Huayu: I rely on hit-movie tactics to interweave...

Chapter 62 Finding a Teacher and Getting Along

The script for "The Witch" was completed at the end of July, and Lu Yang sat in Liu Yu's office for an entire afternoon.

The two of them went through the projected screen page by page, finalizing every detail, from character settings and plot development to dialogue rhythm and action design.

The scripts that Lu Yang brought were printed out in a thick stack, and placed on the table, they looked like a collection of short stories.

After Liu Yu finished reading the script, he closed it, tapped the cover twice with his fingers, and looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang sat opposite him, his hands crossed on his knees, his expression serious and tense.

Liu Yu didn't rush to speak, but picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip.

He mentally went over the parts of the script that made him uncomfortable. It wasn't that it was poorly written; it was that it was too bold.

Illegal human embryonic genetic experiments, live child modification, and extensive realistic depictions of bloodshed and violence.

The combination of unrestrained slaughterhouse fighting and other elements will definitely create a visually stunning effect that will leave audiences thoroughly entertained.

The question is, will it pass the review?

When the people at the Film Bureau saw this content, their first reaction wasn't that the shots were beautiful, but rather whether someone would report the film if it were released.

Having been in this industry for so many years, Liu Yu understands this logic all too well.

It's not that the film bureau doesn't want you to pass; it's that they also have their own pressures.

If a film goes wrong, the director can make another one, and the actors can take on another project, but the person sitting in the review room signing off on films might lose their job.

"Lu Yang, you've expanded this notebook very well."

Liu Yu first affirmed that this was true, Lu Yang's ability to control the narrative structure was much stronger than it was three years ago, and the introduction, development, climax and conclusion of each plot were designed very cleverly.

He paused for a moment, then changed the subject, "Have you ever considered whether these scenes featuring human experimentation, live modification, and bloody fights would even be suitable for broadcast?"

Lu Yang paused for a moment. He had obviously thought about this question, but perhaps not in great depth.

When young directors are writing scripts, all they think about is how to make the scene look good; whether the audience can actually see it is a secondary concern.

"Director Liu, I—" He opened his mouth, but swallowed back what he wanted to say.

Liu Yu waved his hand, not asking him to explain.

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the fluorescent light on the ceiling for a few seconds.

"Here's what we'll do: you come with me to the school tomorrow. Let's talk to Principal Zhang and Teacher Tian and get their opinions. They've been in this industry longer than both of us combined, so they know which films will pass and which won't."

Lu Yang nodded and put the script into his backpack.

In July, the Beijing Film Academy campus was deserted, with only a few students heading towards the teaching buildings, probably for summer classes.

The grass on the playground has grown quite tall and no one has trimmed it; it rustles when the wind blows through it.

Liu Yu walked in front, and Lu Yang followed behind. Their footsteps were particularly clear in the empty campus.

When I got to the bottom of the teaching building, I ran into a teacher from the directing department. His surname was Zhou, he was in his early forties, wearing black-rimmed glasses, and holding a stack of documents.

When Teacher Zhou saw Liu Yu, her eyes lit up, and she greeted him with a smile.

"Liu Yu, you really got accepted into graduate school? And you're here to see Principal Zhang again so soon?"

His tone was teasing, as if he were joking with an old friend.

Liu Yu smiled, but didn't stop walking.

"Teacher Zhou is joking. I just have a question to ask you."

"9

Teacher Zhou didn't ask any more questions, waved to them, and left with the documents.

Liu Yu stood at the door and knocked. He heard someone inside say "Come in," so he pushed the door open and went in.

Principal Zhang sat behind his desk, wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms.

Tian Zhuangzhuang sat on the sofa next to him, wearing a gray T-shirt. His hair was much whiter than last year, but he seemed to be in good spirits.

The two men looked curious when they saw Liu Yu bring Lu Yang in, and Lu Yang was carrying a laptop bag.

"Why did you bring a computer?" Principal Zhang put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and looked Liu Yu up and down.

Liu Yu didn't beat around the bush and sat down on the sofa, with Lu Yang sitting next to him.

"Teachers, I've made a new notebook, and it involves some elements. I'd like to ask you two for your feedback."

He paused, glanced at Lu Yang, who understood, opened his laptop bag, took out a printed copy of the script, and respectfully handed it over. "For example, I'm a little unsure about the approval process, and I'd like to hear your opinions."

Principal Zhang took the script, flipped through a couple of pages, and frowned slightly. Tian Zhuangzhuang also took it and started reading, his brow furrowing even deeper than Principal Zhang's.

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Principal Zhang placed the script on the table, took off his glasses, wiped the lenses with the corner of his shirt, put them back on, glanced at Liu Yu, his lips twitched as if he wanted to say something but then swallowed it back.

