Huayu: Director started with art films

"The total investment was 600 million, and this palace alone cost 200 million."

After hearing this, Cheng Long was deeply impressed. It turned out that only a great director like Director Li was qualified to shoot such a top-notch blockbuster.

Even though he had starred in the multi-million dollar Golden Harvest film "Cannonball Run" as early as the 80s, that was mainly because there were Americans in the film and he had to pay a huge sum of money just for the film remuneration.

The investment in this movie is almost equal to the wealth that Jackie Chan has accumulated over the past twenty years.

After all, he was far from as rich as he would be later.

"If you want to make a commercial blockbuster and compete with Hollywood, you must invest a lot, otherwise the picture won't come out right."

Li Yishu shook her head. "6300 million dollars of investment may sound like a lot, but do you know how much the investment budget for a new movie project in Hollywood is?"

Upon hearing about the new Hollywood movie, Yang Shoucheng and Cheng Long immediately became interested: "How much?"

"8000 million US dollars!" Li Yishu made an eight gesture.

"Eighty million!"

The two were stunned. They originally thought that 6300 million US dollars was already a high amount, but they didn't expect that someone in Hollywood would invest another million US dollars to make a movie.

"Yeah, $80 million, and I heard the movie is just about a ship sinking."

What Li Yishu was talking about was "Titanic". The project had already been filed, and 20th Century Fox gave it a budget of 80 million US dollars.

If you talk about how spectacular the pictures in "Titanic" are, they are definitely spectacular, but compared to "Red Cliff", it is a bit insignificant.

You have to know that this movie employed hundreds of thousands of extras, over one million people, built a huge film and television city, excavated an artificial lake, and built a warship that was powerful enough to dominate the world in ancient times. It's really not worth mentioning.

Lee Yi-su believes that his films excel in grand scenes.

The only shortcoming may be that this is a film about the Three Kingdoms, and it can only achieve high box office in East Asia and Southeast Asia, but it is still difficult to get high box office overseas.

However, Li Yishu is now considering whether to participate in the investment appropriately when the production budget of "Titanic" exceeds the budget.

The share doesn't need to be too high, it would be best to get a portion of the Titanic copyright.

"Tsk, 80 million dollars!"

Upon hearing this staggering figure, Yang Shoucheng and Cheng Long were both envious. This amount of money was much more than their entire personal wealth.

Li Yishu didn't talk much about this topic, but just said: "The total investment of Rush Hour this time, the budget given by North America is about 3500 million US dollars, of which Aaron's salary is 300 million US dollars."

With the huge success of "Rumble in the Bronx" in North America, Jackie Chan's personal salary has increased.

Cheng Long quickly said, "Director Li, I don't need to take the film remuneration, just count it into the film investment."

He is not stupid. Having previously collaborated on "Rumble in the Bronx", he believes that using the film remuneration to offset the investment is definitely a sure win.

But it was obvious that Li Yishu was not prepared to do so, but she did not refuse. She just smiled and said, "Next time, the budget has been finalized, and the shares have been negotiated. In addition to Mr. Yang's Eagle King Entertainment and my Art Media Group, Columbia Pictures and Golden Lion Pictures in North America are also involved in the investment."

Yang Shoucheng also nodded beside him: "Yes, Aaron, if this movie is successful, according to Director Li, there will definitely be a next one."

"Okay, next time then."

Cheng Long was smiling and didn't look unhappy at all, but it would be a lie to say that he didn't have any thoughts in his mind.

But Li Yishu didn't care. Cheng Long was not qualified enough to talk to him about investing.

He said, "I have asked Amy to prepare for the production. As for the actors, I will fly to the United States after the Chinese New Year in February to personally screen them. If you are free then, come with me to take a look."

Yang Shoucheng readily agreed: "No problem, Director Li. It just so happens that I haven't been to Hollywood much. This time I will follow Director Li to broaden my horizons."

Not to mention Jackie Chan, he really likes to start filming movies as soon as possible, and then create a wave in North America like "Rumble in the Bronx". By then, he will be able to completely penetrate the North American market and become an international action superstar!
Hong Kong.

Asia Television.

In the director's office.

Huo Wenxi is processing documents. The "Asia Voice" project has been launched. Thanks to the previous success of the "Miss Asia Beauty Pageant", this new variety show project is very popular in some countries where it has cooperated before.

But unlike the beauty pageant, The Voice of Asia, for some reasons, is currently only available in a dozen countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

But for Huo Wenxi, this is worth celebrating. After all, this project will last longer than a beauty pageant. Fortunately, the copyright has been finalized. Their Asian Television has absolute copyright and can also share the profits generated by programs from various countries.

"咚咚-"

There was a knock on the office door, and Huo Wenxi said without even raising his head: "Come in!"

With a click, the door opened and two people walked in: "Director Huo!"

