Chapter 1051 Ghosts, Friends.

February 18, 2006.

Suncheon International Airport.

When Liu Chengzhang dragged two large suitcases out of the exit passage, the passengers on their flight were almost empty, and only a few passengers who had also waited for their luggage went out with him. Although no one noticed that he was a former great director, he subconsciously took out his sunglasses and put them on.

Over the years, although he felt that even reporters might not know him anymore, the fear of reporters and media reports from the bottom of his heart still made him a little nervous when he got off the plane.

This problem did not exist before, since "Sword Immortal" made a big splash and "Flying Sky" also made a small splash. The questions raised by those reporters were really too harsh. Even if they didn't answer, they just heard , will make people angry, and Liu Chengzhang has always been a clumsy person. It is difficult to directly shoot at the reporter like Zhao Meicheng, so he just wants to avoid the reporter.

When he walked out of the exit, it should be that the people who caught the next flight were about to come out. Many people outside held signs and looked in on their toes, so Liu Chengzhang lowered his head and walked out quickly.

At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly called out, "Old Liu, this way!"

Liu Chengzhang glanced up subconsciously, saw the man clearly, couldn't help being stunned for a moment, then showed a sincere smile, and walked over to him. The two met, and Liu Chengzhang asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"

It was Fang Baijin who came to pick him up. His old buddy, his old partner.

At this time Fang Baijin smiled and said: "You said the time of the ticket, I checked it online, and I knew it was this flight, and my sister-in-law is not here, of course I will come to pick you up."

Liu Chengzhang grinned and said, "I haven't told my manager yet."

Fang Baijin nodded and said, "Understood."

The two went out to the airport, and soon found Fang Baijin's car in the parking lot - he actually drove an SUV, which was really convenient for packing luggage.

After sitting in the car, Liu Chengzhang looked at his car and asked, "When did you change the car?"

Fang Baijin smiled and said, "I borrowed it from the company."

Liu Chengzhang nodded when he heard the words, and stopped asking.

When the car drove onto the airport expressway, he had already lit a cigarette, opened the window a crack, felt the dry and cold Chinese air outside, sniffed his nose subconsciously, and suddenly said: "The last time we talked, didn't you You said you are busy recently, but there is no need to come!"

Fang Baijin laughed when he heard the words, "I have to be busy when I'm busy, but it's okay to take a break from the busy schedule to meet friends!"

Liu Chengzhang laughed.

After a while, he asked: "Zhao He's Journey to the West film, is it finished?"

Fang Baijin nodded, and replied without looking sideways while driving: "The filming is over! It was shot a few years ago. Now I am nervously working on the post-production! But I can't take it easy, whether it is the company or Zhaohe. , which means that I want to shoot the second part directly. It is estimated that it will start in April, and I will still be the producer."

Liu Chengzhang was stunned for a moment when he heard the words, then turned his head to look at him, his eyes were bright, and he looked very happy, "Okay, you, that's great! That's great!"

After a pause, he said, "Li Qian trusts you enough!"

Fang Baijin smiled, he could feel that the old friend was happy for him.

Then, he said: "The first part is called "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons". It is about the part where Tang Sanzang accepts three apprentices. The name of the second part has not yet been decided. It may be called "The Demon Subduing Chapter", or it may be called Mrs. Bone Bone. The filming of the Bone Essence, looking at it now, the filming cycle is probably from April to August. When this film is finished, what Li Qian means is to let me take over Jin Han's "A Chinese Ghost Story" and shoot the second part , Said it was for me to practice."

Hearing that his good friend was going to be a director, Liu Chengzhang's face was even more surprised - he had been with Fang Baijin for many years, so he knew the ability of his old friend, but he had been an art director with him for many years, and he saw the opportunity. I was able to push him out, but it was a pity that "Sword Immortal" pounced, and then "Flying Apsaras" pounced again. He felt that his own words had no weight, so of course it was not easy to push him out.

At this time, he couldn't help but sighed, "Li Qian has a good sense of people! Good! Good thing! You are finally going to start to be your own!"

Fang Baijin laughed.

But at this moment, Liu Chengzhang finally seemed to be unable to bear it any longer, and asked: "Your Minghu Culture, do you always prepare for a sequel from the very beginning when you make films? Isn't "A Chinese Ghost Story" not released yet? Is it? Already started preparations for the second part? Zhao He’s Journey to the West movie, will the second part even be made before the first one? Doesn’t this...do you think it’s a big risk?”

