Chapter 196 195. Eric wants to introduce American TV series to China

"Oh my god! They seem so welcoming. I thought no one knew us."

In the car, Gadot said in surprise.

Eric laughed and said, "There are probably only about ten hardcore fans at the beginning, and the others are just there to watch the fun."

"It's the same all over the world. When you see something lively, you want to go over there. When you see a celebrity, you want to get his autograph and take a photo with him."

"Even if they're not fans, if they can just spend a few minutes to get some bragging rights, why not?"

Gadot rolled her eyes and said: "I am immersed in the joy of becoming a big star, dear, please don't discourage me."

Hearing her affectionate name, Susan in the co-pilot seat couldn't help but look back.

But think about the big boss of a film and television company and the female star, it's quite normal.

I have been working as a secretary for Charlie Cooper for so many years, and I had the "great ambition" to be his mistress and then work hard to get promoted after success.

Unfortunately, after trying to seduce the other party several times, the guy didn't take the bait. Although she didn't succeed in becoming a mistress, her abilities became stronger and stronger.

Later, seeing that this path was not feasible, she finally made up her mind and decided to get married.

"You old man, why don't you learn from your son? Look at the little guy behind, how good he is."

"On the surface, he came out to promote the movie, but in reality, he was just having a relaxing vacation with his girlfriend."

"If you were as sensible as he is, I would have moved to Beverly Hills a long time ago, and Eric would have called me 'Mom'."

A series of fantasies flashed through her mind, and Susan couldn't help but smile like an aunt.

"What's wrong, Susan?"

Sensing that her expression was a little strange, Eric asked.

Susan quickly corrected her attitude: "No big deal, boss, do you want to rest first or work first?"

"It's not even noon yet, there's no need to rest. We won't be here for too long, so just follow your arrangements."

"Okay, let's go to the factory and take a look."

The car drove along the highway for more than half an hour and finally stopped in front of a factory.

When you enter the factory, there is a huge stone lion at the entrance. It is painted yellow and looks exactly like the MGM logo.

Eric couldn't help but laugh: "Why are you still doing this kind of thing?"

Susan introduced: "Boss, it was the designer who asked us to add it. They said it's called adapting to local customs. The symbol of MGM is the lion, which just fits the landscape layout of China."

"In fact, the designer originally wanted to put lions on both sides of the door, the kind that are placed at the entrance of traditional Chinese buildings, but I think that lion is not the same species as the American lion, and it looks awkward."

"So we asked them to design it according to our title. It is said that putting a lion can drive away ghosts and help the business grow better and better."

Gadot laughed: "So how's business? Is it really good?"

"It can be said that it is very effective. Let's go inside and take a look."

The car continued to move forward and soon saw several trucks carrying goods waiting in line. Workers in the front were busy loading the truck.

"Boss, according to your instructions, we have built a factory building first. Now there are two production lines in operation."

"Look at those buildings under construction in the distance. They are buildings 2, 3 and 4. They are expected to be completed by the end of this month."

"I have communicated with the relevant departments. They will come for inspection immediately after completion. After the inspection is qualified, it can be put into production immediately."

As they were talking, several people got out of the car and walked. They saw a few foreigners coming over. The workers glanced at them for a few seconds and then paid no more attention.

Some time ago, Eric transferred a team of 60 people from Double Star Entertainment to provide technical training to China.

They have seen all kinds of foreigners in the past month or so, and nothing new has happened to them anymore. Only Eric and Gadot's good looks can attract a few more glances.

Taking a look around the production line, everyone was busy working, churning out one Transformers peripheral after another.

Looking at the familiar faces in front of him, Eric felt deeply moved. Although he was making money by taking advantage of cheap labor, he was also providing them with jobs.

Compared to working on a construction site, at least it's safer here and the pay is better. It can be considered as a contribution I can make to my hometown.

"Susan, how do their wages compare to other factories?"

"The basic salary is 15% higher than the average salary, and the more you work, the more you get paid."

"What about other aspects?"

"The accommodation conditions are still relatively simple. The dormitory building is under construction and it will take at least two months to be completed. After completion, it will also need special treatment to drive away harmful gases."

“So the workers who want to move in have to wait at least three months.”

"But I also compensate everyone in other ways. We are treated better in terms of food and the price is lower than other factories."

"In addition, we will organize the screening of movies or TV series every night, including American and Chinese dramas, to relax everyone."

