Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

But then Yang Che flipped to the last part of the script, pointed to the rooftop scene in scene 168, and said, "Completely remove the fighting and gunfights, just psychological confrontation. For example... you are Lau Kin-ming, and you say at the end: I didn't have a choice before, but now I want to be a good person. I say: Tell the judge, see if he will let you be a good person. You say: That means I have to die."

As Yang Che spoke, he raised his hand in a gun gesture and pointed it at Zhuang Wenqiang, then said very seriously, "I'm sorry, I'm a police officer."

Zhuang Wenqiang was completely bewildered, but Mai Zhaohui clapped his hands in agreement.

"Okay, okay."

Yang Che grinned, waved his hand, and continued flipping through the pages: "And here, the elevator shootout with Huang Zhicheng is unnecessary. Keeping the two shots of the encirclement and the fall is enough. Focus on the impact of the tragedy. Imagine Chen Yongren looking at Huang Sir, who died with his eyes wide open. What a scene that would be."

While the two were still pondering, Yang Che turned to another page: "Here, Chen Yongren says: 'I've been an undercover agent for almost ten years.' If it were changed to 'three years after three years, three years after three years, almost ten years, boss!' wouldn't that be even more oppressive, conveying endless despair and Chen Yongren's character...?"

Meanwhile, director Andrew Lau of the "Undying Mystery" crew felt uneasy all over, uncomfortable everywhere. After all, all his ideas, whether bursts of inspiration or painstakingly conceived, were dismissed by Yang Che's worthless spittle-flecked speech...

Meanwhile, Felix Chong and Alan Mak seemed to be constantly bombarded with Arthur's first skill without cooldown, looking somewhat bewildered, their eyes filled with clear-eyed stupidity. Before they could even grasp one explanation, another was bombarding them, easily causing their brains to shut down.

They also witnessed firsthand what "very talented" meant in Liu Dehua's words, and their last remaining sense of superiority in creative work vanished completely.

After all, they felt like fools at that moment.

Fortunately, after explaining the cuts to Chen Yongren and her daughter's scenes, Yang Che said, "Anyway, think about what I've said, polish the script a bit more, and whoever wants to give me their bank account number first, I'll pay you the script fee, 30 Hong Kong dollars, is that okay?"

The two exchanged another glance, and Mak Siu-fai hesitated before saying, "Uh... okay, thank you, Mr. Yeung."

HK$30 is already the top price for a well-known screenwriter. Well... screenwriters in Hong Kong are even less valuable. After all, they're called "flying paper boys" for a reason; they're known for being cheap and easy to use.

Of course, they were speechless with surprise. Was it really decided so simply?

Yang Che clapped his hands: "Let's leave it at that. Let's refine the script a bit more before we start. It's not easy to get started this year. I have a movie to shoot in mainland China and another to be released in North America this year, as well as four or five TV series to produce. I don't have the energy or extra funds to produce them."

Slightly regaining his composure, Chong Man-keung paused for a moment: "Mr. Yang, this movie has a high budget. If we cast the actors as we envisioned, for example, Lau Kin-ming as Wah Gor and Han Chen as Ng Chun-yu, the actors' salaries would be around HK$1500 million..."

"Are you worried I won't vote?"

Yang Che smiled on the outside, but cursed inwardly.

The death of Hong Kong films is certainly related to the high salaries of actors. However, the high salaries of actors were also a result of the film and television companies' indulgence, which led to bidding wars to secure actors' schedules.

Zhuang Wenqiang waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, it's just that we still need to make things clear with Yang Sheng. Neither of us wants to produce something shoddy."

Alan Mak chimed in, "Mr. Yeung would never produce shoddy work. The quality of 'My Sassy Girl' speaks for itself, and his first high-definition TV series was also his doing."

Yang Che understood the back-and-forth between the two, after all, it was indeed the culmination of their long-term efforts.

But understanding is one thing, feeling uncomfortable is another; it just shows a lack of trust in Yang.

However, he was too lazy to make any harsh words or guarantees. If he wanted to say anything, he wouldn't say it to those two people, but to the middleman, Liu Dehua.

So he chuckled and said, "Gentlemen, could we revise the script first?"

Mak Siu-fai was taken aback, then quickly said, "Okay, okay."

"Please write down my bank card number."

"Mr. Yang, let me draft an agreement first..."

"it is good."

It was already past 11:30 AM. Zhuang Wenqiang suggested we go eat first, but Yang Che said it would be better to order some takeout and have some drinks at the bar...

Zhuang Wenqiang is reliable; all the wine he serves is genuine.

What? You're saying there's no fake alcohol in Hong Kong? Hahaha.

During the meal, Mak Siu-fai brought up the issue of funding, specifically asking how to invest.

Yang Che paused for a moment and said, "In terms of revenue, co-production with the mainland is the most appropriate, and my funds are easy to manage. However, the censorship is too strict. Even if I have some influence, it is impossible to pass the censorship without making some changes, which would be pointless."

Forget about imported films; there are only 10 slots, and they're mostly Hollywood productions. So I'll invest in setting up a Hong Kong-based company, and then my mainland company will buy out the distribution rights.

Zhuang Wenqiang asked doubtfully, "Does Mr. Yang's mainland company have this buyout right?"

Yang Che grinned: "We still have the right to affiliate with a state-owned factory and then buy it out."

The two exchanged a knowing smile. Although they didn't understand the specifics of how it worked, they understood the meaning behind Yang Che's words: "I have connections." Naturally, they also breathed a sigh of relief once again.

Yang Che is nobody. As the filmmaker in China who "understands" commercial films the most, he can still talk to the China Film Group, which is in dire need of rebuilding, under the guise of "uniting (winning over) Hong Kong filmmakers." If they really can't reach an agreement, they can go to the Shanghai Film Studio.

The reason I went through all that trouble to invest in this film was twofold: firstly, it was out of a perverse sense of humor, and secondly, it was to vent my frustration.

Everyone says that "Infernal Affairs" was the film that revived Hong Kong cinema, right? Hey, it was invested in by "Che Che" that you guys are talking about. Aren't you angry?

Of course, it's also because this film is guaranteed to make money; even if you invest 5000 million, you won't lose money, since the remake rights from the US and South Korea are worth a lot of money.

Not to mention, it made a small profit at the box office when it was released in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

With that in mind, I enjoyed a great meal of takeout; the roast goose and braised squid were both delicious.

It's said that "Shaolin Soccer" had a greater global box office and influence than "Infernal Affairs," but the Hong Kong entertainment circle... well, Stephen Chow isn't part of the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

During the meal, Mak Siu-fai received a text message from the bank confirming the arrival of the funds. His eyes immediately welled up with tears, just like when Yang Che saw Lao Fan's 400 million yuan arrive... So, Mak Siu-fai's feelings and emotions at this moment were quite similar to those of Yang Che back then.

Yang Che stopped writing when he and Mai Zhaohui were signing the agreement after the meal.

"If you two are still single, why don't you join my company? That would make things easier when we're preparing for this movie in the future."