PNB Chapter 300 Funding Gap
Chapter 300 Funding Gap
Chapter 299 Funding Gap
I never expected that he would be given this opportunity!
After Liu Cixin's "The Three-Body Problem" won the Hugo Award in 2015, his works became a hot topic for film and television adaptations.
As early as 2014, China Film Group acquired the film and television adaptation rights to "The Wandering Earth".
Chen Xun has already missed the copyright opportunity.
Chen Xun cannot afford to miss out on future investments.
At this time, Guo Fan had already submitted a detailed development plan for "The Wandering Earth" to China Film Group, including world-building, visual style references, storyboard sketches, etc.
Ultimately, this convinced the investors.
At the time, China had almost no experience in producing mature science fiction films, and investors were generally skeptical.
The project has not yet been formally approved.
This is precisely his best opportunity to get involved.
He and Guo Fan need to meet to discuss the specific details.
Chen Xun took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and looked at the third piece of information.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television officially released the "Opinions on Supporting the Development of Chinese Animated Films," launching the project to create animated films based on classic Chinese folk tales and establishing special funds to support the creation, distribution, and overseas promotion of high-quality domestic animated films.
[Coloroom Pictures, a subsidiary of Enlight Media, has been officially established and is signing contracts with a number of domestic animation teams. It has a pipeline of several top-tier projects, including "Ne Zha" and "Jiang Ziya." Currently, most of these projects are in the early stages of preparation and lack funding, endorsement from top-tier artists, and overseas distribution channels.]
[The team of Wu Moufan, a top-tier celebrity who returned from overseas, is in talks with several domestic animated film dubbing projects, offering a sky-high dubbing fee of 8 million yuan per film. They also demand that he be credited as the lead actor in the opening credits, with his billing order completely overshadowing the director and the original author. This has sparked strong dissatisfaction from several animation project owners, and two projects have already suspended dubbing work due to disagreements.]
This intelligence is also valuable.
He had previously asked Robert to approach the dubbing team for "Big Fish & Begonia".
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has just introduced a policy to support animation, and Coloroom Pictures' animation universe is just getting started.
Compared to Wu Moufan's exorbitant salary and unreasonable demands for billing order, he could have easily provided voice acting for high-quality domestic animations at a friendly price or even for free, and used his overseas resources to help domestic animations with overseas distribution.
Not only can it expose the chaos of traffic manipulation and win over the entire industry's reputation and casual viewers, but it can also secure a partnership with Coloroom Pictures, a leading mobile entertainment platform, in advance.
Drawing IPs.
Having made his decision, Chen Xun made a direct overseas call to Robert.
After visiting the set, Luo Bo was sent by Chen Xun to discuss work.
According to the plan, we should be in Los Angeles now.
The phone rang twice.
connected.
Robert, still groggy from just waking up, instantly snapped awake upon hearing Chen Xun's voice: "Bro? Why are you calling at this hour? Is there some problem with the filming of 'Crosscurrent'?"
"The filming went smoothly. I've come to you to discuss a few important matters."
Chen Xun lowered his voice, avoiding the staff who were still resting in the next cabin: "The first thing is to follow up on the dubbing coordination for 'Big Fish & Begonia.' I previously had you contact Enlight Media, and now I'm giving you the final plan."
"You tell me, I'll remember."
Immediately, the sound of paper and pen rubbing came from Robert's side.
"The salary for the role of Qiu doesn't need to be based on Hollywood standards or the standards of top domestic actors. A symbolic one yuan will suffice, as it's just a friendly voice-over."
Rob on the other end of the phone was stunned: "Bro, one dollar? The Light & Power company told me before that their maximum budget is two million."
"Even if Wu Moufan offered an exorbitant price of eight million, there's no need for us to lower ourselves to that level, is there?"
"It's not about lowering our standards, it's about exchanging them for something more valuable."
