Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 132 Share, Little Gossip
The California sunshine is still dazzlingly bright, the clean roads wind among the low hills, and occasionally you can see a line of the blue Pacific Ocean shining in the distance.

Wu Chen sat in the passenger seat, looking at the rolling olive groves outside the window, while listening to Jason Blum complain about his new office's "tight budget."

Suddenly Jason Blum sighed, "Wu, do you remember what I said when we were at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain last October?"

Jason looked at Wu Chen and said, "At that time, I thought it would take you at least five or six years to become an A-level director.

Then the Now You See Me project came out, and I thought, it’ll take at least another year.”

Wu Chen was amused when he heard this. "You only achieved half of what you said. I haven't achieved the A-level director half yet. It's you who have no money."

The current total budget of "Get Out" is 300 million US dollars, and after calculation by Blumhouse Pictures, there is basically no problem.

Wu Chen's Obsidian Pictures invested 200 million yuan, and as a director and screenwriter, he also converted 60 US dollars in labor fees based on the market price of low-cost movies directed by second-tier Hollywood directors, and the actual cash investment was 140 million yuan.

As the main investor and creator, Wu Chen owns 66.7% of the basic equity, and because he serves as both director and screenwriter, he also enjoys an additional 10% share of the North American box office net profit.

This is considered a change of direction to complete the main control.

"I'm still too poor." Jason Blum looked helpless, and he didn't dare to use his share of "Now You See Me" to mortgage and raise funds.

Crazy mortgage loans are too risky for a film company with insufficient cash flow, and it is very likely that one mistake will lead to its complete destruction.

After driving for more than two hours from Los Angeles, Jason Blum took a look and said to Wu Chen, "This is the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains."

Then he opened the car window and pointed to the site across the street: "That used to be an abandoned factory area, but now it's our set. Lionsgate negotiated it, and it was a great deal."

"It's quite suitable, but it's desolate." Wu Chen yawned, his tone lazy.

Jason nodded. "If it's not desolate, it will be too expensive. Our 40 million dollars may not be enough to create a realistic scene.

Several important real-life locations were chosen nearby, and the interior sets were built on a soundstage in North Hollywood, which served as the location for exterior shots and major action scenes.

The two drove into an area surrounded by barbed wire. There were guards at the entrance and a white sign with the words "Lionsgate Confidential Project" and a simple code name on it.

As the car slowly drove into the site, the scene in front of me suddenly lit up.

It was a set built in the style of the old city of New Orleans, with brick streets, antique lampposts, and gravel sidewalks.
In the corner areas are unfinished stage platforms and tower diving platforms, which look like structures designed for large-scale stage magic.

"This is the main stage for the opening performance of 'The Four Horsemen,' inspired by the David Copperfield Theater in Las Vegas."

Jason introduced it with a hint of pride in his eyes, "According to your requirements, we have built an entire performance theater on this old factory land with steel bars and wood, and it also has an independent lighting control system.

Then we will use real shots + CG to make sure the audience can’t tell what’s real and what’s fake.”

Wu Chen got out of the car and walked forward, watching the workers busy installing the lighting rack under the tower crane. He couldn't help but sigh, "This set is more expensive than I thought."

"Of course, these are all US dollars."

Jason Blum felt a little bit painful, but there was nothing he could do. The set of a big production is very important and can be said to be the one thing that determines the success or failure of the project.

Even the actors' salaries can be saved, but these and post-production costs cannot be saved, otherwise it will easily cause a big production to go to waste.

It was already August when Wu Chen returned from North America.

The most anticipated summer movie in China this year is Tsui Hark's "Seven Swordsmen", but unfortunately the film sparked controversy just a few days after its release, with mixed reviews.

It was at this time that Zhang Weiping suddenly threw a bombshell news to the relatively calm film and television circle: Zhang Yimou and Gong Li will work together to make a film again after 10 years.

As soon as the news came out, it caused a stir.

Because since 1995, the two had a relationship breakup after filming "Raise the Red Lantern" and have not collaborated since then.