Huo Wenxi looked up and saw that it was Lee Young-ae and her temporary manager, so he waved and said, "Sit down first. I have something to do."

"Okay Director Huo."

The two of them sat down obediently opposite Huo Wenxi.

More than ten minutes passed before we had to wait.

After a while, Huo Wenxi closed the file and pressed the telephone on the table, "Shalin, come in and take the file out."

A moment later, secretary Sharin pushed the door open.

Huo Wenxi handed over the document and said, "Tell the people in the production department to increase the production of TV series and try to focus on historical and martial arts themes."

"Okay, Director Huo." Sharin nodded, then turned and left, closing the door before leaving.

"Ying Ai, I asked you to come here this time because I want to discuss something with you."

Huo Wenxi looked at Li Yingai and said with a smile: "Our head group is planning to open a film and television company in South Korea recently. We need a leading artist. My group and I are very optimistic about you. I wonder if you are interested in signing with our group?"

After listening to the translation of her agent, Li Yingai was a little surprised, but she still said quickly: "Of course I am interested, Director Huo. I am honored to join your group, but my personal contract is still with SBS TV station."

In 1994, Lee Young-ae was discovered by a scout from SBS TV station and starred in "How Is Your Husband?". She debuted as an actress and won the SBS Acting Awards Newcomer Award for the drama. She was considered the "most promising actress."

Before being arranged by the TV station to participate in the Miss Asia beauty pageant last year, she also starred in the costume TV series "The West Palace". The TV series was broadcast as early as July last year. With the title of runner-up in the Miss Asia beauty pageant, her current fame in South Korea can be said to be a first-line actress.

But today, the scale of South Korea's TV and film market is far less than that of Hong Kong, especially in the field of film, where the gap is huge. Hong Kong films are very popular in South Korea. To use a later saying, South Korea is now permeated with Hong Kong culture.

Korean stars are very keen on imitating the makeup and styles of Hong Kong stars.

That's why Lee Young-ae was so happy when Huo Wenxi invited her to join the Art Media Group.

The Hong Kong wave at this time is much more awesome than the Korean wave.

Huo Wenxi said: "I have discussed your personal contract with SBS TV station. The contract will be transferred to the newly established film and television company. After all, this new film and television company also has a portion of their shares."

Although the Korean market is not very large now, the number of moviegoers has been increasing every year, and the production of TV dramas requires the cooperation of a TV station for broadcasting. Therefore, the film and television company that the group plans to establish in Korea will naturally absorb SBS TV station and some shareholders who can provide resources.

When she heard that the contract had been settled, Lee Young-ae immediately said, "Then I have no problem."

"Well, don't worry, we will sign a new contract with you, and we will create at least two TV series and one movie for you this year."

Huo Wenxi is still very optimistic about Lee Young-ae, and believes that with her, Art Media Group will be able to successfully open up the Korean TV drama market. The four people in the semi-finals, the Indian beauty Karina's contract, the Indian company was unwilling to release, but they also reached a cooperation. The Thai beauty Padjongpa Sachu's contract could not be obtained, but she also agreed to cooperate in filming a film.

As for the other beauties, Huo Wenxi was not so interested in cooperating with them. It was not because these people were not famous enough, but mainly because they were too troublesome.

Before coming to Hong Kong, these people signed contracts with local TV stations or entertainment companies, otherwise they would not have won championships in various national regions.

Just take care of the top three.

As for the Chinese beauty Li Xiaoran, she was able to successfully participate in the Miss Asia 36 beauty pageant as the champion of the Chinese region only after signing a contract with Yanjing Art Times.

"Director Huo, we'll go back first."

"Well, go ahead. You've been working hard during this period. Take a good rest."

Huo Wenxi waved her hand and watched Lee Young-ae and her agent leave, then she continued to be busy.

Jingle Bell……

At this moment, the phone rang. She answered it subconsciously and frowned, "How could it be? How did Zhengying suddenly get liver cancer? Wasn't he in good health before?"

"Okay, come up now!"

After hanging up the phone, Huo Wenxi tidied up the documents on the table.

After a while, Yang Shaohong, the producer of "Mr. Vampire", walked in with an anxious look on his face.

Seeing Huo Wenxi coming, Yang Shaohong hurriedly said, "Director Huo!"

"Sit down!" Huo Wenxi waved his hand. "What's going on with Lin Zhengying? How did he suddenly become so seriously ill?"

Liver cancer!
These days cancer is basically a death sentence, and no matter how rich a person is, it is basically incurable.

Yang Shaohong said: "Lin Zhengying called me just now and said that he has liver cancer. He asked us to replace the lead actor for Mr. Vampire 2..."

"Severe? Early or late?"

"Yes, it's very serious. It's close to the advanced stage. The doctor said I may only have one or two years left."

Upon hearing that it was almost in the late stage, Huo Wenxi frowned immediately.

