Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 286 297 [Never cooperate with Jiang Wen again, share the publishing cake]

Hong Kong.

Dragon Film (Hong Kong Dragon) Film Company.

In the screening room, after watching "Sunny Days", one of the investors, Wen Jun, was also full of emotion and said: "Director Jiang, your film is very good. Although I have not experienced the life in the mainland in the 1960s, the feeling of your filming makes me feel like I am there."

"Haha, Mr. Wen, you're overpraising me. I just filmed my experiences as a teenager based on the script."

Jiang Wen laughed out loud. He was very satisfied with the shooting of his film. It took him four months to screen tens of thousands of feet of film one by one, and finally put together a film that made him proud.

"Director Jiang is too modest. I'm sure this movie will win an award at the film festival, given its quality."

Wen Jun glanced at the smug Jiang Wen, and showed flattery and admiration on his face, but he had made up his mind in his heart that he would never cooperate with him again from now on.

It doesn't matter if a movie takes a long time to shoot. Wenjun has seen people who drag their feet when shooting a movie. There is one in Hong Kong, Wang Jiawei, who took a full three years to shoot "Ashes of Time". However, it was rare in his life that a movie went over budget by so much.

The initial investment amount for this film was 500 million RMB, of which Liu Xiaoqing contributed the most, followed by Wen Jun. Later, due to rumors of an affair between Jiang Wen and Ning Jing, Liu Xiaoqing angrily withdrew his investment. With no other options, Wen Jun had to take over.

Originally we thought we could finish the film with 500 million, but who could have thought that Jiang Wen was so good at misappropriating money that the budget was seriously overspent.

Wen Jun has been in the Hong Kong film industry for so many years and has accumulated a lot of savings, but they were all sucked up by Jiang Wen. For this reason, he had to go to Zhou Xingchi's movie "Forbidden City Cop" to play the role of Lu Xiaofeng with four eyebrows.

That’s not all. No matter how much money Wen Jun made as a supporting actor, he couldn’t keep up with the speed at which Jiang Wen spent money. In the end, he had no choice but to help contact a producer from a French film company. After watching part of the finished film, the other party also invested $100 million.

Now, "Sunny Days" cost about 1500 million RMB.

In fact, the total investment of "A Sun" in the previous life was only more than one million US dollars, but in this life, because of Li Yishu, Jiang Wen wanted to make a classic work that would be awesome enough to make himself a hit at the film festival, so his wild imagination caused the film to deviate from the original plan and overspent too much on budget.

The current budget has reached 1500 million RMB.

This number is already very high, considering that labor costs in the mainland are very cheap, and most of the actors are newcomers with little fame.

So don’t be fooled by the fact that the production cost in Hong Kong is often 20 to 30 million Hong Kong dollars, that’s because of the participation of big-name stars.

In contrast, the total cost of labor and remuneration for the movie "A Sun" definitely does not exceed 100 million RMB.

With a production fee of 1400 million RMB, they only made a youth-themed film. Even if it was well made, it would still be extremely unqualified for a businessman like Wen Jun.

What's more, the shooting took too long and there were no big-name stars. If he won nothing at the film festival, Wenjun would probably suffer heavy losses.

Thinking of this, Wen Jun asked, "Director Jiang, the film is ready. Which film festival are you going to participate in?"

"I'm going to attend Cannes next year..."

Hearing this, Wen Jun's heart was broken. Cannes has to wait another year? But the next second Jiang Wen shook his head and said, "But considering that the time is too long, I can't wait to take the movie to the film festival, so I plan to participate in the Venice International Film Festival in September!"

"Okay, Venice Film Festival."

Wen Jun was delighted and quickly agreed, "Director Li's first film was presented at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won first prize and the Golden Lion Award, becoming famous both at home and abroad. Now he has become a big shot at the level of the godfather of Asian films. I believe Director Jiang will also be successful!"

Jiang Wen frowned at first, but as Wen Jun spoke, the corners of his mouth gradually rose: "Mr. Wen is right. If Li Yishu can do it, I, Jiang Wen, can do it too. I have also seen "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog". The filming is only average, a little rough, and there are many places that can be explored in depth."

