Chapter 227: Professional in Villain Themes

Wu Yuchen looked at Cai Yinong who was flattering him and smiled, then asked: "By the way, President Cai, how is the situation with the acquisition of the special effects company I asked you to contact?"

Cai Yinong immediately said:

"Wu Dao, there are mainly three special effects companies on Hong Kong Island: one is Centro Digital, one is Menfond, and the other is Xu Ke's Film Workshop. I have already contacted them all. Menfond has agreed to the acquisition, President Zhu of Centro is still hesitating, and Xu Ke doesn't want to sell his Film Workshop."

Wu Yuchen nodded upon hearing this. In fact, the reason why he worked hard for *Shaolin Soccer* to be broadcast on the mainland this time was, on one hand, because they participated in the investment, and on the other hand, it was also because he wanted to develop film special effects.

To this day, no film produced with computer special effects has been released on the mainland. *The Storm Riders*, known as the ancestor of Chinese computer special effects films, was not released on the mainland at all. Therefore, Wu Yuchen still wanted to let *Shaolin Soccer*, which used a large number of special effects, be released as much as possible, letting the audience see in the cinema that Chinese films also have special effects.

Film and television special effects are actually very broad. Those visual effects that can use special means to create illusions or hallucinations for film and television can be called special effects. As early as the 1920s and 1930s, China used special effects when shooting *The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple*.

However, the special effects that everyone generally talks about now refer to computer-produced special effects, digital matte painting, etc., which originated in Hollywood and spread to the whole world through one blockbuster after another.

Wu Yuchen actually also wanted to develop special effects on the mainland, but helplessly, the foundation was so thin that it couldn't be seen at all.

In 2000, the Shanghai Film Studio took the lead in establishing a computer special effects production center within the film studio system and shot China's first film truly produced with computer special effects, *Emergency Landing*, that year.

In 2002, it invested 20 million to shoot *Polar Rescue*, promoting the large-scale use of digital special effects technology, claiming that 60% of computer special effects and composite shots were used, making it the film with the most special effects shots used in domestic films at that time. But those who really watched the film knew that the computer special effects of this thing simply couldn't be watched. Let alone comparing with Hollywood's, even the level on Hong Kong Island was a big cut behind.

"It's just that I listened to the new album of the singer named Zhou Jielun and felt it was quite interesting, so I bought it and focused on cultivating it."

Jiang Xuerou's *Wu Lin Wai Shi* had already finished filming, and she planned to continue shooting Gu Long's drama, *Xiao Shiyilang*, next. This girl loved martial arts and was also an important member of the Chinese Martial Arts Literature Society, so she had always been dedicated to shooting martial arts dramas.

Now, even if Wu Yuchen wanted to cultivate, there was no object to cultivate. The mainland was completely blank in this area. Those on the mainland who had this technology wouldn't toss about special effects with you; people all went to engage in computers.

For these few costume dramas, Wu Yuchen planned to let Huang Huang Xiao Ming choose one to be the male lead.

It wasn't that Wu Yuchen was biased toward Huang Huang Xiao Ming, but Huang Huang Xiao Ming as the lead was really easy to sell!

And then there were three costume dramas. One was *The Wrong Carriage, Right Groom*, which had already promised the female lead to Fan Bingbing. When the time comes, let Jiang Xuerou grasp it personally.

Wu Yuchen thought for a while, and then said to Cai Yinong: "Since there is hesitation, it means there is a heart. Add more price, and then tell Zhu Jiaxin to merge Menfond into Centro when the time comes, developing it into the largest special effects company in Asia."

Guan Hu thought for a while and agreed, then I pushed a few scripts for him to choose. He chose this *Black Hole* himself and also said he wanted to personally invite Teacher Chen Daoming."

This first one, *Black Hole*, the director is Guan Hu, and the male lead plans to find Chen Daoming.

As for which one he chooses, it depends on himself. If it's *Xiao Shiyilang* and *Bu Jingyun*, it's going to be cool, and the difficulty is not high. If it's *The Emperor of Han*, it's taking the route of a serious drama.