Fang Baijin laughed when he heard this.

He started as a producer and art director before joining Minghu Culture, and participated in the filming of "Dragon Inn". Later, he joined Minghu Culture and participated in the production of "A Chinese Ghost Story" filmed by Jin Han in 2005. Immediately afterwards, he joined Zhao He's crew and became the producer of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons". So today, he has a deep understanding of the operating rules, systems, and habits of the Minghu Culture Film and Television Department.

Before that, it was often said that Hollywood producers must squeeze out the oil and water of any theme and any movie, and knock out the last copper coin. Therefore, Hollywood producers are the most important. Would love to make a sequel to the big hit movie. But in fact, Minghu Culture has already started the layout of "serial drama movies" since Li Qian started making movies.

After the "Huang Feihong" series verified that this production idea is also feasible in China, many of Minghu Culture's current projects have been directly planned according to the trilogy from the beginning of production.

Therefore, there will definitely be a third part in the "Once Upon a Time" series, and there will definitely be a sequel to "The Matrix". It is even said that the "Avatar", which Li Qian just spent 500 million yuan to shoot, plans to have a sequel Well, that's taken for granted, whether it's "A Chinese Ghost Story" or the "Journey to the West" series, they've all been considered and planned from the very beginning to produce at least a trilogy.

Of course, some of these matters have involved commercial secrets. Although the relationship between each other is excellent, Fang Baijin also believes in Liu Chengzhang's character, but he still does not intend to go too deep, so he simply explained: "Commercial operation Well! In fact, it’s just a way to maximize profits. As long as the story is good, the movie will look good and the audience will like it. In my opinion, it’s quite normal. As for the risks..."

Speaking of this, he laughed, and even couldn't help turning his head to look at Liu Chengzhang, and said with a smile: "To tell you the truth, although any film of Minghu Culture will conduct a certain market research before production, it is used to avoid There may be risks, but... as long as Li Qian makes a decision and says that this play can be done, basically we all think that this play should be risk-free... Do you understand what this means?"

Liu Chengzhang was stunned for a moment, and then laughed.

He nodded slowly, but his face suddenly became more bitter.

Yes, he understands.

Over the years, Li Qian has made a hit, and even the ones he wrote and produced, all sold well.

Not to mention that those inside Hu Culture who have followed him to fight the world from the beginning will listen to him. If it is possible, even some people who have always been enemies with Li Qian would like to let Li Qian die before the filming starts. Help to read the script, or help with the production or something.

All his past achievements support the authority of his views.

Before his first failure, this authority was one of the most reliable things in the entire Chinese film circle. Famous actors are not necessarily reliable, and great directors are not necessarily reliable, but Li Qian said that this film The play will be popular, but it will be generally regarded as very reliable.

At this time, seeing that Liu Chengzhang hadn't spoken for a while, Fang Baijin subconsciously turned his head to take a look, but happened to see the bitter smile on Liu Chengzhang's face.

So he quickly changed the subject and asked: "Finally back, do you want to go back?"

Liu Chengzhang shook his head, withdrew from the emotional thoughts just now, and said: "I won't go back! After staying for this period of time, I have gained a lot, and I have to digest it well."

Fang Baijin nodded and stopped talking.

At the beginning, the box office of "Flying Apsaras" was not ideal, and Liu Chengzhang was very distressed. He knew this very well, so after staying behind closed doors for a while, he made the unexpected decision: simply pack your bags and get a passport He went straight to the United States. Then, without telling anyone, he found a job in Los Angeles, where he worked as a dramatist and as a photography assistant, and he went there for seven or eight months. Fang Baijin knew through chatting with QQ on the phone before that he has stayed in several Hollywood film crews.

Of course, although he is a well-known director in China, when he arrived in Hollywood, it is estimated that no one knew him when he was working as a screen manager and a camera assistant.

He said he was going to see Hollywood.

After "Sword Immortal" suffered a fiasco at the box office, he went to Europe to stay for several months, traveling and thinking, and when he came back to shoot "Flying Apsaras", I can feel that he thought about a lot of things, although that movie was still not good enough. It was too successful, but as a partner, Fang Baijin could feel some kind of transformation in him.

