Chinese entertainment director starts with filmmaking

Chapter 38:

The meeting with David, naturally, did not achieve the desired results.

One side wants to acquire the script, or even trick the director into directing for free; the other side wants to increase the budget and even demand final cut rights.

However, Lionsgate's influence is now comparable to that of the Big Eight cinemas, making it a rising force in the film industry, and it has no shortage of talented directors.

Although they didn't part on bad terms, they clearly didn't get along, and the invitation to the party that evening wasn't even mentioned again.

Gu Qing didn't take it seriously; business deals are never finalized in a single transaction.

Actually, working as an assistant director under someone else to increase his fame would be the right path, but he doesn't have the time for that.

He wouldn't sit and drink coffee with someone else if he weren't on someone else's turf and needed to rely on their influence.

Bargaining with the other party is something you have to do out of necessity.

I'll take the photos if I have the chance, and if I don't, I won't. It's not like I have to beg for them.

Gu Qing packed her things, found a hotel to stay in, and made up her mind.

The script he's preparing this time is "Source Code," which is naturally superior to "Triangle," especially in its science fiction elements.

However, the scenes inside are grand and require a lot of special effects shots, and even a train is blown up, so it is naturally not something a newcomer like him can afford to invest in and film.

in the country, a production cost of 30 to 50 million yuan might not be enough to guarantee a minimum.

Moreover, it still revolves around the theme of time loops, but it's more hardcore and realistic than his previous two films.

"If you push me too far, I'll get that rich girl to step in."

Gu Qing lay on the bed, grumbling and cursing.

He was unwilling to let anything else interfere with their relationship unless absolutely necessary.

You could call him pretentious, but men have pride. He held back in China, so he certainly wouldn't do it here.

As she pondered this, Gu Qing closed her eyes.

The long layover of more than ten hours had left him exhausted, and it could be said that he was forcing himself to stay awake during the negotiations.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Santa Monica, a seaside villa area.

Jing Tian slumped onto the sofa, looking at the large and small bags in front of her, and let out a long sigh.

The happiest time before shopping is before you go shopping, and the least happy time is after you go shopping.

After the initial excitement wears off, you feel incredibly tired.

"Sweetie, is this for your older brother? He'll be so happy."

"Don't the clothes you bought make you look too young?"

On the other side, Lu Zheng finished his phone call and came to the living room. Seeing the large and small bags of gifts and clothes in front of him, he smiled and asked.

"Huh? My dad... oh right, it was bought for my dad."

Jing Tian's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly came to her senses and explained to Lu Zheng.

In 07, the United States could indeed be considered the most developed place in the world, in every field.

Although Jing Tian had seen many good things before, she was still overwhelmed by the sights when she first arrived here.

Overjoyed, she didn't even do anything important before going on a shopping spree, buying quite a lot of things.

Aside from her own things, she thought of buying some gifts for her brother Qing.

Hearing these words from Lu Zheng made her blush; how could she have forgotten about her own father?

"Sweetie, we've been here for quite a while now. Let me find you a film crew or a role in a music album production."

"Although you've gained some popularity in the country, to become a star, you still have to look to Hollywood."

"If you can act in a film by a great director and work with international superstars, it will greatly help your fame."

Lu Zheng lit a cigarette, pondered for a long time, and then spoke seriously.

Now that I've taken on this task, I must do it properly.

Although I have plans in the country, I still want to prepare for both possibilities.

In the past few days, he had been trying to find out if he could get Jing Tian into the film crew to act, but there were some setbacks that made him work very hard.

Unlike back home, where you can fund your own event, money alone can't buy you a place here.

"It's alright, Uncle Lu. If things really don't work out, we can just go back. With my brother Qing here, we're not worried about not having any roles to play."

Jing Tian didn't seem to care. Having already reaped the benefits and side effects of fame in China, she wasn't in a hurry anymore.

Becoming famous is good, but being criticized online is also real.

"Gu Qing? You call him that so naturally, but he's still young and his skills are still a bit lacking."

Lu Zheng smiled and said it without taking it seriously.

Although he thought highly of the other person, he was only in his early twenties and his abilities were quite limited.

"What's wrong with being young? Ambition knows no age. There are still directors in their fifties and sixties who have no notable achievements."

Jing Tian was displeased with Lu Zheng's words. Although his brother Qing was a bit young, he was exceptionally talented. He was a star from the start, and few of his peers could compare.

"Okay, okay, I..."

"Uncle Lu, I'm going to rest for a bit. I'm a little tired from shopping today."

Lu Zheng wanted to say something more, but Jing Tian had already gotten up and returned to her room.

Watching Jing Tian leave in a hurry, Lu Zheng shook his head and smiled bitterly.

This girl is too young to stay at home; he only said a few words before making an excuse to leave.

My niece is already showing signs of turning against her own family.

Forget it, he'd better look for production companies and see if they have any good projects.

At this moment, Gu Qing was unaware of his older brother's situation; he had already arrived at Lionsgate.

After his talks with David fell through and he left, he reunited with people from China Film Group and searched for a special effects company.

He had suggested going to Industrial Light & Magic, a leading company in the industry, but was met with a glare and a sarcastic remark from Chen Ze.

How much does it cost to use such great special effects?

Industrial Light & Magic is the company that creates special effects for Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Transformers.

Why would I take on special effects for such a small project?

In the end, Chen Ze also found a special effects company called AC, which was cheap and had excellent business capabilities.

The production cycle took about a week and cost $180,000.

If Gu Qing hadn't looked down on the standards in China, he would never have come here.

Gu Qing naturally wouldn't accompany him the whole time; he went to Lionsgate on his own to negotiate.

"Fifteen million US dollars, Gu. This is the most I can offer. You can serve as the assistant director of the film crew."

"Although you have experience in shooting feature films, you don't have any notable achievements."

Inside the meeting room, David the Bearded Man said nonchalantly.

He only started thinking about it after reading Gu Qing's script for "Original Code"; otherwise, he wouldn't have offered a multi-million dollar investment project.

"That's impossible. I have to be the director and have final cut."

"If Lionsgate is unwilling to cooperate, then I can go to New Line Cinema or Focus."

Gu Qing sat calmly, sipping his tea, unmoved.

Fifteen million dollars—if we're careful with the budget, we could definitely finish filming it—but without a director, wouldn't all his efforts have been wasted?

Assistant director? Hollywood film crews can have more than a dozen assistant directors!