Huayu: When the director changed his major

Chapter 182 Press Conference and Prying Characters

After parting with Cheng Xi at the elevator, Fan Binbin went to the basement alone.

The studio's driver had already been waiting for her.

The first thing Fan Binbin did after getting into the car was to call her agent Mu Guang:
"It's done, it just depends on the specific subsequent investment."

"Okay. How's that kid?"

"Better than you."

After that, he hung up the phone and said to the driver:
"Lao Zhang, let's go."

Then I saw a message on my phone, it was a collection sent by Cheng Xi.

Fan Binbin subconsciously clicked it and immediately heard his own singing voice coming from inside.

So I was so scared that I clicked several times in a panic before I closed the video.

Then he secretly looked in the direction of the driver, Lao Zhang.

He remained indifferent and continued driving seriously as if he hadn't heard anything.

Only then did Fan Binbin calm down a little.

First save your collection to your phone, then lie back.

Recalling what just happened.

I don't know how to shoot birds, but I've been shooting birds all year round, and now I've been pecked in the eyes by birds.

I actually agreed to record it. I am crazy.

But it was too late to withdraw now.

Never mind, he didn’t show his face anyway.

I have to appreciate the collection carefully when I get back.

After several rounds of negotiations with Fan Binbin's studio, a preliminary plan for the "Empress of China" project was finally drawn up.

The nominal investment is 1.1 million yuan.

The script was valued at 2500 million yuan, Cheng Xi's directorial fee was 2000 million yuan, and Fan Binbin's starring role was valued at 1500 million yuan.

But Cheng Xi actually left Fan Binbin 500 million in salary. After all, she was more famous than Cheng Xi is now.

You can't go too far with whoring.

The other 1000 million was negotiated by Cheng Xi, so it is considered an investment in Zuibai Entertainment.

The actual investment was 2000 million yuan from Zuibai Entertainment, 1000 million yuan from Fan Binbin Studio, and 1000 million yuan each from Youku and Sohu.

In the end, the actual investment was 5000 million.

Zuibai Entertainment invested a total of 7500 million yuan, including the script and director.

The investment from Fan Binbin Studio plus the 500 million yuan salary is a total of 1500 million yuan.

It was finally confirmed that Zuibai Entertainment’s share of the profits was 68.2%.

Fan Binbin Studio accounts for 13.6%.

Youku and Sohu each account for 9.1%, totaling 18.2%.

"The Empress of China" is tentatively scheduled to have 85 episodes, with each episode costing approximately 60 yuan to produce.

On average, the investment per episode is above average, but due to the long number of episodes.

A lot of expenses can be spread out, so Cheng Xi believes that he can shoot a very exquisite episode with 60 yuan per episode.

And for the actors' salaries, Cheng Xi is preparing to start the studio mostly for female roles.

As for the role of Li Shimin, several companies are willing to cooperate in the search.

It all depends on who can find a role that is both suitable for the film and has a low pay.

Cheng Xi wants to ensure that most of the funds can be used for filming.

In order to achieve the best results.

The day after the four-party contract was signed.

The "Empress of China" project launch conference, co-organized by Zuibai Entertainment and Fan Binbin Studio and co-sponsored by Youku and Sohu, was grandly held.

All major media outlets and entertainment tabloids were excited when they heard the news.

Reporters were sent to the press conference to obtain first-hand information.

When we saw Teacher Zuibai leading several investors into the venue, everyone became even more excited.

After all, it is rare to see Teacher Zuibai attend some formal occasions.

The last time I saw it was at the celebration party for the 5 million box office of "Life Events".

This shows how much he values ​​this project.

After Li Wentao briefly introduced the basic situation of the project.

When everyone heard that the investment amount was as high as 1.1 million.

The participants and reporters all gasped.

They know Teacher Zuibai's character and don't charge a high price.

A TV series was invested with 1.1 million yuan, which is really a big investment.

If you don’t do it, then don’t do it. But if you do it, make it a big deal.

After the introduction, the next question-and-answer session began.

At one point, the reporters threw out all sorts of questions at once, making it impossible to hear what they were asking.

Li Wentao, the host, said:
"I understand the excitement of our media friends. To be honest, we are even more excited than you."

After he finished speaking, there was a burst of good-natured laughter from the audience.

"But if everyone asks at the same time, we won't be able to answer."

"So, friends from the media, if you have any questions, please raise your hands. I will do my best to take care of them. Thank you."

The venue then became much quieter, and Li Wentao stepped forward to invite the first media reporter to ask a question.

Southern Media Reporter:
"Teacher Zuibai, I'd like to ask what made you consider not making movies but making TV series instead?"

Cheng Xi nodded at this time, smiled kindly, and said:

“Thank you for the reporter’s question.”

