Chapter 83: A New Record, Graduation Project

At the end of October, "The Martian" completed its theatrical run.

The great stone weighing on every company in the entertainment industry finally dropped to the ground.

Lin Nan pushed the domestic film box office record forward by another 120 million.

No one knew how long it would take for the next film to catch up to this record, or who could break it.

But the industry unanimously agreed that if a new film appeared that could break this record, it would most likely still be those same few people.

"Lin Dao, the Southeast Asia numbers are out — 12 million US dollars."

"Mm, I know."

Lin Nan saw the film advisory first thing: the detailed profits of "The Martian" had been released.

After stripping out costs, the producers' pre-tax profit came to roughly 380 million.

Glorious numbers, without a single drop of water.

China Film, Shanghai Film, as well as Wanda and Enlight accepted interviews.

"'The Martian' is the most profitable and the most correct investment our group has made in recent years. We very much look forward to our next collaboration with Lin Dao."

"Wanda plans to move upstream into the film industry and work with all outstanding film directors. Lin Dao will always be Wanda's best partner…"

To be honest, the money "The Martian" earned Lin Nan still couldn't compare to "Buried."

But in terms of domestic influence, "The Martian" completely crushed "Buried" — that was the advantage of a commercial film.

The several producers sat together, smiles all over their faces.

For the two state-owned enterprises, "The Martian" was enough to carry them through several years of work reports.

Enlight and Wanda were simply happy about making money.

"Lin Dao, Enlight is partnering with the TV station to launch the 'Chinese Drama Gala' TV series brand event. When the time comes, any dramas from your company can be brought over…"

Wang Wang Changtian said, holding his wine glass.

"Mm, no problem."

Hearing the name "Chinese Drama Gala," Lin Nan was quite surprised — Enlight had another good card to play.

"Don't you think what you did was very excessive?"

Hu Ge stared at Yang Mi with a dark expression.

That day when chatting with Lin Nan about "Butterfly Lovers," the latter had said something that left him very embarrassed.

"Although we're friends, if you give my phone number out, shouldn't you at least give me a heads-up?"

Hu Ge had been completely baffled at the time, but he understood Lin Nan wouldn't say such a thing for no reason.

Yet in his memory, he hadn't told anyone Lin Nan's number.

Not until today, when the crew filmed the scene of "making a phone call" using a mirror, did the realization hit him.

Last month, Yang Mi had seemed to borrow his phone, saying she needed to make a call, but she returned it in less than two minutes.

"W-what did I do?"

Yang Mi instantly thought of something, but still asked back.

"I trusted you, that's why I lent you my phone. Do I really need to remind you what you did?"

Hu Ge said coldly.

"I-I just looked at a phone number, that's all…"

Yang Mi tugged at Hu Ge's sleeve as she spoke.

"That's all? If it were someone else, I might never get another role. You would already have been kicked out of the crew."

Hu Ge laughed in spite of his anger.

He did have feelings for Yang Mi, but not to the point of joking with his future.

The color drained from Yang Mi's face in an instant.

"I-I'm sorry, I just wanted to go to the premiere…

He wouldn't really blacklist me over something this small, would he?"

Given Lin Nan's status and connections…

Yang Mi didn't dare think further. If Cai Yizong also found out about this, she would probably tear her apart.

Watching the girl before him looking so afraid, Hu Ge let out a long breath.

"This matter ends here. I won't tell anyone else, and you keep that mouth of yours shut — still showing off in front of Tang Yan and Shi Shi…"

With that, Hu Ge turned and walked toward the crew.

Yang Mi's eyes reddened slightly. She stood for a long while, then finally chased after him.

"Inception" officially announced wrap.

Domestic media scrambled to report it.

A 160-million-dollar sci-fi epic with a top-tier cast — it was destined to be a hit.

Liu Liu Yifei, on the other hand, had it rough — she became even busier.

She had no idea how many female artists were green with envy.

A flood of endorsement offers landed in Liu Liu Xiaoli's hands, and she and her team began picking and choosing — only the most high-end and the highest quality.

Nolan called Lin Nan.

"'Inception' will spend nearly half a year on post-production VFX at Warner.

If you're free, you can come by and take a look."

"That probably won't be too long then."

"I just remembered — that 'New Moon' film from Crystal Pictures is about to be released."

For Nolan to remember a low-grade film like this wasn't easy — it was entirely out of respect for Lin Nan.

"That's part of it too. Let's not say more — we'll talk when we meet."

……

Director Xie Jin is gone.

That dog surnamed Song picked this exact moment to come out barking and biting all over the place, slinging insults and mockery.

The attention and buzz did go up.

The result was that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television stepped in personally and named him for a ban.

Shanghai Film Group joined with China Film Group to push it, the major TV channels enforced it, Sina banned his account, the film and television industry boycotted him…

After this whole chain of moves, not only people in the industry felt satisfied — even netizens thought it was beautifully done.

Because this guy truly has no bottom line as a human being; he practically insulted the species of dogs.

"To avoid paying child support, he could slander his own daughter as not being his biological child. Leaving something like this around until now to deal with was already letting 'it' off easy."

