Chapter 132: Taking On the Special-Effects Job

The media's pen-pushers really will write anything.

Early the next morning, the news from the opening ceremony was already out.

"Lin Dao Nan boldly declares that 'Thieves' will set a new box-office record for domestic films."

"Facing four great directors Zhang, Chen, Feng, and Jiang, Lin Dao shows no fear whatsoever — he is brimming with confidence."

"On the opening ceremony red carpet, Lin Dao Nan claims he will not even spare a glance for films like 'Under the Hawthorn Tree,' 'Let the Bullets Fly,' 'Sacrifice,' and others…"

"Lin Dao takes on four at once…"

"Hong Kong films are even further outside Lin Dao Nan's line of sight…"

……

……

Lin Nan was truly in awe of these reporters — they never missed a chance to stir the pot.

When did he say he didn't regard the other great directors' films? When did he say Hong Kong films were outside his line of sight?

"They're practically manufacturing enemies for me!"

Back at the hotel, Lin Nan complained to Liu Liu Yifei.

"Who told you to be so impressive?"

Miss Liu, on the other hand, took it in stride — she had full confidence in Lin Nan.

"By the way, how did your talks with them go?" Liu Liu Yifei got down to business.

"We reached a verbal agreement. We'll have to hammer out the details later."

Lin Nan had met with a few companies, including Sony and CJ.

They were all very interested in "Painted Skin 2" and "Thieves," especially "Painted Skin 2."

The first "Painted Skin" had already sold well, and Sony was determined to get the sequel.

They had already arranged with Lin Nan: once the finished cut of "Painted Skin 2" was ready, they would come to a screening and finalize the terms of cooperation.

………

Because of the meetings with Sony and the other companies, Lin Nan had skipped the morning's "Film Industry Summit — Forum on Cooperation Between Domestic Films and Hollywood."

At lunch with Liu Liu Yifei, he heard from Miss Liu that something had happened at the session.

Feng Feng Xiaogang truly lived up to his nickname "Little Cannon."

Right in front of a roomful of Hollywood film companies, he cursed Harvey Weinstein from start to finish — the man who had left early to catch a flight.

Honestly, he cursed him beautifully.

Because the latter often outbid his Hollywood peers with inflated prices to grab the North American distribution rights of Chinese-language films, paid only a small deposit, and then, once the film was finished, would say he no longer wanted it — or offer an absurdly low price.

By the time anyone tried to turn around and sell to someone else, it was too late; in the end, the film could only be snatched up by The Weinstein Company at a rock-bottom price…

The words Feng Feng Xiaogang kept repeating from start to finish were: "Swindler," "Con artist"…

Even the president of IMAX had no choice but to step forward and say that Harvey's reputation in Hollywood was just as foul, in order to defend the reputation of the other film producers.

Feng Feng Xiaogang let off steam on a whim, but Huayi was the one who suffered.

The latter's big-budget collaboration with The Weinstein Company, "The Message," was about to be released, starring Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li.

Cursing your partner right before a release — that was asking for trouble.

Sure enough, speak of the devil!

Even though Huayi hurriedly issued several statements, claiming Feng Feng Xiaogang's remarks were purely personal and had nothing to do with the company.

It still couldn't prevent Huayi's stock price from dropping more than a full point over the course of a single morning — and it was still falling…

After hearing Liu Liu Yifei finish the story, Lin Nan didn't even know what to say.

He had originally wanted to back Feng Feng Xiaogang, but the price was just too steep. The latter had certainly cursed to his heart's content, but the stocks in Lin Nan's own hands had lost over five million in value.

"Liu Qianqian, you know what? That little tirade of his cost me over five million."

Lin Nan said with a helpless look.

Hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei only realized belatedly that, well, it did seem to be the case.

"Then what do we do?"

What could they do? By now, Feng Feng Xiaogang's guts were probably twisted blue with regret.

Lin Nan thought for a moment. "This afternoon let's go out and buy things — I'll just pretend I spent the money myself…"

"Haha, have you lost your mind?" Liu Liu Yifei giggled.

"I originally thought you ought to pick up some new jewelry. Turns out I'm the one who's lost it. Forget it…"

Lin Nan didn't even get to finish before a soft hand clamped over his mouth.

"You have not lost your mind!"

………

In the afternoon, Guo Fan and the others toiled dutifully at the film festival — attending meetings, promoting their films.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, along with two assistants, began to shop.

Dressed in matching T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers, with sunglasses on, the two were snapped by quite a few reporters.

"During a break in the film festival, Lin Dao and Liu Liu Yifei spotted out shopping…"

……

By the time they got back to the hotel in the afternoon, the haul was considerable.

Of course, Miss Liu was very independent.

Lin Nan's things — Liu Liu Yifei paid; Liu Liu Yifei's things — Lin Nan picked up the tab.

But comparing the two, a girl can buy far more things than a guy.

The most expensive items were several pieces of fine jewelry, plus the wristwatch Liu Liu Yifei had bought for Lin Nan.

"You really do overthink things. Mom hasn't even worn that jadeite necklace from last time more than a handful of times, and now you're buying again."

Liu Liu Yifei complained on her lips, but her face was beaming with a bright smile.

"Filial piety to the future mother-in-law…"

"Get lost, you shameless thing. Get out, I need to call Mom."

Lin Nan was a bit speechless — what a turncoat, whispering secrets and not even letting him listen.

……

He had originally planned to go find Guo Fan and the others, but ran into Jiang Wen halfway there.

