Many employees gradually came to the new department to choose their workstations, and some employees showed dissatisfaction and discontent.
Some employees felt it didn't matter, since it was all the same no matter where they were. They felt that things weren't necessarily better in the production department, and that they might thrive in the new department.
Li Gui ignored the discussions, as if she hadn't heard them at all.
It's normal for the employees to be emotional when they first get transferred here.
I'll get used to it.
Take your time.
Whether this department is up to par or not will be revealed in six months.
"It's a bit of a headache. I'll have to sort out the job positions and see who would be more suitable to be the supervisor and team leader."
Li Gui thought about it and decided to let it go, let Xiao Yang worry about it. He's the head of the anime department now, hehe.
...
"What? Zhaoyang is going to make another movie? Are you kidding me?!"
"What? Zhaoyang's new movie isn't a live-action film, but an animated one?"
"What? Still the most expensive 2D?"
"What? They've even written out the plot?"
"What? It's a romance story where the male and female leads switch bodies?"
"Damn! There are several films on this subject on the market, and they all flopped. I feel that this subject has too many flaws and is difficult to control."
"..."
When Zhang Xincheng heard about this, he perked up and realized he could go back to playing minor roles.
I have to say, it was really fun to play a cameo role, and they even provided meals; the main focus was on entertainment.
But when he heard that this movie wasn't live-action, but rather a 2D animated film, he was a little confused.
Isn't this a huge leap?
Zhang Shulan did not answer Xiao Zhang's questions, but instead left the department with Zhaoyang.
Zhang Xincheng was left alone in the department, lost in thought.
"2D animation, are they planning to grab a piece of the anime/manga market?"
Zhang Xincheng also watches anime in his spare time.
Don't let his middle age fool you.
It's precisely because I've reached middle age that I've come to love watching it more and more.
Unfortunately, the current animation market is too stagnant, and there are very few high-quality works.
Actually, whether it's 2D or 3D, as long as the storyline is good, he likes it.
What I can't resist is a game with great character models and a great storyline.
...
The second floor of a quiet restaurant.
Li Zhaoyang sat in the corner by the window, while Zhang Shulan sat next to him.
Not long after, Yang Kai went up to the second floor alone and found this place.
"Director Zhang, Director Li, am I not late?"
Perhaps because he had become the head of a department, Yang Kai's attitude became increasingly enthusiastic: "Have you ordered yet?"
"I've already ordered." Zhang Shulan had no intention of small talk and took the initiative to change the subject: "About the movie..."
Yang Kai interrupted with a smile: "Don't worry, Director Zhang, I've been following up on the movie. The word-of-mouth is growing every day. The company has given me a budget, and I will use it to try to get the movie to a 9.7 rating."
This is the benefit of being listed as a contributor.
If you're credited in a movie and actively pay for it, you won't feel like you're doing someone else's favor.
With the honorary title and the honeymoon period in place, Starlight wouldn't hesitate to spend $50 million.
"This is not Truman's business."
"Not Truman? Weren't we talking about movies?" Yang Kai didn't quite follow the other person's train of thought for a moment, thinking that he had misunderstood, and tried his best to think.
But... isn't talking about movies just talking about Truman?
What else can we talk about if it's not about Truman?
There was only one movie ever shown for "Sunset Glow".
Could it be?
Yang Kai had a guess.
As expected, Zhang Shulan's next words confirmed his guess.
"It's a new movie, and we're about to start preparations here, so I asked you to come out and talk about it."
Yang Kai rubbed his chin, his eyes showing confusion: "Director Zhang, money can never be earned enough. The Truman Show is still showing in theaters. Is it really necessary to start preparing for a new movie at this critical juncture? At least wait a few months."
It's not like we owe anyone hundreds of millions or anything, there's really no need to rush like this.
Moreover, if the film achieves both critical and commercial success, it might be worthwhile to take a break for a few months or even half a year.
Zhang Shulan didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I have the same idea as you, but Zhaoyang has already written the script. We can refine it further by adding plot elements later."
"It's already written?" Yang Kai was stunned at first, then nodded: "If there is a script, we can start preparing, but I suggest we wait a while before starting filming."
"No need to turn on the camera. This time, the film we're dealing with is animation, specifically 2D."
"What?" Yang Kai sat up abruptly, taken aback by Director Zhang's words: "Making a 2D movie? Are you serious?"
Everyone knows that 2D movies have the highest production costs these days.
Very few 2D movies on the market can succeed. Apart from those with excellent visuals and storylines that can make money, most others are complete flops.
Therefore, many film and television companies have started developing 3D.
3D is low-cost, quick to produce results, and can be directly adapted from novels.
Although Yang Kai is now the head of the anime department and will definitely be involved in 2D art style in the future, he is very clear about how high the cost would be to make a movie in this style.
In terms of plot, it doesn't have to be top-notch, but it should at least be at least second-rate to ensure it doesn't lose money.
Yes, it guarantees you won't lose money, but you won't make much.
This is why Yang Kai felt pressured when the board gave him a six-month deadline.
"Director Yang, let's get straight to the point. We'll definitely be making a 2D movie. We don't know much about the anime market, so we'll hire you as a consultant, and you'll be in charge of finding the technical aspects."
Zhang Shulan knew that Starlight was not involved in animation or film production, so she simply said she was hiring Yang Kai as a consultant.
Yang Kai was then tasked with finding the relevant technical personnel.
Seeing that Director Zhang wasn't joking, Yang Kai sat down, drank a glass of cold water, remained silent for a moment, and then replied, "To be honest, our Starlight Films is planning to venture into animated films soon, but we are still in the preparation stage. As for technical personnel, we have them here. If Director Zhang doesn't mind, I can have the technical staff in my department produce it."
"Oh?" This was unexpected for Zhang Shulan. "Starlight is going to venture into animation? That's convenient, but... can Director Yang make the decision? Should we call and ask President Li?"
When this topic came up, Yang Kai perked up, puffed out his chest, straightened his collar, and adopted a very gentlemanly posture: "Unfortunately, the head of the new department established by Starlight is myself."
"Are you the minister?" Zhang Shulan looked the director up and down.
This is the first time I've heard of a director becoming a department head.
"I have to thank Director Li for this. Oh, let's not talk about that now. We can talk about me being a minister later. Let's talk about the movie now."
Yang Kai changed his tone and asked seriously, "Are you sure you want to make a 2D movie? I'll let you know in advance that it will be very expensive. Of course, if you decide to make it, I can start preparations at any time."
The two companies were already in a honeymoon period, so there was no need to report this cooperation to higher authorities; he made the decision directly.
Moreover, he is the head of a department. As long as there are no problems with Wanxia's side, we can start work tomorrow. No, tomorrow is too rushed. The employees are not settled yet. I estimate it will be the day after tomorrow or the day after that.
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