Wu Yuchen thought for a while. With F4 and little Zhou, basically the money they earn to support a special effects company of hundreds of people is more than enough.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen looked at the several modern dramas the company planned to shoot this year.

The 3 companies Cai Yinong just mentioned are the companies with the best special effects technology and strength on Hong Kong Island.

That's right, Wu Yuchen just wanted to buy the two special effects companies and merge them. Currently, the Chinese special effects market is actually not big, and it can't support so many companies. In fact, the main income of these Chinese special effects companies is currently relying on advertisements. Originally, there was a huge gap with Hollywood, and they have been doing low-end business, and the technical level has not improved at all. Then it is better to integrate them together and catch up.

If one has to talk about the earliest establishment, it is Xu Ke's Film Workshop. It is well known that Xu Laoguai has always been obsessed with special effects. He established this studio in the 80s to engage in special effects technology. His company has just completed the special effects production of *The Legend of Zu*. This film is to be released in the summer file this year. Xu Laoguai still has expectations for the film's box office and doesn't want to sell the company at all now.

Watching Cai Yinong record the things he explained, Wu Yuchen thought for a while and said: "President Cai, you go and contact the variety king Wu Zongxian on the Taiwan side, ask him how the Alpha company under his hand is sold, and buy it in a package."

And Qiji Film and Television, with the reputation getting bigger and bigger in these years, there are more and more projects coming to the door for investment and projects prepared by itself.

"Hmm? Wu Dao, what do you mean?" Cai Yinong wanted to ask Wu Yuchen's intention for letting buy this company.

There are only so many costume dramas for the time being. Maybe there will be people coming to the door by the middle of the year, and then we will see.

This TV drama *Black Hole* can also be considered a classic anti-corruption drama. Once broadcast, it was very popular, because the scenes depicted inside made everyone feel that it was a true story, it was really too real!

This made Guan Hu a bit depressed. He still wanted to continue shooting films and brought a script called *Xishi Eye* to Qiji Film and Television to pull investment.

After talking about these two more important acquisition matters, Wu Yuchen chatted with Cai Yinong about some shooting plans of Qiji Film and Television this year. In fact, it was mainly TV dramas. After all, domestic TV dramas are far more profitable than films now.

White Bear side goes without saying. In fact, it is mainly centered on F4, producing idol dramas.

This special effects company, Wu Yuchen didn't plan to rely on them to make money, mainly to try his best to catch up with Hollywood's footsteps and improve the special effects level of Chinese films. Of course, he wouldn't support idle people. In the next few years, Chinese films will open the era of martial arts film blockbusters. These all need special effects, and they are all taken over and handed over to them to do.

At the same time, when he goes to Hollywood to shoot in the future, he can also take technical backbones into the crew to learn and personally observe the production process of Hollywood's top special effects. This is far better than the effect of closing the door and making a car. And this is also a big benefit that attracts these special effects workers to be willing to follow him.

The third one is a project co-produced with the Taiwan side, *Wind and Cloud*. Both sides agreed that Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun should each find a Taiwan actor and a mainland actor.

The year before last, Guan Hu shot *Getting on the Bus, Let's Go! *. After shooting, he looked for the cinema line, but no one was willing to distribute it. In the end, he had no choice but to sell it to the movie channel. The 500,000 cost was brought back, just barely breaking even.

"I, after meeting him, didn't agree directly. This literary film looks very difficult to break even, unless it goes abroad to win an award. I told him that I can invest in this play, but he must first shoot a TV drama for the company, and then I will invest the money for his film."

Seeing this, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but ask Cai Yinong: "Guan Hu, has he figured it out now? He is actually willing to shoot a TV drama?"

"Good, I will contact it in a while." Cai Yinong hurriedly wrote down the names of Wu Zongxian and Zhou Jielun again.

Therefore, he simply let White Bear carry out the acquisition on Hong Kong Island.

