Chapter 44: Chen Kai Ge Was Forced to Leave the Set, Princess Taiping Was Flustered...【Seeking Data】
Pavilion!
Only Liu Wei, Tian Tian, and Chen Hong were present!
"Wei Ge, you come to be the supervisor of Daoist Down the Mountain!"
Tian Tian said straight to the point.
Liu Wei laughed.
He was about to pull out his investment, but Tian Tian invited him to be the supervisor.
What was this all about?
"Did I hear correctly? I'm the supervisor? Isn't Hong Jie the supervisor?"
Liu Wei asked.
"Hong Jie is married to Director Chen, and Chen is stubborn, while Hong Jie doesn't understand filming, so the supervisor is just a figurehead, with no real power!"
"Now, Daoist Down the Mountain is halfway through filming, and it's already over budget. If we don't correct it in time, the cost will rise significantly, and recouping the investment will become extremely difficult."
Tian Tian didn't give Chen Hong and her husband any face, directly exposing their problems.
"Why think of me?"
Liu Wei was intrigued.
He thought Tian Tian might personally oversee the crew, strictly control it, and keep an eye on Daoist Down the Mountain.
But he didn't expect Tian Tian to invite him!
"Professional things should be done by professionals. I'm responsible for controlling the entire project, but my time is limited, so I can't keep an eye on it all the time!"
"You successfully filmed Wu Lin, and now you've efficiently completed Limitless Escape, finishing the entire project in the shortest time, proving you have a strong ability to control budgets..."
"From the industry information I've gathered, you're also a very talented director. Combining your strengths, inviting you is the most suitable choice!"
Tian Tian said.
"It seems you decided to invite me before you came to Hengdian."
"That's right, I've planned it all along."
"Even if I agree, will Director Chen and Hong Jie agree?"
"They have no choice. Now that Hong Jie is here, it's the best proof. Either agree, or I'll withdraw my subsequent investment, and Columbia Pictures will withdraw with me. They can't afford it."
Just as Tian Tian finished speaking, Chen Hong's phone rang.
"Columbia Pictures has changed hands."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Hong's expression changed.
"..."
Tian Tian was also stunned, and quickly received a call confirming what Chen Hong said.
Then Chen Hong and Tian Tian both looked at Liu Wei, who was smiling knowingly.
Especially Tian Tian, she felt like a clown at that moment, her performance seen through by everyone.
"Wei Ge, you're being too much. Since Columbia Pictures is yours, why didn't you lay your cards on the table? We're all investors in Daoist Down the Mountain, so it would be better to talk, we don't need to threaten Chen Kai Ge, we can work together to decide the direction of this project."
Tian Tian said.
"Wei Di, although Kai Ge is stubborn, he's still capable, the overspending can be salvaged, we should still let him do this project, we shouldn't interfere too much."
Chen Hong, seeing Columbia was now Liu's, immediately spoke up for her husband.
"I don't think Daoist Down the Mountain is a good idea. Director Chen has a fatal flaw in filmmaking, he leaves things unfinished, and not just at the end. It starts from the middle. The beginning is fine, but later on, he gets carried away and makes the content fragmented..."
"This isn't the first time this has happened, we'll withdraw later!"
"As for the breach of contract penalty, we'll compensate according to the agreement. Of course, if Xinli Media also withdraws, then we don't even need to pay the penalty."
Liu Wei finished speaking and turned around to leave.
He didn't even want to talk to them. The first part of Daoist Down the Mountain was filmed so well, but the rest of it completely fell apart!
With an investment of 200 million, it only had a box office of 400 million!
Following the three-times-the-cost-to-recoup principle, this was a huge loss!
Chen Hong almost fainted when she heard this!
If Columbia Pictures withdrew its investment, it would be very difficult to secure financing in the short term.
Even if financing was successful, the project cost would rise further.
The crew had so many people, wasting a day would be a huge expense.
Ten days or a half-month, and the cost would skyrocket!
By then, the cost of 200 million would definitely not be enough!
"Wei Ge, what if you were to direct Daoist Down the Mountain?"
Tian Tian said.
"Me directing? What do you mean?"
Liu Wei asked.
"Director Chen's first half of the footage is quite good. You can direct the second half, everything from then on is done by you, he doesn't interfere with your creation."
Tian Tian said.
"You want to kick my husband off the project?"
Chen Hong was dumbfounded.
"Hong Jie, this is the only way to save the project at the moment. Besides, we initially wanted to find Wei Ge to be the supervisor, and now his family is the majority shareholder of Columbia Pictures, letting him take charge of directing is also reasonable, and it can also avoid Director Chen's unfinished work."
Tian Tian said.
"If this gets out, my husband will be a laughing stock in the industry. We won't agree!"
Chen Hong refused outright.
"Don't agree? You have to agree. Xinli Media and Columbia Pictures together can kick you out. Now we're giving you face, so you can keep your dignity, but if we don't give you face, your husband's so-called great director halo will have no dignity! We're capital, profit is our nature. In the face of profit, anyone can be replaced!"
Tian Tian didn't pretend anymore, she directly revealed her cards.
She felt tired talking to Chen Hong, this woman couldn't understand!
Liu Wei watched from the sidelines, allowing Tian Tian and Chen Hong to fight, now he understood why Tian Tian of Xinli Media in 2014 was so formidable!
This woman was truly fearless, quick-witted, prioritizing shareholder interests, with goals, methods, and shareholder support, it was hard for her not to succeed!
