Chapter 558 A good director who was delayed by writing
Holding the wine glass, Cheng Xuyuan did not immediately respond to Xie Jin's question, but asked Xie Jin: "Director Xie, you didn't sell the copyright of Omi directly, did you?"
Xie Jin picked up the wine glass and smiled, "Xuyuan, someone actually suggested that I sell it."
"And they paid quite a bit of money."
"Do you know how much a company would pay directly for the copyright of Lao Mi?"
When Xie Jin said this, his expression was full of pride.
His behavior actually made Cheng Xuyuan feel relieved.
Before Cheng Xuyuan asked, Chen Huaikai, who came with Xie Jin, couldn't help but ask, "How much is it?"
This time his old friend returned with honor, and his heart was filled with envy.
Although Love in Lushan also brought him a lot of reputation, this reputation is not as good as the Golden Lion Award won by Xie Jin.
Even he was envious of the grand welcome.
Hearing Xie Jin say this, he suddenly realized that this time, Xie Jin not only won honors, but his works also seemed to be selling well.
"Guess?" Xie Jin raised his glass and said to Chen Huaikai.
Hearing this, Chen Huaikai was speechless for a while. He even wanted to ridicule his old friend.
But how much money the European and American market would pay for the copyright was like a worm in his heart, making him eager to know.
"One hundred thousand dollars?"
Chen Huaikai thought about it for a moment and told the price he had judged.
He didn't say this casually, but referred to the prices of previous films.
Hearing this number, Xie Jin curled his lips and smiled, "Old Chen, you are too petty."
"One hundred thousand dollars, who are you looking down on?"
Hearing this, Chen Huaikai was completely shocked.
One hundred thousand US dollars is not a small amount of money. The production cost of some movies is about this number.
After all, at that time, actors earned very little, and living expenses were even lower, plus many props were simple...
Although one hundred thousand US dollars is not enough to recover the cost of The Truman Show, it can cover most of the filming costs.
But Xie Jin actually gave him such a look, this...
"It can't be three hundred thousand, right?" Chen Huaikai originally wanted to double it, but in the end he only tripled it.
Three hundred thousand US dollars, the production cost was recovered.
Although film making and film distribution were separate at that time, it was still very prestigious for someone to make money from a film.
What's more, the money earned is foreign exchange.
Xie Jin smiled and said, "Old Chen, I'm not saying anything bad about you. You're good in everything except that you're a little timid. When it comes to some things, you can't let go..."
Listening to Xie Jin's words, Chen Huaikai drank the wine in the glass directly, and then said: "Okay, how much is it? I won't guess anymore."
Seeing Chen Huaikai like this, although he felt that he was not satisfied yet, he still smiled and stretched out a finger.
Seeing that finger, Chen Huaikai couldn't help but ask, "One... one million?"
"That's right, and it's US dollars!" Xie Jin said with a hint of pride: "It's one million US dollars!"
"Do you know how much that is? At the exchange rate, it's three or four million!"
"Besides, this is only the copyright in the United States."
"If I agree, the copyright in the United States alone will more than make back all the investment."
"besides……"
Listening to Xie Jin's somewhat excited words, Chen Huaikai couldn't help but said, "So much money, you refused it."
"How...how could you refuse?"
“You…you…”
Xie Jin looked at the excited Chen Huaikai and said solemnly: "How can I refuse? After all, there were only a few of us who went there at that time."
At this point, he glanced at Cheng Xuyuan and said, "Xuyuan, let's finally discuss the share."
"The American company agreed to give us 50 percent of the profits."
"I have no idea whether this 50% share can reach one million."
Hearing Xie Jin say this, Cheng Xuyuan smiled and said, "Director Xie, after the movie is released in the United States, you will find that your decision is very correct."
"And when the time comes to split the money, you'll realize that it was a good thing you didn't agree to the buyout."
"Or you can talk to your boss and ask him to sell the contract to me, and I'll give you one million US dollars."
Looking at Cheng Xuyuan, who looked very wealthy, Xie Jin smiled and said, "That won't work."
“I don’t have that power now.”
