Chapter 480: Copyright, Scheduling, and the Night Before Departure

Time entered mid-October, and *About Time* started filming at the Huairou Film and Television Base in the outskirts of Beijing.

Given that Guo Fan had yet to produce any noteworthy results, Wei Jin made a special trip over.

As the production company, Enlight Media also sent Executive Vice President Li Xiaoping to attend and show support.

During their casual chat, Wei Jin expressed concern about the filming progress of *Badges of Fury*.

According to Li Xiaoping, the current progress of the film was quite good, and it was estimated that it would wrap up early next month.

It was clear that everyone at Enlight Media had high hopes for this film; the shooting cycle was approaching four months, which was indeed incomparable to *Sad Call*.

Wei Jin was not worried about this; with Li Lianjie joining as a favor and a total production cost of over 30 million, plus the script having been refined by the company, turning a profit was absolutely a sure thing.

As the two chatted, Guo Fan also brought the main cast members out for interviews.

It was evident that besides the director Guo Fan, the media was most interested in Bai Yu and Song Yi.

Although Bai Yu had not been in the industry for long, two of Wei Jin's films, plus a second male lead role in a TV series, were all massive hits, and his popularity was definitely top-tier among second-line actors.

As for Song Yi, the reporters were more curious about how she managed to land the role.

Of course, others like Sun Yizhou and Deng Jia Jia also got some opportunities to speak; after all, *iPartment 3* was indeed too popular this year.

After the usual routine, Guo Fan dismissed the media and gathered the actors for a script reading session, while Wei Jin stood to the side observing the main cast members.

Re Yi Zha had done plenty of preparation work and consulted Guo Fan quite a bit on character positioning, even though her screen time was not much.

Although Deng Jia Jia was self-taught, her talent was quite good, and she could grasp the essence of the character very well.

The humorous potential in Sun Yizhou was indeed maxed out; every move he made carried a sense of comedy.

But the one who caught Wei Jin's attention the most was Song Yi; this was his first time seeing this woman, known as the Qipao Assassin, in reality, and her temperament was indeed excellent.

After Guo Fan finished explaining the key points of the script, he let the actors read through it together while he came out to communicate with Wei Jin.

"President Wei, according to the plan, the shooting cycle is two months, and it will wrap up by late December at the latest. Also, I will adjust Bai Yu's scenes to leave time for him to attend the Golden Horse Awards."

"Hmm, letting him show his face is fine too; it counts as exposure for you, haha."

Wei Jin looked toward the crew members in the distance and joked with a smile.

To be honest, Bai Yu had already been to Venice, and since there was no nomination for the Golden Horse, there wasn't much point in going. However, it was a grand event in Huaxia after all, so for him, it could be considered a means to consolidate his status and increase exposure.

Just as Wei Jin returned to the company, news of the *About Time* start-up appeared online, and the buzz was quite high.

After scrolling through it a couple of times, Wei Jin received a call from Zhang Yimou; the first cut of *Hidden in the Dust* had been streamlined, and he invited Wei Jin, the screenwriter, to come and polish it.

With nothing else to do, Wei Jin arrived at Shanhe Ink. As soon as he arrived, he saw the energetic Zhang Yimou, who seemed more vigorous than an ordinary person, directing the editor to adjust the subsequent plan.

"Director Zhang."

"President Wei, come take a look."

Zhang Yimou didn't say a word and started playing the footage directly.

Wei Jin didn't dawdle either; he started reviewing the footage while chatting with Zhang Yimou.

It had to be said that Zhang Yimou was truly impressive; his handling of certain shots and scenes was even more brilliant than the original film.

However, Wei Jin was no slouch after years of training; he offered some opinions on the storytelling and the depth of the core, which Zhang Yimou humbly accepted.

After some discussion, the two basically reached a consensus.

"The rest is just a matter of polishing. Let's handle it when Director Zhang returns from India."

"Hmm, that's what I'm planning as well."

As a representative figure of Chinese-language cinema, Zhang Yimou had been invited last month to attend a significant film festival hosted by the Indians—the opening ceremony of the Mumbai Film Festival.

The Film Federation of India awarded Zhang Yimou a Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his contributions over the past 20-plus years in leading Asian cinema toward the world stage.

In fact, Wei Jin, as the number one person in Chinese-language cinema, had also received an invitation, but he had politely declined.

