This celebrity is overly enthusiastic!

Chapter 172 I want to film ten!
I've finally seen the writing team that the Metaverse supposedly relies on.

If it weren't for his keen eye, Chen Guofu would never have believed that a script could be created through arguments and collaboration.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, brother. I've already arranged more comfortable tea rooms, villas, and other nice places for these guys so they can focus on their creative work."

But he wouldn't listen, insisting that inspiration only came in the company's cramped office.

Chen Yuan took a cup of coffee from the coffee machine in his office and placed it in front of Chen Guofu, who had come to visit Yuan Universe, with a wry smile.

This is also Chen Yuan's fault, because the effective range of [Face-to-Face Transmission] is only a radius of ten meters. He used to always sit in his office and transmit inspiration to the screenwriters who were specially arranged in the next room.

Logically speaking, screenwriters don't need to stay in the office all the time to write, and famous screenwriters in the industry all have their own quirks.

But the writers of the metaverse found that they could always come up with good ideas in the office, but it was more difficult in other places. Over time, a kind of metaphysics emerged among the writers.

Even when Chen Yuan wasn't in the Yuan Universe, the screenwriters were used to staying in the office to write. Perhaps it was the effect of psychological suggestion, but their work efficiency was higher here than elsewhere.

Later, as the situation in the metaverse improved, Chen Yuan arranged a more comfortable environment for them, but the screenwriters still preferred to squeeze into their own small and cramped offices.

As the metaverse expands and the number of people increases, the hard benches in the office, which are rumored to be the source of inspiration, are now reserved for renowned screenwriters who have made significant contributions to the company.

Newcomers to the company who can only do fill-in-the-blank and expand-out tasks, completing assigned essays, have no right to sit on a hard bench.
They could only stay in the beautifully furnished villas, tea rooms, and gyms that Chen Yuan provided for the company's various creative departments outside the headquarters.

"The metaverse is indeed extraordinary. Only a group of extraordinary people following an extraordinary boss like you could accomplish such an extraordinary feat!"

After taking a sip of coffee to suppress his surprise and praising Chen Yuan, Chen Guofu asked a question that Chen Guofu found hard to understand:

"Chen Yuan, why are you filming a TV series again?"

Chen Yuan was also helpless. Why did everyone keep asking him this question lately? The discrimination against TV drama actors in the industry is really too serious!

"I just think there's a pretty good character in the show, and I'll take this opportunity to solidify my popularity with the public."

Chen Guofu smiled and shook his head. "TV series are indeed more likely to win the audience's favor than movies, which is true for most actors, but it doesn't apply to you, Chen Yuan."

Zhang Ziyi hasn't acted in a single TV series, but isn't she still one of the most famous actresses in mainland China?

"She doesn't have public appeal, and if any scandals or controversies arise in the future, her career will fall very quickly."

Chen Yuan offered a brief explanation, admitting he was genuinely annoyed. It was just acting in a TV series, and the media, with their endless idleness, were already interpreting it all, and even industry insiders were speculating wildly.

Some things are really hard to explain to you people who don't have any cheat codes!

He changed the subject, saying, "Dude, are you here because Columbia Pictures is pressuring you to collaborate on a sequel?"

Chen Guofu ran his thumb along the smooth rim of the delicate bone china coffee cup on the table and said:

"It is indeed related to Columbia Pictures, but not for a sequel. They know that the success of 'The Edge Walker' has given you a lot of confidence, and they plan to have a proper talk with you after the film leaves theaters."

I'm here to discuss Columbia Pictures' business in Asia. I heard that Metaverse has been recruiting talent in film distribution lately. Are you planning to get into distribution?

Chen Yuan quickly realized that Chen Guofu was there to discuss the domestic distribution of Stephen Chow's film "Kung Fu Hustle".

Chen Yuan's guess was accurate, because he foresaw the conflict between Cui Yongyuan and Feng Xiaogang in advance, which delayed the release of Huayi Brothers' highly anticipated Lunar New Year film "Cellphone," damaging its financial strength.

Then a Columbia Pictures executive died on the road, and Huayi Brothers lost its trump card of relying on foreign influence. Wong Jinghua's ruthless defection only made matters worse.

With other film and television companies like Metaverse constantly poaching talent, Huayi Brothers has declined drastically and is struggling to maintain even its status as a second-rate production company.

The movie "Kung Fu Hustle" was a project that Huayi Brothers collaborated on with Columbia Pictures last year before their financial troubles came to light.
The total investment for the project was around US$20 million, with Huayi Brothers investing less than 3% of the shares and securing the domestic distribution rights for "Kung Fu Hustle".

Huayi Brothers' distribution capabilities are clearly in trouble now. Columbia Pictures kicked Huayi Brothers out and, in search of a new partner, approached Metaverse, with whom they had a good working relationship and which is doing very well in China.

Chen Yuan doesn't remember the exact box office figures for "Kung Fu Hustle," but they were definitely not low, and the distribution agency was guaranteed to make a profit.

Filming for "Kung Fu" started last July or August. Chen Yuan felt it was a pity. If Huayi Brothers had leaked the news earlier, Yuan Universe could have gotten involved, and perhaps Huang Shengyi could have played the classic mute girl role from her previous life.

