Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 500: Zuoshandiao holds a meeting

The preparatory group for "2012" was established at the fastest speed in history.

Race against time!

Large companies have a unique advantage in this regard.

The budgeters took their positions and began to break down the script, estimating detailed budget expenditures based on each scene.

The location scouts begin looking for suitable filming locations, which often requires considering preferential rebate systems in countries around the world.

An American blockbuster produced by Hollywood may actually be shot in the United States for less than one-fifth of its length.

In addition, disaster films like "2012" also need to hire scientific consultants to ensure that the scenes in the script are scientifically plausible, or at least generally plausible.

Various tasks were put into operation one after another, but most of the initial funds were provided by Zhang Chen's party.

Warner Bros. played a rogue.

Although the contract stipulates that China will contribute 55% and Warner Bros. will contribute 45%.

However, according to the agreement, Warner's funds must be deposited into the project team's account in two installments, with the first 10% to be paid within 7 working days after the contract is signed as start-up capital.

The remaining 90% will not be transferred until after Christmas.

The meaning is actually very obvious - it depends on the performance of "Pacific Rim".

If Pacific Rim fails, 2012 will definitely be cancelled.

Zhang Chen was a little unhappy, but there was nothing he could do.

Even if we replace it with other companies, they will most likely do the same thing, and they may not be as good as Warner.

I can only hold my nose and admit it.

……

Before Zhang Chen left the United States, he specifically communicated in detail with Warner about the issue of investment promotion.

The entire movie "2012" is actually full of advertisements.

The stretched sedan that the male protagonist drove in the early stage, the plane used for escape, the luxury sports car in the later stage, the rolling Burger King model when the disaster occurred, the collapsed giant Coca-Cola billboard...

These are all areas where advertising can be inserted.

For example, the stretched sedan that the male protagonist drove in the early stage could be a Cadillac or a Lincoln, depending on who bids the higher price.

It’s the same principle as a billboard. If it can be Coca-Cola’s, it can also be Pepsi’s.

The highest bidder wins!

Of course, Zhang Chen doesn’t have to worry about this.

Warner has a complete business team to handle this, and I believe that the revenue from advertising placement alone can offset the considerable costs.

Another thing is to ask the casting director to help find the remaining roles besides the main character's family of three. You can look for more candidates and have them audition together when the time comes.

After the plane landed, Zhang Chen returned to China.

He immediately found the Beijing Film Academy Animation School.

The first step in the production process of special effects films is to conduct animation previews.

That is to say, produce the corresponding animation according to the script and storyboard.

This approach has many benefits:

First of all, cost control can be achieved through animation.

For example, in an earthquake shot, the scientific consultant can completely discover the physical logic loopholes through animation preview, such as whether the collapse direction is reasonable, thus avoiding rework later.

Secondly, it can reduce communication costs.

Animation previews are verified and reviewed, and can also intuitively express the director's desired effects, shooting angles and scenes.

This is equivalent to giving the special effects artist something concrete. The special effects artist only needs to make the special effects according to the animation template, thus minimizing the losses caused by communication errors.

In addition, the logistics team can also accurately grasp the director's ideas through rehearsals and prepare corresponding props in advance.

This kind of work is not considered to be very high-end, so Zhang Chen took it back to China to do it.

Good steel should be used on the blade, spending where necessary and saving where necessary.

Just after graduating from the Animation Academy, I received a call from Ren Zhonglun.

"Mr. Ren, I was just about to call you~"

"Call me?"

"Well, I just started a big project. I want to ask if you guys at Shanghai Film Academy are interested in joining me..."

Ren Zhonglun on the opposite side laughed: "You are a man of conscience, I thought you were going to leave us alone and go to the cinema alone this time~"

It was obvious that Ren Zhonglun made this call to ask about this matter.

"That can't be possible. Our two companies have always been partners. Mr. Ren and Shanghai Film Group have always taken good care of me. I can't eat alone..."

"Then tell me, how much share can you give us this time?"

"It's not decided yet. I plan to call everyone together this time to discuss it~"

"Hmm? How much does the Central Film Academy take?"

"It's not decided yet, we'll discuss it together when the time comes."

"Okay, I'll wait for your news."

Just after hanging up the call from Ren Zhonglun, he received another call from Han Sanping, asking him to go to China Film Studio.

When we arrived at Han Sanping's office, Sanye complained as soon as we met: "You didn't even bother to come and visit me after returning to your country..."

