The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 93 "Heart Labyrinth" is released, and you can brush up your talents again!
……

In fact, it won’t take three days.

That night, James went to Universal Pictures and found Adam Ferguson.

The other party is the head of marketing, the current third-in-command at Universal Pictures.

"Adam, I need your support."

The budget for the movie "Upgrade" was probably insufficient, and James knew it from the beginning.

However, he was also very clear that going to the two chairmen would not solve the problem at all.

Because, there is a high probability that those two chairmen are going to be finished.

"The Lost Continent" is a movie that was just released in June this year. Universal Pictures spent a huge amount of money to produce it, but it ended up being a flop.

If nothing unexpected happens, the two chairmen in charge of film production and distribution will definitely resign.

After the two chairmen leave, Adam Ferguson will most likely take over.

In fact, when the company held a meeting, the atmosphere was already a little wrong. The two chairmen began to remain silent, and everyone felt that the company was going to change dynasties.

"James, even if you come to me, I can't help you. I'm not in charge of film production, and I don't have the right to increase your budget."

Adam Ferguson smiled calmly, feeling like a winner.

He has got the inside scoop.

Next quarter, Universal Pictures' parent company, NBCUniversal, will hold a board meeting to formally appoint him as the next chairman of Universal Pictures.

He just had to be patient.

You don't need to do anything to get promoted smoothly.

"Hey, Adam, do me a favor. I've helped you a lot before."

Apple gave a lot of publicity fees for the movie "Upgrade", so Universal Pictures established a good cooperation with the other party and launched other marketing activities.

The person who benefited the most was Adam Ferguson.

After all, he is in charge of marketing.

The top executives of NBC Universal think Adam Ferguson is a capable person, isn't it because their cooperation with Apple has been very hot recently?
"Okay, man, I'm going to propose an extraordinary board meeting tomorrow. How much budget do you need? Is $2000 million enough?"

Adam Ferguson thought about it and decided that he should give James some face.

The movie "Upgrade" should be successful.

When he took over as chairman, the movie had just been released. If it was successful, it would bring honor to him.

"what?"

"Are you willing to give so much?"

To James' surprise, the head office was so generous?
When I asked Li An for funds before, the head office was very stingy.

The two chairmen remained silent during the meeting, and Adam Ferguson, number three, even lowered his head to drink tea, pretending not to hear.

What's going on this time? Why are these stingy old people so generous?

"Adam, there's something wrong with you. Why are you so optimistic about this movie?"

James looked at Adam Ferguson with some confusion.

"Dude, how can this be the same? What commercial value do those art films Li An shoots have? Besides, I really hate his narrative language. It's so long-winded and mysterious."

"Lu, his style is different."

"The concept art for the movie 'Upgrade' is so concise and sharp, so commercial, it even smells like American dollars. As long as the funding is in place, this movie will definitely be a good commercial film."

Having said that, Adam Ferguson shrugged and leaned back in his boss chair.

"Besides, it's not that I want to be generous to him. It's just that these guys are too cunning and always have a plan B."

"While you were chatting with me, that guy named Kun was meeting with the executives of Jade Game Company at the Hilton Hotel next to our company."

"If I'm not mistaken, they're probably going to sell the game development rights for the movie in advance!"

"This is a big piece of fat."

"Since we all believe that this movie will be a hit, we naturally can't just sit there and watch them sell the copyright at a low price."

"After the movie is released and becomes a huge hit, I'll sell the game rights. No, I'd rather license it out... and take 10% of the copyright revenue every year. Over time, the profits I'll earn will definitely exceed $1 million!"

"This is much better than a one-time buyout."

For science fiction action films, box office revenue only accounts for a small portion. Peripheral copyrights are where the real money is made.

"Star Wars" generates $10 billion in revenue each year from peripheral products alone.

The peripheral products of the "Frozen" series sold a total of 100 billion US dollars!
If the copyrights surrounding science fiction movies are well developed, the box office revenue of the movies will be completely insignificant, and may only account for less than 30% of the total revenue.

Big production, big returns.

They are not afraid of spending money on movies, they are just afraid that the movies are too bad and the peripheral products cannot be sold.

"And, man, didn't you notice? Miss Zhao, the star-studded lady, asked us to buy the rights to the script of the robot arena competition "Iron Arena" before filming "Upgrade"."

"What do you think they want to do?"