"First of all, in my opinion, both TV series and movies are art forms of light and shadow, and ultimately they all serve the story."

"The Empress of China objectively presents the legendary life story of China's only female emperor."

"The time span is very long, and a two-hour movie is definitely not enough to tell the story, so we chose the medium of a TV series."

"But I believe that all of you journalists can see our determination. We invested so much because we are committed to this project with the highest quality standards possible for a film."

"I believe that The Empress of China will bring audiences a movie-level viewing experience. Thank you!"

When the reporters heard that Cheng Xi was going to make a TV series with movie-level quality, the audience was buzzing.

In fact, Cheng Xi’s statement also indirectly answered why the investment scale of this TV series is so large.

Daily Entertainment Reporter:
"I want to ask Sister Binbin, regarding this TV series, did you take it because of the script or because of Director Zui Bai?"

"Thank you for the question, my friend. Actually, this question is two things combined. I value the script, but I also admire Zuibai's directing and filming skills. He is someone I have always wanted to work with."

When Cheng Xi heard Fan Binbin say that he admired his acting skills, he couldn't help but look at Fan Binbin.

At this time, Fan Binbin also looked at Cheng Xi. The two looked at each other in the air and smiled knowingly.

"I feel both surprised and challenged to be able to work with Mr. Zuibai this time and interpret such a complex character as the Chinese Empress."

"I hope my performance will satisfy Mr. Zuibai and the audience! Thank you."

Li Wentao:
"Thank you, friends from the press. Due to time constraints, our press conference will end here."

"Finally, thank you all for coming and watching. We also hope that everyone will support our new drama, The Empress of China!"

Before the event ended, Li Wentao arranged for staff to give a gift to each journalist friend who came.

I also hope that they can write more positive articles after they return.

Secondly, we should establish good relationships with these uncrowned kings, as there is still a long way to go.

After the press conference is completed.

Cheng Xi also immediately asked the studio to upload the high-definition video of the meeting on major platforms.

Cheng Xi also used Zuibaihao to forward the message together with the investors.

Drunk White:

[Hello everyone, I haven’t posted on Weibo for a long time because I have been preparing for a new project recently.

The epic drama "The Empress of China", mainly invested by Zuibai Entertainment and co-invested by Fan Binbin Studio, Youku and Sohu, has been launched.

This drama is written and directed by me, and Sister Binbin stars in it.

Every new beginning requires some small progress, so this time the scale of our investment has also increased a little bit.

The total cost is 1.1 million yuan, and it was shot with movie quality. I hope you like it!

@Fan Binbin Studio @Youku @Sohu @Zuibai Entertainment @Zuibai Studio @Fan Binbin]

This made netizens completely excited.

This is not like a press conference, so relatively few people know about it.

But information on Weibo can spread within seconds.

[A 100 million dollar drama starring a heroine, Zui Bai, tell me the truth, are you going there to pick up girls?] [The above person also underestimated Director Zui Bai. With his current achievements, he still needs girls to pick up. It's almost the same as if all the girls picked him up.]

What's wrong with you guys? You only care about gossip. I don't care who's dating whom, I just want to watch the drama, okay?

Wu Zetian is a great topic, with plenty of room for creativity. The current palace intrigues are so idiotic. A film director is making a TV series, and I'm curious to see if he can outdo the TV director!

[Sister Binbin has a new drama again, and she is collaborating with Mr. Zuibai. I am looking forward to it! ]

Cheng Xi was also at a loss whether to laugh or cry when reading these netizens' comments.

Most of them are looking forward to support, and a small number are just joking and gossiping to join in the fun.

I randomly picked a few replies and answered some of the questions that netizens are most concerned about.

And with the forwarding of Zuibai Group, three investors and Cheng Xi's friends, and the promotion of the Propaganda Department and Jin Xiaoluo.

For a time, the name "The Empress of China" was very popular on Weibo.

Zuibai and Fan Binbin teamed up and many related hot words also rushed to the top of Weibo hot searches.

At the same time, Zuibai Entertainment was also pushed to the forefront.

Various characters and companies appeared on stage and came to Zuibai Entertainment Company.

Everyone wants to use their connections to get a role through the back door.

Even if it's a very small role, people keep coming to submit their files.

Li Wentao certainly knew his boss's character. When it came to choosing actors, he always had the final say.

Even a bit dictatorial.

So I roughly selected some archival materials, sorted them out and sent them to Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi was also bombarded with information.

Yang Mi: [Junior brother, you're being partial. Didn't I know you earlier than that girl named Fan? Why didn't you think of me when you had a good TV script?]

Cheng Xi: [You can't play the role of Wu Zetian in this script. You need big breasts.]

Yang Mi: [I don’t have breasts?]

Cheng Xi: [I haven't tried it, so I really don't know.]

Yang Mi: [Cheng Xi, just wait for me.]

