novelraw Chapter 83 A Super Production, with an Investment of Over 100 Million US Dollars
Chapter 83 A Super Production, with an Investment of Over 100 Million US Dollars
Chapter 83 A Super Production, with an Investment of Over 100 Million US Dollars
As the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Shen Qing owns multiple properties in the capital, allowing him to bring different women back to different homes, thus avoiding a lot of trouble.
I also prepared a set for my parents, on the same floor as Shen Qing's main house. My parents don't come to Beijing often, but whenever they do, it's convenient for them to stay for as long as they want.
A property.
night.
"Please let me have your child, I beg you."
Fan Xiaopang suddenly grabbed Shen Qing's arm and begged.
Why did you suddenly want to have a child?
"It wasn't sudden. Actually, I've always had this thought. I love you, and I want to have your child. Isn't that just natural? Don't you like children?"
"Yes, I like it, but I'm sure my parents will like it even more."
"That's good. Don't worry, I'll raise the baby myself. I have money, and I won't force you to marry me. We can keep it a secret from the outside world."
"If you dare to give birth to me, I dare to acknowledge it."
"Then let's say we're dating right now, and I accidentally got pregnant. So we had the baby, and after that we realized we weren't a good match, so we broke up. It won't affect you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qing gently patted her and said, "I'm currently preparing a sci-fi blockbuster. The production cost is tentatively set at $7000 million. Including post-production marketing, the total cost is estimated at $1.2 million. In China, there are four studios involved: Magic, China Film, Enlight Media, and Berna. In a couple of days, the leaders from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures in Hollywood will also be coming. Your studio should also invest a little; it doesn't have to be much, just a small amount will do."
"Um."
In the darkness, Fan Bingbing kissed Shen Qing first, and then obediently responded.
"Once the cooperation is finalized, a press release will be issued, and the media will report: 'Shenqi Films, China Film Group, Enlight Media, Berna, Fan Bingbing Studio, etc., have partnered with Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures in Hollywood to jointly produce a new film with an investment of over $100 million.' This will upgrade you from an ordinary actor to a capital investor. Then, by contacting some media outlets and promoting 'Fan Ye' (Fan Bingbing's nickname), it will benefit your future career."
Fan Bingbing was quiet for a while, then suddenly sat up excitedly and said, "Darling, you're a genius, Fan Ye! This persona suits me perfectly, it's so captivating!"
He turned around and hugged Shen Qing.
Shen Qing added, "Keep an eye out for any female celebrities who have recently married into wealthy families. Be prepared; if the media asks for your opinion, just say: 'I don't marry into a wealthy family, I am the wealthy family!' After saying 'Fan Bingbing is the wealthy family,' your image will be secure."
In the darkness, Fan Bingbing's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "No need for the media to ask, I can arrange the media myself. I don't need to marry into a wealthy family, I am the wealthy family!" How did you come up with that? That's exactly what I would say, it just happened to come out of your mouth first.
"Maybe it's because our lips are always touching?"
"Really? Then we should kiss more often in the future, who knows what famous quotes will come out next."
Magical Film Company, conference room.
This very ordinary little conference room was now filled with the top figures from the film and television industries of both China and the United States.
On the Chinese side were Shen Qing, Han Sanping, Wang Changtian, Yu Dong, Fan Bingbing, Chen Zhixi, and others, while on the Hollywood side were Warner Bros. President Bill Berger, Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull, and some accompanying personnel.
"Little Girl's Kung Fu Uncle" has grossed $2.3 million in North America, and over $4 million worldwide (excluding Greater China).
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With hundreds of millions of dollars, plus the success of the "Taken" series, Shen Qing's new project is enough to attract two Hollywood executives to fly to China for negotiations.
Fan Bingbing sat next to Shen Qing and nervously squeezed his hand.
Neither Warner Bros. nor Legendary Pictures are particularly optimistic about this new project. They are optimistic, otherwise they wouldn't have come, but they're not that optimistic either.
The problem focuses on two aspects.
First, there were no similar successful cases in China before.
The second fatal flaw is that the film is just a stage for the female lead alone, with only one actress. Even if top Hollywood actresses such as Angelina Jolie or Julia Roberts were used, the box office appeal might still be slightly insufficient, let alone using only one Chinese actress.
"Why not film it according to the original comic? The female lead is set to be American, so use Julia Roberts. The International Space Station is damaged, and Roberts escapes to China's Tiangong space station and returns to Earth using China's Shenzhou spacecraft."
After a barrage of criticisms of the project, the president of Warner Bros. finally offered his opinion.
"Mr. Bill Berg, using Chinese actresses is my bottom line," Shen Qing said immediately.
Bill Berg thought for a moment and then said, "Julia Roberts escapes to China's Tiangong space station and finds an injured and unconscious Chinese astronaut. After reviving her, the two return together on China's Shenzhou spacecraft. If we film it this way, investment won't be a problem at all."
In the entire conference room, almost everyone except Shen Qing had a moment of surprise, and Fan Bingbing even privately tugged at Shen Qing's hand.
