Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 36 Figure it out
A comedy film has drawn the attention of the film industry, leading to a collaboration between Chen Shouzhe and Stephen Chow.

Having learned about the availability of tickets through various channels, several companies naturally wanted to see what kind of ship it was.

After all, with Chen Shou and Stephen Chow, box office success is guaranteed, and it's trending on various forums today.

Netizens are optimistic about Stephen Chow's casting and look forward to his performance.

Such posts undoubtedly emboldened the film company. Chen was still in Hong Kong, while Tao Le had been harassed for a day.

After spending a day in Hong Kong, Chen Shouzhe returned to Kyoto. News of his arrival in Kyoto spread quickly, and he received a phone call even before he reached the company.

"I have to say, Director Chen, that's a bit unfair of you. It was one thing that you didn't include me in the last co-production, but you're not including me this time either?"

Wang Changtian said dejectedly on the other end of the phone.

Although co-productions are expensive, if Enlight Media can acquire one, it will definitely boost the stock price, at least by a significant amount.

Because he failed to board the ship, at the beginning of the year, the shareholders almost pointed their fingers at Wang Changtian and berated him. Why did Enlight Media, which had such a good relationship with Chen Shouzhe, fail to produce this co-production? They blamed everything on Wang Changtian, because he refused Chen Shouzhe's advance payment, which caused Enlight Media to miss the opportunity.

Shareholders don't care about the company's operations; they'll naturally react strongly to anything that affects the stock price.

Wang Changtian could only grit his teeth and bear it, after all, Chen Shouzhe's two films had earned him a lot of money, and the fact that Guangming was not included in such an important co-production would have a significant impact both internally and externally.

"Are you sure you want to get on this bus? It's not cheap," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"How much of a premium do you want?" Wang Changtian asked through gritted teeth.

"hundred percent."

"Holy crap, are you serious? A 100% premium?" Wang Changtian's hair stood on end.

If you lose half your money before you've even invested, the pressure to recoup your losses is immense. Even if you can make money, the more you invest, the more you lose.

"That's right. This movie might be the last one starring Stephen Chow. The total investment is 200 million, and I can put 50 million into it. That 50 million is 100% guaranteed."

"Damn, you didn't do anything and you already got 50 million?"

Wang Changtian was stunned by Chen Shouzhe's move. Could this really be done? It was clearly a scheme to get something for nothing. He would create a script, have others handle everything for him, and then he would receive 50 million and a quarter of the profits.

However, Wang Changtian could understand, since Chen Shou had the ability to orchestrate such a scheme.

"If you think it's not worth it, then forget it. I'm only telling you now," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"Let me think about it. Fifty million is definitely not enough for 100% Lightspeed & Quantum. The pressure to break even is too great. We need at least six hundred million in box office revenue to break even."

"My movies have never grossed less than 600 million at the box office."

"You, you, you... amazing... I'll think about it!"

Wang Changtian didn't know what to say, so he just said he would think about it and then hung up the phone.

Chen Shouzhe answered Ye Ning's call again and told her the same thing. Ye Ning was silent for a long time before saying that she would consider it.

"Hey, Mr. Zhang, are you interested too?" Chen Shouzhe was a little surprised to receive the next call; he hadn't expected it to be from him.

"Of course I'm interested. After all, it's a collaboration between two great comedy directors. Director Chen, are you free to have dinner with me?"

"I just got off the plane and am on my way to the company."

"Then I'll head over there and we can meet at your company."

"Okay, Mr. Zhang, I'll be waiting for you at the company."

My phone kept ringing the whole way from the airport to the company. I received seven or eight calls, including calls from company employees and some from celebrities I knew who were asking about roles.

"Mr. Lu?"

"There is a female role, but I've already given the casting rights to Stephen Chow. Hmm, I don't know if she's suitable. The female lead is a mute girl. Tian Tian could give it a try."

"Investment? Is Shin Kong also interested?"

"I'm almost at the company, yes, one hundred percent."

"Okay, I'll let you know when I have news."

Chen Shou arrived at the company entrance and hung up the phone. Lu Zheng's call was still focused on the female lead.

Stephen Chow's movies have no minor roles; they all leave a deep impression. Chen Shouzhe's portrayal of Tian Tian, ​​the mute girl, is also quite remarkable.

Unfortunately, Stephen Chow has the final say on the film set. He has already handed over the casting power. In addition, he is both a shareholder and the lead actor. He will definitely choose the female lead himself for the sake of Star Overseas, and most likely she will be an ordinary person. Otherwise, why would he let someone else promote someone else in his movie?

Chen Shouzhe ignored Zhou Xingxing's petty grievances. Everyone has their own ideas. It is indeed profitable to cultivate a star. Zhou Xingxing even earned a lot of breach of contract fees from the two "Star Girls" he had previously made famous when they sued each other.

They all know their movies can boost the female lead's career, so they'll definitely fight tooth and nail, even holding large-scale auditions to promote themselves first.

Whether Lu Zheng can get the role is another matter. Chen Shou is not optimistic, unless Lu Zheng gives Zhou Xingxing enough benefits.

"You're finally back," Tao Le said with a sigh of relief.

"How many people came?" Chen Shou asked. "Four: Wang Zonglei from Huayi, Yu Dong from Bona, Zhang Shao from Le's, and Zhong Lifan from Xiao Ma's."

