Chapter 13: Original Accumulation, Gossip
Li Chen’s youth and courage were exactly to Han Sanping’s liking.
“Good! Young people should have such boldness. Tell me, how much funding is short? I’ll make up for it.”
“The budget cost is 20 million, and this time it includes my own director and screenwriter fees.”
“The actors’ salaries will definitely be much higher than my two small-budget productions.”
“Hmm, as it should be. How about this, China Film Group Corporation will take 50%, and the promotion and distribution fees will be included in that, how does that sound?”
“Alright, I’ll listen to Han Dong.”
Han Sanping was stunned, not expecting this kid to be so straightforward. That guy’s lost in thailand must have made him a lot of money, right?
Li Chen couldn’t be anything but straightforward; there wasn’t much left in the company’s account.
“This time, I still plan to invite other supporting roles; they must at least be actors who have had one work.”
“Filming will have to wait until after the message is released.”
“Okay, if you have any problems, come find me. Oh, right, let’s pick a release date for the message.”
Han Sanping gave Li Chen a list of movies that had already been scheduled.
“Uh, thank you, Han Dong.”
“Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and look.”
Indeed, quite a few movies were released during the May Day holiday.
“New Police Story” and “Self-Entertainment,” but Li Chen didn’t really care about these two.
In recent years, aside from the infernal affairs series and a few big names like Big Brother Long who could carry the box office, other Hong Kong films generally didn't make much of a splash.
Although the two actors, Tse and Chan, were very popular, it was of no use.
the message’s main competitor was the imported blockbuster cold mountain, starring Nicole Kidman, which was released on April 30.
As well as “Men in Black II,” released on April 23.
“Han Dong, let’s set it for May Day.”
Han Sanping raised an eyebrow: “You want to release it at the same time as cold mountain?”
Li Chen smiled: “Han Dong, is that strange?”
“In the future, there will be more and more imported blockbusters, and domestic commercial films will have to be at the forefront sooner or later. Hiding is not my style!”
“Alright, you’ve got guts, kid. Speed up post-production, don’t make a fool of yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Han Dong, I’ll keep an eye on it.”
When he left China Film Group Corporation, he took a list of actors’ contact information.
He had to personally invite some actors to show respect.
“Hello, Teacher Lu, I am Li Chen, a student from the Beijing Film Academy Director Department.”
“Okay, no problem. Then I’ll bring the script to visit you tomorrow.”
Li Chen planned to contact other actors after the Film Bureau’s filing announcement was released.
The income from the product placement in the message had arrived, and Li Chen immediately called Zhang Qin.
“Hello, Director Li, I’m Zhang Qin.”
“No problem, but I have to remind you, Director Li.”
“While the leverage effect of futures magnifies returns, it also magnifies losses by ten to a hundred times.”
Li Chen, of course, knew this, but the high rate of return on futures was most suitable for him at this stage.
“Director Li, the margin ratio for WTI international crude oil varies from 1% to 10% across platforms. That’s 10-100 times leverage. Are you sure you want to operate?”
“Okay, I understand, Director Li. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on it. Goodbye.”
After hanging up the phone, Li Chen unconsciously curled his lips.
He clearly remembered a major event in China in 2004 that was related to shorting international crude oil futures.
Starting in 2004, influenced by various factors, international crude oil prices began to rise, and long positions made an absolute fortune.
By October, it would soar to a peak of 55 US dollars per barrel, but it never fell below the current 32 US dollars per barrel again.
He just asked Zhang Qin to keep an eye on it for him; as soon as it rose to 55 US dollars, he would immediately close his position.
If all went well, by the end of next year, his net worth would exceed one billion.
In mid-December, Bearded Zhang’s “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils” finally met the audience.
With both critical acclaim and ratings soaring, Bearded Zhang was complacent and was already planning “The Return of the Condor Heroes.”
The news spread, and the buzz remained high.
The choice of actors for Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nu captivated countless hearts.
The internet was abuzz with rumors, and the first person rumored to play Yang Guo was actually Nicholas Tse from Hong Kong.
But he was immediately proven wrong; Mr. Jin firmly disapproved.
Then, Chen Bolin, a popular young actor from Taiwan, was rumored to be next.
It was the same for Xiao Long Nu; the CP of Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse was also hotly debated.
Then Jeon Ji-hyun appeared.
It was indeed Bearded Zhang’s style.
In mid-December, a piece of news exploded in the entertainment industry.
A student from the Central Academy of Drama allegedly beat his girlfriend, instantly putting the couple in the headlines.
Sadly, no one knew about the big fish behind it.
In the end, his father had to come out and apologize, and it was a pity that Wang Xifeng lived her whole life without children.
By the end of December, the box office for cell phone and infernal affairs 3 both exceeded 30 million.
Media reported that cell phone had a very high chance of surpassing lost on journey to win the 2003 box office championship.
Li Chen found it amusing watching the news; the buzz was worth it!
Comparing him to Xiao Gang Pao at this point, he was definitely not the one at a disadvantage.
On New Year’s Eve, Li Chen called Li Chen's mother and surfed the internet alone in his dorm room.
This year, Big Brother Long from Hong Kong passed away, Jay Chou from Taiwan became popular, and Grandma Liu from mainland China also gained a new lease on life.
Entering 2004.
Li Chen knew that starting this year, the mainland film market would truly enter a golden growth period lasting about fifteen years.
On January 5th, a notice on the General Administration’s public announcement board caught attention.
Film Title: shoplifters
Filing Unit: China Film Group Corporation
Rong Chen Film and Television Co., Ltd.
Screenwriter: Li Chen
The company’s front desk phone instantly exploded with calls; many actors called to ask if there were any audition opportunities.
Regardless of whether this young director’s first film, lost in thailand, was luck, such a prolific director would definitely be favored by major film and television companies.
Huayi Brothers, Enlight Media, Hairun Media, Rongxinda, and several companies from Hong Kong all called to ask if there were any audition opportunities.
He instructed the company’s front desk to uniformly reply that the roles had already been cast.
The media eagerly inquired about information regarding this film.
Xu Zheng and Huang Bo also called, but he politely declined them.
However, Li Chen gave Zhu Yawen a minor role, the male police officer with lines, and this guy was overjoyed.
Li Chen went through everyone he could think of for the father’s role but couldn’t find anyone suitable.
Never mind, he’d go ask Teacher Tian to see if he had anyone suitable.
Li Chen slapped his forehead: “Teacher Tian, that’s right! How could I not have thought of him, haha.”
Li Chen finally thought of a suitable candidate for the father.
In a three-person QQ group, a panda avatar was flashing.
“Lizi, Meizi, have you two received an invitation for that film shoplifters?”
No one in the group spoke.
After about ten minutes, there was a reply.
“The director called me.”
The panda avatar replied instantly: “Ah, so you agreed?”
“Mm.”
“Congratulations, Meizi.”
“Oh, you finally showed up. Our Meizi is already a Cairo Film Festival Best Actress, so you and I also need to work hard, Lizi.”
Zeng Li felt a little sour when she saw this message.
Her good sister had dropped out of school and was already a Cairo Film Festival Best Actress, while she herself was still lukewarm.
“Shut up, aren’t you also a Golden Horse Awards Best Actor?”