China Entertainment: Director’s happiness is so simple

Xiang Guoqiang arrived in Los Angeles the next morning, and with him was Jason, an American legal practitioner.

Jason is Xiang Guoqiang's new recruit. Jason will later serve as one of Lu Ping'an's assistants in Hollywood, handling various matters such as legal affairs, copyright, and finance.

After the two parties met and got to know each other, Hu Qingquan asked Lu Ping'an, "Have you really decided to make that film?"

Hu Qingquan knew about Lu Ping'an's horror film plan.

It's just that this movie is indeed a bit too bloody.

How could Lu Ping'an have such an idea?

Hu Qingquan said with some worry: "This kind of movie... I still think it's a bit too much."

Lu Ping'an looked confident: "That's why we filmed in the United States. You don't know, this is what the American people like."

Hu Qingquan asked again: "Have you really decided? One million U.S. dollars is a lot, and it would be painful to lose."

"It's okay. It won't affect the short film. I asked Uncle Liao to borrow it. It's enough."

The original cost of "Saw" was 1.2 million, and the North American box office was more than 50 million. The global box office was over 100 million. It was a big hit among big hits.

Even if there may be changes if he does it in this time and space, it is still better than watching others do it.

Hu Qingquan continued to ask: "Does it have to be done now? Not next year?"

"Yes, this is the most suitable time. Don't worry, I can keep an eye on you in the later stages of "Source Code"."

James Wan will release the short film "Saw 0.5" next year, so we have to shoot it as soon as possible.

What's more, during this time in the United States, everyone in China knew that he was here to watch the post-production process and would not be able to go back for a month or two. In fact, the post-production stage of "Source Code" did not take that long at all, and there was no need to It’s just a matter of putting in a lot of thought and just a few clicks of your fingers.

But you can’t just take it back after doing it sincerely, so instead of sitting idle, it’s better to shoot early to save trouble, so that you can do other things when you return to China.

"Now that you have decided, then do it well. There are many rules here unlike in China, but I don't have time to help you this time. I am busy with the short film."

Hu Qingquan wanted to help Lu Ping'an continue to work as a producer, but he still had to focus on the short film. In a few days, he would have to go to the first Oscar direct film festival to submit the film, and then the next one. Maybe he would return to Los Angeles. It's been a month, and I don't have time to help him manage it.

Lu Ping'an smiled and reassured: "It's okay, just treat it as cooperating with foreigners to gain experience."

"I asked Feihong to help you. She just wants to learn how to direct and make films. It's just the right time for her to come here. She is also familiar with the old and American film industry, and her spoken language is better than Qian. She should be willing to help."

Hu Qingquan said and was about to call Yu Feihong.

Lu Ping'an smiled and said, "I haven't decided when to do it yet."

"Say hello first, so that you don't have to worry about her leaving in a few days and finding no one to help her."

Lu Pingan curled his lips, he didn't need anyone else to help him.

But this is Hu Qingquan's concern after all. Let him go, as long as the old man is happy.

After saying hello, Yu Feihong was very happy and came as soon as the project started.

Then Hu Qingquan and Xiang Guoqiang divided their troops into two groups.

Hu Qingquan continued to work on short films, while Lu Pingan and others came to Summit Entertainment.

When I arrived at the place, I met Wattsberg again. This time Wattsberg was much more formal and serious, with a businesslike look. There was another person sitting next to him. Upon introduction, it turned out to be Bob Hai, the second shareholder. Ward.

Lu Pingan likes this kind of professionalism. If he has a casual attitude, unless he is a coal boss, that would be really worrying.

The next step is to talk about business.

The first is the script. Xiang Guoqiang had already registered the script a few weeks ago. Now Lu Ping'an has come up with part of the script and the storyboard.

After his not-so-detailed explanation, Wattsberg and Hayward concluded without any doubt that the film might not be a big hit, but it wouldn't be bad, and the probability of losing money would be small. If you invest a little, there's nothing wrong with it!

So the next step is to discuss the share in detail.

As for "Saw," such a hit film in North America naturally had to be produced in North America, and it couldn't be produced in China.

If you want to make a movie in North America, you must cooperate with a North American company.

Open your own company and live alone? You are a foreigner, so brave!

If you really want to do this, well, theater chains may not be able to cooperate with you, and don’t think about the sinking disc market.

After all, in a movie, production is not the most important thing, the most important thing is distribution!

If you can't fit into the Hollywood circle, don't talk about these things in this kind of film.

The strongest point of North American distribution is that it can be distributed globally and penetrate the market.

Lu Ping An currently has many film producers from all over the world, but the total is not as good as North America. They are real ticket warehouses and global distribution.

Even though Peak's strength is average now, he is also in the circle.

