China Entertainment Mythology 2004

Three days later.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Li Mu put on a formal suit and got up to go out. After leaving the community, he called a taxi and went straight to China Film Studio.

China Film Group was formed in February 1999 by eight units including the former China Film Company, Beijing Film Studio, China Children's Film Studio, China Film Co-Production Company, China Film Equipment Company, and Movie Channel Program Center.

It is the only company in mainland China that has the right to import films, and it is also the film company with the largest output in China.

When he arrived at China Film Academy, he looked at the time. It was nine forty, twenty minutes before the agreed time.

After asking for directions, Li Mu went straight to Deputy Director Han Sanping's office. Before he had walked a few steps, a middle-aged man walked towards him from the opposite side.

"You are Director Li, right? I am Director Han's assistant. My surname is Zhang. Director Han and several other guests are already in the office."

Li Mu nodded, then followed Assistant Zhang and asked as he walked: "Excuse me, who is in Director Han's office now?"

Assistant Zhang smiled and said: "There are Mr. Yu from Bernard, Mr. Wang Zhonglei from Huayi, and Director Yan from Xiying."

Li Mu asked again: "Did the three bosses arrive early?"

The assistant smiled and said, "I just arrived."

Li Mu nodded and stopped asking any more questions.

Entering Director Han's office, he saw several CEOs sitting around the coffee table. Vice Director Han Sanping was facing the direction of the door, so he was the first to see Li Mu come in.

"Li Mu, come and sit down."

"good."

"Director Yan, Mr. Yu, Mr. Wang."

"Sit down..."

After greeting several bosses one by one, Li Mu found an empty seat and sat down. Assistant Zhang came over and poured Li Mu a cup of tea before retreating.

Everyone first talked about some innocuous things to liven up the atmosphere, and then quickly got down to business.

Han Sanping first said: ""Taken" is one of the benchmark works for Chinese-language films to go overseas in recent years, especially as Hollywood films have conquered cities and territories around the world on a large scale. Even Europe, the birthplace of the film, has been affected and has to struggle to survive.

Against this background, it is even more commendable that "Taken" can achieve a global box office of US$270 million. The superior's evaluation of "Taken" is twelve words: the results are very good, guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and keep moving forward."

Wang Zhonglei said: "What's even more difficult is that Xiying and Cheng Long dare to adopt a share-sharing model. The buyout price of 25 million US dollars was a sky-high price a few months ago, but now it seems like a loss. Director Yan, you have made too much money this time."

Two to three times the income.”

Yan Yiyun smiled and said: "I feel ashamed to say that I was opposed to signing the buyout contract at that time because I was afraid that I would not receive the money. It was Li Mu's idea that we find the national credit insurance company and use credit insurance to delay the payment of the film purchaser.

Risks such as non-payment, under-reporting of box office revenue, and excessive use of copyrights were passed on. Unexpectedly, things actually happened."

Yu Dongze said: "The success of "Taken" shows that kung fu movies still have great potential worldwide, and Cheng Long and Li Lianlian have global influence. At this time, we must continue our efforts and strive to achieve greater results."

Then everyone looked at Li Mu, and then heard Han Sanping say again: "Li Lianjie asked Li Mu to write the script. In fact, he has a very vicious vision. If the new movie only wants to be a big hit in China, then he can find someone else. There are not no good screenwriters in the country.

.”

"If the new movie just wants to be a big hit abroad, you can find someone else. There are also many excellent screenwriters abroad. But if you want the new movie to be a big hit around the world like "Taken" and have both domestic and international success, I'm afraid you still have to

It really has to be Li Mu."

"I just heard about it recently. It turns out that Li Mu published a book in the United States and sold 8 million copies in 8 months. It is almost certain that it will exceed 10 million copies a year ago. A native of China, who is very interested in the West

Without a good understanding of human psychology, it is impossible to achieve such results. This is the guarantee for new movies to be successful internationally."

Li Mu said: "The success of "The Hunger Games" may be due to a lot of luck."

Han Sanping laughed and said: "'The Hunger Games' was a fluke, and 'Hurricane Rescue' was also a fluke. If there are so many flukes, it further proves that you, Li Mu, are a lucky general. Sometimes a lucky general is better than a brave general.

"

Everyone in the office laughed when they heard this.

Then Han Sanping asked seriously: "How is it? Are there any difficulties? It is the long-cherished wish of the people of the country to bring the two major Kung Fu Hurricanes together for a peak showdown. If you have any difficulties, you can ask them. We are all here today.

He is a very important figure in the film industry. In order to satisfy the wish of the people across the country, we have no choice but to cross the sea and show our magical powers."

