Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 194 That script is suspicious

At dusk on the West Third Ring Road, the setting sun casts dappled shadows.

In front of a slightly old office building, Pang Hong and Yan Zhihua stepped out of the elevator, their faces showing undisguised fatigue.

They had been rejected by four companies in one day.

"The next one?" Yan Zhihua asked in a low voice.

Just as Pang Hong was about to nod, his phone suddenly vibrated.

He looked down and saw it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello, how are you?"

"Hello, is this Mr. Pang from Ningxia Film Studio? I'm from Xingchen Film Industry's reception. General Manager Wu has arranged a meeting for the day after tomorrow morning. Is that convenient for you?"

Pang Hong was taken aback, and after a moment his voice unconsciously rose: "Convenient! No problem the day after tomorrow morning, we will definitely be there on time."

After hanging up the phone, he turned to look at Yan Zhihua, and a long-lost look of excitement appeared on his face.

"So? Who hit him?"

"Starry Night Pictures, they've asked us to meet the day after tomorrow!"

Yan Zhihua was taken aback, his mouth agape: "Wu Chen himself?"

"Yes, it should be." Pang Hong breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still uneasy. After all, it was just a meeting to talk, and whether it would work out was another matter.

"So, will we continue running tomorrow?" Yan Zhihua couldn't help but ask.

Pang Hong nodded without hesitation, suppressing the excitement in his mind:

"Run! What if we can't reach an agreement? No matter how tough it is, we have to persevere to the very end. If we take the right step, our factory might really have a chance to turn things around."

The two exchanged a glance and clenched their fists in unison.

Behind them lay the weary stairwell, a place where they had been hitting walls all day, while ahead, a glimmer of light finally appeared.

The next day, in the conference room of Starry Night Pictures.

The production teams from Starry Night Pictures, China Film Group, and Enlight Media were all present, and the detailed production plan for "Black Peony" was laid out in a row on the conference table.

On the projection screen, the production schedule for "Black Peony" was scrolling through page by page.

Filming schedule confirmed, budget version locked, order of co-productions identified, timing of promotional activities—every item was checked off without omission.

After listening to all the reports, Wu Chen nodded slowly:

"President Han, President Wang, let's go with this plan. We'll officially start filming on November 16th and try to finish by mid-February."

“Do it this way!” Han Sanping nodded.

“Okay, I’m fine with that too,” Wang Changtian readily added.

With Han Sanping and Wang Changtian nodding in agreement, the official filming plan was finalized.

After the meeting, there was a dinner party, and Wu Chen casually asked:
"Mr. Han, what's your impression of Ningbo Film Studio?"

"Huh?" Han Sanping was taken aback, as if the old name had stirred up some long-forgotten memories. "It's a pretty old factory. Why are you bringing it up?"

"Well, the Ningbo Film Studio has always been just like that. It might have had some reputation in the 1970s and 80s, but it has been lukewarm ever since. If it weren't for the Zhenbeibao Western Film City, the studio might have been gone long ago."

Their first profitable film was made with the help of China Film Group. In the 1980s, they spent 550,000 yuan to purchase the permanent copyright of "Dragon Seed". After deducting the 350,000 yuan investment in filming, Ningying Film Studio made a profit of about 200,000 yuan.

But things got worse and worse over time, and a few years ago the bureau almost stripped the factory of its reputation.

Han Sanping shook his head as he spoke, "But their factory director, Yang Hongtao, is quite capable. In the past few years, he has managed to pull the Ningbo Film Factory out of the mire. At least for the time being, it won't lose its state-owned factory status."

"Oh!" Wu Chen smiled and didn't hide anything from Han Sanping's question. "Someone came to me wanting to collaborate on a project. They went to the company yesterday, but I happened to be out."

"I remember now." Han Sanping slapped his thigh, his tone suddenly becoming more serious.

"That project is a trap. You absolutely must not take it. How should I put it? The script they have was published many years ago. Do you think we haven't seen it?"

