"Source Code" is a low-budget science fiction film directed by the famous director Duncan Jones in 2009. It tells the story of a series of thrilling events experienced by Captain Kurt Stevens, a U.S. Air Force pilot who performed a mission in Afghanistan. Produced
The cost was 32 million U.S. dollars, which according to the calculation relationship is about 250 million yuan. The final global box office harvest was 120 million U.S. dollars.
Of course, it is 2004, and prices have not risen that much. Moreover, "Source Code" hired three big-name stars, and the salary alone accounted for a large part of it, and it was filmed in the United States. If it were placed now, it would be
Shooting in China, Shao Shuaijun was confident and cut costs exponentially.
He has learned about the current special effects companies, which can completely create the effect of a train explosion. The charges vary depending on the length of the shot. Shao Shuaijun calculated that about 5 minutes of explosion effects can be edited to complete the entire movie. In one shot
If you calculate 5 million per minute, it will be 25 million in 5 minutes.
Coupled with other special effects scenes, the entire movie requires more than 35 million yuan to spend on special effects.
Secondly, the biggest prop cost of the movie is spent on the trains. At the very least, you have to rent several train cars, coordinate with the railway department, and take helicopter aerial photography. This part can't be taken without 10 million.
The special effects and props totaled 45 million. If you want to reduce costs, save whatever you can on the part reserved for filming and remuneration. 500,000 was contacted by Liu Yifei. Shao Shuaijun was very satisfied. Liu Yifei is very popular this year.
, is a guarantee for the mainland box office.
In addition to the heroine played by Liu Yifei, a college student, there is also a female officer who has a lot of roles. For this candidate, Shao Shuaijun contacted Huayi's own artist, Fan Bingbing. Fan Bingbing came from "Huanzhugege".
Since "Golden Lock", it has been very popular and has participated in many TV series, all of which received good ratings.
He and Li Bingbing are known as the two soldiers besides the four little Huadans, and they seem to have the attitude of attacking Huadans.
What he lacks is his achievements in movies, as he has not played any important roles.
With the support of Huayi Brothers and the heroine Liu Yifei's salary of 500,000 yuan, Fan Bingbing readily accepted the role of the female officer, and the salary was also 500,000 yuan.
Once the main actors are determined, the cost can also be determined, and the pieces are put together at the line of 50 million.
With the cost budget in hand, the next step is to start attracting investments. Shao Shuaijun went to Huayi Brothers first and discussed it in the office with Wang Zhonglei, who is in charge of film and television projects.
"Mr. Wang, the movie script has been finished. With an investment of 50 million, how much can Mr. Wang handle?"
Wang Zhonglei knocked on the table: "Xiao Shao, this is a pure science fiction movie. China's science fiction movies are currently in a slump. You should know that there is no pure science fiction movie at all. You can make money by shooting this kind of movie now.
Really? 50 million is not a small sum of money, and Huayi will definitely not invest the full amount."
"I can be sure that the movie will be a hit. I have calculated it. In the current market, a box office of 50 million is the minimum. If Chinese films want to develop, the film bureau will definitely encourage the filming of science fiction themes. Once the film bureau supports it, it will increase the number of films.
With its duration, it should not be difficult to break 100 million box office. Moreover, "Source Code" is the touchstone I use to hit the US market."
Shao Shuaijun's shrewd calculation. The original version of "Source Code" was launched in the mainland and received 43 million in the first week. However, due to poor relations with the distribution company, the film schedule was repeatedly reduced, and finally only received 65 million at the box office. In fact, the audience did not decrease too much.
There are many, and if we treat them fairly, it is not difficult to exceed 100 million.
Today's movie market is not as popular as in later generations, but it will not be too affected by piracy. Looking at it as a whole, there is a chance to exceed 100 million.
