Chapter 653 650. No answer
Headwind has never let go of the business of investing in overseas films.
Even now, whether it is selling the copyright of "The Voice" or investing in domestic films, the company... can't be said to be full of money, but at least the healthy operation is thriving.
But still has no intention of giving up investing in movies.
In other words, whether it is Xu Xin or Xu Zhi, everyone maintains a high degree of tacit respect for Sister Mo's overseas business.
To be more realistic, the relationship with Sister Guangmo is worth gold.
If she wants to cast a movie, she can cast it.
Of course, this is a talk that emphasizes profit, but in fact, Liu Momo has invested in one or two movies a year on average in the past two years, and the investment is not at all, ranging from one to two million dollars to as much as three to five million dollars.
As far as Headwind is concerned, whether the money is a burden or not, the most important thing is that she doesn't lose much money.
Although I don’t earn much, most of it is around the annual cost of capital preservation and maintaining overseas branches.
It is normal for a small number of people to lose money.
Movies definitely gain and lose.
Everyone is mentally prepared.
After casting several films in Europe in the past two years, Liu Momo plans to expand to North America.
The film environment in Europe is still too exclusive after all.
The investment market in North America is relatively open.
But the stakes are equally high.
Hollywood is the loyalty of world movies, except for those independent movies, commercial movies have long had a very mature system. For a foreign company in this system, the first thing that needs to be treated with caution is actually investment.
After all, a movie worth 10 to 20 million dollars here can only be considered a small production, and the cost can easily reach hundreds of millions... Except for those internationally renowned large companies with countless resources, other small companies can only stay away sometimes.
But Liu Momo still wants to try.
Use the box office capital accumulated in Europe in the past few years to see if it can be played without embezzling the capital of the company's domestic market.
She doesn't really value money.
If she values money and likes money, she doesn't need to stay abroad for at least 270 days 365 days a year. She only needs to stay in the country, and she will have a steady stream of money.
What she values is her own career, or "independent" planning.
European movies, in her opinion, although there are many good ones. But the atmosphere was lifeless, and she was getting tired of it.
What should I do if I get tired?
Change the map.
New beginning.
Thus, the headwind branch in North America started the film and television investment business.
The reason why she didn't return to China this Christmas is because she was busy with various directors, screenwriters, and actors' union dinner parties.
Hollywood holds various receptions at the end of each year. To put it bluntly, it is to bring together people from several parties and get to know each other, thus creating more opportunities for cooperation.
And the bald man in front of her was the screenwriter she met at a screenwriter reception.
Derek Costard.
When everyone met at the reception, for Liu Momo, this person belongs to the lowest level of screenwriters in Hollywood.
There is no representative work, and most of the time is spent under the hands of other screenwriters to help polish various scripts.
However, Liu Momo readily agreed to the other party's proposal to keep his contact information.
Everyone says America is free.
But in fact, there is also a strict hierarchy here.
The hierarchy is so strict that the lower-ranking people can only wait for the higher-ranking people to come to them unless they do something different from ordinary people with a big brain.
In Hollywood, Liu Momo is the same as Derek Costard.
She belongs to the bottom of the film and television investment production company.
Derek belongs to the lowest echelon of screenwriters.
She understands the rules of the game here.
And that night, there were many people in her phone number.
But... perhaps because Christmas is approaching, the other party contacted her after Christmas, and made an appointment to this coffee shop to show her the script he wrote.
Moreover, it seems that in order to increase his favorability, he also brought his cousin...that is, the "Cousin of Tianchaotong" that the two discussed at the dinner party to promote the atmosphere of the negotiation and bring everyone closer.
Liu Momo didn't care about this proposal.
Until, after the two sat down, she heard the girl named Ai Qing in Chinese ask:
"Headwind Entertainment, is that the company Director Xu and Yang Mi work for?"
Liu Momo nodded:
"Yes."
Since he is Tianchaotong, it is normal to know Xu Xin.
But Ai Qing's second sentence confused Liu Momo:
"Huh?...I am Director Xu's English tutor."
So, after the two of them confirmed that "Director Xu" was Xu Xin, they got the phone call she just made.
And sigh the wonder of fate.
This world... is really too small.
As for the vignette where Derek Costard forgets the script in the car, it doesn't matter at all.
"Package"...
She opened the script and saw the first line:
"The mighty, ruthless Tommy Wick is a veteran..."
In the cafe, she began to read the general story of the script, while Derek Costard looked like a high school student waiting for the teacher to review his homework, with a little uneasiness in his eyes.
As for Ai Qing...
She is much simpler.
The people in Dao Xu's company are not liars.
that's it.
So, her expression is more relaxed.