And if one has to talk about the best technology and strength, it should be Centro Digital. This company was also established in the 80s and has some foundation to this day. Many films on Hong Kong Island have participated in the special effects production of this company, such as *The Storm Riders*, which used advanced special effects technologies such as fully virtual characters, green background synthesis, and particle rendering, becoming the special effects benchmark for Hong Kong Island films. And this *Shaolin Soccer* was basically completed by Centro Digital.

If you find a mainland male star, for example, Lu Yi is now considered a popular young student. He may still have popularity on the mainland, but who knows you after leaving the mainland?

Let it develop on Hong Kong Island for the time being, and establish a branch in Shenzhen in two years. After the rise of Shenzhen Huaqiangbei, move the special effects company directly to Shenzhen. Anyway, Shenzhen is close to Hong Kong Island, and it only takes 40 or 50 minutes to drive. The employees on Hong Kong Island will not have much opinion.

And these martial arts dramas, whether it is Hong Kong Island, Taiwan, or even Singapore, are their sales targets. Naturally, it is most appropriate to find Huang Huang Xiao Ming, who has the appeal of popularity on the mainland and overseas!

As for Menfond, it was established in the 90s, and its foundation is relatively weak, but the development momentum is also quite fast. This time, Xu Ke's *The Legend of Zu* was produced in cooperation with Menfond. Later, Chen Kaizi's *The Promise* special effects were also undertaken by this company.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this: "President Cai, your trick is not bad!"

The second one is *The Emperor of Han*, a script by the famous screenwriter Yang Xiaoxiong. Qiji Film and Television bought it directly and prepared to set up the project for shooting.

As F4's debut, and also the most popular Dao Mingsi, Huang Huang Xiao Ming is now quite popular even on Hong Kong Island and Taiwan.

Cai Yinong smiled and said: "Wu Dao, it's like this..."

As for the script, it was collected by Qiji Film and Television in these two years. Now Qiji Film and Television is not short of money. When encountering some good scripts, they will all collect them first.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen looked back, and then couldn't help but say directly: "*Conquest*?"

"Yes, this play was brought to the door by Director Gao Qunshu, and he said he only needed 5 million. I think this fund is not big, and Director Gao is good at shooting this kind of play, so I invested in it."

Some people may not be familiar with this play, but Liu Huaqiang buying melons should be known!

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but ask: "Has the male lead been decided?"

"I didn't ask about this. Wu Dao, do you have any ideas?" Cai Yinong asked.

Wu Yuchen nodded, then picked up his mobile phone and dialed out. It was connected after only two beeps.

"Wu Dao, hello!" Sun Honglei's surprised voice came from the opposite side.

"Hehe, Honglei, what are you busy with recently?" Wu Yuchen asked with a smile.

"Nothing, just acting in plays. Wu Dao, if you look for me here, I'm on standby at any time!"

Wu Yuchen asked again: "Hey, I heard that after you finished acting in *Mr. Donkey*, someone scolded you for being a coward on the street? Is there such a thing?"

In *Mr. Donkey*, Zhou Tienan, played by Sun Honglei, was directly scared to kneel and beg for mercy by the gun. The more passionate he was in the front, the more cowardly he looked in the back. Many people were angry at his lack of ambition, and inevitably some people brought personal emotions into it after watching the film and scolded him.

Sun Honglei's heart moved upon hearing this, and he immediately said:

"Hi, people are just joking with me! Besides, I'm happy to be scolded, which shows that my acting is in place. This is a commendation for me! If there is such an opportunity again, Wu Dao, you must still look for me~"

Wu Yuchen laughed: "If there is really such a thing, then I feel a bit sorry. Like this, I see a script that is quite good now. The director is Gao Qunshu, and the male lead is full of domineering spirit. After you act, no one will scold you for being a coward again!"

Sun Honglei originally thought it was Wu Yuchen's play. Hearing this, it turned out to be someone else's, and he was disappointed in his heart. However, he adjusted quickly and said: "Thank you so much for your concern, Wu Dao. What you like is definitely right. Then I will definitely cherish this opportunity!"

"Okay, then it's settled."

