Huayu 1995

Chapter 331 The director won't arrange it!

"I have some connections, so getting an investment of 20 or 30 million shouldn't be too difficult. The main issue is how to sell the film overseas. If Chinese films want to go global, we still need to rely on our elders..."

Su Chao and Han Sanping found a place to sit down and chat.

Several actors from the "Red Light Stop, Green Light Go" crew hadn't seen Su Chao for quite some time.

Upon first seeing the young man, whose face was flushed red, everyone wanted to come over and chat for a bit.

But seeing that the person in front of Su Chao was Han Sanping, who the hell would dare to come and bother him?

This is a big shot.

"Twenty or thirty million..."

Han Sanping gasped. It sounded like this kid was talking about two or three million as if he were talking about two or three thousand dollars.

"Yes, that's why we need to sell them outside; it's very difficult for us to break even if we rely solely on ourselves."

The price of a Su Chao contract is at least 20 or 30 million.

Cast Away cost $90 million, which is equivalent to 700 to 800 million RMB.

However, most of that $90 million went to the lead actor's salary.

Yes, most of them!
Tom Hanks is way cooler than Tom Cruise.

When Tom Hanks joined the cast of "Forrest Gump," Paramount only paid him $700 million. Later, due to budget overruns, they changed the arrangement to remove his base salary and let him earn only commissions.

As a result, Forrest Gump grossed $6.23 million.

Tom Hanks has earned as much as $70 million in personal revenue from film box office, video market, DVD and online video sales!
The exact salary for "Cast Away" was not disclosed because he invested in the film himself. However, considering that he received a $40 million salary and profit share for his role in "Saving Private Ryan" in 1998, his salary for "Cast Away," released in 2000, was certainly not much lower.

Moreover, the director of "Cast Away" also directed "Forrest Gump". Bringing these two together for the second time, the director's salary must be in the tens of millions.

Not much money was actually spent on production.

Having 30 million US dollars would be quite good.

"You have quite the ambition!"

Han Sanping muttered something to himself, and Su Chao's image in his mind was refreshed many times in less than half an hour.

Each one is more impactful than the last.

"I can guarantee that this movie will make money overseas, but we just lack enough connections."

Although it is difficult for mainland Chinese films to be sold overseas, it is not entirely impossible.

If we elevate this to the policy level, then it becomes the state apparatus.

This is much more advantageous than Su Chao's small-scale efforts.

Moreover, Su Chao simply wanted to have another option.

As the movie line says, "I have a road in Thailand, it's a bit risky, but the profit is very low." Low profit is still profit.

Combined with Su Chao's pioneering efforts in Hong Kong, the sum of its parts will definitely be greater than the sum of its parts.

"It seems impossible to be certain about this kind of thing."

Han Sanping spoke in a very gentle tone.

If anyone else had said that to him, he would have immediately cursed them out.

"The Beijing Film Studio will help with distribution and production, and I'll take care of the money. If there are any losses, it's on me."

What loss?

Cast Away grossed $4.3 million. Even if people went to see it because of Tom Hanks, it's not unreasonable for Su Chao to make a Chinese version and get a tenth of that.

Just selling the remake rights alone could fetch a million dollars.

As for the lead actor, you could ask Hendrik Willem Van Loon.

He also has international influence, and with a little persuasion, he might be willing to take on a role for a low fee.

Imagine Hendrik Willem Van Loon trembling in a cave.

They even used a large rock to pry open teeth.

There were also people wrapped in tree bark, propelling themselves on rafts, drifting on the sea like Sun Wukong going out to sea to seek a master.

I have to say, it actually feels pretty good!
As for Hendrik Willem Van Loon's wishes...

Didn't he want to sing positive songs?
If all else fails, have him sing a version of "The Chinese" or "The Song of the Seven Sons - Macau".

If he's still not satisfied, just get Xie Tingfeng's "Yellow Race" and have him sing it.

When I first transmigrated here, everything was extremely difficult.

Su Chao had no choice but to use a sting operation, allowing thugs to rob him, in order to alleviate his financial pressure.

