ROSGT Chapter 159: How Dare You Compare This Trash with a Classic?
Volume 1
Chapter 159: How Dare You Compare This Trash with a Classic?
Zheng Zishan's words shifted everyone's attention to him.
Song Tianpeng's face showed displeasure. "Director Zheng, you think this script is good? Explain how it's good!"
"I... I think the story is very funny. Although the plot is somewhat loose, I believe that such a comedic story doesn't need a very tight plot... The filming style can be exaggerated. It should... it should be very appealing."
Zheng Zishan, in his thirties and much older than Song Tianpeng, spoke hesitantly under Song's overbearing demeanor. By the time he finished speaking, a layer of cold sweat had formed on his forehead.
"What exaggerated style? A loose plot is a loose plot. Even comedic films shouldn't ignore plot integrity!" Song Tianpeng said angrily, pressing hard.
Director Li Mingxian also frowned and addressed Zheng Zishan, "Zishan, why don't you ever change? Your theory is fundamentally flawed. Which of your previous films succeeded? They're all money-losing productions! Now you're still spouting the same nonsense!"
"Director Li, it's different. My previous failures were due to immature scripts, but... but *The Eagle Shooting Heroes* is definitely different. The story is genuinely interesting and funny!" Zheng Zishan argued.
Li Mingxian had left a better impression on Ye Chui than Song Tianpeng. Although he hadn't believed Ye Chui could write a script, he had always spoken more gently. However, now he was completely furious, pointing at Zheng Zishan. "Don't forget, all your films have flopped. You've dragged down several companies. If I hadn't appreciated your talent, you would be out on the street!"
Zheng Zishan's face turned red, and he lowered his head, silent but full of indignation.
Song Tianpeng sneered, waiting for him to back down.
"But... but..." After a moment of silence, Zheng Zishan raised his head resolutely, his face stubborn. "I still think this script is good. If it's made into a film, it will definitely succeed!"
His words made Song Tianpeng and the others' faces turn cold.
Ye Chui, however, looked appreciative.
The fact that Zheng Zishan could see *The Eagle Shooting Heroes* as a good script was one thing. Ye Chui admired his persistence and stubbornness even more.
"Zheng Zishan, don't be ungrateful!" Li Mingxian was furious, pointing at Zheng Zishan. "Leave now! You're fired from our crew!"
Zheng Zishan trembled slightly. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing and left the room, looking dejected.
Ye Chui turned and whispered something to Fang Nan. She nodded, saying "yes," and went out to follow Zheng Zishan.
Ye Chui then smiled at the others in the room. "So, I win the bet, right?"
Song Tianpeng had said that if one person acknowledged Ye Chui's script as good, Ye Chui would win. Now that Zheng Zishan had recognized the script, Ye Chui should win by rights.
But the others disagreed. Song Tianpeng coldly said, "Zheng Zishan doesn't count. His judgment has always been off. After graduating from the Film Academy, he accidentally made an award-winning film, and many thought he was a top director of China's new generation. But his subsequent films were all flops. He doesn't count."
"Doesn't count?" Ye Chui glared at Song Tianpeng. "Why didn't you make that clear before? Now that he's acknowledged my script, you say he doesn't count? Are you a scoundrel!?"
"I... I..." Song Tianpeng was momentarily speechless, pointing to the others. "Your script is inherently flawed. These experts' opinions carry weight, don't they?"
Li Mingxian also spoke up, "No one would invest in your script!"
Song Tianpeng's script for *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* was ready for filming as soon as they obtained the rights. Li Mingxian, as the director, naturally sided with Song Tianpeng.
Li Mingxian's words were echoed by the others.
"I wouldn't invest a penny in this script!"
"Exactly, it has no commercial prospects. Professor Fork, you're great at making games and writing music, but filmmaking is a different matter!"
"I wouldn't even go to the cinema to watch a film with this plot!"
They all spoke out one after another.
Zhang Jinyun hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Actually, I think Mr. Ye's script is interesting. Maybe not as a script, but as a novel, it's quite engaging. Everyone here is in the same industry; let's not hurt our harmony."
