Chapter 641 - 632: The Pitfall of [Shanghai Fortress]
Chapter 641: Chapter 632: The Pitfall of [Shanghai Fortress]
Facing the narrator’s prompt, Su Qing was now able to maintain his composure.
Regardless of other things, at least through this prompt, Su Qing knew that the cooperation project the two brought today was probably a ’losing proposition.’
Otherwise known as a flop.
Actually, when he first had this idea, he knew he would encounter this situation. However, because of the narrator’s presence, he wasn’t afraid. Just like the stock market, the narrator could foresee the future, so naturally, there was no fear of losing money.
But looking at it now, it seemed a bit different.
If he felt a stock wasn’t good, he could sell it off the next day, and the loss would be negligible. But the current investment project was different, and it could even offend a lot of people.
At least initially, it would offend a group of people because he had long been aware that some depressed and unsuccessful directors would come to scam investments with the intention of letting things fall through.
Unexpectedly, those wanting to scam investments hadn’t arrived yet, but someone lacking a clear understanding of his ability did.
Su Qing naturally understood Teng Hua’s politeness but didn’t say much about it.
"Brother Wang, you’ve really impressed everyone this time. I’m also thinking about shooting a sci-fi film recently, and I might need your guidance!"
At the dinner table, Teng Hua raised a glass with a smile.
"No need to be so polite, Brother Teng. We’re just exchanging experiences, not guiding."
Wang Fan was very courteous. After all, he was a senior and had been in the directing field for many years, while Wang Fan was just a director who had recently come to prominence — he couldn’t act arrogant.
"Let me toast President Su and congratulate him on his growing wealth." At this time, producer Wang Tao also raised his glass to toast Su Qing.
But Su Qing’s response was rather plain, as he directly said, "Sorry, Brother Wang, I don’t drink!"
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere at the table became awkward. Seeing this, Tang Nan quickly said, "Brother Wang, the young man doesn’t know how to drink yet. How about I drink with you instead?"
"Uh... sure"
After saying that, the two of them drank a glass each, and Tang Nan nudged him under the table, but Su Qing didn’t react.
Before coming, Shen Yi had already told him that he was the client, the one spending the money, so why should he have to look at someone’s face?
Instead, seeing this, Teng Hua remarked, "Hey, drinking a few glasses is no big deal. How about I toast you?"
As he spoke, he went to pour him a drink, but Su Qing still covered his glass, saying, "I really can’t drink, sorry, Director Teng."
"Hey, are you not giving me any face? Come on, just one glass!"
Tang Nan nudged him under the table again, clearly signaling him to just take the drink for appearances’ sake.
But Su Qing simply shook his head with a smile and said, "Then I won’t give face!"
With those words, unlike earlier, the other four people at the table changed their expressions. It was important to note that Wang Tao’s status was only as a subordinate of Teng Hua’s, but now it was Teng Hua himself who offered a toast. Su Qing not giving any face came as a surprise to Tang Nan.
Because she didn’t think Su Qing was that kind of person, why did his words carry a thorn today?
Seeing this, Tang Nan quickly spoke again: "Brother Teng, my brother here, he’s young and really can’t handle alcohol — even a couple of drinks make him dizzy, and then nothing can be discussed. I’ll drink with you!"
First, this was to speak on behalf of Su Qing, second, to help Teng Hua save face, and third, as a warning: if you really make him drink, you won’t be able to talk about anything later.
After all, there’s an old saying that people don’t run to the Temple of the Three Treasures for nothing; it definitely makes sense.
Soon, after Tang Nan’s proactive efforts, the atmosphere in the private room improved a lot, but Su Qing still focused on eating with his head down, rarely speaking.
Director Wang, next to him, was astonished. He knew that while Su Qing wasn’t a heavyweight drinker, he could indeed drink somewhat, unlike now, without touching a drop.
At the same time, he seemed to have figured out the purpose of the two people’s visit today, because since the beginning of the meal, their conversation, under the guidance of Teng Hua and Wang Fan, had been focused on films, particularly sci-fi films. Coupled with the fact that Teng Hua initially mentioned he was also planning a sci-fi movie, the answer became apparent.
Sure enough, after a few rounds of drinks, seeing that Su Qing had no intention of participating in the conversation, Teng Hua thought it would be better to take the initiative.
"Brother Su, to be honest, I heard from Little Tang that you’re planning to set up a film investment company to invest in films. Interestingly, I recently got a script and want to shoot it — a sci-fi theme, with the crew already forming. Would you be interested in taking a look?" Director Teng inquired.
