The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 384 They Are Not Optimistic
At 2007 am on March 3, 15, a red sun hung in the sky of Los Angeles.

The air smelled of the sea, a bit fishy, ​​but refreshing.

Li Shengyao strode into the branch building of Warner Pictures, and then led by the security guards all the way to the office of Jeff Watson, a senior executive of the branch.

Jeff is in his thirties, about 1.7 meters tall, and seems to be of Southeast Asian descent. He has thick lips, a flat nose, and big nostrils.

He should be exercising all year round, in a suit, tight.

He is not tall, but he is very straight.

"Oh, Lee, you're finally here, I thought you forgot about Warner?"

"Of course not. I have always thought that Warner is a great company, and I look forward to working with you."

The first place Li Shengyao visited was Disney, then Universal, and then Ramon Pie.

He used to attract investment, but just like Disney's Warren Iger doesn't believe that he can direct comedy films that meet the aesthetics of beautiful Chinese people, the executives of Universal and the Ramon faction don't believe that his comedy films can make money.

However, both sides adhered to the attitude of playing two shots with dates and no dates, and both invested 200 million US dollars.

Li Shengyao naturally didn't care, he just wanted to express his sincerity in cooperating with big Hollywood companies.

Now he has found Disney, Universal, and Ramon Pai, and has received a total of 700 million dollars in investment.

Next, another 300 million will do.

At that time, even if "The Hangover" sells well, these big companies will think that he is lucky, and they missed the opportunity to make a lot of money.

He did not increase his weight when Lee Sheng Yew was looking for investment.

This is why Lee Sheng Yew sought out these big companies.

It is also because of this that I came to Warner at this time.

He visited Warner, and he has no plans to visit 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures.

All six visited four, which is enough to show his sincerity.

If Warner does not invest, he will raise another 300 million US dollars from China.

Jeff smiled, and then said: "I heard some rumors about your new movie, is it really a comedy?"

In fact, not only the beautiful Chinese people in Hollywood were surprised, even Cheng Long and Jiang Zhiqiang were very surprised.

Cheng Long thought that Li Shengyao was filming a kung fu comedy, so he called Li Shengyao to give him some help.

When Li Shengyao said that it was an ordinary restricted drama.

Cheng Long, who was on the call, was silent for 20 seconds before he came back to his senses.

Cheng Long then persuaded Li Shengyao to think twice.

Jiang Zhiqiang's attitude is similar to Cheng Long's. Both of them feel that Eastern and Western cultures are different, and there is a big gap between comedy and domestic comedy.

Li Shengyao thanked the two people for their suggestions, and still insisted on his own ideas.

"Yes, it's a comedy."

At this time, Jeff's secretary brought coffee and water. Jeff glanced at the water in Li Shengyao's hand and said with a smile, "Li, Chinese people like to drink water, and beautiful Chinese people like to drink coffee. These are two completely different countries." , about this, you need to think clearly."

He paused, and then said: "My mother is from Indo, and I stayed in Indo for a while when I was young. I have watched a lot of Hong Kong comedy movies. To be honest, I feel very boring."

"You are very young, maybe you feel that you must do things, but if the direction is wrong, then the more you do, the more useless you will be."

Li Shengyao smiled and nodded, "I understand what you mean, but I still want to shoot this movie."

Jeff nodded, "Okay, we're business-like, I'll take a look at your script and your plan."

Li Shengyao then took out the script and planning book and handed them over.

Jeff then looked at it seriously.

It can be seen that he is watching very seriously and very slowly, but his brows have never been loosened, and have always been tense.

Half an hour later, Jeff took a sip of coffee, thought for a moment, and then slowly said: "Li, is the investment in this movie only 3000 million dollars?"

"Yes, 3000 million."

"Excluding your various expenses, there are only more than 2000 million left. You can't hire big-name comedians at all."

At this time, Jim Carrey stopped making comedies. Since the end of "The New Money Robber" in 2005, he expressed his desire to shoot some different movies.

The biggest comedy star in the beautiful country is Adam Sandler, and last year's "Night at the Museum" actor Ben Stiller, and there are some other comedy stars, whose coffee positions are not as good as these two.

But even for ordinary comedy stars, the salary is seventy-eight million.

This price is too high.

In Li Shengyao's previous life, when "The Hangover" was filmed, the four leading actors were not popular.

Even the very handsome Cooper is a small card, and their salary at that time was up to 200 million dollars.

Of course Lee Sung Yew would not invite comedians, just use a photo card.

"You have seen the script. There are four male protagonists in this movie. The four actors have almost the same roles. There is no need for a comedy star."

When Jeff heard this, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He can now basically confirm that Li Shengyao doesn't know much about the comedies in the present beautiful country.

He didn't like the movie even more.

"Li, the current beautiful Chinese comedy movies usually use comedian stars as the leading actors, so as to attract the audience. Unless your movie is a spoof, otherwise, four male leading actors, four of them have almost the same roles, which distracts the focus. The way you do it won't work."