"Right, right. We might work together in the future. Let's not ruin our relationships," Chu Qingci added, also trying to mediate. She intended to venture into film but didn't want to lose Ye Chui, a valuable asset, so she was playing both sides.
Ye Chui glanced at her. If not for the fact that she was somewhat useful and helpful to Ye Ling, he would have told her to get lost long ago for her fence-sitting behavior.
He looked at Song Tianpeng.
Song Tianpeng was smug, waiting for Ye Chui to concede and hand over the rights.
Ye Chui then looked at Li Mingxian. "You said no one would invest in this film? Fine, I'll invest myself!"
Ye Chui's words caused a stir in the room. Everyone was surprised. It was just a bet, but Ye Chui was going to make the film himself? Wasn't this too much?
Zhang Jinyun quickly spoke up, "Mr. Ye, making a film is very complicated. Don't act on impulse..."
"I'm not acting on impulse. I had already decided to make this film myself, no matter what," Ye Chui said calmly. "Since no one else is interested, I'll handle it myself."
"Do you think making a film is that simple?" Song Tianpeng was angry. He didn't care about Ye Chui's status as a music godfather and said coldly, "You're underestimating the complexity of filmmaking."
Ye Chui shrugged. "Where there's a will, there's a way."
The room fell silent as everyone looked at Ye Chui, unsure if he was naively arrogant or genuinely confident.
Li Mingxian patted Song Tianpeng on the shoulder and whispered a few words, seemingly suggesting that Song Tianpeng should say something conciliatory.
But Song Tianpeng was unwilling. "Director Li, don't worry. I'll revise my script. Although *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* is popular, we don't have to adapt it. I can turn the script into a sequel to *Peach Blossom Hero vs. Chrysanthemum Monster*. It will definitely be a hit!"
*Peach Blossom Hero vs. Chrysanthemum Monster* had been a blockbuster recently. In Song Tianpeng's view, it was just as famous as *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*. Moreover, although his script was supposedly adapted from *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, it was mostly his own creation and deviated significantly from the original story. There was no worry about plagiarism.
Li Mingxian thought it was a good idea and agreed.
But Ye Chui sneered.
Comparing that trash to a classic?
It made him angry.
So, Ye Chui proposed, "How about we modify the bet? You make your *Peach Blossom Hero* sequel, and I'll invest in making *The Eagle Shooting Heroes*. We'll compare box office results. If you win, I'll apologize publicly. If I win, you apologize. Deal?"
Bai Miyun had spent a lot of effort writing *The Eagle Shooting Heroes*. Ye Chui had promised her it would be made into a film. He didn't want to let her down.
Besides, the films in this world were terrible. Making a film would be a fun challenge.
"You want to compare box office results with me?" Song Tianpeng sneered. *Peach Blossom Hero vs. Chrysanthemum Monster* had recently celebrated a record-breaking box office of over a billion yuan. Many experts said it would be a long time before any film broke this record.
With such a box office hit, Song Tianpeng had the confidence to be so arrogant. Even if the sequel didn't reach this level, it would still earn at least seven or eight hundred million yuan.
Ye Chui wanted to compete in box office results?
Without hesitation, he agreed. "Alright, let's do it! But what if your film never gets made?"
"Six months. If I don't finish it in six months, I lose," Ye Chui said coldly, clearly annoyed.
This world's film production was somewhat like Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s, with assembly line operations and relatively short production cycles. Six months was more than enough time.
"Then it's a bet. I'll show you that filmmaking is not child's play!"
The matter was settled.
Just then, Fang Nan returned. Ye Chui, not wanting to waste more time, had her push him out.
"Where is he now?" Ye Chui asked Fang Nan in the hallway.
He was interested in Zheng Zishan and had asked Fang Nan to keep an eye on him.
"He's in the restaurant downstairs."
"Alright, take me to him."
Ye Chui said, wondering about Zheng Zishan's directing skills.
Downstairs in the Jinyun Records building was a restaurant.
As Fang Nan pushed Ye Chui inside, a car nearby rolled down its window, revealing Blood Fox's cruel face. He had followed them all the way and was ready to strike...