Zhang Chen smiled apologetically: "I just got back, I need to adjust to the time difference~"

"Okay, I won't be polite with you. How much can China get for the 2012 project?"

"55%, based on a cost of 1.2 million, is 6600 million US dollars."

“How much do you keep for yourself?”

"About 3000 million."

"Hiss~, you are quite rich."

3000 million US dollars is 2.4 million Chinese yuan, which is something that ordinary film and television companies cannot afford.

Zhang Chen rubbed his head: "Haha, I made a little money recently. Besides, this is from three companies~"

For a profitable project, Zhang Chen must of course get as much share as possible, and 3000 million is a relatively appropriate amount.

If you have more, people will think you are eating alone.

"Okay then. Eagle King will definitely invest in the remaining 3600 million. Leave 600 million to him, and the remaining 3000 million will be taken by China Film..."

Uncle Han San touched his head and said with a smile, Zhang Chen curled his lips.

You even knew to leave 600 million for Eagle King, probably because you were giving face to Jackie Chan. After all, he is the leading actor, otherwise all the 600 million would have been eaten up.

It is indeed a mountain eagle.

"No, Third Master, I've already promised others..."

"Who did you promise?"

"Shanghai Film Group, Wanda, Stellar Media, Light Media, and Lee Pictures..." Zhang Chen said while counting on his fingers.

"Did you contact Lao Ren?"

"Yeah, he just called me and told me not to eat alone."

"This old guy is not allowed to eat alone. It seems that he doesn't want to eat. He can't eat."

Han Sanping expressed his contempt for Ren Zhonglun, but since Zhang Chen had already contacted other people, his previous idea naturally could not be realized.

A little unhappy: "You are the only one who knows how to behave..."

Zhang Chen sneered: "They are all old friends. Many of them have already informed me of this. This is also the first time I have made a disaster film, so I must unite the majority..."

The Third Master was still indignant, but this was Zhang Chen's project after all.

"Then tell me, how much share can you give to China Film Group?"

"Ten million, maybe. Shanghai Film Group has about the same amount. The rest can be divided among the other companies. You guys eat the meat, but you also have to let others have some soup..."

The Third Master smacked his lips and said, "Okay, but the distribution has to be handed over to us, China Film." "That's a must."

This time, Zhang Chen wanted to treat everyone equally so that all the friends who followed him could have a share of the spoils.

Three Gangs of Men!

Although Xingchen Entertainment is now the leading film and television company in mainland China, it also needs its own allies.

……

A day later, the companies Zhang Chen mentioned gathered at China Film Group.

That’s right, it’s China Film Group, not Star Entertainment.

Even the people were invited by Han Sanping.

In the conference room, Han Sanping of China Film Group, Ren Zhonglun of Shanghai Film Group, Tan Hong of Star Media, Ye Ning of Wanda Film, Wang Changtian of Guangxian, the boss of Eagle King, and Mr. Li of Lee Pictures gathered together.

Zhang Chen looked around the audience. These were the partners he wanted to unite with, and they were definitely half of the current film and television industry.

"Everyone try this..."

The Third Master gave everyone a cigar. Since they were coming to his place, he wanted to show his hospitality as a good host.

"This thing is powerful..."

The boss picked it up and sniffed it: "I wonder if it was donated from the thigh of a butcher..."

"Go away, you old bastards, we won't do that corrupt stuff."

Zhang Chen made an opening statement: "We are all family, and everyone is familiar with the situation. Warner and I have started a new film project with an initial budget of 1.2 million US dollars, and there is still a gap of 3600 million..."

Without waiting for him to finish, Han Sanping spoke directly: "We at China Film want a share of 1000 million US dollars..."

Ren Zhonglun immediately followed up: "We are also in the film industry."

The others opened their mouths but said nothing.

These two old guys got there first, and as soon as they opened their mouths, more than half of the share was gone.

It would be a lie to say that I have no opinion, but I have to reserve my opinion even if I do, because they are the head of the country.

China Film Group Corporation and Shanghai Film Group Corporation are both giants, and no one can afford to offend them.

If they dare to attack, we will deal with them in minutes.

Zhang Chen adjusted the atmosphere again: "There are still 1600 million US dollars left. Let's discuss how to divide it."

The original intention is to allow everyone to discuss things together and not to hurt the harmony.

Unexpectedly, everyone became a little anxious when they saw that most of the shares were gone in the blink of an eye.

"We at Xingmei will pay 500 million~"

"Wanda also offered 500 million~"

"The rest will be taken by our Eagle King (Light)..."