"However, in addition to the European and American markets, many film companies from other markets have also bought our copyright. According to what you said at the time, I also sold the copyright for about 1.5 million US dollars."
“Not bad.”
More than 1.5 million! This was already a considerable sum, and with the addition of US dollars, Chen Huaikai was extremely envious.
Although they make movies for film distribution companies, making money or losing money has little to do with them.
However, films that can make money have status.
Films that can earn foreign exchange not only have a higher status, but are also more popular.
In Chen Huaikai's opinion, Xie Jin really raised his status to a higher level this time.
He pondered for a moment, then said to Cheng Xuyuan: "Xuyuan, give me one of your novels."
"I think it's pretty good to have two, so why not let me take one."
"Like Untouchable!"
“That one I really like.”
Xie Jin fully understood Chen Huaikai's idea of making a film about Cheng Xuyuan.
After all, now that one of his films has won the Golden Lion Award, it has further elevated his reputation. As an old friend of his, it is normal for him to have the same idea.
Cheng Xuyuan looked at Chen Huaikai with a serious expression, and thoughts surged in his mind.
He believed in the talent of his old friend.
But Cheng Xuyuan didn't have much confidence in filming the Untouchables.
Although this film is also very touching, but...
As thoughts flashed through his mind, another idea arose in Cheng Xuyuan's mind.
He picked up the wine glass, took a sip and said, "Director Chen, I don't think the movie Intouchables is suitable for you."
"Because of the background of his story, I wrote about the United States."
"You know too little about everything over there."
"If you force the filming, not only will it be difficult to succeed, but you may also end up with a bad result."
Hearing Cheng Xuyuan say this, Chen Huaikai's expression showed a hint of thought.
He knew that what Cheng Xuyuan said was not simply that he was unwilling to cooperate with him.
What he said makes a lot of sense.
I really don't know much about the situation in the United States. If I film it, then...
Each thought made Chen Huaikai feel a little regretful.
He picked up the wine glass and took a sip, saying, "Xuyuan, I was a bit reckless in this matter."
"I'll think about it carefully after I get back."
Cheng Xuyuan looked at Chen Huaikai's expression and felt a sense of emotion inexplicably rising in his heart.
But then, a thought came into his mind.
He smiled at Chen Huaikai and said, "Although this novel is not suitable for you to film, I have another novel in my hand that is very suitable for you to film."
"Also, it's not impossible for you, Old Chen, to win the Golden Lion Award for this film."
Hearing Cheng Xuyuan say this, Chen Huaikai immediately became interested.
A director who doesn’t want to win awards is definitely not a good director.
"What movie?" Xie Jin asked curiously.
Although he has already achieved success, he is still very interested in making films, let alone award-winning films.
Chen Huaikai also stared at Cheng Xuyuan and asked, "Xuyuan, what movie?"
"Farewell My Concubine!" As Cheng Xuyuan spoke, he picked up the wine bottle and helped the two people pour the wine directly.
Xie Jin had basically seen all of Cheng Xuyuan's works. When he heard Farewell My Concubine, he was stunned for a moment and asked, "Whose work?"
"I don't have any impression of that!"
"You won't let Lao Chen film a play, will you?"
"I'm telling you, this story is good, but..."
But what, Xie Jin didn't say, but the meaning was clear.
Chen Huaikai, who was originally full of confidence, now felt a little regretful.
He also knew the story of Farewell My Concubine, but he did not think that he could create a classic by filming the film.
For a moment, his heart was filled with disappointment.
Cheng Xuyuan saw the expressions of the two people. He smiled and said, "The Farewell My Concubine I mentioned is not the Farewell My Concubine you think of."
"What I'm talking about is a story I heard some time ago."
At this point, Cheng Xuyuan cleared his throat and said, "After hearing this story, I wanted to write it down, but I haven't done much recently because I have a lot of things to do."
"What's the story? Tell me!" Chen Huaikai was a little excited.
After all, this was prepared for him to shoot.
And Cheng Xuyuan also said that this film is very suitable for him.
In this situation, he was naturally the most excited.
Cheng Xuyuan pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke out the content of Farewell My Concubine in a deep voice.
