Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 466 Er Xiaobao and the Shinjuku Incident

"Before Dawn" is really popular, not only among ordinary people, but also among the highly educated elite.

The plot is reasonable, the characters' IQs are online, the decent characters are not deified, and the villains are not stupid either. Such a drama is rare.

Tianya, Mop, Baidu Tieba, people have posted to analyze why this drama is so popular~
Major film and television organizations are also studying the secret of the success of "Before Dawn".

In the midday sun, Kong Sheng cleared his throat and said, “I think the biggest highlight of this drama is that it imitated the structure of American dramas.

The plot is compact, interconnected, with multiple lines running parallel and intertwined.

With "Tracking the Sailor" and "Trojan Horse Plan" as the main plot, the intelligence transmission of the CCP underground party, the power struggle within the Kuomintang and the emotional entanglements between the characters are cleverly integrated. Each episode has new conflicts and suspense, which keeps the audience highly nervous and concerned. "

Hou Hongliang: “Can we learn from this model?”

Kong Sheng thought about it for a long time, and finally shook his head: "It's difficult, too difficult. American TV series are broadcast weekly, and each episode contains a lot of information. In terms of writing difficulty, it is much more difficult than our current TV series model.

It is said that all the scripts for film and television works produced by Star Entertainment are written by their own screenwriter team.

And their writing team is famously strong~"

"Can't we find a screenwriter ourselves?"

Kong Sheng continued to shake his head: "No, the reason why their screenwriter team is so strong is because every screenwriter in it is at the level of a great screenwriter. If they were put outside, they would have already started their own studio.

The reason why these people continue to stay in Xingchen Entertainment is because Zhang Chen is willing to give them money.

Zhang Chen said publicly that the screenwriter team of Xingchen Entertainment does not receive a fixed salary, but a commission based on the proportion of the revenue of the film and television series. It can be said that what they earn from one drama is equivalent to what other screenwriters outside can earn in several years. Don’t forget that all the TV series and movies they produce are hits..."

These words left Hou Hongliang silent.

I really don't know how to copy~
……

Inside Huayi
The two brothers looked gloomy.

"How come they are so lucky? We made a movie called "Soldier Assault" which was a hit, but it was already the third round when it became popular, and we didn't make any money at all. However, their "Before the Dawn" became a hit as soon as it was broadcast, and it is obviously also a niche subject..."

"Alas, Zhang Chen is a man who may be disliked by others, but he is indeed capable~"

"If we talk about the success of this drama, the biggest contributor is still the screenwriter~"

Wang Zhongjun: "Is it possible to poach people here?"

Wang Zhonglei: "It's difficult. I've tried. Their appetite is too big, and there is a non-compete agreement~"

"Then follow the trend. Before Dawn is popular, and spy dramas are the most popular now. Buy a few novels and adapt them. They may not be as popular as them, but making money should be no problem~"

"I'll do it right away."

……

Tang Ren
Cai Yinong was also studying "Before the Dawn". After a while, he said: "The plot is so well designed, with all kinds of twists and turns. Some characters who seemed to be loyal to the Kuomintang made unexpected moves at critical moments.
And some clues or evidence that are considered ironclad will be completely overturned as the plot develops.”

Her close partner Li Guoli also agreed, "Yes, this kind of reversal not only increases the drama and viewing value of the plot, but also better fits the unpredictable characteristics of the real spy war environment.

Unfortunately, we can’t make this kind of drama~"

Cai Yinong also sighed. They started out by making costume dramas. They had made dramas of other themes before, but they all failed. Only the costume dramas became a hit.

Cai Yinong has decided to focus on the field of costume dramas. He is not sure about the preferences of mainland audiences for other themes, and he will most likely lose money if he does so.

……

Mango Terrace

The director of the film purchasing department said: "Director, I felt that Before Dawn did not fit the style of our station, so I didn't go all out. Besides, we have already acquired My Own Swordsman 2 and our self-made Ming Dynasty 1566..."

Director Ouyang said: “You haven’t thought this through. Although we focus on entertainment, we can also dabble in serious subjects. Otherwise, why would we make 1566?

