The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 94 The Great Director Returns

……

"Brother, you have lived up to my trust!"

A few days later, Xin Yukun came back.

The circles under his eyes were dark, his steps were unsteady, and when he walked, he moved crookedly, as if he was sleepwalking.

It was obvious that he had been having a lot of fun these days and his legs were weak.

However, Xin Yukun exceeded expectations in completing the task assigned to him by Lu Zhiyuan.

This trip brought Lu Zhiyuan a new budget of 2000 million US dollars!
Actually, this movie didn't cost that much.

Lu Zhiyuan discussed it again with Industrial Magic Light and deleted all the super cool special effects that Industrial Magic Light had imposed on it and changed it to a normal version.

He only needed the regular version, but the other party gave him the deluxe version. Are they taking advantage of him?

Fortunately, before filming this movie, he learned about the latest [simulated physical interaction technology].

Otherwise, it might be easy to be fooled.

However, as long as I have money in my hands, I won't be worried.

After getting 2000 million US dollars, I can start shooting without any hesitation.

Universal Pictures is a large company, and no one knows how many projects it launches every year. The funding for each project is limited, which means that everyone has to scramble for food from the same pot.

Whoever gets it first will have the first-mover advantage!

The most important thing is...

The $1000 million for this movie was earned by Lu Zhiyuan from Apple.

The filming team is his own.

The supporting staff such as costume and prop artists were recruited for him by Xingguang Canlan.

Focus Features is only responsible for the costumes and props required for special effects, such as silicone gloves and laboratory equipment.

In addition, I helped to deal with matters concerning actors and unions in the United States, as well as applied for various government approvals required for filming.

Lu Zhiyuan has always been worried that they don't take this project seriously.

This is just great!

Got 2000 million US dollars!

If any problems arise with this project later, James will probably come to Lu Zhiyuan and beg him to do his best and never give up.

As the saying goes, the one who owes money is the boss.

Focus Features gave 2000 million US dollars. From this moment on, Lu Zhiyuan is James's living father!
As soon as he receives a phone call, he will rush over to serve.

"Brother Kun, you've worked hard on this trip. Drink more wolfberry and red date water to replenish your body."

When Xin Yukun is not working, he seems like a complete scoundrel, but once it comes to doing business, he is absolutely reliable, which makes Lu Zhiyuan feel very relieved.

"You should drink a little too. You look so pale, you haven't been sleeping well lately, right?"

Xin Yukun's legs were weak and his body felt frail, that was because he had too much fun in Los Angeles. He just needed to rest for a few days.

But from Lu Zhiyuan's perspective, it's obvious that he has put a lot of effort into this movie and has consumed a lot of energy.

Lu Zhiyuan was originally a handsome and artistic male god, but now his face has become so pale and he has become thinner, inexplicably presenting a kind of morbid beauty.

This kind of fragile beauty, coupled with the unique temperament of a literary and artistic male god, is likely to attract girls with strong bodies and tough facial features!
He poured half of the wolfberry and red date water in the cup to Lu Zhiyuan, and the two of them clinked their glasses lightly to congratulate each other on all the success.

"Reba, come out with me."

When leaving, Xin Yukun took out a tissue and handed it to Reba next to him: "Wipe your saliva. Look at the crazy look on your face. You are such a loser."

"Damn! Who's drooling?"

Reba threw the tissue back to Xin Yukun, tied up her hair that was deliberately left loose, and followed Xin Yukun out.

"Brother Kun, what's the matter? Tell me quickly. I want to watch Keanu filming. Didn't you tell me to learn acting from them?"

Reba’s action scenes are basically over.

What is being filmed now are scenes of Keanu Reeves alone at home, interacting with the household robot.

This scene appears repeatedly in the movie and takes up a large part of the screen time, but it is actually the simplest scene to shoot.

A monologue by one person, no physical performance.

For professional actors, this is the most basic job.

I estimate that the filming can be completed in one day.

After filming this scene, most of the scenes in this movie were finished.

Only two scenes remain.

The lighthouse on Weizhou Island.

That futuristic hotel in Singapore.

Following Lu Zhiyuan, Reba feels that filming is particularly interesting. She either travels outside or cultivates her artistic atmosphere in art galleries.

The actual time spent on filming was only about half a month.

The shooting was very smooth, which can be described as flowing like water.