"But I can understand that, as Lee Ye-seo was still young at the time. But my film "Sunny Days" is different. I spent more than a year carefully polishing it, just to make a youth film that people will remember!"

Wen Jun's eyes twitched. Jiang Wen was really arrogant. Li Yishu was no longer the small-time actor who had just started out as a rookie. Now he was the winner of three major European film festivals, the godfather of Asian films, and the world's number one super director among Chinese.

Even Zhang Yimou and Chen Kai, the leading fifth-generation directors in mainland China, are slightly inferior to Li Yishu, after all, he has achieved the triple gold grand slam.

This achievement alone is enough to make Li Yishu a household name in the history of Chinese cinema, and even leave a mark in the history of world cinema.

Wen Jun coughed twice: "Ahem, Director Jiang is right. There happens to be a party tonight. I wonder if Director Jiang is interested in attending?"

"Haha, of course I'm interested, Mr. Wen!"

Jiang Wen readily agreed: "It just so happens that I also want to communicate more with my colleagues in Hong Kong."

the other side.

Inside the screening room of Art Film Company.

Zou Wenhuai, Ho Kuanchang, Cheng Long and others were all watching "Rumble in the Bronx" intently.

Li Yishu was also watching it seriously at this moment. The post-production of this film was handed over to Golden Harvest. Mainly because Li Yishu was busy with the Cannes Film Festival at the time, she handed over the soundtrack and other work to Golden Harvest.

Different from the original "Rumble in the Bronx", this version directed by Li Yishu herself has enhanced the attributes of Jackie Chan's furniture store, and also added many big scenes, such as hijacking an airplane, driving a car onto a yacht, etc.

In addition, Li Yishu adopted the first-person perspective shooting technique, which is still rare nowadays, making the film more intuitive in visual impact.

This is just like what happened later when sports bloggers put cameras on their foreheads and jumped from one rooftop to another three meters away. If they just shot it from a third-person perspective, it might feel thrilling, but they would definitely not feel excited.

However, Li Yishu made extensive use of the first-person perspective in this film, such as tying the camera to Cheng Long and letting him jump around on the shelves of the furniture store and even cling to a helicopter.

There was still more than a year before Sony released its first digital video camera. Without a handheld DV camera, it was difficult to perform difficult actions with a heavy camera strapped to a person's body. Even Cheng Long had to NG countless times and was covered in bruises. In order to avoid injuries that would delay filming, he had to use stunt doubles and let them try one by one.

The effect was very good, and it captured the feeling that Li Yishu wanted, but it also broke several cameras.

"Wonderful, so wonderful!"

When the movie was more than halfway through, Zou Wenhuai felt that there was no need to continue watching. Just the thrilling scenes he had seen so far were enough to make his blood boil.

Those first-person shots made Zou Wenhuai feel a little excited at the moment.

Especially the scene where Cheng Long jumps back and forth on the shelves. It seems as if he might step on empty air at any time, which makes people nervous but can't help but continue watching. Not to mention the scene where he jumps from a building more than ten meters high later. The scene of facing the sky directly is enough to make even the timid ones scream out in surprise.

This movie will definitely succeed!
Zou Wenhuai asked excitedly at this moment: "Mr. Li, how did you come up with the idea of ​​tying a camera to a person and then performing related action scenes?"

"Haha, it's nothing actually. I just tried bungee jumping at an amusement park once. It was very exciting. Looking back, I wondered what it would be like if I could let the audience experience it from my perspective when filming a movie?"

Li Yishu smiled and said, "It's a pity that the current cameras are still a little too big, and they are not easy to use in many places. However, I heard that Sony is going to release a very small and convenient camera next year, which I hope will improve the expansion of action scenes."

Zou Wenhuai was amazed: "Li's talent and imagination are really admirable. He can think of so many shooting techniques just from a bungee jump."

Ho Kuan Chang next to him also nodded repeatedly. When they were filming, he felt that Li Yishu's interesting shooting techniques would have amazing effects after the movie was produced. He didn't expect it to be so good.

"Yes, Director Li's film is so wonderful. After editing and producing it, I feel like I have become the omnipotent James Bond!"

Cheng Long showed his signature smile. He was truly shocked by the wonderful scenes in the movie.

While filming, although I could feel that the finished film would be wonderful, it was not edited after all, so I couldn't feel it intuitively.

