Chapter 194

The 2003 Golden Eagle TV Art Festival officially closed, and Yang Siwei and Liu Yifei's mother and daughter found Lu Kuan backstage.

"Aren't you running roadshows in Xiangjiang? How did you find time to come over?"

If Boss Lu had a pure love warrior persona, he would definitely look at her affectionately at this moment and give a gentle knife:

"Xixi, I will not miss any major moments in your life."

It's just that a forty-year-old soul really can't open his mouth for these little children's love affairs.

He was very straightforward: "The organizing committee paid money, I came to make money!"

"Did you think I came for nothing?"

Liu Xiaoli smiled: "Little Lu, thank you for finding Xixi to act in 'Chinese Paladin', I want to take this award home and put it in the most conspicuous place in the living room!"

Liu Yifei was proud: "This is just the beginning, there will be more for you to put in the future, haha."

Yang Siwei reminded: "General Manager Lu, it seems Teacher Tian was looking for you just now."

"Huh? Let me see."

Lu Kuan took out his phone. He was actually called by old Tian, and old Tian was entrusted by the organizing committee to invite him, this young director and producer of 'Chinese Paladin', to attend.

"Hello? Teacher Tian, huh? Okay, see you later."

Lu Kuan turned to Liu Yifei and her mother: "Shall we go eat together? Teacher Tian wants to tell me something."

"Is it appropriate for us to go together?" Liu Xiaoli said politely.

Liu Yifei answered: "It's appropriate, Teacher Tian is a teacher at Beidian, and I am also a student at Beidian, why wouldn't it be appropriate?"

After saying that, she walked out first: "Let's go, little Director Lu."

As she spoke, she laughed again; it was really embarrassing on stage just now.

Boss Lu was helpless, forget it, ignorance is no sin, you just wait.

Tian Zhuangzhuang was also arranged at the Huatian Hotel where guests stayed. Several people entered the private room, and only he sat there drinking tea with a sad face.

"Teacher Tian, don't keep frowning, those wrinkles are so deep that mosquitoes could be pinched to death if they flew in!"

Lu Kuan had always had a close relationship with him, and now he was a bit informal when joking.

Liu Yifei smiled and patted his arm, signaling him not to talk nonsense.

Tian Zhuangzhuang didn't take it seriously, greeted Liu Xiaoli and others, and congratulated the little girl on winning the award.

"Teacher Tian, you must have something on your mind, right? Shall we talk while we eat?"

Yang Siwei went to greet the waiter to serve the dishes, and Tian Zhuangzhuang saw that there was no one else present, so he sighed and began to tell the story.

"Little Lu, you often go to the United States, and you are going there to film 'Alien Realm' next month. I have something to entrust to you."

Lu Kuan saw his serious expression and put away his lazy attitude: "Teacher Tian, what is there to entrust between us? Just say it directly."

"It's about Li Xuejian."

The information contained in these few words was too large. No one present hadn't heard of the great name of Li Laoshi Xuejian, but Lu Kuan knew they still had a relative relationship.

Tian Zhuangzhuang's mother, Ms. Yu Lan, was the eldest aunt of Li Xuejian's wife, and Li Xuejian called Tian Zhuangzhuang cousin.

Lu Kuan's heart moved: "Didn't Li Laoshi get hospitalized two years ago because of nasopharyngeal cancer? Now he?"

In November 2001, just one month before Lu Kuan was reborn as a little Daoist, Li Xuejian was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer while filming the serious drama 'China Orbit'.

The leadership instructed: treat the illness first, postpone filming.

But after his beloved wife Yu Dan conveyed the superior's opinion, Li Xuejian smiled and declined.

If he were just an actor, it would be understandable to quit and replace him.

But he had invested huge efforts in this drama, from the funds and screenwriters in the early preparation stage, and even many actors came because of him.

No matter the reason, his withdrawal would inevitably lead to the collapse of the entire project.

From then on, Li Xuejian's time was split in two; in the morning, his wife took him for radiotherapy, and in the afternoon, he went to the scene to film. He held on like this for more than a month until the filming was finished.

Later, the director of the crew recalled his last scene with tears:

At that time, it was already very difficult for him to speak, and the director commanded all departments to prepare carefully, striving to pass in one go.

But Li Laoshi's lines were finished in one go, full of emotion, and full of confidence. No one who saw it looked like a cancer patient!

Finally, the news published this report with the title "He is playing with his life, we are shedding tears," which moved countless audiences.

Liu Yifei and others were silent with some suppression after hearing it.

Especially she thought of Anita Mui in Xiangjiang for the first time, who also held on to finish the guest role in 'The Drummer'.

Lu Kuan had heard this story in his previous life, but it was already 2003, and Li Xuejian was basically able to return to the stage. What help was he looking for?

