Chairman Han definitely did not shout to Shen Zhenghui on behalf of himself, and there were naturally other leading figures behind him. Of course, his views naturally also influence the judgment of the leader. Since CCTV News has helped Shen Zhenghui to do some kind of publicity, it is natural for the leaders to know some of the details, including whether the two hundred million dollars are real and what the composition is, and the leaders can also see a very professional report. Even how "Magic Apprentice" will be filmed, there will be professionals who will analyze it and report it to the leaders.

Obviously, this is a big production, traveled to four countries, just look at the novel's description of several countries to know how spectacular it will be to shoot it realistically, even if you use special effects shooting, special effects synthesis and other technologies, the real set will not be so-so, not to mention that the sufficient budget of 200 million US dollars allows almost everyone to know that where this film is filmed will greatly boost the local GDP, not to mention that the scenery may be reused, and it can be converted into a film and television city and attractions in the future. So Chairman Han personally made this call. It's easy to understand why Sony and Columbia's crews didn't include China as a filming location to consider in the first place, because they were looking for a Caucasian country, which would be easy to do with actor recruitment or other things, and even Shen Zhenghui didn't realize that China was a place to consider at first, because he also envisioned New Zealand at the beginning, after all, Peter Jackson set a successful example there, and Cameron also filmed Avatar there in the future.

But at this time, Chairman Han's phone call made Shen Zhenghui suddenly open a new brain hole, although China has all kinds of unfavorable conditions, but it also has many favorable conditions: the first is the relationship, with the relationship that has been established with Chinese officialdom, it is definitely easier to do things in China; The second is that construction materials and labor are cheap, especially Wang Anping is still specialized in real estate. Pulling a team to do the movie set is not a problem at all; The third is that the cost of filming is cheap, and in the future, the United States will criticize the Chinese for depressing the exchange rate, so if the dollar is converted into yuan against huàn and then consumed in China, it is enough to save money for the crew.

The disadvantage is that it is a very troublesome project to recruit a lot of actors and send them to China, and then it is also a big problem to manage the crew well in China, at least not to let these guys smoke marijuana or something.

But if you realize that shooting in China can save you money compared to shooting in New Zealand or elsewhere. Shen Zhenghui had enough motivation and motivation to promote such a plan, and he almost immediately took Chairman Han's call seriously, he took a fountain pen, and while talking to Chairman Han, he recorded the preferential conditions, and even told Chairman Han directly about the preferential conditions that he had already obtained in other places, and then asked, "The mainland can give me tax refunds and ensure the convenience of my actors' entry and exit." Have you already provided a good shooting location and allowed us to build? He asked a series of questions and conditions, which made Chairman Han on the other end of the phone dizzy, and in the end, both of them took pens on the other end of the phone to record the gist of what the other party said.

"Well," Shen Zhenghui said, "I'll ask people from Sony and Colombia to come to Pyeongjing to meet Chairman Han and talk to you specifically?" ”

Nima. What's the point of talking to me about that? Chairman Han almost wanted to drop the phone, but he thought of the leader's concern and the temptation of the $200 million. He still held back and said, "That's it, I'll report to the leader, it's best for the official leader to come forward and give you a clear answer to this work, of course, I recommend yì, not just Sony and Colombian people." You'd better visit in person. ”

"Am I here in person?" Shen Zhenghui was a little hesitant, "I'm a director." ”

"You're an investor, too!" Chairman Han said, "If there is no factor in this matter, do you think the leaders will care?" So it's best to come in person. ”

Shen Zhenghui pondered it for a while, and felt that the meaning of going there in person was indeed different. So he nodded and agreed, but before that, he still gave Chairman Han a vaccination, "But the main investment in this film is still Sony and Columbia, and my personal voice is not too big, I can mention this proposal to them, but to say that the final decision is still made by them foreigners." ”

Chairman Han naturally understands this.

Putting down the phone, Shen Zhenghui immediately began to call frantically again, he first communicated with Fukuda Mitsumi about this matter, first of all, this is to obtain her support, Fukuda Mitsumi didn't care about this issue, just asked lightly, "Can China find a suitable place?" ”

"Of course," Shen Zhenghui replied, "For example, in the northwest and northeast, the land is vast and sparsely populated, and you can build a lot of land by randomly dividing a piece of wasteland, grassland, wasteland, mountains, etc., all kinds of terrain, the key is that it will be very cheap in construction and manpower." ”

"And what about land use fees?" Mitsumi Fukuda asked the key question, "How are they going to calculate the land price?" ”

"I don't think they will take our money," Shen replied, "just leave the buildings on the ground to them when the time comes." ”

"That's not good," Mitsumi Fukuda said immediately, she immediately thought of a condition and said, "We can fund a joint venture with the local government or enterprises to engage in a film or television or tourism development, and then if we want to shoot a sequel, or this place can be reused as a film and television shooting base, what do you think?" ”

"It's ...... Good! Shen Zhenghui was a little confused, "You reacted quite quickly." ”

