1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 238

The script meeting has just ended.

Shi Nansheng went back to the office to touch up her makeup, picked up her small leather bag, and walked towards the Hong family team again.

"Storyboard, storyboard, storyboard!"

Zhai Yuan emphasized once again to several main creators the importance of shot division in this film.

"Mr. Vampire" is different from the previous films made by the company. The fighting scenes are more important than the literary scenes, which is why storyboard drawing is particularly important.

Wang Jin and Liu Zhenwei are the least good at this, so their films often feature medium and close-up shots of the main characters delivering a long string of lines. This tests the actors' skills more, but for the director it saves time and allows them to add more lines.

But since "Mr. Zombie" has decided to be a high-quality film, it must move in this direction from the beginning.

"Old Xu, please work harder. These losers can only draw stick figures. We can only guess the action actors they draw, not to mention showing them to the martial arts instructor."

Zhai Yuan handed this important task to Xu Qi and asked him to be responsible for editing the manuscript.

Hong Kong is not like American producers, which have teams specialized in making storyboards. Among the local directors Zhai Yuan knows so far, only Xu Ke has relatively solid basic skills in this area.

Well, that's actually the case.

As for Wu Yusen, there is no need to say more. He was famous for never writing scripts or drawing storyboards, and dared to cheat investors' money with just an outline. It was only after joining 91 Entertainment that Zhai Yuan forced him to learn this kind of work.

Jiuyi Entertainment is now one of the few production companies in Hong Kong that integrates production, distribution and theaters.

But in essence it is still a makeshift team and it is difficult to form an industrialized production model.

"I have a dream."

Zhai Yuan left the meeting room and returned to his office. He closed the door and held Ye Yuqing in his arms. His eyes were deep and his tone was melancholy: "After I unite New One City, Zhaoshi and Jiahe, I will first occupy the Asian market and then take over Hollywood. By then, I will be the only one in the entertainment industry in the world and the king of the martial arts world."

Ye Yuqing sat in Zhai Yuan's arms, panting, and pressed down his dirty hands that had reached into her skirt. She said in a soft voice, "Let's talk about becoming king later. I'll help you trim your nails first..."

…………

Shi Nansheng left quickly and came back even faster.

"Mr. Zhai, is it convenient now?"

Shi Nansheng stood outside Zhai Yuan's office door, knocked and asked.

in the office.

Ye Yuqing sat astride Zhai Yuan, lying limply on his chest like a lump of mud, her thighs in white stockings twisting and turning under her short skirt.

"You told her it's inconvenient and sent her away~"

"Stop messing around, there's something serious to do."

Zhai Yuan patted her butt and asked Ye Yuqing to open the door. Ye Yuqing turned her head and gave Zhai Yuan a cold look, straightened her messy skirt, and then reluctantly let Shi Nansheng in.

"Miss Ye." Shi Nansheng stood at the door with a smile on his face and greeted Ye Yuqing.

Ye Yuqing let out a non-enthusiastic sigh and walked out with her legs clasped together.

"Sister Nan is back so soon?"

Zhai Yuan sat at his desk and slowly took out two tissues to wipe his hands.

He looked up and asked Shi Nansheng: "How is the negotiation going over there? When can Lin Zhengying's contract be signed?"

Shi Nansheng didn't take Ye Yuqing's impolite attitude to heart. He turned around and gave Zhai Yuan a wry smile, shrugged helplessly.

"My conversation with Lin Zhengying was going pretty well. He was a quiet guy, but I could tell he really wanted to play the leading male role."

Shi Nansheng frowned and continued, "I didn't expect that Lin Zhengying called Hong Xinbao to ask for his opinion. Not long after, Hong Xinbao personally led a team to the tea restaurant and announced that his Baohe would produce a separate movie for Lin Zhengying this year and asked me to leave."

Shi Nansheng said it lightly.

However, Zhai Yuan still heard dissatisfaction in her tone, and he must have felt that her communication with Hong Xinbao was not pleasant.

