Wei Yang saw a bald man with a simple face but shrewd eyes. It was his senior brother Xu Zheng from the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Next to him was Liu Yiwei.
This comedian, who once hosted the CCTV program "Daily Diet", is also a familiar comedian, but he is more involved in behind-the-scenes work such as director, planner, screenwriter, and producer.
Xu Zheng once starred in the TV series "Love Call Transfer", in which he was the screenwriter and planner, and the two were quite close friends.
He didn't participate much in the "Lost in Thailand" project, but he helped Xu Zheng a lot in making connections.
Wei Yang and Xu Zheng have never met, but he has filmed "The Founding of a Party" with Liu Yiwei, so they can be considered acquaintances.
Even though they were just nodding acquaintances, they were still acquaintances. At least they had something to talk about. Besides, Wei and Xu were classmates in the same school and were both smart people. They could become familiar with each other after just a few words.
"Brother, I won't say any more nonsense. I'm busy over there. Can you please take a look at the book?"
"Okay, Mr. Wei."
Wei Yang called Xu Zheng "senior brother" to give face and also because he was approachable, but it didn't mean Xu Zheng could really treat him as a younger brother.
Xu Zheng took out the script and handed it to Wei Yang with both hands. Wei Yang took a look and found that it was a complete script, so he knew what was going on.
It seems that this person has encountered many obstacles and is seizing every opportunity to seek investment.
"You guys eat, I'll take a look."
Wei Yang invited the two to have dinner and flipped through the script. The finished movie was slightly different from what he remembered, but the overall plot structure was consistent.
He was watching very seriously, but Xu Zheng had no intention of picking up his chopsticks. He just stared at him with anticipation in his eyes.
The script of "Lost in Thailand" was derived from "Lost on Journey" starring Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang last year.
The film cost only 7 million, and the final box office was 37.3 million. The box office share alone nearly doubled, and with other miscellaneous income, leaving aside the cost, it is estimated that the profit was in the low eight figures.
This is very good. Movie projects are riskier than TV drama projects. There are many projects that lose money. Only projects that can make money are good projects.
In addition to making money, the film also had a good reputation, which brought Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang a lot of attention.
So Xu Zheng wanted to make a sequel. No one would refuse such a profitable deal, but the problem was that Xu Zheng wanted to be the director himself.
Xu Zheng is not like Zhao and Xu Cainv. He has financial backers behind him and is famous enough. Being a director is a gimmick that can increase his exposure.
Although he has produced some works in recent years and achieved good results, his image is limited. He is a powerful actor and his status can only be said to be between the first and second tier. His popularity and popularity are even far inferior to some popular second-tier actors and actresses.
Under such circumstances, Xu Zheng wrote and directed the film himself, there was almost no publicity gimmick, and he was a newcomer, so the director was naturally not favored.
Before this, the original production company of "Lost on Journey" and many other companies including Huayi and Pony.com had rejected him.
After a lot of effort, Xu Zheng finally got the copyright for the sequel, and then found Guangxian. Boss Wang was not optimistic about it, so he recommended him to Wei Yang.
If Wei Yang rejected him again, Xu Zheng would not be in a desperate situation, but the project could basically be shelved.
Wei Yang already knew the plot and, as a screenwriter himself, he read the script very quickly and put the book down after just a few minutes. Xu Zheng, who was unaware of the situation, felt a chill in his heart.
So fast, are you not optimistic?
Wei Yang saw the expressions of Xu Zheng and Liu Yiwei, but did not explain. He thought it would be better to scare them so that it would be easier to negotiate terms.
He invited Xu Zheng and Liu Yiwei to eat with a smile, and even personally served them dishes. However, neither of them had an appetite, especially Xu Zheng, whose food tasted like wax.
He couldn't hold on any longer in less than five minutes and couldn't help asking Wei Yang what he thought of the script.
Wei Yang pondered for a moment: "The script is not bad, but..."
Xu Zheng smiled bitterly: "It's also the director's fault."
"That's right."