Tian Zhuangzhuang wasn't so reserved; he simply closed the script, placed it on the coffee table, and looked at Liu Yu.

"Liu Yu, aren't you afraid of being criticized for making this film?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang's voice wasn't loud, "Illegal human embryonic genetic experiments, live child modification, large-scale realistic bloody violence—look at these, which one of them seems like it could pass censorship in China?"

He paused, tapping the script cover twice with his finger. "You made 'The Hearing Girl,' that's an art film, all warm and sentimental. The people at the film bureau would feel embarrassed if they didn't approve it. What are you making now? Are you sure the audience can accept it?"

Liu Yu didn't rush to respond. He knew that what Tian Zhuangzhuang said was true, but he also knew that some films were not made to please the audience, but to show the audience something different.

"Teacher Tian, ​​I understand what you're saying. The core of this film isn't violence, it's resistance. The protagonist is a modified experimental subject; she's not indiscriminately killing innocent people, she's escaping control and reclaiming her freedom. When the audience watches it, they won't think of her as a serial killer, they'll feel sorry for her, and they'll feel that everything she does is forced upon her."

Tian Zhuangzhuang paused for a moment, picked up his thermos, took a sip, and said nothing more.

Principal Zhang flipped through the script again, this time reading it more carefully than before, occasionally pausing to think, and sometimes spending a few more seconds looking at a particular page.

After finishing reading, he closed the script, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and looked at Liu Yu.

"Liu Yu, let me tell you the truth," Principal Zhang said calmly, "your script is too sensitive. Illegal human experimentation and child modification—these things aren't forbidden to be filmed in China, but if handled poorly, they'll be labeled as having a negative message. The people at the Film Bureau—if you talk to them about art, they talk about ideology; if you talk to them about ideology, they talk about social impact. You can't win an argument with them."

He paused, lowered his hands from his chest and placed them on the table, tapping his fingers lightly twice. "I have two suggestions for you. First, make extensive revisions, remove all these sensitive elements, and replace them with gentler expressions. Second..." He drawled, glancing at Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Tian Zhuangzhuang picked up the thread, "Go to Hong Kong or Hollywood to shoot. Co-productions, get co-production quotas to enter the mainland market. They are much more accepting of this kind of subject matter than the mainland, so there's a lot more room for maneuver if you go through the co-production route."

Liu Yu listened without interrupting, mentally reviewing the two plans several times.

If the script is edited, the core conflict will be greatly diminished.

If filmed in Hollywood, the cost would increase and the production cycle would be extended by at least two months.

He turned to look at Lu Yang, whose expression was complicated, as if he was hesitating whether to speak.

"Lu Yang, what do you think?"

Lu Yang hesitated for a moment, "Director Liu, if we cut those sensitive elements, I feel this film won't be right."

Liu Yu nodded, said nothing more, and turned to Principal Zhang and Tian Zhuangzhuang.

"Then let's go down the co-production route. Thank you, Professor Zhang and Professor Tian, ​​for troubling you again."

Principal Zhang waved his hand and smiled, "What trouble is there? You're my student, who else would I help if not you?"

He paused, a playful expression appearing on his face, but his tone carried a hint of seriousness, "But Liu Yu, don't bring these kinds of notebooks to me again. My heart can't take it."

All four of them laughed.

It started raining when I came out of the teaching building.

Liu Yu stood on the steps by the door, staring blankly at the rain curtain for a while. Lu Yang stood beside him, holding his laptop bag in his arms.

"Director Liu," Lu Yang spoke, his voice lower than before, "do you think it's really possible for us to film this movie in Hong Kong?"

Liu Yu put his hands in his pockets and looked at the gray sky in the distance.

"Not necessarily. If it doesn't work out, we can film it in Hollywood. There's always a solution. You just focus on revising the script, and I'll figure out the rest."

Lu Yang nodded and didn't ask any more questions. The rain lessened a bit, and the two of them walked out of the campus without umbrellas, along the path.

The road is lined with plane trees with broad, thick leaves. Raindrops slide off the leaves and land on your shoulders, feeling cool.

The car is coming.

Lu Yang opened the car door and got in, Liu Yu followed him in, and the car door closed, keeping the rain out.

"Back to the company," Liu Yu said to the driver.

The car started and merged into the traffic.

Lu Yang sat beside him, flipping through the script and muttering to himself. Liu Yu leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed.

I was working on the co-production plan for "The Witch" in my head, and I had to recalculate everything, including the location, personnel, equipment, and funding.

This isn't his first time working on a co-production; "The Man from Nowhere" was a Sino-US co-production, so he's very familiar with the process and knows how to avoid some pitfalls beforehand.

Thinking of this, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Zhong Lifang: "Sister Zhong, please make an appointment with the Lionsgate people for me. I'll go there next week."

