Six Hundred and Thirtieth Chapters Recharge Your Batteries

Shoot the bird.

Even Ridley Scott with a status like Ridley Scott dare not say that he can break the "hidden rules" set by Hollywood film companies.

Competing with Evans for the film editing rights is nothing more than a symbolic struggle, just like a fish has to writhe and struggle after leaving the water. Otherwise, what is the difference with a salted fish?

Editing a movie is usually divided into three steps. The first step is for the editor to edit the version. They will edit the shot together according to the script. At this time, there will be a lot of redundant shots.

The second step is the director's cut version. Based on the rough cut version, the director will give full play to his personal artistic expression and thinking, and cut out his favorite version.

The last is the final edited version, which is the public release version that everyone usually sees in movie theaters. The producer or director or the film review agency edits this version after considering the market situation.

The vast majority of Hollywood directors do not have the final editing rights, even Ridley Scott is no exception!

Some small film and television production companies that are not very powerful can get this right, but Universal Pictures will not easily hand over the final editing rights of the "Lord of the Rings" movie.

At present, the production cost of the planned project alone has exceeded 500 million U.S. dollars, plus the promotional expenses of each film, and the inevitable over-budget in most cases, and finally wants to shoot the entire three "Lord of the Rings" The total investment of the Qu series of films may be as high as 900 million or even one billion.

If Global does not have absolute control over such a large project, it will not invest at all.

Fortunately, Jordan Scott can also play a role. In a Hollywood giant-level film production company like Universal Pictures, Ridley Scott's name is really not easy to use. To put it more bluntly, you, an old man in his eighties, suddenly stretched his feet one day, closed his eyes and never saw the sun the next day. There is absolutely no place worthy of their investment and wooing. Why make concessions in such a completely unnecessary place.

The reason why they are entangled in this aspect of the terms is just to advance as retreat. It seems that they are fighting for the final editing rights of the film, but in fact it is to allow Universal to maximize the power in the filming and production stage, and not to always intervene in the crew. .

Lost the final editing rights, but the right to speak in casting, script, shooting, and post-production has increased. In fact, this may not be a good thing for the director.

Besides, even if it loses the final editing rights, it doesn't mean that Universal will not ask the director's advice when editing the final version, so it can be affected to some extent.

As for the more detailed and specific treatment, that is to refer to the usual habits of Hollywood,

Anyway, Ridley is not a picky big-name Hollywood star, and he can't do big-name things, and he doesn't need a team with dozens of people around him at all times, and he doesn't have any unacceptable set quirks.

And Evans also put forward the last requirement in the contract: that is, a physical examination report must be submitted every three months to ensure the health of Mr. Ridley Scott.

Ordinary people's physical function has declined significantly by the time they reach the age of 80, and he has to spend a long time on the set to shoot movies, which requires quite high physical fitness.

No one wants the old man to have the slightest mistake, so a physical health check is essential.

Unlike Li Chungang, a listed producer, Ridley is a director with real power. Now he not only makes his own movies, but also brings in a big business for his special effects company!

Of course, Universal will not place an order easily. The demonstration video just now was not very effective because of the very limited production time. Ridley’s special effects company was established in Eagle Country. Post-production is provided in movies such as Alien Covenant, but the sci-fi style is quite different from the fantasy epic style. Evans and the others have to look at specific things and discuss specific templates.

Furthermore...

The script has not yet come out, which scenes are actually shot, which scenes are shot with models, and which scenes are shot with green screen cutouts, these have to be carefully considered.

In comparison, modern movies are the best, at least they don't require too much preparation time.

After all the negotiations are completed, the next step is to see if Evans can persuade Universal's leadership to change their minds and choose Mr. Ray as the director of the "Lord of the Rings" series of movies.

"The two of you will chat in the conference room first, so I'll excuse you!"

After speaking, Evans picked up the contract that he had just discussed with Mr. Lei but had not yet signed and hurried away.

