Run, Best Actor!

After learning from Yang Mi that Liu Taile had agreed to participate in "Tiny Times", the casting director of the production team, Chen Lei, led a team to Yanjing to meet with Liu Taile.

The group had come in high spirits, but fell silent upon hearing Liu Taile's request.

"Well……"

Chen Lei's expression was slightly dazed. "Mr. Liu, you said you want to invest your film salary as equity?"

"yes."

Liu Taile nodded. "Let's be frank. I think your production team is facing some financial difficulties after the actor scandal, right?"

If you pay me a high price again, will there be any extra funds to make a good film?

So I think we should all consider the production team's interests. I don't want cash; I'll convert my salary into investment shares, and the money saved can be used to make a good movie.

I think you have no reason to refuse this condition.

"But……"

Chen Lei's eye twitched slightly. "But you want 10% of the investment? Isn't that a bit too much?"

"I've already charged a premium according to industry standards."

Liu Taile said calmly, "Otherwise, with a total investment of 4700 million, 10% of that investment would only amount to 470 million."

As we all know, domestic film producers are actually quite "miserable" - after deducting the special fund paid to the state, the share of the theaters, and the cut of the distributors, they actually only get about 25 to 30% of the total box office revenue of a film.

Therefore, a 10% investment, which accounts for 2.5 to 3% of the total box office revenue, is by no means a small amount!

"Mr. Liu, that's not how you calculate things."

Chen Lei shook his head. "4700 million is just the production cost. There's still 800 million for promotion. The total investment for our film is 5500 million!"

"Is Director Chen taking advantage of my lack of knowledge about filmmaking?"

Liu Tai-le laughed and said, "Isn't the distribution company responsible for the publicity costs? What does it have to do with the production company?"

"Oh, I misspoke just now."

Chen Lei hadn't expected Liu Taile to be so knowledgeable, and immediately changed his tune, saying, "However, the 4700 million was the previous production cost, and now it needs to be increased."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present understood what he meant.

Since Gu Yuan was replaced, all the scenes previously filmed for the role need to be reshot. And the expenses involved are beyond the budget of the production team; additional investment is definitely needed.

If the total production cost increases, it will definitely exceed 5000 million.

According to industry practice, any additional capital added after a film project has been approved must be purchased at a premium.

"Oh, that was my oversight."

Upon hearing this, Liu Taile readily "admitted his mistake," saying, "How about this, Director Chen, you contact Director Guo and ask how much additional investment I would need if I wanted 10% of the new total film budget?"

"Um, Mr. Liu, are you absolutely sure you want to participate in the investment?"

Chen Lei found it strange; why was this person so persistent?

"As someone who came to this field later in life, I definitely had to pay tuition fees to get started."

Liu Taile said matter-of-factly, "You don't need to worry that I can't afford it. I do have some wealth."

Those present fell silent again, recalling the various financial reports about Liu Taile's annual income in recent years.

Damn it, you big spender!

However, while they were complaining, they couldn't help but feel admiration for Liu Taile when they thought about his previous identity.

After all, he was a hero who brought glory to the country. He had just suffered a major setback in his life, and his career was almost cut short. His move into the entertainment industry was a last resort.

"Okay, I understand what you mean. Please wait for me for half an hour, Mr. Liu."

Chen Lei said sincerely, "I will contact Director Guo immediately."

"OK."

Liu Taile nodded. "I'll wait for your news."

Half an hour passed quickly.

Liu Taile and Chen Lei's team sat down on either side of the table again.

Chen Lei's expression, however, was slightly conflicted.

"Director Chen, just say what you have to say."

Liu Taile spoke first, "What did Director Guo say?"

"Mr. Liu, well, even Director Guo can't make a decision on this matter directly."

Chen Lei said slowly.

In fact, Guo Xiaosi was also stunned when he learned of Liu Taile's request.

He had never seen an actor like this before.

Do they really have to bring their own funding to join the team?!

For a moment, Guo Xiaosi almost wanted to refuse outright.

