After ending the call, Li Zhaoyang returned to the lobby on the top floor and found that there were more than a dozen people there now.
Perhaps because it was approaching six o'clock, more and more people arrived at the same time.
The most attention-grabbing figures were Jeff and the two directors, Escalade and Isaac, who were also present.
They are all top-tier directors in the American film industry. They rarely make films, but when they do, they not only achieve huge box office success but also gain immense critical acclaim.
Just as eye-catching as these famous directors were the white drivers.
This white driver is someone everyone knows.
Wherever he goes, the president of the film and television association is sure to be there.
Now, he's actually sitting next to a young man?
Several actresses approached him with wine glasses, asking, "Young man, what's your name?"
These actresses have a keen eye for people. This handsome young man looks like someone of status. Let's make friends with him first.
Before Li Zhaoyang could speak, another heavyweight actor arrived from the other side.
Li Zhangjie, a legendary film emperor.
He once released a star-studded dove, which led to him being recruited by a crow to film a new movie.
His appearance immediately garnered him countless adoring glances from female fans.
Even the actresses who had just been talking to Li Zhaoyang disappeared in an instant, rushing straight to Li Zhangjie to ask for a group photo or an autograph.
That's why so many people attended Lucy's 18th birthday party.
This is not just about giving face to the president of the film and television association, but also about expanding one's own network of contacts.
If we're lucky, how many people will close deals tonight?
Time ticked by, and more and more distinguished people gathered in the top-floor lobby, all looking in a certain direction.
Miss Lucy entered through the other door at approximately 6:11.
Several female companions followed her in.
Because Lucy was wearing a long white dress tonight, she needed a female companion to hold the hem of the dress from behind, and another female companion to hold her arm.
These Americans take their coming-of-age birthday celebrations very seriously, no less so than getting married.
Of course, this is all predicated on having sufficient financial support.
After arriving at the center of the stage, someone handed me a microphone.
After Lucy took the microphone, she spoke softly: "Thank you so much to all the industry luminaries who have come to my birthday party tonight. I will also be providing you with many rare wines and delicious dishes so that you can have a wonderful evening."
Lucy didn't stand on ceremony, perhaps because of her personality.
After she finished speaking, several waiters pushed the tables forward.
Another group of waiters is dedicated to serving rare and exquisite wines.
It would cost at least a million dollars in one night.
"Then let's begin our free exchange now."
Although Lucy is rather proud and domineering, she also knows how to play it by ear and doesn't immediately propose to work with any particular director.
The birthday party has just started, there are still a few hours left, no rush.
Just as Lucy was being helped off the central stage by her two female companions, Director Jeff came over and asked, "Miss Lucy, there seem to be quite a few VIP guests tonight. May I ask who that young man is?"
Jeff was referring to Li Zhaoyang, who was sitting next to the white driver.
Lucy followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow when she saw her mother's personal driver.
What's going on?
Didn't I assign a driver to pick up Li?
Why was it the mother's personal driver who went there?
Has Mother intervened?
That shouldn't be the case. Li Zhaoyang was just trying to please his mother. His mother shouldn't have gone to such lengths to send her own personal driver to pick him up.
Even these famous directors don't receive this treatment.
It's not that these famous directors don't receive this treatment; it's only during the period when these directors create blockbuster hits that they do.
Lucy paused for a moment, gave an awkward smile, and said, "This is... a director."
She didn't say it was her friend, nor did she say it was her mother's person.
"Oh? Also a director?" Jeff was a little surprised. Such a young director, brought here by the chairman's personal driver, could he be a genius?
Or is it someone with connections?
"I wonder what the director's name is?" the others chimed in.
“Li Zhaoyang,” Lucy answered succinctly.
"What? Li Zhaoyang? He's Teacher Zhaoyang?" The one with the strongest reaction was Watanabe No, who was eating salmon sashimi not far away. He sat up in shock, looking extremely surprised: "Could he be the newly popular director who made The Truman Show?"
"Is he Teacher Zhaoyang?" Noda's acting was also very exaggerated: "I heard that Teacher Zhaoyang's new movie is planning to explore the field of 2D animation, and the new movie is already on the schedule, and it is being made according to the highest three standards."
Zhang Zhen secretly thought to himself, "Why are you two talking so loudly at this crucial moment?"
Old Zhang took two steps back, quickly distancing himself from Watanabe and Noda.
These two guys are often quick-witted, but they're also prone to being easily startled.
really.
