Huayu: From an ordinary person to a happy director

Chapter 44: Replace the Insincere Warner (Revised)

In North America, low-budget horror films are an enduring genre, which is unmatched in China.

There are two types of horror films in North America: one is blood-based horror films, and the other is supernatural horror films.

There is no need to talk about plasma films, which will never be shown in theaters in China. Supernatural horror films that are set to be man-made in the end can be shown, but in this way, the audience knows that the plot will be reversed into man-made in the end, so the box office of supernatural horror films can be imagined.

So horror movies can only be made in North America.

Seven days later, Shi Lei formally met with Wen Zairen at a production company which had just changed its name to Shuimitao.

Wen Zairen did not come alone, but brought a foreigner named Ray Warner.

Shi Lei didn't exchange awkward greetings with the two of them, and directly said: "Wen Zairen, I won't sell the copyright of Saw to you, but I can let you shoot it. Saw is a director-centered film, and you are in control of the entire film. As long as you agree to one of my requests."

"What request?" Wen Zairen asked, trying hard to suppress his excitement.

"Shui Mi Tao Company will sign an eight-film production agreement with you. You must shoot eight films for the company. These eight films will also be director-centered."

Wan Zairen felt as if cheese had fallen from the sky. Such an agreement was a constraint on him, but also a support for him. As long as he could come up with a script that convinced the company, he would get investment for his film.

But he still tried to say: "Eight is too many, five!"

"One price, seven films, plus the final editing rights. If the company wants to make changes to the finished film, they need to discuss it with you in advance." Although it is said to be discussed in advance, it is actually just a notification. Wan Zairen does not have the strength to confront the production company.

"Okay!" Wen Zairen agreed quickly.

Shi Lei extended his hand and said with a smile: "Happy cooperation."

"It's a pleasure working with you." Wen Zairen was also very happy.

The director-centered system and the final editing rights are enough to drive many North American directors crazy.

After seeing Wen Zairen off, Shi Lei took out his phone and hesitated for a moment before calling Mike. After chatting about everything under the sun, he still couldn't get an accurate answer. He finally said, "I want to find another company to cooperate with."

After saying that, he hung up the phone and made another call, inviting people from Columbia Pictures to come to Peach Films to discuss cooperation.

He said one week means one week, and since Mike didn't give an accurate answer, he could only look for other film and television companies.

Columbia Pictures was the first Hollywood film and television company to enter China. They established a representative office in Kyoto, China in 1995 and have continuously invested in the production and distribution of more than 7 Chinese-language films, including the critically acclaimed "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Big Shot", "Kung Fu", "CJ" and other films.

When he won the Silver Lion Award, Columbia offered him an olive branch, but he was already preparing to shoot "The Matrix: Guardians of the Galaxy" (originally named "No One") to take advantage of the popularity of "The Matrix 2", so he did not cooperate with Columbia.

When he came to North America to shoot "Million Dollar Baby", the first company he thought of was Warner. After all, "The Matrix: Keepers" benefited from Warner's reputation, so he notified Warner first when he had a new project.

He had just hung up when Mike called. This time he didn't try to smooth things over and said bluntly, "Shi, give me a little more time. I'll soon convince the company."

"Sorry, one week is one week." Shi Lei hung up the phone without any nonsense.

The Columbia people arrived the next day, but they also arrived at the same time as the Warner people.

Shi Lei cast a helpless look at the Colombian man, "Excuse me, can I talk to him first?"

The people in Columbia were used to this and nodded, "Director Shi, you guys talk first. I can wait."

The Big Six all have their own eyes and ears for each other. Columbia also heard about the "Million Dollar Baby" project. They heard that Shi Lei had problems in his cooperation with Warner, so they came to talk. This was the first time he met Shi Lei, and before they started talking, he still gave face to Warner, the first comer.

Shi Lei nodded, looked at Warner's people, and asked casually: "Where's Mike? Why doesn't he come over?"

