Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 307 disturbed the cartoon's nest!
"The Hunger Games" grossed 1.8 million yuan in China. Autumn Pictures bought it in batches for $400 million, and after taking into account the publicity and promotion, it still made a lot of money.

After "The Hunger Games" was taken off the screen, Zhang Zhao quickly announced that Autumn Pictures had negotiated with Lantern Entertainment and would purchase "The Hunger Games 2" in advance.

Lantern Entertainment announced in May that it was preparing for the second part, and now it has been bought by Autumn Entertainment before it even started filming. It can be said that they attach great importance to it.

It would be a lie for other companies in the industry to say they weren't jealous. The blockbuster film grossed 1.8 million yuan, and in the fall they made at least million yuan from "The Hunger Games" alone.

But what can you do even if you are jealous? Autumn Pictures is owned by Li Qiutang, and Lantern Entertainment is also owned by Li Qiutang. They just transfer the films from one hand to the other.

For such a good way to make money, what price are you willing to pay to let others share it with you?
Riding on the momentum of "The Hunger Games", Autumn Pictures signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Luc Besson's Europa Films in Yanjing at the end of July and announced its overseas expansion.

Zhang Zhao declared that the cooperation between Qiu Qiu and Europa was not simply about giving money. Qiu Qiu would participate in all aspects of Europa's film production, from creative project establishment to investment, shooting, distribution and settlement.

“I told Luc Besson that if you just want my money, I won’t give it to you. Even if I know the movie will make money, I won’t invest in it. I want to participate in the entire process of overseas movies. This is what I want and what our Chinese film companies want.

"This is the first time that a Chinese film company has been so deeply involved in the entire production and distribution process of a foreign-language film."

Why not sign with your own Lantern Entertainment?
After all, Lantern Entertainment was still a new company, and it had just established itself. Moreover, the industry knew that Lantern Entertainment was Li Qiutang's industry, and signing itself would not be conducive to Qiuji Pictures' storytelling and big-ticket plans.

Luc Besson is much more famous in the international film scene than Li Qiutang.

Another reason is that Europa Films is very short of money! So short of money that Luc Besson wants to sell his shares in the company.

Zhang Zhao did not ask for Europa's shares, but chose to cooperate on projects. However, he will not take on every project in the fall and will also need to evaluate them.

Zhang Zhao had his eyes on Taken 3, but Luc Besson wouldn't give it to him.

Nonsense, the first two films made money, and the third film uses the same director as the second one, Olivier Megaton, so it’s a foregone conclusion that it will be a big hit. Why should you get a share of the cake?

Luc Besson wants to take a bite of "The Hunger Games", let's see if Li Qiutang agrees.

Luc Besson has a lot of projects on hand, and he has given a spy film called "Three Days to Kill" and a superman movie called "Lucy" as references for Autumn.

Luc Besson felt that Qiu was a bit timid. It was said to be a strategic cooperation, but he was still picky. Wouldn’t it be enough for you to just give me 20 million US dollars first?

But cooperation is like this. You can’t just say whatever you want, and my money doesn’t come from the wind.

Li Qiutang's main focus now is on the Towering Tree Project. Since the end of the Shanghai Film Festival, he has appeared in the company no more than 5 times.

But he still knew what projects Luc Besson had taken to ask for money. He let the company negotiate, and he only made the final decision.

Liu Yifei went out of town to promote her new film, so he was able to take some time to continue promoting the Towering Tree Project.

He is responsible for coordinating the already scheduled movies, and new talents are constantly recommended to him, and he also has to meet with them.

He was going to meet with three directors from two teams today. As the weather was too hot, Li Qiutang decided to meet at Lai Jin Yu Xuan Teahouse in Zhongshan Park.

First one, Tian Xiaopeng.

"No, I'm looking for a film director." Li Qiutang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He knew Tian Xiaopeng before. Tian Xiaopeng was very famous in the animation circle. He had made many films and won many awards.

