Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 89 (Fourth update) Pig Killing List (asking for monthly votes!)
He Jiping told Zhang Chao on the phone that Huayi had already submitted the script outline of "Youth Like You" for filing and project approval, and there should be no problem in passing it. Zhang Aijia's director agreement had also been signed, and the budget was almost ready. Now they were just waiting for Zhang Chao's first draft of the script to come out, so they could start to form the crew.

Hearing these words, Zhang Chao's hair stood on end, and he felt as if a heavy burden was pressing on his shoulders.

In the next few days, he was busy with classes and writing. Fortunately, Yan University and Yan Normal University were not far away, so running between the two did not waste too much time. The key was that the homework was not particularly heavy, and most of it was reading tasks. Zhang Chao had already read many books when he was studying Chinese in his previous life.

During this time, Song Shiyu sent him a text message, telling him that she had finished her military training, but Zhang Chao could only apologize and reply to her, saying that he really couldn't spare the time to take her to visit the scenic spots in Yanjing. In addition to the club recruitment on September 9, Cheng Xin called Zhang Chao several times, but Zhang Chao didn't have the time to attend.

Because this script is really hard to write.

Although Zhang Chao had completed the outline of the scenes when he first wrote the script, when it came to each scene, it was more difficult to control the rhythm as the climax approached, so Zhang Chao wrote it very carefully.

After all, this is my debut screenplay. If I mess it up, it will not only be embarrassing, but it will also affect the progress of the film project.

However, he still managed to complete the first draft of the script on September 9, and immediately sent it to He Jiping and Zhang Aijia, and also called them.

That afternoon, He Jiping called Zhang Chao back, her tone clearly filled with joy: "I've read the script, it's very well written. Although it's only a first draft, we can already form our 'construction team' based on it. You don't have classes the day after tomorrow, Saturday, right? Let's meet in Huayi's office in the morning."

Zhang Chao heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that he could finally take a break. But soon he received a text message from Shan Yingqi of Chunfeng Society, asking about the progress of "Dwelling Narrowness"...

Now he just wanted to slap himself twice. It was really fun to sign the contract, but it was a waste of time to urge the manuscript... Ugh, it's unlucky!
On Saturday morning, Zhang Chao arrived at Huayi's office as scheduled. In addition to Zhang Chao, Zhang Aijia, and He Jiping, there was also a young man who was dressed a little fancy but looked quite smart.

He Jiping introduced Zhang Chao: "This is Yizhe, he is both the director and the producer. Mr. Wang gave him the project of "Youth Like You"."

Yizhe took the initiative to extend his hand to Zhang Chao and shook it, saying, "I have read both the novel and the script. They are both well written. This is a project worth investing in. I believe our cooperation will be very pleasant."

Zhang Chao smiled and thanked them. They sat down and began to discuss the preliminary preparations for the movie "Better Days".

After talking about the script for a while, Zhang Aijia asked directly: "Which schedule does Huayi plan to release this movie?"

The release date of a movie is very important and directly related to the direction of the movie's production. The same type of movie, released during the Spring Festival, Valentine's Day, May Day, or summer vacation, may have completely different tones in shooting, production, and promotion.

Even the script has to be modified according to the characteristics of the schedule. No matter how literary and artistic Zhang Aijia is, she still has to follow the basic market rules.

Yizhe said: "The initial plan is March next year."

He Jiping asked: "Is it too rushed? It's less than half a year away, and there's also the Spring Festival holiday in between. If it's in March, there might not be enough time for publicity and promotion."

Yi Zhe said: "This movie is a modern urban drama, which does not require much set construction or complex post-production special effects. The key is to find a good location. And we have also seen that the script written by Zhang Chao is very mature and should not need major changes, which saves a lot of time. Therefore, it is best to control the entire production cycle within 4 months. We will start shooting in November and finish before March."