Warner's man said, "My name is Haner Filho. Mike is busy with other things and has no time to come over, so he asked me to come over first."

"Tell me, what brings you here?"

Haner looked at the Colombian man, then at Shi Lei, and was speechless. Wasn't it obvious why he came?

Of course he came over to interrupt Shi Lei's negotiations with Colombia after hearing the news!
"Shi, the company has decided that you will continue to be the director of Million Dollar Baby. Here is the contract." Han Er handed the contract to Shi Lei and continued, "As long as we sign it today, we can start the early preparations for the film."

Shi Lei looked at the contract in front of him and frowned slightly, but still took the contract and flipped through it in front of the two of them.

After just a few pages, he saw the problem.

Million Dollar Baby Producer: Clint Easterwood

"I'm sorry, Haner, if he is the producer, I'm sorry I can't cooperate with Warner." Shi Lei said coldly.

Even a clay man has a temper. This Clint Eastwood is really a bully. The project has been approved but he still comes to buy the script. If he fails to buy the script, he will become the producer.

"Director Shi, he is just a producer and will not interfere with your filming," Haner explained.

"No, he can't appear in my crew." Shi Lei didn't believe this nonsense. He was a little annoyed now. This kind of old director has a kind of obsession with art. If they like a certain script, they may spend several years polishing it and even shooting it.

Although this film was shot in just 37 days in its previous life, who knows how long it took to prepare it! How long did the director spend polishing the script?
Although he decided not to change anything, it might not satisfy Clint Easterwood. Some directors are like this. They revise the script over and over again and finally use the first version, but a lot of time and film are wasted in the process.

The conflict between the two was foreseeable, and he didn't want anything to go wrong with Million Dollar Baby.

"I remember I said that "Million Dollar Baby" is under the main control of Taolin Film and Television, and you will not participate in the shooting and editing." Shi Lei reminded.

Haner explained: "Clint Easterwood would not interfere with the filming and editing..."

"Do you believe this?" Shi Lei asked back.

"This……"

"Call now and tell them what I mean! If it really doesn't work, you should cancel your investment plan, so that you won't be caught between me and Clint Easterwood. It's just a low-budget art film, you shouldn't reject the project." Shi Lei said angrily.

After all, he has only worked with Warner once, so he doesn't need to rely on Warner alone. He can also look for the other six major companies, and there is also a Columbia person sitting next to him.

Bill was stunned, then heaved a sigh of relief and went out to make a phone call. Less than ten minutes later, Bill ran in and said to Shi Lei, "I'm sorry, Director Shi, we can't work together this time."

Some people at Warner owed Clint Easterwood a favor, but they couldn't replace Shi Lei as the director, so they could only find a producer. However, Shi Lei saw through it at a glance.

They didn't have any good solution. As for threatening Shi Lei, it was actually not very effective. Columbia had sent people, which showed Columbia's determination. Some minor conflicts between the two major companies were within Columbia's tolerance.

In fact, such small conflicts occur every year, every month, and even every day. The Big Six are competitors, and the competition is not only in the film market, but also in music, TV dramas, and so on.

Finally, Warner's leadership decided to give up the investment. To Clint Easterwood, Warner could say that Shi Lei had rejected Warner's investment. To Shi Lei, it was just a failed cooperation and the problem was not serious.

"Okay." Shi Lei answered straightforwardly. This was exactly what he meant.

After asking the staff to see Bill off, Shi Lei started discussing cooperation with the Colombian people.

Finally, a preliminary cooperation intention was reached, and the details still need to be notified.

After sending the Colombian people away, Shi Lei cursed inwardly: "What a hassle!"

The reason for this trouble is that he is Chinese and has little experience, while the other party has more experience and knows more people.

However, the copyright is in his hands and he has the advantage. As long as he is firm in his attitude, there will be no problem.

