Chapter 279 Sister Xue, this is why I want ten concubines

At two o'clock in the afternoon on the 26th, Yang Xue, Director Zhang, and Lewis arrived at He Zhongqiu's villa. Wu Jing and Zhang Jin were still there.

He Zhongqiu didn't return home until half past four.

"Three pounds."

Yang Xue was walking on the lawn in front. When she saw He Zhongqiu's car coming in, she hurried to greet him.

"Sister Xue, I haven't seen you for three months. You're getting more and more beautiful!" He Zhongqiu said with a smile as he got out of the car.

"Just be poor!"

Thinking of He Zhongqiu's words asking her to be his first wife, Yang Xue's face turned red.

"Director Zhang and Lewis are inside, come in quickly."

She urged him, saying as she walked, "By the way, I have news for you. Xie Tingfeng and Zhang Baizhi are getting married. Zhang Baizhi just had a scandal with Chen Guanxi."

He Zhongqiu said nonchalantly, "Why do you care about them?"

Yang Xue added: "The Fairy Sword filmed by Xixi has also been broadcast, and the response has been very good. Tangren has also done a lot of positive publicity for her."

"Can we get on the front line?" He Zhongqiu asked.

"It should be fine. The reputation of Fairy Sister is well-established." Yang Xue said with a smile.

"Director Zhang, long time no see."

"Mid-Autumn Festival, hello."

He Zhongqiu entered the living room and greeted Zhang Yimou warmly when he saw him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ross Lewis said, “Boss, my company will invest 1000 million of the remaining million dollars.

The other 3000 million went to three companies, Disney, Warner, and Universal, and they complained that their share was too small.”

"They have no problem with my zero pay and 22% of the global box office?" He Zhongqiu asked.

This was decided by Yang Xue, and she also looked at Lewis.

Lewis shook his head and said, "Boss's current salary is 2000 million + 15% of the global box office. Based on the 3 million box office, it is 6500 million.

And 22% of the global box office dividend, based on the 3 million box office, is 6600 million, which is about right, and they certainly won't have any objections."

"That's good." He Zhongqiu said.

After discussing the investment for the project, Director Zhang said: "By the Mid-Autumn Festival, if the investment is confirmed, then the next step is to form a crew."

Yang Xue also said: "Domestic companies will form the best team. Director Zhang and I have discussed this. We will also invite a group of people from Hollywood to come over, including photographers, lighting, and especially screenwriters who write storyboards. They have more experience and higher levels of skills here."

"Boss, I'm already building a team. They're all top-notch in Hollywood. It's almost ready. There's no problem with the equipment," Lewis said.

He Zhongqiu nodded and asked, "Director Zhang, do you think we should invite a deputy director from Hollywood?
What I considered was that this is a special effects movie with a lot of special effects scenes, and Hollywood directors have more experience in shooting special effects shots.

Of course, we are a Chinese-language film, so everything is still based on you, and he is only responsible for providing some suggestions from Hollywood."

Yang Xue looked at Zhang Yimou, who did not seem to have any problem with it. He even nodded without thinking:

"Zhongqiu, I have to mention it even if you don't mention it. With an investment of 1700 million US dollars and a global release, and more than special effects scenes, I am really under a lot of pressure and need help."

"That's good."

He Zhongqiu looked at Lewis and said, "Ross, pick a suitable director to help. Note that it has to be a good director, at least a big director who has directed a movie with a box office of 200 to 300 million yuan."

Lewis thought for a moment and said, "Why not invite Director Li An? You are compatriots, so it will be easier for you to communicate. He has completed post-production on Brokeback Mountain and is currently in a free period."

"Director Zhang, what do you think?" He Zhongqiu looked at Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yimou thought about it and felt that with the help of the great Chinese director Ang Lee, the chances of this movie being a success would be much greater.

"Row."

He nodded and said, "Director Li An and I both plan to participate in the director competition for the 08 Beijing Olympics. I was actually inspired by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon when I filmed Hero. He is a very capable director."

"Ross, how much is his pay?" He Zhongqiu asked.

Zhang Yimou's director's salary in 2000 was 50 RMB, and when he filmed Hero it was 1000 million RMB. This time his salary is 1200 million RMB, about 150 million US dollars.

If Ang Lee is invited, his salary must not exceed that of the chief director. After all, he is only the deputy chief director, so he needs to ask clearly about the salary.

Lewis said: "When Li An filmed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, he was paid $100 million, which was said to be a friendly price. In 03, he filmed The Hulk for $200 million. The Brokeback Mountain he just filmed was a low-budget film, and he only received $100 million.