Zhong Lifang replied instantly: "Okay. What project?"

"The Witch. We're going for a co-production, so we need to coordinate with the people there."

Chung Lai-fong sent an "OK" emoji, then added a message: "Boss, have you been working too hard lately? You just finished filming one project and you're already starting another. Can your body handle it?"

One week later, in Los Angeles.

Liu Yu's feelings about coming to the United States this time were different from the last time.

The last time was when we were filming "The Man from Nowhere". He was the director and spent every day on set, his mind filled with storyboards and action designs. He was even thinking about how to light the next scene while eating.

He's a producer this time, here to discuss a collaboration.

Zhong Lifang kept looking at documents on the plane, flipping through thick contracts and marking them with a highlighter.

Liu Yu sat next to her, covered with a blanket, eyes closed, but not asleep.

He mentally reviewed the key points of the negotiation. Lionsgate was interested in the subject matter of "The Witch"—action, science fiction, and a female protagonist. In recent years, the North American market had seen a rise in films featuring strong female leads.

However, Lionsgate will definitely have objections to the director selection. Lu Yang is a newcomer in China, and no one in the United States has even heard of him.

Why would Lionsgate spend tens of millions of dollars on a director who has no international reputation?

Liu Yu thought about this question for a long time, and the answer was no.

Lu Yang sat in the back row, leaning against the porthole, flipping through the script in his hands.

The plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport at 10:00 AM local time. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was an unreal blue.

David came to pick me up at the airport, wearing a light blue shirt and Ray-Ban sunglasses. He stood at the entrance of the arrival hall, looking like a bodyguard straight out of a movie.

He took Liu Yu's luggage. "Boss, the Lionsgate people will arrive at 2 PM. Let's take you to the hotel to rest first."

O

Liu Yu nodded and got into the car. Zhong Lifang sat in the passenger seat, continuing to review the contract. Lu Yang sat in the back seat, staring blankly at the palm trees rushing past the window.

The hotel was the same one I stayed at last time, near Hollywood, with windows facing the mountain.

Liu Yu took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and called Lu Yang, asking him to come to the room to discuss the key points of the negotiation.

"Sit down." Liu Yu gestured to the sofa, then sat down on the edge of the bed. "Lionsgate will definitely ask the director questions this afternoon. You know that, right?"

Lu Yang sat down and placed his notebook on his lap. "Director Liu, I know my place. It's normal that they don't trust me; I wouldn't trust you either if I were in their shoes."

He looked up at Liu Yu, his expression serious, without any sense of grievance or resentment, "I will accept whatever decision you make."

Liu Yu looked into his eyes and remained silent for a few seconds. Lu Yang's greatest strength wasn't his talent, but his clear-headedness.

"Don't talk too much this afternoon. I'll handle the negotiations, and Sister Zhong will take care of the contract details. Just listen, and we'll discuss your thoughts when you get back." Liu Yu stood up, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room. "If they ask you anything, just say you're the executive director, and I'm the director. No need to explain anything else. The more you explain, the more trouble you'll cause."

Lu Yang nodded, closed his notebook, stood up, and left.

At 2 p.m., the Lionsgate representatives arrived on time.

The meeting room was on the third floor of the hotel. Liu Yu arrived ten minutes early. Zhong Lifang sat to his left and Lu Yang sat to his right.

Three people from Lionsgate arrived.

Michael Burns, senior vice president of Lionsgate, is in his early forties. He has fine lines around his eyes when he smiles, and his gaze is very sharp.

Sitting next to him was a young woman who looked like a legal professional, holding a thick folder. There was also the head of the content department, in his thirties, wearing a dark gray suit.

The two shook hands and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Negotiations have officially begun.

Chung Lai-Fang distributed the project proposal for "The Witch" to the three people at Lionsgate, one copy for each of them; it was a thick document.

The stack contains a script outline, visual references, budget analysis, and market forecasts.

Michael flipped through it and looked at it very carefully, occasionally stopping to ask a question or two.

How was the budget for this special effects shot estimated?

What considerations led to this scheduling?

Zhong Lifang answered each question one by one, speaking at a moderate pace, and reporting each number with great precision.

After reading the proposal, Mai Ke leaned back in his chair, his hands crossed in front of his stomach.

"This script is very good." He first affirmed the script, then turned slightly to the side in his chair, turning towards Liu Yu, "However, I have a question."

He paused, his gaze shifting from Liu Yu to Lu Yang, then back again. "Who's the director?"

Liu Yu looked into Michael's eyes.

"I'm the director. Lu Yang is the assistant director."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room. Michael's expression remained unchanged, though his eyebrows twitched slightly, as if he were processing the information.

"Mr. Liu, I remember you were the director in 'The Man from Nowhere,' which was excellent." Michael's tone was polite, but he quickly changed the subject, "But as far as I know, your role in 'The Witch' was producer, and the director was this..."