"I'll talk to my husband."
After calming down, Chen Hong said.
"Whether you agree or not doesn't matter, because you can't change it. Now you can still withdraw gracefully. Later, we'll jointly issue a statement with Shengkai Film and Television Culture, using the excuse of Chen Kai Ge's ill health, claiming he's withdrawing from the project and will provide guidance as a supervisor, the outside world won't say much."
Tian Tian said.
...
"You've taken care of Chen Hong, now it's time to talk about my compensation!"
After Chen Hong went back to the crew to persuade Chen Kai Ge, Liu Wei said to Tian Tian.
"Of course, one thing at a time. The Columbia investment share is Columbia's, it's separate from your director's fee. We'll pay this fee from Xinli Media, after all, we can't push them too hard. How about 10 million?"
Tian Tian said.
"I disagree, I not only want the director's fee, I also want a share!"
Liu Wei said.
"Director's fee plus share, that's the right of established directors. In mainland China, you can count those who have this privilege on one hand!"
Tian Tian frowned.
"It's business, it's all about making money. If you think I'm too expensive, you can hire someone else. Of course, if I don't direct, it's unlikely that Columbia Pictures will invest. After all, no one will invest in a project that's out of control."
Liu Wei said.
"Wei Ge, you really open my eyes. Your family is really good at business, you bite hard!"
Tian Tian snorted.
"Think about it. My time is valuable. Limitless Escape has finished filming, I won't be staying in Hengdian for long."
Liu Wei said.
"Okay, I agree. 8 million director's fee plus 5% of box office share, I'll persuade Chen Kai Ge and Chen Hong."
Tian Tian said.
"It seems you really want to work with me. I see your sincerity. How about this, I'll waive the director's fee. If the box office reaches 600 million, I'll take 10% of the box office share. If not, I won't take a penny. What do you think?"
Liu Wei said.
...
Daoist Down the Mountain crew.
"Let me withdraw?"
Chen Kai Ge looked at Chen Hong, he was completely numb.
"Columbia Pictures was acquired by the Liu family. Now Tian Tian and Liu Wei are working together. If we don't compromise, we'll be kicked out."
Chen Hong said.
"That woman Tian Tian is ruthless! I thought she was just a little girl, not worth worrying about. I didn't expect her to actually persuade Liu Wei."
Chen Kai Ge was filled with anger.
But he knew the situation was stronger than him. He knew that neither of them would give him any face. If he really fought back, he would definitely become a laughingstock in the industry.
"What to do?"
Chen Hong said.
"I can withdraw, but you have to remain the supervisor. I'm being kicked out, and I'm still staying on the set. Isn't that humiliating me?"
Chen Kai Ge said coldly.
...
The next day, Shengkai Film and Television Culture, Xinli Media, and Columbia Pictures added a new agreement!
Liu Wei transformed into the co-director of Daoist Down the Mountain!
He would be filming the rest of the movie!
Chen Hong stayed on as a supervisor, overseeing the crew.
For the first time, the couple felt the ruthlessness of capital. Afraid that Tian Tian and Liu Wei would play tricks, Chen Hong stayed on the set to protect their interests.
It was only at this moment that the couple realized that the capital market had changed!
It was no longer the era where a great director could support a movie!
The scene of the great director being the emperor on set was over!
...
Jinyun County!
It had been half a month since Liu Wei became the co-director of Daoist Down the Mountain!
After completing the main cast's scenes in Hengdian, Liu Wei rushed to the Xiandu Scenic Area in Jinyun County to film the remaining scenes!
The shooting progress was incredibly fast!
Efficient and high-quality, making Gu Xuan Zhao and others admire him greatly!
They thought it would take a month, but he finished most of the filming in fifteen days!
It was terrifying!
"Is it wrapping today?"
After filming Wang Baoqiang's fight scene with his opponent, Chen Hong came over.
The later part of the script of Daoist Down the Mountain was completely overturned and reshaped by Liu Wei. It was completely centered around He An, played by Wang Baoqiang. All the other fragmented subplots were cut, greatly ensuring the completeness of the story.
At first, Chen Hong had doubts, but after these half a month, she had to admire him. This movie was the most completed film she had ever made with her husband, Chen Kai Ge, over the years.
With an excellent script and high completion rate, the movie was destined to be a masterpiece!
"Yes, it wraps today. I won't participate in the post-production. A Man of Tai Chi has been scheduled for release, I need to prepare for it."
Liu Wei said.
Then, his phone rang.
"Husband, you've taken over Daoist Down the Mountain for half a month, when are you coming back?"
Da Mi Mi missed Liu Wei.
She thought half a month would be quick, but with her husband not in Beijing, she found it was like years.
Besides work, she was just at home. Reba was on another set, Tang Yan was filming My Sunshine, and Ying Bao was still filming The Journey of Flower, with no one to keep her company, she was increasingly bored...
"I'll be done here soon. A Man of Tai Chi has been officially scheduled for release. We'll be very busy soon."
Liu Wei laughed.
"I don't mind being busy, as long as my husband is here, I'll be full of energy every day."
"That energy, is it serious?"
"Hehe, I just want my husband's naughty energy."
...
Watching Liu Wei and Da Mi Mi flirt, hearing their conversation, Chen Hong's cheeks flushed and her heart raced...
She couldn't remember how many years it had been since she had experienced a woman's happiness...
Five years?
Ten years?
Her heart began to stir...
...
...
...
Seeking flowers! Seeking evaluation tickets!