie has been censored several times is actually related to Huayi.

Not only is the cost of filming a movie adapted from non-fiction literature high, but the hope of making money is also extremely slim.

The big and small Wangs of Huayi didn't want Feng Xiaogang to shoot the film from the bottom of their hearts.

Delaying making money is not ~
It would be so nice to just make money by shooting Lunar New Year comedies.

Therefore, when the script was being reviewed, they, as the largest investor in the film, did not put in any effort at all and had a completely nonchalant attitude.

Think about it, "No Man's Land" was allowed to be released after only being banned for three years. "3" was a story before the founding of the People's Republic of China. How could it be banned for ten years and not allowed to be filmed?

That doesn't make sense.

To put it bluntly, Hua Yi said one thing to his face and another behind his back, just to fool him.

To be honest, Feng Xiaogang understood it more or less, but this time, he really couldn't help it and was determined to compete with Sun Yi no matter what.

"Boss Wang, I have made up my mind this time. I must make this movie, otherwise it will be a regret in my life. I hope the company can give its full support. If I fail, I will honestly come back to make comedies."

"But this time, the company can't hold me back."

"Hey, Xiaogang, how can I put it? How could the company hold you back? We are eager to support you. Tell me, how have we treated you over the years? You have always been the one to do whatever you want. We have never treated you unfairly."

Seeing that Feng Xiaogang was serious, Wang Zhongjun had to say a few polite words.

It is necessary to say it. With the rise of Starry Sky, the only director left in Huayi that can be regarded as a prominent director is Feng Xiaogang, so we must surround him. Feng Xiaogang is obviously aware of this, so he forced the palace today.

"Okay, that's it. The company will fully support you this time. I will double the investment cost to 1.6 million yuan and let you shoot it."

Wang Zhongjun weighed the pros and cons for just a moment and made the decision immediately.

It has to be said that Huayi’s ability to break through the siege and become a dominant force in the Chinese entertainment industry in that era was inseparable from the decisiveness and courage of the Wang brothers.

Seeing that he couldn't stop Feng Xiaogang, Wang Zhongjun immediately changed his decision and decided to accompany Feng Xiaogang in his crazy pursuit.

At least we can calm down the upset Director Feng first. As for the profit or loss of the movie, there are other ways.

So, this matter was settled.

And sure enough, with Huayi's full support, the script was approved within a week, which was extremely fast.

The day after the script was approved, Feng Xiaogang held a press conference to announce the good news to the outside world.

However, his anxious look seemed to be exactly like the saying, "Here comes the silver."

"I find this period of history very shocking. It is almost unimaginable that so many people suffered from hunger at that time. This is the suffering that our Chinese nation has experienced. And this period of history seems to be rarely mentioned. Therefore, I decided to present this forgotten period of history in the form of a film so that more people can understand and remember this period of history."

"The purpose of making this film is to allow the audience to think about history and reality while enjoying the story."

"I especially hope that young people today can watch this movie. I believe it will have a great impact on them and make them realize that today's happy life is not easy to come by."

At the press conference, Feng Xiaogang spoke eloquently and exaggerated everything.

But there was a stubborn media reporter who was not used to it and asked directly what he thought about Sun Yi winning the Best Director Award at the Academy Awards.

It's simply a matter of not opening the pot.

Feng Xiaogang's eyes were visibly red.

"I don't have any opinion. It's their business to win the award. What can I say? Can you journalists grasp the theme of today? I don't want to answer questions that are not related to the movie."

The next day, some courageous media reported the incident.

The article also specifically speculates that Feng Xiaogang was forced into a desperate situation and decided to make a film that was both artistically and commercially successful to prove that he is still as good as ever.

To put it bluntly, he is just jealous of Sun Yi.

In fact, it is no wonder that Feng Xiaogang had such an idea. Every time he saw Master Zhang, he was busy preparing for "The Flowers of War", auditioning for the female lead, and inviting top Hollywood male stars.

Fundamentally, he had no intention of competing with Sun Yi.

However, despite this, Feng Xiaogang's attitude still made a certain fool unhappy.

Huairou Film and Television Base.

"Oh, brother, look at him, how come he has no manners at all? I used to think he was a pretty good director."

"From what I can see now, his skills are quite good, but his character is not that good and he is too narrow-minded."

As Liu Yifei spoke, she stretched out two fingers and pinched the height.

"Yo yo yo, Liu Tianxian has started to speak ill of others behind their backs."

"What? I'm just speaking up for you. You don't know how to appreciate a good person!"

"Haha, just kidding, it's not funny at all."

Sun Yi chuckled.

He had noticed the report a long time ago, but there was nothing much to say.

Feng Xiaogang was completely broken by him, and he couldn't get over it. What else could he do?

After the film is finished and I hit a wall, maybe I will regain my sanity.

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this. We've rested enough. Let's hurry up and shoot the next set of shots. We'll try to finish the movie today, and then I'll take you to see something fun next door."

"what?"

When she heard that there was something fun to do, Liu Yifei's eyes lit up and she started asking questions excitedly.

Sun Yi smiled and pretended to be mysterious, saying:

"You'll know then."

"Cut~!"

By the way, after returning from Hong Kong Island, Sun Yi basically did not rest and immediately plunged into the reshoots of "Gravity".

Fortunately, Guo Fan's work was detailed enough and the overall shooting plan was very reasonable, which saved Sun Yi a lot of time.

During the filming, Sun Yi also gave Guo Fan more opportunities to personally participate in the filming.

After all, it has been decided that he will be in charge of the next space-themed movie, so taking this opportunity to fully participate in it will be a valuable experience.

"Okay, stop."

"Ok, I declare that the live-action filming of Gravity has officially wrapped up."

Wow~~~~Oh yeah!!!

It’s finished, it’s finished.

As Sun Yi announced loudly, the theater members at the scene cheered.

The filming process of this movie was full of twists and turns. Fortunately, Liu Yifei was in very good condition and was well prepared. During the second phase of reshoots, she performed very stably.

It took just over a week to shoot all the scenes.

At this point, the only work left for the film is post-production special effects editing and image rendering.

Although it was delayed compared to the previous plan, fortunately, the time was not too long. The special effects department assured Sun Yi that they would complete the post-production work of the film according to the existing schedule and would not delay the release date at the end of the year.

Liu Yifei took off her slightly heavy prop space suit, simply wrapped herself in a blanket, and ran to Sun Yi wearing a vest and hot pants.

"Tell me, tell me, what's fun next door?"

"No, you don't even change your clothes, don't catch a cold."

"Oh, I'm curious. You tell me first, and then I'll go change my clothes."

Sun Yi was so helpless because of the little girl that he could only shake his head and sigh.

"I'll take you to the next door to see the recording site for The Voice. There are some fun things there."

"It's over so soon?"

When Liu Yifei heard that it was the recording site of "The Voice of China", her mouth opened wide in surprise.

It seems like it’s only been more than half a month since we last decided on this project, and the recording site has already been completed?
This is also a little too fast.

In fact, not only Liu Yifei, but even Sun Yi did not expect that the "Voice of China" project team could complete it so quickly. If Wang Jingtian had not called him specifically in the morning and asked him to go to the recording site to see the actual situation, he would not have known about it.

"Okay, go change your clothes, I'll take you for a stroll later."

"Okay!"

(End of this chapter)