"Zhang Yimou + Gong Li", the former ace combination of Chinese films, have joined hands again ten years later. No matter what the new film is, this combination is enough to become a sensation before it is even released.

Zhang Weiping also seemed to be suggesting that four international figures, including Chow Yun-fat and Joan Chen, would be collaborating on a period piece. This news dominated the entertainment news for days, and Zhang Weiping was no stranger to hype, releasing the news like a toothpaste.

Zhang Yimou's movie became popular before it was even filmed, and the reaction of the industry media completely angered Feng Xiaogang, who was preparing for "Night Banquet" at the time.

Damn, why was the scene different when he was making "Night Banquet"?

Damn it, Zhang Yi made a costume movie, and even the investment amount didn't show up, and it caused a sensation in the city. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of Wu Chen, and he was immediately indignant, cursing in his heart:

It’s all Wu Chen’s fault!

At this moment, the cell phone in Feng Xiaogang's pocket rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Wang Zhonglei calling. He frowned slightly. He knew why the other party called, and finally answered after thinking for a moment.

"Mr. Wang!"

"Xiaogang, are you spending too much on art for this movie? It looks like the budget is going to go over before filming even starts." Wang Zhonglei was overwhelmed as he looked at the expense list handed over by his producer.

Damn, looking at this situation, $1500 million seems to be not enough. This costume drama is so damn expensive.

Moreover, Feng Xiaogang, just because an important palace interior scene was not to his liking, he just tore down the entire thing and started over. How much money did that cost?

"Mr. Wang, a movie must be refined and carefully crafted. For this reason, I stayed in Beijing and built the set myself," Feng Xiaogang said calmly.

If the entire Huayi doesn't rely on Feng Xiaogang, who will it rely on? No matter how much money is spent, it has to be spent.

I beg you not to insist on staying in the capital to set up the scenery, Wang Zhonglei couldn’t help but complain in his heart.

This scenery is getting more and more expensive as it gets built, it's completely different from what we agreed on at the beginning.

"Boss Wang, I think you can find someone to spread the word about my news. 'Night Banquet' should get some exposure, and at the same time, you can also publicize the level of refinement in this costume drama."

"Yeah!" Wang Zhonglei responded silently. After hanging up the phone, he couldn't help but curse: "Fuck you, this Feng Xiaogang wants both face and substance."

The extra branch gave him a sense of pride.
At the same time, Wu Chen, Xiang Zhuo and Chen Guowei were heading to China Film Group. After calculation, the budget of "Black Peony" was determined to be increased, and the three parties confirmed it again.

As soon as Xiang Zhuo went out, he wanted to grab the steering wheel of the Audi A6 and excitedly said he wanted to be the driver.

Wu Chen was too lazy to pay attention to it and just wanted to take a rest.

"By the way, Brother Chen, let me tell you a little gossip." Xiang Zhuo looked ahead, "Do you know about Senior Brother Zhang Yi's latest movie?"

"Hmm?" Wu Chen replied curiously.

"I heard Gong Li seemed to know something and cursed at Zhang Weiping and his wife at the signing scene. She even asked for a note in the contract refusing to see the two people on the set or at promotional events!"

"Who told you that?" Wu Chen was stunned when he heard that, and asked with a smile, "You didn't hear it from some gossip website, did you?"

"How could that be? Producer Zhang Qiang from China Film Group told me that, right? Wei Ge, you were there too, so I wasn't talking nonsense, was I?" Xiang Zhuo quickly defended himself.

"Viagra?" Wu Chen glanced at Chen Guowei in the passenger seat.

Chen Guowei seemed to be accustomed to this address. He nodded and testified to Xiang Zhuo with a smile.

"Then I guess it has something to do with the rumor that Gong Li flirted with Huang Hexiang the first time they met." Wu Chen pondered for a moment, "Maybe this matter was related to Zhang Weiping and his wife."

"Brother Chen, please tell me in detail!"

"Director Wu, please elaborate!"

Both of them couldn't help but express their curiosity and spoke one after another.

(End of this chapter)