novellhall Chapter 49: $2400 Million Special Effects Shots
Chapter 49: $2400 Million Special Effects Shots
Chen Xinjian's voice rang out in the office, "Mr. Lin, Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Lens have both replied with official letters. Each company has 800 lenses, and the top price is $15,000 each."
Our condition is that each company must send twenty trainees to participate in the entire production process—from the concept art stage, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, and compositing—no step can be skipped, and no limitations can be imposed.
Lin Dong leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers twice on the armrest. "15,000 by 800 for each family, that's 12 million US dollars. Two families would be 24 million."
This amount is actually a little more than the previously estimated 2000 million.
But this price is for a ticket.
At the same time, Lin Dong also tested his system and found that there was no violation, so he was relieved.
"Agree to their terms." Lin Dong put down his teacup. "It's expensive, but I'm not afraid of spending more money. What matters is that they learn real skills."
Chen Xinjian put down his pen and wrote a line in his notebook.
"After we confirm this, each of the two companies will send a pre-production team over next week to work with Director Xu to determine the direction of the special effects."
Concept art and key technology testing are expected to begin simultaneously in mid-June, at which time their main team will officially join the production crew.
He turned a page in his notebook, his tone calm. "As for Huang Hongda, all thirty people will finish the handover of Xiantao next week. After three days of rest, they will join the crew under the name Tengda Fantasy and start working in sync with the Hollywood team."
What is Director Xu's attitude?
"I couldn't be happier." Chen Xinjian's lips twitched slightly. "He said that in all his decades of acting, this is the first time he's fought such a lucrative battle."
Lin Dong smiled and picked up his teacup. "Han Sanping has been notified as well?"
"I've already contacted them, and all five of them will be coming to Hong Kong next week. I heard they're all ambitious and hardworking elites." Chan Yan-kin had already prepared in advance, and he answered all the questions crisply and clearly.
"Also, Ms. Fan's flight was this morning, and she has already landed. Her apartment has been arranged; it's a 15-minute walk from the company." Chen Xinjian looked at his notebook and brought up Fan Binbin's matter again.
Lin Dong nodded. "Have her come to the company this afternoon. To meet someone."
Chen Xinjian nodded and noted it down without asking any further questions. He closed his notebook and pulled out a page from the bottom of the folder.
"There's one more thing. The project 'Showgirl in Tsim Sha Tsui' was officially approved yesterday. The director is Yip Wai-shun, the female lead is Cheung Pak-chi, the male lead is Louis Koo, and the second male lead is Cheung Tat-ming."
The script is already being revised; the original character design tailored for Ms. Li needs to be completely scrapped and redone—this process will likely take another week.
"No need to rush him." Lin Dong waved his hand. "I've seen his previous movies. Ye Weixin thinks he's an interesting guy. He's good at filming everyday life and gangsters. Let him finish this project first, and then we'll give him other projects later."
What he didn't say was that most directors from Hong Kong and Taiwan have the same problem.
They can film street scenes, brotherhood, and the grudges and affections between two or three characters with great depth.
However, once the scope shifts to grand war scenes or fantasy/demonic themes, the camerawork begins to falter.
If Ye Weixin was like this, then looking ahead, most others will likely be the same.
But that doesn't matter. Every director has their own way of using people; just put them in the right positions.
As for Fan Binbin's first project, he also has plans.
Last night, Li Jiaxin mentioned that after filming "Dragon in the Jianghu," Wang Jing planned to start a new project, which included a second female lead role that would be perfect for her.
Fatty Wang said "suitable for Zhang Baizhi" out loud, but who could blame him when the person relaying the message was Li Jiaxin?
But it's okay, it's just right.
At the same time, a girl also took the elevator, which stopped on the 12th floor. After exchanging a few words with the receptionist, she was led toward Lin Dong's office.
Zhang Baizhi looked up at this moment, and frowned when he saw her.
Fan Binbin was seen wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with her ponytail hanging over her shoulders, and no makeup on her face.
But it was this bare-faced appearance that made Zhang Baizhi feel a great threat.
"Ms. Fan." Zhang Baizhi stood up without hesitation, a standard smile on his face, and waved for the receptionist to leave. "Why are you at the company so early? President Chen is still in President Lin's office. Please have a seat for a while."
Fan Binbin sat down on the sofa in the reception area, a charming smile on his face. "No rush. I just wanted to get familiar with the place first."
"Was the journey tiring?" Zhang Baizhi poured a cup of water from the break room and handed it to him, his tone as warm as if he were greeting an old classmate he hadn't seen in a long time. "I heard you were filming 'Ma Yongzhen' in mainland China before. Were there a lot of action scenes?"
"It's alright. There's a lot of wire work involved." Fan Binbin took the water glass, took a sip, and smiled even more sweetly. "Ms. Zhang, what have you been busy with lately? I heard from President Chen that the company has started a new film for you."
"Not at all, it's just a small budget." Zhang Baizhi's smile remained unchanged.
The two of them chatted back and forth, and in just a few exchanges, their tone became as warm as if they had known each other for years.
Both of them had smiling eyes, but there was no real joy in their eyes.
The office door opened. Chen Xinjian walked out, holding the black-covered notebook in his hand.
Fan Binbin immediately stood up and bowed slightly to Chen Xinjian. "Mr. Chen."
"Miss Fan." Chen Xinjian stopped and nodded to her. "Why didn't you take a break?"
"My mom is tidying up the apartment. I don't have much to do and I'm not tired, so I came to the company to check on things."
With a slightly naive smile befitting her age, and even a hint of embarrassment at the end, Fan Binbin said, "Let me see if there's anything I can do. I can't just sit around at the company doing nothing before I'm filming."
Zhang Baizhi's brow twitched; her intuition told her that Fan Binbin's visit was ill-intentioned.
Chen Xinjian laughed.
The way this girl spoke was exactly the same as when we were signing the contract in the office that day—clear-headed, aware of her position, and knowing how to make others feel comfortable in that position.
"Miss Fan, don't worry. Mr. Lin thinks highly of you, and he's already made arrangements regarding resources. He'll talk to you personally this afternoon."
Also, Manager Li has arranged an acting tutor for you; classes start tomorrow. It covers lines, physical expression, and camera presence—the directors here might have slightly different requirements for actors than those in mainland China, so the tutor will help you transition.
Zhang Baizhi's eyelashes trembled slightly.
Acting lessons. She's been with Tengda for almost two months, and no one has hired any teachers for her.
Damn Li Jiaxin, I absolutely have to go to Happy Valley tonight, even if it's incredibly shameful. As long as Li Jiaxin is like me, I'll feel it's all worth it.
Let's fight to the death, even if it means mutual destruction.
"Thank you, Mr. Chen. Please also thank Michelle for me." Fan Binbin bowed slightly.
Chen Xinjian nodded and went back to his office.
The corridor fell silent again.
Fan Binbin turned around, looked at Zhang Baizhi, and smiled unchanged. "Ms. Zhang, is Mr. Lin free right now? I'd like to greet him first."
Zhang Baizhi cursed inwardly. "You vixen." He cursed loudly, through gritted teeth. But when he spoke, every word was like honey.
"Of course I'm available. President Lin specifically instructed me to inform you immediately when Miss Fan arrives. Please wait a moment."
She turned and pushed open the door to Lin Dong's office. "Brother Dong, Miss Fan has arrived."