Chapter 338 Director Zhou is the No. 1 person in Chinese entertainment, and the exposure of "Yo
The process of co-production is more complicated than Zhou Qing had imagined.
Even with Han Sanping personally involved and Crown Pictures, an "insider", around, it still dragged on until March.
Zhou Qing has finished writing the script for "Back to 20".
Even the script for Ip Man 4 has only been half written.
However, since the approval has been passed, Zhou Qing can no longer take care of "Ip Man 4" for the time being.
As soon as he received the notification from Han Sanping, he came to China Film again.
Continue to discuss and communicate with Han Sanping on other related matters.
Although the approval has been passed, this is only the first step. There are still many more troublesome things to be dealt with.
For example, the specific preparation for shooting.
Because there are so many special effects shots in "Life of Pi".
Especially the story of Life of Pi at sea, almost entirely made up of special effects.
This undoubtedly brought great difficulties to the shooting.
Not only does it require the top special effects team for post-rendering, but the early stage shooting also requires mutual cooperation.
In the original time and space, in order to shoot water scenes, Li An built the world's largest fully automatic wave device in Taiwan.
It's not for showing off or deceiving investors, but it's a real need for filming.
For Zhou Qing, he also needs the same fully automatic wave device.
If China Film Group can cooperate with us on this kind of thing, it will definitely be twice as effective with half the effort.
After all, China Film Corporation already has the largest digital photography base in Asia, and the studios within it are the best and most luxurious in the country.
If the corresponding wave device is built in the studio of China Film, it would naturally be the most ideal choice.
"Don't worry about this. I'll take care of it."
Han Sanping took on a lot of responsibilities and patted his chest loudly, looking very proud.
Han Sanping had already read the script and knew that the scenes set at sea occupied most of the film.
That is to say, according to Zhou Qing's plan, the filming of "Life of Pi" will basically be carried out at China Film.
Considering the co-production nature of "Life of Pi", this is definitely a great thing for China Film.
For both co-productions, there is definitely a big difference between just paying a little money and having a name on the film and deeply participating in the production.
In addition, there are many other details and trivial matters that need to be finalized by both parties one by one.
Of course, there is no need to rush into these matters. It won’t be too late to discuss them slowly after the cake is divided.
Before that, Zhou Qing and Han Sanping needed to go to Hollywood to sign the contract first.
Zhou Qing and Han Sanping both have the same opinion on this, the better to do it sooner rather than later.
Both of them temporarily put aside the things at hand and came to Crown Pictures on March 3th.
The Lionsgate people would not arrive until the next day, so Zhou Qing took Han Sanping to visit Crown Pictures that day.
"I never thought that Director Zhou, without making any noise, had actually established such a huge foundation in Hollywood!"
Walking in the luxurious office building, Han Sanping sighed sincerely.
The Third Master was really shocked and he was definitely not pretending.
Zhou Qing is indeed the first person in Chinese entertainment to own a film and television company of this scale in Hollywood.
No one else could do this except Zhou Qing.
"Mr. Han, you are too kind. Crown Pictures has just gained a foothold and still has a long way to go."
Zhou Qing was actually quite satisfied with the development of Crown Pictures, but he was still modest.
"What you said is quite remarkable. Crown Pictures has become so famous in just a few years."
Han Sanping gave Zhou Qing a thumbs up, and he couldn't suppress the admiration in his eyes.
It turns out that a great person is a great person, even if he comes to Hollywood.
Crown Pictures is as successful as Zhou Qing Pictures. Although they have not produced many works, all of them have been huge hits.
This is not something that just anyone can do, especially in a place as exclusive as Hollywood.
"Director Zhou, President Han, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Brin, the production president of Lionsgate."
"Mr. Brin, this is Director Zhou and Mr. Han from China Film Group."
Ten o'clock the next morning.
Zhou Qing, Han Sanping, Director Yang and senior executives of Lionsgate met at Crown Pictures.
These four people represent the four producers of "Life of Pi".
Zhou Qing Pictures, China Film Group, Crown Pictures and Lionsgate.
That’s right, Zhou Qing Pictures will also be involved.
This is a co-production, and it's destined to be a global hit. It's definitely a great opportunity to show off your status.