As a good director, listening to stories is the most basic ability.
After Xie Jin and Chen Huaikai finished listening to the story, they both put down their glasses.
Xie Jin said with a hint of emotion: "It's a good story. If it can be filmed, it will definitely be a rare masterpiece."
"And this story not only has drama, but also..."
Before he finished speaking, Chen Huaikai said, "Xuyuan, I'll film this story."
"When can you give me the script?"
"If you give me the script, I will go to the director and try to get him to make this film next year."
Looking at Chen Huaikai who was determined to achieve his goal, Cheng Xuyuan thought to himself that no wonder many people said that he was the real boss of this movie.
As soon as I heard the story, I already had an idea in my mind, so it would be perfect if I filmed it.
He smiled and said, "How about this, I will try to start writing next week and finish the novel and the script together in one week."
"I'll be able to give you the script by the middle of next month."
Compared with many authors, Cheng Xuyuan's speed in submitting scripts is already quite fast.
But his speed was still a bit slow in the eyes of Chen Huaikai, who was somewhat impatient.
So Chen Huaikai said: "Xuyuan, from what I just heard you say, I think you have already made up your mind about this story."
"Why don't you start writing now instead of next week?"
When Cheng Xuyuan heard this, he was speechless.
In three days, it will be next week. Why don’t I just write it next week?
If you say to write it this week, I won’t say anything.
Now the three of us are drinking, and you ask me to put down my glass and write something. Do you think it's appropriate?
Before Cheng Xuyuan could say anything, Xie Jin said, "Old Chen, you're going too far."
"The production team's donkeys should also be given a break!"
Xie Jin's words made Cheng Xuyuan glare.
Fortunately, the three of them often make some harmless jokes, so at this time, no one of them cared.
As they laughed and joked, the topic turned to Farewell My Concubine.
Xie Jin and Chen Huaikai are both experienced directors, and Cheng Xuyuan is very familiar with Farewell My Concubine, both the novel and other aspects.
So what the three people said is very speculative.
Cheng Xuyuan took out two bottles of Moutai liquor, and the three of them drank them while chatting and laughing.
Xie Jin drank a little too much, and there was a hint of emotion in his eyes when he looked at Cheng Xuyuan.
"Xuyuan, I have always felt that you are very talented in directing."
Xie Jin said drunkenly, "After the three of us talked today, I think you should be the director."
"You are a good director, a great director, who was held back by being a writer."
"Listen to me, why don't you come to our Shanghai Film Studio?"
"I will apply for a film under my name first, and you can be my assistant director."
At this point, as if he was afraid that Cheng Xuyuan would look down on the assistant director, Xie Jin continued, "Although you are the assistant director, you are responsible for the filming."
"I will give you instructions."
"One play this year, two plays next year, I think you will be a great director soon."
Cheng Xuyuan knew that although Xie Jin drank a little too much, what he said was definitely not a joke.
Now that he has said it, this thing can definitely be done.
However, Cheng Xuyuan really didn't have much interest in being a director.
After all, this job involves too many things to worry about.
But Cheng Xuyuan doesn't like to worry too much.
"Old Xie, why does Xuyuan want to go to Shanghai Film Studio? He hasn't graduated yet."
"Well, Xuyuan, you should come to our factory so you can attend classes and direct at the same time."
"I will be the director of Farewell My Concubine, and you will be the assistant director."
"Let's make this film first, and then next year, I will also apply for two separate films for you. This way, you can also become a good director."
Chen Huaikai's face turned a little red. For him, applying for two films was his greatest sincerity.
Cheng Xuyuan knew that this was a dream opportunity for students from ordinary film schools.
But he was not prepared to agree. It was not that he didn't know how to shoot, but it was really such a waste of energy.
Now, he just wants to quietly write books and make money.
"Director Xie, Brother Chen, thank you both for your kindness, but I am really used to being idle."
"I appreciate your kindness."
Looking at the serious Cheng Xuyuan, Xie Jin felt a little regretful.
What they just said was not nonsense, but they really wanted to train Cheng Xuyuan.
It’s such a pity that a future great director gave up like this!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