Unfortunately, she didn't have that opportunity; the role of the mute girl was played by Zhang Yuqi, an artist from Stephen Chow's own company.

Distributing "Kung Fu Hustle" also allowed me to get acquainted with Stephen Chow. After he became a director, he directed several other films that were quite profitable, and even purely financial investments could yield substantial returns.

The cooperation agreement was quickly finalized. Chen Yuan stared at Chen Guofu, who had a relaxed expression, and gave him an innocent smile.

"The collaboration with Columbia Pictures is finished. Mr. Chen, would you be interested in discussing a deeper collaboration?" "A deeper collaboration?"

Chen Yuan didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point: "Brother, do you have any thoughts about switching jobs and joining the Metaverse?"

Chen Guofu was somewhat surprised, but quickly regained his composure.

Chen Yuan is the most brilliant and talented person he has ever met in his career, without exception.

It's really hard to understand why someone like him could exist in mainland China.

Many directors in mainland China, and even Taiwan, focus too much on the artistic expression of their films and neglect, or simply don't know how to do, commercial marketing.

Chen Yuan is not only good at marketing, but he can also turn commercial marketing into an art form, achieving outstanding results while remaining subtle and unpredictable, making it impossible for others to imitate or learn from him.

Under Chen Yuan's leadership, the metaverse truly has immense potential, and to be honest, he was genuinely tempted.

The head of Columbia Pictures' Asia operations may sound prestigious, but collaborations are still subject to the control of headquarters, and their authority is quite limited.

Collaborating with Stephen Chow on "Kung Fu Hustle" was already the limit; a true blockbuster like "The Edge Walker" could only be handled by someone as incredibly capable in every aspect as Chen Yuan.

"Don't you already have Shi Nansheng to help you? Besides, Yuan Universe is full of talented people under your management. Do you really need to personally poach me, President Chen?"

Chen Yuan said honestly:

"Brother Chen, you're a VIP at any film and television company, so of course I have to personally invite you to join us."

Sister Nansheng is very capable, but the company's affairs are getting busier and busier. She is already busy enough just handling the daily operations, and basically has no time to personally manage film and television projects.

The next area that Metaverse will focus on is the film industry, and a seasoned producer like you, Brother Chen, is exactly the kind of help Metaverse needs.

"Oh, let's just chat about what specific actions the metaverse will take in the film industry."

Chen Guofu immediately became interested. He had a feeling that Chen Yuan's style of doing things was definitely different from that of ordinary film and television companies.

After listening to Chen Yuan's explanation of the metaverse's plan, Chen Guofu's guess was confirmed. Sure enough, this guy was different from others!
Ignoring the fact that the coffee had gone cold, he drank it all in one gulp to moisten his dry throat.

The metaverse is going to launch ten movies in just one year!

Although most of them are low-budget romance and drama films, with an average cost of less than 1000 million per film,
Furthermore, given Metaverse's strong relationships with the business world, securing sponsorships is much easier than for other film and television companies. With the addition of other investors, Metaverse can also handle film and television distribution itself.
Ultimately, the production cost of each film will not even exceed 500 million RMB.

Ten films would only cost 50 million, which is nothing to Chen Yuan, who is in charge of the metaverse.

The key point is that Chen Yuan invests in films and supports only young directors and producers, which is quite rare!

From the project proposals of several films that have been largely completed, Chen Guofu noticed that Metaverse has a very deep management system for its film crews.

It's not the current practice in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong where an investment is made in a director, and then the director naturally takes over the overall control of the project.

"You're planning to learn everything from Hollywood, huh? But Chen Yuan, the situation here is completely different from Hollywood. Your approach might not work!"

Faced with Chen Guofu's tactful advice, Chen Yuan licked his dry lips and explained:
"I know that I am only imitating the superficial aspects of Hollywood, emphasizing the training of producers in order to limit the excessive expressive desires of directors."

Nowadays, domestic film directors can't even tell a simple story properly, yet they're keen on using all sorts of symbols and metaphors. I don't want to work with those so-called artists.

There is a severe shortage of film producers in China who understand film production. The purpose of all the projects I undertake is not to cultivate and discover new outstanding young directors. It would be great if I could, but I don't care if I can't.

The main goal is to cultivate a group of producers who can independently handle projects.

Chen Guofu was once again shocked by Chen Yuan's bizarre ideas, and at the same time admired his forward-thinking.

Other film and television companies cling to big-name directors, just like Huayi Brothers, which holds Feng Xiaogang in its hands, and Zhang Yimou, who is firmly tied to the new film "Painting Mist".
Chen Yuan, on the other hand, doesn't seem to value directors much, perhaps because he himself is a very capable director. Instead, he places great importance on producers.

A good director can raise the ceiling of a film, while a good producer can raise the floor of a film.

Does Chen Yuan believe that the metaverse is enough for him to keep pushing the limits, and that others don't need to take risks like him or pursue high returns? Does he need a group of producers to help him raise the bar for other films?

That was indeed a wise move.

(End of this chapter)