If a dual-narrative approach is adopted, giving more screen time to the actresses on the Chinese side wouldn't be a bad idea.
Everyone was waiting for Shen Qing's response; this was his project.
Shen Qing took a deep breath and said, "Eleven years ago, director James Cameron's *Titanic* raked in a staggering $18 billion worldwide. Now, his latest masterpiece, *Avatar*, which he's been working on for twelve years, is coming soon. This is a blockbuster that will surely go down in film history. It will redefine what a 3D movie is, and it will ignite a 3D movie craze. What do you think is a reasonable box office target for such a film?"
Before anyone could answer, Shen Qing continued, "Times have changed, inflation has increased, let's say double that, $36 billion isn't unreasonable, is it? Even if we discount it by 25%, that's still $27 billion. After Avatar, the movie with the fastest release date and the most realistic 3D effects will definitely reap the biggest benefits from the 3D trend. Why don't you two CEOs take my comic book and inquire around to see if Gravity is the most suitable script for a 3D adaptation?"
In the entire conference room, everyone looked at each other in surprise. They hadn't expected Shen Qing to not talk about the plot, but instead to talk about the overall situation, Cameron, and "Avatar".
The two Hollywood executives had a good understanding of Avatar, so they naturally fell into deep thought, while the domestic chairmen were left completely bewildered.
A movie that grossed $36 billion? Even with a 25% discount, it would still be $27 billion?
Is this really not nonsense?
That's absolutely a fantasy!
Do you think Hollywood bigwigs will fall for your act?
"I've been waiting for this day since the comic was published four years ago. From the very beginning, this comic was created for 3D movies. I think I'm probably the person with the most confidence in the potential of 3D movies besides director Cameron, and also the director who knows best how to make 3D movies besides director Cameron."
Shen Qing casually gave some examples of how to shoot 3D movies, how to develop the lightest 3D camera system, and used some details from the innovations of later 3D masterpieces such as "Hugo", "Life of Pi" and "Gravity" to enhance his persuasiveness.
These 3D shooting methods were technically mature, but at that time Cameron did not know that 3D movies could be shot in that way.
On the Chinese side, Han Sanping, Wang Changtian, Yu Dong, Chen Zhixi, Fan Bingbing, and others genuinely didn't understand, so they could only look completely bewildered.
In Hollywood, they actually know a little bit about it, so their impression is that they don't understand but are impressed.
China Film Group itself does not have the ability to negotiate screening schedules with each North American cinema individually. If a film is to be released in North America, it is best to hand it over to a North American distributor. The demands of the companies on the Chinese side are that Hollywood companies cover the vast majority of the production costs, with the Chinese companies acquiring the Greater China rights to the film and Hollywood acquiring the global rights outside of Greater China.
Therefore, the attitude of Hollywood studios is crucial for the success of "Gravity".
There was really nothing the Huaxia Company could do; they could only watch as Shen Qing and the two Hollywood presidents talked nonsense.
"Do you believe in Cameron? Do you believe in me? Do you believe that 3D movies will sweep the globe in a year and a half? If you do, invest your money. If you don't, you can fly back to the United States today. Such a promising project will definitely not be stalled due to funding issues."
After speaking, Shen Qing took a sip of mineral water to moisten her throat, and then the meeting temporarily came to an end.
The foreigner left temporarily, and the remaining matters will be discussed tomorrow. On the Chinese side, a smaller meeting will be held after the main conference.
"What Mr. Bill Berg of Warner Bros. said actually makes sense. Using Julia Roberts would indeed be a better guarantee for box office success, as it allows for a dual narrative with the Chinese and American astronauts working together to escape in the end."
"They would never agree to let just one Chinese actress carry the global box office."
"Your claim that $36 billion in box office revenue sparked a 3D craze is too far-fetched; no one will take it seriously."
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"Even with a 25% discount, the box office would still be $27 billion. Such an exaggerated prediction might leave us with the impression that we are unreliable."
"Without kung fu superstars like Jackie Chan and Lee Lianjie, and yourself, the risk of this new movie is already extremely high, much higher than 'Little Girl's Kung Fu Uncle.' Since it can be made successful with some changes, why not make some changes?"
"Sometimes you can't be too idealistic; you have to face reality eventually."
The opinions of the people varied, but they all boiled down to the same thing: to persuade Shen Qing to make appropriate compromises.
Fan Bingbing had a blind admiration for Shen Qing. Although she felt that the 3D craze described by Shen Qing was too unrealistic, she believed at least half of it since it was Shen Qing who said it.
"If you replaced the female lead in 'Gravity,' or even just one of the female leads, with an American, I would feel like I've lived a wasted life," Shen Qing said in a deep voice.
Everyone looked at each other, not expecting Shen Qing to take the problem so seriously.
The next day.
The meeting continued, in the same office, with the same people as yesterday.
However, Warner president Bill Berg's opening remarks almost shocked everyone present.
"I agree to film according to your plan, director!"