You can't be unscrupulous when flying abroad. Who knows if there are reporters hiding in the dark.
Unfortunately, the two had to separate when they arrived in the United States and lived in two hotels in Beverly Hills.
Zhang Yuanjun went to the studio office building to have a meeting with Eddie despite the jet lag.
Z Studio is the most typical type of independent production start-up companies in Hollywood. It is established with personal investment and run by professional managers. It shoots or invests in small projects ranging from 3 to 5 million to 10 million US dollars. It is hoped that one day it will become the largest independent production company in Hollywood. Once a hit hit takes off, it will be noticed by Wall Street, financed and listed, or sold to top Hollywood players at the peak of its valuation, cashed out and left.
This was Zhang Yuanjun's idea. He never thought that he could become big and powerful in Hollywood.
The United States will not allow Chinese to own a large film company in Hollywood.
Zhang Yuanjun came to the United States this time to discuss projects. "Buried Alive" cost $3 million and grossed $70 million at the global box office. The return on investment was huge. This amount of money was certainly not enough to attract the attention of the Big Six in Hollywood, but in the It caused quite a shock in the independent film industry.
Director Rodrigo Cortez was a short film director before. He successfully entered Hollywood with "Buried Alive". In the past six months, he has been approached for many film projects, so he can be considered successful.
There is no shortage of dreamers in Hollywood, whether they are actors, screenwriters or directors.
Today, the director Zhang Yuanjun and Eddie are going to meet is from South Africa, named Neill Blomkamp.
His experience is very similar to that of Rodrigo Cortez, but his treatment is much better than that of Cortez.
Neill Blomkamp also worked as a deputy on various crews in his early years and made many short films. He hopes to get the opportunity to direct a feature film one day.
He was luckier than Cortez in that he met New Zealand fat man Peter Jackson.
Peter Jackson was very optimistic about him and invested in him to make short films to practice his skills. He also promised to help him win opportunities for feature films.
The opportunity came last year when Peter Jackson secured him the opportunity to direct a blockbuster movie - the movie version of the X-Box game masterpiece "Halo".
But before the master and apprentice could open the champagne, the film was shelved indefinitely due to the company's interests!
Neill Blomkamp's feature film dream was shattered.
At this time, "Buried Alive" was released, and Rodrigo Cortez succeeded.
This allowed Neill Blomkamp to see an opportunity, and Peter Jackson encouraged him to give it a try.
It is better to take the initiative than sit back and wait.
So here he is.
I came with all my previous short films and work resume.
Zhang Yuanjun and Eddie watched all three short films he had shot in the conference room. This director is into science fiction.
Eddie was a little flinched. Science fiction films cost money, and the company was so small that they couldn't afford it.
But Zhang Yuanjun was thoughtful: "I liked "Aliens in Johannesburg" that you filmed in 2005."
"Thanks."
Zhang Yuanjun also said: "But science fiction films require relatively large investments, so I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to help you."
"No, Zhang," Neil had expected him to say this before he came, "I can use as few special effects shots as possible on this "Alien" and I can shoot it with real people.
"And there are many public special effects models in Hollywood, and it doesn't cost much to use these special effects lenses. Moreover, if this short film is to be expanded into a feature film, Peter and Weta Digital will definitely participate, and he will give me a good price."
Zhang Yuanjun didn't believe this at all and asked him: "How much money can Peter pay?"
Neil was speechless. Peter Jackson asked him to come to Zhang Yuanjun because he didn't want to pay and wanted to earn a good reputation for supporting younger generations.
Zhang Yuanjun said: "I can agree to your investment, but due to the company's risk considerations, I cannot cover everything. I hope you can understand.
"Besides, you only have one short film now. Even if I want to invest, I can't convince other people in the company. I need to see your script."
Neil saw the turn of events and patted his chest and promised: "I will definitely bring the script to you in a month at most."
“Hopefully in a month you’ll bring in another investment.”
"I will try my best to convince Peter." Neil also understood that if Peter Jackson didn't pay, it would be difficult for this young oriental man to believe him.
After sending Neil away, Eddie advised Zhang Yuanjun to be cautious. He hoped that the company could stick to making low-cost horror films, with three to five million per film, and could make money by selling DVDs and copyrights. He did not advocate investing in science fiction films, although Neil Said he would try to control costs.
Zhang Yuanjun said: "Eddie, I know you are worried, but we have already become famous through "Buried Alive", and now we should expand our scale. Eddie, what other meetings are there this afternoon?"
"Wayne Levin from Lionsgate Films will come to the company in the afternoon to discuss investment."
"Okay." This was decided early in the morning.
After Z Studio became popular, many venture capital institutions wanted to invest. Of course Zhang Yuanjun agreed. This is not why he started the company.
But I also know that as a small company, with only one popular movie, the investment it can attract will not be very large.
Zhang Yuanjun returned to Liu Yifei's hotel at noon and had lunch with her in the room.
"What have you been doing all morning?"
"Nothing to do, I slept until about 11 o'clock."
After chatting for a few words, Zhang Yuanjun felt a little sleepy and lay on Liu Yifei's bed to take a nap.
"Don't sleep, get up and talk to me."
"I'm going to the company before I'm even jetlagged. I'm going to have an investment meeting when I get there. Just let me sleep for a while, just for a while." Zhang Yuanjun just couldn't get up.
Liu Yifei sat aside and chatted while Zhang Yuanjun was still awake.
But as soon as she said she had made a reservation for the two of them to have dinner that night, she heard her boyfriend breathing heavily and fell asleep.
"Disgusting." Liu Yifei said to herself, "Sleeping like a dead pig."
Liu Yifei looked at Zhang Yuanjun lying on the bed in a daze, not knowing what she was thinking.
After a while she took a book and read it without disturbing Zhang Yuanjun's sleep.
Two hours later, Liu Yifei woke up Zhang Yuanjun.
But Zhang Yuanjun was jet-lagged and angry when he got up, and he didn't want to get up.
"Didn't you say there will be an investment meeting in the afternoon? What time is this?"
"Let me squint for a while." Zhang Yuanjun closed his eyes.
"Stay squinting, or you'll be late." Liu Yifei pushed him beside the bed.
Zhang Yuanjun took Liu Yifei's hand and pulled her down into his arms: "Stay with me for a while longer."
"Oh, don't take advantage of me." Liu Yifei said with a smile, "Get up!"
"Kiss me." Zhang Yuanjun said coquettishly.
Mua, Liu Yifei kissed Zhang Yuanjun on the face: "Okay, get up quickly."
"No, I want it here too." Zhang Yuanjun turned his face.
Liu Yifei kissed again: "I kissed both sides. You can get up this time."
"I want it here too." Zhang Yuanjun pouted.
Liu Yifei covered Zhang Yuanjun's mouth and nose: "I asked you to do it. It takes so much effort to get out of bed."
Zhang Yuanjun regained his energy, turned over, broke away from Liu Yifei, and pinned her down.
Liu Yifei's face turned red from playing, and she looked at Zhang Yuanjun.
Zhang Yuanjun kissed Liu Yifei and turned over: "I have other business in the afternoon."
Liu Yifei blew into her boyfriend's ear: "Are you thinking something special?"
"So don't recruit me. A man can do anything when he gets angry." Zhang Yuanjun knew that Liu Yifei was not mentally prepared. "Okay, I'll go to the meeting and accompany you to dinner in the evening." (End of Chapter)