After Noda Kazuto spoke, the entire room fell silent.
Especially the directors who knew their stuff, all looked over, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Should we make it according to the highest three standards for 2D animation?
Under normal circumstances, they would show a disdainful expression.
But Director Li was personally brought here by the chairman's personal driver.
Could it be that the chairman is backing them?
Really?
"Noda-kun, what did you mean by what you just said?" The director who spoke was almost fifty years old. His specialty was 2D animation, but he had also dabbled in 3D.
He was very clear about just how much investment was required for the three highest standards of 2D animation.
They often have to invest $100 million.
A 2D animated film with a budget of $100 million means that it needs to gross between $400 million and $500 million at the box office to break even.
After all, an animation project has an investment of 100 million yuan. The costs of managing relationships with various parties, promotion, and revenue sharing with cinemas are all hidden costs.
An animated film that grosses around 500 million yuan is considered a blockbuster of the year.
Isn't Director Li afraid of losing everything, even his underwear?
"Huh? You guys don't know?" Noda looked surprised. "We'll have to ask Professor Zhaoyang about this."
"Director Li, are you really planning to explore 2D animation in your new movie?" Many directors who were involved in animation rushed over to ask.
This is exactly the effect Noda wanted.
"Yes." Unexpectedly, Li Zhaoyang admitted it in front of everyone.
"So... you really want to achieve the highest scores in all three categories for the anime you're into?"
“That’s right. I think that only by achieving the highest scores in all three aspects can we perfectly showcase many scenes from the animation.” Li Zhaoyang even considered releasing the film in 3D.
3D movie viewing can give people an immersive and enjoyable experience.
Especially with such high-definition visuals, the number of viewers attracted will only increase if there is 3D viewing.
It just means the cost might be a little higher.
The group of directors, all with experience in the animation field, were astonished by Director Li's answer.
I thought the other party would give a very subtle answer because of the occasion, basically just not admitting it.
Judging from Director Li's words, he has the confidence that the project is already a done deal, or even already produced.
Isn't he afraid of embarrassing himself on the day the movie is released?
After all, those who come here are all well-known figures in the industry, such as movie stars, famous directors, and even some top voice actors.
These voice actors receive the most work for anime dubbing.
"Director Li, you seem very confident from what you're saying?" These veteran directors unconsciously started using the formal "you" in the title. In this industry, age doesn't matter; only skill level matters.
If you are highly skilled, you are a senior in the industry.
If this young director isn't just showing off and talking nonsense, he might actually be going to follow the three highest standards.
"Director Li, aren't you afraid of losing money?" This was a question asked by a popular actress: "Even if all three aspects meet the highest standards, plus the production cost of 2D animation, it will take at least 80 million to 100 million US dollars to invest. The box office needs to reach at least 500 million to make a profit. You must have had this experience after your Truman Show was released, right?"
Based on Truman's investment costs, the film would only break even once it grossed $170 million; any subsequent box office revenue would be a huge profit.
However, the investment cost of Truman Show was certainly not as high as that of animated films.
Especially 2D, which often starts at tens of millions of dollars.
Lucy, standing not far away, looked extremely uncomfortable; the scene she least wanted to happen had still occurred.
In a little while, these guys will be asking what their relationship is with this Director Li...
Damn it.
She shouldn't have listened to her mother and let Li Zhaoyang participate.
Coming in so high-profile right from the start, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by people in the industry?
"Before the movie is released, I believe many directors are extremely anxious. Even if the script is excellent, they will worry about the box office not meeting expectations."
Li Zhaoyang objectively stated, "Therefore, I think it's better not to think about these things during the production stage. The more you think about them, the more worried you become, which will negatively affect your mindset."
This is a very apt statement, and many directors nodded in agreement.
They've experienced this before; even when they're confident in the script, they still have worries.
"It seems Director Li has a particularly good attitude." This group of directors, who are involved in animation, simply stopped dwelling on this topic.
"I wonder what Director Li's box office expectations are for this new movie?" Watanabe No clearly didn't want to let the topic go, so that they could later offer Li Zhaoyang some "help".
"It's hard to say." Li Zhaoyang smiled, appearing particularly relaxed, completely ignoring the young man's attempt to provoke him.
"Alright, everyone, let's start chatting freely." Although Lucy didn't particularly like Li Zhaoyang, she didn't want him to embarrass himself here.
After all, he was a guest I invited to my birthday party, so if he made a fool of himself, I would make a fool of myself.
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