Entering the Chinese entertainment industry is like entering a deep sea

Chapter 30: Mr. Zhou Refuses to Act

Two days later, Li Chen went to the company to meet Wu Ershan.

Judging from the way he dresses, Wu Ershan looks like an artist.

He was wearing black-framed glasses, a beard, and a loose black long-sleeved shirt.

"Hello, Director Li."

"Hello, Senior Brother Wu Ershan, please take a seat."

Although he opened a studio after graduation, his situation was similar to Ning Hao's.

It was also half-dead, and the bottom line was that there wasn't a single box office hit.

Although both of them have won awards, their value is not high and they do not have any representative works with high box office.

It will definitely not be favored by capital.

Unlike him, since Shitou became popular, people who want to invest in the company have flocked to it.

Wu Ershan crossed his hands between his legs, looking a little embarrassed.

Li Chen could understand what the other person was thinking.

The two are about ten years apart in age, but their popularity is worlds apart.

What you run is a company, even if it is a small one, it is still a company.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Brother, don't be nervous. Teacher Li has already told me about your situation."

Wu Ershan couldn't hold back his smile and said bitterly, "I've made Director Li laugh."

"I heard from Teacher Li that Director Li plans to invest in me."

"To be honest, I haven't decided what to shoot yet."

Li Chen smiled and said, "Brother Wu Ershan, don't worry about it since you haven't made up your mind."

"I'll take over for you. I'll be the producer and you'll be the director."

"I'll take care of the script and casting, and you'll only be responsible for directing and the art production of the play."

"Maybe try something new, you can find a new direction, how about that?"

Wu Ershan was stunned for a moment, and then he said, "Can I take a look at the script first?"

Li Chen smiled and said, it’s okay, at least he has his own pursuits and did not immediately bow to the investors.

Li Chen handed the prepared script of Painted Skin to Wu Ershan.

Wu Ershan opened it and several key words on the cover caught his eye.

'Martial Arts' 'Magic' 'Romance'

Oriental fantasy "Painted Skin" script

Just looking at the words on the cover is very attractive.

Wu Ershan looked at it very carefully, and it took about half an hour.

Wu Ershan closed the script and thought for a while before speaking.

"Director Li, I'm not good at talking, so please bear with me if I say something wrong."

Li Chen smiled and said, "Brother Wu Ershan, just say whatever you want to say. You don't have to be polite."

Wu Ershan nodded and said seriously.

"First, this type of adaptation of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio is very likely to cross the line. Can it pass the review?"

"Secondly, if you want to make something different from the past with the same type of subject matter, the investment is probably not small."

“Third, the production team is not something that a small company can support.”

Li Chen nodded and said, "Anything else?"

"No more, Director Li." Wu Ershan said.

Li Chen added: "I just said that I am the producer, you don't have to worry about these."

"I wrote it very clearly in the script of Painted Skin: it's an oriental fantasy! It's not a horror movie."

"As for investment, you don't have to worry about that."

"I can tell you that the budget for this film is 100 million yuan, and we don't rule out additional investment later."

"The investors are currently considering two companies, China Film Group and Guangguang Film Group."

“The production team, don’t worry.”

"What you need to do now is to use these three months to draw the storyboard."

"Do what you can in the art field you are good at, based on the cold color theme I set."

Wu Ershan did not respond immediately.

With the involvement of China Film, there shouldn’t be any problem in passing the review.

Light is a media giant, but it doesn’t play a big role in the filming of movies.

As for the production team, although the other party did not say it explicitly, it seems that they are well prepared.

When he thought of this, Wu Ershan couldn't help but feel a little impulsive.

But he calmed down immediately.

"Director Li, for such a big production, why don't I be your executive director?"

"To be honest, I'm still nervous."

Li Chen laughed and said, "Brother Wu Ershan is indeed a Mongolian. He is really straightforward."

"Okay then, let's wait for the next one. I'll be the producer and you'll be the director."

Wu Ershan nodded and said thank you.

After all, being able to participate in a 100 million yuan production as an executive director will be of great benefit to him in the future when he can independently direct large-scale productions.

When Wu Ershan left Rongchen Pictures, he felt dizzy and as if he was falling into the clouds.

Think about what the other person said just now and how to make use of his expertise.

The color rhythm of the scenery and the choice of tones of the picture present a fusion effect of Chinese and Western cultural elements.

This is something he, a top student at the Academy of Fine Arts, needs to consider.

What made him even more excited was that, according to the other party, the film was going to be released worldwide.

Wu Ershan shook his head vigorously to calm himself down.

Before leaving, the other party handed him the storyboard he had made.

It turns out that they had already done it.

If he hadn't offered to be the executive director, the other party would have really planned to let him direct this big production.

It's not just a show.

After seeing Wu Ershan off, Li Chen remembered the person in charge of Ningying who had come to the company several times before.

So he asked someone to call the person over.

In less than an hour, the person appeared in front of Li Chen.

Pang Hong is the head of Ningying’s Beijing office.

I was very happy to see Li Chen, as if I had seen the God of Wealth.

Ningying has been on the verge of bankruptcy in the past two years and ranks among the bottom few among the 37 state-owned film studios in the country.

However, after the change of leader, it seems that reforms have begun.

This is one of the reform measures. Before, Ning Ying had no one in charge in Beijing.

Even now, I heard that there is not even a proper office in Beijing.

It seems that this person still lives with his relatives.

Hearing that Li Chen wanted to see him, he rushed over without even having time to eat. When leaving Rongchen Film, Pang Hong was in a good mood and immediately called Director Yang of Ningying.

