Chapter 1370: Smashing people with money directly, how can others play?!

"What did you say you want, Naoki-san?"

Shan Tian Zhiyan felt he had heard wrong and asked again,

"Satellite relay equipment, and small ones that are easy to assemble?"

"Hmm!"

Nagayama Naoki nodded while not stopping the work in his hands.

In the backstage of the screening room, he put the copy of *Jurassic Park* into the cinema's projector, checking if there was any malfunction and if it could be screened normally.

"I want to set up a satellite relay device in the hotel to facilitate face-to-face contact with Japan... You have already opened a distribution company in America; you should have similar equipment, right?"

"...... Naoki-san, the equipment is there, but to set it up in the hotel..."

Shan Tian Zhiyan hesitated, but finally spoke,

"Naoki-san, we aren't having any contact with government departments in Japan, right?"

Meaning, Nagayama Naoki, you aren't going to engage in any espionage activities, right!

It's no wonder he thought too much; now Yin Tangxiuyi, one of the three giants of the Tree Friend Group, is an important aide to the Doi Cabinet, and it's normal for Tree Friend to have hidden connections with politics after hearing that they put in a lot of effort during the election!

Thinking about it this way, it's a bit hard to explain that Nagayama Naoki could master such great wealth at a young age without someone supporting him behind the scenes...

"? Government departments?"

Nagayama Naoki looked at Shan Tian Zhiyan,

"Do you take me for James Bond? Playing at breaking into Hollywood alone?!"

"...... I didn't think that far..."

Shan Tian Zhiyan scratched his face,

"But if Naoki-san were to play Bond, I guess it would be very popular..."

"....."

Looking at the flattering look of his subordinate, Nagayama Naoki shook his head... Sure enough, he could say anything to flatter his boss!

"Alright, I just want to contact my family and be able to see each other..."

Nagayama Naoki explained to Shan Tian Zhiyan,

"In Japan, I will also ask people to do the docking well; you just need to ask people to install the relay equipment..."

Relying on his relationship with Fuji TV, it was very easy to borrow their communication satellite.

"Hai, I understand!"

Shan Tian Zhiyan nodded, but couldn't help but sigh in his heart...

Rich people play fancy! Using a phone to contact family is fine, but actually using two-way satellite relay and talking face-to-face?!

Even Zhongjing Yuantai hadn't done this after being abroad for half a year!

Naoki-san had only been separated from his family for two days, and he couldn't wait anymore?!

"I'll ask people to arrange it!"

However, come to think of it, this way of face-to-face video calling is indeed not bad; even if separated by a Pacific Ocean, you can see each other... Should I borrow it when Naoki-san isn't using it and contact my family too?!

And just at this time, Yin Tangxiuyi walked in:

"Naoki-san, we have already invited the chairman of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Karl Malden, over; he is in the screening hall!"

"Ah, he's here!"

Nagayama Naoki clapped his hands and walked towards the door,

"Then hurry up and meet him..."

Coming to the screening hall in front, he saw Zhongjing Yuantai talking to an old white man with glasses, gray hair, and a clean-shaven beard.

"Naoki-san!"

Zhongjing Yuantai saw Nagayama Naoki arrive and began to introduce,

"This is Karl Malden, a well-known actor... Karl, this is the Nagayama Naoki I mentioned before!"

"Malden-san... hello!"

For the elderly, Nagayama Naoki was still very polite, reaching out to shake hands first,

"Long time no see! I am the Japanese director Nagayama Naoki!"

"Nagayama Naoki, I have also heard your name many times! Just call me Karl, I'm already used to it!"

Karl Malden smiled and shook hands; as a senior in the film industry, he naturally heard of Nagayama Naoki, the winner of the Palme d'Or, and had watched several of his movies.

After letting go, he turned his head and looked around the screening hall, saying with some emotion:

"Since I became the chairman, many people have wanted to meet me to talk about Oscar awards... But it's really rare to set the meeting place in a cinema!"

"Haha, we are all filmmakers!"

Nagayama Naoki reached out and invited him to sit down,

"Inviting you here today is not for the awards... but to ask you to appreciate my new work!"

"Oh?"

"It's called *Jurassic Park*, recently released in Japan..."

Karl Malden became more and more curious; he naturally didn't know about the movie released in Japan, and even if it was popular enough to empty the streets in Japan, it could probably only hear some faint sounds in America...

"Is it a dinosaur movie?"

"Yes!"

Nagayama Naoki let Shan Tian Zhiyan start playing, let Yin Tangxiuyi and Zhongjing Yuantai also sit down, and then introduced to Karl Malden,

"It's adapted from a science fiction novel of mine before, using the most advanced special effects technology, so I wanted to invite you to take a look..."

"It's actually adapted from your work, Nagayama Naoki?" Karl Malden was surprised, "Are you also a big writer?"