"Four companies, let's see how many can stay."

This time, Chen Shou doesn't care who they are, as long as they pay him.

Inside the reception room, Chen Shou opened the door and clasped his hands in apology, saying, "I'm so sorry, I just arrived."

Upon seeing Chen Shouzhe enter, all four people present stood up. Chen Shouzhe glanced around and saw three smiling tigers, plus a top-notch businesswoman who was on par with Huo Wenxi.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Zonglei asked with a smile, "How much of a pie has Director Chen released this time?"

"Not too much, not too little, but a bit expensive," Chen Shou said with a smile.

“It’s alright, Director Chen. I believe in your ability to make money. Your films haven’t lost money yet. It’s a pity that the Le family has the ability to keep up with ‘2012’,” Zhang Shao said, shaking his head.

The Le family only entered the film and television industry last year. Although the parent company is wealthy and its stock price has skyrocketed, Chen Shou could tell that the Le family was playing the same game he was playing now. They might have allowed them to enter before, but now they only talk to him because they urgently need money.

"How expensive exactly?" Yu Dong asked curiously.

He got the job through connections. Bona was originally a state-owned enterprise, but it was spun off and listed overseas.

Chen Shouzhe glanced at Yu Dong. This big shot had an incredibly rich romantic history and was also a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy's management program. Regardless of his character, since he was introduced by Third Master, he should at least give him some face.

"hundred percent."

"hiss!"

As soon as Chen Shou finished speaking, the four people present gasped, looked at each other, and Zhong Lifan shook her head directly.

If it's 100%, the pressure to break even doubles.

The original investment was 200 million, and the box office revenue was 400 million to break even. If they double their investment by 100%, the more they invest, the more box office revenue they need to break even.

If it were doubled, they would need 600 million in box office revenue to break even. The current highest box office record in China is 15 billion. Apart from Chen Shouzhe's "unexpected work," Stephen Chow's film grossed 1 billion last year. Most of his other films have grossed over 600 million, such as Chen Shouzhe's previous film.

"I'd like to ask Director Chen, is it absolutely possible to guarantee that we'll break even?" Wang Zonglei's smile vanished, and he asked seriously.

“No.” Chen Shouzhe shook his head: “The film market is ever-changing, and no one can guarantee anything. I can only say that the script is excellent. If it weren’t for the fact that I didn’t want to give Hong Kong too much, Mr. Yang Shoucheng would have taken it all.”

"Yang Shoucheng..."

Hearing Chen Shouzhe say that he was clearly not joking, it was true that with Chen Shouzhe and Stephen Chow, a box office of 600 million was entirely possible. Stephen Chow's movie last year grossed over 1 billion.

A director with 15 billion, plus a director with 10 billion.

"How many more films does Director Chen have?" Zhang Shao was the first to get restless. The Le family had just entered the market, and it would be best if they had a film to make a splash. They needed enough fame.

"Damn, this guy."

Wang Zonglei and Yu Dong glared at him hatefully. They had wanted to suppress him further, but now that they heard someone was backing them up, their internal forces crumbled first.

Zhong Lifan also hesitated. Xiao Ma needed to prepare for the listing, and the more achievements it made, the easier the listing process would be.

If the movie Chen Shou is working on can gross over a billion, it will definitely make a good contribution to the company's financial statements.

"The investment is 200 million, and there are still 50 million outside. It's 100%. Have you all thought it through?" Chen Shou asked.

"One hundred million!!" Zhang Shao, who had been excited just moments before, suddenly deflated. He had taken out one hundred million in one go; the stakes were far too high.

"Fifty million sold for one hundred million. Director Chen didn't spend a single penny on this movie, yet he took a quarter of it," Wang Zonglei said with a forced smile.

"This is the price. You all decide what to do. Wanda and Guangxian will be here later. Don't rush to give me an answer. Give it to me tomorrow." Chen Shou smiled.

Looking at this man who was only in his early twenties but acted like an old fox, they couldn't help but sigh, "Talented people emerge in every generation; he truly deserves to be from one of the Eight Famous Sects of the martial arts world."

They'll give us a reply tomorrow, which means they need to see what Wanda and Enlight Media think first. After all, these two companies have a deeper working relationship with Chen Shouzhe, and even if they make an offer now, Chen Shouzhe won't agree.

They didn't expect that a 100% premium would still attract so many people. Looking at Chen Shou, they felt that this young man was like a 'monster'. He was doing things that they wouldn't dare to do.

They got something for nothing and taught them a good lesson.

“Then Huayi will give Director Chen an answer tomorrow.” Wang Zonglei was the first to stand up, and Yu Dong and the others thought about it and agreed.

When shaking hands with Zhong Lifan, this strong woman carefully sized up Chen Shouzhe several times. She thought she was bold enough, but she didn't expect Chen Shouzhe to be even more ruthless than her.

"Director Chen, I hope to hear good news from you tomorrow," Zhong Lifan said softly.

Chen Shouzhe realized that Xiao Ma wouldn't be offering a premium this time.

"We'll have another chance to work together," Chen Shou nodded.

"Please give me more opportunities, Director Chen." Zhong Lifan shook his hand firmly.

(End of this chapter)