Chapter 37
The Chinese translation of this movie is "Two Smoking Barrels", but in fact its real name is "Lock, Stock and Barrels". It is still very appropriate to the theme of the plot.
Ingenious conception, ingenious and rigorous plot, imaginative editing style, unconventional shooting techniques, precise jokes, intoxicating music, as a textbook on film, every detail of this film is the result of the director's careful thinking.
Come out to hang out, you always have to pay it back. This sentence jumped out of Zhang Dongcheng's mind inexplicably.
Well, after confirming the movie, Zhang Dongcheng wrote the storyboard script overnight, and then recharged his batteries for a week. Taking advantage of the frequent thunderstorms these days, he tried his best to stuff countless movies and information into his mind After that, I began to look for a production company to publish and distribute this "Two Smoking Barrels".
The name of a person, the shadow of a tree, this statement is true.
He became an instant hit at the French Film Festival, became the topic of conversation in England, and became the most promising young director in the whole of Britain. British film companies still attach great importance to his works.
Sitting in front of Zhang Dongcheng was Mr. Auston, the boss of Hammer Films. He was only in his fifties, full of energy, and maintained a good British gentleman's demeanor.
Hammer Films is the most successful film company in British film history from a financial point of view. Founded in 1948, since 1956, it has continuously shot many low-cost horror films, and soon occupied a large market in Britain and the United States. Vampires starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee were all the rage in the 1960s.
Although in the 1990s, film companies all over the world were having a hard time facing the crazy attack of Hollywood in the United States. The eight major film companies in the United States were in full swing, and their output and quality were the first in the world. The Grand Pass is unstoppable in Europe, and it is easy to deploy thousands of troops.
"Haha, I finally met the legendary up-and-coming director Mr. Smith, hello. I have watched your micro-movie "The Tuner" ten times, and I have new insights every time! You are really a genius!" Oss As soon as Mr. Dun took his seat, he put a top hat on Zhang Dongcheng, and his easy-going and infectious tone made people feel like a spring breeze. They couldn't help but believe that all his words came from the heart, and there was no half falsehood.
"You are too much, Mr. Auston." Zhang Dongcheng smiled, and shook hands with Auston firmly.
"I heard that you are planning to cast a new movie? I hope that Hammer Films will have this opportunity to have a sneak peek!" Auston is not only good at flattery, he is in business, and one success does not mean that Zhang Dongcheng will be able to Every battle must be won, so what he said can be said without revealing anything.
He didn't promise anything, but he seemed to promise something. This Alston can be said to be a mature man.
"No problem, I very much hope that this movie can bring something different to the British film industry." Zhang Dongcheng smiled and didn't care, and then Adaman wrote the script of "Two Smoking Barrels" Handed over.
Auston laughed, took the script excitedly, and looked down carefully.
The more he watched, the more alarmed Auston became. As the owner of a film company, although his professionalism may be weaker than those of professional managers, it is important to the market, the box office potential of the movie, and whether a movie can help his company. Making money is extremely sensitive and unparalleled.
Hammer Film Company was able to maintain the title of the most financially successful film company in the UK despite the impact and sweep of American films, all because of the vicious vision of the head.
Zhang Dongcheng remained calm, just stirring the coffee in front of him quietly, waiting quietly for Auston to give an answer.
Did you agree to make the film, or did you say no?
Zhang Dongcheng's mentality is very indifferent. The fan reaction and box office data of "Two Smoking Barrels" are all in his mind. This movie cannot fail, and it will only make the director of this movie a success!
While reading the script, I closed my eyes and imagined the scene presented on the screen. The most important thing is the audience's satisfaction with the scene, whether it can stimulate them to spend money to buy tickets, or get hooked after buying tickets. Shout out to the fare!
After reading the script, countless movie shots flashed through his mind, and the smile on Auston's face became more and more bright. He has fully agreed that once this movie is released, not to mention other regions, the whole of Britain will be crazy about it!
The strong London-style spoken language will make the whole British people feel friendly and natural, the exquisite structure will make movie fans feel overwhelmed, and the continuous accidents and typical British jokes will make the whole movie theater go crazy!
This is a super predictable movie full of black humor and British blood in its bones!
What a pity, why was it written by a Chinese? Auston was almost speechless, but his identity as a businessman made him quickly gather his mind and hand over his own answer.
"Very good, very good! I have nothing to say!" Alston pinched the corner of the dining table vigorously, and said excitedly: "I believe, I bet, this movie will definitely make money!"
It's a good thing that he is the boss of a movie company, so he chanted slogans like making money. If it was a dead-headed director who only thinks of art as the most important thing and hates the smell of copper, he would definitely jump up. He turned his head and left, disdain to be with him.
But Zhang Dongcheng can't. He has always insisted on the perfect combination of business and art. A director who doesn't make money is not a suitable idea for a director at all. Alluston's words just made him laugh it off.
"Hammer Films wants to invest in the production of this film, and is responsible for the film's promotional matters and release arrangements. Mr. Smith, it's your turn now, give us your conditions." Alston laughed loudly, indicating that now The initiative returned to Zhang Dongcheng's hands.
"Okay, I won't beat around the bush. For this movie, I need 2 million pounds for shooting and no less than 1 million pounds for promotion." Zhang Dongcheng tapped his coffee cup lightly.
"What? A total of 3 million pounds?" Alston was stunned, staring at Zhang Dongcheng, who had been resting up and down, and was puzzled with satisfaction.
"What? Is it too much?" Adaman answered without thinking.
"Of course, of course not, it's too little! How can there be a good movie that can be made with 3 million pounds these days? In addition to the complex structure of this movie, I think it will take at least 8 million pounds to achieve the best. The effect." Alston shook his head again and again.
Just kidding, movies are not just a play, props, venue rent, costumes, actors' remuneration, which part of the expenditure is not the big one? If you want to hire a superstar, you can fill in the 8 million pounds directly, and you don't need to do anything else!
Three million, not enough, definitely not enough!
Since the money is spent, we must spend it to the best. Oston believes that although there are many ways to save money in movies, for the sake of effect and to attract audiences, it is right to spend more money.
That's why he turned his back on the customer in a bit of a gaffe, and even told the other party not to save money for him!
"Hehe, Mr. Alston, don't get excited. I plan to use newcomers for this movie. The salary for the newcomers is very low, and I can guarantee that three million is enough to make the perfect "Two Smoking Barrels" You really don't have to worry." Zhang Dongcheng smiled, he is not the kind of person who takes investors' money for nothing, he just needs opportunities and someone who values his movies, at this stage, his top priority is to As soon as possible, while his fame is increasing, strike while the iron is hot and stage a movie.
Besides, "Two Smoking Barrels" was only shot by Guy Ritchie at a cost of 960,000 pounds three years later. Zhang Dongcheng, who is proud and arrogant, doesn't think that he has more than three times the investment, and it will be worse. A director who never studied in film school.
Three million, enough!
"Well, since you insist, what kind of remuneration do you want?" Auston no longer argued about this matter, but secretly decided to prepare several million pounds for this talented and ambitious man. the guy squandered, and asked calmly.
"Uh, let's share it, the box office share." Zhang Dongcheng thought for a while, and poured the coffee in front of him into his mouth.
What? Auston was taken aback again, and a wry smile appeared on his lips.