Xiao Ran completely agrees with this, but this does not mean that he will let it go: "OK, according to you, celebrities are the main motivation for audiences to enter. Then when the star's salary is as high as one-third, or even two One percent, then the production funds for the film will definitely shrink and the quality of the film will be greatly compromised. If it were you, after falling into the trap once, would you still fall for it?"
"This... no!" From the perspective of the audience, Wei Dongling was stunned for a moment and then gave the answer calmly: "However, it is impossible for a star's salary to reach this ratio."
Xiao Ran smiled, knowing that Wei Dongling would answer him like this. Zhang Yimou didn't dare to spend all his money on actors when making martial arts movies, but he still paid special attention to technical factors. The same is true for Wang Jiawei. Although this person really likes to use stars, but in terms of technology It's the same as spending a lot of money without caring.
"Yes, it is impossible for a star's salary to reach this ratio!" Xiao Ran nodded with a confident smile: "And, more than that, I even plan to set a rule that does not allow a star's salary to exceed the amount minus publicity fees and insurance. and a quarter of additional expenses such as legal fees.”
A quarter, which is already a very high proportion for production costs. Although there is a saying in Hollywood: if the leading actor receives a salary of 20 million, the total investment should not be less than 100 million. But this so-called The RMB 100 million generally includes publicity fees and other expenses.
"The key is that the staff behind the scenes get too little money. The best photographers only get 80,000 yuan per film." Xiao Ran smiled, and here is the key point: "Tell me, if you have to make up for it with quantity, Then what energy do you have to talk about quality issues? Don’t forget that the foundation of our company is quality, and the slogan is Phantom Image, Achieve Classics!”
Wei Dongling was speechless. He suddenly understood the meaning of Xiao Ran's words and agreed with Xiao Ran's meaning. Xiao Ran looked at Wei Dongling's expression and smiled with satisfaction. He liked this sense of accomplishment in persuading people: "If we give a director of photography a salary of 200,000 yuan, only shoot one movie a year, and give him enough space to show his ability, do you think he will do it?"
Wei Dongling was speechless. There are definitely many photographers in Hong Kong. Even famous photographers may not be able to shoot many films a year. Precisely because they are highly valued, 99% of film companies do not pay attention to photography and would rather hire A cheap but featureless photographer. For a movie worth 200,000 yuan, anyone would be willing to do it. You must know that many celebrities may not be able to get that much.
"So, on this basis, I think it is necessary for us to improve the treatment of the behind-the-scenes staff." Xiao Ran hesitated, gritted his teeth and said: "Even if it increases the budget of the film, it is worth it!"
"I agree, but I think the review of scripts must be strict!" Wei Dongling had nothing to say. Xiao Ran was spreading all the arguments. If he couldn't understand the benefits of this, he wouldn't be worthy of sitting in this position.
After discussing the matter, Wei Dongling suddenly remembered something. After searching for a long time, he found a notebook and gave it to Xiao Ran: "This is the script sent by Er Dongsheng personally. He hopes that we can invest in this film!"
Er Dongsheng is a great filmmaker. He was quite popular in his early years. He started directing last year, and his debut film was the very well-received "The Story of Mad Men". He has won the Academy Award for Best Director twice, and he is a very Excellent director.
However, Xiao Ran was very confused. Er Dongsheng was working with Debao, and he knew this very well. There was no reason why Debao couldn't get funds to make the film, so he went to Phantom instead. After reading the script, he found out that it was "The People's Hero".
, he couldn't help being stunned.
"People's Heroes" is Er Dongsheng's second directorial work. It focuses on the real society. The film has a good reputation, but the box office is not good, and it failed to win any gold statues and horses. Of course Xiao Ran wanted to make this film
, but the company is currently in the development stage and simply cannot afford to lose money.
To shoot or not to shoot? Xiao Ran hesitated. But after hesitating for a moment, he immediately made a decision, shoot, why not shoot. If the loss of several million can be exchanged for a talent like Er Dongsheng, it will definitely be more cost-effective than anything else.
of trading.
He immediately called and agreed on the place and time to meet. Xiao Ran rushed there immediately, only telling Wei Dongling to recruit the two master screenwriters he had just discovered as soon as possible. He rushed to the bar, and Er Dongsheng had already arrived. When he saw Xiao Ran
Then he said hello with some respect: "Boss Xiao, I'm here!"
