Chapter 118: Picking the Release Window

Lin Nan agreed to invest part of the money, not because the script was all that good, but because of personal favors and face.

Speaking of the script, "Big Heist" couldn't compare to the earlier "No Man's Land" and "Racing."

The former was even born out of "No Man's Land."

Lin Nan could tell that Ning Hao and Xing Ai had written the script with emotion.

Same subject matter—if that group said "No Man's Land" didn't align with values, then he'd give them a "Big Heist" with a positive, uplifting ending.

……

Within two days, word spread in the circle that Ning Hao was preparing a new film.

Rumor had it quite a few production companies and investors had visited Bad Monkey, but the specific results were unknown.

Lin Nan, along with Guo Fan, Director Lu Yang, Xu Zheng, and others, continued to hole up at Tiangong Color.

Xu Zheng shared a similar idea with Director Lu Yang—he hoped "Lost on Journey" could edge closer to the summer slot.

All of them hoped the films they directed would get good results.

"You all just focus on finishing post-production first, then we can talk about all this nonsense."

Lin Nan was confident in himself—if "Thieves" locked in its release date, plenty of films would probably consider steering clear of it.

But Xu Zheng, Director Lu Yang, and Xue Xue Xiaolu probably wouldn't get that kind of treatment; in fact, there might even be films deliberately coming to clash with them.

"Director Zhang's 'Three Shots' got into the Jin Xiong Awards?"

Guo Fan had seen a piece of news and exclaimed softly.

Berlin released the final batch of competition section nominations, and Zhang Zhang Yimou's "Three Shots" was prominently featured on the list.

Needless to say the internet was in an uproar—even Lin Nan found it unbelievable.

But then he remembered this year was Berlin's sixtieth anniversary, and it all made sense.

That nomination slot most likely wasn't for "Three Shots" itself, but for the person of Zhang Zhang Yimou.

Berlin and Zhang Zhang Yimou's history ran quite deep.

Sure enough, just half a day later, the Berlin Film Festival's official website featured a congratulatory short film Zhang Zhang Yimou had shot for the festival's sixtieth anniversary.

The thing called personal connections—you really could see it everywhere.

A big-name director's news always drew extra attention from the media and the industry.

While Zhang Zhang Yimou was busy casting for "Hawthorn Tree," Chen Chen Kaige on the other hand took the initiative to announce his new film to the media.

When he did announce it, it turned out everything was already prepared.

"Director Chen Chen Kaige's new work, the period historical epic 'The Orphan of Zhao,' has completed final casting and starts shooting today."

"'The Orphan of Zhao' boasts a powerful cast: Ge You, Wang Wang Xueqi, Zhang Zhang Fengyi, Huang Huang Xiaoming, Fan Li Bingbing, Hai Qing…"

"Director Chen's young son will make a cameo appearance…"

"At the same time, Director Chen Chen Kaige will adapt an island nation's fantasy novel: 'The Great Tang Ghost Feast of Shamon Kukai'…"

The media's coverage of Chen Chen Kaige's new film was entirely positive, even using the term "model worker" to describe him.

Most netizens weren't buying it—"The Promise" and "Steamed Bun" were dragged out again, and the photo scandal was even extended to…

To be honest, Lin Nan had never paid attention to Chen Chen Kaige's "The Orphan of Zhao."

But if they ended up in the same release window, he absolutely wouldn't back down.

Besides, he'd heard this time the script was written by Chen Chen Kaige himself, so there was even less to worry about.

……

The editing speed on "Thieves" post-production was the fastest—after all, it was Lin Nan plus Guo Fan working on it.

Next came "Lost on Journey," which had the simplest plot.

But as for which film would finish post-production first, it would most likely be "Lost on Journey."

Because its storyline really was the leanest, and unlike "Thieves," it had no special-effects shots.

"Lin Dao, it's all on you now."

Lin Nan had to make a trip to China Film—his own "Thieves" didn't matter, but the other three films really needed careful release-date selection.

These days, China Film was also very busy.

One "Avatar" had put several state-owned enterprises at the very front of the pressure.

Rumor had it Han Han Sanping had cut quite a few projects, with funds to be prioritized for big productions, theater expansion, and equipment upgrades.

"Lin Dao, what a coincidence."

Seeing Huo Huo Wenxi at China Film, Lin Nan wasn't surprised.

Emperor Entertainment and China Film had jointly established a talent agency and a film-and-TV company, and Huo Huo Wenxi was the person in charge on Emperor Entertainment's side.

"Mm, Director Huo—what business have you just finished handling?"

Lin Nan looked at the document folder in the other's hand and asked curiously.

"We're planning to produce a TV series, 'The Legend of Nüwa: The Spirit Pearl,' which involves an actress's comeback, so I came to report to Chairman Han."

Lin Nan nodded—he had no impression of this series.

"Then I'll wish your series great ratings. I've still got business to attend to…"

Huo Huo Wenxi had originally wanted to recommend some actors, but now it wasn't easy to speak up.

"Then I won't take up any more of your time, Lin Dao."

Watching Lin Nan's figure walk away, Huo Huo Wenxi fell into thought. The casting of "Thieves" had given Emperor Entertainment hope, but she wasn't quite sure whether Lin Nan would also accept other Hong Kong actors…

…………

"I figured you'd have to come by sooner or later."

