r18novel Chapter 22: Filming Begins for "Zhu Xian 1," with a Massive Investment of 6000 Million Yua
Chapter 22: Filming Begins for "Zhu Xian 1," with a Massive Investment of 6000 Million Yua
Xiao Ding was quite moved; he hadn't expected his novel to be made into a movie so soon. President Ling was truly amazing at speed. He hadn't even finished writing his own novel yet.
Looks like we need to hurry. I wonder how much the box office will reach?
The contract states that I will receive 10% of Xinghan Pictures' net profit.
If the box office breaks 100 million, my God, Xiao Ding doesn't even dare to think about it.
Fortunately, it was sold to President Ling.
If we sell it to other websites, who knows when it will happen? And we might not even get that much money.
And that is indeed the case.
In the previous life, the movie "Zhu Xian" was delayed for more than ten years before it was finally made. The total income of the original author from "Zhu Xian", including the 100 million yuan from the sale of the game adaptation, was estimated to be no more than 200 million yuan.
In this life, the royalties from electronic subscriptions and novel publications alone amount to more than that.
With Ling Yuan, becoming a millionaire, or even a billionaire, is just around the corner!
……
The opening ceremony was held at the Huairou Film and Television Base, as many scenes would be filmed there in the early stages.
Of course, outdoor filming locations are also essential, and they are all scenic spots.
Examples include Yunmeng Wonderland, Shengquanshan Flower Sea, the snow-capped mountains in western Sichuan at an altitude of 2500 meters, and the Wanxianshan Scenic Area (Guoliang Village) in the Southern Taihang Mountains.
Inside the studio, a huge "poster backdrop" has been set up, featuring the costume photos of many of the main actors of Jade Dynasty, along with the words "Good luck on the start of filming for the movie Jade Dynasty 1". The Xinghan Pictures logo and the movie title are particularly eye-catching.
The ceremony was quite grand.
A long offering table is placed in front, covered with a red cloth, on which are placed traditional offerings such as a camera covered with a red silk cloth, fresh fruits (symbolizing abundant harvests), roast suckling pig (symbolizing prosperity), and an incense burner.
Invited journalists from various media outlets arrived one after another to sign in, setting up their cameras and microphones. The sound of shutters and flashes filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
Subsequently, the main creative team and the "Jade Dynasty Beauty Team" took the stage, especially the beauty team, which amazed the audience.
Xiao Ding also stood excitedly among the main creative team, watching the world he had created about to be brought to the screen, unable to hide his excitement and anticipation.
Reporters' cameras frantically captured these good-looking, high-potential young faces, and a murmur of amazement and discussion arose from the scene.
The offering of incense and prayers begins.
Guided by a Taoist priest, Ling Yuan, as the core, led Ning Hao, Xing Aina, Xiao Ding, and the main actors (Liu Yifei, Zhao Liying, Shu Chang, etc.) forward one by one.
Holding long incense sticks, the crowd solemnly bowed to the offering table before reverently inserting the incense into the incense burner.
The rising wisps of smoke symbolize wishes for a smooth filming process, box office success, and peace and good fortune.
After the blessing ceremony, Ling Yuan and Ning Hao, as the core members of the project, walked together to the camera covered with a red silk cloth.
Under the spotlight of the media and the expectant gaze of the audience, the two smiled at each other, reached out in unison, and together unveiled the large red cloth covering the camera!
"The movie 'Jade Dynasty 1' is officially starting filming!" Ling Yuan announced with a strong voice, his voice booming with confidence and pride.
Instantly, applause, cheers, camera shutters, and flashes erupted, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.
The falling red silk symbolizes the official launch of the "Jade Dynasty 1" movie project.
After the opening ceremony, the Q&A session finally began.
The reporters were already bursting with questions, and microphones sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
A bespectacled male reporter, speaking rapidly, seized the opportunity and cut to the chase: "Mr. Ling! For such a large-scale fantasy production like 'Zhu Xian,' could you please disclose the total investment amount for Xinghan Pictures?"
Ling Yuan's voice was clear and resonant, like a sword being drawn from its sheath: "Sixty million!"
Those three simple words caused an uproar at the scene.
"Whoa—!"
"Sixty million?!"
"hiss……"
A collective gasp and hushed exclamations erupted from the group of reporters.
The shutter clicks were so frequent they sounded like popping beans, as all the cameras focused on Ling Yuan's young, handsome, and confident face.
"Sixty million?! Xinghan Pictures has only been established for a little over a year, right?"
"Didn't we used to rely on low-cost, high-return strategies? This shift in style is too drastic!"
"They've made money and gotten cocky!" a reporter whispered to his colleague, his eyes full of disbelief and curiosity.
Many reporters have calculated Xinghan Pictures' revenue. Although the previous films were very profitable, after the profits were distributed, it is said that Ling Yuan bought many more houses. At most, the cash flow in the account is only 30 to 40 million yuan, maybe even less.
Where did the money for this 60 million investment come from?
Another quick-witted female reporter immediately seized on the key point, practically shoving the microphone under Ling Yuan's nose: "Mr. Ling! A 60 million investment! Are there any other large investors co-producing this product to share the risk?"
Everyone's ears perked up.
That's a great question!
Ling Yuan smiled and shook his head: "The movie 'Zhu Xian' is exclusively invested in and produced by Xinghan Pictures!"
"Sole proprietorship?!"
"Oh My God……"
Even some seasoned and composed reporters couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
The buzzing of discussion in the meeting room grew even louder.
The female reporter who had just asked the question frowned, her tone filled with obvious worry and skepticism: "Mr. Ling, forgive my bluntness, but for Xinghan's current size, isn't it too risky to take on a 60 million investment on its own? What if... I mean, what if the box office is not good? Wouldn't we be back to square one? Don't you think this move... is too risky?"
Everyone agreed.
Yes, if it gets smashed, Xinghan's entire fortune will be wiped out!
It's good that young people have guts, but isn't this guts a bit too frightening? It's like dancing on the edge of a cliff!
Facing the scrutinizing gazes of the entire audience, Ling Yuan remained calm and composed, and said loudly, "I understand everyone's concerns."
"However, I happen to have some good news to share regarding the cash flow issue."
He paused deliberately, whetting everyone's appetite.
The room fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.
"Just yesterday," Ling Yuan's voice suddenly rose, tinged with excitement, "we officially signed an agreement with Miramax Films North America!"
"Our Xinghan Pictures film, 'Spirit: The Ghostly Chronicles,' has successfully sold its overseas distribution rights to the other party for $1000 million!"
Whoosh! Like pouring a ladle of cold water into a pot of boiling oil, the entire venue erupted in chaos.
"Wow!!!"
"Ten million? US dollars?!"
"Oh my god!!!"
Exclamations, gasps, and incredulous murmurs erupted instantly, nearly lifting the roof off.
The reporters were completely dumbfounded!
$1000 million?!
At the current exchange rate (1:8.2769), that's a whopping 82,769,000 RMB!
Tang Yan pursed her red lips, feeling quite pleased with herself. Was she, as the female lead, about to become a sensation across the ocean? Breaking out of the country and going global?
Ning Hao was even more impressed. Look at President Ling, who made a film for 50,000 or 60,000 yuan, while he was rubbing his own millions of yuan into the ground.