Wang Changtian and the boss said at the same time that it was like the aunties who were fighting over vegetables in the market.

Old Li was dumbfounded. He knew he was not on the same level as the others. While they were eating meat, he was just going to drink some soup, so he didn't feel comfortable arguing.

He originally thought that he would buy up whatever was left.

Unexpectedly, there wasn't even any soup.

Of course, Zhang Chen would not allow this to happen, so he simply said, "This is just an investment opportunity. Let's not hurt each other's feelings. How about this, we can divide the remaining $1600 million equally, 400 million each..."

Wanda and Star Media were a little unhappy when they heard that the profits had to be split equally.

We are a cinema chain, why should they enjoy the same treatment as us?

Especially Lee Pictures.

Eagle King can at least be responsible for the distribution in Hong Kong. What resources does Lee Pictures have?
But being unhappy is just being unhappy.

Since Zhang Chen said so, we must give him face.

Seeing that everyone had no objection, the matter was settled.

The share was finalized. There was no wine on site, but there was tea. So we used tea instead of wine and raised our glasses to celebrate.

Old Li gave Zhang Chen a grateful look, he knew that he originally had no chance to sit at the table.

Zhang Chen must bring Lao Li with him. Li's Pictures does not have many resources to help "2012", but Li has helped him a lot in the cinema recently.

This year alone, Lee Pictures has built five new cinemas in second-tier cities, all of which are affiliated with Golden Harvest Cinemas.

Based on a company of 500 million, that would be 2500 million, which is also a considerable investment.

Not to mention that Lee Pictures could be said to be his benefactor. If it weren't for the investment from Lee Pictures, his Virgo would have probably failed.

One should always remember the person who dug the well when drinking water, so Zhang Chen has always taken good care of Lao Li.

"By the way, Director Zhang, we still don't know what the new movie will be about?"

All the quotas had been distributed, and only then did someone remember to ask about the subject matter of the movie.

It’s not that they are careless, it’s just that every movie Zhang Chen has made has always made a lot of money.

A bit similar to Stephen Chow in the 1980s and 1990s.

As long as he said he wanted to make a movie, even if he had no script or actors, but only an idea, people would still come forward to give him money.

Now his movies are no longer movies, but financial projects.

"Yeah, yeah, we don't know yet either..." The boss and others also cast curious glances.

When the news from Warner reached China, they only said that it was a billion-dollar project and nothing else.

"I'm sorry, I can't reveal this for now..."

Nani?

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. "We invested all our money, but we don't even know what the movie is about?"

There is really no way to know.

Zhang Chen had a huge publicity plan in mind, and the most important thing was to keep it confidential.

"Please don't make things difficult for Director Zhang. The subject matter of the film is closely related to the subsequent publicity. If it is leaked, it will affect the box office. Currently, only Warner, Director Zhang and I know about it. But don't worry, everyone will know when the publicity stage comes..."

Han Sanping stepped forward to rescue Zhang Chen.

But how can this be a problem?
Xingmei Tan Hong complained in her heart, but smiled on her face: "Okay, we won't ask."

In the end, several people chose to accept it silently.

After finalizing the shares, it's a rare occasion for us to get together, so we must have a meal to bond with each other.

Zhang Chen wanted to have his own friends, and the others had similar ideas.

After three rounds of drinks, Wang Jinghua called.

"Director Zhang, we at Shijiu Culture can also invest in your new project."

"It's too late. All the shares have been distributed~"

"What about the roles? Are there any suitable ones that we can use to show our faces..."

She had never had any illusions about being able to participate in the investment, so what she said was just a lead-in, and her purpose was still to act as an actor.

And he specifically mentioned 'us'. Don't forget, you still have shares in Shijiu Culture.

"There are no big roles, only small supporting roles with only one or two lines. Do you want one?"

"Yes, why not? As long as I can appear in an A-level production, that's fine..."

"Okay then, make a list and I'll have someone send them audition invitations later."

Apart from the protagonist's family, Zhang Chen does not plan to arrange any important Chinese characters. Just as David said, this movie cannot have an all-Chinese cast.

But "2012" involves China after all, and there are still many small supporting roles with few scenes, but their existence is just a cameo.

However, I believe there are plenty of stars willing to play a supporting role, as Hollywood resources are scarce at this stage.

Those stars were able to play supporting roles in "Red Cliff", so why can't they play supporting roles in "2012"?

……

(End of this chapter)