Chapter 30: Zhou Gongzi Refuses the Role
Two days later, Li Chen went to the company to meet Wu Ershan.
From his attire, Wu Ershan looked like an artist.
Black-rimmed glasses, a full beard, and a loose, black, long-sleeved shirt.
“Hello, Director Li.”
“Hello, Senior Brother Wu Ershan, please have a seat.”
Although he opened a studio after graduation, his situation was similar to Ning Hao's.
It was also half-dead, ultimately because he didn't have a single box office hit.
Although both had won awards, their prestige wasn't high, and they lacked representative high-grossing works.
Naturally, they wouldn't be favored by capital.
Unlike him, ever since The Stone went viral, people wanting to invest in his company were as numerous as carp crossing a river.
Wu Ershan's hands were clasped between his legs, showing some nervousness.
Li Chen could understand what he was thinking.
The two were about ten years apart in age, but their fame was worlds apart.
He ran a company, even if it was a small one, it was still a company.
Li Chen smiled and said, “Senior Brother, there's no need to be nervous. Teacher Li has already told me about your situation.”
Wu Ershan's face fell, and his smile was somewhat bitter: “You're making fun of me, Director Li.”
“Teacher Li said that Director Li plans to invest in me.”
“To be honest, I haven't decided what to film yet.”
Li Chen smiled and said, “Senior Brother Wu Ershan, don't fret. Since you haven't made up your mind,”
“I'll make the decision for you. I'll be the producer, and you'll be the director.”
“The script and casting will all be handled by me. You'll only be responsible for directing and the art production of this film.”
“Perhaps trying something new will help you find a new direction, what do you think?”
Wu Ershan was stunned, and after a long while, he said, “Can I read the script first?”
Li Chen smiled. Not bad, at least he had his own pursuits and didn't immediately bow to the investors.
Li Chen handed the prepared painted skin script to Wu Ershan.
Wu Ershan opened it, and several keywords on the cover caught his eye.
'Martial Arts' 'Fantasy' 'Romance'
Oriental Fantasy painted skin Script
Just looking at these words on the cover was very appealing.
Wu Ershan read it meticulously, taking about half an hour.
Wu Ershan closed the script, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
“Director Li, I'm not good with words, so please bear with me if I say anything wrong.”
Li Chen smiled and said, “Senior Brother Wu Ershan, say whatever you want, don't be shy.”
Wu Ershan nodded and said seriously.
“First, this type of material adapted from Liaozhai is very easy to cross lines. Can it pass censorship?”
“Second, to make something different from previous similar genres, the investment will likely not be small.”
“Third, the production team is not something a small company can support.”
Li Chen nodded and said, “Anything else?”
“No, Director Li,” Wu Ershan said.
Li Chen then said, “I just said that I would be the producer, so you don't need to worry about any of that.”
“On this painted skin script, I wrote very clearly: Oriental Fantasy! It's not a horror film.”
“As for the investment, you don't need to worry about that even more.”
“I can tell you, the budget for this film is 100 million, and we don't rule out additional funding later.”
“Currently, two investors are being considered: China Film Group Corporation and Enlight Media.”
“The production team also needs no worrying.”
“What you need to do now is use these three months to draw out the storyboards.”
“In your specialized field of art, based on the cool-toned theme I've set, do what you can.”
Wu Ershan did not reply immediately.
Bringing in China Film Group Corporation, the censorship issue should not be a big problem.
Enlight Media is a media giant, but it cannot play a significant role in film production.
As for the production team, although he didn't explicitly say it, it seemed he was also prepared.
Thinking of all this, Wu Ershan felt an involuntary rush of excitement.
But he quickly calmed down.
“Director Li, for such a big production, why don't I just be your executive director?”
“To be honest, I'm still feeling a bit uneasy.”
Li Chen laughed loudly, “Senior Brother Wu Ershan truly lives up to his Mongolian heritage; he's straightforward enough.”
“Alright then, we'll wait for the next film. I'll produce, and you'll direct.”
Wu Ershan nodded and thanked him.
After all, being able to participate in a 100-million-dollar production as an executive director would be very beneficial for his future independent direction of large-scale productions.
When Wu Ershan left Rongchen Film and Television, he still felt a bit lightheaded, as if floating on clouds.
He remembered what the other party had said about utilizing his expertise.
Presenting a fusion of Chinese and Western cultural elements through the rhythm of scenery colors and the choice of screen tones.
This was something he, a top student from the Academy of Fine Arts, needed to consider.
What excited him even more was that, according to the other party, this film was intended for global release.
Wu Ershan shook his head vigorously, trying to calm himself down.
Before leaving, the other party handed him the storyboards he had already prepared.
It turned out he had already done them.
If he hadn't actively suggested being an executive director, the other party really intended for him to direct this big production.
It wasn't just for show.
After seeing Wu Ershan off, Li Chen remembered the Ningxia Film Studio representative who had visited the company several times before.
He had someone call him over.
In less than an hour, the person appeared before Li Chen.
Pang Hong, the head of Ningxia Film Studio's Beijing office.
He was very happy to see Li Chen, as if he had met the God of Wealth.
Ningxia Film Studio had been on the verge of bankruptcy for the past two years, ranking among the last few of the thirty-seven state-owned film studios nationwide.
However, after a change in leadership, it seemed reforms had begun.
This person was one of those reform measures; previously, Ningxia Film Studio had no representative in Beijing.
Even now, it was said that there wasn't even a proper Beijing office.
This person was apparently still living with relatives.
Upon hearing that Li Chen wanted to see him, he rushed over without even stopping to eat.
When Pang Hong left Rongchen Film and Television, he was in a cheerful mood and immediately called the director of Ningxia Film Studio, Director Yang.