“Right now, the screenings are still open-air, but I’m thinking that in the future we might build a gymnasium for people to use for exercise and watching movies.”

Gadot couldn't help but sigh and said, "Susan, you don't look like an American capitalist at all."

Susan looked at Eric and thought that it was her boss who asked her to be more lenient with the workers. She really didn't understand why he had such feelings for China.

Eric nodded with satisfaction: "Well done. Also, be sure to pay attention to safety and don't cause any safety accidents."

"Various systems are in place, such as fire protection, fire extinguishers are always available, there must be water in the fire hydrants, and regular inspections are done."

After a walk around, Gadot took a photo with the big lion, and the group left.

At 12:30 noon, they arrived at Fengzeyuan Hotel, the same place as last time.

We prepared several unique delicacies for Gadot, allowing her to taste authentic Chinese cuisine.

After eating, we went back to the room to rest. In order to avoid suspicion, we booked two rooms, but we definitely stayed in one.

"Baby, I have to go to the company to discuss something this afternoon. Do you want to go with me or go shopping in Yanjing City?"

"Of course I'm just taking a walk. I can't go in and eavesdrop on what you're talking about. If the secrets are leaked, I'll be held responsible." Gadot answered without even thinking.

Pah! A slap hit her buttocks, making a crisp sound and causing her buttocks to ripple. Young skin is so beautiful that it bounces back when you press it.

"I see that you are getting bolder and bolder. Is it because you are out that you are letting go of your nature? You like to bully me so much."

"Haha. Anyway, I treat this promotion as a trip to relax. You haven't accompanied me shopping for a long time."

Eric pinched her cheek and comforted her, "Okay, okay, don't feel wronged, baby. After we finish the activities tomorrow, I will go climb the Great Wall with you."

"I'll arrange a tour guide for you this afternoon. You can go to the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City. I guarantee you will be amazed by the charm of this civilization."

In the afternoon, the car drove into the Science and Technology Port, where MGM Oriental occupied a building.

Since it is a joint venture, we don’t charge any rent, which is one of the benefits.

The secretary led Eric and Susan to the sixth floor and pushed open the door, only to see Han Sanping, Zhou Xiaopeng and a strange middle-aged man sitting inside smoking.

Seeing Eric, Han Sanping immediately showed a look of joy, put out his cigarette, stood up and walked over quickly.

"Eric Cooper, I have been looking forward to seeing you for so long! Finally, you are here!"

As he said this, he opened his arms and hugged Eric tightly.

"Old Han, what's wrong? You are even more excited than those female stars."

Han Sanping patted him on the back and said, "I miss you. I think about you day and night. If I hadn't been so busy and the procedures for going abroad were complicated, I would have wanted to fly to the United States to find you."

"Female star? I dare say I miss you more than any other female star!"

Old Han was really anxious because the Gregorian New Year was almost over and the Spring Festival was not far away.

But MGM Oriental has been open for several months, but it is still cold.

Not to mention cooking, the firewood hasn’t even been lit.

He was just waiting for Eric to put the rice in the pot and cook it so that he could pursue progress.

Eric naturally understood what he wanted and pointed to the briefcase in Susan's hand: "I came here this time to help you solve the problem. The answer is here."

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

Hearing this, Han Sanping looked at the briefcase excitedly: "Have you already written the script?"

"Well, let's sit down and discuss the feasibility later."

"Okay, okay, with you, the youngest and best screenwriter in history, there will be no problem."

Beside him, Zhou Xiaopeng looked at Han Sanping with a smile and said, "Old Han, don't get excited. Everyone, take a seat. Let me introduce Eric first."

"This is Chen Ou, deputy director of our General Administration of Optoelectronics. He is in charge of any external films, TV series, variety shows, etc. that want to come in."

"If he gets stuck at the review stage, even the most brilliant work will be rejected."

Eric shook hands with the other party and said, "Director Chen, although this is the first time we meet, I must thank you for the smooth release of Transformers without any cuts."

Chen Ou smiled and said: "There weren't any exaggerated scenes in the first place. A bunch of robots fighting each other was not as bloody and violent as the scene in Romance of the Three Kingdoms where Hua Xiong was killed with a warm wine."

"There's nothing else to review. Old Han even came to say hello to me. I was worrying too much."

Eric thought so too. After all, it was 2003 and the atmosphere for cultural creation was relatively relaxed.