"By the way, Director Zhang, have you been there before?"

"Not really, but I do know a few Indian directors, so I can exchange ideas when the time comes."

A mischievous look appeared on Wei Jin's face: "Director Zhang, in that case, I suggest you have your Assistant prepare plenty of stomach medicine."

"Hmm? Why?"

"The food in India, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it, hahaha."

"0.0"

Wei Jin didn't expect that Zhang Yimou would end up trending again before even leaving the country.

Of course, he wasn't the protagonist this time; he was brought onto the trending list because the work *Red Sorghum* had won a Nobel Prize.

In 1988, Zhang Yimou's film *Red Sorghum* won the Berlin Golden Bear Award. 24 years later, the original work won a Nobel Prize; the topic was just too hot.

At this moment, a large number of netizens were congratulating Mo Yan. After all, this was a Nobel Prize, and the first one in the country at that; wouldn't that be worth celebrating for three days and three nights?

However, if one had to talk about who was the most excited, it had to be the entertainment industry, because Mo Yan was not only a writer but also a well-known screenwriter.

A large number of filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, and celebrities, whether sincere, following the trend, or trying to gain exposure, were all posting congratulations on Weibo.

Zhang Yimou, Gong Li, Jiang Wen, and other main creators of the *Red Sorghum* film naturally wouldn't be left out.

Shanhe Media also rarely posted congratulations on its official Weibo. It wasn't because they had a great relationship with Mo Yan, but simply because the copyright for this masterpiece was held by the company.

"President Wei, we've made a killing this time. Just in the half-day since the news came back, the copyright price has already risen more than ten times, and it's still rising, hahaha."

As a loyal supporter of hoarding copyrights, Chen Zhiming was somewhat excited.

It wasn't because of how much money they made, but because this proved his vision. After all, Wei Jin had barely asked about these small matters; he had negotiated them all himself. "President Wei, should we develop this project next? It's bound to be a huge hit."

Wei Jin smiled and nodded: "Sure, let the screenwriting department do the adaptation first. We can also invite Teacher Mo to participate. There's no rush on the timing."

To be honest, Wei Jin usually didn't ask which of the massive number of works in the company's copyright library should be developed first, but with such great heat, he felt he would be doing a disservice to the massive influx of traffic if he didn't capitalize on it.

"Alright, I'll arrange it right away."

After more than a month of preparation by a team of hundreds, the preliminary work for *Edge of Tomorrow* was completed, and filming was imminent.

All Chinese participants gathered in the China Film Group conference room for a mobilization meeting before the start of filming.

"Everyone present, some of you are participating in a co-production for the first time. In terms of external communication, you should learn more from the veterans, and those veterans who participated in the filming of *Pacific Rim* should also take the lead."

In the five years since taking charge of China Film Group, Han Sanping's authority had grown increasingly formidable; sitting in the main seat, he possessed a natural air of intimidation without even needing to be angry, his presence powerful.

"According to the filming schedule, we will be shooting on location in Hong Kong in two days. This part is handed directly to us to be responsible for. I only have one requirement: one week, can you get it done?"

As soon as Han Sanping finished speaking, the head of the film studio's production crew immediately stood up to answer.

"Han Dong, no problem."

This scene in Hong Kong was not in the original version of the film; on one hand, it was to satisfy the requirements for a co-production, and on the other, it could be considered adding a scene for the lead actress, Jing Tian.

This portion of the content was supplementary footage discussed between Wei Jin and Doug Liman, mainly recounting the story of the female lead before she joined the military, belonging to flashback content; one week was completely sufficient.

"After filming ends here in Hong Kong, you will transfer directly to London to conduct two months of location shooting there, and finally return to the Warner Bros. Studio for one month of finishing work.

And this time in the studio is also the time when we can learn the most; I hope everyone will seize the opportunity well."

"Understood, please rest assured, Han Dong."

Dozens of people shouted in unison, which really did have a feeling of shaking the heavens.

After the mobilization meeting ended and the engineers, actors, and production crew had left one after another, Wei Jin followed Han Sanping to his office.

Without needing Wei Jin to speak, Han Sanping guessed his intention; after personally pouring a cup of tea, he handed over the schedule.

"Here, take a look yourself."

After taking it, Wei Jin did not say much and began to flip through it on his own.

