After Zhou Yang came to SKY company, he couldn't help but wrap up his coat.
After movies such as "Saw", "Struggle", "Men in Black" and "Jaws" became popular in Europe and the United States, SKY, as a distribution company, is no longer unknown in Hollywood.
In addition, after Christian followed the black congressmen and continued to give speeches in various places in the United States, calling for peace, racial equality and environmental protection, SKY's status among the Hollywood studios increased, and people gathered around it every day.
A large group of reporters gathered around to ask this and that.
"Mr. Zhou, these reporters do this every day, especially after the concert. They think you are crazy. You gave up your masterpiece of music and did not create it, but you want to make "Spider-Man" so that Chinese people can't enjoy it.
It’s a superhero movie that I understand. In the past few days, I have received dozens of interviews about you on the set..."
In Zhou Yang's SKY company.
Zheng Jun pushed the door open and came in. After pushing the door open, Zheng Jun complained silently for the first time.
These days, Zheng Jun wears a pair of black-rimmed glasses, a small beard, and pigtails. He has a literary and artistic feel like an American hippie from the last century.
As the screenwriter of the first version of "Mineral Bottom", Zheng Jun has been directing "American Gangster History" which he wrote and revised by Zhou Yang.
"Okay, how's the filming of "American Gangster History" going?"
"I finished shooting the sample, but I don't know how to edit it in the later stage. I just wanted to talk to you about it."
In addition to the changes in Zheng Jun's appearance, it seems that his overall temperament has also changed a lot. He is no longer as humble and discouraged as when Zhou Yang first saw him. On the contrary, his eyes are very bright, standing in front of Zhou Yang
Looking at Zhou Yangping, he stood up straight and spoke like an old friend who had known each other for many years. While talking, he subconsciously pulled a chair over and sat down.
“Don’t know how to edit?”
"Yes, I feel that every plot I filmed is an indispensable part of the entire "American Gangster History". With the sample film, I watched it for a long time and didn't know how to cut it. I couldn't start..."
“How long does it take to make a sample?”
"Seven hours."
"How many?"
"Seven hours..."
"a movie?"
"Uh, yes."
When Zheng Jun handed Zhou Yang a USB flash drive, Zhou Yang subconsciously opened the USB flash drive and entered it into the computer. After opening the sample material of "American Gangster History", he was astonished beyond measure after looking at the 420 minutes of samples.
The movie "American Gangster History" was written by Zheng Jun himself, and Zhou Yang's modifications were based on the approximately four-hour movie "Once Upon a Time in America" from the original time and space.
Before the filming of "American Gangster History", Zhou Yang thought that the final film would be about four hours long, but he never dreamed that more than two months later, Zheng Jun would actually hand over a seven-hour sample film to him.
Longer than the original Once Upon a Time in America!
Zhou Yang was astonished. He didn't say anything, but immediately opened "American Gangster History" and started reading.
He quite trusts Zheng Jun's talent. After seeing the script and drawings of the movie "Under the Mine" for the first time two years ago, Zhou Yang was unconsciously impressed by his amazing imagination. The script was so different from the original world.
The movie "Journey to the Hollow Earth" is similar, but the plot and frame structure seem to be more complete and reasonable than "Journey to the Hollow Earth", and there are more races...
"Mr. Zhou, this "American Gangster History" may not be a profitable movie, but it is definitely a good movie..."
When watching Zhou Yangzheng carefully click on the sample film of "American Gangster History", Zheng Jun couldn't help but give a reminder.
Zhou Yang did not say a word, but continued to watch carefully.
Zhou Yang watched the seven-hour movie from the early morning of October 18th to about three o'clock in the afternoon. After watching it, Zhou Yang silently turned off the sample film and rubbed his eyes.
No matter how good a movie is, anyone will feel exhausted after watching it for seven hours straight.
Perhaps because of his shallow understanding of that period of American history, Zhou Yang didn't have much sense of the plot, but I have to say that Zheng Jun's portrayal of the characters was quite detailed, down to the bone, especially when the protagonist peeked at the heroine dancing.
During that part, Zhou Yang felt astonished as never before, and the final ending was also regrettable. There was a gloomy feeling that stuck in his throat and couldn't spit it out for a long time.
After a long pause, Zhou Yang sighed: "Director Zheng, I don't know what to say about this movie... From a commercial point of view, it may be difficult to achieve the expected box office, but from a film art point of view
Come and see..."
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Zhou Yang suddenly couldn't speak for a while.
"American Gangster History" was shot so meticulously that every small object in every scene tells the audience about the changes in each era. The vaguely flashing shots are full of various rich camera languages, foreshadowing
With the profound transformation of the protagonist, it is obvious that Zhou Yang understands that Zheng Jun hopes to convey to all movie fans an interpretation of the world in every era of Lao America through this movie...
Zhou Yang once thought about editing, but every detail seemed to have Zheng Jun's intention. After a while, Zhou Yang didn't know how to edit, and in the end he could only shake his head.
"What's wrong?" Zheng Jun asked subconsciously after seeing that Zhou Yang remained silent.