Tian Zhuangzhuang then told the reason.

"Xuejian's body is still very weak now, but treating the illness has used up most of his savings. I contacted a medical institution in the United States for him, but he absolutely refuses to accept my help."

"So..."

Boss Lu understood.

He pondered for a few seconds: "How about this, there is a position called acting consultant in the Hollywood crew, which generally provides acting guidance, observes and evaluates acting effects, and assists in rehearsals for crew members."

"The work content is relatively easy, which is conducive to his life and recovery there."

"Hollywood labor is very expensive. Some top actors pay hundreds of dollars per hour for acting teachers."

"Li Laoshi's level is enough to be competent."

Liu Yifei's eyes suddenly lit up, and she could also ask him for acting tips then.

Tian Zhuangzhuang's tightly frowned brows finally relaxed a little: "Is it convenient? If it's not convenient..."

Lu Kuan interrupted him: "Very convenient, and I can't ask for more. Li Laoshi is both virtuous and artistic, and is a role model for all of us practitioners."

"I was thinking of finding him to act in the future, just in time to get familiar with it this time."

Tian Zhuangzhuang was very comforted, looking happily at the young director in front of him.

Although he was a bit dissolute in life and liked to do things in a tricky way, he still had a heart of innocence.

The fifth-generation director whose youth had passed raised his glass: "Come, I toast you, Director Lu, haha."

Liu Yifei also joined in the fun: "Teacher Tian, he is only in his twenties, he is little Director Lu!"

Boss Lu's face turned black.

Tian Zhuangzhuang solved a big problem in his heart, and today he really drank openly. Fortunately, Lu Kuan's drinking capacity was enough to accompany him.

After the banquet, everyone dispersed.

Lu Kuan asked the waiter to send the drunk Tian Zhuangzhuang back to the room, and then cared about his own cash cow.

"Siwei, did you talk about the salary with Zhang Jizhong last time?"

"Director Lu, he is still hesitating, I bit the bullet at 200,000 and there is no room for negotiation."

"Well, this number is indeed beyond her actual market value, but it is not excessive for you to talk like this."

Yang Siwei hesitated: "What if he doesn't agree?"

"I'll teach you a way."

"Didn't Zhang Jizhong and Jin Yong both come to the Golden Eagle Festival? You take that copy of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' that little Liu is about to flip through tomorrow and find Zhang Jizhong, and tell him a hype method."

"You ask him to take you and little Liu to find Jin Yong, bring this book, ask Jin Yong to evaluate this female lead, and ask him to write an inscription on the book."

Yang Siwei was stunned, and it took a long time to come back to her senses.

"General Manager Lu, you mean?"

Boss Lu smiled: "Is there anything more conducive to endorsing the female lead than the recognition of the original author?"

"With this inscription from Jin Yong, you go and talk to him about this price."

Yang Siwei asked: "What if Jin Yong doesn't write an inscription?"

"You ask little Liu to tell Jin Yong that Yin Zhiping in the book is a real historical figure, the patriarch of the revival of Daoism, and it is not suitable to appear as a negative character who molests women in 'The Condor'."

"Liu Yifei's image and temperament fit the image of the characters in Jin Yong's pen, and there is such a book that can reflect that she has studied the original work carefully, and she also put forward a very pertinent suggestion."

"If he really has no reaction, forget it, you won't lose anything."

Hitting a stick whether there are dates or not, Boss Lu is also falling pieces at will, playing a leisure move.

Yang Siwei nodded thoughtfully, and couldn't help but admire the brain hole of her former boss.

It seems she is still too young.

September 30, 2003, Lu Kuan landed in Los Angeles with A-Fei and other staff, preparing to start the tight schedule of filming 'Alien Realm'.

Boss Lu took Emil and the finance and legal team behind the scenes to handle the pre-work in the office.

The Beast Logic in Australia packaged the overall special effects cost for 'Alien Realm' at 30 million US dollars. After several rounds of difficult negotiations, Emil finally signed a contract for 27 million US dollars and paid a deposit of 5 million US dollars.

Next is the estimated 10 million US dollar tender for advertising placement. With Tom Cruise as producer and Leonardo as the lead, the work of the advertising part is very easy, and even exceeded the target.

The advertising placement model in the Hollywood market is very professional and commercial. Generally speaking, blockbusters with high investment, big scenes, and gathering superstars are favored.

Lu Kuan saw in the research report that the advertising placement market in Hollywood last year reached 2.4 billion US dollars, and almost every North American box office champion had a large number of top advertisers spending money like water.

In this industrial chain, film producers, brand owners, evaluation agencies, and advertising agencies will form a consultation group.

The group began to analyze the film plot and content line by line as early as after the script was reported, looking for solutions that could be implanted without affecting the overall effect of the film.

