Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 59 Project Approval: It Came to Our Doorstep

Chapter 59 Project Approval: It Came to Our Doorstep
"Good afternoon, Mr. Ren," Chen Shou said calmly after answering the phone.

"Stay tuned! Good afternoon. I'm in Kyoto right now. Are you free to grab some lunch?" Ren Zhonglun said with a laugh on the phone.

"No need, I've already eaten with Chairman Ren," Chen Shouzhe said, though he hadn't actually eaten at all.

Ren Zhonglun on the other end of the phone could also tell that Chen Shou was rejecting him.

"Are you at the company now? I'll come over there," Ren Zhonglun said.

"I'm in Huairou. If you have anything to say, Mr. Ren, just say it directly. I have to take a plane to Xi'an Film Studio this afternoon."

What are you going to Xi'an Film Studio for?

"It's a matter of location selection, which is necessary for filming."

"Shanghai Film Studio will make up for the missing parts in your new movie."

"No need for that, everything is already complete."

"Huh? It's all complete?"

"Yes, it's all ready."

"This……"

Ren Zhonglun was stunned. He wanted to smooth things over, but the tickets were gone.

"Science fiction movies have a lot of investment, and it's all set up so quickly, you're not kidding me, are you?"

"No, there are already five or six production companies, which is enough to sustain us."

Did China Film Group invest in it?

"Yes, China Film Group has invested in it."

"Well, Shanghai Film Group was in the wrong last time, I apologize to you. Our two companies have a good working relationship, and I will support your film. Shanghai Film Group has money and manpower, so please consider it."

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Ren, there really aren't any more. Xi'an Film Studio has joined this time, so there's simply no room left. We'll have to work together next time."

"Alright, in that case I won't bother you anymore."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shou shook his head. Seeing the benefits, everyone was fawning over him. He had almost been ruined by them because of a misunderstanding, but it turned out to be just a misunderstanding.

He didn't say anything when China Film Group didn't participate, keeping to himself, since it's a state-owned enterprise. But when Shanghai Film Group accused him of being a traitor, he got upset.

He brought them along when he made "2012," and if "The Day After Tomorrow" doesn't become a co-production, blame it on him for betraying his country.

Who can we reason with? This kind of cooperation is enough for now. Next time, we'll see what price they pay. This ticket will have to come at a high price.

He didn't answer any other people's calls either. Chen Shou went to Xi'an Film Studio that afternoon, and Guo Fan went with him as well.

"You are finally here."

The former head of the production department at Xi'an Film Studio was overjoyed to see Chen Shouzhe and pulled him by the hand toward the studio's office.

"How much is the total investment this time?" the director asked curiously.

“The budget is 4 million,” Chen Shouzhe said.

"Wow, so many?"

"Science fiction movies, with so many special effects, have had their costs significantly reduced due to my company's connections," Chen Shou said with a wry smile.

"Alright, Xiying will go with it." The director said through gritted teeth. He had missed out on the previous few times and lost a lot of money. Now he was determined to go with it no matter what.

Xi'an Film Group invested 20 million yuan, accounting for 5%; Deyun Society invested 10 million yuan, accounting for 2.5%; Enlight Media invested 40 million yuan, accounting for 10%; Emperor Entertainment Group invested 60 million yuan, accounting for 15%; China Film Group invested 70 million yuan, accounting for 17.5%; these five companies accounted for 50%; Wanda Group invested 80 million yuan, accounting for 20%; and Chen Shou invested 120 million yuan, accounting for 30%.

This was a share that had already been allocated, but Wanda was still very dissatisfied. They wanted to take over China Film's share, but China Film pressured them, so they had no choice but to give up.

The producers were still Vice Chairman Wang and Tao Le, who were responsible for coordinating the filming locations, pre-production, and so on. They also needed astronaut suits and to create a space capsule to simulate a Mars scene.

For some actual scenes, we needed to find suitable filming locations in the Northwest. We left this to Xi'an Film Studio. The next day, we took them around to select locations and finally chose a place that was similar to Mars. We will film there.

The space capsule scenes were filmed in a studio, and special effects were used to create the space scenes later.

These require a long production time in the early stages; it's not as simple as just laying out a layout.

Many film studios in China feature ancient architectural styles, but none have space-themed buildings, so they have to rely on special effects.