He wants to teach Lee Seung Yew how Hollywood works, "Lee, if I were you, I would first study the blockbuster Hollywood comedy films in recent years, and then I would find a few Hollywood screenwriters instead of basking in the Chinese sun and eating Eating Chinese food, holding chopsticks, then writing the script, and trying to shoot in the beautiful country.”

Li Shengyao has not given such a lecture to others for many years.

He was a little upset, but he knew very well that this person was an insignificant person in his life who left Warner's gate.

Who knows who?
He smiled, "Maybe your idea is right, but I still stick to my plan."

He then put down the glass and stood up.

"Goodbye, Mr. Watson."

Jeff pouted, "Goodbye, good luck."

hypocritical.

These countrymen obviously look down on others, and they often say good luck to you.

Li Shengyao didn't answer, turned around and was about to leave.

At this moment, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside, and the door was pushed open heavily.

I saw Toby Emmerich appearing at the door of the room.

"Oh, Lee, are you ready to leave?"

Seeing this, Jeff continued without waiting for Li Shengyao to speak, "I read his script, and I don't think it's suitable for investment."

Li Shengyao nodded, "Mr. Emmerich, that's how things are."

Toby glanced at Jeff, "Lee, let's talk."

Not long after, Li Shengyao followed Toby Emmerich to the reception room, and the two sat opposite each other.

Toby asked Li Shengyao to pour a glass of water again.

"I heard about you. Now many people don't like your new movie, but I like you."

"I believe the script is just a rough outline. Different directors shoot the same story with different effects, and the current script is not the final script. Maybe your complete script is very interesting."

"You are a talented person, you are willing to invest 2000 million US dollars, it is impossible to send money."

"So I am willing to invest on behalf of Warner."

Hearing this, Li Shengyao's face remained unchanged, but he secretly sighed in his heart.

Hollywood naturally has smart people.

As a director, he dared to press 2000 million dollars, so he was naturally very confident.

Then some people dare to follow in.

"Mr. Emmerich, the movie budget is $3000 million, we've already raised $700 million, and we're still short of $300 million."

Toby smiled, "300 million, I don't need Warner, I can afford it myself, Li, it's too little."

Li Shengyao nodded, "I understand, but my plan has been completed, and there is only 300 million US dollars left."

"Disney invested 300 million, and Warner wants to overwhelm them and give me a 500 million investment share."

Li Shengyao pretended to think about it, then nodded, "All right, I promise you."

Toby smiled, "Li, I have a hunch that your movie might become as popular as "Taken". I don't have any evidence, and I can't persuade other high-level executives to invest more. Otherwise, I will ask for more."

Li Shengyao was vigilant in his heart, but on the surface he looked surprised, and then showed joy.

"Mr. Emmerich, thank you for your optimism. This is a great encouragement to me."

Seeing this, Toby frowned slightly.

The first time he saw Li Shengyao, he felt that this young man was very calm and talented, and he was worth wooing.

I heard that Lee Sing Yew's new movie is a comedy even though others don't like it.

But he felt that Lee Seung Yew would not do anything to lose money.

He felt that for the benefit of the company, more investment should be made.

However, considering Lee Sung Yew's first restricted comedy, and the cost issue.

Warner's other high-level executives did not agree to invest too much, and he only won the upper limit of 500 million dollars.

Seeing Li Shengyao's joyful expression now, he doubted whether he had miscalculated.

Lee Sung Yew has no confidence in this comedy movie.

It's just that Li Shengyao was young, so he was a little irrational this time.

But after all, the words had already been spoken, and he wanted to win over Li Shengyao.

They didn't say much, and then agreed to bring the contract in the afternoon and sign the contract at that time.

"Mr. Emmerich, thank you very much for your support, I have gained a lot of strength from you, thank you for your recognition, goodbye."

Li Shengyao looked grateful, then left the office, walked a few steps, and then smiled.

This time he came to show his sincerity, but most Hollywood companies are not optimistic about his new movie.

Although today's Toby Emmerich increased his investment, it was only $500 million.

Disney, Universal, Ramon Pie, and Warner have a total of 1000 to [-] million dollars.

And he has 800 million dollars himself.

More importantly, none of these Hollywood companies mentioned copyright.

If "The Hangover" is released, he can get a lot of money, and he can also get the post-production benefits.

This result is similar to what he expected, which is a good thing.

……

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, after New York.

There are the most media in the beautiful country here, and almost all the media in the beautiful country, whether it is a newspaper or a TV station, have offices here.

Hollywood stars and NBA stars can be seen everywhere.

In such a situation, there are many reporters here.

Lee Sung Yew has invested in Hollywood and is preparing to shoot a restricted-rated comedy movie, and rumors have already spread.

That afternoon, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times found Li Shengyao and wanted to interview him.

The reporter is in her twenties. Her name is Christie Kelly. She is about 1.6 meters five, blond and blue-eyed. She has a very good figure and can score [-] points.

She also brought an assistant, also a beautiful woman.

Li Shengyao heard the news, thought for a while, and then agreed.

Now many people don't like his new movie, if more people don't like it, it's no big deal.

Black red is also a kind of red.

