Huayu Entertainment: Who let him be the director!

"Director Chen, please make arrangements. You can come with me."

After some thought, Zhou Qing made such a decision and casually gave an order to Director Chen.

Director Chen immediately took the order and took prompt action.

"Director Zhou, Ms. Stephanie and I have an appointment to meet the day after tomorrow. Our flight is tomorrow."

Director Chen implemented it very quickly.

"I see."

Zhou Qing nodded, indicating that he understood what was going on.

I made some arrangements for the things at hand in advance, and the next day I boarded a plane to California, USA with Director Chen.

"The economic situation in the United States has been very bad recently. The U.S. stock market has fallen sharply, and New Century Financial has even filed for bankruptcy protection."

While taking Zhou Qing to the hotel that had been booked long ago, Director Chen chatted with Zhou Qing casually.

The tone expressed a bit of surprise. After all, the turmoil here is indeed quite big.

The kind that is beyond the normal range.

As a person who was reborn, Zhou Qing was not surprised at all.

The subprime mortgage crisis is about to break out.

I have the impression that starting next month, Standard & Poor's will downgrade the ratings of subprime mortgage bonds, and the financial market will begin a major turbulence.

A "massive" financial crisis will sweep across America and the world.

However, this situation has little to do with director Zhou Qing.

Even for Zhou Qing, it is a good thing.

Why?

Because during an economic crisis, there are two things that sell better and better: TT and movie tickets.

"Director Zhou, I'm right next door, just call me if you have any instructions."

After settling in the high-end hotel, Director Chen politely left without bothering Zhou Qing any further.

Zhou Qing only asked Director Chen to arrange a meeting for tomorrow and did not assign any additional tasks to Director Chen.

After dinner, I dragged my tired body into a deep sleep.

It was not until Director Chen brought breakfast that Zhou Qing woke up from his sleep.

"Let's go and meet our best-selling author."

We stayed in the hotel until around ten o'clock, when Director Chen reminded us that it was almost time.

Zhou Qing didn't waste any time and set off with Director Chen to keep the appointment.

About twenty minutes' drive later, Zhou Qing met the original author of "Twilight", Stephenie Meyer, at another business hotel.

But Mel was not alone. There was another strange man standing next to her, whom Zhou Qing didn't even know.

"You must be Director Zhou Qing, right? It's hard to believe that you are so young!"

Mel politely stepped forward to greet Zhou Qing, unable to conceal his inner surprise on his face.

After all, this person is indeed not an ordinary person.

I have learned about Mel specifically. He is a director who has won the Golden Bear and Golden Lion and has been nominated for an Oscar. He is really awesome.

Such a director would be highly respected even if he came to America.

"Ms. Meyer, you are too kind. Your Twilight Saga is also very well written. Otherwise, I would not have entrusted someone to buy it."

Zhou Qing smiled and exchanged a few words with Mel.

"Speaking of which, this is the most regrettable decision I have ever made."

Mel's words definitely came from the heart.

I even regretted it not just once, but several times.

Why was I so short-sighted as to sell the adaptation rights of "Twilight"?
But then again, Mel could never have imagined that the novel he wrote would become so popular.

"Oh my god, Director Zhou Qing, I can't believe we meet in such an occasion. By the way, I really like your "Painted Skin"."

The middle-aged man standing next to Mel also spoke to Zhou Qing enthusiastically at the right time.

"Thank you, I'm glad my movie made you happy."

Zhou Qing smiled and shook hands with the other party politely.

"Director Zhou, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Eric Feige, the production president of Summit Entertainment."

Mel took the opportunity to introduce Zhou Qing.

Summit Entertainment!

really!

Zhou Qing was not surprised by this, after all, "Twilight" was produced by Summit Entertainment.

In fact, ever since "Twilight" became popular, more than one company has set its sights on this novel.

As early as April 04, Paramount's MTV Films department had the intention to adapt "Twilight" into a movie.

However, some of the adaptation ideas were not recognized by Meier, so the film was ultimately aborted.

