Chapter 1643 - 812: Meeting Zhou Lan

Chapter 1643: Chapter 812: Meeting Zhou Lan

If it weren’t for Zhou Yun, it wouldn’t have been possible to gather such a cast with this budget.

So far, "Child of Prophecy" has already allocated five million to Liu Qidong, along with his own five million, for preliminary preparations.

Many more expenses will arise once formal shooting begins.

This is a money pit.

Zhou Yun is even doubtful that the final twenty million will be enough.

At least for Liang Yuanpu’s fee, it can’t just be handled with a cameo fee; after all, he’s a major antagonist, a proper supporting lead.

Zhou Yun said to Zhou Lan, "How should we calculate Teacher Liang’s fee? Pay it all at once? Or discuss with him to treat it as an investment based on his fee?"

The lump sum fee isn’t impressive from Teacher Liang’s standpoint.

Zhou Yun is well aware that Liang Yuanpu agreed to this film largely because of their friendship.

Otherwise, why would Liang Yuanpu take on a supporting role for a new director and a low-budget film?

Even if it’s not mentioned, Zhou Yun acknowledges it internally.

Zhou Lan said, "Let’s do this, I plan to pay Teacher Liang a fee of five million, and then offer him 10% of the film’s profits."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun asked, "Isn’t 10% too low?"

Zhou Lan: "According to our box office estimates, Teacher Liang should be able to make up to ten million."

Upon hearing this figure, Zhou Yun understood that this was a relatively safe figure.

This fee seems quite reasonable for Liang Yuanpu.

She nodded.

"Song Chi’s company’s ’Cigarette,’ actually has a higher production cost than ours, almost reaching sixty million," Zhou Lan said. "We’ve kept the fees for ’Child of Prophecy’s’ actors under control, mainly offering thirty to fifty thousand for cameo appearances, which isn’t high, but not low either, aligning with the market rate. The key is that Liu Qidong’s fee wasn’t included, nor ours as producers. If all of these are added, we’d definitely exceed twenty million."

"Let’s just count everything as a percentage," Zhou Yun said. "Of course, doesn’t Liu Qidong himself have five million? It’s not easy for him as a newcomer to make a film, let’s pay him some compensation."

The production company for "Child of Prophecy" essentially became Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan’s studio; when the time comes, the film’s rights will be in their hands, while Liu Qidong, according to the agreement, will receive a share of the profits.

Zhou Yun believes that as for herself and Zhou Lan, it’s easy to discuss; even if the film makes a loss, it wouldn’t affect their work and life. But Liu Qidong has invested everything he owns, so she still wants to provide him with a safety net.

Zhou Lan said, "I do quite admire this person; he seems trustworthy. I heard that later Yao Yuanfeng approached him, trying to lure him over to let New Shield produce the film, offering better terms than we did, but Liu Qidong refused."

Zhou Yun: "He’s quite committed then."

"Indeed," Zhou Lan said. "I feel that since Liu Qidong is a decent person and his script is good, perhaps we could sign him."

"Sister Lan, our studio doesn’t have the capacity to support a director’s development."

"But Song Chi’s company does," Zhou Lan said. "Song Chi’s company is into film production and also signs directors. Why not take this opportunity to sign a long-term agreement with someone as talented as Liu Qidong?"

Zhou Yun sighed, "I actually thought about Wen Bing. Wen Bing feels a bit regretful now about signing such a long agreement with New Shield. He’s long wanted to stop doing commercial films for them, but during the contract period, he can’t collaborate with other companies."

Zhou Lan: "But a new director like him has to collaborate long-term with a production company; otherwise, where would he find resources for his films in the future? One can’t make it in the film industry solo."

Zhou Yun: "You could discuss his situation with Wu Chengbao. If Wu Chengbao wants to sign him, let him negotiate it himself. Let’s not interfere, otherwise, he might overthink, with the film not even started, signing or not would become a dilemma."

Zhou Lan: "You do have a lot on your mind, alright then, I’ll talk to Wu Chengbao."

She suddenly remembered something and said, "Hou Mengjie is preparing to shoot a new film, and it’s not in collaboration with New Shield; instead, it’s with Seapool. Guess who is representing Seapool as the executive producer?"

"Windsor?" Zhou Yun asked.

Zhou Lan nodded, "You guessed right at once."

"If it’s Seapool, she’s the only one who’d make you ask me," Zhou Yun remarked.

Since breaking up with Wen Bing, Windsor has been at Seapool for quite some time. Zhou Yun hadn’t heard about her and thought she had long left, but unexpectedly, she was still there and had become the executive producer for Hou Mengjie’s new film.

Zhou Yun said, "She must be quite diligent to be able to represent Seapool as an executive producer."

Zhou Lan said, "There are many rumors about her; despite this, her reputation at Seapool isn’t good, and she has many enemies. A lot of people speak ill of her behind her back with all kinds of slanders."

Zhou Yun: "Let’s not concern ourselves with her. It’s good that she’s collaborating with Hou Mengjie; they’re not the easiest people to work with, let them squabble it out."

Zhou Lan laughed.

"This young woman truly didn’t seem capable at first, but she made her way out of Seapool; that’s no easy feat," Zhou Lan added with a hint of admiration.

-

The third part is here, I can’t continue, need to rest, will write more tomorrow.

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