You don't understand the happiness of the director

The next day, Dorothy and Lily left the set together, both satisfied.

Dorothy also walked away with Thrones' final Oscar vote.

Different from the nomination rules, the final vote is simpler. Wang Quan chooses the best one in each of the two categories of Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. When the statistics are tallied, the one with the highest votes wins.

The best picture is relatively complicated, so I won’t list it for now.

There were not many scenes left in "The Twilight Saga". After two more days of shooting, the crew finally returned to Los Angeles to shoot two scenes in Los Angeles. In addition, they had to complete several special effects shots in the studio here.

By February 5th, all filming of the movie was completed, and Wang Quan had completed the rough editing of most of the scenes. Working day and night was no joke.

The next step is post-production. He has to keep an eye on the whole process to know when it is finished and when he can return to China.

At this time, Gadot also took winter vacation and returned to Israel at the request of her parents. The last time the two got together was on the way to send her to the airport.

Dorothy also left. She and Lily were going to England first and then to Berlin. Wang Quan finally felt a little lonely, which could only be alleviated slightly by talking on the phone with China.

Mimi has already gone on vacation, and Sissi has passed the final review of the Spring Festival Gala and has started rehearsals. She asked Wang Quan to watch her performance during the Spring Festival Gala.

On February 11, the 60th British Academy of Film Arts Awards were held, and King Quan won the best screenplay. This is not surprising. With "Juno", King Quan has already received no less than ten best screenplay or best screenplay awards. Original Screenplay Award.

However, what people did not expect was that Lily Collins actually defeated the most popular actress, Helen Mirren ("The Queen"), who swept the best actress award during the award season, and won the best actress. Before the Olympic Award, Lily actually won a very important Best Actress trophy, which made the Oscar a little more unpredictable.

Helen Mirren can be said to be an experienced actress. In 1979, she played the queen in Tindo's "The Roman Empire". Later, she won the Best Actress at Cannes twice. This time she played the current Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. .

And she is also British. With so many buffs stacked up, she actually lost to Lily, a yellow-haired girl. However, "The Queen" won the best picture, which can be regarded as comfort.

Next, the two of them were going to Berlin to sell the film and promote it. Wang Quan continued to be busy with post-production, and then he received a call from Lafite, saying that someone was looking for him.

"Who?"

"Chris Meledandri, a big shot in the animation industry, I'm curious what he wants from you."

Wang Quan said, "It's normal for him to find me. Let's make an appointment to meet tomorrow."

The next day, Wang Quan met Chris Meledandri, the creator of "Ice Age" in the company's reception area, but by this time he had already left Blue Sky Studio.

He came with a comic book in his hand called "Despicable Me."

Wang Quan stood up and greeted him warmly, "Mr. Meledandri, it's a pleasure to see you again."

The two shook hands, and Chris Meledandri was filled with emotion. They met by chance at the cinema last year. At that time, Wang Quan was just a rookie in the film industry. In just over half a year, three movies have become hits in a row, and even more so. The most watched filmmaker at this year's Oscars is really unpredictable in life.

At that time, Meledandri felt that he would not have any interaction with Wang Quan, but he did not expect that he would eventually go to find him.

"Director David, it's like this," Chris Meledandri said in a very low posture, "I want to buy the animation adaptation rights of the comic "Despicable Me" you created."

He put the comic book on the table.

This is one of several comics that Wang Quan started to create after meeting him. Wang Quan created the story and hired two artists to work for him. Several comics were published in half a year.

The comic book market is still dominated by superheroes, and King Power has not actively promoted it, so these comics are only tepid.

He asked Chris Meledandri, "Mr. Meledandri, how come you thought of buying this story?" Are my other stories not attractive enough?

There is another translation of this story called "Despicable Me". The male protagonist is not a good person, and he also keeps a group of strange creatures under his hands and speaks a strange language.

Meledandri said, "I have now resigned from Blue Sky Studios and am preparing to start a new business. For our entrepreneurial film, my partner Christopher Meledandri hopes to make a film with the villain as the protagonist. Movie, he elaborated on his ideas, and I agreed very much. However, when we were collecting stories, we found that there was such a comic on the market with the thief as the protagonist. After reading it, we all agreed that this is what we The stories I wanted, even those little yellow things, burst into my mind.”

