I’m Really a Superstar - Chapter 1630
Chapter 1630: The funding is in place!
Translator: Legge Editor: Legge
One day.
Two days.
Zhang Ye started getting busy with raising money for the production.
Call after call, he checked with everyone he could.
…
“Hello, CEO Zhou.”
“Oh, it’s Teacher Zhang, haha.”
“I am going to make a movie, are you interested?”
“Ah? Make a movie? That’s great. I’m quite interested.”
“I would like to approach you to make an investment for it.”
“Who are you working with this time? Director Li? Does Director Li still need to get investors for his films?”
“No, I’m filming the movie myself. I’ll be acting and directing.”
“What? Filming it yourself?”
“Yes.”
“This—”
…
“CEO Hu, there’s something I would like to discuss with you.”
“Please speak, Director Zhang.”
“Please give me some funding.”
“Funding? Are you making another TV series? Hur hur, why would you need to make pitches for investments for your TV series? Just a word from you, and we would send the money straight on over.”
“It’s not a TV series but a movie production.”
“You’re making a movie?”
“Yes.”
“Uh, if it’s that, then forget it. There has been a downturn in our domestic film market’s box office earnings these days, so we’re not dipping our toes into the industry for now.
“Alright, I’ll ask someone else then.”
…
“CEO Chen, how about it?”
“Are you really going to make a movie?”
“Of course!”
“You want a 200-million-yuan investment?”
“I’ll need at least 200 million.”
“A 200-million-yuan investment, could you be thinking of making a 3D movie? You’re making a 3D movie as your directorial film debut? Teacher Zhang, it’s not that I don’t believe in your abilities, but that’s 200 million we’re talking about. Our company alone can’t fork out such a sum. Why not allow us to invest a few million instead? You can get a few dozen more companies and we can all bear the risk together?”
“Forget it then.”
…
One company.
Five companies.
Ten companies.
Zhang Ye had approached almost every investment company and movie studio that he knew in the entertainment circle, but he still did not manage to pull in any money in the end. Everyone was either scared off by Zhang Ye’s desire to be a film director, or scared off by the title of “Wolf Warrior 2,” or if not, scared off by the huge investment amount needed for a 3D movie. Although some were willing to put in the money, they were at most willing to spend several million RMB as an investment sum. That would be totally useless as there would be too many investors required to raise the full sum. In that case, if every party were to point him in the direction they wanted the movie to be made in, Zhang Ye wouldn’t be able to make the movie at all.
No money?
What could he do then?
Without any money, there was nothing he could do.
Back at home.
Zhang Ye paced around the house with his hands behind his back.
His parents and parents-in-law were also here today.
His mother said in astonishment, “Kid, are you really serious about making a movie?”
Zhang Ye said, “Of course I’m serious. I’ve even written the script already.”
“You’ve never made a movie before, though.” His father said helplessly, “Even if you’re taking it up with that Hollywood director, you shouldn’t be taking such a gamble.”
Zhang Ye laughed and said, “Not only am I taking it up with them, I’m also trying to do a little something for our domestic film industry.”
Li Qinqin asked worriedly, “No one is investing any money in the production yet?”
Zhang Ye acknowledged and said, “The main issue is that I have no connections with the entertainment companies. From the moment I debuted, I’ve been on my own. Moreover, this is my first time making a movie, so it’s very normal for the investors to not trust me. Besides, most of the investors already have their own production studios and artists, so of course they would prioritize their own people when making movies. I’m also making a 3D movie that requires more funding, so they probably have their concerns.”
His mother said, “Don’t talk about them. Even I have my concerns.”
Zhang Ye said in amusement, “Mom, aren’t you too distrusting of me?”
His mother rolled her eyes. “You decided to make a movie at the snap of a finger, so who could trust you?”
“If you can’t pull in funding, how are you going to film it?” Wu Changhe asked.
Zhang Ye threw up his hands. “I’ll think of a way myself. At worst, I’ll use my own money to make the movie.” He did a quick calculation. “Gone With the Wind has sold very well and has earned a fair bit of royalties. Up until now, it should be around 30 million. Together with the bit of savings from last time, I should be able to take out more than 30 million yuan.”
