Ningbo Xiangshan Film and Television Base is a new film and television base that has emerged in recent years. Although there is Hengdian in the city next door, the business is also good.
The scenes in Hengdian were all poorly shot, and a palace has appeared in at least dozens of TV series.
Nowadays, except for indoor studios, people generally don’t go to Hengdian to shoot movies. They need to find some fresh buildings.
When Brother Chen Kai was filming "The Orphan of Zhao", Xiangshan Film and Television Base built a Spring and Autumn and Warring States City for free.
It cost 100 million to report to the outside world, and this is what great directors are paid.
Ma Xiaogang's "1942" not only deceived the Chongqing Film Group to spend 100 million to build a Chongqing old street, but it was much better than the Hong Kong city that Chen Kexin casually created for "October Siege".
A little bit of Hong Kong’s characteristics.
The Chongqing Old Street of Chongqing Film Group almost completely replicates the Chongqing of that era, with Rongchang Cathedral, Cathay Theater, Bankers’ Union, and the Soviet Embassy, exactly as seen in old photos.
Not only that, Chongqing Film Group also didn't know what happened. It spent 100 million to build a street. On this basis, it also spent 700 million to build a Liangjiang Film and Television City.
Cultural projects are sometimes quite expensive.
Hengdian has too many overseas trips, mostly from TV drama crews. Occasionally you can see big-budget movie crews here in Xiangshan. After all, not every director is as prestigious as Cheng Kaige and Ma Xiaogang.
Chen Jiashang, who was kicked away by Huayang and missed the sequel to "Painted Skin 2", brought the crew of "The Four Famous Catchers" to Xiangshan Film and Television Base almost 20 days after the release of his new film "Painted Skin 2".
The box office and reputation of "Painted Wall" have collapsed. Last week, it still had 25 million, but on Monday the 17th, it only had 950,000, falling below the one million mark.
In the past half month, under Guangxian's overwhelming negative marketing, "The Legend of White Snake" attracted the attention of most viewers, while "Painting on the Wall" escaped.
But after half a month, "The Legend of White Snake" was criticized all over, and the audience turned their guns and continued to criticize "The Painted Wall".
Wang Changtian spent a lot of money on marketing, and his reputation and box office have collapsed. He simply stopped promoting it. Anyway, it is stable to break 150 million. When the time comes, we will go out to hold a celebration party and the film will be finished.
150 million, which is tens of millions less than "Painted Skin", and the investment cost was less than 50 million. Chen Jiashang was still very satisfied, so he slapped the crew in Xiangshan while the situation was hot and continued filming "The Four Famous Cats".
For the sequel to a hit movie, the director of the previous movie was changed, which was a huge insult to Chen Jiashang. He urgently needed to get back on track and prove himself.
In the hotel of the crew, Chen Jiashang was having a meeting with the leading actors Deng Chao, Liu Yufei, and the crew to prepare for filming in a week.
"Deng Chao, this time you are different from the lively character in "Painted Wall". You are cold-blooded and unsmiling, with an aura of calmness and self-power. You must quickly withdraw your edge and publicity and adapt to the role..."
Chen Jiashang turned to Liu Yufei again and said, "Yufei, ruthlessness actually means love. You..."
However, just as he opened his mouth, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Chen Jiashang frowned and looked at the person coming.
Liu Yufei's mother, Liu Xiaoli, walked in with an apologetic look on her face, "Director Chen, I'm sorry, I want to take a leave of absence for Qian Qian. You haven't started filming here yet. We have been away for two days and we must come back before filming starts."
"?"
Chen Jiashang stared at Liu Xiaoli with a look on his face, asking for leave as soon as he joined the team.
However, Liu Xiaoli didn't look like she was joking. For a moment, Chen Jiashang couldn't figure out whether this woman was really stupid or just pretending to be stupid.
For a moment, there was some silence in the room, and Liu Yufei was at a loss. She grabbed her clothes and didn't know what to say. Even she knew that her mother had gone too far.
