Chapter 130

In the car, Wu Yuchen opened the rear window, letting the wind blow through to dissipate the alcohol in the car. They had just sent Director Liu from CCTV back.

A moment later, Wu Yuchen closed the window and asked Cai Yinong:

"Cai Zong, what's your opinion?"

Cai Yinong thought for a moment and said: "The price for exclusive broadcast is a bit low, but I think the premiere broadcast can be considered. After all, CCTV's platform effect is still very sufficient."

Regarding "Years of Passionate Burning," Director Liu also discussed the price with the two of them, in two ways.

First, sell the premiere rights to CCTV for 4 million;

Second, CCTV buys out the exclusive broadcast rights for "Years of Passionate Burning" for 10 million.

In this day and age, the price for CCTV to buy premiere rights is generally much lower than that of local stations because CCTV has a platform effect. If the premiere on CCTV has a good effect, it's easy to sell the second round. Therefore, some confident film and television companies will choose to sell the premiere rights to CCTV at a low price and rely on selling the second and third rounds to various local stations to make money.

For example, the quote of 4 million for "Years of Passionate Burning" this time was lower than the production cost of 5 million. If CCTV could broadcast it immediately, Wu Yuchen wouldn't have any objections; selling it at a loss would make it easy to earn money later. But the key was that they couldn't arrange a broadcast for him immediately.

Wu Yuchen shook his head directly: "Cai Zong, CCTV is going to broadcast 'The Water Margin' in January next year. I don't want to drag it to next year. If they put our 'Years of Passionate Burning' on Channel 8 to compete with 'The Water Margin' on Channel 1, there's simply no comparison."

After receiving the script, Wu Yuchen asked: "Who is the director?"

Moreover, "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" became a big winner at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards, winning 9 major awards including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress, completely solidifying its status as a classic film.

"Chen Chong, she contacted me on her own initiative, saying she felt I was particularly suitable for the female lead, and also said it was Yan Geling's novel of the same name, preparing to go for awards!" Li Xiaoran said happily.

Wu Yuchen knew who it was as soon as he heard it and replied with a smile: "Hello, Jeff, I miss your wife's strawberry cheesecake very much~"

I know you took this play because you want to go for awards. But now that you already have "Run Luo La Run," filming this "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl" won't be of much help to you, and it might even ruin some of your reputation because of the nude scenes.

In Beijing, anyone who has lived in a Sihe Academy wants to move out, and even if they have a Sihe Academy at home, they rent it to others to live in while they live in an apartment building nearby. This is the norm for Beijing Sihe Academy.

As a result, this look completely attracted him, and it was precisely because of the strong push from this Deputy Director Gong that the two sides quickly reached a deal: 7 million for the premiere rights, and it could immediately take over the 8 PM prime time slot in half a month.

Seeing her stammering without saying the rest, Wu Yuchen said directly:

"When you came back from being an extra, didn't you say that you must let Sister Wanjun comb your hair in the future?

No need to be embarrassed to speak up; you just want to be more famous, have a higher status, and be sought after by more people, right?"

"Yes, I originally suggested wanting to arrange it for the Christmas slot, but it was rejected for fear that our competitiveness wouldn't be enough. However, the Thanksgiving slot is also very good. We will release it on the Friday of the week before Thanksgiving, striving to seize the initiative."

"Hmm, I'll listen to you from now on~" Li Xiaoran said, kissing Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen was naturally very clear about the movie "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl." In his past life, it was starred in by the "Pingxi King" Little Elk. She always insisted that she used a body double, but 90% of those who watched it believed she did it herself.

"Fine, I'll run to each one. From Director Liu's attitude this time, it can be seen that after you hang your name, Wu Dao, it's still very attractive!" Cai Yinong said, not forgetting to flatter him.

"What about now?"

Just then, Wu Yuchen's cell phone rang. After answering, he found it was an overseas call.

Wu Yuchen felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this and asked: "Is it the Thanksgiving slot?"

Water, electricity, internet, parking, pipes, and other aspects—the overall comfort is lagging behind.

Li Xiaoran asked back: "Don't you know clearly? At first, it was just to earn some money to support yourself..."

Li Xiaoran was very surprised by Wu Yuchen's statement: "Ah? But I read in books, and the teachers at school all say..."

After Wu Yuchen took a shower and the alcohol dissipated, he came out of the bathroom and saw Li Xiaoran holding a script and running to him: "Hey, can you help me see how this movie script is?"

"Dear Wu, long time no see!"