Seeing that no one was talking, Yizhe further explained: "Almost no one has filmed the theme of "Youth Like You" before. Although we are all optimistic about it, the market reaction is difficult to predict after all, so it is really difficult to schedule. Although March is a little quiet, because there is Women's Day, we can apply for some financial support.

We can also work with the women's protection department to use the film as a propaganda film with educational significance against school bullying, and encourage schools to organize private screenings for students. This will also provide a stronger guarantee for box office sales."

Sylvia Chang didn't know much about the operation of the domestic film market, so she didn't speak up.

But Zhang Chao was anxious. He knew too well about the school's private screenings of movies. He had watched "The Day I Left That Good Man" at least three times from elementary school to high school. He immediately objected, "It's not appropriate. "Better Days" has a lot of violent scenes and crime scenes, and the male protagonist is a gangster. If we want to win the support of the women's protection department, all these contents may have to be changed. It's hard enough to have a mother-in-law, and if we invite another one, then the 'daughter-in-law' of "Better Days" will not be able to live a peaceful life."

Zhang Aijia also understood and immediately said, "What Zhang Chao said makes sense. If you are timid when filming, and you can't shoot this or that, then the final film will definitely be criticized by many people, and the box office will not be good."

He Jiping gave Zhang Chao an approving look and nodded in agreement.

Yizhe was not angry. It was normal to have disagreements during the preparation stage. The purpose of their meeting was to resolve the differences so that they could be of one mind when filming began.

Yizhe said: "Then only the May Day holiday and the summer vacation are more suitable. If I were to choose, I would definitely choose the May Day vacation. Although there are many students in the summer vacation, the competition is also fierce, and it has always been the territory of large films.

If I remember correctly, the blockbusters scheduled for the summer next year include Jay Chou's "Initial D" and Xu Ke's "Seven Swords". Foreign ones are even more exciting, including DreamWorks' "Madagascar" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", in which Brad Pitt and Jolie had an affair.

If "Better Days" is released during this period, I'm afraid it will be in trouble. The May Day period is much easier, as only Cage's "National Treasure" can compete well. "

After a few people discussed it again, they felt that what Yizhe said was relatively objective, so they tentatively set the release date on May 1st.

Zhang Aijia was also relieved. She was asked to finish the filming before March next year, which was indeed a bit beyond her ability as a director who specializes in art films. If it was May, it would be very relaxed. The shooting cycle of an urban film is only 3-5 months, plus 2-3 months for post-production and 1 month for publicity and promotion, so it is just right to be released in May.

Yizhe went on to introduce: "The total investment of this film is about 1500 million. In addition to our Huayi, New Picture in the mainland and Emperor Entertainment Group in Hong Kong are all interested in investing a little. But don't worry, the leading power is still on our side. They are purely financial investment, and they get box office dividends."

Spreading costs and reducing risks is a common practice in the film industry, and there is nothing strange about it. The more expensive the film, the more complicated the investors are, and sometimes they can take up an entire page in the end credits.

Yizhe suddenly said to Zhang Chao: "Are you interested in investing a little?"

Zhang Chao was surprised and said, "Me? I'm a writer, how can I have that much money?" He was not afraid that others would know that he was rich. After all, all kinds of royalties and first print news were public, and anyone who was interested could tell how much money he had with a quick calculation.

But having money and having him invest real money are two different things.

Yizhe said: "Don't be so low-key. You are the richest man now..."

Zhang Chao: “……?”

Seeing his shocked expression, Yizhe asked, "You still don't know?"

Zhang Chao shook his head. He had been busy writing scripts these days and didn't care much about other things.

Yizhe walked to the desk, rummaged through it, then handed a newspaper to Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao flipped open the newspaper and saw that it was a financial newspaper. He then read a piece of news with a big headline and was immediately shocked:

Forbes China CEO: Zhang Chao's annual royalties exceed 10 million, and he may become the richest writer in China

——Am I going to be on the pig-killing list?
(End of this chapter)