After several parties reached an agreement and prepared the funds, the project was officially approved.

[The science fiction film "The Martian," primarily controlled by Shouzhe Pictures and co-produced by Wanda Pictures, China Film Group, Xi'an Film Group, Emperor Motion Pictures, Enlight Media, and Deyun Society, has officially been greenlit. The film will be directed, written, and produced by Chen Shouzhe, with an investment of up to 4 million yuan...]

The Martian film crew has sent out audition invitations to the film and television industry...

"Has casting already begun?"

"so fast."

"I'm already looking forward to it."

"Is domestic science fiction film about to rise again?"

"If you fall behind, you will be attacked; if you fall behind and don't catch up, you will be attacked even more."

"High technology is monopolized by foreign countries, and we can only process for others. There should be directors like Director Chen who stand up and say that we can't make science fiction movies."

"I hope to see the movie released next year."

Who is the main character?

"A 4 million investment isn't high overseas, but the production standards in China are definitely lower. We need to choose the right actors, not the expensive ones, and use all the money wisely."

"This must be the largest investment in China." "No, the investment in the movie 'The Pacification Ship' that was approved last year was also 4 million."

"Film production costs are increasing, and I look forward to the release of both films."

Who will be chosen for the role?

The onlookers discussed it endlessly, and some even started recommending actors.

Even more people are looking for Chen Shou here; a group of celebrities from the entertainment industry are all looking for him.

The five main actors are of paramount importance, with the lead actor being a botanist.

"Little brother, do you think your sister is suitable to be a commander?" A harassing phone call came in early in the morning.

"It's not suitable," Chen Shou said irritably as he picked up the phone.

"Damn it, how do you know I'm not suitable?" Zhou Xun immediately bristled.

"Have you ever seen an astronaut like you?"

"You, you're making a personal attack."

Don't you have any self-awareness about your own body?

"Fine, fine, you just wait."

"Remember to bring something with you next time you come to the horse farm, don't come empty-handed."

"I'll give you soy milk."

"roll!"

He hung up on Zhou Xun, not giving her a chance to continue, and then another call came in.

"There are a lot of people at the horse farm now, so don't come back yet." The caller was Yu Qian. Since they couldn't find him, many people in the industry went to his master to get information from him.

"Okay, I'll be staying with the film crew for a while. Hope my master's wife hasn't been affected."

"She's at home now, with the old lady."

"Then I'll have to prepare a gift for my junior brother."

"Don't buy things randomly, you already have everything you need at home."

"Haha, I'll buy another cow."

"Hmm? This is good."

As Chen Shouzhe looked at the pile of actors' resumes, he noticed that one of the original five astronauts was bald. The first person that came to Chen Shouzhe's mind was actually Guo Degang.

“No, no, the old man is too old, it’s not suitable for him,” Chen Shouzhe immediately rejected.

The protagonist is a botanist who wants to grow potatoes on Mars. The commander is a woman in her thirties or forties who is decisive, brave, and has a magnanimous personality. Someone like Zhou Xun would definitely not be suitable.

Another female role is the operator, who is very skilled and was chosen as one of the astronauts. The remaining two astronauts are a scientist in charge of medical matters and a chemist who is the oldest and most experienced.

The suitable candidates are selected and then auditioned. In addition, there are a large number of supporting roles and ground staff.

Chen Shouzhe, Guo Fan, Tao Le, and others were in charge of casting.

The initial set construction is still underway and will take some time.

Chen Shouzhe's house is still under renovation. The original house had already been partially renovated, but it wasn't enough and Chen Shouzhe didn't like it, so he's renovating it again. He can't go back to the horse farm, so he found a hotel near the company to stay in.

"How did you come?"

The hotel door was knocked open, and a woman wrapped up tightly walked in.

"You've been very busy lately; I've tried looking for you several times but haven't been able to find you."

She took off her hat and mask, revealing a delicate face.

Chen Shou looked at her; it had been a while since he had seen her. He took her hand directly.

"Hey, wait a minute, I haven't..."

An hour passed, and both of them were lying in bed.

"You really don't treat me like a human being," Yang Mi said, clinging to Chen Shou.

"You delivered yourself to my door."

"Scumbag."

"Tell me, what do you want from me?"

"Is any of your new movies suitable for me?"