Han Han Sanping glanced up, gestured to a sofa nearby, and continued writing something with his head lowered.

"Couldn't not come—those three films are different from 'Thieves.'"

"Take a look yourself. Still, I'd suggest you pick a good release date for *Robbers*."

Han Han Sanping pulled out a form and then ignored Lin Nan.

The latter sat on the sofa and began browsing.

*Ocean Heaven*, *My Beautiful Boss*... quite a few familiar titles.

Lin Nan saw Feng Feng Xiaogang's *Aftershock*.

How to put it—given the subject matter and its investors, it had a natural head start, and plenty of people would be organized into going to the theaters in groups...

This year's domestic films were bunching up toward the second half; quite a few big directors had works coming out.

Lin Nan thought it over carefully and decided to slot *Lost on Journey* for late June; *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* could go in August...

A little over half an hour later, Han Han Sanping stopped what he was doing, and Lin Nan returned the form.

The former glanced at it, looked up and asked: "Why isn't *Robbers* on here?"

"My film isn't in a rush—other people will be more anxious than me." Lin Nan said with a smile.

"Fair point. You're not the same as you were a few years ago, haha..."

After chatting with Han Han Sanping for a while, Lin Nan learned something.

Han Han Sanping had politely declined to invest in *Big Robbery* the day before, because *No Man's Land* was still a bad debt on the books.

"In a situation like this, even if I wanted to invest, I couldn't. Besides, the group's capital priorities have shifted this year."

Han Han Sanping offered a specific explanation.

"Looks like his budget should be quite a bit higher than his previous films..."

Lin Nan muttered. Ning Hao had only asked him for ten million, refusing more—saying that if it flopped, at least the loss would be smaller.

…………

Leaving China Film, he returned to the company.

Once Xu Zheng got the confirmed release date, he sped up post-production again.

This was his first time directing; the box office result mattered a great deal—it would decide how far he could go on this path in the future.

Xu Zheng planned to do multiple fine-cut passes after the new year, making sure everything was as good as it could be.

Director Lu Yang was the same—*Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* was his first theatrical film...

Ning Hao called Lin Nan and asked him to come out and meet the other investor.

Lin Nan was curious—which company could it be?

When he arrived at the agreed teahouse, he felt as if fate was toying with him.

Ning Hao and Xing Aina were both there, and beside them was a woman.

"Lin Dao, I'm honored to be working with you this time."

The other party extended a hand, and Lin Nan took it.

"Please, sit down." Xing Aina called out.

Enlight Media, Shanghai Film... Lin Nan had guessed plenty of companies, but had simply overlooked Galloping Horse.

"President Zhong promised not to interfere with filmmaking at all—only sending one producer on-site."

Ning Hao explained, while Zhong Zhong Lifang beside him kept a constant smile.

"I still don't know your budget?" Lin Nan quipped.

"Haha, my oversight. This time the budget is set at fifty million—you and I each put in ten million, Galloping Horse puts in thirty million..."

Lin Nan nodded; he had no objections.

It was originally an investment made for the sake of his relationship with Ning Hao—profit or loss could come later.

Besides, even if it made money, he didn't think it would make much; the script of *Big Robbery* still hadn't broken out of the mold of his previous films.

After a round of conversation, Lin Nan found that this President Zhong could really talk.

She even brought out Galloping Horse's philosophy, and expressed hope for frequent future cooperation. Once she'd said what she needed to, she didn't linger—using company business as an excuse, she left...

"Do you think she has great sense of measure? Handles things just right?" Xing Aina picked up her teacup and said slowly.

Lin Nan nodded; it was indeed so.

"That's why, among all those companies, I chose her."

Ning Hao said with a serious face, showing none of his usual irreverence.

"Galloping Horse is new to the film industry—even though they're putting up the lion's share, the initiative still rests with me..."

Ning Hao spoke with great clarity; clearly this had been thought through carefully.

…………

The script for *Big Robbery* was sent to the Film Bureau.

News that Galloping Horse would be participating in Ning Hao's new film investment spread quickly.

No one had expected that it would be this company—which had only been in the film production business for a year—that got the chance.

"The film *Golden Robbery*—the script has been submitted for review."

"Ning Hao's new film; investors include Bad Monkey, Lin Nan Pictures, Galloping Horse..."

Zhong Zhong Lifang was indeed a marketing professional—she took the initiative to leak this information to the media, drawing considerable attention for Galloping Horse.

……

Yue Jun walked into Lin Nan's office with a document.

"Lin Dao, the talent agency plan is ready."

Lin Nan took the document, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

After hesitating before, and waiting this long, the artist management business was now finally settled.

"Lin Dao, we need both fresh faces and established artists."

"I'm planning to take some people around the three major art academies in a few days."

Lin Nan paused, then nodded. "The art exams start in a few days, so it does make sense to go take a look. This is a good time to scout for new talent…"

Lin Nan spent over half an hour reading through the agency proposal Yue Jun had delivered. The proposal was very thorough and very detailed — the latter must have put considerable thought into it.

"Mm, that's fine. Let's do it your way…"

"Got it, Lin Dao."

…………