Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 88 Lionsgate's Request, A Timely Gift

Collaborating with Lionsgate to produce a horror film!

This wasn't a sacrifice Zhao Yanxi made for Liu Yifei, but rather preparations she had made long beforehand.

Don't assume that Zhao Yanxi has established herself in Hollywood just because low-budget films like "Paranormal Activity" and "Juno" have achieved decent box office results.

The film and television industry has always been exclusive.

Any country with a modicum of ambition will try to control its own film and television industry.

Just like Japan and South Korea, two semi-colonies of the United States, they do not allow outsiders to enter. India has even legislated to prohibit foreign investment. Even small countries in Southeast Asia have their own policies to support and protect them.

Even in the United States, which prides itself on being the most open, democratic, and inclusive country, top-tier capital is always in the hands of its own people.

Since the birth of Hollywood, countless outstanding foreign directors or independent producers have emerged, but there has never been a top foreign capital!

Most people are like Zhao Yanxi, who make one or two movies a year and earn tens of millions or hundreds of millions.

If you want to go further, you'll have to face pressure from those top-tier investors!

The suppression by the United States is not as simple as domestic "bans" or "bans" on broadcasting.

Zhao Yanxi only remembered one thing: if the president of the United States could be assassinated because he offended too many interest groups, what would happen to a mere director?

Therefore, Zhao Yanxi's solution was to cooperate with these Hollywood giants.

Paramount handled the distribution of "Paranormal Activity," while Lionsgate handled "Juno," and this was just the beginning of their collaboration.

More films will be co-produced with Hollywood giants in the future.

Capital is ruthless, but it is also the most "loyal"; as long as you can bring them benefits, you can forge an "unbreakable" friendship with them!

Although it may seem cowardly to give away US dollars for nothing.

But then I thought, this isn't my own country, every dollar I earn is earning foreign exchange for my motherland, whether I earn more or less, it's all the same!

If you feel like you've lost out when you earn less than you used to, then you're just like those damn capitalists.

Capital might send itself to the guillotine for a 300% profit; Zhao Yanxi wouldn't do something so foolish!

Zhao Yanxi didn't know whether Huayi Brothers had any credit for Liu Yifei's role as Golden Swallow in her previous life.

.

But he knew that while it might be difficult for a nobody to achieve great things, it was certainly easy for them to do bad things.

If Huayi Brothers explicitly refuses to allow Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei to star in the film, Lionsgate, as a partner, will inevitably have to consider their opinions.

If Zhao Yanxi could use the investment share of "Lurking"—a "gift" that was going to be given away anyway—to finalize the role for Liu Yifei, she felt it would be well worth it!

The most frustrated person in the industry right now is probably Wang Jing.

Since leaving Huayi Brothers and starting his own business, he has had fewer film and television resources than before.

Although Orange Sky doesn't interfere in company affairs, its resources are far inferior to those of Huayi.

After leaving her, Huayi Brothers not only did not decline, but developed better and better. Now, the news of this $70 million co-production has made Wang Jing even more upset.

Because Huayi would never give her subordinates a chance to audition!

Paul quickly replied: "Boss, Lionsgate thinks a 20% investment is too little. They believe that the co-production with Li Lianjie and Jackie Chan is top-tier talent, while the risks of 'Lurking' are still unknown..."

"How many do they want?" Zhao Yanxi interrupted Paul directly.

"Minimum 40%!"

"Tell them, the maximum is 30%, and the distribution fee should also be reduced to 10%. My maximum is 15%. If they agree, we must secure the film contract within the next two days!"

"If you disagree, fine. I believe the box office success of 'Insidious' will be enough for me to get Tom Cruise and Will Smith to co-star with her!"

"Okay, boss," Paul paused, "actually, I think Johnny Depp is more handsome~"

August 25th is Xiao Liu's 19th birthday.

Although it wasn't as dramatic as when I turned eighteen, many relatives and friends still made a special trip back to Beijing to attend the birthday banquet held at Qingcui Garden.

Whether it's her status as a popular young actress or her rumored girlfriend of top director Zhao Yanxi, it's enough to make Liu Yifei a star surrounded by admirers.

When you succeed, you'll be surrounded by good people!

Huang Xiaoming and Shu Chang took leave from the "The Deer and the Cauldron" crew to return to Beijing. Zhu Wen, Luo Jin, Zhou Yang, Jiang Yiyan, and others, no matter what crew they were on or what kind of work they had, would not miss this opportunity to deepen their friendship.

"Sisi, where's Director Zhao?"

Shu Chang looked at Zhao Yanxi, who was nowhere to be seen, with great surprise.

Since they lived next door, Zhao Yanxi should have arrived much earlier under normal circumstances.

"He went to the airport; it seems he's picking up a friend."

"Director Zhao personally went to pick them up?" Zhu Yawen exclaimed in surprise, "Who's so capable!"

"I don't know, he didn't say, and I didn't ask," Liu Yifei said, looking intently at the playing cards in her hand. "Brother Xiaoming, it's your turn to play!"

"Oh, okay, four twos."

"I wonder what birthday present Director Zhao will give me this year. That song from last year was really good," Jiang Yiyan said expectantly. "Qianqian, your album is coming out at the end of this month, right? Are any of the songs Director Zhao gave you on it?"

"No..."

Liu Yifei shook her head and said, "The album is full of songs produced by Sony."

Yang Mi listened to all this with a bittersweet feeling. She hadn't attended Liu Yifei's birthday party last year and had only seen Zhao Yanxi's song donation online, but had no idea what the song was.

The more she listened, the more heartbroken she became. Zhao Yanxi, so talented, was someone she had known first...

Just then, Zhao Yanxi appeared at the villa entrance with Paul.

The sharp-eyed Luo Jin spotted him immediately and quickly greeted him, "Director Zhao."

"Director Zhao."

"Senior."

"Yan Xi!"

"Yan Xi~"

Hearing the completely different titles, Zhao Yanxi smiled and nodded to everyone.

He felt a bit awkward seeing Yang Mi suddenly appear. He hadn't seen Liu Yifei and Yang Mi have any relationship since the filming of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" wrapped up.

The latter is busy with "Wang Zhaojun", while Liu Yifei went straight to filming "Painted Skin" after graduation. When can they invite each other to their home for a gathering?

"We're all friends, don't be so polite, please make yourself at home."

After saying that, he turned to the side and introduced Paul behind him to everyone: "This is Paul, my partner in Hollywood. He flew here specially to celebrate Sissi's birthday. Please help me entertain our international friend."

Paul presented the gift at the opportune moment and said with a smile in fluent Chinese, "Happy birthday, Crystal. I've often heard the boss mention you; it's great to finally meet you today."

"Thank you~"

Liu Yifei smiled as she accepted Paul's gift box. Before she could hand it to Shu Chang to put away, Paul pulled out a file folder from his bag and said with a smile, "This is a gift the boss specially prepared for you. He instructed me to deliver it today, and I've finally fulfilled my mission!"

"Paul, your Chinese has improved again, you can even use idioms now!" Zhao Yanxi praised.

"Hehe, thanks for the compliment!"

"Director Zhao wrote another song?" Jiang Yiyan exclaimed in surprise. "Qianqian, hurry up and open it so we can see it!"

"No way, this year I want to enjoy the joy of unwrapping gifts by myself~" Liu Yifei said with a smile after feeling the thickness of the gifts, "But it probably isn't a song~"