He especially looks forward to Liu Chengzhang's better transformation after returning from his "part-time job" in Hollywood this time.

Seeing that the car had already entered the urban area of ​​Shuntian Prefecture, Fang Baijin said: "I'll take you home first, you settle your luggage, rest, and we two have a drink and chat in the evening. I really want to know that I will go to the United States for a stay After so long, what have you learned. In addition, you can also talk about your future plans."

Liu Chengzhang smiled when he heard the words, and slumped on the seat. After a while, he couldn't help but took out another cigarette, wanting to smoke, then looked at Fang Baijin, and asked, "Did you bring a cigarette?"

Fang Baijin took out his cigarette and lighter from his pocket, so Liu Chengzhang took it, and then threw the pack of cigarettes he brought back from the United States into the glove box. He took out a domestic cigarette and lit it. He took a good puff and said with a smile: "It's still our domestic flue-cured tobacco, which tastes right!"

Fang Baijin laughed when he heard this.

Smoking, stunned for a long time, Liu Chengzhang suddenly said: "I'm coming back this trip, and I'm going to join Li Qian!"

Fang Baijin froze for a moment when he heard the words, then turned to look at Liu Chengzhang in surprise.

"Really? Why did you suddenly figure it out?"

They are very familiar with each other, and have cooperated for quite a while, although later because Li Qian was not optimistic about "Sword Immortal" and told the truth, Liu Chengzhang was unhappy, so the relationship between the two of them is still difficult to recover. Back then, they were intimate and talked about everything, but it was that scene that made everyone understand each other better—Li Qian thought Liu Chengzhang was a "ghost", and Liu Chengzhang said Li Qian was a "friend".

Of course, Liu Chengzhang was stubborn, and Li Qian was desperate for face. They both praised each other in front of others' backs, but when they met each other, there were only two greetings of acquaintance nodding.

As early as during the filming of "Sword Fairy", Li Qian was invited by Liu Chengzhang to be a guest star. The three of them drank and chatted at night. Li Qian said that he hoped that Liu Chengzhang would go to Minghu Culture to help take charge of the film and television department. Qian also expressed the hope that the film could be handed over to Minghu Culture for production and investment, and he would be the producer and supervisor—Liu Chengzhang declined successively.

For the first time, "Sword Fairy" hadn't been released yet. Liu Chengzhang was filming the film with the largest investment in the Chinese film industry at that time, and he himself was the box office record holder for domestic films. At that time, Minghu Culture was still in film and television. He is quite weak and has just started. Although Liu Chengzhang appreciates Li Qian himself, he doesn't care about Minghu Culture's invitation.

During the second time, Minghu culture was on the rise, Li Qian had achieved a great reputation, and his prediction of "Sword Immortal" was also proved to be extremely correct-this almost became a scar in Liu Chengzhang's heart.

In fact, Li Qian asked Minghu Culture to invest and produce, and he went to give Liu Chengzhang the conditions of being a producer and producer, which was also unacceptable to Liu Chengzhang, who was arrogant and trying to prove himself at the time-to be clear, Li Qian wants to limit his power as a director.

This shows that Li Qian actually doesn't trust his directing ability and production ability! That's why I wanted to personally check "Flying Apsaras" that was in preparation for him at the time.

However, when "Flying Apsaras" was released, the two completely broke off contact.

Li Qian didn't call to comfort or explain. He just called Fang Baijin and told him to spend more time with Lao Liu, while Liu Chengzhang just stayed behind closed doors.

Then, Liu Chengzhang left and went to the United States to "work" while Li Qian began to ascend to the altar.

…………

Liu Chengzhang nodded slowly, pursed his lips, and after a long time, he said, "I figured it out!"

He opened the window, watched the smoke being sucked away quickly, flicked the ash, and then said slowly: "I found that I am a director who needs a little restraint. Because I am too easy to be unconstrained."

This is almost exactly the same as what Li Qian told Fang Baijin in private!

Fang Baijin was a little dazed.

At this time, Liu Chengzhang said: "I know Li Qian is very busy. Later, you can make an appointment for me to see when he has time. I want to go to Minghu Culture and sit with him!"

Fang Baijin immediately said: "No problem!"