Entertainment: I just want to be the boss behind the scenes

Chapter 21 Everything is ready
Although he felt that the other party was not very old from his voice during the previous call, Wu Bai did not expect Meng Bai to be so young.

However, he was only surprised for a moment. He remained calm and shook hands with Meng Bai, exchanged a few polite words, and sat down at the table together.

The two sat down, and Meng Bai first introduced Li Qin to Wu Bai, specifically pointing out that she was the heroine of the show.

"Li Qin?" Wu Bai asked thoughtfully, "Is it from Director Li Shaohong's company?"

"Yes." Li Qin nodded, and then asked curiously: "Do you know Aunt Li?"

"I've only seen him, but I can't say I know him."

Wu Bai suddenly realized that it was no wonder that he felt that the girl looked familiar just now.

At the same time, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief - because he had preconceived notions that the two were a "couple", and he almost thought that this drama was about Meng Bai, the "young master", wanting to fulfill his girlfriend's "actress dream", so he forcibly arranged a female lead.

If that was the case, although it was a pity for the script, he really didn't want to play with the other party.

"I read the entire script yesterday. The story is very interesting, and the plot twists in several chapters are also exciting. It feels a bit like Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio." Wu Bai didn't waste any time and went straight to the point.

"'Using the legendary method to record strange stories', Mr. Lu Xun's evaluation is still very accurate. It is indeed difficult for us to write stories about ghosts and legends in later generations that go beyond the framework of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio," Meng Bai smiled modestly.

"That being said, but being able to integrate the story into the social development and this era is, in my opinion, quite brilliant." Wu Bai seemed to like the script very much and was full of praise for it.

"Are there any stories that you particularly like?" Meng Bai asked.

Wu Bai thought for a moment and said, "[Ghost on the Bed], [Cold Blood] and [Borrowing a Corpse], these three units left the deepest impression on me."

Meng Bai smiled as if to say so. "It's pretty much what I expected. I've seen the micro-films you've made before, and I think you'd be more interested in this kind of suspenseful and twisted stories."

"Do you like any of my movies?" Wu Bai asked.

"That movie 'Car Wash' feels very good, a bit like 'The Tuner' directed by French director Olivier Trainer." Meng Bai said without hesitation.

Wu Bai had been shooting micro-films before, and "Car Washing" is his most famous short film. Starring Zhang Yi, the plot is about a car washer who never reveals the secrets of his customers, who is forced by a gunman to clean up the traces of the crime and has to do everything he can to escape.

As for "The Tuner" mentioned by Meng Bai, it is a French short film. It tells the story of a tuner who disguised himself as a blind man and accidentally discovered a murder scene, so he had to work hard to make the murderer believe that he was really blind.

This short film is quite well-known, and is known as the "must-have starting package for entertainment time-travelers" along with "Carrying the Burden" and "The Landlady".

Wu Bai's eyes lit up when he heard Meng Bai's evaluation. It was obvious that Meng Bai was not perfunctory, but had really watched the film he had shot.

"Indeed, the original inspiration for the film "Car Wash" came from "The Tuner"..."

Wu Bai immediately became interested and chatted with Meng Bai for nearly twenty minutes about topics such as short films, French films, suspense film techniques, Hitchcock, and the history of the development of Hollywood cult films.

“Gulululu ...

A series of noises interrupted the conversation between Meng Bai and Wu Bai. They looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Qin covering a teacup lid with one hand, looking at them with a little embarrassment.

The two of them were talking about some incomprehensible topics, and Li Qin was playing with the teacup out of boredom. Unexpectedly, the lid rolled out without her noticing, but she was quick to stop it.

"Uh..." Li Qin carefully took back the teacup lid: "Sorry to bother you."

"No, we were just too engrossed in the conversation and neglected our heroine." Wu Bai took the initiative to come to the rescue.

Meng Bai's eyes lit up when he heard this: "It seems that Director Wubai has made a decision?"

Wu Bai didn't put on a show, and nodded, "Actually, I came here today with the intention of agreeing to it."

"That's great." Meng Bai said cheerfully, "Welcome to join the crew of Soul Ferry."