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "She doesn't mix in the mainland anymore; she's going to take root in Hollywood in the future. She doesn't care whether the country allows it or not. When it's filmed, she'll send it directly to film festivals. At that time, she'll be fine, having won awards and living freely overseas. Do you want to carry the title of a banned film specialist?"

Li Xiaoran had a criminal record in her past life. In the movie "The Chinese Botanist's Daughters," she really showed everything that should be shown, so Wu Yuchen had to give her a good preventive vaccination.

"Hehe, that's because I made full preparations before filming, and all the images were in my mind."

Wu Yuchen waved his hand directly to interrupt her:

"Sacrificing for art cannot be equated with winning awards! What are you aiming for as an actor?"

He said directly: "Turn it down. I can tell you clearly that this play will be a banned film if filmed, and unlike 'Run Luo La Run,' which is allowed to be filmed but not screened, this one isn't even allowed to be filmed!"

"Uh-huh, that's truly a very good strategy!" Wu Yuchen praised.

"Okay!" After studying acting, Li Xiaoran naturally knew how powerful Maggie Cheung's acting was.

And do you know that Maggie Cheung also publicly admitted that she entered the entertainment industry because of vanity? Including Leslie Cheung, who also said that no one in the entertainment industry isn't vain, and he himself is vain—what's wrong with facing your own heart directly?

Seeing her still hesitating, Wu Yuchen said directly: "Don't be brainwashed by that set of art film theories. Whatever sacrificing for art, just listen to it and that's it; keep your head clear."

"Hahaha, when you come over again, you can try other flavors!"

Use your brain more in the future; don't believe in that set of sacrificing for art. Very few of the movies that can truly win big awards involve sacrificing for art."

Wu Yuchen showed a satisfied smile: "Jeff, this news can make me happy for at least a week!"

Wu Yuchen hung up the phone with a smile, feeling quite good. Whether it was the film being uncut or the Sony Columbia publicity arrangement, one could see that there was a certain degree of importance attached to "Frequency."

Li Xiaoran nodded upon hearing this, but she felt a bit ashamed that Wu Yuchen had stated her inner thoughts so bluntly. After all, the education and environment in the country now require people to be ashamed to talk about fame and fortune, as if pursuing fame and fortune is a shameful thing, and pursuing art is noble.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this. He had now hung his name as a producer, and at the same time, he was the first screenwriter, which was indeed useful to these TV stations.

Wu Yuchen thought of something upon hearing this, and his brows furrowed. Looking at the script name, it was indeed "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl."

Wu Yuchen opened the script and started reading. After a while, he said: "Did Chen Chong tell you that this movie will have nude scenes?"

"Now, now..." Li Xiaoran hesitated.

"Of course, my first Hollywood movie, I will definitely go."

"Director Gong, don't worry, I have great confidence in 'Years of Passionate Burning'; it will absolutely achieve a result that will satisfy you!" Wu Yuchen promised with a smile.

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Yo! Not bad, someone is looking for you to film a movie!"

Wu Yuchen asked again: "Last year, when we watched 'Comrades: Almost a Love Story' together, do you think Maggie Cheung acted well?"

"Wu, I am still amazed by your film editing speed; it's truly fast and accurate!"

"Hmm, Maggie Cheung is currently recognized as the best actress in Hong Kong, with Golden Horse, Hong Kong Film Award, and Berlin Film Festival Best Actress awards all on her. Have you seen her film any nude scenes?"

"Ah? But Chen Chong didn't say anything at all, and I see she's quite confident..."

"Wu, 'Frequency' has been scheduled for release in two months."

Cai Yinong understood Wu Yuchen's thoughts after hearing this and tentatively asked: "Then forget about CCTV? Should I contact other TV stations?"

Li Xiaoran raised her chin and said slightly proudly: "That's for sure, and there's more than one!"

Although starring in this movie could win a Golden Horse Award, Wu Yuchen didn't want Li Xiaoran to engage in any sacrificing for art!

"Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl" did indeed win quite a few awards, especially at the Golden Horse Awards, where Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director were all swept up by this film.

This middle-aged man who was sighing with emotion was the deputy director of Beijing TV station, in charge of film purchasing. This time, hearing that there was a TV drama personally written and produced by the great director Wu Yuchen, he was quite curious, so he came to watch it together.

In the evening, Wu Yuchen arrived at Li Xiaoran's place. Li Xiaoran no longer lived in the previous rented room; Wu Yuchen bought a house in a newly developed high-end residential area and moved her there.

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Contact Beijing TV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong TV, and Hunan TV; try to get it broadcast as soon as possible!"

