Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

Fang Yuan, of course, knew about James Wan's later career—

After Saw, came Dead Silence, The Conjuring, Insidious, Fast & Furious 7, and Aquaman.

If he had signed James Wan before 2000, the latter's entire career trajectory would have been different, and Fangyuan Studios' content landscape would have been completely different.

But he can't tell Ellie these things right now.

He gave a more practical reason:

"I've seen some of his short films shot in Melbourne, and his horror movie instincts are top-notch for his age."

"Saw needed a director who understood pacing, suspense, and audience psychology; someone more experienced than him might not be a better fit. Besides, he's of Chinese descent, which made communication easier for us."

Ellie was silent for a few seconds, then put the script into her briefcase.

"I'm going to Melbourne," she said.

"But you need to give me a scope of authorization—the upper and lower limits of the contract terms, term, and profit-sharing ratio."

Fang Yuan had already thought it through.

"A five-year contract with two one-year studio renewal options."

During the contract period, James Wan and Leigh Whannell developed projects for the studio, and for each project they received a creative share—10% to 15% of the total revenue, depending on the size of the project.

They can receive an advance payment for living expenses in the early stages. It's not much, but it's enough for them to work without having to do any other work.

If other companies try to poach our talent, we'll match their offers.

"That sounds pretty good," Ellie said.

"Now is the best time," Fang Yuan said without denying it.

"Potential creators are most easily underestimated in the early stages."

If we don't sign now, we won't be able to afford to sign them when they make their breakthrough film.

Ellie wrote the authorization terms in a memo, then asked another question:

"Are you sure he'll agree? A film student studying in Melbourne, suddenly a Los Angeles studio flies in and says, 'We want to sign you'—would you believe that?"

Fang Yuan thought for a moment, "So you need to bring the script and the Writers Guild registration certificate."

Let him see that you are not a liar.

Show him the script for "Saw," and you'll see how appealing it is to him.

"Then tell him that he will direct the film, we will produce it, and Lionsgate or other Hollywood companies will distribute it."

He has no experience with feature films? No problem.

You'll be on set the whole time—as the producer. You already have experience with three successful films; he'll handle the creative execution.

Ellie jotted down a few notes in her notebook: "When are we leaving?"

"Hurry. Check the flights to Melbourne this week."

Fang Yuan stood up and walked to the window. "Call him now. Contact him and tell him that a Los Angeles studio is interested in his work and will send a representative to meet with him."

Don't mention signing a contract, just say we'll watch the film and discuss the collaboration. We'll talk about the rest when we meet.

Ellie picked up the phone on the table.

Fang Yuan found that Melbourne number in his contacts.

She was unaware that Fang Yuan had somehow obtained James Wan's contact information, possibly through the Writers Guild of America or some public channels of the Melbourne Film Academy.

When Ellie dialed the number, Fang Yuan stood at the window without turning around.

The phone rang a few times before a young voice answered, speaking fluent but slightly accented English.

"Hello?"

"Are you James Wan? I'm Ellie Chen, from a film studio in Los Angeles."

Sorry to bother you, but we saw some footage of the short film you shot in Melbourne and would like to discuss the possibility of collaboration.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Fang Yuan turned his head and looked at Ellie's profile.

The sunlight outside the window shone on the Venice beach, and the shadows of the palm trees swayed gently in the wind.

If that phone call had gone through, and if Ellie had flown there and successfully signed James Wan and Leigh Whannell, then Saw wouldn't have had to wait until 2004 to be released.

It was expected to be completed and released in North American theaters in 2000 or 2001.

A 21-year-old Chinese screenwriter and a 22-year-old Chinese-American director dropped a bombshell in the genre film market with a budget of just over one million US dollars.

And then there's this series—the series that went on to produce nine films over the next twenty years, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide—

It all started with a phone call in the summer of 1999.

But Fang Yuan didn't tell Ellie about these things.

He simply walked to the table, picked up the Saw script that had been registered at the beginning of the year, and turned to the last page.

There was a note written by him on it:

The film's production cost is capped at two million US dollars.

The filming period will not exceed three weeks. There is only one core scene.

Two main characters. The villain doesn't appear. The ending twist happens in the very last frame.

His handwriting was completed at the beginning of this year, on a winter night in Beijing, under the desk lamp in the dormitory of the Central Academy of Drama.

That stack of manuscripts was later translated into English, filed with the Writers Guild, and then kept locked in a drawer in this studio.

It's waiting for someone—a young person who is currently studying in Melbourne, someone who doesn't yet know how amazing they will become in the future.

Fang Yuan put the script back on the table. Ellie's phone call was still going on.

"Okay, let's set a time. I'll fly to Melbourne next week and we'll talk in person."

You can bring your partner along, yes, Leigh Whannell.

Yes, I have the complete script. You'll see when you read it. Okay, see you next week.

Ellie hung up the phone and turned to look at Fang Yuan.

"It's arranged. Next Wednesday, Melbourne."

Fang Yuan nodded. "Take the draft contract with you."

"Aren't you going?"

"You understand the contract terms better than I do," Fang Yuan said.

"I'll be staying in Los Angeles for a few days to summarize and discuss some details of the three projects that have been agreed upon."

"Come back immediately after you finish signing. I'm going to New York for a week, then I'll go back to China."

Ellie pulled up her flight booking confirmation, glanced at it, and then closed her laptop.

"Fang Yuan," she said, "what do you plan to make this studio?"

Fang Yuan thought for about two seconds.

"To become a content factory," he said.

"Find the right people, give them the platform, resources, and money. All ownership and intellectual property of the project remain here."

We find partners for distribution, but control production ourselves. We do projects one by one, and build series one by one.

"Let's start with Saw."

As he finished speaking, the Pacific Ocean outside the window was being dyed a deep orange by the setting sun.

A cargo ship slowly sailed across the distant sea, leaving a long white trail that looked like a line connecting the ocean to the land on the opposite shore.

Melbourne is also by the sea, but that sea is the South Pacific Ocean.