Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 5 Crowdfunding
Old Jia was puzzled, wondering what Wu Yuchen meant.

Many other people also gathered around.

"This is……"

Upon opening the script, one can see that every line of dialogue in Wu Yuchen's script has a specific time mark, accurate to the second!
The final duration was only 11 minutes!
Wu Yuchen said loudly:

"When I'm writing the script, all the scenes are already in my mind. I don't need 30 minutes, I only need 11 minutes!"

I don't need 10 days, just 3 days of filming!

Old Jia was shocked. Compared to Wu Yuchen, his preparations were far inferior!
I've only produced a first draft of the script, and other people's lines are already precise down to the second!
Is this the proper attitude for making movies?
Everyone was delighted to hear this. Yes, the time has been reduced from 30 minutes to 11 minutes, and the time from 10 days to 3 days. The cost is estimated to be only 3!

Although 3 is still a lot of money, it is much more acceptable compared to the initial 9 or 10!

Taking advantage of everyone's renewed enthusiasm,

Wu Yuchen then continued to pump up his enthusiasm:

"Moreover, we have unique advantages!"
We have an unparalleled love for film, boundless passion, and an insatiable creative desire!
As long as filming can proceed, I won't ask for a single penny—no script fees, no salary!

After hearing Wu Yuchen's words, a short-haired girl immediately responded:
"I studied recording, I can be a recording engineer, I don't even need to worry about food, I can take care of myself!"

"I studied fine arts..."

"I studied photography..."

Seeing the students' enthusiastic participation, Wu Yuchen smiled with satisfaction.

That's why he came here – he was able to assemble a complete film crew right away.

Then Wu Yuchen raised his hand, and everyone fell silent, having unconsciously made him the undisputed key figure:

Our second advantage!
who are we?

We are students of Beijing Film Academy!

Everyone has some related background.

We can make the most of the resources around us!

First, I can fix the 16mm camera issue; I'll borrow it for free!

The same short-haired girl said, "We have a tape recorder in our department. I'll go to the department head and see if I can find a solution."

Wu Yuchen naturally felt the utmost goodwill towards such a proactive working person: "Senior..."

"Don't call me 'senior,' my name is Qi Jing," the short-haired girl said with a smile.

Wu Yuchen felt that Qi Jing's personality didn't quite match her name; she spoke and acted with a decisive and efficient air.

"Senior Qi Jing, I'm counting on you for the recording equipment!"

"Haha, don't worry, I'll make a scene and get it back for you!"

Wu Yuchen then said:
"The filming equipment can be basically handled. As for post-production, I'll follow Senior Qi's example and make a scene back in the department."

If there's really no other way, we'll all work together to figure something out.

Everyone was delighted; indeed, there are always more solutions than problems!
This way, we can save a lot of money, and it seems more and more reliable!

As for who will be the director, no one has any doubts anymore.

Wu Yuchen, who kept the pace throughout, has already been assumed to be the director!
Wu Yuchen observed the people in the classroom and saw that their enthusiasm had been reignited, and was even higher than before!

Wu Yuchen thought to himself that the time was almost right, and people's hearts were at their disposal! "Everyone contributes money and effort; I believe our movie will definitely be a success!"

After saying that, Wu Yuchen took out a handful of money from his pocket and put it on the table, including large ones of one hundred yuan and small ones of five yuan.

Then he gave a sincere smile:

"Please don't be offended, this is all the New Year's money and pocket money I've saved since I was a child, totaling 1325 yuan."

That's right, Wu Yuchen's total New Year's money over the past 18 years is less than what children in later generations receive in a single year.

It's not that my family is poor, it's just that the times are what they are.

This was in 1995. In the 80s, New Year's money ranged from two or three yuan to ten or twenty yuan. It was only in the last two years, with rapid economic development, that the amount of New Year's money increased, and now people are giving hundred-yuan bills.

Everyone was quite moved when they saw that this junior student, who had just entered the school, had taken out all his New Year's money from the bottom of his chest.

After all, most of them had part-time jobs to earn money during their university years, while Wu Yuchen was a complete freshman!

This is what love for movies is all about!

The senior student named Qi Jing was the first to shout:
"I have 1200 here!"

Wu Yuchen quickly wrote it down in his notebook: Qi Jing, 1200.

"I only have 700 here." One of the boys felt he hadn't contributed enough money and scratched his head.

"Thank you for your support, senior. The movie wouldn't have been possible without your help!" Wu Yuchen said with a warm smile, sincerely thanking the boy, which made him feel warm inside.

"I'll offer 600."

“I have 1500 here.”

Seeing his classmates actively participating in the crowdfunding, the atmosphere became increasingly lively, and everyone was infected by it, including Jia Zhangke.

He, Jia Zhangke, may not be as talented as others, but when it comes to his passion for film, Jia's passion for film is second to none!

Once Old Jia got excited, he yelled, "I'll bid 4000!"

His shout immediately drew everyone's attention, after all, 4000 is no small number for students.

Wu Yuchen also turned to look at Lao Jia and asked, with a hint of reminder:

"Senior brother, won't this affect our lives? Should we reduce the price?"

Jia Zhangke smiled and waved his hand: "Although I'm not exactly rich, I have a stable income every month, which is much better than what you, a freshman, have just entered the school."

More money means more hope for our film. We can earn more money later; it'll just mean working for another two or three months. But if we can't finish this film, I doubt any of us will have the face to discuss movies together again!

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but admire Lao Jia. In his previous life, he had made his own movie, "Xiaoshan Goes Home," so it was no surprise that he had personally spent four or five thousand yuan.

But now that they've switched to making his "Car 44," Jia Yueting is still willing to spend so much money, which shows he's truly passionate about film!
The impression that people of art film directors like Jia Zhangke have is that they are "miserable". They think that they always lose money when making films, and no one cares when they win awards. After years of struggling, they may not even be able to afford a house.

If you think of Lao Jia like that, you're sorely mistaken!
A detailed look at Lao Jia's resume:
The first book crowdfunded, "Xiaoshan Goes Home," cost less than 3 yuan but earned 5 yuan in bonuses.

The film "Xiao Wu," with an investment of only 30 yuan, earned nearly 500 million yuan through overseas distribution and authorized screenings.

The film "Still Life," which cost 600 million yuan to produce, sold for more than 4000 million yuan overseas thanks to the Golden Lion Award.

He won the Golden Lion at the 2006 Venice Film Festival for "Still Life".

In an interview, Jia Yueting once said that none of his films have ever lost money.

Yes, not a single one lost money! That's even more impressive than Zhang Yimou's work!
(End of this chapter)