"For the film and television projects his company applies for, no approval will be allowed, filming permits will not be issued, and next year's review will revoke his company's license…"

Lin Nan heard the specific ban measures from China Film Group — this time it was absolutely clean and decisive.

He figured that in the circle, plenty of people would be willing to beat a drowning dog, and they were all A-list and B-list, plus many bigwigs from film and television companies.

Lin Nan remembered clearly that Huayi had been torn into by him for a long stretch.

News of auditions for "No Man's Land" leaked out.

This time Ning Hao still chose an invitation-only audition, with no public announcement to the industry.

This left many companies and actors helpless.

The result was just as Lin Nan had predicted — the cast list was identical to the audition list.

"It's easier to use people you know — I learned that trick from you." Ning Hao said with a laugh over the phone.

"Has the schedule been set?"

"Set. We start shooting in March."

"You really not going to change the ending?"

"Sigh, I appreciate the thought, but I really don't want to change it. The script as it stands now has the right flavor!"

When Ning Hao brought up "No Man's Land," Lin Nan could feel that sense of urgency.

He could only hope that when it went for review, the result would be a good one.

The whole industry was waiting for "The Martian" celebration banquet, but there was no sign of it.

Han Han Sanping called Lin Nan specifically to ask.

"Go ahead and hold it if you want, but I probably won't be able to attend."

"Why?"

"I've already booked my ticket — I'm heading to Hollywood soon."

"Your graduation film is a foreign-language picture?" Han Han Sanping was visibly excited.

"Ha, at this point I won't hide it anymore — yes, it's a foreign-language film."

"Good, then we'll look forward to your new work. The celebration banquet, our few companies will arrange it."

"Mm."

……

On the last day of October, Yue Jun sent the third batch — fifteen people in total — onto the plane.

Tom would send people to pick them up at the airport.

Liu Liu Yifei drove the big G, cruising leisurely toward the airport. Lin Nan sat in the passenger seat.

"Liu Qianqian, can you go a bit faster? At this speed, we're very likely going to miss the flight."

Lin Nan knew what Liu Liu Yifei was thinking.

Sure enough, the latter glared at him, and only then did the car pick up speed.

A little over half an hour later, the two arrived at the airport.

After the stamp, Lin Nan slung his bag on and got out of the car.

"You have to call every day, got it?" Liu Liu Yifei reminded him.

"Got it, got it. Now hurry back."

……

The celebration banquet for "The Martian" was still very grand. Liu Liu Yifei didn't go.

Many people noticed — why was there no sign of Lin Nan?

"Huang Xiaoming-ge, have you seen Lin Dao Nan?"

Miss Jing Tian asked Huang Huang Xiaoming with a puzzled look.

"I really don't know — I'm wondering too. Let's wait a bit longer; probably just stuck in traffic."

A staff member came over and called the leads up to the stage.

Only then did everyone realize something was off.

"Lin Dao Nan had to catch a flight, so he won't make it today…"

Han Han Sanping was speaking on stage. Miss Jing Tian and the other leads stood at the side; she was a bit absent-minded.

Before boarding, Lin Nan took a call from Hu Ge — about Yang Mi getting Lin Nan's phone number from him.

Truly, once your status is different, even the friends around you start being extra careful. That feeling left Lin Nan a bit unaccustomed.

The media's reaction was quick too.

The news that Lin Nan hadn't shown up at the celebration banquet spread fast.

"'The Martian' celebration banquet — no sign of Lin Dao Nan."

"Lin Dao Nan spotted at the airport, suspected to be going abroad."

The matter of Lin Nan's graduation production was known to almost everyone in the industry. With only a little over half a year left, going abroad at this point — anyone with eyes could already guess what was going on.

"A foreign-language film?"

"Most likely, yes."

The graduation work of a directing graduate student at Beijing Film had never been explicitly barred from being a foreign-language film, but no one had ever actually done it either.

Because no student had ever been like Lin Nan — already a famous director with a reputation beyond the school before even graduating.

A swarm of reporters flooded into the school.

Old Jiang set down his thermos cup, in which black wolfberries were steeping. He had been assigned by Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang to go meet the media.

"Everyone quiet down. Regarding the questions you want to ask, Director Tian has asked me to answer them for you.

Any graduate student's graduation work, before it is submitted — even just the title — must be kept confidential.

What I can confirm for you is that Lin Nan's film is indeed a foreign-language film, and the screenplay was written beforehand."

Lin Nan had no idea what was going on with the news back home.

Over here in Hollywood, things were genuinely a bit grim.

The subprime mortgage crisis had already spread to the Hollywood film industry.

Large numbers of small and mid-sized companies went bankrupt or were sold off.

Many film projects were cancelled or shelved indefinitely.

Ninety-nine percent of Tom's net worth vanished along with it.

"Lin, I took the chance to pick up a lot of top-tier equipment — almost brand new — for the price of secondhand goods…"

"And picked up a lot of employees too?"

"Hehe, that's right — all the top engineers from those bankrupt companies. Crystal Pictures is their best choice.

Sigh, damn this financial crisis — my money!"

Back at Crystal Pictures, many people greeted Lin Nan warmly.

Under the subprime crisis, Hollywood wasn't having an easy time of it either. A stable job gave them a real sense of security, and made them all the more cherish it.