Huayu02 started by making films.

After the National Day holiday, Han Yi took Dao Rong to Hollywood.

As for going to school? That's not within Director Han's consideration.

The plane took off from Beijing Capital International Airport and landed at Los Angeles International Airport.

The two checked into a nearby hotel.

The following morning, Han Yi registered for membership with the Writers Guild of America.

In Hollywood, anything can be accomplished if you're willing to spend the money.

After registering, he also registered the copyright for all the scripts he had been writing in Jimen for the past few days:

Saw, The Conjuring, Insidious, Dead Silence, Paranormal Activity;

Stranger Things, The Boys, Prison Break, Shameless;

Get Out, Instant Universe, Slumdog Millionaire;

And "Memory Rift".

Among them, "Paycheck," "The Butterfly Effect," and Nolan's already filmed and released "Memento" are collectively known as the "Memory Trilogy."

"Memory Rift" was also the last film Wu Baige directed in Hollywood, and it marked the beginning of his schemes against Han Sanping after returning to China.

The film's box office performance was mediocre, but the subsequent videotape revenue was astonishing, and Han Yi decided to cut off his path back.

In the afternoon, Han Yi met with American author Annie Proulx at a coffee shop and bought the film adaptation rights to "Brokeback Mountain" from her.

Sorry, Director Ang Lee, your Hollywood journey will have to take a break for now.

The following morning,

New Line Cinema, Shay's office.

Han Yi sat on the sofa and said, "Old Xie, all the pre-production work for 'The Intouchables' is done. We expect to finish filming and post-production between December and February, and then submit it directly to Cannes."

Shay sat in the boss's chair, staring intently at him:

"Han, I'm not that interested in 'The Intouchables' anymore."

He stood up and continued, "Yesterday, a new member joined the Writers Guild. He's Chinese, and he registered a whole bunch of scripts at once. Was that you, Han?!"

"Yes, it's me." Han Yi shrugged. "What, got someone you like?"

Oh my god!

Shay exclaimed and jumped up from his chair: "Han! I knew you were a genius! So, how about we pull off a heist?"

"You think I came to Hollywood on vacation?" Han Yi laughed.

"Secretary! Secretary! Quickly, bring coffee!" Shay called out as he walked to the guest sofa.

"Old Xie, listen to me first, don't rush."

Han Yi pressed him back onto the sofa:

"I admit I'm a genius, but Hollywood has no shortage of directors. You have faith in me, and I acknowledge your talent. But let's keep business separate from personal matters. This time, I plan to make a low-budget film to test the waters."

Shay listened and nodded, "Which one do you plan to film first?"

"Paranormal Activity".

"Does the title sound like a horror movie?"

"Yes," Han Yi nodded, "The cost isn't high, and I won't be the director, just the producer, and I'll be on set the whole time. I have someone else in mind to direct."

"What's your budget?"

"Fifteen thousand US dollars."

"What?!" Shay's eyes widened.

Han Yi smiled and confirmed, "That's the amount. However, I need to utilize Newline's overseas distribution and marketing channels."

"I still can't believe it," Shay stared at him. "What can you film for fifteen thousand? You can't even rent a decent camera!"

"Who said we needed a camera?" Han Yi waved his hand. "A home DV camera is enough."

"What about the actors?"

"Hollywood is short of actors? There are plenty of people willing to act for free."

Shay was still worried: "Han, could you tell me what this movie is about?"

Han Yi, shrugging, said, "It's very simple: A couple moved into a new house in the suburbs and found that there seemed to be something unclean in the house. They installed a home video camera in the room and started recording the ghost's appearances."

After listening, Xie Yi's eyes gradually lit up: "Han, what do you need the new line for?"

"Distribution, and marketing."

Han Yi leaned forward, his tone becoming serious:

"Old Xie, you know, there are only a few types of low-budget movies: comedy, romance, and horror. I don't really understand your American-style romance and comedy, but horror elements should be common."

Shay nodded in agreement.

"Let's clarify the revenue sharing first: Newline will be responsible for marketing and distribution, taking 30%; I'll handle the rest, how about that?"