But this is his salary in Hollywood. I heard that the current salary quotation for Chinese-language films is 1200 million RMB, the same as Director Zhang’s.”

"The maximum is 1000 million RMB. Go talk to his agency," said He Zhongqiu.

"OK, I'll talk to CAA right away." Lewis nodded.

He Zhongqiu said to Zhang Yimou: "Director Zhang, you have to be in control when filming. You can consider his suggestions on details, but don't be too influenced by him in the overall style. Don't make it look like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

The box office and reputation of that movie in China were not very good. I don’t want our movies to be made and people in China cannot understand them.

Our film cannot fail at the domestic box office. I want to use it to compete with Emperor Entertainment Group and Huayi Film Group, as well as the Journey to the West that Li Lianjie and Chenglong are going to shoot.”

"I see."

Zhang Yimou nodded.

He was very happy with He Zhongqiu's attitude. As a director, he certainly attached great importance to the control over the film, otherwise he would become a puppet.

He Zhongqiu added: "I received no salary for this film, and the total salary of other people will not exceed 10 million US dollars."

Zhang Yimou nodded and said, "With Li An and my salary included, it will definitely not exceed 8000 million RMB. The domestic salary cannot be compared with Hollywood."

He Zhongqiu said: "The production cost is 7000 million US dollars, so we have to be demanding in details, from the director to every extra, we have to be demanding and do our best."

Lewis said: "In terms of special effects, Boss and Industrial Light & Magic are the best."

"It's up to you to contact them."

He Zhongqiu nodded, turned around and said, "Director Zhang, take this opportunity to discuss the special effects style with Industrial Light & Magic."

"Okay." Director Zhang nodded.

After chatting for a while, it was time for dinner.

Before dinner, Yang Xue found a time to say to He Zhongqiu: "Sanjin, Director Zhang is now in conflict with Zhang Weiping."

"What happened?" He Zhongqiu asked curiously.

Yang Xue said: "Zhang Weiping withheld his director's fee and dividends, more than 7 million RMB, and never gave it to Director Zhang.

Then, when Director Zhang was preparing to shoot A Solo Journey of a Thousand Miles, Zhang Weiping kept interfering in the creation, which made Director Zhang a little dissatisfied.

This time Zhang Weiping was very unhappy that Director Zhang took on our film because we did not accept his investment, and the conflict became even more serious.”

He Zhongqiu said: "We can find an opportunity to sign Director Zhang to our company, or we can do it according to the Zhang Guoli and Feng Xiaogang model.

Even if he doesn’t have the manpower to start a company, we can help him set up a company so that he can focus on creating things.”

"Ah."

Yang Xue nodded.

After dinner, He Zhongqiu arranged rooms for the three of them, called Yang Xue to his room, and gave her an exquisite box.

"Sister Xue, this is for you."

"Why would you give me something for no reason?" Yang Xue didn't take it, feeling that He Zhongqiu had bad intentions. "Take a look, it cost more than 8 million US dollars, you will definitely like it."

"Over eight million dollars?"

Yang Xue was startled, she took it and opened it, and saw that it was a ruby ​​necklace.

The entire necklace is made of dozens of crystal clear rubies the size of little fingers strung together with a gold chain, and decorated with dozens of pink diamonds slightly smaller than peanuts. The pendant is a large ruby ​​in the shape of a chicken heart. It looks extremely luxurious, dazzling and beautiful.

"Sister Xue, do you like it?" He Zhongqiu asked with a smile.

"..."

Yang Xue wanted to say that she didn't like it, but there is no woman who doesn't like jewelry, so she really couldn't say it.

"Sister Xue, let me help you put it on."

"No, you should keep it for your concubine."

"That won't work. Sister Xue, you are the first wife, and the second wife can just buy a few hundred thousand dollars."

"Bah, you really want to have a concubine?"

"No, Sister Xue, you don't know how powerful I am..."

"Stop!"

"Sister Xue, don't move. Don't break the necklace."

While talking, He Zhongqiu pressed Yang Xue against the wall and put the necklace around her neck.

After putting it on, he pulled Yang Xue in front of the mirror and said, "Look, Sister Xue, isn't she beautiful?"

Yang Xue looked at her neck in the mirror with a blushing face, not daring to look at He Zhongqiu behind her.

At night, He Zhongqiu sneaked into Yang Xue's room and was kicked out.

However, he was not discouraged, and finally he succeeded. With some sweet talk, he successfully made Sister Xue his first wife.

That night, he also let Yang Xue realize how powerful he was and the difficulties he had in wanting to have ten concubines.

……

"Let me think about it."

On the 27th, at Li An's home in Los Angeles, he received a call from his agent at CAA agency.