It’s just a matter of snatching up a zombie movie. Is Fatty Hong really so stingy?
I have no vision. Look, what Luo Dayou said about me, I have nothing!
Zhai Yuan felt it necessary to go there in person and asked Shi Nansheng: "Which tea restaurant are they in now?"

"Tsui Wah Ice House in Jordan." Shi Nansheng said, "Before I left, I saw Hong Xinbao and the others ordering food. They probably won't leave so soon."

He grabbed the cigarette box on the table and said, "I'm a little hungry. I heard the pig's trotter noodles over there are delicious. I'm going to try it."

Half an hour later.

Led by Shi Nansheng, Zhai Yuan has appeared outside the Tsui Wah Ice House in Jordan District.

…………

"That Miss Shi wants me to work at 91 Entertainment. She said the boss of 91 had seen me in the Taoist robe in "People Scare People" and thought I was suitable to play the Taoist priest in their new film."

The 33-year-old Lin Zhengying had dark skin, sharp eyebrows and eyes, and usually looked serious and old-fashioned.

Sitting in a seat against the wall in the restaurant, he lowered his head and stirred the coffee in his hand, and added to Hong Xinbao: "They promised me that I can be the male lead."

Hong Xinbao waved his hand to let the brothers who were watching the fun back away, then looked at Lin Zhengying and asked, "What do you think?"

Lin Zhengying hesitated for a moment, then grinned at him, "Of course I'll listen to you, Brother Sanmao. I've thought about it. I've been in the film industry for so many years, and I'm not young anymore. It's hard to become famous even if I play the leading role. I'll focus on working behind the scenes in the future."

Hong Xinbao consoled him, "Don't say that. Whether it's you or anyone else, I don't object to everyone going out to fish. But the boss of Jiuyi Company has a problem. He said he wanted to make a fantasy kung fu movie. Who in Hong Kong doesn't know that I'm the founder of this genre? From beginning to end, no one from his company even said hello to me. And that 'Mr. Vampire' was originally the story that Liu Guanwei had planned, but he bought it ahead of time. Ah Dan just started talking about making a fight film with a female fighter, and he announced to the outside world that he wanted to form a team of female fighters. Is it such a coincidence? Even I suspect he has a mole in the company."

Lin Zhengying had heard people around him discuss these things before, but he did not take them to heart.

Now that Hong Xinbao has found him personally, based on his understanding of this big boss, unless Jiuyi's boss takes the initiative to explain things to him, Hong Xinbao will never cooperate with the other party. If he goes there to film without permission, they may not be able to continue to be friends in the future.

'At first, it was Jiuyi Entertainment's "Wushuang" that forced him to withdraw "The Owl and Dumbo", and then a series of coincidences happened. In fact, Sanmao himself may not have much hostility towards Jiuyi's boss Zhai Yuan, but he has too many brothers under him, and he would feel embarrassed to withdraw again and again.'

Lin Zhengying knew very well what Hong Xinbao was thinking.

He entered the film industry as a martial arts stuntman at the age of 17. He first served as a stunt double for Cheng Pei-pei and then designed action for Bruce Lee. After all these years, he has never played a leading role. This time when Shi Nansheng came to him was actually a good opportunity for him.

Especially since Jiuyi is in the limelight right now, maybe this is all he needs.

Although he felt a little regretful, facing Hong Xinbao who was sitting opposite him, he still made a decision and said, "Since Brother Sanmao feels it is inappropriate, I will pretend that this incident never happened."

Hong Xinbao smiled when he heard this, patted Lin Zhengying on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I won't let my people suffer any injustice. This year, Baohe will definitely make a movie to promote you. Ah Dan and Liu Guanwei are already preparing the story, so you can choose whatever you want when the time comes."

Lin Zhengying said thank you Brother Sanmao.

Hong Xinbao smiled and changed the subject: "How is sister-in-law? Is she about to give birth?" Lin Zhengying married Zheng Bingbing two years ago and was about to become a father.

He pursed his lips and smiled: "The doctor said it will be during this period."

"I'll make arrangements with the hospital. The child will recognize me as his godfather in the future." Hong Xinbao said with a smile, and called out to the brothers around him: "Hey! I don't know if my godchild will be born soon, everyone prepare the gifts in advance."

