The subsequent filming of the movie went very smoothly, and on July 8th, the same day the results of episode 18 of the Blue Star Concert were released, the movie also wrapped up.
This episode, Ruyan Dadi (Emperor Ruyan) appeared, naturally securing the top spot, which also brought China's total score to 65 points, a truly unassailable lead.
The second place in this episode was won by the local songwriter Fischer, but a total score of 18 points only placed Germany in ninth position on the overall scoreboard; if they can't make a breakthrough in the next two episodes, they will be out of the finals.
The third place was won by William from the UK, with a total score of 21 points, ranking sixth on the scoreboard, just on the borderline for entering the finals.
The fourth place was won by Chris, which brought the US's total score to 40 points, further widening the gap with third-place Neon.
The fifth place went to the French songwriter Fernando, with a total score of 22, ranking fifth on the scoreboard.
And this 18th episode directly propelled Liu Ruyan, this Chinese female singer and film empress, into the international spotlight, especially in Germany, where her popularity was incredibly high.
In fact, the day after the live broadcast ended, she received interest from multiple brands there, hoping to discuss endorsement opportunities with her.
Of course, more of these were invitations hoping to “have dinner” with her.
This gave Liu Ruyan a massive headache.
In fact, overseas capital placed more value on Su Yu's commercial worth, but Su Yu does not accept endorsements.
Many overseas luxury brands had actually contacted Tianxing Entertainment; one jewelry brand even offered an ultra-high endorsement fee of 10 million US dollars for two years.
If this were any other big-name celebrity in China, encountering such a major brand, they would cooperate even if it meant a price reduction.
Because they could also elevate their own status and standing through the brand.
It's truly hard to say who made whom successful.
But Su Yu here was clearly different; his international fame was too immense.
Even top brands could further enhance their brand value through Su Yu's endorsement.
......
On the morning of the 10th, Xu Ke and his wife arrived at the headquarters of Tianxing Entertainment.
Over the years, the Hong Kong film market has declined, and many major Hong Kong directors and actors have moved north, coming to the mainland to seek a livelihood and opportunities.
Xu Ke was also among the Hong Kong directors who moved north; he had previously co-produced “Di Renjie” with the mainland, and while it didn't make money, it didn't lose too much either.
This December, another film, “The Taking of Tiger Mountain,” is set to be released, and it's rumored that the production and promotion budget combined reached 200 million, truly a big production.
As for why they dared to create such a big production?
It actually has a great deal to do with Su Yu, who else but Su Yu's works have pushed the upper limit of Chinese box office?
If the highest box office was only three to five hundred million in the past, investors would rather die than give Xu Ke 200 million for filming.
So what if he's a great director? Didn't “Zu Warriors” cause his former company to go bankrupt?
The current box office ceiling in China is 2.4 billion chinese yuan, but as time goes on, the number of screens continues to increase, and no one knows to what extent the upper limit has been raised.
Led by staff, Xu Ke and his wife went directly to the office of Ren Nanbei, Director of the Film and Television Department.
Xu Ke didn't say much about Tianxing Entertainment not sending high-level personnel to greet him.
He was there to ask for a favor, and in front of the behemoth that Tianxing Entertainment was at this time, he couldn't afford to be tough!
However, upon entering Ren Nanbei's office, Xu Ke and his wife were both stunned.
Because not only was the well-known industry figure Director Ren Nanbei there, but also Chief Editor Wu Yue of Shengshi Fenghua, and most astonishingly, Su Yu!
They had thought they would only see Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng, the wuxia master, today, but they were clearly disappointed.
However, being able to see Su Yu was another kind of pleasant surprise.
As for Su Yu's talent in music and poetry, Xu Ke was utterly impressed.
But as for Su Yu's directing skills, he was a little dismissive.
The truth was that Su Yu had too few works, showing too little of his directing ability; in his eyes, Su Yu becoming a director was merely for the sake of experiencing directing.
More of a dabbler.
This attitude towards directing, in Xu Ke's view, was actually a minus point.
However, Su Yu's scripts made many great directors flock to him; for example, “let the bullets fly,” which was released earlier, made Xu Ke feel that Su Yu's screenwriting ability was truly terrifyingly strong.
If he could also write a script for him, that would be simply wonderful.
After all, he didn't think his directing level was inferior to Zhang Guoshi's.
Moreover, the film rivalry between Su Yu and Stewart also made Xu Ke feel that Su Yu was still too young and too impulsive.
Tianxing Entertainment didn't even manage him; were they really going to go crazy with Su Yu?
However, thoughts aside, Xu Ke still walked towards Su Yu with a smile, extending his hand: “Director Su, I've long admired your name! This time, I finally have the chance to meet you.”
He called him Director Su, not Director Su! This was quite intriguing.
“Director Xu, I also really like your works. Please have a seat!” Su Yu smiled and shook hands with Xu Ke, then motioned for the two to sit down.
Throughout the entire process, whether it was Ren Nanbei or Wu Yue, both stood behind Su Yu, looking as if they were following his lead.
This made Wang Nansheng, who was beside Xu Ke, narrow her eyes; she was not only Xu Ke's wife but also a producer.
She had served as a judge for several overseas film festivals and was a prominent figure in the film industry.
But they were only in the film industry; they truly couldn't reach the capital circles.
They didn't even know that Su Yu owned shares in Tianxing Entertainment and Shengshi Fenghua.
They had thought that Su Yu's transcendent position in Tianxing Entertainment was due to Han Jiangxue.
But seeing this scene now, it was completely not the case.
Because Ren Nanbei, whom they considered to be on the same level as Su Yu, was acting too subservient!
After everyone was seated, Xu Ke couldn't help but get straight to the point.
“Director Su, regarding the film adaptation rights for “xiao ao jianghu,” what are your thoughts? I truly love this novel to my core; since its release, I've read it three times! I also have a rough script outline for the film adaptation in my mind! I am confident I can make this movie well and won't disappoint Master Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng! If possible, I would also like to meet my idol, Master Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng!”
Xu Ke spoke with sincerity, and when he mentioned his idol, Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng, he was exceptionally solemn and serious, showing no pretense at all.
Unless his acting skills were out of this world, fooling both Su Yu and Ren Nanbei, he truly spoke from the heart.
And upon hearing Xu Ke's words, both Ren Nanbei and Wu Yue showed strange expressions.
Tsui Hark, you don't know that the Master Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng you're talking about is sitting right across from you, looking at you with a smile!