She was also able to quickly find the rhythm of filming and her mind was not empty, requiring her to find the feeling on the spot.

Because, during her previous travels, she had already imagined the scenes that needed to be filmed countless times in her mind.

It can be considered as a result of long-term accumulation!

"Reba, after returning to China, I plan to register an artist studio for you and find you a professional agent to help you develop your commercial value."

"But we at Yuankun Media want a 40% stake in this artist studio."

"what do you think?"

After the filming of the movie "Upgrade", Reba will definitely become popular.

On a global scale, Reba’s commercial value may exceed that of the current four Dan and two Bing in China.

After all, the movies made by the four actresses and two ice queens combined may not be as commercial and globally influential as "Upgrade".

Plus, Apple will definitely promote the movie mindlessly.

Reba's image has a very AI-sci-fi feel, and Xin Yukun was even able to go to Apple to help Reba negotiate a brand cooperation.

After all, Liu Shishi can do it.

They are both Lu Zhiyuan’s heroines, so why can’t Reba do it?

"Brother Kun, I don't want to open an artist studio. I want to stay at Yuankun Media and be the third in command of the company."

Yuankun Media sounds very famous.

Actually, there are only two people.

Lu Zhiyuan is the chairman and Xin Yukun is the general manager.

Reba felt that if she joined Yuankun Media at this time, she would at least get a deputy general manager, right?

From now on, she will be the hot boss!
"You little girl, you are so cunning."

Xin Yukun knew exactly what Reba was thinking and couldn't help laughing.

"But I tell you, this is impossible."

Seeing Reba was about to refute, Xin Yukun stopped her and said slowly: "You have to think about Ayuan. If you stay in the company, how will he explain to my brother Atian and his wife?"

A Tian’s sister-in-law?

What the hell is that name?

It sounds so tacky.

Hearing this name, Reba remembered Jing Tian's TV series "A Woman's Epic". In this TV series, Jing Tian was dressed in a very rustic style. She couldn't help laughing.

"Don't laugh yet. I'm making this arrangement for you out of consideration for you."

Xin Yukun asked Reba to stop laughing and said that he was serious.

Then, he told the story and helped Reba analyze the situation.

"If you open your own artist studio, you can pay less tax and still earn the lion's share of the income. You can become a wealthy woman very quickly."

"If you stay in our company, even if Ayuan gives you some shares, how much money will you get when the project dividends are distributed?"

"Even with Ayuan's obsessive pursuit of art, he can only make a few films a year. How long will it take for you to become a wealthy woman?"

At the end of his speech, Xin Yukun sighed softly, "It's not like you're just waiting for him to marry Jing Tian and then give him a big gift, right?"

Will he marry Jing Tian?
Absolutely impossible!
Reba looked around and made sure no one was around. She whispered to Xin Yukun, "Brother Kun, from what I've observed, Brother Ayuan doesn't like Jingtian at all."

"Oh?"

Xin Yukun's eyes widened immediately, and he asked in surprise, "How did you figure that out?"

At this moment, Reba's eyes shone like Sherlock Holmes: "Brother Yuan, you've never called Jingtian on your own initiative. Is this what it looks like to be in love?"

Ha ha!

When Xin Yukun heard this, he was speechless and no longer wanted to watch the fun.

He smiled and asked Reba, "Did he ever call you? Think carefully."

nor!
Reba suddenly lost her temper and her eyes dimmed.

"Reba, let me tell you something. According to my years of research, Ayuan seems to have some emotional problems."

"To strangers, he's straightforward, has a strange temper, and speaks without restraint. But once you get to know him, you'll find he's a good person who wouldn't easily speak ill of his friends."

"If we take it a step further. For example, with a relationship like mine... He's a man of great integrity, someone I could trust with my family. He's absolutely trustworthy!"

Every time Xin Yukun said something, Reba's mind flashed with how Lu Zhiyuan interacted with other people.

When Lu Zhiyuan met Liu Yifei for the first time, he said that she had an empty head and no artistic talent. It is said that this almost pissed Liu Yifei off to death.

Later, after meeting a few more times, Lu Zhiyuan would joke with Liu Yifei, saying that she was like a minotaur, with pure eyes, but a very good person and no bigots.

The most important thing is that she looks good.

