Rebirth of Xiangjiang - 1978

After Lin Daoqiu left, Liao Xiangxiong, director of the Film Bureau, walked out of another room.

When he entered Song Yaolian's office, he had already returned to his seat.

At this time, he was completely different from the enthusiasm he had when he received Lin Daoqiu before. Song Yaolian, who was sitting on the chair, had a gloomy expression on his face. It was clear at a glance that he was very unhappy now.

"Lin Daoqiu did come to me to talk about a new play, but do you know what he said? He actually said that the budget of the new play is as high as 100 million US dollars, and we will produce the play. Do you think he is crazy?"

Song Yaolian was so angry that he absolutely believed that Lin Daoqiu was just talking nonsense and treating him like an idiot.

As one of Song Yaolian's confidants, Liao Xiangxiong rarely saw the other party get so angry. It seemed that Lin Daoqiu had really made Song Yaolian very angry just now.

"Director, if you invest 100 million US dollars in a movie, unless it is a movie with full special effects, ordinary movies will not cost that much money at all. And if I remember correctly, we originally agreed to make an action movie."

The implication of Liao Xiangxiong's words was already obvious, Lin Daoqiu was simply here to blackmail them.

Of course Song Yaolian also knows this, but Lin Daoqiu himself has filmed a "Godzilla" and invested more than this movie.

If Lin Daoqiu cannot make a movie worth hundreds of millions of dollars, then "Godzilla" is a living example.

"But if... if this movie can have half the influence of "Godzilla", we can earn at least hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office alone."

As a member of the Film Bureau, Liao Xiangxiong has always paid close attention to the development of films, not only in Baodao but also internationally.

Since the movie "Godzilla" was born, it has become an unavoidable topic and discussion object in the global film market and film practitioners.

"What if we lose money? One hundred million US dollars is no joke."

Song Yaolian is not an idealist like Liao Xiangxiong. The first thing he thinks about is what to do if he loses money. Who will take the blame?

If Lin Daoqiu didn't take good photos of him, the worst he could do was just slap his butt and go back to Xiangjiang. Anyway, it wouldn't do much harm to him.

But I was in big trouble. After all, I was responsible for this shooting. I would benefit from the credit, but I would also have to take the blame.

Song Yaolian was not stupid enough to bet his own future on Lin Daoqiu.

"What does the director mean?"

Liao Xiangxiong knew as soon as he heard that Song Yaolian did not want to invest 100 million US dollars in Lin Daoqiu.

"Let Lin Daoqiu take the big lead and we invest 20 to 30 million US dollars, so that even if we lose money, we will still be within an acceptable range."

Song Yaolian had a pretty good idea. He wanted Lin Daoqiu to take the lead. Even if the drama lost money by then, Lin Daoqiu would be the one who would suffer the most.

Liao Xiangxiong didn't know Lin Daoqiu very well, but in his opinion, the original intention of filming this film was to use it as a promotional video for Treasure Island, and it was filmed to promote Treasure Island.

Lin Daoqiu doesn't seem to be very enthusiastic about Baodao. Asking him to spend 70 to 80 million US dollars to help Baodao film this movie is probably impossible even if he thinks about it.

"You should test his idea first and see if there is room for change. If it doesn't work, don't invest so much. It would be good to use 100 million Hong Kong dollars to make a movie."

Liao Xiangxiong naturally did not dare to disobey Song Yaolian's statement, and what the other party said was indeed correct. 100 million Hong Kong dollars for a movie is already considered a big deal in Asia.

…………

"Mr. Lin, long time no see."

Liao Xiangxiong came to the hotel where Lin Daoqiu was staying the next day.

As soon as Lin Daoqiu saw Liao Xiangxiong, he roughly guessed that the other party should be the person sent by Song Yaolian to test him.

"Director Liao, we haven't seen each other for a long time, why don't we have dinner together tonight, and make sure we don't get drunk by then."

Liao Xiangxiong just smiled at this. He didn't come to Lin Daoqiu today to ask for a drink.

But when he thought about what Song Yaolian told him, Liao Xiangxiong felt like he was one head and two heads away.

Asking the other party to pay US$70 to 80 million is impossible just thinking about it.

But he had no choice but to dare to refuse Song Yaolian, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and come to Lin Daoqiu.

"Actually, Mr. Lin, when I went to see Director Song, I heard that you had arrived at Treasure Island, so I came here to visit you."

"So that's it. Speaking of which, when I went to see Director Song yesterday and talked to him about the new film, I thought Director Liao had brought me good news."

Liao Xiangxiong quickly shook his head. The news he brought might not make Lin Daoqiu happy.

After struggling for a while, Liao Xiangxiong cautiously opened his mouth.

"Actually, it's like this. I heard from Director Song that the investment in this new play is as high as hundreds of millions of dollars."

Lin Daoqiu did not deny it and nodded directly.

"Everyone knows that Mr. Lin's movies have always been the best, and they are very good at the box office whether in Asia or Hollywood..."

"But what the higher-ups hope is that the film can be filmed and released as soon as possible. If it takes too long, it will not be good. Mr. Lin understands what I mean."

Lin Daoqiu looked at Liao Xiangxiong with confusion, as if he didn't quite understand what he meant.

"The production cycle of special effects movies is too long, so I hope Mr. Lin can change it to an ordinary action movie, so that the production time can be greatly shortened."

Liao Xiangxiong didn't talk about the production cost, but focused on the production time.

This was an argument he came up with after thinking over and over again, and he didn't know if Lin Daoqiu was willing to accept it.

"Director Liao, please rest assured that special effects technology has made leaps and bounds compared to before. It is no problem to produce one movie a year, and the quality is also very good. By then it will definitely cause huge excitement around the world.

repercussions."

Lin Daoqiu seems to be determined to make special effects movies and will not consider other genres at all.

This stumped Liao Xiangxiong. He didn't know how to persuade the other party.

"Director Liao came to see me today, maybe it's not just about this matter, right?"

Liao Xiangxiong wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his head quickly.

"Director Liao, although 100 million US dollars to make a movie seems like a lot, there are two different concepts between those who spend money and those who have no money. If you want good things, you have to spend money, and spend a lot of money."

"Mr. Lin is right, this aspect does need to be seriously considered."

As soon as Lin Daoqiu saw Liao Xiangxiong's expression, he knew that he had nothing to say.

"Actually, in addition to the movie, I also plan to film a TV series in Treasure Island this time, so the time I will stay in Treasure Island this time will be a bit long."

Lin Daoqiu suddenly changed the topic to TV dramas, which made Liao Xiangxiong not quite understand what the other party meant.