HuaYu2003: This producer is a bit reckless!

Chapter 16: Just because Sisi is so beautiful, I got into character so quickly!

Protection is necessary. Xinghan Pictures is powerful, but others may not be.

Ultimately, the bigwigs decided not to issue any official documents, but to simply pass on the word verbally, thus implementing this unwritten "policy."

Furthermore, the release date of Zhang Yimou's "House of Flying Daggers," which was scheduled to be released this year, was specially adjusted and placed within the protection month, namely July 16, 2004.

Subsequent implementation was more flexible. It wasn't until 2016 that things gradually loosened up, with imported films squeezing into the summer season through methods such as staggered scheduling.

In the summer of 2023, Hollywood movies broke with convention and were released, but by then domestic films had already established themselves as a major force, and foreign films performed poorly at the box office.

Unfortunately, movie tickets became increasingly expensive, and the overall economic climate deteriorated, causing domestic films to begin their decline again.

In 2022, at its peak, IMAX tickets in first-tier cities generally cost over 100 yuan, with some preview screenings or special screenings costing two or three hundred yuan per ticket. Even the cheaper screenings cost fifty or sixty yuan. A family of three spending several hundred yuan to see a movie—who would be happy to go?

Of course, there are many reasons for not going to the cinema, such as 9/11, money laundering, the ugly way the cinemas operate, and the criticism that audiences don't understand movies... but expensive ticket prices and poorly made movies are probably the main reasons.

……

This time, Xinghan Pictures is once again partnering with China Film Group. The revenue split is 40%, meaning Xinghan Pictures will receive over 30 million yuan.

In the conference room of Xinghan Pictures, Ning Hao and his future wife Xing Aina were discussing the plot of "Crazy Racer" with several newly recruited screenwriters and assistant directors. Xu Zheng and Huang Bo were also there. When they talked, they all expressed their admiration for Ling Yuan.

Look at them, with a budget of 50,000 to 60,000 yuan and seven or eight actors (most of whom were supporting roles), they produced such a blockbuster film within a week. As for us, we invested 1.5 million yuan in "Crazy Stone," and although the box office reached more than 36 million yuan, which is not bad, the return on investment is much lower compared to "The Haunted Cop Shop."

What they didn't know was that Ling Yuan had plagiarized a foreign classic, one that had grossed $1.75 million at the North American box office. Ling Yuan's version, however, surpassed the original, possessing the advantage of being a latecomer but still having the advantage of being the first to market.

……

Meanwhile, Ling Yuan, along with a group of young actresses including Liu Yifei, Tang Yan, Zhao Liying, and Liu Jing, began filming "Chinese Paladin" in various locations, including Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang Province, Xiandu Scenic Area in Jinyun, Lishui, and Fangyan in Yongkang.

Hengdian World Studios mainly features indoor scenes, streets, and palace scenes.

Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area is the main filming location for Fairy Spirit Island and Mount Shu in the drama. For example, Furong Gorge is the scene where Li Xiaoyao and Ling'er first met on Fairy Spirit Island, and Dinghu Peak is the background of the Mount Shu Sword Sect and the Yellow Emperor's Temple. It is known as the "Number One Peak in the World".

Some of the mountain climbing, natural scenery, and the final battle against the water monster were filmed at the Fangyan Scenic Area in Yongkang.

Of course, there are other auxiliary locations as well.

The director and producer of the "Chinese Paladin" series also congratulated Ling Yuan on the great success of "The Ghostly Record".

They felt fortunate that they signed the contract early; if they had signed it now, their pay would probably have been much higher.

However, Ling Yuan didn't care. He mainly liked acting, and most importantly, he was paired with Liu Yifei.

It is said that in later generations, there were celebrities and rich second-generation heirs who didn't want pay and were even willing to pay extra, just to play lovers with the "Fairy Sister".

Yes, that's roughly it.

A celebrity asked, "Director, when will filming for 'The Wind Rises 2' begin?"