On this schedule, Wei Jin saw many familiar films: Zhang Ziyi's *Sophie's Revenge 2*, that film by Huang Bai, *Chef Actor Rascal*, and the trend-following work by a Hong Kong director, *Ip Man: The Final Fight*. Currently, it looked like there were no very strong competitors before the May Day slot.

After some thought, Wei Jin picked up a pen from the pen holder on the table, wrote and drew on the schedule, and then handed it back to Han Sanping, who raised an eyebrow after taking it and looking.

"You've set all of these in the first half of the year; won't it be too crowded? *Journey to the West* and *Seattle* are less than a week apart—are you playing at competing with yourself?"

"Han Dong, I have plans for the second half of the year's slots, so it can only be arranged this way. Besides, *Seattle* and *Journey to the West* are not the same genre. The Spring Festival Film Season has great potential and the competition isn't huge; it's just that it's a bit hard to tilt the publicity resources."

To be honest, Wei Jin had not failed to consider other slots, but the company produced too many films, and it was impossible to schedule them all; he could only minimize friction as much as possible.

Han Sanping also nodded, acknowledging his point.

"Fine then, but which slot do you plan to put *Big Shot* in? The Summer Slot or the National Day Slot? It can't be the New Year Slot; that's too far away."

The post-production for *Big Shot* had long been completed, and after spending more than a month on some special effects rendering and dubbing, Wei Jin had arranged for it to be submitted for review before he went to Venice.

With the entry of the tool-man Teacher Ma and the strong support of Director Tong, he did not encounter any difficulties, and the review had already passed while Wei Jin was still in North America.

"I haven't decided yet; I'll wait until Chen Xi returns and we finalize the trailer advertisement matters."

Wei Jin was increasingly getting used to being a hands-off manager and squeezing his employees.

"Fine, as long as you have a plan."

The moment Wei Jin left China Film Group, news about *Edge of Tomorrow* was reported by the media.

"The film *Edge of Tomorrow* is about to start filming; the Chinese production team will board a plane to Hong Kong tomorrow!"

"It is reported that the film's locations are London and Hong Kong, with a shooting cycle of approximately three months."

For a time, many young starlets in the circle began to feel heartbroken again. A big production of 170 million USD, and she was the female lead partnering with Tom Cruise—Jing Tian's fate was truly too good.

However, most people could only envy her, because for them, although Jing Tian did not have the title of the Four Dan Actresses or the Four Dan Double Bing, she had long been the default top-tier actress.

Since *Zhu Xian*, she had never touched a television drama again, walking the whole way with only films, and all of them were films with excellent box office and word-of-mouth.

When it came to international fame, she could even be called the number one person in Huaxia.

A group of post-85 actresses, besides envy, seemed unable to muster much jealousy, because the gap was simply too large.

"Perhaps from that year at the Oscar—no, from that song *Little Luck* she debuted with, her path had already been paved for her by someone, escorting her all the way, rising straight up."

Yang Mi's face carried a hint of complexity. Back then, as one of the Four Dan Actresses, she still had the intention to catch up, but she had tried her best to chase, and three years later, the gap was only getting wider.

"Mimi, people's pursuits are different. We already have our own Studio; next, we will upgrade the company step by step, sign more artists, invest in projects, and become capital step by step. By then, the actors will all have to revolve around you."

Ceng Jia's ambition was extremely strong, and she seized the opportunity to give a pep talk.

"Jia Jie, I understand, I'm just feeling a bit emotional."

Yang Mi turned back and smiled; ever since she decided to step onto the path of capital, her heart had been full of fighting spirit.

She, Yang Mi, didn't just want to be a great actress; she also wanted to be a Producer, a film and television company boss, and capital in the entertainment industry. Wei Jin had no intention of paying attention to the sighs of the actresses in the circle and Yang Mi's ambitions; right now, he was in the midst of passion with Jing Tian, a daytime tryst.

For this farewell ceremony, Jing Tian had specially changed into the black silk stockings and qipao that Wei Jin loved most.

Jing Tian was seen kneeling on the edge of the bed, her thighs pressed against her calves, her hands supporting her body, arching her waist into an astonishing curve.

Those beautiful buttocks wrapped in black silk were also raised high, and the hem of the qipao, which originally shielded her from the wind and rain, had long been rolled up onto her back by the man behind her.

(End of this chapter)