I am a director, but I have the skills of an actor

Chapter 100 Hualong
"Director Wan, look at this, this is the movie schedule. Basically all famous movies have set release dates."

When Wan Qingshan returned to China and Zhang Zhao went to pick him up at the airport, he asked Wan Qingshan when the movie would be released.

Enlight Pictures' first movie, Zhang Zhao wanted to promote "Loyal Liver and Brave" with great fanfare, so that people in the industry could see Enlight Pictures' publicity capabilities, so he had to know the movie's release date early.

But at the beginning, the first cut had not yet been decided, and it was too early to discuss the release date, so Wan Qingshan and Zhang Zhao agreed to discuss the release date after the first cut was decided.

Wan Qingshan received the film schedule handed over by Zhang Zhao. Except for Cheng Long's "Myth" at the end of September and Chen Kaige's "The Promise" at the beginning of December, Wan Qingshan's impression was that the other films had little box office.

Wan Qingshan thought for a while, put down the film schedule, and said, "Mr. Zhang, the post-production of the film is completed and will probably go in mid-September.

Cheng Long's "Myth" will be released at the end of September. Given Cheng Long's box office appeal, if "Loyal Liver and Righteousness" competes with "Myth", it will definitely hurt the box office.

So, neither September nor October is possible, I plan to release it at the end of October or early November. "

"Loyal Liver and Righteous Brave" is an action film, and it still needs some special effects production after editing. Wan Qingshan has estimated that the post-production will take three months relatively quickly.

Zhang Zhao picked up the film schedule and after looking at it, he frowned slightly.
"Director Wan, the beginning of November is not very suitable. If the box office trend of "Loyalty Liver and Righteousness" is good in the later stage, I plan to extend the release date, and then it will hit Chen Kaige's "The Promise".

Director Wan, it will be released on October 20th. What do you think?
"Myth" will be released on September 23rd, and it will be No. 20 in October. Even if its box office trend is not bad by then, I want to continue to release it.That's why "Loyalty to the Liver and Yidan" affects it, better than "Loyalty to the Liver and Yidan" to "Loyalty to the Liver and Yidan". "

Although "The Promise" has not yet been released, the industry believes that with the ability of director Chen Kaige, this is definitely a movie comparable to Zhang Yimou's "Hero".

Therefore, the industry will avoid "The Promise" as much as possible when scheduling movies for release.

Although Wan Qingshan knew that "The Promise" was a film that would not be understood even ten years later, "The Promise" had a box office of 7000 million, so it was better to avoid it if possible.

Besides, Wan Qingshan and Chen Kaige have no grudges, and of course they will not compete desperately with "A World Without Thieves" like "The True Meaning of Love."

Wan Qingshan nodded slightly and said, "Well, Mr. Zhang, let's do as you said. It will be released on October 20th."

Immediately, Wan Qingshan changed the subject, "Mr. Zhang, the original budget for "Loyalty Liver and Righteousness" was 500 million, which was originally enough.

However, because a Korean pyrotechnics expert was hired, the post-production was not completed, and all 500 million was used up.For post-production, I estimate it will cost 200 million.

You attracted 100 million yuan in sponsorship fees, but because the movie hadn't been released yet, the sponsors only gave half of it, and the other half had to be given after the movie was released.

In total, excluding the 200 million reserved for post-production, there is still 350 million left.These are definitely not enough for publicity and distribution expenses. I would like to add another 550 million for a total of 900 million in publicity and distribution expenses. "

Zhang Zhao's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "900 million in publicity fees, Director Wan, this is a big deal on your part."

The publicity and distribution expenses of some movies in later generations can exceed the filming cost several times, but now the publicity and distribution costs of a movie can exceed 500 million, which is already very high.

Wan Qingshan smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, of course, these 900 million are not all publicity fees. I want to use 900 million of the 200 million to prevent piracy. Mr. Zhang, pirated discs have a great impact on the box office, so I hope In terms of preventing piracy, the light can do its best.”

Zhang Zhao also knows the harm of piracy to the box office. If the anti-piracy work is not done well, the movie box office will be reduced by more than half.

"Director Wan, preventing piracy is what Enlight Pictures should do. When it is released, I will send someone to keep an eye on the film copy."

Wan Qingshan rolled his eyes and smiled, "Then please leave it to Mr. Zhang. By the way, Mr. Zhang, I have something to do and I have to trouble the light."

"Director Wan, if you need help from Guang Guang, Guang Guang will never refuse."

Wan Qingshan touched his nose and said with some embarrassment, "Mr. Zhang, it's like this. As for me, I don't have much money now, so I want to trouble Guangguang to cover the shortfall of 550 million in publicity expenses.