Wei Yang also pointed out the reason why other bosses were unwilling to invest money. The scale of "Lost in Thailand" is much bigger than the first one, and it will be filmed abroad, so the cost will be at least over 30 million.
What does this mean? Lost in Thailand needs to have a box office of at least 100 million to break even.
The first part of "Lost on Journey" had a box office of less than 40 million. Who can guarantee that the second part can exceed 100 million, not to mention using a new director.
The bosses of these film and television companies are the kind of people who won’t release their eagles until they see the rabbit. They might consider replacing him with a pretty female star, but Xu Zheng is a bald guy with a lot of money, so they just throw tens of millions to him to practice...
"I see."
Xu Zheng looked gloomy. He was used to being hit hard before, so he was not that disappointed. He was about to say a few polite words and leave, but Wei Yang could not help asking.
"Excuse me, have you ever thought of asking other directors to come?"
"Mr. Li from Xiaoma and Mr. Wang from Guangguang have suggested this before, but maybe it's because of my personality, or maybe it's because I've been rejected so often, so I held my breath just to prove myself. If Lost in Thailand can't be filmed for the time being, I'll keep it, but I won't let anyone else film it."
Xu Zheng probably gave up on Wei Yang and said some of his true feelings.
Wei Yang nodded, he could roughly understand it.
No matter what happened to Xu Zheng later, he was an early drama actor and is now pursuing to become a director. He is still a bit noble in his heart.
His current status is not bad, he has no shortage of roles or money. However, his dream of becoming a director has been denied for so long. "Lost in Thailand" has become a knot in his heart and he will not give in easily.
"...Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Wei. Since you are busy, we will not delay you..."
After Xu Zheng made the truth known, he and Liu Yiwei prepared to retreat, but Wei Yang raised his hand to stop them, and the latter just smiled.
"Why are you in such a hurry? I didn't say I wouldn't vote."
"?"
“Yes, your project is risky, but I think it’s within controllable limits and you can take the risk.”
Wei Yang asked Xu Zheng to sit down, and then he put forward his request clearly and concisely: "The production team and the crew must include people from our Blue Whale. In addition to you and Wang Baoqiang, I hope you can invite Huang Bo to join the lead role."
The original plan to invite the villain actor in the script of "Lost in Thailand" was Squirrel Wang Xun, and Wei Yang was very straightforward.
"He is not famous enough. You and Wang Baoqiang are the backup. If you want to achieve the variable, you have to invite a comedy star. You and Huang Bo have a tacit understanding and are recognized by the audience. He is the best candidate."
"But this is a villain, he may not be willing."
Xu Zheng was in a dilemma. Huang Bo had developed rapidly in recent years and was one of the most powerful movie stars in mainland China. He could not be invited just like that.
"That's your problem, Senior Brother. I only care about the cast that satisfies me. At most, I will give you some support in terms of pay."
Wei Yang is an investor. He only makes demands and doesn’t care how you get the actors. If you can’t, he won’t invest money.
Why should I be Party A if I have to worry about everything? Wei Yang knew what kind of person Xu Zheng was, and he didn't plan to win him over. He just wanted to do business impartially and make money through cooperation. He didn't feel like being a warm-hearted boss to coax him.
Even so, in the eyes of Xu Zheng and the others, Wei Yang's conditions were already very generous. At least no one else had even given Xu Zheng this opportunity.
Read the original text at Liu#9@书/吧!
So Xu Zheng gritted his teeth and issued a military order: "No problem, I will definitely bring Huang Bo to you."
Liu Yiwei raised another difficult question: "You have also read the script, and I want to add a surprise easter egg at the end. Bingbing, can you come forward to coordinate it?"
Wei Yang frowned: "Didn't you film a scene with her?"
Liu Yiwei and Xu Zheng worked with many actresses in "Love Call Transfer", one of whom was Fan Xiaopang. They were friends, otherwise they would not have been invited to the original version.
"It's been several years, and we don't know if it will succeed. You have more face."
Fan Xiaopang's status is not what it was a few years ago. Although he knows how to behave, Xu Zheng and others are not sure whether he will give him face.