A group of people around knew that the two had finished their business talk, so they came over and teased Lin Zhengying, not mentioning the invitation from 91 Entertainment.

Until Zhai Yuan and Shi Nansheng walked into the tea restaurant together, followed by a bodyguard-like Wei Xing.

"So lively a conversation?"

Zhai Yuan went up to the second floor of Cuihua Ice House. Apart from the members of the Hong Family, there were no other guests upstairs. It was obvious that they had given notice in advance and the place was cleared.

He smiled and followed, introducing himself to the crowd in surprise: "Hello, Brother Hong, I'm Zhai Yuan. I met you before at the Academy Awards. I heard that my company's housekeeper ran into a wall twice and couldn't borrow anyone from you. You don't have a grudge against me, do you?"

Except for Hong Xinbao, most of the Hong family members present were meeting Zhai Yuan for the first time.

Even Lin Zhengying did not expect that the boss of Jiuyi was actually so young.

The martial artists led by Yuan Hua and Yuan Kui all stood up and looked at Zhai Yuan who was approaching with a frown, not knowing his purpose.

Hong Xinbao parted the crowd, looked Zhai Yuan up and down, and said hello with a curl of his lips, "Master Yuan."

As soon as these two words were uttered, the atmosphere in the tea restaurant suddenly became a little weird. The martial artists of the Hong family understood the attitude of the eldest brother, and all of them showed a sneer on their faces, looking at Zhai Yuan provocatively.

Shi Nansheng held his forehead. How big of a grudge did Hong Xinbao have against his boss? Why was he so weird the first time they met?

In the context of Hong Kong culture, there is nothing wrong with respectfully calling someone brother, uncle, or aunt, but calling someone Uncle X is more ironic, unless the other person is a member of a gang, especially for a young man of Zhai Yuan's age.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Zhai Yuan, wanting to see how he would react.

Zhai Yuan was also stunned when he heard this.

He frowned and thought for a moment, then turned to Shi Nansheng and said, "I think his attitude is quite good. Isn't he quite polite?"

Shi Nansheng looked at him helplessly: "Is it possible that he is mocking you?"

Zhai Yuan curled his lips indifferently. Being called "Grandpa" when he was young was considered ironic? Then there were people who were called gods, such as Zihua God!
Hong Xinbao obviously underestimated Zhai Yuan's mentality by thinking that he could break down Zhai Yuan's defense with just a title.

"I don't deserve it. I don't deserve it."

Zhai Yuan said a few polite words to Hong Xinbao, then looked around and saw Lin Zhengying looking at him in the corner.

He put on a smile and walked straight towards Lin Zhengying: "Uncle Ying, Miss Shi from my company may not have explained it to you clearly just now. Jiuyi is planning to shoot a movie called "Mr. Zombie". I would like to invite you to be the male lead. How about a salary of 200,000 yuan?"

Who the male lead of this play was remains a mystery in later generations.

In terms of the role, Lin Zhengying still played a supporting role to Qian Xiaohao in this film, but judging from the cast, the protagonist should be Xu Guanying, the most famous literary talent at the time.

As a result, after the movie was released, among the three leading actors, Lam Ching-ying became a huge star, and was paid millions just by sticking on a beard and pretending to be a Taoist priest. Chin Hsiao-hao even asked Chow Yun-fat to play a supporting role to complement him. On the contrary, Hui Kuan-ying, who insisted that he was the male lead and even refused to accept the nomination for the Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, made the least profit.

But now there are no such disputes, and Zhai Yuan directly decided to let Lin Zhengying be the protagonist.

The asking price is 200,000 yuan.

When the martial artists led by Yuan Hua saw Zhai Yuan approaching, they wanted to stop him, but they were stunned when they heard the price.

He even took the initiative to make way for Zhai Yuan, allowing him to sit directly opposite Lin Zhengying.

Jiuyi Entertainment was both the producer and the film distributor. They were willing to pay Lin Zhengying a salary of 200,000 yuan, which meant that it was a real price he could get. After Lin Zhengying finished filming this movie, if someone asked him to film again, he could quote a price of 400,000 yuan to the outside world, which was already the price of a first-line star.