Although Li Chen did not disclose the specific project, he mentioned that Ningxia might be chosen as the filming location next year.

As for whether Ning Ying can participate, the other party did not refuse in person, which is good news.

"Director Yang, Director Li is coming to our place to attend the film festival on the 20th, what do you think?"

Before Pang Hong finished speaking, the person on the other end of the phone immediately spoke happily.

"Haha, Lao Pang, you have done a great job. I know what to do, don't worry."

A week later, Li Chen went to China Film Studio to find Han Sanping in person with the script of Painted Skin and the preliminary budget.

When he arrived at Han Sanping's office, the other party was answering the phone and motioned for him to sit down first.

After hanging up the phone, Han Sanping said, "There's tea on the table. Pour it yourself if you want."

Li Chen poured himself some tea with a smile on his face.

Han Sanping smiled and said, "You said on the phone that there is another project. Young people are full of energy."

"Tell me, what is the project and how much is the budget?"

Li Chen smiled and said, "This project cannot be separated from the support of President Han. This is the budget I have prepared."

"Take a look, Mr. Han."

Han Sanping took it and looked at it, and was immediately shocked.

The budget is indeed not small, one hundred million.

“Painted Skin.”

“Global distribution.”

"90 for a set of human skin?" Han Sanping asked in surprise.

"Boss Han, I'm not just talking nonsense."

"This is a high-end American product. Even the facial expressions are vivid. I've done some research on it."

“I also plan to find the best design team in the country to be in charge of the costume and props design.”

“We strive to highlight the elements of the Han Dynasty while taking into account the aesthetics of both China and the West.”

"As for the special effects, I plan to take them to South Korea or an island country to do it."

"Painted Skin is my first attempt to integrate Chinese and Western elements, and I don't want to have any regrets."

Han Sanping only considered it for a few seconds and made the decision immediately.

As expected of a mountain eagle, he decided on a one hundred million yuan project without even having a meeting to discuss it.

But it’s normal when you think about it. Wu Ji invested 300 million yuan, while Painted Skin only invested 100 million yuan.

"Just like last time, China Film Group will contribute 5000 million, including publicity and promotion, which accounts for half of the total."

Han Sanping's tone did not allow for negotiation.

Li Chen smiled bitterly and said, "Boss Han, let's do this. You and I will each take 40%, and I plan to give the remaining 20% ​​to Boss Wang."

"Publicity and distribution are included in the cost and handed over to China Film and Guangguang."

Global distribution depends on China Film Group, which definitely has connections in this regard, such as The Promise , which will be released worldwide at the end of next year.

The mainland’s propaganda line is the leader.

"Wang Changtian?" Han Sanping was a little surprised.

"Well, I promised him last time. And Mr. Han, I'm not like you. China Film is a state-owned enterprise and a leader in the industry."

“You don’t have to think too much about your position in the industry.”

“But I’m different.”

There is no need to make it too clear, Han Sanping will definitely understand.

"Okay, let's do as you say. You actually understand the ways of the world." Han Sanping said with a smile.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Boss Han, I'll hand over the booklet and we'll sign the contract after it's approved."

Han Sanping nodded, which was considered as his agreement.

After leaving China Film Group, Li Chen decided to finalize the role of Zhou Xun first.

In this Painted Skin, anyone can be replaced except Zhou Xun.

Li Chen called Yang Siwei and asked her to contact Zhou Xun's agent Zeng Jia.

When Zeng Jia hung up the phone, she sighed that this year was really a very lucky year for her, as she received one film offer after another from big directors.

Director Chen’s "If Love" has just been finalized, and here comes another magical blockbuster from Director Li.

But after calling Zhou Xun, he was poured cold water on.

"Jia Jia, I don't want to answer it." Zhou Xun's slightly hoarse voice came over.

"You are not mistaken, this kind of resource may not be available to others even if they fight hard for it."

"I heard from Yang Siwei that you are the only actor in this play that Director Li specifically invited."

There was silence for a few seconds.

"How about this, Jia Jia, please help me arrange a meeting with Director Li so I can talk to him."

"I lost to you, okay"

Li Chen was also a little surprised when he heard the news.

From what Yang Siwei said, agent Zeng Jia was also helpless.

In the evening, Yang Siwei drove to pick up Li Chen.

When seeing Zeng Jia and Zhou Xun, Li Chen sighed in his heart how great it was to be young.

They are all in their twenties and the flowers are in full bloom.

After a few people exchanged pleasantries.

Zhou Xun said directly: "Director Li, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't play the role of a vixen."

Li Chen didn't respond and waited to see what she wanted to say.

Zhou Xun directly talked about her understanding of vixen.

She even made a few coquettish gestures and asked, "Director Li, is this true?"

Li Chen understood that she had misunderstood what he meant.

"If that's the case, I can find anyone in the entertainment industry to play the role, why would I need to find you?"

"I don't want a vixen who twists her waist and only emits electricity."

"The fox spirit in this play is a fox demon who has been practicing for thousands of years. She has always believed that she is a human, not a demon."

"My play aims to break the traditional mindset of the fox spirit."

“You have to act your way.”

"To perform a classic humanized fox fairy on the big screen."

Zhou Xun was quite surprised and paused for a few seconds.

He simply raised his glass and said, "Director Li, I toast to you. I'll take this role."

Zeng Jia was very happy. She didn't expect that Director Li could handle Mr. Zhou right away.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Remember, this is not a horror movie, it's a magical romance."

Zhou Xun laughed unladylike and said, "I did it, Director Li."

Wow, that’s quite heroic.

Zeng Jia also raised her glass to toast Li Chen, and the atmosphere immediately became lively.

(End of this chapter)