In a Chaozhou beef hot pot restaurant in Shenzhen City, Li Mu looked at the slightly thin old Jewish man in front of him and felt a little funny.
Spielberg's physical condition was very poor at first glance, and his complexion was also very bad. After flying for more than ten hours, he just landed and didn't have time to rest. He waited at the airport for more than two hours and flew for three hours. Going to Shenzhen City, such a high-intensity continuous trek, even the 20-year-old Anne Hathaway can't bear it. The dark circles under her eyes can't even be covered by foundation, let alone Spielberg, who is nearly 60 years old.
Li Mu was also a little surprised at Spielberg's efficiency. Just a few hours after making the call, he had already landed in his city. How urgent the need was to be able to work in such a hurry.
Li Mu did not meet the two of them alone this time. He knew that Senior Brother Liu was also a fan of Spielberg, so he specially called him together.
Spielberg was very tired from the whole journey, but his appetite was surprisingly good. He ate a lot of hand-made beef balls, and his appetite was amazing. Anne Hathaway beside her was a little shy throughout the whole process, although her stomach kept growling from hunger. , but she still tried her best to control her food intake.
Li Mu thought that this kind of hot pot was not to Anne Hathaway's taste, so he deliberately asked her: "Anne, are you not used to this kind of food?"
Seeing that Li Mu actually cared about her, Anne Hathaway felt happy and said with a bit of shyness: "No, no, it's delicious, but I don't have a big appetite."
Li Mu nodded slightly, feeling a little sorry for the young Anne Hathaway. She must not be able to refuse Spielberg, an old-timer in the film industry, so she followed him all the way to China. I don’t know what kind of reward Spielberg will give her for going all the way.
So Li Mu deliberately pretended to be confused and asked Spielberg: "Director Spielberg, what kind of movie are you planning to shoot in China?"
Spielberg had just eaten a hand-beaten beef ball and before he had time to chew it, he was slightly startled when he heard this. He hurriedly used the words he had already thought of and said: "Mr. Li, please call me Steven from now on." , don’t call me Director Spielberg every time, we are friends, aren’t we?”
Li Mu nodded: "OK, Steven."
Spielberg later said: "Actually, I wanted to make a movie similar to Raiders of the Lost Ark, incorporating certain Chinese culture and historical allusions, such as the famous Qin Shihuang."
Li Mu smiled and said: "Steven, your Raiders of the Lost Ark series should be about the third one, right?"
"Yes." Spielberg sighed: "The third part was more than ten years ago."
Li Mu asked him: "When will your fourth film be launched?"'
Spielberg said: "This depends on Paramount's plan, but the overall pace of the Raiders of the Lost Ark series is relatively slow, and the fourth part will not be launched until at least 2005."
Li Mu smiled and said: "Then it's better to start it in advance. In this way, you don't have to make a movie that integrates Chinese culture. You can just make the fourth film of Raiders of the Lost Ark under the framework of Chinese culture." ,what do you think?"
Spielberg said seriously: "To be honest, I didn't make the decision on this matter, so I can't give you a clear explanation. However, I can communicate with Paramount about what you said. If they feel If you are interested, I personally have no problem."
Li Mu knew in his heart that Spielberg was just talking nonsense to him about coming to China to make a movie, so he deliberately said: "In this case, why don't Steven go back and help me get in touch to see if Paramount is interested in joining the movie?" With my cooperation with Makino Pictures, I can use Muying Film Ticketing System to cooperate deeply with them in the North American market. As long as they are willing to come to China to make several large-scale movies, integrate our thousands of years of Chinese history and civilization into Hollywood movies, and let the whole world The world knows that I can make certain concessions on issues of cooperative investment and shares."
The reason why Li Mu said this was to put pressure on Spielberg in two aspects:
First, I told you orally at the beginning that I would cooperate with you on the Muying Ticketing System, but you should not think that I have any obligations to you just because I said it orally. I can go back on my word anytime, anywhere, even if it is Anne Hai Sevi is of no use here;
Second, don’t fool me with the movie production in China. Since you said it, you have to do it. Otherwise, you can’t take this ticketing system from me. I would rather use this system in exchange for other movies. If a company comes to China to shoot a movie, it won't let you be fooled.
Spielberg was really anxious when he heard this. Li Mu had previously promised to cooperate with him on Muying's ticketing system. Why did he suddenly act as if he hadn't said this and even help him connect with Paramount? In that case, what is the purpose of traveling thousands of miles to China
So, Spielberg asked tentatively: "Mr. Li, are you planning to promote Muying's ticketing system in North America?"
Li Mu nodded: "This system is a huge innovation for users' viewing experience and theater box office management. It will greatly promote the entire film and television industry. It should not be promoted only in China, but should be promoted all over the world. Promote it within the scope.”
