I really don't want to make bad movies!

Chapter 63 One month?

One hundred million?!

This is indeed a huge number, but it hasn't made the executives present pale.

"Movies...can make money?"

Wang Hui hesitated for a moment.

We were profitable for the previous three quarters, and we could squeeze out 100 million yuan in cash if we gritted our teeth.

But to put all your eggs in one basket by relying on a student and venturing into areas that the company is not good at is a bit crazy.

Xia Ming retracted his fingers and laughed, "Others might not be able to take the picture, but I can make a profit."

"There is currently a strong market interest in science fiction special effects movies. The Transformers series and the upcoming Pacific Rim 2 both have a very considerable market."

"As long as we seize the opportunity and release a similar film at the right time, we can make money."

It sounded arrogant, but no one present dared to question it.

Because Xia Ming truly has an amazing record!

The first video they made, "The Big Hornet," cost only 5,000 yuan and garnered 80 million views across the internet, bringing huge revenue to iQiyi and also opening up the short video market.

The second work, "Mao Pian," reportedly had a production cost of only eight million, but its popularity is rivaling that of "Chinese Paladin 4," and it is poised to become the top web series of the year.

To describe Xia Ming in one sentence, it would be: an astonishing return on investment!

Rather, it is precisely because Xia Ming's battle record is verifiable that his words sound reasonable and well-founded.

What a keen market sense!

Kiwifruit had already missed one opportunity, but now Xia Ming has given them another chance.

To vote or not to vote?!

"You can vote!"

Surprisingly, Yang Xianghua was the first to express his approval.

Wang Hui frowned and looked at him: "Are you confident?"

Fearing that Xia Ming would slip away again, Yang Xianghua hurriedly said, "We've seen Director Xia's abilities. Regardless of his reputation, at least he can make money, right?"

"If you're really worried, just register this project under our TV drama section!"

Good heavens, so that's what you were planning!

After the disastrous failure of the "Sword and Fairy 4" project, Yang Xianghua immediately wanted to register a profitable project under his own name.

"No way! As General Manager Yang said, 'every profession is like a mountain,' TV series and movies are completely different things. Let's keep them under our distribution department's name."

"I believe our marketing department is better suited for this task."

"Shut up, all of you!" Wang Hui shouted to stop everyone, then looked at Xia Ming and said in a deep voice, "Director Xia, I have great faith in your abilities, but movies are not our main business, and it's not easy to manage 100 million."

"Sixty million? Can we afford to film that?"

Huang Xuke stood up for Xia Ming, saying, "President Wang, that's a difference of a full forty million!"

Wang Hui shook his head helplessly. He still had to argue with GG Entertainment, the company that invested in "Chinese Paladin 4," about the book losses. He couldn't possibly use all the money to make a movie.

Yang Xianghua wanted to quickly secure a project to turn his fortunes around, Huang Xuke, a director major, was focused on making sure the money was plentiful, while Wang Hui, as the top boss, had to weigh the pros and cons.

Several senior executives were at loggerheads over the budget.

Xia Ming, who had just made the offer, was stunned.

He held his hands together, adopting a thoughtful and contemplative posture.

No way, you guys are really voting?!

I haven't even taken out the script yet!

His initial budget was 500,000...

Following the principle of quoting a high price to leave room for negotiation, Xia Ming quoted 100 million yuan as soon as he opened his mouth.

He figured he could haggle the price of kiwifruit down to just a few million, and he'd still make a profit in the end.

However, even with Wang Hui's decisive cut of 60 million, it was still a full 120 times more than the expected budget...

How can they possibly spend all that money on making "Atlantic Rim 2"...?

Seeing Xia Ming deep in thought, Gao Buping of Kiwi Fruit exchanged glances, his hands, hidden under the table, unconsciously clenching into fists.

You managed to cut a hundred million down to sixty million? Wow, that's something else!

Wang Hui also felt that the price cut was a bit too steep. He gritted his teeth and thought about how to make adjustments and find a price that would satisfy both parties.

The entire conference room remained silent for more than three seconds.

Xia Ming was considering whether or not to accept this huge investment.

If they really had a budget of 60 million, why would they even bother making "Atlantic Rim 2"?

Wouldn't it be better to use that money to make a proper science fiction movie?

Just as he was about to speak and set a price of 60 million, Yang Xianghua shouted first.