As the project leader and one of the producers, he put forward a "proposal", which was affirmed and recognized by Li Chungang, the author of "The Lord of the Rings" that Universal had to pay attention to. Finally, the director candidate Ridley Scott's good physical condition and more affordable With the cooperation contract, the three are interlocking, and Evans is confident that he can completely convince the company's leaders.

Not to mention that in another large conference room dedicated to senior leaders of Universal Corporation, how Evans used his three-inch tongue to persuade everyone in the face of many leaders.

Without Evans, who was in the way, the remaining Li Chungang and Mr. Ridley had a feeling of seeing each other late and seeing each other far away, mainly because the two quickly found a good relationship in "Lord of the Rings". Topics for pleasant exchange——

For example, choosing suitable actors for each character in the book "The Lord of the Rings"; for example, Ridley Scott gave Li Chungang a lot of advice on how to adapt the script of "The Lord of the Rings" as an experienced person. ; For example, Li Chungang agreed to give his own ideas on how to shoot "Lord of the Rings" movie content, use of special effects, final editing, etc...

Li Chungang was surprised that Mr. Lei was far more talkative than he imagined, and the experience accumulated over the long years was not a cover, and it always gave him a "bright spot" of inferences in all aspects.

Compared with the surprise that Ridley Scott gave him, Li Chungang's profound knowledge gave Ridley Scott a complete "shock"!

Because Mr. Lei couldn't figure out how a young man in his twenties could achieve outstanding achievements in literature, but still be able to still excel in screenwriting, film shooting, editing techniques, lighting use, etc. Can do rhetoric.

This kind of rhetoric is not the kind that comes out of nothing. There are many opinions that even Ridley Scott couldn't help but shine after listening to it, and always felt how the other party was filming "Lord of the Rings" There are detailed insights or specific shooting plans on the movie, as if...as if there is already a formed movie in my mind!

Just as soon as he had this idea, Ridley Scott himself couldn't help laughing first. He admitted that Li Chungang did have profound knowledge that did not match his age, but he really said that the other party could shoot a movie just by thinking about it. Completion is undoubtedly a fantasy.

Professionals limit your imagination!

No matter what, no one can imagine that there is a system deep in Li Chungang's mind!

The topic between the two also gradually came to the shooting location from the beginning of how to shoot and how to edit. It is natural to say that it is a matter of course.

Then the set of sayings from the meeting with Evans was brought out again, basically changing the soup without changing the medicine. The content is roughly that I just happened to go to New Zealand for vacation. When I went to the ranch, I found that it was very suitable for " Lord of the Rings movie filming location so...

He also knew in his heart that neither Evans nor the upcoming director Ridley Scott could immediately decide on the filming location of the movie just because of his few words, but it did not prevent them from burying the film in their hearts first. The next little "seed" is waiting for the day when this seed will take root and germinate.

The person in charge of the project, the screenwriter, the author of the original work, the director, the producer... The identities of the three of them almost gathered most of the powerful positions in the crew of a project.

Besides, Li Chungang is not too anxious to make a decision right away, because the progress of the local real estate companies in New Zealand are all the same recently, and they are all in the process of communicating with the ranch owner Mr. Felton, but they are still in a stalemate. middle.

You must know that the ranch is the place where Mr. Felton's family lives and remembers for generations, and it is not an easy task to sell it.

Evans was in a hurry when he left, and it was the same when he came back. He pushed open the door of the meeting room and strode back in.

The only thing that has changed may be the cooperation contract in his hand, from the original handwritten text to a brand new printed contract, of course the contents are exactly the same.

The signing of the contract between the two parties was relatively smooth, mainly because Jordan Scott, the agent, checked the various terms of the contract, and after confirming that there was no problem, both parties signed their respective names.

After finishing the work, Evans said to Li Chungang: "You happen to be on vacation now, how about staying in Millikin for a few more days? Tomorrow we will hold a small press conference, which you can attend, and then talk to Sir Scott Let’s talk about the adaptation of the script.”