Spielberg felt bad. Li Mu clearly didn't recognize what he had said before. But thinking about it from another angle, Li Mu just mentioned it casually at that time because he didn't see the actual product. It was just a casual pandering, but no one really reached an agreement at all. Besides, who would really take the things in verbal chatter seriously
Thinking of this, Spielberg felt that he could no longer be so secretive, otherwise Li Mu would probably ignore him, so he couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Li, you said before that if I was interested, We can work together to build this system in North America, what do you think now?"
Li Muxin said yes, and after a long time of ink, he finally got to the point, so he smiled lightly and said: "Steven, I am not in North America, and my energy is not in North America, so if Muying Ticketing System is to be developed in North America, it must be Find a reliable partner to do it with, there is no doubt about it.”
Spielberg nodded: "Yes, you need a trustworthy partner."
Li Mu added: "Although the cooperation I want will be reflected at the capital level, what I am pursuing is not external capital to reduce my investment. This amount of money is not only for me, but also for Makino Technology. It’s nothing.”
Spielberg continued to nod. Cooperation at the company level must be reflected in capital relationships, such as A's investment and percentage of shares, B's investment and percentage of shares. But for Li Mu, he Even if he is looking for a partner, it is not so that the other party can share the investment with him, but he hopes that the other party can help him promote the development of this system in the North American market. He fully understands this.
At this time, Li Mu said again: "There are many very powerful film and television companies in Hollywood, as well as many powerful producers and big names, including you. There are many suitable partners, but I have my own way to select them." A set of standards, which is why I rejected Harvey’s request to meet. The other party’s strength, relationships, connections and influence are not my core requirements for selecting partners.”
Spielberg knew that Li Mu rejected Harvey's request to meet, but he didn't know what reasons Li Mu had for rejecting him.
Then he asked Li Mu: "Mr. Li, what requirements do you have for your partners? If it is convenient, you can tell me."
Li Mu smiled slightly and said: "I don't have high requirements for the strength of my partners. As I said just now, all the major film and television companies, producers and celebrities in Hollywood meet my requirements in terms of resources and capabilities. "
At this point, Li Mu changed the topic and said: "My core requirement for a partner is whether he can meet my needs on other levels."
"Demands at other levels?" Spielberg asked in surprise: "To be more specific, which levels are you referring to?"
Li Mu said seriously: "For example, I can come to China to shoot a movie!"
"Come to China to make a movie?!" Spielberg looked at Li Mu in surprise: "Do you want your partners to come to China to make a movie? What kind of movie?"
Li Mu said with a smile: "There is no limit to the subject matter. I hope it is a movie that can be deeply integrated with Chinese culture, Chinese history, Chinese development and Chinese actors, so that the world can learn more about the advantages of China, and re-understand and understand China." The country, no official or individual can do this kind of thing, it can only be achieved quickly through film and television works."
Speaking of this, Li Mu said surprisingly formally: "Steven, China's film industry is still very weak. Whether it is our market size, industry companies, or the quality of employees, it is much worse than Hollywood. Most actors are not They can act, or they don’t know how to act at all. Most directors can’t make movies, most screenwriters can’t write scripts, and most film and television companies don’t understand market demand. In the end, no one likes to watch most of the things they produce. , but even so, they are all self-righteous. The director feels that he can compare with the big Hollywood directors, the screenwriter feels that he has a perfect grasp of the audience's needs and market needs, and the actors feel that their acting skills are going to break through the sky. How can the industry continue like this? Achieve rapid development?”
"So, in my eyes, Muying's ticketing system is nothing, and money is nothing. China's international image and the rapid development of China's film and television industry are what I care about most. So in the future, what will I follow in North America? Who will cooperate? In fact, it is very simple. I will cooperate with whoever can help in these two aspects. If you, Steven, are willing to cooperate with me, as long as you promise: you and the film and television company under your name will open at least one movie every year. For a movie related to China, a movie with an investment scale of intermediate or above, I will not only give you 20% of the shares of Muying Ticketing System in the North American market for free, but I can also invest 50% of these movies related to China that you have invested in, and even I’ll give you a guarantee, if the movie loses money, all the losses will be mine!”
Sorry everyone, the company is busy with a new round of financing recently, so now I am no longer 996, basically the rhythm of 997! I'm extremely busy, and at the same time I feel extremely guilty for everyone. Even if I promise to update once a day, I still have to do it until one or two o'clock at night. I don't ask for your forgiveness, I just ask for your understanding. Fortunately, everything will be done soon...
In addition, I am rambling a few words to myself. It has been a long time since I wrote this book. Sometimes I am very lucky. This book has not only brought me an increase in income and writing, but has even brought benefits to my work and business. It’s been a great help. I feel like I’ve written more than three million words until now. My overall understanding of the logic of doing things, products, users, and operations has been deepened and improved a lot. Now I’m cheating at work. When you come here, you have so many lines in your stomach that you can’t use them all. I fucking wrote them all in this book. It’s really amazing to think about it...
Finally, I hope this book can bring the same help to some readers, face-palming...
(End of chapter)