How about this, you take a break for a while, Xiao Wang, you and Zhang Chen are both young people, it’s easy to get along with each other, you will be responsible for the film-collecting tasks for the next period of time~"

"Okay, Master, I will definitely live up to your expectations."

After the meeting was over and most people had left, Wang Yanjing deliberately stayed behind and put his arm around the frustrated production director.

"Lao Zhang, don't be discouraged, it's okay~"

"It's not a big deal yet. I've been put on hold~"

"Hey, don't you know our director's style? I'm just trying to teach you a lesson. I definitely can't keep doing this forever. In a few months, the film purchasing department will still be yours~"

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you~"

"Otherwise, we have to say that you, Brother Wang, are righteous~"

"Okay, don't flatter me, but you have to support my work now. Let me ask you, does Zhang Chen like to play mahjong?"

The production director knew that Wang Yanjing was going to play his mahjong social game again.

"I don't know about this either. I haven't heard anyone in the circle mention it~"

Wang Yanjing nodded: "Then do you know where he is from?"

"I'm from Longcheng, a coal-mining province."

"Longcheng people?" Wang Yanjing didn't know much about this place. "Do you know how they play there?"

"I know this one, it's called Li Si, but it's pretty boring to play~"

"Li Si, oh, I remember it, I'll study it later~
Okay, hurry up and get busy, I'll meet you for tea later~"

……

In a large conference room at Beijing TV, the director was beaming with joy as he personally presided over the meeting:

"The film purchasing department did a great job this time. That's how we should do things. If we see a good opportunity, we should go all out to get it. Right now, our show 'Before the Dawn' is number one in the ratings in its time slot..."

Applause below~
"It's all thanks to the director's leadership. If you hadn't been there to support us, I wouldn't have dared to charge forward~"

When the film purchasing director was praised, he immediately flattered him back.

The Master smiled and said, “Okay, don’t be so modest.”

He glanced around the audience and continued, "I called everyone here today because there is one more thing. I want you to analyze why Before Dawn became so popular..."

The station director smiled and glanced at the film purchasing director, who understood and immediately said, "Let me express my opinion first. I think the main reason is that the characters are well-rounded, unlike the previous model operas that were black and white."

"Yes, I agree. This is similar to "Bright Sword". The characters in "Bright Sword" also break through the shackles of the previous model operas that were either black or white..."

After someone started, others immediately followed:
"As an undercover agent in Before Dawn, Liu Xinjie not only has to carefully hide his identity within the enemy, but also has to face the conflicts between friendship, family affection and faith.

Characters such as Tan Zhongshu and Li Bohan from the Kuomintang also have their own personality traits, ideal pursuits and inner struggles. They are not simply villains, but individuals with complex human nature, allowing the audience to understand the motivations of each character's behavior more deeply.

In addition, the supporting roles are also outstanding.

Whether it is Qi Peilin and Sun Dapu from the Eighth Bureau, or Duan Haiping and Gu Yejia from the underground Communist Party of China, each character has his or her own unique identity background, personality traits and behaviors, and the interactions and conflicts between them add rich layers to the plot.

"

The director was very satisfied with everyone's opinions: "Then is it possible for us to produce this kind of drama ourselves?"

The director of the production department paused when he heard this. In this situation, he definitely couldn't say no.

"Of course, but this kind of high-quality drama needs to be polished slowly. It's not uncommon for it to take a year or two to write the script~"

He said yes, but what he meant was no.

The Master also had an idea in mind. Since he couldn’t do it himself, he would just continue buying.

"Director Sun from the Film Purchasing Department, do you know Xingchen Entertainment's next filming plan? Do they have any similar high-quality dramas?"

Mr. Sun immediately replied: "I have asked Mr. Dong of Xingchen Entertainment. They are planning to make a series of spy wars. Before Dawn is only the first part. The second part is called Hidden, and the third part is called The Cliff..."

"'Lurking'? 'Cliff'?"

"Yes, but it's produced by different teams. However, Dong Jianqiang said that "Live" is a drama that Zhang Chen personally supervised. It is the main high-quality drama that Xingchen Entertainment will focus on next year!"

