"I saw the special effects design plan for the 'Battle of Weishui' in "Chu and Han" in Suzhou. It was very shocking. There were also various swords, guns, swords and halberds and other props created by the crew for this project. In these aspects, your path is all You're on the right track. But when it comes to actors, Zhang, you have fallen into a misunderstanding and are overly inclined to actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan who seem to be famous in the West. This is wrong."
It is also the headquarters of the Human Society.
The afternoon gathering ended at five o'clock and everyone dispersed. Simon left Zhang Guoshi behind and continued to drink tea and talk about some preparations for the "Chu and Han" trilogy.
In fact, I didn't want to interfere, but I couldn't help it.
After all, I still hope that this project will be more in line with my expectations.
In the tea room, Zhang Guoshi sat opposite Simon, as if he was listening attentively. Hearing the words, he explained: "Simon, I also hope that Western audiences can see some more familiar faces."
Simon shook his head directly: "Whether it is in the East or the West, many blockbuster dark horse films often do not involve popular and famous actors. I will not give you examples. You are also an insider, and you can think of many. In the film and television industry, there is only loss. Filmmakers with a spirit of breakthrough will pursue stability. In order to ensure stability, they do everything possible to seek famous actors to join, but the result is often more and more mediocre. Zhang, you hope that Chinese films that have just made a breakthrough in Hollywood will become mediocre in a short time. And then be quickly eliminated from the market?”
"Of course I hope not."
"Then be brave and don't be timid," Simon stared at Zhang Guoshi and continued: "Speaking of which, I happened to have a conversation with Li on a similar topic a few days ago. Some of the words I said at that time can also be given to you. I hope you can use your own It’s your films that make the actors, rather than your stars supporting your films.”
Zhang Guoshi nodded humbly, but couldn't help but said: "Simon, in this case..."
"I know what you are worried about, Zhang," Simon interrupted: "You are obviously too focused on China and overseas. You always want to cater to and always think about what Western audiences want. Well, I can tell you that Western audiences don't want to watch a movie. There is a Chinese version of "The Revenge of the Prince", and they are also not interested in the Chinese version of "Romeo and Juliet". They have countless versions of these stories to watch. If they enter the theater for a Chinese movie, they will definitely want to see it. Something unique to China, Li's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" did that, so he succeeded, and your "Hero" also did that, so it also succeeded. So, for the "Chu-Han" trilogy , you should continue to stick to this."
After finishing speaking this time, there was a slight pause. Simon didn't wait for Zhang Guoshi to continue, and then continued: "In addition, you are worried about failure, which is understandable. But you are also worried. As long as you can maintain a comparable level of "Hero" , then, just in China, the trilogy, each one has a box office equivalent to "Hero", the local box office is 300 million yuan, you should be confident, the three parts are 900 million yuan, according to China's current about 40% of the film studio split Proportion, this has recovered 360 million. The difference from the cost of 500 million is only 140 million, which is equivalent to 17 million US dollars. With such a large overseas market, and it is still a trilogy, do you think you can't even recover 17 million US dollars?"
When Simon said these words, Zhang Guoshi suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment. He also found that he had obviously fallen into a misunderstanding before. He always thought about the overseas results of the film and worried about gains and losses, but forgot that it was only local. As long as he could reach the box office of "Hero" level, the trilogy’s total investment of 500 million yuan is actually enough to recover more than half.
Overseas, no matter what happens, it won't be a big problem to recover five to six million US dollars for one movie.
After opening his heart, Zhang Guoshi immediately relaxed a lot.
Then we continued to chat about some details. Simon personally decided on some roles, such as Liu Bang. Zhang Guoshi originally preferred Tony Liang, but for the sake of the Western market, Simon directly gave it to Uncle Dao Ming. After all, although the former's acting skills were adequate, he really lacked a kind of Simon. Uncle Dao Ming is really not lacking in the kingly aura he wants. As for Yu Ji, Simon also eliminated Maggie Zhang and others and gave them to Princess Xu. This was mainly due to the influence of the 2001 version of "Swordsman". Princess Xu's Ren Yingying is really in line with Simon's imagination. Yu Ji character.
As for the rest, similar standards will be roughly followed.
In short, fit is the most important thing.
After talking like this for more than half an hour, Zhang Guoshi said goodbye with satisfaction, and Simon also set off back to Maoer Hutong.