And Liu Momo reads the script very carefully, although she is also ignoring some character dialogues as much as possible, just focusing on the scene and the story.
But it took her the waiter to pour coffee three times before she barely finished reading.
And when she put down the script, Derek Costard sat up slightly.
Liu Momo didn't speak.
Instead, he stared at the cold coffee in front of him, kneading the whole story together.
In all honesty, the script... the story is okay.
It’s just that the features are a bit old.
A lone hero receives a mysterious package, which triggers a bunch of gang chases and other things. In the end, "save the world", everyone is happy.
The story is ok, but… nothing interesting.
After probably knowing the story, she didn't remember much of the wonderful content in any script.
This is the gap in skill of the screenwriter when writing the script.
If the other party could really come up with the kind of script he requested, then everyone would not be sitting here today.
Similarly at the "lower level", she naturally doesn't have too high demands on the other party.
Although the story is not brilliant, it can even be said to be mediocre...but she learned one thing from Xu Xin.
The essence of a movie is to tell a story through pictures.
There are definitely good and bad stories.
but must be complete.
And this story is a very complete story.
The details are boring, but it is better to have a beginning and an end.
From the moment the protagonist receives the express package, everything revolves around this package, and the final ending is quite neat.
She knew she needed a story like this to get a foothold in North America.
Don’t do anything so artistic, and don’t make it too profound.
The story can be shallower, more straightforward, or even brainless. Using the most traditional model of Hollywood, qualified scripts, qualified directors + the most popular actors within the budget, this is the business bible of low-cost movies.
Open the market first, and then slowly find a needle in a haystack.
Having made up her mind, she finally looked at Derek Costard:
"Mr. Costard..."
"Derek, just call me Derek."
"Okay, Derek, what do you think about this story? For example, the director, actors, and even what kind of story do you want to describe in your heart..."
Under Derek Costard's slightly surprised eyes, Liu Momo asked.
The topic between the two kicked off.
…
Nothing to say all night.
Xu Xin went to Lao Zhu early the next morning with swollen eyes from a hangover.
The production of the green cloth of "33 Days" was almost completed. After he re-read it, he mainly checked the dubbing status of the actors.
Surprisingly, Wang Sicong's recording went quite smoothly.
Whether the mood is good or the words are pronounced, they are all handled very well.
Others had some small flaws. After reading it twice in the morning, he listed the flaws of 17 lines separately and handed them over to Xue Yong.
These people are all coming to rework.
However, the rework will be delayed after New Year’s Day.
At that time, he will complete it with everyone.
And "33 Days" took a whole morning to finish. At noon, he had a casual work meal in the cafeteria and rushed to the airport.
Finally, at 4:30 in the afternoon, I arrived downstairs at home.
Sun Ting is waiting for him.
Or waiting for Su Meng.
Tomorrow is New Year's Day, and the couple are not vampires, so they must give them the holiday they deserve.
And after her husband comes back, for the young woman, the assistant is useless.
Hurry up and leave, don't disturb our two-person world.
"I'm going up."
Xu Xin carried the luggage by himself, waved at Sun Ting and Su Meng, and went upstairs directly.
"Goodbye Brother Xu, Happy New Year~"
After Su Meng finished speaking, Xu Xin had already walked into the unit door waving his hand.
Then, Sun Ting said:
"Let's go, take my car. The New Year's Day gift from the company is in my car, and you can take it together later."
"Oh, alright."
Su Meng carried her suitcase and followed Sun Ting, all the way to a Mercedes-Benz GLK.
This car is about 500,000 yuan.
Su Meng didn't ask whether sister Tingting bought the car herself, or if it was a gift from sister Mi...
Anyway, Brother Xu gave her a Beetle.
Super invincible and cute! φ(>ω<*)
After Sun Ting helped her open the trunk, she also saw the benefits Sister Mi prepared for the company's employees on New Year's Day.
One box of Cordyceps sinensis, one box of Liao ginseng.
And a set of Lancome cosmetics gift box. Just next to the DIOR perfume box.
Su Meng was not surprised.
Sister Mi is famous for her generosity.
According to what Sister Mi said at the annual meeting last year:
"The cordyceps and sea cucumbers are all young people here. They are not used for the time being. They are for your parents. You have been working away from home for a year. What your parents care about most is not your performance or how much money you make, but the fear of You have endured hardships and burdens, and I love you. Take these two boxes of gifts home, and you can tell your parents openly that this is the filial piety of your children. Let them not worry, you are fine."
She listened to what Sister Mi said, and returned home with a gift.
Mom and Dad are really happy.
But she still blames her for spending money indiscriminately.
And when she said that it was sent to her by the company, her parents probably felt that...it was sent to her alone, and felt that she was valued by Sister Mi and Brother Xu, and she felt better.