Because actors like this are always difficult for directors to control.

However, after thinking it over carefully, Guo Xiaosi still reported to Zhang Zhao again.

Zhang Zhao was very happy about this situation.

As a behind-the-scenes investor, he prefers this kind of approach that saves money for investors.

However, he was also aware of Guo Xiaosi's concerns.

After all, he's a director that Le Vision Pictures is currently supporting, so we can't hurt his feelings.

Therefore, Zhang Zhao set a harsh condition—

"Do I need to put in another 500 million to get the 10% investment?"

Liu Taile frowned. "You want me to pay a 43% premium for the investment?! Is this how you do business?"

Of course! A 500 million yuan salary plus a 500 million yuan investment only gets you 10% of the investment. Does that mean the total investment for this movie is 1 million yuan?

Even if you add the 10 million plus the 8 million for marketing and promotion, it's only 65 million!

If we don't count marketing and promotion costs, it's only 5700 million!

Under Liu Taile's piercing gaze, Chen Lei's face flushed. "Mr. Liu, this price was set by General Manager Zhang, and Director Guo can't refute it."

Upon hearing this, Liu Taile sneered.

Will Guo Jingming refute this?

He probably hoped that Liu Taile wouldn't accept this condition.

That guy brought his publishing habits to the film industry.

Despite their mediocre skills, they've perfectly copied all the bad habits of those famous directors.

He was the undisputed leader on set.

Yang Mi isn't stupid. How could she not notice that Lin Xiao's character in the script was so terrible?

Unfortunately, Guo Xiaosi only used her to carry the sedan chair for the other three sisters, so Gu Li and Nan Xiang's roles were actually more substantial than Lin Xiao's.

Want to fight back?

First, you have to be able to tolerate Guo Jingming's foul mouth!

Did you not see how badly Meng Ziyi was publicly ridiculed by him later because of a makeup issue?

With Yang Mi's high EQ and having experienced so much before, she knows the principle that when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

Just give a passable performance; don't try to steal the spotlight.

Otherwise, she could easily play the materialistic Yang Zixi in "The Love Story of Yanjing" and the "Shanghai Cinderella" Lin Xiao.

Unfortunately, she wasn't actually the main character, so she could only passively "slack off."

However, Yang Mi's acting skills are actually not bad.

Watch the last movie, "Tiny Times 4: The End of Soul," and the final scene is an 8-minute long take.

Lin Xiao, dressed in black, entered the villa, but was never shown facing the camera.

Judging from his walking posture, Lin Xiao was the one who entered the gate from the very beginning.

As they entered the doorway, the light dimmed, and the person who entered was now Nan Xiang, her hair tightly combed, as she slowly walked up the stairs.

As the door opened, the person entered the house, and the figure behind them became Tang Wanru.

With a tightening motion, the light and shadow covered her neck, making her hair appear to have become short, and this expression became Gu Li's.

In the end, it became Lin Xiao himself again.

It's worth noting that this shot of the back view was filmed in one continuous take.

Yang Mi, by simply changing her expression from behind, portrayed four different people and lived like four different people.

This truly demonstrates Yang Mi's abilities as a "veteran actress" with 24 years of acting experience at the time, and also as an outstanding graduate of the Beijing Film Academy.

Unfortunately, the script was really bad.

And there's also a clueless director who prevents her from showcasing her talent.

Therefore, Liu Taile absolutely has to participate in this movie!

Liu Taile stared at Chen Lei for a long time, making the other man afraid to even breathe.

After a long pause, he said softly, "OK, add another 500 million for a 10% investment, right... I'll invest."

"What?!"

Chen Lei's expression was blank.

How could they agree to such outrageous conditions?!

"However, from a business perspective, since I've invested more money, I also have more conditions."

Liu Taile added, "But I can see that Director Chen, you can't solve this either."

Even Director Guo, who's supposed to be your successor, can't be confirmed. So I won't bother you anymore.

Okay, I'll contact Mr. Zhang from LeEco Pictures directly.

"ah!?"