Huayu: From an ordinary person to a happy director

Chapter 10 New Film Ideas
The cost of the night banquet was 1.2 million yuan, which was a lot of water. The specific cost is no longer traceable, but Shi Lei decided to learn.

If a movie wants to sell for a good price abroad, the cost of the movie cannot be too low.

Otherwise, even if North American companies are very satisfied with the movie, they will not offer a high price.

Therefore, the cost of making his martial arts films has to be higher.

First of all, as the winner of the Silver Lion Award for Best Director, according to international prices, his salary as a commercial film director is US$500 million, and the script copyright and screenwriter position together are US$100 million; he also has to be a producer, and as an internationally renowned figure, this is a bit higher, US$200 million.

This puts the cost at $800 million.

The remaining $200 million is for actor salaries and production costs.

The movie he is going to shoot is called "Arrogant", a web-based martial arts movie that will be released in 22 and has a cost of 800 million RMB.

It is now 02, and the purchasing power of RMB is more than four times that of 22. Compared with the original version of "No One", the production cost has increased by 8 times, which is enough to make a very sophisticated movie.

Of course, all of this will only be done in secret, and the total production cost of $1000 million will be announced. The actual production cost will not be disclosed to the outside world.

In addition to the low cost, there is another important reason why he chose "No One in My Eyes". This movie was originally an urban martial arts film, set in a crime story that takes place in a contemporary city. The general plot of the story is the same as the costume version, and the names of the two protagonists, Cheng Xiazi and Ni Yan, have not been changed.

It’s just that the director and producer felt that it was not appropriate to set the film in modern times, so they changed it into an ancient martial arts film.

The plot is very simple. Cheng Xiazi, a petty official in the court, retired due to an injury. On the way, he was treated kindly by a tavern girl named Ni Yan, and he was grateful. Later, Ni Yan was brutally murdered and humiliated. Ni Yan begged Cheng Xiazi to avenge her murder and humiliation, but was rejected by Cheng Xiazi. But when Ni Yan was wronged again, he was deeply moved by the difficulty of small people fighting against the powerful and determined to help. Although his confidant Qin Niang advised him in every way: "We can't afford to offend the Yuwen family", Cheng Xiazi was determined and no one could stop him. After being ambushed on a rainy night and besieged in the snow, he said cruelly: "I will kill them." He didn't want to intervene, but was gradually involved in a dark dispute with a huge force. Cheng Xiazi began to embark on the road of revenge in search of justice.

The most important thing is that foreigners can understand such a plot. If this plot happens in a foreign country, it would be that a retired agent encounters his family being wiped out, feels pity, and then, with the help of a partner, slaughters all the local gangs.

In fact, this is a variation of John Wick: 'Kill my family (dogs count as family), and I'll kill your whole family.'

It is important for foreigners to understand it. If they do, and coupled with the martial arts trend brought about by "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero", foreign film distribution companies will buy it.

What is impressive about "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is the fighting in the green bamboo sea, and what attracts people about "Hero" is the colors and the momentum of the army. These scenes make the audience feel that their money is not wasted.

In addition to the original snow field in "Arrogant", he plans to add a piece of iron flower. The iron flower on the snow is quite shocking and very beautiful.

In his previous life, his impression of iron flower making started with "The Longest Day in Chang'an", and then "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" made his interest in iron flower making reach its peak.

Killing all the way brings the audience enough excitement, and the iron flowers make the audience feel that their money is not wasted.

Shi Lei's words about looking for international actors to shoot a martial arts film immediately aroused the curiosity of reporters, and they asked him which international actor he was looking for.

"Excuse me, are you looking for Li Lianjie?"

"Excuse me, are you looking for the international chapter?"

"Excuse me……"

"Keep it a secret." Shi Lei directly refused to answer.

"..."

……

An hour later, the interview ended and Shi Lei took a taxi back to Beijing Film Academy.

As soon as he entered the school, he went to see Director Hua Shihong. He was able to win the award with the help of Director Hua Shihong. When Hua Shihong saw Shi Lei, he praised him directly: "Well done!"

"It's the director's good teaching." Shi Lei praised someone, and everyone likes to hear good words.

Hua Shihong pointed at Shi Lei and laughed: "Hahaha...you kid..."

The two of them praised each other for a while, and Hua Shihong restrained his smile and said, "You took "Empty Room" to participate in the film festival without passing the review, and now the higher-ups have objections."

Shi Lei also stopped smiling and asked seriously, "I submitted it for review a long time ago, but there has been no news. What did the higher-ups say?"

He had anticipated this. It would be fine if the three major ones didn't win any awards, but if they did, they would be the focus of attention.

Many movie scripts were sent to participate in the three major films without passing review or filming permits, and a number of directors were banned for this reason.

But this trend continues despite repeated bans. After all, the goal is to win awards, and the script may be changed beyond recognition when it is submitted for review. Not every movie can pass review by changing the ending like "Empty Room".

"Empty Room" is considered to be a good film. The script has been reviewed and there is a filming permit, but there is no release permit. The film can use the tight schedule as an excuse to participate in the Venice Film Festival.

But he still felt worried. After all, he came from a rural background and the person with whom he had the best relationship was Hua Shihong. If Hua Shihong was not helpful, he would be in trouble if he was banned from coaching.

If he was banned from directing, he could only work abroad. He registered a studio in North America in 00 and stored a lot of scripts in the Script Guild. With the income from "The First Snow of 2002" and "Empty Room", he could make low-budget horror films.

Hua Shihong did not keep the secret and said directly: "It's not a big problem. Considering that it's your first offense and you're still a student, I'll just give you a verbal warning. However, the fact that "Empty Room" won the award will not be widely publicized in China. Your future films must also pass the review before they can be sent to participate in the three major films."

Shi Lei breathed a sigh of relief and replied seriously: "Okay, future movies will definitely be approved first."

He also doesn't want to give up on the domestic market. Although the domestic film market is sluggish, as long as he chooses the right movies, he can still make money.

As long as he can gain a firm foothold in the country, he will be able to take off directly in 10 years.

Hua Shihong nodded in satisfaction and said, "In a few days, the General Administration should send down the revision suggestions for "Empty Room". You can make the revisions accordingly. I will take care of the release issue."

"Thank you, Director." Shi Lei expressed his sincere gratitude. He had been planning to contact China Film Corporation for the domestic release issue himself. Now that the Director has taken action, that's even better.

"If you really want to thank me, you should use more students from Beijing Film Academy in your new film. Don't follow other directors and look for actors next door." Hua Shihong looked extremely serious when he mentioned this.

"Okay, Director. Except for the main roles, I will use BFA students for other unimportant supporting roles." Shi Lei agreed very readily.

"Not only the supporting roles, but also the leading roles must be played by students from Beijing Film Academy!" Hua Shihong reminded.

"Okay, I will use Beijing Film Academy students as the leading roles whenever possible." Shi Lei promised, patting his chest.

Hua Shihong looked at Shi Lei, who was patting his chest loudly, and reminded him, "Don't let this affect the quality of the film."

After Shi Lei made such a promise, he was actually worried that Shi Lei would not be able to make a good movie.

"Director, I understand." Shi Lei nodded with a smile.

"Tell me about your new film! Who are you looking for as an international actor?"

(End of this chapter)