"This is also a good opportunity to enter the mainland market," Mitsumi Fukuda continued, "Why don't you ask Wang Anping, I think it's a good investment, and then when the film is filmed, the crew rents the shooting space from the film and television base, and if the price is cheaper than New Zealand, Sony and Colombia will not care, and we can get a landing industry." You hurry up and call Wang Anping to get in touch, she is familiar with how to do real estate. ”

I am also familiar with how to do real estate. Shen Zhenghui thought to himself, he even thought that he could directly use this project to get a mortgage from the bank, and he didn't need to pay for the construction at all, but he had his own share of what was built, and the local government would definitely be satisfied that such a project could drive up land prices. They will also be able to share the rent through the project. This is how Hengdian and Western Studios came up, if it weren't for the Western-style style of this movie, Shen Zhenghui wouldn't even want to build it himself.

He put down the phone and didn't call Wang Anping first, but first called the producers of Sony and Columbia, and when the two producers heard the official news from China's largest film and television group, their first reaction was: Really?

But when it was confirmed that filming in China could indeed save more money than in New Zealand. They seemed excited, and although there were many other things to consider, the two guys instinctively felt that this was a good thing.

"So they can promise a tax refund?"

"I don't think it's a big problem, even if you don't get a tax refund, the cost is definitely much cheaper than in New Zealand."

"But we're going to take a lot of people with us."

"But if it's New Zealand, we also have to take a lot of people, everywhere, and New Zealand can't provide us with too many actors, even extras."

"We don't have to pay extra for setting up a location in the area?" That's what Mark Gordon cares about.

"I don't think there's a problem. It depends on what kind of agreement the Chinese side reaches with us," Shen Zhenghui replied, "You must know that the place where we set up the location for filming must be a vast and sparsely populated place, and the local government will definitely welcome us to help them with construction, and there will be a lot of preferential conditions." ”

Needless to say, even though Mark Gordon and Thomas are professional filmmakers, they know that China has enough preferential conditions for foreign investment. Otherwise, the world's capital will not rush to invest in China.

"The person who called me was the CEO of China Film Group, and I think you all know him. Also know his identity and status. Shen Zhenghui said, "I think it is necessary for the three of us to go to China together and have a good talk with some big figure in the government and reach an agreement, which is beneficial to everyone." ”

As producers who work to save money and shoot smoothly, it's acceptable for them to do a little more work. So the three of them agreed on a meeting time on the phone, Mark Gordon and Thomas are still busy with the casting work, they will try their best to take time to come to Japan to meet Shen Zhenghui, and by the way, lead some actors to Japan to receive training first, and the actors have not yet seen the complete story. When filming the first part, it is best to give them a full understanding of the whole story, and the screenwriting team with the original author will take on this responsibility.

After putting down the phone, Shen Zhenghui dialed Wang Anping's phone again, and Shen Zhenghui was direct enough to Wang Anping, "Sister Wang, did you mention to me that I should go to China to make a film?" ”

Wang Anping's tone was still a little lazy, Shen Zhenghui had been busy all morning, but listening to Wang Anping's voice, she seemed to have just gotten up, "What film?" Aren't you preparing to shoot Apprentice in Magic? I've seen the news, what kind of movie are you going to make in China? ”

Shen Zhenghui judged from Wang Anping's reaction that she didn't know, so it was necessary to give a comprehensive introduction to the whole thing, "Of course, I came to China to shoot "Magic Apprentice," Shen Zhenghui replied, "In fact, this is a misunderstanding, as long as you can set up a scene, it will be the same anywhere in the world." ”

Shen Zhenghui could hear the earth-shattering voice on the other end of the phone, it seemed that Wang Anping hit the door or the wall because she was too excited, and then she asked in an excited tone, "You mean you are going to come to China to shoot and build a film and television city in China for "The Magic Apprentice"?" ”

"It's not as exaggerated as the film and television city, because this is the first one, if the effect is good and the subsequent sequel continues to be filmed, then the whole film will probably be able to constitute a film and television city after the filming is completed." Shen Zhenghui replied.

", why didn't you say this kind of thing earlier?" Wang Anping shouted on the other end of the phone, "In this way, you sue me to choose the site, and I will negotiate with the local government to set up a film and television city limited company to be responsible for the management and subsequent operation of this film and television city, and you will stand on my side to help me speak." Wang Anping's brain was spinning as fast as Mitsumi Fukuda, "This must be hurried, and when the news spreads, there will be more people who want to intervene." You send someone to pick a place right away! ”

"I don't have the final say on this alone," Shen Zhenghui was also a little anxious, "I also called me just now Chairman Han called me and I knew that the senior management had this plan, I just talked to people from Sony and Colombia on the phone." At that time, we will come to China, and whether we can negotiate it or not will also be based on the attitude of Sony and Colombia. ”

"With your Fukuda Mitsumi here, how can Sony not approve." Wang Anping's tone was much more domineering, "Let's send someone to see it first, it's nothing to prepare in advance." I guess you'll choose the northeast and northwest places, and I'll contact the local army first and ask them to do a preliminary screening first. That's it, hey, if it's not this kind of film, it's good to put it directly in Wuyue Province. ”

