Chapter 82: I have money but nowhere to spend it

In August 2006, the post-production of "Man Jiang Hong" was completed.

The original drama was 158 minutes long. Lin Yicheng's version went through initial editing, re-editing, fine editing, and final editing, and the final length was 150 minutes, which is exactly two and a half hours.

"Curse of the Golden Flower" is 114 minutes, less than two hours.

As a result, "Man Jiang Hong" does not have an advantage in scheduling films for both parties.

The time it takes to screen "Man Jiang Hong" twice is almost enough to screen "Curse of the Golden Flower" three times.

Although Lin Yicheng was still somewhat dissatisfied, he had no choice. If he cut it shorter, it would affect the plot.

……

After returning to the company, I held a meeting and listened to some reports.

Actually, it’s nothing serious. After all, the scale is small and there are few projects.

Although Lin Yicheng also wanted to say, "Don't come to me for projects below 30 billion, make the decision yourselves."

He wants to experience the thrill of showing off, but unfortunately, his current total net worth is less than 30 billion.

"The Good Times of Wife" has completed post-production and is currently negotiating with Beijing Satellite TV, Tomato Satellite TV and Blueberry Satellite TV over price.

After working together on this drama, Liu Kang decided to join Galaxy Film and Television Company.

Lin Yicheng gave him the position of deputy director of the TV department. He was the first director to join the company and it was a great investment.

Although this position does not have much real power and is essentially a director, one can receive a stable salary and benefits from the company every month.

After the meeting, Lin Yicheng called Liu Kang and Liu Mingjun, took out two scripts and gave them one each.

Liu Kang doesn't have to worry about selling the drama, and promotion is the responsibility of the leading actors Hai Qing and Huang Haibo, so there is no need for the director to step in.

Now that you have been given the position and the salary, just keep working.

"Take a look at this book. Are you interested? If so, come up with a plan."

After Liu Kang took it, he saw two conspicuous big words "Snow Leopard" on the cover.

Lin Yicheng liked this drama very much in his previous life because of his military complex, and watched it several times.

So in this life, he directly wrote the script without waiting for the original novel.

Lin Yicheng chose Liu Kang to direct the film because he knew he was an all-round director.

It can not only shoot family dramas, but also comedies and spy dramas.

He directed the famous film "Before Dawn".

Although the time has been advanced by several years, Liu Kang’s current ability is definitely not as good as when he filmed "Before Dawn" in the original time and space.

But with Lin Yicheng serving as the producer and helping out with post-production, there shouldn't be any problems.

……

Sure enough, after Liu Kang finished reading it, his eyes lit up.

"Director Lin, how do you know I like spy dramas?"

I'm cheating, of course I know.

"Since you like it, let's hurry up and come up with a plan. We'll try to finish filming this year and broadcast it next year," said Lin Yicheng.

"No problem, give me a few days." Liu Jiang didn't hesitate, paused, and then said: "Director Lin, what do you think of letting Huang Haibo play Zhou Weiguo?"

After Liu Kang and Huang Haibo worked together once, the two of them fell in love with each other and he admired Huang Haibo very much.

Although Huang Haibo often plays minor roles, his acting range is very wide, and he can also handle a rich kid like Zhou Weiguo.

Who says that kids from rich families have to be handsome?

"Great minds think alike. So, please provide a list of the leading actors and we can discuss it later." Lin Yicheng smiled and delegated authority appropriately.

The company will be larger in the future, with more projects, and it will be impossible for him to participate in the preparation of every project from start to finish like he does with his own works.

As long as the general framework is fine, he can let the people below do it, as long as he has the final decision. It is cool to be in charge of everything, but it is also more tiring.

Moreover, the people below will also have opinions. They will not feel that this is considerate of them, but will feel that this is a lack of trust in them.

"Lao Liu, you are still in charge of this project. Once the plan is made, we will directly start the preparatory work. This drama is the company's key project. My goal is to be the best drama next year. Even if I am not the best drama, at least I will be in the top three in ratings."

"Okay, Mr. Lin, I will take it seriously." Liu Mingjun nodded in agreement.

……

After the two men left with the script, Lin Yicheng did a rough calculation.

The three companies invested 3000 million yuan in the film, and almost all of it was spent after the production was completed. There was no need for additional investment, and no cost savings were made.

Galaxy Film and Television Company accounts for 55% of the investment, which is 1650 million. If the expenses needed for subsequent publicity are added, a total of 2000 million will be enough.

The total investment of "The Good Times of Daughter-in-law" was 1000 million, but after deducting the sponsorship fees, the actual expenditure was 400 million.

"The Secret History of Kangxi" was invested with 300 million yuan.

Including the snow leopard, the estimated number is around 1000 to 1500 million.

Lin Yicheng was a little amused and helpless. He had raised 5000 million yuan from the coal boss, but he still had more than 1000 million yuan left and had no place to spend it.

It was agreed at the beginning that this money was limited to investment in film and television projects, so it could not be used for other purposes.

Although the coal bosses did not arrange for any supervision, and they would not know even if it was moved, Lin Yicheng would not ruin his reputation for the sake of the money.

For now, the remaining money can only be kept in the company account to see if there are any projects worth investing in later.

If not, forget it. We can just give them 5000% of the 15 million yuan as dividends.

Compared to the possible extra one or two million in dividends, Lin Yicheng values ​​his own reputation more.

This cooperation was a pleasure, and the coal bosses will definitely be willing to pay more money to continue cooperating with him in the future.

……

At present, the same old problem still exists: he has the script and the project, but there is no suitable director to film the script for him.

Those already famous directors either have fixed cooperative companies or own their own companies, so Lin Yicheng has no way of poaching them.

Even if they can be poached, there will probably be some conditions attached, such as Li Guoli at the beginning, which is something Lin Yicheng cannot accept.

As for new directors, it is even less likely that Lin Yicheng will spend money and time to accompany them in their growth and wait for them to mature.

Even if Lin Yicheng is willing to train them in this way, can he definitely keep them?

It is not uncommon in the film and television industry for people to become famous and strong enough to turn to other companies or go out on their own.

China is a director-centered society, and directors have always been a scarce resource, especially capable and famous directors.

Cases like Liu Kang’s willingness to join Galaxy Film and Television Company because his abilities were greater than his fame are only a few examples.

……

Generally speaking, the choice between directors and film and television companies is a two-way process.

Capable directors will look for strong companies so that they can get more support and it will also be easier to sell the drama.

A strong company will naturally choose capable directors to ensure that a project can be filmed smoothly and ultimately bring them benefits.

It is never easy to prepare a film or television project, not counting those that just make a quick buck and run away.

Whether it is a film and television company looking for a director with a project, or a director looking for a film and television company with a script.

Both parties have to communicate and negotiate many times before they can finally reach an agreement on various aspects such as the script, cast, shooting funds and cycle.

When a film and television company brings a project to a director, the director immediately accepts it as if he has found a wise leader. Or when a director brings a script to a film and television company, the company is amazed at the script.

The probability of this happening is pitifully low.

(End of this chapter)