After the movie is released, the sponsor will pay the 550 million and then transfer it to Raytheon. "

"Director Wan, this is a trivial matter. The publicity and distribution expenses will be calculated after the movie is released." Zhang Zhao said with a smile.

Immediately, Zhang Zhao stopped smiling and changed the subject, "Director Wan, Mr. Wang said before that Enlight Pictures would charge one-tenth less of the publicity and distribution fees for the films we collaborated on.

Calculating the 900 million publicity fee, the Rays should charge 810 million, but it is troublesome to go around.

Director Wan, if this were not the case, I would not refund the 900 yuan publicity fee.I will just follow the 90 million publicity fee. What do you think? "

"No problem, just follow what you said, Mr. Zhang, and pay the publicity fee of 1000 million." Wan Qingshan nodded.After discussing the release date and announcement, Wan Qingshan didn't stay any longer. After a few words with Zhang Zhao, he left Enlight Pictures.

In the next two months, Wan Qingshan spent most of the time in Shenzhen with Chen Yumo. In the meantime, every other week, he returned to the capital to watch the post-production of "Loyalty Liver and Righteousness".

In two months, the post-editing, dubbing, and soundtrack of "Loyal Liver and Righteous Brave" were all completed, and only the special effects were left.

There are very few special effects companies in the country now, and the ones with better technology are all special effects companies owned by state-owned enterprises such as Shanghai Film Group Corporation and China Film Group Corporation.

Hualong Special Effects Company is a company owned by China Film Group Corporation. Its equipment is in line with international standards and it is the top special effects company in the country.

Wan Qingshan used to be curious about how the current top Hualong special effects company would be squeezed out by some special effects companies that had just been established a few years ago.

After going to Hualong Special Effects Company, Wan Qingshan understood why Hualong Special Effects would fall behind in the future.

"Two million!" Wan Qingshan said in surprise.

"Loyal Liver, Righteous and Brave" only requires some color grading, compositing, and a little bit of digital matte painting, which cost 200 million.

"Wan Dao, the price is not cheap, but there is nothing we can do about it, the special effects cost is high."

He Yue, the director of Hualong Special Effects Company, said in a very sincere tone, "Director Wan, 200 million is for your sake. If it were another director, the order would be at least 250 million."

He Yue's expression made Wan Qingshan feel a little disgusted.

If it was clear that he wanted to make money, Wan Qingshan wouldn't think anything of it.But he still pretends to give you face and give in on the price, which makes Wan Qingshan feel so disgusting.

In his previous life, Wan Qingshan was an executive director and had never done post-production special effects for a movie. He only knew that good special effects are not cheap.

But before he came to Hualong Special Effects Company, he asked Li Yancheng to inquire in the circle.For the effect he needs, 150 million is enough.

"Haha, Director He, thank you for taking care of me. However, 200 million is not a small amount after all, I have to think about it."

He Yue was stunned for a moment. He was a member of China Film Group Corporation and knew that Wan Qingshan had made tens of millions of dollars by cooperating with China Film Group Corporation in the past two years.

In terms of Wan Qingshan's financial resources, 200 million is simply a drop in the bucket.

He Yue forced out a stiff smile and said, "It should, it should, Director Wan, please think about it slowly."

"Well, Director He, I'll leave first."

After Wan Qingshan finished speaking, he stood up and walked out.

Seeing Wan Qingshan walking to the door without turning around, He Yue suddenly became anxious. He had just thought that Wan Qingshan was trying to lower the price with him like buying vegetables.

He Yue quickly called out to Wan Qingshan, "Director Wan, Director Wan, you can actually get a better deal, but you just have to get the point in this aspect."

Wan Qingshan, who turned around, saw He Yue's gesture and understood that He Yue wanted to pay him a favor.

Seeing a look of disgust on Wan Qingshan's face, He Yue sighed and said with an embarrassed look,

"Oh, Director Wan, these are not for me. The top wants it, and the bottom also wants it. If you don't give me some, there will be no communication between the top and bottom, and I, the director in the middle, can't do anything about it."

Wan Qingshan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, no wonder Hualong's special effects have fallen behind, they have to charge money, who dares to come!
He Yue didn't even say that, so Wan Qingshan just said it bluntly.

"Director He, thank you for informing me, but I think it's better to forget it. I'll go to Shanghai Film Academy to have a look. After all, my money didn't come from the strong wind."

He Yue was not disappointed either. As soon as he saw the disgusted expression on Wan Qingshan's face, he knew that this business was basically ruined.

"Okay, Director Wan, I'll give it to you!" He Yuegan said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)