"Good, thank you, Wu Dao!"

Sun Honglei smiled after hanging up the phone. Although it was not Wu Dao's play, Wu Dao called him, which meant that he still remembered him in his heart. If he acted well this time, then when there is a suitable opportunity in the future, he will naturally think of him first.

Wu Yuchen said to Cai Yinong with a smile: "I think Sun Honglei is particularly suitable for the role of Liu Huaqiang. You tell Director Gao when the time comes."

Cai Yinong readily responded: "No problem, Wu Dao, your vision is definitely the most accurate!"

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen looked back... *The Wings of the Wings*?

In his mind, he immediately thought of Brother Hao's classic quote: "I don't want to talk about any bullshit love, I just want to make money!"

He couldn't help but raise his head to look at Cai Yinong, thinking in his heart: Cai Yinong, have you changed your nature? Why did you organize so many crime investigation dramas? And these three dramas are all villain male leads. Is this still Cai Yinong's style?

Cai Yinong thought Wu Yuchen had questions about this play, so she said: "Wu Dao, this play hasn't been decided yet, but the deeds of Zhang Zihai, the big thief king, are very famous, so I thought I could consider it."

Wu Yuchen waved his hand with a smile: "It doesn't matter, shoot it. I think this play is quite interesting."

*The Wings of the Wings* can also be considered a classic crime drama, which shot the process of Zhang Shihao's rise from a small person completely. It is not only real but also looks like a cool article.

*Black Hole*, *Conquest*, *The Wings of the Wings*, these few plays can be said to be the peak works of the anti-corruption and black theme of this era, and it is only in these two years that they can be shot. If you want to shoot them in two years, you can't shoot them.

Therefore, since it has reached the hands of Qiji Film and Television, Wu Yuchen will naturally not block it. It is good to let people shoot these few early and let the audience see it.

And to be honest, this kind of subject matter has been quite popular in these years, and the audience also likes to watch it, satisfying their curiosity. After all, whether it is a corrupt official or a criminal, the audience also wants to know what they usually think and how they live.

It's just that after these three dramas are broadcast continuously, don't let their Qiji Film and Television be labeled as a professional in villain themes by the audience!

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head.

In addition, there is a play that Wu Yuchen specially set, which is *Qingyi*. This play is directed by Kang Honglei and specially tailored for Zeng Li.

This was originally just a novella by Bi Feiyu. If it is shot into a TV drama, it naturally needs to expand the content. Therefore, he found the screenwriter Chen Ping, and the few people sat down together to fill and expand it into a TV drama script. Zeng Li also prepared for this play for not a short time, and it will start shooting after the Spring Festival.

In the following time, Wu Yuchen also shot Olympic bid promotional films, and then split his body to accompany the women. At the same time, he also called America every day to pay attention to the things there.

"Grazer, the roles for *A Beautiful Mind* have all been decided, right?"

"Rest assured, I have already handled these small roles, including various shooting venues and shooting permits. I have already applied for them, just waiting for you to come back to shoot."

Wu Yuchen nodded, then asked with a smile: "By the way, how is the situation with our two male and female leads now?"

"Russell Crowe has a high voice for winning the Best Actor, but he also has a strong enemy, Tang Mu Hanks of *Cast Away*. Maybe he will make us pay 3 million less salary~"

Tang Mu Hanks, this big Tang Mu, is really a master of brushing awards. No matter who meets him, they will not feel that they have an advantage.

"Oh, I would rather pay 3 million more salary. If Russell Crowe can win the Best Actor, it will definitely be a bonus for our film!"

"That depends on whether DreamWorks' public relations team is powerful enough. As for your heroine, Jennifer is also running public relations everywhere with *The Soloist*. It seems that she also hopes to win the Best Supporting Actress award."

Wu Yuchen smiled. Jennifer Connelly is the heroine of *A Beautiful Mind*. She is also the heroine in *The Soloist*, but because the scenes are not enough, she went to compete for the Best Supporting Actress award when declaring.