Li Mu pondered: "The biggest difficulty is to balance the status of Li Lianjie and Cheng Long. With their current status in the film industry and their international reputation, it is impossible for either of them to accept being inferior to the other. In the movie, the two

People's roles must be equal, good and evil, and even their kung fu skills must be equal. This is no longer dancing with shackles, but being tied up and asked to dance at the same time. This is an almost impossible task."

Several people began to ponder.

Everyone knows that Li Mu is telling the truth, but now Li Lianjie named Li Mu to write, and Cheng Long trusts Li Mu even more. During the filming of "Hurricane Rescue", he listened to Li Mu's advice and canceled the plan to add action scenes.

So today's script can almost only be written by Li Mu.

Finally, Han Sanping broke the silence and said: "It's true that I'm dancing under the weight of five flowers, but in my opinion, writing a novel that sells 8 million copies in the United States in 8 months is more difficult than reaching the sky. You can reach the sky,

There's no reason why dancing with a bunch of flowers tied up can't work. But since the thing is extremely difficult, the reward has to be generous, so I propose that if this thing is done, Li Mu should be given a 3% dividend of the global box office. What do you think?"

None of them expressed their opinions immediately and gave Li Mu a 3% dividend. What about Cheng Long and Li Lianlian? Do you want to give each of them another 6%? This adds up to 15% of the global box office.

In the end, it was Yan Yiyun who was the first to express his position: "Give Li Mu 3% of the global box office dividend, which is not much."

He glanced at a few people and continued: "Li Mu's "The Hunger Games" has only been written for a few months. It has sold 8 million copies and may sell 10 million or even 15 million copies in the future.

, based on the pricing and royalties in the United States, this is an income of nearly 30 million US dollars, which does not include the income from a series of rights transfers such as subsequent film adaptation rights, and other income in the following decades. Li Mu took 3%

The global box office, how many billions does it take for Li Mu to share 30 million US dollars? Not to mention that if Li Mu agrees, the energy spent on this movie may far exceed that spent on "The Hunger Games"

energy.”

Li Mu glanced at Yan Yiyun gratefully. Yan Yiyun had no expression and had a completely matter-of-fact attitude.

Then several people expressed their opinions:

"Can."

"If it can be approved by both Li Lianjie and Cheng Long, I have no problem with it."

"agree."

Then everyone's eyes fell on Li Mu's face again.

Li Mu said: "I'll try my best, but this matter is too difficult and I'm not sure. If I screw up in the end, don't blame the bosses."

Everyone laughed.

"Just do your best."

"Nothing is certain in this world."

“Success comes from breaking out.”

Han Sanping asked again: "If you have any other requests, feel free to mention them now. Let's discuss them carefully while everyone is here."

Li Mu pondered: "If the project is completed, can I be the director this time?"

The other people fell silent again.

The investment of 50 to 60 million US dollars may not be enough. The first collision between Cheng Long and Li Lianlian, the peak showdown between the two kung fu superstars, is expected to surpass the project of "Hurricane Rescue", but Li Mu has never been a regular actor.

The director directs...

Everyone has indeed heard that director Li Mu is very capable. Director Huang Jianxin even commented that Li Mu is fully capable of being the director of "The Rescue", but after all, the stakes are very high this time.

If it's just an ordinary movie, or even a big-budget movie with an investment of 70 to 80 million yuan, Li Mu can be used.

But this time...

Moreover, the two foreign investment companies, Lionsgate and Columbia Pictures, are unlikely to accept a pure newcomer to direct.

Han Sanping pondered: "This project is a Sino-foreign co-production, and we cannot decide on the director ourselves. If the director uses people from our country, I am afraid that foreign companies can only accept directors of the level of Zhang Yimou and Li Yu, and

It can only be achieved through difficult negotiations."

Then he changed his tone: "I have watched your performance in "Taken". I can say that you have the potential to be a star. Otherwise, you can arrange a role for yourself in the top three in the script.

What do you think about giving you a role as an assistant director as compensation, and giving you an assistant director position like in "Taken"?"

Li Mu pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do my best."

…

After leaving China Film, Li Much thanked Director Yan Yiyun before renting the car: "Thank you very much, Director Yan, for speaking for me just now."

Yan Yiyun waved his hand and smiled: "That's right, we are all from Xiying."

Li Mu nodded, said goodbye to Yan Yiyun, then got into a taxi and left.

In the taxi, Li Mu thought of what she had said to her old uncle a few months ago: "It's better to be brave than to study at Tsinghua University or Peking University. It's better to dare to go to Harvard or Yale. Opportunities are created by breaking out. How can we calculate them?"

?Be more courageous and seek wealth in danger..."

"Fight!"