"Then we must take it down and never let it fall into the hands of Mango TV again."

As a TV station in Beijing, we are very concerned about the sudden rise of Mango TV.

"Okay, Director, I'm going to continue contacting Manager Dong~"

"Well, it would be best if I could establish a relationship with Zhang Chen. At a critical moment, if necessary, I can also cooperate with your work."

The station director looked around and said: "Comrades, the "Wulin Wai Zhuan" series has become the signature of Mango TV, and it is difficult for us to get it back.

But the Spy War Trilogy can, I hope the Spy War Trilogy can also become the signature of our Beijing TV, I hope everyone will go all out~"

"Okay, Master. We will try our best~"

"It's not about trying your best, it's about having to do it~"

"Yes, Director, I will definitely get the first broadcast rights for "The Hidden"~"

"You reminded me to contact Xingchen Entertainment and ask them if they are willing to co-produce "Hidden" with us. We can offer more generous conditions. If that doesn't work, "Cliff" is also fine..."

……

Hong Kong Eagle King
In Boss Yang's office, Er Xiaobao was talking: "I plan to focus this movie on illegal immigrants and marginalized groups in society..."

"Big circle?"

"No, it's the illegal immigrants who sneaked into Japan...

The main purpose is to show the plight of illegal immigrants and the xenophobia of Japanese society. I plan to call it “Shinjuku Incident.”

While Er Xiaobao was still chattering, Boss Yang had already picked up the script on the table and started reading.

The script is very well written, combining both commercial and artistic qualities.

Boss Yang saw what Er Xiaobao wanted to express from each paragraph:

the collapse of idealism;
Group alienation and collective degeneration;
the lack of redemption and hope;

Tietou initially wanted to establish himself in Japan by selling legal businesses such as "pushcarts", but he was constantly bullied by the Japanese gang and ultimately had to resort to violence.

Here is a subversion of his idealism.

The stowaways' initial survival from helping each other to their final killing for profit reflects the alienation of human nature in extreme environments.

Unlike traditional gangster films, Shinjuku Incident has almost no redemption path for the positive characters. The death of the protagonist Tietou hints at the desperate reality that illegal immigrants find it difficult to find a way out in mainstream society.

Er Xiaobao always looks at things from a different perspective than others.

If other Hong Kong directors were to film this story, it would definitely be a gangster film, but Er Xiaobao chose to explore human nature.

But this is exactly what he admires about Er Xiaobao.

"How much do you plan to budget for this play?"

Boss Yang had already decided to invest, but who knew that what Er Xiaobao said would surprise him even more.

"I want Cheng Long to play Tietou~"

"why?"

"Because I want to shoot this movie on location, the budget will probably start at 100 million. With such a high investment, only Jackie Chan's movies can make a profit~" Er Xiaobao said this, and Boss Yang was even happier.

Zhang Chen once said that directors who don’t think about making money for investors are being hooligans.

Er Xiaobao in front of us is a good person. He knows how to consider issues from the perspective of an investor.

He also likes Er Xiaobao's perspective on things. He is very good at exploring human nature and social issues through realistic themes, such as "Love Unforgettable" and "One Nite in Mongkok".

This creative style is highly consistent with Boss Yang’s own investment philosophy.

"Okay, I'll invest in your play, and I'll be the one to speak for Cheng Long. I think he'll give me some face..."

Boss Yang valued Er Xiaobao very much, otherwise he would not have continued to cooperate with him to form a new company after the loss of "Shinjuku Incident".

This means long-term cooperation.

"But……"

"No buts. I, Yang, invest in movies to make friends. I invest in you because I think you are a talented person. It doesn't matter whether this movie makes money or not~"

He wasn't really bragging, Jiang Wen was just doing it.

"However, if you are unsure about the box office, I suggest you bring in Xingchen Entertainment. Cinemas are very superstitious about Zhang Chen now. As long as the movie he approves of, the cinema will push it. In addition, for the leading actress, I suggest you consider Fan Binbin..."

Er Xiaobao certainly knew why Boss Yang recommended Fan Binbin. Although the other party claimed to be a personal studio, she was actually the top star of Star Entertainment.