Shen Zhenghui felt that the development of this matter was too weird, and at this moment, the control of the matter was no longer in his hands, and he wanted to change the topic. So he asked tentatively, "How is Enron doing now?" ”

"It's not bad," Wang Anping's tone relaxed, "I was promoted to be the secretary of the leader, it is said that it is because I have unique ideas in economic development, and some time ago Wu Yue Province issued a ten-year plan, which is mainly responsible for the planning of the cultural industry and Internet enterprises." Listening to Wang Anping's tone, he looked a little relieved. Thank you a lot for that. ”

"Thank you a lot to be true." Shen Zhenghui said, "Although it seems that you still make a lot of money in the real estate business. But in another ten years, you will have enough capital invested in the Internet to squander for several lifetimes. ”

Wang Anping's tone became relaxed, "That's not to thank you more!" After a pause, she added, "So be it." I'm here to contact Fukuda Guangmei, the investment in the scenic film and television city is still more complicated, and you can only use your name when necessary, and let your Hong Kong company come forward to be a shareholder when the time comes, and I will also explain to Fukuda Guangmei. ”

Shen Zhenghui put down the phone and couldn't help but be a little confused. When did the relationship between Wang Anping and Mitsumi Fukuda become so good?

Capitalist society is so sensitive to profit that after Shen Zhenghui conveyed the news to Sony and Colombia, they began their own news investigation and public relations activities in the Pingjing office, and soon they knew much more about the news than Shen Zhenghui.

The cause of the incident was naturally a CCTV news report, and a high-ranking official in charge of culture - a figure at the level of vice minister, after seeing the news and understanding the things behind the news, naturally thought that since the screenwriter (original) of this film is Chinese and the director is Chinese, is it possible that this film was shot in China? Once he opened this brain hole, he could no longer close it, but instead associated with a series of benefits: the most direct benefit is that a large part of the filming cost of the film is consumed in China, which can effectively boost the local GDP, even if the minister does not know the example of building a film and television city in order to shoot the film, he also knows what kind of help a large crew can cause to the local economy; Then, again, this is a great political achievement, even if the boss is changed now, and the representative of advanced culture is not mentioned, this does not mean that the boss will not like this kind of thing that promotes the achievements of cultural undertakings, especially even if the film is not well made and fails, its investors are foreigners, the director is not in the system, and the subject matter has nothing to do with the system, so it cannot be regarded as a failure of the management agency, on the contrary, the cooperation of the management agency through guò this time reflects our open side, There may be more such collaborations in the future.

Of course, the minister would prefer that the film be a success, so that his achievements will be a little greater. Thinking of this, he called the film administration directly. The film management department is worried about the current situation of Chinese films, they are born to be scolded, they are scolded if they manage it well, and they are scolded if they manage it poorly, and the achievements of the film industry have nothing to do with them. But in the face of the kind of political achievements mentioned by the minister, they did not hesitate to step forward to brush up, especially Shen Zhenghui and they are also close to each other, and they are not soft.

So the minister perfected his ideas and reported to the higher leaders, and the higher leaders were naturally interested in this kind of thing that was beneficial and famous, so Chairman Han was entrusted with the specific operation, because it was not appropriate for this kind of thing to be brought forward by high-level government leaders at the beginning.

The deep relationship between Sony and Colombia quickly figured out the inside story, and they even inquired that many state-owned enterprises and private enterprises that heard the wind were interested in interfering, whether it was the cooperation of funds or personnel, and they even found out that many well-informed areas had begun to fight for filming locations, and Sony and Colombia had not yet expressed their position, and the bureaucrats and film and television capital groups in the mainland seemed to have been unable to sit still and began to work hard to promote the success of this matter.

Of course, on the surface, the official attitude is still calm and sincere.

Sony and Colombia have already begun to think about how to offer preferential terms, and Shen's arrival in Pingjing has been the best catalyst. He was accompanied by his assistant director Miyamoto, but Miyamoto was picked up by Mitsumi Fukuda as soon as he got off the plane to explore the natural scenes in the northeast and northwest suitable for filming.

Chairman Han also began formal contact with Sony, Columbia, and Kasuga, and China Film was entrusted to cooperate with the three parties at the capital level, and then the official film bureau came forward by a leader to endorse the preferential conditions of the entire project.

Sony and Colombia have obtained tax rebates, special care for the entry and exit of actors, opening up green channels and other preferential treatments, and even they don't have to pay all the money for the construction of the film's set.

The crew only needs to contribute 30% of the set to use the set for free, and Sony and Colombia have asked for this condition to be extended to the completion of the entire series, and the Chinese side has generously agreed. It is stipulated in the contract that subsequent contracts can be concluded on the same terms, but this preferential condition also has a time limit, that is, ten years.

Even if only one film is filmed because of the street fighting, the Chinese side will gain two film and television cities.

While Sony and Columbia were happy, Wang Anping and Mitsumi Fukuda were also celebrating. (To be continued......)