Wang Quan said, "Oh, they are called minions. Each one has a name. I guess only Gru and I can remember their names."

Meledandri sighed, "It's really a touching emotion. They are the children you created. These minions are very cute, so do you sell them?"

Wang Quan asked, "What is the name of your company?"

“I’m thinking about lighting entertainment for now.”

Wang Quan asked again, "Where are the sources of funds?"

Meledandri felt that he had asked a bit too much, "Director David, what do you mean? Are you worried that we are not capable of making a movie?"

Wang Quan, "It's normal to have this kind of worry. A 3D animated feature film must cost 100 million U.S. dollars."

"No, no, no, our cost control is very professional. An animation doesn't cost that much at all, just tens of millions is enough." Chris Meledandri said confidently.

Wang Quan asked, "Do you have tens of millions?"

Chris Meledandri, "Based on my past performance in Hollywood, I believe that investment is not difficult. As long as I am willing, any of the six major companies will be willing to pay for us."

Wang Quan smiled and asked, "What do you think of me?"

"you?"

Wang Quan, "Let me introduce you again. I am not only a shareholder of Longtou Pictures, but also the boss of Eryue Er Investment Management. If I want to invest in you, are you willing to accept it?"

Chris Meledandri shook his head, "It's too sudden, I may need to digest it."

Wang Quan patted the comics on the table, "You can think about it slowly. I can tell you my conditions first. I will exchange my works and funds for shares in Illumination Entertainment. At the same time, I will not interfere with the company's business direction. You and your partners People can express their ideals and ambitions as much as they want, but there is one thing: the films produced by the company must be handed over to Longtou for distribution."

"No, no, no," Chris Meledandri, who had been a little emotional just now, refused to agree after hearing this request. "Our movie must be sold all over the world. Long Tiandou doesn't have that ability."

Wang Quan asked, "How many years does it take to make an animated movie?"

Chris Meledandri said without hesitation, "It will take at least three years."

Wang Quan smiled and said, "Well, we might as well make a three-year agreement. If Long Toutou does not have the ability to distribute globally in three years, Illumination Entertainment can find other partners for its animation."

Chris Meledandri was confused, "Are you so confident? Although you have had successful experiences, you don't have the backing of a big financial group. The failure of one or two movies will make you completely doomed. To put it bluntly, three In the next year, we may no longer see the dragon’s head-up logo.”

Wang Quan smiled, "Who says we don't have the support of a big consortium? I am the consortium."

Chris Meledandri sat upright, "Oh?"

Wang Quan made a phone call, "Hey, Wendy, please give me a call. I'm here for business."

Wang Quan found his other partner Dorothy’s mother.

"Let me introduce, this is the former helmsman of Greenberg Bank, the beloved daughter of Mr. Greenberg, and the current president of Eryue Er Investment Management Company."

Chris Meledandri had heard of this old Jewish bank. It could indeed be called a plutocrat. This royal power was actually related to them. No wonder the dragon raised its head so quickly.

Seeing that Chris Meledandri's attitude softened a little, Wang Quan smiled, "Talent is rare. I can definitely form an animation team for my comics, but I believe in your ability after decades of experience in the industry. Now we have Have you talked about it?"

~

Dorothy, who is far away in Berlin, never forgets to care about Wang Quan, the left-behind child.

"I met a Chinese female star in Berlin. She was so enthusiastic. She even said she was a fan of yours. I asked about it and found out that she is indeed very famous in China. Then I asked her for her contact information. Do you want to Send it to you now?"

Wang Quan smiled and said, "Okay, I can get to know her when I return to China. What is her name?"

"Bingbing, let me see, oh, her surname is Fan," Dorothy said. "The movie she starred in has been shortlisted for the main competition, and she might even win the Best Actress Award."

Wang Quan knows what movie it is, "Apple".

But it is a pity that a few days later, another film "Tuya's Marriage" will shine in Berlin and win the Golden Bear. The director is quite close to Wang Quan. His name is Wang Quan, and the other's name is Wang Quan'an.