Although Li Chen didn't disclose specific projects, he mentioned that the filming location might be chosen in Ningxia next year.
As for whether Ningxia Film Studio could participate, the other party didn't explicitly refuse, which was good news.
“Director Yang, Director Li is coming to our film festival on the 20th, you say—”
Before Pang Hong could finish, the other end of the phone happily said.
“Haha, Old Pang, you've done well! I know what to do, don't worry.”
A week later, Li Chen took the painted skin script and preliminary budget to Han Sanping at China Film Group Corporation himself.
When he arrived at Han Sanping's office, he was on the phone and motioned for Li Chen to sit down first.
After hanging up the phone, Han Sanping said, “There's tea on the table, pour it yourself if you want some.”
Li Chen chuckled and poured himself some tea.
Han Sanping smiled and said, “You said on the phone you have another project. Young people certainly have endless energy.”
“Tell me, what project is it, and what's the budget?”
Li Chen smiled and said, “This project cannot succeed without Han Dong's support. This is the budget I've prepared.”
“Please take a look, Han Dong.”
Han Sanping took it and immediately brightened up.
The budget was indeed substantial: 100 million.
“painted skin.”
“Global distribution.”
“A human skin costs 900,000?” Han Sanping asked, surprised.
“Han Dong, I'm not talking nonsense.”
“It's high-quality stuff from the Americans; even facial expressions can be lifelike. I've done my research.”
“I also plan to find the top domestic teams for costume and prop design.”
“We will strive to highlight Han Dynasty elements while also accommodating both Eastern and Western aesthetics.”
“As for special effects, I plan to have them done in South Korea or Japan.”
“This painted skin is my first attempt at integrating Chinese and Western elements, and I don't want to have any regrets.”
Han Sanping only considered it for a few seconds before immediately making a decision.
As expected of Zuo Shan Diao, a 100-million-dollar project was decided directly without a meeting or discussion.
But thinking about it, it was normal. The Promise invested 300 million, while painted skin was only 100 million.
“It's the same as last time. China Film Group Corporation will put in 50 million, including promotion and distribution, taking half the share.”
Han Sanping's tone left no room for negotiation.
Li Chen said with a bitter smile, “Han Dong, how about this: our two companies each take 40%, and I plan to give the remaining 20% to Wang Dong.”
“Promotion and distribution will be included in the costs and handled by China Film Group Corporation and Enlight Media.”
Global distribution relies on China Film Group Corporation, which certainly has connections in this area, such as The Promise, which will be released globally at the end of next year.
Enlight Media is the leader in domestic promotion and distribution.
“Wang Changtian?” Han Sanping was a bit surprised.
“Yes, I promised him last time. And Han Dong, I'm not like you. China Film Group Corporation is a state-owned enterprise and an industry leader.”
“Your position in the industry doesn't require too much consideration.”
“But I'm different…”
No need to explain too clearly; Han Sanping would surely understand.
“Alright, let's do as you say. You kid, you even know how to navigate social relations now,” Han Sanping said with a laugh.
Li Chen smiled and said, “Han Dong, then I'll submit the script. We'll sign the contract after it's approved.”
Han Sanping nodded, indicating his agreement.
After leaving China Film Group Corporation, Li Chen decided to finalize Zhou Xun's role first.
In this painted skin, anyone could 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, feeling that this year was truly a stroke of luck, with big directors' film offers coming one after another.
Having just finalized Director Chen's perhaps love, here came another fantasy blockbuster from Director Li.
But after calling Zhou Xun, she was met with a splash of cold water.
“Jiajia, I don't want to take it,” Zhou Xun's slightly husky voice came through.
“Are you kidding me? Others would kill for this kind of opportunity and still might not get it.”
“Yang Siwei said you're the only actor Director Li personally invited for this film.”
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.
“How about this, Jiajia, help me arrange a meeting with Director Li. I'll talk to him.”
“You win, alright.”
Li Chen was also a bit surprised when he heard the news.
According to Yang Siwei, the agent Zeng Jia was also very helpless.
In the evening, Yang Siwei drove to pick up Li Chen.
When he saw Zeng Jia and Zhou Xun, Li Chen sighed, thinking how wonderful youth was.
Both were around twenty-eight or twenty-nine, in their prime.
After some pleasantries, the group settled in.
Zhou Xun spoke directly, “Director Li, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't play a fox spirit.”
Li Chen didn't interrupt, waiting to hear what she had to say.
Zhou Xun immediately began talking about her understanding of fox spirits.
She even made a few coquettish, posturing movements on the spot, then asked, “Director Li, is it like this?”
Li Chen understood; she had misunderstood his intention.
“If it were like that, I could find anyone in the entertainment industry to play it. Why would I come to you?”
“I don't want that kind of fox spirit that just twists her waist and only knows how to flirt.”
“The fox spirit in this film is a fox demon who has cultivated for a thousand years. She has always believed she is human, not a demon.”
“This film of mine is about breaking the traditional perception of fox spirits.”
“You need to act it in your own way.”
“Portray a classic, humanized fox immortal on the big screen.”
Zhou Xun was quite surprised and paused for a few seconds.
She then straightforwardly raised her glass and said, “Director Li, I toast you. I'll take this role.”
Zeng Jia was overjoyed, not expecting Director Li to settle Zhou Gongzi so easily.
Li Chen smiled and said, “Remember, this isn't a horror film; it's a fantasy romance.”
Zhou Xun laughed unladylike and said, “I'm drinking it all, Director Li.”
Wow, that's bold.
Zeng Jia also raised her glass and toasted Li Chen, and the atmosphere immediately became lively.