"No...it's good. The release of the movie is a problem..." Zhou Yang finally nodded after a while.
From a commercial point of view, this movie is probably a tragedy. It is too long. Although the full text has lows and highs, as well as expectations, if it is shown in a seven-hour movie, Zhou Yang can basically confirm that
It is impossible for any theater chain to show such a long movie. A seven-hour screening hall can completely line up three movies. Three movies, are they not as good as a seven-hour literary film? Even if the theater chain is willing to show it, movie fans will not
It’s impossible to be willing to go into a theater and watch such a long movie...
Except for a small number of real filmmakers, ordinary movie fans are still relatively indifferent to terms such as "art" and "deep film art".
"Mr. Zhou, I just need a chance..." After seeing Zhou Yang's expression, Zheng Jun suddenly became anxious: "Mr. Zhou, I don't need to make any money from this movie. I don't want a penny. I promise to make the next movie."
I can help you make money and watch it. I still have the script of "Mineral Bottom" that I wrote before. The copyright belongs to our company. I believe this movie will definitely make a lot of money...I need an opportunity to prove myself now...make a commercial
It's really not difficult for me to make a profitable movie. Mr. Zhou, please believe me, this movie will definitely create an unprecedented sensation in the United States..."
In the office.
Zheng Jun stood up, leaned in front of Zhou Yang and kept talking about what was in his heart, his whole face almost turning red with anxiety.
"Well, don't worry. I'll call Christian first. You can handle the post-production and soundtrack of this movie first. If it is really going to be released, the seven-hour movie will probably be split into three parts.
You'd better reshoot some plot points and add something to whet the audience's appetite in each movie... However, this seems quite difficult."
"I'll try, give me three days!"
"Um?"
After listening to Zhou Yang's words, Zheng Jun turned around and left the office without saying a word.
Looking at the empty office, Zhou Yang picked up his cell phone and called Christian.
Christian was quite happy when he first received the call. He was filming a documentary called "The Road to the President" with Congressman Olson in California.
However, when he learned that Zheng Jun had used the crew of "Lamb" to make a seven-hour art film, he was completely shocked.
"God, what did you say, seven hours? FUCK, how do I find a theater to distribute it? God, let's do it like this. Divide it into three parts. I will find a familiar theater, but the scheduling time is always at midnight or lunch or something like that.
Without an effective schedule, it would be difficult for a movie like this to get a prime time slot..."
After he waited for a long time, he finally could only say these words with a wry smile.
Zhou Yang naturally nodded, knowing how difficult these things were.
After all, the United States is not China. Zhou Yang does not have its own relevant theaters, and it is unrealistic to bring the movie "American Gangster History" to China. On the one hand, China's theaters have a very full schedule for the second half of the year, and they are all struggling.
Killing all kinds of relationships, on the other hand, this movie is not adapted to China's past, I guess it will have to fight harder...
"Mr. Zhou Yang, God, you must not make any more superhero movies. If you want to make one, you have to make some better superheroes. "Lizard Man" is too awesome, and this movie still has a foundation in the United States.
The Waterloo encountered under the circumstances... "Spider-Man", although I have not read the movie script, but I can probably imagine that this is definitely another biochemical mutation type movie, and this movie has no comic background, Mr. Zhou Yang
, Superhero movies are really not as simple as you think..." After talking about "American Gangster History", Zhou Yang chatted with Christian about "Spider-Man" for a while. After Christian heard this, he suddenly
He became excited and persuaded Zhou Yang immediately like everyone else.
After Zhou Yang listened to Christian's persuasion, he had no other reaction. Instead, he hung up the phone after a casual chat with Christian.
As soon as the call was hung up, Zhou Yang's cell phone rang again.
The call was from Roddy.
Roddy used to be Christian's assistant, and he helped film "Saw" and "The Departed" together. Zhou Yang had a good relationship with Roddy, but later because of Christian's unreliability, he had to film with Zheng Jun.
"American Gangster History", and now the crew of "Spider-Man", Zhou Yang plans to invite Roddy to be the assistant director and film "Spider-Man" together, thinking that "Spider-Man" will give Roddy some box office share. After all, he works diligently and conscientiously.
I have done so many things to help myself.
but……
When Zhou Yang received the call, he heard Rody smile bitterly.
"Sorry, Mr. Zhou Yang, "Spider-Man", I'd better forget it. Mr. Zhou Yang, I have read the script. The script has highlights but not many. Of course, this is an insignificant thing. After all, the script needs to be read by the person who shot it.
And special effects, superhero movies, just eat this piece, Mr. Zhou Yang, we are friends, let me tell you the truth, I am very not optimistic about the "Spider-Man" project, especially the Chinese Pioneer special effects you mentioned... I used to
I talked with Zheng and Mr. Zheng a few days ago. Although Ms. Salina from [Digital Domain] will participate in the guidance work, I'm sorry, I'm really not optimistic about this project. And the most important thing is that I took over Midland Pictures.
A big-budget movie, "Cleopatra" with an investment of nearly 350 million US dollars. This is a big-budget movie. My teacher is the director. I have to help him... I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou Yang
…”
On the phone, Roddy explained a series of reasons very frankly.
