novelslam Chapter 120 Such a Director
Chapter 120 Such a Director
Presidential Suite Executive Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok.
Liu Wei looked at Zhou Hong, who was leisurely sipping red wine, speechless.
Although she didn't understand what a director should do, it was clearly not like this young master who lazily lay half-reclined on set, offering no explanations or instructions to the actors, just constantly saying "cut," "cut," "cut," as if he wanted every shot to be done in one take.
The assistant director once argued with him and was even scolded to tears.
This "Warrant Officer Hong," who holds the titles of producer, supervisor, screenwriter, and director, seems to be mainly making frivolous and uninspired films.
On the other side sat the assistant director, Ann, whose name was Hiriam. She was a stunningly beautiful woman in her early thirties.
In the Singaporean film and television industry, the most famous Ann is undoubtedly Channel 3's eternal queen, Ann Tong Parasun, who is currently at the height of her popularity, and this popularity will last for twenty years.
The woman in front of me, Ann, was also a famously beautiful actress in the 1990s. However, most Chinese people know this Thai-American woman from roles like Black Widow and vicious, beautiful mother-in-law in popular TV dramas more than a decade later.
She has just gotten divorced, her career is at a low point, and she is considering her future direction.
Director Mano and her mother are good friends. Seeing that she had nothing to do, she recommended her to audition for the role of a relative of one of the beautiful young villains in Hong Da Shao's drama. The role was quite good.
Moreover, no matter how badly this movie is made, the pay is considerable. In just 10 days, this slightly significant role is worth half a year's salary for a typical TV actor.
Little did the young master know that he was extremely dissatisfied with the assistant director he had recommended.
Actually, the assistant director is very talented and outspoken. He doesn't care about any investors and sarcastically remarked that even a dog wouldn't watch a movie made by the young master.
That's not all. The main problem is that the assistant director has a populist streak and made a few sarcastic remarks about the young master, referring to people of Chinese descent.
The eldest son said that even if they found a dog to be the assistant director, the show would still be a hit.
While Annie was filming her role as "Auntie," the young master specifically asked her to be his assistant director and signed her on the spot for 1000 million baht for ten years, making her a director and actress at Vientiane Films—a ten-year contract.
Anne signed the contract without even thinking about it. Is there really such a good thing?
Even Ann from Channel 3 only earns a small amount per drama these days. In terms of annual income from TV dramas, she only makes a few hundred thousand baht, of course, with income from things like GG endorsements.
After all, the film and television industry in China is just starting out, and the actors of TVB, whom they looked up to a few years ago, now only earn a million baht if their salaries are converted.
She now earns a guaranteed one million baht a year, regardless of drought or flood, which is quite a generous salary.
Although she's only in her early thirties, Annie was scolded harshly by a young man of eighteen or nineteen. Her eyes are still red, and she's drinking coffee with her head down.
Seeing this scene, Liu Wei wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say.
When she first arrived, she was very reserved. This increasingly mysterious younger brother suddenly called her over, saying that he was investing in making a movie. She was really curious, so she came to Bangkok.
But I never expected to see such scenes.
"Actually, I hired top-notch contractors for the post-production, special effects, and editing of this film, so you can rest assured." Zhou Hong smiled at all the bewildered staff and actors, then turned to Annie and said, "Sister Annie, just focus on learning."
On the other side, director Mano slapped her forehead. Well, the young master was practically saying: Starting tomorrow, you shut up.
Zhou Hong didn't really mean that, but seeing the beautiful young woman biting her red lips and enduring the bullying on set, he was too lazy to explain, and didn't know how to explain it.
After Director Mano and Annie said goodbye, Liu Wei looked at Zhou Hong speechlessly: "Are you really going to make this movie like this? The script is really excellent." She didn't think Zhou Hong was a fool, but she was increasingly unable to understand this young man, her distant cousin.
Zhou Hong laughed and said, "Don't worry, I have enough confidence in the later stages."
Many of the shots on airplanes, sports cars, cliffs, etc., were made with crude props from seven studios and were not filmed against a green screen. However, Zhou Hong believed that the system's special effects would be much better and more realistic than any green screen plus computer effects that would be used twenty years later.
Of course, the system logic and the special effects produced will certainly not exceed the understanding of this era, and will definitely be acceptable to people.
Liu Wei then asked, "What about the name? It's such a tacky rip-off."
The most anticipated action film featuring a leading lady right now is undoubtedly the upcoming "Charlie's Angels 2".
Three years ago, "Charlie's Angels" boosted the status of beautiful female action stars worldwide.