As fellow apprentices, Yuen Wah and his friends were well aware of Lam Ching-ying's current situation. His wife was about to have a baby and the expenses were gradually increasing, but as a martial artist or a supporting actor, he could only earn a few tens of thousands of yuan per film. If the film producer was an outside company, he would not even get the balance, and the money he received would be reduced by one third.

In the film industry of the 1980s and 1990s, only Simon Yam could get the final payment.

Zhai Yuan ignored the looks of the people around him and said to Lin Zhengying with a smile: "How about this price? I heard that my sister-in-law is pregnant and will go to the delivery room soon. After the filming of this movie is finished, I will personally make a big red envelope for the child."

The pressure was instantly put on Hong Xinbao.

Neither Jiahe nor Baohe can currently pay Lin Zhengying such a high salary.

You keep saying that you are all good brothers, but now that your brother is in urgent need of money, do you want to stop him from making money?
Hong Xinbao's face looked unhappy, and Yuen Wah and the others didn't want to be the bad guys at this time.

It was impossible for Lin Zhengying not to be moved by the olive branch thrown by Zhai Yuan. Shi Nansheng had just offered him a price of 100,000 yuan, but the boss of Jiuyi doubled his salary as soon as they met.

Besides money, there is also fame.

Everyone knows that every movie produced by Jiuyi is a hit. At the age of thirty-something, my chances of making a name for myself are slim. If I don't try, I may have to stay behind the scenes for the rest of my life.

Lin Zhengying struggled for a moment, avoiding Hong Xinbao's gaze, and said to Zhai Yuan: "I want to continue to stay in the Hong Family Class. This drama is loaned to Jiuyi, and I will not sign a long-term contract."

Zhai Yuan shook his head: "No."

A play makes an actor famous, but he still stays in his original unit. Isn't that helping the Hong Family?
On one hand, Lin Zhengying was thinking about his pregnant wife, and on the other hand, he was thinking about his fellow apprentices with whom he had grown up.

After a long silence, he let out a long breath and said with some shame, "Thank you Mr. Zhai for thinking highly of me, but I'm sorry, I still don't plan to sign a long-term contract... My wife is alone at home with no one to take care of her, so I'm sorry to leave first."

After saying this, he didn't even give others a chance to react. He just nodded and smiled at Hong Xinbao, then stood up and walked out.

Seeing this, Zhai Yuan smiled with interest. Without getting up from his chair, he shouted to Lin Zhengying's back, "Hey! How about 300,000?"

Lin Zhengying paused, then quickly quickened his pace and walked downstairs.

Hong Xinbao felt that he had lost all his face today, and glared at Zhai Yuan: "Let's go!"

Yuan Hua and the others had seen Zhai Yuan's ability to make money, and they felt very complicated. The hostility on their faces was no longer as strong as before. Many of them turned their backs to Hong Xinbao and nodded to Zhai Yuan before following the boss's footsteps.

In a blink of an eye, only he, Shi Nansheng, and Satellite, who was used as a thug in case of emergency, were left in the restaurant on the second floor.

Zhai Yuan spread his hands towards Shi Nansheng, and said with a helpless smile: "I didn't expect this kind of person's temper would be as stinky and hard as a shit pit stone. He doesn't even want to make money, and he's loyal? You're crazy!"

Shi Nansheng felt relieved when she saw that her boss had also hit a wall. She smiled and said to Zhai Yuan, "Change people. There are so many actors in Hong Kong, can't we find a Taoist priest?"

"Hey, Brother Xing, please help me rush the pork knuckle noodles downstairs. It's been so long since they were delivered. Do you want to stop doing business?"

Zhai Yuan ignored Shi Nansheng and called out to Wei Xing to go to the kitchen.

He sat in the chair and thought for a while. Just when Shi Nansheng thought Zhai Yuan would give up on Lin Zhengying, he suddenly raised a finger and said with a smile: "Hey! I have a Plan B!"

(End of this chapter)