Huayu 02: The Days of Extreme Pulling and Rolling with the Fairy

Yesterday, Xie Jin received a call from Miss Liu. It seemed that Miss Liu's mother was interested in the notebook, but was still hesitant.

I always felt that Chen Bolin, the male actor from "Mayday Love," was more popular than Xie Jin, who was called the "successor to the martial arts drama."

Although Xie Jin is no longer an unknown figure, the subject matter of "Incense" was sensitive, and it was ultimately not released in mainland China.

Aside from a brief appearance in the newspapers during the Berlin Film Festival, Ning Hao and Xie Jin haven't made any further waves.

It's better than being completely untraceable, but the improvement is still limited.

Besides Chen Bolin's popularity, Liu's mother also considered that having acted in Taiwan's film would make it easier for her daughter to enter the overseas market in the future.

But the script for "May Love" was truly awful. She thought it was awful, and her friends who read it also thought it was awful. In short, it was just awful.

The problem is that the director, Taiwan, has a high opinion of himself and is extremely satisfied with the script.

On the contrary, the agent of the actor from Taiwan complained that Liu Yifei had never acted in a movie and her TV series had not yet aired, and that her status was not comparable to Chen Bolin's. Liu's mother was so angry that her breasts hurt.

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While Miss Liu was struggling, Xie Jin was making rapid progress.

To be fair, Mr. Wang Jinsong is a seasoned veteran. Before contacting Bona Film Group, he first inquired with China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group.

As expected, China Film Group made excuses about insufficient funding, and Shanghai Film Group required Ning Hao to serve as the chief director before things could be discussed.

The breakdown in negotiations was something Lao Wang had anticipated, and it's for the best, as it will save him from being suppressed by China Film Group later.

Soon, Lao Wang brought half a script to Yu Dong; the quality of the script was impeccable.

  

After watching the video, and with the support of the two Berliners, Yu Dong gritted his teeth and took the gamble.

Unfortunately, Yu Dong is genuinely short of projects right now.

Although this project is risky, at least there's a chance of winning, which is better than those films that veteran film studio directors know will lose money.

.........

Back at school, Wang Jinsong gulped down a large pot of tea. "Let me have a drink of water, I'm exhausted!" he exclaimed. "Yu Dong's meaning is simple: they invest 150 and do the marketing, so they want 30.7%."

Xie Jin did some mental calculations and realized that Yu Dongkai's share was actually not high, really not high.

It landed just below my expectations, so it's more accurate to say the other party was testing the waters.

"I don't need much, teacher."

"He likes this project. Bona doesn't lack money right now, but it lacks quality projects. Several private companies are vying for it, and whoever can stand out in the first two years will have more say later."

"Okay, I agree to Bona. After signing the contract, I'll start preparing to build the team now."

"Then I'll reply to him."

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The team was being set up quickly. Yu Dong was going on a business trip, so Xie Jin didn't go to Bona with Lao Wang.

Instead, Bona Film Group's producers arrived and quickly signed the distribution agreement and investment contract.

The producer arranged by the other party stayed here on set. Although he was called a producer, he didn't actually get involved in any work; he just kept an eye on Xie Jin's spending.

After all, 150 is not a small amount of money.

Xie Jin received over three million RMB from the European manufacturers.

We need to keep the 80,000 yuan we owed to Miss Liu.

After sending 500,000 yuan back to his hometown for Lao Xie to continue his ventures, he only had about 300 left.

These are all my assets right now.

Bona's investment of 150 million plus Xie Jin's 250 million, totaling 400 million, was barely enough for Xie Jin, Lin Mu from the art team, and Senior Brother Ning to make ends meet.

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Xie Jin and Ning Hao stayed up all night for a week, turning the literary workbook into a workbook, and simultaneously creating storyboards.

Both of them were trying commercial dramas for the first time, and they put in a lot of effort, working so hard that their eyes were dark circles.

Lin Mu, the art director for the future "The Longest Day in Chang'an", was brought in by Ning Hao to produce artwork, including scene and atmosphere sketches and architectural floor plans. Everything is proceeding in an orderly manner.

Xie Jin pushed herself to the limit, and the senior students from other groups joined in even more. It was as if the women were being treated like men, and the men like mules.

Considering Xie Jin wanted to save costs while still creating a beautiful setting, the filming location was chosen to be Tianjin.

