Chapter 77: Paving The Way To Hollywood (2)
"The title is quite interesting, let's see how the content fares." He then began to flip through the script.
The plot was similar to "[Immortal]," telling the story of a 35-year-old Harvard history professor, John, who suddenly resigns after ten years of work. His colleagues, bewildered, gather at his house urging him to explain. John's stated reason shocks them: he claims to be immortal, having lived for 14,000 years as a Cro-Magnon (caveman) man. He has sailed with Columbus, listened to Beethoven compose music, painted with Van Gogh, heard teachings from Buddha, and discussed ethics with - Jesus! He can't stay in one place for more than ten years, or his secret would be discovered. Faced with John's assertions, everyone starts questioning him...
Facing the onslaught of skepticism, John responds seamlessly, as if he had truly lived through those experiences. However, just when everyone begins to believe John's story, under the questioning of his colleague, the psychologist Will, John overturns everything he previously claimed, telling everyone it was all made up. But after everyone leaves in confusion or anger, a conversation between the remaining three reveals the truth: John is Will's father! Will, overwhelmed with emotion, suffers a sudden heart attack and dies, leaving the film with a cliffhanger.
Finally, John drives off with a female teacher who admires him, heading into an unknown future...
After briefly scanning through, Lin Qi closes the script.
"How is it? What do you think?"
Lin Qi steadies himself and looks at him, "I must say, you indeed are a genius screenwriter. Your script is brilliantly written!"
"Thanks for the compliment!"
"No, I'm not exaggerating. This script and your '[Immortal]' are creatively similar, but the content and style are vastly different, tailored for two different cultural perspectives. '[Immortal]' is more restrained and subtle, reflecting Chinese culture; 'The Man from Earth' is more direct and open, reflecting American culture. I can't find any other word to describe you but a genius! You've never been to America, yet you've written such an American script." Lin Qi exclaimed.
With a modest smile, Jiang Cheng said, "The investment for this movie will be as little as '[Immortal],' around ten to twenty thousand dollars, as the scenes and actors are few, and it should take about a day to shoot. I believe with a trip to the Creative Artists Agency you find yourself some actors. The directorial requirements aren't high, and I believe you can handle it perfectly. If we hurry, it can be released as early as April."
Lin Qi nods in agreement, but adds, "Just this one movie isn't enough. Although '[Immortal]'s' success assures me of this film's potential success, even possibly creating a miracle if released globally, relying solely on this one movie isn't enough to stabilize the company."
"Don't worry, I have more scripts." Jiang Cheng says, pulling out another script. "If you ask 'What genre of movie generally has low investment but high return,' everyone knows it's horror."
"Oh, this script is a horror movie?" Lin Qi takes it, and indeed, the cover reads "Paranormal Activity," a classic title for a horror film.
He starts reading and finds it's a mockumentary-style horror film, quickly becoming engrossed.
The plot follows a young couple who move into a new house in the suburbs, only to find it seems to be haunted by some malevolent presence. They decide to use cameras in place of their sleeping selves to capture what happens at night. They install cameras throughout the house, hoping to capture the ghost. But this leads to a terrifying outcome...
As the couple experiences various paranormal events, they grow increasingly fearful. They try to fend off the evil spirits with things like scattering salt around the house, but to no avail. As events continue, Kevin decides to leave, but Mel refuses, leading to the tragic climax.
The last scene has Kevin's bloodied body thrown into the room, while Mel enters, bloodied, ending the story with a sinister smile and turning off the camera.
Even though it's just a script, Lin Qi finishes reading with chills.
"Pretty exciting, right?" Jiang Cheng grins.
Lin Qi forces a smile, "You scared me to death! I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight. That has to be the scariest horror film I've ever seen! Although it has few scenes and the dialogue isn't scary, the atmosphere created is incredibly oppressive. The mockumentary style creates a strong psychological suggestion that captivates the viewer. Especially the final scene, it elevates the entire film's horror atmosphere to its peak! I genuinely worry if someone might actually die of fright when this film is released!"
Jiang Cheng shrugs, "I doubt that, but scaring them badly is a certainty."
The script is reminiscent of the 2009 film "Paranormal Activity," a mockumentary-style horror film. Jiang Cheng vividly remembers how this film terrified the world when it was released! Not only for its horrific effect but also for its production cost – merely $11,000, with a box office of $107 million in North America and $85 million overseas, totaling $193 million globally!
"If rated for the 'highest investment return ratio,' this film would definitely rank in the top three of all time!"