Now that I've seen the finished film, the thrilling action, coupled with the tense and surging soundtrack, makes me want to rush out and fight some bad guys.

It's like watching a feature film for the first time. Although "Rumble in the Bronx" doesn't have any special effects, the impact of the visual effects still makes many people feel exciting. It's a wonderful popcorn commercial film.

Facing the compliments from everyone, Li Yishu said with a smile: "Okay everyone, now that we've finished watching the movie, shouldn't we discuss the screening?"

Ho Kuan Chang glanced at Zou Wenhuai and saw him nod. He immediately changed the subject: "Yes, it's time to discuss the screening."

After a while, several people came out of the screening room and came into a reception room.

The secretary had already prepared tea for everyone. After she left, Li Yishu picked up the teacup and took a sip before saying, "Mr. Zou, do you think we should leave the North American release to New Line Cinema or find a bigger distributor?"

Zou Wenhuai asked back: "What does Mr. Li mean?"

"I mean if New Line Cinema can give me a good discount on the distribution fee, then I would definitely be willing to let them distribute it."

Li Yishu put down the teacup and said, "New Line Cinema's distribution channels in North America are still very complete. Although it is not as good as the Big Six, it is definitely a very powerful Hollywood distribution company. What's more, they have invested in this movie themselves."

New Line Cinema was founded in 1967 as an independent production and distribution company that primarily distributed low-cost European and domestic horror films to American colleges and universities. It was not until 1979 that it entered the production industry and invested in the production of low-cost horror films.

Coincidentally, it is similar to Li Yishu's Golden Lion Pictures, both of which focus on producing low-cost horror films. However, New Line Cinema has distribution channels, which is something that Golden Lion Pictures cannot compare with.

Zou Wenhuai nodded and said, "Mr. Li is right. I worked with New Line Cinema a few years ago. They released the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy and earned nearly $5 million at the global box office. If they fully promote our Rumble in the Bronx, I think the box office should not be low."

"As for the distribution fees, I can talk to New Line."

Ho Kuan Chang recommended himself, and it was he who went to negotiate the distribution of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" with New Line Cinema.

The distribution cost of this "Rumble in the Bronx" must be lower. Not to mention that the male lead is Asian Kung Fu superstar Jackie Chan, the director Li Yishu alone is a world-renowned triple-Award Grand Slam director and the godfather of Asian films.

If the distribution fee is not the most favorable, it would be better to go directly to the six major film companies. Their distribution channels are not only in North America, but also very popular all over the world.

After talking about North America, the biggest box office, Ho Kuan Chang took the initiative to say, "Director Li, the distribution in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Southeast Asia can be handed over to us at Golden Harvest. We at Golden Harvest have been deeply involved in the Southeast Asian market for many years and can charge the lowest distribution fee in the industry."

Hearing this, Li Yishu did not refuse and nodded with a smile, saying, "Sure. Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia can be handed over to Golden Harvest, and Japan can be handed over to my film company. Our company has always cooperated with Toho, so we can get the lowest distribution fee."

"No problem, Director Li. Who will be given the distribution rights in mainland China?"

Ho Kuan Chang had discussed the distribution issue with Raymond Chow before. Don't underestimate the money earned from distribution. Based on the distribution fee of at least 15% of the box office, the box office of "Rumble in the Bronx" will definitely not be small. In Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the box office will be at least million Hong Kong dollars.

5000% of 15 million Hong Kong dollars is enough to make a profit of nearly million Hong Kong dollars, not to mention the excellent production quality of the film.

It is estimated that the box office in Hong Kong Island will be around 2 to million Hong Kong dollars, and the box office in Taiwan will be at least to million Hong Kong dollars. South Korea is also one of the important box office regions. Add in the entire Southeast Asia region, and the final box office may reach million Hong Kong dollars.

The distribution fee would be even higher, and the profit from the box office share of 1 million Hong Kong dollars would be 1500 million Hong Kong dollars.

When it came to matters concerning distribution, Cheng Long just listened with a smile but said nothing. However, he had plans in mind to start his own business. As long as this movie was a success, he would have the capital to start his own business.

"Director Li, are you free tonight?"

(End of this chapter)