On the one hand, Tianjin is very close to the capital, and on the other hand, Tianjin has nice architecture and seaside scenery.

After staying up all night, Lin Mu pushed open the door to the server room.

Seeing Xie Jin's dark circles and tired appearance, the director assumed she had been discouraged.

Lin Mu said cautiously, "Director, you don't need to take those people's words too seriously. The brothers all believe we can definitely succeed."

Xie Jin was completely bewildered: "Words? What words?"

"You didn't know? Never mind, I'm going to get busy now."

"Stop! Say half of what you're saying and make yourself clear."

Helpless, Lin Mu could only bring up a few newspapers from downstairs.

Xie Jin only realized it after watching for a few minutes.

It turns out that the media reported that he was preparing a new movie and would be directing it.

The media has all sorts of opinions.

Some say the newcomer got arrogant, while others say it's a case of "the prodigy who failed to live up to his potential

Most of them said they started creating art before graduating, which was just wishful thinking.

The most difficult part of this whole affair was being among the directors of the younger and older generations, working in various film studios.

They were also the ones who bit the most fiercely.

He has few works and virtually no artistic achievements; his success mainly stems from his early entry into the factory and his seniority.

The main issue, however, lies with Bona Investment.

Those who are waiting in line for funding from China Film Group cannot accept that a 21-year-old college freshman can receive investment from Bona Film Group.

This does not conform to the seniority-based system of major film studios.

But when it comes to seniority and seniority, Xie Jin won't even get a chance to receive funding from China Film Group until the chickens have finished pecking at the rice and the dogs have finished licking their noodles...

Xie Jin put down the newspaper, her brows relaxing. "I thought it was something serious, it's nothing."

Lin Mu was somewhat surprised: "Director, you're not angry?"

"What are you angry about?"

"They've already had it bad enough. They can't make money, they can't attract investment, and they don't have any notable achievements. If you don't let them swear a little, what if they get a stroke from anger?"

"A genius is one who doesn't attract envy."

Xie Jin is well aware that she doesn't have any outstanding directorial works to show for herself, and now everyone in the industry can give her a few comments.

Without results, this kind of thing will only happen repeatedly. The best way is to let your work and achievements speak for themselves.

"Go get to work."

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"Sissi, you should really consider what Mommy said. 'May Love' is a bit more mature."

Miss Liu hugged her legs, her back to her mother, clearly determined to resist: "I'm not going."

"Why are you being so disobedient now!"

Seeing her mother angry, Ms. Liu remembered what Xie Jin had told her: to communicate properly with her mother.

Heartbroken

Liu Yifei walked to her mother's side and held her hand: "Mom, I'm an adult now, and I've really thought this through carefully."

Liu Xiaoli was somewhat surprised that her daughter hadn't thrown a tantrum today: "Then tell me why?"

"The script for 'Mayday' is terrible, a 50-point script. Even the most experienced team couldn't make it well. It's just a well-made bad movie."

"And they actually complained that I was riding in 'Little Takeshi Kaneshiro' and that it lowered their status. Isn't it ridiculous that we're being so eager to please them?"

These words infuriated Liu Xiaoli. The artists from Taiwan always seemed to have a strange sense of superiority.

During the communication, there was a feeling of looking down on the mainland, as if looking at country folk.

"With their current attitude, if the film loses money, who do you think they'll blame?"

Seeing Liu Xiaoli remain silent, Miss Liu felt there was a chance and decided to strike while the iron was hot.

"Mom, Xie Jin and the others may be young, but their script is genuinely excellent. Didn't you shed tears while reading it the other day?"

Liu Xiaoli looked worried and sighed. The newspapers she had been reading these past few days had been making her very uneasy.

"I know the script is good, and I hope Xiao Xie can succeed. But Xiao Xie has never been a director before, and I don't want you to gamble on this first time."

This did leave Liu Yifei speechless for a moment; what her mother said was actually true.

These days, Miss Liu has also seen the newspapers, and she's seen the negative comments and criticisms of Xie Jin. Seeing these things makes her angry.

At this moment, she wanted to help Xie Jin, at least not to undermine him.

I forced myself to say, "And... there's also Senior Brother Ning, who's in charge of execution, and our teacher too."

Liu Xiaoli realized that her daughter had already planned this out...

Well, at least they're classmates. If the box office isn't good, at least they won't kick their daughter when she's down.

"Hey... you've got too big for your britches now. Contact him, I'd like to meet him."