As the male protagonist, Deng Chao was speechless. It was the first time in so many years that he had seen such an outrageous person.
Even if you have to ask for leave, you should at least say it in private. The director is having a meeting. There are so many people, including the entire crew and senior management. Isn't this looking for trouble?
However, Deng Chao was also a little lucky. Although it was his first time to work with Liu Yufei, he still had a good personality after getting in touch with her, and did not inherit her mother's personality. Otherwise, the next few months would be really tough.
Seeing that Chen Jiashang didn't say a word, Liu Xiaoli repeated it again.
"Don't worry, Director Chen, we will be back in two days and it will not affect the progress."
Seeing Liu Xiaoli saying "you" without any respect, Chen Jia went up to the table and clenched her hands into fists, with veins popping out.
"No one dares to take themselves seriously!"
At this moment, Chen Jiashang really wanted to scold Liu Xiaoli.
But he couldn't guarantee whether Liu Xiaoli had a brain, and it didn't look like she had a brain. He really didn't know if she would quarrel with him.
In full public view, if you have an argument with an actor's mother, and the other person doesn't like you, then the director's majesty is really gone.
"Join the group on time in two days!" Chen Jiashang said almost through his teeth.
Everyone can hear the anger in his words.
Even if you don't have ears, you can tell it by looking at them.
Liu Xiaoli seemed unaware and expressed her gratitude to Chen Jiashang for his understanding, "Thank you, Director Chen. Don't worry, it won't delay the crew's filming."
Then he called Liu Yufei, "Qianxi is here, mom has booked the flight tickets."
Have you booked your flight tickets?
Deng Chao twitched the corner of his mouth, "What is this? With his knowledge, he really can't understand this approach."
Even Zhou Zhaolong, who played Iron Hand, was a little confused. He played the role of the God of War in "The King of Kung Fu", worked with Liu Yufei, and also met Liu Xiaoli.
But at that time on the set, Liu Xiaoli had never been like this when facing foreign directors.
Chen Jia was so angry that her face was red. It was settled, but she still said it in front of him, and she didn't take him seriously at all!
The atmosphere in the room was very strange. Liu Xiaoli greeted Liu Yufei and left.
When her mother went out, Liu Yufei quickly bowed down and apologized to Chen Jiashang, "I'm sorry to the director, I'm sorry to everyone."
After saying sorry a few times, he ran out and caught up with Liu Xiaoli, complaining angrily.
"Mom, why are you like this!"
"What?"
Liu Xiaoli didn't know why and didn't realize there was anything wrong with what she did.
In Hollywood, first-line actors are not as good as directors at all. They are often more powerful than directors on the crew, except for a few directors with high status.
She was minding her own business and said to Liu Yufei, "Sissi, listen to me, this is a rare opportunity. Li Qian and Warner are collaborating on a science fiction blockbuster with an investment of 200 million US dollars. And Warner doesn't know what's going on.
The casting rights were given to Li Qian, and a domestic actress was to be selected as the heroine."
After finishing speaking, Liu Xiaoli also said with emotion, "This is a blockbuster with an investment of 200 million US dollars. It is a real Hollywood blockbuster, much better than "The King of Kung Fu". You have to seize the opportunity."
"mom!"
Liu Yufei was so angry that she wanted to stamp her feet. She was really helpless with this mother who had been taking care of her since she was a child. However, she still did everything for her own good, so that she couldn't get angry.
"Sissi, I have asked people at William Morris. For this casting, Warner is really looking for a domestic actress. All the Japanese actresses originally scheduled have been replaced, and the casting rights have also been changed.
It’s in Li Qian’s hands.”
Liu Xiaoli was still talking there, sighing in her heart. She didn't expect that this Li Qian would quietly get involved with Warner.
Although I don’t know why, the 200 million investment in the heroine is indeed in the hands of Li Qian.
This Li Qian is not simple!
After getting on the plane at Ningbo Airport and flying directly to Beijing, Liu Xiaoli took Liu Yufei to Li Qian's Future Pictures.
After talking to the front desk, I was immediately led to a conference room.
