diymy Chapter 99 The Shadow of Another Person
Chapter 99 The Shadow of Another Person
Chapter 98 The Shadow of Another Person (Please subscribe! Please vote!)
After filming "Lost on Journey", Xu Zheng felt that there was great potential in road comedy films, so he wrote the script for "Lost in Thailand" and planned to film a different comedy film in a different country.
Moreover, Xu Zheng had already decided on the cast. In addition to himself, he planned to invite his good friends from the comedy world, such as Wang Baoqiang and Huang Bo, to participate. The entire film's investment was only 3000 million yuan. With this cast, he dared not say it would be a huge success, but at least it could break even! Xu Zheng was full of confidence from the start.
But "the ideal is beautiful, but reality is harsh!"
To Xu Zheng's surprise, his film was completely ignored. He approached several film and television companies but failed to secure investment. Most investors did not trust this new director, believing that he had no directing experience and that there was a high chance that his film would lose money.
"Xu Zheng, you're an actor who wants to be a director. Can you manage the entire crew?"
"Xu Zheng, acting and directing are two different things. We think you can wait!"
Xu Zheng didn't give up at first. He took his script to many investment institutions and major film and television companies, but in the end, nothing came of it. Even Huaqi Company, the original investor of "Lost in Thailand," was approached by Xu Zheng several times. Although everything seemed to be going well, the funds were slow to arrive, causing the project to be unable to start filming. He was even directly rejected by Huayi Company on the grounds that "the movie is too vulgar and does not fit the company's image." This made Xu Zheng disheartened. Was there really no chance for a new director?
Just when Xu Zheng was feeling disheartened, "Love is Not Blind" became a box office hit. This movie was so similar to "Lost in Thailand." It was a low-budget film by a new director and new actors!
Since Enlight Media was able to support the distribution of "Love is Not Blind," they must be interested in "Lost in Thailand." This gave Xu Zheng renewed hope, and he then used his connections to find Wang Changtian of Enlight Media.
Xu Zheng attached great importance to this meeting. In order to persuade Enlight Media to invest, he passionately and enthusiastically explained the creativity and potential of "Lost in Thailand" in Wang Changtian's office, and even gave a 20-minute story outline almost like an "act."
Xu Zheng was interrupted by Wang Changtian before he could finish his performance. Xu Zheng thought he had failed again. "Mr. Wang, I still have a lot to say. Can you let me finish?"
Xu Zheng did indeed have much more to say. He wanted to elaborate on the film's shooting plan, cast, and market prospects, hoping to impress Wang Changtian with his professional knowledge and enthusiasm.
Wang Changtian didn't give him the chance to perform. "It's okay, you can talk about it later. How much did you invest in this movie?"
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Xu Zheng subconsciously replied, "The budget for this movie is at most 3000 million. If you think the budget is too high, it can be reduced to 2500 million. I personally don't need a salary, just a share of the box office revenue. I can also persuade the other actors not to take salaries, just a share of the box office revenue."
"Okay! We'll invest in this movie. Bring the contract tomorrow, along with anything you didn't mention earlier. We can discuss that properly when we sign the contract."
Xu Zheng was stunned. He could hardly believe it. It was so easy. He succeeded in less than half an hour. What did all the suffering, ridicule, and neglect he had endured over the past few months matter? He almost burst into tears.
It took Xu Zheng a long time to calm his excitement, and then, still somewhat incredulous, he asked, "President Wang, may I ask you a question? Why would you be willing to invest in me?"
"Because I see the shadow of another person in you. He was in your current position back then, passionately praising how wonderful a movie was, and it turned out to be very successful, just as he predicted!"
"Who?"
"Lin Feng, and that movie is 'Love is Not Blind'."
"It seems we really are destined to meet. Actually, I contacted you because of this film, 'Love is Not Blind.' I thought Enlight Media liked to nurture new directors!"
"You have a lot of confidence, confidence, and passion for your film. I hope you can succeed too. Go back and pack your things, come back tomorrow to sign the contract, and we'll discuss the details."
Xu Zheng, with his stubble, said, "Thank you!"
However, after Xu Zheng left, Wang Changtian suddenly regretted it, because he suddenly realized that Xu Zheng's film was an investment, not just a simple distribution.
Although 3000 million is not a large investment, it's really worrying to have a completely new director like this! This is awkward, and Wang Changtian has already agreed. What should we do?
Just then, Lin Feng called, which gave Wang Changtian an idea. Lin Feng had a knack for film investment. He'd see what Lin Feng had to say, and if possible, he'd definitely get Lin Feng to invest as well! His film "Love is Not Blind" would be a huge success.
Wang Changtian didn't expect that Lin Feng would ask for money right away, specifically for a share of the box office revenue from "Love is Not Blind".
"Mr. Wang, I'm really short on cash right now. When will we receive our share of the box office revenue from 'Love is Not Blind'?"
"You're short of money? What are you planning to do? Besides, the movie is still showing; it won't be out of theaters for at least six months. Are you that anxious?"
"I'm just a minor celebrity, how do I have so much money! Now I want to buy a house and make investments, how can I not lack money!"
Besides, how the box office revenue is distributed is entirely up to you distribution companies!
"Do you think Enlight Media is like China Film Group? Getting box office revenue isn't that easy! I'll help you chase after them; I can guarantee it'll arrive gradually before the end of the year. If you're really short on cash, I can lend you some!"
"Thank you! I will definitely ask if I really need it."
Just as Lin Feng hung up the phone, Wang Changtian continued, "Lin Feng, there's a movie investment project today, could you help me with some advice?"
Then Wang Changtian told Lin Feng about Xu Zheng's visit to solicit investment. At first, Lin Feng didn't take it seriously, but when he heard Xu Zheng and the title of the film "Lost in Thailand," he was shocked. Holy crap, isn't that "Lost in Thailand"? The first film in Chinese film history to surpass 1 billion yuan at the box office, and it ultimately grossed a whopping 12.7 billion yuan! That's more than two "Love is Not Blind" films combined!
Of course, Chinese films are currently in a period of rapid growth, with both the number of movie screens and box office revenue growing at an extremely high rate of 50% or even 100%.
Lin Feng didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "Mr. Wang, the movie 'Lost in Thailand' is great, absolutely no problem! I believe it will be the next 'Love is Not Blind'."
You don't need to worry about whether this is Xu Zheng's first time directing. Just look at the lineup of Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang, and Huang Bo—the top comedians—forming an "iron triangle"—it's already amazing! As long as the movie isn't too bad, it's bound to be a box office success!
Besides, based on your description, Xu Zheng has real skills, so what are you hesitating for? If you don't want to invest, I can help you do so!
Now that Lin Feng had caught him, how could he possibly miss this investment opportunity!
"We'll share it in half when we meet!"
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