When Liu Yifei heard this comment that day, she laughed so hard that her teeth were exposed.

However, when Reba thought about her relationship with Lu Zhiyuan, it seemed as if she had skipped the first step. Lu Zhiyuan had never complained about her.

"Brother Kun, when will I..."

Not knowing what she was thinking about, Reba stared at Xin Yukun pitifully with her big eyes.

"Don't ask! I know what you're thinking. It's impossible."

What else could Reba ask? Xin Yukun knew it even with his toes. She must be asking, when can she entrust her life to Lu Zhiyuan?
After a while, Xin Yukun rolled his eyes and said, "Wait, that's not impossible."

"How to do it? Brother Kun, tell me quickly."

Reba suddenly became energetic and her eyes widened.

"Make a fortune and become a wealthy woman. Then, when his movies flop and he's at the end of his rope, he's lost interest in the entertainment industry and wants to go back to being a painter, you reach out your hand, hook your finger at him, and say, 'I'll support you.'"

Xin Yukun looked into the distance, not knowing what he was thinking, and his tone seemed a little distant.

"Brother Kun, you are dreaming."

Reba didn't want to talk to Xin Yukun anymore.

How could Brother Yuan’s movie possibly flop?
Why do you just hook your finger and say, "I'll support you"?

Is it my turn?

Reba is not unaware that Lu Zhiyuan earned tens of millions from the movie "Maze", not to mention that the movie "Upgrade" can make tens of millions more.

Because the director's fee is based on the total investment!
If the budget is increased to 3000 million US dollars, Lu Zhiyuan's director fee, calculated at 5%, will be 150 million US dollars.

In addition, after the film recovers its costs, Yuankun Media Company will also be able to share in the subsequent copyright and box office revenue.

"Reba, just know you are dreaming."

"Just work hard."

"At such a young age, you should strive to make a lot of money and become a rich woman. Don't always think about falling in love and drooling over your idol."

"This is so pathetic."

Xin Yukun lectured Reba in a condescending manner, then left slowly with his hands behind his back.

He just likes to tease Reba.

This little girl is very shrewd and not easily fooled.

Only when I talked to her about Lu Zhiyuan, the little girl became confused as if she had been hit by an aura of reduced intelligence.

Especially easy to be fooled.

Quite fun.

……

A few days later.

Keanu Reeves has also finished filming his solo indoor scene.

The general plot of the entire movie has been successfully filmed, with only two scenes left.

One is the scene of Reba's death.

Another one is the background plot of several stories in which Jing Tian appears.

However, these scenes do not require high special effects and can be shot in real life.

“I didn’t expect that a commercial blockbuster like Upgrade would be easier to shoot than a low-budget movie like Labyrinth.”

On the plane from New York back to Yanjing, Xin Yukun couldn't help but sigh.

When filming "Maze of the Heart", the team had just been set up, and the lighting, props and art were not very smooth to use, so they needed to be trained over and over again.

After "The Heart" won the Palme d'Or, the atmosphere of the entire team changed and everyone was full of confidence.

This time we came to Hollywood to shoot a blockbuster. We were a little nervous at first, but after getting familiar with the process, we found that Hollywood was nothing special.

It’s just because the industrial process here is more advanced.

Whatever the crew wants, just place an order and someone will arrange it for you quickly.

When it comes to real technical work, everyone is not much different.

So, after the initial team running-in, the people brought by Lu Zhiyuan quickly got the hang of it and even surpassed the technical workers in Hollywood.

"Brother Kun, I've told you a long time ago that our people are all elites. Not only are they hardworking and persevering, but they all have exceptional learning abilities."

The people in the team were all picked out by Lu Zhiyuan and Xin Yukun. They had filmed music videos and "Heart Labyrinth" with them and were their true confidants.

"This is all thanks to my wisdom and good leadership. I have assembled such an excellent team for you!"

Xin Yukun boasted a few words about himself.

In fact, he knew that they were where they are today all because of Lu Zhiyuan.

If Lu Zhiyuan hadn't led the team, they would probably still be shooting third-rate commercials in China. How could they have the chance to shoot Hollywood blockbusters?
Although they still earn the same amount of money now, a monthly salary of five or six thousand.

But the currency has changed.

If you go to the United States to work, of course you will earn US dollars!

So, everyone is very enthusiastic.

(End of this chapter)