"You didn't say animated films are not good." Tian Xiaopeng was just trying to argue, "You can't come here for nothing today. Let me drink a bowl of tea from you."

But Li Qiutang heard something fishy from Tian Xiaopeng's words. Tian Xiaopeng must know that his Cangtian Tree Project was aimed at investing in a live-action film director, but he still came, which means that he really encountered difficulties.

You can drink the tea as you like, but you have to ask clearly. Li Qiutang asked, "Are you still making movies now?" "Yes, what else would I do if I didn't make movies?"

Li Qiutang continued to pass on the message to him: "What are you doing?"

“And also do Journey to the West.”

"It's my old profession." Li Qiutang said with a smile. Tian Xiaopeng participated in the production of the 99 version of the animated film "Journey to the West".

"It's my old trade, so it's easier to do."

Li Qiutang already knew what he was doing and roughly guessed the purpose of his visit, so Li Qiutang began to talk about his understanding of animation and "Journey to the West".

Li Qiutang said without hesitation: "Actually, I also want to shoot "Journey to the West". I mean the live-action version, but the technical cost is too high now, and I don't have any particularly good ideas." Li Qiutang will definitely not restore "Journey to the West" according to the original work, or shoot it again according to Teacher Liu's version. That would be very boring. The director must add his own understanding and contemporary elements to the remake of the classic.

The two had a very happy chat about "Journey to the West".

Tian Xiaopeng also took the opportunity to tell Li Qiutang about the project he was working on and the difficulties he encountered.

To put it simply, it’s two words: lack of money!

It is normal for a director to solicit investment when a project is short of money. Li Qiutang has also done this.

Tian Xiaopeng has been in the animation industry for so many years that he has long been accustomed to it.

He said that he has been working on "Journey to the West" for many years, but not even a minute of the feature film has been produced yet.

This is where it is difficult for animated films to attract investment. No matter how difficult a live-action film is, at least they can shoot a few behind-the-scenes footage to make money. But if the early preparations for an animated film are not done well, there will be no feature film.

Li Qiutang was willing to help him, but not within the system of the Cangtian Tree Project.

Li Qiutang proposed three plans. The first was that Qiu Tian would invest in Tian Xiaopeng's company, and the specific amount would be discussed later. The second was that Qiu Tian would pay a sum of money to buy out his "Journey to the West" project. Tian Xiaopeng would still continue to work on the project, but Qiu Tian would be responsible for the copyright and subsequent release and promotion. The advantage of this was that Tian Xiaopeng could guarantee a bottom line. Even if the "Journey to the West" project died halfway or the box office after its release was not as expected, it would be Qiu Tian who would suffer the loss, and it would have nothing to do with Tian Xiaopeng. The third was a normal project investment. Qiu Tian would pay a sum of money and take a share, and would also bring some resources to "Journey to the West".

It depends on what Tian Xiaopeng chooses.

Tian Xiaopeng was delighted that Li Qiutang was willing to help him. No matter which plan he chose, he would be able to get some money and continue the project.

But he really needs to go back and think carefully about which option is better.

Li Qiutang didn't keep him and asked him to contact her after he had thought it over because his second group of guests were coming.

"Hello, Director Li." Two people came. Li Qiutang was sure that she had never seen them before. One of them said, "I'm Liang Xuan, and this is my partner Zhang Chun."

Li Qiutang asked the two to sit down, and as usual, he introduced his towering tree project to the visitors.

But Liang Xuan said a little embarrassedly: "Director, to be honest, we are making an animated film."

Why is there another animated movie!!! I just sent one away and here come two! Did something bad happen to the animation industry today?
“What kind of film did you make?”

"Director, have you seen the short film Big Fish and Begonia that was very popular online before? That's what we made."

Li Qiutang didn't want to talk any more. He just wanted to say, "Tell me how much you want. Take my money and get out!"

(End of this chapter)