In "Pacific Rim", she is the female lead and also the main character with the most screen time.

"Thank you, Boss Yang, for your advice~"

Soon, Zhang Chen received an invitation to meet from the other party and made an appointment with Er Xiaobao to visit him the next day.

That night, Er Xiaobao flew to Beijing, but he was not in a hurry to meet Zhang Chen. Instead, he visited Fan Xiaopang first.

From ancient times to the present, pillow talk has always been the most powerful.

"This is the script. Eagle King has agreed to invest. The male lead is Cheng Long..."

Fan Xiaopang didn't comment and picked up the script to read.

Ten minutes later, after reading the script, Fan Xiaopang thought it was a good script, but he did not agree immediately.

She raised her eyes and said, "When will the filming start? If it starts right away, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it in time..."

“I understand, I also watched the news and knew that Pacific Rim would start filming in January.

This movie won’t be finished that quickly. Brother Cheng Long is still filming Rush Hour 3 in Hollywood. By the time he’s almost done with it, your Pacific Rim will have been finished too…”

Fan Xiaopang calculated that it should be about the same. Zhang Chen said that the shooting time of "Pacific Rim" was three months, and the rest was post-production.

The other party has considered everything very comprehensively and has spoken with great confidence.

Although there has been no news yet, Fan Xiaopang feels that it is true that Cheng Long was involved in this matter.

"I need to think about it. I'll give you an answer later, okay?"

"Of course, I also need to meet Director Zhang Chen~"

"Director Zhang?"

"Well, I made an appointment with him to meet tomorrow to see if they are willing to invest~"

Fat Fan said "Oh" and the two of them hurriedly separated.

After returning home, Fan Xiaopang called Zhang Chen first and told him about the "Shinjuku Incident".

Zhang Chen thought to himself, it was pretty much the same as he had guessed.

When he first heard the secretary inform him that Er Xiaobao wanted to meet him, he guessed it was "Shinjuku Incident".

I just wonder why the other party came to me. Did they expect it to be a co-production?
Are you kidding me?
Can I do what even Cheng Long can't do?
Yes, there is no way that "Shinjuku Incident" could pass the review.

In 08, the first year of the Olympics, what were you thinking when you filmed the story of the illegal immigrants?

However, it was quite surprising that the other party took the initiative to find Fan Xiaopang to be the female lead.

At the beginning of the original time and space, the heroine was actually Zhang Jing.

Zhang Jing became famous after the release of "Qinghong" and then met Nansun Shi.

This is how Hong Kong film resources came about.

Of course, it could also be because of Fatty Hong.

A week before the press conference of "Shinjuku Incident", the female lead was still played by Zhang Jing.

Because Cheng Long had to go to the United States for something, the press conference was forced to be postponed. Within that week, all investors, including Boss Yang, unanimously demanded the use of Fan Binbin.

Fan Binbin rightfully replaced Zhang Jing and became the heroine of "Shinjuku Incident".

Anyway, during those two years, Fat Fan’s fighting ability was very strong, and no one dared to challenge him.

If the accident had not happened later, with her troublesome personality, she might have been the second Grandma Liu.

If you persevere, you will become an experienced artist with both moral integrity and artistic talent.

……

The next day, Er Xiaobao came to visit and told him about this incident.

Zhang Chen also told the truth.

Not because of Er Xiaobao, but because of Cheng Long.

After all, it is a business card of China. On the eve of the Olympics, the work was rejected, which is embarrassing for both the country and him.

"The topic of smuggling is suspected of smearing the image of the country, especially at such a sensitive time. I suggest you be cautious."

"I want to show the plight of Chinese people living overseas during that era..."

"I know, but it's still on the line. You can't pass the review. With such a huge investment, can you accept giving up the mainland market?"

Er Xiaobao was speechless.

Can he accept it?
can!
But Boss Yang probably can't accept it.

In fact, he couldn't accept it.

"Even Cheng Long can't do it?"

"No."

This guy really had this idea, thinking that Cheng Long was omnipotent.

