Chapter 98

"Go... go for further studies?" Wang Jing looked at Li Xu with a bewildered expression, completely unable to understand why he was talking about this.

"Yes, to USC. I have some friends there who can let you audit any courses related to film production," Li Xu said calmly. "In addition, when you complete your studies, I can arrange for you to intern in a Hollywood film crew. And when you return to Hong Kong, I can invest in any film you want to direct."

Wang Jing looked dazed, as if he were listening to something from another world, or as if he were sleepwalking.

This was quite normal. After all, he was just a small figure. Even if he had some talent in screenwriting, how could such a big opportunity fall from the sky?

"Mr. Li... Mr. Li, this..." Wang Jing opened his mouth nervously, but didn't know what to say.

"Do you know Mr. Gu Jiaxuan's story?" Li Xu asked with a smile. "Don't be nervous. You can consider yourself in the same position as Mr. Gu during that period."

Wang Jing smiled bitterly. Mr. Gu was recognized by the president of Berkeley and helped to apply for a scholarship, with the support of Sir Run Run Shaw, to study in the United States. It wasn't... it wasn't about being kept... Thinking of this, his expression became somewhat strange.

Li Xu, however, seemed not to notice, and looked at him with a smile. "What do you think? Are you interested in becoming a director?"

"Mr. Li... Mr. Li, why do you... why do you think I have potential?" Wang Jing, sitting on the sofa, fidgeted and asked hesitantly.

"I heard that you screenwriters, when doing exercises, must write a story every day, no matter how dry your inspiration is or how bad your state is. I also heard that being professional means that even if a family member dies in the morning, you still have to write a comedy in the evening," Li Xu smiled. "I think such a person is worth cultivating."

Wang Jing was even more confused. The things mentioned earlier, he had indeed experienced, but the latter part was incomprehensible. However, he had to admit that it did... make some sense.

"Can you give me your answer now, Mr. Wang?" Li Xu asked again.

"I..." Wang Jing took a deep breath. How could he not want to be a director? Why else would he pester his father to get investment from Shaw Brothers? But...

"What do you want, Mr. Li?" Wang Jing, who had gradually calmed down, asked.

As someone who had left a mark in Hong Kong's film history, especially in the commercial film sector, he was quite clear-headed.

"I want your youth," Li Xu replied, making Wang Jing's heart race.

"Mr. Li... I... I..." Wang Jing's face turned particularly ugly, feeling extremely nervous.

"What are you thinking?" Li Xu said leisurely. "I'm not gay."

"Yes... no, you're not..." Wang Jing was almost in tears. What exactly do you want to say, sir? Can't you just be straightforward? He completely forgot that the other person was at least six years younger than him.

"It's very simple," Li Xu said seriously after teasing him enough. "I need a house director to realize my various ideas."

He raised his hand and tapped his temple. "I have many ideas here, and I want to present them through films or TV. But I'm too lazy to learn how to be a director, so I need professionals to help."

He paused, waiting for Wang Jing to digest his words, then continued, "When I don't need you, you can direct any film you want, and I will invest in it. Of course, the investment is not unlimited. I will set a limit based on your ability. The higher the box office of the films you direct, the higher the limit will be. The lower the box office, the lower the limit will be.

Then, when I need you, no matter what you are doing, you must put it aside. I will provide everything, including the script, even detailed shot breakdowns. Your only job is to turn these into films, into films that I approve of. If I'm not satisfied, adjustments or reshoots will be necessary. I don't care about time or money; I only care if it's what I want. Do you understand?"

Wang Jing opened his mouth but quickly closed it. He certainly understood what the other person meant. Honestly, having a big backer support him was definitely a good thing. Many directors would kill for such an opportunity, and he had confidence in his directing abilities.

But... what if he messed up? This model was unheard of, completely turning the director into a machine. Moreover, what if he had to make three or four films every year? He wouldn't be able to do anything else.

"Don't worry, there will be more than one house director, after all, everyone has their own style," Li Xu said, as if reading his mind, with a particularly sharp gaze.

Now, Wang Jing couldn't refuse, and this made it even harder to refuse. So, he could only take a deep breath. "Mr. Li... Can I go back and think about it?"

"Sure, go back and discuss it with Mr. Wang and Sir Run Run Shaw," Li Xu nodded.

"Then... then I'll take my leave, Mr. Li." Wang Jing immediately sprang up and hurriedly walked out.