Now they not only have money, but also fame.

He's really thriving.

Those who are reborn should be fearless.

Han Sanping chatted with Su Chao for a while, then, feeling dizzy, was asked to leave.

A tycoon versus a reborn individual.

Even the biggest players can't handle this!
"Su Chao, you really came today! I thought you weren't coming!"

Ding Jiali only dared to disturb them after Han Sanping had left.

Cultivating relationships requires consideration of status and occasion. The director of the Beijing Film Studio is not someone easily approached, and she wouldn't have the opportunity to do so on an occasion like today.

"I'm also a lead actor, of course I had to come. Sister Ding, you don't mean to think my acting is bad, do you?"

Su Chao made a comment on purpose.

"Oh dear, who would dare complain about your acting skills?" Ding Jiali playfully patted Su Chao and whispered, "If you become rich and powerful, don't forget me!"

Others are too embarrassed to come over and flatter a young person.

She doesn't care.

It's not easy for a woman to make it in the entertainment industry; if she keeps putting on airs all the time, how can she possibly succeed?

"What kind of relationship do we have? I'll definitely not forget Sister Ding when I have the chance."

Su Chao readily agreed.

Ding Jiali's acting skills are quite good.

If there are any suitable roles in the future, it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask her to play them.

Moreover, they don't care whether it's a lead role or a supporting role.

As long as it's not like they're begging for a role for a Bull Terrier, everything is negotiable.

"Then I'll follow you from now on!"

Ding Jiali raised an eyebrow; her sixth sense told her that she seemed to have latched onto a powerful patron.

"What's this talk about being a 'good guy'? It's not like I can introduce a good role every time. As long as Sister Ding doesn't mind, that's fine."

Su Chao is very easy to talk to.

Seeing Ding Jiali's satisfied expression, the others also stopped being reserved.

Actually, when Su Chao went to film "Red Light Stop, Green Light Go", he was a completely unknown newcomer. The crew members didn't treat him particularly well, but no one made things difficult for him either.

Once everyone got to know each other, they got along even better.

Everyone was very busy, especially Su Chao, who was so busy he couldn't tell which way was which.

After filming wrapped, these people invited Su Chao to a gathering.

Unfortunately, Su Chaoren was not in mainland China at the time, so he had to decline.

There was no more chance after that.

Today is the first time so many people have gathered together since filming wrapped.

They found that Su Chao, who had already become famous, seemed no different from before, and his speech and behavior remained gentle and humble.

The atmosphere was great until the premiere press conference officially began.

"Come on, our driving school is opening today! Shall we go over the traffic regulations?" Huang Jianxin started by saying:
"Signal left...Turn left!"

When this movie was first conceived, it was called "Turn Right with Left Signal," which had a touch of dark humor.

There is nothing inherently wrong with it.

However, when the film was submitted for review, one of the reviewers was particularly strict and believed that "turning right with the left turn signal on" did not comply with laws and regulations.

Huang Jianxin was furious.

But he was too lazy to argue with them, so he changed the movie's name to "Red Light Stop, Green Light Go".

Not only does it not violate any laws or regulations, it's also incredibly educational.

"Yield to oncoming traffic when turning!"

Another director, Yang Yazhou, took the microphone and added a comment.

Next up are Niu Zhenhua, Ding Jiali...

Finally, Su Chao joined in with the film's new title—Red Light Stop, Green Light Go—which also highlighted the theme.

"Thank you, thank you everyone, thank you to all the media friends. Today is a wonderful day for the release of 'Red Light Stop, Green Light Go,' our film..."

Huang Jianxin first introduced the pre-production work for the film.

People of this era still retain the habit of setting a certain standard for everything they do, so the theme of the film must be elevated.

"Next, we would like to invite our media friends present today to speak with us on behalf of the audience and share some interesting stories from the filming process."

Huang Jianxin proceeded to the next step according to the pre-set procedure.

However, the premiere press conference process in this era was too rigid, and everyone basically chatted within a limited circle.