Zhou Yang was silent for a while after listening, and then sighed: "That...it's a pity, Mr. Rody, can you help contact the corresponding actor?"
"Mr. Zhou Yang, actually, last month you asked me to help you contact and introduce me. I have always been in contact, but since "Lizard Man" hit the market, when I heard that a Chinese was going to make a superhero movie, and it was "Spider-Man",
"The Hero", the actors stayed away, a few actors were willing to participate, but they offered an unacceptable price..."
"what price?"
"Thirty million dollars in salary!"
"What? How much?"
"Thirty million US dollars in salary..."
"..."
When Zhou Yang heard this, he was stunned.
The salary of 30 million US dollars is equivalent to 200 million yuan in RMB!
The investment for the entire "Spider-Man" film is at most higher than this...
Zhou Yang would naturally not pay such an astonishing salary.
"Mr. Zhou Yang... Our "Saw" has indeed achieved great success in Europe and the United States, but that is already a thing of the past... You may be great in China, but in the United States, I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou Yang, your influence
There is really no way to compare with other directors. Some stars in Hollywood, well, to use your Chinese idiom, they are just a side dish. You can check it out on social platforms, Twitter or YouTube. "Spider"
"The Hero" hasn't even been filmed yet, a lot of people have already said it's a bad movie, and many people say you're crazy... Mr. Zhou Yang, we either take our time or we make "The Departed 2"
Well, maybe I can still find time to take some pictures..."
"I see...what about the second-tier stars?"
"Mr. Zhou Yang, let me be more straightforward. Although many Hollywood artists are second-tier in the European and American markets, many people are born with an inherent sense of superiority... Although they are not like other first-tier artists,
Quotes are often 30 million US dollars, but the remuneration is also around 10 million US dollars... The price-performance ratio is really not high. Mr. Zhou Yang, I will send you a quotation form by email later. This quotation form is basically
It’s real data from their feedback…”
After Zhou Yang finished chatting with Rody on the phone, a helpless smile appeared on his face.
"Lizard Man" hit the market, which may be a good thing for Chinese movies. At least it lets Chinese directors know that Hollywood movies also have "industrial bad movies".
But the impact of this movie after it hit the street was so great that it directly affected the production of "Spider-Man".
At first Zhou Yang thought about inviting some well-known Hollywood actors to film, but when Zhou Yang opened the quotation list and saw that these second- and third-tier stars had quoted more than 10 million US dollars for "Spider-Man", Zhou Yang
Yang's whole body was numb.
Later, Zhou Yang began to think about how he should make the "Spider-Man" movie in the future.
About three hours later, when the sun was setting, the phone rang again.
The call was from Christian.
Christian's call did not bring any good news, but instead brought bad news.
"Mr. Zhou Yang, I originally thought that "American Gangster History" could be played at least at midnight or noon, but... now it seems that no theater is willing to play this movie... Although Mr. Zheng Jun followed
We made the movie "The Departed" together to gain some fame, but after all, the United States is a capital society, and everyone only sees profit. After reading the introduction of "American Gangster History", they felt that this movie had no commercial value..."
Zhou Yang closed his eyes.
He was very high-spirited in China, but suffered setbacks one after another on the first day he came to Laomei.
Even after experiencing the storm, Zhou Yang, who had become accustomed to it, still felt a little gloomy in his heart.
After Zhou Yang finished chatting with Christian, he subconsciously logged into Laomei’s Twitter and YouTube. Unexpectedly, he was the tenth most popular headline.
【Music composer Zhou Yang is crazy!】
Zhou Yang clicked on Twitter and after reading it for a long time, he found that all the posts were in English mocking him.
When he looked carefully, Zhou Yang saw many Chinese netizens, even using idioms such as "overestimating one's own capabilities," "looking at the sky from a well," and "blind arrogance."
Zhou Yang closed the Twitter title and then saw the content of another tweet.
Another tweet was from "The Lizard" director Chloë Page.
The content below on Zhou Yang's Twitter is mainly ridiculing, while the content on Twitter about "Lizard Man" director Chloë Paige is full of abuse and various sarcastic sounds.
All kinds of ugly words were flooded in Koro Paige’s Twitter, and Zhou Yang was shocked when he saw it.
Just when Zhou Yang was reading these messages and feeling more and more sympathetic to Cole Paige, there was a knock on the door in the office.
Zhou Yang turned off the computer: "Come in."
Then, Zhou Yang saw Xu Mei walking in, with a tangled look on her face, as if she was holding something back.
"Mr. Zhou, there is an American director who wants to meet you..."
"who?"
"Chloë Page is the director of "The Lizard Man". His reputation in the United States is very bad now. He seems to be having trouble with the DV company..."
"Huh?" Zhou Yang was stunned after hearing this.
"He came here in person and is waiting at the door. Do you want to see him?"
"Hmm? Let's meet." Although Zhou Yang didn't know what Director Coro Paige was here for, he still nodded.
Meeting is not a bad thing, maybe there are some opportunities.