"Well, well, if it isn't Lin Dao, who punches Zhang Zhang Yimou and kicks Chen Chen Kaige! Ha-ha…"

Lin Nan instantly darkened his face. Those reporters' articles had indeed caused him trouble.

"That joke of yours isn't funny at all."

Jiang Wen had also come to the Magic City Film Festival to promote "Let the Bullets Fly."

"The news meant exactly that, I just polished it up a little."

"Then you left one thing out." Lin Nan said with ill intent.

"Forget it, let's not talk about it."

Jiang Wen shook his head, not intending to draw the fire onto himself.

The two of them walked together toward the film promotion area.

From Jiang Wen's meaning, Feng Feng Xiaogang had already left the film festival and gone back at noon.

Clearly he also knew that his big mouth had gotten him into trouble.

"Lin Dao, I should head back."

Xu Zheng saw Lin Nan coming over and stepped forward to speak directly.

"Lost on Journey" was about to be released, and he had to go back to coordinate with Enlight Media and appear on a few more shows.

"Mm, then go back first. We'll also be heading back in the next couple of days."

The purpose of coming to this film festival had already been achieved. Lin Nan didn't plan to stay longer; the closing ceremony had nothing to do with him anyway.

That same evening, Xu Zheng took a flight back to the capital.

The next day, Lin Nan had Yue Jun arrange for staff to stay at the film festival and continue the film promotion work until the closing ceremony ended.

The others, however, all returned to the capital together.

When they came, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were together; on the way back, it was a whole big group.

The returnees did not include Xue Xue Xiaolu — she had heard that her "Ocean Heaven" had been nominated for a small award.

After landing at the capital airport, the few of them each went their own way home.

Lin Nan handed his suitcase to Liu Liu Yifei to take back together, as he had to make a trip to the company.

"Come back early."

"Mm."

……

"What time was the appointment again?"

"Eleven-thirty."

Lin Nan checked the time — there was still a little over an hour.

Last night, Lu Zheng had suddenly called, saying he wanted to discuss some business with Lin Nan.

On the phone, Lu Zheng hadn't said what business specifically, only that they'd talk in person.

Lin Nan couldn't refuse outright, so he could only set it for today.

He wanted to see what business Lu Zheng could possibly have. Making a film, probably — that seemed unlikely.

When it was past eleven, Yue Jun came over and told Lin Nan that Lu Zheng had arrived.

In the third-floor reception room, Lin Nan met Lu Zheng and his party of three.

"Lin Dao, nearly half of the film news these past two days has been from your remarks on the red carpet — ha-ha."

Lin Nan knew the sarcastic meaning behind Lu Zheng's words, but they still grated on his ears.

"Lu Zong, not staying with the crew — what can I do for you?"

When it came to business, Lu Zheng instantly reined in his smile.

"Here's the thing. Earlier we wanted to invite Lin Dao to direct 'The Warring States,' but it wasn't meant to be and we didn't end up working together…"

Lin Nan nodded, thinking to himself: surely he's not here to switch directors and come find him again, right? In that case he'd definitely refuse.

"Mm, that's right."

"This time I'm here to see Lin Dao about the special effects business for 'The Warring States.'"

Lu Zheng's words were like a basin of cold water poured over Lin Nan's head.

Good lord, this — this is tricky!

"We want to invite Skywork Color to take on the special effects production for 'The Warring States.'

In the domestic film and television industry, Skywork Color is the top-tier special effects company…"

The special effects for "The Warring States"…

Lin Nan felt a bit — a bit speechless at this moment, but this was still better than being asked to be the director.

"Lu Zong, what if I say I'm too busy on my end?"

"Ah? If you're too busy, then I can only take it to South Korea to get it done."

Lu Zong said with a smile. He could tell that Lin Nan's tone this time wasn't as flat-out refusing as last time.

"South Korea?"

"Warring States" is undoubtedly a bad film, but given the scale of this movie, the special effects budget would have to be in the eight figures—tens of millions.

Whenever he thought about letting the Koreans make that money, Lin Nan always felt uneasy about it.

"Couldn't avoid this film in the end. Good thing it's just the special effects." Lin Nan muttered to himself.

He looked at Lu Zheng.

"After the film wraps, Tiangong Color will send people to assess the project's scale and quality requirements.

In the end, they'll come up with several different tiers to choose from—of course the prices will differ too. Lu Zong can pick…"

Lin Nan thought for a while, then decided to take the job.

Tiangong Color needed projects, needed big projects to sustain itself, and Lu Zheng happened to have plenty of money to spare…

"Haha, good, then we'll do it as Lin Dao says. After the film wraps, I'll have someone come liaise with Tiangong Color."

Lu Zheng laughed loudly, looking every bit the part of a man who didn't lack money.

Since they were discussing business right around noon, Lin Nan had no choice but to invite Lu Zheng to stay for a meal.

As they ate, the other party invited Lin Nan to visit the set.

He said Ning Hao had gone last time, but only stayed a morning, didn't offer any opinions before leaving—looked in quite a hurry…

Lin Nan quickly declined, saying the film was about to be released and he was too busy lately.

He felt a bit like laughing inside—Ning Hao hadn't failed to offer opinions, he simply couldn't; if he really had, it would have meant a complete rejection and reshooting from scratch…

After the meal, Lin Nan saw Lu Zheng off.

"Warring States" was beyond saving, but when it came to the special effects, Lin Nan had no intention of shortchanging anyone.

Take the money, do the job! Maybe when the film was released, the special effects would be the only thing people wouldn't complain about.

"Good luck to you—there's nothing more I can do."