As soon as he said it, the people at the table directed their gazes toward him.
Su Qing, in response, leisurely took a sip of water. He never refused money-making projects, even though the narrator suggested that the person in front might not be capable, but there was no explicit warning.
After all, his narrator wouldn’t play guessing games; if it were viable, it was, and if it wasn’t, then it wasn’t. Thus, he smiled and said:
"Director Teng, you’re quite well-informed. I do have such plans, but at least let me know what you intend to shoot; otherwise, I can’t make a decision. If it seems promising, I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at it, whether it earns or loses money, it doesn’t matter to me."
Su Qing’s tone was very relaxed, without any sense of displeasure, and he was even a bit curious, which relieved both Director Teng and Tang Nan.
They thought Su Qing might refuse outright because of what happened earlier.
Seeing this, Teng Hua slapped his forehead: "Look at my brain, Tao, quickly take out the script and show it to him."
Next to him, Wang Tao quickly took out a script, which strikingly read ’Demon Capital Fortress’ in four bold characters.
The moment Su Qing saw the title of the script, the narrator in his mind began to speak:
"’Demon Capital Fortress,’ adapted from the novel of the same name, was originally a very excellent sci-fi work.
However, with the current domestic level of special effects, it’s difficult to achieve. Moreover, Teng Hua hired several very popular artists with high traffic to boost the box office, thus greatly reducing the budget for special effects.
Due to insufficient adaptation skills of the screenwriter, the movie’s total box office ended up being only about two hundred million, not enough even to cover the investment — a complete financial loss."
Listening to the narrator’s prompt in his mind, Su Qing felt entirely numb. This was a massive pitfall!
What did a two hundred million box office represent? ’Wandering Earth’ had a total investment of over three hundred million, with half of its box office revenue going to theaters and various taxes.
Put it this way, if his same investment of eighty million resulted in a final box office of only two hundred million, he could probably only recoup a few million, losing tens of millions for nothing. If this wasn’t a pitfall, then what was?
This couldn’t even be described as a pitfall anymore; it was downright a catastrophic flop.
Just as he was still shocked by the narrator tips, Teng Hua, beside him, couldn’t stop praising:
"Brother, sci-fi movies are so popular now; I assure you, this movie can’t be bad. Just like Brother Wang’s ’Wandering Earth,’ it’s adapted from a novel of the same name, set in Shanghai for more immersion.
Also, our investment this time won’t be small. My preliminary estimate is that the total investment should be at least 350 million, making it a high-budget production.
Furthermore, we are ensuring excellence in casting and will invite some well-known actors to support the box office. Even if it can’t compare with ’Wandering Earth,’ it won’t be a loss."
As Teng Hua continued speaking, Su Qing casually flipped through the script summary, roughly understanding the story it told.
To be honest, from a sci-fi perspective, the script lacked some creativity, but it couldn’t be said to be without merit; the script’s story was alright. After all, works that can be adapted wouldn’t be terrible but... a good work couldn’t withstand being sabotaged by the director, actors, and screenwriters.
With this in mind, Su Qing inquired: "So, Director Teng, which actors are you planning to cast?"
"For the male lead, we plan to invite Young Lu. He’s very popular right now — to drive the box office, and we’re also preparing to add a romantic subplot, which will definitely..."
As Teng Hua spoke with increasing excitement, Su Qing frowned repeatedly – a romance? Are you sure you want to include romance in a sci-fi film?
He didn’t know what the other was thinking, but he knew the other wasn’t foolish. What’s profitable? Naturally, it’s those romance stories, plus hot male artists, which are quite the draw, but Su Qing was just a bystander, not a fan of anyone, so he had no feelings toward those things.
Before Teng Hua could finish, Su Qing interrupted: "Director Teng, does romance really fit well within a sci-fi theme? Moreover, are you serious about these actors?"
Upon hearing this, Teng Hua paused, somewhat puzzled, and said, "Brother, do you think we shouldn’t use popular artists? But we indeed need them to drive the box office. Besides, we make movies to earn money, so what’s wrong with using popular artists?"
To this, Su Qing repeatedly waved his hand: "Director Teng, you misunderstood. I have no prejudice against popular artists or young idols. I just want to know how much you’re planning to pay them.
How much of the investment can be used for special effects? After all, it’s a sci-fi film, and sci-fi is the main theme. Without money for special effects, what sci-fi can there be? I don’t want my money to go down the drain."
Teng Hua: ...
The others: ...
...