Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 233 To Guide or Not to Guide?

Ning Hao looked a little embarrassed.

After all, they had just rejected investment from Shou Zhe Film Industry not long ago, so it was a bit difficult for them to ask for help now.

"Ok?"

Chen Shouzhe watched him remain silent for a long time. He didn't know much about him and couldn't figure out what he was up to.

"Just say what you have to say. Don't be so coy like a henpecked wife," Huang Bo said, unable to bear it any longer.

He didn't know what Ning Hao wanted to see Chen Shouzhe about, but when he heard that Ning Hao wanted to see Chen Shouzhe, he said he had something to tell him and asked him to introduce him.

Now that they've found the person, he's not saying a word, which is making him a little uncomfortable.

"That's right, this is also my first time working on a science fiction film. In China, the only company with the equipment to shoot science fiction films is Xiaoxiaomeng," Ning Hao said.

"So you're here to borrow equipment?" Chen Shou asked.

"Mm." Ning Hao nodded.

“Guo Fan just finished filming The Wandering Earth, and I can lend you his equipment, but I have one condition,” Chen Shou said.

"What are the conditions?" Ning Hao asked.

It would be too troublesome to transport the equipment back from overseas. It would take at least half a month to fly over, and it would be very expensive. The best special effects equipment in China is currently available at Xiaoxiaomeng. It is certainly not comparable to the top equipment in the West, but it is sufficient and is even the best equipment on the market.

Therefore, everyone in the company preparing for the project knows that it's better to hire Chen Shouzhe than to hire someone from abroad, as it's more convenient and faster.

They just rejected investment, and now they're coming to borrow equipment. Even if they offer money, there are vested interests among competitors, and sometimes money can't solve everything.

The reason Ning Hao wanted to involve Huang Bo is this: with Huang Bo's connection, borrowing equipment from Chen Shouzhe wouldn't be a problem.

"You must have a lot of special effects for your movie, right? Can you let Xiaoxiaomeng do them?" Chen Shou asked.

“No problem, I was already planning to do that.” Ning Hao beamed with joy upon hearing this, as he had indeed been planning to do so.

The special effects for Little Dream have been tested by the market and are perfectly fine.

He came here with this purpose in mind, and also to entrust the post-production special effects to Xiaoxiaomeng, which would save a lot of money on special effects.

"That's fine then. I'll have someone coordinate with you." Chen Shou nodded; there's no reason to refuse money offered to you.

Ning Hao has no problem. The people he brought are specifically in charge of these matters, including a lawyer. The lawyer will help oversee the signing of the contract later.

Having settled the important matter, Ning Hao became more relaxed, and the conversation flowed more easily.

"The premiere is tomorrow, I'll be there to cheer you on," Ning Hao said to Huang Bo with a smile.

"Haha, thank you so much, Director Ning. And of course, I have to thank Director Chen even more. Without your guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today," Huang Bo said with a smile.

"No need to be so polite. I invested in the movie, and I'm also the producer," Chen Shou said with a smile.

As they were talking, Chen Shouzhe's phone rang. Upon seeing the name displayed, Chen Shouzhe took a deep breath. Huang Bo and Ning Hao noticed that Chen Shouzhe's expression was somewhat serious.

"Excuse me for a moment, Xiao Fang, please take good care of Director Ning and Director Huang for me." Chen Shou instructed his assistant Xiao Fang, then picked up his phone and walked out of the reception room toward his office.

"It seems Director Chen has something important to deal with; he looks very serious," Huang Bo said with a smile.

"probably."

Ning Hao didn't know what to say here, so he looked up and glanced at Xiao Fang, who was pouring tea for them.

Xiao Fang met Ning Hao's gaze, smiled, and said nothing. He didn't know who Chen Shouzhe had answered the phone for, and besides, it was none of his business to interfere in his boss's affairs.

Chen, holding the phone, returned to his office before answering. "Hello, Director Zhang, are the results out yet?"

Chen Shou was a little uneasy. He had submitted the script more than ten days ago and had not heard anything. He thought it was going to be blocked. He didn't expect the call to come so quickly. If it didn't pass, he would probably have to revise the content and put it in Hong Kong. But the background would need to be revised a lot, which would be a headache.

"Your phone is really hard to get through to, it took so long to connect," Zhang Hongsheng laughed on the other end of the line.

"I was unavailable to answer earlier, Director Zhang. Is there any result?" Chen Shou asked.

"Let's take the photos first," Zhang Hongsheng said directly.

“No problem, I’ll start filming now, and keep a low profile,” Chen Shouzhe nodded.

"Once the filming is complete, bring the finished product over for us to review," Zhang Hongsheng said.

"Okay, thank you, Director Zhang."

"No need to thank me, I didn't do anything. It was approved by the higher-ups, but we'll have to see the final cut to know for sure."

"I understand."

Chen Shou nodded hurriedly, chatted for a while and hung up the phone. Before he could put his phone down, it rang again, and he answered it immediately.

"Chairman Han."

"I just received a call from Director Tong. The script can be filmed," Han Sanping said on the other end of the phone.

"Yes, I also received a call from Director Zhang. We can start filming, and we'll see the final product later."

How do you plan to film it?

"Let's keep the project low-key and have Shou Zhe Film Studio produce it independently. They'll pay Sister Jia's screenwriting fee."

"Producing independently will be very stressful."

"It's alright. Movies are a special case, and I doubt many companies would be willing to invest. I doubt China Film Group is planning to invest either," Chen Shou said with a smile when he mentioned China Film Group.

Han Sanping sighed on the other end of the phone. He had indeed shown the script to Director La, but the other party was unwilling to invest.

For them, this kind of movie is better left out, because it doesn't make money and it's easy to be labeled.

For the sake of his own career, La Dong will not touch this kind of film.

Hearing him sigh, Chen Shouzhe thought to himself that he was right; someone like La Dong wouldn't invest.

Even if he were included, China Film Group wouldn't consider this issue, while Shanghai Film Group might give him face and invest.

But Chen Shouzhe wasn't short of their meager gifts.

What he lacks is support, people who can assist him; otherwise, all the pressure will fall on those who are guarding the film industry.

Now it seems I can only be a pressure monster and bear it all. If the movie doesn't pass filming, so be it. At worst, it'll cost tens of millions.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shou began to plan how to film discreetly. The movie couldn't be made as high-profile as before, with no official Weibo account or even the start of filming. He needed to keep a low profile, or he might be banned from directing.

Wasn't the same in the previous life's "Medicine God"? Ning Hao and the bald man's names were in it, but the director was a complete stranger. Wasn't that a kind of test?

If he really wanted to keep a low profile, he could have easily found a director to film it for him. Even if it got banned, it wouldn't have much to do with him; he was just a producer at most.

Of course, he won't be banned if he doesn't force it to be released, but if he directs it himself, it will be too much of a target.

But what if the higher-ups don't approve if I don't film it myself?
To guide or not to guide?

(End of this chapter)