At this moment, Ha Qiqi, Zhang Zuo, and the others also came.
Ha Qiqi asked in concern, “Did you manage to pull in any funding?”
Zhang Ye shook his head and asked, “How much money does our studio have left?”
Ha Qiqi was taken aback and looked to Zhang Zuo.
Zhang Zuo was in charge of the studio’s internal matters. He said, “There isn’t much money left in the studio. I suppose we can take out about three to five million or so.”
Zhang Ye said, “Then together with what I have, we should be able to raise close to 40 million.”
Little Wang was startled. “You’re thinking of putting in your own money?”
Zhang Ye said, “If not, what can we do?”
Tong Fu coughed and said, “Director Zhang, why not…why not forget about it?”
Zhang Ye gave him a look. “That’s not an option. I must make this movie!”
Wu Zeqing was playing with their child. When she heard that, she calmly said, “I can fork out a little.”
Zhang Ye immediately said, “No need!”
His father also said, “Your Mom and I also have around two million in savings.”
“Aiya.” Zhang Ye said, “You guys don’t have to worry. Besides, that money wouldn’t make a difference, so don’t bother yourselves with my affairs. I’ll think of something and definitely gather enough. I don’t believe I can’t do it!”
This was Wolf Warrior 2 they were talking about, the same Wolf Warrior 2 that broke the Chinese box office back in his previous world. Although Zhang Ye was taking a risk by skipping over Wolf Warrior to make Wolf Warrior 2, he had already planned everything properly. In his previous world, a lot of people went to watch the sequel without catching the original first, so it wouldn’t really impact the experience. With some slight tweaking of the script, it was entirely possible to avoid any abruptness in the storyline and make Wolf Warrior 2 into a standalone movie.
But what was the current situation?
He couldn’t even get any investors to fund the production?
Even Zhang Ye did not know whether to laugh or cry!
…
After lunch.
His parents-in-law went home.
On the way, Li Qinqin suddenly said, “Changhe.”
“What?” Wu Changhe asked.
Li Qinqin said, “I have something to discuss with you.”
…
Another two days went by.
On the Web, there were discussions of Commando 2 everywhere.
“Commando will start filming soon.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
“It surely won’t do badly at the box office.”
“Whatever is showing during the same period as Commando 2 is really unlucky.”
“Director Wilson’s commercial effect is becoming more and more pronounced these days.”
“Haha, there’s no news from that Chinese guy either.”
“Yeah, his international path is probably going to end here.”
“That’s true. Hollywood has shut him out, so what else can he do? If he wants to develop in the international entertainment industry, movie productions are going to be a part of it, and no one can get around that.”
…
On the road.
In the car.
Zhang Ye was also looking at a lot of world news. Commando 2 had already started filming, so this gave him an even greater sense of urgency. Of course, he had reason to believe that Wolf Warrior 2 could destroy the similarly themed military movie of Commando 2. But the problem was that other than himself, no one believed him. No one would dare to believe him!
A Chinese movie wiping out a Hollywood blockbuster?
A Chinese director destroying a Hollywood director?
However you put it, it sounded like pure fantasy!
Whoever heard that would also think that Zhang Ye was bragging!
As such, the investment that Zhang Ye was looking for just couldn’t be secured.
How worrisome!
How worrisome!
Up ahead, he reached home.
Zhang Ye got out of the car and took out his keys to open the villa’s door. The moment he stepped in, he discovered that his family members were all here. It was the weekend today, and his wife wasn’t at work.
He washed his hands.
Then got ready for dinner.
The entire family sat together and started eating.
His mother asked, “You haven’t secured the funding yet?”
Zhang Ye said in a dejected tone, “The potential funders are all too shortsighted.”
Wu Changhe curled his lips and said, “It’s because you’re taking such a huge risk this time, boy.”
His father said with a sigh, “That bold temper of his, I really wonder who he takes after.”
His mother harrumphed, “In any case, he doesn’t take after me.”
“Oh, so does that mean he takes after me?” his father asked.
Everyone laughed.
Only Zhang Ye did not. This fellow was totally distracted thinking about the matter of the funding.
At this moment, his mother took out a card and placed it on the table. “Here.”