Chen Qing had just listened to the whole process and got into the car with her boss when she mentioned something: "Boss, you don't seem to like the actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan very much?"
Simon shrugged: "It doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's just that from my position, I prefer dedicated filmmakers."
Chen Qing nodded: "Understood."
Simon glanced at the girl beside him: "What do you understand?"
Chen Qing posted a sticker on her boss: "Hong Kong movies have collapsed. The mainland market has suddenly improved. Everyone is watching. According to the boss's attitude, if they want to come to our place to make a living, they have to be dedicated. Who wants to carry a broken bowl?" If he’s still an uncle, I’ll tell him to get lost.”
Simon smiled, noncommittal.
Chen Qing took advantage of the situation and mentioned another thing: "By the way, boss, that beauty Li, I forgot to mention that she lives in the villa on Shixun Road these days."
Simon didn't ask the other one, just nodded slightly: "Just stay."
Just get one more cat.
While chatting like this, we returned to Maoer Hutong House.
As soon as he entered the main room of the inner courtyard, Simon saw Ren Jingxi and Qin Bului sitting on the sofa in the side room, reading a book together, looking quite familiar and intimate.
It’s not surprising when you think about it.
The two women do have a lot of similarities in some aspects, such as being smart, decisive, and goal-oriented.
Having accomplished his goal, Qin Buzui said he was going to study, so he dropped everything and went to study. Now the four major fashion weeks have begun. Including Zhu Momo, several big fairies in China are here. After going to New York, only Qin Buzui completely let go.
It's been a long time since I last saw you.
This time, Simon didn't let a certain girl play tricks on her clothes. He was leaving tomorrow. He specially invited several women here to come over for dinner. But he didn't expect that Ren Jingxi, who had already left, would also come over. .
The two women stood up, Simon nodded to Ren Jingxi, hugged Qin Buzui, then hugged her slender and tall body and sat down on the sofa, asking: "What are you reading?"
Qin Bului leaned in Simon's arms, picked up the book he had just put down and showed it to the man: "The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a book about the geography and myths and legends of ancient China. Oh, Simon, you are so knowledgeable. , you must know, right?"
Simon nodded: "I know something."
Ren Jingxi didn't get together anymore. He greeted Chen Qing who came in with him, and sat down on the single sofa next to him. Even though his expression was well concealed, there was still a hint of disappointment in his eyes. Hearing what Qin Buzui said, there was a strange combination of circumstances. She couldn't help but grab the conversation and said, "Buzui and I were just thinking about whether this book could be made into a film and TV series. "Sword of Immortality" is so successful, similar themes will be very popular."
Simon and Qin Bului turned over the books in their hands together and said, "This is not easy. The amount of special effects required by myths and monsters like "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" is not comparable to that of "Sword and Fairy". You can make it into a cartoon at most. .”
Ren Jingxi felt inexplicably satisfied when he listened to him talking to him, and said: "Animations are also good, or they can be made into animated movies. Hollywood animated movies can sell up to 1 billion U.S. dollars at the global box office. China should also have market potential. of."
"Then you first have to change the Chinese people's traditional concept of cartoons," Chen Qing also said at this time: "Chinese people generally believe that animation is for children. If you want to make an animated movie, it will be difficult to get rid of this shackles."
Ren Jingxi did not refute, but looked at a certain man again.
Talking about animated movies, Simon remembered that it was exactly this year in history that China released "The Lotus Lantern", which was also the most successful animated movie in China in this era, with a box office of 29 million yuan. A good result of fifth place on the list.
This time it was also dropped by a butterfly.
Thinking this, noticing Ren Jingxi's gaze, Simon smiled and said: "Xiao Qing is right. Starting from the first big-screen animated film "Snow White" produced by Disney in 1937, the Hollywood animated film market is It took half a century of cultivation to get where we are today. Here in China, if you want to make animated films, you will have to spend at least ten or twenty years cultivating the market and changing the traditional concepts of the audience."
Ren Jingxi still looked at Simon and asked, "Can it succeed?"
"The most basic entertainment preferences of human beings are all the same," Simon said: "Since Hollywood animated movies can earn 1 billion in box office globally, the market potential in China is not too bad either."
"Then I'll do it," Ren Jingxi quickly decided, keeping his eyes on a certain man, and asked, "But Simon, what should I do? Can you give me some advice?"