Liu Xiaoli felt a little happy, it seemed to be going well.
However, as soon as he entered the conference room, the smile on his face disappeared.
The three leading actresses, Zhang Ziyi, Li Binbin and Fan Binbin, all came with their managers, as well as Jing Tian and Song Ge.
It’s actually a step too late!
There was one more person, and the faces of the three beauties were a little solemn.
Liu Yufei is also the only one among them who has collaborated with Li Qian and appeared in Guo Fan's "Time Administration".
After greeting each other, the already calm conference room returned to calm.
After a while, Li Qian opened the door and came in.
"Good morning everyone."
"Hello, Director Li." Several people also stood up quickly to say hello.
"Please take a seat, everyone."
Li Qian waved his hand and sat down at the front seat.
He did not invite these people, and he did not send audition invitations at all. They all came to him by himself.
However, Li Qian was not surprised. It was strange that no one came. He specifically told the front desk to bring them over if anyone came.
Anyway, I have to audition for Warner Bros., so I can organize it myself.
"I also know their purpose. How about starting the audition directly?"
They were a little surprised that Li Qian was so direct. This was a heroine with an investment of 200 million. She should talk about it one by one and exchange various interests.
But Li Qian didn't have time to chat with them, "This role is very simple. Simply put, it's the city you lived in when you were a child. Your family was attacked by monsters. The whole family died. Then you live with hatred. After joining the army, you only think about it.
Revenge, the whole person is almost a bit paranoid, but when I was about to fight the monster, because of the shadow in my heart and my desire for revenge, I was filled with hatred, so I was refused by my boss to participate in the battle."
A character that couldn't be simpler, just like Megan Fox in "Transformers", a heroine who makes a fool of herself.
"In short, first of all, he is a soldier. He is obsessed with revenge. He has a stern face almost the whole time. You know the stern face." Li Qian summed it up again.
"I understand, Director Li."
Li Qian nodded, "Okay, let's start. Make a resolute face like a dead mother."
"?????"
Just audition here?
No script?
Several people were once again shocked by Li Qian's style of doing things, but they had heard about Li Qian's temper, and there were other people around, so they didn't say anything.
Just like that, a somewhat absurd audition began.
Everyone present, including Li Qian himself, felt a little helpless. The audition for a heroine in a big production with a US$200 million investment was so sloppy.
There were only five actors, and the audition was over quickly.
"Okay, that's it. I'll discuss it with Warner, and I'll let you know when there's a result."
After the audition, Li Qian let them leave.
If he had invited them here, Li Qian would have gone too far, but they were all invited by himself, and Li Qian did not invite them.
But an hour later, Liu Xiaoli left and came back again, and came back again with a carbine.
"Ms. Liu?" Li Qian looked at her with some confusion.
"Hello, Director Li."
Liu Xiaoli said with a smile on her face, "For the role of "Pacific Rim", Director Li is asked to give more consideration to our Sissi. She just flew over from Xiangshan and didn't have a good rest. Maybe she was not in a good state just now."
Li Qian smiled and said, "Okay, I understand. Ms. Liu, please go back first. I will inform you then."
"Director Li, I guess Warner chose domestic actresses for the sake of domestic box office. Now Zhang Ziyi's reputation is not good. Li Binbin's two previous movies, "Snowflakes and the Secret Fan" and "Revolution of 1911", did not have good box office. Fan Binbin is not good at the box office.
She has no appeal either. Our Sissi is different, more suitable than them, and her English skills are more suitable for Hollywood blockbusters."
Liu Xiaoli said, seeing that Li Qian was still smiling, and she was relieved, and then said, "With Director Li's achievements in China, he should enter Hollywood soon."
Li Qian said nothing, wanting to hear what she had to say.
Seeing that Li Qian also denied it, Liu Xiaoli made up her mind, "We also have some connections at William Morris. If Director Li enters Hollywood in the future, we can be of some help..."
"?????"
Li Qian was also drunk, and he had connections in Hollywood, and a connection with Hammer, which is nonsense.