How could Zhou Qing abandon his Zhou Qing Pictures?
"Hello there!"
"Hello!"
All parties greeted each other politely, without much saying.
After a simple opening, there was a back-and-forth confrontation. After a heated debate, everyone finally reached a consensus.
"Life of Pi" is controlled by Crown Entertainment, which holds a 40% stake.
The other three companies are Lionsgate with 30%, Zhou Qing Films and China Film Group with 15% each.
Although the 15% share is a bit unsatisfactory to Han Sanping, it is a co-production after all.
It is a co-production with an investment of up to 1 million US dollars.
Being able to get a 15% share in such a project is actually quite good.
Han Sanping was also very clear that this 15% was still due to Zhou Qing.
Otherwise, China Film Corporation would not even have the chance to get on board.
So overall, Han Sanping is still very excited.
"The 3D visual effects blockbuster "Life of Pi", jointly produced by China Film Group, Zhou Qing Pictures, Crown Pictures and Lionsgate, has been approved. The film is directed and written by director Zhou Qing..."
After returning, China Film Group immediately announced "Life of Pi".
Zhou Qing Pictures, Crown Pictures and Lionsgate Entertainment have also carried out the same operation one after another.
It was actually okay in Hollywood and didn't cause much of a stir.
It's nothing more than co-producing a movie with China, no big deal.
But for the entire Chinese entertainment industry, it was an uproar.
This is a co-production with Hollywood!
Sino-US co-productions are not uncommon. Although there are not many of them, they do exist.
For example, "The Forbidden Kingdom" in 08 was a true Sino-US co-production.
But looking at all the Sino-US co-productions produced by Chinese entertainment, Hollywood dominates the market.
Although the mainland is a partner, it has actually always been in a weak position.
Basically, we follow Hollywood.
At most they can squeeze in some actors, but there is no chance for directors, screenwriters, etc. from the mainland.
Even those actors who were squeezed in with great effort can only play supporting roles, and can forget about playing the leading role.
Take "The Forbidden Kingdom" for example.
How big of a star are Cheng Long and Li Lianjie?
Isn't it just to play a supporting role for a young Hollywood guy?
But this "Life of Pi" is completely the opposite.
The most important director is Zhou Qing, and the screenwriter is also Zhou Qing. Good guy!
What a nice guy.
This kind of thing is something that no one in the industry would have expected. We can only say that Director Zhou is awesome.
It's amazing that the Hollywood company has such trust in him that they handed over such important responsibilities as directing and screenwriting to Director Zhou.
Cow ratio!
Awesome!
Everyone in the entire circle immediately began to prostrate themselves before Zhou Qing and worship him.
This is something that no other major mainland director has ever done.
"I have to participate in this movie no matter what!"
In an instant, all the celebrities in the circle lost their composure and began to tremble with excitement.
This is a Sino-US co-production directed and written by Director Zhou!
This is definitely the most important film resource in the history of Chinese entertainment, no doubt about it.
After all, given Director Zhou's ability, this "Life of Pi" is very likely to be a big hit in North America and around the world.
Faced with this level of resources, who can remain calm?
My heart is about to beat out!
Even though everyone knows that Zhou Qing Pictures has many artists under its banner and they will definitely use their own artists first, they couldn't suppress the fire in their hearts.
"Qingzi, you've been busy all morning. Are you tired? Do you want me to give you a back massage?"
Not to mention others, the same is true for the artists from Zhou Qing Pictures.
The moment Zhu Yawen heard the news, he ran to Zhou Qing and showed his courtesy.
His face was full of ingratiating smiles, and his tone and expression made Zhou Qing feel a little sick.
"Come on, stop it!"
Zhou Qing rolled his eyes and glared at Zhu Yawen back.
What does it mean when a grown man gives me a shoulder and leg massage?
Zhu Yawen's face is getting thicker and thicker.
"Look at Baoqiang. Do you know what modesty is?"
After taking a glance at Wang Baoqiang, who was smiling at him with a simple smile, Zhou Qing began to lecture Zhu Yawen.
Except for Huang Bo, Liu Yifei and Zhao Liying who were filming, all the artists of Zhou Qing Pictures were alarmed.