Many film and television companies in China, including those in Hong Kong, have seen the script, but the reason why no one has made it and it ended up in a small studio like Ningbo Film Studio is because the script not only has an old-fashioned story, but also a sensitive subject matter.

To put it simply, there's something fishy about that script.

"A ghost?" Wu Chen was taken aback when he heard this. After hearing Han Sanping say this, he realized that the script Ning Ying had in her hand was indeed the one he had in mind.

"The bureau is very sensitive about horror and ghost movies, so don't get yourself into trouble," Han Sanping cautioned.

"Don't worry, Mr. Han, I know what I'm doing. Let's eat."

Wu Chen nodded, and then stopped talking about it.

Huixin Building, 11th floor, Wu Chen's office at Xingchen Pictures.

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting its glow on the light gray long table. Outside, cars streamed by, and the city of Beijing was slowly awakening.

The room was clean, and a pot of Pu'er tea on the table was steaming slightly.

Pang Hong and Yan Zhihua arrived fifteen minutes early.

"Hello, this way please." The receptionist led the two to the door, then knocked on Wu Chen's door and announced softly, "Mr. Wu, the person has arrived."

The door clicked open.

Wu Chen smiled and extended his hand: "Mr. Pang, Mr. Yan, right? I'm sorry I wasn't here the day before yesterday, making you two come all this way."

"Not at all, we are already very grateful that Mr. Wu is willing to see us." Pang Hong quickly stood up, grasped Wu Chen's hands with both of his, and smiled sincerely.

After a few pleasantries, the group got down to business.

"I heard that Ningbo Film Studio has a project?" Wu Chen raised his eyes slightly, speaking before even taking a sip of tea.

Pang Hong pulled a proposal from his folder and handed it to him with both hands: "By the way, Mr. Wu, we're here to discuss a project, an adaptation of 'Painted Skin' from 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio'." Wu Chen, who was drinking water, paused slightly, his eyes flickering.

Sure enough, it really was this project. Then, with a smile, he said, "I think quite a few companies have been in contact with this company before."

Upon hearing this, Pang Hong's heart skipped a beat; his worries had become a reality.

For a director of Wu Chen's caliber, a little inquiry within the industry is all it takes to know the "background" of this script.

But Pang Hong still gritted his teeth and answered, making a firm promise:
"Mr. Wu, the script has indeed circulated for many years without anyone willing to film it, but our studio believes it will definitely be an extremely valuable script."

Wu Chen gave Pang Hong a deep look. No wonder Pang Hong would become the vice president of Ningying Film Studio in the future. He had a good eye for talent. Moreover, judging from his appearance, he was a man who dared to fight and take risks.

"This script won't work," Wu Chen shook his head.

Pang Hong's heart sank suddenly, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.

Before the emotions could spread, Wu Chen changed the subject: "But the core of this version of 'Painted Skin' story, yes, the script needs to be completely reconstructed."

Pang Hong was stunned, then inexplicably excited. Originally, even a director of Wu Chen's caliber said the script was no good, and he was even considering giving up on it. But the second half of the sentence was the only heavenly sound he had heard in months.

"Mr. Wu, what do you mean?"

"Hmm, this script can be revised. A few revisions are fine. You can't exactly make a ghost story in China, can you? That would be a complete waste of time."

“Mr. Wu, that’s what we mean too, but we just haven’t been able to find a suitable person,” Pang Hong quickly replied.

Wu Chen smiled upon hearing this, "By the way, how much money can Ningying Studio contribute?"

"Forehead"

Pang Hong stood there awkwardly. He really wanted to say that Ningying Film Studio was almost penniless and had just finished paying off its debts, but how could he say that at this critical juncture?

Hope is right in front of us, so we have to play the "big shot" at least once.

"Um, I'll call the factory manager and ask. I haven't been back for a while."

"Ok!"

I chatted with Han Sanping yesterday, and he told me that Ningbo Film Studio probably didn't have much money, but I was also curious about how much they could raise at a time like this.

Pang Hong found a secluded spot and dialed Yang Hongtao's number directly.

"Old Pang, what's up?" Yang Hongtao was leaning back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Any progress on the script?"