"Haha~" Zhongjing Yuantai hurriedly opened his mouth, "Naoki is a well-known writer in Japan!! Several of his books have been introduced to Europe and America!"

"So that's how it is, young people are indeed talented!"

"I can only say that the words I write happen to suit the tastes of current readers..."

In American culture, you can't be humble... otherwise, people will really think you are weak!

"Karl, the movie is starting..."

The lights in the screening hall dimmed, and Karl Malden, Yin Tangxiuyi, and Zhongjing Yuantai all quieted down; none of these people had watched it!

The picture on the big screen lit up, and the story of *Jurassic Park* began from an engineering team in a tunnel...

Karl Malden was originally very passionate about movies; as an Oscar winner, he participated in filming later, and finally was elected as the chairman of the Oscars, having watched hundreds and thousands of movies, with very rich experience.

However, when he saw the scene where the Brachiosaurus appeared, he still opened his mouth wide...

"oh, MyGod!!!"

In the history of film, such lifelike dinosaurs had never appeared!

Even in monster movies like *Jin Gang*, *E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, etc., it was very easy to see the stiffness of the monsters inside and the falseness of the aliens!

But in *Jurassic Park*, the Brachiosaurus, Velociraptor, Triceratops, etc., were smooth in movement and realistic in visuals, making people inevitably agree that dinosaurs should look like this when they move!!

However, with the development of the movie, something that surprised Karl Malden even more happened!

"That Triceratops!! It's blinking, breathing!!"

"Wait... that Velociraptor, it's really cunning!!!"

"......"

This old man, who had always watched movies silently, once again had the excitement and agitation of watching his first movie in his youth!

When the Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared, Karl Malden once again shouted that exclamation:

"OMG!!!"

When the Tyrannosaurus Rex roared, he felt that all the monsters in previous movies were weak!

Jin Gang? That was just a big furry gorilla!

How could it have the aura of our Tyrannosaurus Rex's bloody mouth, cold pupils, cold-blooded hunter, and forest overlord!!

He could almost smell the blood!!!

At this time, Yin Tangxiuyi and Zhongjing Yuantai, who were watching on the side, were also in shock.

Both knew Nagayama Naoki would film a very outstanding dinosaur movie, but they didn't expect the special effects to be so wonderful!

Even Shan Tian Zhiyan, who was hiding in the back, was looking at the big screen in shock at this time... When did movies evolve to this level?!

He remembered that the special effects in Japan before were still at the level of Ultraman fighting little monsters!

The screening of *Jurassic Park* on the screen continued; after encountering an accident on the island, the park's security measures failed, and all the dinosaurs were released, the protagonist group embarked on a thrilling and exciting escape journey.

When the two children in the off-road vehicle were discovered by the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Karl Malden couldn't help but grab the armrest!

When the Velociraptor suddenly rushed out in the basement main control room, he also trembled violently!

In the exhibition hall, seeing the Tyrannosaurus Rex bite the Velociraptor to death, the old man gasped...

Every minute and every second of the movie seemed to be grabbing the audience's attention, making people unable to look away~

Until the end, when the group barely escaped to the helicopter pad, Karl Malden finally relaxed...

More than two hours passed in a flash, making people almost unable to notice the passage of time!

"Mr. Nagayama Naoki!"

Karl Malden took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat on his forehead, his tone even carrying respect,

"This movie... is really... too outstanding!! It can even be said to be a great work!"

"It will definitely occupy a place in the history of world film!"

"You overpraise!"

Nagayama Naoki smiled and replied, striking while the iron was hot, and submitted his request,

"Karl, if you think this movie is good... can you let it appear at the museum viewing party? Let filmmakers from all over the world see it?"

"*Jurassic Park* has already been released in Japan; because of some things, we couldn't send it to the Oscars for application in advance... but if we wait for the next session, the waiting time is really too long!!"

"Of course, no problem!"

Hearing that it wasn't to participate in the Oscar awards, but just to be screened at the museum night, Karl Malden immediately patted his leg and agreed,

"Such an outstanding movie naturally needs to be seen by more people as soon as possible!"

"Maybe, movie companies from various countries will value it and introduce it!"

"No... there will definitely be many countries requesting introduction!"

"Haha~"

Nagayama Naoki smiled and thanked,

"That's really grateful!"

Looking down at his watch, it was already past 9 o'clock when they came to watch the movie, and now it was almost noon:

"More than two hours in a flash... it's almost mealtime! I'm hungry..."

"I heard there is also an authentic high-end Japanese restaurant in Hollywood!"

Nagayama Naoki continued,

"Exactly, let me treat you, let you go and properly experience authentic Japanese cuisine!"

"This..."

Karl Malden hesitated; he was worried that accepting Tree Friend's banquet would be discovered by others.