Two years later, Summit Entertainment also set its sights on "Twilight", but its sincerity was much greater than Paramount's.

The other party promised Mel that the movie would be closely attached to the novel, even the length of the vampire's fangs would be based on Mel's setting, and finally Mel was impressed.

The only problem now is that the film adaptation rights are not in Meier's hands.

If they want to shoot further, they need to obtain authorization from the actual copyright owner.

"Hello Mr. Feig, I really like your Summit Entertainment's Mr. and Mrs. Smith. It's very well made."

Zhou Qing nodded to Feige and exchanged a few words with him.

Speaking of Summit Entertainment, it is also one of the more famous independent film companies in Hollywood and has produced many classic films.

Such as "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", "The Hurt Locker", "Twilight Series" and so on.

There is also the "Now You See Me" that Zhou Qing copied.

It’s a bit of a pity that it was later acquired by Lionsgate.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Haha, Director Zhou, it seems like we'll have a lot of common topics."

Figg laughed.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is definitely one of Summit Entertainment's most successful film cases. It cost 1.1 million US dollars and sold 4.87 million US dollars, which can be said to be very impressive.

"Zhou, I won't keep you in suspense. I am very optimistic about Ms. Meyer's Twilight. It would be a shame if such a wonderful story is not brought to the big screen."

"But the adaptation rights are in your hands, Director Zhou, so I think Director Zhou can sell the copyright to us, and we will definitely offer a price that will satisfy Director Zhou."

After both sides finished chatting about trivial matters, they got down to business. Feige made this request to Zhou Qing in a serious manner.

"Mr. Feig, I agree with you. Twilight is indeed very suitable for the big screen, but unfortunately, I can't sell the copyright."

Zhou Qing refused without even thinking about it.

"Director Zhou, don't rush to reject us. Why don't you listen to our offer first?"

"No need, Mr. Figg. I won't sell it to you no matter how much money you pay."

Zhou Qing's attitude was still quite firm, which made both Fig and Mel look a little ugly.

They really didn't expect that Zhou Qing would not give in at all.

"Director Zhou, are you planning to adapt the script yourself?"

After much thought, Figes felt that this was the only possibility.

After all, Zhou Qing himself is also a director, and a top director even in Hollywood.

It’s obvious what a director like this wants to do by buying the adaptation rights to "Twilight", right?
"No, I don't have that much energy at the moment."

But Zhou Qing shook his head.

This confused Feig and Meier. If you don't plan to shoot it yourself, why not let others shoot it?
"Mr. Figg, Ms. Meyer, how about you listen to my advice?"

"I will not sell the copyright of Twilight, but the production can still be handed over to Summit Entertainment. However, I will also participate in the investment, at least 51% of the share."

Zhou Qing stated his request.

Both Fig and Mel couldn't help but frown.

For Summit Entertainment, they naturally didn't want to have one more person to share the cake, and they took the lion's share all at once.

For Mel, she and Summit Entertainment have almost reached an agreement, and the other party fully respects her creation.

Even promised to have Meier as screenwriter.

If there is one more producer, Mel is really afraid that all these conditions will be broken and the other party will randomly adapt her work.

This was unacceptable to Mel.

"Director Zhou, isn't your appetite a bit too big? We can discuss your co-production, but I absolutely won't accept a 51% share."

Feig immediately began to raise objections.

"Mr. Figg, I think you are mistaken. You do not have any bargaining chips in this matter."

"The copyright is in my hands! I can find anyone to remake this novel, and I can even take it back to our country to shoot it, understand?"

Zhou Qing smiled lightly, and just one sentence left Fig and Mel speechless.

Because it’s true.

The copyright owner is the boss, and the two of them don't have any say at all.

If they are happy, they can let you take pictures. If they are unhappy, you can just get out. It’s that simple.

"The reason I didn't do this is because I am Chinese and it is inconvenient to make movies in Hollywood, so I need to cooperate with a Hollywood company."