Director: "Almost there, almost there, five million!"

A celebrity couldn't wait: "I've already called!"

Director: "We can arrange a kissing scene."

A celebrity said, "Then add another million. It's been transferred. Check if it's arrived yet. Hurry up!"

……

Ling Yuan didn't lose money; he earned a full 600,000 yuan in film fees. Although it wasn't as much as he made from movies, he enjoyed it.

During filming, the director praised Ling Yuan for his outstanding acting skills, saying he could get into character instantly and almost never needed to do a retake.

Little did they know, it was entirely because their co-star was Liu Yifei, who was so beautiful, that they naturally got into character.

(Image here)

Although Tang Yan only played a supporting role in "Chinese Paladin", she was in a very good mood because she never expected that the horror movie would become so popular.

In the past few days, Ling Yuan told her that he had helped her land several GG (Girls' Love) endorsements. Of course, the company would take a cut. Even so, Tang Yan was quite happy.

Then, there will be a sequel to the Shadow series, but we'll have to wait a while, let the audience digest it first, and we'll talk about it next year.

There are still quite a few films to shoot this year.

During the break, Liu Yifei, dressed as Zhao Ling'er, came over to offer her congratulations. However, she secretly pinched Ling Yuan's waist and muttered through gritted teeth, "There's a bed scene too? And she's wearing such a sexy bellyband?"

Ling Yuan whispered, "You'd look even better in it!"

Liu Yifei: "Get lost! You scumbag! You pervert! Watch out, or I'll report you for harassing a minor and you'll get fifteen days in jail!"

Ling Yuan was startled: "I wouldn't dare!"

Well, Tang Yan is an adult now, so it's fine for her to wear a sexy halter top. But if Liu Yifei were the lead actress, she couldn't do that.

……

Located at the foot of Dinghu Peak and beside Shiliang Bridge in Xiandu Scenic Area, Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province.

The early spring breeze still carried a chill, causing the peach blossoms to flutter down from the trees.

"Cut! That's a take! Get ready for the next take, the final scene, Ling'er... sacrifices herself." The director's voice came through the loudspeaker, tinged with a barely perceptible sigh.

The relaxed atmosphere instantly turned somber, as if covered by a wet cloth.

The makeup artist then touched up Liu Yifei's makeup, or rather, "repaired her wounds."

Large patches of "blood" soaked through Ling'er's signature white gauze dress. The glaring red made her face look even paler, and her lips lost their color. Only her eyes, still open and glistening with tears, looked at Ling Yuan.

Ling Yuan took a deep breath and rubbed his face.

Just now, while filming the scene "After Surviving the Calamity, Envisioning the Future," he was happily planning to take his daughter Yiru to catch butterflies while holding Liu Yifei in his arms. In the blink of an eye, he was about to carry her, who was "on the verge of death," on this final journey.

This emotional rollercoaster is really tough.

Ling Yuan glanced at Liu Yifei. The beauty had her eyes closed, and her long eyelashes cast shadows under her eyes like two small fans. She was quiet and composed, already immersed in her role.

The fairy sister is no longer the naive girl she was when she filmed "The Story of Roses"; her acting skills have greatly improved.

"Action!" the director commanded.

Ling Yuan's smile froze instantly, as if he had been struck by an invisible hammer.

He got into character very quickly because the thought of Liu Yifei really dying made him feel unbearably heartbroken.

Ling Yuan lunged forward, almost staggering as he knelt beside Liu Yifei. He slipped his arms under her knees and back, carefully lifting her up as if he were holding a fragile piece of glass.

"Ling'er! Ling'er!" His voice trembled, filled with disbelief and panic, each word seeming to be forced out of his throat.

Liu Yifei slightly opened her eyes in his arms, her gaze somewhat unfocused, struggling to concentrate on his face, and managed a weak smile: "Brother Xiaoyao... I... I'm alright..."

Ling Yuan picked her up and stood up.

Those steps, one after another, tread on the stone bridge covered with fallen peach petals.