"Thank you, but I have a few requests." Wu Bai said, taking out a piece of paper from his pocket: "I want to bring these people with me. Most of them have worked with me many times, and I can vouch for their professional level."

Meng Bai took it and took a look at the names on it. There were several photographers, executive directors, assistant directors, script supervisors, etc., about six or seven people.

Looking at this list, Meng Bai was delighted. His makeshift crew was in need of a lot of work and needed people in every aspect. The five hundred people on this list could almost solve the two major problems of the director team and the filming crew.

Meng Bai couldn't help but give Wu Bai a thumbs up in his heart. This move by the brother was really like "helping someone in need"!

Although he was very happy, Meng Bai tried not to show it on the surface. He looked at the list and seemed to weigh the pros and cons for a while before nodding and saying, "No problem. It will be easier to shoot with a familiar partner."

Wu Bai didn't know Meng Bai's background, and when he saw that he didn't refuse, he immediately felt relieved.

To be honest, most directors actually have their own team to some extent, so that they can work more smoothly together.

However, not all producers like to let the director bring his own team. After all, such a small group may very likely affect the voice of the crew.

"Also, regarding the film pay," Wu Bai asked again.

Meng Bai was well prepared. He took out a brown paper bag and handed it over: "300,000 yuan for the director's salary, plus a tiered performance bonus."

Wu Bai opened the bag and took out the document inside. It indeed contained a detailed tiered reward plan, which roughly stated that if the total number of views of the final episode exceeded a certain number, an additional bonus would be given. The amount of the bonus would also vary depending on the number of views.

Wubai thought about it and felt it was acceptable. The fixed salary was not too high or too low, but the incentive bonus was more detailed and the data was not too outrageous. All in all, it was not bad.

"Okay, then I'll go back and start preparing the storyboard script, as well as some shooting plans and requirements." Wu Bai stood up, stretched out his hand, looked at Meng Li and the others and said, "Then I wish you a smooth cooperation."

"Smooth cooperation!"

"The cooperation is going well, keep going everyone!"

Watching Wu Bai leave, Meng Bai breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, we have found the director, and the framework of the crew is half set. Now everything is ready, and we just need to sign the agreement with Leshi.com and get the budget, and then we can officially start.

"Good luck and good luck, everything goes well." Meng Bai muttered, and then looked at Li Qin happily and said, "Today is a good day. Come on, girl, you treat me to a big meal!"

"Okay!" Li Qin also laughed happily when she heard that, and waved her hands cutely: "Feast, feast... eh?"

Li Qin frowned. Wait, that’s not right. What did Meng Bai just say was who invited whom?

"Why should I treat you?!" Li Qin frowned and glared at Meng Bai.

"Because I have no money." Meng Bai said confidently, "You forgot that I still lent you money."

Li Qin was so angry that she almost laughed: "Wow, you can actually say such things so shamelessly!"

Meng Bai waved his hands and said nonchalantly, "Don't worry. Once the money from the crew comes in a few days, I will definitely pay you back with interest."

"That's more like it." Li Qin muttered.

Then, she thought about the little money left in her card and couldn't help feeling sad.

On the other side, Meng Bai didn't care about Li Qin's small treasury being in danger, and was still greeting others: "Let's go, Huahua, I'm the only customer in this restaurant every day, and your boss is not here, so why are you still opening it? Come on, your sister Qin will treat you to a big meal."

"Wow, really!"

Hua Yan came out from behind the counter, looked at Li Qin with starry eyes and said, "Sister Qinqin, can I go with you?"

Because every time Meng Bai came to talk to her about something, it was in this teahouse, so Li Qin had become quite familiar with this lolita-shaped female college student recently. Seeing this, she smiled and said, "Of course, let's go together."

"That's right, why are you being so polite? Let me tell you, your sister Qin gets paid hundreds of thousands for a movie, she's a real rich and beautiful lady. When eating, just order the expensive ones. If a dish costs less than four figures, she won't even bother to look at it."

"Meng Bai, you... are very good. I will remember it!"

(End of this chapter)