Political dramas, officialdom dramas, and ghost thrillers are all allowed, and the censorship of violence, pornography, language, etc. is not very strict.

This won't be the case in a few years.

After they sat down, Zhou Xiaopeng said, "Susan said you went to the factory to have a look, but you didn't inform me in advance. I'll go over and take a look with you."

"It was a last-minute decision. Susan told me everything. You helped a lot with the formalities during this period."

"You also helped us find sales channels. Now there are trucks lining up there every day to pick up goods. It's all thanks to you. I'll toast you a glass tonight."

Zhou Xiaopeng waved his hand and said, "That's polite. It's all my duty. After all, I brought the project here, so of course Han also deserves some credit."

"I will definitely pay attention to what happens next. Apart from other things, the employment of thousands of people is no small matter."

"There are also taxes. In short, if you are doing well, then I am doing well. If I am doing well, then the leader is doing well. If the leader is doing well, then everyone is doing well."

Hahahaha We are all acquaintances, so we can talk behind closed doors and the atmosphere is very relaxed.

Han Sanping wants to improve, and Zhou Xiaopeng naturally wants to improve too. Everyone has the same idea.

Besides, it is not without benefits for him to help with matchmaking. He can get benefits and it will help his career at the same time. Such a good deal is rare.

Susan took out the script of "The Meg" and several people began to study it.

Old Han frowned as he read, and his frown became even tighter after he finished reading. He sighed and looked at Eric.

"What do you mean by looking at me like that? If you have any questions, just ask them. That's what communication is all about."

Old Han nodded: "Eric, I will say what I want to say. Please don't think my words are harsh."

"Maybe I pushed you too hard and you didn't have time to polish the script. This Meg looks a bit too rough."

"Both the lines and the plot seem old-fashioned. The only famous shark-themed movie is Jaws. Is this going to work?"

"It's indeed a bit old-fashioned." Chen Ou agreed.

"Old Zhou, what do you think?" Eric looked at Zhou Xiaopeng.

"I have a different opinion. Shark-themed movies are not unacceptable. To be more precise, this is different from ordinary shark movies. It should be called a monster-themed movie."

"Look at the setting. A shark several dozen meters long bites the boat in two. Is this a shark? It's just a deep-sea monster covered in a shark's skin to make it easier for the audience to understand."

"This type of movie is universal. As long as the plot is exciting enough, everyone can be the audience."

Eric took a sip of tea and said, "When I was writing the script, I followed Lao Zhou's ideas."

"What you call vulgarity and old-fashioned are common problems of commercial films. The model of commercial films is already fixed. The key is whose cover is better and more novel."

"We need to make one thing clear first, is MGM East's first film intended to make money or win awards?"

Han Sanping and Chen Ou said in unison: "Make money first!"

"That's fine. This isn't an art film. No matter if it's old-fashioned or not, I guarantee that this movie will make money. MGM can't just waste its own money on this."

Chen Ou hummed: "Chinese art films still have some influence in Europe. It is better to focus on commercial aspects. We value whether they can integrate more Chinese cultural elements."

Eric thought for a moment and said, "We can change some of the plots, such as adding a love scene and letting the hero and heroine walk around a city in China together."

"This way, we can take the opportunity to show some beautiful scenery and local customs. Anyway, the details can be modified."

"I understand your urgency to export culture, but directly exporting values ​​is not a good approach, because educating the audience is always the most wrong approach."

"Hollywood will only influence the audience through the plot, rather than directly telling you what you should and shouldn't do."

"According to my experience, the movies that can really sell well around the world must be those that promote universal values ​​such as maternal love and the triumph of justice."

After discussing for more than an hour, they finally finalized the outline of the script, and other aspects can be discussed and improved.

As for the choice of the female lead, once the news is released, many actresses will definitely rush to play the role.

It’s a pity that Eric was no longer in China at that time, otherwise, countless people would have scrambled to climb into his bed. He would have been able to sleep with whoever he wanted.

After discussing the script, we talked about helping China establish overseas distribution channels.

Some time ago, China Film Corporation established a company in the United States, and with the help of MGM, it first set up shop in the Chinese communities in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

"Heroes of Heaven and Earth" directed by He Ping has been released and has at least opened well.

After all, the time is too short, and we have achieved some results, which will satisfy the leaders.

Having helped them so much, it's time for MGM to ask for something in return.

"Director Chen, Lao Han, I want to establish a stable channel to introduce American movies and TV series to China. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)