"An, do you have a film contract?" Lin Huijia asked.

Ang Lee smiled and nodded, "I was contacted by the American Zhongqiu Film and Television Company, which is Wolverine He Zhongqiu's company. His domestic film and television company wants to make a Journey to the West-themed movie with an investment of 80 million US dollars. The director is Zhang Yimou, and they want me to be the deputy director."

"Oh."

Lin Huijia responded but didn't ask any more questions.

When Li An was a gigolo, she respected him in everything. Now she will not interfere in Li An's affairs and will only support him. She is a model of a virtuous woman and the relationship between the two is very good.

Ang Lee thought for a moment and said, "Director Zhang is a very thoughtful director. I would be happy to work with him if I have the chance.

In addition, I also want to go back to the mainland and have an appointment with Ms. Lin Ying to study the campaign content for the 08 Olympics and discuss it with Director Zhang. "

"Then go." Lin Huijia said with a smile.

"Okay." Lin An nodded and smiled.

After receiving the reply, Yang Xue rushed to Los Angeles with Zhang Yimou and Ross Lewis. After a detailed discussion, Yang Xue and Ang Lee signed the contract.

After reading the script, Ang Lee discussed it with Director Zhang, and immediately many sparks and ideas were generated. The two even had many arguments and disagreements.

Ross Lewis contacted Industrial Light & Magic, and after the deal was reached, he called in Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee and discussed the project with Industrial Light & Magic several times.

For some special effects movies nowadays, the production costs of special effects account for more than half of the total production costs, and they are charged by frame. With 24 frames per second, money is spent like water.

Large-scale special effects movies are produced using thousands of computers. If there were only one computer, it would take hundreds of years to complete.

After calculations by Director Zhang and Ang Lee, there are approximately 1700 special effects scenes in the White Bone Realm of Journey to the West, and the estimated special effects production costs will reach million US dollars.

"Three pounds, that's too expensive. The cost of special effects production in China and Hong Kong is only one-fifth of that in the United States."

"Sister Xue, we can't save this money. Our movie is not just released in China."

"Now I understand why there is an $80 million investment."

After He Zhongqiu learned about this, he immediately decided to speed up the construction of his own special effects company.

He asked Yang Xue to use all the $1.5 million transferred back this time to set up a special effects company, and to continue investing in the future.

"1.5 million US dollars? Such a huge investment to build a special effects company?" Yang Xue was very surprised.

He Zhongqiu said: "I have asked someone to research it before, and the equipment is very expensive, requiring large servers and workstations.

The computers are not ordinary computers, they have very high configurations, costing at least tens of thousands of yuan each, and large special effects companies have at least 700 to 800, or even thousands of computers. "

“So many computers?”

"Yes, without computers, a special effects movie might take several years to produce."

"Oh."

Yang Xue did some calculations and said, "Even if a computer costs 1.5, it only costs 12 million RMB. It doesn't cost million USD. It's already billion RMB."

"Sister Xue, there's also money for the server, probably several million or even tens of millions."

"That's only 60 million RMB, what else?"

"And then there's the software, which is the most expensive. Each computer needs to be equipped with dozens of software packages, and each package costs thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars."

"My God, the software alone will cost tens of millions of dollars, or even hundreds of millions." Yang Xue did a quick calculation and was shocked.

He Zhongqiu said: "This is just hardware and software. After all these are done, there are still people. How many people are needed for thousands of computers? They all need professionals.

In the United States, this kind of work earns about $5,000 a month. In China, it would be at least $3,000 to $5,000 a month, right? A thousand people would earn $4 to $5 million a month.

Running such a large company, I estimate that the operating expenses, including labor, site rental, and electricity, are at least tens of millions.”

Yang Xue said with a headache: "It seems that we need to invest 1.5 million US dollars. If we only spend money and don't earn money, 1.5 million US dollars won't last long."

"Yes!"

“But where can we find business in the future?”

"I've thought about this. As long as our company is established, it will definitely be the best in the country, and we can basically take over the business in the film and television industry. We can also expand the business in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea."

"That should work."

"Also, we can make some cartoons ourselves. We can make the comic strips I left with you.

I think the films "Three Strikes the White Bone Demon" and "Havoc in Heaven" that were filmed in China before are great. I hope to produce all of them in the future.

By the way, we can also attract business from Hollywood. Several special effects companies here are simply too busy to handle the business. "

"But with so many professionals, it will probably take several years."

"Let's take our time. We shouldn't start with such a large scale at the beginning. We can start with 200 to 300 computers, slowly accumulate professional talents and expand the business, and then expand the scale later."

"it is good."

(End of this chapter)