She nodded repeatedly: "I know, I won't take this movie, and I will refuse similar ones in the future."

Jeff laughed loudly upon hearing this: "Wu, don't worry, the company is very satisfied with the effect you filmed, and coupled with Shi Tailong's and our insistence, it's uncut—it's still your version!"

Wu Yuchen asked with concern again: "Jeff, what is the final edited version of the film like? Have you seen it?"

"Body double my foot, she will definitely keep pestering you to do it yourself the whole time!" Wu Yuchen said directly with dissatisfaction.

After hearing Wu Yuchen tell her all this, Li Xiaoran also woke up. If someone else had said it, she might not have believed it, but since it was Wu Yuchen who said it, she couldn't help but believe it.

And there was a detail: at the beginning of this film, Chen Chong looked for Fan Bingbing, but as soon as Fan Bingbing heard there were nude scenes, she discussed it with her family and rejected Chen Chong directly. If there really were a body double, why wouldn't Fan Bingbing agree? Would it even be your turn, Li Xiaolu?

After this film was finished, Chen Chong was banned for 3 years, but it had no effect on Chen Chong, who was mixing overseas.

"Hahaha, Wu Dao, you're being too polite! To tell you the truth, my family is a military family. I grew up in this kind of environment since I was a child. Seeing 'Years of Passionate Burning' is exactly like watching my parents' story, which makes me feel a hundred emotions!"

Wu Yuchen hugged her and said: "You must know what you want yourself. You're not some small actor who needs to rely on this kind of means to get ahead. Don't worry, if there's a good opportunity, I will definitely recommend you."

However, thinking that the male lead of this movie is Shi Tailong, even if he has had a downward trend in recent years, his reputation is still very loud, so it is only natural to give a certain amount of resource tilt. This made him have a lot of expectations for the release of "Frequency" in two months.

To tell the truth, he had read many novels before that wrote about time-traveling and rebirth, determined to buy a Sihe Academy to live in. Besides the investment value he recognized, if you talk about living conditions and experience, it really can't compare to an apartment building!

A few days later, it was still the same restaurant as before.

As for selling the exclusive broadcast rights for 10 million, he wouldn't consider it. He would be a fool to sell such a hit drama for 10 million.

Li Xiaoran nodded hesitantly: "She said she could use a body double."

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Jeff mentioned the main business:

Li Xiaoran listened to the reputation of Chen Chong and Yan Geling, thinking this should be a good movie and could go for awards, so she thought about trying to take it, but now after hearing what Wu Yuchen said, she was also a bit worried.

Li Xiaolu won the Golden Horse Best Actress award for the movie and became famous for a while, which indeed helped her open up the situation in the entertainment industry. However, what really made her popular wasn't "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl," but "All Because of Angels," which many people hadn't even heard of.

Of course, if you are willing to spend money to fix it up, these facility problems can also be solved. It's just that Wu Yuchen still felt that the comfort of a Sihe Academy wasn't actually very good; it just sounded like it was full of style.

"With your words, Wu Dao, I am ten thousand times at ease!"

Wu Yuchen clinked glasses with the middle-aged man beside him and said with a smile: "Many thanks to Director Gong for your appreciation!"

This arrangement was indeed thoughtful. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November in America, which is a moment for family reunion, sharing warmth and love for each other. And "Frequency" itself is about father-son affection, so it's most appropriate to be placed in the Thanksgiving slot.

Although "Run Luo La Run," starred in by Li Xiaoran, was not publicly released in the mainland, it had a great reputation, and the disc market was very popular; those who wanted to see it had already seen it. It was no surprise that a director was looking for her now.

After the two chatted and laughed for a while, Jeff emphasized again: "Wu, you must come when the time comes; the crew's publicity can't be without you!"

Deputy Director Gong could reach this position, so he naturally had some skills. He didn't believe that a drama that could move him, and that several people who watched it together said was good, couldn't achieve results.

And this also hung the reputation of Wu Yuchen, the great director who had just achieved 70 million at the box office, as producer and screenwriter, so it would be very easy to promote.

After sending people away, Wu Yuchen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't like the atmosphere nowadays where everything requires drinking. If it weren't because this was the first TV drama of Miracle Film and Television, and it hung his name and needed to open up the situation, he wouldn't want to participate.

However, after "Years of Passionate Burning" opened up the situation and Miracle Film and Television had results in TV dramas to prove itself, he wouldn't participate in similar drinking parties in the future; he would leave it all to Cai Yinong. Isn't that what she was hired for?