The "Rush Hour 3" he is currently filming has not been able to be shown in the mainland. Didn't you expect that?

Some people say that Er Xiaobao got carried away after winning the Best Director Award for "One Nite in Mongkok", so he was so stubborn that he would rather not have the film released in mainland China than make any cuts.

It's pure nonsense.

In fact, Er Xiaobao was ready to compromise at the beginning.

He once tried to delete the violent and bloody scenes and release a "clean version" in the mainland market like "Lust, Caution".

After the "clean version" was edited, he specially asked his friend who was a producer in the mainland to watch the original version first and then the "clean version". As a result, everyone found that after all the violent scenes were deleted, the plot system of the entire movie collapsed.

Finally, Er Xiaobao convinced Cheng Long and Boss Yang to keep the original version and give up releasing it in the mainland market with just one sentence - movies are something that will remain, and this movie will still be there ten years later, and we don't want to be criticized at that time for making too many changes.

It's quite tragic actually.

Just think about it, with an investment of 1.5 million, it will definitely lose money if it is not released in mainland China.

The fact that they were able to make this decision shows that Boss Yang and Cheng Long also have artistic pursuits.

Jackie Chan has made countless movies in his life, but not many of them lost money.

"Around the World in 80 Days", "Detective Pu Songling" and "Shinjuku Incident" are definitely.

Although the box office of other movies is not high, the overseas copyrights of Jackie Chan's martial arts films can be sold at a good price, basically catching up.

“Think about it yourself. I have another suggestion. I think The Shinjuku Incident is a good story, but it’s not commercial enough.

Even if you really go ahead and make it, the box office may not be good.

If you want to be realistic, why not film the story of the Fuqing Society and their entanglement with the Black Dragon Gang? Three of the four leaders of the Black Dragon Gang fell in their hands. This would be more dramatic. Of course, this story would not pass the censorship either..."

After hearing this, Er Xiaobao shook his head. That was not the story he wanted to shoot. What he wanted to shoot was never about gangs, but about human nature.

Zhang Chen actually doesn’t recommend it, he’s just saying that.

The Fuqing Society is not a good group either. Even overseas, they are bullied by their own people.

Filming this is a bit like filming "Young and Dangerous", it's just dog bites dog.

It's just that one of them is a Chinese rural dog. Emotionally, we are more inclined to rural dogs, but in fact, they are all vicious dogs~
Zhang Chen didn't expect to be able to convince the other party. Er Xiaobao was still very stubborn, otherwise he wouldn't have always been interested in marginalized people.

《New Love》~
A Night in Mongkok
Shinjuku Incident
There is also the future "I am a passerby" ~
Either a special practitioner, a stowaway, or a minor actor~
Although he doesn't have as strong a personal style as Du Dapao, at least you can see that he has thought it through.

Zhang Chen had no ill feelings towards him.

……

Golden Harvest, Hong Kong

When Zhang Chen met Er Xiaobao, Chen Xi was also meeting someone.

Chen Xi walked into the lobby of the Regent Hotel and saw Song Dai, who had invited her, from afar.

"Mr. Song~"

"Ms. Chen, please take a seat~"

Song Dai is the chairman of the Yindu Organization.

"Miss Chen, what would you like to order? The afternoon tea here is very famous~"

"Then have a glass of 'The Wizard of Oz'."

The view from the Regent Hotel is actually quite nice. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, one can overlook the entire Victoria Harbour, but Chen Xi is not in the mood for such a view at the moment.

She didn't understand why Song Dai suddenly asked her to do so.

Golden Harvest’s status is not low, but Yindu Film Group is the only large state-owned film company of China Film Group overseas.

The level in the Song Dynasty was not low.

The two chatted casually about some parents first, and Song Dai finally made clear his purpose: "It's December in a blink of an eye, 2006 will soon become the past tense, and in a few months, it will be next year's Academy Awards.

There were some misunderstandings between director Zhang Chen and the Academy Awards before, which made both parties very unhappy.

The reason I asked Miss Chen to come here this time is to ask if there is any possibility for both parties to turn hostility into friendship.

After all, we are all here for Chinese films!"

(End of this chapter)