Xiao Ran sat down, ordered a cup of coffee, then collected his thoughts and said, "I read your script, it's very good!"
This old-fashioned tone would definitely be dismissed by others, but Xiao Ran is none other than Hong Kong's recognized number one screenwriter. Er Dongsheng obviously agrees with this, so he has no complaints and just sincerely hopes to hear
Xiao Ran's opinion.
I have to admit that Er Dongsheng is a person who is very thoughtful and knows how to listen to opinions. Xiao Ran secretly praised him, and then said in a pretentious manner: "However, you all know that the chance of this film being a hit is very slim. I even
I think I may not be able to get my money back by investing in this film.”
Er Dongsheng smiled bitterly and said: "De Bao said so, so after much thought, the only one who can appreciate this script is you, the hand of God!"
Historically, this film was indeed produced by Debao. But it is no longer the case. Xiao Ran is not surprised at all. History has changed a long time ago, and this small change is not something to be afraid of. After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ran gently moved his fingers
Tapping on the table creates a rhythm that seems to be magical, causing the thoughts of others to gradually follow the rhythm.
"This book is indeed good, it touches on some deep things!" Xiao Ran found that his acting skills were getting better and better. He wondered if every businessman was like this: "I don't doubt your ability, but I think
This film is not easy to make. If it can win an award, I would be willing to make it. But there is a high probability that there will be no hope for this film when it is made, and there is no hope for the box office, so I am in a dilemma..."
Er Dongsheng was extremely frustrated. His friend advised him to show the book to Phantom's boss for a look. If he didn't get approval, it would be better to give up. But now it seems that although appreciation is appreciation, the film still has to be given up. Although he felt that
Xiao Ran was happy with the comment, but this fact could not be erased.
Xiao Ran couldn't stop snickering when he saw this. He thought it was time to reveal his trump card. Suddenly the conversation changed and Xiao Ran nodded and said: "I have watched "The Story of a Mad Man" and it was very well shot. I think you have enough
Potential. I think you just lack some opportunities. I decided to make this film."
He had just beaten Er Dongsheng from heaven to hell, and then pulled him up from hell with one hand. Er Dongsheng's mood changed several times at this moment, and his face suddenly showed joy: "Really? That's great! Thank you Xiao
boss!"
"I always tell the truth!" Xiao Ran smiled slightly. He was not interested in correcting Er Dongsheng's name. Everyone called him that and he was used to it: "However, this film will definitely be a loss, and it may not be sold in other places.
.So, I won’t give the budget too high. Also, as for the actors, I don’t think you need to hire any stars. Just treat it as your personal experimental work. I hope you can find your own way in this film!”
Looking at Xiao Ran with a sincere face, Er Dongsheng was moved. In fact, no one was optimistic about him as a director at first. It was just because he was a famous star before that he could get the funds. Although "The Story of a Mad Man" was a success, but
Er Dongsheng was not satisfied, but he did not expect that a stranger he had just met would express his appreciation for him and even invest in him at a loss.
In fact, it's not that Xiao Ran hasn't considered signing Er Dongsheng, but he knows better that Er Dongsheng is not a prolific director, and it often takes several years to make a film. Moreover, Er Dongsheng has always had a very weird habit, usually not by himself.
Maybe the script was written by a screenwriter he trusted, so he would rather not make the film.
The next day, in a restaurant, Xiao Ran was very happy now. He finally got his driver's license today. He thought that he would no longer need to do such shameful things as driving around. It was right to say that he was a film company.
The boss doesn’t even own a car. This is a long-standing joke in the film industry.
Strictly speaking, it was not because Xiao Ran wanted to carry forward the revolutionary style of hard work and simplicity, but because he didn't know how to drive at all. Before that, he was so busy that he shouted every day: "I drive hundreds of thousands per second, how can I have time..." At least
After more than thirty times, the recent events were basically resolved and the company management did not need his intervention, so he took the time to learn to drive.
He was in such a relaxed and happy mood that he had to whistle twice to express how happy he was, but the two young men in front of him were very nervous. Tie Long was very nervous, but the other gentle young man wearing glasses was even more nervous.
