Chapter 1893: Start of Filming

In this world, some people may never get a chance in their lifetime. They lack the ability to seize opportunities, but if given a little sunshine, they might still break through the soil, push aside the boulders overhead, and grow into towering trees.

Zhao Fusheng was that kind of person.

Perhaps in his previous life he was a complete failure, but now, Zhao Fusheng was a success.

So, he didn't want to repeat the same mistakes.

"I have no objection to hype."

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng and said slowly, "I just want to know, to what extent?"

Clearly, he also had his limits.

"After filming starts."

Zhao Fusheng said calmly, "Before filming begins, this film must have buzz. After filming starts, for two or three months, we won't arrange anything temporarily, but after shooting ends, we'll definitely hype it again."

As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Wen without any sign of backing down: "You know, I have to be responsible for the investment."

Jiang Wen remained silent.

He naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.

Zhao Fusheng was the investor, with 150 million in investment and the efforts of several companies at stake.

In other words, even if the two were friends, Zhao Fusheng couldn't let Jiang Wen do as he pleased.

He needed to be responsible for others.

Jiang Wen naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant, nodded, and said nothing more.

He tacitly agreed.

Although Jiang Wen was a man with artistic pursuits, he wasn't stupid. As Zhao Fusheng said, with such a large project, he couldn't let everything go according to Jiang Wen's whims.

Even if the two were good friends, it was the same.

The dinner party ended quickly. Ge You and Fa Ge were sent off by their assistants, while Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen sat together in the car.

"Where to?"

Zhao Fusheng said to Jiang Wen.

"Your place."

Jiang Wen thought for a moment and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, and the car drove toward his home.

Sitting in the car, Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng, "Do you have confidence in this film?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled upon hearing this: "Of course I do. This is a script we wrote together."

"Then why do you still want to hype it?"

Jiang Wen asked, puzzled.

Clearly, he didn't quite understand Zhao Fusheng's approach.

With outsiders present earlier, he hadn't been able to say much, but now he voiced his doubts.

Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly and said to Jiang Wen, "How much box office do you think this film can achieve?"

Jiang Wen frowned: "Just with us few, three to five hundred million should be no problem, right?"

This was a collaboration of the most bankable male stars in the entire Chinese film and television circle. If they couldn't even achieve three to five hundred million in box office, it would be embarrassing for both investors and actors.

"Three to five hundred million?"

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes speechlessly. If the film's box office was only three to five hundred million, he would be losing a lot.

"What, too low?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's expression, Jiang Wen knew his answer wasn't satisfactory.

"Forget it. Just focus on filming well. I'll handle the rest."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand, not intending to continue the topic. There was no need to discuss box office at this point.

Arriving at Zhao Fusheng's home, Jiang Wen found to his dismay that his wife and child had gone shopping and hadn't returned yet.

"How about you stay here too?"

Zhao Fusheng said to Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen shook his head: "Forget it, I'll go home."

Clearly, he knew he had no time to spend with his family. With filming about to start, he had too many things to attend to.

"Alright."

Zhao Fusheng nodded, said nothing more, and saw Jiang Wen out.

...

...

Time passed quickly, and soon it was March 31st.

"Tomorrow is the start-of-filming ceremony. Any thoughts?"

Ye Jing sat in the office and asked Zhao Fusheng.

In recent days, news about the film "Bullet" had dominated the front pages of all newspapers. For a time, everyone was paying attention to this film.

After all, it was an unprecedented investment in the entire Chinese film circle.

"No thoughts."

Zhao Fusheng said calmly to Ye Jing, "We've done all the preparations. The rest doesn't need our concern."

"Huh?"

Ye Jing was taken aback; he hadn't expected that.

Originally, he thought Zhao Fusheng would be keen on hyping the film's news, but now, after such intense early hype, Zhao Fusheng had given up just as filming was about to start.

"A film is a film."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Ye Jing, "Often, our early preparations are for the later filming. Now that we're about to start, I shouldn't interfere with the rest."

Then, looking at Ye Jing, he said, "You too. Once filming begins, we just need to handle the logistics. Leave everything else to Old Jiang, understand?"

He was mainly worried that Ye Jing might cause trouble for Jiang Wen.

After all, there would inevitably be disagreements between a producer and a director.

For example, investors would consider how to make the film more profitable, while as a director, Jiang Wen needed to consider the film's artistic value.

This conflict existed not only between the two of them but throughout the entire film circle.

Although Ye Jing and Jiang Wen were good friends, and Jiang Wen was also a representative of the investors, this issue would still inevitably arise.

That's why Zhao Fusheng brought it up to Ye Jing at this time.

Ye Jing frowned and remained silent for a long time, but eventually nodded: "I understand."

He wasn't stupid; he knew what Zhao Fusheng meant.

Although Ye Jing felt this approach was somewhat inappropriate, he still followed Zhao Fusheng's advice.

After all, with an investment of 150 million, to Zhao Fusheng it might just be one of his projects. Even if it lost money, it wouldn't be a major blow.

But for Future Film, this was indeed a project that could determine its survival.

If it failed, the losses and pressure Future Film would face would be unprecedented. Although Ye Jing could seek support from the parent company, he didn't want to ask.

After all, Future Film was his career.

"Trust me, this time we will succeed."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Ye Jing and smiled.

He could tell that Ye Jing was a bit nervous; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so quiet.

Ye Jing smiled bitterly. To be honest, if Zhao Fusheng hadn't stopped him, he would have followed the crew to Sichuan to shoot.

"Alright, trust me."

Zhao Fusheng said to Ye Jing again.

Regardless, no one knew better than him how much box office "Let the Bullets Fly" had achieved in the original timeline. Without exaggeration, that film could be said to have ushered in the golden age of Chinese cinema.

Starting with "Bullet," Chinese films began to achieve box office of one billion or more, gradually becoming the second-largest and then the largest film market in the world.

Increasing attention and capital entered the film market, also promoting its prosperity.

Of course, along with this, the circle became increasingly chaotic. The emergence of young idols and traffic stars gradually changed the nature of the increasingly complex entertainment industry in the internet age.

Zhao Fusheng couldn't change all this. He wasn't a god, nor did he have that ability.

All he could do was let things take their course and use the power he had to do what he could.

"By the way, regarding distribution and promotion."

Zhao Fusheng recalled a very important issue and said to Ye Jing, "Remember, this time we won't engage in any underhanded tactics, understand?"

So-called underhanded tactics naturally referred to certain unspoken rules in the circle. Although not very familiar, Zhao Fusheng knew a bit about them.

After all, he had so many insiders around him.