"Evans, you may have misunderstood me. I will not return to China immediately. I will stay in Los Angeles for a few days, and I have already arranged the next itinerary. I will take my girlfriend to have a good time. Let’s take a tour of the city of Los Angeles. By the way, I won’t be attending the press conference or anything else. It must be enough to have you and Mr. Lei. As for the script, you don’t have to worry about it. I will start to adapt it after returning to China. Before you complete the preliminary preparations for the project, I will definitely hand it over to you!"

Work is a part of life, but definitely not the majority of Li Chungang's life, not even a small part. It was quite a face-saving to be able to spend two days to deal with the cooperation between Random House and Universal Pictures. After the cooperation relationship between the two parties is strong in the future, such entertainment should be avoided or avoided.

"Then I can only wish you a good time in Los Angeles! But I will keep in touch with you by email frequently, so don't forget to check your email!"

"I'll check regularly, but you don't want to call me in the middle of the night. I know a lot of people lose track of time at work, especially when we're jet-lagged."

"Try your best, no one can say for sure. Don't forget, you are also a producer." Evans reminded that a producer not only enjoys dividends, but also has to pay corresponding labor!

—

After having a "working meal" at Universal Pictures, Li Chungang and his team are going back to the hotel to rest and recharge their batteries for tonight's exciting "schedule".

In the two days since he came to Millikin, he basically completed all the work, and basically achieved the results they wanted, so he didn't waste his time and energy.

Thompson said goodbye to Li Chungang regretfully at the entrance of the hotel: "I still have some work to deal with, and I may not be able to continue to accompany you, and I will rush back to the company headquarters as soon as possible after finishing the work. Report on your new book."

He has always been obsessed with Li Chungang's new book "The Da Vinci Code", and wanted to urge this young man to hurry up and write it out, but unfortunately he never had the chance to say it.

Li Chungang sat in the co-pilot seat and looked at his mobile phone, and replied at this moment: "There is actually no need to worry about the new book. After returning to China, I will first be busy with the adaptation of the script of "Lord of the Rings", and then I may come back in a month or two." Millikin, it depends on the progress of the "Lord of the Rings" crew."

"Hope your first Hollywood movie goes well, now a lot of readers are worried that they think Universal might screw up all three."

There are more and more movies and TV series adapted from literary works, but there are very few high-quality ones. In many cases, they look good in all aspects, but they are not satisfactory.

The global sales of "The Lord of the Rings" are gradually increasing. Of course, Random House is very happy, but at the same time, it is also a little worried.

If the movie is too bad, the bad reputation will be reflected on the book!

Because when everyone discusses a bad movie, they usually label everything about it as bad, and nothing is spared.

The previous readers may know that books are much better than movies, but the problem is that later consumers don’t know. They see movies that are so ugly. Who would have the heart to review books again? What if they are equally bad?

The original strong stamina of the book will be cut in half.

It's just that it's not up to Random House to decide what Universal Pictures will make.

"In fact, you can write some things about the conception and outline setting of the new book first, and our company can also conduct a preliminary evaluation of the value of the new book and promote it in the early stage." Evans is still a little bit eager, and finally The main reason is that I want to have something that others don't have to deal with the company, and at the same time, I want to show my iron-like friendship with Li Chungang.

In fact, the entire book of "The Da Vinci Code" already existed in Li Chungang's mind and memory at this time. If he really wanted to write it, it would take a day or two to finish it.

It's just that he doesn't want to and is unwilling to complete it so easily.

The ancients paid attention to "the law should not be taught lightly, the way should not be sold cheaply, the teacher should not follow the path, and the doctor should not hold back the door." To explain it with the concept of modern people is——

What is too easy to get will not be cherished!

If I really spent a day or two writing "The Da Vinci Code", I am afraid that Random House will subconsciously think that it is a work that was crudely produced in a short period of time, and naturally it is impossible to cherish it so much .

"If you want to see me finish my new book sooner, do me a favor."

"What's busy?"

"Just trying to get some books and materials needed for creation..."