Among these evaluation agencies and brand owners, there are some retired directors and producers who will give evaluations from a professional perspective.

The solutions made are sometimes even more appropriate than the director's own ideas.

As a director, Lu Kuan will on the one hand copy some classic implantation ideas based on past experience, and must also fully avoid mines, and cannot put the cart before the horse.

A typical example is the Chinese-American wearing glasses in 'Transformers 3', holding a bottle of Yili Shuhua milk and speaking nonsense lines.

"Wait for me to finish this bottle of Shuhua milk before talking to you."

It became a laughing stock after release.

There is also 'Go Lala Go!' by the "talented woman" Xu Jinglei, known as the first fashion urban film in China.

As a result, the audience went to the cinema to watch advertisements. The executives of the world's top 500 companies drove Mazda 6, used Lenovo thin and light laptops, and wore Lotto sportswear.

There is also the job recruitment site that Xu Jinglei endorsed herself, which is simply eye-stinging.

Finally, the 'Alien Realm' crew decided on internationally renowned brands such as Saleen, McDonald's, Gillette, and Adidas, which are commensurate with this 75 million US dollar blockbuster in terms of style.

The total price of advertising placement was 15 million US dollars, 5 million more than expected, all because of Leonardo's appeal.

Among them, McDonald's exists as a catering store in the normal world, which is plagiarizing Luc Besson's 'The Fifth Element'.

Another purpose is to use McDonald's stores around the world to promote posters and display racks, and even bind theme meals.

The implantation of Saleen S7 is a flying car scene that people love to see in Hollywood movies.

Adidas's implantation is the pair of Converse on Will Smith's feet that Lu Kuan plagiarized from 'I, Robot'.

Comparing the gradual loss of local sentiment of human beings in the high-tech era with the old-fashioned image of the protagonist is conducive to shaping the character's personality.

After everything was negotiated, Boss Lu wrote all the details of the advertising placement into the filed storyboard according to the contract, and also signed a flexible payment mechanism.

If the global box office exceeds 400 million US dollars, the advertiser needs to settle at 125% of the benchmark price.

At the same time, the 'Alien Realm' crew also received an initial 6 million advertising advance from the advertising company.

Boss Lu finished the last document in the office, and Liu Yifei suddenly pushed the door in.

Liu Xiaoli and her daughter flew to Los Angeles with him yesterday. Last time they passed the customs directly, this time they had to apply for a visa.

Lu Kuan looked up and glanced at the spirited Liu Yifei.

"General Manager Liu, are you here to inspect the work?"

"That's right, little Lu, report the recent work to me!"

"Where is your mother?"

"She went to help Teacher Tian and Li Laoshi contact the hospital. I heard on the phone that Li Laoshi will have to wait two more weeks before he can come over."

Boss Lu closed the pen cap.

"Did you come alone?"

"Yeah, it's not like I can't speak English, and I'm not a child, it's very normal to come alone."

Lu Kuan felt it was necessary to remind her: "There are so many homeless people and old blacks on the roadside, be careful, if you want to go out, call A-Fei."

Liu Yifei was quite happy to hear him care about her, and joked: "I don't feel it's very dangerous, the roadside is full of your dishes."

"What dishes?"

"Blonde big-breasted women, don't you men like those?"

Hollywood is the center of American movies. Here is not only the largest commercial film production base in North America and even the world, but also the largest pornographic film production base.

Where there is demand, there is industry. The blonde big-breasted girls in pornographic films are the aesthetic correctness of males around the world.

Therefore, every block around Hollywood is full of cheap plastic surgery and breast augmentation agencies, and girls chasing "dreams" plunge into this quagmire.

Those who can film movies film movies, those who can't spend thousands of dollars to get a breast augmentation to film level-three movies, and those who can't film level-three movies stand on the street.

Boss Lu said righteously: "Stop talking nonsense, I'm not that kind of person."

Liu Yifei expressed deep suspicion: "Really? Then I'll see where your eyes look when we go out later."

"Go out, what are you going out for?"

"Eat! My mother is not here, how dangerous it is for me to go out alone, I came to be a martial arts substitute to work for you, are you not going to feed me?"

The capitalist sneered: "The crew won't start work until tomorrow, what food are you going to feed today? Self-funded!"

"Lu! I have already registered as a union actor today, if you don't feed me, I will go and sue you!"

"Besides! Just because I saved you back then, it's only right and proper to eat you for a lifetime!"

Back then, it sounded like we had known each other for many years.

Boss Lu was helpless looking at the little girl who was playing the rogue.

He put on his coat and called A-Fei to drive first.

"Forget it, seeing you alone and miserable like a little cabbage, I'll take you around."

"Where to?"

"Coming to Hollywood, you must go to the Walk of Fame! Let's go."

