Chapter 415 Mr. Xu
Hengdian was originally just a town below Jinhua, Zhejiang, but this town is famous throughout the country and even the world as "China's Hollywood". It is my country's only film and television industry pilot zone.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Hengdian was still an inconspicuous poor village, just like Zuoyong. It was a problem to have enough food and clothing.
It was not until 1996 that Guangzhou Street was built in conjunction with the "Opium War". After that, it was out of control. The Qin Palace, the Qingming River Scene, the Ming and Qing Palaces and Gardens were built one after another. In the future, there will be the Old Summer Palace Scenic Area, European Style Street...
It has become the largest film and television base in China.
In the future, two-thirds of the country's film and television dramas will come from here.
Definitely number one in China.
Hengdian's rapid development is inseparable from Hengdian Group.
Mr. Xu is the head of the Hengdian Group.
However, Mr. Xu has retired, and his eldest son is now in charge.
An hour later, the car carrying Zhang Chen drove into the film and television city park, and the surrounding area gradually became lively.
Finally, the car stopped in front of a door, where someone was already waiting.
When Zhang Chen got off the car, the man took the initiative to greet him, "Hello, Director Zhang, I'm Xu Yongan, we talked on the phone~"
Zhang Chen did not expect that the president of Hengdian Group would personally greet him at the door, and quickly extended his hand: "Mr. Xu is too polite, please wait..."
Holding hands together, it seemed like a historic moment.
Xu Yongan said with a smile: "It should be right. Director Zhang called and said he was coming over that day, so we started to prepare. However, the person in charge of entertaining Director Zhang today is not me, but my father. He has been waiting inside for a long time... …”
Zhang Chen didn't expect to see Mr. Xu today, and his face was full of surprise.
Xu Yongan laughed, stretched out his hand and said: "Director Zhang is the number one director in the country. My father has long wanted to meet him. I heard that you are coming today, so he came here early to wait~"
"Please come in~"
After that, Xu Yongan led the way and led Zhang Chen into the small courtyard in front of him.
The small courtyard doesn't look like anything special, it's ordinary, but there's something special inside. There are pavilions and pavilions, surrounded by green trees on both sides, and a pond in the middle.
On a wicker chair by the pond, an old man was feeding the fish.
When the old man saw them, he stood up with a smile and said: "Dignified guests are here. If you miss me from afar, please forgive me~"
Zhang Chen saw Mr. Xu's salute, and quickly folded his fists and made a bow too: "Mr. Xu, you're welcome~"
"Please take a seat~"
Everyone sat down, and Zhang Chen had the opportunity to carefully look at the person in front of him.
Mr. Xu is already over sixty years old, but he looks much younger than his real age, and his eyes are full of energy.
"If I remember correctly, this should be Director Zhang's first time coming to Hengdian..."
The old man was very talkative. When he spoke, Xu Yongan was making tea next to him. Sure enough, no matter how big an official is, he is still a son in front of me, and he can only serve him obediently.
"Director Zhang, drink tea~"
"Thank you~"
Taking the tea cup from Xu Yongan, Zhang Chen thanked him and then said: "The old man is right. This is indeed my first time here. The prosperity here is far beyond my imagination..."
"I heard that Director Zhang's company not only produces movies, but also produces TV series. As you can see here, not only is the rent free, but it also provides various supporting facilities. Director Zhang's new projects can be shot in Hengdian..."
The old man didn't have any polite words at all, he just went straight to the point.
Zhang Chenxin said that people in the south are really good at talking about business. If they were in the north, they would have a drink first and then chat after drinking or while drinking.
If you don't talk about things later, you may end up not recognizing the important things that were discussed at the wine table.
The reason is also very simple. I drank too much at the time~
Zhang Chen likes this efficient way of talking very much: "To be honest, old man, this is why I came here this time~"
Seeing the two people looking over, Zhang Chen said: "You all should know that I will be filming a science fiction film recently, right?"
"I know, turn on the TV now, and the entertainment news is all about this, a big production that is said to be worth 800 million~"
"Yes, the investment is 800 million. It is about robots. Almost all of this movie needs to be shot in a studio, but I can't find a suitable studio~"
Zhang Chen briefly talked about the setting of "Pacific Rim", "A lot of special effects were used in this movie, but I still hope that the actual filming can be as realistic as possible, but the requirements for the location are relatively high... ”
The father and son across from each other looked at each other, and Xu Yongan interjected: "Can't our two largest studios in Hengdian also do it?"
Zhang Chen shook his head: "No, the robot in my movie is 80 meters tall. Although it won't be shot according to the original proportions, it will definitely not be small~"
When Zhang Chen said this, the other party immediately understood: "80 meters, that is really too much to let go."
The father and son looked at each other again, but this time it was Mr. Xu who spoke.