The public relations for *The Soloist* this time was invited by Fox. Wu Yuchen didn't care much, but he knew that the key award for *The Soloist*'s public relations this time was Best Director. Whether Jennifer Connelly can win the Best Supporting Actress, he can't say.

Subsequently, he called Kevin Feige again: "Kevin, how is *Spider-Man*?"

"Everything is very good! Tobey Maguire's training effect has been significant in the past few months. He is already training in Spider-Man's clothes now. It's just that the Green Goblin's costume is very troublesome to wear. The whole set of costumes is composed of 580 parts. It takes at least half an hour to put on the costume. However, Willem Dafoe is very dedicated and wears it to do adaptive activities without getting tired of it every day."

Kevin Feige also told Wu Yuchen about *Spider-Man* in detail. Wu Yuchen listened patiently, commented a few words from time to time, and gave his own suggestions. Kevin Feige hurriedly wrote it down there.

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, a delicate body stuck over and reached out to hug his arm. Even through the clothes, Wu Yuchen could feel falling into a piece of softness.

"Not ready yet?" Li Xiaoran asked from the side.

"Ready, ready, rest assured, won't be late!" Saying that, he took the mask and handed it to Li Xiaoran.

Both of them put on masks, and then wrapped up thick scarves and put on hats, only revealing their eyes and noses.

"This time no one should be able to recognize us!"

Li Xiaoran made a giggling sound, and then said: "Just feel a bit stuffy."

"Won't it be fine to take it off after the cinema lights go out~" Wu Yuchen hugged Li Xiaoran, and then the two walked out together.

At the entrance of a cinema, a poster was hanging at this time, which was Liu Dehua and Liang Chaowei, one with a dark background and one with a bright background, and the three big characters *Infernal Affairs* were written on it.

And under *Infernal Affairs*, another eye-catching line followed, written boldly: Wu Yuchen's produced work. On the contrary, the names of director Liu Weiqiang and others appeared not very eye-catching.

At this time, someone passing by said while walking: "Wu Yuchen's film changed to the Spring Festival file this year, but this time there are big names like Liu Dehua and Liang Chaowei, so we must watch it carefully!"

"It's just that I don't know if Wu Dao will have water and soil incompatibility when cooperating with these Hong Kong Island actors this time, and it seems that it is about Hong Kong Island."

His friend immediately retorted: "What water and soil incompatibility? Wu Yuchen has even conquered America. What is a Hong Kong Island? How could it be incompatible!"

"Listen to me finish, I'm not saying Wu Dao is not good. I mean I don't know if Wu Dao can shoot that Hong Kong film flavor."

"Care about whether it is Hong Kong film flavor or not, isn't it good to watch?"

The few people walked into the cinema while talking.

Li Xiaoran poked Wu Yuchen with her elbow, signaled to the "Wu Yuchen's produced work" on the poster with her eyes, and asked: "Eh, how many days did you go to the crew?"

Wu Yuchen laughed generously: "Didn't go for 1 day."

"Then it can still be your work?!"

Wu Yuchen shrugged, with an innocent expression: "This can't blame me. It was they who begged to add my name!"

*Infernal Affairs* was shot last year, and the review was no problem, so it chose to be released simultaneously in the Spring Festival file of the three places across the strait.

And hanging Wu Yuchen's name, and so eye-catching, was really not his intention. To this day, he no longer needs to do this to increase his fame and status.

The reason for this is naturally the result of the crew and the company discussing together. After all, Wu Yuchen's name is too easy to use. Hanging his name, *Infernal Affairs* became a luxurious lineup of big directors and big stars, a proper big production, the most beautiful boy in the Spring Festival file, very easy to promote. You can see how good the effect is by looking at the crowd rushing into the cinema.

Of course, it is to make Liu Weiqiang and others feel a little wronged. After all, in this way, everyone thinks that *Infernal Affairs* is Wu Yuchen's work. This is the same as everyone thinking that *A Chinese Ghost Story* is Xu Ke's work, directly ignoring the director Cheng Xiaodong. ===== CHAPTER 228 =====