Chen Xun smiled, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty: "You can negotiate two conditions with Enlight Media: your name should be listed normally in the voice actor section, on the same level as the voice director and other main actors. No fighting for top billing, no special treatment, and certainly no need for being the lead actor."
"The overseas distribution rights for 'Big Fish & Begonia' will be prioritized for our studio. We will use our channels in Hollywood to help the film with its overseas distribution and localization. We will mainly discuss revenue sharing."
He is all too aware of the current predicament of Enlight Media.
With the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television just introducing policies to support animation and Coloroom Pictures just being established, it's the perfect time to make a name for ourselves.
As their flagship project that they had been preparing for many years, "Big Fish & Begonia" not only needed the endorsement of artists with national popularity and overseas influence, but was also overwhelmed by Wu Moufan's exorbitant salary and unreasonable demands for billing order.
With his Oscar-winning Best Supporting Actor title and a one-dollar voice-over gig, he doesn't try to steal the spotlight or cause trouble, and he can even help them solve their biggest headache: overseas distribution.
There is no reason for light to refuse.
Rob instantly understood, his voice brimming with excitement: "I get it, Brother Xun! We've traded a small fee for access to overseas distribution channels for Chinese animation!"
"I'll contact the person in charge at Guangxian right away. They're probably worn down by Wu Moufan's demands by now. If we present our terms, they'll definitely agree instantly!"
"We are open to collaborating on any other domestic animation projects that Coloroom Pictures is preparing, as long as the content is of high quality, including voice acting, etc."
Overseas distribution is negotiable.
Chen Xun added, "The State Administration of Radio and Television's support policies have just been released, so entering the market now is just in time to ride the wave."
"Understood! I'll give you a definite answer today!"
After discussing the cancellation of "Big Fish & Begonia," Chen Xun shifted the focus to the core issue of capital strategy: "Immediately contact Yu Dong, the founder of Bona Film Group, and express our investment intentions. We are willing to contribute 5000 million RMB to join the Bona Nasdaq privatization consortium and become individual strategic investors."
Rob paused for a moment, his tone cautious: "Brother Xun, I've looked into Bona's privatization. The players are all giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and Sequoia. If we individual investors get involved, won't Yu Dong be unwelcoming?"
"Moreover, 5000 million is not a small amount, and the lock-up period is three years."
"Don't worry, he'll agree."
Chen Xun leaned against the deck, gazing at the Yangtze River flowing outside the cabin, and said with certainty, "Bona is currently finalizing the list of consortia. With an additional 5000 million in unconditional investment, its privatization process will be even more secure."
"More importantly, I am an Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor and currently the most influential Chinese actor in Hollywood. They are going to focus on mainstream commercial films and need actors like me who have international recognition and a domestic audience base to support them."
He paused, then added two key conditions: "When you talk to him, make two additional requirements clear."
"I have priority audition rights for Bona's upcoming major patriotic projects, and under the same conditions, I will be given priority for roles."
"I do not participate in Bona's daily operational decisions, but I have the right to know the progress of the preparation of core projects. We will discuss normal business cooperation. It is a mutual empowerment, not a one-sided reliance on others."
Rob completely put aside his concerns and readily agreed, "I understand! I'll immediately use my friends at China Film Group to connect directly with Yu Dong's office, and send the letter of intent today!"
"The third thing, and the most urgent thing!"
Chen Xun's tone became more serious: "Help me find out about someone, Guo Fan, the director of the 'The Wandering Earth' project under China Film Group. I need his private contact information, the more detailed the better."
"Also, provide me with all the details of the project's current preparation status and the investors' withdrawal of funding today."
"The Wandering Earth?"
Rob paused for a moment: "You mean that science fiction project adapted from Liu Cixin's novel?"
"I've heard before that people in the industry aren't optimistic about it, saying that China can't produce hard science fiction, and several investors have already withdrawn. What's up, Xun Ge? Are you interested in this project?"