Before James could answer, Adam Ferguson's eyes flashed with wisdom: "That's right, the robot universe!"

"They also want to play with this and create a connected world similar to Transformers!"

"Imagine AI-powered humans, cyborg warriors, the first generation of robots."

"Boxing ring robot, AI steel warrior, this is the second generation robot."

"What's next...is it going to be a giant Gundam? An Ultraman vs. Monsters kind of thing?"

"What's next...will it be like Star Wars, with planetary robots, deep space battles, and extraterrestrial battlefields?"

Although it may not necessarily happen, if the movies continue to be successful and people like the robot universe, then there will definitely be no problem with subsequent development.

Therefore, the copyrights of these movies will become very valuable in the future.

Even if the movie doesn't make a penny, the subsequent copyright income can still make it back continuously, or even a huge profit.

Of course, there is a premise here.

The movie has to be good.

The world constructed in the movie must be real enough and inspiring.

And it is obvious that Lu Zhiyuan did a good job in this regard.

"James, you've been hanging out with Li An for too long. Stop dwelling on the philosophical speculation in art films. You won't make any money if you keep doing this."

Adam Ferguson poured James a glass of whiskey and clinked his glasses.

He assured James that there was no problem with funding and gave him a few days, guaranteeing that the board of directors would approve it.

"Thanks, Adam."

James walked out of the door in a daze and touched the sparse hair on his head.

He did not return to his office, but turned and went to the Hilton Hotel next door, just in time to see Xin Yukun seeing off another fat man.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is the senior executive of Jade Game Company.

"Hey, James, you're just in time. I'm hungry, please treat me to a meal on the Queen Mary."

"I want to face the waves coming from the Pacific Ocean, listen to the accompaniment of violin music on the deck, enjoy the Los Angeles sunset, and have a seafood dinner."

Seeing James appear, Xin Yukun pulled him over, hooked his shoulders, laughed, and asked James to treat him to a meal, being extremely arrogant.

Xin Yukun's behavior made James feel a little crazy.

really weird.

He comes to ask for money so arrogantly?
I have never seen such a person in my life!

James frowned and raised his doubts: "Kun, why are you so confident? Aren't you afraid that you won't be able to get funds from me?"

Xin Yukun turned his head to look at James and chuckled. "Your situation is just Plan A. Jade Game Company is just Plan B. I also have Plan C, Plan D... I have countless cards up my sleeve, so what am I afraid of?"

James looked Xin Yukun over and over, then shook his head seriously: "No, no, you only have one trump card."

"The road is your trump card."

Without Lu Zhiyuan making a good movie, all of Xin Yukun’s plans would be useless.

"James, you are right. But he is my brother and my boss. He is my trump card. Are you envious?" Xin Yukun laughed and said that Yuankun Company could open a branch in Los Angeles and let James be the general manager of the branch.

When the time comes, find a few more blondes to serve as the company's face.

But the prerequisite is that later, after dinner at the Queen Mary Cruise Hotel Restaurant, James has to introduce some local specialty projects in Los Angeles to satisfy his appetite.

……

Dalian.

"My Beautiful Boss", shooting scene.

"This hairstyle is so ugly! Who is the stylist? The whole team, fire me!"

Jing Tian was very unhappy when taking the final photos.

Because the stylist gave her a very weird hairstyle, blowing all her hair up into an extremely ugly high bun.

Not only does it look old-fashioned, but it also exudes the air of an uneducated girl.

How can she look like a beautiful boss?

Not to mention her makeup, which looked like a ghost and full of non-mainstream temperament, completely destroying her lively and delicate face.

Others play to their strengths and avoid their weaknesses.

This makeup artist directly set a negative example.

If it were half a year ago, Jing Tian might have thought it was pretty good.

After all, this is the aesthetic taste of the past two years.

Smoky makeup, thick black eyeliner, and permed side bangs create a rebellious effect.

but……

Who told her to just find a painter as her boyfriend!

This artistic thinking did not improve in a short period of time, but the makeup technique has undoubtedly made great progress.

After all, Gao Yuanyuan’s previous experience is a lesson for us.

She studied Gao Yuanyuan every day and said she was over the age limit, complained about Liu Yifei being a minotaur, and secretly despised Liu Shishi for having played a village girl... With so many potential rivals, she had developed the ability to find fault with them.