Even Wu Jing, who was preparing for "No Mercy 2", came to join in the fun.
"I can't be reserved, Qingzi. This is a co-production. I'll be satisfied even if I can only play a supporting role, no, a minor role."
Zhu Yawen's gaze towards Zhou Qing became three times hotter.
Wang Baoqiang didn't say much, but nodded heavily in agreement beside Zhu Yawen.
"Although I wrote the script, there aren't many Chinese characters. There's only one novelist, and he's a supporting character."
"Besides this, there are no other Chinese characters."
Zhou Qing did not keep the two in suspense and told them the actual situation.
Wang Baoqiang's face immediately fell.
Zhu Yawen beside him had a completely opposite reaction and was immediately delighted.
After all, Wang Baoqiang is simply not capable of playing the role of a novelist.
But there is still nothing wrong with Zhu Yawen.
Although Qingzi also specifically emphasized that the role of the novelist is a supporting role, this is a Sino-US co-production.
It's good enough to get a supporting role. Zhu Yawen has never dreamed of being a leading actor, right?
You know, even Li Lianjie and Cheng Long, when they went to co-production films, didn't they just play supporting roles?
"Bao Qiang, this role is indeed not suitable for you. Let's see if there is a chance next time."
Facing the two's gazes, Zhou Qing immediately spoke, "Besides, you're about to shoot 'Unforgiven 2', so you can't make time for it."
Having said this, Wang Baoqiang finally felt a little comforted.
But Wu Jing had already told Wang Baoqiang that he still wanted to act in "No Mercy 2".
In this sequel he will play a Siamese policeman, and his role will be even more important than in the first film.
Wang Baoqiang also attaches great importance to this movie.
Since I can't play the role of that novelist, I'd better just focus on filming "No Mercy 2".
The smile on Zhu Yawen's face became even brighter.
From what Qingzi said, it seems that the role of the novelist has really fallen on me.
Happy!
So happy!
Zhu Yawen was in such a joyful mood that he felt as if he was floating in the clouds.
"Director Zhou."
"Director Han."
Next, Zhou Qingke really started to get busy.
Now that the project of "Life of Pi" has been officially finalized, a series of preparatory matters will naturally begin to move forward.
The most important thing for Zhou Qing at the moment is undoubtedly the fully automatic wave device.
After all, "Life of Pi" can also be called "Life of Pi at Sea".
The scenes at sea are really too important.
Han Sanping was also very supportive and immediately applied for one of the 16 studios under the China Film Digital Base.
It was specially transformed to serve as the main filming location for "Life of Pi".
After learning the detailed requirements from Zhou Qing, he actively took on all the construction tasks.
There is no way, because Zhou Qing is really very busy.
If China Film Corporation didn't help share some of the burden, Zhou Qing would really be too busy to handle it.
After all, "Life of Pi" is a co-production.
The special effects were done by a Hollywood team, the main actors were from India, and some of the filming locations were also in India.
Although Crown Pictures and Lionsgate can also share some of the responsibility, Zhou Qing is the director.
All matters, big or small, require Zhou Qing's final decision.
Take casting, for example.
In the original time and space, it took Li An half a year just to choose the role of Young Pi.
Finally, Suraj Sharma, who had no acting experience, was chosen.
The actor performed very well in the movie, and Zhou Qing had no plans to replace him.
The same goes for other actors, Zhou Qing plans to stick to the original movie.
This can save a lot of time.
Another example is the tiger special effects in the movie.
It doesn’t look complicated, but it actually represents the highest level of special effects technology.
There aren’t many teams in the world that can do that.
Even the original team actually found four Bengal tigers and shot hundreds of hours of film as research and reference material, which led to the subsequent lifelike Richard Parker.
Another example is the flying fish in the movie.
That thing is actually a combination of props and special effects.
Although these are all later work, they must be arranged during the early preparations.
Otherwise, if we wait until the film is finished before starting, it will be too late.
All in all, the preparation of "Life of Pi" was really a very troublesome thing.
Even for a reborn person like Zhou Qing who has the advantage of foresight, four or five months may not be enough. (End of this chapter)