"I came to find you for this very thing, and I've found the person," Pang Hong said excitedly.

Yang Hongtao, who was in Ningxia at that moment, couldn't help but stand up. "Really?"

“Really, you must have heard of Wu Chen from Xingchen Pictures,” Pang Hong said quickly. “But he’s asking us how much money we can offer. I don’t dare answer him right now, for fear of ruining the deal.”

When money was mentioned, Yang Hongtao closed his eyes, looking worried: "Where are we going to find the money? How much will this movie cost?"

"I don't know, because the script needs to be revised, so I can't calculate the exact cost right away."

"Old Yang, we don't have many chances left, let's give it our all."

"You approach the Ningxia office of the General Administration to raise funds through investment loans, while I'll pester the Beijing office. Even if I have to go to the Beijing office of the General Administration, I'll make sure they find a way to raise some money for us, how about that?"

"."

Yang Hongtao remained silent upon hearing this, but this seemed to be Ning Ying's last resort in raising money. If she couldn't repay the loan from the General Administration office, she would truly be doomed.

"Damn it, I'll risk it!" Yang Hongtao gritted his teeth, slammed his hand on the table, and the documents on the desk bounced slightly.

"Alright, you can quote 15 million. Oh, and by the way, ask Wu Chen if you can borrow his name for me."

Inside the office, Wu Chen was stunned by what Pang Hong said.

"Director Wu, to be honest, Ningbo Film Studio is indeed out of money, but we will definitely find a way to raise it. We will at least raise 15 million."

However, we need to borrow this money from the General Administration offices in Ningxia and Beijing. When communicating with them, we must make it clear who we are cooperating with.

Could you please provide a more specific response? Ideally, something like a letter of intent for cooperation.

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen was both amused and exasperated.

Good heavens, Ningbo Film Studio is really audacious. Although it's not exactly a case of getting something for nothing, they're still planning to borrow money to make a film.
However, if he remembered correctly, Ning Ying made the right bet on "Painted Skin" and lived a good life for several years.

But a life full of ups and downs never truly ends.

In 18, Ningxia Film Studio, in order to produce a big-budget film called "Asura," revived this production, which resulted in bankruptcy. All assets under the Ningxia Film Group were auctioned off to pay off debts.
"Producer Pang, is your method reliable? Don't let Xingchen Pictures end up taking the blame for you."

"Mr. Wu, please rest assured that Xingchen will not be implicated in the slightest. We can sign the agreement."

“Since we’re cooperating, this isn’t a big deal.” Wu Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this. “But I should clarify first that the permanent copyright of the film belongs to Xingchen Pictures. Of course, we won’t let Ningying Film Studio suffer any losses. You can consider the form of compensation—whether it’s financial compensation or something else.”

“Understood, that’s not a problem.” Pang Hong nodded immediately. The copyright was ultimately for sale, but he still raised one point: “If there’s a sequel, Ning Ying must also be involved.”

"Of course, this can be written into the contract."

The two sides quickly reached an agreement, and after discussions, Pang Hong also expressed his concerns:
"Mr. Wu, there should be more than just our two companies involved in the film, right? Who else do you plan to invite to join?"

In his mind, funding was likely secured with Wu Chen's help, but the film's structure was crucial. Ideally, the strategic partners should be able to meet the future resource needs of "Painted Skin" to promote its screening and sales.

This way, the chances of "Painted Skin" being profitable are much higher.

Moreover, since the core story remains unchanged, the subject matter still carries some risk. Ningbo Film Studio is a small studio, making it difficult to avoid certain risks.

“Producer Pang, you can rest assured on this point.” Wu Chen smiled. “We can invite whichever domestic production company we want, but personally, I think it would be better to have China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group join us.”

"Then I'll have to trouble Mr. Wu with this matter." Pang Hong's eyes lit up.

China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group are very reliable; both own cinema chains. With two companies involved, what risks are there to fear? It's not like they're actually making a ghost story.
"Hmm, no rush, let's talk about it after the new script comes out."

(End of this chapter)