When Jing Tian saw her makeup and hairstyle in the mirror, her eyes went dark at that moment, and she almost wanted to say, "I don't want to take pictures anymore!"

"Tiantian, what's wrong with you?"

Zhao Shanshan was making a phone call outside when she heard some noise in the dressing room and walked in to take a look.

She also felt a blackout in front of her eyes and almost fell down.

What kind of styles are these?

too ugly.

Jing Tian pouted and looked at Zhao Shanshan aggrievedly: "Sister Shanshan, look, they made me look like this..."

Zhao Shanshan sighed, now immune to all poisons, and said leisurely, "Just close your eyes and take the photo. Anyway, we didn't spend much money, the local cultural and tourism agency will pick up the tab."

This film was nominally produced and distributed by Starry Sky Productions, but in fact, the real source of funds came from donations from certain local companies.

Making love movies is to facilitate the creation of [film and television themed tourism routes].

Of course, these things are not to be told to outsiders.

However, this project is likely to be over.

Another one smashed!
Jing Tian's negative dissuasion effect continues to increase.

But, to be honest, Zhao Shanshan is no longer surprised.

On the contrary, Lu Zhiyuan's career continued to take off, and it was so smooth that she was a little uncomfortable with it.

"Sister Shanshan, I heard that Ayuan might not have enough money for the filming. How about you give him some money?"

If it was a few million, Jing Tian would definitely help Lu Zhiyuan get it with just one word.

But what Lu Zhiyuan wanted was not a few million, but 2000 million US dollars, which is close to 1.5 million RMB.

This is beyond Jing Tian's ability.

With so much money, it is impossible for her to make the decision at home.

"Don't worry, he's much more powerful than you think."

Zhao Shanshan smiled.

She heard from Xin Yukun that movie special effects are too expensive. 1000 million US dollars can only produce half of the special effects. At least 2000 million US dollars will be needed to achieve the realistic mechanical effect that Lu Zhiyuan wants.

She had already tried to find some people to raise funds.

She even planned to go back to her hometown to gather the second generation in the circle and ask everyone to contribute some money to pay for the next super robot [Qin Palace Guards] to pay for their dream.

From now on, there will be a few more "Qin Palace Guards" robots at the entrance of the Terracotta Warriors. They are the super IPs they spent money to build.

How cool and prestigious it is to say this?

Who knew that in less than three days, news came from Xin Yukun again.

All done.

Focus Features readily gave $2000 million.

It’s $1000 million more than their bottom line!
It feels good now.

The scene can be shot more grandly.

The creation of exterior scenes can also be more sci-fi.

They even planned to go to the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, to take some photos of the psychedelic night scenes.

"By the way, Sister Shanshan, when will the movie 'Labyrinth of the Heart' be released? Is it next week?"

"Should I go to the premiere?"

The premiere of "The Heart" must not be too shabby, after all, it is a movie that won the Palme d'Or.

The cinema chain was also very considerate and gave the film a good screening rate.

Of course, this is also because September is traditionally an off-season and there is no competition from blockbusters, which gives the Palme d'Or director face.

But this face can only last for half a month at most.

Because, on September 16, "Founding of a Republic" will be released to sweep the market.

In any case, at least in the first half of September, all the focus will be on "The Heart Labyrinth".

"Tiantian, do you want to go to the premiere? Ayuan will definitely be very happy if you want to go."

Zhao Shanshan looked at Jing Tian with a smile.

She knew that the reason Jing Tian wanted to go to the premiere was because she didn't want Lu Zhiyuan to be with Liu Shishi.

Who can't understand this little thought?
……

Factory ruins in Brooklyn, New York.

"This one passed."

"Reba, thank you for your hard work during this period."

After filming here for nearly half a month, Reba's line has basically been completed.

There is only one key scene left, which is the scene where Reba is shot to death by the cyborg, tied to a steel cross, and thrown into the sea.

However, that scene needs to be filmed back in China.

Exactly!

Lu Zhiyuan had to attend the premiere of "Maze of the Heart" and do some publicity at the same time.

"In September, it seems there won't be many competitors. At least I can win the weekly box office championship and get an A-level talent, right?"

Lu Zhiyuan expressed his anticipation.

As long as you get first place in awards and box office, you can get talents from the system.

I just don't know if it is possible to watch the same movie over and over again?

This time, I’ll use “Heart Labyrinth” to verify it!
(End of this chapter)