But things would be easier if Wei Yang stepped in. Not to mention their scandals and personal relationship, his status and position in the circle alone were much better than if the two of them stepped forward.
"Let me try."
Boss Wei didn't make any guarantees, but Xu Zheng and the other two knew it was a sure thing. It was just a one-day guest appearance at most, and they didn't believe that Wei Yang couldn't handle it.
At this point, the cooperation was basically preliminarily planned. Xu Zheng managed to get Huang Bo to participate, and then the budget and share of the profits were discussed.
Wei Yang took the initiative to pick up the cup and changed the address: "Director Xu, I wish us a happy cooperation."
Xu Zheng was moved by what Director Xu called him. He was both excited and grateful. He held the cup with both hands and lowered the rim of the cup: "Thank you, President Wei, for your support."
After finishing his meal, Xu Zheng left Hengdian first, preparing to take down Huang Bo, and then go through the details with Wei Yang’s team.
Wei Yang took out his phone and contacted Lao Wang of Guangxian, who was a little surprised to hear that Wei Yang had invested in this project.
"Didn't I tell you? There are risks. Just meet and get rid of them."
Boss Wang was not optimistic about this project at first, but because they had worked together before, he said he was introducing it to Wei Yang, but in fact he was just politely declining it.
He had discussed it with Wei Yang before that if he was not optimistic, he could just refuse. Wei Yang had no friendship with Liu and Xu, so it would be easier for him to refuse.
This kind of routine often happens in the circle. It does not hurt face and may even lead to a cooperation. Some bosses who are on good terms with each other often share what they have.
If a close friend comes to Boss Wei for investment in the future, and Wei Yang is not optimistic about the project and does not want to waste money, but is too embarrassed to refuse the request directly, then he can help "make the connection" with Boss Wang of Guangxian.
"I know, but I think there's still a way out. Mr. Wang, do you want to add a share?"
Wei Yang took the initiative to invite him. He didn't mind eating alone, but after all, this project was arranged by Lao Wang. If "Lost in Thailand" becomes a hit, it's inevitable that people will have some thoughts.
Boss Wang was skeptical: "Do you really think there's a way?"
"I can't say how much more it is, but I think it shouldn't be a problem to get back the money, and there's a chance I could make a small profit."
Wei Yang didn’t say that “Lost in Thailand” might be able to break 1 billion+. If he had said that, Boss Wang would probably have thought he was hysterical.
According to normal market estimates, even if this movie goes smoothly, the box office will probably be only 100 to 300 million yuan.
After all, for the same comedy theme, the original cast of the movie version of "Wulin Waijia" earlier this year only earned 180 million yuan, and last year's "Big Laugh in the Rivers and Lakes" starring Zhao Benshan, his apprentice and many Hong Kong and Taiwan comedians earned 150 million yuan at the box office.
Even with Huang Bo added, the cast of Lost in Thailand does not have much advantage over the previous ones, and 100 to 300 million is already an optimistic estimate.
Not to mention Boss Wang, any senior film expert would come to the same conclusion.
But the point is, some movies can't be calculated by common sense...
Wei Yang deeply agreed with this truth, but Boss Wang did not tie it to "Lost in Thailand".
I heard that he was not interested in it as long as there was a hope of just making a profit. Guangguang has expanded its business quite a lot in the past two years and does not need this one movie.
Moreover, Boss Wang was obsessed with Blue Whale/Wei Yang's first movie and wanted to see if he could get involved. If he invested in "Lost in Thailand" now, he was afraid that Wei Yang would use this to stall him later.
"Boss Wang, we have an agreement. I invited you. Don't blame me again when this movie makes money."
"Haha, the more money you make, the happier I am for you. But I've also made an agreement with you. If this play is going to lose money, don't blame me for setting you up."
Boss Wang didn't take this to heart and even tried to pass the blame on to others in advance. Wei Yang didn't say anything more.
Anyway, he has already finished speaking, and if the other party doesn't respond, then you can't blame him for eating alone...
(End of this chapter)