Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 107: What is the budget? How much?
It was Monday noon and the sun was shining brightly in Los Angeles. Wu Chen was standing at the airport entrance dragging his suitcase, with Jason Blum behind him who came to see him off.

"Wu, I'm waiting for your good news." Jason walked forward and hugged Wu Chen.

Wu Chen waved his hand with a smile on his face: "Don't worry, I won't keep you waiting too long."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the ticket gate.

He deliberately waited until Monday to leave just to wait for the box office data of the first weekend.

Early in the morning, Lionsgate sent Wu Chen the North American first weekend box office data.

March 25, $5.8 million;
On March 26, word of mouth spread, and the single-day box office rose to 6.7 million US dollars;
On Sunday, March 27, the box office remained strong, taking in $6 million.

A total of $1850 million in the first three days of the weekend!
This figure is not considered a blockbuster in the North American market, but it has caused quite a stir in the independent film circle.

After all, low cost and high returns are the gold standard for independent films.

Lionsgate is also increasing its publicity efforts to allow "Buried" to quickly reach a wider audience.

In China, the next morning, major media outlets reported on this great box office success.

[A new breakthrough for Chinese director Wu Chen's "Buried" surpasses $1800 million at the North American box office in its first weekend!]

[A dark horse! Despite a slow North American release schedule, "Buried" grossed 1800 million in its first weekend!]

……

In Yudu, the mountain city is shrouded in morning mist.

The crew of "Crazy Stone" began to clean up the venue early in the morning. The alleys were narrow and the cobblestone roads were slippery. In the distance, a cable car slowly rose into the air, and the atmosphere was strong.

In the distance, the Jialing River is shrouded in mist, exuding the unique atmosphere of a mountain city.

In a corner of the set, producer Zhang Qiang was giving instructions to Chen Guowei who had just arrived.

"Safety on set is paramount, especially for the props team. Don't let anything go wrong just to meet deadlines," Zhang Qiang said earnestly. "We also have a budget. We need to meet the big goals, but we can't let down our guard either. Don't exceed them."

Chen Guowei nodded in agreement and was about to reply when the groundskeeper came trotting over, holding a newspaper in his hand and shouting excitedly:

"Director Ning, I've bought the newspaper! The first week's box office is out, $1850 million!"

The crew was silent for a moment, and then there was an uproar.

Zhang Qiang patted Chen Guowei's shoulder enviously and sighed, "Brother, you have a bright future following Director Wu! You must help me in the future."

Chen Guowei was stunned for a moment, then quickly waved his hands: "Brother Zhang, that's out of the question."

To be honest, he himself hadn't recovered yet. Wu Chen's result was too sudden.

Not only him, but Ning Hao and several leading actors also gathered around and looked at the data in the newspaper.

"Wow, how much is this in RMB?" Huang Bo stretched his neck, his eyes wide open.

Xu Zheng counted on his fingers and sighed, "About 1.5 million!"

"Don't look at it anymore. If we shoot 'Stone' well, there will be a chance." Ning Hao put away the newspaper. Everyone was stunned after seeing the data.

Guo Tao grinned and whispered, "Director, do we have a chance of making hundreds of millions?"

"I'm going to fuck you." Ning Hao rolled up the newspaper and tapped a few people on the head. "Hurry up and get ready. Start filming right away. Don't waste time."

……

At Xiangshan Film and Television City, the scenes of the Battle of Xiangyang are being prepared in full swing. Thousands of people have gathered on the set, extras are crowding the walls, and prop weapons are clanging.

Liu Yifei, dressed in white, sat gracefully beside the filming location, the breeze ruffling her hair. As she glanced around, she saw the busy crew members everywhere.

On the side, Zhang Jizong and Yu Ming had just finished discussing the action design with the martial arts instructor and were preparing to arrange the details of tomorrow's live broadcast.

At this time, the assistant whispered a few words in Zhang Jizong's ear, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

Yu Min asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Jizong smiled but said nothing. He lowered his voice and asked, "Guess how much Wu Chen's Buried Alive made at the North American box office in its first week?"

Yu Min frowned: "How can I guess that?"

Zhang Jizong chuckled: "More than 1800 million."

Yu Min's expression changed slightly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Is it really going to 2000 million?"

"I really wasted the opportunity last time." Zhang Jizong sighed when he thought of the last time Wu Chen came to visit him on set, but he still felt a lingering fear in his heart. Fortunately, nothing happened that day.

Thinking of this, he walked straight towards Liu Yifei.

Seeing this, Liu Xiaoli asked in confusion, "Producer Zhang, what's going on? Are we going to start the show early?"

Zhang Jizong smiled and shook his head: "Nothing."

Then he looked at Liu Yifei, "Yifei, have you been in touch with Wu Chen recently? Is he interested in coming to watch our live broadcast?"

Of course, he was not asking casually. With Wu Chen's current popularity, if he could show up to visit the set, coupled with the live broadcast of the "Battle of Xiangyang", the crew's popularity would definitely be further enhanced and become an instant hit.

Liu Yifei shook her head and said softly, "Junior brother just came back today and doesn't have time."