"Director Zhang, let me ask you a question. This movie of yours is said to be the first science fiction film in China. Did you really invest 800 million yuan?"
"Yes, eight hundred million, absolutely true."
"Can I ask who the investors are?"
"My own companies, Golden Harvest, China Film, Shanghai Film, Warner Brothers..."
Zhang Chen talked about the main investors, and Mr. Xu nodded: "It seems that the rumors that Director Zhang is cooperating with Hollywood for this movie are true~"
"It's true, but the news hasn't been announced yet."
"Well, as long as Director Zhang decides to shoot the first science fiction film in China in our Hengdian, we will make sure to prepare whatever Director Zhang needs within two months..."
Mr. Xu is also courageous.
Back then, in order to allow Xie Jin to choose Hengdian as the filming location for "The Opium War", he personally approached Xie Jin and promised to build Guangzhou Street.
For Poet Chen's "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin", the Qin Palace was built only after blowing up a mountain.
Now that Zhang Chen is going to make a science fiction film, Mr. Xu also thinks it is a good opportunity. Let alone two studios, he can build a science fiction scenic spot.
The old man was born in 1935 and has witnessed the development of the Republic from scratch.
People of this generation all have one characteristic, that is, they dare to do things.
What does it mean to dare to ask the sun and moon to change the sky?
That's them.
Zhang Chen was overjoyed. This was what he wanted, but he still said politely: "Would this be too troublesome for everyone?"
"How could it be? Director Zhang, you're welcome...
We are meant to serve the crew. If the crew has needs, we have to respond.
The studio matter is not troublesome either. We are already building an underwater studio, but the size is not as big as Director Zhang said.
Now it's just a matter of expanding the specifications.
As for the other photo studio, it is also simple.
If Director Zhang has other needs, you can also put them forward and we will try our best to meet them. ”
The fact that Hengdian can reach its current scale shows that Mr. Xu is a man with a long-term vision and will not pay attention to the petty profits in front of him.
Judging from the current situation, if Zhang Chen came to Hengdian to shoot a movie, Hengdian would have to build two studios for free, which would definitely be a loss.
But in the long run, it will definitely make money~
Isn't it true that the reason why they set up a film and television base is to worry about people's needs, and to keep people in the film and television base as much as possible.
The crew saved time because all the scenes could be found within the base.
As for the series of expenses incurred by the crew, such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, clothing, makeup, Taoism, and extras, these expenses are enough for Hengdian to earn a lot of money.
Seeing that the Hengdian Group was so generous and had solved his biggest problem, Zhang Chen was ready to reciprocate the favor.
He has actually been to Hengdian, but only in later generations, and of course he knows some of Hengdian's development trajectory. If you provide it to the other party at this time, it should save the other party some detours.
But he couldn't say this right away. Who told him to say that he had never been to Hengdian just now?
You haven't even been to Hengdian, and you just open your mouth to give opinions. Isn't that nonsense?
So Zhang Chen made a request and wanted to visit the major scenic spots and studios in Hengdian.
Of course the Xu family and his son agreed.
"Director Zhang, I won't accompany you around with my body and bones, let Yongan accompany you..."
"Old man, please take a rest. I just want to walk around casually. I just need Mr. Xu to accompany me."
After bidding farewell to Mr. Xu, several people drove Zhang Chen to visit various scenic spots.
The Palace of the Qin Dynasty, the Palace Gardens of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and Along the River During the Qingming Festival were filmed in some places and were inaccessible, so Zhang Chen chose those open places to visit.
It actually took a few hours to wander around, and this was with a car.
After completing the circle, everyone returned to the small courtyard again. Mr. Xu smiled and asked: "How was it?"
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"Yes, yes, the old man's idea is really good. The whole Hengdian is both a film and television city and a tourist attraction. When there is a crew, it will film, and when there is no crew, it will be open to tourists. There are also cultural tourism projects, living facilities, etc." The stuff is also pretty good..."
This sentence can be said to have touched Mr. Xu's heart.
What he is most proud of is making Hengdian what it is today.
Zhang Chen also took advantage of the opportunity to reciprocate: "The old man supports my movie so much, and I also put forward two small suggestions of my own. I don't know if they are right or not. You have the right to just listen to them like this..."
"Want to hear the details..."
Mr. Xu looked like he was listening, and Zhang Chen said: "When I visited just now, I found that the group performance in the base is doing very well. There are not only labor unions, but also organizations..."
Mr. Xu nodded: "Indeed, the extras are used the most in the crew. This is also our signature in Hengdian."
Other film and television cities also have group performances, but in terms of richness of resources, they are definitely not as good as here.
