Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 82: The Mastermind Hua Yi, a modified version of "Painted Skin"

"Boss, we've got news about those online trolls again!"

"Can you confirm who it is?"

"This time they're promoting Feng Xiaogang and 'The Banquet'... I think it must be Huayi Brothers!"

"Huayi..."

Zhao Yanxi sneered twice. "A leopard can't change its spots."

"By the way, boss, a man named Li Weida contacted our company and wants to meet with you."

"Li Weida? I don't know him. What's his background?" Zhao Yanxi asked curiously.

"He wouldn't reveal anything, all I knew was that he was from IDG and that he wanted to invite us to collaborate on a big project. When I asked him, he wouldn't say anything, only that he needed to meet me in person."

"IDG? If I remember correctly, it's a venture capital firm, right? What kind of big projects can they collaborate on with us?"

"He's probably just a middleman," Yang Siwei guessed.

"Then don't worry about it," Zhao Yanxi said casually. "We only lack people, not projects."

"If the other party is sincere, let him come to the film crew!" Zhao Yanxi added casually, as if struck by a sudden inspiration.

"Okay, I'll tell him," Yang Siwei replied, then asked solemnly, "Boss, should we gather information about the issues with Huayi?"

"Let's collect them first," Zhao Yanxi said after thinking for a moment. "No rush to reveal them. We'll talk about it when the time is right."

"Also, wasn't 'First Love' scheduled for the National Day holiday? Give the order, and set it for National Day!"

Yang Siwei remained silent for a moment, and could only agree.

Just as the story of the ancient strategist who played with the feudal lords by lighting beacon fires illustrates, now a boss, in an attempt to win a smile from a beautiful woman, is futilely trying to stop a chariot by sabotaging the film "Rob-B-Hood".

Although Yang Siwei was very confident in his boss's script, "First Love" is different from "You Are the Apple of My Eye" because it doesn't have Liu Yifei, the "Fairy Sister," in the cast, nor does it have the support of fans of the novel.

Its box office may not be low, but it is unlikely to achieve the box office miracle of "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

Now it's being used by the boss to counter Huayi Brothers' "Baby Project," so its fate is predictable!

Zhao Yanxi had no idea that Yang Siwei had so many inner monologues, and even if he did, he wouldn't explain much.

You can't exactly tell him that Jackie Chan is "box office poison," can you?

Although "Rob-B-Hood" is considered relatively strong among Jackie Chan's films, it grossed 9200 million yuan in mainland China, accounting for 54% of the total box office during the National Day holiday.

However, a quick look at the 06 National Day film season reveals that there wasn't a single film that stood out.

Back in May, when Huayi Brothers announced that it would release "The Banquet" and "Rob-B-Hood" around the National Day holiday, many films originally scheduled for the National Day holiday either withdrew or postponed.

No one dares to compete with "Rob-B-Hood," a film co-produced by Jackie Chan and Gu Tianle.

"Rob-B-Hood" only grossed half of its box office revenue despite having few competitors—this might be understandable if it were any other star, but it featured Jackie Chan and Louis Koo!

This shows just how much piracy affected Jackie Chan.

Zhao Yanxi isn't aiming for huge profits; if she can capture 30% of the box office during the National Day holiday, that would be 50-60 million yuan, which would be enough for "First Love."

Tenfold profit!

However, while this may affect the box office of "Rob-B-Hood", it won't have a significant impact.

We still need to think about it some more.

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Yanxi saw Ning Hao standing to the side, acting as a photographer, and a plan suddenly came to mind.

Instead of sniping, we should strike at the root of the problem!

"Haozi, I suddenly have an idea. Would you be interested in hearing about it?"

A key scene was also filmed in "Painted Skin".

It's not difficult, but it's very expensive.

In the original work, the production cost of Zhou Xun's "human skin mask" was as high as one million.

"The raw materials for the leather were specially sourced from the United States and then made by a special effects team on Hong Kong Island;

Meanwhile, the materials must be kept at around 15 degrees Celsius throughout the transportation and manufacturing process; otherwise, the materials will harden and change color.

'

Zhao Yanxi didn't know which American raw material supplier Chen Jiashang had contacted, nor did she know which special effects team in Hong Kong had produced it.

Anyway, he went directly to the studio of Rick Baker, a top special effects makeup artist in Hollywood, and asked him to make several high-precision close-up masks.

The texture, blemishes, and capillaries of every inch of skin are extremely fine, capable of withstanding the test of close-up shots from high-definition cameras.

The entire "human skin" only costs $20,000, which is equivalent to no more than 150,000 to 160,000 RMB.

Although still expensive, it's incredibly cheap compared to the original's million-dollar price tag.

However, considering that Chen Kexin's straw hat is priced at $8000, it's understandable that "Painted Skin" could sell for over a million dollars.

The movie can be poorly made, and it can lose money at the box office, but it can't delay my payment for the new villa!

"Sissi, this piece of leather costs 20 yuan. I've reserved three. If you can finish the shoot within three days, I'll treat you to a whole roasted lamb tonight."

"If three cards can't solve it, hmph~"

Zhao Yanxi gave a malicious snort. Liu Yifei didn't dare to move. She was too scared to move; her makeup had taken six hours. Suppressing her laughter, she whispered, "Don't worry, Director!"

"This play isn't difficult. I've rehearsed it countless times in my mind; I'm absolutely sure I can pull it off!"

Sun Li, listening from the side, clicked her tongue in amazement and quietly asked Ning Hao beside her, "Director Ning, is this skin really worth 20?"

"Of course, it's imported from abroad, so the director definitely wants to achieve the best."

"9

Sun Li clicked her tongue slightly. No wonder the film industry is so difficult to navigate; this is far too expensive.

The scene immediately fell silent; no one dared to delay the performance.

Action!

""

"call...

'

Liu Yifei's preparations were indeed quite thorough.

Of the three masks Zhao Yanxi prepared, only two achieved results that greatly satisfied him.

He didn't plan to keep the remaining card either, intending to consider adding it later during the fight.

After Xiaowei tears off the painted skin, she will need the help of the special effects team.

Zhao Yanxi made a small change in this regard.

In the original film shot in Hong Kong, the dignified nine-tailed fox, after shedding its "painted skin," actually looks like a bunch of wires tangled together.

Neither demon nor ghost, it's a typical example of someone who's stingy and wants to save on special effects production costs.

In Zhao Yanxi's case, Liu Yifei, once she sheds her "painted skin," transforms directly into a nine-tailed fox with eyes like jewels.

It's understandable that Pei-rong wasn't so scared after seeing this.

After all, the nine-tailed fox is an auspicious mythical creature in legends!

This change will also make the visual effects of this fantasy film more striking.

Fantasy movies, by their very nature, value visual effects.

At the end of July, filming of "Painted Skin" in Zhenbeibao was also coming to an end.

The Li Weida that Yang Siwei mentioned on the phone actually came to Ning Province and found Zhao Yanxi's film crew.

After meeting and exchanging ideas, Zhao Yanxi finally understood his purpose—

The Forbidden Kingdom is here!

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