Chapter 213 This time you are the female lead
"Coming?"
At this time, in the manager's office of the film and television department, Yan Rui was not surprised to see Xu Kong.
Because Xu Kong had mentioned his idea to him about his next drama before.
The main thing is to accept investment from Fengqing Entertainment.
When Xu Kong and Fengqing Entertainment parted ways, Yan Rui really didn't know why the two parties still maintained their current relationship.
But these are not important. He really doesn't have much way to influence Xu Kong's current thoughts.
Including that if Xu Kong plans to make a new drama by himself in the future, even if no one invests, Feng Ge will still provide money.
During the time of Fairy Sword, Xu Kong received an investment of 200 million when he first arrived. This matter was almost decided by Lin Hong. It was inevitable that some people in the film and television department and the company had some rumors.
But now, with the movie "Legend of Sword and Fairy" and the movie "The Long Season" released some time ago.
With the results right there, it is almost impossible for anyone to really stand up and oppose it directly.
……
"Most of the processes should be the same as when we cooperated with Penguin before."
"However, I still want to remind you that it is best to determine the details of cooperation in advance to avoid wrangling later."
Yan Rui said kindly.
He didn't know that Xu Kong was now one of the shareholders of Fengqing Entertainment, and as far as Yu Yaqing was concerned, Xu Kong would definitely have the absolute say in the project.
The main reason is that Fengqing Entertainment is not a big company like Penguin.
With investment from these not-so-large film and television companies, there will be constant demands, and it is indeed quite easy for problems to arise.
For example, right before our eyes, "Feng Hua" starring Shang Yuxin is a good example.
As for Xincheng Pictures, it is very typical for them to think that since they have invested money, they start to make various comments as a matter of course.
……
But after he finished his kind reminder, Xu Kong unexpectedly did not answer.
Instead, he replied lightly:
"I don't plan to film the drama I mentioned before for the time being."
Yan Rui was also a little overwhelmed by Xu Kong's sudden change of mind.
"Is there something wrong with Fengqing Entertainment?"
In Yan Rui's opinion, Feng Ge would definitely agree.
What caused Xu Kong to change his mind temporarily was probably due to an incident at Fengqing Entertainment.
But Yan Rui thought it was normal after thinking about it.
With the financial strength of Fengqing Entertainment, I feel that the investment budget that can be given to Xu Kong is certainly not that high.
If some more demanding requirements were made, considering Xu Kong's temper, subsequent rejection would be considered normal.
……
But Yan Rui's very confident guess received a negative answer from Xu Kong.
"It's just that we won't be filming at the moment, but we will continue to follow up."
Xu Kong answered truthfully.
This was somewhat incomprehensible to Yan Rui.
"What is Director Xu's plan now?"
For Xu Kong now, it can basically be said that everything is good.
Fengqing Entertainment is also willing to invest, and if Xu Kong requests it, Fengge can also provide a large budget.
Even if you take away these already very safe choices.
With Xu Kong’s Sword and The Long Season this year, there is plenty of capital willing to invest in Xu Kong’s new drama.
……
"I plan to make a movie first..."
Xu Kong said with a calm expression.
For him, in fact, no matter online TV series or TV series, they are not that different from movies.
Even the filming cycle of the movie itself may be shortened due to its length.
But when Yan Rui heard this decision, it meant something else.
Xu Kong actually plans to enter the film industry.
But it seems understandable when you think about it. "Want to See You", which was originally a debut film, became a hit last year.
And the reputation and reviews are not bad.
As for this year's "Legend of Sword and Fairy", it can be said that it is the drama with the highest popularity and statistics in recent years, and it can be called a phenomenon-level hit.
This is an achievement that many TV drama directors may not be able to achieve in their lifetime.
In addition, in terms of word-of-mouth, "The Long Season" scored a terrifying 9.4.
In the words of many film critics, this drama is no longer a simple suspense drama, but more like a work of art of a very high level.
In other words, Xu Kong's current commercial performance and reputation as a director have reached quite exaggerated heights. .
Regardless of whether Xu Kong's talents will be exhausted in the future, Xu Kong's status among domestic TV drama directors is unlikely to be shaken just by relying on these two dramas this year.
……
Judging from his achievements, it is understandable that Xu Kong chooses to further pursue filmmaking.
