Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 27 Identifying Investors

$8000 million, or 6 million RMB.

This is an investment unlike any other in China; even China Film Group would feel the pinch, and it's not something they can come up with all at once.

For Han Sanping, this was exactly what he wanted.

He had read the movie script, and the portrayal of China in it was very good. Chen Shou revised the original script, adding a lot of scenes about China, all of which were positive portrayals, but the focus was still on the West, and the script itself was still based on Western themes.

The Chinese characters are better portrayed in the film. According to the requirements of co-productions, there must be Chinese actors. In Chen Shouzhe's script design, apart from the male and female leads, the other two main actors can be replaced with Chinese actors.

The film's selling point isn't the actors, but the special effects; it's a disaster blockbuster. Judging from the storyboard drawn by Chen Shouzhe, the film's budget is bound to be enormous.

"I need to have a meeting before I can make a decision," Han Sanping said.

"Walker gave me ten days. If the Chinese side doesn't intend to form a joint venture within ten days, then I will sell the script to them. They also have the right to modify my script. They need to build a team as quickly as possible, and they've even started preparing for special effects," Chen Shou said, taking a deep breath.

"China Film Group needs to make 500 million in ten days. That's a bit difficult." Han Sanping frowned slightly, reluctant to put down the script in his hand. He looked very conflicted. This was a huge cake for him, and he couldn't bear to give it up at all.

Chen Shou rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, "Grandpa, you still want to take on all 5 million? With the way state-owned enterprises are, it's no wonder it will take three to five months to get approval."

Han Sanping might be able to get approval for 500 million, but 500 million is too much. The higher-ups will probably suspect that he's planning to abscond. Who invests that much in a movie?

"I have to go to other places, so I won't stay any longer," Chen Shouzhe said.

"Are you going to other places?" Han Sanping was taken aback.

"Can China Film Group take over the whole thing? Within ten days?" Chen Shou asked with a sullen smile.

"Well, never mind, which one are you planning to go to?" Han Sanping asked.

“Shanghai Film Studio, Wanda Films,” Chen Shou said.

"Go ask them, or you don't need to go. Just call them all to China Film Group or your company. Contact Wanda, and I can help you arrange a meeting with Ren Zhengfei at Shanghai Film Group." Han Sanping sighed. It seemed that the various companies would have to sit down and talk.

"Thank you, Third Master. It's settled then. I'll contact Wanda." Chen Shouzhe thought it made sense. Why should he work himself to the bone, leading them to make money, only to be treated like a dog?

This isn't his first time making a movie, and he's had to go around asking people for money. He could easily do what "Painted Skin" did: set up the whole thing himself and invite them over.

Chen Shou called Ye Ning from Wanda. Upon hearing that it was a major co-production project, Ye Ning was also excited. They had done well in real estate in recent years, and their group wanted to expand its cinema network across the country and even the world, so they needed to increase its brand awareness. Co-productions, especially those with big-name casts, were perfect for their group.

After chatting on the phone for a while, Ye Ning said it was no problem, as their group had plenty of money.

Chen Shouzhe then returned to the horse farm to rest, fell asleep immediately, and woke up again after only a few hours.

He had a meal with his teacher's wife, then went out to the company to handle some matters. If filming was to take place, he would join the crew and bring his team to learn about their special effects.

Look at how other movies do their special effects. Domestic special effects companies are terrible these days. How much did they spend on the special effects of "Painted Skin"? 100 million yuan was spent and it's like it was invisible. For a movie that cost 13 billion yuan, at least 12 billion yuan was spent on special effects. Every second is a money-burning affair.

Chen Shouzhe chatted with Tao Le and several newly recruited special effects employees. When they learned that they would be involved in a foreign special effects blockbuster, the employees' eyes lit up. This was a learning opportunity for them.

I went to China Film Group early this morning. Ye Ning from Wanda and Chairman Ren from Shanghai Film Group were there. I originally wanted to invite Enlight Media, but considering their financial situation, I decided against it. As for Xi'an Film Group, they don't have much money, and inviting them might mean giving them a handout.

The four families sat together, and Chen Shouzhe told them all about the movie plan. Ye Ning and Ren Dong's eyes lit up when they heard Chen Shouzhe's description, but Han Sanye was very unhappy.

In his view, China Film Group was fully capable of taking it over, but it would take time and the procedures would be complicated. After all, it was a huge sum of money, all of which was state money, and even he would find it difficult to acquire it all.

Once the deal is secured, China Film Group's other films this year will definitely be drastically cut. Many people are already unhappy with him, and they will feel even worse in the future.

“Eighty million US dollars, six hundred million, the four of us can easily handle it,” said Chairman Ren of Shanghai Film Group, clapping his hands.

"Let's divide it up now. I'll take 100 million." Chen Shou could only squeeze out 100 million at the moment. With the loan and the previous share of profits, the money that was originally intended to be used to buy equipment this year was put aside. He would deal with it after the movie was finished.

When they heard Chen Shouzhe casually mention 100 million, the three people present were shocked by the young face. However, considering that Chen Shouzhe had made a lot of money from his two movies, he probably brought out his entire fortune. If he was willing to risk everything for his small company, the others naturally couldn't be stingy.

“Wanda also has a limit of one hundred million.” Before coming, Ye Ning talked with the top leader above her, and he was given a limit of one hundred million, so she put all of it on the line.

