With the script being so well-developed, there's definitely no problem with it. For Li Zhaoyang at this stage, the only issue is casting.
"So I only have one problem when making movies now. First, the film and television department at Sunset has just been established and there are no professional staff. Second, I don't understand many of the unspoken rules in the film and television industry, nor do I know how to cast actors. Third, the filming location."
Professional staff and the rules of the film and television industry are not problems for Li Zhaoyang. As long as he has money, someone will take care of those problems for him.
But the third one is the most fatal.
That's right, the filming location.
While we don't expect to perfectly recreate the real locations from "The Truman Show," we at least need to recreate 99% of the plot to preserve the essence of the film's high rating.
Therefore, even if the filming location is not to be a replica, it should at least be a place that is very suitable for shooting this type of movie.
“What Mr. Li said isn’t really a problem. I can help you find casting and filming locations, but you’ll probably have to hire the staff yourself. However, I can help you with auditions.” If it were another company, it would be against the rules for Yang Kai to help audition for other companies.
But don't forget that Starlight and Sunset are currently in a honeymoon period of cooperation. Just report the situation to Lao Li later; it won't be considered a violation.
"That's great!" Zhang Xincheng handed over a cup of warm tea.
“However…” Yang Kai keenly caught the key words: “President Li, your first film is going to be an extremely difficult art film? Should we relax our requirements a bit? For our first film, let’s aim to break even, try our best not to break even, so let’s make a comedy that doesn’t require us to think too much.”
It's inevitable that the film will lose money, after all, he's a new director. Trying to minimize the losses is already a success for his first film.
Very few new directors can achieve a blockbuster success with their debut film.
Directors who can achieve great box office success are all gifted.
Talent exists in every industry, but it is extremely rare, affecting only a small group of people.
Yang Kai was already being very subtle in his speech, but after finishing, he didn't forget to add, "Mr. Li, would you mind letting me take a look at the script? I can offer some pointers and see if there's anything that needs further revision."
Scripts are not something you can just show to anyone. You can only distribute them after the roles have been cast and contracts have been signed with the actors.
Realizing he had misspoke, Yang Kai gave an awkward smile: "Next, you can start by recruiting staff in the film and television industry."
Li Zhaoyang noticed that this General Manager Yang spoke very subtly, as if he was afraid of offending their people, so he simply waved his hand and said, "I was just planning to ask Xingguang for some pointers anyway, there's nothing I can't see, but General Manager Yang, can you represent Xingguang?"
"I..." Yang Kai asked, "Is there anything I need to do?"
“I want to hire Mr. Yang as the assistant director of my new movie.” The script is by Li Zhaoyang, so he will definitely be the director, even though he has all the expertise from “The Truman Show.”
With an experienced assistant director by his side, Li Zhaoyang didn't need to worry about casting or filming locations.
"This one is fine." Yang Kai clicked on it decisively.
"Okay, sign this contract." As soon as Li Zhaoyang finished speaking, Zhang Xincheng handed over the drafted contract.
This contract was originally intended for Li Zhaoyang to sign by Li Guizong.
However, it's not a big problem. General Manager Yang works under Li Gui, so he's trustworthy.
"Are the contracts all prepared?" Yang Kai opened them and looked at them very carefully.
I noticed that many of the regulations mentioned above are related to movies.
He also learned the name of the movie that Li Zhaoyang wanted to make.
Because it's stated in the contract.
It's called "The Truman Show".
"The contract is fine, I can sign it." The contract even outlined the compensation, so even under normal working conditions, Yang Kai wouldn't have a reason to refuse, let alone during their honeymoon period: "But I have a question... According to market rates, an assistant director's salary for appearing in a new director's film is 90, excluding profit sharing. You're giving me 150, isn't that too much?"
This is way beyond the market price.
Li Zhaoyang nodded: "The contract does not specify the film revenue sharing, so 150 is not too much."
Yang Kai felt that Wanxia was being too generous. It wasn't like she was starring in a big movie, yet she was getting 150. What reason did he have not to sign her?
I signed it without hesitation.
After Yang Kai signed the contract, Li Zhaoyang said with a smile, "President Yang, please leave your work email address. I will send you the encrypted script in a while. After you read the script, please organize it. I will need your help with casting and filming locations."
Yang Kai: "Okay, I'll ask someone to find a filming location as soon as I finish reading the script. As for casting, I'll select the lead actors and backup actors according to the script. Mr. Li, I'll accompany you to the audition."
Yang Kai was very clear about priorities. The main director this time was Li Zhaoyang, so he just needed to accompany him to the audition.
Ultimately, it's up to Li Zhaoyang to finalize the casting decisions.
Perhaps because he was paid more, Yang Kai's attitude was much more enthusiastic than before: "Then I'll head back first, and I'll go look at the script right away and start planning the next shooting schedule."
“Alright, Mr. Yang, let me see you off.” Li Zhaoyang stood up and shook hands with the other party.
"No, no, please wait."
Yang Kai walked out of the Sunset Building alone and notified his driver to pick him up and take him back to the company.
"Zhaoyang, get some rest these next couple of days. Once President Yang finishes reading the script, he'll immediately finalize the casting and filming locations." Zhang Xincheng leaned in and chuckled, "Remember to arrange a minor role for the supervisor, okay?"
“No problem.” Li Zhaoyang thought to himself that this movie really needed extras.
In other words, apart from the main characters and the female lead, everyone else in this drama is just an extra; there are practically no supporting characters.
Even the female lead can be changed repeatedly, isn't that amazing?
The key is that even after the female lead was changed, it felt completely natural, which is one of the benefits of a strong script.
"All done?" Zhang Shulan asked, standing at the office door.
Zhang Xincheng replied, "It's all taken care of."
Zhang Shulan: "Go and send someone to tidy up that storage area next door and clear it out. That area will be the newly established film and television department of Wanxia."
Zhang Xincheng: "Then what about miscellaneous items..."
Zhang Shulan: "Let's put it upstairs. Besides, this storage area won't be used for long. Once Zhaoyang gets tired of it, he'll go back to the music scene. Then we can change the film and television department back to the storage area. It won't matter."
"Okay, I'll find someone to clean it up now." Zhang Xincheng rolled up his sleeves, not only to find someone, but also to clean the clutter area himself.
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