"That company could be Summit Entertainment, it could be Lionsgate, it could be any other independent film company."

"But I am willing to believe in the strength of Summit Entertainment, so I will accept your Summit Entertainment for the time being."

"I know what you are worried about, but I can tell you clearly now that even though I am the main controller of the film, I will not interfere with your creation."

"Like I said before, I don't have the energy. I might as well tell you that I will be shooting a new movie next month and won't be able to take care of Twilight."

"So, these are my conditions, please consider them carefully."

Zhou Qing's words silenced both Fig and Mel.

They understand that they really have no right to choose.

In other words, the only choice is to accept or reject Zhou Qing's joining.

"You really won't interfere with my writing? I plan to adapt this novel myself."

The first person to change his attitude was Mel.

For her, it doesn't matter whether there is one producer or two, as long as she shoots "Twilight" according to her own wishes.

"Of course, movies adapted from novels are best done by the original author."

"I can tell you very clearly that I will not interfere with your screenwriting."

Zhou Qing gave a very affirmative answer.

Just like how he managed "Ip Man", it would be ideal for "Twilight" to have the original crew.

Therefore, Zhou Qing does not plan to change the screenwriter.

If possible, Zhou Qing of Summit Entertainment, the original producer, also does not plan to change.

In this way, he can operate it like he did with "Ip Man", just invest money and then not have to worry about anything and just wait for dividends.

After getting Zhou Qing's answer, Mel was satisfied and relieved.

Now the pressure is on Feige.

"I need to go back to the meeting to discuss this."

Feige also knew that he had no choice but to accept it, so he didn't waste any more words.

"I will be returning home today, but Director Chen will be waiting for you here for three days."

"If you don't agree after three days, I'll have to find someone else to take the photo."

"But don't worry, Ms. Meier. No matter who I ask to shoot the film, my promise to you will remain unchanged."

Zhou Qing said these words to Feige and Mel, then left with Director Chen in a proud manner.

Mel's words were fine, but Feige also hurried back to Summit Entertainment.

As he said, he needed to hold a meeting to discuss it.

"Director Chen, please keep an eye on this matter here."

After returning to his hotel, Zhou Qing began to explain things to Director Chen in a serious manner.

"Director Zhou, what if Summit Entertainment doesn't agree in the end?"

Director Chen asked Zhou Qing this very important question.

“Then find another film company.”

Zhou Qing said without thinking.

If Dingfeng Entertainment withdraws, it will indeed be a bit troublesome for Zhou Qing.

But it's just a "little" trouble, not a big trouble.

Anyway, he knows who the original director of the "Twilight" movie is, so he can just invite him to direct it.

Then bring in a Hollywood company to back you up, and you can still pull it off.

Summit Entertainment is really not essential, it is just dispensable.

"understood."

Director Chen understood Zhou Qing's attitude.

“Also, set up a film and television production company here.”

Zhou Qing then gave instructions to Director Chen.

Compared to investing in "Twilight" as an individual, it is naturally more appropriate to set up a film and television company.

This is Zhou Qing’s first plan in Hollywood.

I believe that with the movie "Twilight" as a springboard, my film and television company will quickly gain a foothold in Hollywood.

You know, the performance of the "Twilight" series of movies is too impressive.

Take the first one for example. It cost only 3700 million US dollars, but it grossed 3.7 million US dollars at the box office.

It's no exaggeration to call it a box office hit.

Not only was the first film a box office hit, but every subsequent sequel was also a box office hit.

The five films grossed a total of 24 billion US dollars, which is simply terrifying.

It is the most successful film adaptation of a novel after Harry Potter.

With such impressive results, any company can become a success, right?

"Or just buy a company."

Zhou Qing paused and added to Director Chen's story.

The economy here is about to collapse, so the difficulty of acquisition will definitely be reduced to the lowest, and the price will also be pushed to the lowest.

It's a great time.

"I understand."

Director Chen nodded immediately in response.

He will definitely accomplish this glorious and arduous task. (End of this chapter)