As for the issue of being banned, first of all, Clint Easterwood does not have that much power. Secondly, he has the support of China Film Group and will make some Sino-foreign co-productions in the future. Unless China Film Group abandons him, North America will not be able to ban him.

However, his Oscar dream is probably over. In his previous life, he had a little hope of winning the Best Director award for "Million Dollar Baby", but now his hope is zero. The 0-year-old man has a wide network of contacts.

I hope the Oscar Best Picture award remains unchanged from the previous life. This involves the issue of making money, and Columbia should do its best.

This is how the Big Six are. If you are not nominated, they will ignore you. But if you are nominated, the Big Six will definitely make an effort.

The Best Picture Oscars involve box office.

Before the news from Colombia came, Wan Zairen had already made the decision.

Wen Zairen officially signed the contract with the company, and Shi Lei took out a detailed script and gave it to Wen Zairen.

An hour later, Wan Zairen read the script carefully and handed it to Ray Warner next to him. After the two discussed it, they said to Shi Lei, "Boss, this script is very good and consistent with our ideas. We can start shooting right away."

He couldn't wait any longer.

"Make me a project plan for Saw and give me a cost estimate."

Two days later, Wen Zairen found Shi Lei with the project plan. Shi Lei flipped through it casually and saw the cost - 150 million US dollars.

He remembered that the cost of the previous life was 120 million US dollars, but compared with its box office, the extra 30 US dollars was nothing.

"Okay." Shi Lei signed his agreement and reminded him, "Take good pictures. Don't rush."

Wen Zairen nodded solemnly and said, "Boss, we will shoot it seriously."

After arranging "Saw", Shi Lei began to draw storyboards for other scripts, preparing to find a tool director to make a money-making horror movie.

Seven days later, Columbia signed an official contract with Taolin Film and Television.

Looking at the contract, Shi Lei nodded with satisfaction: "Let's start selecting actors."

"Who are you going to cast as the female lead Maggie Fitzgerald?" Hans asked directly.

Hans was sent by Columbia to connect with Shi Lei.

"Hilary Swank." He directly mentioned the original actor of the original film.

"The company thinks Sandra Broke is more suitable to play Maggie Fitzgerald." Hans stated his choice.

Shi Lei said what he had prepared: "Sandra Brocker's schedule is too tight, and she can't spare a few months for boxing training. In addition, she is already in her forties and can't bear the intensity of boxing training. Most importantly, her salary is too expensive."

Sandra Broke has several movies that have grossed over 02 million US dollars. The 5400 romance film "The Bodyguard" also grossed million US dollars. Her salary is unbearable.

Of course, if Sandra Broke is willing to reduce her pay to act in the film and is willing to spend some time on boxing training, he doesn't mind.

"Let's talk to Sandra Brocker first. Maybe she's willing to lower her pay!" Hans suggested to Shi Lei.

"Okay, you guys go and talk!" Shi Lei nodded in agreement.

A few days later, Hans called again, "Shi, Sandra Brocker has signed on for 'Beauty and the Police 2'. She doesn't have any other film contracts, so let's invite Hilary Swank to play the female lead!"

"it is good."

Three days later, Columbia arranged for Shi Lei to meet with Hilary Swank.

Shi Lei briefly interviewed Hilary Swank and after confirming that her acting skills were good enough, he asked directly, "Are you willing to take part in boxing training and gain 20 pounds?"

Hilary Swank agreed without hesitation: "No problem."

Shi Lei nodded with satisfaction.

He turned to Hans and said, "You guys choose the actors for the other roles! Send me the final list of actors."

"Leave it to Columbia. They will definitely choose the most suitable actor." Hans agreed readily.

Compared to the female lead, other actors are much easier to choose.

Over the next ten days, Shi Lei personally participated in the preparations for "Million Dollar Baby", mainly observing Hilary Swank's training status.

Hilary Swank's training is on track, and according to her boxing coach's estimate, the official filming will have to wait two months.

Just when he was about to return home, Wen Zairen found him with the finished film.

(End of this chapter)