You are an outsider and have nothing but talent. You are useless even if you have money.

Hollywood is not that beautiful and exclusive.

Therefore, even if it is an independent film, it must be supported by local people.

There are people protecting me, and I can get local film festivals and various local supports.

Now that Summit can cooperate, it is already an excellent situation.

Most people want to talk about investment shares when they start in Hollywood. It is really naive. Lu Ping An can talk about it now. This is the foundation cultivated after more than a year of cooperation.

Of course, we are also fully prepared for road safety in Hollywood.

First of all, the copyright of "Saw" must be in your own hands.

There will be more than ten movies of this film in the future.

In addition, the project leadership must be your own.

I don’t care what your production-centered system is, I have the final say on this movie.

Such conditions have been negotiated very smoothly so far.

After all, the film only costs about a million yuan, it is not a blockbuster, it is just a small project, and there is no shortage of money, so there is no need to worry about financing.

So we chatted quickly.

"I can help with venue equipment and actor recruitment. Leave it to me to hit local film festivals and distribute in the future. In addition, I will pay 200,000. Your Venice film will be sold to me first when the time comes. I hope we will be Hollywood's first Happy working together!”

At present, Wattsberg has not seen the finished film yet, and has only confirmed the project based on a few words. He has the temperament of a coal boss.

In fact, he did not pay much attention to "Saw". He valued Lu Ping'an's Venice movie more, and the "blockbuster" that is said to have received huge support in China.

Therefore, this cooperation is just an attempt in Wattsberg's opinion, or it is just a small money entertainment game between the two, which is not as much as the money he spends in Las Vegas these days.

Lu Ping'an felt secretly happy that he might regret it in the future.

"Okay, that's it."

In the end, the matter was finalized, and the copyright still belonged to Lu Ping An.

"Chainsaw" will be produced by Summit Entertainment, with a budget of US$1 million, Lu Pingan will contribute 800,000, and Pingan will contribute 200,000, with two people serving as producers at the same time, with Lu Pingan taking the lead.

Next, Xiang Guoqiang and Jason talked with Summit's legal affairs for a long time, finalized the contract, and could start preparations in the afternoon.

Before that, payments were made in batches.

It was just at this step that Lu Ping'an encountered some difficulties.

The total amount of US dollars he has available now is only 1.1 million.

The film itself cost 800,000 yuan, and it may even exceed the budget. After all, it is the first time to make it in Hollywood, so you have to be well prepared.

It is enough for Hu Qingquan to leave 300,000 yuan, but he must prepare more.

Fortunately, he and Uncle Liao had already said that he would loan him $500,000 within 15 working days, which was enough.

It’s good to have a relationship with a bank.

Then he called Hu Qingquan to inform him of the situation. Hu Qingquan said he understood and would take full responsibility for the short film in the future. Lu Ping An could just make the movie with peace of mind.

After returning to her residence, Yu Feihong came after a while. She was called by Hu Qingquan.

She came in and asked, "Are you really going to do a Hollywood project?"

"yes."

"How big a project is it? It's so rushed?"

"Small project, just for practice, it won't take long to shoot."

The original "Saw" took only 5 days to prepare and 18 days to shoot, and all the actors had no rehearsals.

It might take a little longer for Lu Ping'an to come and take pictures, but it certainly won't be too long.

"It actually cost 1 million US dollars to practice, and it was still in Hollywood. You are really unpredictable."

"Sister Yu wants to say that I'm stupid, right?"

"No, I really can't figure you out. What are you thinking about?"

Yu Feihong looked at Lu Pingan with curiosity on his face.

"Don't be curious, Sister Yu. If you are curious, you will lose."

Yu Feihong was slightly startled when he heard this, then quickly reacted, and then laughed and scolded: "You talk nonsense again!"

As expected, she is a woman in her 30s and understands!

“In fact, it’s okay to have a deeper understanding.”

"Beautiful mouth!"

Then we joked for a while, and then started talking about projects.

Yu Feihong said directly: "You can leave some non-professional chores to me."

"Then I have to pay you a salary."

"No, I'm just here to learn. If I don't understand something, just explain it to me."

"Then add more chicken legs to your lunch box."

"Hollywood doesn't eat box lunches."

"How about that? I have to eat Chinese food. Sister Yu, I'll give you the first task, contact the Chinese restaurant."

"I haven't read the script yet."

"Don't worry, I'll watch it tonight."

"Still talkative!"

"That's not nonsense. I have to go see the venue in the afternoon. It's already late at night when I get back."

Lu Pingan shouted that he was wronged, and then asked with a wicked smile, "Sister Yu, what were you thinking just now?"

Yu Feihong rolled his eyes: "I'll contact the Chinese restaurant!"