"Remember to come and collect the check when the TV station's results are out," Li Xu added.

To be honest, he hadn't expected to run into Wang Jing like this, but since he did, it was a good opportunity to recruit him. After all, he was on his list of people to gather.

As one of the few directors in Hong Kong specializing in commercial films, Wang Jing was undoubtedly the most worth investing in. Huang Baiyin was too petty, Wu Bai'e had limited skills, and Du Qifeng had potential but needed more time to develop.

As for the others, they were all limited in scope, and only Wang Jing could continue into the 21st century.

Actually, Wang Jing's limitations weren't small either. Being a Hong Konger, he lacked grandeur, like most others. But he didn't care about his image; he was willing to play the clown when necessary and had made a lot of lowbrow films.

But to say he wasn't sincere about films would be wrong. He made money from films not just for his own enjoyment but also to support the artistic films of Xu Anhua and Guan Jinpeng, even if they flopped. He also helped many others by making connections.

Sending Wang Jing to Hollywood wouldn't cost much. If he could learn something there and get rid of his pettiness, that would be great. If not, it wouldn't matter much, as by the 1990s, there would be more options.

As for the possibility of him refusing... Li Xu hadn't really considered it. With such generous conditions, anyone with ambition would agree. People in Hong Kong at that time were willing to take risks.

In addition, Xu Ke could also be cultivated and recruited, and it wouldn't be hard to buy him off.

However, now that New Cinema City had been established, he had already been pulled over and was a bit eccentric. If he became too obsessed with special effects, the film's plot would be ruined. It would be better to wait until he had been trained by Huang Baiyin for two years, around the time of "The New Legend of the Condor Heroes" in another timeline, before making a move.

So, you see, if you're reborn and want to play in the entertainment industry, why bother being a director? Controlling capital is the key.

Love films? Want to achieve something? Come on, what is really yours? Do you really think that by taking someone else's work, polishing it, and carving it, it becomes yours?

When you have power and know what the original films look like, you don't need to know about lighting, editing, or how to shoot. Just find a director, give them a blueprint, and tell them what to shoot. Why go through all that trouble?

Heh, Truffaut ambitiously proposed the concept of auteur cinema during the New Wave movement, but he was still constrained by funding and had to compromise in the end.

Speaking of which, the TV station quickly gave a price for the script, 800 Hong Kong dollars per episode, which was quite moderate.

Li Xu readily paid the money and then discussed the preparations with Huang Xizhao and Xu Xiaoming—Xu Xiaoming had been the original producer, so it was fitting for him to handle it now.

Anyway, Mai Dangxiong and the others were determined to give TVB a tough time and apply for funding from Li Xu's soon-to-be-established film fund to make movies.

There were no other issues. The TV station had its own procedures, and Li Xu didn't care about them as long as they got the TV series made. The only problem was the cast selection.

"Boss... you mean... you mean you want Zhao Yazhi to play the female lead?" Xu Xiaoming, sitting in the chair in front of the desk, looked at Li Xu with a dazed expression.

This actor and director, who was the same age as Wang Jing, was also quite young and somewhat handsome, but his appearance was completely different from what he would look like decades later, except for his facial features and glasses.

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" Li Xu shrugged, as if finding his question strange.

"But..." Xu Xiaoming made some meaningless gestures.

"If you're worried about her contract with TVB, don't worry. I've already talked to Sir Run Run Shaw and bought out Zhao Yazhi's contract," Li Xu smiled. "Just sign a contract with her."

"But boss, this... this..." Xu Xiaoming was still shaking his head, and Huang Xizhao pulled him aside.

"Xiaoming means that having Zhao Yazhi play the female lead is fine," Huang Xizhao explained, "but you chose Huang Yuanshen to play the male lead. Is that appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Li Xu spread his hands, seemingly clueless, which made Huang Xizhao somewhat frustrated.

But he then smiled meaningfully. "Bad reputation is still a reputation."

Huang Xizhao fell silent, and Xu Xiaoming closed his mouth, having realized the implications. If the boss had bought out Zhao Yazhi's contract from Sir Run Run Shaw and used the name "Yazhi," their relationship was obvious.

But he couldn't help but say, "Boss, this might not be appropriate for both parties involved, and it could easily affect the TV station's reputation."

"Don't worry, I've considered everything," Li Xu smiled. "Let's do this: have Huang Yuanshen come to me. If he firmly refuses to act with Zhao Yazhi, I won't force him."