Chapter 676 Milk and Dough: Too much dough, add water; too much water, add flour. These ten words can be said to be the essence of all international co-productions.
Due to the inevitable cultural gap, most co-productions, especially those involving China, follow an additive model.
Chinese companies invest money, a few Chinese actors are crammed into the film, and then some Chinese elements like pandas, shadow puppetry, and Chinese calligraphy are added in, all mixed in the right proportions, and that's considered a co-production. If it does well at the box office in China, then there will be a continuous stream of additional productions to be made.
Of course, this approach isn't unique to co-productions between Western countries and China; it also applies to co-productions led by China. For example, the large-scale co-productions between China and India a few years ago, such as *Dragon Yoga* and *The Pilgrim's Journey*, followed the same pattern. The Chinese side led the production, adding several Indian actresses as female leads, and incorporating Bollywood song and dance, Indian costumes, and yoga elements as exotic touches.
For example, some epically bad Sino-US co-productions like "The Great Wall" and "The Meg" either use the framework of traditional Western disaster films or special effects films, stuffing in a few Chinese actors as supporting characters; or they use Chinese scenery and stages, stuffing in a few Hollywood tough guys and Western fantasy monsters to wreak havoc. Although nine out of ten people who have seen them say they are bad, the level of special effects is there, so the box office revenue is never too bad.
Over the decades of co-production history, the most successful examples of international co-productions have almost all been animated films.
Shang Yechu had never worked on a multinational co-production project before and was unfamiliar with this universally applicable set of rules. Therefore, in her eyes, the decision was quite shocking. But for screenwriters Mikhail and Lu, it felt as familiar as returning to their hometown.
Sergei was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing: "I've never heard that phrase before, but it's very apt."
Shang Yechu couldn't laugh. Her initial decision to take this film was primarily to expand her network and resources within the system. Qingping Entertainment was a highly sought-after company, and Shang Yechu was a thorn in the side of many. Having access to higher positions would reduce obstacles in her future career path. But at the time, she thought she only needed to film "Ice and Iron"!
A single film like "Ice and Iron" can be completed in about three or four months. However, as a sequel, it will take at least half a year. That's twice the time, which creates many problems.
Furthermore, we don't even know what the hastily produced script for "Rain and Iron" will be like! If it turns out to be a sequel to "The Great Wall," Shang Yechu would rather jump into a lake in December than accept it.
Shang Ye's mind raced. Qingping Entertainment had only signed a contract for "Ice and Iron," and "Rain and Iron" wasn't going to come her way anytime soon. Suddenly remembering that Sergei was still opposite her, she immediately felt that his intentions were a bit suspicious.
Could it be that Sergei has already seen the framework of the script for "Rain and Iron," which is based on the mortise and tenon structure of "Ice and Iron," and finds it incomprehensible, so he came to tip him off?
Perhaps it was because Shang Yechu's suspicious gaze was too obvious, but Sergei, as if he could read minds, answered her unfinished question: "Please believe me, I know nothing about 'Rain and Iron' as you do. Mikhail accidentally said it when he was drunk."
Considering Mikhail's large, bulbous nose, Shang Yechu wasn't surprised by this answer at all: "So, what brings you here?"
Sergei leaned slightly forward and whispered, “Teacher Lev and Mikhail insist that Kovalev is a brave, tough hero, always maintaining anger and suppressed passion, and they strictly require me to act in that direction. However, as I discussed with you last time… Kovalev is more weak than angry. But Teacher Lev would never allow his protagonist to be a coward.”
At this point, Sergei gave a wry smile: "I can't easily question my teacher's friends, but I think if it were you or the director or screenwriter from China who said it, Professor Lev would listen."
As Sergei spoke, he glanced at Shang Yechu: "Of course, I know this request is very difficult. Until I met you, I wasn't sure if I should make this request..."
In the morning light, the other person's icy blue eyes shimmered with a captivating brilliance, like a vast, azure ice lake. Despite lacking any exaggerated expression, there was a hint of pleading in their eyes.
Shang Yechu's breath hitched slightly. She liked being needed and relied upon. For a moment, she even felt that Sergei's request wasn't unreasonable; after all, Director Lev couldn't possibly dislike her more than he did now.
She was almost moved by Sergei's gaze, but just a second before that, Shang Yechu suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Was it her imagination? Why did she seem to see Ji Juntao?
Two years ago, before she and Ji Juntao were in such a complicit relationship, Ji Juntao would often put on this act to manipulate her. "I need you," "Only you can help me," "We're friends/partners/business partners, who else would you help if not me?"
Shang Yechu blinked, that familiar feeling still lingering. Yes, of course, Ji Juntao had more tricks up his sleeve, choosing between anger, suppression, sarcasm, and tenderness depending on the situation; while this old Russian, or rather, this half-grown Russian, was currently still in the stage of politely begging. This was because the two weren't very familiar with each other.
Shang Yechu lowered her eyes, wanting to verify whether the other party genuinely wanted her help or was using her as a tool. She only needed to ask one question to get the answer.
“Of course, no problem.” Shang Yechu looked at him with deep sympathy. “I also hope to help you. But how exactly should I put it? My Russian isn’t very good, and if I’m not prepared, I’m afraid I’ll make a fool of myself.”
Sergei smiled slightly, swiped on his phone for a moment, and pulled up a document: "These are some of my thoughts on Kovalev... You can try to refer to them. There is a Chinese translation below. My suggestion is that you can mention them to Professor Lev at the script reading later."
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