"We can manage to scrape together the money!"

Everyone looked at him with suspicion.

Xia Ming was also stunned.

Is the prize pool still accumulating?

"If Ju Jingyi's studio brings its own funding to the production, we can raise the remaining 40 million."

"No way!" Huang Xuke slammed his fist on the table in opposition.

Yang Xianghua felt that Huang Xuke was deliberately going against him, and angrily said, "Then you'll pay the remaining forty million!"

After shouting, he immediately put on a smiling face and whispered to Xia Ming, "Director Xia, don't worry. With big-name stars joining the cast, your box office is guaranteed. Coupled with your own talent, this movie is sure to be a huge hit!"

Huang Xuke ignored Yang Xianghua immediately and turned to Xia Ming, whispering, "I've heard that Ju Jingyi's studio is very powerful. Are you confident in your abilities?"

It would be a lie to say that you wouldn't be tempted by an investment of 100 million.

Xia Ming hesitated for a moment, but still felt it was worth a try: "One hundred million, I want to give it a shot."

"But--"

Huang Xuke wanted to say a few more words, but was interrupted by Wang Hui.

"Let Ju Jingyi join the cast with his own investment!"

Popular celebrities combined with talented directors – this is the combination that investors love to see.

Celebrities guarantee viewership, directors guarantee quality, and he only needs to pay!

Huang Xuke gritted his teeth and whispered in Xia Ming's ear, "That old fox Yang Xianghua must have had an imbalance in the distribution of funds for 'Chinese Paladin 4,' with Ju Jingyi's studio taking the lion's share, so he's trying to get others to give him some back."

Xia Ming couldn't very well talk to Huang Xuke about the system, so he could only say, "This is an inevitable path for every director: training actors."

He made two plans in his mind: if everything went smoothly, he would make a good science fiction movie.

If the production team gets out of control, then let's just go all out and make it into "Atlantic Rim 2," and consider it as gaining followers for the system.

Huang Xuke sighed: "You're still young, oh well. I've only heard about it; maybe Ju Jingyi isn't as domineering as he seems."

"This is your first big-budget film, so do your best."

Huang Xuke has no hope of becoming a director in this lifetime. Seeing his junior's career on the rise, he even felt a bit sympathetic and couldn't help but say a few more words.

"It seems everyone agrees with this decision." Wang Hui gestured for his secretary to prepare the meeting minutes.

Xia Ming raised his hand: "I have one more request."

"you say."

"I will serve as the producer, responsible for the production team's budget allocation and publicity strategy."

"What?"

Wang Hui was stunned. His first reaction was that Xia Ming was trying to launder money.

Xia Ming noticed Wang Hui's surprise and reassured him, "I'm just worried that your publicity department won't be able to grasp the core selling points of our film, so I want to take charge of the publicity myself."

"Can you manage all that?" Huang Xuke asked, puzzled.

"Does the marketing and promotion require additional costs?" Wang Hui was only concerned about the funding.

Xia Ming smiled and nodded, his integrity unquestionable: "If I were to handle the publicity, the cost could be kept under ten million."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hui hesitated for a moment, but the thought of saving a large amount of publicity expenses still moved him.

"Sure, but I will send an assistant producer to be on set the whole time to record the flow of funds."

Xia Ming stood up and shook hands with Wang Hui: "Deal!"

Wang Hui looked at the young man in front of him with great anticipation and patted Xia Ming on the shoulder.

He felt that Xia Ming had already made many concessions, and he felt a little embarrassed.

"Director Xia, how long do you expect it to take for your big film to be released? It's a sci-fi special effects film, and it even coincides with the New Year. Can it be filmed within six months?"

Xia Ming thought for a moment: "If things go quickly, it should take about a month."

Wang Hui's chin slid down, wondering if he had misheard.

A month?!

"Director Xia, I need to write a proposal. Are you sure it'll take a month?"

Xia Ming chuckled: "Not necessarily. If things don't go smoothly, it might take four or five months."

In fact, the situation may be the opposite.

If all goes well, the filming period may take four months.

If everything doesn't go smoothly, then filming will wrap up in half a month.

"It's okay, I believe in you!" Wang Hui tightened his grip.

"Believe me!"

Upon hearing these three short and powerful words, Wang Hui, who had been in a tense state recently, finally showed a rare smile.

What reassuring words!