"This project is a pioneering work in Chinese hard science fiction, and its future value is immeasurable. First, get the information and contact details, and I'll handle the rest."
Chen Xun persisted.
After hanging up the phone, the cabin returned to silence.
A breeze blew in through the ventilation holes, carrying the coolness of the morning. Chen Xun took out his notebook, picked up a pen, and began to calculate the accounts one by one.
The entry threshold for Bona's privatization is 5000 million RMB.
This is a strict requirement; not a single point can be overlooked!
The total budget for "Crosscurrent" is 3500 million yuan, and he has already invested more than 700 million yuan. He will also set aside 1000 million yuan as an emergency reserve to avoid any unforeseen circumstances during filming.
For example, if there are weather delays, equipment damage, or unexpected film depletion, Yang Chao can't afford to give up the shots he wants just because of money.
Based on this calculation, the only usable funds left on the books are around 8000 million.
While "The Wandering Earth" has a shortfall of 6000 million.
But Chen Xun knew clearly in his previous life that the shortfall in the later stages of "The Wandering Earth" was often hundreds of millions.
If Chen Xun wanted to get involved, he was far from having enough money.
Currently, the only thing he can do is act for free in exchange for a share of the box office revenue.
However, the cost of post-production filming is also a problem.
In his previous life, Wu Jing acted in the film for free and brought tens of millions of dollars in funding.
This doesn't even include the animation industry he wants to enter.
"We're short of money!"
Chen Xun sighed.
He felt he had plenty of funds a while ago, but now he's facing shortages everywhere.
It can't be rushed!
Chen Xun took a deep breath of the river breeze carrying moisture, and his mind instantly calmed down.
Even if the "Wandering Earth" project is excellent, filming won't start until next year.
Right now, all he can do is make this film well, portray the character of Gao Chun to the fullest, and get the project rated S.
Once "Crosscurrent" becomes famous, his voice in the Chinese film industry will truly take hold, giving him the strongest foundation to negotiate Bona Film Group's investment or discuss Guo Fan's involvement in "The Wandering Earth."
As for the funding gap, he still has his share of the filming fees from "La La Land" after "Crosscurrent" is finished.
He also gets offers for several Hollywood projects, and he can always manage to scrape together the funding.
Instead of worrying about the accounts now, we should focus on making the most of every shot we take.
"Brother Xun, Director Yang is arguing with the production crew over there!"
The stagehand's voice came from behind, sounding a bit hurried.
Chen Xun turned around and saw Yang Chao standing on the deck, his face flushed red, waving his hands repeatedly at the production manager, his tone very agitated: "No! Absolutely not! This scene has to wait for the fog! The morning fog in the Three Gorges has a soul! Without the fog, this shot is ruined!"
"Director Yang! We've been waiting here for three days!"
The production manager was so anxious he was stamping his feet, the shooting schedule in his hand crumpled: "Every day, boat rentals, film stock, staff salaries, hundreds of thousands are just being thrown away! If the budget keeps going like this, we really won't have enough money to shoot the scenes in Yibin and at the source!"
"I'll figure out the money! But the camera work can't be compromised!"
Yang Chao, neck stiff, refused to budge: "I've waited ten years for this script. I can't ruin the most crucial shot just to rush the schedule!"
The two were arguing fiercely, and the staff around them all lowered their heads and dared not speak, while the photography crew was caught in a dilemma.
They understood Yang Chao's obsession with visuals, and they also understood the difficulties faced by the production manager.
Chen Xun walked over, patted the two men on the shoulder, and smiled at the production manager: "Brother Li, don't worry, the extra budget will be deducted from my personal investment share, there's no need to touch the main budget of the production team."
One sentence immediately shut the production manager up.
He turned to look at Yang Chao again, his tone serious: "Director Yang, I support you and the others."
"The scenes in the Three Gorges are the backbone of the entire film. Gao Chun went against the current to get here, and his state of mind and relationship with Anlu are all supported by these shots in the river mist."