Not to mention William Morris, even CAA and Li Qian are too lazy to care. What kind of era is it now? An era where major studios and distribution companies make the final decision.
"okay."
Li Qian was too lazy to listen to her nonsense. It was said outside that this guy had no brains, and that was really the case.
"Ms. Liu, please go back first. I will notify you when the results come out."
"Director Li..."
Li Qian had a cold face and repeated, "I said I will notify you of the results!"
Liu Xiaoli was a little surprised by the sudden change of attitude. In the few contacts she had, Li Qianke had always been very kind.
Seeing the indifferent expression on Li Qian's face, Liu Xiaoli weighed it repeatedly in her mind and left unwillingly. She could only think of another way.
Li Qian was also speechless. People in the entertainment industry don't say that everyone is versatile, but at least they have to have a normal head. How could there be such a person?
Sure enough, the world is so big and full of wonders.
Immediately afterwards, within two hours, Zhang Ziyi and the others also turned back and tried to use various benefits and temptations to win this role, but they were all sent away.
After all, this audition lasted all afternoon, and it can be considered as fulfilling the casting obligation.
In the evening, Li Qian went to a dinner party, Song Ge treated him, and Jing Tian was also there.
"I'm sorry to trouble Director Li this time." Song Ge laughed and clinked a drink with Li Qian.
"Thank you, Director Li." Jingtian also toasted Li Qian with a glass of wine obediently.
Li Qian shook his head, "It hasn't been decided yet. It won't be confirmed until Warner is satisfied. I can't just recommend anyone casually."
Song Ge smiled and said, "With Li Qian, it will be stable."
"You guys will fly to Mi Lijian in a few days. Just make preparations. Just be a teacher from Beijing Film Academy or China National Theater. You have such a cold face the whole time, like someone you owe millions to. Find someone from the acting department."
The teacher should make an attack, and Jingtian, you look a bit fierce..." Li Qian gave a few words of warning.
Jingtian listened obediently, but felt a little unhappy in his heart. Why was she so mean? She was obviously a sweet and beautiful girl.
However, I didn’t dare to say this to Li Qian, so he humbly accepted it like a good student.
The role of the heroine was finally given to Song Ge. Li Qian was so open-minded on the phone that he asked for 50 million, just to see how much the role was worth.
In the end, Song Ge only hesitated for two seconds and agreed immediately.
accepted!
No one can spend 50 million to buy a character.
In fact, Song Ge felt miserable because he spent some money on his own and used various procedures to pay the bills.
As a result, when it came to Jingtian, I just waved my hand when I went to Wang Jianlin. No matter how much it cost, I just needed to get the role.
But when you think about it, "Warring States" cost 150 million before, so it's not surprising.
Fifty million, now that Song Ge agreed, Li Qian was not one to go back on his word, so everyone accepted the price he offered.
Besides, this role is really not that important, it is no different from a soy sauce heroine like Megan Fox.
Jingtian has a fierce look on his face, so he should be fine if he plays the same expression as his dead parents throughout the whole scene without having to make other expressions.
Most actors are like this. It's easy to perform without having to make too many expressions, but once the expressions become richer, it falls apart.
Moreover, Song Ge was asked to find some teachers for her. The teachers from the acting academy are the best at training this kind of single expression.
Her appearance and height make her suitable for acting with European and American actors.
Of course, it has to be decided by Warner's producers. Li Qian can't just arrange for someone to come over. If it were a cute and girly actor, Warner would not agree to it even to death.
In short, the characters that do not have much impact on the movie almost do not affect the movie. The audience will not care about the heroine. There are even scenes of human actors. They wish they could go there early and watch the mechas and monsters fight.
This role was decided so happily. As long as Jingtian has a cold face throughout the whole process, not the coldness of a CEO, and doesn't make unnecessary expressions, he can basically handle it. Anyway, it won't have much impact on the movie, and it won't damage Li.
The sign of modesty.
There is also a director on the crew. For a big production worth 200 million, the director still has the ability.