It is extremely uninteresting.

"I gained a lot from making this movie. For example, I made a lot of friends and learned a lot from everyone. In addition, I also took advantage of the break between filming to get my driver's license at driving school."

Su Chao is different.

He recounted getting his driver's license as an amusing anecdote.

"Have you paid their tuition yet?"

Ju Zhaojie played a tycoon in the movie, but he's definitely not as rich as Su Chao now.

Su Chao's album sold over a million copies, and the press release claimed to have sold three million.

Ordinary people can't even imagine how much money he has.

"Yes, I paid them! I paid them their entire salary!"

Su Chao felt wronged because his salary for this film was really low.

Now he sells a song for 200,000 yuan.

Who can I complain to?

"That just shows how stingy our director is!"

Ju Zhaojie interacted with Su Chao on stage, complaining about their boss together.

Only those who work can understand the hardships of being a worker.

"Sigh~ I won't be able to afford it next time."

Huang Jianxin smiled wryly, "These days, you can't even talk to Su Chao for less than 300,000 to 500,000 yuan."

The production cost of a movie is only two or three million.

Where did they get three or five hundred thousand to give to Su Chao?
"Director, if you need me next time, I'll act for you for free."

If you're so shameless, then come find me.

In any case, such a promise has no legal effect, and what is presented to the audience is just the impression that the crew is harmonious and friendly.

“Su Chao is still fishing in the pond next to the driving school. We once filmed a scene where we were eating, and the fish was caught by Su Chao.”

Wang Jinsong's contract with Dream Home expires before September, but everyone parted amicably, and it did not affect their friendship.

"That fish must be pretty big."

Su Chao's eyes lit up. After this movie is released, who would dare to call him the fishing god of the vegetable market?

"That fish is quite pretty, but it doesn't really have anything to do with being big, does it?"

Wang Jinsong was not polite at all.

The premiere needs to be interesting and generate buzz, and the props were caught by the lead actors themselves, which is enough to generate buzz.

However, he couldn't go against his conscience and agree with Su Chao.

It was clearly a medium-sized fish weighing just over a pound, but they insisted on making everyone believe it weighed seven pounds.

I don't know what kind of look that was.

"Sister Ding, is it big or not, you say?"

Su Chao felt that Lao Wang had betrayed the organization, so he turned around and issued a murder order to Dream House.

"big!"

Ding Jiali did not hesitate.

Whatever Su Chao says goes.

When you follow people who are doing well, principles become irrelevant.

After the actors interacted for a while, it was finally the media representatives' turn to speak.

They are mostly mainland media outlets.

"Su Chao, what kind of character are you playing?"

Sure enough, all the media present were focused on Su Chao, and they went straight for him.

"A top student, fresh out of school, still retaining a sense of innocence."

Su Chao gave a brief summary.

I can't go into too much detail, or the moviegoers won't be interested.

"Does he resemble you in any way?"

The media continued to press for answers.

There's really nothing to ask about the others; just look at them, they're all ugly.

There's a woman named Ding Jiali, but she's a complete novice.

There's absolutely nothing to talk about.

"There's basically no similarity. The character's personality is completely different from mine. Although I played the role, I made him look much less attractive with the hairstyle and glasses..."

Su Chao also knew that he had a heavy task to complete today.

He answered the questions honestly.

"Actually, he's still quite handsome."

Huang Jianxin added from the side that although the question was directed at Su Chao, as a director, he could participate in any discussion related to the film.

"Thank you, Director. I'm almost embarrassed by your compliment."

Su Chao and the director worked together very well.

Are there any romantic scenes?

The media actually wanted to ask if there were any passionate scenes, but considering that Su Chao was only eighteen years old when he filmed the movie, they felt that it was highly unlikely.

"The director doesn't want to arrange it!"

Instead of saying no, Su Chao changed his approach, which made the media present burst into laughter.

Huang Jianxin also wore a wry smile.

If Hong Kong media were present, they would probably write that Su Chao was unhappy with the director making him a vegetarian while filming.

(End of this chapter)