However, Yin Tangxiuyi and Zhongjing Yuantai were both human spirits and immediately persuaded the old man with words... The group headed towards the Japanese restaurant...

After lunch, Nagayama Naoki didn't pester the old man too much, and after agreeing on when to send the copy over, he said goodbye very refreshingly~

Zhongjing Yuantai sent the person back, and Yin Tangxiuyi and Nagayama Naoki, who remained, returned to the hotel and chatted about this matter.

"Naoki-san, why didn't you talk about *Departures* at the dining table?"

"Ha~ what should have been lobbied, didn't you guys try it before..."

Nagayama Naoki shook his head,

"It's my first time meeting him, what more can I say!"

"But... is this time just to send *Jurassic Park* to the museum night viewing party?!"

"Hmm... actually, it is this matter!"

Nagayama Naoki nodded; he knew from the very beginning that wanting to rely on the operation of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to win an award, the current effect was already the maximum; after all, the Oscars also need surface fairness!

Continuing to lobby wouldn't produce a qualitative change... He needed to find other directions.

"Shuichi-san... if you want to win an Oscar, sometimes you can't just lobby the judges!"

Nagayama Naoki explained with a smile,

"Sometimes, you can also lobby the opponents!"

Wanting first place, if you can't handle the judges, handling the opponents is the same!

"Naoki-san, how is that possible?"

Yin Tangxiuyi opened his eyes wide,

"*The Last Emperor* is impossible to withdraw from the selection! Their director has a lot of confidence..."

"But the producers might not..."

Nagayama Naoki smiled,

"For the producers, all movies are for one purpose... making money!!"

"Not to mention he has 8 producers..."

"As long as the price is negotiated, these producers might not insist on the award..."

"This... how is this possible? The bigger the fame of *The Last Emperor* winning the award, the more box office they can get!"

Nagayama Naoki shook his head:

"No matter how you say it, *The Last Emperor* is actually an art film... Even if it's successful, the total box office will be at most 100 million dollars... But its cost is too big!"

"I heard that there are 20,000 extras alone! The Forbidden City, costumes, props... not to mention other expenses, and publicity costs... The profit won't be very high!"

Just like this, it still has to be divided by 8 companies... so it might even lose money..."

Saying this, Nagayama Naoki pointed to himself and said:

"And the *Jurassic Park* I filmed... a pure science fiction commercial film, under the trend of science fiction films becoming more and more popular, conservatively estimated, the total box office will exceed 1 billion dollars! The cost is no more than 20 million dollars..."

The total box office is a ten-fold gap, and the net profit is estimated to be a dozen-fold gap!

"If I use the distribution share ratio of *Jurassic Park* to talk to the producers of *The Last Emperor*... do you think they will be tempted?!"

"Ah?!!"

Yin Tangxiuyi opened his eyes wide; those producers would naturally be tempted!!

Introducing it to their own country, in minutes it would be nearly 100 million dollars in box office revenue... Even with the share ratio, they could earn tens of millions!!

"But... but this is too much meat-cutting!"

You can't get an Oscar award like this either!!

These funds could directly hold an international competition exceeding the Oscars!

"Of course not giving it all to them! Need to talk about the ratio!"

Nagayama Naoki said,

"Give them at most 10 million..."

"And make it clear, we are originally very confident in *Departures*... If we really compete hard, who knows who will win!"

"By then, no matter what, this 10 million in net income will really be gone!"

"They are all businessmen, best at calculating accounts!"

"On one hand, it's a stable profit, on the other hand, it's uncertain whether they can win the big award, plus the revenue pressure of *The Last Emperor*..."

For some small European film companies, having a net income of a few million dollars a year would have been burning incense long ago!

Under the entanglement of interests, even if the directors don't want to agree, they have no choice!

"As long as one or two of the eight production companies can't resist the temptation, then the entire momentum of *The Last Emperor*'s sprint will collapse... and *Departures* will have no competitors!"

Shuichi Ido listened to such a grand gesture, which simply exceeded all his previous expectations!

"Naoki-san, this is a profit of hundreds of millions of dollars!"

Just throwing money at people directly, how are others supposed to play?!

This is because the Tree Friends Group is fully controlled by Naoki Nagayama, and he doesn't care about the money; which other film company would dare to just give away tens of millions like this?!

"Haha, Shuichi-san, you have to take the long view!!"

"In the future, our films will be screened all over the world!!"

"After winning the Oscar this time, Tree Friends Film's reputation in the European and American film circles will definitely be even louder! Our entry into the European and American markets will also be much smoother!"

Naoki Nagayama said magnanimously:

"It's just tens of millions, we will earn more in the future!"

Stepping out of Japan, the global film market, plus the other films in Naoki Nagayama's mind... the money to be earned is simply unimaginable!

"......."