Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Let’s Make Money Together
The press conference ended.

Ye Kaifeng had someone send the video of the press conference scene to Xu Yang, who immediately forwarded it to Xiao Dongsheng, asking him to have an editor work on it and then have all the presenters promote it.

By noon that day, every presenter from Fengcai Guild released the video, and during their live broadcasts in the afternoon, they repeatedly mentioned the medicine for treating gastric cancer.

It even sparked nationwide discussions.

…

That afternoon, Xu Yang received a call from Xu Zhen.

“Mr. Xu, I’ve read the script you sent me. It’s written so well, so touching—I’m willing to direct this film,” Xu Zhen said.

“Good, I believe you’ll certainly be a great director,” Xu Yang wasn’t surprised.

If even such a script was rejected, Xu Zhen would have been too short-sighted and would not have gotten to where he was now.

“Mr. Xu, have you considered the choice for the male lead? I really like the character in there. Could I be the one to play this role?” Xu Zhen inquired.

When he was reading the script, he was deeply attracted to the character of the male lead.

This was a good script with a good role.

Such scripts and roles were hard to come by.

He felt he could use this script and role to take his directing and acting career to a higher level.

The release of “Too Awkward” had made him a highly sought-after director.

But people generally regarded him as a comedy director.

Comedy films could make money, but they were also considered by many to lack depth.

As a director and actor with aspirations, Xu Zhen hoped to direct more profound movies and portray more profound characters.

Directors and actors like that could then be called artists by people.

This was one of the reasons why Feng Gangpao was not satisfied with just making comedies and also wanted to make dramas, disaster films, and war movies.

“Mr. Xu, actually, for the lead role of this film, I’ve considered having you play it,” Xu Yang said.

“Really? Mr. Xu, thank you for your trust. Letting me be the director and the lead actor, don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you. I will put aside all other work and devote myself completely to the making of this movie,” exclaimed Xu Zhen, excitedly.

“I believe in you,” said Xu Yang. “By the way, regarding the other roles in the film, I have a list here that you can refer to.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhen’s excitement faded, replaced by a furrowed brow.

The shaping of characters relies on good actors.

A good actor can turn an average role into something special.

An average actor can turn a role that should shine into something mediocre.

As a director, one of the biggest fears is having the financiers force unsuitable and unqualified actors into the film.

That could ruin a movie.

It’s like the saying that one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.

If Xu Yang was just inserting one or two extras, that wouldn’t be much of a problem; Xu Zhen could manage that accordingly.

But when Xu Yang spoke of having a list of actors, it implied he wanted to cast for all the roles—which was definitely not okay.

Even with all his capabilities, he wouldn’t be able to make a good film.

If that’s what happened, the movie would be ruined.

“Mr. Xu, actors are crucial to the portrayal of characters and the success of a movie. As the director, I would still like to pick actors that suit the roles and I hope you can grant me this authority. Surely, you wouldn’t want me to make a bad film either, as that wouldn’t be in your interest,” Xu Zhen spoke rather diplomatically.

This was such because Xu Yang was a big name, having given him such a great script and hiring him to be both the director and the lead actor.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so polite.

If Xu Yang insisted on him using some messy actors for the other roles in the movie, then he would rather not be the director and lead actor.

Because that way, he definitely wouldn’t be able to produce a high-quality film.

“Director Xu, I know. I’m just asking you to consider them, to give them an audition chance. If you find those actors suitable, use them; if not, don’t. The decision is entirely in your hands. Moreover, I won’t recommend any other actors to you in the future. What do you think?”

Xu Yang naturally knew Xu Zhen’s concerns.

Actually, this was precisely a show of Xu Zhen’s seriousness and responsibility.

Only a director with such perseverance could make a good film.

Directors who accept any chaotic roles stuffed in by investors can only produce bad movies.

“Alright, no problem.”

Xu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief.

Since that was the case, he could arrange for those people to audition.

After all, if they were unsatisfactory, he could just reject them outright.

Such a promising film must be made with assurance; it was his opportunity.

It absolutely could not be ruined by a few actors.

“Okay, for the other aspects, you’re the expert, so I won’t interfere. Please work out the budget for this film as soon as possible, so I can start looking for investors,” Xu Yang said.

He could invest in this film alone, but that was unrealistic.

Monopolizing the profits was not the way to go.

Making money together was the right approach.

Otherwise, from shooting to promotion to release, it would be extremely difficult. Xu Yang alone certainly couldn’t handle it.

Bringing in some investors would ensure they take care of everything, making the film’s production and release go smoothly.

He planned to hold forty percent of the investment and offer the remaining sixty percent to other investors.

This would not only facilitate the smooth progress of the film but also help him to make connections.

It was a win-win situation.

Actually, this was the same as the expansion of Jiang’s Bottom Fishing.

If it weren’t for the investment and shares of Jiang Yuheng and Su Wenbin, Jiang’s Bottom Fishing could never have expanded to the four top-tier cities, let alone nationwide.

With their involvement, the expansion of Jiang’s Bottom Fishing became smooth.

Any obstacle would be resolved by them.

“President Xu, can you give me a share of the investment?” Xu Zhen asked tentatively.

He was very optimistic about this film and would put his all into shooting it.

The box office shouldn’t be bad, so he hoped to have some share in the investment.

“No problem. I’ll give you ten percent of the investment, how about that, are you satisfied?” Xu Yang smiled.

Giving Xu Zhen, the film’s director and lead actor, a share of the investment could motivate him to work even harder to make a good movie.

Interest motivates people, after all.

“Satisfied, very satisfied, thank you President Xu. Rest assured, I will definitely make this film well,” Xu Zhen was excited.

Initially, he thought that even if Xu Yang agreed to give him an investment share, it would at most be five percent.

Unexpectedly, Xu Yang was so generous, giving ten percent straight away.

It seemed that this film would not only change others’ perceptions of him but also allow him to make a fortune!

After chatting for a while longer, they ended the call.