Jing Tian: [Where was the story you told me last time that was suitable for me? ]

Cheng Xi: [I told you that you haven't been cheated yet. Even if I gave you this story, it wouldn't work.]

Jing Tian: [You just want to trick me into letting you cheat on me, right?]

Cheng Xi: [No way, Senior Sister, why didn't you come to me? I've been waiting for your call for so long, and now I'm so disappointed.]

Cheng Xilai took the initiative.

Sure enough, it took Jing Tian a while to reply after hearing this:

[Sorry. I'm really busy lately. Wait until I have some free time.]

【I'll find you again.】

The most exaggerated thing is that Shuangzi actually found himself.

Let Cheng Xi revise the script for her.

This made Cheng Xi look puzzled.

Xiaoshuang, do you know what your brother’s price is now?

He just sent me a random message on QQ asking me to change the script.

Is our relationship really that good?

So Cheng Xili ignored her.

Last time I was bragging and letting myself have fun, but in the end nothing happened.

But who am I? I wouldn't be happy even if you make me happy.

To be honest, among these three senior sisters.

Cheng Xi is most interested in Xiao Tiantian, and bullying her gives him a sense of guilty pleasure.

After all, among the three of them, Xiao Tiantian is definitely the first in terms of gentleness and sweetness.

Especially thinking about the pink dress she wore last time.

The touch of that sweet rabbit is indeed cute and sexy.

Cheng Xi looked at the character file sent by Li Wentao.

There are about a hundred copies in total.

This made Cheng Xi dazzled.

But after all, this drama does have a few characters that I need to find carefully.

So I patiently looked through them one by one.

"Why is it Qu Tianlin again? He's haunting us. PASS."

"Li Chen? This..."

Cheng Xi seemed to remember that Li Chen and Fan Binbin announced their relationship shortly after they filmed "The Empress of China" together.

Later, the proposal was successful.

This was announced loudly on Weibo at the time, and it topped the trending search list for a long time.

They just play childhood sweethearts in the drama, but they are not together in the drama.

Together in reality.

But when Sister Binbin fell, Li Chen, you couldn't hold on.

But it is understandable that it is better for one person to perish than for two people to perish.

Even if Binbin is finished, he can still flourish abroad and reap the benefits at home.

But once Li Chen was done, he really couldn't get up.

"Yes, or no?"

Cheng Xi blinked, picked up the pen and put Li Chen's materials aside for preliminary approval.

Humph, if you want to play, do it thoroughly.

Let Chenchen become a part of the play.

Of course, Cheng Xi is not the kind of person who would ignore his work just for fun.

Li Wentao has already indicated on his resume that Li Chen joined the team with capital.

Not only is the pay low, but the agency also offers 200 million. Wouldn't you be a fool not to refuse it?
I'm short of money now, and one or two million wouldn't be too little.

Then Cheng Xi picked and chose again and finalized a few minor roles.

Then give them feedback and see if they are willing.

The slightly bigger characters are all in his hands.

Let’s see if there are any other people who can bring in money and suitable actors to join the group.

Of course, the studio's actors are also arranged as much as possible according to their suitability.

Among the female artists in the studio, Zhang Tianai has the best acting skills.

Especially the last time she played the role of Mo Sanmei’s ex-girlfriend in "Life Events".

It has been proved that she is not a vase, nor is she the crazy woman who only acts like a madman in "Go Princess Go".

But he is a real actor with good acting skills.

So Cheng Xi planned to arrange for her to play the second female lead in the play, that is, the role of Wu Meiniang's best friend.

It was played by Zhang Junmi before, but Zhang Tianai is prettier than her and her acting skills are still good, so there is no problem.

You can praise it.

The second best should be Reba, who went to school for two years and trained in a professional acting school and hired a special acting teacher for training.

Coupled with the experience of playing the heroine in "The Beginning", her acting skills have improved significantly.

In my impression, the best performances of Reba include those in which she played Gao Wen and Qiao Jingjing, and she really performed well.

It’s just that her acting skills are very dependent on the role, and when she encounters a role that is not suitable for her, it’s still a bit lacking.

It also has something to do with her lack of experience, and she can't portray the texture of a complex role.

Cheng Xi still needs to continue training him.

Let her play a role in the movie "Wan Wan".

Nazha had previously promised her the role of the third female lead, but in fact, based on the number of scenes she should have been the fifth female lead.

It is the role of Concubine Xiao Shufei in the original drama.

Thinking of this, Cheng Xi couldn't help but feel bad for Li Chen.

Big Black Bull grabbed one of the two girls by himself.

In the drama, it is estimated that with Cheng Xi watching over them, it is difficult for the two to have any follow-up.

Another one was replaced by Nazha.

Now I have to send money to the crew.

Oh, this brother is really miserable.
(End of this chapter)