Zhang Chen continued: "But the acting skills of group actors are generally worrying. It's okay to be a bit player, but it's more troublesome to find a special agent. I think the group can launch a training business for this area. There must be bit players who want to be content with the status quo, but there are also There must be actors who have dreams, and actors who have dreams will think about improving their acting skills, which may become a profit growth point for the group..."
One word awakens the dreamer.
When Mr. Xu thought about it, he realized that this was really the case.
In a film and television base like Hengdian, there is always a shortage of young people chasing their dreams.
They also have another name - supporting actors.
Many extra actors rely on their passion, and many people regard Wang Baoqiang as their idol.
These people have no acting skills, earn a minimum of money a day, but cannot see their future path.
It was all based on dreams in the movie theater.
Later, there was a movie specifically about the role of a bit player - "I Am a Passerby", and the story is very real.
These people can endure hardships and feel that they are working hard for their dreams. What Zhang Chen did was to give them a glimmer of hope.
Strictly speaking, a supporting role does not require any acting skills, but having acting skills is definitely better than having no acting skills, and at least it gives you a little more possibility.
"In addition, according to my estimation, the drama of the Republic of China will probably become popular in a while. I think Hengdian can build a scenic spot of the Republic of China, such as Old Shanghai Beach. The crews who come to film the drama will definitely line up..."
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When Mr. Xu heard Zhang Chen's idea, he laughed loudly. These two ideas were on point.
"A great director is a great director. He is really talented. He can come up with so many problems just by walking around. We idiots like us stay here every day, but we can't see..."
"Old man, don't be humble, you are in trouble~"
Zhang Chen didn't dare to accept this flattery. What he said was originally done by Hengdian Future. It was equivalent to him as a guest taking the host's future things as gifts and returning them to the host.
Zhang Chen stayed in Hengdian for one more day and finalized the general direction. He originally wanted to stay for a few more days, but he was called back to the capital by a phone call.
Mr. Xu acted vigorously and resolutely. When Zhang Chen left Hengdian, the design drawings were already being produced there.
Back in the capital, as soon as I walked into the company, I saw James Wan sitting in the lobby.
"Steve, you finally showed up~"
Wen Ziren's tone was full of resentment.
Dong Jianqiang, who was next to him, pulled Zhang Chen aside and muttered: "This guy arrived yesterday. He said he had an appointment with you, but he only speaks English, and we can't communicate with him..."
Dong Jianqiang shrugged helplessly.
Although James Wan has already made "Saw", he is famous for the movie, not the director himself, and Dong Jianqiang really doesn't know him.
And although this guy has a Chinese face, he doesn't speak Chinese at all. Ingrid speaks so well that it has been very difficult to explain that he is here to see Zhang Chen in the past two days.
Even if Dong Jianqiang wanted to chat with him to pass the time, he couldn't do it, which made Wen Ziren very bored.
That's why he had that expression.
"Oh, James, I didn't expect you to come here early. Also, you should have called me in advance..."
Wen Ziren also shrugged helplessly: "I originally wanted to give you a surprise, but I didn't expect you weren't here..."
"OK, wait a moment, I'll make some arrangements~"
Only then did Zhang Chen take the time to talk to Dong Jianqiang: "This guy's name is James Wan. He's a director and works in Hollywood. I invited him here to shoot "Crocodile"."
"Are you going to hand over "Crocodile" to him?"
"Yes, I don't have time to take photos myself~"
"Is he good enough?"
"Don't worry, he'll be fine. He has a movie with a global sales of over 100 million, called "Saw"~"
"What are you talking about? He directed "Saw"?"
This time it was a blast.
"Saw" was not filmed in China, but thanks to ubiquitous pirated resources, many people in China have seen it.
Everyone gave this famous horror movie high praise and felt that it deserved the box office of over 100 million.
James Wan is still very famous, but not many people recognize his face.
Seeing that the people nearby looked at him differently, Wen Ziren was also a little embarrassed and asked without confidence: "Steve, what happened to them? Am I in danger?"
Zhang Chen comforted him with a smile: "Haha, they are all your fans. They didn't know you were the director of "Saw" before, but now they know, it's like this..."
"Oh my god, you mean they're all my fans?"
"Yes, they are all your fans."
Hearing this, Wen Ziren also relaxed. He did not expect that he also had fans in China.
Who doesn't love fans?
It turns out that they didn’t recognize me before, and it felt like the grievances I suffered before were nothing.
"Hello, um, does anyone need an autograph~"
Looking at Wen Ziren who was surrounded and busy signing autographs, Zhang Chen pulled Dong Jianqiang back a few steps: "Call Jing Tian and ask them to come over and identify him. In addition, send a message to the media tomorrow. We held a press conference to announce the news of "Pacific Rim" and "Crocodile"..."
……
It’s a bit low today, but tomorrow will be a small peak. Please give me your monthly ticket
(End of chapter)