But from a time perspective, as an artist, Xu Kong has only made his debut for about three years.
And his professional directing career lasted just over a year.
It can only be said that Xu Kong is not only very prolific in music, but also very exaggerated in film and television.
In less than two years, three dramas have been filmed, and all three are still hits. It's okay not to think about it carefully, but it is indeed a bit scary to focus on this aspect.
……
"There are some differences between movies and TV series..."
"If it were another director, I might have to give him some advice."
"As for you, I know it's useless to persuade you."
Yan Rui answered truthfully.
But I still added a little: "But for movies, I may have to apply to the senior management first."
"What is your estimated investment?"
Xu Kong hesitated for a moment, then answered: "About 200 million."
In fact, the investment budget required for the movie he decided in his mind should not be particularly high.
And he definitely didn't get paid and chose to get a share.
However, the shooting budget is something that only people think is small. No director would dislike the budget being too high.
……
"Twenty million?"
Yan Rui nodded.
This kind of investment is not particularly high, but it is certainly not low either.
For other directors in the company who plan to make movies from the field of TV series, the company's top management may not really agree to a budget of 200 million.
But in Xu Kong's words, let's not mention the relationship between the other party and the higher-ups for the time being.
Based on the results of the previous two dramas alone, the company would hardly refuse.
There are risks, of course, and they are not small.
After all, movies are not like TV series. You can negotiate copyright fees with various platforms before they are broadcast.
A certain amount of cost can be recovered no matter what, but the biggest risk is still borne by the platform.
But in the case of a movie, after it is released, everything is decided by the market and the audience.
If it doesn't work at the box office, it just won't work.
Losing all your money is a common occurrence in the industry.
Even if you can still sell the copyright for subsequent releases, only if your commercial performance is good enough can someone spend a lot of money.
Otherwise, they are not fools and rush to buy big bad movies with ridiculously expensive copyright fees.
……
But if the director is Xu Kong, not only the senior management will most likely not refuse, but even Yan Rui also thinks that the other party is worthy of Feng Ge's investment.
Even though this first movie was a loss, given Xu Kong's age, it can be said that he still has huge potential in the future.
"Has the theme been decided?"
Yan Rui originally wanted to ask about the script, but Xu Kong's idea was obviously a temporary change, and the script would definitely not be available in a short time.
"It can be considered an urban romance film." "But the background should be set in the last century..."
Xu Kong already had a choice in his mind, but he didn't hide it at this time and said it directly.
"Last century?"
Yan Rui was slightly stunned.
Almost subconsciously, I thought of the recent fuss about Shang Yuxin, Chang Dachun and Xincheng Pictures' "Feng Hua".
It is also a period film. Xu Kong suddenly decided to make a movie at this time. He had previously thought that Xu Kong most likely wanted to try to enter the film industry.
But now I remember that Xu Kong had already decided to film a new drama for Fengqing Entertainment.
In other words, the other party changed his mind temporarily.
But what prompted him to think this way is worth pondering.
……
"Are you acting it yourself?"
"The actress of the heroine..."
Yan Rui asked tentatively.
Xu Kong nodded.
"I plan to play the male lead myself. As for the female lead... I have tentatively chosen Shang Yuxin."
Because Xu Kong had a sudden idea about this matter and has not communicated it with Shang Yuxin yet.
However, he felt that the other party would most likely not refuse.
It is not surprising that Xu Kong directed and starred in Yan Rui. In other words, although Xu Kong was not the protagonist in the previous "The Long Season", he himself also starred.
Among the current domestic young actors, Xu Kong's acting skills are really outstanding.
But choosing Shang Yuxin as the heroine is a bit unusual.
You must know that during this period, Shang Yuxin's so-called box office poison title has been completely spread.
Although Chang Dachun and Xincheng Pictures did not take advantage of public opinion, the perception that Shang Yuxin is not suitable for acting in movies has been completely implanted in the minds of many ordinary netizens.
What kind of relationship do the two have, and Xu Kong is actually willing to help Shang Yuxin like this?
Yan Rui could not help but have some thoughts for a while.
But he wasn't stupid enough to ask these questions in front of Xu Kong.
……
"I will tell the superiors what you think. If nothing else happens, there shouldn't be any big problems."
"After you finish writing the script, you can continue with the normal approval process."
