Huayu: From an ordinary person to a happy director

Chapter 49 Domestic shock
"Mr. Han, if it is a joint venture, I don't know what it will become!" Shi Lei knows the principle of talking about deep things when you are not familiar with them.

The most frightening thing to hear when trying to persuade someone is, "I haven't even tried it yet, how do you know it won't work?"

Just one reminder from him will be enough. If he continues to persuade you, it will be unpleasant.

"What? You don't think it's a good idea?" Han Sanpin was able to sit in the position of vice president, so he was not a fool. Naturally, he understood Shi Lei's hidden meaning.

"Boss Han, I really don't know. Even though the movies produced by Shuimitao are big sellers, hundreds of horror movies are produced in North America every year. I don't know which one will be a big seller.

Besides, this is a horror film, a very niche film, with a relatively fixed audience, and it won’t make a big splash.” He was telling the truth, “Saw” is the pinnacle of low-budget horror films, and if you want a higher box office, you need a strong cast + a lot of publicity.

North America is not China. Now China Film has the final say in domestic publicity. As long as China Film is optimistic about the film, it can guarantee that the film will have no competitors within half a month and the screening rate can be maintained at more than 20%.

Promotion in North America really relies on money to compete with other film and television companies for audiences.

Han Sanpin laughed heartily: "I still believe in your vision. As long as you are optimistic about it, even if the film doesn't sell well, at least it won't lose too much money."

If Shi Lei was not optimistic, would he still invest in "Saw"?
Shi Lei would definitely invest after reading the script and deciding that it was promising.

"Boss Han, you misunderstood. It's not that I'm optimistic about this script, but I wrote the script, so I'm willing to invest in the filming. If someone came to me with the script, I would refuse to invest. The competition in the horror film industry is too fierce."

"Then do you have a good script? Show it to me? I'm not talking about horror movies." It's not very good for China Film to invest in horror movies. It would be best if there were other low-budget movies.

"If Mr. Han asks me, I will definitely give me the script. I can give China Film Group 20% of the investment." In fact, he didn't want to give it, but if he wanted to make it in China, he couldn't offend China Film Group, otherwise a movie's approval would be stuck for months.

"Okay, if you find a suitable script, remember to send it to me." Han Sanpin said with a frown.

He understood Shi Lei's underlying meaning. The script would be given to him to see, but the film would still be controlled by Shi Lei's company instead of selling the script to China Film.

This is quite normal. Unless absolutely necessary, the director will not sell the script he has prepared for a long time.

But in this way, he won't be able to get any help from Shi Lei!
In China, China Film Group can invest in blockbusters to stimulate the film market, even if it loses money; but abroad, of course he is aiming to make money. If he makes money abroad, he can use the foreign money to invest in more domestic films. However, Shi Lei has declined now.

Alas, Shi Lei started his own company and always considers his own interests.

It seems that China Film Group also needs to have its own director!
He thought of Li An and Wu Baige, two people who made movies without using their own money, so perhaps he could look for these two people.

Han Sanpin exchanged pleasantries with Shi Lei for a while before hanging up the phone.

China Film Group has ideas, and other domestic companies also have ideas.

Although "Saw" was not directed by Shi Lei, he was the producer and screenwriter. People in the industry all regard this film as Shi Lei's film. The producer system in Hollywood is no longer uncommon.

Now that Shi Lei has been successful, domestic companies are eager to make a move.

Hong Kong companies have tried to enter Hollywood, but they know that it is not that easy. They have ideas but will not act easily.

Huayi has directly launched a plan to establish a branch in Hollywood.

As the second largest private film and television company in China, they must have what Taolin Film and Television has.

"Brother, will our first movie in North America also be a horror movie?" Wang Zhonglei asked Wang Zhongjun.

"Ten million RMB is not a small amount. We must be cautious, the subject matter, the script, and the filming." Wang Zhongjun looked solemn.

"Brother, I've asked around. Hollywood horror movies are plasma movies. As long as there is enough plasma, you can make money. Many of my North American friends say so." Wang Zhonglei was full of confidence. He really asked someone.

Wang Zhongjun pondered for a while, finally gritted his teeth and said: "I'll give you 20 million RMB, and you go to North America to have a look. Remember, you can't just listen to rumors, you have to do your own research." "Brother, don't worry, I'll do it. I have a friend in Hollywood, I'll go ask him for help." Wang Zhonglei was very excited.

In fact, it’s not just Huayi that has this idea, New Picture also has one.

Zhang Weiping said to Zhang Yimou, "Old Zhang, let's go to Hollywood and try to make a movie, too?"

"With your ability, we will definitely earn more than Shi Lei."

Zhang Yimou frowned, shook his head and refused, "No, I can't handle Hollywood's stuff."

"If you don't know how, you can learn. Shi Lei can do it, so we will have no problem at all." Zhang Weiping was full of confidence.

"Let's talk about this later!"

"It's decided. I'll go look for a script first and let you know when I find a suitable one." Zhang Weiping thought that Zhang Yimou had agreed.

……

In the director circle, Shi Lei's success also caused some waves.

Director Yinshi was even more furious when he saw Shi Lei succeed. Why could Shi Lei succeed while he failed?

In 2002, he was invited by MGM to direct the suspenseful romance film "Fatal Tenderness". The film suffered a double failure in word of mouth and box office. He was greatly disappointed that he failed to make a profit.

"Anyone can succeed."

"But cats and dogs can only play around in low-budget horror movies."

When Xu Ke saw the news, he also shook his head slightly.

North American action stars invited him to make movies several times. In the 1980s and 1990s, quite a number of North American producers asked him to make movies. Among them, North American action star Jean-Claude Van Damme would take time to come to Hong Kong every two or three years to have dinner with him.

Even in 1996, he came directly to him with investment scripts and production teams.

Finally, he finally agreed to help him shoot two movies, "The King's Strike Back" and "Head-to-Head Strike", but these two movies were not successful, and this attempt to cooperate with Hollywood became his regret.

……

There is even more discussion in the acting community because they cannot star in "Million Dollar Baby" for various reasons, but there are not so many restrictions on horror films.

There are actresses in Hollywood who started their careers in horror films, such as Charlize Theron, who started her career in "Children of the Corn 3" at the age of and later filmed "The Devil's Advocate".

Going to Hollywood to shoot horror movies is also an option.

The main thing is that they can be allowed to star in low-budget horror films, which is very important.

As for the impact on their image, it is not a big deal for them who want to make it to Hollywood.

He can act in any level III movie, not to mention horror movies.

Huo Siyan called Shi Lei's private number.

(End of this chapter)