He glanced at the documents beside him. "Mr. Lu Yang. Is that right?"

Liu Yu did not deny it.

"This was the initial plan. Considering the scale and market positioning of this project, I decided to direct it myself. Lu Yang will participate in the entire filming process as the executive director."

He paused, then slowed his tone, "Michael, we've known each other for a while now. You know my style; I don't joke around with projects. I've overseen every step of the 'The Witch' project from its inception to now. You can rest assured leaving it to me."

Michael looked at Liu Yu with a scrutinizing gaze, as if judging whether what he said was true or just for show.

After a few seconds of silence, he turned to the head of the content department next to him and whispered a few words to him, his voice so low that it was impossible to hear what he said.

Liu Yu didn't rush them, but picked up his water glass and took a sip.

"Mr. Liu, we believe in you." Michael turned back, leaned back in his chair, then leaned forward slightly. "The budget needs to be renegotiated. Twenty-five million US dollars, a co-production, with Mr. Lu Yang as the executive director. We accept this combination. But..."

He held up one finger. "The shares need to be redistributed. Lionsgate will contribute 40%, and the copyright revenue will be half."

Zhong Lifang frowned slightly. She didn't speak, but glanced at Liu Yu.

Liu Yu leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

"Michael, a 40% investment share for half the copyright revenue—you've done a very shrewd job." Liu Yu's tone was unhurried, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Former Wave Pictures invests 60%, but only takes half the profits. Do you think that's fair?"

Michael spread his hands, looking completely innocent.

"Fairness isn't about who pays more, it's about who takes on more risk. You know how high the marketing and distribution costs are in the North American market. Lionsgate takes half the copyright revenue, which means we're fully responsible for the film's market performance. If it sells well, we profit; if it doesn't, we lose. Why are you competing with me for a fraction of a percent of the profits when you have a sure-fire way to make money?"

Liu Yu knew that what he said made sense. Lionsgate's distribution capabilities were top-notch among second-tier publishers in North America, and their willingness to take on this project was itself an endorsement.

If you switch to a smaller company, even if they offer better revenue sharing terms, if the distribution is poor and the box office flops, then even a higher revenue sharing is just an empty promise.

"40% investment, 45% copyright revenue," Liu Yu stated his bottom line.

Michael shook his head. "Forty-nine percent. That's my bottom line."

Liu Yu glanced at Zhong Lifang, who nodded slightly, indicating that the number was acceptable.

Liu Yu turned back to look at Michael and extended his hand. "Deal."

Michael took his hand and smiled.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The atmosphere in the meeting room relaxed. The legal counsel closed the folder, and the head of the content department finally loosened his tie and let out a sigh of relief.

Lu Yang sat beside him without saying a word from beginning to end. His expression changed from tense to relaxed, and his fingers were placed neatly on his knees.

Next, we'll talk about the actors.

Lionsgate had already planned out the choice for the female lead.

Michael pulled a photo out of the folder and pushed it in front of Liu Yu.

The photo shows a young woman with blonde hair, green eyes, full lips, and delicate yet not fragile features.

"Scarlett Janssen. We think she's perfect." Michael tapped the photo twice with his finger. "Her salary is four million dollars, that's the market rate."

Liu Yu picked up the photo and looked at it. Scarlett Janssen. He knew her.

She has acted in "Lost in Translation" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring," demonstrating solid acting skills, strong image versatility, and the ability to handle action scenes.

In this film, she plays a super-powered girl who has been transformed, and her temperament is completely within the framework of the role.

Cold, lonely, and wary of the world, yet capable of revealing her vulnerability at times, this is precisely the kind of role Scarlett Johansson excels at.

"Okay." Liu Yu put the photo back on the table. "Lionsgate will handle the contact. I have no objection."

Michael nodded and wrote it down in his notebook.

"What about other roles? Do you have any recommendations for the female PhD and the young nobleman?"

Liu Yu thought for a moment, "We'll use domestic actors for the female PhD and the rich young master. For the rest of the roles, including villains, supporting roles, and extras, we'll use Hollywood actors. This way, we can balance the markets on both sides."

He didn't specify who he would use, not because he didn't want to, but because it hadn't been decided yet.

The female PhD character needs to have a cold exterior but a warm interior; on the surface, she is a cold scientist, but in her heart, she feels guilty towards the protagonist.

The "noble young master" is the kind of rich second-generation who appears carefree and cynical on the surface but has a strong sense of justice at heart.

There are many actors in China who can play these two roles, but we still need to go back and screen them carefully.

Michael didn't press the matter. He wasn't that concerned about the casting of these two roles; as long as the female lead was confirmed, everything else was negotiable.

By the time the contract was signed, it was already dark outside.