Shay quickly waved his hand: "Han, although I am a businessman, the cost and distribution of your film is at most $500,000. How can I take 70% of it? That's not right, that's not right."

"Seventy percent is mine, and only threety percent is yours."

After Han Yi finished speaking, looking at his feigned ignorance, he thought to himself: You old rascal, you didn't figure it out beforehand, and now you're doing the accounts for me later.

Xie Yi stared blankly at Han Yi for a few seconds, then sat up straight: "Fine, fine. The box office potential for horror movies is limited. Even if we lose money, we can still afford to lose a few hundred thousand in new films."

The two finalized the contract on the spot in the office, checking each clause one by one to avoid future disputes.

The next day, Han Yi took Dao Rong to rent an empty house in the suburbs near Hollywood for half a month.

Then they began setting up the scene, hanging several paintings on the wall and adding a signboard.

Actor auditions are even simpler. Han Yi found a couple who were pursuing their dreams in Hollywood and told them they could play the male and female leads for a thousand dollars.

The family DV was rented from Xinxian, and the entire filming process was directed by Han Yi, with Dao Rong operating the camera.

A week later, Han Yi took the film and plunged into the post-production editing room of the new line.

"Dao Rong, listen carefully. This film isn't a traditional horror movie; it's a mockumentary disguised as a horror film. The editing can't be done conventionally. You've seen 'The Blair Witch Project,' right?"

Dao Rong nodded, sitting in front of the computer: "I understand what you mean, Director Han!"

"Then I'll leave it to you. We've shot a lot of footage this time, so I can just keep an eye on things from the side." Han Yi pulled up a stool and sat down.

After three consecutive all-nighters in the editing room, the final cut of "Paranormal Activity" was completed.

Han Yi invited Xie Yi to the screening room to watch a film.

Eighty-six minutes later, the screening ended.

Shay's eyes practically gleamed with greed: "Han! I regret not asking for more! This movie's similar to 'The Blair Witch Project,' it might just be a box office smash!"

Han Yi thought to himself: Old Xie still has a sharp eye; no wonder he started out with light comedies and horror films. But why did you have to go and make "The Golden Compass" in 08? You ruined New Line Cinema and caused them to lose their independent production and distribution.

Although New Line was acquired by Turner Broadcasting and then merged into Time Warner, it still retains the autonomy to independently produce films and distribute and market them overseas.

"Old Xie, you've seen the quality of the film, but even the best wine needs advertising."

Han Yi leaned closer and said, "Do the publicity like I say: First, have a small-scale preview screening. Find two extras to pretend to be scared to death, call an ambulance and bring in nurses, all ready. Then release the news online."

Just say the audience was terrified watching horror movies. Also, I haven't vacated the filming location I rented yet. Have someone put up a seal on it, lure brave souls in to explore, and I guarantee word will spread like wildfire.

Han Yi paused for a moment, then continued, "We can start burning CDs and videotapes now. Burn as many as you can; we definitely won't have trouble selling them."

Shay nodded repeatedly, "Han, you've got a lot of clever ideas." Then, with a shameless grin, he said:

"Shall we discuss the revenue sharing again?"

"Old Xie, you can't do this. We've already signed a contract in black and white. What do you mean by coming here now? Are you saying you're not going to cooperate on 'Untouchable'?" Han Yi's face darkened.

"Han, you've misunderstood. I was just really interested. You know how New Line got its start," Xie Yi quickly explained.

Han Yi thought for a moment and said, "How about this, you give me the copyright to Iron Man, and I'll give you an extra 10% off Paranormal Activity."

(Note: In November 2005, Marvel won back the film adaptation rights to Iron Man from New Line Cinema.)

Shay sat in his chair thinking for a long time before he remembered that in the 1990s, his company did indeed buy the movie adaptation rights to a comic book called "Iron Man" from Marvel.

He asked doubtfully, "Han, what do you need that thing for? Do you want to adapt it? Besides, Iron Man is at best a second-rate superhero in American comics."

"What's it to you? Are you going to give it to me or not?" Han Yi said impatiently.