The smile stayed on my face for many days, until the second day of the Lunar New Year, my mother lifted the quilt and kicked me out of bed because I slept late...
And this year, Sister Mi has prepared so many good things, and Dad can drink Cordyceps sinensis in water again.
As soon as she got in the car, she saw Sister Tingting handing over a red kraft paper bag.
"Here. This is the holiday red envelope that Brother Xu prepared for you."
For kraft paper bags...Su Meng is too familiar.
Sometimes she even doubts...whether Brother Xu did it on purpose.
My classmates and friends, and other companies' holiday benefits are usually transferred to the salary card...
But why does Brother Xu like to use kraft paper bags so much?
Either an envelope.
The envelope is ten thousand.
And look at this kraft paper bag... there is less than 30,000 yuan in it.
No, why can’t the festival fee be paid on the card? It always feels awkward to give a brown paper bag.
While pondering, she opened the bag and took a look inside.
"...50,000!?"
This...it's not Chinese New Year yet!
Brother Xu, what are you doing?
Seeing her surprised look, Sun Ting nodded while driving, pointing to the storage compartment:
"There is a bag of wedding candy inside, which is also yours. This time, the employees in the company even have 10,000 yuan for the holiday expenses. Even the auntie cleaner has 10,000 yuan. Brother Sanshui, it was Uncle Xu who let us enjoy the happiness together. So does the wedding candy."
"Uh-huh!"
Su Meng smiled openly:
"Hey...Miss Tingting, have you seen the little baby yet?"
"I've seen it. Well... she looks more like a sister-in-law. She has a loud voice and likes to cry, but it's true that she's not as easy to coax as Nuan Nuan and Yang Yang."
"Then... Isn't Full Moon Wine and Brother Xu's wedding together, what shall we give? Sister Tingting, are you accompanying the gift or not?"
"Don't follow the ceremony, I'm going to tell you about this too."
Sun Ting's tone became serious:
"You don't mention it here, I think so... The gift money must be unified in the whole company, and Miss Mi won't allow more, but I will give a quilt myself, a 100-inch quilt. My mother has already asked for it for me There are a lot of cloth heads, and I started to make them. You also have some snacks here, whether it is Baijiayi or Baina quilt, you have to show some sincerity, understand? Brother Xu and sister Mi are so kind to us, and Brother Sanshui is Brother Xu My dear brother, don’t buy some handicrafts or something to fool you.”
"Yeah, I see!"
Su Meng nodded vigorously:
"Then I will tell my mother when I get home. My family has many relatives, and children's clothes are all used by relatives. There is nothing wrong with Baijiayi!"
"That's fine."
Hearing this, Sun Ting also relaxed.
people.
In fact, this is the case.
Compare your heart with your heart.
Brother Xu and Sister Mi's wedding, although at first glance it seems that "holding in the countryside" and "big pot dishes" does not seem to cost much, but from the relatives of Sister Mi's family, it is a shopping card and a tourist. The remuneration, as well as the scale of the tobacco and alcohol collection, can be said to be an astronomical sum.
They don't lack money, what they lack is a sincere heart.
Compared with gift money, intentions are obviously more important.
This wedding is a double blessing. For Brother Xu and Sister Mi, she really can't think of any way to express her good wishes for the marriage... There is no need to wish.
The couple are so sticky, but anyone with poor acceptance can become a 18-ban movie.
So, let’s work on another wash, Brother Xu’s little nephew.
…
Dinner, the family did not eat at home.
Xu Xin drove the Volvo, pulled his family, and rushed to Hehe with twelve lunch boxes in the trunk.
The confinement center they live in is all based on hotel standards, and Zhang Qian's standard is obviously the presidential suite level.
The dining table is large enough for use.
It is natural for a family to get together during the New Year’s Eve.
Even if my sister-in-law can only drool over the food on that table, and then eat her own nutritious meal honestly, she is still happy about it.
And the happiest one is actually Xu Daqiang.
Tonight, the two sons, two daughters-in-law, grandchildren and grandchildren are all together, and the in-laws on both sides are also present. This kind of happy family time, even if he can only sit alone on the long table representing the head of the family. Still very happy.
However, in order to take care of the mother and child, the whole family drinks red wine today.
This is the most regrettable...
But life is not like this.
No matter how perfect life is, there will always be a little bit of regret.
But Xu Xin felt a little distressed after seeing his father's smiling face with a wine glass reflected in his pupils.
When he came home this afternoon, his wife told him something.
Just yesterday, for this New Year's Eve, she specially took Xu Daqiang to have her hair dyed.
Before, Xu Xin or she ignored this detail.
When she went to get her hair dyed yesterday, she watched the hairdresser doing it. After taking a closer look, she suddenly discovered... It turned out that Uncle Xu's black hair was actually a "disguise".