Zhang Ye was taken aback. “What?”
His father said, “It’s your mother and my savings. There’s two million in it.”
Zhang Ye clicked his tongue. “Aiya, I don’t need it.”
His mother harrumphed, “We don’t have more than that. It’s all we have.”
Zhang Ye was about to say something.
On the other side of the table, after Wu Zeqing finished feeding their daughter, she suddenly reached into her pocket and took out a bank card as well. She pushed it towards Zhang and said calmly, “There’s 90 million on it.”
Exclamations rang out all around!
Zhang Ye was absolutely shocked. “What?”
His mother’s jaw dropped. “90 million?”
Zhang Ye hurriedly said, “Damn, where did you get so much money?”
Old Wu casually said, “From the mortgage.”
Zhang Ye jumped. “Y-You mortgaged the house?”
Old Wu nodded and said almost indifferently, “Use it. We can always pay off the mortgage when you earn back the money.”
“But what if it doesn’t make enough to pay off the mortgage!” his mother asked in panic. She said in an angry and caring manner, “Aiyo, why is my daughter-in-law so foolish? This is the only place you all have to live, so how can you casually mortgage it? What if the movie fails? where will you all stay then? What about the child?”
Zhang Ye said anxiously, “Quickly go and cancel the mortgage and return the loan!”
Old Wu said, “It’s already been signed.”
Zhang Ye felt really touched, but he still said, “Oh, you! How could you not discuss such a big matter with me? Besides, even with this 90 million, it’s still not enough to shoot the movie. You’re just—”
All of a sudden, his mother-in-law next to him said something.
Li Qinqin also took out a bank card. “It should be enough with this.”
Zhang Ye said in surprise, “Mom? What are you doing?”
Li Qinqin handed the card to him. “There’s a 100 million on it, but the money hasn’t been transferred yet. The bank will credit the amount by the end of the week. Take it.”
His mother was dumbfounded. “A 100 million?”
Tears nearly fell from Zhang Ye’s eyes. “Where did you get so much money?”
Li Qinqin smiled and said, “After we went home that day, I had a talk with Zeqing’s father. At first, we wanted to go around to borrow some money for you. But after asking around, even though Little Mo and Zeqing’s sister’s businesses are doing alright, they don’t have that much profit. so Zeqing’s father thought that we might as well not trouble them. Since this is our son-in-law’s career, we definitely have to support him. After that, we decided to mortgage the courtyard house to the bank.”
His mother said anxiously, “That won’t do!”
His father also hurriedly pushed the bank card back. “In-laws, you all absolutely mustn’t!”
His mother said, “Even if someone needs to mortgage their house, it should be us doing it!”
Li Qinqin pushed the card back again. “Our courtyard house is larger and can get a greater mortgage. Besides, Little Ye is our son-in-law. We have always treated him as a son. Since we’re all a family, what’s there to differentiate? Just take it.”
Zhang Ye said, “Mom, keep it. How can I take your money! This really won’t do!”
Wu Changhe said coldly, “If we say that it’s for you, just take it. What are you rambling for!”
Zhang Ye said, feeling moved, “Dad! But—”
Li Qinqin said, “Seeing you going out from early in the morning until late at night to pitch investors, we don’t feel good about it. We’re unable to help out with other things, but we can still fork out this bit of money. Don’t bother yourself with anything else and just make sure to make a good movie. Show those foreigners and Hollywood that our Chinese movies can make a name for themselves.”
Zhang Ye said, “Mom—”
His mother.
His father.
His father-in-law.
His mother-in-law.
His wife.
The entire family had somehow taken out their entire family fortune and gathered 200 million for him!
Right now, Zhang Ye really did not know what he could say!
With 190 million raised, and his own tens of millions of yuan, that would total over 200 million RMB in funding. It was enough for him to make Wolf Warrior 2!
In the end, Zhang Ye didn’t refuse their help.
He gathered up all three of the bank cards and said earnestly, “Dad, Mom, Old Wu, I’ll take the money. Don’t you all worry. I will make a good movie. When the box office earnings are tabulated, I will return this money back to you all several times over. I’ll consider this movie funded together by our family, so just wait, and see what I can do!”