"Don't even mention waiting three days, even if it's a week, it's worth it as long as I can capture the footage you want!"
Yang Chao looked at Chen Xun, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Along the way up the Yangtze River, he clashed with the production team countless times because of his pursuit of high-quality visuals. Each time, Chen Xun stepped in, not only solving his financial worries but also fully understanding his obsession with the visuals and the Yangtze River.
If it were any other investor, let alone waiting three days for fog, even shooting a couple more clips would prompt them to ask about the return on investment.
"Chen Xun, thanks."
All my words can be summed up in one simple thank you.
"Why are you being so polite with me?"
Chen Xun smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "What we need to make is a film that is worthy of the Yangtze River, and we can't leave any regrets."
In fact, what Chen Xun valued even more than anything else was the reward for the improved project evaluation.
Moreover, his investment is not just a simple investment; Rob will also try to secure a corresponding share of the box office revenue later on.
Chen Xun did the math and figured that if he invested a little more money, Yang Chao's film might only be nominally his, and he would get the lion's share of the box office profits later on.
However, in its previous life, this film only grossed 300 million at the box office.
Even with his popularity boost, this life is still destined to lose money.
However, considering the final awards and subsequent benefits, it can only be said that it was a break-even point.
Making money is hard!
The dispute ultimately ended with Chen Xun covering for him.
The entire crew was relieved, and no one complained about the days of waiting for the fog. Instead, they all became extremely focused.
Every day, they get up before dawn to set up the equipment and measure the light, all in order to capture that perfect hour of river fog.
Xin Zhilei's foot injury has mostly healed.
The bandages have been removed, and I can walk normally now.
The scars on the soles of my feet are still there, and they still ache slightly after walking for a while.
She was still the first person to arrive at the film set every day, going up on the boat with the boatmen before dawn to practice her lines in front of the river and find the right state of mind for Anlu.
This scene of morning mist in the Three Gorges is also the craziest scene in the entire film.
She stood at the bow of the boat, facing the river mist and waves, reciting the most mad lines of the poem to Gaochun, like a spirit living in harmony with the Yangtze River, a madwoman trapped by fate.
Before filming began, Xin Zhilei approached Chen Xun once again.
The script in her hand was worn out from being flipped through so many times, and it was still covered with dense annotations.
"Teacher Chen, I'm still a little unsure about this scene."
Her tone was tinged with trepidation: "Is Anlu's madness a result of resentment towards Gaochun, or resentment towards his own fate?"
"I'm always afraid that if I act too outwardly, I'll become a real crazy woman. If I act restrained, I'm afraid I'll lose that energy."
During this period, Xin Zhilei treated Chen Xun more and more like a student treating a teacher.
Now the entire crew knows that Xin Zhilei has practically become Chen Xun's student.
Although Xin Zhilei is a few years older than Chen Xun, no one finds it strange; on the contrary, they think it's quite normal!
Chen Xun took the script, pointed to the river surface shrouded in mist, and asked her, "Standing here, looking at this river mist and the mountains on both sides, what's your first impression?"
Xin Zhilei was stunned for a moment, then looked in the direction he pointed. Morning mist shrouded the river, and the green mountains on both banks were faintly visible. The river was surging, with no visible source or end.
She paused for a few seconds, then said softly, "I feel so small, like a grain of sand being carried along by the river, unable to control my own destiny."
"Yes, that's it!"
Chen Xun nodded.
Xin Zhilei is quite talented.
He looked into Xin Zhilei's eyes and said, word by word, "Anlu's madness is not hysterical insanity, but a sense of relief after seeing through fate."
"You don't need to act out her madness, just act out her lucidity, her lucid awareness of her fate, yet still shouting those poems to the river. That's the right spirit."
Xin Zhilei stood there, staring blankly at the morning mist on the river.
When she looked up again, the unease in her eyes had disappeared, replaced by an almost transparent calm.
"Teacher Chen, I understand."
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