Simon didn't expect that the girls around him would be so easy to 'whim', so he didn't pour cold water on it, but said: "First of all, determine the goal. Since at this stage, the general concept of the Chinese public is that cartoons are for children, you should not be too cautious when choosing themes. To deviate from this, but at the same time, we must establish a long-term plan that animated films should belong to audiences of all ages, so the selection of materials should not be too young, and should be suitable for all ages.”
Ren Jingxi hummed, tilted his head slightly, and started to think about it.
Simon simply helped others to the end: "What subject matter in China is most suitable for all ages?" He gestured towards the book in his hand: "Actually, it is the well-known traditional legends and monsters like "The Classic of Mountains and Seas". Of course, "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" is also It’s a bit more remote, but if you really want to do it, you can try those widely circulated myths and folklore, such as "Journey to the West", "The Legend of White Snake", "Feng Shen Bang" and so on."
Qin Buzui in his arms raised his face: "Simon, these are common knowledge to all ages, but they shouldn't be considered suitable for all ages, right?"
"Yes, so you should intercept suitable clips and make appropriate adaptations instead of following the script," Simon said: "For example, in "Journey to the West", you definitely can't choose 'Three Strikes of Bone Demons' for animation, but, if it is Where's 'Red Boy'?"
Chen Qing said: "'Red Boy' doesn't seem to be that lovable?"
"I'm just giving you an idea," Simon said with a smile: "If he's not lovable originally, then change the settings to make him lovable. More importantly, 'Red Boy' is a child, and that's the key point. You have to choose a well-known story, but at the same time, the core of the character, preferably a child character, or a minor stage of a well-known character, and at the same time, some interesting adult characters."
Ren Jingxi listened carefully and said at this time: "Then I think that among the three stories you just mentioned, Simon, Nezha from "The List of Gods" is the most suitable."
Simon gently patted Qin Buzui's slender thighs that were tight with washed jeans: "Smart."
Ren Jingxi's eyes followed someone's big hand, and then he glanced at Qin Buzui's angry little expression. He collected his thoughts and said, "So, is there anything else?"
Simon said: "Then there is the schedule. At this stage, the most suitable schedule for animated movies in China is the Lunar New Year schedule, or the only suitable schedule. Your summer schedule and holiday schedule have not yet been developed. .So, within ten years, you must choose the Lunar New Year stall."
Ren Jingxi nodded, thought for a while, and then said: "In China, there are currently no conditions for making 3D animated films. The main reason is the lack of talent. If we want to do it, we can only make 2D. Major art studios There are still a lot of accumulated talents, and now most people are being laid off, so I can easily build a team, but I wonder if the audience will accept 2D after watching Hollywood's 3D?"
"Refer to Japan," Simon said: "Animation is also a very important part of the Japanese film market, and the mainstream is still 2D animation. The key is that you have to work hard. In China, the film market has just begun to recover. Frankly speaking, the needs of Chinese audiences It’s still very low, as long as there are good works, they are willing to read them.”
Although "Spirited Away", which once set a box office record in Japan, has not been released yet, well... Simon didn't pay attention, and he doesn't even know if it has been dropped by butterflies like "Lotus Lantern". Maybe we can find out in the next few days. But even excluding "Spirited Away", Japanese animated films have always been the mainstream genre in theaters, and until many years later, 2D animation was still the mainstream.
This is enough to show that 2D and 3D have little impact. The key is the work itself.
Ren Jingxi didn't know much about Japanese animated movies, but since Simon said so, she certainly didn't doubt it. After careful consideration, she quickly nodded firmly: "Then I'll do it, starting with... um, Nezha?"
Chen Qing interjected again at this time: "There was already a movie called "Nezha Makes the Sea" earlier. If you make Nezha again in 2D, it will feel repetitive. It's better to choose something else."
"Let's talk about it then," Ren Jingxi also remembered the "Nezha Hao Hai" he watched when he was a child, and continued: "I will take the time to set up the team first."
Chen Qing added: "Let's put it in Suzhou, the atmosphere there is very good."
Ren Jingxi looked at Simon again.
Simon said: "Hand-drawing is the best for 2D animation. However, the production time can be shortened to a great extent through computer coloring and other methods. In the past, it took three to five years to complete a hand-drawn animated film. With computer assistance, it can be shortened to less than two years." , in this regard, Suzhou’s Jinshu Special Effects can set up a team to specialize in animation.”
Of course Ren Jingxi knew the concept of shortening the cycle of an animated film from three to five years to two years, and he immediately had no objections.