Zhang Jizong nodded with a hint of regret, and said encouragingly:

"Perform well tomorrow. This live broadcast of the 'Battle of Xiangyang' is to show the whole country a new version of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' that is no worse than the previous ones." Liu Xiaoli's eyes fixed, and she caught a hint of meaningful information from Liu Yifei's answer - she actually knew Wu Chen's itinerary so clearly?
"Mom, give me your phone. I want to send a message to my junior brother." Liu Yifei smiled at Liu Xiaoli, blinked, and stretched out her hand.

"Hurry up, the shooting will start soon, you still need to build up your emotions."

Liu Xiaoli pursed her lips but still handed the phone to Liu Yifei.

The latter pressed a few keys on the keyboard quickly before handing it back to Liu Xiaoli.

Beijing time, on the morning of the 29th, Wu Chen got off the plane and walked out of the international arrival gate of Terminal T2 of Beijing Capital International Airport.

The airport hall was already a bit busy in the morning, and the sunlight reflected on the smooth floor, creating a faint halo.

Wu Chen lowered his head, opened his phone, read the message, and couldn't help but smile.

"Junior brother, Producer Zhang wants to invite you to watch the live broadcast of 'The Battle of Xiangyang'. I'll politely decline for you, but remember to watch the live broadcast."

He just replied "Thank you, Senior Sister" and looked at the bustling crowd in front of him. After thinking for a while, he called Wang Changtian.

At Beijing International Airport, the international departure level (VIP channel) and domestic arrival gate (baggage carousel area) of Terminal 2 are usually the regular locations for media paparazzi.

They take turns to monitor from 8:00 to 22:00 every day, focusing on capturing celebrities and others on early international flights and late domestic red-eye flights.

He really didn't want to deal with these reporters. After all, he had been busy these days, and he was really tired after sitting on the plane for so long.

Although "Buried" did well at the North American box office, everything that needed to be reported had been reported. As for the new movie, it's still in my mind and doesn't need any additional exposure.

"It's no big deal, Director Wu. Where are you? I'll have the reporter at the arrival gate come over and help you."

Wang Changtian smiled upon hearing this and said, "I'm sorry, Director Wu, we journalists make a living from this. Besides us, there are many who specialize in staking out information at the airport."

"I understand. We're all trying to make a living." Wu Chen smiled and didn't think anything of it.

But what surprised him was that these days, people from China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Poly Huayi, Huayi and other companies have called or sent text messages, asking indirectly about his new movie;

Wang Changtian, on the other hand, didn't move at all, as if he had decided that the one they had agreed on before was the deal.

After Wang Changtian finished communicating with Wu Chen, he hesitated for a moment and hung up the phone as usual.

"Forget it, overseas is still too far away. Let's wait until we have done well in China!" Wang Changtian leaned back in his chair and muttered to himself.

During the call just now, he actually wanted to discuss the new movie with Wu Chen many times, but he finally controlled himself.

Although various box office results are reported in China, for them, the new movie announced by Wu Chen is more concerning.

As far as he knows, many companies in the industry have already started contacting Wu Chen.

"Director Wu, come this way, I'll help you with your luggage." A young man wearing glasses came over, obviously from Guangguang's "Entertainment Live".

“I’m curious, if you guys take some big shots, how much money can you make?
I shouldn’t be able to make any money from this, right?”

Wu Chen asked curiously as he walked.

"Well, for example, the reporter who photographed Zhang Ziyi and Huo Qishan kissing goodbye last time got 30,000." The young man scratched his head. "It depends on the situation. The prices for ordinary street shots and exclusive material are different.

For example, if your story doesn’t include street photography or explosive material, but is just a normal interview, then the price is indeed slightly lower.”

Wu Chen couldn't help laughing when he heard it, "A little low, I'm afraid not much."

"Well, actually it's just the daily cost. But if you reveal some shocking information during the interview, such as who you plan to use in the new movie or who you scolded, then it will be different." The reporter felt that Wu Chen was quite easy to talk to and couldn't help but reveal a few more words.

But if Director Wu brings out a female celebrity, maybe it can sell for a hundred thousand."

"Then I'm quite valuable."

Wu Chen smiled and shook his head, feeling helpless about this.

Because the current "Public Security Administration Punishment Law" does not explicitly prohibit filming in public places, many things are in a gray area.

The "human wave tactics + money paving the way" model of Guangguang and other entertainment reports constituted the underlying ecology of entertainment news in the pre-Internet era.

On the other side, the China Film Building was bathed in the early spring sunshine. Outside the window, a few willow trees had just sprouted tender buds. As the breeze blew, the branches swayed slightly, casting a mottled light and shadow.

In the office, Han Sanping was working at his desk reviewing documents. There were several papers spread out on the table, and steam was rising from his teacup.

Yesterday, after Gao Chengsheng contacted Wu Chen, he sorted out some things before knocking on Han Sanping's door.

Gao Chengsheng knocked on the door and whispered, "Mr. Han."

"Come in!" Han Sanping recognized Gao Chengsheng's voice and continued to review documents at his desk. "Is there any news from Wu Chen?"

"Yes, President Han!" Gao Chengsheng nodded. "Director Wu should be back today, but he said he'll be back a few days later because the script isn't finished yet."

Han Sanping paused, frowned, and asked, "Hmm? Did he say when that new Hollywood movie would start filming? And how much would it cost?"

“The timeline is not set, but the cost is quite high.”

"How tall?"

"Director Wu said the initial budget is about 30 to 40 million US dollars!"

"How many?"

(End of this chapter)