A-Fei drove the two to this sidewalk built in 1958, which is actually an ordinary commercial street over a thousand meters long.

In a foreign land, with her mother not by her side, the little tail A-Fei behind was dragged very far, for fear of being a light bulb.

Liu Yifei suddenly had an impulse to be unscrupulous.

"Lu Kuan, give me your clothes to wear, I'm cold!"

Los Angeles has a typical Mediterranean climate, mild and dry in October, where is it related to cold?

Liu Yifei was wearing a purple girl-style cardigan today, wearing a beret, and even wore two broken diamond ear studs for the first time.

It's hard not to suspect that she was carefully dressed before coming to find the washing machine.

Seeing her staring at him with burning eyes, Lu Kuan was a bit helpless about the love brain of college girls, took off his coat and handed it to her.

Liu Yifei took it and smelled it, keenly capturing a certain herbal fragrance from her strict selection, and then put it on her shoulders with satisfaction.

Looking at Lu Kuan's tall back walking in the crowd with his hands in his pockets, the little girl only felt that this moment was incomparably beautiful, this was her own little romance.

There are countless movie peripheral shops on both sides of the Walk of Fame.

'Star Wars' baseball caps and t-shirts, 'The Matrix' same-style trench coats, one-to-one restored Oscar statuettes, and countless other shoes, pants, posters, and postcards.

Liu Yifei looked around, and soon her hands were full of things.

But when she really walked to the core area, the little girl was still a bit disappointed, just this?

She originally thought it would be an extremely luxurious place, but it ended after walking through a crowded street that was not even as good as Nanjing Road in Modu.

It was really boring, and the two began to look for the stars of various stars.

The Walk of Fame placed the first star of Joanne Woodward in 1960, and then increased at a growth rate of 30-40 stars per year.

Each star is inlaid with copper edges, outlined with light red pentagonal lines, with the star's name written directly above, and various symbols in the middle.

The symbol of the camera comes from the film industry, the television comes from the television industry, and the phonograph comes from the record industry.

The comedy and tragedy masks represent the theater industry.

Boss Lu acted as a tour guide for Liu Yifei, taking her to find three stars belonging to Chinese-American actors.

Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Anna May Wong.

The first two don't need to be said, Liu Yifei was a bit curious about this Ms. Anna May Wong.

"She was a Chinese-American film star who entered the film industry in the 1930s, left a star in 1960, and became a statue figure of the Hollywood Silver Cast Four Ladies Lookout with Marilyn Monroe and two other actresses."

The two passed by the stars of Marlon Brando, Michael Jackson, Audrey Hepburn, and Monroe.

Liu Yifei asked suspiciously: "How come it feels like a lot of directors and actors are missing?"

"What about De Niro? What about Leonardo?"

Boss Lu's mouth twitched, you only know these handsome guys, right?

"There are many who didn't leave stars, Lucas, Al Pacino, Coppola don't have them."

"In capitalist countries, these seemingly industry association organizational activities all require money."

"The Walk of Fame has a committee that meets every year to select the next year's awardees. They must agree to attend the awards ceremony and pay 15,000 US dollars for maintenance and cleaning."

"In this way, many superstars are very disdainful, just like Al Pacino in 'Scent of a Woman', he gave up voluntarily after being selected, and didn't look down on these false names at all."

The two walked and strolled, Liu Yifei was fascinated by his popularization of these film knowledge, but this road was too short, and soon reached the end.

"This is the Kodak Theatre, the place where the Oscars are awarded."

Liu Yifei sighed wow, but this theater looked too simple.

"Lu Kuan, do you also have a dream of being crowned here?"

Boss Lu smiled: "Can't talk about it, my main purpose in making movies is to make money, and then satisfy my own artistic pursuit."

"For me, the Oscars are just a box office promotion effect, there is no obsession whether to take it or not."

In the early 21st century, the Oscars were the highest film honor in the hearts of the Chinese people. With the awakening of domestic national consciousness and the establishment of cultural self-confidence, the public is not too interested in this topic.

"Generally speaking, getting an Oscar nomination can bring an absolute value increase of about 30 million US dollars to the box office of the film, and getting the award can double this number."

"Therefore, for me, whether to spend money to lobby, the only factor to consider is which is higher or lower between this money and the box office revenue after winning the award."

Liu Yifei looked at Lu Kuan with a crying and laughing face, feeling that he was really the most independent person she had ever seen.

Say he is very realistic, but he is willing to make a historical disaster film that is full of difficulties and even has to pay out of his own pocket for marketing;

Say he is very idealistic, it is even more absurd. The factors he considers seem to be only risk and return.

Not only in his career, but also in his feelings.

If he has any.

The little girl felt frustrated for a moment, feeling that the difficulty of changing him was so great, and feeling that she was too weak now...

(End of chapter)