So under a sun umbrella under the hotel, Li Shengyao and Christie sat opposite each other.

Her assistant sat behind her.

The two sides exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Christie made a formal interview.

"Lee, why don't you make "Taken 2"?"

Li Shengyao is tall, sunny and handsome.

It's the kind of man Christie likes.

But she didn't come here this time to talk about love.

But to find a breaking news.

She had thought up the news headlines before she came.

"Oriental Rookie Breaks into Hollywood"

"Who gave him the courage to think that Hollywood comedy is very simple"

"Young director, innocent dream"

"Everyone is not optimistic, but he wants to go against the wind"

Li Shengyao smiled slightly, "You should know, Jackie is filming "Rush Hour 3", the male lead is not here, how can I film "Taken 2"?"

"Oh, that means you were planning to shoot "Taken 2", but because Jackie has no schedule for the time being, you chose to shoot a comedy movie. Shooting this comedy movie is just an alternative."

This statement seems to be very casual for Li Shengyao. If the audience sees it, they will probably think that Li Shengyao is messing around, or completely messing around.

If it were someone else, I'm afraid they would deny it immediately, and then say that they have long wanted to shoot, had plans, and cite a story.

This movie is the last wish of grandma and grandma, or a friend, which has a very profound meaning.

But this time Li Shengyao planned to take the black and red route, he did not refute, but nodded with a smile, "Yes, you can say that."

Christie felt a little surprised, he didn't expect Li Shengyao to admit it directly.

Then she laughed secretly in her heart, she felt that Li Shengyao, a Chinese, didn't understand Hollywood's gameplay at all.

In that case, little rookie, let me teach you the cruelty of the world.

"Don't you feel rushed?"

"No way, I always prepare movies like this."

Christie narrowed her eyes and continued to ask, "Then do you think you can succeed?"

"Of course, I'm very confident."

"Then have you ever watched a comedy movie in the beautiful country?"

"Of course I've seen it. I've seen a lot. I've basically seen all the famous Hollywood comedy movies you mentioned."

Li Shengyao replied naturally and frankly.

The more Christie asked, the more he felt that Li Shengyao didn't seem to care about the evaluation of the outside world at all, and he still maintained his confidence.

She was inexplicably agitated.

As a beautiful countryman, the education she has received since she was a child is that the beauty country is the best in the world, and Hollywood is the best in the world.

She felt that when directors from other countries came here, they should be cautious, trembling, anticipating and full of worry.

But Li Shengyao didn't seem to care.

She didn't find superiority in Lee Sheng Yew.

"Then why don't you look for Jim Carrey, or Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller?"

"They were too expensive, and my movie budget couldn't afford them."

"If you had enough money, would you hire them?"

Li Shengyao thought for a while, then shook his head, "I have four leading actors in this movie, and they have similar roles. I need to find four excellent actors, but I don't need to find big-name stars."

Christie couldn't help laughing when she heard this, and immediately thought of a few topics.

"Lee Can't See Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller"

"The four male protagonists in the new movie have almost the same roles. Is this a platter movie?"

"He doesn't understand Hollywood at all, and he thinks comedians are not important"

"A rookie from the East, a 3000 million loss is set"

"Lee, what's your expected box office?"

"Well, I hope I don't lose money, [-] million dollars, [-] million dollars."

"Don't you have confidence?"

"I can't say that I don't have confidence, but there are many possibilities. I myself hope that it is best to preserve my capital."

Christie laughed again, she felt that she had found the place where Li Shengyao lacked confidence.

She then asked some more questions, and the interview was over.

Li Shengyao shook hands with Christie and her assistant.

The assistant secretly slipped a note to him, he held it in his hand calmly, and then left.

Christie saw it, and felt a little angry. Before she could make a move, the assistant hooked up first.

"This is a very naive young man who doesn't understand the beautiful country market at all."

The assistant shook his head, "I think he is very rational and thoughtful."

"Have you agreed on a room?"

"No, I called. I hope he calls me. He's handsome, isn't he?"

On the other side, Li Shengyao tore up the note in his hand and threw it into the trash can.

The women in the beautiful country are so casual, who knows if it is safe, he doesn't want to get sick.

At this time, the assistant came over, "Boss, how are you doing?"

"It's okay, just treat it as a movie promotion."

He had just been interviewed, and he could feel that Christie looked down on him.

But it doesn't matter, as long as it is published in the newspaper, let more people know about "The Hangover".

As for Christie, in Li Shengda's eyes, she was just an ordinary little reporter.

The assistant nodded in admiration, no matter whether he was at home or abroad, Director Li was always so popular.

"Boss, the person my elder brother introduced just called me and said he had something to do in the afternoon, so he will come back in the evening."

Filming in a beautiful country is actually much more cumbersome than in China.

Lee Sing Yew needs a local person, or someone who is very familiar with Hollywood film projects to help him with those troublesome procedures.

So he contacted Cheng Long and asked Cheng Long to introduce such a person, and Cheng Long readily agreed.

This person originally promised to come this morning, but now he pushed it to the evening.

It doesn't seem very reliable.

(End of this chapter)