Chapter 218 – Meeting the young director (2)

Ning Yang was very clear about his position. He was a nobody that had just started his career. How could a new director without any fame or influence be worthy of an investor having confidence in him without any reservations?

During this period of time, Ning Yang had contacted many investors and producers, hoping that they would invest in his movie. However, as soon as the other party heard that he wasn’t a well-known director, they weren’t even willing to see him, much less invest in his movie.

He hesitated on making a decision. He wasn’t sure if he should move forward with saying yes. Ning Yang didn’t believe that such a good thing would happen to him. On the contrary, he was more willing to believe that Ye Zhen was joking with him.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Miss Ye, did you get an understanding of me as well as the preparations I made for this movie before deciding to invest?”

“Of course. I stayed up through the night to read Director Ning’s script. Otherwise, do you think I would spend 50 million yuan just to play around?” Ye Zhen smiled.

“50 million yuan?” Ning Yang was shocked.

Ye Zhen nodded. “I did a rough calculation. When all is said and done, 50 million yuan should be enough to pay for the preliminary preparations, inviting actors and actresses, filming, post-production, and promoting. However, if Director Ning wants to hire popular stars, my investment might not be enough to pay those stars’ salaries.”

“N-No... It’s not that I think 50 million yuan is a small sum. Miss Ye, aren’t you worried...” Even Ning Yang didn’t have the confidence in himself to recoup that cost.

50 million yuan! Most famous directors’ budgets didn’t exceed that amount! This Mrs. Lu was so liberal with her money. She actually wanted to invest that much money on him?

“If I was worried about not being able to recoup the cost, I wouldn’t have come here. I’ve read your script, and I’m very optimistic about it. I think there’s definitely a market for your movie.”

Ning Yang mockingly smiled at himself. For a while, he didn’t know what to say.

He had been preparing for this movie for so long, but except for Meng Jie, Ye Zhen was the only other person that gave him such unreserved encouragement and praise. The pressure to succeed doubled when he received this boost to his morale.

“Do you have any thoughts on who you want in the movie?”

Ning Yang wryly smiled in embarrassment. “I’m not afraid to tell the truth and be embarrassed in front of Miss Ye. I’ve been rushing around for the past two months looking for actors and actresses, but as of now, I’ve only signed agreements for the female protagonist and two supporting roles. I’m still in the discussion process for the male lead as well as several important supporting roles.”

Although he said he was in the discussion process, he hadn’t actually gotten there yet. He was still looking.

Without fame or money, it was difficult to find any actors and actresses with good acting skills willing to sign on to his movie, much less heavyweight stars.

Ning Yang had contacted his former classmates, but most of them weren’t optimistic about Ning Yang’s situation, so they tactfully refused.

Meng Jie had also tried to help him by contacting actors and actresses that she had previously worked with and given them the script, but nothing had come of it.

Not everyone had Ye Zhen’s daring. Most people weren’t willing to gamble on a movie that they obviously couldn’t see a future for. Moreover, there was the added disadvantage of Meng Jie playing the part of the female protagonist.

“How about this? Don’t worry about finding actors and actresses for your movie or the post-production and publicity. You just need to put all your energy on filming, and I’ll take care of everything else.”

Ning Yang briefly thought it over. “This... Those are the responsibilities of the producer. Miss Ye...”

“Hmm? I can’t take the role of the producer? We’re all inexperienced the first time. There’s no second step without taking the first step. I’m confident that after the filming of this movie, we’ll both gain experience. What do you think?”

Ning Yang had been looking partially away, but under Ye Zhen’s gaze, he couldn’t resist looking her in the eye.

Strangely, Ning Yang felt unprecedented resolve and confidence in her clear gaze.

People’s emotions were contagious. Ye Zhen’s ubiquitous confidence and uplifting fighting spirit infected Ning Yang. At this moment, the frustration and near exhaustion he felt from repeated rejections faded away.

“Yes, we’ll each gain new experience. I’m very much looking forward to working together with you.” Ning Yang calmly stood up and reached out to shake hands with Ye Zhen. “I wish us a happy collaboration!”

Ye Zhen stood up and shook his hand. “Happy collaboration.”