There are only 400 million left, and only two state-owned enterprises remain: China Film Group, the elder brother, and Shanghai Film Group, which is ambitious and also has money.

"Shanghai Film Studio..."

"China Film Group, 250 million." Before Chairman Ren could even make a price offer, the Third Master across from him interrupted.

"you……"

"What do you mean 'what do you mean 'what do you mean 'what do you mean ''? It was decided yesterday that China Film Group must take the lead. That's 250 million." Han Sanping waved his hand, looking like there was no room for negotiation. "Han Sanping, your behavior is too greedy. The two companies should each contribute half, 200 million each." Chairman Ren was no pushover either. He was ambitious and had long wanted to challenge China Film Group's position.

Why is China Film Group the top dog? Is Shanghai Film Group short of money?
If he can seize this opportunity, and if the project becomes a hit, he might be qualified to challenge this senior figure.

"Who said it's half and half? The imported films will still be signed by China Film Group, and China Film Group will definitely be in control." Han Sanping remained completely unmoved.

When gods fight, mortals step aside. Chen Shou and Ye Ning hid to the side, each holding a teacup, sitting side by side, drinking tea and watching the spectacle.

Chen Shouzhe finally felt relieved. He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, which showed just how tempting co-productions were.

Yes, co-productions have been a trend in recent years, but those private companies involved haven't done a very good job. They keep boasting, but the result is all garbage.

With Chinese participation in the production, along with Hollywood's top producers and directors, and the director currently leading the domestic box office, it's a powerful alliance, and they're willing to take a gamble.

If it works out, it will be a significant addition to their resumes.

In the end, Chairman Ren couldn't win the argument, and the decision was made according to the proportion proposed by Chairman Han.

China Film Group: 250 million; Shanghai Film Group: 150 million; Wanda Cinema: 100 million; Chen Shouzhe: 100 million.

The four companies jointly contributed 6 million yuan. After the agreement was finalized, each company sent a representative, who set off with Chen Shou the next day.

Whether it was because of his frequent visits to China Film Group or not, the news of him chatting and laughing with Ye Ning as they left China Film Group was quickly reported.

Those who follow the entertainment industry won't care about this news, but the major film and television companies are the ones who can't sit still.

Both of Chen Shouzhe's films were huge profits, and although Painted Skin suffered some setbacks, it still made him a fortune.

It looks like Chen Shouzhe will be making a new movie after the New Year; there are quite a few film companies with similar ideas.

Time and again, Chen Shou has demonstrated that his films are very capable, of high quality, and that he has cultivated an audience. At least when people hear that it's his film, they are willing to go to the cinema.

"Hey Director Chen, you haven't forgotten me, have you? Our previous two collaborations went so well."

Chen Shouzhe was at the company when his phone kept ringing. He could ignore the other people's calls because he wasn't really familiar with them, but he couldn't ignore Wang Changtian from Guangming.

"For Chairman Wang's project this time, let's just forget about Enlight Media," Chen Shou said with a wry smile.

"Why? Could it be that China Film Group doesn't agree? How do they know Enlight Media is no good just because you didn't come?" Wang Changtian was anxious. It was obvious that the project was trying to exclude him.

Seeing Chen Shouzhe and Ye Ning appear at China Film Group, along with Chairman Ren from Shanghai Film Group, how could he not be anxious? Could it be that he wanted to squeeze out Guanglu Film Group and let Shanghai Film Group in?
Although the lighting wasn't as good as Shangying's, that wasn't the reason he was pushed out.

He wondered if it was because he hadn't lent money to Chen Shouzhe before, but Wanda had lent it to him later, which was why he had abandoned Guangmang.

“I admit I couldn’t advance the money to you last time, but that’s not because you abandoned me. Guangxian is a private company, and it’s preparing for its IPO. You have to understand me,” Wang Changtian said earnestly.

Chen Shou smiled and said, "Chairman Wang has nothing to do with this matter. I'll tell you about this project though. It's a co-production, and we'll be working with Columbia Pictures. The investment is quite large. Enlight Media just went public, so let's forget about it."

"How big is the investment?" Wang Changtian became curious as soon as he heard this. Although Guangxian went public last year, it is still quite different from Huayi.

“Two hundred million…” Chen Shou said.

"Two hundred million isn't much. Guangming can keep up with that."

"Dollars."

After the last two words were uttered, Wang Changtian on the other end of the phone fell silent. After a long while, he finally uttered two words.

"Awesome!"

Xi'an Film Studio has probably already received the news. After all, they are both state-owned enterprises. If they don't bother Chen Shouzhe after knowing the inside story, they simply can't afford to invest.

The next day, Chen Shouzhe brought along a vice chairman from Shanghai Film Group, Chairman Ren from China Film Group, and Ye Ning.

The four people were photographed by reporters who were lying in wait as soon as they appeared at the airport. The reporters may only recognize Chen Shouzhe, but they can immediately tell the identities of the others by comparing him with the people around him.

"Good heavens, Mr. Ren from Shanghai Film Group, Mr. La from China Film Group, Ms. Ye Ning from Wanda Group, plus Mr. Chen Shouzhe, what are they up to?" The reporter immediately sent back the footage to confirm the identities of the four people.

After Chen and his team boarded the plane, the domestic news was updated immediately.

(End of this chapter)