Tie Long is a lighting engineer and has not studied much. The reason why he wrote the script this time was because he was inspired by Xiao Ran's speech at the Academy Awards. He is not a person who does not seek to make progress, and he is a lighting engineer.
He wants to be the best, but the director never gives him a chance to show himself.
After seeing Xiao Ran's speech on TV, Tie Long had some ideas. In fact, he always had a lot of ideas on weekdays, but he just never had the chance to realize them. So, he spent a long time writing out one of the ideas.
This idea came to him when his son was playing with a machine.
From the appearance, Tie Long does not look like a screenwriter. He is more like a martial arts actor with his tall and macho appearance. However, sometimes it really cannot be determined by appearance. The script written by Tie Long was mainly spent on writing.
He has a lot of work to do, and he only takes time to write.
The young man wearing glasses was so nervous that he almost suffocated. I believe that if Xiao Ran was not smiling, but had a straight face, he would have been unable to breathe. His name is Qiu Yu, a very strange name, don't look at him as he is very shy
He looks good, but his personality is more extroverted and passionate.
Qiu Yu is a screenwriting student at the Baptist Communication Department. He has always thought that he is very capable, but after listening to Xiao Ran's lecture last time, he was immediately impressed by Xiao Ran. If nothing else, it was the "novelty and exquisiteness" that Xiao Ran pointed out.
The four-character mantra made him worship him to death.
Now that he could see Xiao Ran, he felt that he was really lucky. What was even more lucky was that his book was chosen by Xiao Ran. When he heard the notice from Phantom Company, Qiu Yu felt as if he had won the Mark Six lottery.
.
No matter how happy he was, Xiao Ran had no reason to put these two people aside. Originally, he didn't need to do this in person. But after thinking about it, the screenwriting skills of these two people still needed to be improved, so he thought it would be better to do it himself.
Talk about things and give them some advice.
"You two, I read your book!" Xiao Ran coughed softly and touched his nose, trying to make it more comfortable: "I think you are worthy of my invitation. Are you interested in joining the Phantom Company?"
"Yes, yes!" Qiu Yu nodded fiercely, wishing to shout yes as surely and resolutely as if he was getting married in a church. But Tie Long was not so straightforward, but hesitated: "Boss Xiao, I don't know how the treatment will be?"
Xiao Ran smiled slightly, and naturally the salary had to be discussed. After thinking about it, he thought that these two people were not mature screenwriters yet. They needed a period of time to develop, so the remuneration would naturally be lower: "You are new to the industry, so your salary will be lower."
It won’t be very good. Before you finish training, the company will not pay you a monthly salary, only the script fee! Of course, the script fee is not low, 50,000 yuan per script! I think you know this."
There are two ways for Phantom Company to sign screenwriters. The first is to sign them and put them on the screenwriting team. They are basically responsible for revising and perfecting the scripts. The salary for this type is quite high. The second type is to only get the script fee and not get paid.
Salary. Of course, in the first option, you can also choose to write your own script, and you will receive the same script fees and bonuses.
"No problem, it's my honor!" Qiu Yu nodded vigorously immediately. Xiao Ran was even worried that this guy's neck would be broken because of this. Xiao Ran remembered that this Qiu Yu was the one who gave a lecture at the Baptist Church last time.
The screenwriter who asked me about it midway is no wonder that Xiao Ran’s style is everywhere in that script.
"Can you give me some time to think about this?" Fifty thousand? Of course Tielong was tempted, but as soon as he thought about it, he thought of another more profitable method. Xiao Ran shrugged and said it was no problem.
*****
Novel title——Er Dongsheng
Real name——Er Dongsheng
Before he became a director, Yee Dong-sheng was a very famous star in Hong Kong and acted in many movies. However, he can be regarded as the most successful actor behind the scenes. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Director. His
The director doesn't have many works, but he doesn't have a bad movie, which makes people admire him.
High-quality strategy. In 1994, his literary love story "New Love" grossed more than 30 million yuan in a bleak movie market, which is really amazing. Two years ago, "Unforgettable" also received good reviews for its literary love.
box office, and then to "Mongkok Night", this is a director worthy of respect.