Chapter 578: Lin Nan's Idea, the Sucker in the Country

"Lin Dao, the first-round broadcast rights of *The Journey of Flower* were bought exclusively by Mango TV, with a total price of 192 million, averaging about 3.3 million per episode."

Hearing this number from Yue Jun on the phone, Lin Nan was still a bit confused for a while. Has the price of TV series per episode risen so fast?

He remembered that in June, *Red Sorghum* had the blessing of Zhou Xun and the Nobel Prize, and the first round was only 1.1 million per episode! Of course, the two are not comparable.

But for a TV version of a 58-episode TV series, this price is really very high.

A few seconds later, Lin Nan realized it belatedly!

It cannot be denied that the high price of nearly 200 million, besides the subject matter reason, absolutely has the blessing of the "two stars per drama" policy, and it is the big head.

What's more, Mango TV still domineeringly bought the first round exclusively.

"Quite, quite good, higher than the box office of *The Crossing (Part 1)*." Lin Nan couldn't help but tease.

Perhaps noticing Lin Nan's surprise at this price, Yue Jun explained again:

"During this period, the transaction price of the TV series market is rising overall, constantly rising.

Especially dramas produced by big companies, big teams, or adapted from hot IPs have the largest increase.

'Two stars per drama' is the main reason for the price increase, followed by the constantly rising actor salary costs.

Fan Bingbing's *The Empress of China* was also bought exclusively by Mango TV for the first round, with a total price of 268 million, but that drama was cut into 96 episodes."

Lin Nan remained silent, this has already begun to enter a vicious cycle.

The strong get stronger, the weak get weaker, and even move towards extinction. Whether it is for film and television companies or TV stations, it is the same.

Big stations occupy head resources, small stations never have a chance.

Small companies are also the same, it is possible that a TV series will be smashed in their hands, and the company will be gone.

Because the cost of a drama may be the life and death of the whole company!

Lin Nan himself is a vested interest, so he can only stay out of it: "Hmm, I know. Has Guo Fan started casting?"

"Starting in two days, I am preparing to let people issue an announcement.

By the way, everyone in the circle is discussing your nomination for the main competition unit of the Berlin International Film Festival, saying that this time you have to fight with Director Jiang.

And Director Jiang has already spoken, saying that he will never show mercy. Hehe..."

"Then look forward to meeting him on the battlefield!" Lin Nan said lightly with a smile.

He has already seen the domestic news, and the fact that *Gone with the Bullets* was shortlisted for the Berlin main competition unit gave Jiang Wen greater confidence.

Although the great Director Jiang didn't say clearly when accepting the interview: not understanding my film is the audience's problem;

But he said: I don't really care if the audience doesn't understand or accept this film, and I can't require everyone to understand it.

This is the Jiang Wen-style statement, it has been like this for so many years. And unlike Feng Xiaogang and others who just talk about it, he really ignores the audience!

Another two days of running around for PR cocktail parties, Lin Nan can clearly feel that he is more "valued" and "flattered" than last year.

Many European and American actors, although he doesn't know them, will take the initiative to make friends with him, and the intention is very obvious.

Originally, Lin Nan wanted to persist for a few more days, and then plan the return time. But Ang Lee suddenly called and wanted to meet him.

So Lin Nan had to be absent from the party for the film *Into the Woods*, waiting for the former at Crystal Pictures.

At ten o'clock in the morning, the big director brought his female assistant over on time, and Lin Nan specifically welcomed them downstairs.

"Lin Dao, the last time we met was during the awards season last year."

Ang Lee smiled and shook hands with Lin Nan.

"Hmm. At that time, I flew directly from Taiwan to Hollywood. I still remember the Golden Horse awards process vividly."

Both are old acquaintances, so Lin Nan didn't have any scruples when talking.

"Gong Li's matter this year is indeed a bit childish, I saw her two days ago and was still talking about it."

Ang Lee knew what Lin Nan meant, there were too many dissatisfied voices in the mainland.

The few people went all the way to the third floor, sat in the office drinking coffee, and then Ang Lee explained his purpose.

"Director Lee would actually lack film investment?"

Lin Nan was shocked by Ang Lee's behavior of pulling investment!

Two-time Oscar Best Director, two Golden Lion trophies, two Golden Bear trophies, Golden Globe Best Director... not bad box office appeal!

Such a big director, actually lacks investment? No one believes it when it's said!

Sure enough, the smile on Ang Lee's face became awkward, and he hesitated before opening his mouth.

"This time I want to have some breakthroughs. In their eyes, it may be very unrealistic. But I think it can create film history and film production history."

Well, Lin Nan finally knew why the other party was pulling investment.

People who want to break the status quo of the industry, can't they be neglected and isolated?

"Can I listen?"

Lin Nan became interested in the "breakthrough" and "creating film history" in Ang Lee's mouth.

"My new script is adapted from the same-named *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk*, involving the Iraq War, but that's secondary.

I mainly want to use 120-frame 3D cameras to shoot film lenses, and the actors' performances will also break through tradition. Most of their lenses will look directly at the camera... still missing some investment..."

Ang Lee chattered, Lin Nan was already complaining in his heart:

"No wonder no one is willing to invest, those who know the industry know that these are two deep pits!"