His hair roots are quite gray.
Father…
I am old.
He was holding the red wine, feeling a little uncomfortable.
…
This family dinner didn’t last long. Even if the house is well insulated, it’s not easy for the family to eat and drink like they are at home.
Not quite right.
So, after each person drinks a full glass of red wine, it is considered the end.
After it was over, Xu Xin proposed, Xu Miao followed, and Xu Daqiang finally made a decision:
"Go, go smoke."
Three men who were no strangers to this hospital touched the gazebo in the small garden again at night.
It was the twelfth lunar month, so I lit a cigarette.
"Is it cold?"
"not cold."
"Wow, warm."
Hearing the response from the two brothers, Xu Daqiang nodded in relief:
"Tuck it all in, I've caught a cold!"
He is obviously an adult, but his tone is still the same as before.
Then watching the two brothers lift up their down jackets almost instinctively and tuck the clothes into the waistbands of their trousers, he raised his head in satisfaction and looked at a gray sky...
"Ah!"
The northern Shaanxi man's face is full of dissatisfaction:
"The pollution in Yanjing is serious! This year, not to mention the stars, the moon is foggy..."
Hearing this, Xu Miao said:
"PM2.5 is still high and scary these days! Wear a mask when you go out~"
"Really? I don't feel much."
Xu Xin had an "itchy head" look on his face.
His role in the family has always been that of the rampant.
These words are in line with the personality.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Xu Miao rolled her eyes.
Xu Daqiang spoke directly:
"It's all said, wow, you are free to read the news! Don't all major national events depend on the news? ... Or the director! No shame!"
"Hey~"
Xu Xinhan laughed twice.
Then…
"Dad, when will you find an aunt to take care of you, okay?"
"..."
Xu Miao was taken aback.
Xu Daqiang was speechless.
How did you pull this up?
"Drink too much?"
He couldn't help asking.
"without."
Xu Xin shook his head:
"It's just...I think Dad, you are too lonely...Wow now?"
"..."
Xu Daqiang was stunned again.
The silence this time was about three or four seconds.
After three or four seconds, he shook his head:
"What."
Xu Xinxin said, why don't you tell the truth?
So I asked again:
"Yeah?"
He said in his heart that you, the old man, can't make it clear?
As long as you make it clear, I will immediately change my name to Auntie.
But Xu Daqiang still shook his head, and got a little impatient:
"Why do you care about it? Just take care of yourself. How big of a man, you don't even read the news... San Jin, you are a father, and you should grow up..."
The old father's chattering mode is on.
But Xu Xin doesn't like this at all.
He has grown up, but he is not taken away.
If a father has a way to take him, he will not be allowed to live as a little ancestor back then.
"Ah! Dad! Tell the truth with me! You and Sanshui both agree, so why not... right, Sanshui."
"..."
Xu Miao's mouth twitched...
Another smoke...
In the choice between the strict father and the "adverse son", it is rare to stand on the adverse son's side:
"That's right, Dad, you and San Jin also want someone to take care of you..."
"..."
This time, Xu Daqiang stopped talking.
Looked at the two of them for a while, then suddenly got up and came to the two brothers.
With a cigarette in his mouth, he rubbed the brothers' heads with his two powerful hands.
While kneading, he said:
"What nonsense. Daddy's life is so good. Seeing that you are both married and have children... Even if you go down to see your mother, you will have an explanation... and your baby has grown up..."
The emotions in the words burn with the cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth.
disappeared with the drift of soot.
The man from northern Shaanxi looked at his two excellent sons with kindness in his eyes.
As for the topic just now...
He went to the end and didn't give an answer.
Let me tell you, the daughter-in-law also has problems with her teeth. Her... the bones related to the teeth (I don't know where, she didn't explain clearly) were born with a missing bone, which caused the teeth to be constantly squeezed on the boneless place when they were in use, deforming the entire tooth Yes, the root of the tooth is very shallow and may fall out at any time.
And all four of her wisdom teeth are growing horizontally... Anyway, I can't tell, but the doctor said her condition is serious.
I went for an examination this Wednesday, and the doctor asked her to come next Tuesday to decide on the final treatment plan.
One thing is certain, that is, she will have to extract all four wisdom teeth, because if she does not extract them, the wisdom teeth that grow sideways will continue to push a tooth beyond the boneless one.
If the plan is confirmed on Tuesday... then I will definitely have to follow it on the day of tooth extraction, so maybe starting from next Tuesday, I will not be able to update for one day, and then depending on the seriousness of my daughter-in-law's condition, the update may not be very stable for the next day or two .
Let me tell everyone first, sorry.
(end of this chapter)