Yan Rui said with a smile.
He felt that if the news that Xu Kong planned to make a movie was released, it would probably cause quite a stir again.
Today's Xu Kong, not to mention a younger generation of directors, even among all directors in the entire industry, his popularity and popularity are at a terrifyingly high level.
"Thank you, Manager Yan."
Xu Kong nodded.
He was not surprised that Feng Ge would agree.
And even if Feng Ge is not prepared to invest, with his current ability, he can easily get enough funds from outside.
If it doesn't work, Xu Kong himself can't afford the cost of this movie.
But after all, he still has a contract with Feng Ge, so investing on his own will always involve more troublesome things.
Complex situations such as the company's commission on him.
So the best result is naturally that Feng Ge is willing to invest.
Everything just needs to follow the previous sharing model of Fairy Sword.
……
In the afternoon, Shang Yuxin came to Xu Kong's personal studio.
In fact, she didn't want to come to see Xu Kong, or she didn't want to meet Xu Kong during this period.
Especially when they met by chance in the morning, Shang Yuxin didn't want Xu Kong to see her in that state.
"Director Xu, it's rare to see you looking for me once."
Shang Yuxin showed the same smile as before.
He said with a slightly resentful tone.
Although she often came to Xu Kong's studio, she always came by herself, and Xu Kong almost never took the initiative to find her.
Xu Kong's expression was calm, and he was still typing on the keyboard.
Originally, he had almost finished writing the script for his new drama, but now he can only put it on hold temporarily and prepare to finish writing the script for the next movie first.
Although it was indeed because of meeting Shang Yuxin in the morning that Xu Kong made such a decision impulsively.
But since I’ve planned to do it, I won’t regret it too much.
The movie has to be shot sooner or later, it's just a little earlier.
"I may be filming a new movie next, are you interested?"
……
Xu Kong's words made Shang Yuxin a little surprised, but then she felt happy from the bottom of her heart.
This may be the only good news she has heard in recent times.
"Of course."
"I have said before, as long as Director Xu comes to me for your play, I will act in it."
Shang Yuxin's level of trust in Xu Kong is indeed different from when they first met.
Shang Yuxin initially refused, but after reading the script of Fairy Sword, he hesitantly agreed.
This time, I didn’t even ask what the subject matter was or the type of character, I just agreed.
"Can I ask, is it still a fairy tale drama?"
Since Fairy Sword became popular, the so-called fairy tale proposed by Xu Kong has now become mainstream.
Although most of them are still ancient puppets that imitate cats and tigers, they are also labeled as fairy tale dramas when they are announced.
Xu Kong shook his head.
"No."
Shang Yuxin is not surprised. After all, Xu Kong's three dramas so far don't have much in common in terms of themes and types.
"Suspense drama?"
"The Long Season" has such a good reputation and the data is also quite good, reaching the level of a hit drama.
It is normal for Penguin to invite Xu Kong to film another new drama of the other party's suspense theater.
But Xu Kong still shook his head.
……
"Am I still the second female lead?"
"I don't care about the role. It doesn't matter if it's the third female lead or a supporting role, as long as it's your drama..."
Shang Yuxin quickly explained.
In fact, she must be a little grateful. After all, the movie "Feng Hua" has just been released. With the reputation and box office being so poor, she will definitely not be able to get any new movies in a short period of time.
……
"No, you are the female lead this time."
Xu Kong suddenly raised his head and spoke seriously.
Shang Yuxin's expression was slightly surprised.
I never thought that Xu Kong could choose herself to be the heroine, after all, even apart from Song Youyou, who has an unusual relationship with Xu Kong.
With Xu Kong's current reputation, the two movie stars have worked together, so it would be easy to hire any actress.
"Also, I don't plan to continue filming TV series or online dramas. I plan to make movies."
After Shang Yuxin heard Xu Kong's words, her whole body suddenly froze.
Xu Kong didn't say it clearly, but he chose to make a movie at this time and specifically found her, the so-called "box office poison", to be the heroine.
In fact, there is no need to explain anything in particular.
I don't know whether it was because I was moved, or because I thought of the various grievances I had suffered during this period, but all kinds of emotions came up at the same time.
Although I was already trying to control it, I suddenly felt my nose was sore and tears welled up in my eyes.
……
(End of chapter)