Although Hong Kong films have had female action stars for a long time, their influence was usually limited and they did not become as popular worldwide.
The plagiarism Liu Wei mentioned refers to the names of "Charlie's Angels" and the current movie.
Charlie's Angels, literally translated from English, is called "Charlie's Angels".
The short film that Da Shao is making now is called "The Warrant Officer's Angel".
However, it fits the script quite well. In the film, three beautiful female experts are fighting against the evil military, and their backer behind the scenes is a female officer played by Chung Ti-er, who is a warrant officer.
Liu Wei did not meet the renowned Chinese superstar; it seems she returned to Hong Kong yesterday after finishing her own scenes.
Zhou Hong smiled and said, "That's exactly the kind of cheesy name we need. That's how we make a lasting impression. If this film happens to be a masterpiece, or even better than the original, then it'll generate tons of buzz!"
Liu Wei shook her head, "Okay, I don't understand these things!"
The phone rang, and Zhou Hong stood up: "Sister-in-law, come here, I need to talk to you about something."
……
On the balcony, a gentle breeze was blowing as Zhou Hong lit a cigarette.
The balcony railing is very high and has a transparent glass wall, making it both safe and offering stunning city views, including the dazzling lights and bustling traffic of Bangkok at night.
My mom called to discuss the graduation banquet.
Yesterday, Bai Shanshan, the class monitor, delivered the admission notice. My parents were overjoyed, and my mother called me last night and we chatted for a long time.
All of these factors have affected my communication and relationship with the three pink-clad members.
Fortunately, the time difference between China and Vietnam is only one hour, which is negligible.
Now, all Mom is looking forward to is the graduation banquet.
But where to set it up and how much to pay per table are things Mom will discuss with me, which naturally also represents Dad's opinion.
Unconsciously, I've gained a lot more say in family matters.
I was lost in thought.
The sliding door opened slightly, and Liu Wei, Zhou Hong's sister-in-law, entered. Her long, sexy red hair swayed gently in the wind. She wore a black office lady uniform that hugged her slender figure, especially her firm, alluring curves. Zhou Hong subconsciously glanced at her for a moment before quickly looking away.
Seeing that his sister-in-law Liu Wei had glared at him, Zhou Hong coughed and said, "Why do you always dress so formally?"
"Let me guess, you're not trying to get me to work for you again, are you? This time it's a film company?" Liu Wei pouted.
Zhou Hong was stunned for a moment, then said helplessly, "Why are you calling me a cow or a horse? You're a senior executive of the company. My film company needs someone from our own circle to keep an eye on things. You can be the CEO, or if you don't want to quit your job at the bank, you can be the chairman's assistant and come to inspect the company occasionally to keep an eye on things."
Looking at the dazzling night view below, Liu Wei let the night breeze blow her beautiful red hair. After a while, she said, "I've made up my mind, Xiao Hong. Thank you so much for everything during this time. My family has been through a lot, and I don't know what would have happened without your help. I've also seen a lot of things that I could never have seen before. But I've made up my mind. I will continue to work at the bank. I feel that this kind of life suits me. My work is a simple routine, and I can meet up with my friends who are a little vain and chat with them in my spare time."
"Oh, there's one more thing I need to thank you for. The leaders of our provincial branch met with me, and I was promoted to deputy manager of the major clients department. It's all because of you, because I helped you open your first bank card with our bank, including your US dollar account."
Zhou Hong nodded slightly. As far as the military bank's own funds are concerned, even though it's just daily pay and promotion bonuses, it's still nearly 200 million US dollars, and it hasn't been moved from the account. This is enough to make the bank take care of its relatives.
These $200 million or so are the assets that truly belong to him; all other benefits are just fleeting illusions.
This movie, for example, has been marked by the system as such because it used a system skill card; therefore, all its benefits are counted as system benefits.
I don't know how it differs from my own private property, since I can use it as I please and there's no time limit.
If I die, all my welfare payments, including the assets purchased with them and the so-called system benefits, will vanish.
Can only one's own private property be considered an inheritance and be passed on to parents and relatives?
"What are you thinking about?" Liu Wei turned to look at Zhou Hong, who was lost in thought.
"I'm thinking, even billions of assets are ultimately just fleeting clouds," Zhou Hong sighed softly.
"Little brother, you're just making a fuss over nothing!" Liu Wei shook her head disdainfully.
Zhou Hong chuckled to himself. Thinking about it, wasn't he right? He was already the luckiest person in the world; what more could he possibly want?