Chapter 52 It seems that this movie dream is a bit expensive
In Su Yu's studio.
The densely packed tables and numbers on the computer screen in front of the two people made them dizzy.
"Lighting, photography, venue rental, post-production, actor salaries... Even if we only ask for friendly prices, the start-up capital will be at least this amount."
Su Yu pointed at the scary-looking total amount at the bottom of the screen.
Gu Manman looked at the number and felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over her head.
This was far beyond their ability to bear. Even if she emptied out her savings from royalties over the past few years, plus all the small sponsorships Su Yu could attract, it would still be just a drop in the bucket.
"It seems that this movie dream is a bit expensive."
Gu Manman smiled self-deprecatingly, picked up the cold coffee on the table and took a sip.
In the next few days, Gu Manman began to contact some people in the industry with whom she had had pleasant cooperation in the past or with whom she had met a few times.
When I called, the other party's attitude was extremely polite, but as soon as the investment in "The Misty Forest" was mentioned, the conversation immediately became ambiguous.
"Oh, the market is not good recently..."
"Our company's investment plan for this year has been fully filled..."
"Your subject matter is a bit risky..."
There was an indescribable sense of rejection between his words.
Things weren't going well for Su Yu either.
She wanted to build a basic shooting team first, and contacted several photographers and lighting technicians she had worked with before. They all showed interest at first, but within two days, they declined for various reasons.
"Something happened at home and I can't leave."
"I took on another project and my schedule conflicted."
The reasons are varied, but the timings are all eerily coincidental.
Su Yu was so angry that she stamped her feet: "It must be that fat guy named Zhang who is behind this! Damn it, the cancer of the industry!"
That evening, the two were invited to attend a small industry exchange cocktail party.
It is called communication, but in fact it is more like a place of fame and fortune where people test each other and win over resources.
Well-dressed people held wine glasses and gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices.
Su Yu tried to approach several producers who looked kind, but she was either dismissed perfunctorily or her eyes became evasive as soon as they heard about their projects.
On the way to the bathroom, Gu Manman vaguely heard two women whispering: "...She's the one who wrote "Misty Forest". I heard she offended Mr. Zhang badly..."
"Tsk, she is young and ignorant. Who dares to touch her project now..."
/
At the same time, in the top floor office of Feng Group.
Feng Mingzhou sat behind a large desk, listening to the chief assistant's whispered report.
"...Zhang Hongfa did say that he would ban Miss Gu's project. He also informed the several teams that Miss Su contacted." The assistant's voice was steady as he reported what he had found out.
When Feng Mingzhou heard the word "ban", a barely perceptible cold light flashed across his eyes.
The simplest and most brutal solution is to just throw money at her, but he knows that given Gu Manman's current condition, it will only push her further away.
The kind of help that seems like alms will only make her more vigilant and disgusted.
He was silent for a few seconds and picked up the intercom.
"Check Zhang Hongfa and all the businesses under his name, especially those that are not worthy of being shown on the public. I want all the information."
The person on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "I understand, President Feng. To what extent do you want to do it?"
"Let him disappear from this circle."
/
A few days later, one afternoon, Su Yu called: "Manman! There is news! It's not the best, but it's not bad news either!"
Gu Manman's heart was lifted: "What do you mean?"
"There's an independent producer named Sister Chen. She read your script and liked it very much! She said the story is very profound and she wants to invest!" Su Yu spoke quickly, "But... her funds are limited and she can only provide a small part of the budget. Moreover, she has a request..."
"What do you want?"
"She hopes... that you can be the screenwriter yourself and make some adjustments and refinements to the script to better suit the needs of filming."
Gu Manman held the phone and was silent for a moment: "Okay, I agree."
/
"The true face behind the halo of the 'goddess of literature and art' - revealing the unknown past of the author of 'The Misty Forest'".
Su Yu was furious, pointing at the screen and yelling, "This bunch of unscrupulous media! There should be a limit to fabricating nonsense! What do you mean by 'relying on unspoken rules to get promoted'? What do you mean by 'chaotic private life'? Which eye of theirs saw it!"
The content of the article is disgusting. It distorts the plot of "The Misty Forest" based on hearsay and implies that Gu Manman's success is not due to her talent, but to improper means.
Even worse, the article maliciously speculated about her private life and used obscene words in an attempt to completely ruin her reputation.
"Who would dare to read a book written by such a person? It's disgusting!"
"Haha, an artistic goddess? I think she's a green tea bitch!"
"Boycott! Firmly boycott this morally corrupt author!"
The door of the studio was suddenly pushed open, and Sister Chen walked in with a panicked look on her face.
"Miss Gu, Miss Su, this...what is going on?"
"It's a hot topic online now, and investors are also putting pressure on us, saying they want to re-evaluate the risks of the project..."
Su Yu stood up and said, "What the hell is this evaluation? Someone is obviously behind this! Sister Chen, don't listen to their nonsense. We are upright and not afraid of being investigated!"
Sister Chen looked grim: "Ms. Su, I know you are innocent, but the public pressure is too great now, and the investors are also trying to protect themselves..."
Gu Manman: "Sister Chen, I understand your concerns. If you feel that this project is too risky and you want to withdraw now, I understand."
Sister Chen sighed: "Ms. Gu, you are a talented person, I don't want your dream to be tainted by this mud. Let me communicate with the investors and see if I can try my best..."
The phone suddenly rang. Gu Manman picked up the phone and the words "Lao Wang" appeared on the screen.
On the other end of the phone, Lao Wang's voice was anxious and helpless: "Manman! Listen to me, this matter may not be that simple..."
"I know." Gu Manman said calmly.
"This kind of thing is very common in the circle. You don't need to confront them head-on! Suffer a little loss, apologize, spend some money, and the matter will be over..." Lao Wang advised earnestly, "You are still young, and there is still a long way to go in the future. There is no need to ruin yourself just for a moment of pride..."
Gu Manman: "Brother Wang, thank you for your kindness. But I can't do it."
"I didn't do anything wrong, why should I bow my head? Why should I apologize?"
“No matter how difficult this road is, I will stick to it.”
After hanging up the phone, Gu Manman turned around and looked at Su Yu.
“Even if it’s just the two of us, we have to make this movie!”
The cell phone rang again.
It’s Feng Mingzhou.
She hesitated for a moment, and finally chose to hang up.
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