Chapter 12: Investing in Movies (Seeking Recommendations)
Gu Wei flipped through the script and found that the story was basically the same as the original time and space.
"It's a good story, why can't we raise money?"
Lu Yang smiled bitterly
"Junior brother, you don't know how difficult it is to be a director. Putting aside the difficulty and hardship of the filming process, finding funding in the early stages is the biggest challenge.
As a director who has not proven himself at the box office, it is harder than climbing to the sky to get money from investors.
Do you know how much I spent on the pre-production budget for the award-winning film I shot before, [The Blind Cinema]?
"How many?"
In his previous life, Gu Wei only knew from reading the news which movies had good reputations, which movies had high box office, and which movies won many awards. As for the twists and turns involved in making movies, he didn't understand them at all.
But now he is a graduate of a professional school, and the teachers, classmates, and seniors around him are all his own people.
In this circle, as long as he wants to learn, these things will not be difficult for him.
"3.5 million, my plan was to finish the film with 3.5 million, but after searching for money for a long time, I found that only the West Film Studio agreed to pay 1.8 million. Whether you want to shoot it or not, of course I will.
I only got this 1.8 million thanks to the help of my teachers at school. Otherwise, it would be impossible for a new director like you to spend millions to make a movie.
The film turned out pretty well. Although it didn't get released, it participated in several film festivals abroad and sold the copyright, so we didn't lose money. I think I did my best to repay my teachers and investors."
"Since the last movie was a success, this one shouldn't lack investment."
Gu Wei asked
"It's not that easy. My last film only had a 1.8 million yuan investment. It was an art film and barely broke even. To everyone, I'm just an art film director.
This martial arts film is clearly a commercial film, with an investment cost of at least tens of millions. Which investor would be willing to spend tens of millions to test the waters for an art film director like me, who has never made a commercial film before?
Lu Yang seemed to have finally found someone to talk to, and he complained to Gu Wei.
"You said that no one can make commercial films from the beginning, but there is nothing you can do. No one is willing to give you this opportunity. In addition, the market conditions for martial arts films have not been good in recent years. No one is optimistic about martial arts films.
A film company also read the script and told me that the emotions of the characters in your story are quite interesting. Why not change the script, changing the ancient costumes to modern ones, and the Jinyiwei to the urban management?
Hearing this, Gu Wei couldn't help laughing.
"Junior brother, don't you think this is nonsense?"
"There are so many film companies and major studios in the market, isn't there any one interested?"
Gu Wei asked
"Not really. The Third Master of China Film Group is quite optimistic about me. I've talked to him about it. He wants to support young Chinese film directors, and because my last film won an award, he wants to give me a hand, just like he supported Ning Hao before.
Unfortunately, my film is not like Crazy Stone, and it cannot be acquired with a few million. Even Mr. San can’t just give tens of millions of dollars. We are currently discussing it internally.
Gu Wei now has a basic understanding of the general situation of this movie
"Based on your budget, how much would it cost to shoot the entire movie?"
Lu Yang lowered his head and hesitated for a moment
"I roughly calculated that to get the effect I want, it would cost at least 30 million."
"Who are you going to cast for the main role?"
"I'm planning to cast a star from Hong Kong or Taiwan who has box office appeal. Mr. Chin Shih-chieh recommended Zhang Zhen from Taiwan to me before, but I haven't met him yet. There's no investment yet, but once we have the money, we can find the actor."
"Brother, I like your movie and I want to invest in it."
Gu Wei put down the script and said to Lu Yang solemnly
"Gu Wei, think carefully. I've told you a lot about the risks of this movie. We were introduced by our teacher, and I can't cheat you. If the movie loses money, I won't be able to face the teacher."
Lu Yang didn't call him junior brother, but solemnly emphasized the risks involved to Gu Wei again.
"Brother, I am not acting impulsively, but after careful consideration.
First of all, I'm optimistic about you as a person and your directing ability. Secondly, I'm optimistic about the story. Like you, I also really like this script. I think as long as we work hard, this movie will definitely be a success."
Lu Yang was very excited after hearing this. He felt that this junior brother not only helped him in his time of need, but also understood him and was his soulmate.
"Don't worry, Junior Brother. Every shot of this movie is in my mind. I will do my best to shoot it well."
Gu Wei smiled
"Brother, don't get excited. I haven't finished yet. This movie of yours is not a small project. You are making a martial arts film, and the role of the martial arts instructor is very important. There are also photography, makeup, props, etc.
It is best to have a professional producer to help you with the overall planning.
We need a big company to cooperate with us so that the preliminary preparations for the shooting will be easier.
Although I could invest the entire amount, for this reason, I can only invest half, 15 million."
Gu Wei spoke very nicely. He didn't have that much money, so he decided to invest half, but he still acted like he was doing it for the sake of the movie.
Although he only received half of the investment commitment, Lu Yang was still very excited.
"Junior brother, you're absolutely right. With your 15 million, it will be much easier for me to negotiate with China Film Group. Besides, I can definitely ask them for help with the crew preparations."
"Brother, I have a small request."
Lu Yang is still in an excited mood
"Junior brother, you are an investor, just open your mouth if you have any questions."
"I want to play Chen Lian." Gu Wei put away his smile and looked at Lu Yang and said
Lu Yang was also stunned for a moment, then he realized that this junior brother who asked to invest 15 million in his movie was actually a student in the Acting Department of the Film Academy.
The world is so wonderful.
Only then did he calm down and carefully observe his junior fellow apprentice again.
He is tall, with handsome features, a high nose bridge and deep eyes.
It’s just that my skin is too fair, but fortunately this can be solved with makeup.
Gu Wei didn't say anything at this time. He knew Lu Yang was observing him, and his expression became serious.
Try to make your expression as consistent as possible with your understanding of the character's state.
At this moment, in Lu Yang's view, Gu Wei's expression became stern again.
"Very good, Junior Brother, your image is very consistent with the protagonist Shen Lian, and you are also a top student in the academy. I don't have to worry about your acting skills. You are simply the best choice for Shen Lian."
The sedan chair is carried by many people. Lu Yang has no idea how good Gu Wei's acting skills are, but he has invested 15 million yuan, which makes him basically the largest investor. There is no problem with his image, so what's wrong with him playing the leading role?
If the acting is not up to par during filming, you can slowly train it. Isn't training actors also one of the director's jobs?
After confirming the investment and the leading actors, the rest were just details, and the two of them chatted enthusiastically about all sorts of things.
A man who joins the crew with money can play the leading role in a movie before he even graduates, and later investments can bring him a considerable income.
One is like a long drought finally ending in rain. After more than a year of hard work, he finally got investment and could realize his dream of making a movie.
Both of them felt that they had gotten a great deal, and they unconsciously praised each other, and naturally became happier and happier as they talked.
When Teacher Xu came back from class, he found that Gu Wei and Lu Yang were like old friends.
"It seems like you two hit it off right away. Have you finalized everything?"
"I also have to thank the teacher for the introduction, so that I can get the help of my junior fellow apprentice."
"No, thanks to the teacher, I was able to meet someone as capable as Senior Brother Lu."
Teacher Xu was speechless. "Alright, stop complimenting each other. We still have a lot of time to go. Now that we've made the decision, let's work hard to make a good movie."
After hearing this, Lu Yang quickly expressed his opinion, "Teacher, don't worry, I will do my best."
Gu Wei signed an investment intention contract, and Lu Yang could take the contract to China Film Group to negotiate.
(End of this chapter)
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