Wang Quan asked, "When will you return to the country?"

"arrive tomorrow."

"Okay, let me discuss something with you and let's talk when we get back."

One day later, on the way to pick up Dorothy back to the apartment, Wang Quan had a showdown, "I invested in an animation company, and all the films I plan to produce in the future will be distributed by Longtou. What do you think?"

"What? How did you come up with the idea of ​​investing in an animation company? That thing costs more money than a live-action movie!"

Nowadays, the 3D animation blockbusters that can be sold internationally basically cost tens of millions, and many can exceed 100 million. What Dorothy said is not bad.

Wang Quan, "I use my works and a small amount of investment as shares, so you don't have to worry too much about losing money. At most, you won't make any."

Wang Quan is helpless, brother, it's not that I won't tell you the truth, it's really because your mother doesn't want you to know about us.

"What is your work?"

"Just the little yellow man I randomly drew before."

"Is there anyone willing to have that thing?"

"Yes, Chris Meledandri, the former head of Blue Sky Studio, was the one who wanted to adapt that story, and then he was moved by me and agreed to join us. From now on, Long Toutou has another brother company."

Dorothy asked, "How much share do you have?"

Wang Quan said modestly, "Not much. Anyway, I don't have the right to speak. I just listen to others."

In order to obtain Illumination, Wang Quan spent a lot of money. Now he is the largest shareholder of Illumination Entertainment, but his shareholding does not reach 50%, which is smaller than the entrepreneurial team headed by Chris Meledandri.

This is also for the good of the company, just like the dragon's head. For a film company, it is very politically incorrect to let a Chinese person control more than half of the power of life and death.

However, there is a clause in the contract that Longtou will have priority to invest in Lighting Entertainment in the future, and Wang Quan also intends to tie Lighting and Longtou deeper.

Three years later, when the first part of "Despicable Me" is completed and awaiting release, Wang Quan will find a way to let Long Toutou become a shareholder in Lighting as long as Long Toutou has the ability to distribute globally.

Even if the development of Dragon Head was not so good three years later, King Power still retained its distribution priority for Illumination Films in North America.

Those are the "Despicable Me" series, "Minions" series, "The Secret Life of Pets" series, "The Voice" series, and the "Super Mario Bros. Movie" series!

With a global box office of almost 10 billion U.S. dollars, and derivative income that is much more than 10 billion U.S. dollars, Wang Quan must firmly control it in its own hands, and its existence can in turn supplement Long Toutou's high-end film source. , is an important weight for Long to rise to the top of MPAA.

The Spring Festival is coming soon, Dorothy said that this year her grandfather Tao Daqi will come to Los Angeles to celebrate the New Year, and Wang Quan will go to their house to have dinner and pretend to be a grandson during the New Year.

Wang Quan said, "Oh, you're too late, I already have an appointment."

"Oh? Is Gadot back?"

"Not so soon, but I received an invitation from the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles. I will go there to watch the Spring Festival Gala and make dumplings with the staff."

Dorothy's eyes lit up, "You can do it, now you are so famous!"

Wang Quan, "Thank you for the Oscar nomination. Our pictures will also appear in the live broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala."

This shows that the country is beginning to take him seriously, and it is estimated that some leaders of the Consulate General will have cordial conversations with him.

Dorothy, "Then remember to come to my house when you're done. My grandpa misses you. If you don't come, he should think we broke up."

Wang Quan shook his head, okay, the elderly are not so open-minded, and Dorothy was afraid of making the old man angry.

In fact, Wang Quan feels that it is redundant. The old man's age has not stopped him from picking up girls. How can he still be angry with you?

During this period, major union awards in the United States were also awarded one after another. The Directors Guild Award, not surprisingly, belonged to Martin Scorsese ("The Departed").

At the Writers Guild Award, "Juno" won another Best Original Screenplay.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards are the most grand. "Juno" won the Best Ensemble Performance Award, which is an affirmation for every actor.

Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the Year of the Pig is approaching...

(Old Buddha is here to wish everyone a happy new year. It’s not too much to accept monthly tickets as red envelopes~)