120-frame 4K 3D lenses? Don't consider whether normal people's eyes can accept it?

On such a large screen, the high-definition lenses and pictures to the extreme will cause a sense of falsehood and unreality in vision. After a long time, eyes will be uncomfortable!

What's more, actors look directly at the camera to perform. In 3D version and IMAX giant screen, don't the audience feel creepy? Thinking about it is scary, the kind that makes people's hair stand on end.

"How much capital is still missing for this film, Director Lee?" Lin Nan asked softly.

He thought if it wasn't much, he would just treat it as a favor.

"Sony promised me 24 million USD, but half is still missing."

Lin Nan silently picked up the coffee on the table and drank it. This favor should be forgotten.

Suddenly, he thought of something again, and looked at Ang Lee who was full of expectations.

"Director Lee, this amount is indeed a bit large, I can't handle it for a while.

But how about I give you a suggestion? There is an 80-90% hope that you can solve the investment gap of the remaining 24 million USD at once."

"What?"

Originally hearing Lin Nan's first sentence, Ang Lee was subconsciously very disappointed. He had heard too many rejections in these months, and he was used to it. But the second sentence made him excited again instantly.

"I said Director Lee, you are confused by the situation, right? Why do you always stare at this one-acre-three-cent land in Hollywood? Looking for me, is it because I happen to be here recently? There are so many listed film and television companies in the country, how many are eager to participate in Hollywood films, let alone Hollywood film projects directed by big directors! You say, right?"

Lin Nan's words fell, and he saw that Ang Lee's eyes were already full of brilliance.

"Right, right, I should go back to the country to try. China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group..."

"Director Lee, the procedures for state-owned enterprises to invest in foreign language films are more complicated, and they have to be reported to the bureau for review. What's more, China Film Group just suffered a bloody loss in *The Crossing*, and invested in *The Great Wall*..."

"I suggest you go to Huayi, LeTV, Bona, and other companies to try, they have money and are easy to handle, they will absolutely not interfere."

After Lin Nan finished speaking, he looked at Ang Lee with a smile. The other party was already impatient.

"Lin Dao can be considered to have pointed out a clear path for me, I am indeed confused by the situation. Thank you very much, Lin Dao!"

After chatting about the Oscar nomination for nearly half an hour, Ang Lee left in a hurry, it is estimated that he will return to the country in the near future.

Lin Nan asked someone to refill his coffee, drinking it leisurely:

"Tsk, there are so many suckers in the country, I try my best to avoid letting China Film Group jump into the pit. Chairman La, you have to thank me!"

Sometimes, the film market is really magical.

Who would have thought that *Gone with the Bullets* actually let *The Crossing (Part 1)* gasp for blood?

The former's box office became erratic under huge controversy, fluctuating up and down.

The second day's daily box office fell directly from 97.8 million on the first day to 73.07 million, the third day jumped to 103 million, and the fourth day dropped significantly to about 78 million again.

And the latter was 350,000 and 470,000 daily box office on the first and second day of the former's release, but from the third day, its daily income abruptly became 4.98 million, 5.54 million, 4.84 million.

Everything is just because many people think *The Crossing (Part 1)* is better than *Gone with the Bullets*, at least they can understand it. This reason is simply impeccable!

The Oscar nomination ballot has been submitted seven or eight out of ten in these few days.

This means that the PR activities for *Manchester by the Sea* are about to come to an end.

After the nomination results are officially released, you can choose to continue PR or fight again next year, or even give up, depending on the situation.

"I'll be back in two days, let's come over again on the 8th or 9th of next month to participate in the Golden Globe awards ceremony. I can't just wait here for more than half a month. Don't you think, Xixi."

Lin Nan lay on the bed, closing his eyes and talking to Liu Yifei on the phone. It was really too tiring.

"Hmm, I'll pick you up. Yesterday I went to see the finished film of *Monkey King: Hero is Back*, the picture is great. It will be sent to the Film Bureau for review today."

Liu Yifei's voice carried joy, she exercised the power of the boss lady once, in the absence of Lin Nan in the country.

"Producer Liu has worked hard."

"It's okay, hehe..."

Even if they are whispering on the phone, they can't stop Lin Nan's sleepiness, after all, he has to be busy with social interactions at cocktail parties every day.

In less than twenty minutes, the great Lin Dao left Liu Yifei behind and fell asleep himself.

"Lin Nan?"

"Lin Nan?"

After calling several times and getting no response, Liu Yifei knew that Lin Nan must have fallen asleep tiredly.

"Hmph, wait until you come back, don't toss you first, let you rest for a few days."

"Ah... woo... I'll sleep a little more too, so sleepy."

When it was late at night in Hollywood, it was just past noon in the country.

A piece of earth-shattering news broke the "tranquility" of the entire film and television circle and entertainment circle, making the whole internet in an uproar.

Everyone was shocked and called it incredible.

The focus of public opinion, the headlines of major portal websites, Weibo hot searches... all exploded in the shortest time.

The first domestic film with a box office of 1 billion more than two years ago was discussed by countless people again.

Weibo of Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, Zhu Yawen, Shu Chang, Luo Jin, and even Reba was constantly swiped by actors, artists, netizens, and fans in and out of the circle!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 579 =====

(End of this chapter)