Chapter 90 If you want to shoot, shoot a blockbuster
Chapter 90 If you want to shoot, shoot a blockbuster
"It's finally done!"
It took Zhou Qing twelve days to write the script of "La La Land".
After instructing his assistant Xiao Liu to handle the review and copyright registration matters, Zhou Qing also called producer Hu over.
He also prefers to work with people he knows.
Producer Hu did a very good job in all aspects of his work on "Departures", so Zhou Qing decided to hand over the preparation work of "La La Land" to him this time.
"Director Zhou."
"Producer Hu, please sit down."
The two sides discussed in detail for more than an hour in the office, and Producer Hu left in a hurry with his mission accomplished.
The preparations for "La La Land" have been fully launched.
"'La La Land'? Director Zhou is making a commercial film this time?"
Han Sanping, the "power dog", smelled the scent and came over immediately.
“Yes, this is indeed a commercial film.”
Zhou Qing nodded.
Although "La La Land" swept many film festivals and won many awards.
But if we have to categorize it, it is still a commercial film, at most it has a bit of literary and artistic tone.
"Director Zhou is interested in a musical film?"
Han Sanping responded to this with some doubts, saying that the mainland has never been interested in movies of this type.
This is definitely an unpopular topic.
"This is actually a romance, not a musical."
Zhou Qing explained to Han Sanping, "And Mr. Han, although this is a commercial film, it has great potential to win awards."
Han Sanping understood that this was another ambitious work of Director Zhou.
Just like "Departures", the plan is to win both awards and box office.
Frankly speaking, it is indeed crazy.
But Han Sanping likes young people like Zhou Qing who are enterprising and energetic.
What's more, he is not just boasting without any ability. He has already won the Silver Bear and the Golden Bear.
“It shouldn’t be Berlin this time, right?”
Han Sanping made this guess with confidence.
Now Zhou Qing has won both the Silver Bear and the Golden Bear in Berlin, which is equivalent to completing the game.
It would naturally be more appropriate to change the track.
"I'm not going to Berlin. To be honest with Mr. Han, I haven't been home for the New Year for two consecutive years."
Zhou Qing laughed when he heard that.
Of course, going home for the New Year is not the main reason.
The most crucial factor is what Han Sanping guessed, there is no point in going to Berlin again.
"This time, I plan to try Venice or Cannes."
Zhou Qing did not hide anything from Han Sanping and told him his plan truthfully.
As for Cannes, it’s definitely not going to work this year.
It opens in May, so it’s too late to catch up. If you want to go, you can only go next year.
Moreover, Zhou Qing also responded to Cannes last time, saying that he would not participate in this session.
Venice will open in September, so the schedule is relatively flexible.
However, registration for these film festivals generally requires several months in advance, so it is hard to say whether you can catch up with Zhou Qing.
Anyway, if I can make it to Venice, I’ll go to Venice.
But if he can't even make it to Venice, Zhou Qing will have to attend Cannes next year.
"What is the budget for this romance film?"
Han Sanping nodded and asked casually.
"The preliminary estimate is 10 million. Once the detailed budget is made, I will send it to President Han."
Zhou Qing also answered casually.
To be honest, for a romance film, this budget is actually not small, especially in this day and age.
However, if we include the big name Zhou Xun and Zhou Qing's director's salary, it's not much.
As a mainland director who is generally regarded as on par with Zhang, Chen and Feng, Zhou Qing's director's pay cannot be too low.
But Zhou Xun is a popular first-tier actress, so her pay cannot be cheap.
That’s right, Zhou Qing was planning to cast Zhou Xun in this La La Land movie. After all, Zhou Xun’s original movie, If Love, was a movie of the same theme as La La Land, and she did a great job in it.
She also won the Best Actress awards at the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Elephant Awards for her performance in If Love.
The film was even selected as the closing film at the Venice Film Festival.
With this successful example, when Zhou Qing was shooting a similar movie like "La La Land", he naturally thought of Zhou Xun.
Besides, "La La Land" and "Departures" are also different.
The heroine in "Departures" is just a vase, and the double soldiers can completely control her.
But "La La Land" is different.
If we don't distinguish between male and female protagonists and only choose one protagonist in a movie, then the first protagonist of "La La Land" is definitely the female protagonist.
This can be seen from the fact that "La La Land" won the Best Actress Award at both the Oscars and Venice Film Festival.
The characterization and room for development of the heroine are stronger than those of the hero.
This movie can barely be considered a movie with a strong female lead.
So the female lead cannot be perfunctory, we have to find someone with real acting skills.
Zhou Xun is undoubtedly the best candidate.
Han Sanping just nodded very casually and didn't take this matter to heart at all.
For the wealthy China Film Group, such a small investment is just a drop in the bucket.
He did not ask any questions and immediately started discussing cooperation with Zhou Qing.
Just like the last time with "Departures", China Film Group accounted for 35% of the share.
At the same time, the distribution was also handed over to China Film.
"Director Zhou, do you have any plans for your next movie?"
After the two sides finished discussing the main business, Han Sanping seemed to ask Zhou Qing this question unintentionally.
Zhou Qing was a little speechless, as "La La Land" had just been submitted for project filing.
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Let me finish filming La La Land first."
Zhou Qing told the truth.
"That's just what I mentioned, but if Director Zhou makes another movie, he can be more flexible."
"Everyone calls you the fourth best director in the mainland. You've already started making movies like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers'. Are you satisfied with just making small-time movies?"
Han Sanping smiled and pointed at Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing immediately understood what Han Sanping meant.
As we all know, Han Sanping is very keen on making blockbuster movies and has led the investment in many big-budget films.
Although many big productions have lost a lot of money, Han Sanping still enjoys doing it.
If I remember correctly, the great poet Chen's film "The Promise" was filmed this year.
Maybe they have already started preparations.
And Zhou Qing is now a great director at the same level as the great poet Chen.
Han Sanping wants to make a blockbuster movie. Apart from the great poet Chen, isn't Zhou Qing the most reliable candidate?
Of course, Han Sanping also has another trusted and beloved general, Jiang Wen.
Like the great poet Chen, he was highly regarded by Han Sanping.
But Jiang Wen is still blocked.
However, Zhou Qing's attitude towards making blockbuster movies was relatively restrained.
Not as enthusiastic as Han Sanping.
You can take pictures, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t take pictures. We’ll see what the situation is when the time comes.
"What fourth great director? President Han, please stop flattering me. No matter what movie I make, I can't do without President Han's support."
Zhou Qing was polite in front of Han Sanping.
The people from Shanghai Film Studio also came to the door soon after, but unfortunately they were a step late.
The cake has been divided.
And to be honest, it's only an investment of 10 million, which is not too much.
Zhou Qing felt that it would be better for him and China Film Group to split up.
If there are more, it really won’t be enough.
He had no choice but to politely decline the offer.
If we can make blockbuster movies in the future as Han Sanping said, it won’t be too late to consider bringing Shanghai Film Group on board.
(End of this chapter)