"Mr. Vampire" was broadcast on Asia Television in October last year. It quickly became popular in Hong Kong as soon as it was broadcast, and the TV series was also praised enthusiastically in Taiwan.

Compared with TVB's "The Swordsman Lai Buyi" in the same time period, it is almost a crushing victory.

Moreover, this is a TV series that can have sequels. As long as the script is OK, the second, third, and even fourth parts can be filmed. Anyway, this kind of Republic of China zombie theme has many plots and stories.

Just like Bao Qingtian of Taiwan.

But no one would have expected that Lin Zhengying, who was so young, would suffer from liver cancer in his forties, and it was in the late stage.

"Let's change someone else." Huo Wenxi pondered and said, "Tell Lin Zhengying that since he is a contracted artist of the TV station, he doesn't need to worry too much about his illness. The TV station will give him some money to help him actively receive treatment."

Hearing this, Yang Shaohong couldn't help but feel relieved, and at the same time he also developed a good impression of Huo Wenxi.

This is not a love between men and women, but the goodwill that a subordinate has for his superior who has a conscience.

Lin Zhengying was invited to film "Mr. Vampire" in 95, and later officially signed a contract with Asia Television and became a contracted artist of the TV station.

For a person who has only joined the TV station for less than a year, the TV station is actively paying for his medical treatment. For the employees of the TV station, it can be said that they are very happy to have such welfare benefits.

You have to know that at TVB next door, not only are the salaries very low, but there are almost no welfare benefits. I don't know how many employees have privately complained about their low salaries.

If they get cancer, let alone paying for their treatment, they will probably be fired outright, for fear that they will die at the TV station or at their job.

"Director Huo, I will tell Lin Zhengying about the TV station's good intentions, but..."

Yang Shaohong hesitated and said, "But Lin Zhengying hopes that we can make 2-3 episodes of Mr. Vampire as soon as possible. He wants to leave behind a classic TV series at the end of his life."

"Hmm?" Huo Wenxi frowned and thought, "Where is he?"

"downstairs!"

"Let him come up, I'll talk to him."

"Okay Director Huo."

Yang Shaohong immediately took out his cell phone and called Lin Zhengying.

When the real owner arrived, Huo Wenxi communicated with him and sighed: "Okay, I promise you."

Just as Lin Zhengying himself said, there is definitely no cure for his disease. The doctors said that even with chemotherapy, he would only live one or two more years at most, and he would still suffer great pain, and most importantly, he would have to quit drinking.

This was simply unacceptable to the alcoholic Lin Zhengying.

"Thank you, Director Huo." While thanking him, Lin Zhengying thought of his girlfriend Yuen Qiu-dan and gritted his teeth and said, "Director Huo, I am very grateful that the TV station is willing to pay for my treatment. But let's forget about the money. I wonder if the company can sign Yuen Qiu-dan?"

Huo Wenxi looked at Yang Shaohong in confusion, only to hear him say, "Zhengying is dating Yuan."

"No problem." Huo Wenxi agreed readily: "I also like Yuen Qiong-tan's comedy performance style."

"Thank you Director Huo!"

While Lin Zhengying breathed a sigh of relief, he also heaved a long sigh in his heart.

Huo Wenxi said, "Since you don't want to undergo chemotherapy, then let's do this. I just heard from Supervisor Yang that you have a pair of children. The oldest is only eleven years old, and the youngest is only eight years old. The station will provide for your children until they finish college."

Hearing this, Lin Zhengying showed joy on his face: "Thank you, Director Huo!"

"Well, you are a member of the TV station. Our ATV is different from the past under the leadership of Chairman Li. You should go back and have a good rest. As for the TV series, I will arrange for someone to write the plot of the third season as soon as possible."

"Okay Director Huo."

After watching the two leave, Huo Wenxi began to think about how to use this incident to gain fame and poach people from TVB.

Over the past decade, TVB has been suppressing Asia Channel, which can be said to be the adult beating the child. Last year, it successfully attracted a wave of popularity with two dramas and the Miss Asia Pageant.

But TVB's foundation is there, and Huo Wenxi never dares to underestimate it.

It is very difficult to defeat TVB head-on. The production teams of both sides, including the programs and the audience reputation, cannot be digested in a short period of time.

Take it slow, Huo Wenxi is still confident, but the Art Media Group will be listed next year, and the TV station’s revenue this year can be said to be related to this year’s financing and the stock price after listing next year.

If they want to surpass TVB, but want to crush their rivals during most of the prime time, they can only resort to unconventional tactics.

As the saying goes, hit the snake at its most vulnerable part.

TVB’s biggest weakness is that it treats its employees like landlords in the old society and is extremely harsh.

Even later on, Wang Mingquan begged the TV station executives to increase his salary a little bit during the show. (End of this chapter)