However, the film had many plot weaknesses, particularly its slow and tedious middle section. Although the ending was not bad, it didn't elevate the film's horror atmosphere to its maximum. So Jiang Cheng made extensive modifications, referencing classic psychological horror films like "The Ring" and "Ju-On" to enhance the horror atmosphere significantly, making the plot much tighter, especially the ending, which is now the best it can be.
Hence, Lin Qi's exaggerated praise.
"But..." Lin Qi frowns, "This film, although great and we could expect high returns from low investment, isn't suitable for release this year. You know, because of last year's 9/11, the entire US is a bit on edge. Americans are quite fragile right now, and this year, all major film companies are releasing uplifting, heartwarming films. Horror and thriller genres are entirely out of the market. So if this film is released this year, I doubt it will achieve the expected effect."
Jiang Cheng nods, understanding, and suggests, "Then we'll release it early next year, by then it should be fine."
"But that means we'll need another film," Lin Qi says seriously.
"I have another script, a comedy, suitable for the Christmas season." Jiang Cheng laughs and produces another script.
"Another one!" Lin Qi is utterly shocked. Jiang Cheng, still in the midst of filming, has prepared three more movie scripts. Is he a script printing machine?!
He takes the script titled "The Hangover," already sensing a fun story.
Upon reading, it's indeed a hilarious tale about Doug getting married and his friends - Phil, Stu, and Alan - throwing him a bachelor party. They drive a Mercedes to Las Vegas, partying on the hotel rooftop, only to wake up the next morning to a trashed room, a tiger, a chicken, and a baby, with the groom Doug missing! Worst of all, none of them can remember what happened last night!
Desperate, they rely on receipts, hospital tickets, and other items left behind to slowly recall the previous night's events, searching for Doug. They encounter a series of absurd and hilarious incidents - Stu getting married in one night, being chased by the mob and the police for unknown reasons, and having to gamble in a casino due to mob coercion... Eventually, they find Doug and rush back to the wedding venue, where Doug completes his wedding, and the rest return to their lives.
Laughing, Lin Qi closes the script, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, and tells Jiang Cheng, "I'm really impressed by you, to write such a hilarious script! This will definitely be a classic comedy, and I can imagine the worldwide reaction when it's released, everyone laughing their heads off! But this must be an R-rated film, right?"
"Yes, an R-rated comedy."
"I'm at a loss for words. You're a genuine screenwriting genius! Sci-fi drama, mockumentary horror, R-rated comedy, you can do it all!"
"You forgot the teen musical," Jiang Cheng reminds with a smile.
"Right, the musical!" Lin Qi exclaims, "I can only say, you're bound to win the Oscar for Best Screenwriter one day, I guarantee it!"
"Thanks! But whether I'm successful or not doesn't require an Oscar to confirm it. As long as the audience likes my stories, that's all that matters, right?" Jiang Cheng says with a smile.
Knowing Jiang Cheng is downplaying the Oscars, Lin Qi laughs and says, "If 'The Man from Earth' does well, the company can independently produce 'The Hangover.' Although the film is a small investment, its production cycle is much longer, probably missing the summer season, aiming for Christmas. But I still feel the gap between films is too long; it's safer to have another film in between!"
"Don't forget my 'High School Musical,'" Jiang Cheng says, "Based on the current pace, it should wrap up by the end of March, with two months for post-production, ready for release in July or August. Do you think a simultaneous release in the US would work?"
"Do you have that much confidence in yourself?" Lin Qi raises an eyebrow, "In recent years, although musicals are slowly reviving in the US, they haven't taken off yet. Aren't you afraid of a flop?"
"I always have confidence in myself," Jiang Cheng states, "I'll do my best, and the audience will judge the rest. Regardless of success or failure, I'll have no regrets!"
"Alright, then I'll join you in this madness!" Lin Qi smiles.
"You agree to cooperate with me?"
"Yes, I want to see how far you, this 'madman,' can go. Plus, you're giving me a stake in Apex Films Studio, something I've always wanted, how could I refuse?" Lin Qi laughs.
With a slight smile, Jiang Cheng stands up and extends his hand, "Then, here's to a successful collaboration!"
"To a successful collaboration!"
The two young hands clasped together for a handshake.
※※
In his later years, the world-renowned entertainment tycoon Miracle-Lin would write in his memoirs: "Agreeing to cooperate with Jiang Cheng was the best decision I made in my life. He saved me and my family. Without him, there would be no 'Miracle City Films.' He truly is the most remarkable film maker of our times!"
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