Wang Zhonglei was obviously not so optimistic about Shao Shuaijun, and sighed: "Xiao Shao, why do you insist on making science fiction movies? You can now make some blockbuster movies like "Crazy Stone" and make money while consolidating your position as a director. You
You are still young, eighteen years old. Many directors are still playing in the mud at this age, so why rush to hit Hollywood?"
I can tell you that I only have nine years. Time passes by little by little. If no matter how good the movie is, it is not made, will my role be gone?
Shao Shuaijun has a hard time saying that he doesn't know that his foundation is weak now, and he should be steady and steady in the normal way. But he must seize the time and race against time to shoot good movies for future generations. If he is only busy with China's blockbuster comedies, wouldn't it be good for foreign movies?
It's all wasted.
But he couldn't explain the reason, so he could only continue to persuade: "Mr. Wang, I have a good idea for "Source Code". I won't make it now. When movies develop rapidly in the future, there will definitely be many science fiction films of this type. "Source Code"
There is no competitiveness anymore. I am very confident in this movie. If it weren’t for the shares of Huayi Brothers, I really want to take back my 30 million and use it to invest in this movie. I will definitely make a lot of money in the future.
"If Huayi is afraid of taking too many risks, then it should seek investment. Polybona, Media Asia, and Warner Bros. can all participate."
When it comes to this matter, regardless of emotions or reasons, Wang Zhonglei has no reason to refuse cooperation: "Okay, if you have confidence, I will believe you! Huayi's shares have already been identified, and TOM Group has initially agreed to your holding.
share plan, you can feel free to join Huayi and we will start a business together! I will personally discuss the investment in "Source Code"."
If the success of a movie is said to be due to bad luck. But the success of "Buried Alive" and "Crazy Stone" cannot be explained by luck. Wang Zhonglei is really optimistic about Shao Shuaijun's future. After the conversation, he and Shao Shuaijun
, began to go to major film and television investment companies to discuss film cooperation.
Wang Zhonglei talked about cooperation, and Shao Shuaijun was responsible for explaining the script. The investment that I thought was very difficult turned out to be surprisingly easy.
The first stop was Century Hero. Century Hero is a film and television investment company jointly established by CITIC Investment and China Film Group. The 300 million yuan masterpiece "The Promise" that Chen Kaige just started filming this year is a movie invested by Century Hero. The person in charge of Century Hero
He did not agree to invest. It is said that investing in "The Promise" drained the capital chain.
However, at the second stop at Polybonne, it went surprisingly smoothly.
"Haha, if you don't come to me, I will also go to Xiao Shao. "Crazy Stone" made me greedy. Alas, I misjudged my eyes. Xiao Shao, I solemnly apologize to you. "Buried Alive"
"I didn't pay much attention to it." As soon as Yu Dong came up, he spoke enthusiastically.
Shao Shuaijun was stunned for a moment. Sure enough, the businessman's face was rolled out by a hob. He stretched out his hand to avoid hitting the smiling man. Today was another round of investment promotion. Moreover, there had not been much festivals before, so the scene immediately became lively. Regarding "
Source Code", Yu Dong agreed to invest after reading the rough script.
"We at Polybona are willing to invest 20 million as long as we share 30% of the box office."
"30% is too high. We at Huayi also plan to invest 20 million, plus distribution, so we only get 35%. As director, screenwriter and starring, Shao Shuaijun does not get paid, but has to take 10% of the share, leaving an investment gap of 10 million
, plus the investment in publicity costs, at least 30% of the share must be reserved, and you can only take 25% of the share at most."
"It depends on the next investment amount, we will discuss it later."
"OK."
The direction of cooperation was negotiated from Poly Bona, and the third stop was Media Asia Variety Entertainment, which is a Hong Kong film company that has had good cooperation with Huayi Brothers. For this "Source Code", Media Asia is responsible
One of them, Zhuang Cheng, is very optimistic about this script, and once a science fiction movie is completed, its reputation will be as good as that of an art film.
Chinese-language movies really need the embellishment of science fiction movies.